Microwave spectrum of 3-methoxypropionitrile

The microwave spectrum of 3-methoxypropionitrile, CH₃OCH₂CH₂CN, has been investigated in the region 16 to 40 GHz. The spectrum reveals the presence of only one rotational isomer, the fully-trans form (with C₈ symmetry). For the ground vibrational state the rotational constants are A = 17 821 ± 14, B = 1425.526 ± 0.005, and C = 1353.909 ± 0.005MHz and the centrifugal distortion constants are D_J = 0.162 ± 0.010 and D_JK = ?10.28 ± 0.03kHz. Several series of vibrational satellite lines have been assigned to the torsional motions about the CH₂CH₂ and CH₂O bonds and to the CC≡N bending motion.     

Modal and characteristics-based approaches for modeling elastic waves induced by time-dependent boundary conditions

In this paper, we present a characteristics-based approach for solving elastic wave problems with time-dependent traction boundary conditions. A generalized mathematical model for this important class of problems is expressed as a set of first-order, linear, hyperbolic partial differential equations. We analyze the mathematical structure of this first-order linear system, verify its hyperbolicity, derive its characteristic form, and deduce its eigenvalues, eigenvectors, and Riemann invariants. The eigenvalues correspond to the wave speeds, while the Riemann invariants are used to construct a solution by the method of characteristics.     

Assessment of Nematic Guest-Host Systems for Application to Integrated Liquid Crystal Displays

An optimized configuration of the nematic guest-host effect is described in which a 90° twist cell is used. In order to assess the suitability of nematic guest-host systems for use in integrated displays in which a significant dc voltage may appear across the liquid crystal, several dye/host systems were tested with up to 1.5V dc superimposed on the normal 5V r.m.s. drive signal. Degradation was monitored by measurement of tilt, clearing point and absorbance. One system tested showed no significant degradation after 9 × 10³ hr. Excellent correlation was observed between stability of a dye/host system in a driven display and the reversibility of the reduction of the dye in acetonitrile solution at a platinum electrode.     

Ontological Vagueness, Existence Monism and Metaphysical Realism

Recently, Terry Horgan and Matja? Potr? have defended the thesis of ‘existence monism’, according to which the whole cosmos is the only concrete object. Their arguments appeal largely to considerations concerning vagueness. Crucially, they claim that ontological vagueness is impossible, and one key assumption in their defence of this claim is that vagueness always involves ‘sorites-susceptibility’. I aim to challenge both the claim and this assumption. As a consequence, I seek to undermine their defence of existence monism and support a common-sense pluralist ontology of ‘ordinary objects’ as being fully consistent with a thoroughgoing metaphysical realism.     

Quantitative assessment of motion correction for high angular resolution diffusion imaging

Several methods have been proposed for motion correction of high angular resolution diffusion imaging (HARDI) data. There have been few comparisons of these methods, partly due to a lack of quantitative metrics of performance. We compare two motion correction strategies using two figures of merit: displacement introduced by the motion correction and the 95% confidence interval of the cone of uncertainty of voxels with prolate tensors. What follows is a general approach for assessing motion correction of HARDI data that may have broad application for quality assurance and optimization of postprocessing protocols. Our analysis demonstrates two important issues related to motion correction of HARDI data: (1) although neither method we tested was dramatically superior in performance, both were dramatically better than performing no motion correction, and (2) iteration of motion correction can improve the final results. Based on the results demonstrated here, iterative motion correction is strongly recommended for HARDI acquisitions.     

Synthesis of New N‐(5‐Oxo‐2,5‐dihydro)pyrrol‐3‐yl Glycines and N‐(5‐Oxo‐2,5‐dihydro)pyrrol‐3‐yl Glycines Esters

Following our efforts towards the synthesis of new potential inhibitors of Xanthine Dehydrogenase (XDH), we describe here a general method for the preparation of N-(5-oxo-2,5-dihydro)pyrrol-3-yl glycines and N-(5-oxo-2,5-dihydro)pyrrol-3-yl glycine esters from glycine ethyl ester hydrochloride and various 4-hydroxy-5-oxo-2,5-dihydro-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxylic acid esters and carbonitriles.     

Preparation of Stereoregular Isotactic Poly(mandelic acid) through Organocatalytic Ring‐Opening Polymerization of a Cyclic O‐Carboxyanhydride

Poly(mandelic acid) (PMA) is an aryl analogue of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and a biodegradable analogue of polystyrene. The preparation of stereoregular PMA was realized using a pyridine/mandelic acid adduct (Py?MA) as an organocatalyst for the ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of the cyclic O‐carboxyanhydride (manOCA). Polymers with a narrow polydispersity index and excellent molecular‐weight control were prepared at ambient temperature. These highly isotactic chiral polymers exhibit an enhancement of the glass‐transition temperature (T_g) of 15 °C compared to the racemic polymer, suggesting potential future application as high‐performance commodity and biomedical materials.     

Lifetime prediction of a blue PE100 water pipe

The traditional method to assess the lifetime of plastic pipes is based on hydrostatic pressure testing. A complementary approach has been conducted to monitor the depletion of antioxidants and initiation of thermo-oxidative degradation on a PE100 blue water pipe that had been exposed to hydrostatic pressure in water at low test temperatures (maximum 80 °C).Depletion of antioxidants was monitored using OIT testing and initiation of thermo-oxidative degradation was assessed by iodometric detection of hydroperoxides. An empirical model based on the Arrhenius fit of the data was developed to extrapolate the lifetime of the PE100 pipe material at various service temperatures (10-25 °C). Associated activation energies, E_a, were determined and appeared to be in line with the values obtained from experiments carried out at low test temperatures. The combination of pressure testing and chemical analyses proved to be a very powerful tool to extrapolate the lifetime of plastic pipes.