Synthesis and characterization of a semiflexible liquid crystalline polyester with a broad nematic region

In this paper, we report on the synthesis and detailed characterization of a new semiflexible nematic liquid crystalline polyester which could serve as a 'model' polyester for a variety of physical and physico-chemical investigations. The polymer is a nematic liquid over a wide temperature range-from the glass transition temperature at ∼95°C to the isotropic transition at ∼240°C. We expect this polyester to be particularly useful for studying the effect of flow on the orientation of liquid crystalline polymers, as well as the production and removal of disclinations.     

Oxygen on Fe(100) and Fe(110)

Investigations of the electronic and magnetic properties of oxygen adsorbed on magnetized iron films have been carried out by means of angle and spin resolving photoelectron spectroscopy. Iron, epitaxially grown on W(100) and W(110) crystals, served as the ferromagnetic substrate. Exchange splittings of the O 2p_x derived level have been detected, demonstrating a magnetic coupling between the chemisorbate and the iron layer. Variations of the exchange splitting have occurred as a function of the oxygen coverage, photon energy, and emission angle. High oxygen exposures have lead to a FeO overlayer at the surface.     

Synthesis and antibacterial activities of water‐soluble methacrylate polymers containing quaternary ammonium compounds

New water‐soluble methacrylate polymers with pendant quaternary ammonium (QA) groups were synthesized and used as antibacterial materials. The polymers with pendant QA groups were obtained by the reaction of the alkyl halide groups of a previously synthesized functional methacrylate homopolymer with various tertiary alkyl amines containing 12‐, 14‐, or 16‐carbon alkyl chains. The structures of the functional polymer and the polymers with QA groups were confirmed with Fourier transform infrared and ¹H and ¹³C NMR. The degree of conversion of alkyl halides to QA sites in each polymer was determined by ¹H NMR to be over 90% in all cases. The number‐average molecular weight and polydispersity of the functional polymer were determined by size exclusion chromatography to be 32,500 g/mol and 2.25, respectively. All polymers were thermally stable up to 180 °C according to thermogravimetric analysis. The antibacterial activities of the polymers with pendant QA groups against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were determined with broth‐dilution and spread‐plate methods. All the polymers showed excellent antibacterial activities in the range of 32–256 μg/mL. The antibacterial activity against S. aureus increased with an increase in the alkyl chain length for the ammonium groups, whereas the antibacterial activity against E. coli decreased with increasing alkyl chain length. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 5965–5973, 2006     

Reaktionen von π-Organokomplexen des Nickels mit tertiären Phosphanen

Reactions of π-Organonickel Complexes with Tertiary Phosphanes In a hexane solution Ni(C₅H₅)₂ reacts with PBu₃ or Ph₂PBu forming the nickel(O) complexes Ni(PBu3)₄ or Ni(Ph₂PBu)₄ (A). Under the same conditions only one cyclopentadienyl ligand is substituted by PhPBu₂ and the nickel(I) compound (C₅H₅)Ni (PhPBu₂)₂ (B) is obtained. Products of the reactions between B and α,α′-dipyridyl, hydrogen chlorid in ether, or Ni(PhPBu₂),Cl₂ are Ni(dipy)₂, [PhPHBu₂]₂[NiCl₄], or (C₅H₅) Ni(PhPBu₂)₂Cl. By the reaction with HgCl₂ a cyclopentadienyl compound of an unknown structur is formed. The compound Ni(PhPBu₂)₄ which is analogous to A is synthesized by the reduction of bis(acety1acetonato)-nickel with Et₂AlOEt in the presence of PhPBu₂ or by the reaction of bis (cyclooctadiene-1,5)-nickel with PhPBu₂.     

Don't expect a consensus on hernia repair

Hernia surgery, a bread and butter operation for many hospitals, seems a likely candidate for streamlining, standardization, and package pricing. But there's no consensus on the best way to do hernia repairs. Surgeons differ vehemently on which approach is preferable. The mesh plug attracted attention this summer when its advocate, Ira Rutkow, MD, appeared on TV. But the patch, traditional open repair, and laparoscopy also have their advocates. Here's a look at the techniques and why you're unlikely to see consensus soon.