Nonlinear Triple Product $$A^{*}B + B^{*}A$$ for Derivations on $$\ast$$ -Algebras

Mathematical Notes - Let $$\mathcal{A}$$ be a prime $$\ast$$ -algebra. In this paper, assuming that $$\Phi:\mathcal{A}\to\mathcal{A}$$ satisfies $$\Phi(A\diamond B \diamond C)=\Phi(A)\diamond B...     

The analysis of functionally graded shallow and non-shallow shell panels with piezoelectric layers under dynamic load and electrostatic excitation based on elasticity

Elasticity solution is presented for finitely long, simply-supported, functionally graded shallow and non-shallow shell panel with two piezoelectric layers under pressure and electrostatic excitation. The functionally graded panel is assumed to be made of many sub panels. Each sub panel is considered as an isotropic layer. Material’s properties in each layer are constant and functionally graded properties are resulted by suitable arrangement of layers in multilayer panel. In each interface between two layers, stress and displacement continuities are satisfied. The highly coupled partial differential equations (p.d.e.) are reduced to ordinary differential equations (o.d.e.) with variable coefficients for non-shallow panel and constant coefficients for shallow shell panel by means of trigonometric function expansion in circumferential and longitudinal directions. The resulting ordinary differential equations are solved by Galerkin finite element method and Newmark method is used to march in time. Numerical examples are presented for functionally graded shell panel with a piezoelectric layer as an actuator in external surface and a piezoelectric layer as a sensor in internal surface and the results of the shallow and non-shallow panels are discussed.     

Nickel catalyst supported on mesoporous MgAl2O4 nanopowders synthesized via a homogenous precipitation method for dry reforming reaction

Research on Chemical Intermediates - Mesoporous MgAl2O4 nanopowders were synthesized via the homogenous precipitation method and employed as a support for Ni catalysts in the dry reforming...     

Electrochemical Oxidation of Catechols in the Presence of Triethyl Phosphite

The mechanism of electrochemical oxidation of catechol and some of its derivatives have been studied in the presence of triethyl phosphite as a nucleophile in aqueous solution. Voltammetric studies indicate that the quinones derived from catechol, and its derivatives, participate in Michael addition reaction with triethyl phosphite. The reaction mechanism consists of electron transfer followed by a chemical reaction which is named as an EC mechanism. The homogeneous rate constants (k_obs) were estimated by comparing the experimental cyclic voltammograms with the digitally simulated voltammograms based on EC mechanism. Also the effects of nucleophile concentration and substituted group of catechols on voltammetric behavior and the rate constants of chemical reactions were examined.     

Dry reforming reaction over nickel catalysts supported on nanocrystalline calcium aluminates with different CaO/Al2O3 ratios

Nanocrystalline calcium aluminates with different CaO/Al2O3 ratios were prepared by a facile co-precipitation method using Poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(propylene glycol)-block-poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG-PPG-PEG, MW: 5800) as a surfactant. They were employed as catalyst support for nickel catalysts in methane reforming with carbon dioxide. The prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2 adsorption (BET), temperature-programmed reduction and oxidation (TPR-TPO), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. Catalysts showed a relatively high catalytic activity and stability. TPR analysis revealed that the catalysts with higher CaO content are more difficult to be reduced. TPO analysis showed that the 5 wt%Ni/CA and 5 wt%Ni/C12A7 catalysts with higher CaO amount were effective against coke deposition.     

Synthesis and characterization of silica-supported Pd nanoparticles and its application in the Heck reaction

Well-dispersed palladium nanoparticles immobilized onto modified silica(SiO 2-pr-NH-cyanuric-SH) have been prepared in some facile steps.The catalyst exhibits high catalytic activity in the Heck reaction,and can be easily recovered and reused without significant loss of its activity in several runs.     

The Role of Bi3+ in Promoting and Stabilizing Iron Oxo Clusters in Strong Acid

Metal oxo clusters and metal oxides assemble and precipitate from water in processes that depend on pH, temperature, and concentration. Other parameters that influence the structure, composition, and nuclearity of “molecular” and bulk metal oxides are poorly understood, and have thus not been exploited. Herein, we show that Bi³⁺ drives the formation of aqueous Fe³⁺ clusters, usurping the role of pH. We isolated and structurally characterized a Bi/Fe cluster, Fe₃BiO₂(CCl₃COO)₈(THF)(H₂O)₂, and demonstrated its conversion into an iron Keggin ion capped by six Bi³⁺ irons ( Bi₆Fe₁₃ ). The reaction pathway was documented by X‐ray scattering and mass spectrometry. Opposing the expected trend, increased cluster nuclearity required a pH decrease instead of a pH increase. We attribute this anomalous behavior of Bi/Fe(aq) solutions to Bi³⁺, which drives hydrolysis and condensation. Likewise, Bi³⁺ stabilizes metal oxo clusters and metal oxides in strongly acidic conditions, which is important in applications such as water oxidation for energy storage.     

Accelerator mass spectrometry offers new opportunities for microdosing of peptide and protein pharmaceuticals

Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) is an ultra‐sensitive analytical method which has been instrumental in developing microdosing as a strategic tool in early drug development. Considerable data is available for AMS microdosing using typical pharmaceutical drugs with a molecular weight of a few hundred Daltons. The so‐called biopharmaceuticals such as proteins offer interesting possibilities as drug candidates; however, experimental data for protein microdosing and AMS is scarce. The analysis of proteins in conjunction with early drug development and microdosing is overviewed and three case studies are presented on the topic. In the first case study AMS experimental data is presented, for the measured concentration of orally administered recombinant insulin in the blood stream of laboratory rabbits. Case study 2 concerns minimum sample size requirements. AMS samples normally require about 1 mg of carbon (10 µL of blood) which makes AMS analysis unsuitable in some applications due to the limited availability of samples such as human biopsies or DNA from specific cells. Experimental results are presented where the sample size requirements have been reduced by about two orders of magnitude. The third case study concerns low concentration studies. It is generally accepted that protein pharmaceuticals may be potentially more hazardous than smaller molecules because of immunological reactions. Therefore, future first‐in‐man microdosing studies might require even lower exposure concentrations than is feasible today, in order to increase the safety margin. This issue is discussed based on the current available analytical capabilities. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Correlation and cross-linking effects in imprinting sites for divalent adsorption in gels

We examine a method to mimic active sites in proteins by chemical imprinting of p-valent templates in heteropolymer gels. Previous studies have confirmed successful formation of sites by adsorption of targets with p >/= 2 contacts. We investigate the recovery of sites with p = 2 imprinted by lead methacrylate Pb(MAAc)(2) (placing two carboxyl groups in close proximity). The improved binding ability of gels with more cross-links, and the relative insensitivity to changes in gel volume contradict simple theory. We conclude that adsorber pairs are predominantly located on the same polymer chain, posing a challenge to mimicking protein-like function.     

Novel PVC-based copper(II) membrane sensor based on 2-(1'-(4'-(1'-hydroxy-2'-naphthyl)methyleneamino)butyl iminomethyl)-1-naphthol.

A copper(II) ion-selective PVC membrane sensor based on 2-(1'-(4'-(1'-hydroxy-2'-naphthyl)methyleneamino)butyl iminomethyl)-1-naphthol (BHNB) as a novel Schiff base containing a sensing material has been successfully developed. The sensor exhibits a good linear response of 29 mV per decade within the concentration range of 10(-1)-10(-6) M of Cu2+. The sensor shows good selectivity for copper(II) ion in comparison with alkali, alkaline earth, transition and heavy metal ions. The BHNB-based sensor is suitable for use with aqueous solutions of pH 3.5-7.0 and displays minimal interference by Sr(II), Cd(II), Hg(II), Zn(II) and Pb(II), which are known to interfere with other previously suggested electrodes. The proposed membrane electrode was used as a sensor for determining the Cu(II) content in black tea samples. It was also applied as an indicator electrode in the potentiometric titration of Cu2+ ions with EDTA.