Variational construction of diabatic states

The previously proposed local variational algorithm for generating diabatic states from adiabatic states is tested numerically for the simplest case of avoided potential curve crossing in a diatomic. The obtained results fully agree with those found by an interpolation scheme.     

Correlation of Osmotic Coefficient Data for ZnSO4(aq) at 25°C by Various Thermodynamic Models

The available literature data on the osmotic coefficient of ZnSO₄(aq) at 25°C in the molality range from 0.1 to 4.3 mol-kg^–1 and new experimental data from 1.2 to 2.9 mol-kg^–1, at the same temperature, are presented. Selected values of the osmotic coefficient from all the data are analyzed using the Clegg-Pitzer-Brimblecombe model, the extended Pitzer model, and a semiempirical equation comprising a power series in molality added to the Debye-Hückel limiting law. The extended Pitzer equation and the Clegg-Pitzer-Brimblecombe equations give the best results in fitting the osmotic coefficient data. All three models are used to calculate ZnSO₄ activity coefficients at 25°C in dilute solutions (<0.1 mol-kg^–1) for comparison with published values.     

On Bäcklund transformation and vortex filament equation for null Cartan curve in Minkowski 3-space

In this paper we introduce Bäcklund transformation of a null Cartan curve in Minkowski 3-space as a transformation which maps a null Cartan helix to another null Cartan helix, congruent to the given one. We also give the sufficient conditions for a transformation between two null Cartan curves in the Minkowski 3-space such that these curves have equal constant torsions. By using the Da Rios vortex filament equation, based on localized induction approximation, we derive the vortex filament equation for a null Cartan curve and obtain evolution equation for it’s torsion. As an application, we show that Cartan’s frame vectors generate new solutions of the Da Rios vortex filament equation.     

Titanium coated with high-performance nanocrystalline ruthenium oxide synthesized by the microwave-assisted sol–gel procedure

Ruthenium oxide coating on titanium was prepared by the sol–gel procedure from well-defined colloidal oxide dispersions synthesized by the microwave (MW)-assisted hydrothermal route under defined temperature and pressure heating conditions. The dispersions were characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The electrochemical properties were analyzed as capacitive performances gained by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and as the electrocatalytic activity for oxygen evolution from acid solution. The obtained dispersions were polydisperse and contained regular particles and agglomerates of increasing surface energy and decreasing particle size as the MW-assisted heating conditions were intensified. Owing to these features of the precursor dispersions, the obtained coatings had considerably improved capacitive performances and good electrocatalytic activity for oxygen evolution at high overpotentials.     

Mild C−H/C−C Activation by Z‐Selective Cobalt Catalysis

Cationic cobalt complexes enable unprecedented cobalt‐catalyzed C?H/C?C functionalizations with unique selectivity features. The versatile cobalt catalyst proved broadly applicable, enabled efficient C?H/C?C cleavage at room temperature, and delivered Z‐alkenes with excellent diastereocontrol.     

Microfluidic depletion of endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and fibroblasts from heterogeneous suspensions

Interactions between ligands and cell surface receptors can be exploited to design adhesion-based microfluidic cell separation systems. When ligands are immobilized on the microfluidic channel surfaces, the resulting cell capture devices offer the typical advantages of small sample volumes and low cost associated with microfluidic systems, with the added benefit of not requiring complex fabrication schemes or extensive operational infrastructure. Cell-ligand interactions can range from highly specific to highly non-specific. This paper describes the design of an adhesion-based microfluidic separation system that takes advantage of both types of interactions. A 3-stage system of microfluidic devices coated with the tetrapeptides arg-glu-asp-val (REDV), val-ala-pro-gly (VAPG), and arg-gly-asp-ser (RGDS) is utilized to deplete a heterogeneous suspension containing endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and fibroblasts. The ligand-coated channels together with a large surface area allow effective depletion of all three cell types in a stagewise manner.     

Phenolic profiles of Serbian autochthonous variety ‘Prokupac’ and monovarietal international wines from the Central Serbia wine region

Phenolic profiles of young monovarietal white and red wines from the Central Serbia were investigated. Quantification of phenolics was done using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) coupled with a diode array detector and a triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer. Generally, red wines were characterised with higher phenolics content when compared to the white wines. This applies also for the total phenolics content (TPC) and radical scavenging activity (RSA) values. Among all the samples, the red wine from autochthonous Serbian variety ‘Prokupac’ stood out with unique composition, showing the highest TPC, RSA and the highest concentration of the individual phenolics. Finally, based on a specific phenolic pattern, principal component analysis (PCA) indicated clustering of red and white wines, with the ‘Prokupac’ as a prominent outlier.     

Theoretical and experimental study of triphenylphosphonium Schiff base of 5-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-phenyl-4-formylpyrazole

The Schiff base (HLBr), containing a chelating unit and triphenylphosphonium moiety has been synthesized in the reaction of 4-aminobenzyl(triphenyl)phosphonium bromide with 5-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-phenyl-4-formylpyrazole. The composition and structure of HLBr have been determined by elemental analysis, IR, 1D and 2D NMR, electronic spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations (6-311G(d,p) level of theory) have been carried out to investigate tautomeric forms of HL⁺ and the reaction mechanism of its formation and spectral properties. The most stable form in the solid state and in DMSO solution is pyrazolone (keto-amine) tautomeric form.     

Determination of competitive adsorption isotherms applying the nonlinear frequency response method: Part II. Experimental demonstration

This paper demonstrates an experimental application of the nonlinear frequency response (FR) method extension to determine adsorption isotherms of binary mixtures. This method, based on the analysis of the response of a chromatographic column subjected to the sinusoidal inlet concentration changes, is shown to be an alternative for isotherm determination. The critical issue related to the successful application of the method is to reach experimentally the low frequency asymptotic behaviour of the corresponding frequency response functions (FRFs). Although, there are different possibilities to perform periodical inlet concentration changes, in this paper only simultaneous changes for both components were considered. The adsorption of phenol and 2-phenylethanol on octadecyl silica was analyzed experimentally using a mixture of methanol and water as a solvent. Parameters of competitive isotherms were also estimated for comparison using the classical perturbation method. Despite certain differences between competitive isotherms estimated with the two methods that were found, the obtained results show the potential of the nonlinear FR method for measuring competitive isotherms.