Light absorption due to higher harmonics of molecular vibrations in transparent amorphous polymers for plastic optical fibers

We have studied simple empirical equations to estimate light absorption loss α_v due to harmonics of molecular vibrations of transparent amorphous polymers used in plastic optical fibers (POFs). In the visible region, absorption involves two losses. One is α_v, and the other is the electronic transition absorption loss, α_e. Of the two, α_v is considerably larger than α_e in the wavelength region used for optical communication with POFs. We have clarified relationships between chemical structure of repeat units of polymers and α_v. We find that α_v is proportional to the concentration of specific chemical bonds (C? H, N? H, and Obond;H bonds) in the polymer solid, and we propose empirical equations to estimate α_v from the polymer density and the chemical structure of the repeat unit. These equations are used to estimate α_v of several polymers [i.e., poly(methyl methacrylate), polystyrene, and polycarbonate]. The estimated values are nearly equal to the experimental or reference values. Furthermore, to minimize the attenuation in the POF, we conclude that the POF core polymer should have no N? H, O? H, or aliphatic C? H bonds in its repeat unit.     

Adsorptive stripping voltammetric behaviour of uranium chelates of some azo compounds

Summary The adsorptive stripping voltammetric behaviour of Arsenazo III, Eriochrome Black T, 4-(2-pyridylazo) resorcinol, Mordante Blue 9 and their uranyl complexes has been investigated in detail. All compounds and complexes adsorb on the static mercury drop electrode. Results are presented and the limitations of the methods are discussed.     

Thermally stimulated depolarization currents of films obtained from supernatant layer of mixed solutions of stereoregular polymethyl methacrylates

Summary Thermally stimulated depolarization currents were investigated for films obtained from supernatant layer of mixed solutions ofi- ands-PMMA ini/s weight ratio of 1/1 and 1/2. The results showed that the degree of stereocomplex formation is not uniform: the mixed solutions contain the insoluble and the soluble stereocomplex aggregates and in some case the residual (free)i-PMMA. The stereocomplex is formed ini/s weight ratio of 1/2.     

Study of pyrolysis kinetic of green corn husk

In this paper, it was suggested the use of green corn husk, which is a biomass from agro-industry, as an alternative source of energy through its pyrolysis. Green corn husk characterization was done through immediate and elemental analysis of its components: cellulose, hemicelluloses, and lignin. It was also measured its higher calorific value. The pyrolysis study of green corn husk was done by the isoconversion and the Master plots method. Thermogravimetric plots were obtained at heating rates of 5, 10, 15, and 20 °C min^?1. The pyrolysis kinetics parameters were studied through the Flynn–Wall–Ozawa (FWO), Kissinger, and Friedman models. The Master plots method was used to determine the pyrolysis reaction order. The results of the reaction energy activation were found to be in the range 105.21–157.46 kJ mol^?1 by the FWO method, 150.50 kJ mol^?1 by the Kissinger method, and ranged 120.66–163.81 kJ mol^?1 by the Friedman method. The Master plots method showed a three-way-transport diffusional kinetics for the biomass de-volatilization process. The higher calorific value found for green corn husk was 16.14 MJ kg^?1. The simulation showed correlation between the experimental data and the proposed model for conversion values up to 0.8.

     

Constituents of seed of Malva verticillata. VII. Structural features and reticuloendothelial system-potentiating activity of MVS-I, the major neutral polysaccharide.

The structural features of MVS-I, the major neutral polysaccharide isolated from the seeds of Malva verticillata L., were elucidated by controlled Smith degradation, methylation analysis, partial acid hydrolysis and enzymic degradation studies. It has a backbone chain composed of beta-1,3-linked D-glucose and D-galactose residues having branches composed of alpha-1,5-linked L-arabinosyl beta-1,4-linked D-galactose and of beta-1,4-linked D-galactosyl beta-1,3-linked D-glucose residues at position 6 of a part of D-galactose units as side chains. MVS-I showed remarkable reticuloendothelial system-potentiating activity in a carbon clearance test.     

Anhydrous Silicophosphoric Acid Glass: Thermal Properties and Proton Conductivity

Anhydrous silicophosphoric acid glass with an approximate composition of H₅Si₂P₉O₂₉ was synthesized and its thermal and proton-conducting properties were characterized. Despite exhibiting a glass transition at 192 °C, the supercooled liquid could be handled as a solid up to 280 °C owing to its high viscosity. The glass and its melt exhibited proton conduction with a proton transport number of ∼1. Although covalent O−H bonds were weakened by relatively strong hydrogen bonding, the proton conductivity (4×10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹ at 276 °C) was considerably lower than that of phosphoric acid. The high viscosity of the melt was due to the tight cross-linking of phosphate ion chains by six-fold-coordinated Si atoms. The low proton conductivity was attributed to the trapping of positively charged proton carriers around anionic SiO₆ units (expressed as (SiO_6/2)²⁻) to compensate for the negative charges.     

Formation of Nitrosyl Hemoglobin and Nitrotyrosine during Murine Leishmaniasis*

Peroxynitrite, the potent oxidant formed by the fast reaction between nitric oxide and superoxide anion, has been suggested to be the reactive intermediate responsible for some of the pathologies associated with an overproduction of nitric oxide. In this report, we demonstrate that both nitric oxide and peroxynitrite are formed during infection of the susceptible mouse strain, BALBk, with Leishmania amazonensis. Nitric oxide was detected as the nitrosyl hemoglobin complex by EPR analysis of blood drawn from mice at 35 , 64 and 148 days of infection. The levels of nitrosyl hemoglobin complex increased with disease evolution, which in the murine model used is characterized by skin lesions, ulceration and visceral-ization of the parasites. Peroxynitrite formation was inferred from immunoreaction of homogenates obtained from footpad lesions in the late stages of the infection with anti-nitrotyrosine antibody; homogenates from parasites drawn from the lesions were also immunoreactive, although to a lesser extent. Analysis of protein homogenates by gel electrophoresis and western blots suggests that peroxynitrite may degrade proteins in vivo, in addition to nitrating them. The results demonstrate that peroxynitrite is formed during murine leishmaniasis and may play a role in the aggravation of the disease.     

Effect of hemodialysis on left and right ventricular function--evaluation using electrocardiogram gated radionuclide ventriculography

Eighteen outpatients with chronic renal failure undergoing hemodialysis (HD) were studied. Immediately before and after HD, the left and right ventricular function measured by electrocardiogram gated radionuclide ventriculography (RNV). By HD, body weight changed 58.6 +/- 7.50 kg to 57.2 +/- 6.80 kg and BUN level changed 67.9 +/- 29.00 mg/dl to 37.1 +/- 18.96 mg/dl and creatinine level changed 11.3 +/- 3.90 mg/dl to 6.8 +/- 2.48 mg/dl. Before HD, cardiac output was 8.08 +/- 1.50 l/min and cardiac index was 5.00 +/- 0.87 l/(min m2). Left ventricular function improved (LVEF changed 60.4 +/- 6.85% to 64.2 +/- 8.7%, LVEF/LVET changed 0.237 +/- 0.048%/ms to 0.254 +/- 0.021%/ms) between before and after HD, but there was not significant difference. Right ventricular function improved (RVEF changed 41.2 +/- 8.00% to 50.0 +/- 11.96, RVEF/RVET changed 0.167 +/- 0.028%/ms to 0.209 +/- 0.059%/ms) between before and after HD, and there was significant difference (p less than 0.05).