Freeze-out conditions in ultrarelativistic heavy-ion collisions

We present recent results on single particle transverse momentum distributions of pions, kaons and protons, measured in CERN Experiment NA44, of 200 AGeV/c S+S and 158 AGeV/c Pb+Pb central collisions. By comparing these data with thermal and transport models, freeze-out parameters like the temperatureT _fo and the chemical potentials (μ _q ,μ _s ) are extracted and discussed.     

Reactions of thioquinanthrene with alcoholates

Reactions of thioquinanthrene (1) with primary and secondary sodium alcoholates yielded sodium 4-[1-alkyl-4(1 H)-quinolon-3-ylthio]-3-quinoline-thiolates (2), which were characterized by theirS-methyl derivatives (total yields 70–90%).     

Chlorination of 3,4-quinolinediyl bis-sulfides and 3-thiosubstituted 4-quinolinethiones with phosphoryl chloride

Transformation of some 4-quinolinyl sulfides 3 and 4 -quinolinethiones 4 into 4 -chloroquinolines 5 was performed in the reaction with phosphoryl chloride (alone or in N, N-dimethylformamide and ethanol). 3-Quinolinyl sulfides were stable in the reaction conditions.     

Theoretical thermodynamics and the nature of interactions of the quasi-binary NaCl-SnCl(2) system

The formation of NaSnX(3) (X = halogen) influences the sodium concentration in metal halide lamps making the thermodynamics of such reactions critical for technological developments. Theoretical predictions of the structure and vibrational properties of the quasi-binary NaCl-SnCl(2) system lead to thermodynamical data determined through the third law evaluation. Ab initio enthalpy and entropy of dissociation of NaSnCl(3) also is reported. Additionally, insight into the nature of chemical bonding is provided by electron population analysis and the interaction energy decomposition scheme.     

Partitioning of atmospheric carbon dioxide over Central Europe: insights from combined measurements of CO 2 mixing ratios and their carbon isotope composition

Regular measurements of atmospheric CO ₂ mixing ratios and their carbon isotope composition (¹³C/¹²C and ¹⁴C/¹²C ratios) performed between 2005 and 2009 at two sites of contrasting characteristics (Krakow and the remote mountain site Kasprowy Wierch) located in southern Poland were used to derive fossil fuel-related and biogenic contributions to the total CO ₂ load measured at both sites. Carbon dioxide present in the atmosphere, not coming from fossil fuel and biogenic sources, was considered ‘background’ CO ₂. In Krakow, the average contribution of fossil fuel CO ₂ was approximately 3.4%. The biogenic component was of the same magnitude. Both components revealed a distinct seasonality, with the fossil fuel component reaching maximum values during winter months and the biogenic component shifted in phase by approximately 6 months. The partitioning of the local CO ₂ budget for the Kasprowy Wierch site revealed large differences in the derived components: the fossil fuel component was approximately five times lower than that derived for Krakow, whereas the biogenic component was negative in summer, pointing to the importance of photosynthetic sink associated with extensive forests in the neighbourhood of the station. While the presented study has demonstrated the strength of combined measurements of CO ₂ mixing ratios and their carbon isotope signature as efficient tools for elucidating the partitioning of local atmospheric CO ₂ loads, it also showed the important role of the land cover and the presence of the soil in the footprint of the measurement location, which control the net biogenic surface CO ₂ fluxes.     

X-ray structure of 2,6-dimethoxy-7-methylpurine

The title compound (C₈H₁₀N₄O₂) is monoclinic, with a = 7.740(2), b = 17.044(7), c = 6.992(3) Å, = 100.60(1)°, and space group P2₁/c. Two O-methyl groups are coplanar with the pyrimidine ring. Whereas, the O(6)-methyl group is directed away from the imidazole ring toward the N(1) atom, the O(2)-methyl is pointed away from the N(1) atom toward the N(3) atom. Two intermolecular hydrogen bonds H(8)···N(1) and H(711)···O(2) of 2.48(2) and 2.58(3) Å make a linear arrangement of the molecules. The conformation of the O-methyl groups explains some results of thermal rearrangement of 2,6-dialkoxy-7-methylpurines and differences in alkylations of 2,4-dialkoxypyrimidines and 2,6-dialkoxy-7-methylpurines.     

X-ray structure and NMR assignment of 4-methoxy-4′-methylthio-3,3′-diquinolinyl sulfidea

The title compound (C₂₀H₁₆N₂OS₂) is monoclinic, witha=7.786(3).,b=13.252(3),c=17.162(4) Å, =99.16(3)° and space groupP2₁/n. Two quinoline moieties are nearly perpendicular to each other (112.9(2)°). Both methoxy and methylthio groups are trans-orientated with the respect to the C(3)–S(1)–C(13) plane. Two pairs of the heteroatoms in ortho-positions are in very close contact. The conformation of the molecule explains an unusual¹H NMR spectrum     

Polylactide compositions. The influence of ageing on the structure, thermal and viscoelastic properties of PLA/calcium sulfate composites

High-performance composites prepared by melt-blending polylactide (PLA, l/d isomer ratio of 96/4) with various amounts of β-anhydrite II (AII), the dehydrated form of calcium sulfate hemihydrate obtained by a specific thermal treatment at 500 °C, have been aged to study the evolution of their physical and mechanical properties with time. The effect of 1-year ageing under ambient conditions (below T_g of PLA) for selected composites, i.e., filled with 20 and 40 wt% AII, was determined and compared to unfilled PLA with the same processing and ageing history. Samples with an initial amorphous PLA matrix, obtained by fast quenching from the melt, were characterized before and during ageing. The changes in physical parameters have been studied using dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and density measurements. Surprisingly, for all the samples, an increase of the storage modulus (E′) was recorded, as a result of ageing. This improvement was ascribed to the reorganization of the PLA structure induced by ageing. The structural reorganization was also reflected by a slight increase of PLA density and changes in thermal behaviour. The X-ray investigations showed unchanged crystallographic structure of AII both during blending with molten PLA and in the composite systems after ageing. The surprising stability of the thermo-mechanical properties of PLA and PLA/AII composites is in agreement with the results of size exclusion chromatography analysis (SEC) which did not show significant changes of PLA molecular weights brought out by ageing.     

Polylactide (PLA)-CaSO4 composites toughened with low molecular weight and polymeric ester-like plasticizers and related performances

Large amounts of stable β-anhydrite II (AII), a specific type of dehydrated gypsum and a by-product of lactic acid production process, can be melt-blended with bio-sourced and biodegradable polylactide (PLA) to produce economically interesting novel composites with high tensile strength and thermal stability.To enhance their toughness, while preserving an optimal stiffness, selected low molecular weight plasticizers (bis(2-ethylhexyl) adipate and glyceryl triacetate) and polymeric adipates with different molecular weights have been mixed with a specific PLA (l/d isomer ratio of 96/4) and 40 wt% of AII using an internal kneader. Addition of up to 10 wt% plasticizer into these highly filled compositions can trigger a fourfold increase of the impact strength with respect to the compositions without any modifier, cold crystallization properties and a significant decrease of their glass transition temperature. Moreover, these ternary compositions (PLA-AII-plasticizer) are clearly characterized by easier processing, notable thermo-mechanical performances and good filler dispersion. This study represents a new approach in formulating novel melt-processable polyester grades with improved characteristic features using PLA as biodegradable polymer matrix.