MNDO study of reaction paths: Diboration of acetylene

The reaction of B₂H₄ with acetylene has been studied by the MNDO method. It is shown that the reaction is exothermic and proceeds in two steps. The first step is the formation of a three-center -complex and this is the rate-determining step of the reaction. The second step is the rearrangement of the -complex to the product and this step requires a very small amount of activation energy. The activation barrier for the diboration reaction is 12.8 kcal/mol.The proposed mechanism is significantly different from those proposed earlier and explains all experimental data relating to this reaction.     

An Extension of the Birkhoff Integrability for Multifunctions

A comparison between a set-valued Gould type and simple Birkhoff integrals of bf(X)-valued multifunctions with respect to a non-negative set function is given. Relationships among them and Mc Shane multivalued integrability is given under suitable assumptions.     

Asymptotic behavior of the solutions of certain parabolic equations

Some laws in physics describe the change of a flux and are represented by parabolic equations of the form (*) \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$$\frac{{\partial u}}{{\partial t}}=\frac{\partial}{{\partial x_j }}(\eta \frac{{\partial u}}{{ax_j}}-vju),$$\end{document} j≤m, where η and v_j are functions of both space and time. We show under quite general assumptions that the solutions of equation (*) with homogeneous Dirichlet boundary conditions and initial condition u(x, 0) = u_o(x) satisfy The decay rate d > 0 only depends on bounds for η, v and G § R^m the spatial domain, while the constant c depends additionally on which norm is considered. For the solutions of equation (*) with homogeneous Neumann boundary conditions and initial condition u₀(x) ≥ 0 we derive bounds d₁u₁ ≤ u(x, t) ≤ d₂u₂, Where d_i, i = 1, 2, depend on bounds for η, v and G, and the u_i are bounds on the initial condition u₀.     

Karyotype characterization of Eurysternus caribaeus: the smallest diploid number among Scarabaeidae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea)

Eurysternus caribaeus was analyzed cytologically by conventional chromosomal staining. The species presents a diploid number of 2n=8, chromosomes with two arms and an XY sex determining mechanism. This is the first karyotype described for the genus Eurysternus and the tribe Eurysternini, and is also the smallest diploid number observed in the family Scarabaeidae and superfamily Scarabaeoidea.     

The kinetics of homogeneous nucleation of silver nanoparticles stabilized by polymers

The formation of Ag nanoparticles synthesized by homogeneous nucleation, stabilized by polymers (PVA and PVP) was monitored by UV–Vis spectrophotometry and transmission electron microscopy. Our aim was to differentiate between the two main phases of particle formation, i.e. nucleation and growth and to characterize their rates with the help of appropriate kinetic equations. Time resolved spectrophotometric measurements revealed that particle formation is an autocatalytic process: a slow, continuous nucleation phase (3–5 min) is followed by a rapid, autocatalytic growth phase where the maximal particle size is 5–7 nm. By freezing the reaction mixture, the process of particle growth can be followed from 5 to 40 min on TEM pictures. The first order rate constants were calculated and they are strongly depend on the polymer concentration. If the growing particles are attached by PEI to the surface of a solid support, the formation of silver nanoparticles can also be followed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and we can control the particle growth on mica surface. The cross section analysis of the pictures show, that the particle growing process can be also monitored at solid–liquid interface.     

Interpreting technical evidence from spectral imaging of paintings by Édouard Manet in the Courtauld Gallery

The paintings by Édouard Manet in The Courtauld Gallery Déjeuner sur l'herbe (1863–68), Marguerite de Conflans en Toilette de Bal (1870–1880), Banks of the Seine at Argenteuil (1874), and A Bar at the Folies–Bergère (1882) were investigated for the first time using a range of non-invasive in situ analyses. The aims of the study were to investigate the painting techniques and materials used for this group of works and to critically evaluate the technical evidence derived from the integrated use of imaging techniques and portable spectroscopic methods in this context. The paintings were investigated by means of macro X-ray fluorescence (MA-XRF), reflection spectral imaging, portable UV–Vis–NIR spectroscopy, portable Raman spectroscopy, and reflection FTIR. MA-XRF and reflection spectral imaging allowed visualising elements in the compositions that were not visible using traditional methods of technical study. For example, MA-XRF analysis of Déjeuner sur l'herbe revealed elements of the development of the composition that provided new evidence to consider its relationship to other versions of the composition. The study also highlighted questions about the interpretation of elemental distribution maps and spectral images that did not correspond to the reworking visible in X-radiographs. For example, in A Bar at the Folies–Bergère Manet made numerous changes during painting, which were not clearly visualised with any of the techniques used. The research has wider implications for the study of Impressionist paintings, as the results will support technical studies of works by other artists of the period who used similar materials and painting methods.     

Thermomechanical treatment to achieve stable two-way shape memory strain without training in Ti-49.8 at.% Ni alloy

Two-way shape memory (TWSM) strain for the Ti-49.8 at.% Ni alloy after rolling (40 % thickness reduction) at temperatures 470 \(\div \) 870 K is studied. It is found that rolling at 470 and 570 K produces samples showing the dilatation jump in the rolling direction of 0.9 and 1.3 %, respectively, that does not change upon thermal cycling through the martensite transformation temperature range. The dilatation jump in the direction normal to the rolling plane is even two to three times higher. The TWSM dilatation jump demonstrated by the samples rolled at higher temperatures stabilizes only after 30 cycles. Stability of the TWSM strain of the samples rolled at 470 and 570 K is explained from the consideration of the alloy microstructure. Material which is sufficiently large and stable with respect to thermal cycling dilatation jump is ideal for the use in actuators.     

Studies with arylhydrazonopyridinones: Synthesis of new arylhydrazono thieno[3,4-c]pyridinones as novel D2T2 dye class; classical verse green methodologies

A variety of arylhydrazonopyridinones were prepared via heating cyanoacetamides with ethyl acetoacetate in absence of solvent under reflux conventionally or ultrasound irradiation or in a microwave oven. The formed products 5 and 6 could be readily converted to thienopyridones. Attempted addition of the latter to electron poor olefins afforded only arylhydrazonopyridinones.     

Reactivity of 2-ethoxy-5-alkyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-pyrans towards aluminum alkyls : a facile synthesis of cyclobutylmethanols

2-Ethoxy-5-alkyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-pyrans react with Albuⁱ₃ and through a regioselective hydride addition provide substituted cyclobutylmethanols in very good yields.