Pseudo-epitaxial C60 films prepared by a hot-wall method

We have used both reflection-geometry and grazing-incidence-geometry X-ray scattering to study thin films of C₆₀ evaporated onto mica substrates via a hot-wall technique. The growth mode yields close-packed C₆₀ planes, which are parallel to the substrate surface and which exhibit out-of-plane correlation lengths of 850 Å. In the film plane the C₆₀ is at best pseudo-epitaxial, with a 0.9° distribution of crystallite orientations, a 450 Å in-plane correlation length, and a 3.7% lattice mismatch, better than obtained by other thin film techniques but far from the accepted definition of single crystal thin film epitaxy.     

Prediction of chromatographic retention of metal complexes from stability constants measured by ion chromatography

Chromatographia - A theoretical model is used to predict retention times of divalent metal cations in single-column ion chromatography using one or more ligands in the eluent. Stability constants...     

Linearization of column responses by correlation chromatography. Separation improvement and reduction of undesired adsorption effects

Summary Experiments and simulations prove that correlation chromatography can greatly reduce the disadvantage of a non-linear response of the chromatographic column. A factor that has been accepted as being an important source of error in correlation or multiplex chromatography, has been shown not to be. Separations affected, improve dramatically when correlation chromatography is used, and a substantial amount of correlation noise only arises when there is a large difference in separation between a conventional chromatogram and a correlogram.A model has been developed for simulating these nonlinearities. It is shown that, especially for correlation chromatography, the simulation results match the practical measurements very well.     

Recent developments in the chemistry of stable doubly bonded germanium compounds

During the last 10 years, several compounds of the type Ge=X (X = C, Ge, N, P, S) have been isolated as monomers. The stabilization of such derivatives, which are generally highly polymerizable, was achieved by using very bulky groups both on the germanium atom and on the heteroelement X. Conjugation (particularly in a few germenes and germaimines) and intramolecular or intermolecular coordination with oxygen or nitrogen, also contributes, in some cases, to the stabilization. The X-ray analyses of such compounds show a significant bond shortening of the double bond (8–10%) relative to the corresponding single bond and a planar or nearly planar germanium. These doubly bonded germanium derivatives are usually thermally stable but must be handled in an inert atmosphere because of their high sensitivity to oxygen and moisture; they are extremely reactive, much more than the corresponding carbon analogues. Nearly quantitative additions on the double bond have been observed with electrophiles and nucleophiles, and various types of cycloadditions also occur. Except in one case, a germylene behavior has not been observed, proving that such compounds retain their structural integrity in solution.     

Mechanical properties of polyester polymer-concrete

The properties of a polymer-concrete composed of polyester matrix and locally available rock aggregate are investigated. The formula of the concrete is found by an experimental-calculation approach in such a way as to attain a closer packing of the aggregate particles on the one hand, and to ensure the needed processing characteristics (placeability) of the mix on the other. It is shown experimentally that the material obtained has a rather high compression strength. Under prolonged compression loads, the polymer-concrete exhibits a noticeable creep behavior with a linear relation between the creep strains and stresses. After the action of half the ultimate load over 3000 h, the total strains exceed the instantaneous ones by 2.0 to 2.2 times. The accumulation of irreversible strains is also observed; however, their contribution to the total strain is small. It is found that the stress-strain relation can be represented by the equation of linear hereditary creep theory.Institute of Polymer Mechanics, University of Latvia, Riga, LV-1006, Latvia. Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 35, No. 2, pp. 147–162, March–April, 1999.     

Improved spacer design and cost reduction in an electrodialysis system

In electrodialysis using thin membranes and spacers, the compactness of the membrane cell-pairs leads to a small potential drop, and hence to energy saving. The spacer design itself has a great effect on the cost of the plants, since spacers act as turbulence promoters. A careful design, to increase the mass transfer coefficients, can reduce the membrane surface area required for a given application. Limiting current measurements, cell-pair resistance and pressure losses are presented for several thin spacers, for different flow-velocity values and feed water concentrations. It was possible to find an advantageous geometry of the separating mesh leading to substantial savings on investment and operation costs.     

The lead tetraacetate oxidation of bisacylhydrazones of α-diketones: A scope re-assesment

Oxidation of the title compounds yields, besides the reported isoimides 3 and/or the amides 4 , also the imides 5 . The observed product dichotomy is considered as the result of an intramolecular nucleophilic attack on the aroyl group, of the pressumed zwitterionic intermediate 2 , by O or N present in the ambident N-aroylimine site of 2 . The results of AM1 calculations agree with the product studies and both permit the formulation of a set of rules correlating structure and selectivity.     

Forecasting call frequency at a financial services call centre

A forecasting model is developed for the number of daily applications for loans at a financial services telephone call centre. The purpose of the forecasts and the associated prediction intervals is to provide effective staffing policies within the call centre. The model building process is constrained by the availability of only 2 years and 7 months of data. The distinctive feature of the data is that demand is driven in the main by advertising. The analysis given focuses on applications stimulated by press advertising. Unlike previous analyses of broadly similar data, where ARIMA models were used, a model with a dynamic level, multiplicative calendar effects and a multiplicative advertising response is developed and shown to be effective.