Synthesis and characterization of a semiflexible liquid crystalline polyester with a broad nematic region

In this paper, we report on the synthesis and detailed characterization of a new semiflexible nematic liquid crystalline polyester which could serve as a 'model' polyester for a variety of physical and physico-chemical investigations. The polymer is a nematic liquid over a wide temperature range-from the glass transition temperature at ∼95°C to the isotropic transition at ∼240°C. We expect this polyester to be particularly useful for studying the effect of flow on the orientation of liquid crystalline polymers, as well as the production and removal of disclinations.     

Oxygen on Fe(100) and Fe(110)

Investigations of the electronic and magnetic properties of oxygen adsorbed on magnetized iron films have been carried out by means of angle and spin resolving photoelectron spectroscopy. Iron, epitaxially grown on W(100) and W(110) crystals, served as the ferromagnetic substrate. Exchange splittings of the O 2p_x derived level have been detected, demonstrating a magnetic coupling between the chemisorbate and the iron layer. Variations of the exchange splitting have occurred as a function of the oxygen coverage, photon energy, and emission angle. High oxygen exposures have lead to a FeO overlayer at the surface.     

Synthesis and antibacterial activities of water‐soluble methacrylate polymers containing quaternary ammonium compounds

New water‐soluble methacrylate polymers with pendant quaternary ammonium (QA) groups were synthesized and used as antibacterial materials. The polymers with pendant QA groups were obtained by the reaction of the alkyl halide groups of a previously synthesized functional methacrylate homopolymer with various tertiary alkyl amines containing 12‐, 14‐, or 16‐carbon alkyl chains. The structures of the functional polymer and the polymers with QA groups were confirmed with Fourier transform infrared and ¹H and ¹³C NMR. The degree of conversion of alkyl halides to QA sites in each polymer was determined by ¹H NMR to be over 90% in all cases. The number‐average molecular weight and polydispersity of the functional polymer were determined by size exclusion chromatography to be 32,500 g/mol and 2.25, respectively. All polymers were thermally stable up to 180 °C according to thermogravimetric analysis. The antibacterial activities of the polymers with pendant QA groups against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were determined with broth‐dilution and spread‐plate methods. All the polymers showed excellent antibacterial activities in the range of 32–256 μg/mL. The antibacterial activity against S. aureus increased with an increase in the alkyl chain length for the ammonium groups, whereas the antibacterial activity against E. coli decreased with increasing alkyl chain length. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 5965–5973, 2006     

The direct determination of Brueckner orbitals with application to the H2 molecule

An iterative procedure is presented which allows for the direct determination of approximate Brueckner orbitals for small atomic and molecular systems. Starting from the Hartree-Fock determinant one first determines pair natural orbitals (PNOs) of independent electron pairs in the HF-field of the remaining electrons. The use of the generalized Brillouin-theorem then leads to an approximate Brueckner orbital for each electron pair. This procedure must be repeated up to self-consistency which is reached generally after 4–5 macroiterations. Applications to the ground state of H₂ show how important the use of Brueckner orbitals is to get good expectation values of one-electron operators and the correct asymptotic behaviour of the potential energy curve for large internuclear distances.

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Zusammenfassung Es wird eine Iterationsmethode beschrieben, die eine direkte Bestimmung genäherter Bruecknerorbitale für kleine atomare und molekulare Systeme gestattet. Ausgehend von der Hartree-Fock-Determinante bestimmt man zunächst Paar-NOs (PNOs) der unabhängigen Elektronenpaare im HF-Feld der übrigen Elektronen des Systems. Mit Hilfe des verallgemeinerten Brillouin-Theorems erhält man dann ein genähertes Bruecknerorbital für jedes Elektronenpaar. Dies Verfahren muß bis zur Selbstkonsistenz wiederholt werden, die man im allgemeinen nach 4–5 solcher Makroiterationen erreicht. Anwendung auf den Grundzustand des H₂-Moleküls zeigt, wie wichtig die Benutzung von Bruecknerorbitalen ist, wenn man gute Erwartungswerte von Einelektronenoperatoren und das richtige asymptotische Verhalten der Potentialkurve bei großen Abständen erhalten will.

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Résumé On propose un schéma itératif qui permet le calcul direct des orbitales de Brueckner approchées pour les atomes et les petites molécules. Partant du déterminant Hartree-Fock on calcule d'abord les PNO (pair natural orbitals) des paires indépendantes d'électrons dans le champ effectif des autres électrons dans l'approximation Hartree-Fock. Ensuite le théorème de Brillouin généralisé permet de calculer les orbitales de Brueckner approchées pour chaque paire d'electrons. On recommence le calcul des PNO, la self-consistance de cette méthode itérative s'établit en général au bout de 4 ou 5 macroitérations. Les applications à la molécule H₂ démontrent que l'utilisation d'orbitales de Brueckner s'impose si l'on s'intéresse à des bonnes valeurs moyennes d'opérateurs monoélectroniques ou au comportement asymptotique correct des courbes de potentiel aux grandes distances.

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Dedicated to the memory of Prof. K. H. Hansen.     

Don't expect a consensus on hernia repair

Hernia surgery, a bread and butter operation for many hospitals, seems a likely candidate for streamlining, standardization, and package pricing. But there's no consensus on the best way to do hernia repairs. Surgeons differ vehemently on which approach is preferable. The mesh plug attracted attention this summer when its advocate, Ira Rutkow, MD, appeared on TV. But the patch, traditional open repair, and laparoscopy also have their advocates. Here's a look at the techniques and why you're unlikely to see consensus soon.     

Neutral and ionic aluminum,gallium, and indium compounds carrying two or three terminal ethynyl groups

The syntheses of the ionic compounds [Li(+).2 dioxane (2,6-iPr(2)C(6)H(3)N(SiMe(3))Al(C triplebond CSiMe(3))(3))(-)].0.75 dioxane (1), [(Li(+))(2).(dioxane)(7)](0.5) [2,6-iPr(2)C(6)H(3)N(SiMe(3))Ga(C triplebond CSiMe(3))(3)(-)].1.5 dioxane (2), and [(Li(+))(2).(dioxane)(7)](0.5) [2,6-iPr(2)C(6)H(3)N(SiMe(3))In(C triplebond CSiMe(3))(3)(-)].1.5 dioxane (3) by the reaction of the corresponding organo metal chloride with LiC triplebond CSiMe(3) are reported. The neutral ethynyl compounds Br-Al(C triplebond CtBu)(2).2 THF (4), Cl-Ga(C triplebond CtBu)(2).THF (5), Cl-In(C triplebond CtBu)(2).2 THF (6), Al(C triplebond CtBu)(3).C[N(Me)CMe](2) (7), Ga(C triplebond CtBu)(3).dioxane (8), and In(C triplebond CtBu)(3).NEt(3) (9) have been obtained in good yields from the reaction of AlBr(3), GaCl(3), and InCl(3) with LiC triplebond CtBu in the presence of a Lewis base. Compound 7 is the first heterocyclic carbene substituted ethynyl derivative. Aluminum and gallium compounds with three terminal ethynyl groups Al(C triplebond CPh)(3).NMe(3) (10) and Ga(C triplebond CPh)(3).NMe(3) (11) have been prepared by the reaction of AlH(3).NMe(3) or GaH(3).NMe(3) with three equivalents of phenylethyne. All the above-mentioned compounds have been structurally studied. In compound 1 the lithium ion is coordinated to the three terminal ethynyl groups, whereas in compounds 2 and 3 the lithium is coordinated to the solvent (dioxane). Compound 8 crystallizes as a coordination polymer with dioxane molecules bridging the individual gallium units.