A refinement of the right-hand side of the Hermite–Hadamard inequality for simplices

Aequationes mathematicae - We establish a new refinement of the right-hand side of the Hermite–Hadamard inequality for simplices, based on the average values of a convex function over the...     

Synthesis,Characterisation and Crystal Structures of Two Bi‐oxadiazole Derivatives Featuring the Trifluoromethyl Group

The synthesis, characterisation, and crystal structure determination of the closely related compounds 3,3′‐bi‐(5‐trifluoromethyl‐1,2,4‐oxadiazole) and 5,5′‐bi‐(2‐ trifluoromethyl‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole) are reported. These two compounds are known for their bioactivity; however, in this study they serve as model compounds to evaluate the suitability of the heterocyclic oxadiazole ring system for energetic materials when the fluorine atoms in the exocyclic CF₃ groups are substituted successively by nitro groups. Quantum chemical calculations for the bi‐1,3,4‐ oxadiazole derivatives with difluoronitromethyl, fluorodinitromethyl, and trinitromethyl groups have been carried out and predict promising energetic performances for both explosive and propulsive applications.     

Synthesis and Investigation of Advanced Energetic Materials Based on Bispyrazolylmethanes

Herein we present the preparation and characterization of three new bispyrazolyl‐based energetic compounds with great potential as explosive materials. The reaction of sodium 4‐amino‐3,5‐dinitropyrazolate ( 5 ) with dimethyl iodide yielded bis(4‐amino‐3,5‐dinitropyrazolyl)methane ( 6 ), which is a secondary explosive with high heat resistance (T_dec=310 °C). The oxidation of this compound afforded bis(3,4,5‐trinitropyrazolyl)methane ( 7 ), which is a combined nitrogen‐ and oxygen‐rich secondary explosive with very high theoretical and estimated experimental detonation performance (V_det (theor)=9304 m s^?1 versus V_det(exp)=9910 m s^?1) in the range of that of CL‐20. Also, the thermal stability (T_dec=205 °C) and sensitivities of 7 are auspicious. The reaction of 6 with in situ generated nitrous acid yielded the primary explosive bis(4‐diazo‐5‐nitro‐3‐oxopyrazolyl)methane ( 8 ), which showed superior properties to those of currently used diazodinitrophenol (DDNP).     

Dimethylthioarsinic anhydride: a standard for arsenic speciation

Dimethylthioarsinic acid (DMTA^V) has recently been identified in biological, dietary and environmental matrices. The relevance of this compound to the toxicity of arsenic in humans is unknown and further exposure assessment and metabolic studies are difficult to conduct because of the unavailability of a well characterized standard. The synthesis of DMTA^V was accomplished by the reaction of dimethylarsinic acid (DMA^V) with hydrogen sulfide. The initial reaction product produced is DMTA^V but multiple products over the course of the reaction are also observed. Therefore, a chromatographic separation was developed to monitor the reaction progress via LC-ICP-MS. In this synthesis, conversion of DMA^V to DMTA^V was not taken to completion to avoid the production of side products. The product was isolated from the starting material by standard organic techniques. Single crystal diffraction demonstrated that solid DMTA^V is present in the form of the oxygen-bridged dimethylthioarsinic anhydride. Dissolution of the anhydride in water produces the acid form of DMTA^V and the aqueous phase DMTA^V provided a characteristic molecular ion of m/z 155 by LC-ESI-MS. The synthesis and isolation of dimethylthioarsinic anhydride provides a stable crystalline standard suitable for identification, toxicological study and exposure assessment of dimethylthioarsinic acid.     

Layout and performance of the Asterix IV iodine laser at MPQ,Garching

In this paper, the design procedure and the performance of the single beam Asterix IV high-power iodine laser emitting at = 1315 nm is described. It has been developed on the basis of a 10-years experience with the 1 TW Asterix III laser-system and with the support of a 1-D and a 3-D pulse propagation code. Special emphasis has been put on achieving a high overall system efficiency and a beam intensity profile as homogeneous as possible. Presently, Asterix IV provides output pulses with durations from 0.2 to several ns. At a duration of 0.4 ns, the pulse power is 3 TW and at a duration of 5 ns the pulse energy reaches 2.1 kJ. Under these conditions, the laser can be fired every twenty minutes.     

Potentiometric enzyme electrode for urea based on electrochemically prepared polypyrrole membranes

The present study explores the attractiveness of combining flow-injection (FI) with lead hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) to improve the selectivity and sensitivity of analysis. Lead hydride was generated in three acid-oxidant media: HNO₃-(NH₄)₂S₂O₈, lactic acid-K₂Cr₂O₇ and HNO₃-H₂O₂. The effect of chemical parameters (acid-oxidant concentration and NaBH₄ concentration) was investigated and the performance of each generation medium in terms of interferences, sensitivity and detection limits was compared with that obtained in batch mode. In all cases improved sensitivity (HNO₃-H₂O₂, 0.8 ng Pb; lactic acid-K₂Cr₂O₇, 0.2 ng Pb; (NH₄)₂S₂O₈-HNO₃, 4ng Pb) was obtained, most notably in HNO₃-H₂O₂, which provided 12 times higher sensitivity than in batch mode and sharper absorption peaks. Furthermore, interference by Cu and Ni was lower in the proposed FI-HG system. Compared with the batch mode, about 10 to 100 times higher concentrations of interferent are tolerated in the sample. The use of FI also allows work at a lower NaBH₄ concentration. The method was applied to the determination of lead in water samples with a sampling frequency of 180 samples per hour. In terms of both sensitivity and freedom from interferences, lactic acid-K₂Cr₂O₇ was the best of the generation media tested.On leave from the School of Environmental Studies, Jadavpur University, Calcutta 700032, India