Measurement of uniform and localized heat dissipation induced by cyclic loading

An experimental technique is presented for measuring the heat dissipation and localization during cyclic loading of materials. The temperature field is measured by a number of thermistors and an infrared camera, which scans the specimen surface continuously. The specimen is mounted inside an isothermal chamber. The measured whole-field temperature can be used for detection of damage propagation and localization. The resolution of the technique under various boundary conditions is discussed using a onedimensional model for the heat loss under steady-state conditions. Applications of the technique are demonstrated for specimens made of fiber-reinforced ceramic and polymer matrix composites (PMCs). A methodology is proposed for measuring changes in damping and stiffness properties of viscoelastic polymer matrix composites using the temperature rise of a cyclic loaded specimen. It is demonstrated that for a ceramic matrix composite, where interfacial frictional sliding gives rise to heat dissipation, the temperature resolution can be used for detection of stress-strain hysteresis with an accuracy better than that of the stress-strain data.     

Enantioselective acylation of silyl ketene acetals through fluoride anion-binding catalysis

A highly enantioselective acylation of silyl ketene acetals with acyl fluorides has been developed to generate useful α,α-disubstituted butyrolactone products. This transformation is promoted by a new thiourea catalyst and 4-pyrrolidinopyridine and represents the first example of enantioselective thiourea anion-binding catalysis with fluoride.     

Determination of steroid hormones in blood by GC–MS/MS

This paper presents the development, optimization and validation of a methodology to determine nine key steroid hormones (viz. pregnenolone, progesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone, androstenedione, testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, estrone, 17α-estradiol and 17β-estradiol) expressed in the steroidogenesis in biological fluids. The analytical method allows for the determination of steroid hormones in blood plasma and serum down to 0.08–0.16 ng/mL for estrogens, 0.20–0.36 ng/mL for androgens and 0.36–0.43 ng/mL for progestagens. These limits of detection were obtainable using a two-step solid-phase clean-up for fractionation and elimination of interfering lipids (fatty acids, phospholipids, glycerides and sterols) from the steroid hormones. The accuracy of the method was 50–112% in the range 0.10 to 2.00 ng/mL.     

Catalytic deuteration of silanes mediated by N-heterocyclic carbene-Ir(III) complexes

The catalytic activity of a series of coordinatively unsaturated NHC-M(III) (M = Rh, Ir; NHC = N-heterocyclic carbene) complexes was tested in the deuteration of secondary and tertiary silanes. Among these, [IrCl(I(t)Bu')(2)] provides the highest conversions to the deuterated species. Mechanistic studies highlight the reversible nature of the ortho-metalation reaction.     

Organic conductors: Electrical and magnetic properties of tetrathiafulvalenium-methyl-tetracyano-p-quinodimethanide (TTF-MTCNQ)

The metal-insulator transition in TTF-MTCNQ is broadened and shifted to a higher temperature compared to the transition in TTF-TCNQ. Tetramethyl-TTF-MTCNQ is found to display a similar behaviour, while tetramethyl-TSF-MTCNQ is insulating. The paramagnetic susceptibility of TTF-MTCNQ is comparable to that of TTF-TCNQ above the transition.     

Anomalous magnetoresistance in an organic conductor: (TMTSF)2PF6

The effect of a transverse magnetic field on the chain axis resistivity of the new organic conductor (TMTSF)₂PF₆ is found to be substantial near the transition point. δρ/ρ₀ is + 20% at B=6Vsm^-2 just above the transition. An interpretation based on curvature in the Fermi surface is proposed.