Potential operators associated with Hankel and Hankel-Dunkl transforms

We study Riesz and Bessel potentials in the settings of Hankel transform, modified Hankel transform and Hankel-Dunkl transform. We prove sharp or qualitatively sharp pointwise estimates of the corresponding potential kernels. Then we characterize those 1 ≤ p, q≤∞, for which the potential operators satisfy L ^p -L ^q estimates. In case of the Riesz potentials, we also characterize those 1 ≤ p, q ≤ ∞, for which two-weight L ^p -L ^q estimates, with power weights involved, hold. As a special case of our results, we obtain a full characterization of two power-weight L ^p -L ^q bounds for the classical Riesz potentials in the radial case. This complements an old result of Rubin and its recent reinvestigations by De Nápoli, Drelichman and Durán, and Duoandikoetxea.     

Characterisation of the steady state tube furnace (ISO TS 19700) for fire toxicity assessment

The steady state tube furnace (Purser furnace, ISO TS 19700) has been developed specifically to replicate the generation of toxic products from real fires under different fire conditions on a bench-scale. Steady state burning is achieved by driving the sample into a furnace of increasing heat flux at a fixed rate and recording the product yields over a steady state period in the middle of the run. The furnace, sample, and effluent dilution chamber temperature profiles are presented to characterise the conditions in the apparatus. The distribution of smoke in the mixing chamber has been investigated to demonstrate the efficiency of mixing in the effluent dilution chamber. The heat flux applied to the sample at various points through the furnace has been measured, showing that conditions vary from those typical of pre-flaming to fully developed fires. An initial investigation of the repeatability and interlaboratory reproducibility has been undertaken, showing acceptable low levels of uncertainty in the toxic product yields.     

T-shaped platinum boryl complexes: synthesis and structure

A series of cationic T-shaped 14-electron boryl complexes of the type trans-[(Cy(3)P)(2)Pt{B(X)X'}](+) (X=Br; X'=ortho-tolyl, tBu, NMe(2), piperidyl, Br; XX'=(NMe(2))(2), catecholato) were synthesized by halide abstraction from trans-[(Cy(3)P)(2)Pt(Br){B(X)X'}] (Cy=cyclohexyl) with Na[BAr(f) (4)] (Ar(f)=3,5-(CF(3))(2)C(6)H(3)), K[B(C(6)F(5))(4)], or Na[BPh(4)]. X-ray diffraction studies were performed on all compounds, revealing a subtle correlation between the trans-influence of the boryl moiety and the Pt--H and Pt--C separations. However, no notable agostic C--H interaction with the platinum center was detected. trans-[(Cy(3)P)(2)Pt(BCat)](+) (Cat=catecholato), the complex with the shortest Pt--H and Pt--C distances, was treated with Lewis bases (L), forming compounds of the type trans-[(Cy(3)P)(2)Pt(L)(BCat)](+), thus proving a decisive influence of the degree of trans-influence exerted by the boryl ligands on the chemical reactivity of the title complexes. Another point that was investigated and clarified is the different behavior of trans-[(Cy(3)P)(2)Pt(Br){B(Br)Mes}] (Mes=mesityl) towards K[B(C(6)F(5))(4)] with formation of the borylene species trans-[(Cy(3)P)(2)Pt(Br)(BMes)](+).     

Mechanistic aspects of the oxidative and reductive fragmentation of N-nitrosoamines: a new method for generating nitrenium cations, amide anions, and aminyl radicals

A new method for investigating the mechanisms of nitric oxide release from NO donors under oxidative and reductive conditions is presented. Based on the fragmentation of N-nitrosoamines, it allows generation and spectroscopic characterization of nitrenium cations, amide anions, and aminyl radicals. X-irradiation of N-nitroso-N,N-diphenylamine 1 in Ar matrices at 10 K is found to yield the corresponding radical ions, which apparently undergo spontaneous loss of NO* under the conditions of this experiment (1*+ seems to survive partially intact, but not 1*-). One-electron reduction or oxidation of 1 is observed upon doping of the Ar matrix with DABCO, an efficient hole scavenger, or CH2Cl2, an electron scavenger, respectively. The resulting diphenylnitrenium cation, 2+, and the diphenylamide anion, 2-, were characterized by their full UV-vis and mid-IR spectra. The best spectra of 2+ and 2- were obtained if 1 was homolytically photodissociated to diphenylaminyl radical 2* and NO* prior to ionization. 2+ and 2- are bleached on irradiation at <340 nm to form 2* or, in part, 1. DFT and CCSD quantum chemical calculations predict that the dissociation of 1*+ and 1*- is slightly endothermic, a tendency which is partially reversed if one allows for complexation of the resulting 2+ (and, presumably, 2-) with NO*. The method described in this work should prove generally applicable to the generation and study of nitrenium cations and amide anions R2N+/- under matrix and ambient conditions (i.e., in solution).     

Development of zinc alkyl/air systems as radical initiators for organic reactions

This paper reports a series of comparative experiments on the activity of carbon- and oxygen-centred radical species in a model reaction of the radical addition of THF to imines mediated by a series of zinc alkyl/air reaction systems. The study strongly contradicts the notion that generally R˙ radicals are the initiating species in organic reactions mediated by R_nM/air systems, and simultaneously demonstrates that oxygen-centred radical species are the key intermediates responsible for the initiation process. In addition, a new efficient RZn(L)/air initiating system for radical organic reactions exampled by a model reaction of radical addition of THF to imines is developed. Moreover, the isolation and structural characterization of the first zinc alkylperoxide supported by a carboxylate ligand, [Zn₄(μ₃-OOtBu)₃(μ₄-O)(O₂CEt)₃]₂, as well as the novel octanuclear zinc oxo(alkoxide) aggregate with entrapped O–THF species, [Zn₄(μ₄-O)(μ₃-2-O–THF)(O₂CEt)₅]₂, provide clear mechanistic signatures for the mode of function of the RZn(O₂CR′)/air system.     

Role of parallel reformable bonds in the self-healing of cross-linked nanogel particles

We develop a hybrid computational approach to examine the mechanical properties and self-healing behavior of nanogel particles that are cross-linked by both stable and labile bonds. The individual nanogels are modeled via the lattice spring model (LSM), which is an effective method for probing the response of materials to mechanical deformation. The cross-links between the nanogels are simulated via the hierarchical Bell model (HBM), which allows us to capture the rupturing of multiple parallel bonds as the result of an applied force. Because the labile bonds are relatively reactive, they can reform after they have been ruptured. To incorporate the possibility of bonds reforming, we modify the HBM formalism and validate the modified HBM by considering a system of two surfaces, which are connected by multiple parallel bonds. We then use our hybrid HBM/LSM to simulate the behavior of the cross-linked nanogels under a tensile deformation. In these simulations, each labile linkage between the nanogels contains at most N parallel bonds. We vary the fraction of labile linkages and the value of N in these linkages to determine the optimal conditions for improving the robustness of the material. Although numerous parallel bonds within a linkage enhance the strength of the material, these bonds diminish the ductility and the ability of the material to undergo the structural rearrangements that are necessary for self-repair. For a relatively low fraction of labile bonds and N ≤ 4, however, we can significantly improve the strength of the material and preserve the self-healing properties. For instance, a sample with 30% labile linkages and N = 4 per linkage is roughly 200% stronger than a sample that is cross-linked solely by stable bonds and can still undergo self-repair in response to the tensile deformation. The results reveal how mechanical stress can lead not only to the appearance of cavities within the material but also to bond formation that "heals" these cavities and thus prevents the catastrophic failure of the material.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Yarrowia lipolytica</Emphasis> application as a prospective approach for biosynthesis of pyruvic acid from glycerol

With the problems related to chemical methods of pyruvic acid (PA) synthesis, a fast-growing interest has been observed in research aiming at reducing the production cost of PA by applying biotechnological methods. This study aimed to investigate the potential applicability of Yarrowia lipolytica Wratislavia 1.31 yeast strain for valorisation of pure and crude glycerol through the production of industrially desired PA. Conditions required for the effective PA biosynthesis, i.e., pH value, thiamine concentration, agitation, and substrate concentration, were examined in batch and fed-batch cultivation modes. The efficient production of PA occurred under the limitation of thiamine (1 µg L^?1) and was stimulated by moderate pH (4.5) and agitation (800 rev min^?1) of the culture. Under optimal conditions, Y. lipolytica Wratislavia 1.31 was able to produce 85.2 g L^?1 of PA with volumetric productivity of 0.90 g L^?1 h^?1. The yield of PA biosynthesis reached a high level of 1.03 g g^?1. Obtained results confirmed the aptitude of Y. lipolytica yeast to produce high amounts of PA from simple glycerol-containing media. Presented process was very promising and might be considered as an attractive alternative for currently used chemical methods of PA synthesis.     

Spectroelectrochemical identity of Prussian blue films in various electrolytes: comparison of time-derivative voltabsorptometric responses with conventional cyclic voltammetry

Using Prussian blue (PB) electrodeposited on gold-covered foil as a model system, we have demonstrated the usefulness of the time-derivative measurements of absorbance versus potential (linear potential-scan voltabsorptometry) for spectroelectrochemical characterization of thin electrochromic films. The time-derivative signals were monitored for PB at 680 and 420 nm in potassium, sodium and lithium electrolytes. Information obtained from cyclic voltabsorptometry is equivalent or complementary to that from conventional cyclic voltammetry. In the case of PB films investigated in lithium electrolyte, the voltabsorptometric time-derivative peaks are better defined than the respective voltammetric peaks. The combination of voltabsorptometry with voltammetry enables molar absorptivity and/or film loading to be determined. Also, concentration changes of differently colored mixed-valence redox centers can be monitored as a function of applied potential. Received: 16 January 1997 / Accepted: 11 March 1997