Monitoring the effects of homogeneity methanol/water/monomer on the mode of polymerization of styrene: dispersion polymerization versus emulsion polymerization

The polymerization of styrene (St) was carried out with varying amounts of methanol in aqueous medium. As methanol content decreased (to 50 %), the phase of polymerization mixture (methanol/water/monomer) changed to a heterogeneous state; the homogeneous state was obtained in samples that contain 75 and 100 % methanol. In order to verify the mechanism of polymerization in heterogeneous and homogeneous mixtures, the nucleus formation rate during polymerization, the stability equilibrium of the media and seeded particles, and the size of particles and their growth in polymerization were experimentally being monitored. With the homogeneous mixture in 75 wt% methanol, dumbbell, triangle, and peanut-like particles have been formed. On the other hand, the characteristics of the polymerization products were different from those typically obtained in the emulsion polymerization and in the sample with 100 wt% methanol dispersion polymerization. In the sample with 100 % methanol and in one with 50 % methanol, monodispersed spherical particles are formed in the final conversion. Thus, homogeneity in the aqueous methanol mixture can be a critical factor in determining the polymerization modes between dispersion and emulsion polymerization.     

Controlling morphology and structure of nanocrystalline cadmium sulfide (CdS) by tailoring solvothermal processing parameters

Cadmium sulfide (CdS) with different morphologies was successfully prepared by solvothermal process by controlling the processing parameters, including nature of precursor and solvent, reaction temperature and process time. X-ray diffraction patterns revealed that, in all cases highly pure and crystallized CdS with hexagonal structure were obtained. In addition, it was found that the processing parameters influence on preferable growth direction of CdS nanostructures. Field emission scanning electron microscope analysis showed that CdS nanowires with different aspect ratios were obtained (depending upon the reaction temperature and process time) in presence of sulfur powder and ethylenediamine, whereas CdS nanoparticles were produced by sulfur powder and ethanolamine. Moreover, CdS nanorods were prepared using thiourea and ethylenediamine. Transmission electron microscope image confirmed that CdS nanowire with one of the highest aspect ratio reported in the literature (i.e., 255) was achieved using sulfur powder and ethylenediamine at 200 °C reaction temperature for 72 h process time. UV–Vis absorption spectra of CdS nanostructures prepared under different conditions displayed a blue shift relative to that of bulk CdS due to the quantum size effect.     

Shape invariance for the bent brane with two scalar fields

In this paper, we study the braneworld scenarios in the presence of two real scalar fields coupled by gravity. The first-order formalism for the bent brane (for both de Sitter and anti-de Sitter geometry), leads us to discuss the shape invariance method in the bent brane systems. So, by using the fluctuations of metric and fields we obtain the Schrödinger equation. Then we factorize the corresponding Hamiltonian in terms of multiplication of the first-order differential operators. These first-order operators lead us to obtain the energy spectrum with the help of shape invariance method.     

Designing different nanomagnets via delocalization of cobalt magnetic moment inside narrow single walled carbon nanotubes

Density functional theory calculations were employed to study the effects of chirality and diameter of single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) on electronic, structural and magnetic properties of cobalt-doped (9,0), (5,5) and (5,0) nanotube systems. The (9,0) and (5,5) SWCNTs have similar diameters but different chiralities, whereas the (5,0) tube has a very small diameter. The Co-SWCNT systems are considered with four different possible arrangements, three of which are stable and only substitution of the Co with one of the carbon atoms on the surface of the SWCNTs is an exemption. Although the quasi-metallic band gap of the (9,0) SWCNT is eliminated by the cobalt doping process, metallic features of the (5,5) and (5,0) nanotubes remain unchanged. On the other hand, delocalization of the cobalt’s magnetization and inducement of a noticeable magnetization to the tubes provide a vast area of possible total magnetizations for the Co-SWCNT systems. The results are applicable to spintronics and useful for designing other nanomagnetic systems.     

A renormalized perturbation theory for problems with non-trivial boundary conditions or backgrounds in two space–time dimensions

We discuss the effects of non-trivial boundary conditions or backgrounds, including non-perturbative ones, on the renormalization program for systems in two dimensions. We present an alternative renormalization procedure in which these non-perturbative conditions can be taken into account in a self-contained and, we believe, self-consistent manner. These conditions have profound effects on the properties of the system, in particular all of its n-point functions. To be concrete, we investigate these effects in the λ φ ⁴ model in two dimensions and show that the mass counterterms turn out to be proportional to the Green’s functions which have a non-trivial position dependence in these cases. We then compute the difference between the mass counterterms in the presence and absence of these conditions. We find that in the case of non-trivial boundary conditions this difference is minimum between the boundaries and infinite on them. The minimum approaches zero when the boundaries go to infinity. In the case of non-trivial backgrounds, we consider the kink background and show that the difference is again small and localized around the kink.     

Determination of Biogenic Amines in Cheese Using Simultaneous Derivatization and Microextraction Method Followed by Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry

Microwave-assisted extraction and dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction followed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry as a sensitive and efficient method was applied to extract and determine four biogenic amines (BAs) in Iranian Lighvan cheese samples. Carrez solutions were used for the sedimentation of proteins. Effective factors on the performance of microextraction were studied and optimized. The proposed method showed good linear ranges from 5 to 500 ng mL^?1, with the coefficients of determination higher than 0.9929. Average recoveries were between 97 and 103%. Limits of detection for all analyzed BAs ranged from 5.9 to 14.0 ng g^?1, and limits of quantitation ranged between 19.7 and 46.2 ng g^?1. Compared with previous methods, the proposed method is simple, fast, accurate, and precise and gives low detection limits for investigating trace amounts of BAs in Iranian Lighvan cheese samples. The levels of four BAs were determined in five Lighvan cheese samples. Cadaverine was found as prevailing amine in the cheese samples. Putrescine, tyramine, and histamine were present at the second, third, and fourth highest levels, respectively.     

Benign synthesis of carboxamide ligands,H2Me2bqb and H2Me2bpb. Preparation,characterization and electrochemistry of Ni(II) complexes: The crystal structure of [Ni(Me2bqb)]

A novel and highly efficient approach for the synthesis of H₂Me₂bqb and H₂Me₂bpb using ionic liquid as an environmentally benign reaction medium has been developed, eliminating the need for the pyridine as a toxic solvent. The Ni(II) complex of the dianionic ligand Me₂bqb²⁻, [Me₂bqb²⁻ = 1,2-bis(quinoline-2-carboxamide)-4,5-dimethyl-benzene dianion], has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses and spectroscopic methods, and the crystal and molecular structure of [Ni(Me₂bqb)] (1), has been determined by X-ray crystallography. The complex exhibits distorted square-planar NiN₄ coordination geometry with two short and two long Ni–N bonds (Ni–N ∼1.85 and ∼1.96 Å, respectively). The electrochemical behavior of [Ni(Me₂bqb)] (1), has been studied by cyclic voltammetry and compared with the analogous complex, [Ni(Me₂bpb)] (2).     

Vibration analysis of nanorings using nonlocal continuum mechanics and shear deformable ring theory

In this article, we use shear deformable ring theory (SDRT) for the analysis of free in-plane vibration of nanorings based on nonlocal elasticity theory. The equations of motion of the nanoring are derived for the aforementioned problem by considering the small scale effect. Analytical solutions for the natural frequencies of the nanorings are presented. It is shown that the nonlocal effects play an important role in the vibration of nanorings and cannot be neglected. The effects of the small scale on the natural frequencies considering various parameters such as the radius of the nanoring, the thickness of the nanoring and mode numbers are investigated.     

Errorless and errorful learning modulated by transcranial direct current stimulation

Background

Caspase-3 is one of the most downstream enzymes activated in the apoptotic pathway. In caspase-3 deficient mice, loss of cochlear hair cells and spiral ganglion cells coincide closely with hearing loss. In contrast with the auditory system, details of the vestibular phenotype have not been characterized. Here we report the vestibular phenotype and inner ear anatomy in the caspase-3 deficient (Casp3 ^-/- ) mouse strain.

Results

Average ABR thresholds of Casp3 ^-/- mice were significantly elevated (P < 0.05) compared to Casp3 ^+/- mice and Casp3 ^+/+ mice at 3 months of age. In DPOAE testing, distortion product 2F1-F2 was significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in Casp3 ^-/- mice, whereas Casp3 ^+/- and Casp3 ^+/+ mice showed normal and comparable values to each other. Casp3 ^-/- mice were hyperactive and exhibited circling behavior when excited. In lateral canal VOR testing, Casp3 ^-/- mice had minimal response to any of the stimuli tested, whereas Casp3 ^+/- mice had an intermediate response compared to Casp3 ^+/+ mice. Inner ear anatomical and histological analysis revealed gross hypomorphism of the vestibular organs, in which the main site was the anterior semicircular canal. Hair cell numbers in the anterior- and lateral crista, and utricle were significantly smaller in Casp3 ^-/- mice whereas the Casp3 ^+/- and Casp3 ^+/+ mice had normal hair cell numbers.

Conclusions

These results indicate that caspase-3 is essential for correct functioning of the cochlea as well as normal development and function of the vestibule.