Characterizing emerging European stock markets through complex networks: From local properties to self-similar characteristics

We investigate the properties of the returns of the main emerging stock markets from Europe by means of complex networks. We transform the series of daily returns into complex networks, and analyze the local properties of these networks with respect to degree distributions, clustering, or average line length. We further use the clustering coefficients as quantities describing the local structure of the network, and approach them by using multifractal analysis. We find evidence of scale-free networks and multifractality of clustering coefficients.     

Modeling the angular capability of the ball joints in a complex mechanism with two degrees of mobility

The paper puts forward a complex linkage mechanism with two degrees of mobility and three kinematic loops, which is used for the guiding (suspension and steering) system of the vehicles. The geometric parameters and the coordinates frames that define the mechanical system are presented, as well as the specific kinematic functions. For this complex mechanical system, the angular capability of the ball (spherical) joints is defined by two angles. The equations for these angles have been determined by matrix algebra tools, considering the transformation matrices between the bodies reference frames. The diagrams of the angular capability of the ball joints, which are represented in angular coordinates, describe the form, orientation and size of the sockets from the spherical casings. Wears, shocks, functional locks or the compromising of the joint strength can occur if scarce sockets are implemented. The risk points, in which the angular parameters have maximum values, have been determined, the simulation being performed for a real system (vehicle).     

Invariant critical sets of conserved quantities

For a dynamical system we will construct various invariant sets starting from its conserved quantities. We will give conditions under which certain solutions of a nonlinear system are also solutions for a simpler dynamical system, for example when they are solutions for a linear dynamical system. We will apply these results to the example of Toda lattice.     

Ab initio study of exchange coupling for the consistent understanding of the magnetic ordering at room temperature in V[TCNE] x

We report quantum chemical calculations providing the exchange coupling constants of the V[TCNE]₂ model system, describing the amorphous room temperature molecular magnet V[TCNE] _x (TCNE = tetracyanoethylene, x ~ 2). The geometry is optimized for the ideal lattice using density functional theory (DFT) calculations with periodic boundary conditions. Broken-symmetry DFT calculations indicate antiparallel spin alignment resulting in ferrimagnetic ordering, but heavily overestimate the value of the exchange coupling. Better estimates of the exchange coupling parameters between the V(II) ion and the [TCNE]^? anionic radical are obtained by means of multiconfigurational calculations performed on smaller molecular models cut from the optimized crystal lattice. Complete active space self-consistent field and multireference second-order perturbation theory calculations provide the sign and the strength of the nearest-neighbor as well as next-nearest-neighbor interactions along all three crystallographic directions. We are able to explain also intuitively the mechanism for antiferromagnetic spin coupling in terms of the superexchange pathways, discussing the role of the main four types of contributions to superexchange. Moreover, we clarify the influence of the transition metal ion on the strength of the exchange interaction and on the critical temperature for long-range ferrimagnetic ordering.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Saccharomyces cerevisiae</Emphasis> yeast immobilized on marrow stem sunflower and polyacrylamide hydrogels

Biocatalysts with microorganisms immobilized on solid carriers could provide the solution for development of continuous industrial processes for ethanol obtaining by fermentation of sugars. In this study, modified polyacrylamide hydrogels and marrow stem sunflower are used as supports for Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast immobilization. The obtained structures are used for fermentation of molasses in batch systems. The free yeast cells are used as reference. The modification of polyacrilamide matrix with (2-hydroxyethyl)methacrylate has a positive effect on structure pore uniformity and fermentation performance. The mechanical properties of the obtained biocatalysts are compared. The novel natural matrix has net superior compression strength.

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Bioactive Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) Complexes Containing a Tridentate Sulfathiazole-Based (ONN) Schiff Base

New Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) complexes were synthesized with the Schiff base ligand obtained by the condensation of sulfathiazole with salicylaldehyde. Their characterization was performed by elemental analysis, molar conductance, spectroscopic techniques (IR, diffuse reflectance and UV–Vis–NIR), magnetic moments, thermal analysis, and calorimetry (thermogravimetry/derivative thermogravimetry/differential scanning calorimetry), while their morphological and crystal systems were explained on the basis of powder X-ray diffraction results. The IR data indicated that the Schiff base ligand is tridentate coordinated to the metallic ion with two N atoms from azomethine group and thiazole ring and one O atom from phenolic group. The composition of the complexes was found to be of the [ML₂]∙nH₂O (M = Co, n = 1.5 (1); M = Ni, n = 1 (2); M = Cu, n = 4.5 (3)) type, having an octahedral geometry for the Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes and a tetragonally distorted octahedral geometry for the Cu(II) complex. The presence of lattice water molecules was confirmed by thermal analysis. XRD analysis evidenced the polycrystalline nature of the powders, with a monoclinic structure. The unit cell volume of the complexes was found to increase in the order of (2) < (1) < (3). SEM evidenced hard agglomerates with micrometric-range sizes for all the investigated samples (ligand and complexes). EDS analysis showed that the N:S and N:M atomic ratios were close to the theoretical ones (1.5 and 6.0, respectively). The geometric and electronic structures of the Schiff base ligand 4-((2-hydroxybenzylidene) amino)-N-(thiazol-2-yl) benzenesulfonamide (HL) was computationally investigated by the density functional theory (DFT) method. The predictive molecular properties of the chemical reactivity of the HL and Cu(II) complex were determined by a DFT calculation. The Schiff base and its metal complexes were tested against some bacterial strains (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus subtilis). The results indicated that the antibacterial activity of all metal complexes is better than that of the Schiff base.     

Silica veils-conductive diamond powder composite as a new propitious substrate for platinum electrocatalysts

An innovative composite was obtained by a straightforward sol-gel procedure, involving boron-doped diamond powder (BDDP) incorporation into a SiO₂ veil (SiO₂V) matrix. Composite-coated glassy carbon plates were used as substrate for Pt electrochemical deposition, and the electrodes thus obtained (Pt/BDDP–SiO₂V) were compared on a relative basis with those prepared in the absence of the silica matrix (Pt/BDDP). SEM measurements have shown that a BDDP substrate promotes Pt cluster formation, whereas on BDDP–SiO₂V, particles are much smaller (ca. 45 nm to ca. 140 nm). The activity for CH₃OH oxidation was checked by cyclic voltammetry, and it was found that at Pt/BDDP–SiO₂V, the main anodic peak is shifted with ca. 0.35 V toward lower potentials, indicating a considerable improvement in the overall process kinetics. Stripping experiments together with long-term polarization measurements demonstrated that when deposited on the BDDP–SiO₂V support, Pt particles are less susceptible to CO poisoning and this behavior was tentatively ascribed to the presence of a higher relative surface concentration of more stable, oxidized platinum species, as evidenced by XPS.     

Effect of the manufacturing parameters on the structure of nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes produced by catalytic laser-induced chemical vapor deposition

Series of self-assembled and mono-dispersed bovine serum albumin (BSA)-conjugated ZnS/CuS nano-composites with different Zn/Cu ratios had been successfully synthesized by a combination method of the biomimetic synthesis and ion-exchange strategy under the gentle conditions. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy observation, Fourier transform infrared spectra and zeta potential analysis demonstrated that BSA-conjugated ZnS/CuS nano-composites with well dispersity had the hierarchical structure and BSA was a key factor to control the morphology and surface electro-negativity of final products. The real-time monitoring by atomic absorption spectroscopy and powder X-ray diffraction revealed that the Zn/Cu ratio of nano-composites could be controlled by adjusting the ion-exchange time. In addition, the metabolic and morphological assays indicated that the metabolic proliferation and spread of rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells could be inhibited by nano-composites, with the high anti-cancer activity at a low concentration (4 ppm). What were more important, Zn and Cu in nano-composites exhibited a positive cooperativity at inhibiting cancer cell functions. The microscope observation and biochemical marker analysis clearly revealed that the nano-composites-included lipid peroxidation and disintegration of membrane led to the death of PC12 cells. Summarily, the present study substantiated the potential of BSA-conjugated ZnS/CuS nano-composites as anti-cancer drug.     

Thermal behavior of several stable hydrazyl free radicals and of their parent hydrazines

A thermal analysis study has been performed for the stable free radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and other ten free radical congeners, together with their corresponding parent hydrazines. Qualitative studies on the decomposition products showed that nitrogen dioxide plays a key role. A mechanistic decomposition pathway is also proposed.