Energy release rate and stress intensity factor in antiplane elasticity

In the setting of antiplane linearized elasticity, we show the existence of the stress intensity factor and its relation with the energy release rate when the crack path is a C1,1 curve. Finally, we show that the energy release rate is continuous with respect to the Hausdorff convergence in a class of admissible cracks.     

Synthesis and characterization of water‐dispersible,superparamagnetic single‐wall carbon nanotubes decorated with iron oxide nanoparticles and well‐defined chelating diblock copolymers

A novel approach for the fabrication of magneto‐active carbon nanotubes (CNTs) stabilized in aqueous media, involving the combination of carboxylated single‐wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) with a new class of methacrylate‐based chelating diblock copolymers, is described. More precisely, a well‐defined diblock copolymer consisting of hexa(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (hydrophilic and thermo‐responsive) and 2‐(acetoacetoxy)ethyl methacrylate (hydrophobic and metal‐chelating) synthesized by reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer polymerization has been used to prepare polymer‐coated magneto‐active SWCNTs decorated with iron oxide nanoparticles. Further to the characterization of the compositional and thermal properties using transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction spectroscopy and thermal gravimetric analysis, assessment of the magnetic characteristics by vibrational sample magnetometry disclosed superparamagnetic behavior at room temperature. The latter, combined with the thermo‐responsive properties of the polymeric coating and the unique, inherent properties of the carbon nanotubes may allow for their future exploitation in the biomedical field. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 49: 1389–1396, 2011     

Positive solutions for systems of nonlinear second‐order multipoint boundary value problems

We study the existence of positive solutions for systems of second‐order nonlinear ordinary differential equations, subject to multipoint boundary conditions. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Nucleation and Growth of Chrysotile Nanotubes in H2SiO3/MgCl2/NaOH Medium at 90 to 300 °C

Herein, we report new insights into the nucleation and growth processes of chrysotile nanotubes by using batch and semi‐continuous experiments. For the synthesis of this highly carcinogenic material, the influences of temperature (90, 200, and 300 °C), Si/Mg molar ratio, and reaction time were investigated. From the semi‐continuous experiments (i.e., sampling of the reacting suspension over time) and solid‐state characterization of the collected samples by XRPD, TGA, FTIR spectroscopy, and FESEM, three main reaction steps were identified for chrysotile nucleation and growth at 300 °C: 1) formation of the proto‐serpentine precursor within the first 2 h of the reaction, accompanied by the formation of brucite and residual silica gel; 2) spontaneous nucleation and growth of chrysotile between about 3 and 8 h reaction time, through a progressive dissolution of the proto‐serpentine, brucite, and residual silica gel; and 3) Ostwald ripening growth of chrysotile from 8 to 30 h reaction time, as attested to by BET and FESEM measurements. Complementary results from batch experiments confirmed a significant influence of the reaction temperature on the kinetics of chrysotile formation. However, FESEM observations revealed some formation of chrysotile nanotubes at low temperatures (90 °C) after 14 days of reaction. Finally, doubling the Si/Mg molar ratio promoted the precipitation of pure smectite (stevensite‐type) under the same P (8.2 MPa)/T (300 °C)/pH (13.5) conditions.     

Thermal, spectral, magnetic and antimicrobial behaviour of new Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes with a hexaazamacrocyclic ligand

New species of type MLCl₂·nH₂O (M:Ni, n = 6; M:Cu, n = 1.5 and M:Zn, n = 1; L: 1,8-bis(3′-ketopyridil)-1,3,6,8,10,13-hexaazacyclotetradecane, ligand resulted by 1,2-diaminoethane, nicotinamide and formaldehyde template condensation) were synthesised. The compounds were characterised by chemical analysis, ESI–MS, IR, NMR, UV–Vis-NIR and EPR spectroscopy as well as magnetic data at room temperature. The modifications in the IR and NMR spectra are in accordance with the condensation process. Electronic spectra indicate that Ni(II) adopts an octahedral stereochemistry while the surrounding of Cu(II) is square-pyramidal. The proposed stereochemistry was furthermore confirmed by magnetic moments and EPR spectrum at room temperature. The water is eliminated in one or two steps, respectively, while the oxidative degradation of the ligand and chloride decomposition occur in two steps. The final residues consist of the most stable metallic oxides as X-ray powder diffraction indicates. The newly synthesised compounds were evaluated for their antimicrobial effect against different bacterial and fungal strains.     

Thermal stability of new biologic active copper(II) complexes with 5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole

Three new coordinative compounds that contain mixed ligands (5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole and acrylato anion) were synthesized and characterized. The features of complexes have been assigned from microanalytical, IR, UV–Vis and EPR spectra as well as thermal analysis. IR data are in accordance with unidentate nature of 5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole while the acrilato ion acts as uni- or bidentate ligand. The electronic spectra display the characteristic pattern of square pyramidal or octahedral stereochemistry, which were confirmed by the EPR spectra. Antibacterial and antifungal activities of the complexes have been determined in vitro, against various Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and fungi. The tested complexes exhibited different spectra of antimicrobial activity and inhibited the microbial ability to colonize the inert surfaces, acting as potential anti-adherence and biofilm-controlling agents. Thermal decomposition evidenced several well-defined steps as dehydration (complex 2), 5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole molecule release (all complexes) and the acrylate decomposition in carbonate (complex 3). The final residue is in all cases copper (II) oxide.     

Thermal, spectral, electrochemical and biologic characterization of new Pd(II) complexes with ligands bearing biguanide moieties

New complexes [Pd(HDMBG)₂]Cl₂·H₂O, [PdL¹]Cl₂·0.5H₂O and [PdL²]Cl₂·1.5H₂O (HDMBG: dimethylbiguanide, L¹ and L²: ligands resulted from HDMBG, ammonia/hydrazine and formaldehyde template condensation) were synthesized and characterized. The features of complexes have been assigned from microanalytical, IR, UV–Vis and cyclic voltammetry data. The thermal transformations are complex processes according to TG and DTA curves including water and hydrochloric acid elimination, thermolysis processes leading to paracyanide formation as well as PdO decomposition, final product being palladium. Complexes were screened for their antimicrobial properties against some pathogenic Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial as well as fungal Candida albicans strains. The complexes exhibit specific antibacterial and/or antifungal activity, depending on their structure and the tested microbial strains. All complexes inhibit the microbial biofilm development on the inert substratum. It was also observed that PdCl₂ complexation minimized their cytotoxic effect on the eukaryotic cells.     

Thermal study of new biologic active complexes with mixed ligands

Five new coordinative compounds that contain mixed ligands (4,4′-bipyridine and methacrylate anion) were synthesized and characterized (elemental analysis, IR and UV–Vis spectroscopy, and thermal studies). The complexes are of the type [M(4,4′-bipy)(C₄H₅O₂)₂]·nH₂O ((1) M:Mn, n = 0; (2) Co, n = 0.5; (3) M:Ni, n = 1.5; (4) M:Cu, n = 0.5; (5) M:Zn, n = 0.5; 4,4′-bipy: 4,4′-bipyridine; C₄H₅O₂: methacrylate anion). All the tested complexes exhibited very low MIC values against Escherichia coli strains and one compound against Staphylococcus aureus. Besides the specific antimicrobial spectrum, these compounds also inhibited the microbial ability to colonize the inert surfaces, acting as potential anti-adherence and biofilm-controlling agents. The thermal behavior provided confirmation of the complexes' compositions as well as the number and the nature of water molecules and the intervals of thermal stability.