Effects of time on the magnetic properties of terbium-doped LaMnO3

The magnetic properties of the perovskite form of LaMnO₃ have been shown strong interest in recent years due to its high potential for use in magnetic devices. In this paper, the magnetic properties of a 30% terbium-doped LaMnO₃ (LMTO) perovskite manganite synthesized by a conventional solid-state reaction were investigated. Data on these properties was recorded periodically via SQUID and VSM to reveal it to be best described magnetically as a spin glass system. Thus, the time effect must be taken into consideration in instantaneously determining this material’s spin glass state as well as the overall magnetic properties in the absence of a magnetic field. The results of this paper point to a more in-depth understanding of the change in magnetic properties associated with doped LaMnO₃.     

Efficient method to prepare diethylphosphonacetamides

An efficient and versatile synthetic method is described to synthesize diethylphosphonacetamides in a single step.     

Polarization of electronic transitions in aromatic hydorcarbon molecules and their mono- and di-valent ions

An overview of predictive chemical kinetics is presented, with an application to the simulation and design of homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) engines. The engine simulations are sensitive to the details of hydroperoxyalkyl (QOOH) radical chemistry, which are only partially understood, and there is a significant discrepancy between the simulations and experiment that limits the usefulness of the simulations. One possible explanation is that QOOH decomposes by other channels not considered in existing combustion chemistry models. Rate constants for one of these neglected channels, the intramolecular radical attack on the QOOH peroxide linkage to form hydroxyalkoxyl (HOQO) radicals, are predicted using quantum chemistry (CBS-QB3), to test whether or not this proposed channel can explain the observed discrepancies in the engine simulations. Although this channel has a significant rate, the competing attack on the other O atom in the peroxide to form a cyclic ether+OH is computed to be an order of magnitude faster, so the HOQO channel does not appear to be fast enough to explain the discrepancy. Definitive judgement on the importance of this reaction channel will require a careful reconsideration of all the coupled chemically activated QOOH reaction channels using modern predictive chemical kinetics software.     

Determination of anthocyanins in the urine of patients with colorectal liver metastases after administration of bilberry extract

Anthocyanins possess cancer chemopreventive properties in preclinical models. Their clinical pharmacology is only poorly understood. In this pilot study, anthocyanins and their metabolites were analysed in the urine of two patients with colorectal liver metastases. They received a single dose of 1.88 g standardized bilberry extract (mirtoselect) via either nasogastric or nasojejunal tube intra‐operatively during liver resection. HPLC‐MS/MS and HPLC‐UV analysis showed there were more anthocyanins and metabolites in the urine of the patient who received mirtoselect via the stomach than via the jejunum. This result is consistent with information obtained in rodents which suggests the stomach is the predominant site for anthocyanin absorption. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Progress in triboluminescence-based smart optical sensor system

Extensive research work has been done in recent times to apply the triboluminescence (TL) phenomenon for damage detection in engineering structures. Of particular note are the various attempts to apply it in the detection of impact damages in composites and aerospace structures. This is because TL-based sensor systems have a great potential for wireless, in-situ and distributed (WID) structural health monitoring when fully developed. This review article highlights development and the current state-of-the-art in the application of TL-based sensor systems. The underlying mechanisms believed to be responsible for triboluminescence, particularly in zinc sulfide manganese, a highly triboluminescent material, are discussed. The challenges militating against the full exploitation and field application of TL sensor systems are also identified. Finally, viable solutions and approaches to address these challenges are enumerated.