Chitosan nanostructures deposited from solutions in carbonic acid on a model substrate as resolved by AFM

Chitosan macromolecules can be dissolved in water saturated with CO₂ under high pressure, i.e. in carbonic acid. This unique biocompatible solvent with acidity regulated by the variation of applied CO₂ pressure is rather promising for biomedical applications. In this work the main features of deposition of chitosan structures on the model substrate from solutions in this media were examined. After deposition on the mica surface, the obtained structures have been successfully visualised by atomic force microscopy (AFM). It has been found out that they adsorb as rather peculiar elongated objects with an average length of about 70?nm. Such conformations are believed to appear due to amphiphilic nature of chitosan semiflexible chains in agreement with recent theoretical findings. The well-defined geometry of the elongated monodispersed structures allows them to demonstrate some elements of liquid crystalline-like ordering.     

Spondias mombin L. as a green corrosion inhibitor for aluminium in sulphuric acid: Correlation between inhibitive effect and electronic properties of extracts major constituents using density functional theory

The inhibition of aluminium in 0.5 M H₂SO₄ by extracts of Spondias mombin L. was investigated using the standard gravimetric technique at 30–60 °C. The trend of inhibition efficiency with temperature was used to propose the mechanism of inhibition. It was found that the S. mombin L. extract acts as an inhibitor for acid-induced corrosion of aluminium. Inhibition efficiency (%I) of the extract increased with an increase in concentration of the S. mombin L. extract but decreased with temperature. Furthermore, inhibition efficiency (%I) synergistically increased on addition of potassium iodide. Inhibitor adsorption characteristics were approximated by Langmuir adsorption isotherm at all the concentrations and temperatures studied. The mechanism of physical adsorption is proposed from the trend of inhibition efficiency with temperature and from the calculated values of Gibbs free energy, activation energy and heat of adsorption. Quantum chemical calculations were performed using the density functional theory at B3LYP/6-31G (d) level of theory to find out whether a clear link exists between the inhibitive effect of the extract and the electronic properties of its main constituents.     

Development and tests of thermally stable potting and impregnating compounds

The results of investigation of domestic impregnating and potting compounds that can function at temperatures up to 180–200°C developed at JSC Kompozit are presented. It is shown that these materials function at temperatures up to 200°C, as well as under conditions of elevated humidity and temperature cycling.     

A method for improving the adhesion strength of UV-curable polymer compositions to metal

A method for improving the adhesion strength of UV-curable polymer compositions to metal is suggested that is based on the production of an adhesion layer at a metal surface, which is able to undergo polymerization with the components of the applied composition under the action of UV irradiation.     

Mathematical modeling of flow in sound-absorbing structures of resonance type in the presence of a grazing flow

Sound-absorbing structures of resonance type are studied on the basis of integration of the unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations. The formation of the boundary layer over a sound-absorbing panel is compared with that on a flat plate in the presence of an incident wave. The dependence of the panel reflection coefficient on the presence of a grazing flow and the boundary layer thickness is investigated. The results of the numerical experiment are compared with the available experimental data.     

The influence of the conduction electrons on the EFG in amorphous intermetallic alloys

The quadrupole splitting in alloys is determined by the structural and electronic properties of the alloy. Only in cases where the density of states at the Fermi level is constant or known as a function of the concentration, relevant structural information can be obtained from the quadrupole splitting.     

The pressure broadening and shift for the J=1−0 line of CH3C14N: Resolved and overlapped hyperfine components

Summary Pressure broadening and shift parameters are measured for theJ=1−0 line of CH₃C¹⁴N at 18.4 GHz, both for the three hyperfine components and for the single line which envelopes the hyperfine components, observed at higher pressures (p≥40 mTorr). In agreement with theoretical predictions, these parameters are the same for all the observed lines: Γ _p = (50 ± 5) MHz/Torr,s=(7±2) MHz/Torr. These values are compared with previous measurements, showing a large variance expecially for the shift parameter. The measured broadening parameter is 40% lower than prediction of the Anderson theory.

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Riassunto Sono stati misurati i parametri di allargamento e spostamento per pressione della rigaJ=1−0 del CH₃C¹⁴N a 18.4 GHz. Tali misure sono state eseguite, sulle tre componenti iperfini e sul loro inviluppo osservato a pressionip≥40 mTorr. In accordo con le previsioni teoriche, questi parametri risultano gli stessi per tutte le righe osservate: Γ _p = (50 ± 5) MHz/Torr,s=(7±2) MHz/Torr. Questi valori sono confrontati con quelli delle precedenti misure che mostrano una considerevole dispersione, specialmente per quanto riguarda il parametro di spostamento. L'allargamento per pressione è risultato piú basso di quello previsto dalla teoria di Anderson di circa il 40%.

     

μSR in UAs

UAs has the NaCl structure and undergoes a first order transition into a type I (single k) antiferromagnetic state at 123 K, followed by a second first order transition at 62 K into a type IA (double k) antiferromagnetic structure. μSR spectra of a powder sample were taken in zero and transverse fields up to 0.3 T. They cover the paramagnetic and the two antiferromagnetic states. The most significant features of our data are: i) a first increase of relaxation rate below T=180 K; ii) a sudden jump in both, relaxation rate and frequency shift at T=123 K, together with a small decrease in initial asymmetry (≈15%); iii) no μ⁺ spin rotation in zero field in the type I state; iv) an overlay, of 3 spectra in the type IA state. Two of these spectra show spin rotation in zero field. Their frequencies are clearly temperature dependent. In a transverse field of 5 and 10 mT the external field adds nearly fully to the internal field. Work supported in part by the Bundesministerium fur Forschung und Technologie, Federal Republic Germany.     

A model for active elements in cochlear biomechanics

A linear, mathematical model of cochlear biomechanics is presented in this paper. In this model, active elements are essential for simulating the high sensitivity and sharp tuning characteristic of the mammalian cochlea. The active elements are intended to represent the motile action of outer hair cells; they are postulated to be mechanical force generators that are powered by electrochemical energy of the cochlear endolymph, controlled by the bending of outer hair cell stereocilia, and bidirectionally coupled to cochlear partition mechanics. The active elements are spatially distributed and function collectively as a cochlear amplifier. Excessive gain in the cochlear amplifier causes spontaneous oscillations and thereby generates spontaneous otoacoustic emissions.     

X-ray powder diffraction and57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy study of the thermal breakdown of vivianite,Fe3(PO4)2.8H2O

Ferric phosphates resulting from the thermal breakdown of natural Fe₃(PO₄)₂.₈H₂O are studied by X-ray powder diffraction and Mössbauer spectroscopy. Total iron oxidation and water release give rise to an amorphous material. During heating, a transitional cristobalite-type ferric orthophosphate recrystallizes prior to the stable berlinite-type. The main additional final product is a poorly characterized “Fe₃PO₇” phase with iron in octahedral coordination.