Are the Elements Elementary? Nineteenth-Century Chemical and Spectroscopical Answers

We analyze the role and influence of a tradition of research linked to the concept of primary matter in nineteenth-century studies on the nature of the elements.The suggestion of William Prout (1785-1850) in 1816 that the atomic weights of pure chemical elements are whole numbers and multiples of the atomic weight of hydrogen, taken as unity, was met with serious confutations,which in turn prompted several attempts to save Prouts hypothesis.We discuss these attempts in detail and the objections raised against them, for instance by Dmitry Ivanovich Mendeleev (1834-1907). We pay particular attention to the use of spectroscopy as a method for proving the existence of elementary forms of matter inside atoms. Leaders in this field of research were two English scientists, the astrophysicist Norman Lockyer (1836-1920) and the chemist William Crookes (1832- 1919). Both of their approaches involved the idea of primary matter. However, while Crookess approach proved to be incorrect, Lockyers ideas survived for several years and supported the discovery of the electron by J.J.Thomson (1856-1940).     

Ultrasonic characterization of heavy metal TeO2–WO3–PbO glasses below room temperature

The longitudinal ultrasonic attenuation measurements have been made using pulse echo method at fundamental frequencies of 2, 4, 6 and 8 MHz in 20WO₃–(80−x) TeO₂–xPbO ternary tellurite glasses (x=10, 12.5, 15, 17.5 and 20 mol%) in the temperature range 160–280 K. The results showed the presence of a broad peak which shifts to higher temperature with increasing frequency. The ultrasonic attenuation peaks suggest that the experimental behavior is controlled by thermally activated structural relaxations. The internal friction, acoustic activation energy, deformation potential, relaxation strength, number of loss centers and density of state have been calculated both as a function of temperature and PbO content. The acoustic activation energy was found to decrease from 0.156 to 0.135 eV with the increase of PbO content. The results showed that both the number of loss centers and their activation energy decrease with the atomic ring size. An increase in the density of state is observed with addition of PbO content at the same frequency in the whole range of temperature which is associated with structural units formed when PbO is added.     

Neuronal expression of muskelin in the rodent central nervous system

Background  

The kelch repeat protein muskelin mediates cytoskeletal responses to the extracellular matrix protein thrombospondin 1, (TSP1), that is known to promote synaptogenesis in the central nervous system (CNS). Muskelin displays intracellular localization and affects cytoskeletal organization in adherent cells. Muskelin is expressed in adult brain and has been reported to bind the Cdk5 activator p39, which also facilitates the formation of functional synapses. Since little is known about muskelin in neuronal tissues, we here analysed the tissue distribution of muskelin in rodent brain and analysed its subcellular localization using cultured neurons from multiple life stages.     

Block copolymer containing poly(3‐hexylthiophene) and poly(4‐vinylpyridine): Synthesis and its interaction with CdSe quantum dots for hybrid organic applications

Poly(3‐hexylthiophene)‐b‐poly(4‐vinylpyridine) diblock copolymer was synthesized by RAFT polymerization of 4‐vinyl pyridine using a trithiocarbonate‐terminated poly(3‐hexylthiophene) macro‐RAFT agent. The optoelectronic properties and the morphology of the block copolymer blends with CdSe quantum dots were investigated. UV‐vis and fluorescence experiments were performed to prove the charge transfer between CdSe and poly(3‐hexylthiophene)‐b‐poly(4‐vinylpyridine) diblock copolymer. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

Synthesis and optical and transport properties of a phenyl‐substituted polythiophene

The synthesis and characterization of a novel polythiophene substituted with a 2′‐pentyloxy‐5′‐(1″′‐oxooctyl) phenyl group (PPOPT) is reported. The bulk transport properties of thin films of PPOPT are investigated by admittance spectroscopy. The dramatic effect of the phenyl side chain on the mobility of positive carriers in films of PPOPT is described. The photophysics of PPOPT in both solution and thin film is also investigated and correlated to substituent‐driven intrachain and interchain arrangements. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

Improvement of pour point and oxidative stability of synthetic ester basestocks for biolubricant applications

For environmental reasons, as well as the dwindling source of petroleum, a new class of environmentally acceptable and renewable biolubricants based on plant oils is available. Even though plant oils possess excellent lubricant-related properties, there are some concerns about using it as biolubricant base oil. In this study we present a series of structures derived from oleic acid to be used as synthetic biolubricant basestocks. Measuring of pour point (PP), flash point, viscosity index (VI), oxidation onset temperature (OT) and signal maximum temperature (SMT) was carried out for each compound. Furthermore, the friction and wear properties were measured using a high-frequency reciprocating rig (HFRR). The resulting product structures were confirmed by NMR and FTIR spectroscopic analysis. The results showed that ethylhexyl 9-(octanoyloxy)-10-(behenoxy)octadecanoate with behenyl mid-chain ester exhibited the most favorable low temperature performance (PP ?48 °C) and ethylhexyl 9-(octanoyloxy)-10-(octyloxy)octadecanoate octyl mid-chain ester exhibited higher oxidation stability (OT 142 °C) than the other synthetic ester oils. On the other hand, the highest ball wear scan diameter was obtained for ethylhexyl 9-(octanoyloxy)-10-(behenoxy)octadecanoate while the lowest value was obtained for 9-hydroxy-10-octyloxyoctadecanoic acid. Overall, it was concluded that these synthetic ester oils have potential in formulation of industrial fluids for different temperature applications.     

Utility of 2-(5-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-2-oxo-N′-phenylaceto-hydrazonoyl bromide as precursor for synthesis of new functionalized heterocycles

2-(5-Methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-2-oxo-N′-phenylaceto-hydrazonoyl bromide was synthesized and used as precursor for synthesis of some new 1,3,4-thiadiazoles, pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrazoles, and 1,2,4-triazolo[4,3-a]pyrimidines. The mechanisms that account for formation of products were discussed. Also, the structures of all the newly synthesized products were confirmed based on elemental analysis, spectral data and by alternative methods.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of <Superscript>99m</Superscript>Tc labeled aryl piperazine derivatives as cerebral radiotracers

The aim of this study is to develop cerebral radiotracers for central nervous system receptors imaging. The synthesis, characterization and biological evaluation of two aryl piperazine ^99mTc-radiocomplexes based on the piano stool motif [CpM(CO₃)] (Cp = cyclopentadienyl, M = ^99mTc/Re) is reported. The ^99mTc-radiocomplexes were obtained quickly (time < 5 min) with high radiochemical yields. The ^99mTc-radiocomplexes characterized by high performance liquid chromatography comparison with the rhenium surrogates have both a suitable lipophilicity and are able to cross the blood brain barrier with 0.43 ± 0.05 and 1.96 ± 0.06% ID/g of brain uptake, at 10 min post injection.