Adsorption of p-Nitrophenol in Untreated and Treated Activated Carbon

The adsorption of p-nitrophenol in one untreated activated carbon (F100) and three treated activated carbons (H₂, H₂SO₄ and Urea treated F100) was carried out at undissociated and dissociated conditions.To characterize the carbon, N₂ and CO₂ adsorption were used. X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) was used to analyze the surface of the activated carbon.The experimental isotherms are fitted via the Langmuir homogenous model and Langmuir binary model. Variation of the model parameters with the solution pH is studied. Both Q _max and the adsorption affinity coefficient (K ₁) were dependent on the PZC of the carbons and solution pH. The Effect of pH must be considered due to its combined effects on the carbon surface and on the solute molecules. Adsorption of p-nitrophenol at higher pH was found to be dependent on the concentration of the anionic form of the solute.     

Structural characterization and mechanical properties of electrospun silk fibroin nanofiber mats

The regenerated silk fibroin dissolved in formic acid was electrospun into nanofiber mats. Structural characteristics of the spun as received and methanol and ethanol treated fibers were examined using the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Mechanical properties and air permeability of the electrospun mats were also studied. IR spectroscopy and X-ray diffractometry showed random coil conformation and amorphous structure for as-spun fibers while typical FTIR spectra and X-ray diffractograms of β-sheet crystalline structure were recorded for the methanol and ethanol treated fibers. The mechanical properties of the mats were found to be dependent on fiber diameter. The mats containing fibers with smaller diameter had higher tensile strength but lower breaking strain. Methanol and ethanol treatment enhanced tensile strengths of the mats at the expenses of their breaking strain. Air permeability and pore size of the mats are strongly associated with diameter of the electrospun fibers.     

Computational NQR study of a boron nitride nanocone

Abstract  

The electronic structure of a boron nitride nanocone with 240° disclination, and some properties that derive from this structure, were studied by density-functional theory calculations. In the considered model there are only hexagonal rings, with the apex and mouth of the nanocone saturated by hydrogen atoms. The model was optimized, and then the nuclear quadrupole resonance parameters were calculated at the sites of ¹¹B and ¹⁴N nuclei. The results revealed that the nuclei in the boron nitride nanocone are divided into layers with similar electronic properties. The nuclei at the apex and mouth are very important for the electronic behavior of the nanocone, with ¹¹B playing the major role.     

An endor and ESR study of the radical cation of N,N′-bis-(4-fluorophenyl)-4,4′-bipyridylium dichloride

The ESR and ENDOR spectra of the radical cation of N,N′-bis-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-4-4′-bipyridylium dichloride (fluorophenylquat FPQ) in methanol was studied over a temperature range from +_40° to ?90°. The ENDOR technique was used to obtain accurately the splitting constans for a highly complicated ESR spectrum and computer simulation showed excellent agreement. Fluorine ENDOR resonance was clearly observed with a line width similar to that of the protons. On decreasing the temperature the concentration of the radical cation decreases until at ?90° the ESR intensity was very small. This process is reversible and concentration studies indicate that the radical cation is in equilibrium with a diamagnetic dimer species. The thermodynamic parameters ΔH°, ΔG° and ΔS° for the process are reported.     

Elongated Bacterial Pili as a Versatile Alignment Medium for NMR Spectroscopy

In NMR spectroscopy, residual dipolar couplings (RDCs) have emerged as one of the most exquisite probes of biological structure and dynamics. The measurement of RDCs relies on the partial alignment of the molecule of interest, for example by using a liquid crystal as a solvent. Here, we establish bacterial type 1 pili as an alternative liquid-crystalline alignment medium for the measurement of RDCs. To achieve alignment at pilus concentrations that allow for efficient NMR sample preparation, we elongated wild-type pili by recombinant overproduction of the main structural pilus subunit. Building on the extraordinary stability of type 1 pili against spontaneous dissociation and unfolding, we show that the medium is compatible with challenging experimental conditions such as high temperature, the presence of detergents, organic solvents or very acidic pH, setting it apart from most established alignment media. Using human ubiquitin, HIV-1 TAR RNA and camphor as spectroscopic probes, we demonstrate the applicability of the medium for the determination of RDCs of proteins, nucleic acids and small molecules. Our results show that type 1 pili represent a very useful alternative to existing alignment media and may readily assist the characterization of molecular structure and dynamics by NMR.     

Numerical solution of stochastic differential equations by second order Runge–Kutta methods

In this paper we propose the numerical solutions of stochastic initial value problems via random Runge–Kutta methods of the second order and mean square convergence of these methods is proved. A random mean value theorem is required and established. The concept of mean square modulus of continuity is also introduced. Expectation and variance of the approximating process are computed. Numerical examples show that the approximate solutions have a good degree of accuracy.     

Design considerations for a larger inmarsat standard ship earth station

A new standard of INMARSAT ship earth station for multi-channel operation could find particular application on large passenger ships and off-shore oil/gas platforms. This paper provides estimates of platform and ship motions and discusses general design requirements, notably of the antenna system. The discussion includes consideration of possible modulation and multiple access techniques. Single channel per carrier (SCPC) operation is advocated which permits easy integration with the present service to single channel INMARSAT Standard-A ship earth stations. Major parameter/relative cost trade-off curves needed in an overall ship earth station design optimization are presented.     

Uplink adaptive depolarisation cancellation in a ground-to-satellite link

An adaptive depolarisation cancellation method to reduce the uplink depolarised signal in future satellite systems is described. It is based on transmission of a small orthogonally polarised correction signal from the earth station. A data-acquisition method using only a single beacon signal transmitted from the satellite could provide the information required for generation of the correction signal.     

A new and facile synthesis of 3-(2-aryl-6-nitro-1H-indol-3-yl)quinoline-2,4(1H,3H)-diones by sodium alginate as biopolymeric catalyst

Research on Chemical Intermediates - New 3-(2-aryl-6-nitro-1H-indol-3-yl)quinoline-2,4(1H,3H)-diones were synthesized, and good-to-excellent yields were achieved through one-pot, three-component...