Decidability of the representation extension property for finite semigroups

We prove that the decision problem of whether or not a finite semigroup has the representation extension property is decidable.     

Synthesis and Effect of Cation Binding on Photophysical Properties of 1,8-Anthraceno-18-Crown-5

ThesystemsconsistingofafluorophorelinkedtoacrownethermoietyareeXtensivelyinvestigated'-'.Sincedrasticchangesintheirphotophysicalpropertiescanbeobservedbycomplexationwithion,theycanbeusedforionicdetection"'.Recentreportsfocusonazamacrocyclicderivativeswithfluorophores"',inwhichthefluorophoreandcrownethermoietywerelinkedvianitrogenatom.Thepresenceofabasicnitrogenatomwhichiseasytobeprotonatedleadstoelthancementoffluorescencequantumyield""'.Wereplacedthenitrogenatomofthecrownbyoxygenwhichisexpect…     

A novel organic rectorite modified bismaleimide/diallylbisphenol A system

4,4′‐Bismaleimidodiphenylmethane (BMIPM)/O,O′‐diallylbisphenol A (BA) system was modified by organic rectorite (OREC) to develop a novel BMI/BA/OREC nanocomposite. The effect of OREC on the viscosity and reactivity of BMIPM/BA system was investigated. The mechanical properties of BMIPM/BA/OREC composites such as the flexural and impact strength were evaluated. The morphology of cured BMIPM/BA/OREC systems was investigated by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The hot water resistance of BMIPM/BA/OREC systems was discussed. The thermal property of BMIPM/BA/OREC systems was investigated using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The dynamic mechanical properties of BMIPM/BA/OREC systems were also measured. Results show that the addition of OREC has a significant influence on the reactivity of the BMIPM/BA system. Proper content of OREC can improve the flexural strength, impact strength, and hot water resistance of a BMIPM/BA system. The addition of OREC cannot decrease the thermal degradation temperature of cured BMIPM/BA system with a slight sacrifice of the glass transition temperature (Tg). Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Thiol‐ene photopolymerization for efficient curing of vinyl esters

Monomers for radical photopolymerization based on vinyl esters (VEs) have recently been identified as suitable alternatives to (meth)acrylates on account of their low irritancy and cytotoxicity. The drawback of most VEs with abstractable hydrogens is their relatively low reactivity compared with (meth)acrylates. Within this article, we proved by photo‐differential scanning calorimetry measurements and real‐time Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy that the thiol‐ene concept is able to improve the photoreactivity of these VEs to a large extent to a level between those of acrylates and methacrylates. Other VEs have now a reactivity of at least the level of similar acrylates. Mechanical properties as determined by Dynamic Mechanical Analysis and Charpy impact tests showed significant toughening of these materials. Furthermore, we were able to confirm low toxicity of all components by osteoblast cell culture experiments. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013     

Structure Evolution upon Uniaxial Drawing Skin‐ and Core‐Layers of Injection‐Molded Isotactic Polypropylene by In Situ Synchrotron X‐ray Scattering

The structure evolution of the oriented layer (skin) and unoriented layer (core) from injection‐molded isotactic polypropylene samples upon uniaxial drawing is probed by in situ synchrotron X‐ray scattering. The X‐ray data analysis approach, called “halo method”, is used to semiquantitatively identify the transformation process of crystal phase upon uniaxial drawing. The results verify the validation of the stress‐induced crystal fragmentation and recrystallization process in the deformation of the injection‐molded samples under different temperatures. Furthermore, the end of strain softening region in the engineering stress‐strain curves explicitly corresponds to the transition point from the stress‐induced crystal fragmentation to recrystallization process. Basically, the skin and core layers of the injection‐molded parts share the similar deformation mechanism as aforementioned. The stretching temperature which dramatically affects the relative strength between the entanglement‐induced tie chains and the adjacent crystalline lamellae determines the crystal structural evolution upon drawing. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2013, 51, 1618–1631     

Log-Harnack inequality for stochastic Burgers equations and applications

By proving an L²-gradient estimate for the corresponding Galerkin approximations, the log-Harnack inequality is established for the semigroup associated to a class of stochastic Burgers equations. As applications, we derive the strong Feller property of the semigroup, the irreducibility of the solution, the entropy-cost inequality for the adjoint semigroup, and entropy upper bounds of the transition density.     

Dicarboxylic imide‐substituted poly(p‐phenylene vinylenes) with high electron affinity

Synthesis of n‐type organic semiconductors with high electron mobilities, good environmental stability, and good processability is an urgent task in current organic electronics. This is because most of π‐conjugated materials are p‐type and prefer to transport positive hole carriers. In this article, a series of new dicarboxylic imide‐substituted poly(p‐phenylene vinylenes) (DI‐PPVs) were first synthesized. They exhibited a high electron affinity of 3.60 eV and thus are able to transport electrons. The polymers showed tunable solubility in common organic solvents and high chemical and thermal stability. They remain rigidity of the PPV backbone, and strong interchain π‐stacking was observed in thin films by X‐ray diffraction measurement. All these suggested that these polymers could serve as good candidates as n‐type semiconductors in organic electronic devices such as n‐channel field‐effect transistors and all polymer‐based solar cells. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 186–194, 2010     

Electrochemical Cycled Structure of MnV_2O_6 Nanoribbons Synthesized via Hydrothermal Route

1 Introduction Low-dimensional nanostructures, such as nanorods, nanowires, and nanotubes, have received much attention for their superior optical, electrical, catalytic and magnetic properties.     

Effect of solvent on the construction of Co(II) coordination polymers containing a semi-rigid bis(benzimidazole) derivative: syntheses,structures, and properties

Two Co(II) coordination polymers, [CoL(npa)]·2H₂O (1) and [CoL(Hnpa)₂] (2) (L = 1,4-bis(5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole-1-yl)benzene, H₂npa = 5-nitroisophthalic acid), have been synthesized in different solvent systems and characterized by Infrared (IR) spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and powder and single crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 1 was synthesized under solvothermal conditions with DMF as solvent and had a pair of L ligands adopting a μ₂-bridging mode and connecting two Co²⁺ cations to generate a 26-membered Co₂L₂ loop. The npa^2? link adjacent Co₂L₂ loops via a bis(monodentate) bridging mode to create a 1-D channel-like chain structure. Compound 2 was obtained under hydrothermal conditions, and the carboxylate of the monodeprotonated Hnpa^? adopt a μ₁-η^0?:?η¹ coordination to connect adjacent Co²⁺ cations into a 2-D polymeric layer. The μ₂-bridging L ligands connect adjacent 2-D [Co(Hnpa)]_n polymeric layers into a 3-D NaCl-like framework. The Co²⁺ cations and the L ligands in compounds 1 and 2 exhibit different coordination geometries and conformations. Effects of solvents on the construction of Co(II) coordination polymers were investigated. In addition, the electrochemical behavior of carbon paste electrodes containing 1 and 2 and the thermal stabilities of 1 and 2 were investigated.