Measuring densities of polymers by magneto-archimedes levitation

In magneto-Archimedes levitation, a polymer can be levitated to a balanced position, and its levitation height is mainly related to the density of the polymer. Here, a novel method for measuring the density of polymers based on magneto- Archimedes levitation is proposed. For a designed measurement device, an equation can be fitted by a series of experiments with standard density glass beads. Then, the polymer's density can be calculated via the equation. In this paper, a device with magnets at a distance of 60 mm was chosen as an example. Experimental results showed that the proposed method could measure all types of polymer with an accuracy of 0.002–0.01 g/cm³. Moreover, the proposed method can clearly distinguish between polymers with small density differences (<0.03 g/cm³). Because of its high accuracy, high sensitivity, low cost and convenience, the proposed method could be widely used in polymer testing, especially in density-based testing.     

A new generation of visible-light-active photocatalysts—The alkaline earth metal bismuthates: Syntheses,compositions, structures,and properties

Semiconductor materials containing bismuth have attracted the attention of researchers over the past several decades, as a result of their high photocatalytic activity in various reactions and/or high efficiency in their photoelectric conversion of solar energy. This interest originated from the observations that bismuth-containing semiconductors have a sufficiently small bandgap, which makes them sensitive to radiation in the visible spectral range; thus, visible-light-active materials. Among the various bismuth-containing semiconductor materials, the bismuthates of alkaline earth metals are distinguished and describe into separate groups. This article reviews research on the known methods of obtaining bismuthates of various alkaline earth metals (magnesium, calcium, strontium, and barium), and further analyzes their composition, structure, and visible-light-active photocatalytic activity.     

A puzzle of the radio-quiet quasar PG 1407+265: Are optical and X-ray emissions produced from a relativistic jet?

PG 1407+265 is a radio quiet quasar that has a relativistic jet.In this report,we show some peculiar properties of its optical and X-ray emissions,which indicate possible non-thermal origins produced from the jet.We use a simple synchrotron + synchrotron self Compton (SSC) model to fit the emissions with different ratios of energy densities between the magnetic field and electrons (η≡U B/U e),which predicts a different γ-ray luminosity.The First LAT AGN Catalog (1LAC) did not include PG 1407+265,which indic...     

High frequency circular translation pin-on-disc wear testing of UHMWPE using a ball-on-flat contact along a hypotrochoidal track

To intensify experimental research within the field of orthopaedic tribology, a three-station, dual motion, high frequency (25.3 Hz) circular translation pin-on-disc wear test device was recently introduced. In the present study, the pins were CoCr with a spherical, polished bearing surface of 28 mm radius, whereas the flat discs were conventional UHMWPE. This configuration was intended to simulate the wear mechanisms of total knee prostheses. The number of wear cycles run was as high as 200 million. The mean wear rate was 0.35 mg per one million cycles (0.77 mg/24 h) which corresponded to a mean wear factor of 3.5 × 10⁻⁶ mm³/Nm. The study provided further proof that a wear test for orthopaedic implant materials can be accelerated by substantially increasing the cycle frequency, provided that the sliding velocity remains close to the values obtained from biomechanical studies. Hence, the moderate frictional heating will not lead to unrealistic wear mechanisms.     

Imidazolium Based Surface Active Ionic Liquids as Novel Micellar Media for Simultaneous and Sensitive Electrochemical Detection of Dopamine and Ascorbic Acid

Surface active ionic liquid (SAIL) micelle assisted, simultaneous and highly sensitive electrochemical sensing of dopamine (DA) and ascorbic acid (AA) is presented. Results presented herein establish that SAILs viz.1‐dodecyl‐3‐methyl imidazolium chloride ([DDMIM][Cl]), 1‐octyl‐3‐methyl imidazolium chloride ([OMIM][Cl]) and 1‐butyl‐3‐methyl imidazolium chloride ([BMIM][Cl]) exhibit a probe and SAIL nature/concentration specific impact on the redox behaviour of hydroquinone (H₂Q), dopamine (DA) and ascorbic acid (AA). To our observations, the electrochemical behaviour of DA and AA is affected oppositely by SAILs with the apparent effects being more appreciable in presence of [DDMIM][Cl]. In the presence of [DDMIM][Cl] micelles, the electro‐oxidation of AA was observed to occur at potentials about 350 mV less positive than required for electrooxidation of DA, an important advantage that minimises the interference of former in sensing of the later. The peak to peak potential separation of 350 mV observed in presence of [DDMIM][Cl] micelles is the largest to be reported so far. The DPV signal for DA and AA displayed a linear response in the concentration range of 6.6 to 99.9 μM and 6.6 to 131.5 μM respectively. Very low detection limits of 0.0161 μM for DA in presence of 39.8 μM AA and 0.0227 μM for AA in presence of 39.8 μM DA were estimated in micellar phase of [DDMIM][Cl].     

Why indexing works

We develop a simple stock selection model to explain why active equity managers tend to underperform a benchmark index. We motivate our model with the empirical observation that the best performing stocks in a broad market index often perform much better than the other stocks in the index. Randomly selecting a subset of securities from the index may dramatically increase the chance of underperforming the index. The relative likelihood of underperformance by investors choosing active management likely is much more important than the loss those same investors take due to the higher fees of active management relative to passive index investing. Thus, active management may be even more challenging than previously believed, and the stakes for finding the best active managers may be larger than previously assumed.     

Nanoporous silicon flakes as anode active material for lithium-ion batteries

Nanoporous-silicon (np-Si) flakes were prepared using a combination of an electrochemical etching process and an ultra-sonication treatment and the electrochemical properties were studied as an anode active material for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). This fabrication method is a simple, reproducible, and cost effective way to make high-performance Si-based anode active materials in LIBs. The anode based on np-Si flakes exhibited a higher performances (lower capacity fade rate, stability and excellent rate capability at high C-rate) than the anode based on Si nanowires. The excellent performance of the np-Si flake anode was attributed to the hollowness (nanoporous structure) of the anode active material, which allowed it to accommodate a large volume change during cycling.     

Synthesis and Stereochemistry of Optically Active Selenium and Tellurium Compounds

Abstract

The synthesis and stereochemistry of tricoordinated optically active selenium and tellurium compounds are described. Telluronium salts, telluronium imides, and seleninic acids were prepared and optically resolved by fractional recrystallization of diastereomeric mixtures or by chromatography using a chiral column of racemic mixtures. Diphenyl dichalcogenides also were optically resolved by chiral crystallization. Their absolute configurations were determined or estimated based on X-ray crystallographic analysis, specific rotations, and circular dichroism spectra. The kinetic studies and the mechanism for the racemization were also studied.     

SYNTHESIS AND BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES OF NEW INDOLE DERIVATIVES CONTAINING SULFIDE AND/OR SULFONE MOIETIES. PART I

Abstract

4-Amino-halonitrodiphenyl sulfides(I) and/or 4-amino-halonitrodiphenyl sulfones have been found to react with isatin, N-acetyl isatin, isatin-N-Mannich bases, indole-3-carboxaldehyde and N-substituted indole-3-carboxaldehyde producing the corresponding indole derivatives. The biological activity of some of these products was screened against selected strains of bacteria.     

SYNTHESIS AND CONFORMATIONAL STUDIES OF A NUMBER OF SATURATED BICYCLIC SIX-MEMBERED RING PHOSPHITES

Abstract

An ¹H NMR study of the conformation of the dioxaphosphorinane ring of a number of diastereoisomeric bicyclic saturated six-membered ring phosphites (3ab-10ab) has been performed. The dioxaphosphorinane ring of these phosphites is transannelated with a tetrahydrofuran, cyclopen-tane, tetrahydropyran or cyclohexane ring. The substituent on the phosphorus atom is a methoxy or phenoxy group. It is shown that the cis isomers 3a-10a prefer a chair conformation of the dioxaphosphorinane ring, independent of the substituent on the phosphorus atom and of the nature of the transannelated ring. In contrast, for the trans isomers 3b-10b a twist rather than a chair conformation of the dioxaphosphorinane ring is preferred. The fraction of the twist conformer in the trans isomers is mainly determined by the substituent on phosphorus. The size and composition of the transannelated ring are relatively unimportant in this respect. For both cis and trans isomers the preferred geometry is solvent-independent. The measured ^3JPOCH couplings of the cis isomers 3a-10a are used to formulate an expression for the dependence of such couplings upon dihedral angles in bicyclic phosphites.