Conformal Invariance, Accelerating Universe and the Cosmological Constant Problem

We investigate a conformal invariant gravitational model which is taken to hold at early universe. The conformal invariance allows us to make a dynamical distinction between the two unit systems (or conformal frames) usually used in cosmology and elementary particle physics. In this model we argue that when the universe suffers phase transition, the resulting mass scale introduced by particle physics should have a variable contribution to vacuum energy density. This variation is controlled by the conformal factor which is taken as a dynamical field. We then deal with the cosmological consequences of this model. In particular, we shall show that there is an inationary phase at early times. At late times, on the other hand, it provides a mechanism which makes a large effective cosmological constant relax to a sufficiently small value. Moreover, we shall show that the conformal factor acts as a quintessence field that leads the universe to accelerate at late times.     

H-point standard addition method for the selective simultaneous determination of nickel and copper using 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol in Tween 80 micellar media.

The H-point standard addition method (HPSAM) has been applied for the simultaneous determination of nickel and copper in trace levels, using 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol (PAN) as a chromogenic reagent in aqueous Tween 80 micellar media. Under the optimum condition, the simultaneous determinations of nickel and copper by HPSAM were performed. The absorbances at one pair of wavelengths, 548 and 579 nm, were monitored with the addition of standard solutions of copper. The method is able to accurately determine copper-to-nickel ratios of 15:1 to 1:10 (Wt/Wt). The effects of diverse ions on the determination of nickel and copper to investigate the selectivity of the method were also studied. The recommended procedure was successfully applied to some water and alloy samples.     

Headspace solvent microextraction of trihalomethane compounds into a single drop

Headspace solvent microextraction (HSME) into a single drop is developed for the determination of six trihalomethanes, CH2Cl2, CHCl3, C4H9Cl, CCl4, C2HCl3, and C2Cl4, in aqueous solution. A drop of benzyl alcohol containing bromoform, as an internal standard, is used for extraction. The analytes are extracted by suspending a 3-microL drop directly from the needle of a microsyringe. The needle passes through the septum of a vessel, and the needle tip appears above the surface of the solution. After the prescribed extraction time, the drop is drawn back into the syringe. The syringe is then removed, and its content is injected directly into a gas chromatography column for analysis. The main parameters affecting the HSME process, such as stirring speed, microdrop volume, sample solution temperature, microsyringe needle temperature, sample volume, solution pH, extracting solvent, and ionic strength of the solution, are studied. Also, the linear range and precision of the method are examined.     

Radiotracer studies on ion-selective membranes based on poly(vinyl chloride) matrices

Radiotracer studies with (45)Ca, (89)Sr and (133)Ba have provided evidence that the permeation of magnesium, strontium and barium ions through PVC membranes containing Orion 92-20-02 liquid ion-exchanger is inhibited by their low affinity for the liquid ion-exchanger sites. Experiments with (7)Be indicate a strong affinity of the membrane for beryllium ions with corresponding inhibition of permeation. When acid is present in the solution on one side of the membrane, preferential permeation by protons may lead to transport of ions against their concentration gradient in order to maintain the balance of charge.     

Hydrocarbon polymer analysis by external MALDI fourier transform and reflectron time of flight mass spectrometry

The traditional solvent-based matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) preparation method has been used to analyze nonpolar polymers of various molecular weights. High resolution silver cationized oligomers with masses of up to 12 KDa were measured using 9.4 tesla Fourier transform mass spectrometry (FTMS) with an external ionization source. It was observed that when time-of-flight mass spectrometry was used, the spectra of polyethylene polymers showed abundant low mass fragment ions. However, these fragments were absent from the FTMS spectra.     

High performance liquid chromatography method for determination of methyl-5-benzoyl-2-benzimidazole carbamate (mebendazole) and its main degradation product in pharmaceutical dosage forms

Methyl-5-benzoyl-2-benzimidazole carbamate (mebendazole) is a drug used as an anthelmintic. A high performance liquid chromatography method has been developed in this study to determine mebendazole and its degradation product in the pharmaceutical dosage forms (tablets and suspension). The expected major degradation product of mebendazole in the dosage forms has been prepared, and identified as 2-amino-5-benzoylbenzimidazole. The proposed HPLC assay was found to be selective, accurate (% recoveries were in the range of 99.9-100.9) for both, mebendazole and the degradation product, repeatable and reproducible (replicate measurements for short and long term measurements showed % RSD of 相似文献   

Liquid-liquid extraction of some lanthanide metal ions by polyoxyalkylene systems

Polyoxyalkylene systems, namely, polypropylene glycol (PPG-1025), polyethylene glycol (PEG-600) and polybutadieneoxide (PBDO-700) dissolved in either nitrobenzene or 1,2-dichloroethane have been tested as prospective extractants for some lanthanide metal ions (Eu(3+), Pr(3+) and Er(3+)) from their aqueous solutions in the presence of picrate anions. The metal ions were quantified before and after extraction using the inductively coupled plasma emission spectrophotometry technique. The percent extraction and the distribution coefficients have indicated that pH of the aqueous phase, picrate concentration and the organic solvent are the major parameters that affect the extraction efficiency of the metal ions. The optimum pH range was found to be 3.5-5.5 and the picrate concentration should be as high as possible; however, a picrate concentration of about 0.05 M proved to be adequate for a near quantitative extraction. In all cases, nitrobenzene enhanced a higher percent extraction compared to 1,2-dichloroethane. The efficiency of the polyoxyalkylene systems to extract certain lanthanide metal ions was in the order PBDO-700>PPG-1025>PEG-600 when nitrobenzene was the organic solvent and in the order PPG-1025>PBDO-700 approximately PEG-600 when 1,2-dichloroethane used as the solvent in the organic phase. The extractability of PPG-1025 towards the lanthanide metal ions was in the order Pr(3+)>Eu(3+)>Er(3+) irrespective of the organic solvent used. The stoichiometry of the extracted polyoxyalkylene ion-pairs with the lanthanide metal ions has been estimated. Each mole of metal ions is associated with three moles of picrate anions and 13 to 14 moles of propyleneoxide units in the case of PPG-1025, and about 9 to 10 moles of ethyleneoxide units in the case of PEG-600 and 10 moles of butadieneoxide units in the case of PBDO-700.     

催化增强化学蒸气沉积法在聚酰亚胺上沉积钯-铂合金薄层

以N₂，O₂作载气，通过催化增强化学蒸气沉积(CECVD)分别制得在聚酰亚胺上的金属铂、钯及其合金薄层。铂、钯配合物的共同沉积可生成Pt-Pd合金薄膜。在Pd-Pt合金的沉积过程中，Pd/Pt的原子数比率随共同沉积的条件改变而变化。O₂为载气、300 ℃条件下,用Pd(η³-allyl)(hfac)和Pt(COD)Me₂作前驱体共沉积制备Pd-Pt合金，得到含Pd 37.2%，Pt 62.8%且不     

A photoactivated diazopyruvoyl cross-linking agent for bonding tissue containing type-I collagen

On the basis of the earlier examples of diazopyruvoyl (DAP) groups reported by Lawton for covalent binding and cross-linking of proteins and oligopeptides and our recent demonstration that a coumaryl diazopyruvamide was used to label Type-I collagen, we have extended our investigations to the synthesis and cross-linking capabilities of a bis-DAP polyethylene glycol to cross-link Type-I collagen. The new photoactivated cross-linking agent, N,N'-bis(3-diazopyruvoyl)-2,2'-(ethylenedioxy)bis(ethylamine) (DPD, 2), has been designed and synthesized specifically to "weld" collagenous tissues by cross-linking Type-I collagen. A working model for the photochemical welding studies of collagenous tissues was developed using gelatin strips (gel strips) composed of denatured Type-I collagen. Gel strips are transparent to near-UV and visible light, uniform in thickness, and have reproducible composition. Furthermore, the availability of nucleophilic amine sites in gel strips was demonstrated by reaction with o-phthalaldehyde, producing a fluorescent derivative of the protein. Gel strips were coated with a solution of DPD in chloroform 7 irradiated at 320-390 nm, and the resulting bonded gel strips were tested for the strength of the weld. The welds were generally brittle and had average tensile strengths that exceeded 100 N/cm2. Welds were not formed in the absence of light or DPD. Scanning electron microscopy studies revealed a pockmarked surface from severed welds. Welds of rabbit Achilles tendon were also obtained using the tethered diazopyruvamide. These welds were much weaker, having an average tensile strength of 11.95 N/cm2 for DPD-2,2'-ethylenedioxy(bis)ethylamine comonomers in the cross-linking reaction. In both studies the welds obtained by this method were significantly stronger than the controls.