Random fields and quantum effects in proton glasses

The effects of quantum fluctuations on the proton glass phase in mixed hydrogen-bonded ferro-antiferroelectric systems are considered. The system is described in terms of the infinite-ranged Ising pseudospin glass model in a transverse tunneling field in the presence of random parallel fields. The stability limit of the high-temperature proton glass phase is determined within the thermofield dynamic approach, and the behavior or linear and nonlinear susceptibility is evaluated.     

Modification of solids with volatile organics III: Natural zeolites

Summary The effect of pre-adsorbed benzene and ethanol on the adsorptive properties of natural zeolite (clinoptilolite) has been studied by gas-solid chromatography. It has been shown that modification of the solid surface by volatile organics has a significant influence on the adsorptive properties. The modification is of the same order as the more difficult modification by inorganics, as illustrated here by clinoptilolite modification with Co²⁺. Energy distribution of surface adsorptive sites appears to be continuous and confirms previous finding that only a small proportion of active sites is responsible for most adsorbate retention. Part II reference [4]     

Excess and partial excess molar volumes of mixing of N,N-dibutyl-2-ethylhexamide with dodecanol

Excess and excess partial molar volumes of mixing of the system N,N-dibutyl-2-ethylhexylamide (DBEHA) + dodecanol (DDA) were determined at 25, 35, 45, 55 and 65°C. The excess molar volumes exhibit a maxima at each temperature at approximatelyx _DBEHA = 0.3 and a minima close tox _DBEHA = 0.9. The values of the excess volumes in general increase with the temperature. The partial excess molar volumes are calculated from the smoothed data and the results are discussed in the light of postulated amide-alcohol interactions.     

Radical polymerization of n-substituted methacrylamides

The relationship between the structure of monomer and kinetics of the radical polymerization of N-ethylmethacrylamide, N-butylmethacrylamide and N-phenylmethacrylamide in methanol and in dimethylsulphoxide was investigated. The reaction order with respect to initiator is 0·5 in all cases; the order with respect to monomer is independent of the type of substituent but depends on the solvent and on the viscosity of the reaction mixture. The polymerization rate, the value of $\text{κ}{}_{\mathrm{p}}\text{/κ}{}_{\mathrm{t}}{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>1</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$, and the initiator efficiency decrease in the series N-phenylmethacrylamide, N-ethylmethacrylamide and N-butylmethacrylamide. The overall activation energy of polymerization for the monomers lies between 16 and 20 kcal/mol.     

On the modification of solid adsorbents with volatile organics II. The role of the layer adsorbed

Summary This paper presents a continuation of our research dedicated to solid-adsorbent surface modification with what are commonly regarded as volatile and easily eluted organic compounds. Two porous adsorbents were used: natural zeolite (clinoptilolite) and alumina, while the adsorbates employed were n-hepatane and benzene. The results show that a simple injection of volatile adsorbate greatly alters the solid surface adsorption properties. The consequences of volatile modifier application are discussed on the grounds of adsorption isotherms determined at 313K. Possible implications to the tailor made adsorbents are outlined as well.Part I, J. Chromatogr.442, 105 (1988)     

pH-dependent electrochemical behaviour of hydrophilic ampholytic membranes

Ampholytic membranes were synthesized by copolymerizing (2-hydroxyethyl)methacrylate as the hydrophilic component, methacrylic acid and (N,N-diethylaminoethyl)methacrylate as ionogenic components (both ionogenic monomers in amounts 2.5 mol% or 10 mol%), and ethylenedimethacrylate as the crosslinking agent (3,5 or 10 mol%). The effects of pH on the swelling and membrane potentials of the membranes were investigated. The dependence of the membrane potentials on pH is characterized by the position of the isoelectric point and by the slope of the straight part of the dependence. This slope reflects the attained degree of ideality of the membrane. By varying the degree of cross linking and the content of ionogenic components, it is possible to vary the pH-dependent response of the membranes.     

Strategy for the synthesis of polymeric supports with hydrazone linkers for solid-phase alkylation of ketones and aldehydes

A new approach to polymeric supports useful for the immobilization of aldehydes and ketones via hydrazone linkers is reported. The new strategy gives supports with better properties and is effective for the synthesis of all supports previously used for the alkylation of ketones anchored as hydrazones. In contrast to other approaches, the new strategy also provided a polymer with an economical C2 spacer linker. The supports were used for immobilization of ketones 3-pentanone, acetone, N-benzylpiperidone, and aldehydes hexanal and 3-phenylpropanal in the form of their hydrazones. The polymer-supported hydrazones were subjected to alpha-alkylation (LDA/RX) followed by acidic, reductive, or oxidative cleavage/workup procedures to provide alpha-alkylated aldehydes or ketones as well as corresponding primary amines, alcohols, nitriles or acids.     

Raman Method in Identification of Species and Varieties,Assessment of Plant Maturity and Crop Quality—A Review

The present review covers reports discussing potential applications of the specificity of Raman techniques in the advancement of digital farming, in line with an assumption of yield maximisation with minimum environmental impact of agriculture. Raman is an optical spectroscopy method which can be used to perform immediate, label-free detection and quantification of key compounds without destroying the sample. The authors particularly focused on the reports discussing the use of Raman spectroscopy in monitoring the physiological status of plants, assessing crop maturity and quality, plant pathology and ripening, and identifying plant species and their varieties. In recent years, research reports have presented evidence confirming the effectiveness of Raman spectroscopy in identifying biotic and abiotic stresses in plants as well as in phenotyping and digital selection of plants in farming. Raman techniques used in precision agriculture can significantly improve capacities for farming management, crop quality assessment, as well as biological and chemical contaminant detection, thereby contributing to food safety as well as the productivity and profitability of agriculture. This review aims to increase the awareness of the growing potential of Raman spectroscopy in agriculture among plant breeders, geneticists, farmers and engineers.     

Structure and photochemistry of 18-diazo-1,4,7,10,13,16-hexaoxacyclononadeca-17,19-dione and its sodium and potassium complexes. Control of the ground-state conformation of 2-diazo-1,3-dicarbonyl fragment via host-guest complexation

[reaction: see text] The macrocyclic 18-diazo-1,4,7,10,13,16-hexaoxacyclononadeca-17,19-dione (3-diazo-2,4-dioxo-19-crown-6, 1) readily forms complexes with potassium (2, stability constant in methanol is K(K+) = 229 +/- 25 M(-1)) and sodium ions (3, K(Na+) = 84.2 +/- 7.9 M(-1) in methanol). According to B3LYP/6-31G+(d,p) calculations and temperature-dependent 1H NMR spectroscopy, the predominant conformation of 1 has a Z,Z arrangement of the diazo and carbonyl groups. The X-ray crystal structure analysis showed that the potassium complex (2) has the same Z,Z arrangement, while the sodium analogue (2) exists in conformation with Z,E geometry of the diazodicarbonyl moiety. Direct 254 nm photolysis of diazo compounds 1-3 in methanol results in the formation of 3-methoxy-2,4-dioxo-19-crown-6 (5), the product of the insertion of corresponding alpha,alpha'-dicarbonylcarbene into the O-H bond of the solvent. The triplet-sensitized photolysis of diazomalonates 1-3 produces 2,4-dioxo-19-crown-6 (6), which is apparently formed via the triplet state of the intervening carbene.     

Equilibrium and stability of relativistic stars in extended theories of gravity

We study static, spherically symmetric equilibrium configurations in extended theories of gravity (ETG) following the notation introduced by Capozziello et al. We calculate the differential equations for the stellar structure in such theories in a very generic form i.e., the Tolman–Oppenheimer–Volkoff generalization for any ETG is introduced. Stability analysis is also investigated with special focus on the particular example of scalar–tensor gravity.