Some properties of multi-degree-of-freedom potential systems and application to statistical equivalent non-linearization

This paper presents some properties of two restricted classes of multi-degree-of-freedom potential systems subjected to Gaussian white-noise excitations. Specifically, potential systems which exhibit damping terms with energy-dependent polynomial form are referred to. In this context, first systems with coupled stiffness terms and damping terms depending on the total energy are investigated. Then, systems with uncoupled stiffness terms and damping terms depending on the total energy in each degree-of-freedom are considered. For these two classes, it is found that algebraic relations among the stationary statistical moments of the energy functions can be derived by applying standard tools of Itô calculus. Further, it is noted that these relations are very useful within the framework of an equivalent statistical non-linearization technique to build approximate solutions for arbitrary non-linear systems.     

Strong, low-energy two-photon absorption in extended amine-terminated cyano-substituted phenylenevinylene oligomers

Three quadrupolar oligophenylenevinylenes with five rings in the conjugated backbone, terminal donor groups, and various acceptors and/or donors along the backbone were synthesized and their two-photon spectroscopic properties investigated. These chromophores exhibit large two-photon absorption cross sections over a wide wavelength range and two distinct peaks, the strongest of which (deltamax > 3600 GM) is observed at 960-970 nm, a wavelength close to twice the value of the linear absorption maximum (2lambda(1)max). The findings on these chromophores are compared with those for analogous molecules with shorter conjugation length, for which the main two-photon band is at significantly shorter wavelength than 2lambda(1)max.     

Influence of two grinding methods on the uncertainty of determinations of heavy metals in atomic absorption spectrometry/electrothermal atomisation of plant samples

 Chemical analyses of trace elements are affected by relatively high analytical errors due to the different steps of the laboratory procedures: samples grinding, mineralisation and instrumental measurements. In the present communication, the influence of the grinding phase on the global uncertainty of Pb, Cd, Ni and Cr determinations in plant samples by the classical method of atomic absorption spectrometry/electrothermal atomisation (AAS-ETA) after dry ashing is quantified. Two grinding machines, a planetary mill with balls and jars of agate versus a stainless steel grinder were compared by analysing leaf samples of cucumber, strawberry, kiwivines, apple trees and grapevines from agricultural experimental plots under controlled conditions. Variance components due to the difference between grinding methods and experimental plots were estimated. Further, the simultaneous effects of the grinding methods on all considered metals have been evaluated by analysis of variance. With the stainless steel grinder, on average, higher levels of the considered heavy metals were obtained (up to 67% of the mean values). On average, the increments were similar for metals contained in steel (Ni and Cr) and those not contained (Pb and Cd). The true causes of these differences need further investigation to determine whether the higher metal detection is due to possible contamination, to a different grinding quality or to other reasons. Finally, the grinding methods did not seem to affect the combined uncertainty of the analyses. Received: 3 November 1997 · Accepted: 29 November 1997     

SYNTHESIS AND NMR SPECTROSCOPIC STUDY OF NEW 5-METHYLFURYL-CONTAINING SCHIFF BASES AND RELATED BIS(AMINOPHOSPHONATES)

The synthesis of three novel 5-methylfuryl-containing Schiff bases: N,N′-bis(5-methylfurfurylidene)-4,4′-diaminodiphenylmethane, N,N′-bis(5-methylfurfurylidene)-1,4-phenylenediamine, and N,N′-bis(5methylfurfurylidene)benzidine and the corresponding bis(aminophosphonates) derived from them, 4,4′-bis{N-methyl(diethoxyphosphonyl)-1-[(5-methyl)-2-furyl]} diaminodiphenylmethane, 1,4-bis { N-methyl(diethoxyphosphonyl)-1-[(5-methyl)-2-furyl]} diaminobenzene, and bis{N-methyl(diethoxyphosphonyl)-1-[(5-methyl)-2-furyl]}- benzidine, is reported. The compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis, TLC, IR, and NMR ( ¹ H, ¹³ C, and ³¹ P) spectra. For comparison, new ¹³ C and ³¹ P NMR data of three furyl-containing analogues of the above bis(aminophosphonates) are also regarded. The NMR studies of the two series of bis(aminophosphonates) reveal the presence of one diastereomer (meso or racemic form).     

Synthesis,spectroscopic characterization (IR, 1H, 13C and 119Sn NMR,electrospray mass spectrometry) and toxicity of new organotin(IV) complexes with N,N′,O‐ and N,N′,S‐scorpionate ligands

New organotin(IV) derivatives containing the anionic ligands bis(3,5‐dimethylpyrazol‐1‐yl)dithioacetate [LCS₂]⁻ and bis(3,5‐dimethylpyrazol‐1‐yl)acetate [LCO₂]⁻ have been synthesized from reaction between (CH₃)₂SnCl₂ and lithium salts of the ligands. Mononuclear complexes of the type {[LCX₂](CH₃)₂SnCl} (X = S or O) have been obtained and fully characterized by elemental analyses and FT‐IR in the solid state and by NMR (¹H, ¹³C and ¹¹⁹Sn) spectroscopy, conductivity measurements and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry in solution. The acute toxicity of new organotin(IV) derivatives on rat was studied, comparing their effect with those of dimethyltin chloride (CH₃)₂SnCl₂. The comparison of LD₅₀ of organotin(IV) complexes and (CH₃)₂SnCl₂ administered intraperitoneally, as a single dose, evaluated in vivo on rats, showed that toxicity decreases as follows: (CH₃)₂SnCl₂ > LCO₂ > LCS₂. The effect of these organotin(IV) complexes on DNA was evaluated in vitro and in vivo on rats treated with different doses of these compounds (1/20 LD₅₀ and 1/100 LD₅₀). The lymphocyte DNA status was assessed by the comet assay, a rapid and sensitive single‐cell electrophoresis technique, used to detect primary DNA damage in individual cells. After 36 h from the start of treatment the two new organotin(IV) derivatives induced a significant rise in comet assay parameters, indicating an increasing presence of damaged DNA. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The effect of post-irradiation annealing on the crosslinking of high-density polyethylene induced by gamma-radiation

Samples of two high-density polyethylenes having different crystallinity levels were gamma irradiated under vacuum at doses ranging from 20 to 300 kGy. Subsequently, the vials containing the irradiated samples were exposed to different post-irradiation treatments. Parts of the specimens were annealed while still under vacuum. The annealing time was 4 h and the annealing temperatures 110 °C or 150 °C. Others were exposed directly to air opening the vials without any thermal treatment. It was verified that in all cases the dosage to produce an incipient gel increases with the crystallinity of the initial sample. The amount of gel produced after exposing specimens of the same polymer to a given dose increases with the annealing temperature. The largest increment in the amount of gel produced at the completion of the post-irradiation treatment was found on the samples with the highest initial crystallinity level.Evidence of oxidation was found in all irradiated samples. The extent of oxidation depends on the initial crystallinity of the sample, the irradiation dose and the type of post-irradiation treatment. The heat of fusion measured in the annealed samples decreases with the gel content while the fusion temperature was slightly affected. Ductile or brittle behaviors were observed after testing specimens under tensile stress. The yield stress increases proportionally to the crystallinity level that, in turn, depends on the total dosage applied to the samples. The extensibility of ductile samples is determined by the amount of gel produced regardless of the degree of initial crystallinity and the type of annealing process applied to each sample.