Dinuclear copper (II) and nickel (II) systems with planar M2N2O2 bridge

The tridentate ligand systemb (abbreviated as inkR₂) readily yield copper (II) and nickel (II) species of the formula M₂ (inkR₂)₂(CLO₄)₂. 2xH₂O (x=0–1). Dinuclear formulation is based on variable temperature magnetic susceptibility and conductivity data and on the known structure of some related systems. The Cu₂ (inkR₂) ₂ ²⁺ species are strongly antiferromagnetic (?2J=600–800 cm^?1) while the Ni₂(inkR₂) ₂ ²⁺ species are diamagnetic. The major coordination sphere is planar around each metal (II). The metal ions in a dimer are linked by planar M₂N₂O₂ bridge. The copper (II) and nickel (II) species freely form solid solutions. In these statistical scrambling of copper and nickel occur among the metal ion sites of the dimeric structure. Powder epr spectra of such mixed crystals are indicative of axial geometry around copper (II) ion.     

Synthesis and characterization of PMMA-based superhydrophobic surfaces

Recently, superhydrophobic surfaces are gaining much interest because they may be employed in a series of applications, spanning from the realization of self-cleaning surfaces to microfluidics to special water-impermeable tissues allowing perspiration. It is well-known that superhydrophobicity strictly depends on the combination of superficial micro- and nano-structures. Then, key factors in the process of surface synthesis are the parameters which will define the surface conformation. In this work, we deal with the fabrication of polymer-based superhydrophobic surfaces. We developed a new method to have a good control of the structure of the synthesised surface. A high stability of the superhydrophobic character during time was obtained. Moreover, the synthesis process is green and easily transferable to industry for large production.     

Artificial neural network‐based modeling of snow properties using field data and hyperspectral imagery

This study attempts to model snow wetness and snow density of Himalayan snow cover using a combination of Hyperspectral image processing and Artificial Neural Network (ANN). Initially, a total of 300 spectral signature measurements, synchronized with snow wetness and snow density, were collected in the field. The spectral reflectance of snow was then modeled as a function of snow properties using ANN. Four snow wetness and three snow density models were developed. A strong correlation was observed in near‐infrared and shortwave‐infrared region. The correlation analysis of ANN modeled snow density and snow wetness showed a strong linear relationship with field‐based data values ranging from 0.87–0.90 and 0.88–0.91, respectively. Our results indicate that an Artificial Intelligence (AI) approach, using a combination of Hyperspectral image processing and ANN, can be efficiently used to predict snow properties (wetness and density) in the Himalayan region. Recommendations for resource managers

• Snow properties, such as snow wetness and snow density are mainly investigated through field‐based survey but rugged terrains, difficult weather conditions, and logistics management issues establish remote sensing as an efficient alternative to monitor snow properties, especially in the mountain environment.
• Although Hyperspectral remote sensing is a powerful tool to conduct the quantitative analysis of the physical properties of snow, only a few studies have used hyperspectral data for the estimation of snow density and wetness in the Himalayan region. This could be because of the lack of synchronized snow properties data with field‐based spectral acquisitions.
• In combination with Hyperspectral image processing, Artificial Neural Network (ANN) can be a useful tool for effective snow modeling because of its ability to capture and represent complex input‐output relationships.
• Further research into understanding the applicability of neural networks to determine snow properties is required to obtain results from large snow cover areas of the Himalayan region.

     

An Amino‐Acid‐Based Self‐Healing Hydrogel: Modulation of the Self‐Healing Properties by Incorporating Carbon‐Based Nanomaterials

An amino‐acid‐based (11‐(4‐(pyrene‐1‐yl)butanamido)undecanoic acid) self‐repairing hydrogel is reported. The native hydrogel, as well as hybrid hydrogels, have been thoroughly characterized by using various microscopic techniques, including transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), Raman spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and by using rheological experiments. The native hydrogel exhibited interesting fluorescence properties, as well as a self‐healing property. Interestingly, the self‐healing, thixotropy, and stiffness of the native hydrogel can be successfully modulated by incorporating carbon‐based nanomaterials, including graphene, pristine single‐walled carbon nanotubes (Pr‐SWCNTs), and both graphene and Pr‐SWCNTs, within the native gel system. The self‐recovery time of the gel was shortened by the inclusion of reduced graphene oxide (RGO), Pr‐SWCNTs, or both RGO and Pr‐SWCNTs. Moreover, hybrid gels that contained RGO and/or Pr‐SWCNTs exhibited interesting semiconducting behavior.     

In situ thermal treatment of UV-oxidized diamond hydrogenated surface

Surface properties of polycrystalline hydrogenated diamond produced by chemical vapour deposition upon oxidation under UV irradiation are studied. The diamond surfaces were cleaned in vacuum by thermal treatment. They were characterized estimating the electron affinity of the virgin surface by UV photoelectron spectroscopy and controlling the surface composition by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The cleaned surfaces were then exposed to pure oxygen and UV radiation (deuterium lamp). Ozone induced surface oxidation was verified by XPS estimating the oxygen atomic concentration and the presence of specific chemical bonds. Surface oxidation was also verified analyzing the change in the diamond electron affinity. Oxygen was then removed in situ by a series of thermal treatments at increasing temperature. Already at ～300 °C a remarkable reduction of the oxygen concentration occurs which persists increasing the annealing temperature. Contemporary, a progressive recovery of the initial electron affinity is also obtained. These effects are observed up to 970 °C, a temperature at which the electron affinity assumes a negative value. Specific chemical reactions are hypothesized to describe the oxidation process and to explain the electronic behaviour of the diamond surface.     

Diffusion and transport phenomena in a collisional magnetoplasma having both streaming and temperature anisotropy: Collisional kinetics

Boltzmann-transport equation is analytically solved for two-component magnetoplasma using Chapman-Enskog analysis to include collisional diffusion transport having anisotropies in both streaming velocity and temperature components. The modified collisional integrals are analytically solved with flux integrals and perturbed kinetic equation to arrive at drift diffusion velocity and resulting transport coefficients which are markedly affected by both streaming and temperature anisotropy. The early isotropic results are recovered in the limit V ₀ = 0 and T _‖ = T _⊥ which reduce to eqs (11.30) and (11.31) of [1] and eqs (2.7) and (2.13) of [2]. The electrical resistivity (η_⊥) diminishes sharply in fusion temperature limit kT _⊥ = 1 keV. The shape of the curves for both electrical resistivity and thermal conductivity is rectangular hyperbolic. However, for low thermal ratio (T _‖/T _⊥ < 1), the curves are raised up and for high thermal ratio (T _‖/T _⊥ > 1), they are lowered down the isotropic case (T _‖/T _⊥ > 1), showing comparatively diminished magnitudes of the quantities.      

Characterization of gold nanoclusters synthesized on carbon nanotubes film: Evaluation of the size distributions by means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

Gold nanoclusters were directly synthesized on thiol functionalized carbon nanotubes film and characterized by means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. A carbon nanotube (CNT) supporting network was produced by spreading a concentrate suspension of thiol-functionalized CNT on platinum films. To synthesize gold nanoclusters, a water solution of tetrachloroauric acid was adsorbed on the CNT substrate and reduced by UV reduction in air. Detailed analysis of the Au 4f core line enabled us to follow the chemical modifications occurring on the substrate. In particular, the XPS analysis of gold features shows a progressive reduction of the gold precursor by increasing the irradiation time. Also information on the nanocluster size distribution after each reducing treatments are obtained.     

Painleve Analysis and the Yang-Mills Equation in Two Specific Cases

Two important configurations of Yang-Mills fields are discussed applying to them the Painleve test of Ablowitz. The case with a constant electric E-field does not admit an exact solution while the cylindrically symmetric self-dual system admits an inverse scattering approach for instanton solution.