A common generalization for MV-algebras and Łukasiewicz–Moisil algebras

We introduce the notion of n-nuanced MV-algebra by performing a Łukasiewicz–Moisil nuancing construction on top of MV-algebras. These structures extend both MV-algebras and Łukasiewicz–Moisil algebras, thus unifying two important types of structures in the algebra of logic. On a logical level, n-nuanced MV-algebras amalgamate two distinct approaches to many valuedness: that of the infinitely valued Łukasiewicz logic, more related in spirit to the fuzzy approach, and that of Moisil n-nuanced logic, which is more concerned with nuances of truth rather than truth degree. We study n-nuanced MV-algebras mainly from the algebraic and categorical points of view, and also consider some basic model-theoretic aspects. The relationship with a suitable notion of n-nuanced ordered group via an extension of the Γ construction is also analyzed.     

Commutators, C0-semigroups and resolvent estimates

We study the existence and the continuity properties of the boundary values on the real axis of the resolvent of a self-adjoint operator H in the framework of the conjugate operator method initiated by Mourre. We allow the conjugate operator A to be the generator of a C₀-semigroup (finer estimates require A to be maximal symmetric) and we consider situations where the first commutator [H,iA] is not comparable to H. The applications include the spectral theory of zero mass quantum field models.     

Polymer-Titanium hybrids obtained by radical polymerization and Sol-Gel process

The possibility to prepare hybrids made by poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and/or poly(ethyl acrylate) (PEtA) with TiO₂ was studied. The processes of polymer formation-radical polymerization and sol-gel process for inorganic network —were achieved simultaneously. Due to a high reactivity of titanium isopropoxide (TIP) in the sol-gel process, a complexant comonomer, allyl acetoacetate (AlAcAc), was used. Covalent bonds between polymer and inorganic chains were obtained by addition of trialkoxysilane derivates with vinyl (VTES) or methacryloyl (MPTS) groups. The presence of TIP inhibits the radical polymerization of vinyl acetate (VAc). The PVAc-TiO₂ hybrids were produced by the sol-gel process of TIP in the presence of pre-obtained PVAc. Except for VTES and MPTS, trialkoxysilane derivates with methyl (MeTES), octyl (OTES) and phenyl (PTES) groups were used. The thermal stability of hybrids is strongly affected by TiO₂ presence and by the type of trialkoxysilane derivates. The thermal stability of PVAc hybrids decreases in the presence of TiO₂ inorganic network. The glass transition temperature of polymers increases in the presence of the inorganic network.     

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of carbonyl compounds in cigarette mainstream smoke after derivatization with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine

An improved gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method was described for the analysis of carbonyl compounds in cigarette mainstream smoke (CMS) after 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) derivatization. Besides formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acetone, acrolein, propionaldehyde, methyl ethyl ketone, butyraldehyde, and crotonaldehyde that are routinely analyzed in cigarette smoke, this technique separates and allows the analysis of several C4, C5 and C6 isomeric carbonyl compounds. Differentiation could be made between the linear and branched carbon chain components. In cigarette smoke, the branched chain carbonyls are found at higher level than the linear chain carbonyls. Also, several trace carbonyl compounds such as methoxyacetaldehyde were found for the first time in cigarette smoke. For the analysis, cigarette smoke was collected using DNPH-treated pads, which is a simpler procedure compared to conventional impinger collection. Thermal decomposition of DNPH-carbonyl compounds was minimized by the optimization of the GC conditions. The linear range of the method was significantly improved by using a standard mixture of DNPH-carbonyl compounds instead of individual compounds for calibration. The minimum detectable quantity for the carbonyls ranged from 1.4 to 5.6 microg/cigarette.     

INAA of some phosphates used in fertilizer industries

INAA method for As, Br, Ca, Ce, Co, Cr, Eu, Fe, K, La, Lu, Na, Nd, Sb, Sc, Sm, Tb, Th, U, Yb and Zn determination in raw phosphates and Romanian NPK phosphate fertilizers was applied. The concentration values of uranium and some possible toxic elements in fertilizers are discussed.     

Plutonium concentration distribution in bed load sediment samples along the Romanian sector of the Danube river and the Black Sea coast

The concentrations of²³⁸Pu and^{239, 240}Pu were determined in 12 sediment samples collected from the bed of the Romanian Danube river and Black Sea coast during June–September 1994. After the sample material has been properly prepared and²⁴²Pu tracer added, plutonium was separated from americium and curium by anion exchange. After electrodeposition on stainless steel discs the elements were counted with an -spectrometry system with silicon surface-barrier detectors. The^{239, 240}Pu concentrations range between 150 and 800 mBq kg^–1 dry, while the²³⁸Pu concentrations rise up to max 150 mBq kg^–1 dry. Although the chemical yields are rather low (51%) we appreciate the results as valuable since they report for the first time the distribution of the plutonium contamination along the Danube river and the Black Sea coast-Romanian sector.     

Two-stage latexes of polystyrene acrylates

ABSTRACT

The modification of decomposition rate of the potassium persulfate initiator during the synthesis of “two-stage latexes” polystyrene-ethyl acrylate (EtA) of butyl acrylale (BuA) and of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate (EHA) is studied. This rate is minimum for BuA and maximum for EHA, in good agreement with the value of solubility parameters. The appearance of poryacrvlaf.es determines the existence of water bonded to the polar polymer. The amount of water bonded increases in the sequence PEtA?PBuA?PEHA, function of the modification of the diameters of the particles resulted from the latexes obtained.     

Results from solvophobic theory applied to methylene selectivity in reversed-phase HPLC

A significant amount of work has been previously dedicated to the understanding of methylene selectivity parameter. The conventional theory applied for this understanding was mostly based on the assumption that the difference in the Gibbs free energy of transfer from the mobile phase to the stationary phase is a constant for any two compounds in a homologous series that differ by a CH₂ group. In the present study, it is shown based on solvophobic theory that this assumption is indeed correct, but it provides a theoretical justification for it. Exemplification of the results of theory was obtained using the values for methylene selectivity (α(CH₂)) measured experimentally for seven different C18 chromatographic columns including two core–shell columns and using water and either methanol or acetonitrile as an organic component. Four different homologous series of compounds were used for evaluation. The study proved the theoretical prediction that the values for α(CH₂) obtained using different homologous series of compounds are only slightly different from those obtained using the toluene–butylbenzene series. Even using different homologous series, the same type of information regarding the columns comparison, and the changes in log α(CH₂) with the solvent composition was obtained.     

A Combined Experimental and Computational Study of Chrysanthemin as a Pigment for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

The theoretical study of chrysanthemin (cyanidin 3-glucoside) as a pigment for TiO₂-based dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) was performed with the GAUSSSIAN 09 simulation. The electronic spectra of neutral and anionic chrysanthemin molecules were calculated by density functional theory with B3LYP functional and DGDZVP basis set. A better energy level alignment was found for partially deprotonated molecules of chrysanthemin, with the excited photoelectron having enough energy in order to be transferred to the conduction band of TiO₂ semiconductor in DSSCs. In addition, we used the raw aqueous extracts of roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) calyces as the source of chrysanthemin and the extracts with various pH values were tested in DSSCs. The extracts and photosensitized semiconductor layers were characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, and DSSCs based on raw extracts were characterized by current density-voltage measurements.