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Post-translational modifications (methylation, phos-phorylation, glycosylation, acetylation) of proteins play an important role in controlling cellular processes. Methylation of protein-embedded arginine results in the formation of monomethyl arginine (MMA), symmetrical dimethylarginine (SDMA) and asymmetrical dimethy-larginine (ADMA). The accumulation of ADMA and MMA in cells and in the blood stream has been associated with various pathological conditions, while SDMA has been regarded as a physiologically inert compound. Today it is proven that SDMA inhibits the production of NO by blocking the cellular uptake of L-arginine. In the present study, we have shown that the level of SDMA is significantly increased in patients with venous leg ulcer (17 cases), compared to the control group (15 cases). It should be noted that this is the first study examining serum variations of SDMA in dermatological conditions. In conclusion, our data show that SDMA may contribute to the pathophysiology of venous leg ulcer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • IMF kernel is less attractive than MOX powder for those intending NED production. • Complex recovery process needed for IMF kernel declines its material attractiveness. • Massive IMF kernel decline attractiveness against imperfect but quick processing. • Fresh IMF kernel is regarded as irradiated fuel grade in material attractiveness. Abstract The impacts of chemical stability of inert-matrix-fuel (IMF) on the material attractiveness for states and non-state actors were evaluated in an open transuranic fuel cycle employing high temperature gas cooled reactors. The methodology for material attractiveness evaluation was developed to assess material attractiveness for states and treat IMF which is chemically inert for nitric acid solution. The material attractiveness was relatively assessed with physical properties of material in each of three discrete phases in the development of a nuclear explosive device. The material attractiveness assessment for non-state actors revealed that the non-irradiated TRISO fuel particle and IMF kernel for high temperature gas cooled reactors and the non-irradiated mixed oxide fuel (MOX) powder for MOX light water reactors were the most vulnerable targets in each fuel cycles. The TRISO fuel particle and IMF kernel would have less material attractiveness than the MOX powder because of their greater processing time and complexity. The material attractiveness assessment for states aiming concealed diversion revealed that the TRISO fuel particle and IMF kernel have less material attractiveness than the MOX powder, and are regarded as irradiated uranium fuel grade in the material attractiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Process integration means significant challenges in operating a chemical process dynamically due to its complexity. One example is the ternary reactive distillation with inert material. Based on the heuristic approach, chemical process design and process control are performed independently one after another. This may lead to infeasible solutions either in process design and control or in both. The application of simultaneous design and control, formulated as mixed‐integer dynamic optimization (MIDO) problems, increased rapidly in the last decade. Simultaneous process design and control, including control structure selection and control parameters, is devised for the challenging benchmark problem of a ternary reactive distillation with inert material. The improved process design and control is obtained by solving the MIDO problem. Process integration plays a key role in chemical process industries in terms of minimizing waste and energy demands. Simultaneous design and control is demonstrated for a complex ternary reactive distillation column with inert material. The optimization problem is formulated as mixed‐integer dynamic optimization problem. An improved process design and control is achieved by solving this issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a time and resource efficient way of preparing porous carbon cathode for lithium-sulfur batteries with superior cycle stability has been demonstrated. In this simple work, we used commercially available polymer as carbon source and non-solvent mixture as porogen or pore former. The cathode has been fabricated by using polyacrylonitrile as base polymer via phase inversion route. By this technique, a highly porous substrate material is generated by dipping a semi-gelled film of polyacrylonitrile in non-solvent mixture. After oxidative crosslinking followed by pyrolysis under inert atmosphere results a highly porous nitrogen doped carbon material, which was further hybridized with sulfur via melt diffusion of elemental sulfur. This cathode material shows although relatively low specific capacity (Cycle 1: ca. 1050 mA h/g sulfur , cycle 500: ca. 400 mA h/g sulfur ), but excellent cycle stability over 500 charging-discharging cycles is displayed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In comparison with metals and polymers, ceramics and/or carbon are more difficult to process into well‐defined cellular architectures (e.g., cubic, tetrakaidecadehron, etc.) using Additive Manufacturing techniques. The present work reports a simple method for generating complex and precise SiCN ceramic lattices using a preceramic polymer and applying the replica approach to structures fabricated using stereolithography of plastic materials, with the associated ease of fabrication. Three‐dimensional printed plastic lattices impregnated with a polysilazane were converted to SiCN by pyrolysis at 1000°C in inert atmosphere. In spite of the high amount of mass loss (~58%) and volume shrinkage (~65%), the impregnated structures did not collapse during pyrolysis, leading to highly porous (total porosity ~93 vol%) components possessing suitable strength for handling and potential use as lightweight components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inert surrogates or mocks for high explosives are commonly used in place of the real material for complex experiments or in situations where safety is a concern. Here, several materials were tested as potential mocks for HMX in terms of density, thermal stability, and processability. Selection criteria were developed and a literature search was conducted primarily using the Cambridge Structural Database. Out of over 200 potentially acceptable materials, six were chosen for crystallization experiments and a suite of analytical characterization. Of these six, 5-iodo-2ˊ-deoxyuridine, N,Nˊ-bis(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorophenyl)oxamide, and 2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorobenzamide all were found to be thermally stable at 150°C, matched HMX density as a pressed pellet, and could be crystallized to appropriate particle sizes. These three materials are considered suitable inert density mocks for HMX and will be the subject of future testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Although the rechargeable lithium–oxygen (Li–O2) batteries have extremely high theoretical specific energy, the practical application of these batteries is still limited by the instability of their carbon‐based air‐electrode, Li metal anode, and electrodes, toward reduced oxygen species. Here a simple one‐step in situ electrochemical precharging strategy is demonstrated to generate thin protective films on both carbon nanotubes (CNTs), air‐electrodes and Li metal anodes simultaneously under an inert atmosphere. Li–O2 cells after such pretreatment demonstrate significantly extended cycle life of 110 and 180 cycles under the capacity‐limited protocol of 1000 mA h g−1 and 500 mA h g−1, respectively, which is far more than those without pretreatment. The thin‐films formed from decomposition of electrolyte during in situ electrochemical precharging processes in an inert environment, can protect both CNTs air‐electrode and Li metal anode prior to conventional Li–O2 discharge/charge cycling, where reactive reduced oxygen species are formed. This work provides a new approach for protection of carbon‐based air‐electrodes and Li metal anodes in practical Li–O2 batteries, and may also be applied to other battery systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A Co(III)‐catalyzed C−H activation reaction for ortho‐alkenylation of benzamides (aryl/heteroaryl) and C2‐alkenylation of indole derivatives have been developed using alkynyl carboxylic acid as an alkene source. A high regioselectivity has been achieved in the formation of disubstituted alkenes, and the possible cyclic products were not observed. This efficient alkenylation shows a broad range of substrate scope with a good functional group tolerance. The application of the methodology has been showcased by transforming an alkenylated amide to a 3‐hydroxy isoindolinone derivative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Valorization of captured CO2 is an important but challenging topic since CO2 is a stable and relatively inert compound. Nonetheless, CO2 valorization technologies should be sought after, because they can offer an opportunity for the sustainable carbon cycle towards a circular economy by creating value-added products and generate revenues from CO2. This paper provides an overview of state-of-the-art valorization technologies for captured CO2, including (1) supercritical CO2 as a reactive solvent, (2) mineralization of CO2 as inorganic carbonates, (3) catalytic reduction of CO2 into organic fuel for transport, (4) transformation of CO2 to value-added chemicals, and (5) biological CO2 utilization. The principles and application, in terms of CO2 conversion performance and environmental benefits of each technology, are reviewed in detail. In addition, the perspectives and prospects of CO2 valorization technologies as a portfolio solution are provided to achieve the effective CO2 reduction while minimizing social and economic costs in the near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fly ash is frequently used as a replacement for cement in concrete. However, questions remain regarding the influence that fly ash has on the hydration of cement. This paper examines physical aspects (e.g., surface nucleation, cement particle spacing) and chemical aspects (e.g., pozzolanic and hydraulic reactions) of the fly ash and cement in mixtures containing high volumes of fly ash. In addition to using fly ash, a chemically inert filler was used consisting of a blend of fine silica sands with approximately the same particle size distribution as that of the fly ash. The paper compares reactivity results from 1) cement, 2) cement-fly ash and 3) cement-inert filler systems. Isothermal calorimetry measurements are used to quantitatively evaluate the role played by the fly ash in hydration of high volume fly ash mixtures. The results provide a decoupling of the physical and chemical effects of high volume fly ash on cement hydration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glucose sensing properties of mesoporous well-aligned, dense nickel oxide (NiO) nanostructures (NSs) in nanopetals (NPs) shape grown hydrothermally on the FTO-coated glass substrate has been demonstrated. The structural study based investigations of NiO-NPs has been carried out by X-ray diffraction (XRD), electron and atomic force microscopies, energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), and X-ray photospectroscopy (XPS). Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) measurements, employed for surface analysis, suggest NiO's suitability for surface activity based glucose sensing applications. The glucose sensor, which immobilized glucose on NiO-NPs@FTO electrode, shows detection of wide range of glucose concentrations with good linearity and high sensitivity of 3.9 μA/μM/cm at 0.5 V operating potential. Detection limit of as low as 1 μΜ and a fast response time of less than 1 s was observed. The glucose sensor electrode possesses good anti-interference ability, stability, repeatability & reproducibility and shows inert behavior toward ascorbic acid (AA), uric acid (UA) and dopamine acid (DA) making it a perfect non-enzymatic glucose sensor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Archives of Veterinary Medicine / Arhiv Veterinarske Medicine is the property of Scientific Veterinary Institute Novi Sad and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

A novel radical [1,3]-nitrogen shift catalyzed by copper diacetate under an oxygen atmosphere (1 atm) has been developed for the construction of a diverse range of indole derivatives from α,α-disubstituted benzylamine. In this reaction, oxygen was used as a clean terminal oxidant, and water was produced as the only by-product. Five inert bonds were cleaved, and two C−N bonds and one C−C double bond were constructed in one pot during this transformation. This unique method demonstrated broad application protential for the late-stage modification of biologically active natural products and drugs. Mechanistic investigations indicate that a unique 4- exo-trig cyclization of an aminyl radical onto a phenyl ring is involved in the catalytic cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Initially it was believed to be uncommon in the inguinal region, although a huge series of papers have described trichomycosis particular to the inguinal area and have suggested that this disease is underestimated in the general population, and for this reason it has been finally baptized Trichomycosis pubis. Scope of my study is to approach the problem of Trichomycosis, that may be appropriately considered the real manifestation of a strange mix of fungi and cocci, where the prevalence of one or another is unclear and depends on too many factors, by the employ of only natural extracts included in porphirized inert powders, to abate the fungal component and azoic and triphenylmethanic colorants, to defeat coccal infection of penis: shaft, glans and scrotum. We have recruited a 35 y.old mason who has always suffered from hyperhidrosis at his pudenda. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of using sand or diatomaceous earth (DIAE) as an inert filler while changing the energy-to-protein ratio in broilers, and therefore to evaluate if doing either will confound the results in energy enzyme efficacy studies by reducing the difference observed between the standard and low energy control diets. The dietary treatments consisted of one control treatment (3,050 ME kcal/kg, 220 CP g/kg) and a 2x2 factorial arrangements with 2 energy-to-protein levels (2,850 ME kcal/kg, 205 CP g/kg or 2,850 ME kcal/kg, 220 CP g/kg) and 2 inert fillers (sand or DIAE), each with 9 replicates. Each replicate pen included 5 straight-run broilers fed for a period of 21 d with weekly pen BW and feed intake measured. Ileal contents were collected on d 21 for ileal digestible energy (IDE), with 0.2% titanium dioxide as an indigestible marker. According to the main effect for inert filler, BW was significantly lower (P<0.05) in treatments with reduced energy on d 21. Compared with the control group, no differences were observed among the reduced energy treatments for FCR and productivity index. Both IDE and ileal energy digestibility coefficient (IEDC) were decreased in the treatments formulated with reduced energy. Among reduced energy treatments, diets containing sand had significantly higher IDE and IEDC than the ones with DIAE. This study confirms that reduced dietary energy negatively influences broiler performance. Adding sand as the inert filler had an independently beneficial effect, and therefore DIAE may be a more appropriate source of inert filler to replace fat in a diet with a disrupted energy-to-protein ratio, which is the typical methodology in energy enzyme efficacy studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Positive energy ray representations of the Poincaré group are naturally subdivided into three classes according to their mass and spin content: $$m > 0, m=0$$ finite helicity and $$m=0$$ infinite spin. For a long time the localization properties of the massless infinite spin class remained unknown, until it became clear that such matter does not permit compact spacetime localization and its generating covariant fields are localized on semi-infinite space-like strings. Using a new perturbation theory for higher spin fields we present arguments which support the idea that infinite spin matter cannot interact with normal matter and we formulate conditions under which this also could happen for finite spin $$s>1$$ fields. This raises the question of a possible connection between inert matter and dark matter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficient, scalable energy storage systems such as lithium-sulfur batteries have become a technological bottleneck for the growing energy demands in automotive sector. To realize the ultimate performance of such batteries, the effect of all structural components of the batteries has to be considered. Nowadays the effect of current collectors appears to be less explored in the battery research field. Therefore, this report draws attention to exploit different current collectors such as, copper, aluminum, platinum, and nickel. It is found that nickel has a profound effect on the performance of the lithium-sulfur batteries by direct involvement in electrochemical reaction with soluble polysulfides leading to the formation of nickel sulfide. The formation of such unwanted species can be reduced dramatically by silane-surface modification. Aluminum and platinum, on the other hand, have been found to be the most inert collector toward the cycle performance because of nonreactivity within the potential window. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The completely decomposable torsion-free Abelian groups with finitely many homogeneous components for which every fully inert subgroup is commensurable with a fully invariant subgroup are described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the results of obtaining and investigating the various ratios of the components of aniline hydrochloride-S-CaO (Al2O3) 1: 0.4: 0.6; 1: 1: 0.6; 1: 2: 10; 1:10:10 - up to ten times the binding of sulfur and oxides to aniline, having a different color range from dark green to light brown, depending on the composition of the components. In sulfurous composites with various molar ratios of sulfur components, which plays the role of an inorganic filler, it binds almost completely, while remaining chemically inert. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inert matrix fuel is a fuel type where the fissile material is blended with a solid diluent material. In this work zirconium carbonitride microspheres have been produced by internal sol gel technique, followed by carbothermal reduction. Material nitride purities in the produced materials ranged from Zr(N 0.45 C 0.55 ) to Zr(N 0.74 C 0.26 ) as determined by X-ray diffraction and application of Vegard's law. The zirconium carbonitride microspheres have been pelletized by spark plasma sintering (SPS) and by conventional cold pressing and sintering. In all SPS experiments cohesive pellets were formed. Maximum final density reached by SPS at 1700 °C was 87% theoretical density (TD) compared to 53% TD in conventional sintering at 1700 °C. Pore sizes in all the produced pellets were in the μm scale and no density gradients could be observed by computer tomography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detonation nanodiamonds (DNDs) have been introduced into a carbonaceous anode for improving the performance of lithium ion batteries (LIBs). The lithium storage capacity, cycling performance and stability of the LIBs are increased and this is related to the DNDs' unique characteristics of chemical inertness, a larger surface area, low expansion, and high lithium adsorption capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whilst [Os(N^N)3]2+ complexes are supposed to be photochemically inert to ligand loss, the complex [Os(btz)3]2+ (btz=1,1′-dibenzyl-4,4′-bi-1,2,3-triazolyl) undergoes unprecedented photolytic reactivity to liberate free btz ( Φ363≈1.2 %). Further, both cis and trans isomers of the photodechelated ligand-loss solvento intermediate [Os(κ2-btz)2(κ1-btz)(NCMe)]2+ are unambiguously observed and characterized by NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we analysed the use of a hybrid CSTR/neural network model to describe the highly coupled heat and mass transfer during paste drying with inert particles in vibrofluidized beds. The model was developed to predict the air temperature and relative humidity at the outlet of dryer throughout drying time, as well as the moisture content of powder collected in the cyclone. These variables were chosen as they are the most important to monitor the process efficiency and to develop strategies for process control. Drying was modelled based on the global energy and water mass balances with an inter-phase coupling term that takes into account both the water evaporation and particle coating, and was described by a fitted neural network (ANN) model. The proposed model was verified by comparing the predictions to experimental data obtained in drying calcium carbonate suspensions with different solids contents, skimmed milk and sewage sludge, at a vibration parameter equals to 4.0 and different amplitudes of vibration. The results showed that the ANN model was effective to estimate the inter-phase coupling term. The dynamics behavior of the outlet air temperature and relative humidity were well described by the CSTR lumped model for most conditions evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reactions of B(CF) with abnormal N-heterocyclic carbene ( aNHC), L1 and cyclic (alkyl)(amino) carbene ( cAAC), L2 in the presence of moisture as well as in its absence, have been investigated in toluene. Reaction of aNHC with 1 equivalent of B(CF) under inert condition produced classical Lewis acid-base adduct, [ L1.B(CF)], 1. Further, probing the same reaction with cyclic (alkyl)(amino) carbene ( cAAC), having different electronic property, led to the isolation of [ L2.B(CF)], 2 under inert condition. Interestingly, reaction of aNHC or cAAC with 1 equivalent of B(CF) in the presence of moisture resulted in water splitting leading to the formation of [ L1-H][(OH)B(CF)], 3 and [ L2-H][(OH)B(CF), 4. All these compounds ( 1- 4) were characterized in solution by H, C, F and B NMR spectroscopy. Additionally, the solid-state structures were unambiguously established by crystallographic analysis of compounds 1-4. [Figure not available: see fulltext.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of non-symmetric dinuclear polypyridylruthenium(ii) complexes (Rubbn-Cl) that contain one inert metal centre and one coordinatively-labile metal centre, linked by the bis[4(4′-methyl-2,2′-bipyridyl)]-1,n-alkane ligand (“bbn” for n = 7, 12 and 16), have been synthesised and their potential as antimicrobial agents examined. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of the ruthenium(ii) complexes were determined against four strains of bacteria − Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), and Gram-negative Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa). The Rubbn-Cl complexes displayed good antimicrobial activity, with Rubb12-Cl being the most active complex against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains. Interestingly, Rubb7-Cl was found to be eight- and sixteen-fold more active towards E. coli than against S. aureus and MRSA, respectively. The cytotoxicities of the Rubbn-Cl complexes against three eukaryotic cell lines – two kidney cell lines (BHK and HEK-293) and one liver cell line (HepG2) – were examined. The Rubbn-Cl complexes were found to be considerably less toxic towards eukaryotic cells than S. aureus, MRSA and E. coli, with Rubb12-Cl being thirty- to eighty-times more toxic to the bacteria than to BHK, HEK-293 or HepG2 cells. Unexpectedly, Rubb7-Cl was far more toxic to HepG2 cells (24 h-IC50 = 3.7 μM) and far less toxic to BHK cells (24 h-IC50 = 238 μM) than the Rubb12-Cl and Rubb16-Cl complexes. In order to understand the unexpected large differences in the cytotoxicities of the Rubbn-Cl complexes towards eukaryotic cells, a confocal microscopic study of their intracellular localisation was undertaken. The results suggest that the observed cytotoxicity might be related to the extent of DNA binding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AlxCr1-x composite cathodes with Al contents of x=0.75, 0.5, and 0.25 were exposed to cathodic arc plasmas in Ar, N2, and O2 atmospheres and their erosion behavior was studied. Cross-sectional analysis of the elemental distribution of the near-surface zone in the cathodes by scanning electron microscopy revealed the formation of a modified layer for all cathodes and atmospheres. Due to intermixing of Al and Cr in the heat-affected zone, intermetallic Al-Cr phases formed as evidenced by x-ray diffraction analysis. Cathode poisoning effects in the reactive N2 and O2 atmospheres were nonuniform as a result of the applied magnetic field configuration. With the exception of oxide islands on Al-rich cathodes, reactive layers were absent in the circular erosion zone, while nitrides and oxides formed in the less eroded center region of the cathodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We consider an extension of the standard model (SM) with three S U ( 2 ) scalar doublets and discrete S 3 ⊗ Z 2 symmetries. The irreducible representation of S 3 has a singlet and a doublet, and here we show that the singlet corresponds to the SM-like Higgs and the two additional S U ( 2 ) doublets forming a S 3 doublet are inert. In general, in a three scalar doublet model, with or without S 3 symmetry, the diagonalization of the mass matrices implies arbitrary unitary matrices. However, we show that in our model these matrices are of the tri-bimaximal type. We also analyzed the scalar mass spectra and the conditions for the scalar potential is bounded from below at the tree level. We also discuss some phenomenological consequences of the model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dilution effects of inert components N 2 and CO 2 on the propagation and extinction of lean premixed H 2 /CO/air syngas flames were experimentally and numerically investigated. Extinction stretch rates were measured using the counterflow technique while laminar flame speed data were obtained from literatures. Numerical simulations were conducted at 1-D freely propagating configuration and opposed-jet configuration with detailed chemistry and molecular transport description. The numerical results well predicted the experimental measurements. Both results revealed that CO 2 dilution had more profound effect on flame propagation and extinction than N 2 dilution. In addition, numerical simulation assessed the preferential importance in a rather quantitative manner among the three effects, i.e., the thermal effect, the diffusivity change effect and the chemical effect with artificial manipulation of mass diffusivities and chemical reactions of CO 2 and N 2 . The results showed that the thermal effect dominated the reduction of laminar flame speed and extinction strain rate. The chemical effect caused by CO 2 dilution was slightly stronger to the reduction of extinction limit than to that of laminar flame speed. The diffusivity change effect is negligible for both CO 2 and N 2 dilutions. N 2 only acts as a thermal inert in the propagation and extinction of the H 2 /CO/air flames. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reductive cleavage of the aryl C–O bonds in various phenolic compounds and aryl ethers was achieved using LiAlH4 combined with KOtBu and without any other catalysts or additives, solely producing arenes in high yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel inert solid support of Nd 2 O 3 was introduced to enhance the cyclic carbonation/calcination performance of CaO-based sorbents. CaO particles were incorporated into Nd 2 O 3 by a wet-mixing method, using three organometallic precursors (OMPs) as calcium precursors and neodymium(III) acetate hydrate as inert support precursor. For comparison, CaO-based sorbents directly produced from precursors and the naturally occurring sorbent (limestone) were also investigated. FSEM and EDAX results revealed that the ultrafine active specie of CaO particles were homogeneously dispersed into Nd 2 O 3 inert support. As a result, an improved durability and higher carbonation conversion were observed owing to the retarded sintering and the delayed diffusion controlled stage respectively for the sorbents investigated. The performance of the synthetic sorbents also relies on the precursor. When calcium dl -lactate pentahydrate (CaL) was used to incorporate CaO into the inert support Nd 2 O 3 , the highest conversion and best durability were obtained. The effect of calcination temperatures on the sorbent durability was also investigated. Under a relatively severe calcination temperature of 900 °C, a high conversion of about 67% were obtained after 100 carbonation/calcination cycles for a sorbent synthesized from calcium dl -lactate pentahydrate (CaL) and neodymium(III) acetate hydrate. When the calcination temperature was changed to a mild one of 800 °C, a significantly high conversion (>92.5%) was maintained over 100 carbonation/calcination cycles. Besides, no apparent capacity decline was observed for the sorbents after granulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interaction of a cellular detonation wave with a cloud of inert particles is investigated numerically. The regimes of propagation of the heterogeneous cellular detonation and its suppression are identified. The influence of various parameters of the inert cloud is demonstrated. The critical length of the cloud for detonation suppression is determined. It is shown that the disperse composition and the non-uniform distribution of particles of the particle cloud are important parameters affecting the detonation propagation mode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using Monte Carlo computer simulations, hydrophobic effect for a non-polar particle with the diameter of a water molecule was studied in water, confined within a disordered matrix. Freely mobile two-dimensional Mercedes-Benz water was put in a disordered, but fixed, matrix of Lennard-Jones disks. Influence of temperature and matrix properties on the thermodynamic quantities of a non-polar solute solvation was studied. The hydrophobic effect is changed by the presence of the obstacles. Smaller matrix particles change the solute–water structure and thermodynamics drastically, as it was also observed for the properties of pure confined water. The study is bringing new scientific important observations in understanding the role of hydrophobic forces under confinement. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In order to optimize the mechanical and dielectric properties of SiC f /SiC composites, Ti 3 SiC 2 was introduced into the composites by a modified precursor infiltration and pyrolysis (PIP) process. The results reveal that the appropriate Ti 3 SiC 2 content in the infiltration precursor can effectively enhance the infiltration efficiency and decrease the open porosity of SiC f /SiC composites. The maximum flexural strength of the composites reaches 273 MPa when the Ti 3 SiC 2 content is 9 wt%, which is 131% higher than that of the composites without filler (118 MPa). This is mainly attributed to the high density and suitable interfacial bonding of the composites with the Ti 3 SiC 2 filler. Both the ε ′ and ε ″ values of SiC f /SiC composites show a monotonically increasing tendency from 13.5–16.5 and i 15– i 19 to 27.5–32.5 and i 31.5– i 39 with the Ti 3 SiC 2 content increase from 0 to 15 wt%. Especially, the conductivity and complex permittivity of the composites display a relative large increasing extent for Ti 3 SiC 2 content exceeding 9 wt% owing to the percolation threshold effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have developed and validated a method for modeling the elastic scattering properties of biological and inert aerosols of irregular shape at near- and mid-wave infrared wavelengths. The method, based on Gaussian random particles, calculates the ensemble-average optical cross section and Mueller scattering matrix, using the measured aerodynamic size distribution and previously-reported refractive index as inputs. The utility of the Gaussian particle model is that it is controlled by only two parameters ( σ and Γ ) which we have optimized such that the model best reproduces the full angle-resolved Mueller scattering matrices measured at λ =1.55 µm in the Standoff Aerosol Active Signature Testbed (SAAST). The method has been applied to wet-generated singlet biological spore samples, dry-generated biological spore clusters, and kaolin. The scattering computation is performed using the Discrete Dipole Approximation (DDA), which requires significant computational resources, and is thus implemented on LLGrid, a large parallel grid computer. For the cases presented, the best fit Gaussian particle model is in good qualitative correspondence with microscopy images of the corresponding class of particles. The measured and computed cross sections agree well within a factor of two overall, with certain cases bearing closer correspondence. In particular, the DDA reproduces the shape of the measured scatter function more accurately than Mie predictions. The DDA-computed depolarization factors are also in good agreement with measurement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The appropriate combination of absorbance-based indicator dyes and inert dyes allows colour changes from green to red to be observed. In detail, a pH indicator with a yellow to red colour change upon exposure to alkaline buffers is combined with a blue and pH-insensitive dye. The resulting colour change of indicator plus inert dye is more easily visible than the original colour change and is more easily interpreted in terms of a “traffic light” change. The approach can be used in optical sensor layers but preferably on textile materials to provide fast and understandable information on e.g. wound pH or pH of detergent solutions. Accordingly, a facecloth can detect pH of washing agents and thus inform about a possible irritation of the skin of babies or patients suffering from dermatitis while sensor swabs may give an indication on pH in wounds and thus on the healing progress. Since all dyes are covalently linked to the polymer layers and textiles by using the vinylsulfonyl bonding to cellulose, no leaching can occur and contamination of samples is avoided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For evaluating the inertness of gas-chromatographic systems with respect to the polar components of test samples as the most important parameter of these samples, it was proposed to decrease the number of test mixture components to two but to perform the analysis of their solutions of different concentrations in contrast to previously known recommendations. Statistically significant differences in the relative chromatographic peak areas of polar and nonpolar components are a criterion for insufficient inertness. The analyte amount (expressed as the mass index p m = −log m) in the sample of a mixed solution with an inert component ( n-alkane) at which differences in the relative peak areas become higher than the sums of the standard deviations of the relative areas, as compared with more concentrated solutions at the same ratios between the components, can be considered the inertness limit of a chromatographic system with respect to the characterized compound. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ongoing search for environmentally friendlier alternative to the organic solvents used in chemical processes has led to the development of technologies based on supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO 2 ), which is non-flammable, non-toxic and relatively inert fluid. Polymer chemistry does not escape this trend and last achievements in the field of polymer synthesis in scCO 2 are reviewed here. Without claiming to be exhaustive, we go through and discuss the benefits of the main polymerization processes in scCO 2 including homogeneous, precipitation, dispersion, suspension and emulsion systems. A particular attention is drawn to water/carbon dioxide emulsion polymerization and to the suited surface active agents. This review also underlines that heterogeneous polymerization based on CO 2 is more than a strategy for reducing the ecological footprint of the polymer production but it allows structuring the polymer materials into particles or highly interconnected macroporous networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transient behavior of reactive-diffusive fixed-bed (chromatographic columns or reactors) packed with inert core/shell core/hollow/thin film coated monodisperse spherical rigid particles is investigated. We modeled the reactive sorption system with linear mass exchange law between the flowing and the stationary phases. The coupled governing partial differential equations were integrated analytically using Laplace transformations. The analytical closed form solution involves two infinite integrals. The closed form solution was integrated numerically and the breakthrough curves of the system were studied under the influence of the system parameters. The limiting cases are discussed, a simple asymptotic closed form solution for fixed-bed desorbers with monodisperse spherical particles is obtained, and results are generalized for similar kinetics of reactive chromatographic columns (fixed-beds) for diffusion/absorption into the inert core spherical packing. Further, potential applications of the mathematical model and results in processes such as liquid vapor extraction, various forms of chromatography, reactive sorption, multifunctional reactors, process intensification, and regeneration of ion exchange columns are briefly discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silicon thin films were deposited on a sapphire and a highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG), which have atomically flat and chemically inert surfaces. The electronic and geometrical structures of the films were analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and polarization-dependent X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS). It was found that the silicon K- edge XAFS spectra for ultra-thin silicon films thinner than 0.2 monolayer exhibited two distinct resonance peaks which were not observed for bulk silicon. The peaks were assigned to the resonance excitations from the Si 1 s into the valence unoccupied orbitals with π ∗ and σ ∗ characters. The average tilted angle of the π ∗ orbitals was determined by the polarization dependencies of the peak intensities. It was demonstrated that direction of a part of the π ∗ orbitals in silicon film is perpendicular to the surface. These results support the existence of quasi-freestanding single-layered silicon films with sp 2 configuration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT This article presents a novel approach to compatibilize Kraft lignin with polyethylene that involves the use of modified poly (styrene-co-ethylene-co-butylene-co-styrene) (SEBS) as unreactive compatibilizers. As SEBS shows no compatibilizing effect on Kraft lignin-polyethylene composites, SEBS was functionalized via nitration followed by amination to obtain nitrated (SEBS-NO2) and aminated (SEBS-NH2) SEBS. The compatibilizing effects of SEBS derivatives were studied by means of morphological and mechanical analyses. The results show that SEBS-NO2 is less effective than SEBS-NH2, the later displaying comparable compatibilizing efficiency to a commercial reactive compatibilizer based on maleated polyethylene. Overall, compatibilization was found to decrease lignin particle size. Addition of SEBS-NH2 varying between 1% and 10% improved the tensile strength of composites by up to 96%, elongation at break by up to 64%, and impact strength by up to 48%. Finally, the crystallinity and density of the resulting composites were also studied. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 41040. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Similar to potassium bromide (KBr), which is used in mid-IR as a matrix for pellet preparation, polyethylene (PE) is widely applied in far-IR because it is an inert material without intensive absorption lines in this range. However, despite the material itself being transparent, the transmission of pellet made of PE powder strongly depends on the wavelength tending to decrease almost to zero in a short-wave part of the far-IR range. Heating of the pellet to PE melting temperature significantly improves its transparency, but this approach can only be applied to thermally stable compounds. In this work 8 types of PE powders of different mean particle size (MPS) ranging from 43 to 3µm have been synthesized. Far-IR spectra of PE pellets made of these powders at room temperature have been measured and the inverse correlation between overall far-IR pellet transparency and MPS of its PE powder has been found. The imaginary part of the effective refractive index of the studied pellets obeys light-scattering scale invariance rule, indicating that the transmission of PE pellets is limited by light scattering by PE grains. It has been shown that PE powders with MPS of ~4µm or less are suitable as a matrix for pellet preparation in far-IR spectroscopy without the necessity of pellet melting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new aluminum electrolysis technology based on inert electrodes has received much interest for several decades because of the environment and energy advantages. The key to realize this technique is the inert anode. This article presents China's recent developments of NiFeO-based cermet inert anodes, which include the optimization of material performance, the joint between the cermet inert anode and metallic bar, as well as the results of 20 kA pilot testing for a large-size inert anode group. The problems NiFeO-based cermet inert anodes face are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A facile and expedient route to the synthesis of arylopeptoid oligomers (N-alkylated aminomethyl benz-amides) using semi-automated microwave-assisted solid-phase synthesis is presented. The synthesis was optimized for the incorporation of side chains derived from sterically hindered or unreactive amines and both ortho - and para -substituted arylo-backbones. By utilizing this optimized protocol a complex nonameric arylopeptoid was synthesized in less than 11 h, featuring a novel alternating ortho -, meta -, and para -substituted backbone pattern and a variety of chemically diverse and challenging side chains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new technique for synthesizing porous low-dimensional nickel has been developed, which involves the controlled sputter deposition of extremely small vapor fluxes in an ultrapure inert environment. This technique is based on the phase transition of sputtered substances into the condensed state under conditions close to thermodynamic equilibrium. The evolution of morphologically unique condensates which consist of weakly bound crystals have been analyzed on the basis of electron microscopy investigations. The experiments have shown that a rather prolonged condensation for durations exceeding 4 h results in the nucleation of whiskers with diameters between 30 and 600 nm. It is suggested that highly porous nickel structures obtained near thermodynamic equilibrium belong to a new zone in the structure zone model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of efficient catalytic methods to cleave the relatively unreactive CO bonds of ethers remains an important challenge in catalysis. Building on our group's recent work, we report the dehydroaryloxylation of aryl alkyl ethers using pincer iridium catalysts. This method represents a rare fully atom-economical method for ether CO bond cleavage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the developed physicomathematical model of detonation attenuation and suppression in a methane-oxygen mixture by means of addition of a cloud of inert particles, the influence of the volume fraction of particles and their diameter on the detonation wave velocity is analyzed. Detonation limits in terms of the volume fraction of particles in methane-oxygen and methane-hydrogen-oxygen mixtures are found. A comparison with our previous data on suppression of detonation in a hydrogen-oxygen mixture shows that the critical volume fractions of particles resulting in detonation wave suppression in the methane-hydrogen-oxygen mixture are greater than those in the hydrogen-oxygen mixture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transient changes in the contact angle, Δϑ ~ 10°, of water on gold (Au) reveal reversible wetting of near hydrophobic Au films. The recovery time is temperature dependent. Surface flatness is investigated using AFM and profilometery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethylene conversion under conditions of the oxidative coupling of methane has been investigated. In an empty reactor above 740°C, ethylene oxidation occurs at a higher rate and its main product is carbon monoxide. Filling the reactor with an inert material (quartz) or a NaWMn/SiO catalyst leads to a marked decrease in the ethylene conversion rate. Addition of methane to the reaction mixture dramatically slows down ethylene conversion rate and increases the C hydrocarbon content of the reaction products. The kinetics of ethylene oxidation in the presence of methane over the NaWMn/SiO catalyst is reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]