Determination of Thermal-Diffusivity Dependence on Temperature of Transparent Samples by Thermal Wave Method

The use of a typical measuring cryostat with a standard temperature controller was proposed for investigation of the temperature dependence of the thermal diffusivity of transparent samples. The basic idea is to use the cryostat heater to control the mean sample temperature and to generate the thermal wave in it, simultaneously. Because of the relatively high thermal inertia of the system, the measurements are carried out at frequencies not exceeding 50 mHz. The periodic temperature disturbance in the sample was detected optically by the use of the mirage effect. The proposed method was used for determination of the thermal diffusivity of yttrium aluminum garnet single crystals in a temperature range from 20 °C to 200 °C.     

Variation in the human lipidome associated with coffee consumption as revealed by quantitative targeted metabolomics

The effect of coffee consumption on human health is still discussed controversially. Here, we report results from a metabolomics study of coffee consumption, where we measured 363 metabolites in blood serum of 284 male participants of the Cooperative Health Research in the Region of Augsburg study population, aged between 55 and 79 years. A statistical analysis of the association of metabolite concentrations and the number of cups of coffee consumed per day showed that coffee intake is positively associated with two classes of sphingomyelins, one containing a hydroxy‐group (SM(OH)) and the other having an additional carboxy‐group (SM(OH,COOH)). In contrast, long‐ and medium‐chain acylcarnitines were found to decrease with increasing coffee consumption. It is noteworthy that the concentration of total cholesterol also rises with an increased coffee intake in this study group. The association observed here between these hydroxylated and carboxylated sphingolipid species and coffee intake may be induced by changes in the cholesterol levels. Alternatively, these molecules may act as scavengers of oxidative species, which decrease with higher coffee intake. In summary, we demonstrate strong positive associations between coffee consumption and two classes of sphingomyelins and a negative association between coffee consumption and long‐ and medium‐chain acylcarnitines.     

Analysis of exoskeleton triglycerides ofLeptinotarsa decemlineata say

The exoskeleton triglyceride fraction isolated from the Colorado beetle,Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say, was studied. Analysis of the hydrolysis products and direct capillary column gas chromatography showed that, apart from triglycerides, the fraction contained no diol lipids. The composition of the natural triacylglccerol mixture was assessed by gas chromatography and by field desorption and electron impact mass spectrometry. Triglycerides isolated from the Colorado beetle are typical glycerol triesters, with long chain (mainly oleic or palmitic) fatty acids. The structures of two major components (91%), i.e., trioleoyl glycerol and 1,2-dioleoyl-3-palmitoyl glycerol, were determined.     

Large Eddy Simulation of mixing effects on the course of parallel chemical reactions and comparison with k-? modeling

The way in which reagents are mixed can have a large influence on the product distribution of chemical reactions. To model effects of mixing on various scales on the course of chemical reactions the method of Large Eddy Simulation (LES) of non-premixed, turbulent reactive flows of incompressible fluids is considered in this work. The subgrid modeling of chemical reaction is based on a beta distribution of the mixture fraction in combination with a conditional moment closure based on linear interpolation of local instantaneous reactant concentration values. The predictions obtained with LES are compared with experimental data for fast parallel chemical reactions, the fluid velocity measured using Particle Image Velocity (PIV) technique and the passive tracer concentration measured using the Planar Laser Induced Fluorescence (PLIF) technique. Predictions of the model based on LES are compared as well with results obtained using the non-equilibrium multiple-time-scale mixing model combined with a standard k-? model and employing similar conditional moment closure as LES, applied, however, at larger scale. All comparisons show a very good performance of the model based on LES.     

Transamination Reactivity of Ti(NMe2)4 and Zr(NMe2)4 with 1,3,4,5,6-Pentamethyl-2-aminoborazine and Aryl Amines. Model Chemistry for the Formation of Metalloborazine Preceramic Polymers and MN/BN (M?=?Ti, Zr) Ceramic Composites

The transamination reactions between Ti(NMe₂)₄ and 1,3,4,5,6-pentamethyl-2-aminoborazine, (Me)₃N₃(Me)₂B₃(NH₂), and diphenylamine (Ph₂NH) and between [Zr(NMe₂)₄]₂ and 1,3,4,5,6-pentamethyl-2-aminoborazine, aniline (PhNH₂) and diphenylamine have been studied and the molecular product species have been isolated, spectroscopically characterized and single crystal X-ray structure analyses completed. The results of these studies have been used to interpret the outcome of reactions of Ti(NMe₂)₄ and Zr(NMe₂)₄ with borazinylamine preceramic polymers that, upon pyrolysis, produce TiN/BN, ZrN/BN and ZrH_0.6N/BN composite powders. The transamination reactivity of a two-point poly(borazinylamine) oligomer having terminal –NH₂ amino groups with Ti(NMe₂)₄ and Zr(NMe₂)₄ has been used to obtain metallated preceramic oligomers that, upon pyrolysis, give TiN/BN and ZrN/ZrH_0.6N/BN nanocomposites. Model reactions of 1,3,4,5,6-pentamethyl-2-amino borazine, aniline and Ph₂NH₂ with Ti(NMe₂)₄ and Zr(NMe₂)₄ are also described as models for the formation of the metallated oligomers. Molecular structure determinations for the metal amides are presented. We dedicate this paper to Professor Christopher W. Allen in recognition of his distinguished career and his accomplishments in inorganic ring and polymer chemistry.     

Relation between phase composition of compound zone and growth kinetics of diffusion zone during nitriding of steel

The present work is devoted to an investigation of the influence of the micro-structural evolution of the compound zone (iron (carbo)nitrides zone) upon the development of hardness profiles in the diffusion zone. A different phase structure of iron (carbo)nitrides zone on steel as compared to iron, further changing with the process, may result in upsetting of the quasi-equilibrium of nitrogen concentration in the iron (carbo)nitrides zone/diffusion zone interface. This, as a result, may have an impact on the kinetics of this layer's growth. The research carried out was aimed at solving this problem. It was to evaluate the influence of (carbo)nitrides zone, with an intentionally created diametrically different phase composition, on hardness profiles in the diffusion zone. The nitrided layers were characterised by a light optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction and measurements of hardness. It was observed that the evolution of the phase structure and phase composition of the compound zone contributes significantly, regardless of nitrogen potential and temperature, to the formation of the diffusion zone and in particular to its effective thickness. It makes this complex picture of nitrided case development on steel even more intricate.     

Characterization and Quantification of Selenoprotein P: Challenges to Mass Spectrometry

Selenoprotein P (SELENOP) is an emerging marker of the nutritional status of selenium and of various diseases, however, its chemical characteristics still need to be investigated and methods for its accurate quantitation improved. SELENOP is unique among selenoproteins, as it contains multiple genetically encoded SeCys residues, whereas all the other characterized selenoproteins contain just one. SELENOP occurs in the form of multiple isoforms, truncated species and post-translationally modified variants which are relatively poorly characterized. The accurate quantification of SELENOP is contingent on the availability of specific primary standards and reference methods. Before recombinant SELENOP becomes available to be used as a primary standard, careful investigation of the characteristics of the SELENOP measured by electrospray MS and strict control of the recoveries at the various steps of the analytical procedures are strongly recommended. This review critically discusses the state-of-the-art of analytical approaches to the characterization and quantification of SELENOP. While immunoassays remain the standard for the determination of human and animal health status, because of their speed and simplicity, mass spectrometry techniques offer many attractive and complementary features that are highlighted and critically evaluated.