Emulsifier‐free reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer emulsion polymerization of alkyl acrylates mediated by symmetrical trithiocarbonates based on poly(acrylic acid)

Emulsifier‐free batch emulsion polymerization of n‐butyl acrylate and its semi‐batch copolymerization with 2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5‐octafluoropentyl acrylate and 2,2,3,4,4,4‐hexafluorobutyl acrylate both mediated by poly(acrylic acid) containing the trithiocarbonate group in the chain was employed to produce amphiphilic triblock copolymers. The polymerization‐induced self‐assembly of these copolymers in aqueous media gave rise to spherical core–shell particles. Irrespective of the experimental conditions, the polymeric product was characterized by a bimodal molecular weight distribution. The apparent violation of the reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer polymerization mechanism may be attributed to restricted accessibility of the trithiocarbonate group in the self‐assembled block copolymers for propagating radicals that enter into the particle. Mean‐field theoretical arguments were employed to explain the exclusively spherical morphology of the particles observed in the experiment. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry     

Direct energy transfer to study the 3D structure of non-native proteins: AGH complex in molten globule state of apomyoglobin

The direct energy transfer technique was modified and appliedto probe the relative localization of apomyoglobin A-, G- andH-helixes, which are partly protected from deuterium exchangein the equilibrium molten globule state and in the molten globule-likekinetic intermediate. The non-radiative transfer of tryptophanelectronic energy to 3-nitrotyrosine was studied in differentconformational states of apomyoglobin (native, molten globule,unfolded) and interpreted in terms of average distances betweengroups of the protein chain. The experimental data show thatthe distance between the middle of A-helix and the N-terminusof G-helix as well as the distance between the middle of theA-helix and the C-terminus of the H-helix in the molten globulestate are close to those in the native state. This is a strongargument in favor of similarity of the overall architectureof the molten globule and native states.     

Oxidation of ZrB2–SiC–ZrSi2 ceramics in oxygen

The oxidation of ZrB₂–SiC and ZrB₂–SiC–ZrSi₂ ceramics of different composition has been studied experimentally at 1500 °C in pure oxygen for up to 50 h. ZrB₂–SiC–ZrSi₂ ceramics proved to be the most oxidation-resistant at ZrSi₂ contents of less then 4 wt%. These ceramics were more oxidation-resistant than ZrB₂–SiC ceramics. An analytical model of growth kinetics for a multilayered scale based on an oxidation–diffusion balance was developed and tested.     

Novel hydrogen gas sensor based on single ZnO nanorod

For extensive use in an industrialized process of individual ZnO nano/microrods as building nanoblock in novel hydrogen sensors, a simple, inexpensive, and bio-safe synthesis process and nanofabrication route is required. Here, we report a cost-effective and fast synthesis route for ZnO one-dimensional nanorod using an aqueous-based approach in a reactor. Our synthesis technique permits nano/microrods to be easily transferred to other substrates and to be distributed on the surface. This flexibility of substrate choice opens the possibility of using focused ion beam (FIB/SEM) system for handling and fabricating nanosensors. The main advantage of this procedure is a quick verification/testing of concept and is compatible with micro/nanoelectronic devices. The described nanofabrication steps permitted us to obtain a 90% success rate for building single nanorod sensor. A sensitivity of ∼4% was obtained for a single ZnO nanorod hydrogen sensor at 200 ppm H₂ in the air at room temperature. The nanosensor has a high selectivity for H₂, since its sensitivity for O₂, CH₄, CO, ethanol or LPG are less than 0.25%.     

Vapor Condensation on Curvilinear Disk-Shaped Fin at Microgravity

A problem of the film type condensation of the pure vapor on disk-shaped fin is considered with taking into account the essential influence of the capillary forces. Calculations for FC-72 condensation on such fin have been performed at microgravity conditions. A hump on the condensate film thickness curve is occurred on the concave part of the fin due to the additional curvature of the disc shape. The results have been compared to results for straight fin with the same surface area of condensation. Condensate outflow from the disk-shaped film is greater than from straight fin.     

Sonochemical Preparation and Properties of Pt–3Y-TZP Nano-Composites

A uniformly aggregated 3 mol% yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia nano-powder (3Y-TZP) was prepared using thermal hydrolysis and the ultrasonic deagglomeration technique. The possibility of nano-engineering of Pt–3Y-TZP composite aggregates was studied. The as-synthesized Pt nano-particles (∼2 nm) were impregnated into zirconia nano-aggregates (20–45 nm). The morphology manipulation technique allowed production of the composite zirconia-based aggregates in which a significant fraction of the Pt particles was embedded into the densified zirconia aggregates. Using the colloidal technique and low-temperature (1150°C) sintering, we prepared the Pt-zirconia (0.5–1.5 wt% of platinum) nano-composites with average 3Y-TZP grain sizes of 120 nm, and with the platinum grains size in the range of 20–60 nm. The catalytic properties of composite Pt–3Y-TZP nano-composites were studied and described.     

Alkynes Carbonylation Reactions in Solutions of Palladium Complexes as a New Class of Oscillatory Processes

This article dedicated to study of few oscillating reactions in homogeneous systems. The experimental data and preliminary mechanism are reported. The authors affirm they find new type of oscillating processes—the reactions of carbonylation.     

Biclustering in data mining

Biclustering consists in simultaneous partitioning of the set of samples and the set of their attributes (features) into subsets (classes). Samples and features classified together are supposed to have a high relevance to each other. In this paper we review the most widely used and successful biclustering techniques and their related applications. This survey is written from a theoretical viewpoint emphasizing mathematical concepts that can be met in existing biclustering techniques.     

One-Circuit Stabilization of Millimeter-Wave Solid-State Oscillator by Quasi-Optical Resonator

The construction and operating characteristics of the highly stabilized millimeter wave IMPATT oscillator are described. The frequency stability is 8.1 × 10^-7 at 115 GHz. The output power is no less than 15 mW. The sphere-corner-echelette open resonator have been used for oscillator stabilization. This approach is also adaptable to the Gunn oscillator.     

Revisiting tetranitrophenolsulfonephthalein

Among the vast series of phenolsulfonephthalein dyes, the nitro derivatives and especially 3,3′,5,5′‐tetranitrophenolsulfonephthalein (nitrophenol crimson) remain practically unexplored, whereas the halogen and alkyl derivatives have been studied comprehensively. This striking difference is probably due to the enormous influence of the four NO₂ groups on the properties of the dye. As a result, the protolytic behaviour is unlike even that of tetrabromo phenolsulfonephthalein, and the recognised scheme of acid–base and tautomeric equilibrium of the sulfonephthaleins is unable to explain it. The molecular form H₂R was isolated as a sultonic tautomer, and an X‐ray crystal structure analysis was carried out. Our studies of the UV‐vis absorption spectra in water, methanol, dimethyl sulfoxide, acetonitrile, acetone, and dichloromethane, as well as in aqueous micellar solutions of surfactants, allowed us to evaluate the true molar absorptivity of the dianion R^2?, and to elucidate the enormous tendency to form yellow trianionic carbinol ROH^3?, even in the presence of traces of H₂O. Nuclear magnetic resonance and electrospray data confirm the proposed scheme of ionisation and tautomerism of nitrophenol crimson.