Enhancing electrochromic properties of polypyrrole by silsesquioxane nanocages

A new monomer, octa(thiophenephenyl)silsesquioxane (OThiophenePS) was synthesized via click chemistry. The chemical structure of OThiophenePS was characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR) and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopies. Electrochemical polymerization of pyrrole with OThiophenePS was performed resulting in polypyrrole-attached, polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (OPS–PPy). The spectroelectrochemical studies show that the electrochromic properties of (OPS–PPy) are superior to those of polypyrrole (PPy). This great improvement can be attributed to the more accessible doping sites and the facile ion movement during the redox switching brought by the loose packing of the PPy chains.     

Photoinitiated cationic polymerization using a novel phenacyl anilinium salt

A novel phenacyl anilinium salt, N-phenacyl, N,N-dimethylanilinium hexafluoroantimonate, (PDA), has been synthesized and used as photoinitiator for cationic polymerization of cyclohexene oxide (CHO), butyl vinyl ether (BVE) and N-vinyl carbazol (NVC). Plausible mechanism of the photoinitiation involves the decay of the excited PDA with both heterolytic and homolytic cleavages of carbon-nitrogen bond. Thus, phenacylium cations formed directly or subsequent intermolecular electron transfer, respectively, initiate the polymerization.     

Functional polyamides. 3. Synthesis and chelating properties of a new poly(amide thioether)

Polymerization of β,β′-(ethylenedithio)dipropionitrile

1 IUPAC name: 4,7-dithiadecane dinitrile.

with formaldehyde in the presence of sulfuric acid was carried out in order to permit the synthesis of polymides containing thioether groups. The obtained poly(amide thioether)s were characterized; they coordinate mercury (II) with a high degree of selectivity.     

CLP(ℜ) and some electrical engineering problems

The Constraint Logic Programming Scheme defines a class of languages designed for programming with constraints using a logic programming approach. These languages are soundly based on a unified framework of formal semantics. In particular, as an instance of this scheme with real arithmetic constraints, the CLP() language facilitates and encourages a concise and declarative style of programming for problems involving a mix of numeric and non-numeric computation.In this paper we illustrate the practical applicability of CLP() with examples of programs to solve electrical engineering problems. This field is particularly rich in problems that are complex and largely numeric, enabling us to demonstrate a number of the unique features of CLP(). A detailed look at some of the more important programming techniques highlights the ability of CLP() to support well-known, powerful techniques from constraint programming. Our thesis is that CLP() is an embodiment of these techniques in a language that is more general, elegant and versatile than the earlier languages, and yet is practical.An earlier version of this paper appeared in the proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Logic Programming, Melbourne, May 1987. Much of this work was carried out while the authors were at Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.     

THE METHOD OF LINES SOLUTION OF THE DISCRETE ORDINATES METHOD FOR RADIATIVE HEAT TRANSFER IN ENCLOSURES

A radiation code based on the method of lines (MOL) solution of the discrete ordinates method (DOM) for transient three-dimensional radiative heat transfer in rectangular enclosures for use in conjunction with a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code based on the same approach was developed. Assessment of the predictive accuracy of the code by benchmarking its steady-state solutions against exact solutions on one- and three-dimensional test problems shows that the MOL solution of the DOM provides accurate and computationally efficient solutions for radiative heat fluxes and source terms and can be used with confidence in conjunction with CFD codes for transient problems.     

Development of topical hydrogels of terbinafine hydrochloride and evaluation of their antifungal activity

The purpose of this study was to prepare hydrogels and microemulsion (ME)-based gel formulations containing 1% terbinafine hydrochloride (TER-HCL) and to evaluate the use of these formulations for the antifungal treatment of fungal infections. Three different hydrogel formulations were prepared using chitosan, Carbopol® 974 and Natrosol® 250 polymers. A pseudo-ternary phase diagram was constructed, and starting from ME formulation, a ME gel form containing 1% Carbopol 974 was prepared. We also examined the characteristic properties of the prepared hyrogels. The physical stability of hydrogels and the ME -based gels were evaluated after storage at different temperatures for a period of 3 months. The release of TER-HCL from the gels and the commercial product (Lamisil®) was carried out by using a standard dialysis membrane in phosphate buffer (pH 5.2) at 32?°C. The results of the in vitro release study showed that the Natrosol gel released the highest amount of drug, followed by Carbopol gel, chitosan gel, commercial product, and the microoemulsion-based gel in that order. In vitro examination of antifungal activity revealed that all the prepared and commercial products were effective against Candida parapsilosis, Penicillium, Aspergillus niger and Microsporum. These results indicate that the Natrosol®-based hydrogel is a good candidate for the topical delivery of TER-HCL.     

Assessing Grey Squirrel Dispersal Patterns within the Landscape Using Sequence Variation

Abstract

The grey squirrel Sciurus carolinensis is thought to have contributed to the decline of red squirrel S. vulgaris populations in the UK through resource competition and disease spread. This study used mtDNA sequencing to assess patterns of grey squirrel dispersal in the UK. Patterns of genetic variation within the dloop sequence were characterised for seven grey squirrel populations. Infiltration directions and potential barriers to dispersal are identified and discussed, with a focus on Cumbria, a county at the forefront of grey squirrel expansion. Understanding the dynamics of grey squirrel dispersal will aid their management at a landscape scale and enhance the conservation of red squirrels.     

Electrochemical copper (II) sensor based on chitosan covered gold nanoparticles

This study outlines a new sensing platform based on glassy carbon electrodes modified by gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) for the determination of heavy metal. A glassy carbon electrode was modified by chitosan stabilized AuNPs. AuNPs were prepared by reducing gold salt with a polysaccharide chitosan. Here, chitosan acted as a reducing/stabilizing agent. The AuNPs were characterized with UV–Visible absorption spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Chitosan covered AuNPs were immobilized on the glassy carbon electrode for the determination of Cu (II) in aqueous solutions. The electrochemical determination of Cu (II) ions was performed using the differential pulse voltammetry technique. Some parameters for Cu (II) determination, such as pH, preconcentration time and electrolysis potential of Cu (II), were optimized. The detection limit was calculated as 5 × 10^?9 mol L^?1 by means of the 3:1 current-to-noise ratio. The interference of Cr(III), Fe(II), Ni(II), Pb(II), Mg(II), Zn(II), Ba(II) ions was investigated and showed a negligible effect on the electrode response. Recovery studies were carried out using tap water.     

The Journey of Phenolics from the First Spark to Advanced Materials

The emergence, historical and recent developments of phenolic resins are reviewed. The history of the invention of the first man made plastics and a short bibliography of the inventor Leo H. Baekeland is provided. Moreover, the basic chemistry of phenol-formaldehyde resins, as synthesis of resol and novolak, their structures, variations, and curing are discussed. Modification of these resins and molecular designs for specific applications in retro perspective are highlighted. This review also provides a comprehensive account on the development of benzoxazine resins as an alternative to classical phenolics. In addition to the benzoxazine synthesis and their curing mechanism, special monomers and polybenzoxazine precursors as curable thermoplastics are reviewed. Besides classical chemicals, the potential of renewables for phenolic resin production is also highlighted. Finally, the relative advantages and disadvantages of these systems are discussed and their future potentials are presented.