Fiber Optic Detection of Ammonia Gas

Bathochromic shifts accompanying the formation of several bivalent metallic complexes containing 5-(4’-dimethylaminophenylimino) quinolin-8-one (L1), and 7-chlore-5(4’-diethylamino-2-methylphenylimino) quinolin-8-one (L2) ligands in ethanol solutions were evaluated by VIS-NIR spectroscopy. The [L1-Cu-L1] sulphide complex was selected as a reagent for further tests on optical fibres. Samples of multimode siloxane-clad fused-silica fibre were sensitized by diffusing an ethanol/chloroform solution of the dye into the cladding polymer, and tested by VIS-NIR optical spectroscopy (12 cm long fibre sections), and optical time domain reflectometry (OTDR; 20 ns laser pulses, wavelength 850 nm, 120 m long fibre sensitized within the interval 104–110 m). A well-resolved absorption band of the reagent could be identified in the absorption spectra of the fibres. After exposure to dry ammonia/nitrogen gas with increasing ammonia concentration (0–4000 ppm), the short fibre samples showed subsequent decay of NIR optical absorption; saturation was observed for higher ammonia levels. The concentration resolution r ? 50 ppm and forward response time t90 ? 30 sec were obtained within the interval 0–1000 ppm. The OTDR courses showed an enhancement of the back-scattered light intensity coming from the sensitized region after diffusion of the initial reagent, and decay after exposure to concentrated ammonia/nitrogen gas (10000 ppm)

An early Tournaisian (Mississippian) bryozoan fauna from the Moravian Karst (Rhenohercynian Zone, Czech Republic)

© 2017 Bryozoans are described from the lower Tournaisian of the Moravo-Silesian Zone (part of the Rhenohercynian Zone) of the Czech Republic for the first time. The studied fauna displays poor diversity and small size; it is represented by encrusting unilaminar and delicate branching growth habits. One species, Eridopora moravica, is new, and three other species are left in open nomenclature: Nikiforovella sp., Saffordotaxis sp., and ?Streblotrypella sp. Bryozoans found within calciturbidites of the Siphonodella sulcata and Siphonodella quadruplicata conodont zones inhabited originally the littoral zone at the southern margin of Laurussia. They indicate links between the eastern and western parts of the northern Palaeotethyan Siberian and Panthalassan realms

Zur Kenntnis der Sesquiterpene und Azulene. 123. Mitteilung.* Uberfuhrung von Elemol in Eudesman

Langeres Erhitzen .des Benzoyl- bzw. p-Nitrobenzoylesters des monocyclischen Sesquiterpens Elemol (III) auf 190-2100 liefert ein Gemisch von Kohlenwasserstoffen C15H 24 (VII), welches bei der katalytischen Hydrierung nach Aufnahme von 2,1 Mol Wasserstoff in den bekannten, bicyclischen Kohlenwasserstoff Eudesman (VIII) iibergeht . Obwohl dieser Befund eine direkte experimentelle Ve1!lmiipfung der Sesquiterpenalkohole Eudesmol (IV) und Elemol (III) darstellt, kann er fiir die Bestimmung der absoluten Konfig uration des Elemols vorlii.ufig nicht h erangezogen werden

Concept and Development of a Potent Topical Corticosteroid

In a rational approach to identify an ultrapotent compound for the treatment of therapy-resistant dermatoses, Weirich's modification of McKenzie's skin vasoconstriction assay (HVK test) has been used as the essential selection criteria. In a primary phase, a quantitative relationship between the HVK activity of 25 derivatives of corticosterone substituted in various positions of the skeleton, and their lipophilicity (log P) was established. The specific lipophilicity-independent interactions were accounted for by the inclusion of 'indicator variables' into the regression analysis. The highly significant results allowed to localize an optimal log P range and to identify the influence of various substituents. In a next phase, the evidence of the first HVK analysis was refined by considering 28 additional compounds. On the basis of the confirmed facts, six 21-chloro-6α-fluoro compounds were specifically synthesized and submitted to dermatopharmacological testing. Finally, CGP 14458 (= 2l-chloro-6α,9-difluoro-11β-hydroxy-16β-methyl-3,20-dioxopregna-1,4-dien-17α-yl propionate) which was predicted to be the most potent representative of these series, whose synthesis is described in detail, showed indeed to be the most effective compound. Clinical trials with this compound – halobetasol propionate/Ultravate® (ulobetasol/Miracorten®) – confirmed its unique efficacy, especially in the treatment of severe, chronic plaque psoriasis

Cutting tool tracking and recognition based on infrared and visual imaging systems using principal component analysis (PCA) and discrete wavelet transform (DWT) combined with neural networks

The implementation of computerised condition monitoring systems for the detection cutting tools’ correct installation and fault diagnosis is of a high importance in modern manufacturing industries. The primary function of a condition monitoring system is to check the existence of the tool before starting any machining process and ensure its health during operation. The aim of this study is to assess the detection of the existence of the tool in the spindle and its health (i.e. normal or broken) using infrared and vision systems as a non-contact methodology. The application of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) combined with neural networks are investigated using both types of data in order to establish an effective and reliable novel software program for tool tracking and health recognition. Infrared and visual cameras are used to locate and track the cutting tool during the machining process using a suitable analysis and image processing algorithms. The capabilities of PCA and Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) combined with neural networks are investigated in recognising the tool’s condition by comparing the characteristics of the tool to those of known conditions in the training set. The experimental results have shown high performance when using the infrared data in comparison to visual images for the selected image and signal processing algorithms

Synthesis of 5-azaandrostane-3β,17β-diol protected at the 17β-hydroxyl group

In the present paper, the preparation of 3β-hydroxy-17β-dimethyl- tert-butylsilyloxy-5-azaandrostane (15) in fourteen steps is described. B-nor-17-oxoandrost-5-en-3β-yl acetate (1) 1,2 was used as the starting material, which was transformed to the key intermediate of the synthesis, B-nor-17β-dimethyl-tert-butylsilyloxyandrost-4-en-3β-yl acetate (7)

Influence of electron correlations on ground-state properties of III-V semiconductors

Lattice constants and bulk moduli of eleven cubic III-V semiconductors are calculated using an ab initio scheme. Correlation contributions of the valence electrons, in particular, are determined using increments for localized bonds and for pairs and triples of such bonds; individual increments, in turn, are evaluated using the coupled cluster approach with single and double excitations. Core-valence correlation is taken into account by means of a core polarization potential. Combining the results at the correlated level with corresponding Hartree-Fock data, we obtain lattice constants which agree with experiment within an average error of -0.2%; bulk moduli are accurate to +4%. We discuss in detail the influence of the various correlation contributions on lattice constants and bulk moduli.Comment: 4 pages, Latex, no figures, Phys. Rev. B, accepte

Ground-state properties of rutile: electron-correlation effects

Electron-correlation effects on cohesive energy, lattice constant and bulk compressibility of rutile are calculated using an ab-initio scheme. A competition between the two groups of partially covalent Ti-O bonds is the reason that the correlation energy does not change linearly with deviations from the equilibrium geometry, but is dominated by quadratic terms instead. As a consequence, the Hartree-Fock lattice constants are close to the experimental ones, while the compressibility is strongly renormalized by electronic correlations.Comment: 1 figure to appear in Phys. Rev.

The correlation potential of magnetic susceptibility and outcrop gamma-ray logs at Tournaisian-Viséan boundary sections in western Europe

We have measured five deep-water carbonate and carbonate-siliciclastic sections at the Tournaisian-Visean (Tn/V) boundary in western Europe, using petrophysical outcrop logging techniques (gamma-ray spectrometry /GRS/ and magnetic susceptibility /MS/). The aim was to trace correlatable log patterns across the flanks of the London-Brabant Massif from eastern Ireland to western Germany. Both GRS and MS logging proved useful for long-distance (up to similar to 1000 km) correlation. The log patterns can be interpreted in terms of sea-level fluctuations. A late Tournaisian regression, a sequence boundary at the Tn/V boundary, early Visean lowstand systems tract and an overlying transgressive to regressive succession can be identified from the GRS and MS logs. The Tn/V sequence boundary can be correlated with exposure features and karstic surfaces in the up-dip shallow-water settings at the boundary between sequence 4 and 5 of Hance et al. (2001, 2002). This indicates that sea-level fluctuations around the Tn/V boundary were synchronous and traceable on the flanks of the London-Brabant Massif. The GRS-based logging has a greater correlation potential than MS as it can be applied in a broad spectrum of facies and depositional settings. In certain sections, the MS signal shows an increasing trend during transgression and a decreasing during regression, which is opposite to the MS paradigm from shallow-water carbonate platform settings. These trends are assumed to result from landward/basinward facies shifts of low-productivity carbonate ramp systems. Lowstand shedding of carbonate tempestites and turbidites results in low MS values while during sea-level rise the ramp systems backstep, developing retrograding facies successions in their distal parts, which are associated with upward-increasing MS values

On the Chemical Origin of the Gap Bowing in (GaAs)1−xGe2x Alloys: A Combined DFT–QSGW Study

Motivated by the research and analysis of new materials for photovoltaics and by the possibility of tailoring their optical properties for improved solar energy conversion, we have focused our attention on the (GaAs)1−xGe2x series of alloys. We have investigated the structural properties of some (GaAs)1−xGe2x compounds within the local-density approximation to density-functional theory, and their optical properties within the Quasiparticle Self-consistent GW approximation. The QSGW results confirm the experimental evidence of asymmetric bandgap bowing. It is explained in terms of violations of the octet rule, as well as in terms of the order–disorder phase transition