Chemical equilibrium for the reactive system propionic acid + ethanol + ethyl propionate + water at 303.15 and 313.15 K

Chemical equilibrium for the quaternary system propionic acid+ethanol+ethyl propionate +water was experimentally studied at 303.15 and 313.15 K and atmospheric pressure. The chemically equilibrium compositions were determined by gas chromatography and nuclear magnetic resonance analytical methods. It is shown that chemical equilibrium is reached both in homogeneous and heterogeneous area of composition of reactive mixture. The liquid - liquid equilibrium data for the surface of chemical equilibrium were obtained. The thermodynamic constants of chemical equilibrium at 303.15 and 313.15 K were determined

The density of electronic gambling machines and area-level socioeconomic status in Finland : a country with a legal monopoly on gambling and a decentralised system of EGMs

Background: Electronic gambling machines (EGMs) are considered a risky form of gambling. Internationally, studies have reported that the density of EGMs tends to be higher in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas than in more advantaged ones. We examined whether this holds true in the Finnish context where a decentralised system of EGMs guarantees wide accessibility to this form of gambling. More precisely, we investigated the association between the density of EGMs and area-level socio-economic status (SES). Methods: The primary measure was the EGM density, referring to the number of EGMs per 1000 adults. The area-level SES was defined on the basis of the median income of inhabitants, the proportion of unemployment in the area and educational attainment (% of those beyond primary education). Three additional area characteristics were used as control variables in the analyses; the overall population density, economic activity (the number of jobs in the area per employed inhabitant), and the mean age of the inhabitants. Analyses were based on linear regression. Results: The EGM density was 3.68 per 1000 inhabitants (SD = 2.63). A lower area-level SES was correlated with a higher EGM density. In further analyses, this effect was mostly explained by the income of the inhabitants. Of the control variables, the population density had no detectable effect on the EGM density while areas with a higher mean age of the inhabitants, as well a higher density of jobs, had more EGMs. Conclusions: EGMs are unequally located in Finland, with more EGMs located in socio-economically less advantaged areas. The higher machine density in areas of social disadvantage is not in line with the aim of the Finnish gambling policy, which is to prevent and reduce harm caused by gambling. Changes in policy are required, especially with regard to the decisions on the placement of EGMs. This should not be made solely by gaming operators and/or from fiscal perspectives.Peer reviewe

Structure of Composite Based on Polyheteroarylene Matrix and ZrO2 Nanostars Investigated by Quantitative Nanomechanical Mapping

It is known that structure of the interface between inorganic nanoparticles and polymers significantly influences properties of a polymer–inorganic composite. At the same time, amount of experimental researches on the structure and properties of material near the inorganic-polymer interface is low. In this work, we report for the first time the investigation of nanomechanical properties and maps of adhesion of material near the inorganic-polymer interface for the polyheteroarylene nanocomposites based on semi-crystalline poly[4,4′-bis (4″-aminophenoxy)diphenyl]imide 1,3-bis (3′,4-dicarboxyphenoxy) benzene, modified by ZrO2 nanostars. Experiments were conducted using quantitative nanomechanical mapping (QNM) mode of atomic force microscopy (AFM) at the surface areas where holes were formed after falling out of inorganic particles. It was found that adhesion of AFM cantilever to the polymer surface is higher inside the hole than outside. This can be attributed to the presence of polar groups near ZrO2 nanoparticle. QNM measurements revealed that polymer matrix has increased rigidity in the vicinity of the nanoparticles. Influence of ZrO2 nanoparticles on the structure and thermal properties of semi-crystalline polyheteroarylene matrix was studied with wide-angle X-ray scattering, scanning electron microscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry.Russian Science Foundation, grant 16-13-1016

Nanomateriaalit osana yhteiskuntaa : Kohti turvallista nanoteknologian tulevaisuutta

Katsaus sisältää tietoa nanomateriaalien käytöstä, turvallisuuteen liittyvistä kysymyksistä, sääntelystä, sekä tutkimuksesta Suomessa. Nanomateriaaleissa vähintään yksi niiden ulottuvuus on välillä 1–100 nanometriä. Aineella voi nanokoossa olla kemiallisia, fysikaalisia, sähköisiä ja mekaanisia erityisominaisuuksia. Nanoteknologiaa käytetään tuotteiden ominaisuuksien parantamiseen. Teollisesti tuotettuja nanomateriaaleja käytetään lähes kaikilla teollisuuden aloilla. Ihmistoiminnan seurauksena syntyy myös tahattomasti poltto- ja prosessiperäisiä nanohiukkasia. Nanomateriaalien terveydelle tai ympäristölle aiheuttamia vaikutuksia ei vielä täysin tunneta. Terveys- ja ympäristöriskien arviointi perustuu tietoihin nanomateriaalien vaaraominaisuuksista ja altistumistasoista. Teollisesti tuotetuille nanomateriaaleille on mahdollista altistua valmistuksessa ja käytössä. Altistuminen kuluttajatuotteista on pääsääntöisesti vähäistä. Nanomateriaalien sääntelyssä sovelletaan EU- ja kansallisia säädöksiä, jotka koskevat kemikaaleja, elintarvikkeita tai lääkkeitä. Lisäksi EU:ssa on sektorikohtaisia säädöksiä nanomateriaalien turvalliselle käytölle. Euroopan komissio rahoittaa yhä enemmän nanomateriaalien turvallisuuteen liittyvää tutkimista. Suomen yliopistoissa ja valtion tutkimuslaitoksissa tehdään ansiokasta nanomateriaaleja koskevaa materiaali- ja turvallisuustutkimusta

Nanomaterials as part of society : Towards a safe future of nanotechnology

Nanomaterials as part of society : Towards a safe future of nanotechnologyThe review contains information on the use of nanomaterials and safety issues, regulation and research related to nanomaterials in Finland. Nanomaterials have at least one dimension between 1–100 nanometers. At the nanoscale, materials can exhibit unique chemical, physical, electronic and mechanical properties. Nanotechnology is used to improve the properties of materials. Manufactured nanomaterials are used in nearly all industrial sectors. As a result of human activity, nanoparticles are also generated unintentionally through various processes and combustion. The impact that nanomaterials have on health or the environment is not yet fully understood. The assessment of health and environmental risks is based on information on the hazardous properties and exposure levels of nanomaterials. Exposure to manufactured nanomaterials may occur during the production process or the use of these products. However, as a rule, the risk of exposure to manufactured nanomaterials in consumer products is minimal. The regulation of nanomaterials builds on EU and national legislation concerning chemicals, food and medicines. The EU also has sector-specific legislation on the safe use of nanomaterials. The European Commission is directing more and more funding to the research on the safety of nanomaterials. In Finland, universities and government research institutes conduct valuable safety and material-related research on nanomaterials

Correction: Toikka et al. Some Remarks on the Boundary of Thermodynamic Stability. <em>Entropy</em> 2023, <em>25</em>, 969

The authors would like to make a tiny but important correction to the published paper [...