A Selenium‐Nitrogen Chain with Selenium in Different Oxidation States

The reaction of tBuNH₂ with a mixture of SeCl₂ and SeOCl₂ in a 6:2:1 molar ratio produces the novel selenium‐nitrogen chain ClSeN(tBu)Se(O)Cl ( 4 ), in which the selenium atoms are in two different oxidation states, Se^II and Se^IV. The crystal structure of 4 is compared with that of the related Se^II/Se^II system ClSeN(tBu)SeCl ( 1 ) and differences are attributed to hyperconjugative effects. The energetics of the formation of 4 via two different routes are elucidated by PBE0/def2‐TZVPP calculations.     

Resource allocation based on cost efficiency

In this paper, we consider a resource allocation (RA) problem and develop an approach based on cost (overall) efficiency. The aim is to allocate some inputs among decision making units (DMUs) in such way that their cost efficiencies improve or stay unchanged after RA. We formulate a multi-objective linear programming problem using two different strategies. First, we propose an RA model which keeps the cost efficiencies of units unchanged. This is done assuming fixed technical and allocative efficiencies. The approach is based on the assumption that the decision maker (DM) may not have big changes in the structure of DMUs within a short term. The second strategy does not impose any restrictions on technical and allocative efficiencies. It guarantees that none of the cost efficiencies of DMUs get worse after RA, and the improvement for units is possible if it is feasible and beneficial. Two numerical examples and an empirical illustration are also provided.     

Nanofibrillated cellulose/carboxymethyl cellulose composite with improved wet strength

In this paper, nanofibrillated cellulose/carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) composite films were prepared using tape casting. The obtained transparent films showed shear induced partial alignment of fibrils along the casting direction, resulting in birefringence in cross polarized light. The carboxyl groups of CMC could be further utilized to create ionic crosslinking by treatment with glycidyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (GTMA). The GTMA treated composite films had improved mechanical properties both in wet and dry state. The chemical composition and morphologies of composites were analyzed with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, elemental analysis, scanning electron microscopy and wide-angle X-ray scattering.     

Alteration of skin light-scattering and absorption properties by application of sunscreen nanoparticles: A Monte Carlo study

We report about the results of our investigations on the alteration of optical properties of the superficial layer of human skin at four UV range wavelengths, 310, 318, 360 and 400 nm, by application of 35-200 nm-sized particles of titanium dioxide (TiO₂), silicon (Si) and zinc oxide (ZnO). The theoretical study based on combination of the Mie theory and Monte Carlo simulations reveals the optimal sizes of the nanoparticles minimizing the light transmittance for the considered wavelengths.     

Can a linear value function explain choices? An experimental study

We investigate in a simple bi-criteria experimental study, whether subjects are consistent with a linear value function while making binary choices. Many inconsistencies appeared in our experiment. However, the impact of inconsistencies on the linearity vs. non-linearity of the value function was minor. Moreover, a linear value function seems to predict choices for bi-criteria problems quite well. This ability to predict is independent of whether the value function is diagnosed linear or not. Inconsistencies in responses did not necessarily change the original diagnosis of the form of the value function. Our findings have implications for the design and development of decision support tools for Multiple Criteria Decision Making problems.     

The effect of dopant’s valence (+III and +V) on the anion/cation uptake properties of antimony-doped tin dioxide

Antimony is perhaps the most frequently used doping element of tin dioxide. Although antimony of different oxidation states have been used in the synthesis, the effect of dopant’s valence on ion exchange properties has not been investigated critically. In our study the valence of antimony had clear effects on the metal uptake properties of Sb-doped SnO₂ materials. Extremely high Tc uptake (Kd > 100 000 mL g⁻¹) on Sb(III)-doped material was observed in conditions under which Sb(V)-doped material did not show any Tc uptake. However, the Sb(V)-doped material showed good Ni²⁺ uptake properties (Kd up to 33 000 mL g⁻¹), even at pH values below the material’s point of zero charge (pzc), while the Sb(III)-doped material showed Ni²⁺ uptake only at pH above its pzc. The cation uptake of Sb-doped SnO₂ resembles typical weakly acidic cation exchanger character but the uptake of TcO₄- does not follow a typical anion exchange pattern. Instead, we propose a sorption process related to redox reactions as the probable Tc uptake process.     

Exact Solutions of Covariant Wave Equations with a Multipole Source Term on Curved Spacetimes

A formalism is presented for calculating exactsolutions of covariant inhomogeneous scalar and tensorwave equations whose source terms are arbitrary ordermultipoles on a curved background spacetime. The developed formalism is based on the theory ofthe higher-order fundamental solutions for wave equationwhich are the distributions that satisfy theinhomogeneous wave equation with the corresponding order covariant derivatives of the Dirac deltafunction on the right-hand side. Like the classicalGreen's function for a scalar wave equation, thehigher-order fundamental solutions contain a direct termwhich has support on the light cone as well as a tailterm which has support inside the light cone. Knowinghow to compute the fundamental solutions of arbitraryorder, one can find exact multipole solutions of wave equations on curved spacetimes. Wepresent complete recurrent algorithms for calculatingthe arbitrary-order fundamental solutions and the exactmultipole solutions in a form convenient for practical computations. As an example we apply thealgorithm to a massless scalar wave field on aparticular Robertson-Walker spacetime.     

Removal of Radionuclides from Fukushima Daiichi Waste Effluents

This paper describes the processes used at the Fukushima Daiichi plant, Japan, to purify the waste effluents generated in the cooling of damaged reactors. These include primary cesium removal with the Kurion zeolite system and the SARRY system utilizing silicotitanate to remove radiocesium from water recirculated to reactors for cooling. Another process is the ALPS system to purify the retentates of the reverse osmosis plant to further purify the water from radionuclides after primary cesium separation. In ALPS, a major role is played by the transition metal hexacyanoferrate product CsTreat and sodium titanate SrTreat in the removal of radiocesium and radiostrontium, respectively. The performance of these four exchangers (zeolite, silicotitanate, hexacyanoferrate, and sodium titanate) is critically analyzed with respect to processing capacities and the decontamination factors obtained in the processes. Furthermore, general information on preparation, structure and ion exchange of these ion-exchanger categories is given with additional information on their use in nuclear waste effluent treatment processes. Finally, the importance of selectivity and associated factors are discussed.