Thermodynamic Studies of Ionic Interactions in Aqueous Solutions of Imidazolium-Based Ionic Liquids [Emim][Br] and [Bmim][Cl]

Experimental measurements of density at different temperatures ranging from 293.15 to 313.15 K, the speed of sound and osmotic coefficients at 298.15 K for aqueous solution of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide ([Emim][Br]), and osmotic coefficients at 298.15 K for aqueous solutions of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([Bmim][Cl]) in the dilute concentration region are taken. The data are used to obtain compressibilities, expansivity, apparent and limiting molar properties, internal pressure, activity, and activity coefficients for [Emim][Br] in aqueous solutions. Experimental activity coefficient data are compared with that obtained from Debye-Hückel and Pitzer models. The activity data are further used to obtain the hydration number and the osmotic second virial coefficients of ionic liquids. Partial molar entropies of [Bmim][Cl] are also obtained using the free-energy and enthalpy data. The distance of the closest approach of ions is estimated using the activity data for ILs in aqueous solutions and is compared with that of X-ray data analysis in the solid phase. The measured data show that the concentration dependence for aqueous solutions of [Emim][Br] can be accounted for in terms of the hydrophobic hydration of ions and that this IL exhibits Coulombic interactions as well as hydrophobic hydration for both the cations and anions. The small hydration numbers for the studied ILs indicate that the low charge density of cations and their hydrophobic nature is responsible for the formation of the water-structure-enforced ion pairs.

Acoustic and volumetric properties of aqueous solutions of imidazolium based ionic liquids at 298.15 K

The experimental measurements of the speed of sound and density of aqueous solutions of imidazolium based ionic liquids (IL) in the concentration range of 0.05 mol · kg-1 to 0.5 mol · kg-1 at T = 298.15 K are reported. The data are used to obtain the isentropic compressibility (ßS) of solutions. The apparent molar volume (phiV) and compressibility (phiKS) of ILs are evaluated at different concentrations. The data of limiting partial molar volume and compressibility of IL and their concentration variation are examined to evaluate the effect due to IL–water and IL–IL interactions. The results have been discussed in terms of hydrophobic hydration, hydrophobic interactions, and water structural changes in aqueous medium.

Concentration and purification of entanglement for qubit systems with ancillary cavity fields

We propose schemes for entanglement concentration and purification for qubit systems encoded in flying atomic pairs. We use cavity-quantum electrodynamics as an illustrative setting within which our proposals can be implemented. Maximally entangled pure states of qubits can be produced as a result of our protocols. In particular, the concentration protocol yields Bell states with the largest achievable theoretical probability while the purification scheme produces arbitrarily pure Bell states. The requirements for the implementation of these protocols are modest, within the state of the art, and we address all necessary steps in two specific setups based on experimentally mature microwave technology.

GLP-1 and related peptides cause concentration-dependent relaxation of rat aorta through a pathway involving KATP and cAMP

increasing evidence from both clinical and experimental studies indicates that the insulin-releasing hormone, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) may exert additional protective/reparative effects on the cardiovascular system. The aim of this study was to examine vasorelaxant effects of GLP-1(7-36)amide, three structurally-related peptides and a non-peptide GLP-1 agonist in rat aorta. Interestingly, all GLP-1 compounds, including the established GLP-1 receptor antagonist, exendin (9-39) caused concentration-dependent relaxation. Mechanistic studies employing hyperpolarising concentrations of potassium or glybenclamide revealed that these relaxant effects are mediated via specific activation of ATP-sensitive potassium channels. Further experiments using a specific membrane-permeable cyclic AMP (cAMP) antagonist, and demonstration of increased cAMP production in response to GLP-1 illustrated the critical importance of this pathway. These data significantly extend previous observations suggesting that GLP-1 may modulate vascular function, and indicate that this effect may be mediated by the GLP-1 receptor. However, further studies are required in order to establish whether GLP-1 related agents may confer additional cardiovascular benefits to diabetic patients. (c) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Wealth concentration in the European periphery: Ireland, 1858–2001

Using annual will indexes, a series of wealth concentration is constructed for the north of Ireland on a decennial basis for the period 1858 to 2001. Wealth was highly concentrated at the beginning of the sample period, but inequality falls towards the end of the nineteenth century and continues to fall until the 1970s. However, there does not appear to be a Kuznets-type process at work. Instead, using data on socio-occupational status, it is suggested that the fall in wealth concentration appears to be associated with the demise of the titled classes. Interestingly, similar to the findings of other studies, wealth has become more concentrated since the 1970s.