Comblike polymer electrolyte with main chain glass transition near room temperature

A new amorphous comblike polymer (CBP) based on methylvinyl ether/maleic anhydride altering copolymer backbone and on oligooxyethylene side chain was synthesized. The dynamic mechanical properties of CBP and its Li salt complexes were investigated by means of DDV-11-EA type viscoelastic spectrometry. Results showed that there were two glass transitions (alpha-transition and beta-transition) in the temperature range from -100 to 100 degrees C. The beta-transition was assigned to oligo-PEO side chains and the temperature of beta-transition increases with increasing Li salt content. The alpha-transition was assigned to the main chain of CBP. The temperature of the alpha-transition (T-alpha) is also dependent upon the Li-salt content, but not monotonic. The value of T-alpha lies between 30-45 degrees C in the Li salt concentration range studied, near room temperature. It was found that the CBP-Li salt complexes showed an unusual dependence of ionic conductivity on Li salt content. There are two peaks in the plot of the ionic conductivity vs. Li salt concentration, which has been ascribed to the movability of the CBP main chain at ambient temperature. The temperature dependence bf the ionic conductivity indicated that the Arrhenius relationship was not obeyed, and the plot of log sigma against 1/(T - T-0) showed the unusual dual VTF behavior when using side chain glass transition temperature (T-beta) as T-0.

LOCAL MAIN-CHAIN DYNAMICS OF PHENOLPHTHALEIN POLYETHERSULFONE

Local main chain dynamics of dissolved phenolphthalein polyethersulfone (PES-C) in solution with chloroform-d(1) were examined through C-13 NMR relaxation measurements. Spin-lattice relaxation times and NOE (nuclear Overhauser effects) factors were measured as a function of temperature. The relaxation data were interpreted in terms of main chain segmental motion by using the damped orientational diffusion model (DAMP) and the conformation jump model (VJGM) derived by Valeur, Jarry, Geny, and Monnerie. The simulation method used is N-SIMPLEX, which gives, in this study, a result of the object function less than 10(-4). Correlation times were obtained for the main chain motion of PES-C with these models and the results indicate that the main chain of PES-C are flexible. The comparison between PES-C and 1,2-polybutadiene is proposed. The distribution of the correlation time for the main chain motion by using VJGM model is discussed. The temperature dependence of correlation times for PES-C indicating the dynamical rigidity of its chains is obtained.

ON HALL AND KIERS TOPOLOGICAL STATE AND TOTAL TOPOLOGICAL INDEX

The topological state and the total topological index, tau, have been tested systematically. Counterexamples are provided proving that the topological state method cannot determine classes of symmetrically equivalent atoms in a molecule fully correct. The

Distribution of uranium isotopes in the main channel of Yellow river (Huanghe), China

Uranium isotopes were measured in waters and suspended particulate matters (SPM) of the main channel of Yellow River, China that were sampled during four field trips between August 2005 and July 2006. The results show that the concentration of dissolved U (2.04-7.83 mu g/l) and the activity ratio of U-234/U-238 (1.36-1.67) are much higher than the average U concentrations and activity ratios of global major rivers. Mass balance calculations using the results of simulated experiments and measurement data show that the section of the Yellow River between Lanzhou and Sanmenxia has its dissolved U derived from two sources: suspended sediments (68%) and groundwater/runoff from loess deposits (32%). Both sources are related to the heavy erosion of the Chinese Loess Plateau. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Characterization of the main light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b-protein complex of green alga, Bryopsis corticulans

The main light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b -protein complex (LHC II) has been isolated directly from thylakoid membranes of shiphonous green alga, Bryopsis corticulans Setch. by using two consecutive runs of anion exchange and gel-filtration chromatography. Monomeric and trimeric subcomplexes of LHC 11 were obtained by using sucrose gradient ultracentrifugation. Pigment analysis by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography showed that chlorophyll a (Chl a), chlorophyll b (Chl b), neoxanthin, violaxanthin and siphonaxanthin were involved in LHC 11 from B. corticulans. The properties of electronic transition of monomeric LHC II showed similarities to those of trimeric LHC II. Circular dichroism spectroscopy showed that strong intramolecular interaction of excitonic dipoles between Chl a and between Chl b exist in one LHC II apoprotein, while the intermolecular interaction of these dipoles can be intensified in the trimeric structure. The monomer has high efficient energy transfer from Chl b and siphonaxanthin to Chl a similarly to that of the trimer. Our results suggest that in B. corticulans, LHC II monomer has high ordered pigment organization that play effective physiological function as the trimer, and thus it might be also a functional organization existing in thylakoid membrane of B. corticulans.

Isolation of the main light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b-protein complex from thylakoid membranes of marine alga, Bryopsis corticulans by a direct method

The main chlorophyll a/b light-harvesting complex (LHC 11) has been isolated directly from thylakoid membranes of marine green alga (Bryopsis corticulans Setch.) by two consecutive runs of anion exchange and gel-filtration chromatography. LHC 11 proteins in the membrane extracts treated with 3% n-Octyl-b-D-glucopyranoside (OG) obtained specific binding ability on Q Sepharose column, and thus were isolated from the thylakoid membranes in a highly selective fraction. The monomeric, trimeric and oligomeric subcomplexes of LHC 11 have been obtained by fractionation of the LHC 11 mixes with sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation. The SDS-PAGE analysis of peptide composition and absorption spectrum showed that LHC 11 monomers, trimers and oligomers prepared through this work were intact and in high purity. Our report is the first to show that it is possible to purify LHC If directly from thylakoid membranes without extensively biochemical purification.

Heinrich event imprints in the Okinawa Trough: evidence from oxygen isotope and planktonic foraminifera

Planktonic foraminiferal faunas, oxygen isotope and modern analog technique sea surface temperature records were obtained in piston core DGKS9603 (28degrees08.869'N, 127degrees16.238'E, water depth 1100 in) collected from the middle Okinawa Trough. During the last glaciation, four cold events were identified and correlate Heinrich events (HE) H2-5 of the last 45 ka. During the last deglaciation, core DGKS9603 has begun to be influenced by the Kuroshio since about 16 cal ka BP. Three weakenings of this warm current occurred at about 2.8-5.3, 11.4 and 15.5 cal ka BP respectively. Among the three fluctuations, the oldest one is synchronous with HE1 and could be a response to the strong cooling observed in the North Atlantic Ocean. The fluctuation occurring at about 11.4 cal ka ago corresponds to the Younger Dryas within the age error bars. Our observations provide new evidence that the HEs documented from Greenland and the northern North Atlantic had a global climatic impact. Changes in the intensity of the East Asian monsoon could be the main mechanism responsible for the paleoccanographic variations observed in the Okinawa Trough. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Water transports through the four main straits around the South China Sea

A quasi-global high-resolution HYbrid Coordinate Ocean Model (HYCOM) is used to investigate seasonal variations of water transports through the four main straits in the South China Sea. The results show that the annual transports through the four straits Luzon Strait, Taiwan Strait, Sunda Shelf and Mindoro Strait are -4.5, 2.3, 0.5 and 1.7 Sv (1 Sv=10(6) m(3)s(-1)), respectively. The Mindoro Strait has an important outflow that accounts for over one third of the total inflow through the Luzon Strait. Furthermore, it indicates that there are strong seasonal variations of water transport in the four straits. The water transport through the Luzon Strait (Taiwan Strait, Sunda Shelf, Mindoro Strait) has a maximum value of -7.6 Sv in December (3.1 Sv in July, 2.1S v in January, 4.5Sv in November), a minimum value of -2.1 Sv in June (1.5 Sv in October, -1.0 Sv in June, -0.2 Sv in May), respectively.

Multi-core structure of the main part of the Kuroshio at G-PN section in the East China Sea

Sectional velocity distribution of the East China Sea Kuroshio is one of the basic points in the study of the Kuroshio. Hydrographic temperature and salinity data at G-PN section in the East China Sea from June 1955 to November 2001 are collected and properly processed to calculate the geostrophic current using dynamic height method at the transect of the Kuroshio. After analysis of calculation results, the basic current structure of the Kuroshio in its main part is examined together with scalar estimate and characters of multi- core structure, and spacial-temporal variations of current cores' position. Main result shows that (1) single-core structure, double-core structure and multi-core structure are basic forms in axial part of the Kuroshio; (2) abvious temporal variations exist in current structure of the Kuroshio; (3) the current of structure of the Kuroshio has distinctly seasonal association. The number of current cores is on the high side of core numbers in average and multi-core stucture appears in fall mostly.

The main phosphorous sources in the Changjiang estuary

Analysis using historical data on the phosphate sources in Changjiang (Yangtze River) estuary show that phosphate was supplied equally from the east, south, west and north of the estuary. These sources include the Changjiang River, the Taiwan Warm Current (TWC), a cyclone-type eddy, and the 32A degrees N Upwelling, supplying different phosphates in different times, ways and intensities. The magnitude of their supplying phosphate concentration was related with the size in the order of the Changjiang River < the TWC < the 32A degrees N Upwelling < the cyclone-type eddy, and the duration of the supplying was: the Changjiang River > the TWC > the cyclone-type eddy > the 32A degrees N Upwelling. The four sources supplied a great deal of phosphate so that the phosphate concentration in the estuary was kept above 0.2 mu mol/L in previous years, satisfying the phytoplankton growth. The horizontal and vertical distribution of the phosphate concentration showed that near shallow marine areas at 122A degrees E/31A degrees N, the TWC in low nutrient concentration became an upwelling through sea bottom and brought up nutrients from sea bottom to marine surface. In addition, horizontal distribution of phosphate concentration was consistent with that of algae: Rhizosolenia robusta, Rhizosolenia calcaravis and Skeletonema, which showed that no matter during high water or low water of Changjiang River, these species brought by the TWC became predominant species. Therefore, the authors believe that the TWC flowed from south to north along the coast and played a role in deflecting the Changjiang River flow from the southern side.

Main geochemical characteristics and key biogeochemical carbon processes in the East China Sea

Research related to carbon geochemistry and biogeochemistry in the East China Sea is reviewed in this paper. The East China Sea is an annual net sink for atmospheric CO, and a large net source of dissolved inorganic carbon to the ocean. The sea absorbs CO, from the atmosphere in spring and summer and releases it in autumn and winter. The East China Sea is a CO, sink in summer because Changjiang River freshwater flows into it. The net average sea-air interface carbon flux of the East China Sea is estimated to be about 4.3 X 10(6) t/y. Vertical carbon transport is mainly in the form of particulate organic carbon in spring; more than 98% of total carbon is transported in this form in surface water, and the number exceeds 68% in water near the bottom. In the southern East China Sea, the average particulate organic carbon inventory was about one-tenth that of the dissolved organic carbon. Research indicates that the southern Okinawa Trough is an important site for particulate organic carbon export from the shelf. The annual cross-shelf exports are estimated to be 414 and 106 Gmol/y for dissolved organic carbon and particulate organic carbon, respectively. Near-bottom transport could be the key process for shelf-to-deep sea export of biogenic and lithogenic particles.

Risorse intangibili e imprese familiari: principali contributi sul tema e nuove prospettive di ricerca

Intangible resources are the distinctive factors for the success of businesses (Barney, 1991) and for this reason the literature has paid particular attention to this issue (Barney, 1991; Hall, 1992,1993; Carmeli, 2004; Galbreath, 2005; Hayton, 2005; Norman, Butler, Ranft, 2013). With this thesis I will analyze existing studies on the subject with particular reference to family businesses - ideal forum for the spread of specific intangibles (Ward, 1988; Habbershon, Williams, 1999; Sirmon & Hitt, 2003; Huybrechts et al., 2011; Rose, Howorth & Discua Cruz, 2014), in order to identify the main areas of research and new research perspectives. Through a narrative review on the general theme of intangible resources, bibliometric analysis of the contributions that jointly address the intangibles and family businesses and co-citation analysis for the definition of the intellectual structure of the studies on the intangible resources in family firms is reached an in-depth study of the issue with relevant academic and practical implications.