SYNTHESIS AND CRYSTAL-STRUCTURE OF NEODYMIUM COMPLEX OF 1-METHYL-1, 4, 7, 10-TETRAAZACYCLODODECANE

The complex [Nd(L)(CH3CN)(CF3SO3)3] has been synthesized. Where L = 1-methyl-1, 4, 7, 10-tetraazacycldodecane. The crystal structure of the complex has been determined by a four-circle X-ray diffractometer to a final deviation factor B value of 0.0370 and R(w) value of 0.0385 respectively. The crystal is triclinic system, space group P1BAR with a = 0.8738(2), b = 1.2870(3), c = 1.2900(3) nm, alpha = 85.63(2), beta = 87.25(2), gamma = 78.30(2)-degrees, V = 1.41571 (60) nm3, Z = 2, D(c) = 1.92 g/cm3. The neodymium ion is eight-coordinated to forming a distorted square antiprism.

SYNTHESIS, STRUCTURE AND SPECTRA PROPERTIES OF THE NEODYMIUM MOLYBDOGERMANATE HETEROPOLY COMPLEX

K7H6[Nd(GeMo11O39)2].18H2O was first synthesized and the crystal structure was determined. Crystal structure data are as follows: monolinic, space group P2(1)/n, a = 1.7095(4), b = 2.6895(3), c = 2.1214(5) nm, beta = 103.11 (2)-degrees, V = 9.4994(3) nm3, Z = 4, D(m) = 3.14g/cm3, D(c) = 3.05g/cm3, mu(MoK-alpha) = 43.7 cm-1. Experimental evidence and theoretical foundation of the method inferring the molecule structure of heteropoly compounds using their IR spectra were gaved by studying IR spectra properties of the complex with results of structural analysis. Electronic spectra prove that 4f-obital of Nd3+ take part in bonding in the complex.

SYNTHESIS AND CRYSTAL-STRUCTURE OF THE TRIS(CYCLOPENTADIENYL)PHENYL COMPLEX OF NEODYMIUM, (LI-BULLET-3DME)[(ETA-5-C5H5)3NDC6H5]

(Li.3DME)[eta(5)-C5H5)3NdC6H5], 1 was synthesized by the reaction of NdCl3.2LiCl, 2 equivalents of cyclopentadienylsodium and one equivalent of phenyllithium in THF at -78-degrees-C, and crystallized from THF and DME. The crystal structure of 1 was determined by X-ray diffraction method at -80-degrees-C. The crystal of 1 is triclinic, space group P1BAR with a = 15.752(6), b = 16.232(3), c = 23.038(7) angstrom, alpha = 108.81(2), beta = 93.31(3), gamma = 108.38(2)-degrees, Z = 6 and D = 1.33 g/cm3. Least-squares refinement (5732 observed reflections) led to a final R of 0.053. The complex consists of disconnected ion pairs of (Li.3DME)+ and [(eta(5)-C5H5)3NdC6H5]-. The neodymium atom was connected to three eta(5)-bonded cyclopentadienyls and one sigma-bonded phenyl in a distorted tetrahedral arrangement with Nd-C(sigma-) 2.593(17), 2.613(13) and 2.601(13) angstrom.

CRYSTALLIZATION KINETICS OF MIXTURES OF POLY(EPSILON-CAPROLACTONE) AND POLY(STYRENE-CO-ACRYLONITRILE)

The crystallization kinetics in mixtures of poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) and poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile) (SAN) has been investigated as the function of composition and crystallization temperature. The isothermal growth rates of PCL spherulites decrease with increasing concentration of SAN. Because of the miscibility of PCL/SAN mixtures, the radial growth rates of the spherulites are described by a kinetic equation including the interaction parameter and the free energy for the formation of crystal nuclei. The interaction parameter obtained from the fitting of the kinetic equation with experimental data is in good agreement with that obtained from melting point depression. Folding surface free energies decrease with the increase of SAN concentration. In light of these results, it is suggested that, for the PCL/SAN mixtures, the noncrystallizable SAN polymer reduces the mobility of crystallizable PCL polymer so that the growth rates decrease with the increase of noncrystallizable component fraction.

THE RING-BANDED SPHERULITE STRUCTURE OF POLY(EPSILON-CAPROLACTONE) IN ITS MISCIBLE MIXTURES WITH POLY(STYRENE-CO-ACRYLONITRILE)

The structure of the PCL spherulite in poly(epsilon-caprolactone)/poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile) (PCL/SAN) blends was investigated by optical microscopy and small angle light scattering. The spherulite structure with a Maltese cross has been observed in pure PCL. Similar PCL/SAN blends exhibited not only spherulites with a Maltese cross, but also distinct extinction rings. The H(v) light scattering pattern especially caused diffraction rings in PCL/SAN blends but not in pure PCL. The spherical symmetry of spherulite PCL becomes more incomplete and the twist of the lamella becomes more irregular with increasing SAN content. It is found that the spherulite structure of PCL/SAN blends is dependent on the crystallization temperature and the concentration of SAN in PCL/SAN blends.

PREPARATION AND MOLECULAR-STRUCTURE OF METHYLBIS(TERT-BUTYLCYCLOPENTADIENYL)NEODYMIUM AND METHYLBIS(TERT-BUTYLCYCLOPENTADIENYL)GADOLINIUM

Bis(t-butylcyclopentadienyl)lanthanide chloride (Ln = Nd or Gd) reacts with one equivalent of methyllithium in ether/tetrahydrofuran to give the complex [(C5H4tBu)2LnCH3]2 (Ln = Nd or Gd). The structure of [(C5H4tBu)2NdCH3]2 has been determined by X-ray analysis. The crystals are monoclinic of space group Cm with a = 9.538(2), b = 23.298(4), c = 9.505(3) angstrom, beta = 119.53(2)-degrees, V = 1828.0(7) angstrom 3, D(calc.) = 1.458 g/cm3 and Z = 2 for the dimer. The two (C5H4tBu)2Nd units in the dimer are connected by asymmetrical methyl bridges with independent Nd-C bond lengths of 2.70(2) and 2.53(2) angstrom and Nd-C-Nd angles of 94.7(9) and 87.3(6)-degrees.

REE and epsilon(Nd) of clay fractions in sediments from the eastern Pacific Ocean: Evidence for clay sources

Clay fractions in the non-calcareous surface sediments from the eastern Pacific were analyzed for clay minerals, REE and Nd-143/Nd-144. Montmorillonite/illite ratio (M/I ratio), total REE contents (Sigma REE), LREE/HREE ratio and cerium anomaly (delta Ce) may effectively indicate the genesis of clay minerals. Clay fractions with M/I ratio > 1, delta Ce < 0.85, Sigma REE > 400 mu g/g, LREE/HREE ratio approximate to 4, and REE patterns similar to those of pelagic sediments are terrigenous and autogenetic mixed clay fractions and contain more autogenetic montmorillonite. Clay fractions with M/I ratio < 1, delta Ce=0.86 to 1.5, Sigma REE=200 to 350 mu g/g, LREE/HREE ratio approximate to 6 and REE distribution patterns similar to that of China loess are identified as terrigenous clay fraction. The Nd-143/Nd-144 ratios or epsilon(Nd) values of clay fractions inherit the features of terrigenous sources of clay minerals. Clay fractions are divided into 4 types according to epsilon(Nd) values. Terrigenous clay minerals of type I with the eNd values of -8 to -6 originate mainly from North American fluvial deposits. Those of type 11 with the epsilon(Nd) Values of -9 to -7 are mainly from the East Asia and North American fluvial deposits. Those of type III with epsilon(Nd) values of -6 to -3 could come from the central and eastern Pacific volcanic islands. Those of type IV with epsilon(Nd) values of -13 to -12 may be from East Asia eolian. The terrigenous and autogenetic mixed clay fractions show patchy distributions, indicating that there are volcanic or hot-spot activities in the eastern Pacific plate, while the terrigenous clay fractions cover a large part of the study area, proving that the terrigenous clay minerals are dominant in the eastern Pacific.

A Hybrid GLR Algorithm for Parsing with Epsilon Grammars

We give a hybrid algorithm for parsing epsilon grammars based on Tomita's non-ϵ-grammar parsing algorithm ([Tom86]) and Nozohoor-Farshi's ϵ-grammar recognition algorithm ([NF91]). The hybrid parser handles the same set of grammars handled by Nozohoor-Farshi's recognizer. The algorithm's details and an example of its use are given. We also discuss the deployment of the hybrid algorithm within a GB parser, and the reason an ϵ grammar parser is needed in our GB parser.

Functional properties of cell-seeded three-dimensionally woven poly(epsilon-caprolactone) scaffolds for cartilage tissue engineering.

Articular cartilage possesses complex mechanical properties that provide healthy joints the ability to bear repeated loads and maintain smooth articulating surfaces over an entire lifetime. In this study, we utilized a fiber-reinforced composite scaffold designed to mimic the anisotropic, nonlinear, and viscoelastic biomechanical characteristics of native cartilage as the basis for developing functional tissue-engineered constructs. Three-dimensionally woven poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) scaffolds were encapsulated with a fibrin hydrogel, seeded with human adipose-derived stem cells, and cultured for 28 days in chondrogenic culture conditions. Biomechanical testing showed that PCL-based constructs exhibited baseline compressive and shear properties similar to those of native cartilage and maintained these properties throughout the culture period, while supporting the synthesis of a collagen-rich extracellular matrix. Further, constructs displayed an equilibrium coefficient of friction similar to that of native articular cartilage (mu(eq) approximately 0.1-0.3) over the prescribed culture period. Our findings show that three-dimensionally woven PCL-fibrin composite scaffolds can be produced with cartilage-like mechanical properties, and that these engineered properties can be maintained in culture while seeded stem cells regenerate a new, functional tissue construct.