http://www.hindawi.comThe latest articles from Hindawi Publishing Corporation© 2012, Hindawi Publishing Corporation. All rights reserved.http://www.hindawi.com/journals/apc/2012/212818/Theoretical analysis corresponding to the diffusion and kinetics of substrate and product in an amperometric biosensor is developed and reported in this paper. The nonlinear coupled system of diffusion equations was analytically solved by Homotopy perturbation method. Herein, we report the approximate analytical expressions pertaining to substrate concentration, product concentration, and current response for all possible values of diffusion and kinetic parameters. The numerical solution of this problem is also reported using Scilab/Matlab program. Also, we found excellent agreement between the analytical results and numerical results upon comparison.K. Indira and L. RajendranCopyright © 2012 K. Indira and L. Rajendran. All rights reserved.http://www.hindawi.com/journals/apc/2011/813987/Transient exciplex formation mechanism of excited-state electron transfer reactions is analyzed in terms of experimental data on thermodynamics and kinetics of exciplex formation and decay. Experimental profiles of free energy, enthalpy, and entropy for transient exciplex formation and decay are considered for several electron transfer reactions in various solvents. Strong electronic coupling in contact pairs of reactants causes substantial decrease of activation energy relative to that for conventional long-range ET mechanism, especially for endergonic reactions, and provides the possibility for medium reorganization concatenated to gradual charge shift in contrast to conventional preliminary medium and reactants reorganization. Experimental criteria for transient exciplex formation (concatenated) mechanism of excited-state electron transfer are considered. Available experimental data show that this mechanism dominates for endergonic ET reactions and provides a natural explanation for a lot of known paradoxes of ET reactions.Michael G. Kuzmin, Irina V. Soboleva, and Elena V. DolotovaCopyright © 2011 Michael G. Kuzmin et al. All rights reserved.http://www.hindawi.com/journals/apc/2011/786759/TiO2-based nanomaterials play currently a major role in the development of novel photochemical systems and devices. One of the key parameters determining the photoactivity of TiO2-based materials is the position of the band edges. Although its knowledge is an important prerequisite for understanding and optimizing the performance of photochemical systems, it has been often rather neglected in recent research, particularly in the field of heterogeneous photocatalysis. This paper provides a concise account of main methods for the determination of the position of the band edges, particularly those suitable for measurements on nanostructured materials. In the first part, a survey of key photophysical and photochemical concepts necessary for understanding the energetics at the semiconductor/solution interface is provided. This is followed by a detailed discussion of several electrochemical, photoelectrochemical, and spectroelectrochemical methods that can be applied for the determination of band edge positions in compact and nanocrystalline thin films, as well as in nanocrystalline powders.Radim BeranekCopyright © 2011 Radim Beranek. All rights reserved.http://www.hindawi.com/journals/apc/2011/275695/This paper reports the growth of MgO nanofilms on BaMgAl10O17:Eu2+ blue phosphors by using the atomic layer deposition method. MgO films were prepared at 120°C by using Mg(CpEt)2 and H2O as the precursor and reactant gas, respectively. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis showed that the Mg peak of the coated powders was higher than that of the uncoated powders. This confirmed that the surface of the coated phosphor powder comprised MgO nanoscale film. Through TEM and FE-SEM analysis, it was observed that the growth rate was about 0.33 Å/cycle and that the surface morphology of the coated phosphors was smoother and clearer than that of uncoated phosphor. The photoluminescence (PL) intensity for the coated phosphors was 5%–19% higher than that of uncoated phosphor. This means that the reactive surface is uniformly grown with stable magnesium oxide to reduce the dead surface layer without change of bulk properties.Hyug Jong Kim, Hee Gyu Kim, In Gu Kang, and Byung Ho ChoiCopyright © 2011 Hyug Jong Kim et al. All rights reserved.http://www.hindawi.com/journals/apc/2011/821204/The chemical synthesis of nitrogen-doped titanium dioxide (N-TiO2) is explored in an attempt to understand the mechanisms of doping. Urea is used as precursor in a sol gel synthesis of N-TiO2. Chemical and structural changes during thermal treatment of the precursors were followed by several techniques. The effect of doping on band gap, morphology, and microstructure was also determined. The byproducts produced during firing correspond to those obtained during urea thermal decomposition. Polynitrogenated colored compounds produced at temperatures below 400°C may act as sensitizer. Incorporation of N in the TiO2 structure is possible at higher temperatures. Degradation experiments of salicylic acid under UVA and visible light (λ>400 nm) in the presence of TiO2 or N-TiO2 indicate that doping decreases the activity under UVA light, while stable byproducts are produced under visible light.Matias Factorovich, Lucas Guz, and Roberto CandalCopyright © 2011 Matias Factorovich et al. All rights reserved.http://www.hindawi.com/journals/apc/2011/247320/Microstructural studies have been made on mixed rubidium nanoferrites of varying compositions, that is, Rb0.5-x/2ZnxMn0.05Fe2.45-x/2O4 prepared by solution combustion method from stoichiometric aqueous solutions of metal nitrates and ethylene glycol. The combustion method is rapid and approach direct conversion from the molecular mixture of precursor solution to the fine nanoparticles of oxide product. The ferrites obtained have been characterized by powder XRD, transmission electron microscopy, and EDXRF studies. Powder X-ray diffraction analysis shows the formation of single-phase structure. The lattice parameter “a” has been found to increase with increasing Zn content. Both theoretical and experimental densities show a decreasing trend with decrease in molecular weight. The calculated value of the porosity has been found to be quite low which is a characteristic requirement of good-quality ferrite materials. TEM micrographs indicate the formation of nanosized ferrite particles which is in agreement with the size calculated from XRD data.Manik Gupta and Balwinder S. RandhawaCopyright © 2011 Manik Gupta and Balwinder S. Randhawa. All rights reserved.http://www.hindawi.com/journals/apc/2011/864714/Structural studies are largely performed without taking into account vibrational effects or with incorrectly taking them into account. The paper presents a first-order perturbation theory analysis of the problem. It is shown that vibrational effects introduce errors on the order of 0.02 Å or larger (sometimes, up to 0.1-0.2 Å) into the results of diffraction measurements. Methods for calculating the mean rotational constants, mean-square vibrational amplitudes, vibrational corrections to internuclear distances, and asymmetry parameters are described. Problems related to low-frequency motions, including torsional motions that transform into free rotation at low excitation levels, are discussed. The algorithms described are implemented in the program available from the author (free).Victor A. SipachevCopyright © 2011 Victor A. Sipachev. All rights reserved.http://www.hindawi.com/journals/apc/2011/593872/This contribution reviews the recent advances to estimate the potential energy surfaces through algebraic methods based on the unitary groups used to describe the molecular vibrational degrees of freedom. The basic idea is to introduce the unitary group approach in the context of the traditional approach, where the Hamiltonian is expanded in terms of coordinates and momenta. In the presentation of this paper, several representative molecular systems that permit to illustrate both the different algebraic approaches as well as the usual problems encountered in the vibrational description in terms of internal coordinates are presented. Methods based on coherent states are also discussed.Renato LemusCopyright © 2011 Renato Lemus. All rights reserved.http://www.hindawi.com/journals/apc/2011/450325/Magnetic isotope effect can cause mass-independent isotope fractionation, which can be used to predict the mechanisms of chemical reactions. In this critical paper, the isotope fractionation caused by magnetic isotope effect is used to understand detailed mechanisms of oxidation-reduction reactions for some previously published experimental data. Due to the rule that reactions are allowed for certain electron spin state, and forbidden for others, magnetic isotopes show chemical anomalies during these reactions due to the hyperfine interaction of the nuclear spin with the electron spin. It is demonstrated that compound or complex in paramagnetic (triplet) state accepts electrons during the reactions of electron transfer. Also, ligand field strength is responsible for the magnitude and the sign of the mass-independent fractionation. From another side, magnetic isotope effect can be used to predict the ligand strength. According to the proposed mechanism, the following parameters are important for the sign and magnitude of mass-independent isotope fractionation caused by magnetic isotope effect (due to predominant either singlet-triplet or triplet-singlet evolution): (i) the arrangement of the ligands around the metal ion; (ii) the nature (strength) of the ligands surrounding the metal ion; (iii) presence/absence of light. The suggested approach is applied to understand Hg reduction by dissolved organic carbon or by Sn(II).Vladimir N. EpovCopyright © 2011 Vladimir N. Epov. All rights reserved.http://www.hindawi.com/journals/apc/2011/850243/Nanostructured multilayers composed of alternate organic (alkyldithiol) and metallic (gold) layers are grafted onto glass plates and prepared in order to modify the mechanical and local dissipative properties of a thin surface layer of the substrate. The adhesion phenomenon between a polyisoprene elastomer and these layers is presented and verified by two theories, namely, Johnson, Kendall, Roberts (JKR) and linear elastic fracture mechanics. The increase in adhesion with contact time following a power law has been clearly noted.Yolla Kazzi and Houssein AwadaCopyright © 2011 Yolla Kazzi and Houssein Awada. All rights reserved.http://www.hindawi.com/journals/apc/2011/210802/Biomimetic membranes (BMM) based on polymer filters impregnated with lipids or their analogues are widely applied in numerous areas of physics, biology, and medicine. In this paper we report the design and testing of an electrochemical system, which allows the investigation of CO2 transport through natural membranes such as alveoli barrier membrane system and also can be applied for solid-state measurements. The experimental setup comprises a specially designed two-compartment cell with BMM connected with an electrochemical workstation placed in a Faraday cage, two PH meters, and a nondispersive infrared gas analyzer. We prove, experimentally, that the CO2 transport through the natural membranes under different conditions depends on pH and displays a similar behavior as natural membranes. The influence of different drugs on the CO2 transport process through such membranes is discussed.Efstathios Matsaridis, Varban Savov, Alexandre Gritzkov, Nelie Zheleva, and Stoyan GutzovCopyright © 2011 Efstathios Matsaridis et al. All rights reserved.http://www.hindawi.com/journals/apc/2011/584082/We present a quantum control scheme which realizes suppression of the intramolecular vibrational energy redistribution (IVR). In this scheme, we utilize effective decomposition brought by intense CW-laser fields, which enables to exclude the doorway state coupled to background manifolds. In doing so, we introduce a helper state and make it optically coupled with the doorway state through the intense CW-laser field. We have applied the present scheme to both the Bixon-Jortner model and the SCCl2 model system.M. SugawaraCopyright © 2011 M. Sugawara. All rights reserved.http://www.hindawi.com/journals/apc/2011/347072/We have carried out a structural and vibrational theoretical study for the citric acid dimer. The Density Functional Theory (DFT) method with the B3LYP/6-31G∗ and B3LYP/6-311++G∗∗ methods have been used to study its structure and vibrational properties. Then, in order to get a good assignment of the IR and Raman spectra in solid phase of dimer, the best fit possible between the calculated and recorded frequencies was carry out and the force fields were scaled using the Scaled Quantum Mechanic Force Field (SQMFF) methodology. An assignment of the observed spectral features is proposed. A band of medium intensity at 1242 cm-1 together with a group of weak bands, previously not assigned to the monomer, was in this case assigned to the dimer. Furthermore, the analysis of the Natural Bond Orbitals (NBOs) and the topological properties of electronic charge density by employing Bader's Atoms in Molecules theory (AIM) for the dimer were carried out to study the charge transference interactions of the compound.Laura Cecilia Bichara, Hernán Enrique Lanús, Evelina Gloria Ferrer, Mónica Beatriz Gramajo, and Silvia Antonia BrandánCopyright © 2011 Laura Cecilia Bichara et al. All rights reserved.http://www.hindawi.com/journals/apc/2011/868610/A new methodology of binding energy calculation with respect to different spin arrangements for a multiatomic electron system is developed from the first principle in the frame of the exchange perturbation theory (EPT). We developed EPT formalism in the general form of the Rayleigh-Srchödinger expansion with a symmetric Hamiltonian, taking into account an exchange and nonadditive contributions of a superexchange interaction. The expressions of all corrections to the energy and wave function were reduced to the nonsymmetric Hamiltonian form. The EPT method is extended for the case of degeneracy in the total spin of a system. As an example of the application of the developed EPT formalism for the degeneracy case, spin arrangements were considered for the key 〈Mn〉–O–〈Mn〉 (〈Mn〉: Mn3+ or Mn4+) fragments in manganites. In 〈Mn〉–O–〈Mn〉 for La1/3Ca2/3MnO3 are in good agreement the obtained estimations of Heisenberg parameter and binding energy with the available experimental data.E. V. Orlenko, T. S. Orlova, F. E. Orlenko, and G. G. ZegryaCopyright © 2011 E. V. Orlenko et al. All rights reserved.http://www.hindawi.com/journals/apc/2011/541375/We present application examples of a graphical method for the efficient construction of potential matrix elements in quantum physics or quantum chemistry. The simplicity and power of this method are illustrated through several examples. In particular, a complete set of potential matrix elements for electron-lithium scattering are derived for the first time using this method, which removes the frozen core approximation adopted by previous studies. This method can be readily adapted to study other many-body quantum systems.J. B. Wang and A. T. StelbovicsCopyright © 2011 J. B. Wang and A. T. Stelbovics. All rights reserved.http://www.hindawi.com/journals/apc/2011/249097/Colloidal dispersions of Ag-Pt composite nanoparticles were prepared by gamma radiolysis technique in the presence of nonionic surfactant Brij'97. Simultaneous as well as sequential reduction methods were employed in order to study the structural formation of Ag-Pt bimetallic clusters. Similar shape and trend was observed in optical spectra for both methods. Radiolysis yielded nearly spherical Ag-Pt bimetallic clusters by use of AgNO3 instead of AgClO4. The disappearance of the silver resonance and the simultaneous growth of the 260 nm resonance are independent of cluster structure and degree of alloying. To understand formation of Ag-Pt aggregate, the optical studies were also done as a function of amount of dose absorbed, concentration of surfactant, that is, Brij'97. The shape of the absorption spectrum did not change with increase in gamma radiation dose. TEM analysis exhibited fine dispersions of Ag-Pt clusters surrounded by a mantle when capped with Brij'97. The particle size obtained was in the range of 5–9 nm. On the basis of optical, XRD, and TEM analysis, alloy formation is discussed.M. K. Temgire, Jayesh Bellare, and S. S. JoshiCopyright © 2011 M. K. Temgire et al. All rights reserved.http://www.hindawi.com/journals/apc/2010/289371/Multilayers of well-ordered and close-packed 2D nanostructures of gold nanoparticles (NPs) were fabricated using a layer-by-layer technique. Colloidal spherical Au NPs of 5 and 15 nm diameters were synthesized and, respectively, self-assembled in multilayers. The robustness of these systems was insured by a combination of electrostatic and covalent bonds between nanoparticles and linker molecules. The compacity of the superlattice was characterized by AFM observation and ellipsometry measurements. Evidence of stronger cohesion of multilayers of smaller NPs size was brought by submitting the systems to sonication test. The multilayers have also proved analytical potential when used to detect low concentration methylene blue molecules adsorbed on the Au nanoparticles, by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). The detection sensitivity of these two sized Au NPs architectures was directly compared to an evaporated “bulk” Au thin film of equivalent thickness. Results have displayed a strong increase of the electromagnetic field enhancement with a decrease of the NPs size, whereas the bulk thin Au film was shown to be inefficient as a SERS substrate. These results bring a nice evidence of size effects on the global performance (SERS, cohesion) and hopefully on the stability of NPs based nanostructures.K. Mougin, S. Darwich, L. Vidal, and H. HaidaraCopyright © 2010 K. Mougin et al. All rights reserved.http://www.hindawi.com/journals/apc/2011/450912/Nanotechnology deals with the construction of new materials, devices, and different technological systems with a wide range of potential applications at the atomic and molecular level. Nanomaterials have attracted great attention for numerous applications in chemical, biological, and industrial world because of their fascinating physicochemical properties. Nanomaterials and nanodevices are being produced intentionally, unintentionally, and manufactured or engineered by different methods and released into the environment without any safety test. Nantoxicity has become the subject of concern in nanoscience and nanotechnology because of the increasing toxic effects of nanomaterials on the living organisms. Nanomaterials can move freely as compared to the large-sized particles; therefore, they can be more toxic than bulky materials. This review article delineates the toxic effects of different types of nanomaterials on the living organisms through different sources, like water, air, contact with skin, and the methods of determinations of these toxic effects.Mohmmad Younus Wani, Mohd Ali Hashim, Firdosa Nabi, and Maqsood Ahmad MalikCopyright © 2011 Mohmmad Younus Wani et al. All rights reserved.http://www.hindawi.com/journals/apc/2010/798419/We have considered a coherent population transfer to a higher excited singlet state (S2) of molecules with anomalous fluorescence in molecular assemblies (e.g., a dense medium). A direct excitation to S2 requires light in the UV region. Because of this, the transition is conveniently realized by a two-step (two-photon) process: S0→S1→S2, where transitions S0→S1 and S1→S2 correspond to the optical region. We have shown that efficient stimulated Raman adiabatic passage (STIRAP) in the ladder configuration can be realized in this case, using suitably chirped pulses, to compensate a change of the two-photon transition frequency in time, induced by the pulses themselves, due to near dipole-dipole interactions. We have provided a reduced state formulation of the optical control process. Chirping the “pump” pulse that excites transition S0→S1 is nonequivalent to chirping the “Stokes” pulse that excites transition S1→S2, with respect to the population of the intermediate state (S1) in the pulse nonadiabatic regime. We have also shown that with suitably chirped pulses, efficient STIRAP still persists even for a rather large decay of the intermediate state.B. D. Fainberg and B. LevinskyCopyright © 2010 B. D. Fainberg and B. Levinsky. All rights reserved.http://www.hindawi.com/journals/apc/2010/102167/1H NMR relaxation studies were employed to investigate potential interactions between C60 and tetraphenylporphyrin, H2[TPP], and parasubstituted tetraphenylporphyrins, H2[(p-X)4TPP], where X = CN and OCH3 in solution. The substituted porphyrins provided a means by which to investigate the role that electronic effects play in the interaction process. A comparison of the relaxation rates, R1, and correlation times, τC, of the pyrrole and phenyl hydrogens in these complexes, without and with the presence of C60, revealed that the introduction of C60 into solution did not have a noticeable effect on R1 and τC of these protons in H2[TPP], indicating the absence of long-term intermolecular interaction at either of these two sites. A similar analysis of the two protons in the other two substituted tetraphenylporphyrin analogs revealed slower molecular dynamics indicating the presence of intermolecular interactions. Stronger interactions were observed in H2[(p-OCH3)4TPP] indicating that the electron-donating abilities of the -OCH3 group promote the interaction process. Our results indicate that it is very likely that enhanced selectivity in the chemical purifications of fullerenes and metallofullerenes can be achieved by employing tetraphenylporphyrin-silica stationary phases which have been modified with electron-donating groups.C. Obondi and A. A. RodriguezCopyright © 2010 C. Obondi and A. A. Rodriguez. All rights reserved.http://www.hindawi.com/journals/apc/2010/502709/Nanostructured multilayers, composed of alternate organic (3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane, alkylthiols, polydimethylsiloxane) and metallic (gold) layers, are grafted onto glass and prepared in order to modify the mechanical and dissipative properties of a thin surface layer of the substrate. The external face is constituted either of gold or alkyl groups, allowing us to study two types of surfaces exhibiting different chemical and thermodynamic properties. The formation and the structure of the nanostructured multilayers are first examined by means of various techniques such as atomic force microscopy (AFM), wettability, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and conductivity measurements. All the results concerning the structure of the systems studied are used to understand the adhesive properties at short contact times (tack) of the multi-layers and an elastomer (polyisoprene). The influence of the structural aspects of gold layers, the length of the alkyl chains of the top layer, the terminal functionality, and the length of the confined organic layer between two gold layers on the energy of adhesion regarding the polyisoprene are clearly demonstrated. The influence of the nano-structured surface layers on adhesion phenomena is explained in terms of either the surface thermodynamics or local energy dissipation during the propagation of a fracture according to complex mechanisms.Yolla Kazzi, Houssein Awada, and Michel NardinCopyright © 2010 Yolla Kazzi et al. All rights reserved.http://www.hindawi.com/journals/apc/2010/787813/Computational tools, specifically molecular mechanical force field (MM+) and semiempirical (PM3) and density functional methods (DFT) are applied to sets of schiff bases and their complexes. The results are compared with experimental data. It is also found that the simulated IR spectra are in consistence with the experimental data.U. C. Abdul Jaleel, M. Rakhila, and Geetha ParameswaranCopyright © 2010 U. C. Abdul Jaleel et al. All rights reserved.http://www.hindawi.com/journals/apc/2009/890346/Photochemical release of nitric oxide (NO) from the S-nitroso derivatives of glutathione, L-cysteine, N-acetyl-L-cysteine, L-cysteinemethylester, D,L-penicillamine, N-acetyl-D,L-penicillamine, and N-acetylcysteamine has been investigated at neutral and acidic pH. The release of NO from RSNO is one of the key reactions that could be utilized in photodynamic therapy. The UV-VIS and HPLC analyses have shown that under argon saturated conditions, disulfide (RSSR) is the major product of UV as well as sunlight induced decomposition. While in aerated conditions, nitirite—the end product of the oxidation of NO—was also observed along with disulfide. The formation of thiyl radical as the intermediate was reconfirmed by laser flash photolysis. The initial rate of formation of NO was on the order of 10−5 dm3 mol−1 s−1. The quantum yields of these reactions were in the range of 0.2–0.8. The high quantum yields observed in the photo induced release of NO from RSNO using both UV and sunlight demonstrate the potential application of these reactions in photodynamic therapy.Manoj M. Veleeparampil, Usha K. Aravind, and C. T. AravindakumarCopyright © 2009 Manoj M. Veleeparampil et al. All rights reserved.http://www.hindawi.com/journals/apc/2009/365949/Electronic spectra of copper(II) complexes CuL2 and Cu2L2Ac2 (L-2-[2-hydroxy-phenil]-4,4-diphenyl-1,2-dihydro-4H-3,1-benzoxazine, Ac –CH3COO-) (L) in chloroform are studied. It is shown that complex Cul2 has rhombic bipyramid polyhedron and complex Cu2L2Ac2 has tetragonal pyramidal polyhedron of copper ion. Results of definition of geometry for complexes in solution correlate with structure of solid complexes.S. N. Bolotin, E. L. Isaeva, M. H. Shamsutdinova, K. S. Pushkareva, and N. N. BukovCopyright © 2009 S. N. Bolotin et al. All rights reserved.http://www.hindawi.com/journals/apc/2009/631815/We report the synergetic effect between palladium and indium oxide on hydrogen production in the steam reforming reaction of ethyl alcohol. The palladium/indium oxide catalyst shows higher hydrogen production rate than indium oxide and palladium. Palladium/indium oxide affords ketonization of ethyl alcohol with negligible by-product carbon monoxide, while indium oxide mainly affords dehydration of ethyl alcohol, and palladium affords decomposition of ethyl alcohol with large amount of by-product carbon monoxide. The catalytic feature of palladium/indium oxide can be ascribed to the formation of palladium-indium intermetallic component during the reaction as confirmed by X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic measurements.Tetsuo Umegaki, Yusuke Yamada, Atsushi Ueda, Nobuhiro Kuriyama, and Qiang XuCopyright © 2009 Tetsuo Umegaki et al. All rights reserved.http://www.hindawi.com/journals/apc/2009/146849/The reversible control of primary and secondary self-assemblies was attained using a poly(4-allyloxystyrene)-block-polystyrene diblock copolymer (PASt-b-PSt) through variations in temperature. The copolymer showed no self-assembly in cyclohexane over 35∘C and existed as a unimer with a 37.1 nm hydrodynamic diameter. When the temperature was lowered to 30∘C, the copolymer formed micelles with 269.9 nm by the primary self-assembly. As the result of further lowering the temperature to 20∘C, the secondary self-assembly of the micelles occurred to produce ca. 2975.9 nm aggregates. The aggregates were dissociated into unimers by increasing the temperature up to 40∘C. The light scattering studies demonstrated that the thermoresponsivity of the copolymer showed good hysteresis throughout the variation in the temperature in the range between 20 and 40∘C, based on the Marquadt analysis of the hydrodynamic diameter distribution. It was found that the primary and secondary self-assemblies of the copolymer were perfectly controlled by the temperature.Eri Yoshida and Satoshi KuwayamaCopyright © 2009 Eri Yoshida and Satoshi Kuwayama. All rights reserved.http://www.hindawi.com/journals/apc/2009/371650/Fuchs found phenomena that when high voltage is applied to deionized water filled in two contacted beakers, a floating water bridge forms spontaneously. In this paper, we examined flow direction of water bridge and what effects the addition of electrolytes such as NaCl, NaOH, and NH4Cl to the floating water bridge would give. We found that ionization degree reduced the length of water bridge though insoluble electrolyte Al2O3 had no effect on the length of water bridge.Hideo Nishiumi and Fumitaka HondaCopyright © 2009 Hideo Nishiumi and Fumitaka Honda. All rights reserved.http://www.hindawi.com/journals/apc/2009/927329/The intrinsic viscosity of the coagulant protein was evaluated from the flow times of the protein solutions through a capillary viscometer, and the results suggested the coagulant protein to be globular. The interactions of the coagulant protein with anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) and sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS) were also investigated by capillary viscometry. We conclude that there is strong protein-surfactant interaction at very low surfactant concentrations, and the behavior of the anionic surfactants in solutions containing coagulant protein is very similar. The viscometry results of protein-SDS system are compared with surface tension, fluorescence, and circular dichroism reported earlier. Combining the results of the four studies, the four approaches seem to confirm the same picture of the coagulant protein-SDS interaction. All the physical quantities when studied as function of surfactant concentration for 0.05% (w/v) protein solution either exhibited a maximum or minimum at a critical SDS concentration.Raymond Maikokera and Habauka M. KwaambwaCopyright © 2009 Raymond Maikokera and Habauka M. Kwaambwa. All rights reserved.http://www.hindawi.com/journals/apc/2009/309292/Secondary electron energy and angle dependent differential cross sections for the production of cations SiHn+ (n=0–3), H2+ and H+ resulting from dissociative ionization of SiH4by electron collision have been evaluated at fixed incident electron energies of 100 and 200 eV. The semiempirical formulation of Jain and Khare which requires the oscillator strength data as a major input has been employed. In the absence of experimental data for differential cross sections, the corresponding derived integral partial and total ionization cross sections in the energy range varying from ionization threshold to 1000 eV revealed a satisfactory agreement with the available experimental and theoretical data. We have also evaluated the ionization rate coefficients on the basis of calculated partial ionization cross sections and Maxwell-Boltzmann energy distributions.Satyendra Pal, Neeraj Kumar, and AnshuCopyright © 2009 Satyendra Pal et al. All rights reserved.http://www.hindawi.com/journals/apc/2009/350424/Imperfect mixing is a concern in industrial processes, everyday processes (mixing paint, bread machines), and in understanding salt water-fresh water mixing in ecosystems. The effects of imperfect mixing become evident in the unstirred ferroin-catalyzed Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction, the prototype for chemical pattern formation. Over time, waves of oxidation (high ferriin concentration, blue) propagate into a background of low ferriin concentration (red); their structure reflects in part the history of mixing in the reaction vessel. However, it may be difficult to separate mixing effects from reaction effects. We describe a simpler model system for visualizing density-driven pattern formation in an essentially unmixed chemical system: the reaction of pale yellow Fe3+ with colorless SCN− to form the blood-red Fe(SCN)2+ complex ion in aqueous solution. Careful addition of one drop of Fe(NO3)3 to KSCN yields striped patterns after several minutes. The patterns appear reminiscent of Rayleigh-Taylor instabilities and convection rolls, arguing that pattern formation is caused by density-driven mixing.Sabrina G. Sobel, Harold M. Hastings, and Matthew TestaCopyright © 2009 Sabrina G. Sobel et al. All rights reserved.