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D O López

Publications and source records attributed to D O López.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

Two-component system CCl4 + (CH3)3CBr: extrema in equilibria involving orientationally disordered phases.

Phase equilibria involving orientationally disordered (OD) and liquid phases of the two-component system between carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and 2-methyl-2-bromomethane ((CH3)3CBr) have been determined by means of X-ray powder diffraction and thermal analysis techniques from 210 K up to the liquid state. The isomorphism relation between the OD stable face-centered cubic (FCC) phase of (CH3)3CBr and the metastable FCC phase of CCl4 has been demonstrated throughout the continuous evolution of the lattice parameters and the existence of the two-phase equilibrium [FCC + L] for the whole range of composition, despite the monotropy of the FCC phase for the CCl4 component with respect to its OD rhombohedral (R) stable phase. A continuous series of OD R mixed crystals is found, which confirms the R lattice symmetry of the OD phase II of (CH3)3CBr, for which the crystallographic results have been long-time misinterpreted. X-ray patterns of such a phase were indexed according to the recent single-crystal results obtained by Rudman (Rudman, R. J. Mol. Struct. 2001, 569, 157). In addition, some experimental evidences are given to confirm the number of molecules per unit cell (Z = 21). The thermodynamic assessment reproduces coherently the phase diagram for the stable [R + L] and [R + FCC] two-phase equilibria as well as for the partially metastable [FCC + L] two-phase equilibrium and provides a set of data for the thermodynamic properties of nonexperimentally available phase transitions of pure components. Surprisingly, the phase equilibrium involving R and FCC OD phases appears as one of the very few showing a solid-solid equilibrium with two extremes.

Journal Article↗

Thermodynamic and dielectric studies concerning the influence of cylindrical submicrometer confinement on heptyloxycyanobiphenyl.

Measurements of the specific heat and the static dielectric permittivity of heptyloxycyanobiphenyl (7OCB) confined to the 0.2 microm diameter parallel cylindrical pores of Anopore membranes in the isotropic phase and nematic mesophase, are presented. A comparison between the bulk and the confined 7OCB in treated and untreated pore wall surfaces using a chemical surfactant (HTBA) is performed. Both the treated and untreated membrane confinements seem to affect the nematic-to-isotropic phase transition by a downshift in transition temperature and some rounding at the specific-heat maximum, in a way similar to that which was earlier published for other liquid crystals confined in the same geometry. The static dielectric measurements clearly point out that untreated membrane confinement is axial, with the nematic director aligned parallel to the pore axis being homeotropic bulklike, i.e., with the nematic director aligned perpendicular to the electrode cell surfaces. After chemical surfactant treatment, the nematic director is constrained in a radial alignment being perpendicular to the pore walls. The dielectric measurements are revealed to be specially sensible to analyze the surface-induced nematic order due to the pore wall. The tricritical nature of the nematic-to-isotropic phase transition in bulk 7OCB as well as in treated and untreated Anopore confined geometries is discussed through both the specific heat and the static dielectric data.

Journal Article↗

Experimentally contaminated reabsorbable meshes: their evolution in abdominal wall defects.

Contamination by septic materials may represent an important handicap in evaluating the tolerance of reabsorbable prostheses, increasing the possible onset of abdominal fistulae. This is also the case when these materials are used in the treatment of abdominal wall defects. Nevertheless, reabsorbable meshes exist that allow visceroprosthetic contact without risk, thus making it possible to use them in spite of the presence of infection. We have performed this experimental study with the aim of evaluating the behaviour and evolution of polyglycolic acid reabsorbable meshes contaminated by septic materials in the treatment of abdominal wall defects. For this purpose, 40 Wistar rats were operated and distributed into two series of 20 animals each. Massive mesh contamination by fecaloid material did not jeopardise the fact that prostheses were well tolerated in experimental animals throughout the reabsorption process, without increasing the incidence of infection.

Abdominal Muscles↗