Testing the reliability of non-LTE spectroscopic models for complex ions

Collisional-radiative atomic models are widely used to help diagnose experimental plasma conditions through fitting and interpreting measured spectra. Here we present the results of a code comparison in which a variety of models determined plasma temperatures and densities by finding the best fit to an experimental L-shell Kr spectrum from a well characterized, but not benchmarked, laser plasma. While variations in diagnostic strategies and qualities of fit were significant, the results generally confirmed the typically quoted uncertainties for such diagnostics of ±20% in electron temperature and factors of about two in density. The comparison also highlighted some model features important for spectroscopic diagnostics: fine structure was required to match line positions and relative intensities within each charge state and for density diagnostics based on emission from metastable states; an extensive configuration set was required to fit the wings of satellite features and to reliably diagnose the temperature through the inferred charge state distribution; and the inclusion of self-consistent opacity effects was an important factor in the quality of the fit.     

Numerical integration based on bivariate quadratic spline quasi-interpolants on Powell-Sabin partitions

In this paper we generate and study new cubature formulas based on spline quasi-interpolants in the space of quadratic Powell-Sabin splines on nonuniform triangulations of a polygonal domain in ?². By using a specific refinement of a generic triangulation, optimal convergence orders are obtained for some of these rules. Numerical tests are presented for illustrating the theoretical results.     

Sarcophytolides G–L,New Biscembranoids from the Soft Coral Sarcophyton elegans

Six new biscembranoids, namely, sarcophytolides G–L ( 1 – 6 , resp.), together with six known analogs, were isolated from a marine soft coral Sarcophyton elegans. The structures of the new compounds were established on the basis of 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR (COSY, HSQC, HMBC, and NOESY) spectroscopic analysis together with the aid of MS, CD, and IR data. The unusual isobiscembranoid sarcophytolide G ( 1 ) was found for the first time in the genus Sarcophyton.     

A Convenient Procedure for N-Amination of 4-OXO-1,4-Dihydroquinolines

A high yielding N-amination of quinolones at low temperature via the use of O-mesitylenesulfonylhydroxylamine is reported.     

The combi-CLEA approach: enzymatic cascade synthesis of enantiomerically pure (S)-mandelic acid

Enantiomerically pure (S)-mandelic acid was synthesised from benzaldehyde by sequential hydrocyanation and hydrolysis in a bienzymatic cascade at starting concentrations up to 0.25 M. A cross-linked enzyme aggregate (CLEA) composed of the (S)-selective oxynitrilase from Manihot esculenta and the non-selective nitrilase from Pseudomonas fluorescens EBC 191 was employed as the biocatalyst. The nitrilase produces approx. equal amounts of (S)-mandelic acid and (S)-mandelic amide from (S)-mandelonitrile under standard conditions, but we surprisingly found that high (up to 0.5 M) concentrations of HCN induced a marked drift towards amide production. By including the amidase from Rhodococcus erythopolis in the CLEA we obtained (S)-mandelic acid as the sole product in 90% yield and >99% enantiomeric purity.     

Healable dual organic–inorganic crosslinked sol–gel based polymers: Crosslinking density and tetrasulfide content effect

In this article, the first generation of healable sol–gel based polymers is reported. A dual organic–inorganic crosslinked network is developed containing non‐reversible crosslinks and reversible (tetrasulfide) groups. The designed polymer architecture allows thermally induced mesoscale flow leading to damage closure followed by interfacial strength restoration due to reformation of the reversible groups. While the reversible bonds are responsible for the flow and the interface restoration, the irreversible crosslinks control the required mechanical integrity during the healing process. The temperature dependent gap closure kinetics is strongly affected by the crosslinking density and tetrasulfide content. Raman spectroscopy is used to explain the gap closure kinetics in air and dry nitrogen. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 1953–1961