Spectroscopic Properties and Laser Induced Fluorescence Determination of Some Endocrine Disrupting Compounds

This work presents spectroscopic properties of some Endocrine Disrupting Compounds (EDCs), frequently found in food and in natural water. Studied molecules belong to the groups of phenolic and phthalate EDCs. In a first part, we have examined their absorption and fluorescence properties. Fluorescence emission wavelengths are about 300 nm for phenolic compounds and 360 nm for phtalate compounds; main excitation wavelengths being comprised between 210 nm and 230 nm. Fluorescence lifetimes measured are short (about 4 ns) and the fluorescence quantum yield has been determined. In a second part, to avoid the time consuming solvent extraction step, an analytical application to evaluate the performance of a direct analysis by laser induced fluorescence spectroscopy of ECDs traces in tap water and in raw water is presented. Good detection limits have been obtained, i.e.: 0.35 μg.L⁻¹ of chlorophenol in tap water, which are always lower than the reported Predictive Non Efficient Concentration (PNEC).     

Directed flow at midrapidity in heavy-ion collisions

It was recently shown that fluctuations in the initial geometry of a heavy-ion collision generally result in a dipole asymmetry of the distribution of outgoing particles. This asymmetry, unlike the usual directed flow, is expected to be present at a wide range of rapidity--including midrapidity. The first evidence of this phenomenon can be seen in recent two-particle correlation data by the STAR Collaboration, providing the last element necessary to quantitatively describe long-range dihadron correlations. We extract differential directed flow from these data and propose a new direct measurement.     

A computer assistant for vehicle dispatching with learning capabilities

In this paper, we describe an expert consulting system for a dispatcher working in a courier service company. The system integrates interactive-graphic features and a learning module to support the dispatcher in his(her) task, and to suggest appropriate decisions when new requests come in. An experiment with a professional dispatcher is also reported.     

Invariants of real rational symplectic 4-manifolds and lower bounds in real enumerative geometry

Following the approach of Gromov and Witten, we construct invariants under deformation of real rational symplectic 4-manifolds. These invariants provide lower bounds for the number of real rational J-holomorphic curves in a given homology class passing through a given real configuration of points. To cite this article: J.-Y. Welschinger, C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris, Ser. I 336 (2003).     

Structural features and protonation site of epibatidine in the gas phase: an investigation through infrared multiphoton dissociation spectroscopy and computational chemistry

The gas phase structures of epibatidine, one of the most potent agonists of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), are determined by means of infrared multiphoton dissociation (IRMPD) spectroscopy and quantum chemistry calculations. Comparison of the experimental and theoretical spectra provides evidence that about 15% of epibatidine is protonated on the Nsp(2) nitrogen in the gas phase. In contrast, the computational study of deschloroepibatidine shows that in the gas phase, the molecule is present only protonated on the Nsp(2) nitrogen. The main minima of the Nsp(2) protonated forms of the two molecules are strongly stabilized by intramolecular CH···Nsp(3) hydrogen bonds. The fundamental insights obtained in the present study on these two important nAChRs agonists show how subtle chemical modifications can have a deep impact on important physicochemical properties.     

Synthesis of benzo analogs of oxoarcyriaflavins and caulersine

In the course of a program aimed at designing new antitumor agents, we were interested in the synthesis of mixed structures of maleimidophenyl carbazoles and natural product caulersine as potential CDK inhibitors. This was performed through an efficient four-step sequence starting from indole or 3-formyl-N-Boc indole. 5H-Benzocycloheptaindol-6-one derivatives equipped with a fused maleimide (oxophenylarcyriaflavins) or a methyl ester (benzo analog of caulersine) on the central tropone ring were thus obtained.     

Über die Bildung von Dihydro-1,2-oxazin-N-oxiden durch intramolekulare Addition eines Nitronat-Anions an eine Carbonylgruppe

The Formation of Dihydro-1,2-oxazine N-Oxides through an Intramolecular Addition of a Nitronate Anion to a Carbonyl Group Highly substituted 4-keto-1-nitroalkanes cyclize under basic conditions to dihydro-1,2-oxazine N-oxides. These N-oxides are thermally unstable and decompose to 1,4-diketones, BF₃ catalyzes a similar decomposition, but probably via a different mechanism.     

Generalized fractional programming: Algorithms and numerical experimentation

Several algorithms to solve the generalized fractional program are summarized and compared numerically in the linear case. These algorithms are iterative procedures requiring the solution of a linear programming problem at each iteration in the linear case. The most efficient algorithm is obtained by marrying the Newton approach within the Dinkelbach approach for fractional programming.