Sufficient conditions of non‐uniqueness for the Coulomb friction problem

We consider the Signorini problem with Coulomb friction in elasticity. Sufficient conditions of non‐uniqueness are obtained for the continuous model. These conditions are linked to the existence of real eigenvalues of an operator in a Hilbert space. We prove that, under appropriate conditions, real eigenvalues exist for a non‐local Coulomb friction model. Finite element approximation of the eigenvalue problem is considered and numerical experiments are performed. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Symmetry character of collective states in 104Pd populated in the EC-β+ decay of 104Ag

The states of ¹⁰⁴Pd, populated in the EC-β⁺ decay of the ground ( J ^π = 5⁺) and metastable ( J ^π = 2⁺) states of ¹⁰⁴Ag, have been investigated in the framework of the proton-neutron interacting boson model, extending a previous analysis to take into account the newly appeared experimental data. All positive-parity states up to an excitation energy of 3 MeV and spin in the range J = 1-6, fed by more than 0.3% in the decay of the parent nucleus, have been considered. As a result, strong evidence has been found for interpreting most of these states as states of collective nature having a quite pure full- or mixed-symmetry character and, in particular, for identifying the 1⁺ level at 2276 keV as the lowest 1⁺ mixed-symmetry state.     

Effect of stoichiometry on liquid crystalline supramolecular polymers formed with complementary nucleobase pair interactions

We report herein studies on the liquid crystalline behavior of a series of supramolecular materials that contain different ratios of two complementary symmetrically-substituted alkoxy-bis(phenylethynyl)benzene AA- and BB-type monomers. One monomer has thymine units placed at either end of the rigid mesogenic core, while the other has N⁶-(4-methoxybenzoyl)-adenine units placed on the ends. Differential scanning calorimetric and polarized optical microscopy studies have been carried out on these systems. These studies show that the material's behavior is strongly dependent on its thermal history. As a result, the materials can exhibit, on heating, either a liquid crystalline phase, a crystalline phase, or the coexistence of crystalline and liquid crystalline regions. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 5049–5059, 2006     

Electrophoretically mediated microanalysis with partial filling technique and indirect or direct detection as a tool for inhibition studies of enzymatic reaction

The inhibition of the model enzyme, haloalkane dehalogenase from Sphingomonas paucimobilis, was investigated by a combination of electrophoretically mediated microanalysis with a partial filling technique, followed by indirect or direct detection. In this setup, part of the capillary is filled with a buffer suitable for the enzymatic reaction (20 mM glycine buffer, pH 8.6) whereas the rest of the capillary is filled with the background electrolyte optimal for separation of substrates and products. Two different background electrolytes and corresponding detection approaches were used to show the versatility of the developed method. The inhibition effect of 1,2-dichloroethane on the dehalogenation of brominated substrate 1-bromobutane was studied by means of 10 mM chromate - 0.1 mM cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (pH 9.2) in combination with indirect detection or 20 mM beta-alanine - hydrochloric acid (pH 3.5) in combination with direct detection. The method was used to estimate the inhibition constant K(I) (0.44 mM by indirect detection and 0.63 mM by of direct detection) and to determine the inhibition type. Compared to spectrophotometric and other discontinuous assays, the method is rapid, can be automated, and requires only small amount of reagents that is especially important in the case of enzymes and inhibitors.     

Selection of a Representative Matrix for Calibration in Multianalyte Determination of Pesticides in Vegetables by Liquid Chromatography-Electrospray Tandem Mass Spectrometry

An analytical method for determining residues of twenty pesticides by liquid chromatography (LC) coupled to electrospray ionisation (ESI) tandem mass spectrometry (MS-MS) in eight commodities, cucumber, tomato, pepper, green bean, eggplant, zucchini, melon and watermelon, has been developed and validated. On one hand, calibration curves prepared in solvent were compared with calibration curves prepared in a blank matrix extract of each target matrix. On the other hand, calibration curves and recoveries for each commodity were compared. Cucumber was selected as potential reference matrix for the target vegetables.     

Phosphorus Pentachloride (PCl5) Mediated Synthesis of Tetraarylporphyrins

A new synthesis of porphyrins from pyrrole and substituted benzaldehydes is described, with PCl₅ as catalyst. Aromatic aldehydes condense irreversibly with pyrrole in the presence of this catalyst, and aerobic oxidation of porphyrinogen provides functionalized porphyrins in yields of 20–65%.     

Thermal stability of perfluoroalkanesulfonic acids and their anhydrides. New and easy approach to RFSO2ORF esters.

Perfluoroalkanesulfonic anhydrides (R_FSO₂)₂O when mixed with acids decompose into perfluoroalkanesulfonic esters R_FSO₂OR_F, thereby providing a new facile synthesis of these esters from perfluoroalkanesulfonic acids and phosphorus pentoxide.     

A Facile One-Pot Synthesis of Highly-Functionalized Stable Heterocyclic Phosphorus Ylides in Aqueous Media

Phthalimide or succinimide undergo a reaction with dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates and triphenylphosphine to produce highly-functionalized stable heterocyclic phosphorus ylides in good yields in water-tetrahydrofuran (6:1). This methodology is of interest because of the use of water as solvent, thus minimizing the cost, operational hazards, and environmental pollution.