Entrapment and release of sodium polystyrene sulfonate (SPS) from calcium alginate gel beads

The release of sodium polystyrene sulfonate (SPS) from calcium alginate hydrogel beads has been studied. It has been shown that the structure of the cross-linked calcium alginate network is of primary importance in the retention and/or release of the SPS. This has been evidenced by studying the influence of Ca²⁺ concentration, molar masses (M_n) and the ratio of mannuronic acid/guluronic acid components. A minimum in the SPS release is observed in relation with the organization of the network structure. Conditions inducing the organization of a strong gel (e.g. high Ca²⁺ concentration for example) are not always related to a low release. A good control of release is found when a compromise between a well-structured hydrogel and sterical consideration of SPS is reached.     

Rheological Behavior and Non-enzymatic Degradation of a Sulfated Galactan from Halymenia durvillei (Halymeniales, Rhodophyta)

The rheological behavior of a sulfated galactan extracted from Halymenia durvillei, a red seaweed collected in the coastal waters of a small island of Madagascar (Nosy-be in Indian Ocean), was investigated in dilute and semi-dilute solutions. In dilute solution with NaCl at 0.3?M, the polysaccharide adopted a coil conformation whereas, at higher concentrations, the polymer had the behavior of shear-thinning fluid, typical of polymer with high molar mass or semi-rigid conformation. Degradations of this lambda carrageenan-like, using radical depolymerization, and high-pressure homogenization led to several samples of various and controlled molar masses. The measure of their intrinsic viscosities permitted the determination of the relationship of Mark?CHouwink?CSakurada.     

Thermo‐ and pH‐sensitive triblock copolymers with tunable hydrophilic/hydrophobic properties

Polymers consisting of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and statistical poly[(acrylic acid)‐co‐(tert‐butylacrylate)] (P(AA‐co‐tBA)), attached to both extremities of Jeffamine® (D series based on a poly(propylene oxide) (PPO) with one amine function at each end) using atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) are presented in this article. An original bifunctional amide‐based macroinitiator was first elaborated from Jeffamine®. tBA polymerization was subsequently initiated from this macroinitiator. This polymerization occurs in a well‐controlled manner leading to narrow molecular weights distribution. Amphiphilic copolymers were finally obtained after complete or partial hydrolysis of the PtBA blocks into PAA. The control of the partial hydrolysis of tBA units, conducted in a concentrated HCl/tetrahydrofuran mixture, is demonstrated. The properties of the triblock copolymers were preliminary investigated in aqueous solution by absorbance, DLS measurements and SEC/MALS/DV/DRI analysis as a function of temperature and pH modifications, providing evidences of thermo‐ and pH‐sensitive self‐assembly of the copolymers. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 2606–2616     

Security of quantum key distribution with coherent states and homodyne detection

We assess the security of a quantum key distribution protocol relying on the transmission of Gaussian-modulated coherent states and homodyne detection. This protocol is shown to be equivalent to an entanglement purification protocol using CSS codes followed by key extraction, and is thus secure against any eavesdropping strategy.     

Scale size of magnetic turbulence in tokamaks probed with 30-MeV electrons

Measurements of synchrotron radiation emitted by 30-MeV runaway electrons in the TEXTOR-94 tokamak show that the runaway population decays after switching on neutral beam injection (NBI). The decay starts only with a significant delay, which decreases with increasing NBI heating power. This delay provides direct evidence of the energy dependence of runaway confinement, which is expected if magnetic modes govern the loss of runaways. Application of the theory by Mynick and Strachan [Phys. Fluids 24, 695 (1981)] yields estimates for the "mode width" (delta) of magnetic perturbations: delta<0.5 cm in Ohmic discharges, increasing to delta = 4.4 cm for 0. 6 MW NBI.     

Large deviations for sums of i.i.d. random compact sets

We prove a large deviation principle for Minkowski sums of i.i.d. random compact sets in a Banach space, that is, the analog of Cramér theorem for random compact sets.

     

Multiple Space Debris Collecting Mission—Debris Selection and Trajectory Optimization

This paper investigates the cost requirement for a space debris collecting mission aimed at removing heavy debris from low Earth orbits. The problem mixes combinatorial optimization to select the debris among a list of candidates and functional optimization to define the orbital manoeuvres. The solving methodology proceeds in two steps: Firstly, a specific transfer strategy with impulsive manoeuvres is defined so that the problem becomes of finite dimension; secondly the problem is linearized around an initial reference solution. A Branch and Bound algorithm is then applied iteratively to optimize simultaneously the debris selection and the orbital manoeuvres, yielding a new reference solution. The optimal solutions found are close to the initial guess despite a very complicated design space. The method is exemplified on a representative application case.     

Controlled assembly of bacteria on chemical patterns using soft lithography

Highly ordered arrays of single living bacteria were obtained by selective adsorption of bacteria onto chemical patterns with micrometric resolution. The chemically engineered template surfaces were prepared with the combination of microcontact printing process and a simple incubation technique. This methodology can be used for fundamental studies of bacterium's inner mechanisms and sub-cellular organization as well as for interfacing living bacteria with artificial microsystems.     

Synthesis and physicochemical characterization of a novel ampholytic pullulan derivative with amphiphilic behavior in alkaline media

Pullulan derivative was synthesized by coupling carboxymethylpullulan (degree of substitution DS(0)(in)=0.7) and dimethylaminopropylamine (DMAPA), activated by a hydrosoluble carbodiimide N(')-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDAC). FTIR and (13)C and (1)H NMR spectroscopic analyses have evidenced that the polysaccharide has been successfully modified. (1)H NMR, nitrogen analysis, and conductimetric measurements allow determination of the degree of substitution in both carboxylic acid and amine functions. We have found that both functions present a similar DS of 0.35, which is characteristic of an ampholytic polymer with possible zwitterionic-type properties. Solution properties have been studied by flow field flow fractionation (F4) coupled on-line with multiangle laser light scattering (MALLS) and quasi elastic light scattering (QELS), surface tension, and viscosity measurements. The behavior has been found largely pH dependent and an amphiphilic behavior has been evidenced in alkaline media.