Non-parametric estimation of lifetime and repair time criteria for a semi-Markov process

In this Note, we model an industrial system by a semi-Markov process where failure and repair phenomena are in mutual competition. A non-parametric estimation method for system component lifetime and repair time distributions and for associated hazard rate functions is proposed. The lifetime and repair time empirical distributions are reduced to two Kaplan–Meier estimators. A numerical example from an industrial system with three components and one repair man modeled by a birth and death process is provided to illustrate the previous results. To cite this article: A.-L. Afchain, C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris, Ser. I 339 (2004).     

Direct synthesis of new arylanthranilic acids via a Suzuki cross-coupling reaction from iodoisatins

Direct synthesis of new arylanthranilic acids via a Suzuki cross-coupling reaction with iodoisatins as key intermediates is described. A ‘one pot’ procedure is proposed.     

Efficient and simple synthesis of 3-aryl-1H-pyrazoles

Efficient preparation of 3-aryl-1H-pyrazoles by reaction of 1-protected-5-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolan-2-yl)-1H-pyrazoles with (het)aryl halides is described. The choice of THP protecting group is discussed.     

Synthesis of azafluorenones and related compounds using deprotocupration–aroylation followed by intramolecular direct arylation

The efficiency of the deprotocupration–aroylation of 2-chloropyridine using lithiocuprates prepared from CuX (X=Cl, Br) and LiTMP (TMP=2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidido, 2 equiv) was investigated. CuCl was identified as a more suitable copper source than CuBr for this purpose. Different diaryl ketones bearing a halogen at the 2 position of one of the aryl groups were synthesized in this way from azines and thiophenes. These were then involved in palladium-catalyzed ring closure: substrates underwent expected CH-activation-type arylation to afford fluorenone-type compounds, and were also subjected to cyclization reactions leading to xanthones, notably in the presence of oxygen-containing substituents or reagents.     

Adding Value in Production of Multifunctional Polylactide (PLA)–ZnO Nanocomposite Films through Alternative Manufacturing Methods

Due to the added value conferred by zinc oxide (ZnO) nanofiller, e.g., UV protection, antibacterial action, gas-barrier properties, poly(lactic acid) (PLA)–ZnO nanocomposites show increased interest for utilization as films, textile fibers, and injection molding items. The study highlights the beneficial effects of premixing ZnO in PLA under given conditions and its use as masterbatch (MB), a very promising alternative manufacturing technique. This approach allows reducing the residence time at high processing temperature of the thermo-sensitive PLA matrix in contact of ZnO nanoparticles known for their aptitude to promote degradation effects onto the polyester chains. Various PLA–ZnO MBs containing high contents of silane-treated ZnO nanoparticles (up to 40 wt.% nanofiller specifically treated with triethoxycaprylylsilane) were produced by melt-compounding using twin-screw extruders. Subsequently, the selected MBs were melt blended with pristine PLA to produce nanocomposite films containing 1–3 wt.% ZnO. By comparison to the more traditional multi-step process, the MB approach allowed the production of nanocomposites (films) having improved processing and enhanced properties: PLA chains displaying higher molecular weights, improved thermal stability, fine nanofiller distribution, and thermo-mechanical characteristic features, while the UV protection was confirmed by UV-vis spectroscopy measurements. The MB alternative is viewed as a promising flexible technique able to open new perspectives to produce more competitive multifunctional PLA–ZnO nanocomposites.     

Experimental demonstration of a narrowband, angular tolerant, polarization independent, doubly periodic resonant grating filter

Resonant grating filters are promising components for free-space narrowband filtering. Unfortunately, due to their weak angular tolerance, their performances are strongly deteriorated when they are illuminated with a standard collimated beam. Yet this problem can be overcome by resorting to a complex periodic pattern known as the doubly periodic grating [Lemarchand et al., Opt. Lett.23, 1149 (1998)]. We report what we believe to be the first experimental fabrication and characterization of a bidimensional doubly periodic grating filter. We obtained a 0.5 nm bandpass polarization independent reflection filter for telecom wavelengths (1520-1570 nm) that presents a transmittivity minimum of 18% with a standard incident collimated beam.     

On the speed of a cookie random walk

We consider the model of the one-dimensional cookie random walk when the initial cookie distribution is spatially uniform and the number of cookies per site is finite. We give a criterion to decide whether the limiting speed of the walk is non-zero. In particular, we show that a positive speed may be obtained for just three cookies per site. We also prove a result on the continuity of the speed with respect to the initial cookie distribution.      

Biosensors elaborated on gold nanoparticles, a PM-IRRAS characterisation of the IgG binding efficiency

This work is focused on studying the grafting of gold nanoparticles (Np) on a cystamine self-assembled monolayer on gold, in order to build sensitive immunosensors. The synthesis and deposition of gold nanoparticles, 13 and 55 nm sizes, were characterised by combining Polarisation Modulation Infrared Reflection-Absorption Spectroscopy (PM-IRRAS), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS), and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) which all indicated the formation of a dispersed layer of nanoparticles. This observation is explained by the compromise between the high reactivity of amine-terminated layers towards gold, and interparticle repulsions. Nps were then functionalised with antibody probes, and the recognition by an anti-rIgG was assayed both on planar and Np gold surfaces.The important result is that nanoparticles of 55 nm are preferable for the following reasons: they enable to build a denser and well dispersed layer and they increase both the number of receptors (IgGs) and their accessibility. Beside these geometric improvements, a net enhancement of the Raman signal was observed on the 55 nm nanoparticle layer, making this new platform promising for optical detection based biosensors.