Effect of the acyl group and the dodecylsulfonate chain on the inclusion of pyrene inside the cavity of β-cyclodextrin

The solubilization of pyrene in aqueous solution of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) or its derivatives such as β-CD-hexanoyl, β-CD-benzoyl and β-CD-dodecylsulfonate was investigated by spectrophotometry. Linear and non-linear regression methods were used to estimate the association constants (K₁). A 1:1 stoichiometric ratio and different effects of the hexanoyl, benzoyl and dodecylsulfonate groups on the association constant were observed for the binary inclusion complex between pyrene and β-CD. The formation constant was shown to decrease when β-CD was modified by a dodecylsulfonate chain. The value of K₁ was 190 ± 10 L mol⁻¹ for the [pyrene/β-CD] complex and 145 L mol⁻¹ for the [pyrene/β-CD-dodecylsulfonate] complex. Partitioning of the pyrene molecules between the dodecylsulfonate chains and cyclodextrin cavities can explain the decrease in the association constant value. In the cases of β-CD-hexanoyl and β-CD-benzoyl derivatives, no association constants were detected. Results suggest that the high hydrophobicity of the hexanoyl and benzoyl groups prevents the inclusion of pyrene molecules inside the cyclodextrin cavity.     

Controlled synthesis of homopolymers and block copolymers based on 2-(acetoacetoxy)ethyl methacrylate via RAFT radical polymerisation

Reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) radical polymerisation enables to synthesise well-defined homopolymers and block copolymers based on 2-(acetoacetoxy)ethyl methacrylate, which are capable to strongly coordinate to metals and metal ions.     

Characterization of polylactic acid green composites and its biodegradation in a bacterial environment

The growing interest in the preservation of our environment is pushing for solutions to develop less impacting materials. Thus, the development of biocomposites and is recyclable and compostable end-of-life resources seem an interesting alternative. In this study, the characterization of Polylactic acid (PLA) reinforced with treated and untreated Olive husk flour (OHF) were investigated. More then, their biodegradation with a Bacillus sp. has been evaluated. The main results show that the bacteria degraded both the PLA and the composite. This degradation was confirmed by the release of reducing sugars as well as increasing weight loss of PLA matrix and composites.     

A Taylor collocation method for solving delay integral equations

A numerical method based on the use of Taylor polynomials is proposed to construct a collocation solution $u\in S_{m-1}^{(-1)}(\Pi _{N})$ for approximating the solution of delay integral equations. It is shown that this method is convergent. Some numerical examples are given to show the validity of the presented method.     

Numerical investigations of the XFEM for solving two-phase incompressible flows

This paper discusses the application of the extended finite element method (XFEM) to solve two-phase incompressible flows. The Navier–Stokes equations are discretised using the Taylor–Hood finite element. To capture the different discontinuities across the interface, kink or jump enrichments are used for the velocity and/or pressure fields. However, these enrichments may lead to an inappropriate combination of interpolations. Different polynomial enrichment orders and different enrichment functions are investigated; only the stable combination will be used afterward.

In cases with a surface tension force, the accuracy mainly relies on the precise computation of the normal and curvature. A novel method for computing normal vectors to the interface is proposed. This method employs successive mesh refinements inside the cut elements. Comparisons with analytical and numerical solutions demonstrate that the method is effective. Moreover, the mesh refinement improves the sub-integration in the XFEM and allows for a precise re-initialisation procedure.     

1,4-Induction in aldol reactions of (tertiary α′-alkoxy)methyl ketones: synthesis of the C8–C11 stereotriad of ent-fostriecin

A diastereoselective, boron-mediated aldol process inspired by the natural product fostriecin is described. Using a tertiary α′-stereocenter as the induction element, aldol adducts are provided with high yields, good to excellent levels of diastereoselection, and broad substrate scope. An Evans–Tischencko reduction of the aldol adduct from cinnamaldehyde resulted in the C₈–C₁₁ stereotriad of ent-fostriecin.     

Dynamics of communal vocalizations in a social songbird, the zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata)

Colonies or communities of animals such as fishes, frogs, seabirds, or marine mammals can be noisy. Although vocal communication between clearly identified sender(s) and receiver(s) has been well studied, the properties of the noisy sound that results from the acoustic network of a colony of gregarious animals have received less attention. The resulting sound could nonetheless convey some information about the emitting group. Using custom-written software for automatic detection of vocalizations occurring over many hours of recordings, this study reports acoustic features of communal vocal activities in a gregarious species, the zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata). By biasing the sex ratio and using two different housing conditions (individual versus communal housing), six groups of zebra finches were generated, with six different social structures that varied both in terms of sex-composition and proportion of paired individuals. The results showed that the rate of emission and the acoustic dynamic both depended on the social structure. In particular, the vocal activity of a group of zebra finches depended mainly on the number of unpaired birds, i.e., individuals not part of a stably bonded pair.     

Development of new triangular elements for free surface flows

New finite elements have been developed to simulate steady and unsteady two-dimensional free surface flows. The depth-averaged velocity components with the free surface elevation have been used as independent variables in the model. The differences between the various elements presented lie in the choice of velocity approximation. The Newton–Raphson method has been used to solve the non-linear system of equations. Emphasis is put on bench-mark examples to assess the accuracy and efficiency of the elements. A simple stable new element tested herein shows promising advantages for industrial finite element codes.     

Perfluorinated anion exchange membranes: Preparation and preliminary tests of dialysis

Using the preirradiation technique a kinetic study of the grafting of the 4-vinyl pyridine (V₄P) and an aliphatic ammonium monomer (ALAM) onto the copolymer film of ethylene–tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) has been performed. The influence of dose, temperature, and concentration of monomer, reticular agent, and inhibitor were investigated. The results are discussed on the basis of the interactions between monomer diffusibility and viscosity of the medium. The characteristics of some membranes were determined. Their applicability to the recovery of acid by dialysis is demonstrated.     

Préparation Chimique,Caracterisation Cristallographique,Etudes Thermique et Vibrationnelle du Cyclotriphosphate Hexahydraté de Manganèse et de Tetra-Argent,MnAg 4 (P 3 O 9 ) 2 .6H 2 O

The cyclotriphosphate hexahydrate of manganese and silver, MnAg 4 (P 3 O 9 ) 2 .6H 2 O, was prepared by Boullé's process. MnAg 4 (P 3 O 9 ) 2 .6H 2 O crystallizes in the triclinic system, P-1, Z = 1 and its structure was determined by Rietveld's method. The refinement of 54 parameters by this method, using 1752 independent reflections leads to Rw p = 0.098, R p = 0.065 and R B = 0.033 on the basis of its isotype NiAg 4 (P 3 O 9 ) 2 .6H 2 O. The unit cell parameters of this salt are the following a = 8.824(1)Å, b = 8.485(1)Å, c = 6.609(1)Å, f = 90.30(1)°;, g = 92.89(1)°; and n = 107.28(1)°;. The thermal behavior of this new compound was studied, between 25 and 600°;C, under atmospheric pressure by infrared spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, thermal analyses TGA and DTA coupled. This study allows us the identification and the crystallographic characterization of a new phase, MnAg 2 (PO 3 ) 4 isotype of ZnRb 2 (PO 3 ) 4 , obtained between 350 and 450°;C, mixed with the long-chain polyphosphate of silver AgPO 3 . The kinetic characteristics of the dehydration of MnAg 4 (P 3 O 9 ) 2 .6H 2 O and the thermal phenomena accompanying this dehydration were determined and discussed on the basis of the proposed crystalline structure. The vibrational spectrum of the, MnAg 4 (P 3 O 9 ) 2 .6H 2 O, was examined and interpreted in the domain of the stretching vibrations of the P 3 O 9 rings, on the basis of the proposed crystalline structure and in the light of the calculation of the thirty fundamental IR frequencies for the idealized D 3h symmetry.