Le Groupe Quantique Compact Libre U(n)

The free analogues of U(n) in Woronowicz' theory [Wo2] are the compact matrix quantum groups introduced by Wang and Van Daele. We classify here their irreducible representations. Their fusion rules turn to be related to the combinatorics of Voiculescu's circular variable. If we find an embedding , where A _o (F) is the deformation of SU(2) studied in [B2]. We use the representation theory and Powers' method for showing that the reduced algebras A _u (F) _red are simple, with at most one trace. Received: 1 March 1996 / Accepted: 4 April 1997     

Measurement of the sign and the magnitude of heteronuclear coupling constants from spin-state-edited J-cross-polarization NMR experiments

New spin-state-selective (S3) NMR pulse sequences exclusively applying cross-polarization schemes to achieve optimum homonuclear and heteronuclear 1H-X coherence transfer are reported for the simple and accurate measurement of the magnitude and sign of heteronuclear coupling constants for samples at natural abundance. The proposed spin-edited HCP-TOCSY experiments are based on clean heteronuclear S3 excitation, generated by simultaneous co-addition of two independent in-phase and anti-phase components created during the mixing heteronuclear J-cross-polarization (HCP) step, which is finally transferred to other protons by a conventional homonuclear TOCSY mechanism. Selective 1D and non-selective 2D approaches for the easy determination of long-range proton-carbon and proton-nitrogen coupling constants on any protonated and non-protonated heteronuclei are presented and discussed for several organic molecules.     

(+)- and (-)-2-aminocyclobutane-1-carboxylic acids and their incorporation into highly rigid beta-peptides: stereoselective synthesis and a structural study

[Chemical reaction: See text] Several derivatives of (+)- and (-)-2-aminocyclobutane-1-carboxylic acid, 1, have been prepared through enantiodivergent synthetic sequences. The stereoselective synthesis of free amino acid (+)-1 has been achieved, and this product has been fully characterized for the first time. Stereocontrolled alternative synthetic methodologies have been developed for the preparation of bis(cyclobutane) beta-dipeptides in high yields. Among them, enantio and diastereomers have been synthesized. beta,beta- and beta,delta-Dimers resulting from the coupling of a cyclobutane residue and a linear amino acid have also been prepared. The ability of the cyclobutane ring as a structure-promoting unit both in the monomers and in the dimers has been manifested. The NMR structural study and DFT theoretical calculations evidence the formation of strong intramolecular hydrogen bonds giving rise to cis-fused [4.2.0]octane structural units that confer high rigidity on these molecules both in solution and in the gas phase. The contribution of a cis-trans conformational equilibrium derived from the rotation around the carbamate N-C(O) bond has also been observed, the trans form being the major conformer. In the solid state, this equilibrium does not exist, and moreover, intermolecular hydrogen bonds are present.     

Catalytic cathodic stripping voltammetry of oxidized glutathione at a hanging mercury drop electrode in the presence of nickel ion

Oxidized glutathione (GSSG) can be determined after previous accumulation on the HMDE at E > -0.2 V (vs. the Ag AgCl reference electrode). GSH is formed during the accumulation, possibly by a mercury-ion-assisted hydrolytic disproportionation of GSSG. In the subsequent cathodic scan GSH is released and catalyses the reduction of nickel ion, giving a peak located at -0.6 V. This enables the determination of GSSG by differential-pulse cathodic stripping voltammetry at pH 7.0 in the phosphate acetate or MOPS buffer containing 0.5-1.0 mM Ni(II). The detection limit is 10 nM. The calibration graph is linear even in the presence of small amounts of human serum albumin, HSA. However, HSA increases the detection limit (20 nM for 3 x 10(-4)% HSA). Acetyl-cysteine in small excess or Cu(II) present as reagent impurity do not interfere. Glutathione, cysteine and similar compounds, which accumulate as mercury salts and form stable nickel complexes, will interfere. The method is put forward as a novel alternative stripping voltammetric method to those involving accumulation and determination as mercury or copper salts and complexes, in the knowledge that it may have advantages in particular analytical situations. In particular the method discriminates against compounds which accumulate as mercury salts but which do not form stable nickel complexes.     

Simultaneous recording of spin-state-selective NMR spectra for different InS spin systems

Heteronuclear magnetization transfer occurring during heteronuclear cross-polarization mixing processes in liquid-state NMR experiments can be easily monitored as a function of the involved in-phase, antiphase, and multiple-quantum magnetization components. The theoretical background on the simultaneous detection of E.COSY-type, TROSY-type, or spin-edited multiplet patterns for different IS and I(2)S spin systems in the same solution-state NMR spectrum is described. The proposed pulse scheme preserves high sensitivity levels and shows good tolerance to the presence of undesired cross-talk artifacts for both NH and NH(2) multiplicities providing an interesting NMR tool for biomolecular applications.     

Transition metal-mediated intramolecular [2+2+2] cycloisomerizations of cyclic triynes and enediynes

[reaction: see text] Nitrogen-containing 15-membered triacetylenic macrocycles known as 1,6,11-tris(arylsulfonyl)-1,6,11-triazacyclopentadeca-3,8,13-triynes (1) and enediynic macrocycles called 1,6,11-tris(arylsulfonyl)-1,6,11-triazacyclopentadeca-3-ene-8,13-diynes (4 and 5) were satisfactorily prepared. [2+2+2] cycloisomerization processes catalyzed by transition metals were tested in the above-mentioned macrocycles. Readily available and familiar cyclotrimerization precatalysts were examined for efficiency. Among them, the RhCl(CO)(PPh(3))(2) complex was found to catalyze the cycloisomerization reaction giving the desired cycloadducts in high yields.     

Interdisciplinary study on pottery experimentally impregnated with wine

Experimentally developed ceramic pots, with two different sizes of grain, were half-filled with wine and subjected to thermal alteration at constant elevated temperature ((60 ± 2)°C) in darkness for 12 weeks. This work sought to characterise the samples thereby obtained from chemical and mineralogical perspectives using scanning electron microscopy and an energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis system (SEM-EDX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and capillary electrophoresis (CE) with UV detection as an alternative to chromatographic methods, due to its good resolution, automation, simplicity, high speed, low consumption of chemicals and short time required for sample preparation. The capillary electrophoresis method was used for the detection of five wine biomarkers: succinic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid and lactic acid. In general, it was noted that the fine-grained ceramic assortment retained the organic material better than the coarser-grained ceramics. An interesting observation derived from this study was that not only could tartaric acid be considered as a biomarker for wine residues in archaeological pottery, but malic acid could also act similarly for white wine and lactic acid for red wine.     

Tailored Mobility in a Zeolite Imidazolate Framework (ZIF) Antibody Conjugate**

Zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF) hybrid fluorescent nanoparticles and ZIF antibody conjugates have been synthesized, characterized, and employed in lateral-flow immunoassay (LFIA). The bright fluorescence of the conjugates and the possibility to tailor their mobility gives a huge potential for diagnostic assays. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) as label, proved the integrity, stability, and dispersibility of the antibody conjugates, LC-MS/MS provided evidence that a covalent link was established between these metal-organic frameworks and lysine residues in IgG antibodies.     

Strategic analysis of the dairy transportation problem

The dairy transportation problem (DTP) consists of determining the best routes to be performed for collecting milk from farms and delivering it to processing plants. We study the particular case of the province of Quebec, where the Fédération des producteurs de lait du Québec is responsible for negotiating the transportation costs on behalf of producers. Several issues are highlighted in the actual process of designing contracts such as using historical data. We propose an approach based on scenario analysis that consists of revising both the steps and the information used to construct the routes. We develop a generalized tabu search algorithm that integrates the different characteristics of the DTP.     

An expansion formula for fractional derivatives of variable order

In this work we extend our previous results and derive an expansion formula for fractional derivatives of variable order. The formula is used to determine fractional derivatives of variable order of two elementary functions. Also we propose a constitutive equation describing a solidifying material and determine the corresponding stress relaxation function.