A characterization of powerful p-groups

In [10] Benjamin Klopsch and Ilir Snopce recently posted the conjecture that for p ≥ 3 and G a torsion-free pro-p group, d(G) = dim(G) is a sufficient and necessary condition for the pro-p group G to be uniform. They pointed out that this follows from the more general question of whether for a finite p-group d(G) = log _p (|Ω₁(G)|) is a sufficient and necessary condition for the group G to be powerful. In this short note we will give a positive answer to this question for p ≥ 5.     

Capillary hydrodynamic fractionation of hydrophobic colloids：Errors in the estimated particle size distribution

Capillary hydrodynamic fractionation（CHDF） with turbidity detection at a single wavelength is an analytical technique that is often used for sizing the sub-micrometric particles of hydrophobic colloids.This article investigates three sources of errors that affect the particle size distribution（PSD） estimated by CHDF：diameter calibration errors,uncertainties in the particle refractive index（PRI）,and instrumental broadening（IB）.The study is based on simulated and experimental examples that involve unimodal and bimodal PSDs.Small errors in the diameter calibration curve can produce important deviations in the number average diameter due to systematic shifts suffered by the PSD modes.Moderate uncertainties in the PRI are unimportant in the analysis of unimodal PSDs,but in the specific case of bimodal PSDs,errors in the PRI can strongly affect the estimated number concentration of each mode.The typical IB correction（based on the IB function estimated from narrow standards） produces slightly erroneous average diameters but can lead to PSDs with underestimated widths and distorted shapes.In practice,the three investigated sources of errors can be present simultaneously,and uncertainties in the average diameters,the shape and width of the PSD,and the number concentration of the PSD modes are unavoidable.     

Planning Annualised Hours with a Finite Set of Weekly Working Hours and Joint Holidays

The need to adjust productive capacity to seasonal demand and the increasing flexibility in the distribution of annual working hours has given rise to new problems with respect to the organisation of staff working time. This paper presents a problem of planning annual working hours, in which the number of weekly working hours for any worker must belong to a previously agreed finite set and holiday weeks are the same for all the staff members. The problem is modelled and solved as a mixed integer linear program.     

Highly enantioselective alpha-aminoxylation of aldehydes and ketones with a polymer-supported organocatalyst

The first catalytic enantioselective alpha-aminoxylation of aldehydes and ketones using an insoluble, polymer-supported organocatalyst (1) derived from trans-4-hydroxyproline is reported (ee: 96-99%). Reaction rates in the aminoxylation of cyclic ketones with 1 are higher than those reported with l-proline. The insoluble nature of 1 simplifies workup conditions and allows catalyst recycling without an apparent decrease in enantioselectivity or yield.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Double Crystalline Cyclic Diblock Copolymers of Poly(ε‐caprolactone) and Poly(l(d)‐lactide) (c(PCL‐b‐ PL(D)LA))

The synthesis of symmetric cyclo poly(ε‐caprolactone)–block–poly(l (d )‐lactide) (c(PCL–b–PL(D)LA)) by combining ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone and lactides and subsequent click chemistry reaction of the linear precursors containing antagonist functionalities is presented. The two blocks can sequentially crystallize and self‐assemble into double crystalline spherulitic superstructures. The cyclic chain topology significantly affects both the nucleation and the crystallization of each constituent, as gathered from a comparison of the behavior of linear precursors and cyclic block copolymers. The stereochemistry of the PLA block does not have a significant effect on the nonisothermal crystallization of both linear and cyclo PCL‐b‐PDLA and PCL‐b‐PLLA copolymers.

     

Vibrational spectroscopy of self‐assembling aromatic peptide derivates

Peptides can assemble to supramolecular structures, of which fibers are of special biochemical and medical relevance. We employed Raman and infrared spectroscopy to elucidate the chemical integrity of fibers built from peptides and peptide derivates that contain the aromatic side groups fluorenyl and phenyl. Because the observed spectra compare very well with simulation results of the respective single molecules in vacuum, we were able to assign all observed vibrations. We found the main differences between solid phase and single molecule for O‐H and N‐H stretching and bending vibrations, owing to hydrogen bonding in solids. The fluorenyl and phenyl residues cause π‐stacking of the molecules, which barely manifests in the spectra, but clearly in the structures. Whereas hydrogen bonds provide the principal stability of the fiber backbone, aromatic π‐stacking supports the assembly to fibers, especially when electrospinning assists the molecular alignment. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis,crystal structure determination and pharmacological activity of 7,8,3′,4′-tetramethoxyisoflavone

7 The8,3′,4′-tetramethoxyisoflavone 2 was synthesized and its structure confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Pharmacological screening was carried out with this compound in order to assess its pharmacological profile. Isoflavone 2 possessed antiinflamatory activity in the carrageenan oedema test, with a dose-effect relationship comparable to that of hydroxylated flavonoids. It is noteworthy that 2 is one of the few isoflavones efficient as antiinflammatory with complete alkylation of hydroxyl groups.