On the Motion of Shells in General Relativity

We use Lanczos equations to analyze the motionof shells in the gravitational field of a sphericallysymmetric central body. A first integral of Israel'smatching conditions is used to show that the motion of the shell depends on the equation of stateof the shell matter. In particular, the case of abarotropic equation of state is analyzed. The questionof how the type of motion determines the equation of state for the matter of the shell is alsoinvestigated.     

Synthesis of carbo- and heterobiaryls by intermolecular radical addition of aryl bromides onto aromatic solvents

Tris(trimethylsilyl)silane (TTMSS) and azabisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) promoted the intermolecular arylation of aryl and heteroaryl bromides onto aromatic solvents under thermal conditions via a radical pathway.     

Bioelectrochemical evaluation of the total phenols content in olive oil mill wastewaters using a tyrosinase–colloidal gold–graphite–Teflon biosensor

The use of a robust tyrosinase biosensor, fabricated from graphite–Teflon rigid electrode matrices modified with gold nanoparticles, for the estimation of the total phenols content in olive oil mill wastewaters (OMW), is proposed. The performance of this bioelectrode using both continuous stirring and flow-injection amperometry was studied. A potential value of ?0.10?V was selected for the sensitive and stable detection of various phenolic compounds present in OMW samples: catechol, 3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid (caffeic acid), 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), 4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid, 4-hydroxyphenylethanol (tyrosol), and 4-hydroxyphenylpropionic acid. Using catechol as the target phenol, linear calibration graphs were obtained in the 1.0?×?10^?8???8.0?×?10^?6?mol?L^?1 (batch) and 1.0?×?10^?7???1.0?×?10^?5?mol?L^?1 (FI) concentration ranges, with slope values of 750?mA?L?mol^?1 and 103?mA?L?mol^?1, respectively. Batch amperometry was chosen for the analysis of real samples because of its higher sensitivity. For example, the limit of detection for caffeic acid was 80?nM. The ‘pool’ of phenolic compounds was estimated in OMW obtained from different extraction systems and containing phenols at diverse levels of concentration. A comparison of these results with those obtained by applying the Folin–Ciocalteau spectrophotometric reference method was carried out.     

7-endo radical cyclizations catalyzed by titanocene(III). Straightforward synthesis of terpenoids with seven-membered carbocycles

We describe a novel procedure for the straightforward synthesis of seven-membered carbocycles via free-radical chemistry, based on titanocene(III)-catalyzed 7-endo-dig and 7-endo-trig cyclizations. This procedure has proved to be useful for the chemical preparation of terpenoids with different skeletons containing cycloheptane rings, including the first total syntheses of dauca-4(11),8-diene (2), barekoxide (3), authentic laukarlaol (81), and a valparane diterpenoid (72), as well as a substantially improved synthesis of karahanaenone (1). We also provide theoretical and experimental evidence in support of a plausible mechanism, which may rationalize the preference for the unusual 7-endo cyclization mode shown by radicals with substitution patterns characteristic of the linalyl, nerolidyl, and geranyl linalyl systems. In light of these chemical findings, we discuss the potential involvement of radical cyclizations in the biosynthesis of some terpenoids containing seven-membered carbocycles.     

Experimental adiabatic vortex ratchet effect in Nb films with asymmetric pinning trap

Nb films grown on top of an array of asymmetric pinning centers show a vortex ratchet effect. A net flow of vortices is induced when the vortex lattice is driven by fluctuating forces on an array of pinning centers without reflection symmetry. This effect occurs in the adiabatic regime and it could be mimiced only by reversible DC driven forces.     

A rare head-head binding pattern in bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids

Bioassay-guided fractionation of Berberis tabiensis against Culex quinquefasciatus third instar larvae afforded a new bisbenzyltetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloid having an unusual head-head binding pattern. This new alkaloid (tabienine B) is the first member of this family found to possess a diphenyl ether bridge in C-6 and C-7'.     

Changing exchange bias in spin valves with an electric current

We show that a high-density electric current, injected from a point contact into an exchange-biased spin valve, systematically changes the exchange bias. The bias can either increase or decrease depending upon the current direction. This observation is not readily explained by the well-known spin-transfer torque effect in ferromagnetic metal circuits, but could be evidence for the recently predicted current-induced torques in antiferromagnetic metals.     

Benzene‐1,4‐diboronic acid–4,4′‐bipyridine–water (1/2/2)

In the presence of water, benzene‐1,4‐diboronic acid (1,4‐bdba) and 4,4′‐bipyridine (4,4′‐bpy) form a cocrystal of composition (1,4‐bdba)(4,4′‐bpy)₂(H₂O)₂, in which the molecular components are organized in two, so far unknown, cyclophane‐type hydrogen‐bonding patterns. The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C₆H₈B₂O₄·2C₁₀H₈N₂·2H₂O, contains two 4,4′‐bpy, two water molecules and two halves of 1,4‐bdba molecules arranged around crystallographic inversion centers. The occurrence of O—H...O and O—H...N hydrogen bonds involving the water molecules and all O atoms of boronic acid gives rise to a two‐dimensional hydrogen‐bonded layer structure that develops parallel to the (01) plane. This supramolecular organization is reinforced by π–π interactions between symmetry‐related 4,4′‐bpy molecules.