Development of an electron paramagnetic resonance methodology for studying the photo-generation of reactive species in semiconductor nano-particle assembled films

An experimental approach involving electron paramagnetic resonance is proposed for studying photo-generated reactive species in semiconductor nano-particle-based films deposited on the internal wall of glass capillaries. This methodology is applied here to nano-TiO₂ and allows a semi-quantitative analysis of the kinetic evolutions of radical production using a spin scavenger probe.     

Empirical estimation of the proportional hazard premium for heavy-tailed claim amounts

The asymptotic normality of the sample proportional hazard premium for heavy-tailed claim amounts with infinite variance cannot be obtained by classical results for L-statistics. In this paper, we propose an alternative estimator for this class of premiums and we establish its asymptotic normality.     

A new efficient short-step projective interior point method for linear programming

In this paper, we are interested in the performance of Karmarkar’s projective algorithm for linear programming. We propose a new displacement step to accelerate and improve the convergence of this algorithm. This purpose is confirmed by numerical experimentations showing the efficiency and the robustness of the obtained algorithm over Schrijver’s one for small problem dimensions.     

Asymptotic modeling of Signorini problem with Coulomb friction for a linearly elastostatic shallow shell

In 2002–2003, Paumier studied the Signorini problem with friction in the linear Kirchhoff–Love theory of plates using the convergence method. In 2008, Léger and Miara generalized this study to the case of linearized shallow shell but without friction. The purpose of this paper is to extend those results to the case of linearized shallow shell with a Coulomb friction law. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Fixed points and lines in 2-metric spaces

We consider bounded 2-metric spaces satisfying an additional axiom, and show that a contractive mapping has either a fixed point or a fixed line.     

XPS analysis of chitosan–hydroxyapatite biomaterials: from elements to compounds

Chitosan (Cs) and hydroxyapatite (Ha) were analysed by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Phosphorylated Cs microparticles and hybrid Cs/Ha microparticles were prepared and analysed by XPS before and after immersion in a solution 1.5 times more concentrated than a simulated body fluid (SBF). The accuracy of spectrum recording, peak decomposition and peak component assignment was insured by a post‐control of charge stabilization, and by the examination of correlations between spectral data guided by stoichiometry and charge balance. The concentration of organic oxygen was determined from the concentrations of the oxidized forms of carbon, allowing a sharper insight into speciation and O 1s peak shape. This indicated that the hydroxide ion of Ha, and hydrogenophosphate if present, give a contribution near 532.4 eV, which overlaps with organic oxygen. As a result of immersion in the 1.5*SBF solution, the formation of CaCO₃ and of Ha material occurred. A quantification could be made for the constituents of biomaterial interest, contaminating salts and paraffin oil residues from the microparticle manufacturing process. The uncertainties regarding the nature of the model calcium phosphate used and the best marker for calcium carbonate were addressed by comparing the possible effect on the output, which was facilitated by using ternary composition diagrams. Whatever their formulation, the native microparticles were found to be coated by a thick layer of paraffin oil. The induction of calcium carbonate and phosphate precipitation or the retention of precipitates by the microparticles was favored by the presence of phosphate in the initial formulation either by phosphorylation or by incorporation of Ha. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Computational study on the encapsulation of ethylparaben into β-cyclodextrin

Two models namely A and B were considered to investigate the inclusion process of ethylparaben into β-CD cavity by means PM3, HF/6-31G (d) and B3LYP/6-31G (d). The obtained results with PM3 method clearly indicate that the formed complexes are energetically favored with or without solvent; the B complex is found more favored than A complex. The calculated deformations energies show that the geometry of β-CD is deformed in the complexation process on the other hand the ethylparaben do not undergo deformation. Finally, From NBO analysis, the donor and acceptor interactions between ethylparaben and β-CD were analyzed and discussed.