The classification of ϕ-symmetric Sasakian manifolds

A -symmetric spaceM is a complete connected regular Sasakian manifold, that fibers over an Hermitian symmetric spaceN, so that the geodesic involutions ofN lift to define global (involutive) automorphisms of the Sasakian structure onM. In the present paper the complete classification of -symmetric spaces is obtained. The groups of automorphisms of the Sasakian structures and the groups of isometries of the underlying Riemannian metrics are determined. As a corollary, the Sasakian space forms are also determined.     

Unusually high phosphodiesterolytic activity of La(III) hydroxide complexes stabilized by glycine derivatives

Glycine and N,N-dimethylglycine stabilize La(III) hydroxide complexes of the type La2L2(OH)4 which possess phosphodiesterolytic activity close to that observed with most active tetravalent cations like Ce(IV).     

Chiral Phosphinophenyloxazolines Bearing Alkoxymethyl Substituents: Synthesis and Application in the Palladium Catalyzed Allylic Substitution Reactions

The chiral phosphine‐oxazoline ligands 3 and 4 bearing 4‐alkoxymethyl substituents on the oxazoline ring with (R)‐configuration were prepared from L‐serine methyl ester in 66% and 33% yields, respectively. Along this synthetic pathway, the β‐hydroxylamides derived from L‐serine methyl ester and 2‐halobenzoyl chlorides were expediently converted to the corresponding oxazolines by using diethylaminosulfur trifluoride as the activation agent. Potassium diphenylphosphide was the reagent of choice for replacing the bromine atom on the phenyl ring, giving the desired oxazoline‐phosphine ligands 3 and 4 . Together with [Pd(η³‐allyl)Cl]₂, ligands 3 and 4 induced an enantioselective allylic substitution reaction of 1,3‐diphenyl‐2‐pro‐penyl acetate by dimethyl malonate. Although ligands 3 and 4 exhibit the (R)‐configuration, differing from the (S)‐configuration of Pfaltz‐Helmchen‐Williams phosphine‐oxazoline ligands, all these ligands led to the same enantiotopic preference in the allylic substitution reaction. To facilitate the recovery and reuse of the phosphine‐oxazoline ligand, immobilization on Merrifield resin was attempted, albeit in low loading.     

Conformation of glycomimetics in the free and protein-bound state: structural and binding features of the C-glycosyl analogue of the core trisaccharide alpha-D-Man-(1 --> 3)-[alpha-D-Man-(1 --> 6)]-D-Man

The conformational properties of the C-glycosyl analogue of the core trisaccharide alpha-D-Man-(1 --> 3)-[alpha-D-Man-(1 --> 6)]-D-Man in solution have been carefully analyzed by a combination of NMR spectroscopy and time-averaged restrained molecular dynamics. It has been found that both the alpha-1,3- and the alpha-1,6-glycosidic linkages show a major conformational averaging. Unusual Phi ca. 60 degrees orientations for both Phi torsion angles are found. Moreover, a major conformational distinction between the natural compound and the glycomimetic affects to the behavior of the omega(16) torsion angle around the alpha-1 --> 6-linkage. Despite this increased flexibility, the C-glycosyl analogue is recognized by three mannose binding lectins, as shown by NMR (line broadening, TR-NOE, and STD) and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) methods. Moreover, a process of conformational selection takes place, so that these lectins probably bind the glycomimetic similarly to the way they recognize the natural analogue. Depending upon the architecture and extension of the binding site of the lectin, loss or gain of binding affinity with respect to the natural analogue is found.     

Determination of rotenone residues in raw honey by solid-phase extraction and high-performance liquid chromatography

A method for determining residues of the insecticide rotenone in raw-honey by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is described. To extract the residues, organic solvents such as ethyl acetate, n-hexane/dichloromethane and solid-phase extraction with octadecylsilane cartridges or Florisil packed columns were tested. Determination was carried out by reversed-phase HPLC using acetonitrile-buffer phosphate (pH 7) (60:40, v/v) as mobile phase and detection at 210 nm. Although the data showed that the two extraction methods were able to isolate the pesticide residues, the extraction on octadecylsilane cartridges was preferred due to its simplicity and higher recovery. Recoveries depended strongly on the fortification level for the two extraction procedures. Practical determination limits of 0.015 mg/kg were obtained. In the analysis of honeys, from beehives treated with rotenone at therapeutical doses for 1 month, residual amounts below 0.2 mg/kg were found.     

Two families of mixed finite elements for second order elliptic problems

Summary Two families of mixed finite elements, one based on triangles and the other on rectangles, are introduced as alternatives to the usual Raviart-Thomas-Nedelec spaces. Error estimates inL ² () andH ^–5 () are derived for these elements. A hybrid version of the mixed method is also considered, and some superconvergence phenomena are discussed.     

Binuclear Cu2+ complex mediated discrimination between L-glutamate and L-aspartate in water

L-glutamate and L-aspartate selectivity is achieved by the action of two Cu2+ metal ions rightly disposed in a cyclophane-type macrocyclic framework; electrochemical sensing of glutamate has been achieved by adsorption of the copper complexes on graphite electrodes.     

Maximizing the xylitol production from sugar cane bagasse hydrolysate by controlling the aeration rate

Batch fermentations of sugar cane bagasse hemicellulosic hydrolysate treated for removing the inhibitors of the fermentation were performed byCandida guilliermondii FTI20037 for xylitol production. The fermentative parameters agitation and aeration rate were studied aiming the maximization of xylitol production from this agroindustrial residue. The maximal xylitol volumetric productivity (0.87 g/L h) and yield (0.67 g/g) were attained at 400/min and 0.45 v.v.m. (K_La 27/h). According to the results, a suitable control of the oxygen input permitting the xylitol formation from sugar cane bagasse hydrolysate is required for the development of an efficient fermentation process for large-scale applications.     

Chiral separation of some triazole pesticides by supercritical fluid chromatography

The enantiomeric separation of six triazole pesticides: cyproconazole, propiconazole, diniconazole, hexaconazole, tebuconazole and tetraconazole, using supercritical fluid chromatography and the Chiralpak AD column, is presented in this work. The effect of different organic modifiers such as methanol, ethanol and 2-propanol on the retention and resolution was studied as well as the presence of additives in the mobile phase. The results obtained were highly successful, all the compounds were enantiomerically separated and in most of the cases the analysis time was close to 10 min. The type of organic modifier that provided the best results depended on the compound.