Optimization of a high-performance liquid chromatography method for the analysis of complex polyphenol mixtures and application for sainfoin extracts (Onobrychis viciifolia)

A pentafluorophenylpropyl (PFP) stationary phase was tested for the simultaneous determination of several classes of phenolic compounds. The chromatographic results were compared with those obtained by using a bifunctional phase constituted of octadecyl and phenylpropyl bonded silica and three conventional C18 columns. The elution gradient was optimized with 5% formic acid and sodium acetate in combination with acetic acid as additives and methanol as solvents. For these evaluations, a complex phenolic extract of Onobrychis viciifolia (sainfoin) and test mixtures containing 54 standard substances including 2 simple phenolic compounds, 1 amino acid, 4 hydroxybenzoic acids (HBA), 6 hydroxycinnamic acids (HCA), 3 flavan-3-ols, 9 anthocyanins, 2 dihydroflavonols, 1 chalcone, 4 flavones, 1 isoflavone and 21 flavonols have been assayed. The perfluorinated column showed good resolution for the studied phenolic compounds which have the following elution order: HBA, HCA, flavan-3-ols, anthocyanins, dihydroflavonols, flavones, flavonols and isoflavones. Compared with other columns, it provides longer elution ranges for HBA, HCA and flavan-3-ols and increased retention times for all compound classes except anthocyanins which were similarly retained on a C18 column. Its selectivity is different from C18 and bifunctional phases. A high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method with diode array detection (DAD) and post-column derivatization with p-dimethyl-aminocinnamic aldehyde (DMACA) has been validated for the analysis of individual phenolic compounds from a sainfoin plant extract (O. viciifolia).     

Studies on terbium activated yttrium based tantalate phosphors

Terbium activated yttrium niobium tantalate phosphors were prepared by solid-state reaction and were characterized by photoluminescence measurements, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Photoluminescence (PL) of Y_0.95Tb_0.05Ta_1?xNb_xO₄ phosphors (x = 0–1) are influenced by the host-lattice composition, degree of crystalline order and particle morphology and size. The effect of the morpho-structural properties on PL characteristics of Y(Ta,Nb)O₄:Tb powders is reported.     

Electronic spectroscopy of the A1A' <-- X1A' system of CDF

To further investigate the Renner-Teller (RT) effect and barriers to linearity and dissociation in the simplest singlet carbene, we recorded fluorescence excitation spectra of bands involving the pure bending levels 2(n)(0) with n = 0-9 and the combination states 1(1)(0)2(n)(0) with n = 1-8 and 2(n)(0)3(1)(0) with n = 0-5 in the A(1)A'<-- X(1)A' system of CDF, in addition to some weak hot bands. The spectra were measured under jet-cooled conditions using a pulsed discharge source, and rotationally analyzed to yield precise values for the band origins and rotational constants; fluorescence lifetimes were also measured to probe for lifetime lengthening effects due to the RT interaction. The derived A state parameters are compared with previous results for CHF and with predictions of ab initio electronic structure theory. The approach to linearity in the A state is evidenced in a sharp increase in the A rotational constant with bending excitation, and a minimum in the vibrational intervals near 2(9). A fit of the vibrational intervals for the pure bending levels yields an A state barrier to linearity in good agreement both with that previously derived for CHF and ab initio predictions. From the spectra and lifetime measurements, the onset of extensive RT perturbations is found to occur at a higher energy than in CHF, consistent with the smaller A constant.     

A systematization of convexity and quasiconvexity concepts for set-valued maps,defined by l-type and u-type preorder relations

Abstract

In this paper, we study different classes of generalized convex/quasiconvex set-valued maps, defined by means of the l-type and u-type preorder relations, currently used in set-valued optimization. In particular, we identify those classes of set-valued maps for which it is possible to extend the classical characterization of convex real-valued functions by quasiconvexity of their affine perturbations.     

New algorithms for discrete vector optimization based on the Graef-Younes method and cone-monotone sorting functions

Abstract

The well-known Jahn-Graef-Younes algorithm, proposed by Jahn in 2006, generates all minimal elements of a finite set with respect to an ordering cone. It consists of two Graef-Younes procedures, namely the forward iteration, which eliminates a part of the non-minimal elements, followed by the backward iteration, which is applied to the reduced set generated by the previous iteration. Without using the backward iteration, we develop new algorithms that also compute all minimal elements of the initial set, by combining the forward iteration with certain sorting procedures based on cone-monotone functions. In particular, when the ordering cone is polyhedral, computational results obtained in MATLAB allow us to compare our algorithms with the Jahn-Graef-Younes algorithm, within a bi-objective optimization problem.     

Phase growth control in low temperature PLD Co: TiO2 films by pressure

This paper reports on the structural and optical properties of Co-doped TiO₂ thin films grown onto (0001)Al₂O₃ substrates by non-reactive pulsed laser deposition (PLD) using argon as buffer gas. It is shown that by keeping constant the substrate temperature at as low as 310 °C and varying only the background gas pressure between 7 Pa and 70 Pa, it is possible to grow either epitaxial rutile or pure anatase thin films, as well as films with a mixture of both polymorphs. The optical band gaps of the films are red shifted in comparison with the values usually reported for undoped TiO₂, which is consistent with n-type doping of the TiO₂ matrix. Such band gap red shift brings the absorption edge of the Co-doped TiO₂ films into the visible region, which might favour their photocatalytic activity. Furthermore, the band gap red shift depends on the films’ phase composition, increasing with the increase of the Urbach energy for increasing rutile content.     

Properties of manganite/ruthenate superlattices with ultrathin layers

The properties of manganite/ruthenate superlattices are reviewed with a specific focus on the manganite/ruthenate interface. La_0.7Sr_0.3MnO₃/SrRuO₃ and Pr_0.7Ca_0.3MnO₃/SrRuO₃ superlattices grow with a high crystalline perfection as illustrated in the figure to the right: at the interface the individual cation species can be clearly identified, interdiffusion is marginal. The superlattices show magnetization processes with an intricate interplay between magnetocrystalline anisotropy, size of the layer magnetization, spin confinement and interfacial antiferromagnetic interlayer coupling. There is further an unprecedented Curie temperature stabilization at room temperature values of the La_0.7Sr_0.3MnO₃ layers in the superlattices down to layer thicknesses of one unit cell. The magnetotransport properties, especially the Hall effect, indicate the existence of a quasi‐two‐dimensional hole gas at the La_0.7Sr_0.3MnO₃/SrRuO₃ interface; this is further supported by an analysis of cation displacements as determined from scanning transmission electron microscopy. The manganite/ruthenate interface might be considered as a model system for the study of interfacial reconstruction and charge transfer in a highly correlated ferromagnetic system.

     

Chemical composition of essential oil and headspace-solid microextracts from fruits of Myrica gale L. and antifungal activity

The essential oil and the volatile compounds of Myrica gale fruits were analysed by gas chromatography (GC) and GC-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The volatile compounds were detected using two different fibres for headspace-solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME), Carboxen/PDMS and PDMS. Sixty two compounds were identified, which represented more than 90% of the total extracts. Major components of fruit essential oil are alpha-pinene (22.6%), 1,8-cineole (18.9%) and germacrone (14.2%), whereas they are germacrone (25.1%), alpha-pinene (12.2%), limonene (8.1%) and alpha-phellandrene (8.0%) for the leaf essential oil. Major volatile fruit compounds detected in HS-SPME were alpha-pinene, 1,8-cineole, p-cymene and eth-cadinene. As M. gale fruits are traditionally used in brewery for flavouring beer or as a spice in soups or stews, the antifungal properties of these essential oils were investigated on a panel of foodborne fungi, namely Aspergillus flavus, Cladosporium cladosporioides and Penicillium expansum. A complete antifungal activity was observed at 1000 ppm against C. cladosporioides. Both essential oil and entire fruits could thus be used as an additive in food or cosmetic preparations for their flavour, odour and their conservative properties.     

Luminescent Solar Concentrators Based on Renewable Polyester Matrices

This study reports for the first time the use of bio‐based alternatives for PMMA as host matrix for luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs). Notably, two types of renewable polyesters were synthesized in varying molar ratios via a two‐step melt‐polycondensation reaction with dibutyl tin oxide as catalyst. The first is a homopolymer of diethyl 2,3:4,5‐di‐O‐methylene galactarate (GxMe) and isosorbide (IGPn), and the second is a random copolymer of GxMe with 1,3‐propanediol and dimethyl terephthalate (GTPn). The two polyesters were found to be optically transparent, totally amorphous with a T_g higher than 45 °C and temperature resistance comparable to PMMA. Lumogen Red (LR) and an aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) fluorophore, TPETPAFN, were utilized as fluorophores and the derived thin polymer films (25 μm) were found highly homogeneous, especially for those prepared from GTPn, possibly due to the presence of compatibilizing terephthalate units in the matrix composition and the higher molecular weight. The spectroscopic characterization and the optical efficiency determination (η_opt) evidenced LSCs performances similar or superior to those collected from LR/PMMA thin films. Noteworthy, η_opt of 7.7 % and 7.1 % were recorded for the GTPn‐based matrix containing LR and TPETPAFN, respectively, thus definitely supporting the bio‐based polyesters as renewable and highly fluorophore‐compatible matrices for high‐performance LSCs.     

On the Generalized Derivation Induced by Two Projections

We prove that