On the finite generation of the effective monoid of rational surfaces

We give a numerical criterion for ensuring the finite generation of the effective monoid of the surfaces obtained by a blowing-up of the projective plane at the supports of zero dimensional subschemes assuming that these are contained in a degenerate cubic. Furthermore, this criterion also ensures the regularity of any numerically effective divisor on these surfaces. Thus the dimension of any complete linear system is computed. On the other hand, in particular and among these surfaces, we obtain ringed rational surfaces with very large Picard numbers and with only finitely many integral curves of strictly negative self-intersection. These negative integral curves except two (−1)-curves are all contained in the support of an anticanonical divisor. Thus almost all the geometry of such surfaces is concentrated in the anticanonical class.     

Homogenization of an incompressible viscous flow in a porous medium with double porosity

We study the homogenization of an incompressible viscous flow in a porous medium with double porosity. We derive a macroscopic model with local Navier–Stokes system in the large cavities, Darcy law in the thinner porous rock, and a contact law between the two. We use Γ-convergence methods associated with multi-scale convergence notions in order to get this limit law. We exhibit a critical ratio between the two scales of the pores.     

Fine Spectral Analysis of Isotropic Partly Elastic Neutron Transport Operators

This paper deals with spectral theory of a new class of neutron transport operators involving collision operators of the form \(K=K_{i}+K_{e}\) where \(K_{i}\) (resp. \(K_{e}\)) describes the inelastic (resp. elastic) collisions of neutrons with the host material. We give a fine analysis of their asymptotic point spectra for isotropic space homogeneous cross sections in bounded geometries. We provide a new formalism relying on spectral analysis of some non compact symmetrizable operators arising in transport theory. Additional results on essential spectra are also given.     

Survival time of a heterogeneous random walk in a quadrant

We obtain upper Gaussian estimates of transition probabilities of inhomogeneous random walks on the positive quadrant. Among the most important steps in our proof are comparison arguments based on discrete variants of the Harnack principle and large deviations estimates.     

Chloro(η6‐p‐cymene)(2‐methyl‐5‐oxo‐7‐phenyl‐5,6‐di­hydro‐2H‐1,2,4‐triaz­epine‐3‐thiol­ato‐κ2N4,S)­ruthenium(II)

The novel title ruthenium(II) complex, [RuCl(C₁₀H₁₄)(C₁₀H₁₀N₃OS)], was synthesized from the reaction of 1,2,4‐triazepine, a new class of bidentate ligands, with [Ru(p‐cymene)Cl₂]₂. The 1,2,4‐triazepine ligand is coordinated to the metal centre through the N‐4 and S atoms, forming a four‐membered chelate ring. This is the first structural example of a transition metal complex containing a 1,2,4‐triazepine ligand.     

Glass transition (Tg) and dielectric loss in Na3PO4–Pb3(PO4)2–BiPO4 phosphate glasses

Thermal and dielectric loss properties of Na₃PO₄-Pb₃(PO₄BiPO₄ (Na₂O-PbO-Bi₂O₃-P₂O₅) phosphate glasses, have been studied by the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and electrical factor loss (tgδ) measurements. Experiments have been carried out from ambient temperature to 500°C and show a strong influence of sodium ions on T_g and tgδ.     

Statics and dynamics of single chains in polymer blends and copolymer melts — results beyond the random phase approximation

We present new results on the behaviour of single chains in homo-and copolymer blends which are beyond the rendom phase approximation (RPA). The radius of gyration of a chain in the blend was found to depend strongly on the interactions as well as the effective diffusion constant of a single chain in the blend or copolymer melt. Note that these results cannot be obtained in the original formulation of the RPA. They are based on the effective Hamiltonian of the chain in the medium. In the equation found for the self diffusion constant of a single chain, D_s, the second term is directly the value of the effective potential at zero wave vector. Thus the measurement of D_s would detect the screened potential at q = 0. Experimental verification of these results is in progress.     

Hibernation impact on the catalytic activities of the mitochondrial D-3-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase in liver and brain tissues of jerboa (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Jaculus orientalis</Emphasis>)

Background

Jerboa (Jaculus orientalis) is a deep hibernating rodent native to subdesert highlands. During hibernation, a high level of ketone bodies i.e. acetoacetate (AcAc) and D-3-hydroxybutyrate (BOH) are produced in liver, which are used in brain as energetic fuel. These compounds are bioconverted by mitochondrial D-3-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (BDH) E.C. 1.1.1.30. Here we report, the function and the expression of BDH in terms of catalytic activities, kinetic parameters, levels of protein and mRNA in both tissues i.e brain and liver, in relation to the hibernating process.

Results

We found that: 1/ In euthemic jerboa the specific activity in liver is 2.4- and 6.4- fold higher than in brain, respectively for AcAc reduction and for BOH oxidation. The same differences were found in the hibernation state. 2/ In euthermic jerboa, the Michaelis constants, K_M BOH and K_M NAD⁺ are different in liver and in brain while K_M AcAc, K_M NADH and the dissociation constants, K_D NAD⁺and K_D NADH are similar. 3/ During prehibernating state, as compared to euthermic state, the liver BDH activity is reduced by half, while kinetic constants are strongly increased except K_D NAD⁺. 4/ During hibernating state, BDH activity is significantly enhanced, moreover, kinetic constants (K_M and K_D) are strongly modified as compared to the euthermic state; i.e. K_D NAD⁺ in liver and K_M AcAc in brain decrease 5 and 3 times respectively, while K_D NADH in brain strongly increases up to 5.6 fold. 5/ Both protein content and mRNA level of BDH remain unchanged during the cold adaptation process.

Conclusions

These results cumulatively explained and are consistent with the existence of two BDH enzymatic forms in the liver and the brain. The apoenzyme would be subjected to differential conformational folding depending on the hibernation state. This regulation could be a result of either post-translational modifications and/or a modification of the mitochondrial membrane state, taking into account that BDH activity is phospholipid-dependent.

     

Radical copolymerization of acrylonitrile with 2,2,2‐trifluoroethyl acrylate for dielectric materials: Structure and characterization

Radical copolymerization based on acrylonitrile (AN) and 2,2,2‐Trifluoroethyl acrylate (ATRIF) initited by AIBN was investigated in acetonitrile solution. The resulting poly(AN‐co‐ATRIF) copolymers were characterized by ¹H, ¹³C, and ¹⁹F NMR and IR spectroscopy, and size exclusion chromatography (SEC). Their compositions were assessed by ¹H NMR. The kinetics of radical copolymerization of AN with ATRIF was investigated from sereval experiments achieved at 70 °C from initial [AN]₀/[ATRIF]₀ molar ratios ranging between 20/80 and 80/20 and was enabled to determine the reactivity ratios of both comonomers. From the monomer—polymer copolymerization curve, the Fineman–Ross and Kelen–Tüdos laws enabled to assess the reactivity ratios (r_AN= r₁ = 1.25 ± 0.04 and r_ATRIF = r₂ = 0.93 ± 0.05 at 70 °C) while the revised patterns scheme led to r₁₂ = r_AN = 1.03, and r₂₁ = r_ATRIF = 0.78 at 70 °C. In all cases, r_AN x r_ATRIF product was close to unity, which indicates that poly(AN‐co‐ATRIF) copolymers exhibit a random structure. This was also confirmed by the Igarashi's and Pyun's laws which revealed the presence of AN‐ATRIF, AN‐AN, and ATRIF‐ATRIF dyads. The Q and e values for ATRIF were also assessed (Q₂ = 0.62 and e₂ = 0.93). The glass transition temperature values, T_g, of these copolymers increased from 17 to 61 °C as the molar percentage of ATRIF decreased from 77 to 16% in the copolymer. Thermogravimetry analysis of poly(AN‐co‐ATRIF) copolymers showed a good thermal stability compared to that of poly(ATRIF) homopolymer due to incorporation of AN comonomer. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013 , 51, 3856–3866