Stabilization and size control of gold nanoparticles during laser ablation in aqueous cyclodextrins

Femtosecond laser radiation has been used to ablate a gold target in aqueous beta-cyclodextrin (CD) solutions to produce stable gold nanoparticle colloids with extremely small size (2 to 2.4 nm) and size dispersion (1 to 1.5 nm). On the basis of XPS and zeta-potential measurements, we propose a model involving chemical interactions between the gold and the CDs. The model includes both the hydrophobic interaction of the Au0 with the interior cavity of the CD and the hydrogen bonding of O- groups on the partially oxidized gold surface with -OH groups of the CDs.     

Amino acid N-carboxyanhydrides: activated peptide monomers behaving as phosphate-activating agents in aqueous solution

The hydrolysis of valine N-carboxyanhydride (NCA) in aqueous phosphate buffers was shown to proceed through nucleophilic catalysis via an aminoacyl phosphate intermediate that displays phosphorylating capabilities through a potentially prebiotic process that simulates modern biochemical metabolic pathways.     

Structures of the radical P[N(SiMe3)2](NPri2), its dimer, cation and chloro derivative

Treatment of PCl[N(SiMe3)2](NPri2) (1) with potassium-graphite in thf afforded the colourless, crystalline diphosphine [P[N(SiMe3)2](NPri2)]2 (2) in good yield. Sublimation of 2 in vacuo yielded the yellow phosphinyl radical P[N(SiMe3)2](NPri2) (3), which upon cooling reverted to 2; the latter in C6D6 at 298 K was a mixture of rac and meso diastereoisomers. The yellow, crystalline phosphenium salt [P[N(SiMe3)2](NPri2)][AlCl4] (4) was obtained from 1 and 1/2Al2Cl6 in CH2Cl2. By single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD) the structures of the known compound 1 and of 2 and 4 were determined. The structure of the radical 3, formed by the thermal homolytic dissociation of the diphosphine 2, was determined in the gas phase by electron diffraction (GED), utilising data from UMP2/6-31+G*ab initio calculations. The model of the molecule in the GED structure analysis was described by a set of internal coordinates and an initial set of Cartesian coordinates from ab initio calculations, facilitating the structure analysis. The experimental data were found to be consistent with the presence of a single conformer of the radical in the gas phase. The computed standard homolytic dissociation enthalpy of the P-P bond in the corresponding diphosphine 2, corrected for BSSE, 54 kJ mol(-1), is substantially reduced compared to the dissociation enthalpy of tetramethyldiphosphine by the reorganisation energies of the fragments that form upon dissociation. The intrinsic energy content of the P-P bond in the diphosphine 2 was estimated to be 286 kJ mol(-1), in agreement with the results of previous work on a series of crowded diphosphines.     

On the Adam-Gibbs-Kirkpatrick-Thirumalai-Wolynes scenario for the viscosity increase in glasses

We reformulate the interpretation of the mean-field glass transition scenario for finite dimensional systems, proposed by Kirkpatrick, Thirumalai, and Wolynes (KTW). This allows us to establish clearly a temperature dependent length xi( *) above which the mean-field glass transition picture has to be modified. We argue in favor of the mosaic state introduced by KTW, which leads to the Adam-Gibbs relation between the viscosity and configurational entropy of glass forming liquids. Our argument is a mixture of thermodynamics and kinetics, partly inspired by the random energy model: small clusters of particles are thermodynamically frozen in low energy states, whereas large clusters are kinetically frozen by large activation energies. The relevant relaxation time is that of the smallest "liquid" clusters. Some physical consequences are discussed.     

Comparison of stochastic and interval methods for uncertainty quantification of metal forming processes

Various sources of uncertainty can arise in metal forming processes, or their numerical simulation, or both, such as uncertainty in material behavior, process conditions, and geometry. Methods from the domain of uncertainty quantification can help assess the impact of such uncertainty on metal forming processes and their numerical simulation, and they can thus help improve robustness and predictive accuracy. In this paper, we compare stochastic methods and interval methods, two classes of methods receiving broad attention in the domain of uncertainty quantification, through their application to a numerical simulation of a sheet metal forming process.     

Catalytic Enantioselective Synthesis of Functionalized Cyclopropanes from α-Substituted Allyl Sulfones with Donor-Acceptor or Diacceptor Diazo Reagents

The catalytic asymmetric synthesis of highly functionalized cyclopropanes from α-substituted allyl sulfones and silanes is reported. The reaction, using α-aryl diazoacetates or diacceptor diazo reagents, catalyzed by a chiral rhodium complex (Rh₂((S)-BTPCP)₄), furnished the corresponding cyclopropanes in moderate to high yields (27–97 %), high diastereoselectivities (68 : 32 to 20 : 1 d.r.) and moderate to excellent ee (40–99 %). This methodology offers a privileged access to an underexplored class of enantioenriched cyclopropanes with a high level of functionality, an asset for further post-functionalization and their incorporation into more complex structure.     

Targeted phase II metabolites profiling as new screening strategy to investigate natural steroid abuse in animal breeding

The use of steroid hormones as growth promoters in cattle is banned within the European Union since 1988 but can still be fraudulently employed in animal breeding farms for anabolic purposes. While efficient targeted confirmatory methods have been implemented in control laboratories for many years, fast and reliable screening methods are still required, especially in the case of natural hormones abuse, but more globally for new "fishing" strategies allowing to reveal the use of even unknown anabolic agents. The development of focused profiling or untargeted metabolomic approaches is thus emerging in this context. The present study was a focused profiling study using steroids phase II metabolites, with the aim to get a better understanding of the steroid metabolism disruptions after exogenous administration of androstenedione and finally reveal potential biomarkers signing its administration. A sample preparation procedure was first developed, based on a separation of 31 glucuronide and sulphate conjugate compounds using an anion exchange SPE system. Each fraction was then analysed by UPLC-MS/MS in MRM mode showing a rapid (between 4h and 4 days after treatment) and huge excretion of several direct metabolites of androstenedione such as etiocholanolone-glucuronide or epiandrosterone-sulphate.