Ion beam mixing of α-MoSi2

Abstract

Using molecular dynamics simulation, we study the mixing of an α-MoSi₂ crystal by 1 keV Ar ions. The observed order of magnitude of the mixing is compatible with a spike model of ion beam mixing. The influence of the target surface and of chemical effects are discussed.     

Valorization of Madagascar’s CNSL via the synthesis of one advanced intermediate (3-Pentadecylcyclohexanone)

A unique advanced intermediate: 3-Pentadecylcyclohexanone was synthetized from the crude product which contained a mixture of cardanol, cardol and 2-methylcardol, which was hydrogenated onto Pd/C at 80 °C. From this alkylated cyclohexanone: C15 alkylated adipic acid, caprolactam, caprolactone, were synthetized in high yields, such products may have many potentially applications in polymer chemistry. The condensation of the 3-pentadecyl-cyclohexanone and triethylene glycol in oxidative or reductive conditions gave aryl ether and cyclohexyl ether, this may be a way to prepare intermediate for surfactant chemistry. Therefore we show that Cashew Nut Shell Liquid (CNSL) may lead to numerous useful compounds thank to the preparation of a unique advanced intermediate.     

Computing the conditioning of the components of a linear least‐squares solution

In this paper, we address the accuracy of the results for the overdetermined full rank linear least‐squares problem. We recall theoretical results obtained in (SIAM J. Matrix Anal. Appl. 2007; 29 (2):413–433) on conditioning of the least‐squares solution and the components of the solution when the matrix perturbations are measured in Frobenius or spectral norms. Then we define computable estimates for these condition numbers and we interpret them in terms of statistical quantities when the regression matrix and the right‐hand side are perturbed. In particular, we show that in the classical linear statistical model, the ratio of the variance of one component of the solution by the variance of the right‐hand side is exactly the condition number of this solution component when only perturbations on the right‐hand side are considered. We explain how to compute the variance–covariance matrix and the least‐squares conditioning using the libraries LAPACK (LAPACK Users' Guide (3rd edn). SIAM: Philadelphia, 1999) and ScaLAPACK (ScaLAPACK Users' Guide. SIAM: Philadelphia, 1997) and we give the corresponding computational cost. Finally we present a small historical numerical example that was used by Laplace (Théorie Analytique des Probabilités. Mme Ve Courcier, 1820; 497–530) for computing the mass of Jupiter and a physical application if the area of space geodesy. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The concept of proof in the light of mathematical work

ZDM – Mathematics Education - Our article aims to show how illuminating mathematical work as a concept from didactics of mathematics is useful in understanding issues relating to proving and...     

Optimal flow conditions of a tracheobronchial model to reengineer lung structures

The high demand for lung transplants cannot be matched by an adequate number of lungs from donors. Since fully ex-novo lungs are far from being feasible, tissue engi-neering is actively considering implantation of engineered lungs where the devitalized structure of a donor is used as scaffold to be repopulated by stem cells of the receiv-ing patient. A decellularized donated lung is treated inside a bioreactor where transport through the tracheobronchial tree (TBT) will allow for both deposition of stem cells and nour-ishment for their subsequent growth, thus developing new lung tissue. The key concern is to set optimally the boundary conditions to utilize in the bioreactor. We propose a pre-dictive model of slow liquid ventilation, which combines a one-dimensional (1-D) mathematical model of the TBT and a solute deposition model strongly dependent on fluid velocity across the tree. With it, we were able to track and drive the concentration of a generic solute across the airways, look-ing for its optimal distribution. This was given by properly adjusting the pumps' regime serving the bioreactor. A feed-back system, created by coupling the two models, allowed us to derive the optimal pattern. The TBT model can be easily invertible, thus yielding a straightforward flow/pressure law at the inlet to optimize the efficiency of the bioreactor.     

Characterization of magnetic labels for bioassays

Magnetic nanoparticles differing by their size have been synthesized to use them for multiparametric testing, based on their differing magnetic properties. The nanoparticle has two essential roles: to act as a probe owing to its specific magnetic properties and to carry on its surface precursor groups for the covalent coupling of biological recognition molecules, such as antibodies, nucleic acids. A totally unique, newly patented, method has been used to characterize magnetic signatures using the MIAplex technology. The MIAplex reader, developed by Magnisense, measures the non-linear response of the magnetic labels when they are exposed to a multi-frequency alternating magnetic field. This specific signature based on d²B(H)/dH² was correlated to other more conventional magnetic detection methods (superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUID) and Mössbauer).