Torsion theories induced from commutative subalgebras

We begin a study of torsion theories for representations of finitely generated algebras U over a field containing a finitely generated commutative Harish-Chandra subalgebra Γ. This is an important class of associative algebras, which includes all finite W-algebras of type A over an algebraically closed field of characteristic zero, in particular, the universal enveloping algebra of (or ) for all n. We show that any Γ-torsion theory defined by the coheight of the prime ideals of Γ is liftable to U. Moreover, for any simple U-module M, all associated prime ideals of M in have the same coheight. Hence, the coheight of these associated prime ideals is an invariant of a given simple U-module. This implies the stratification of the category of U-modules controlled by the coheight of the associated prime ideals of Γ. Our approach can be viewed as a generalization of the classical paper by Block (1981) [4]; it allows, in particular, to study representations of beyond the classical category of weight or generalized weight modules.     

Characterization and classification of matrix effects in biological samples analyses

An exhaustive classification of matrix effects occurring when a sample preparation is performed prior to liquid-chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC–MS) analyses was proposed. A total of eight different situations were identified allowing the recognition of the matrix effect typology via the calculation of four recovery values. A set of 198 compounds was used to evaluate matrix effects after solid phase extraction (SPE) from plasma or urine samples prior to LC–ESI-MS analysis. Matrix effect identification was achieved for all compounds and classified through an organization chart. Only 17% of the tested compounds did not present significant matrix effects.     

Voltammetric,UV–Vis Spectrometric and Fluorescence Study of the Interaction of Ractopamine and DNA with the Aid of Multivariate Curve Resolution‐Alternating Least Squares

Interaction of a steroid drug, Ractopamine (RAC), and DNA was investigated by electroanalysis‐differential pulse and cyclic voltammetry (DPV and CV), and UV‐vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. DPV showed that RAC intercalated with DNA, and CV indicated that the reaction mechanism of RAC and dsDNA involved irreversible oxidation with the loss of two H⁺ and a transfer of two electrons. Reaction binding parameters were obtained. Pure spectra of RAC, DNA and the RAC‐DNA complex, and their concentrations were extracted by multivariate curve resolution‐alternating least squares method (MCR‐ALS). Concentration profiles indicated quantitatively the course of the reaction.     

Reactions of 1-nitrocyclohexene with <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-binucleophiles

A modification of 1-nitrocyclohexene synthesis is proposed; its reaction with phenylhydrazine and benzoic acid hydrazide is shown to afford monoadducts, and with hydrazine hydrate, bisaduct. With diphenylguanidine occurs heterocyclization to 1-phenyl-2-N-phenylamino-4,5,6,7-tetrahydrobenzimidazole, whose structure is confirmed by the X-ray diffraction data. The analysis performed for this compound of the electron density distribution function in the crystal made it possible to estimate the charge distribution, π-electrons delocalization nature, and the role of N-H…N, C-H…H-C and C-H…C interactions in the formation of the crystal packing.     

Co–Mg–Al oxides issued of hydrotalcite precursors for total oxidation of volatile organic compounds. Identification and toxicological impact of the by-products

Catalysts based on Co-Mg-Al, which were used for the total oxidation of toluene, were synthesized by using the hydrotalcite pathway. The calcination allowed us to obtain various mixed oxide types (i.e. Co₃O₄, Co₂AlO₄ or CoAl₂O₄), presenting mesopores of about 8 nm and high specific surface areas. The solids were tested for the total oxidation of toluene and showed a total selectivity in CO₂ and H₂O for 100% of toluene conversion. However, studies using diffuse reflectance infrared “operando” and GC-MS allowed us to identify intermediary by-products stemming from the catalytic oxidation of toluene: benzene and small quantities of benzaldehyde, styrene and acetophenone. In order to contribute to the improvement of the current scientific knowledge on volatile organic compound (VOC) toxicity in humans, the lung toxicity of toluene, benzene or their association was determined by using a human epithelial lung cell model (i.e. L132 cell line). VOC cytotoxicity was studied with three complementary methods: the enzymatic activity of extracellular lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), the enzymatic activity of mitochondrial dehydrogenase (mDH), and the incorporation of 5-Bromodesoxyuridine (5-BrdU). Taken together, these results showed the occurrence of adverse effects, notably reported by significant increases in LDH activity in cell culture supernatants, 24 hours after L132 cell exposure not only to toluene alone or benzene alone, but also to their association. This original approach allowed us to integrate some toxicological parameters to help the choice of new-dedicated catalysts for the oxidative conversion of VOC.     

Nanomorphology and reaction to fire of polyurethane and polyamide nanocomposites containing flame retardants

The reaction to fire of polymer nanocomposites (thermoplastic polyurethane and polyamide-6) containing two different nanofillers (organoclay and carbon nanotube) has been investigated. Polymer nanocomposites exhibit significant reduction of peak of heat release rate but the nanomorphology (exfoliation, intercalation and presence of tactoids) does not play any significant role, although a reasonable level of nanodispersion is necessary to achieve good flame retardancy in specific cases (mass loss calorimetry experiment). Modelling aspects for the time to ignition are also proposed in the paper. It is shown that the approach ‘nanocomposite’ gives the best results combined with conventional flame retardants (phosphinate and phosphate) and leads to synergistic effects. The aspects of nanodispersion of the nanoparticle with the flame retardant (microfiller) are fully commented in the paper using TEM and solid state NMR. Mechanisms of action are finally proposed explaining the synergy when conventional flame retardants are combined with nanoparticles.     

Self-dual polygons and self-dual curves

We study projectively self-dual polygons and curves in the projective plane. Our results provide a partial answer to problem No 1994-17 in the book of Arnold’s problems (2004).     

CoFe2O4-TiO2 and CoFe2O4-ZnO thin film nanostructures elaborated from colloidal chemistry and atomic layer deposition

CoFe(2)O(4)-TiO(2) and CoFe(2)O(4)-ZnO nanoparticles/film composites were prepared from directed assembly of colloidal CoFe(2)O(4) in a Langmuir-Blodgett monolayer and atomic layer deposition (ALD) of an oxide (TiO(2) or ZnO). The combination of these two methods permits the use of well-defined nanoparticles from colloidal chemistry, their assembly on a large scale, and the control over the interface between a ferrimagnetic material (CoFe(2)O(4)) and a semiconductor (TiO(2) or ZnO). Using this approach, architectures can be assembled with a precise control from the Angstrom scale (ALD) to the micrometer scale (Langmuir-Blodgett film). The resulting heterostructures present well-calibrated thicknesses. Electron microscopy and magnetic measurement studies give evidence that the size of the nanoparticles and their intrinsic magnetic properties are not altered by the various steps involved in the synthesis process. Therefore, the approach is suitable to obtain a layered composite with a quasi-monodisperse layer of ferrimagnetic nanoparticles embedded in an ultrathin film of semiconducting material.     

Chirality in Dynamic Supramolecular Nanotubes Induced by a Chiral Solvent

Amplification of chirality has been reported in polymeric systems. It has also been shown that related effects can occur in polymer‐like dynamic supramolecular aggregates, if a subtle balance between noncovalent interactions allows the coupling between a chiral information and a cooperative aggregation process. In this context, we report a strong majority‐rules effect in the formation of chiral dynamic nanotubes from chiral bisurea monomers. Furthermore, similar helical nanotubes (with the same circular dichroism signature) can be obtained from racemic monomers in a chiral solvent. Competition experiments reveal the relative strength of the helical bias induced by the chiral monomer or by the chiral solvent. The nanotube handedness is imposed by the monomer chirality, whatever the solvent chirality. However, the chirality of the solvent has a significant effect on the degree of chiral induction.