2-O-Substituted-3,6-per-anhydro-α-Cyclodextrin as Potential Biocompatible Agents for the Selective Complexation of Heavy Metal Ions with Special Attention to Lead

We report on the synthesis,characterization and ionic complexation properties ofhexakis (2-O-acetyl-3,6-anhydro)cyclomaltohexaose and hexakis (2-O-methyl-3,6-anhydro) cyclomaltohexaose usingthin-layer chromatography and Nuclear MagneticResonance spectroscopy. The selectivity towardscations depends on chemical modification of thehydroxyl groups and a very high specificity can beobtained in the case of lead for methylatedderivatives.     

Scale function vs topological entropy

In the realm of topological automorphisms of totally disconnected locally compact groups, the scale function introduced by Willis in [19] is compared with the topological entropy. We prove that the logarithm of the scale function is always dominated by the topological entropy and we provide examples showing that this inequality can be strict. Moreover, we give a condition equivalent to the equality between these two invariants. Various properties of the scale function, inspired by those of the topological entropy, are presented.     

Impact of rocket propulsion technology on the radiation risk in missions to Mars

Exposure to cosmic radiation is today acknowledged as a major obstacle to human missions to Mars. In fact, in addition to the poor knowledge on the late effects of heavy ions in the cosmic rays, simple countermeasures are apparently not available. Shielding is indeed very problematic in space, because of mass problems and the high-energy of the cosmic rays, and radio-protective drugs or dietary supplements are not effective. However, the simplest countermeasure for reducing radiation risk is to shorten the duration time, particularly the transit time to Mars, where the dose rate is higher than on the planet surface. Here we show that using nuclear electric propulsion (NEP) rockets, the transit time could be substantially reduced to a point where radiation risk could be considered acceptable even with the current uncertainty on late effects.     

Givental group action on topological field theories and homotopy Batalin–Vilkovisky algebras

In this paper, we initiate the study of the Givental group action on Cohomological Field Theories in terms of homotopical algebra. More precisely, we show that the stabilisers of Topological Field Theories in genus 0 (respectively in genera 0 and 1) are in one-to-one correspondence with commutative homotopy Batalin–Vilkovisky algebras (respectively wheeled commutative homotopy BV-algebras).     

Dispersion of silica nanoparticles bearing perfluorohexyl units into fluorinated copolymers

This study aims at determining the compatibility behavior of nanoparticles surface with fluorinated matrices to obtain a homogenous dispersion and better composites properties. First, modified silica nanoparticles by C₆F₁₃I and C₆F₁₃‐C₂H₄‐SH led to various fluorinated silica of different massic concentrations and grafting rates. The dispersion of these nanoparticles (in 5 wt %) into molten poly(VDF‐co‐HFP) and poly(TFE‐co‐HFP) matrices were studied as well as the hydrophobic, mechanical, and thermal properties of both fluorinated copolymers and resulting composites. In both series, the storage modulus of nanocomposites increased while the melting (T_m) and decomposition (T_10%) temperatures varied with the polymer matrix. They increased for poly(VDF‐co‐HFP) composites (T_m= 134 to 144 °C and T_10%= 441 to 464 °C) but decreased for poly(TFE‐co‐HFP) nanocomposites (T_m= 276 to 268 °C and T_10%= 488 to 477 °C). © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 1512–1522     

Evaluation of the SEBS copolymer in the compatibility of PP/ABS blends through mechanical,thermal, thermomechanical properties,and morphology

Polypropylene (PP) blends with acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) were prepared using the styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene copolymer (SEBS) as a compatibilizing agent. The blends were prepared in a co-rotational twin-screw extruder and injection molded. Torque rheometry, Izod impact strength, tensile strength, heat deflection temperature (HDT), differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetry, and scanning electron microscopy properties were investigated. The results showed that there was an increase in the torque of PA6/ABS blends with SEBS addition. The PP/ABS/SEBS (60/25/15%) blend showed significant improvement in impact strength, elongation at break, thermal stability, and HDT compared with neat PP. The elastic modulus and tensile strength have not been significantly reduced. The degree of crystallinity and the crystalline melting temperature increased, indicating a nucleating effect of ABS. The PP/ABS blends compatibilized with 12.5% and 15% SEBS presented morphology with well-distributed fine ABS particles with good interfacial adhesion. As a result, thermal stability has been improved over pure PP and the mechanical properties have been increased, especially impact strength. In general, the addition of the SEBS copolymer as the PP/ABS blend compatibilizer has the advantage of refining the blend's morphology, increasing its toughness and thermal stability, without jeopardizing other PP properties.     

Regularity of the value function and viscosity solutions in optimal stopping problems for general Markov processes

We consider optimal stopping problems for Markov processes with a semicontinuous reward function g , and we show that under suitable conditions the value function w = w [ g ] is itself semicontinuous and is a viscosity solution of the associated variational inequality.