Spectrofluorimetric determination of formaldehyde in maple syrup

A quick and simple method was developed for determination of formaldehyde in maple syrup. In this method, formaldehyde reacts with Fluoral P to form a complex which is chemically extracted by isobutanol and determined by spectrofluorimetry. Performance, as gauged by the limits of detection (0.16 mg/kg) and quantitation (0.21 mg/kg), recovery (>79%), and variability (1.9-16.1%, depending on fortification level and class of syrup) were superior to the current official AOAC standard method.     

Optimum blank design by using the FEM based on inverse motion in orthotropic elasto-plasticity

Inverse form finding aims to determine the optimum blank design of a workpiece whereby the desired end configuration that is obtaining after a forming process, the boundary conditions and the applied loads are known. Inputting the optimal initial configuration a subsequent computation with the Finite Element Method (FEM) then has to result in exactly the nodal coordinates of the desired deformed workpiece. Germain et al. [1] recently presented a new form finding strategy for isotropic elasto-plasticity, see also Landkammer et al. [2] for orthotropic plasticity. The corresponding algorithm uses the inverse mechanical formulation (also denoted as inverse finite element method) in addition to the common direct formulation in a recursive way. Switching between the direct and the inverse mechanical formulation, while fixing the internal plastic variables in the inverse step, uniquely detects the undeformed configuration iteratively. This contribution demonstrates within an example that the developed recursive algorithm even works with combinations of orthotropic elastic and orthotropic plastic material parameters without affecting the nearly linear convergence rate of the form finding algorithm. (© 2014 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Elimination Reactions of 2-Deoxy 2-C-Methyl Sugars : Application to the Synthesis of Methyl 2,3,4-Trideoxy-2,4-Di-C-Methyl-6-O-Triphenylmethyl α-D-Lyxo Hexopyranoside and its X Ray Crystal Structure

Abstract

A facile and regiospecific dehydration of 2-deoxy 2-C-methyl sugars using the triphenylphosphine-diethylazodicarboxylate reagent is reported. This reaction allowed us to prepare the title compound which is a crucial intermediate in the total synthesis of natural products. Its absolute configuration is firmly established by X Ray analysis.     

Electrostatic interactions of colloidal particles in nonpolar solvents: role of surface chemistry and charge control agents

We study the electrostatic and hydrodynamic interactions of colloidal particles in nonpolar solvents. Using blinking optical tweezers, we can extract the screening length, kappa-1, the effective surface potential, |ezeta*|, and the hydrodynamic radius, ah, in a single measurement. We apply this technique to suspensions of polystyrene and poly(methyl methacrylate) particles in hexadecane with soluble charge control agents, aerosol sodium di-2-ethylhexylsulfosuccinate (AOT) and polyisobutylene succinimide (OLOA-1200). We find that the electrostatic interactions of these particles depend sensitively on surface composition as well as on the concentration and chemistry of the charge control agent.     

Hydrogeological responses in tropical mountainous springs

This study presents a hydrogeochemical analysis of spring responses (2013–2017) in the tropical mountainous region of the Central Valley of Costa Rica. The isotopic distribution of δ¹⁸O and δ²H in rainfall resulted in a highly significant meteoric water line: δ²H?=?7.93·δ¹⁸O?+?10.37 (r^2? =?0.97). Rainfall isotopic composition exhibited a strong amount-dependent seasonality. The isotopic variation (δ¹⁸O) of two springs within the Barva aquifer was simulated using the FlowPC program to determine mean transit times (MTTs). Exponential-piston and dispersion distribution functions provided the best-fit to the observed isotopic composition at Flores and Sacramento springs, respectively. MTTs corresponded to 1.23?±?0.03 (Sacramento) and 1.42?±?0.04 (Flores) years. The greater MTT was represented by a homogeneous geochemical composition at Flores, whereas the smaller MTT at Sacramento is reflected in a more variable geochemical response. The results may be used to enhance modelling efforts in central Costa Rica, whereby scarcity of long-term data limits water resources management plans.