Quantum Zeno and anti-Zeno paradoxes

Continuous observation of a time independent projection operator is known to prevent change of state (the quantum Zeno paradox). We discuss the recent result that generic continuous measurement of time dependent projection operators will in fact ensure change of state: an anti-Zeno paradox.     

Preparation and thermal characterization of inclusion complex of Brazilian green propolis and hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin

The propolis produced in Southeastern Brazil is known as green propolis (BGP) because of its color and the most important plant source is Baccharis dracunculifolia. Several authors reported biological activities such as antiulcer, anti-inflammator, antimutagenic, antifungal/antibacterial, antileishmanial/antiplasmodial for the BGP. For this reason, BGP has been extensively employed in food and beverages, thus helping improve health and preventing diseases. Some authors related that the biological activities of BGP are mostly due to its high levels of prenylated ρ-coumaric acids derivatives, mainly artepillin C. The inclusion complex between Brazilian green propolis (BGP) with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) was prepared and its characterization was investigated by different analytical techniques (X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetry) and suggesting that propolis was molecularly dispersed in the HP-β-CD matrix. The increasing solubility of chemical constituents was determined using quantitation methods for total flavonoids and polyphenols. Furthermore, it was developed a method for the quantitation and identification of the main compounds by high-performance liquid chromatography in order to evaluate the increasing water solubility of each constituent in aqueous BGP extract (aromadendrin, isosakuranetin, and artepillin C). The antioxidant activity was evaluated by chemical assay 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging.     

Remote regio- and stereocontrol by the sulfinyl group: Diels–Alder reaction of sulfinyl dienols and 8,8-dimethylnaphthalene-1,4,5(8H)-trione

Diels–Alder cycloaddition of 8,8-dimethylnaphthalene-1,4,5(8H)-trione with diastereomeric hydroxysulfinyldienes proceeded with high yields and good π-facial and regioselectivities. The hydroxysulfoxide moiety controls the regio- and stereoselectivities, through hydrogen bonds in the suggested transition state.     

Theoretical insights into the regioselectivity of a Pictet‐Spengler reaction: Transition state structures leading to salsolinol and isosalsolinol

The mechanism of the cyclization step of the Pictet‐Spengler reaction between acetaldehyde and dopamine to give salsolinol and isosalsolinol was studied computationally, using density functional theory. The preferential formation in acidic media of salsolinol, the product of para‐cyclization, and the requirement of a neutral pH for the formation of the ortho‐cyclized isosalsolinol are explained in terms of 2 different mechanistic routes with an iminium ion or a phenolate‐iminium zwitterion as starting reactants.     

Parametric stability in Robe’s problem

In this work we have given a Hamiltonian formulation to Robe’s problem, obtaining again the classic results. We have computed the resonances existing in the circular case and obtained some information with regard to the linear stability of the central equilibrium of Robe’s problem in the elliptic case. In some critical cases we have constructed, in the parameter plane, the boundary curves that separate the regions of stability and instability.     

Electrochromic and spectroelectrochemical properties of polythiophene β-substituted with alkyl and alkoxy groups

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - Polythiophenes are conjugated polymers that are highly promising candidates for use as an active layer in flexible optoelectronic devices. The...     

Optimization of Endoglucanase and Xylanase Activities from Fusarium verticillioides for Simultaneous Saccharification and Fermentation of Sugarcane Bagasse

Enzymatic hydrolysis is an important but expensive step in the production of ethanol from biomass. Thus, the production of efficient enzymatic cocktails is of great interest for this biotechnological application. The production of endoglucanase and xylanase activites from F. verticillioides were optimized in a factorial design (2⁵) followed by a CCDR design. Endoglucanase and xylanase activities increased from 2.8 to 8.0 U/mL and from 13.4 to 114 U/mL, respectively. The optimal pH and temperature were determined for endoglucanase (5.6, 80 °C), cellobiase (5.6, 60 °C), FPase (6.0, 55 °C) and xylanase (7.0, 50 °C). The optimized crude extract was applied in saccharification and fermentation of sugarcane bagasse from which 9.7 g/L of ethanol was produced at an ethanol/biomass yield of 0.19.     

Duality and the Poincaré–Hopf Inequalities

In this article we obtain a duality result for an n-manifold N with boundary ∂N = N + ⊔N ⁻ a disjoint union, where N ⁺ and N ⁻ are arbitrarily chosen parts in ∂N and need not be compact. This duality result is used to generalize the Poincaré–Hopf inequalities in a non-compact setting.     

Phase characterization in the Fe−Co−V and Fe−Co−Nb systems

Two distinct phases of the Fe?Co?Nb and three of the Fe?Co?V systems have been studied by means of X-ray diffraction and Mössbauer spectroscopy. The dependence of the lattice parameter of the alpha phase on the nominal solute content in equiatomic FeCo together with the alterations of the Mössbauer spectra have shown a very limited solubility of niobium in alpha FeCo. There are indications that the solubility of vanadium in alpha FeCo increases with increasing nominal content of solute in the alloy. A mechanism involving the withdrawal of cobalt from the alpha matrix to form a phase rich in Co and V (gamma) is proposed to explain such a varying solubility. The vanadium content of the sigma phase in equiatomic FeCo alloys with 22 wt% V is proposed to be less than 50 at%.