Measurements of the D(sJ) resonance properties

We report measurements of the properties of the D(+)(sJ)(2317) and D(+)(sJ)(2457) resonances produced in continuum e(+)e(-) annihilation near sqrt[s]=10.6 GeV. The analysis is based on an 86.9 fb(-1) data sample collected with the Belle detector at KEKB. We determine the masses to be M(D(+)(sJ)(2317))=2317.2+/-0.5(stat)+/-0.9(syst) MeV/c(2) and M(D(+)(sJ)(2457))=2456.5+/-1.3(stat)+/-1.3(syst) MeV/c(2). We observe the radiative decay mode D(+)(sJ)(2457)-->D(+)(s)gamma and the dipion decay mode D(+)(sJ)(2457)-->D(+)(s)pi(+)pi(-) and determine their branching fractions. No corresponding decays are observed for the D(sJ)(2317) state. These results are consistent with the spin-parity assignments of 0(+) for the D(sJ)(2317) and 1(+) for the D(sJ)(2457).     

Observation of the radiative decay D0-->phigamma

We report the observation of the decay D0-->phigamma with a statistical significance of 5.4sigma in 78.1 fb(-1) of data collected by the Belle experiment at the KEKB e+e- collider. This is the first observation of a flavor-changing radiative decay of a charmed meson. The Cabibbo- and color-suppressed decays D0-->phipi(0), phieta are also observed for the first time. We measure branching fractions B(D0-->phigamma)=[2.60(+0.70)(-0.61)(stat)+0.15-0.17(syst)] x 10(-5), B(D0-->phipi(0))=[8.01+/-0.26(stat)+/-0.47(syst)] x 10(-4), and B(D0-->phieta)=[1.48+/-0.47(stat)+/-0.09(syst)] x 10(-4).     

Asymmetric synthesis of 3-amino-4-hydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)pyrrolidines as potential glycosidase inhibitors

Three diastereoisomers of 3-amino-4-hydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)pyrrolidine have been synthesised by a divergent route starting from trans-4-hydroxy-L-proline. Regio- and stereoselective introduction of the 3-amino and 4-hydroxyl functional groups was achieved using either a tethered aminohydroxylation reaction or by employing intra- and intermolecular epoxide-opening strategies. Preliminary biological data indicate that two of these novel amino pyrrolidines are moderate inhibitors of beta-galactosidase.     

Novel Regio‐ and Stereoselective Cascade 6‐endo‐trig Cyclisations from Polyene Acyl Radical Intermediates Leading to Steroid‐Like Pentacycles and Heptacycles

In a quite remarkable regio‐ and stereoselective manner, each of the (all‐E)‐polyene selenoates 5a – c is shown to undergo cascade radical‐mediated polycyclisations via consecutive 6‐endo‐trig reactions, leading to the corresponding all‐trans, anti, tri‐, penta‐ and heptacycles, i.e., 20 , 23 , and 25 , in good yields. The configurations of these `steroid‐like' polycycles followed from detailed examination and correlation of chemical shift data in their ¹³C‐NMR spectra.     

Thermodynamic properties of strontium tungstate crystal growth from sodium tungstate melts

Energy (E), enthalpy (ΔH_a), entropy (ΔS_a) and free-energy (ΔG_a) of activation and the pre-exponential factor (k₀) of the ordinary Arrhenius equation k_Dl = k₀e–E/RT were estimated for diffusion-controlled crystal growth of SrWO₄ from Na₂WO₄ melts. E increased slightly with increased cooling rates (R_T). k₀ was parallel to k_Dl and increased with increasing R_T. ΔH_a, ΔS_a, and ΔG_a did not change with the changes in R_T and crystallization temperature (T₀). The distance (d₁₂), between a diffusing particle and its host necessary for a successful diffusion, was estimated. Such distances slightly increased with T₀ and R_T.     

Do Flavonoids from Durum Wheat Contribute to Its Bioactive Properties? A Prospective Study

A clear gap with respect to the potential biological properties of wheat flavonoids exists in the available literature. This information is crucial for breeding programs aiming to produce new varieties presenting improved health benefits. Accordingly, advanced breeding lines of whole durum wheat were evaluated in this contribution. The highest recovery of phenolics was achieved using aqueous acetone (50:50, v/v), as verified by multi-response optimization, thus showing that phenolics could be largely underestimated by employing an inappropriate extraction. The concentration of derivatives of apigenin, the main phenolics present, ranged from 63.5 to 80.7%, as evaluated by LC–ESI-QTOF-MS. Phenolics from the breeding line 98 exhibited the highest ability in scavenging peroxyl radicals, reducing power as well as in terms of inhibition of pancreatic lipase activity, a key enzyme regulating the absorption of triacylglycerols. In contrast, none of the samples exhibited a significant anti-diabetic potential. Despite their high concentration compared to that of phenolic acids, results of this work do not support a significant antioxidant and pancreatic lipase inhibitory effect of durum wheat flavonoids. Therefore, breeding programs and animal and/or human trials related to the effect of durum wheat flavonoids on oxidative stress and absorption of triacylglycerols are discouraged at this point.     

Development of a new amblyopia-training device with polarizing films used under binocular conditions

Optical Review - We developed an amblyopia-training device, which can be used easily and inexpensively under binocular conditions with polarizing films. The device uses two polarizing films: one is...     

The sector constants of continuous state branching processes with immigration

Continuous state branching processes with immigration are studied. We are particularly concerned with the associated (non-symmetric) Dirichlet form. After observing that gamma distributions are only reversible distributions for this class of models, we prove that every generalized gamma convolution is a stationary distribution of the process with suitably chosen branching mechanism and with continuous immigration. For such non-reversible processes, the strong sector condition is discussed in terms of a characteristic called the Thorin measure. In addition, some connections with notion from non-commutative probability theory will be pointed out through calculations involving the Stieltjes transform.     

Functional Nanocomposite Films of Poly(Lactic Acid) with Well-Dispersed Chitin Nanocrystals Achieved Using a Dispersing Agent and Liquid-Assisted Extrusion Process

The development of bio-based nanocomposites is of high scientific and industrial interest, since they offer excellent advantages in creating functional materials. However, dispersion and distribution of the nanomaterials inside the polymer matrix is a key challenge to achieve high-performance functional nanocomposites. In this context, for better dispersion, biobased triethyl citrate (TEC) as a dispersing agent in a liquid-assisted extrusion process was used to prepare the nanocomposites of poly (lactic acid) (PLA) and chitin nanocrystals (ChNCs). The aim was to identify the effect of the TEC content on the dispersion of ChNCs in the PLA matrix and the manufacturing of a functional nanocomposite. The nanocomposite film’s optical properties; microstructure; migration of the additive and nanocomposites’ thermal, mechanical and rheological properties, all influenced by the ChNC dispersion, were studied. The microscopy study confirmed that the dispersion of the ChNCs was improved with the increasing TEC content, and the best dispersion was found in the nanocomposite prepared with 15 wt% TEC. Additionally, the nanocomposite with the highest TEC content (15 wt%) resembled the mechanical properties of commonly used polymers like polyethylene and polypropylene. The addition of ChNCs in PLA-TEC15 enhanced the melt viscosity, as well as melt strength, of the polymer and demonstrated antibacterial activity.     

Syntheses and properties of 1,6 and 1,7 perylene diimides and tetracarboxylic dianhydrides

Via Sonogashira cross-coupling with different alkynes, 1,6 and 1,7 perylene diimides (PDIs) and perylene tetracarboxylic dianhydrides (PTCDs) were synthesized from the corresponding regioisomeric mixture of 1,6/1,7-dibromo precursors. Both bulky triphenyl propyne (TPP) groups and nonbulky hexyl groups allow for facile chromatographic separation. The optical properties of these compounds are discussed. Neutral bay substituents hypsochromically shift both the absorption and emission through deformation from planarity of the perylene core.