How do singularities move in potential flow?

The equations of motion of point vortices embedded in incompressible flow go back to Kirchhoff. They are a paradigm of reduction of an infinite-dimensional dynamical system, namely the incompressible Euler equation, to a finite-dimensional system, and have been called a “classical applied mathematical playground”. The equation of motion for a point vortex can be viewed as the statement that the translational velocity of the point vortex is obtained by removing the leading-order singularity due to the point vortex when computing its velocity. The approaches used to obtain this result are reviewed, along with their history and limitations. A formulation that can be extended to study the motion of higher singularities (e.g. dipoles) is then presented. Extensions to more complex physical situations are also discussed.     

Vapor‐Phase Linker Exchange of the Metal–Organic Framework ZIF‐8: A Solvent‐Free Approach to Post‐synthetic Modification

Zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) are a sub‐class of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). Although generally stable, ZIFs can undergo post‐synthetic linker exchange (PSLE) in solution under mild conditions. Herein, we present a novel, solvent‐free approach to post‐synthetic linker exchange through exposure to linker vapor.     

Experimental evidence supported by simulations of a very high H2 diffusion in metal organic framework materials

Quasielastic neutron scattering measurements are combined with molecular dynamics simulations to extract the self-diffusion coefficient of hydrogen in the metal organic frameworks MIL-47(V) and MIL-53(Cr). We find that the diffusivity of hydrogen at low loading is about 2 orders of magnitude higher than in zeolites. Such a high mobility has never been experimentally observed before in any nanoporous materials, although it was predicted in carbon nanotubes. Either 1D or 3D diffusion mechanisms are elucidated depending on the chemical features of the MIL framework.     

Simplex optimization of a nitrogen-cooled argon inductively coupled plasma for multi-element analysis

A medium power (5 kW) nitrogen-cooled argon inductively coupled plasma (ICP) system was used in an investigation of the basic and modified simplex methods of optimization. The optimum operating conditions for the ICP system were established for 23 commonly determined elements covering a wavelength range from 180 to 340 nm and including an approximately equal number of atomic and ionic lines.Initially the optimization was carried out for individual elements on the basis of two responses: net signal-to-background ratio (SBR) and ionization interference (II).The simplex technique indicated a need to improve the nebulization system.In achievement of maximum SBR, interesting correlations were found between the optimum power required, on the one hand, and the difficulty of excitation of the elements and the optimum intermediate-gas flowrate, on the other.Finally a method for optimization of the conditions for the plasma in multi-element analysis, based on the sequential use of maximum SBR and minimum ionization interference (MII) responses, was devised and successfully tested against several routine analytical methods. Application of the conditions established during these optimizations result in an analytically useful plasma giving good detection limits as well as minimum ionization interference effects.     

Precise temperature control in microfluidic devices using Joule heating of ionic liquids

Microfluidic devices for spatially localised heating of microchannel environments were designed, fabricated and tested. The devices are simple to implement, do not require complex manufacturing steps and enable intra-channel temperature control to within +/-0.2 degrees C. Ionic liquids held in co-running channels are Joule heated with an a.c. current. The nature of the devices means that the internal temperature can be directly assessed in a facile manner.     

Mangroves enhance the biomass of coral reef fish communities in the Caribbean

Mangrove forests are one of the world's most threatened tropical ecosystems with global loss exceeding 35% (ref. 1). Juvenile coral reef fish often inhabit mangroves, but the importance of these nurseries to reef fish population dynamics has not been quantified. Indeed, mangroves might be expected to have negligible influence on reef fish communities: juvenile fish can inhabit alternative habitats and fish populations may be regulated by other limiting factors such as larval supply or fishing. Here we show that mangroves are unexpectedly important, serving as an intermediate nursery habitat that may increase the survivorship of young fish. Mangroves in the Caribbean strongly influence the community structure of fish on neighbouring coral reefs. In addition, the biomass of several commercially important species is more than doubled when adult habitat is connected to mangroves. The largest herbivorous fish in the Atlantic, Scarus guacamaia, has a functional dependency on mangroves and has suffered local extinction after mangrove removal. Current rates of mangrove deforestation are likely to have severe deleterious consequences for the ecosystem function, fisheries productivity and resilience of reefs. Conservation efforts should protect connected corridors of mangroves, seagrass beds and coral reefs.     

Influence of Solvent‐Like Sidechains on the Adsorption of Light Hydrocarbons in Metal–Organic Frameworks

A variety of strategies have been developed to adsorb and separate light hydrocarbons in metal–organic frameworks. Here, we present a new approach in which the pores of a framework are lined with four different C3 sidechains that feature various degrees of branching and saturation. These pendant groups, which essentially mimic a low‐density solvent with restricted degrees of freedom, offer tunable control of dispersive host–guest interactions. The performance of a series of frameworks of the type Zn₂(fu‐bdc)₂(dabco) (fu‐bdc^2?=functionalized 1,4‐benzenedicarboxylate; dabco=1,4‐diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane), which feature a pillared layer structure, were investigated for the adsorption and separation of methane, ethane, ethylene, and acetylene. The four frameworks exhibit low methane uptake, whereas C2 hydrocarbon uptake is substantially higher as a result of the enhanced interaction of these molecules with the ligand sidechains. Most significantly, the adsorption quantities and selectivity were found to depend strongly upon the type of sidechains attached to the framework scaffold.     

Charge distribution in metal organic framework materials: transferability to a preliminary molecular simulation study of the CO(2) adsorption in the MIL-53 (Al) system

Density functional theory calculations have been performed in order to extract the charge distribution in the aluminium-containing MIL-53 structure, to allow further computational studies of adsorption in these materials. Both cluster and periodic methods have been used and the charges calculated for each atom constituting the organic and inorganic part of the material, were discussed. Preliminary grand canonical Monte Carlo simulations, based on a consistent set of potential parameters and this newly derived charge distribution, predicted for enthalpies of adsorption for CO(2) at low coverage in the "large" and "narrow" pore versions of MIL-53 (Al) to be significantly different. These calculated enthalpies reproduced the two distinct ranges of values observed by microcalorimetry on either side of 6 bars quite well. This agreement between experiment and simulation validated our previous assumption, suggesting a structural switching of the hybrid material during the adsorption process. The microscopic mode of interaction between the hybrid porous framework and the CO(2) adsorption was then carefully analysed in both of the MIL-53 (Al) structures.     

On the breathing effect of a metal-organic framework upon CO(2) adsorption: Monte Carlo compared to microcalorimetry experiments

Grand Canonical Monte Carlo simulations have explained the breathing of a metal-organic framework upon CO(2) adsorption, first suggested by microcalorimetry.     

Synthesis of (R)‐3‐(tert‐Butoxycarbonylamino)‐4‐(2,4,5‐trifluorophenyl)butanoic Acid,a Key Intermediate,and the Formal Synthesis of Sitagliptin Phosphate

An alternate formal synthesis of Sitagliptin phosphate is disclosed from 2,4,5‐trifluorobenzadehyde in 8 linear steps with an overall yield of 31%. The chiral β‐amino acid moiety present in sitaglitpin is installed via an asymmetric hydrogenation followed by a stereoselective Hofmann rearrangement as the key steps. The key chiral intermediate Boc‐amino acid 1 prepared by this novel route was further converted to Sitagliptin phosphate following the known literature protocol.