Error bounds of singular boundary method for potential problems

The singular boundary method (SBM) is a recent strong‐form boundary collocation method free of integration, mesh, and fictitious boundary. Although an extensive study has been reported in the literature on improving its accuracy and stability as well as its applications to diverse problems, little, however, has been done to analyze its convergence mathematically. The main purpose of this paper is to derive the explicit error bounds of the SBM for potential problems as well as to explain the essential difference between the origin intensity factor (OIF) in the SBM and the singular integration in the boundary element method (BEM). In the process of derivation, we also illustrate the physical meaning of OIF and explain the reason why the OIF has the function to correct the discretization error on the boundary. Finally, several benchmark examples are given to verify the effectiveness of the conclusions obtained from this article, as well as to investigate the different convergence behaviors between the SBM and BEM. It can be found that the SBM has the explicit error bound and is mathematically a stable technique.© 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 33: 1987–2004, 2017     

On the explosive instability in a three‐species food chain model with modified Holling type IV functional response

In earlier literature, a version of a classical three‐species food chain model, with modified Holling type IV functional response, is proposed. Results on the global boundedness of solutions to the model system under certain parametric restrictions are derived, and chaotic dynamics is shown. We prove that in fact the model possesses explosive instability, and solutions can explode/blow up in finite time, for certain initial conditions, even under the parametric restrictions of the literature. Furthermore, we derive the Hopf bifurcation criterion, route to chaos, and Turing bifurcation in case of the spatially explicit model. Lastly, we propose, analyze, and simulate a version of the model, incorporating gestation effect, via an appropriate time delay. The delayed model is shown to possess globally bounded solutions, for any initial condition. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Molecular Chirality in Meteorites and Interstellar Ices,and the Chirality Experiment on Board the ESA Cometary Rosetta Mission

Life, as it is known to us, uses exclusively L ‐amino acid and D ‐sugar enantiomers for the molecular architecture of proteins and nucleic acids. This Minireview explores current models of the original symmetry‐breaking influence that led to the exogenic delivery to Earth of prebiotic molecules with a slight enantiomeric excess. We provide a short overview of enantiomeric enhancements detected in bodies of extraterrestrial origin, such as meteorites, and interstellar ices simulated in the laboratory. Data are interpreted from different points of view, namely, photochirogenesis, parity violation in the weak nuclear interaction, and enantioenrichment through phase transitions. Photochemically induced enantiomeric imbalances are discussed more specifically in the topical context of the “chirality module” on board the cometary Rosetta spacecraft of the ESA. This device will perform the first enantioselective in situ analyses of samples taken from a cometary nucleus.     

Electrostatic Localization of RNA to Protocell Membranes by Cationic Hydrophobic Peptides

Cooperative interactions between RNA and vesicle membranes on the prebiotic earth may have led to the emergence of primitive cells. The membrane surface offers a potential platform for the catalysis of reactions involving RNA, but this scenario relies upon the existence of a simple mechanism by which RNA could become associated with protocell membranes. Here, we show that electrostatic interactions provided by short, basic, amphipathic peptides can be harnessed to drive RNA binding to both zwitterionic phospholipid and anionic fatty acid membranes. We show that the association of cationic molecules with phospholipid vesicles can enhance the local positive charge on a membrane and attract RNA polynucleotides. This phenomenon can be reproduced with amphipathic peptides as short as three amino acids. Finally, we show that peptides can cross bilayer membranes to localize encapsulated RNA. This mechanism of polynucleotide confinement could have been important for primitive cellular evolution.     

The metabolic profile of lemon juice by proton HR-MAS NMR: the case of the PGI Interdonato Lemon of Messina

We have studied by means of High Resolution Magic Angle Spinning Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (HR-MAS NMR) the metabolic profile of the famous Sicilian lemon known as 'Interdonato Lemon of Messina PGI’. The PGI Interdonato Lemon of Messina possesses high organoleptic and healthy properties and is recognised as one of the most nutrient fruits. In particular, some of its constituents are actively studied for their chemo-preventive and therapeutic properties. In this paper, we have determined by means of HR-MAS NMR spectroscopy the molar concentration of the main metabolites constituent the juice of PGI Interdonato Lemon of Messina in comparison with that of the not-PGI Interdonato Lemon of Turkey. Our aim is to develop an analytical technique, in order to determine a metabolic fingerprint able to reveal commercial frauds in national and international markets.     

分散液液微萃取技术在食品分析中的应用进展

近年来,分散液液微萃取作为一种新型液相微萃取(LPME)技术受到广泛关注。该技术具有操作简单、有机溶剂用量少、富集倍数高等显著优点,已被广泛用于各类样品基质中无机和有机分析物的提取。但由于传统分散液液微萃取技术的萃取剂以高毒性有机溶剂为主,且选择性差,从而严重限制了该技术的应用。为此,最近几年发展了许多操作模式,如低密度萃取剂分散液液微萃取、悬浮固化分散液液微萃取、调节萃取剂密度的分散液液微萃取、离子液体-分散液液微萃取、水溶液作为萃取剂的反相分散液液微萃取等。该文综述了分散液液微萃取技术原理、萃取过程和影响因素(如萃取剂与分散剂种类和体积、p H值、离子强度、萃取时间等),并对其在食品分析中的应用进展进行了系统总结。     

顶空-气相色谱法测定食用植物油中溶剂残留的方法研究

建立顶空-气相色谱法测定食用植物油中六号溶剂残留量的分析方法.通过优化顶空进样器的平衡温度和平衡时间,使六号溶剂的主要组分完全分离,采用外标法进行定量.在2.0~100.0 mg/kg质量分数范围内,线性关系良好.在低、中、高3个加标水平下,平均回收率是98.2%~99.2%,相对标准偏差是小于2%.方法简便、准确,适合于食用植物油中六号溶剂残留量的测定.     

食品接触塑料材料中有害重金属迁移量测定方法综述

塑料在食品接触材料中占有重要地位,通过介绍食品接触塑料材料中重金属危害及来源,总结食品接触塑料材料中有害重金属安全限量,并对目前食品接触塑料材料中有害重金属的迁移测定方法进行综述。开发食品接触材料快速检测方法是今后研究的方向。     

Water absorption and degradation characteristics of chitosan-based polyesters and hydroxyapatite composites

Blends of chitosan and biodegradable synthetic aliphatic polyesters (polycaprolactone, poly(butylene succinate), poly[(butylene succinate)-co-adipate], poly[(butylene terephthalate)-co-adipate], and poly(lactic acid)) were injection-molded. These samples were immersed in isotonic solution at 37 degrees C for a period of 60 d. The water uptake and the degradation properties, as measured by the loss in tensile strength, were evaluated as a function of time. In this study, the rate and the equilibrium water uptake were proportional to the amount of chitosan in the blend. The addition of HA to chitosan and polyester significantly reduced the equilibrium water uptake. The water uptake did not follow the classical Fickian phenomena and could be expressed by a two-stage sorption non-Fickian diffusion model. Contact angle measurement was used to quantify the changes in surface hydrophilicity as a function of chitosan and polyester composition. The glycerol contact angle decreased with increasing synthetic components in the blend. The blends and composites also showed increased degradation, as quantified by a loss in their mechanical properties, with increase in natural content. The degradation of properties was directly related to the water uptake of the blends; the higher the water uptake, the higher the degradation. Pure polyesters, while having low water uptake, nevertheless showed significant degradation by a precipitous drop in the strain at break. Among the polyesters, poly(lactic acid) displayed maximum degradation, while polycaprolactone displayed the least.