On some global well-posedness and asymptotic results for quasilinear parabolic equations

We prove that the quasilinear parabolic initial-boundary value problem (1.1) below is globally well-posed in a class of high order Sobolev solutions, and that these solutions possess compact, regular attractors ast+.     

Mercury species immobilized on sulphydryl cotton: A new candidate reference material for mercury speciation

A batch of sulphydryl cotton microcolumns was prepared and charged with a mixed Hg standard solution (methyl-, ethyl- and inorganic Hg, 10 g l^–1 as Hg, 3 ml) and stored at 4 °C in a light-tight box. At regular time intervals over a 4 month period microcolumns were removed and Hg species were quantified by gas chromatography microwave-induced plasma atomic emission spectrometry (after elution, extraction and derivatization steps). It was found that analyte recoveries for methyl- and inorganic Hg were quantitative over the 4 month period while ethyl-Hg species appeared to be stable for up to 2 months.     

A scalable process for the synthesis of (E)-pterostilbene involving aqueous Wittig olefination chemistry

A synthetic approach toward the pharmacologically active (E)-stilbene pterostilbene is described using a Wittig reaction conducted under mildly basic, aqueous conditions. A surprising, non-intuitive difference in (E)/(Z) stereoselectivity was observed comparing the two possible isomeric Wittig routes, allowing for the development of a highly efficient process to access the title stilbene derivative through a one-pot olefination deprotection sequence.     

Improving the spectral resolution of wedged etalons and linear variable filters with incidence angle

Compact spectrometers fabricated by placing a wedged etalon or a linear variable filter in front of a linear photodiode array typically do not exhibit the spectral resolution of a parallel filter of the same finesse. A theoretical analysis of the beam emerging from a wedged etalon is shown to predict a comalike aberration, explaining the loss in resolution. This analysis also predicts a focused beam waist whose axial position depends on the incidence angle, indicating that resolution can be improved by placing this waist on the detector. These results are experimentally confirmed in a multicavity linear variable filter to achieve 0.09 nm spectral resolution at 1550 nm.     

P(RNCH2CH2)3N: catalysts for the head-to-tail dimerization of methyl acrylate

The dimerization of methyl acrylate to the head-to-tail 2-methylene-pentanedioic acid dimethyl ester product was realized in 82 and 85% yield in only 4 h at room temperature in THF in the presence of catalytic amounts of P(RNCH2CH2)3N (R = i-Bu and Bn, respectively). These phosphines are to our knowledge the best nonmetallic catalysts so far reported for this reaction. In contrast, less sterically hindered P(MeNCH2CH2)3N failed to catalyze this dimerization, giving oligomer or polymer instead.