Reversible Control by Light of the High‐Spin Low‐Spin Elastic Interface inside the Bistable Region of a Robust Spin‐Transition Single Crystal

By using a weak modulated laser intensity we have succeeded in reversibly controlling the dynamics of the spin‐crossover (SC) single crystal [{Fe(NCSe)(py)₂}₂(m‐bpypz)] inside the thermal hysteresis. The experiment could be repeated several times with a reproducible response of the high‐spin low‐spin interface and without crystal damage. In‐depth investigations as a function of the amplitude and frequency of the excitation brought to light the existence of a cut‐off frequency ca. 1.5 Hz. The results not only document the applicability of SC materials as actuators, memory devices, or switches, but also open a new avenue for the reversible photo‐control of the spin transition inside the thermal hysteresis.     

Isolation, synthesis and photochemical properties of almazolone, a new indole alkaloid from a red alga of Senegal

An indole alkaloid bearing an oxazolone ring, christened almazolone, has been isolated from a new collection of Haraldiophyllum sp. from Dakar (Senegal), as an 88:12 mixture of (Z)/(E) stereoisomers. The relative ratio could be modified under controlled photochemical and thermal processes. The product (Z)-3-indolyl-2-(phenyl-propionylamino)-acrylic acid obtained by oxazolone ring opening has also been observed. Its formation has been confirmed by alkaline hydrolysis of (Z)-almazolone available from synthesis, where condensation of indole-3-carboxaldehyde with (3-phenylpropionylamino)-acetic acid represents the key step.     

Pyrethroid and Etofenprox Resistance in Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles coluzzii from Vegetable Farms in Yaoundé, Cameroon: Dynamics,Intensity and Molecular Basis

Previous studies have indicated widespread insecticide resistance in malaria vector populations from Cameroon. However, the intensity of this resistance and underlying mechanisms are poorly known. Therefore, we conducted three cross-sectional resistance surveys between April 2018 and October 2019, using the revised World Health Organization protocol, which includes resistance incidences and intensity assessments. Field-collected Anopheles gambiae s.l. populations from Nkolondom, Nkolbisson and Ekié vegetable farms in the city of Yaoundé were tested with deltamethrin, permethrin, alpha-cypermethrin and etofenprox, using 1× insecticide diagnostic concentrations for resistance incidence, then 5× and 10× concentrations for resistance intensity. Subsamples were analyzed for species identification and the detection of resistance-associated molecular markers using TaqMan® qPCR assays. In Nkolbisson, both An. coluzzii (96%) and An. gambiae s.s. (4%) were found together, whereas only An. gambiae s.s. was present in Nkolondom, and only An. coluzzii was present in Ekié. All three populations were resistant to the four insecticides (<75% mortality rates―MR1×), with intensity generally fluctuating over the time between mod-erate (<98%―MR5×; ≥98%―MR10×) and high (76–97%―MR10×). The kdr L995F, L995S, and N1570Y, and the Ace-1 G280S-resistant alleles were found in An. gambiae from Nkolondom, at 73%, 1%, 16% and 13% frequencies, respectively, whereas only the kdr L995F was found in An. gambiae s.s. from Nkolbisson at a 50% frequency. In An. coluzzii from Nkolbisson and Ekié, we detected only the kdr L995F allele at 65% and 60% frequencies, respectively. Furthermore, expression levels of Cyp6m2, Cyp9k1, and Gste2 metabolic genes were highly upregulated (over fivefold) in Nkolondom and Nkolbisson. Pyrethroid and etofenprox-based vector control interventions may be jeopardized in the prospected areas, due to high resistance intensity, with multiple mechanisms in An. gambiae s.s. and An. coluzzii.     

Structure‐Driven Orientation of the High‐Spin–Low‐Spin Interface in a Spin‐Crossover Single Crystal

The orientation of the high‐spin (HS)–low‐spin (LS) macroscopic interface at the thermal transition of thin [{Fe(NCSe)(py)₂}₂(m‐bpypz)] crystals is explained by considering the possible vanishing of the structural mismatch between the coexisting phases. The structural property which allows mismatch‐free interfaces is characterized. The observed orientations of the interface and the tilt angle between the HS and LS domains are accurately reproduced by a two‐dimensional continuous medium model, based on the structural data. Simulations using an atomistic electro‐elastic model meet the predictions of the macroscopic analysis and provide information on the distribution of the elastic energy density in the biphasic state. The presence of mismatch‐free domain structures can explain the exceptional resilience of these crystals upon repeated switching.