Naphthalimide‐phthalimide derivative based photoinitiating systems for polymerization reactions under blue lights

Naphthalimide‐phthalimide derivatives (NDPDs) have been synthesized and combined with an iodonium salt, N‐vinylcarbazole, amine or 2,4,6‐tris(trichloromethyl)‐1,3,5‐triazine to produce reactive species (i.e., radicals and cations). These generated reactive species are capable of initiating the cationic polymerization of epoxides and/or the radical polymerization of acrylates upon exposure to very soft polychromatic visible lights or blue lights. Compared with the well‐known camphorquinone based systems used as references, the novel NDPD based combinations employed here demonstrate clearly higher efficiencies for the cationic polymerization of epoxides under air as well as the radical polymerization of acrylates. Remarkably, one of the NDPDs (i.e., NDPD2) based systems is characterized by an outstanding reactivity. The structure/reactivity/efficiency relationships of the investigated NDPDs were studied by fluorescence, cyclic voltammetry, laser flash photolysis, electron spin resonance spin trapping, and steady state photolysis techniques. The key parameters for their reactivity are provided. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 665–674     

Modélisation de structures électromagnétiques périodiques – matériaux bianisotropes avec mémoire

In this Note we propose a rigorous justification of the limit constitutive law of a periodic bi-anisotropic electromagnetic structure with memory. This study is based on the periodic unfolding method, introduced by D. Cioranescu, A. Damlamian and G. Griso, and is applied on the time domain and on the frequency domain. To cite this article: A. Bossavit et al., C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris, Ser. I 338 (2004).     

Multiplicité des solutions d'équilibre d'une coque de Marguerre–von Kármán membranaireMultiplicity of solutions to the Marguerre–von Kármán membrane equations

We build explicitly an infinite number of equilibrium solutions of unloaded Marguerre–von Kármán membrane shells. This construction is based upon the existence of three elementary solutions, together with the solution of a Monge–Ampère equation associated with a partition of the reference configuration of the shell. To cite this article: A. Léger, B. Miara, C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris, Ser. I 335 (2002) 649–654.     

Sparse pseudorandom distributions

The existence of sparse pseudorandom distributions is proved. These are probability distributions concentrated in a very small set of strings, yet it is infeasible for any polynomial-time algorithm to distinguish between truly random coins and coins selected according to these distributions. It is shown that such distributions can be generated by (nonpolynomial) probabilistic algorithms, while probabilistic polynomial-time algorithms cannot even approximate all the pseudorandom distributions. Moreover, we show the existence of evasive pseudorandom distributions which are not only sparse, but also have the property that no polynomial-time algorithm may find an element in their support, except for a negligible probability. All these results are proved independently of any intractability assumption.     

Transition-metal-templated synthesis of rotaxanes and catenanes: From small molecules to polymers

This article provides an overview of the fundamental principles of the synthesis of metallocatenanes and metallorotaxanes. It also describes the synthesis and properties of electronic conducting polymers—polypyrrole and polythiophene—built around metallocatenanes and metallorotaxanes. The particular properties of this new class of polymers, including the possibility of transmetallation reactions being performed with them and the observation of electronic coupling between the metal centers and the conducting matrix, are discussed. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 3470–3477, 2003     

Complex II from a structural perspective

The super-macromolecular complex, succinate:quinone oxidoreductase (SQR, Complex II, succinate dehydrogenase) couples the oxidation of succinate in the matrix / cytoplasm to the reduction of quinone in the membrane. This function directly connects the Krebs cycle and the aerobic respiratory chain. Until the recent first report of the structure of SQR from Escherichia coli (E. coli) the structure-function relationships in SQR have been inferred from the structures of the homologous QFR, which catalyses the same reaction in the opposite direction. The structure of SQR from E. coli, analogous to the mitochondrial respiratory Complex II, has provided new insight into SQR's molecular design and mechanism, revealing the electron transport pathway through the enzyme. Comparison of the structures of SQR, QFR and other related flavoproteins shows how common amino acid residues at the interface of two domains facilitate the inter-conversion of succinate and fumarate. Additionally, the structure has provided a possible explanation as to why certain organisms utilise both SQR and QFR despite the fact that both can catalyse the inter-conversion of succinate and fumarate, in vitro and in vivo. Here we review how this structure has advanced our knowledge of this important enzyme and compare the structural information to other members of the Complex II superfamily and related flavoproteins.     

Enzymatic flow-injection determination of urea in blood serum using potentiometric gas sensor with internal nonactin based ISE

Ion-selective electrode with cellulose triacetate membrane containing nonactin is employed for the potentiometric detection of ammonia produced in biocatalytic reaction in flow-injection system with enzyme reactor. The elimination of interferences occurring in the presence of alkali metal ions was achieved by covering a nonactin membrane with outer hydrophobic gas permeable membrane. The obtained flow-injection response to ammonia indicates a possibility of ammonia determination down to 10 microM ammonia. In the flow-injection system for urea determination 200 microl of 10-fold diluted blood serum sample was injected into carrier stream of distilled water merged with TRIS buffer, passed through the urease flow-through reactor and then after merging with NaOH stream delivered to the detector. It was found in several series of natural blood serum samples, that the correction for endogenous ammonia in such a determination is not indispensable.     

Electrooxidation of phenol at exfoliated graphite electrode in alkaline solution

The present paper reports on exfoliated graphite (EG) used for the cyclic electrochemical process of phenol oxidation in alkaline solution. It is shown that the electrochemical activity of anode-produced EG decreases considerably in the second cycle due to the deposition of an oligomer film, composed of the products of phenol oxidation, on the EG surface. Thermal treatment of the inactive graphite anode in air at 500 °C provided a regenerated material of activity three times higher for the first cycle and 2.6 times higher for three cycles as compared to the original anode. The reason for such a behavior is assigned to a carbon film formed on the EG surface during the carbonization/oxidation processes involving the products of phenol oxidation. Comparative studies showed that electroactivity of the original EG can also be enhanced if before the process of phenol oxidation the original EG is activated by heat treatment. Unfortunately, the electrochemical activity of the product of such a treatment is higher only for the first cycle of phenol oxidation and drops dramatically in the following cycles.Contribution to the 3rd Baltic Conference on Electrochemistry, Gdask-Sobieszewo, 23–26 April 2003. Dedicated to the memory of Harry B. Mark, Jr. (28 February 1934–3 March 2003)