Quantum readout and fast initialization of nuclear spin qubits with electric currents

Nuclear spin qubits have the longest coherence times in the solid state, but their quantum readout and initialization is a great challenge. We present a theory for the interaction of an electric current with the nuclear spins of donor impurities in semiconductors. The theory yields a sensitivity criterion for quantum detection of nuclear spin states using electrically detected magnetic resonance, as well as an all-electrical method for fast nuclear spin qubit initialization.     

Ultrasound promoted synthesis of thioesters from 2-mercaptobenzoxa(thia)zoles

An ultrasound-enhanced method has been developed for the synthesis of a variety of thioesters from benzoyl chlorides and 2-mercaptobenzoxa(thia)zoles. Applying this methodology, 14 compounds were synthesized in excellent yields.     

Determination of cobalt marker in cow ruminal fluid by EDXRF and SRTXRF

This article describes a comparison of conventional energy‐dispersive X‐ray fluorescence (EDXRF) and synchrotron radiation total‐reflection X‐ray fluorescence (SRTXRF) for Co determination in ruminal fluid from Holstein cow. This element is used as marker for animal nutrition studies. For EDXRF, 200 µl of the sample were dried on 6.35 µm Mylar film at 60 °C. The excitation was carried out using an X‐ray tube with Mo target and Zr filter operated at 30 kV/20 mA. For SRTXRF, 10 µl of the sample were pipetted on a Lucite carrier and dried at 60 °C. In both the techniques, Ga was used as internal standard and the acquisition time was 200 s. The trueness of both techniques was evaluated through the standard addition method, the recoveries obtained by SRTXRF and EDXRF were 76 and 99%, and the limits of detection, 13 and 240 µg l^?1, respectively. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Studies on Immobilization and Partial Characterization of Lipases from Wheat Seeds (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum aestivum</Emphasis>)

The objective of this study was to provide some features on immobilization and partial characterization of lipases from wheat seeds. The optimum pH and temperature were found to be 5.5 and 32–37 °C, respectively. The stability of the concentrated enzymatic extract to high temperatures (25, 35, 45, and 55 °C) showed that the incubation of the extract at 55 °C led to its complete inactivation. The concentrated enzymatic extract kept 90% of its hydrolytic and esterification activities until 70 and 40 days of storage at 4 °C, respectively. The extract presented higher hydrolytic specificity to substrates of medium and long chains and higher esterification affinity to fatty acids of short and medium chains and alcohols with two and three carbon atoms. After the immobilization process using activated coal and sodium alginate as supports, an enhancement of about threefold in lipase activity was observed. The development of the present work permitted us to point out some characteristics of lipases from wheat seeds necessary for the proposition of new future industrial applications for this important biocatalyst.     

Super-Strong Hydrogel Composites Reinforced with PBO Nanofibers for Cartilage Replacement

Cartilage replacement materials exhibiting a set of demanding properties such as high water content, high mechanical stiffness, low friction, and excellent biocompatibility are quite difficult to achieve. Here, poly(p-phenylene-2,6-benzobisoxazole) (PBO) nanofibers are combined with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) to form a super-strong structure with a performance that surpasses the vast majority of previously existing hydrogels. PVA–PBO composites with water contents in the 59–76% range exhibit tensile and compressive moduli reaching 20.3 and 4.5 MPa, respectively, and a coefficient of friction below 0.08. Further, they are biocompatible and support the viability of chondrocytes for 1 week, with significant improvements in cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation compared to PVA. The new composites can be safely sterilized by steam heat or gamma radiation without compromising their integrity and overall performance. In addition, they show potential to be used as local delivery platforms for anti-inflammatory drugs. These attractive features make PVA–PBO composites highly competitive engineered materials with remarkable potential for use in the design of load-bearing tissues. Complementary work has also revealed that these composites will be interesting alternatives in other industrial fields where high thermal and mechanical resistance are essential requirements, or which can take advantage of the pH responsiveness functionality.     

A simple protocol for the preparation of β-enamino ketones catalyzed by NbOPO4 under solvent free conditions

A novel application of the highly stable niobium oxide phosphate (NbOPO₄) as an efficient catalyst for the synthesis of β-enamino ketones under solvent-free conditions is described. This protocol, exhibits attractive yields, short reaction periods, lower loading of catalyst and high chemoselectivity.     

Evaluation of gamma irradiation effect on physico-chemical properties of a mixed beverage based in soy milk and grape juice

The effects of the main operation variables on the electrochemical oxidation of simulated tributyl phosphate (TBP) waste by a boron-doped diamond anode are individually studied. The optimum operating conditions are obtained as follows: 4 g L^?1 initial TBP concentration, 180 min degradation time, 40 mA cm^?2 current density, 0.5 mol L^?1 Na₂SO₄ as the supporting electrolyte, and unadjusted pH of the aqueous phase. Under such conditions, a chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal ratio of 82.3% is achieved, and the energy consumption is 26.16 kWh m^?3. A degradation mechanism of TBP is tentatively proposed.     

Classes polaires associées aux distributions holomorphes de sous-espaces tangents*

Résumé. Nous définissons des classes polaires associées à une distribution holomorphe singulière de sous-espaces tangents d’une variété projective lisse. Nous prouvons que ces classes polaires peuvent être calculées en fonction des classes de Chern-Mather du faisceau tangent de la distribution et réciproquement. Nous utilisons leurs degrés pour borner les degrés de certaines classes polaires associés à une variété invariante. *Ce travail a été soutenu par l’Accord de Coopération France-Brésil (CNRS/CNPq) et par la Fondation CAPES-Brésil.