Response surface methodology toward the optimization of high-energy carotenoid extraction from Aristeus antennatus shrimp

High-energy assisted extraction techniques, like ultrasound assisted extraction (UAE) and microwave assisted extraction (MAE), are widely applied over the last years for the recovery of bioactive compounds such as carotenoids, antioxidants and phenols from foods, animals and herbal natural sources. Especially for the case of xanthophylls, the main carotenoid group of crustaceans, they can be extracted in a rapid and quantitative way with the use of UAE and MAE.     

Synthesis of o-LiMnO2 by Microwave Irradiation and StudyIts Heat Treatment and Lithium Exchange

Microwave irradiation of a suspension of γ-MnOOH in a 4 mol dm⁻³ LiOH solution brought about a rapid formation of semicrystalline orthorhombic LiMnO₂ (o-LiMnO₂) within 30 min at 120°C. Cubic Li_1.6Mn_1.6O₄ was obtained by heating o-LiMnO₂ at 400°C; lithium could be topotactically extracted from Li_1.6Mn_1.6O₄ with acid to form cubic H_1.6Mn_1.6O₄.     

A microcapillary system for simultaneous, parallel microwave-assisted synthesis

A continuous flow, microwave-assisted, parallel-capillary microreactor has been developed. Libraries of drug candidates were prepared on the milligram scale with this reactor by injecting plugs of reagents from separate syringes into common reaction capillaries, thereby producing discrete compounds in excellent yield and purity. Microwave irradiation provides the necessary energy that existing room-temperature microreactor technology lacks for higher activation barrier transformations, producing the required amounts of desired compounds in minutes or less.     

Plasma generation in silicon-based inductive grid arrays

Selective illumination of a silicon wafer can be used for the construction of non-permanent inductive grids. A numerical model is used for the calculation of plasma density distribution in silicon as a function of time. Some indicative results on the microwave properties of the device are presented.     

Green Enzymatic Synthesis of L-Ascorbyl Fatty Acid Ester: An Antioxidant

In green chemistry, biocatalysis using microwaves is a very attractive tool for various regioselective syntheses. L-Ascorbyl fatty acid esters were synthesized by an immobilized lipase from Bulkholderia multivorans using microwaves, with a dynamically enhanced rate of reaction and appreciable yield of around 80%. Microwave radiation had no effect on enzymic inactivation, however, synergism between microwaves and biocatalyst was observed.     

Heck coupling reaction using monomeric ortho‐palladated complex of 4‐methoxy‐ benzoylmethylenetriphenylphosphorane under microwave irradiation

The activity of [Pd(C₆H₄CH₂ NH₂‐κ²‐C‐N)PPh₃MOBPPY]OTf complex, A (MOBPPY = 4‐methoxybenzoylmethylenetriphenyl‐ phosphoraneylide), was investigated in the Heck–Mizoroki C? C cross‐coupling reaction under conventional heating and microwave irradiation conditions. The complex is an active and efficient catalyst for the Heck reaction of aryl halides. The yields were excellent using a catalytic amount of [Pd(C₆H₄CH₂ NH₂‐κ²‐C‐N)PPh₃MOBPPY]OTf complex in N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidinone (NMP) at 130 °C and 600 W. In comparison to conventional heating conditions, the reactions under microwave irradiation gave higher yields in shorter reaction times. Copyright © 2010 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effects on the Structure of the Universe of an Accelerating Expansion

Recent experimental results from supernovae Ia observations have been interpreted to show that the rate of expansion of the universe is increasing. Other recent experimental results find strong indications that the universe is flat. In this paper, I investigate some solutions of Einstein's field equations which go smoothly between Schwarzschild's relativistic gravitational solution near a mass concentration to the Friedmann-Lemaître expanding universe solution. In particular, the static, curved-space extension of the Lemaître-Schwarzschild solution in vacuum is given. Uniqueness conditions are discussed. One of these metrics preserves the cosmological equation. We find that when the rate of expansion of the universe is increasing, space is broken up into domains of attraction. Outside a domain of attraction, the expansion of the universe is strong enough to accelerate a test particle away from the domain boundary. I give a domain-size–mass relationship. This relationship may very well be important to our understanding of the large scale structure of the universe.     

Discrimination and Analysis of Microwave Modes in High Power Systems

The microwave modes discrimination and analysis for high power waveguide systems is an important topic. In this paper we review different methods and discuss their advantages and disadvantages. Both the limitations and applicability of various techniques are commented as well.     

On the origin of solar wind. Alfvén waves induced jump of coronal temperature

Absorption of Alfvén waves is considered to be the main mechanism of heating in the solar corona. It is concluded that the sharp increase of the plasma temperature by two orders of magnitude is related to a self-induced opacity with respect to Alfvén waves. The maximal frequency for propagation of Alfvén waves is determined by the strongly temperature dependent kinematic viscosity. In such a way the temperature jump is due to absorption of high frequency Alfvén waves in a narrow layer above the solar surface. It is calculated the power per unit area dissipated in this layer due to damping of Alfvén waves that blows up the plasma and gives birth to the solar wind. A model short wave-length (WKB) evaluation takes into account the 1/f² frequency dependence of the transversal magnetic field and velocity spectral densities. Such spectral densities agree with old magnetometric data taken by Voyager 1 and recent theoretical calculations in the framework of Langevin-Burgers MHD. The presented theory predicts existence of intensive high frequency MHD Alfvén waves in the cold layer beneath the corona. It is briefly discussed how this statement can be checked experimentally. It is demonstrated that the magnitude of the Alfvén waves generating random noise and the solar wind velocity can be expressed only in terms of satellite experimental data. It is advocated that investigation of properties of the solar surface as a random driver by optical methods is an important task for future solar physics.