Offset printing inks based on rapeseed and sunflower oil. Part I: Synthesis and characterization of rapeseed oil-and sunflower oil-modified alkyd resins

Two sets of alkyd resins of variable oil lengths with the required properties for offset printing ink formulations, modified by sunflower and rapeseed oil, were synthetized according to the “monoglyceride” process. The influence of the acyl composition of the modifying vegetable oil and of the oil content on alkyds’ properties was determined by detailed chemical and rheological characterization. Molecular structure, size, and molecule size distribution appeared to be linked to these two factors. A comparative study with two usual linseed oil-modified alkyds led to determination of the more appropriate alkyds for applications in offset varnishes.     

Structure and functional complementation of engineered fragments from yeast phosphoglycerate kinase

Previous studies have shown that, although the isolated structuraldomains of yeast phosphoglycerate kinase recover a quasi-nativestructure in vitro as well as in vivo, they do not reassociatenor generate a functional enzyme. The aim of this work was firstto study the folding of complementary fragments different fromstructural domains and second to determine the requirementsfor their reassociation and functional complementation. Themethod used for producing rigorously defined fragments consistsof the introduction of a unique cysteinyl residue in the proteinfollowed by a specific cleavage by 5'5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoate)/potassiumcyanide at this residue. Two pairs of complementary fragmentswere thus obtained, 1–96/97–415 and 1–248/249–415.The structure and stabilities of the different fragments werestudied. The short fragments, i.e. 1–96 and 249–415were found to contain some secondary structure, but to havea low stability. Each large fragment has a high structural contentand a stability close to that of the corresponding domain. Incontrast to that observed with the isolated domains, a weakbut significant complementation was observed for the two pairsof fragments; the pair of fragments 1–248/249–415recovered 8% of the activity of the native enzyme upon complementation.An independent refolding of the complementary fragments beforereassociation decreased the yield of complementation for thepair of fragments 1–96/97–415, but did not affectthe complementation for the other pair (1–248/249–415).From the present data and previous work on the isolated domains,it appears that the correct folding of the isolated fragmentsis not a prerequisite for their complementation.     

Rate of adsorption to and desorption from a langmuir surface: The case of zero activation barrier to adsorption without dissociation

Many rate constants of elementary steps on single crystals have been measured. Their pre-exponential factors can now be compared to those calculated by transition state theory. Such a calculation is presented in this Letter with due attention to microscopic reversibility, standard states, and configurational entropy.     

Ethanolysis of rapeseed oil: Quantitation of ethyl esters,mono-, di-, and triglycerides and glycerol by high-performance size-exclusion chromatography

High-performance size-exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) was used to evaluate the influence of different variables affecting the transesterification of rapeseed oil (RSO) with anhydrous ethanol and sodium ethoxide as catalyst. The effect of temperature, ethanol/RSO molar ratio, catalyst concentration, and time can be interpreted by observing the variations of the reaction medium composition. HPSEC has made the quantitation of ethyl esters, mono-, di-, and triglycerides and glycerol possible. The best results for laboratory-scale reactions were obtained at 80°C with a 6:1 molar ratio of EtOH/RSO and 1% of NaOEt by weight of RSO.     

Assessment of response function in two PET scanners with and without interplane septa

The authors have assessed the response function both experimentally and theoretically for two commercial tomographs: CTI 931/08-12 and CTI 953B with and without interplane septa. Monte Carlo simulations were undertaken using the GEANT package from CERN. Spatial resolution (tomographic and axial) was calculated for line sources at various positions in the field of view. Sensitivity and scatter fraction (SF) were calculated for various source geometries as a function of energy discrimination. A very realistic response function in positron emission tomography (PET) is obtained by Monte Carlo methods, using global parameters to account for unsimulated phenomena such as scintillation light transport inside a detector block and its sharing among the various phototubes. Minor discrepancies remain for sensitivity and SF at high energy thresholds and may probably be explained by introducing the observed dispersion in the energy response for the various crystals within a detector block.     

Non-intrusive Coupling: Recent Advances and Scalable Nonlinear Domain Decomposition

This paper provides a detailed review of the global/local non-intrusive coupling algorithm. Such method allows to alter a global finite element model, without actually modifying its corresponding numerical operator. We also look into improvements of the initial algorithm (Quasi-Newton and dynamic relaxation), and provide comparisons based on several relevant test cases. Innovative examples and advanced applications of the non-intrusive coupling algorithm are provided, granting a handy framework for both researchers and engineers willing to make use of such process. Finally, a novel nonlinear domain decomposition method is derived from the global/local non-intrusive coupling strategy, without the need to use a parallel code or software. Such method being intended to large scale analysis, we show its scalability. Jointly, an efficient high level Message Passing Interface coupling framework is also proposed, granting an universal and flexible way for easy software coupling. A sample code is also given.     

Remote-Controlled Ambidextrous Robot Hand Concept

In the development of robotic limbs, the side of members is of importance to define the shape of artificial limbs and the range of movements. It is mainly significant tbr biomedical applications concerning patients suffering arms or legs injuries, fn this paper, the concept of an ambidextrous design lbr robot hands is introduced. The fingers can curl in one xvay or another, to imitate either a right hand or a left hand. The advantages and inconveniences of different models have been investigated to optimise the range and the maximum force applied by fingers. Besides, a remote control interthce is integrated to the system, allowing both to send comrnands through internet and to display a video streaming of the ambidextrous hand as feedback. Therefore, a robotic prosthesis could be used for the first time in telerehabilitation. The main application areas targeted are physiotherapy alter strokes or management of phantom pains/br amputees by/earning to control the ambidextrous hand. A client application is also accessible on Facehook social network, making the robotic limb easily reachable for the patients. Additionally the ambidextrous hand can be used tbr robotics research as well as artistic performances.     

A framework to model and manipulate constraints for over-constrained geographic applications

Geographic applications are often over-constrained because of the stakeholders’ multiple requirements and the various spatial, alphanumeric and temporal constraints to be satisfied. In most cases, solving over-constrained problems is based on the relaxation of some constraints according to values of preferences. This article proposes the modelling and the management of constraints in order to provide a framework to integrate stakeholders in the expression and the relaxation of their constraints. Three families of constraints are defined: static vs. dynamic, intra-entity vs. inter-entities and intra-instance vs. inter-instances. Constraints are modelled from two points of view: system with the complexity in time of the different involved operators and user with stakeholders’ preferences. The methodology of constraints relaxation is based on primitive, complex and derived operations. These operations allow a modification of the constraints in order to provide a relevant solution to a simulation. The developed system was applied to reduce the streaming/floods risks in the territory of Pays de Caux (Seine Maritime, France).