Rod‐Like Silicate‐Epoxy Nanocomposites

Summary: Epoxy nanocomposites containing rod‐like silicate (attapulgite) were prepared using a simple organic modification to the nanorods. The modification led to effective interfacial adhesion between the ceramic nanorods and the epoxy resin and hence good load transfer. Scanning electron microscopy examination revealed a uniform dispersion of nanorods in the epoxy resin. Compared to the neat resin, nanocomposites with 7.47 vol.‐% nanorods exhibited an increase in the (rubbery state) storage modulus of 122.5%. In addition, the nanocomposites exhibited improved dimensional stability both above and below the T_g.

Storage modulus of the neat resin and nanocomposites.     

Synthese,Kristallstruktur und Schwingungsspektren von Dimethylphosphoniumtetrachloroaluminat,H2PMe2+AlCl4–

Synthesis, Crystal Structure, and Vibrational Spectra of Dimethylphosphonium Tetrachloroaluminate, H₂PMe₂⁺AlCl₄^– H₂PMe₂⁺AlCl₄^– was synthesized by the reaction of Me₂PH with HCl and AlCl₃ in CH₂Cl₂. The structure of the compound was determined by X‐ray structure determination. H₂PMe₂⁺AlCl₄^– crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c with a = 14.445(1), b = 11.344(1) and c = 12.394(1) Å, β = 90.00(1)°, with 8 formula units per unit cell. The frequencies obtained by Raman and infrared spectroscopy were assigned to the normal modes of the H₂PMe₂⁺ and AlCl₄^– units.     

A Rapid Sputum-based Lateral Flow Assay for Airway Eosinophilia using an RNA-cleaving DNAzyme Selected for Eosinophil Peroxidase

The first protein-binding allosteric RNA-cleaving DNAzyme (RCD) obtained by direct in vitro selection against eosinophil peroxidase (EPX), a validated marker for airway eosinophilia, is described. The RCD has nanomolar affinity for EPX, shows high selectivity against related peroxidases and other eosinophil proteins, and is resistant to degradation by mammalian nucleases. An optimized RCD was used to develop both fluorescence and lateral flow assays, which were evaluated using 38 minimally processed patient sputum samples (23 non-eosinophilic, 15 eosinophilic), producing a clinical sensitivity of 100 % and specificity of 96 %. This RCD-based lateral flow assay should allow for rapid evaluation of airway eosinophilia as an aid for guiding asthma therapy.     

ChemInform Abstract: Trends in the Frequencies of ν(AsOxHx‐1) [x = 2—4] in Selected As(V)‐Containing Compounds Investigated Using Quantum Chemical Calculations.

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