X-ray diffraction studies on cis- and trans-4'-cyanobiphenyl-4-yl 3-n-propylcyclobutane-1-carboxylate

X-ray diffraction has been used to study the nematic phases of the cis and trans isomers of an elongated molecule containing the cyclobutane group. It has been shown that these nematic phases consist of a mixture of single molecules and overlapping core dimers. It has been found that increasing the temperature of the cis isomer rapidly reduces the dimer population, whereas increasing the temperature of the trans isomer enhances the dimer population. This provides an explanation of the relatively high clearing temperature of the trans isomer. The different temperature dependences of the dimer population in the cis and trans isomers has been explained by a model involving inversion of the cylobutane group.     

Adaptive decomposition finite difference methods for solving singular problems—A review

Decomposition, or splitting, finite difference methods have been playing an important role in the numerical solution of nonsingular differential equation problems due to their remarkable efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility in computations as compared with their peers. Although the numerical strategy is still in its infancy for solving singular differential equation problems arising from many applications, explorations of the next generation decomposition schemes associated with various kinds of adaptations can be found in many recent publications. The novel approaches have been proven to be highly effective and reliable in operations. In this article, we will focus on some of the latest developments in the area. Key comments and discussion will be devoted to two particularly interesting issues in the research, that is, direct solutions of degenerate singular reaction-diffusion equations and nonlinear sine-Gordon wave equations. Numerical experiments with simulated demonstrations will be given.     

Flexible nanocrystalline‐titania/polyimide hybrids with high refractive index and excellent thermal dimensional stability

In this study, a novel synthetic route was developed to prepare polyimide–nanocrystalline–titania hybrid optical films with a relatively high titania content (up to 50 wt %) and thickness (20–30 μm) from soluble polyimides containing hydroxyl groups. Two series of newly soluble polyimides were synthesized from the hydroxy‐substituted diamines with various commercial tetracarboxylic dianhydrides. The hydroxyl groups on the backbone of the polyimides could provide the organic–inorganic bonding and resulted in homogeneous hybrid solutions by controlling the mole ratio of titanium butoxide/hydroxyl group. AFM, SEM, TEM, and XRD results indicated the formation of well‐dispersed nanocrystalline‐titania. The flexible hybrid films could be successfully obtained and revealed relatively good surface planarity, thermal dimensional stability, tunable refractive index, and high optical transparency. A three‐layer antireflection coating based on the hybrid films was prepared and showed a reflectance of less than 0.5% in the visible range indicated its potential optical applications. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 1433–1440, 2010     

Synthesis of Nitrated Analogs of Distamycin and their DNA Cleaving and Protecting Activities under UV Irradiation

Two nitrated analogs of distamycin were synthesized by a novel haloform reaction and the DCC/HOBT coupling reaction in a convenient and effective way with out amino group protection. Our results have demonstrated that these polyamides show DNA cleaving activity under long UV (LUV 365 nm) irradiation. Furthermore, it is an unexpected discovery that these analogs can prevent DNA dam age under short UV (SUV 302 nm).     

有理插值问题不适定的根本原因

1　在 Rm,n中的有理插值问题本文记 Pn为次数不超过 n的一元多项式函数类 ,约定零多项式的次数为 -∞ ,即deg(0 ) =-∞ ;记 Rm,n为分子属于 Pm,分母属于 Pn\{ 0 }的一元有理函数类 .对既约分式Am/Bn∈Rm,n,如果 Bn满足尾项规范条件 (即 Wuytack条件 ) [2 ] ,则称其为标准既约分式 .引进一个新的有理函数类 ,记Rl =Rl- 1 ,0 ∪ Rl- 2 ,1 ∪…∪ R0 ,l- 1 .称 Rl 是自由度为 l的一元有理函数类 .并称其中有理函数类 Rl- 1 - i,i为有理函数类 Rl 的基本子类 ,(i=0 ,1 ,… ,l-1 ) .我们约定 :本文中“有理插值问题”如不特殊声明 ,系指文…     

Derivatization of peptides and small proteins for improved identification and detection in capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE)

Peptides and small proteins, of limited molecular weight (MW) can be derivatized with a 6-aminoquinolyl-N-hydroxysuccinimidyl carbamate (6-AQC) reagent, leading to a single capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) peak, suggestive of a completely tagged product. The number of tags per molecule was demonstrated by matrix assisted, laser desorption, time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOFMS) studies. In CZE, these species have greatly improved plate count and peak shape, improved (lowered) detectabilities, and in general, improved identification properties in the CZE mode in high performance capillary electrophoresis (HPCE). The formation of what appears to be a single, homogeneously tagged product is a function of how the derivatizations are performed. Once these conditions are optimized, virtually all peptides and small proteins tested (limited MW) can form single, fully tagged products, with the desirable CZE properties. These derivatization approaches thus lead to products that perform and are detected much better in CZE than their precursors (native, untagged peptides). The determined plate counts for these tagged peptides were as high as 6 million plates/m, which was very reproducible, and 59–12,000 times higher than the untagged (native) molecules. The peak symmetry was also improved greatly. The limit of detection (LOD) of some tested 6-AQC tagged peptides were nine to 209 times improved (lower) with ultraviolet (UV) absorption detection, again as compared with that for the native species. The LOD could be further lowered via laser induced fluorescence (LIF) detection in CZE, especially when acetonitrile (ACN) containing buffers were used.     

New Sesquiterpenes from the Roots and Stems of Aristolochia Mollissima

Two new sesquiterpenes, madolins Y ( 1 ) and Z ( 2 ) were isolated from the dried roots and stems of Aristolochia mollissima, and their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods.     

Surface structures and osteoblast response of hydrothermally produced CaTiO3 thin film on Ti-13Nb-13Zr alloy

This study investigated the surface characteristics and in vitro biocompatibility of a titanium (Ti) oxide layer incorporating calcium ions (Ca) obtained by hydrothermal treatment with or without post heat-treatment in the Ti-13Nb-13Zr alloy. The surface characteristics were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy, thin-film X-ray diffractometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy and contact angle measurements. In vitro biocompatibility of the Ca-containing surfaces was assessed in comparison with untreated surfaces using a pre-osteoblast cell line. Hydrothermal treatment produced a crystalline CaTiO₃ layer. Post heat-treatment at 400 °C for 2 h in air significantly decreased water contact angles in the CaTiO₃ layer (p < 0.001). The Ca-incorporated alloy surfaces displayed markedly increased cell viability and ALP activity compared with untreated surfaces (p < 0.001), and also an upregulated expression of various integrin genes (α1, α2, α5, αv, β1 and β3) at an early incubation time-point. Post heat-treatment further increased attachment and ALP activity in cells grown on Ca-incorporated Ti-13Nb-13Zr alloy surfaces. The results indicate that the Ca-incorporated oxide layer produced by hydrothermal treatment and a simple post heat-treatment may be effective in improving bone healing in Ti-13Nb-13Zr alloy implants by enhancing the viability and differentiation of osteoblastic cells.