Modeling the reaction mechanisms for redox regulation of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B activity

Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) functions by removing the phosphoryl group from tyrosinephosphorylated proteins in insulin signaling and metabolism. The regeneration of the active site involves a sulphenylamide intermediate derived from the intrastrand cross-linking between the catalytic serine and the neighboring backbone nitrogen. Two mechanisms have been proposed for the formation of the sulphenylamide intermediate and the subsequent reactivation of the catalytic site. In the current work, the proposed mechanisms have been investigated by the use of density functional theory calculations. Our results suggest that these two mechanisms have similar overall energy barriers and that the preferred route will be determined by the availability of hydrogen peroxide or other oxidizing reagents.     

Water as an Efficient Solvent for Oxygenation Transformations with 34% Hydrogen Peroxide Catalyzed by some Heteropolyoxometalates

Summary. A highly efficient, selective, fast, and cheap protocol is developed for oxidation of aromatic amines and alcohols utilizing 34% hydrogen peroxide in water catalyzed by some W- and Mo-based heteropolyoxometalates. Findings showed that dodecatungstophosphoric acid, H₃PW₁₂O₄₀, was the most efficient catalyst in the examined oxidation reactions. This methodology may prove to be a valuable alternative for eco-friendly green oxidation. Inherent simplicity, easy work up, and using regenerable catalysts were other key aspects of this oxidation protocol.     

Homogeneous chemiluminescence system in neutral and near neutral aqueous solution with ClO2 as oxidant and its analytical application

Using ClO₂ as chemiluminescence (CL) oxidant, a novel homogeneous CL system in neutral and near neutral aqueous solution is proposed in this paper. ClO₂ could oxidize sulfite in pH 5.0–8.5 acetate buffer to produce CL emission, and pipemidic acid could sensitize the CL system. The ClO₂–SO₃²⁻–pipemidic acid reaction was used as a model CL system and explored the possibility of highly active and eco-friendly ClO₂ being used as CL oxidant in neutral and near neutral aqueous solution. Combined with flow-injection analysis, the proposed CL system was applied to the automated dissolution testing of pipemidic acid tablet. Compared with the common strong acidic or strong basic CL system, this proposed CL owns its advantages.     

Tris(2,2''''-bipyridyl)ruthenium(Ⅱ) electrochemiluminescence (ECL) enhanced by rutin on platinum electrode

Ru(bpy)_(3~(2 )) electrochemiluminescence (ECL) was applied to determination of rutin. ECL intensity of Ru(bpy)_(3~(2 ))could be enhanced in the presence of rutin in basic solution on platinum electrode. At pH 9.9, light emission intensity was found to be linear with rutin in the range of 1-50 mmol/L.     

Silicalite-1膜反应器中的丙烷芳构化

在丙烷芳构化反应中，氢气起着相当重要的作用；根据理论分析，消除氢气将会有利于芳构化反应的进行。在Ｓｉｌｉｃａｌｉｔｅ－１沸石分子筛膜反应器，丙烷芳构化反应中的芳烃选择性提高了１０％－２０％。针Ｓｉｌｉｃａｌｉｔｅ－ｌ膜反应器与氧化铝膜反应器中的反应结果相比较，表明膜反应器效果不仅取决于膜的渗透选择性，而且还取决于膜的渗透率。     

Parallel mixing of photolithographically defined nanoliter volumes using elastomeric microvalve arrays

Portable microfluidic systems provide simple and effective solutions for low-cost point-of-care diagnostics and high-throughput biomedical assays. Robust flow control and precise fluidic volumes are two critical requirements for these applications. We have developed a monolithic polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microdevice that allows for storing and mixing subnanoliter volumes of aqueous solutions at various mixing ratios. Filling and mixing is controlled via two integrated PDMS microvalve arrays. The volumes of the microchambers are entirely defined by photolithography, hence volumes from picoliter to nanoliter can be fabricated with high precision. Because the microvalves do not require an energy input to stay closed, fluid can be stored in a highly portable fashion for several days. We have confirmed the mixing precision and predictability using fluorescence microscopy. We also demonstrate the application of the device for calibrating fluorescent calcium indicators. Due to the biocompatibility of PDMS, the device will have broad applications in miniaturized diagnostic assays as well as basic biological studies.     

Raman spectroscopic analysis of supersaturated aqueous solution of MgO.B2O3-32%MgCl2-H2O during acidification and dilution

Raman spectra of supersaturated aqueous solution of MgO.B2O3-32%MgCl2-H2O during acidification/alkalization and dilution have been studied. The assignments of the recorded Raman shift are given. The main existing forms of polyborate anions and their interaction in borate aqueous solution have been proposed through spectroscopic analysis. The experimental results indicate that the higher concentration of cation are beneficial not only to the dissolution of boric acid but also to the polymerization of polyborate anions. The existing forms and interaction among them also depend on the concentration of boron and the pH value in solution.     

Identification of a chemical indicator of the rupture of 1,4-β-glycosidic bonds of cellulose in an oil-impregnated insulating paper system

In this study, headspace gas chromatography/mass spectrometry has been used to assess the volatile by-products generated by the ageing of oil-impregnated paper insulation of power transformers. Sealed-glass ampoules were used to age under oxidative conditions 0.5-g specimens of insulating paper in 9 mL of inhibited mineral oil in a temperature range of 60–120 °C and moisture of 0.5, 1 and 2% (w/w). A linear relationship between one of the oil-soluble degradation by-products, i.e. methanol, and the number of ruptured 1,4-β-glycosidic bonds of cellulose, regardless of the type of paper (ordinary Kraft or thermally-upgraded (TU) Kraft paper), was established for the first time in this field. Ageing at 130 °C of model compounds of the Kraft paper constituents (α-cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin) and two cellulosic breakdown by-products (D-(+)-glucose and 1,6-anhydro-β-d-glucopyranose) confirmed that the α-cellulose degradation was mostly responsible for the presence of this molecule in the system. Furthermore, additional 130 °C-tests with six different papers and pressboard samples under a tight control of initial moisture indicated that at least one molecule of methanol is formed for each rupture of 1,4-β-glucosidic bond of the molecular chains. Stability tests showed that the ageing indicator is stable under the oxygen and temperature conditions of open-breathing transformers. The presence of methanol was detected in 94% of oil samples collected from over than 900 in-service pieces of equipment, confirming the potential for this application. Lastly, the tests have shown that oil-oxidation by-products and TU-nitrogenous agents modify the methanol partitioning coefficients in the paper/oil/air system, which makes their study essential over a range of field conditions encountered by power transformers. Results are presented and discussed in comparison with 2-furfuraldehyde, which is the current reference in the domain.     

Organic–inorganic nanocomposites prepared from fluoro-aramid and silica

Fluoro-aramid-based sol/gel-derived nanocomposites were synthesized by condensing a mixture of 4,4′-(hexafluoro-isopropylidene)dianiline and 1,3-phenylenediamine with terephthaloylchloride (TPC) in dimethylacetamide. TPC was added in slight excess to produce amide chains with carbonyl chloride end groups and then replaced with alkoxy groups using aminophenyltrimethoxysilane to develop bonding with the silica network. Mechanical, dynamic mechanical thermal, water absorption and morphological measurements were carried out on the thin hybrid films. Increase in the tensile strength and modulus was observed as compared to pristine polyamide. The thermal decomposition temperature was found in the range of 400–500 °C. The water absorption was found to be reduced with higher silica content. The glass transition temperature and the storage moduli increased with increasing silica concentration. The maximum increase in the T _g value (345 °C) was observed with 20 wt% silica. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the uniform distribution of silica in the matrix with an average particle size ranging from 8 to 50 nm.     

PPC/SBR并用弹性体的配方选择

利用正交法对丁苯橡胶（SBR）／聚丙撑碳酸酯（PPC）共混弹性体进行配方设计，得到了一个具有良好综合性能的配方。并通过方差分析得出PPC含量和马来酸酐（MA）用量是影响弹性体拉伸性能的最显著因素。