ON COPOLYMERIZATION KINETICS OF N-VINYL PYRROLIDONE METHYL METHACRYLATE AT HIGH CONVERSION

In this work, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to study the copolymerization kinetics of N-vinyl pyrrolidonc-methyl methacrylate (VP-MMA) at high conversion. Through computer simulation, copolymerization rate equation based on the free volume theory, diffusion theory and modified MH model was established. The activation energy of copolymcrization was also estimated.     

Synthesis, characterization, and biological activities of some transition metal(II) complexes with the thiosemicarbazone derived from 4-[1-(4-methylphenylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]but-3-en-2-one

A new 4-[1-(4-methylphenylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]but-3-en-2-one thiosemicarbazone (HL) was synthesized derived from 4-[1-(4-methylphenylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]but-3-en-2-one. Four transition metal(II) complexes of HL have been prepared. Elemental analysis, molar conductivity, IR, UV, ¹H NMR spectra, and TG-DTA have been used to characterize these complexes. The complexes have the general formula ML₂, where M = Zn, Cu, Co, and Ni. The ligand and its complexes have been studied for their possible biological activity including anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antitumour activity in vitro.     

Confirmation of eprinomectin, moxidectin, abamectin, doramectin, and ivermectin in beef liver by liquid chromatography/positive ion atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry

A liquid chromatographic (LC) multiresidue screening procedure was developed for determination of eprinomectin, moxidectin, abamectin, doramectin, and ivermectin in beef liver at 0, 25, 50, and 100 ppb levels. A procedure using low resolution LC/atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) mass spectrometry (MS) was developed with further purification steps added to the quantitative LC method to confirm residues. Acetonitrile extracts of liver, prior to derivatization for LC analysis, were further purified by using a C8 solid-phase extraction cartridge and an alumina-B cartridge. The purified extract was analyzed by injection into an LC/positive ion APCI MS. Identity of the compound was confirmed by comparison of its retention time and relative intensity data with those of a standard or recovery from a fortified control liver sample. Anthelmintic drugs in acetonitrile extracts of liver containing eprinomectin, moxidectin, abamectin, doramectin, and ivermectin at 25 ppb, the lowest level of fortification used in the LC determinative method, were successfully confirmed.     

Nanostructured ZrO2 and Zr‐C‐N Coatings from Chemical Vapor Deposition of Metal‐Organic Precursors

Nanocrystalline zirconium carbonitride (Zr‐C‐N) and zirconium oxide (ZrO₂) films were deposited by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of zirconium‐tetrakis‐diethylamide (Zr(NEt₂)₄) and ‐tert‐butyloxide (Zr(OBu^t)₄), respectively. The films were deposited on iron substrates and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The Zr‐C‐N films show blue, golden brown or bronze colours, with colour stability depending upon the precursor composition (pure metal amide or mixed with Et₂NH). The deposition temperature showed no pronounced effect on the granular morphology of the Zr‐C‐N films. The XRD data of the films correspond to the formation of carbonitride phase whereas the XPS analyses revealed a strong surface oxidation and incorporation of oxygen in the film. The films deposited using a mixture of Zr(NEt₂)₄ and Et₂NH showed higher N content, better adhesion and scratch resistance when compared to films obtained from the CVD of pure Zr(NEt₂)₄. Subject to the precursor composition and deposition temperature (550‐750 °C), the microhardness values of Zr‐C‐N films were found to be in the range 2.11‐5.65 GPa. For ZrO₂ films, morphology and phase composition strongly depend on the deposition temperature. The CVD deposits obtained at 350 °C show tetragonal ZrO₂ to be the only crystalline phase. Upon increasing the deposition temperature to 450 °C, a mixture of tetragonal and monoclinic modifications was formed with morphology made up of interwoven elongated grains. At higher temperatures (550 and 650 °C), pure monoclinic phase was obtained with facetted grains and developed texture.     

Sedimentation equilibrium of colloidal suspensions in a planar pore based on density functional theory and the hard-core attractive Yukawa model

The sedimentation equilibrium of colloidal suspensions modeled by hard-core attractive Yukawa (HCAY) fluids in a planar pore is studied. The density profile of the HCAY fluid in a gravitational field and its distribution between the pore and uniform phases are investigated by a density functional theory (DFT) approach, which results from employing a recently proposed parameter-free version of the Lagrangian theorem-based density functional approximation (Zhou, S. Phys. Lett. A 2003, 319, 279) for hard-sphere fluids to the hard-core part of the HCAY fluid, and the second-order functional perturbation expansion approximation to the tail part as was done in a recent partitioned density functional approximation (Zhou, S. Phys. Rev. E: Stat. Phys., Plasmas, Fluids, Relat. Interdiscip. Top. 2003, 68, 061201). The resultant DFT approach is, thus, the first adjustable parameter-free DFT for HCAY fluids. The validity of the present DFT for HCAY fluids of reduced range parameter z(red) = 1.8 under various external potentials is established in the first of the papers cited previously. The present DFT for HCAY fluids can predict the radial distribution function for the bulk HCAY fluid accurately in the colloidal limit (large value of z(red)), and in the hard-sphere limit, its prediction for the density profile of the hard-sphere fluid in a gravitational field is in very good agreement with the existing simulation data. The dependence of the density profile and distribution coefficient on the magnitude of the interparticle attraction, gravitational field, and degree of confinement is investigated in detail by the present DFT approach. Intuitive and qualitative analyses are also compared with the quantitative DFT calculational results.     

A new diarylheptanoid and a new diarylheptanoid glycoside isolated from the roots of Juglans mandshurica and their anti-inflammatory activities

A new diarylheptanoid, (2S,3S,5S)-2,3,5-trihydroxy-1,7-bis(4-hydroxy- 3-methoxyphenyl)heptane (1), and a new diarylheptanoid glycoside, (2S,3S,5S)-2,3-dihydroxy-5-O-β-d-xylopyranosyl-7-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)heptane (2), together with three known compounds, rhoiptelol C (3), rhoiptelol B (4) and 3′,4″-epoxy-2-O-β-d-glucopyanosyl-1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)- 7-(3-methoxyphenyl)heptan-3-one (5) were isolated from the roots of Juglans mandshurica (Juglandaceae). The structures of compounds 1 and 2 were identified based on HR-ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic methods. Compounds 1–5 were assayed for their inhibitory effects on the production of NO, TNF-α and IL-6 in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells.     

Three New Triterpenoids from Lycopodium japonicum Thunb

Three new triterpenoids, (3β,8β,14α,21α)‐26,27‐dinoronocerane‐3,8,14,21‐tetrol ( 1 ), (3β,8β,14α,21β)‐26,27‐dinoronocerane‐3,8,14,21‐tetrol ( 2 ), and lycopodiin A ( 3 ), together with four known compounds, lycoclavanol ( 4 ), lycoclaninol ( 5 ), α‐onocerin ( 6 ), and 3‐epilycoclavanol ( 7 ), were isolated from Lycopodium japonicum Thunb (Lycopodiaceae). Their structures were established by means of spectroscopic analyses. Compounds 3 and 7 showed moderate antitumor activity. Compounds 4 and 6 exhibited acetylcholinesterase inhibition activity.     

Total cross sections for electron scattering by polyatomic molecules at 10–1000 eV: C2H2, C2H4, C2H6, C3H6, C3H8 and C4H8

A model complex optical potential (composed of static, exchange, polarization and absorption terms) is employed to calculate the total (elastic and inelastic) electron-atom scattering cross sections from the corresponding atomic wave function at the Hartree-Fock level. The total cross sections (TCS) for electron scattering by their corresponding molecules (C₂H₂, C₂H₄, C₂H₆, C₃H₆, C₃H₈ and C₄H₈) are firstly obtained by the use of the additivity rule over an incident energy range of 10–1000 eV. The qualitative molecular results are compared with experimental data and other calculations wherever available, good agreement is obtained in intermediate-and high-energy region.     

Regulation of redox balance using a biocompatible nanoplatform enhances phototherapy efficacy and suppresses tumor metastasis

Many cancer treatments including photodynamic therapy (PDT) utilize reactive oxygen species (ROS) to kill tumor cells. However, elevated antioxidant defense systems in cancer cells result in resistance to the therapy involving ROS. Here we describe a highly effective phototherapy through regulation of redox homeostasis with a biocompatible and versatile nanotherapeutic to inhibit tumor growth and metastasis. We systematically explore and exploit methylene blue adsorbed polydopamine nanoparticles as a targeted and precise nanocarrier, oxidative stress amplifier, photodynamic/photothermal agent, and multimodal probe for fluorescence, photothermal and photoacoustic imaging to enhance anti-tumor efficacy. Remarkably, following the glutathione-stimulated photosensitizer release to generate exogenous ROS, polydopamine eliminates the endogenous ROS scavenging system through depleting the primary antioxidant, thus amplifying the phototherapy and effectively suppressing tumor growth in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, this approach enables a robust inhibition against breast cancer metastasis, as oxidative stress is a vital impediment to distant metastasis in tumor cells. Innovative, safe and effective nanotherapeutics via regulation of redox balance may provide a clinically relevant approach for cancer treatment.

Amplified oxidative stress achieved by modulating redox homeostasis with PDA–MB for highly effective synergistic phototherapy to inhibit primary tumors and metastases.     

Proton affinities of N-heterocyclic carbene super bases

The gas-phase proton affinity of the N-heterocyclic carbene, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazol-2-ylidene, was determined to be 251.3 +/- 4 kcal/mol using the kinetic method, a value which makes the carbene one of the strongest bases reported thus far. Density functional theory calculations have been carried out at the B3LYP/6-31+G(d) level to compare the high experimental value with that estimated theoretically. Experimental results also show that two other N-heterocyclic carbenes with larger substituents have even higher proton affinities. [structure: see text]