Prediction of microscopic protonation constants of polybasic molecules via computational methods: A complete microequilibrium analysis of spermine

For the first time, a simple methodology is reported for theoretical calculation of microscopic protonation constants of polybasic molecules in solution. Density functional theory study was used for complete microequilibrium analysis of spermine, H₂N(CH₂)₃NH(CH₂)₄NH(CH₂)₃NH₂, a linear tetraamine with 16 known microspecies. A general thermodynamic cycle is proposed to calculate protonation microconstants of polybasic molecules using calculated micro‐ΔG values in aqueous solution. The microscopic protonation constants were determined with considering both the most abundant and most stable conformers for all microspecies. The results show that the microscopic protonation constants derived from the most abundant conformers (i.e., linear conformers in which the intramolecular hydrogen bonding does not exist) are in good agreement with the corresponding available experimental data. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011     

Biliverdin reductase A in the prevention of cellular senescence against oxidative stress

Biliverdin reductase A (BLVRA), an enzyme that converts biliverdin to bilirubin, has recently emerged as a key regulator of the cellular redox cycle. However, the role of BLVRA in the aging process remains unclear. To study the role of BLVRA in the aging process, we compared the stress responses of young and senescent human diploid fibroblasts (HDFs) to the reactive oxygen species (ROS) inducer, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). H2O2 markedly induced BLVRA activity in young HDFs, but not in senescent HDFs. Additionally, depletion of BLVRA reduced the H2O2-dependent induction of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in young HDFs, but not in senescent cells, suggesting an aging-dependent differential modulation of responses to oxidative stress. The role of BLVRA in the regulation of cellular senescence was confirmed when lentiviral RNAi- transfected stable primary HDFs with reduced BLVRA expression showed upregulation of the CDK inhibitor family members p16, p53, and p21, followed by cell cycle arrest in G0-G1 phase with high expression of senescence-associated β-galactosidase. Taken together, these data support the notion that BLVRA contributes significantly to modulation of the aging process by adjusting the cellular oxidative status.     

A 3D fibrous cathode with high interconnectivity for solid oxide fuel cells

A three-dimensional (3D) fibrous cathode of solid oxide fuel cell was fabricated by using eggshell membranes (ESMs) as the template. This cathode possesses high porosity and interconnectivity, and low polarization resistance. A single fuel cell with the 3D fibrous Sm_0.5Sr_0.5CoO₃/Ce_0.8Sm_0.2O_1.9 cathode shows significantly improved performances at low operating temperatures (500–600 °C) as compared with the cell prepared with the ESM-templated cluster cathode in our previous study.     

Superhydrophobic-Superhydrophilic Micropatterning: Towards Genome-on-a-Chip Cell Microarrays

High-density cell microarrays based on superhydrophilic microspots separated by superhydrophobic barriers have been realized. The microspots absorb water solutions, while the barriers prevent cross-contamination, thus allowing the spots to be used as reservoirs for transfection mixtures and preventing cell proliferation and cell migration between the microspots. The picture shows four cell types after two days of culturing on the microarray.     

甲醇浓度对被动式自呼吸直接甲醇燃料电池性能的影响

依据单电池测试结果和甲醇传质理论考察了甲醇溶液的浓度对被动式自呼吸直接甲醇燃料电池（DMFC）性能的影响.研究结果表明,电池的法拉第效率和能量转化效率会随着浓度的增大而降低,采用4mol/L的甲醇溶液实现了最大的放电功率13.9mW/cm^2,并能在60mA下稳定放电长达20h.这取决于电池运行过程中电极内部的甲醇传质和甲醇透过的共同作用.     

CeO_2修饰炭载体负载PdPt二元合金催化剂及其在甲酸氧化电催化中的应用

用CeO2修饰炭粉做载体,使用有机溶胶法还原PdPt二元合金的方法制备了一系列PdPt/CeO2-C催化剂.借助电化学测试,探讨催化剂中不同Pd与Pt原子比例的PdPt二元合金和不同含量的CeO2对于甲酸电氧化催化活性的影响.不断减少PdPt合金中Pt的比例可以促使甲酸氧化的起始电位前移,当Pd：Pt=15：1时氧化电流出现极值;同时,随着催化剂中CeO2含量的增加,催化剂对于HCOOH氧化的电流密度增加,当含量为15%时达到最大值.相对于Pd/C催化剂,在Pd15Pt1/15CeO2-C催化剂表面的甲酸氧化反应起始电位负移至少0.1V,氧化的电流密度提高60%以上.结合X射线衍射（XRD）,X射线光电子能谱（XPS）,透射电镜（TEM）和热重（TG）等测试数据可以发现,当极少量的Pt与Pd形成合金,Pt与Pd之间产生电子效应,使得合金表面HCOOH氧化的过电位降低;而CeO2的添加不仅有助于PdPt二元合金的分散,更有可能改变甲酸在PdPt表面的氧化反应路径,发挥双功能机理.