Existence of global weak solutions for a phase–field model of a vesicle moving into a viscous incompressible fluid

We consider in this article a model of vesicle moving into a viscous incompressible fluid. The vesicle is described through a phase–field equation and through a transport equation modeling the local incompressibility of its membrane. The equations for the fluid are the classical Navier–Stokes equations with a force resulting from the presence of the vesicle. Our main result states the existence of weak solutions for the corresponding system. The proof is based on compactness/monotonicity arguments. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Binary-component micelle and vesicle:Free energy and asymmetric distributions of amphiphiles between vesicle monolayers

The real-space two-dimensional self-consistent field theory(SCFT) is employed to study the free energies of micelles and vesicles constituted by binary amphiphilic diblock copolymer AB in homopolymer A.With an increasing volume fraction of copolymer AB,there are morphological transitions from circle micelles to oblate circle-like micelles,to a compound structure with inverted micelles in the inner center and micelles outer layer,and to vesicles.Special attention is paid to the role of the copolymer AB in controlling the free energies of the micelles and vesicles by examining the effect of the length ratio of A/B with the fixed whole chain length of the AB copolymer,the length effect of A or B block with the corresponding fixed length of B or A block,for one component of copolymer,and the effect of different amphiphile compositions for a binary-component copolymer system.The quantity η is provided to describe the asymmetric density distribution of amphiphiles between the inner and outer monolayers of vesicles,and to quantify the relative asymmetric extent of the density distribution between two species of copolymers in binary component vesicles.     

Spontaneous Assembly of Miktoarm Stars into Vesicular Interpolyelectrolyte Complexes

Mixing a bis‐hydrophilic, cationic miktoarm star polymer with a linear polyanion leads to the formation of unilamellar polymersomes, which consist of an interpolyelectrolyte complex (IPEC) wall sandwiched between poly(ethylene oxide) brushes. The experimental finding of this rare IPEC morphology is rationalized theoretically: the star architecture forces the assembly into a vesicular shape due to the high entropic penalty for stretching of the insoluble arms in non‐planar morphologies. The transmission electron microscopy of vitrified samples (cryogenic TEM) is compared with the samples at ambient conditions (in situ TEM), giving one of the first TEM reports on soft matter in its pristine environment.

     

Photo‐controlled Hierarchical Assembly and Fusion of Coumarin‐containing Polydiacetylene Vesicles

Herein, we synthesize a coumarin‐substituted diacetylene monomer (CODA) and report the novel photo‐controlled reversible assembly and disassembly behavior of the polymerized CODA (PCODA) vesicles. The photo‐triggered dimerization and cleavage reactions of the coumarin groups within the surface of the adjacent PCODA vesicles can be utilized as the driving force to induce assembly and disassembly of PCODA vesicles. Moreover, the boundary of PCODA vesicles in the aggregates becomes more obscure when the irradiation time exceeds 30 min. Fusion occurs upon close docking of target membranes, driven by sufficient dimerization of the coumarin groups within the surface of PCODA vesicles.     

A Dual Colorimetric and Fluorometric Sensor for Lead Ion Based on Conjugated Polydiacetylenes

A PDA based sensor, derived from a di‐(2‐picolyl) amine (DPA) substituted diacetylene monomer, displayed a selective colorimetric change and a large fluorescence enhancement in the presence of lead ions. The lead selective PDA‐based chemosensor enabled easy detection of the presence of lead in 100% aqueous solution by the naked‐eye.

     

胆固醇对卵磷脂囊泡稳定性的影响

采用透射电子显微镜研究了Gemini表面活性剂诱导卵磷脂囊泡结构改变的机理, 用Langmuir膜天平研究卵磷脂和胆固醇的不溶单分子混合膜在气-液界面的行为和混合膜分子间的相互作用, 并结合动态光散射技术和停留法探讨胆固醇对Gemini表面活性剂诱导卵磷脂囊泡结构改变的影响. 从电镜结果可以推测带正电荷的Gemini表面活性剂分子会嵌入到带负电荷的卵磷脂囊泡双分子层的外层, 囊泡的双分子层之间的相互吸引力使双分子层的厚度减少, 由于嵌入的表面活性剂分子在囊泡的双分子层中分布是不均匀的, 这种分布的不均匀性必然会导致双分子层厚度的不均匀, 从而使囊泡破裂. 混合膜的过剩面积和动力学结果表明, 胆固醇和卵磷脂是相互吸引的, 即胆固醇的加入使卵磷脂囊泡更不容易被表面活性剂破坏.     

Self-Assembly Behavior of Diacetylenic Acid Molecules upon Vapor Deposition: Odd–Even Effect on the Film Morphology

A series of linear carboxylic acids containing diacetylenic units at different positions along the chain (C₁₂H₂₅(C≡C)₂(CH₂)_nCOOH, n=7–11) were vacuum-deposited on clean silica substrates. The morphologies of the initial films after UV irradiation were studied. A clear odd–even effect on the morphology of the initial film was observed in that, depending on the spacer length between the diacetylenic unit and carboxyl head group, rings or dendrites of acid dimer layers were obtained. A molecular dynamic simulation of the aggregation process suggests that two competing intermolecular interactions and thus aggregation directions are involved and modulated by the odd or even carbon chain length. Further modulation of the interaction by substitution of a phenyl group at the terminus of the chain or by changing the carboxyl head group to an amidobenzoic acid head group led to a similar odd–even effect but with different dimensions or trends, which can be rationalized similarly. These results give the opportunity to create aligned conjugated polymer chains of different dimensions through self-assembly for applications in molecular/organic electronics.     

Formation of Vesicles from Amphiphilic Random Copolymers in Solution: A Dissipative Particle Dynamics Simulation Study

Five coarse-grained models were built for amphiphilic random copolymers. The self-assembly of amphiphilic random copolymers in selective solvent was investigated via dissipative particle dynamics simulations. The simulation results showed that the content of hydrophilic particles and the repulsive parameter between solvent and copolymer particles were two key factors of the vesicle formation. We report herein on how to control the self-assembled morphology evolution. The two mechanisms of vesicle formation from amphiphilic random copolymers are found through investigating the dynamic processes of vesicle formation, which is in accordance with the experiment and simulation results of amphiphilic block copolymer reported in the literature.      

Strength and precision of neurotransmission at mammalian presynaptic terminals

Classically, the basic concept of chemical synaptic transmission was established at the frog neuromuscular junction, and direct intracellular recordings from presynaptic terminals at the squid giant presynaptic terminal have further clarified principles of neurotransmitter release. More recently, whole-cell patch-camp recordings from the calyx of Held in rodent brainstem slices have extended the classical concept to mammalian synapses providing new insights into the mechanisms underlying strength and precision of neurotransmission and developmental changes therein. This review summarizes findings from our laboratory and others on these subjects, mainly at the calyx of Held, with a particular focus on precise, high-fidelity, fast neurotransmission. The mechanisms by which presynaptic terminals acquire strong, precise neurotransmission during postnatal development are also discussed.