Phase-only shaped laser pulses in optimal control theory: application to indirect photofragmentation dynamics in the weak-field limit

We implement phase-only shaped laser pulses within quantum optimal control theory for laser-molecule interaction. This approach is applied to the indirect photofragmentation dynamics of NaI in the weak-field limit. It is shown that optimized phase-modulated pulses with a fixed frequency distribution can substantially modify transient dissociation probabilities as well as the momentum distribution associated with the relative motion of Na and I.     

A coordination complex system for generic, ultrafast, and sensitive multimode fluorescent staining of biomolecules

Gel electrophoresis staining methodologies documented thus far are largely utilized in a biomolecule context-dependent manner. We report herein the development of a generic, ultrafast, and sensitive multimode fluorescent system for the efficient identification of DNA, RNA, and proteins. Interaction between a positively charged, planar ligand-based coordination complex with partner biomolecule leads to aggregation-induced fluorescence quenching and allows for the image contrast generation within one minute. Alternatively, successive reactions of the biomolecule-loaded gel with cation and ligand, in either order of sequence, provide an equally effective staining efficacy. Image contrast reversal is accomplished through a facile washing or photobleaching procedure. The versatility in the applicable target species and signal generation modes provides a hint at the design of novel staining structures and potentially enables the high-throughput readout of biomolecules.     

Synthesis and antitumor activity of 1-acetyl-3-(4-phenyl)-4,5-dihydro-2-pyrazoline-5-phenylursolate and 4-chalcone ursolate derivatives

New 4-chalcone ursolate and 1-acetyl-3-(4-phenyl)-4,5-dihydro-2-pyrazoline-5-phenyl ursolate derivatives were synthesized by esterification of UA and chalcone or pyrazoline. The compounds were structurally confirmed by IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and HR-MS spectroscopy. The cytotoxicity of ten derivatives was evaluated against A549, SKOV3, and HepG2 cell lines by MTT assay. The result showed that several compounds were more potent than UA against A549 and SKOV3 cells; however, none of them were more potent than UA against HepG2.     

Probing the Adhesion of Hepatocellular Carcinoma HepG2 and SK‐Hep‐1 Cells

Carcinoma cell differentiation stage is an important indicator of cell behavior. For example, cell mobility is much higher for poorly‐differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma SK‐Hep‐1 cells than for well‐differentiated HepG2 cells. In this study, we have cultured HepG2 and SK‐Hep‐1 cells on chemically patterned polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrates to observe differences in the adhesion properties and cell structure that occur due to the patterns. Both cell lines showed a preference for the hydrophobic regions on the patterned PDMS surface with SK‐Hep‐1 cells achieving a higher density than HepG2 for the same cell‐count solutions. Further, SK‐Hep‐1 cells adopted the square or hexagonal shape of the surface patterns while HepG2 cells maintained their more rounded shape. AFM force measurement arrays were also performed on the cell surfaces to measure and map adhesion values between the tip and cell surface membrane. These results demonstrate that, in addition to cell shape and size, adhesion expression in hepatocellular carcinoma cells is differentiation stage dependent. Further, the ability of the SK‐Hep‐1 cells to adopt the shape of the substrate pattern indicates they are more structurally labile, which may contribute to their higher mobility.     

A Powder Based Polyaniline Carbon Paste Electrode for Urea Analysis

A new polyaniline carbon paste electrode prepared by mixing polyaniline (emeraldine), nafion, graphite powder and urease for urea analysis was exploited. The ratio of polyaniline, nafion, urease and graphite for the construction of the electrodes and the optimal conditions for urea determination were studied. The detection limit of this sensor for urea is 5 μM and the linearity from 5 μM to 7.5 mM is obtained in FIA. This sensor has a response time of 90s and shows good reproducibility and stability (RSD, 6.3%, n = 43). The blood samples from a patient during blood dialysis were taken and analyzed. The urea concentrations in blood obtained from this sensor are comparable with urea test kit method.     

Silver-mediated C-H activation: oxidative coupling/cyclization of N-arylimines and alkynes for the synthesis of quinolines

A silver-mediated tandem protocol for the synthesis of quinolines involving the oxidative coupling/cyclization of N-arylimines and alkynes has been developed. We demonstrated that scenario-dependent metalation could occur either at the ortho C-H bond of an N-arylimine through protonation-driven enhancement of acidity or at the terminal C-H bond of an alkyne by virtue of the carbophilic π-acidity of silver. The diverse set of mechanistic manifolds implemented with a single type of experimental protocol points toward the importance of stringent reactivity analysis of each individual potentially reactive molecular site. Importantly, the direct arene C-H bond activation provides a unique and distinct mechanistic handle for the expansion of reactivity paradigms for silver. As expected, the protocol allows for the incorporation of both internal and terminal alkynes into the products, and in addition, both electron-withdrawing and -donating groups are tolerated on N-arylimines, thus enabling the vast expansion of substituent architectures on quinoline framework. Further, an intriguing phenomenon of structural isomerization and chemical bond cleavage has been observed for aliphatic internal alkynes.     

Three New Lanthanide Coordination Polymers Built from H2bpdc Ligands: Syntheses,Structures, and Properties

Three new lanthanide‐organic coordination polymers, {[Ln₂(bpdc)₂(H₂O)₆(NO₃)] · NO₃} [Ln = La ( 1 ), Ce ( 2 ), Pr ( 3 )] (H₂bpdc = 2, 2′‐bipyridine‐6, 6′‐dicarboxylic acid) were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and structurally characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy as well as single‐crystal and powder X‐ray diffraction. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis revealed that compounds 1 – 3 are isostructural, composed of two dimensional honeycomb network linked by bpdc ligands. The magnetic property of compound 3 was investigated.     

Preparation and properties of Nafion/SiO2 composite membrane derived via in situ sol–gel reaction: size controlling and size effects of SiO2 nano‐particles

A novel technique in controlling the size of SiO₂ nano‐particles in the preparation of Nafion/SiO₂ composite membranes via in situ sol–gel method, as well as the effects of nano‐particle size on membrane properties and cell performance, is reported in this paper. Nafion/SiO₂ composite membranes containing SiO₂ nano‐particles with four different diameters (5 ± 0.5, 7 ± 0.5, 10 ± 1, and 15 ± 2 nm) are fabricated by altering the reactant concentrations during in situ sol–gel reaction. Sequentially, size effects of SiO₂ nano‐particles on membrane properties and cell performance are investigated by SEM/EDAX, TEM, TGA, mechanical tensile, and single cell tests, etc. The results suggest that 10 nm is a critical diameter for SiO₂ incorporated into Nafion matrix, exhibiting desirable physico‐chemical properties for operation at elevated temperature and low humidity. At 110°C and 59% RH, the output voltage of the cell equipped with Nafion/SiO₂ (10 nm) obtains an output voltage of 0.625 V at 600 mA/cm², which is 50 mV higher than that of unmodified Nafion. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

基于表面富Cd2+的硫化镉量子点荧光增强测定半胱氨酸

采用一步法可控合成了表面富Cd2+的水溶性荧光硫化镉量子点,并成功用于半胱氨酸测定.通过控制镉-硫前驱体合适比例,使合成的量子点表面富含Cd2+,它们能与半胱氨酸分子中巯基结合引起体系量子点荧光增强,由此实现半胱氨酸的选择性定量分析检测.在pH=2.87的B-R缓冲体系中,测定半胱氨酸的线性区间分别为0.01～5.0 μmol/L和5.0～100 μmol/L;检出限(3σ)为3.3 nmol/L,且其它氨基酸干扰小,可应用于混合氨基酸合成样品、复方氨基酸注射液和人血清实际样品中半胱氨酸的检测.     

A theoretical study of the dependence of the ASxSi6−x cluster structures and properties on composition

The effect of the composition ratio between arsenic and silicon atoms on the structures and properties of As_xSi_6?x (x = 0–6) have been systematically investigated using the density functional theory at the B3LYP/6‐311+G* level. The As_xSi_6?x clusters prefer substitutional rather than attaching structures; the Si‐rich clusters favor Si₆‐like structures, whereas the As‐rich clusters prefer As₆‐like structures. The As atoms locating at the framework may explain the difficulty of removal of arsenic impurities from polycrystalline silicon. In general, the average binding energies gradually decrease, implying the As_xSi_6?x clusters become increasingly unstable as x increases. Both the HOMO‐LUMO gaps and the As‐dissociation energies present a strong even–odd alternation, implying alternating chemical stability, with the even x members being more stable than the odd ones. The dissociation energies of an As atom from As_xSi_6?x are: 3.07, 2.84, 1.84, 2.52, 1.86, and 2.85 eV, for x = 1–6, respectively, and 3.80, 3.08, 2.64, 3.01, 2.93, 3.16 eV for Si (x = 0–5). These dissociation energy results should provide a useful reference for further experimental investigations. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2012