Semiempirical Molecular Orbital Studies of the Acylation Step in the Lipase‐Catalyzed Ester Hydrolysis

In this study, we present the results from the semiempirical molecular orbital calculations for the acylation step in the lipase‐catalyzed ester hydrolysis. The results reveal that the lowest energy path for the formation of the tetrahedral intermediate is for the serine residue of the catalytic triad to attack the substrate, followed by coupling heavy atom movement and proton transfer. The calculations of four active site models show that the cooperation of the aspartate group and the oxyanion hole is capable of lowering the activation energy by about 16 kcalmol^?1. Our results further suggest that the lipase‐catalyzed ester hydrolysis adopts the single proton transfer mechanism.     

Novel bismaleimide containing cyclic phosphine oxide and an epoxy unit: Synthesis, characterization, thermal and flame properties

A new type of bismaleimide resin (EPBMI), containing epoxy unit and phosphorus in the main chain, was synthesized. The structure of the new resin was confirmed by infrared spectroscopy (IR), ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectroscopies. In addition, the compositions of the new synthesized bismaleimide with two reactants, 4,4′-diaminodiphenylsulfone (DDS) and 4,4′-diaminodiphenylether (DDE), was used to compare its reactivity and thermal properties with conventional bismaleimide (EBMI). Reactivity was measured by differential scanning calorimetry. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that the polymers, obtained through the reactions between bismaleimides and diamine agents, also demonstrated excellent thermal properties and high char yield.     

Single-layered graphene oxide nanosheet/polyaniline hybrids fabricated through direct molecular exfoliation

In this study, we used direct molecular exfoliation for the rapid, facile, large-scale fabrication of single-layered graphene oxide nanosheets (GOSs). Using macromolecular polyaniline (PANI) as a layered space enlarger, we readily and rapidly synthesized individual GOSs at room temperature through the in situ polymerization of aniline on the 2D GOS platform. The chemically modified GOS platelets formed unique 2D-layered GOS/PANI hybrids, with the PANI nanorods embedded between the GO interlayers and extended over the GO surface. X-ray diffraction revealed that intergallery expansion occurred in the GO basal spacing after the PANI nanorods had anchored and grown onto the surface of the GO layer. Transparent folding GOSs were, therefore, observed in transmission electron microscopy images. GOS/PANI nanohybrids possessing high conductivities and large work functions have the potential for application as electrode materials in optoelectronic devices. Our dispersion/exfoliation methodology is a facile means of preparing individual GOS platelets with high throughput, potentially expanding the applicability of nanographene oxide materials.     

Syntheses,structural characterizations,and thermal resistances of new epoxy–imide polymers

A new type of imide–epoxy resin in which imide compounds were grafted on the main chain of the epoxy was synthesized. The imide compounds used were mono (aminophthalimide)s. The structures of imide monomers and imide–epoxy polymers were confirmed by spectra characterizations of IR, ¹H-, and ¹³C-NMR. The thermal resistances and solubilities of synthesized imide–epoxy were also studied. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Cationic Glycidyl-Based Poly(aminoester)-Folic Acid Targeting Conjugates and Study on Gene Delivery

A new poly(aminoester) (EPAE-FA) containing folic acid and amino groups in the backbone and side chain was synthesized. EPAE-FA self-assembled readily with the plasmid DNA (pCMV-βgal) in HEPES buffer and was characterized by dynamic light scattering, zeta potential, fluorescence images, and XTT cell viability assays. To evaluate the transfection effect of graft ratio of FA on the EPAE system, EPAE-FA polymers with two different graft ratios (EPAE-FA12k and EPAE-FA14k) were also prepared. This study found that all EPAE-FA polymers were able to bind plasmid DNA and yielded positively charged complexes with nano-sized particles ( < 200 nm). To assess the transfection efficiency mediated by EPAE and EPAE-FA polymers, we performed in vitro transfection activity assays using FR-negative (COS-7) and FR-positive (HeLa) cells. The EPAE-FA12k/DNA and EPAE-FA14k/DNA complexes were able to transfect HeLa cell in vitro with higher transfection efficiency than PEI25k/DNA at the similar weight ratio. These results demonstrated that the introduction of FA into EPAE system had a significant effect on transferring ability for FR-positive cells (HeLa). Examination of the cytotoxicity of PEI25k and EPAE-FA system revealed that EPAE-FA system had lower cytotoxicity. In this paper, EPAE-FA seemed to be a novel cationic poly(aminoester) for gene delivery and an interesting candidate for further study.     

Magnetic nanowires via template electrodeposition

The magnetic NiFe_x nanowires were prepared via template-guided electrodeposition. Anodized nanoporous aluminum was used as a template. The pore density and dimensions of alumina templates can be controlled by anodization conditions. Magnetic nanorods (or nanowires) with various aspect ratios were prepared by controlling the electrodeposition time. SEM and TEM micrographs revealed the wire and rod shape morphologies with 50 nm in diameter and 1.5 ~ 10 μm in length. Elemental analysis and ESCA studies suggested that NiFe₃ magnetic alloy was formed. The X-ray diffraction pattern indicates that all the nanowires are stabilized in a BCC structure with a [1 1 0] texture oriented along the long axis of the nanowires. The magnetic measurement showed no hysteresis loops for the whole aspect ratios of the nanowires. Nevertheless, the magnetization is more temperature sensitive for nanowires with lower aspect ratio. This is caused by the fact that the easy magnetization axis is always parallel to the long axis of the nanowires.     

Molecular engineering leading to better processability of conjugated chromophores: The optical properties of new soluble copolymers containing alternative oligo-octylthiophene and oligo-methylene blocks

A series of conjugated/non-conjugated copolymers and their corresponding oligomers were prepared and their optical and physical properties were investigated for understanding the merit of blocking the conjugated chromophores with non-conjugated spacers. It was found that compared to the oligomers, copolymers have the advantages of amorphous nature, high thermal stability, and good thin film processability without sacrificing the quantum efficiency and purity of the emission color. Furthermore, based on the optical data of these copolymers and oligomers, the conjugation length of the polyoctylthiophene was estimated to be extended over 23-31 octylthiophene rings.     

Exploratory study of turbulent structure of a compressible shear layer using fluctuating pitot pressure measurements

An experimental study has been conducted to determine if two-point fluctuating pitot pressure measurements can be used to detect and quantify the large-scale structures in a two-dimensional, high Reynolds number, supersonic, turbulent shear layer. There is evidence from the two-point correlations of fluctuating pitot pressures and from the VITA analysis that large-scale structures exist and span the thickness of the shear layer. Because the shear layer exhibits a wake-like character, the large-scale structure in the lower part of the shear layer is essentially normal to the flow direction. Power spectra measured at about 25 initial shear layer thicknesses downstream of the origin are broadband, which suggests that the large-scale structures are not yet highly organized.A version of this paper was presented at the 12^th Symposium on Turbulence at the University of Missouri-Rolla