On the radius continuity of the models of polytropic gas spheres which correspond to the positive solutions of the generalized Emden-Fowler equation

We completely answer the question which positive solutions of the Emden-Fowler equation , n > ½, m > ? 1, m+n > 0 induce models of polytropic gas spheres of finite radius or finite mass. We continue and complete the investigation of the radius continuity of these models initiated by van den Broek and Verhulst⁸ in connection with a numerical analysis by Hénon⁷.     

Polyfunctional pyridines from nitroacetamidine and β-diketones. A useful synthesis of substituted imidazo [4,5-b] pyridines and related compounds

Nitroacetamidine undergoes a useful cyclocondensation with β-diketones to produce substituted 2-amino-3-nitropyridines. Use of an acylpyruvate generates hitherto unreported 2-amino-3-nitropyridine-4-carboxylates. These may be converted easily to functionalized imidazo[4,5-b]pyridines and oxazolo-[5,4-b]pyridines.     

GAS TRANSPORT PROPERTIES OF A POLYIMIDE BASED ON 2, 2-BIS (3, 4-DECARBOXYPHENYL) HEXAFLUOROPROPANE AND meta-PHENYLENEDIAMINE

By means of a vacuum time-lag method, gas transport properties of apolyimide based on 2, 2- bis (3, 4- decarboxyphenyl ) hexafluoropropane dianhydride (6FDA )and meta- phenylenediamine (mPDA ) have been measured as a function of upstream pres-sure and temperature. The results show that no gas-induced plasticization occurs for thispolyimide in the upstream pressure range from 1 atm to 20atm. The temperature depen-dence of P and D can be described by the Arrhenius equations. The activation energiesof permeation and diffusion were obtained for the gas/polymer pair studied and correlatedwith the size of penetrant gas.     

Charge transfer efficiency in hybrid bulk heterojunction composites

On the basis of recently published electrochemical measurements, the charge transfer efficiency within CdSe nanocrystal/conducting polymer heterojunction composites was investigated by means of luminescence interaction strength. It was found that poly[2-methoxy-5-(2'-ethylhexyloxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene] and poly-9-vinylcarbazole luminescence was not totally quenched by nanocrystals, whereas poly-3-octylthiophene and polyvinylpyrrolidone was completely quenched. In case of poly-3-hexylthiophene, the nanocrystal luminescence was quenched. The results are in complete agreement with the electrochemical findings and thus, the CdSe nanocrystal/Polyvinylpyrrolidone composite should be a promising material for electroluminescent devices.     

A concise synthesis of ortho-substituted aryl-acrylamides—potent activators of soluble guanylyl cyclase

Horner-Emmons reaction of phosphonate amides with aldehydes leads to generation of o-substituted aryl-acrylamides. These compounds have been shown to be useful to quickly establish structure-activity relationships (SAR) for soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) activator drug discovery.     

Dendrimer-functionalized self-assembled monolayers as a surface plasmon resonance sensor surface

We report here a multistep route for the immobilization of DNA and proteins on chemically modified gold substrates using fourth-generation NH(2)-terminated poly(amidoamine) dendrimers supported by an underlying amino undecanethiol (AUT) self-assembled monolayer (SAM). Bioactive ultrathin organic films were prepared via layer-by-layer self-assembly methods and characterized by fluorescence microscopy, variable angle spectroscopic ellipsometry, atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and attenuated total internal reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). The thickness of the AUT SAM base layer on the gold substrates was determined to be 1.3 nm from ellipsometry. Fluorescence microscopy and AFM measurements, in combination with analyses of the XPS/ATR-FTIR spectra, confirmed the presence of the dendrimer/biopolymer molecules on the multilayer sensor surfaces. Model proteins, including streptavidin and rabbit immunoglobulin proteins, were covalently attached to the dendrimer layer using linear cross-linking reagents. Through surface plasmon resonance measurements, we found that sensor surfaces containing a dendrimer layer displayed an increased protein immobilization capacity, compared to AUT SAM sensor surfaces without dendrimer molecules. Other SPR studies also revealed that the dendrimer-based surfaces are useful for the sensitive and specific detection of DNA-DNA interactions. Significantly, the multicomponent films displayed a high level of stability during repeated regeneration and hybridization cycles, and the kinetics of the DNA-DNA hybridization process did not appear to be influenced by surface mass transport limiting effects.     

A tin-containing liquid crystalline polymer with two glass temperatures

A tin-containing liquid crystalline side group polymer was synthesized and characterized. Two glass transitions were detected by calorimetric investigations. The X-ray pattern corresponds to a smectic C order of the side groups and a disordered isotropic main chain. Dielectric measurements show two relaxation ranges which are influenced by the glass transitions and a fast local process. The low frequency mechanism can be related to the reorientation of the side groups and the higher glass transition temperature. The second is connected with the α-relaxation of the main chain and freezes in at lower temperatures.     

The synthesis,interfacial, and colloidal properties of waterborne cationic methacrylic co-polymers

Two cationic polymers with similar composition were prepared by two different polymerization methods. By monitoring the evolution of the molar mass and chemical composition during the reactions together with charge density measurements and calculations, it was concluded that the cationic polymer synthesized by emulsion polymerization had a less uniform compositional distribution than the cationic polymer prepared by solution polymerization. Contributing to the heterogeneity was the hydrolysis of one monomer (dimethylamino ethylmethacrylate (DMAEMA)) during the synthesis. As a result, the polymer prepared by emulsion polymerization had a more blocky structure and was more surface active as supported by static and dynamic surface tensions data. Fluorescence experiments showed that both polymers formed aggregates at very low concentrations of approximately 0.01 wt%. The aggregates of the polymer prepared by emulsion polymerization were compact, whereas the solution polymerization-based polymer aggregates exhibited a rather expanded geometry.     

Numbers,scale and symbols: the public understanding of nanotechnology

Nanotechnology will be an increasing part of the everyday lives of most people in the world. There is a general recognition that few people understand the implications of the technology, the technology itself or even the definition of the word. This lack of understanding stems from a lack of knowledge about science in general but more specifically difficulty in grasping the size scale and symbolism of nanotechnology. A potential key to informing the general public is establishing the ability to comprehend the scale of nanotechnology. Transitioning from the macro to the nanoscale seems to require an ability to comprehend scales of one-billion. Scaling is a skill not common in most individuals and tests of their ability to extrapolate size based upon scaling a common object demonstrates that most individuals cannot scale to the extent needed to make the transition to nanoscale. Symbolism is another important vehicle to providing the general public with a basis to understand the concepts of nanotechnology. With increasing age, individuals are able to draw representations of atomic scale objects, but these tend to be iconic and the different representations not easily translated. Ball and stick models are most recognized by the public, which provides an opportunity to present not only useful symbolism but also a reference point for the atomic scale.     

Time resolved collapse of a folding protein observed with small angle x-ray scattering

High-intensity, "pink" beam from an undulator was used in conjunction with microfabricated rapid-fluid mixing devices to monitor the early events in protein folding with time resolved small angle x-ray scattering. This Letter describes recent work on the protein bovine beta-lactoglobulin where collapse from an expanded to a compact set of states was directly observed on the millisecond time scale. The role of chain collapse, one of the initial stages of protein folding, is not currently understood. The characterization of transient, compact states is vital in assessing the validity of theories and models of the folding process.