Physicochemical properties and bio-interfacial interactions of surface modified PDLLA-PAMAM linear dendritic block copolymers

Here, we demonstrate the applicability of self-assembling linear-dendritic block copolymers (LDBCs) and their nanoaggregates possessing varied surfaces as therapeutic nanocarriers. These LDBCs are comprised of a hydrophobic, linear polyester chemically coupled to a hydrophilic dendron polyamidoamine (PAMAM)—the latter of which acts as the surface of the self-assembled nanoaggregate in aqueous media. To better understand how surface charge density affects the overall operability of these nanomaterials, we modified the nanoaggregate surface to yield cationic (NH₃⁺), neutral (OH), and anionic (COO⁻) surfaces. The effect of these modifications on the physicochemical properties (i.e., size, morphology, and surface charge density), colloidal stability, and cellular uptake mechanism of the polymeric nanocarrier were investigated. This comparative study demonstrates the viability of nanoaggregates formed from PDLLA-PAMAM LDBCs to serve as nanocarriers for applications in drug delivery.     

Study of the peak effect phenomenon in single crystals of 2H-NbSe2

The weakly pinned single crystals of the hexagonal 2H-NbSe₂ compound have emerged as prototypes for determining and characterizing the phase boundaries of the possible order-disorder transformations in the vortex matter. We present here a status report based on the ac and dc magnetization measurements of the peak effect phenomenon in three crystals of 2H-NbSe₂, in which the critical current densities vary over two orders of magnitude. We sketch the generic vortex phase diagram of a weakly pinned superconductor, which also utilizes theoretical proposals. We also establish the connection between the metastability effects and pinning.     

The effects of flow split ratio and flow rate in manifolds

This paper reports a combined experimental and numerical investigation of three-dimensional steady turbulent flows in inlet manifolds of square cross-section. Predictions and measurements of the flows were carried out using computational fluid dynamics and laser Doppler anemometry techniques respectively. The flow structure was characterized in detail and the effects of flow split ratio and inlet flow rate were studied. These were found to cause significant variations in the size and shape of recirculation regions in the branches, and in the turbulence levels. It was then found that there is a significant difference between the flow rates through different branches. The performance of the code was assessed through a comparison between predictions and measurements. The comparison demonstrates that all important features of the flow are well represented by the predictions.     

Current Trend in Synthesis,Post‐Synthetic Modifications and Biological Applications of Nanometal‐Organic Frameworks (NMOFs)

Since the early reports of MOFs and their interesting properties, research involving these materials has grown wide in scope and applications. Various synthetic approaches have ensued in view of obtaining materials with optimised properties, the extensive scope of application spanning from energy, gas sorption, catalysis biological applications has meant exponentially evolved over the years. The far‐reaching synthetic and PSM approaches and porosity control possibilities have continued to serve as a motivation for research on these materials. With respect to the biological applications, MOFs have shown promise as good candidates in applications involving drug delivery, BioMOFs, sensing, imaging amongst others. Despite being a while away from successful entry into the market, observed results in sensing, drug delivery, and imaging put these materials on the spot light as candidates poised to usher in a revolution in biology. In this regard, this review article focuses current approaches in synthesis, post functionalization and biological applications of these materials with particular attention on drug delivery, imaging, sensing and BioMOFs.     

Investigating the interface of superhydrophobic surfaces in contact with water

Neutron reflectivity (NR) is used to probe the solid, liquid, vapor interface of a porous superhydrophobic (SH) surface submerged in water. A low-temperature, low-pressure technique was used to prepare a rough, highly porous organosilica aerogel-like film. UV/ozone treatments were used to control the surface coverage of hydrophobic organic ligands on the silica framework, allowing the contact angle with water to be continuously varied over the range of 160 degrees (superhydrophobic) to <10 degrees (hydrophilic). NR shows that the superhydrophobic nature of the surface prevents infiltration of water into the porous film. Atomic force microscopy and density functional theory simulations are used in combination to interpret the NR results and help establish the location, width, and nature of the SH film-water interface.     

The reactivity of dimethylaluminum hydride with the aminoarsines Me2AsNMe2, MeAs(NMe2)2, and As(NMe2)3

The reactions of (Me₂AlH)₃ with Me₂AsNMe₂, MeAs(NMe₂)₂, and As(NMe₂)₃ were investigated as a function of time at room temperature and over the temperature range −90 to 24°C by use of ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. (Me₂AlH)₃ was found to be very reactive toward the aminoarsines, even at −90°C, and no stable Me₂AlH-aminoarsine adducts were observed. Instead, the initial stages of the reactions involved AS---N bond cleavage with the generation of highly reactive AlN- and AsH-bonded species. The subsequent course of each reaction and the final arsenic-containing product distribution depended upon the original AL:N stoichiometric ratio and the respective aminoarsine. When the Al:N ratio was 1:1, the reactions were straightforward for each aminoarsine. However, in every case, [Me₂AlNMe₂]₂ was the final AlN-containing product. Independent reactions were carried out to verify many of the proposed decomposition pathways that lead to thermodynamically stable products. The results of this study are compared with those of the analogous, previously reported (Me₃Al)₂-aminoarsine systems. Additionally, a new synthetic route to [Me₂AlAsMe₂]₃ has been established from the reaction of (Me₂AlH)₃ with Me₂AsH.     

Structural studies on a novel reaction product of malononitrile with aβb,δ-unsaturated allene aldehyde

Condensation of 2,5,5-trimethylhexa-2,3-dien-6-a1 with malononitrile affords an unexpected product, C₁₅H₁₆N_4X, ($\text{3}$), the structure of which was partially characterized by spectral (infrared, ultraviolet, ¹H, and ¹³C nmr) methods and fully elucidated by single crystal X-ray analysis. $\text{3}$ is l-cyano-2-amino-3-(2-propenyl)-5,5-dimethy-6- dicyanomethycycohexa-l,3-diene in a half-chair conformation. Conjugation of the $\text{cis}$-aminocyanoethenyl moiety leads to intermolecular

hydrogen bonding in the crystal. A reaction sequence and its mechanistic implications are proposed.     

The stereochemistry of organosulfur compounds. XIX. The crystal and molecular structure of 10-(1,3-dithiolan-2-ylidene)-10H-indeno[1,2-f]-1,2,3,4,5-pentathiepin

The molecular structure of 10-(1,3-Dithiolan-2-ylidene)-10H-indeno[1,2-f] -1,2,3,4,5-pentathiepin S₇C₁₂H₈₉ has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The crystals are triclinic, space group PI, with two molecules in a unit cell of dimensions α = 8.931(2), b = 9.387(2), c = 10.175(2) Å, α = 75.73(2), β = 73.35(1), γ = 64.37(2)°. The structure was solved by direct methods, and refined to a final R value of 3.3% for 1925 independent reflections. The molecule consists of an indene core with a nearly co-planar dithiolane and a fused pentasulfide chain. The S₅C₂ ring is in the chair configuration, with an average S? S distance of 2.052 Å. There is no variation of bond lengths as is frequently seen in multi-sulfur chains. The indenone ring shows no evidence of any delocalization, while the dithiolane ring is disordered at the two methylene positions. No attempt was made to resolve the disorder, since it is frequently seen and has been thoroughly investigated previously.     

Interesting interferences in a direct serum creatinine reaction

A spectrophotometric study on a direct picric acid reaction for creatinine in severely jaundiced serums is described. A problem appears to be caused by the oxidation of bilirubin which minimizes rising absorbance when using continuous measurement. Simple examples of interferences with the kinetic mode are shown along with the hitherto unreported interference of the drug, Cephalothin, which also undergoes a picric acid reaction. A procedure in which a delta absorbance is obtained after decolorization of the Jaffé complex by acidification is shown as one available means for obviating the bilirubin effect. However, the theory that Jaffé-reactive interferences do not decolorize with the same acid treatment is not totally applicable when the drug, Cephalothin, is present.