Cd13P4S22I2 — a new holographic recording material

Holographic recording and erasure experiments in Cd₁₃P₄S₂₂I₂ crystals are reported. The refractive index change of the volume phase hologram is larger than n=1.5×10^–4, whereas the static dielectric constant of this reversible storage medium is only about 10. These are rather unusual properties if compared with electrooptic KNbO₃.     

Antiviral Activity of a Cyclic Pro-Pro-β3-HoPhe-Phe Tetrapeptide against HSV-1 and HAdV-5

The core of Cyclolinopeptide A (CLA, cyclo(LIILVPPFF)), responsible for its high immunosuppressive activity, contains a Pro-Pro-Phe-Phe sequence. A newly synthesized cyclic tetrapeptide, cyclo(Pro-Pro-β³-HoPhe-Phe) (denoted as 4B8M) bearing the active sequence of CLA, was recently shown to exhibit a wide array of anti-inflammatory properties in mouse models. In this investigation, we demonstrate that the peptide significantly inhibits the replication of human adenovirus C serotype 5 (HAdV-5) and Herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) in epithelial lung cell line A-549, applying Cidofovir and Acyclovir as reference drugs. Based on a previously established mechanism of its action, we propose that the peptide may inhibit virus replication by the induction of PGE2 acting via EP2/EP4 receptors in epithelial cells. In summary, we reveal a new, antiviral property of this anti-inflammatory peptide.     

Detection of butter adulteration with water using differential scanning calorimetry

The study evaluated the applicability of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) for the detection of water content in butter. High correlation coefficients were found between the water content and the enthalpies of the ice melting/water crystallization. The correlation equations were adopted to calculate the water content for seven tested kinds of butter, and the results were compared with the values, obtained by using the reference method. The difference between the water content determined by the reference method and by DSC ranged between 0.2 and 2.6% for the measured enthalpy of ice melting, and between 1 and 5.6% for the enthalpy of water crystallization. In relation to the data obtained, it can be concluded that the parameter of ice melting enthalpy can be used in the identification of adulterations or confirmation of butter authenticity.     

The Computer-Aided Design,Synthesis, and Activity Prediction of New Leucine Aminopeptidase Inhibitors

The design, stereo-, and enantioselective synthesis and activity prediction of aminophosphonic acids as new leucine aminopeptidase inhibitors will be discussed.     

Adsorption of tert-butanol at the electrode from concentrated NaClO4 solutions

The parameters of the double layer for tert-butanol adsorption determined in the supporting electrolytes: 2 mol dm^?3, 3 mol dm^?3 and 4 mol dm^?3 NaClO₄, show an increase of tert-butanol adsorption on the mercury electrode together with the increase of NaClO₄ concentration. The adsorption of tert-butanol on the electrode takes place via the ?CH₃ group which is shown by the changes in the values of zero charge potentials, E _z. On the basis of the analysis of the changes of relative surface excess values, Γ′, and the parameters determining the maximum adsorption, the process of adsorption in the discussed systems can be recognized as a physical process. Besides, it can be said that a major drawback in the process of adsorption of the organic substance on the electrode is to remove water from the electrode surface.     

Barrier Dispersion-Based Coatings Containing Natural and Paraffin Waxes

Petroleum, synthetic, and natural waxes have been used as hydrophobic bases for dispersions intended for use as barrier coatings for packaging paper. Oil-in-water dispersions with alkaline pH were prepared by a two-step homogenization procedure containing paraffin wax, with various characteristics, the Fischer–Tropsch synthesis product or beeswax. The size of the dispersed particles determined by dynamic light scattering depended on the type of hydrophobic base used and was in the range of 350–440 nm. The ability of dispersion particles in aggregation driven by electrostatic attraction, evaluated by Zeta potential analysis by electrophoretic light scattering, was from −26 to −50 mV. Static multiply light scattering was used for 30 days of stability assessment and helped to select the dispersion with a Sarawax SX70 wax base as the most stable. Dispersions were further used for coating the backing of kraft paper by the Meyer rod method. Coated paper with an applied coating of 6 g/m² had very good hydrophobic properties (Cobb60 < 4 g/m²), sufficient strength properties, and air permeation, which enabled its application as a packaging material. The dispersions based on Sarawax SX70 wax were evaluated as the best coating for Mondi ProVantage Kraftliner 125 g/m² backing paper. Good hydrophobic properties and strength properties indicate the possibility of using the SX70-based wax dispersion coating as a replacement for PFAS coatings in some applications.     

On indexed families of multifunctions generated by families of functions

We present some necessary and some sufficient conditions for a family of multifunctions generated by two families of real functions to be a collapsing, an expanding family or an iteration semigroup. Some properties of set-valued iteration groups generated by commuting homeomorphisms not embeddable in an iteration group are given.     

Sodium dithionite initiated addition of 1-bromo-1-chloro-2,2,2-trifluoroethane to allylaromatics: Facile synthesis of conjugated dienes substituted with terminal CF3 group

Sodium dithionite effectively promotes the addition of 1-bromo-1-chloro-2,2,2-trifluoroethane to the terminal double bond of allylbenzenes 1. The reactions proceeded in MeCN/H₂O to give a 3:1 mole ratio of diastereoisomers of 1-(2-bromo-4-chloro-5,5,5-trifluoropentyl)benzenes 2 as the main products together with small amounts of its reductive debromination products 3. Total yields of 2 and 3 were dependent on the nature of the aromatic ring substituents in 1. Treatment of adducts 2 with DBU in refluxing hexanes resulted in double dehydrohalogenation affording, in good yields, conjugated dienes 4 (1,1,1-trifluoro-5-phenyl-2,4-pentadienes) terminated with the CF₃ group at the one end and the phenyl group at the opposite end. These dienes were found to be sufficiently reactive to undergo Diels-Alder condensation with active dienophiles to give trifluoromethylated carbocycles. The reactions of CF₃CHClBr with allylheterocycles were less successful and lead to low yields of mixtures of hardly separable compounds or to polymeric resins.