Impedimetric evaluation of hybrid cationic porphyrin/quantum dot multilayer assemblies: a biocompatible interface for calf thymus DNA immobilization

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - In this work, a cationic porphyrin, ascribed as [Ttolyl(P-(C6H5)3)4]4+, where Ttolyl = 5,10,15,20 tetrakistolylporphyrin, was...     

There is no bilinear Bishop-Phelps theorem

We answer a question posed by R. Aron, C. Finet and E. Werner, on the bilinear version of the Bishop-Phelps theorem, by exhibiting an example of a Banach spaceX such that the set of norm-attaining bilinear forms onX×X is not dense in the space of all continuous bilinear forms. Research partially supported by D.G.I.C.Y.T., project no. PB93-1142.     

n-Pentane conversion to aromatic hydrocarbons over Zn-ZSM-11 zeolite

The transformation of n-pentane into aromatic hydrocarbons over Zn-exchanged ZSM-11 zeolite (Zn-ZSM-11) has been studied. The catalyst exhibited a high activity and BTX selectivity for n-C5 conversion at about 538°C, 1 h^–1 and 1 atm. Zn-species are effective for the activation of the n-pentane and the transformation of intermediate products into aromatic compounds.

---

- ZSM-11, (Zn-ZSM-11). - 538°C, 1^–1 1 . Zn - .

     

Synthesis of ruthenium complexes with carbonyl and polypyridyl ligands derived from dipyrido[3,2‐a:2′,3′‐c]phenazine: application to the water gas shift reaction

The preparation and spectroscopic properties of new dipyrido[3,2‐a:2′,3′‐c]phenazine ruthenium complexes are described. The complexes show high catalytic activity in the water gas shift reaction in a basic medium under mild conditions (P_CO = 0.9 atm at 100 °C). Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Adhesion of bioinspired micropatterned surfaces: effects of pillar radius, aspect ratio, and preload

Inspired by biological attachment systems, micropatterned elastomeric surfaces with pillars of different heights (between 2.5 and 80 microm) and radii (between 2.5 and 25 microm) were fabricated. Their adhesion properties were systematically tested and compared with flat controls. Micropatterned surfaces with aspect ratios above 0.5 were found to be more compliant than flat surfaces. The adhesion significantly increases with decreasing pillar radius and increasing aspect ratio of the patterned features. A preload dependence of the adhesion force has been identified and demonstrated to be crucial for obtaining adhesives with tunable adherence.     

Spirocyclic Amide Acetal Synthesis by [CpRu]-Catalyzed Condensations of α-Diazo-β-Ketoesters with γ-Lactams

The synthesis of spirocyclic amide acetals (33–93 %) has been achieved through Ru(II)-catalyzed condensations of N-carbamate protected pyrrolidinones with metal carbenes derived from α-diazo-β-ketoesters. Thanks to the mildness of the diazo decomposition conditions induced by a 1 : 1 combination of [CpRu(MeCN)₃][BAr_F] and 1,10-phenanthroline, the formation of the sensitive products is possible. Full characterization of this carbonyl-ylide mediated process is provided by DFT calculations.     

High-resolution line-scanning optical coherence microscopy

An optical coherence microscopy system based on line illumination and detection is demonstrated. The system uses a Linnik-type interferometer illuminated by a broadband Ti:sapphire laser and detected by a high-speed, line-scan CCD camera. This approach is less sensitive to incoherent scattering and sample motion than full-field imaging. Spatial resolutions of approximately 2 microm x approximately 3 microm(transverse x axial) are achieved. The sensitivity of the system is 93 dB with averaging over 30 line scans. En face real time, cellular-level imaging of biological tissues is demonstrated at approximately 2 frames/s.     

A general class of predation models with multiplicative Allee effect

A class of models of predator–prey interaction with Allee effect on the prey population is presented. Both the Allee effect and the functional response are modelled in the most simple way by means of general terms whose conveniently chosen mathematical properties agree with, and generalise, a number of concrete Leslie–Gower-type models. We show that this class of models is well posed in the sense that any realistic solution is bounded and remains non-negative. By means of topological equivalences and desingularization techniques, we find specific conditions such that there may be extinction of both species. In particular, the local basin boundaries of the origin are found explicitly, which enables one to determine the extinction or survival of species for any given initial condition near this equilibrium point. Furthermore, we give conditions such that an equilibrium point corresponding to a positive steady state may undergo saddle-node, Hopf and Bogdanov–Takens bifurcations. As a consequence, we are able to describe the dynamics governed by the bifurcated limit cycles and homoclinic orbits by means of carefully sketched bifurcation diagrams and suitable illustrations of the relevant invariant manifolds involved in the overall organisation of the phase plane. Finally, these findings are applied to concrete model vector fields; in each case, the particular relevant functions that define the conditions for the associated bifurcations are calculated explicitly.     

Analytical procedures for the determination of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressant citalopram and its metabolites

The antidepressant citalopram (CIT) is a potent and highly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) which has been introduced in therapy as a racemic drug. CIT has been used to treat central nervous system affective disorders such as depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorders, various phobias, borderline personality disorders, bipolar disorders as well as indications wherein inhibition of serotonin reuptake is desired. CIT is demethylated to demethylcitalopram (DCIT) and didemethylcitalopram (DDCIT), which retain considerable activity as SSRIs. Therefore, in recent years, the monitoring of the levels of these analytes in biological fluids for toxicological and therapeutic purposes has been a target worthy of interest. In addition, the differences in activity between CIT enantiomers established the need to assess its behaviour in the field of pharmacological research. It is also necessary to develop analytical methodologies that make it possible to determine the levels of enantiomer concentrations. This review includes most of the published analytical methods for achiral assay of racemic CIT and its metabolites based on high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with UV, fluorescence and mass spectrometry detectors, capillary electrophoresis and gas chromatography with mass spectrometry detectors among others. With regard to the monitoring of enantiomers of CIT and of its metabolites, stereoselective methods based on chiral chromatographic columns, chiral additives in mobile phases and on the derivatization with a chiral reagent are also collected. In addition, different procedures of extraction are mentioned as well as liquid-liquid extraction, solid-phase extraction, solid-phase microextraction, automated online extraction or liquid-phase microextraction in different biological and environmental samples.