XPS investigations of ink‐jet printed paper

Different ink‐jet printed paper materials were investigated using X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) yielding the elemental composition of the near‐surface region of the papers. We found significant differences with respect to the detected elements and their atomic concentrations in the different inks studied here. Two different groups of inks could be identified by means of a lower ratio of the O and C atomic concentrations and lower concentrations in specific trace elements like Mg, Na and Si. High‐resolution spectra of C 1s and O 1s core levels allowed a detailed determination of the chemical state of the respective elements. On the basis of a detailed deconvolution of these XPS signals, significant differences between all the investigated ink‐jet printed papers were found, thereby allowing their discrimination. The applicability of the measurements and, more generally, the XPS technique for forensic investigations of paper are discussed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Nanoscale organization of the pathogen receptor DC-SIGN mapped by single-molecule high-resolution fluorescence microscopy.

DC-SIGN, a C-type lectin exclusively expressed on dendritic cells (DCs), plays an important role in pathogen recognition by binding with high affinity to a large variety of microorganisms. Recent experimental evidence points to a direct relation between the function of DC-SIGN as a viral receptor and its spatial arrangement on the plasma membrane. We have investigated the nanoscale organization of fluorescently labeled DC-SIGN on intact isolated DCs by means of near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM) combined with single-molecule detection. Fluorescence spots of different intensity and size have been directly visualized by optical means with a spatial resolution of less than 100 nm. Intensity- and size-distribution histograms of the DC-SIGN fluorescent spots confirm that approximately 80 % of the receptors are organized in nanosized domains randomly distributed on the cell membrane. Intensity-size correlation analysis revealed remarkable heterogeneity in the molecular packing density of the domains. Furthermore, we have mapped the intermolecular organization within a dense cluster by means of sequential NSOM imaging combined with discrete single-molecule photobleaching. In this way we have determined the spatial coordinates of 13 different individual dyes, with a localization accuracy of 6 nm. Our experimental observations are all consistent with an arrangement of DC-SIGN designed to maximize its chances of binding to a wide range of microorganisms. Our data also illustrate the potential of NSOM as an ultrasensitive, high-resolution technique to probe nanometer-scale organization of molecules on the cell membrane.     

Crystal Structure and Characterization of a Large Polyoxotungstate (NH4)21{La(H2O)5[Ni(H2O)]2As4W40O140}·53H2O

The heteropolytungstate (NH4)₂₁{La(H₂O)₅[Ni(H₂O)]₂As₄W₄₀O₁₄₀}·53H₂O is obtained by the reaction of Na₂₇[NaAs₄W₄₀O₁₄₀]· 60H₂O with NiCl₂·6H₂O, La(NO₃)₃·6H₂O and NH₄Cl at pH‐4.5. The structure and chemical composition are determined by X‐ray diffraction analysis and elemental analysis. The crystal data and main structure refinement are a = 1.9551(3) nm, b = 2.4156(4) nm, c= 3.7068(6) nm, β = 91.505(3)°, V = 17.500 (5) nm³, monoclinic crystal system with space group P2₁/n, Z = 4, R₁ = 0.0573, wR₂ = 0.0717 [I >2<s?(I)], R₁, = 0.2463 and wR₂ = 0.1199 (all data). [La(H₂O)₅] {Ni(H₂O)}₂AS₄W₄₀O₁₄₀ has C₂, symmetry. IR spectra of the ligand [NaAs₄W₄₀O₁₄₀]^27‐ and its three complexes were discussed.     

Catalytic Para‐Xylene Maximization. V. Toluene Methylation with Methanol and Disproportionation of Toluene Using Pt/ZSM‐5 and Pt/Mordenite Catalysts

Toluene was methylated with methanol and disproportionated using catalysts containing different Pt contents (0.2, 0.4 and 0.6%) supported on H‐ZSM‐5 or H‐mordenite (H‐M) zeolites in a fixed‐bed flow‐reactor operated atmospherically at temperatures of 300–500 °C in a flow of hydrogen. Platinum dispersion in the zeolite supports and acid sites strength distribution were evaluated using hydrogen chemisorption (1:1 stoichiometry) and ammonia temperature programmed desorption (TPD) in a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). Toluene methylation was much faster on all catalysts than toluene disproportionation (DISP). Both reactions were more accelerated using H‐ZSM‐5 containing catalysts than H‐M containing catalysts. The yield of xylenes, and in particular para‐xylene, was significantly influenced by the yield of trimethylbenzenes (TMBs) in product. The selectivities for para‐, ortho‐ and meta‐xylenes production were found largely dependent on the Pt content in the catalysts, particularly when supported on H‐ZSM5‐zeolite. However, using Pt/H‐M catalysts, these selectivities were not strictly controlled by Pt content in the catalysts.     

The preparation of nano‐scope chitosan‐oligomer copper complexes and their interaction with DNA

Water‐soluble low molecular weight chitosan of nanometer level and its copper complexes were prepared, and characterized by IR spectra, elemental analysis and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The modes and mechanism of these copper complexes interaction with DNA were studied by a fluorescent probe method and electrophoresis analysis. It is suggested that there are electrostatic and intercalation modes of copper complexes interacting with DNA. At first, the cationic complex electrostaticly binds to the negatively charged phosphate backbone of DNA, and then a portion of the complex intercalates between the base pairs on the DNA duplex strand. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A Two-dimensional Lanthanide Coordination Framework with a New Amide-type Tripodal Ligand, 2,2′,2＂-Nitrilotris{[（2′- benzylaminoformyl）phenoxy]ethyl}amine

The La(III) complex with a new amide‐type tripodal ligand,2,2′.2″‐nitrilotris{[(2′‐benzylaminofomyl)‐phenoxylethyl)amine (L), was synthesized and characterized by X‐ray crystallographic analysis. Crystal data: C₄₈H_55.50LaN₇O_18.75, M_r=1169.40, monoclinic. space group, P2₁/n, a= 1.0644(3) nm. b=2.3889(5) nm, c= 2.1917(5) nm, β=90.65°, V=5.573(2) nm³, Z=1, D_c=1.394 g°cm^?3, R₁=0.0487, wR [1>2s?(I)]=0.1266. The results reveal that each La(III) ion binds to 9 oxygen atoms, three of which belong to carbonyl groups from three tripodal ligands and six to three bidentate nitrate groups and a two‐dimensional sheet of 4.8² networks is assembled by metal‐ligand coordination interaction. L, a heptadentate compound, merely acts as a tridentate bridging spacer due to its steric hindrance and links the La(III) ions as three‐connected nodes.     

Pyranoxanthones from Calophyllum Inophyllum

Phytochemical investigation of the stem bark of Calophyllum inophyllum resulted in the isolation of a new dipyrenoxanthone, calophinone ( 1 ), together with four related xanthones ( 2–5 ). Identification of the isolated compounds was achieved through intensive studies of their spectral data, especially 2D NMR.     

Study of the Complexation Behavior of Calixarene with Transition Metal Cations by UV—vis and Fluorescent Spectra

A new fluorescent compound based on calix[4] arene skeleton was synthesized.Its complexation ability with transition metal ions,such as Fe^3 ,Co^2 ,Ni^2 ,Cu^2 ,Zn^2 and Ag^ ,Was investigated by UV-vis and fluorescent spectra.     

Case for projectile kinetic energy gain in stopping power studies

Under certain collision conditions, a swift ion projectile colliding with a target will gain rather than lose kinetic energy, contrary to the standard conception of stopping power. In this work, we consider the conditions for such a collision such that the energy loss is negative, that is, that there will be projectile kinetic energy gain. In particular, for a target initially in the ground state we find that the projectile gains kinetic energy only when charge exchange and de‐excitation processes are involved. This occurs when the electron affinity of the projectile is larger than the ionization potential of the target. Consequences of this effect are analyzed. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem 94: 215–221, 2003