Adsorption of azacrown ethers at solid–liquid interface. Contact angle and neutron reflectivity study

Adsorption of two alkylated N,N′-diaza-18-crown-6 ethers (decyl- and hexadecyl-derivatives, ACE-10 and ACE-16, respectively) on solid surfaces was studied by using contact angle and neutron reflectivity measurements. The solid substrates used were (a) Si covered with a native oxide layer (Si/SiO₂) and (b) Si with sputtered Pt layer (Si/Pt). The sensitivity of neutron reflectivity was drastically improved by applying the intermediate Pt layer of 150 Å, which gave rise to several Kiessig fringes in the experimentally accessible q-range. The position of the fringes is very sensitive to slight changes of the interfacial composition induced by adsorption of a thin monolayer, otherwise very difficult to detect. Unfortunately, in the studied case this sensitivity is immediately lost due to undesired adsorption of a protonated material on the Pt surface exposed to the lab air. A decrease of surface energy (increase of contact angle) of both Si/SiO₂ and Si/Pt upon exposure to toluene solutions of ACEs suggests that the latter are attached to the surface via the hydrophilic azacrown ether head with alkyl chains standing upright towards the liquid phase.     

Ultrastructure of the Alabama argillacea (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) midgut

The insect midgut has ultimately been the focus of researches tempting to control insect pests because alterations in the insect gut may affect not only its development, but also physiological events such as nutrient absorption and transformation. The objective of the present work was to describe morphologically, histochemically, and ultrastructurally the larva midgut of Alabama argillacea (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), a cotton key pest in Brazil. Light and electronic transmission microscopy was used to obtain images from midgut sections of late fourth-instar larvae of A. argillacea. In general, the morphology, histochemistry, and ultrastructure characteristics of A. argillacea midgut follow that described in the literature for other lepidopteran species. However, the results showed a mitochondrial polymorphism and branched microvilli, which suggest an ultrastrucutural and physiological modification possibly associated with a high absorption and secretion activity by the columnar cells of this species. This intense activity may favor a faster response related to the action of ingested microbial agents and/or toxins, and can explain the high susceptibility of A. argillacea to the agents of control such as the toxin of Bacillus thuringiensis.     

Biolabeling with nanoparticles based on Y2O3: Nd and luminescence detection in the near-infrared

Neodymium based fluorescence presents several advantages in comparison to conventional rare earth or enzyme-substrate based fluorescence emitting sources (e.g.Tb, HRP) . Based on this fact we have herein explored a Nd-based fluoroimmunoassay. We efficiently detected the presence of an oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) in human plasma a well-known marker for cardiovascular diseases, which causes around 30% of deaths worldwide. Conventional fluoroimmunoassay uses time-resolved luminescence techniques, with detection in the visible range, to eliminate the fluorescence background from the biological specimens. By using an immunoassay based on functionalized Y₂O₃:Nd³⁺ nanoparticles, where the excitation and emission processes in the Nd³⁺ ion occur in the near-infrared (NIR) region, we have succeeded in eliminating the interferences from the biological fluorescence background, avoiding the use of time-resolved techniques. This yields higher emission intensity from the Nd³⁺-nanolabels and efficient detection of anti-oxidized low-density lipoproteins (anti-oxLDL) by Y₂O₃:Nd³⁺-antibody-antigen conjugation, leading to a novel biolabeling method.     

Some properties and applications of cumulative Kullback–Leibler information

The cumulative Kullback–Leibler information has been proposed recently as a suitable extension of Kullback–Leibler information to the cumulative distribution function. In this paper, we obtain various results on such a measure, with reference to its relation with other information measures and notions of reliability theory. We also provide some lower and upper bounds. A dynamic version of the cumulative Kullback–Leibler information is then proposed for past lifetimes. Furthermore, we investigate its monotonicity property, which is related to some new concepts of relative aging. Moreover, we propose an application to the failure of nanocomponents. Finally, in order to provide an application in image analysis, we introduce the empirical cumulative Kullback–Leibler information and prove an asymptotic result. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

CONFORMATIONS OF 4,5,6-TRIPHENYL-TETRAHYDRO-1,3-THIAZINE-2-THIONES AND THEIR N-ALKYL DERIVATIVES. UNUSUAL THIAZINETHIONE OR AZETIDINE FORMATION UPON REACTION OF 3-AMINO- AND 3-METHYLAMINO-1,2,3-TRIPHENYLPROPYL CHLORIDES WITH POTASSIUM ETHYLXANTHATE

Abstract

Reaction of 3-amino- or 3-methylamino-1,2,3-triphenylpropyl chlorides (6 or 7) with potassium ethylxanthate leads to 4.5.6-triphenyl-tetrahydro-,3-thiazine-2-thione 1 or 1-methyl-2,3,4-triphenylazetidine 8 depending on the N-substitution. Conformational distribution of all possible diastereoisomeric thiazinethiones 1 and their N-alkyl derivatives 2–5 is determined by means of ¹H NMR spectroscopy. Allylic strain caused by N- substituents in the trans,cis-isomers strongly shifts the equilibrium between conformations with a,a,e or e,e,a phenyl groups towards the conformer with an axial neighbouring Ph-4 group. Vicinal couplings data for the diastereoisomeric azetidine 8 show different ring geometry depending on the configuration.     

Thio Analogues of Pyrimidine Bases: Syntheses and Spectral Study of New Potentially Biologically Active 2,4-Di-Ortho-(Meta- and Para-)Bromo- (Chloro and Nitro)-Benzylthio-5-Bromouracils (and 6-Methyluracils)

Eighteen new 2,4-di-ortho- (meta- and para-) bromo-(chloro- and nitro-)benzylthio-5-bromouracils (and 6-methyluracils) have been prepared. The structures of these compounds were confirmed by spectral (IR, UV/vis, ¹H NMR) and elemental analyses. Estimation of pharmacotherapeutic potential has been made for synthesized compounds on the basis of prediction of activity spectra for substances (PASS).     

Complex Formation of Phosphoryl- and Thiophosphorylacylacetonitriles with Different Cations

The enols R 1 R 2 P(E)(CN)C = CR 3 OH (E = O or S) gave in solutions either neutral metal complexes ML x or M(OH) y L x . The anionic ambidentate ligands are coordinated through E and O atoms in solutions, and O, E, and N atoms in in crystals.