A new approach to construct full-length glycosylphosphatidylinositols of parasitic protozoa and [4-deoxy-Man-III]-GPI analogues

A new [2 + 2 + 2] approach to construct GPI molecules through the efficient synthesis of glucosamine-inositol and tetramannose intermediates led to a total synthesis of a GPI-anchor of Trypanosoma cruzi, and also afforded a key intermediate for the synthesis of valuable [4-deoxy-Man-III]-GPI analogues.     

Structure–property study of waterborne,polyurethane acrylate dispersions based on hyperbranched aliphatic polyester for UV-curable coatings

A series of waterborne, hyperbranched polyurethane acrylates for aqueous dispersions (WHPUDs) based on hydroxy-functionalized hyperbranched aliphatic polyester Boltorn H20 were synthesized and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The aqueous dispersions were electrostatically stabilized with carboxyl groups incorporated into their structures, which were neutralized by triethylamine (TEA). The effects of chemical structures of end groups on various properties of WHPUDs, such as particle size, interfacial tension, and rheological behavior were investigated. The average particle sizes of aqueous dispersions, 43–237 nm, were determined by laser light scattering. Owing to the enlargement of the stabilization site, the particle size decreased as the content of carboxyl group, degree of neutralization, and dielectric constant of the dispersion medium increased. Moreover, the surface tension of aqueous dispersions of WHPUDs decreased as the TEA/COOH mole ratio and degree of neutralization increased. The investigations of the rheological behavior of the WHPUDs suggested that all the dispersions belong to pseudoplastic fluids, and each of them has viscosity much lower compared with the commercial water-based resin EB 2002.     

Synthesis, antifungal, and phytotoxic effects of some benzopyrone derivatives

Syntheses of benzopyrones 1, 13, and their derivatives, as well as their phytotoxic (in vitro) and antifungal (in vitro) screening was carried out. Compounds 2, 7, 8, and 10 showed significant phytotoxic activity, whereas 3, 8, 10, and 12 exhibited significant antifungal (in vitro) activity.     

Dual stacking of unbuffered saline samples,transient isotachophoresis plus induced pH junction focusing

A dual stacking mechanism based on transient isotachophoresis (TITP) and induced pH junction focusing is demonstrated as a means to increase the concentration sensitivity in capillary electrophoresis of highly saline samples. When stacking was carried out with an unbuffered saline sample of fluorescein between two zones of low mobility background electrolyte at high pH under an electric field of reverse polarity, two transient peaks at both boundaries of the sample zone were observed. One peak at the rear boundary could be inferred as a transient isotachophoretic stacked zone. Through computer simulations of an unbuffered sample with a high concentration of sodium chloride, we showed that the fast moving zones of sodium and chloride ions induced pH changes at both boundaries to satisfy the electroneutrality condition and that the peak at the front boundary was due to the induced pH junction. To verify the pH changes, an indicator, thymol blue, was added to an NaCl solution and the color changes under an electric field were observed. The proposed mechanism was supported by observing the dual stacking procedure for an unbuffered sample of 4-nitrophenol and measuring additional sensitivity enhancements by dual stacking for ten weakly acidic compounds. For the ten analytes including nucleoside phosphates, every dual stacking of an unbuffered sample exhibited an additional enhancement up to 86% larger than that of usual transient isotachophoresis of the corresponding buffered sample without loss of separation efficiency and reproducibility. Therefore, it would be useful to skip over buffering in sample preparation for TITP, contrary to the general recommendation.     

Detailed structure of hairy mixed micelles formed by phosphatidylcholine and PEGylated phospholipids in aqueous media

Aqueous dispersions of mixed egg yolk phosphatidylcholine (PC) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) modified distearoyl phosphatidylethanolamine (DSPE) were investigated with the purpose of determining shape, size, and conformation of the formed mixed micelles. The samples were prepared at a range of DSPEPEG to PC molar ratios ([DSPEPEG/PC] from 100:0 to 30:70) and with, respectively, DSPEPEG2000 and DSPEPEG5000, where 2000 and 5000 refer to the molar masses of the PEG chains. Particle shape and internal structure were studied using small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). The contrast of the micelles is different for X-rays and neutrons, and by combining SANS and SAXS, complementary information about the micelle structure was obtained. The detailed structure of the micelles was determined in a self-consistent way by fitting a model for the micelles to SANS and SAXS data simultaneously. In general, a model for the micelles with a hydrophobic core, surrounded by a dense hydrophilic layer that is again surrounded by a corona of PEG chains in the form of Gaussian random coils attached to the outer surface, is in good agreement with the scattering data. At high DSPEPEG contents, nearly spherical micelles are formed. As the PC content increases the micelles elongate, and at a DSPEPEG/PC ratio of 30:70, rodlike micelles longer than 1000 angstroms are formed. We demonstrate that by mixing DSPEPEG and PC a considerable latitude in controlling the particle shape is obtained. Our results indicate that the PEG chains in the corona are in a relatively unperturbed Gaussian random coil conformation even though the chains are far above the coil-coil overlap concentration and, therefore, interpenetrating. This observation in combination with the observed growth behavior questions that the "mushroom-brush"transition is the single dominating factor for determining the particle shape as assumed in previous theoretical work (Hristova, K.; Needham, D. Macromolecules 1995, 28, 991-1002).     

Preparation and characterization of a new organic-inorganic nano-composite poly-o-toluidine Th(IV) phosphate: Its analytical applications as cation-exchanger and in making ion-selective electrode

An organic-inorganic hybrid poly-o-toluidine Th(IV) phosphate was chemically synthesized by mixing ortho-tolidine into the gel of Th(IV) phosphate in different mixing volume ratios, concentration of inorganic reactant with a fixed mixing volume ratios of organic polymer. The physico-chemical characterization was carried out by elemental analysis, TEM, SEM, XRD, FTIR and simultaneous TGA-DTA studies. The ion-exchange capacity, chemical stability, effect of eluant concentration, elution behavior and pH titration studies were also carried out to understand the ion-exchange capabilities. The distribution studies revealed that the cation-exchange material is highly selective for Hg²⁺, which is an important environmental pollutant. Due to selective nature of the cation-exchanger ion-selective membrane electrode was fabricated for the determination of Hg(II) ions in solutions. The analytical utility of this electrode was established by employing it as an indicator electrode in electrometric titrations.     

Boundary layer flow of a Jeffrey fluid with convective boundary conditions

The boundary layer stretched flow of a Jeffrey fluid subject to the convective boundary conditions was investigated. The governing dimensionless problems were computed by using the homotopy analysis approach. Convergence of the derived solutions was checked and the influence of embedded parameters was analyzed by plotting graphs. It was noticed that the velocity increases with an increase in the Deborah number. Furthermore, it was found that the temperature is also an increasing function of the Biot number. We further found that for fixed values of other parameters, the local Nusselt number increases by increasing the suction parameter and Deborah number. Numerical values of the skin friction coefficient and local Nusselt numbers were computed and examined. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effects of heat and mass transfer on peristaltic flow of Williamson fluid in a non‐uniform channel with slip conditions

The combined influence of heat and mass transfer has been explored in a study of peristaltic transport of magnetohydrodynamic Williamson fluid in a non‐uniform channel with flexible walls. The slip conditions are paid due attention and long wavelength and small Reynolds number assumptions are adopted in the problem formulation. The obtained results are valid for small Weissenberg number. A detailed study of involved key parameters in the obtained solutions is made by the sketched graphs. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.