Synthesis of 2,4-disubstituted 5-aminoimidazoles using microwave irradiation

A microwave-assisted parallel synthesis of 2,4-disubstituted 5-aminoimidazoles has been developed. Significant rate enhancement was observed for all steps in the three-step protocol. The overall reaction time was shortened to 25 min, as compared to 53 h for the conventional procedures. A representative set of 2,4-disubstituted 5-aminoimidazoles was prepared using commercially available parallel reactors.     

A highly sensitive fluorescent immunoassay based on avidin-labeled nanocrystals

Nanocrystals of the fluorogenic precursor fluorescein diacetate (FDA) were applied as labels in order to improve on the assay sensitivity achieved in our previous studies. Each FDA nanocrystal can be converted into ∼2.6×10⁶ fluorescein molecules, which is useful for improving immunoassay sensitivity and limits of detection. NeutrAvidin was simply adsorbed onto the surface of the FDA nanocrystals, which were coated with distearoylglycerophosphoethanolamine (DSPE) modified with amino(poly(ethylene glycol))(PEG(2000)-Amine) as an interface for coupling biomolecules. This can be applied to detect different kinds of analytes that are captured by corresponding biotinylated biomolecules in different bioanalytical applications. The applicability of the NeutrAvidin-labeled nanocrystals was demonstrated in an immunoassay using the labeled avidin–biotin technique. Biotinylated antibody and FDA-labeled avidin were applied to the assay sequentially. The performance was compared with the traditional sandwich-type assay for mouse immunoglobulin G detection. Following the immunoreaction, the nanocrystals were released by hydrolysis and dissolution instigated by adding a large volume of organic solvent/sodium hydroxide mixture. The limit of detection was lower (by a factor of 2.5–21) and the sensitivity was (3.5–30-fold) higher than immunoassays using commercial labeling systems (FITC and peroxidase). This study shows that using fluorescent nanocrystals in combination with the avidin–biotin technique can enhance assay sensitivity and provide a lower limit of detection without requiring long incubation times as in enzyme-based labels.     

Study on Angelica and its different extracts by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and two-dimensional correlation IR spectroscopy

In order to develop a rapid and effective analysis method for studying integrally the main constituents in the medicinal materials and their extracts, discriminating the extracts from different extraction process, comparing the categories of chemical constituents in the different extracts and monitoring the qualities of medicinal materials, we applied Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) associated with second derivative infrared spectroscopy and two-dimensional correlation infrared spectroscopy (2D-IR) to study the main constituents in traditional Chinese medicine Angelica and its different extracts (extracted by petroleum ether, ethanol and water in turn). The findings indicated that FT-IR spectrum can provide many holistic variation rules of chemical constituents. Use of the macroscopical fingerprint characters of FT-IR and 2D-IR spectrum can not only identify the main chemical constituents in medicinal materials and their different extracts, but also compare the components differences among the similar samples. This analytical method is highly rapid, effective, visual and accurate for pharmaceutical research.     

Tunable aggregation-induced emission of diphenyldibenzofulvenes

Nonemissive fulvenes can be induced to luminesce by aggregate formation, with the crystalline aggregates emitting bluer lights more intensely than their amorphous counterparts.     

Synchronization of generalized Hénon map using polynomial controller

This Letter presents the chaos synchronization of two discrete-time generalized Hénon map, namely the drive and response systems. A polynomial controller is proposed to drive the system states of the response system to follow those of the drive system. The system stability of the error system formed by the drive and response systems and the synthesis of the polynomial controller are investigated using the sum-of-squares (SOS) technique. Based on the Lyapunov stability theory, stability conditions in terms of SOS are derived to guarantee the system stability and facilitate the controller synthesis. By satisfying the SOS-based stability conditions, chaotic synchronization is achieved. The solution of the SOS-based stability conditions can be found numerically using the third-party Matlab toolbox SOSTOOLS. A simulation example is given to illustrate the merits of the proposed polynomial control approach.     

GaN-nanowire-based dye-sensitized solar cells

GaN nanowires typically exhibit high electron mobility and excellent chemical stability. However, stability of GaN is detrimental for successful attachment of dye molecules and its application in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Here we demonstrate DSSCs based on GaN/gallium oxide and GaN/TiO _x core–shell structures, and we show that coating of GaN nanowires with a TiO _x shell significantly increases dye adsorption and consequently photovoltaic performance. The best cells exhibited short circuit current density of 1.83 mA/cm² and power conversion efficiency of 0.44% under AM 1.5 simulated solar illumination.     

Experimental realization of a circuit-based broadband illusion-optics analogue

We experimentally demonstrate the first metamaterial "illusion optics" device--an "invisible gateway" by using a transmission-line medium. The device contains an open channel that can block waves at a particular frequency range. We also demonstrate that such a device can work in a broad frequency range.     

Type B epitaxy of Ge on CaF2(111) surface

It was known experimentally that type B orientation, which is rotated 180° about the [111] axis, dominated the heteroepitaxial growth of Ge(111) on a CaF₂(111) substrate at an elevated temperature. We performed first principles calculations using density functional theory to determine the energetics of the Ge(111)/CaF₂(111) interface and found that the type B orientation of the Ge film is most likely a result of a direct bonding between Ge atoms and Ca²⁺ at the CaF₂ surface with the top F^? layer depleted. Our theoretical prediction is supported by our X-ray diffraction experiments on {111} < 121> biaxially textured Ge/CaF₂ samples.