The structure of (theta,pyramid, 1-wheel, 3-wheel)-free graphs

In this paper, we study the class of graphs defined by excluding the following structures as induced subgraphs: theta, pyramid, 1-wheel, and 3-wheel. We describe the structure of graphs in , and we give a polynomial-time recognition algorithm for this class. We also prove that -free graphs in are 4-colorable. We remark that includes the class of chordal graphs, as well as the class of line graphs of triangle-free graphs.     

Elucidating the binding mechanism of thione-containing mercaptopurine and thioguanine drugs to small gold clusters

Density functional theory methods were employed to clarify the adsorption/desorption behaviors of the thione-containing mercaptopurine and thioguanine drugs on the gold surface using both small Au₆ and Au₈ clusters as model reactants. Structural features, thermodynamic parameters, bonding characteristics, and electronic properties of the resulting complexes were investigated using the Perdew–Burke–Ernzerhof (PBE) and LC-BLYP functionals along with correlation-consistent basis sets, namely cc-pVDZ-PP for gold and cc-pVTZ for non-metals. Computed results show that the drug molecules tend to anchor on the gold cluster at the S atom with binding energies around −34 to −40 kcal/mol (in vacuum) and − 28 to −32 kcal/mol (in aqueous solution). As compared to Au₈, Au₆ undergoes a shorter recovery time and a larger change of energy gap that could be converted to an electrical signal for selective detection of the drugs. Furthermore, interactions between the drugs and gold clusters are reversible processes and a drug release mechanism was also proposed. Accordingly, the drugs are able to separate from the gold surface due to either a slight change of pH in tumor cells or the presence of cysteine residues in protein matrices.     

Magic-angle-spinning-induced local ordering in polymer electrolytes and its effects on solid-state diffusion and relaxation NMR measurements

Magic-angle-spinning (MAS) enhances sensitivity and resolution in solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements. MAS is obtained by aerodynamic levitation and drive of a rotor, which results in large centrifugal forces that may affect the physical state of soft materials, such as polymers, and subsequent solid-state NMR measurements. Here, we investigate the effects of MAS on the solid-state NMR measurements of a polymer electrolyte for lithium-ion battery applications, poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) doped with the lithium salt LiTFSI. We show that MAS induces local chain ordering, which manifests itself as characteristic lineshapes with doublet-like splittings in subsequent solid-state ¹ H, ⁷ Li, and ¹⁹ F static NMR spectra characterizing the PEO chains and solvated ions. MAS results in distributions of stresses and hence local chain orientations within the rotor, yielding distributions in the local magnetic susceptibility tensor that give rise to the observed NMR anisotropy and lineshapes. The effects of MAS were investigated on solid-state ⁷ Li and ¹⁹ F pulsed-field-gradient (PFG) diffusion and ⁷Li longitudinal relaxation NMR measurements. Activation energies for ion diffusion were affected modestly by MAS. ⁷Li longitudinal relaxation rates, which are sensitive to lithium-ion dynamics in the nanosecond regime, were essentially unchanged by MAS. We recommend that NMR researchers studying soft polymeric materials use only the spin rates necessary to achieve the desired enhancements in sensitivity and resolution, as well as acquire static NMR spectra after MAS experiments to reveal any signs of stress-induced local ordering.     

Synthesis of TiO2 on different substrates by chemical vapor deposition for photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI) in water

TiO₂ loaded on several substrates such as carbon fiber, aluminum plate, silica plate, and glass plate was prepared using the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method for the photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI) in water with the presence of ethanol under Ultraviolet (UV) illumination. As‐prepared samples were characterized by X‐Ray Diffraction (XRD), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The catalyst with TiO₂ loaded on carbon fiber possessed an extremely large surface area (1,463,91 m²/g), while the other catalysts possessed small surface areas (0.05–0.21 m²/g). The photocatalytic activity of TiO₂ loaded on carbon fiber, which was determined by the conversion of Cr(VI) and the degradation of chemical oxygen demand (COD), was much higher than that of other catalysts. The reusability of TiO₂ loaded on carbon fiber catalyst exhibited almost the same activity as the fresh catalyst. The results indicated that TiO₂ loaded on carbon fiber is feasible for practical application.     

A note on subgroups in a division ring that are left algebraic over a division subring

Let D be a division ring with center F and K a division subring of D. In this paper, we show that a non-central normal subgroup N of the multiplicative group $$D^*$$ is left algebraic over K if and only if so is D provided F is uncountable and contained in K. Also, if K is a field and the n-th derived subgroup $$D^{(n)}$$ of $$D^{*}$$ is left algebraic of bounded degree d over K, then $$\dim _FD\le d^2$$ .     

Lp‐Estimates for the ∂¯b‐equation on a class of infinite type domains

We prove $L^p$ estimates, $1\le p\le \infty$, for solutions to the tangential Cauchy–Riemann equations ${\overline{?}}_{b}u=?$ on a class of infinite type domains $\mathrm{\Omega }?{\mathbb{C}}^2$. The domains under consideration are a class of convex ellipsoids, and we show that if $?$ is a ${\overline{?}}_b$‐closed (0,1)‐form with coefficients in $L^p$, then there exists an explicit solution u satisfying ${\parallel u\parallel }_{L^p(b\mathrm{\Omega })}\le C{\parallel ?\parallel }_{L^p(b\mathrm{\Omega })}$. Moreover, when $p=\infty$, we show that there is a gain in regularity to an f‐Hölder space. We also present two applications. The first is a solution to the $\overline{?}$‐equation, that is, given a smooth (0,1)‐form ? on $b\mathrm{\Omega }$ with an L¹‐boundary value, we can solve the Cauchy–Riemann equation $\overline{?}u=?$ so that ${\parallel u\parallel }_{L^1(b\mathrm{\Omega })}\le C{\parallel ?\parallel }_{L^1(b\mathrm{\Omega })}$ where C is independent of $u$ and ?. The second application is a discussion of the zero sets of holomorphic functions with zero sets of functions in the Nevanlinna class within our class of domains.     

Photodegradable Hydrogels for Capture,Detection, and Release of Live Cells

Cells may be captured and released using a photodegradable hydrogel (photogel) functionalized with antibodies. Photogel substrates were used to first isolate human CD4 or CD8 T‐cells from a heterogeneous cell suspension and then to release desired cells or groups of cells by UV‐induced photodegradation. Flow cytometry analysis of the retrieved cells revealed approximately 95 % purity of CD4 and CD8 T‐cells, suggesting that this substrate had excellent specificity. To demonstrate the possibility of sorting cells according to their function, photogel substrates that were functionalized with anti‐CD4 and anti‐TNF‐α antibodies were prepared. Single cells captured and stimulated on such substrates were identified by the fluorescence “halo” after immunofluorescent staining and could be retrieved by site‐specific exposure to UV light through a microscope objective. Overall, it was demonstrated that functional photodegradable hydrogels enable the capture, analysis, and sorting of live cells.     

Mössbauer spectroscopy of europium-containing glasses: optical activator study for x-ray image plates

A fluorozirconate glass (ZBLAN) containing BaCl ₂ nanocrystals doped with divalent Eu is a promising material for x-ray image plates for medical diagnosis. Since it is known that Eu ²⁺ readily oxidizes to Eu ³⁺, which reduces fluorescence efficiency of the image plates, ¹⁵¹Eu Mössbauer spectroscopy was used in this work to monitor the Eu oxidation state of the samples during degradation over time in the presence of ambient humidity. In addition, Mössbauer spectroscopic experiments show that the oxidation state has already changed during the glass melt: The sample made from 5 mol% EuCl ₂ contained 78 % EuCl ₂ + 22 % EuCl ₃ deduced from the relative areas of the absorption lines. The sample made from 2.5 mol% EuCl₂ + 2.5 mol% EuCl₂ contained 37 % EuCl₂ + 63 % EuCl₃, i.e. 26 % of the original EuCl ₂ was oxidized to EuCl ₃.