Sandwich Complexes Based on the “All‐Metal” Al42‐ Aromatic Ring.

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Inverse homogenization with diagonal Padé approximants

The paper formulates inverse homogenization problem as a problem of recovery of Markov function using diagonal Padé approximants. Inverse homogenization or de-homogenization problem is a problem of deriving information about the micro-geometry of composite material from its effective properties. The approach is based on reconstruction of the spectral measure in the analytic Stieltjes representation of the effective tensor of two-component composite. This representation relates the n-point correlation functions of the microstructure to the moments of the spectral measure, which contains all information about the microgeometry. The problem of identification of the spectral function from effective measurements in an interval of frequency has a unique solution. The problem is formulated as an optimization problem which results in diagonal Padé approximation and exact formulas for the moments of the measure. The reconstructed spectral function can be used to evaluate geometric parameters of the structure and to compute other effective parameters of the same composite; this gives solution to the problem of coupling of different effective properties of a two-component composite material with random microstructure. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Multifunctional Thermally Reversible Nanostructured Thermosetting Materials Based on Block Copolymers Dispersed Liquid Crystal

Thermally reversible nanostructured thermosetting materials are prepared for the first time by modification of an epoxy resin with 5 wt.‐% of an amphiphilic polystyrene‐block‐poly(ethylene oxide) block copolymer (PSEO) and 30 wt.‐% of a low‐molecular‐weight liquid crystal, 4′‐(hexyl)‐4‐biphenylcarbonitrile (HBC). The epoxy system modified with 5 wt.‐% PSEO amphiphilic copolymer self‐assembles into spherical microdomains with a size distribution between 32 and 45 nm in diameter. Under the same conditions, the modification of an epoxy system with 5 wt.‐% PSEO and 30 wt.‐% HBC leads to a micro‐phase separated PS‐rich domains embedded in a HBC phase. The morphology of this nanostructured thermosetting system consists in a higher amount of spherical microdomains of PSEO/HBC with the size distribution between 40 and 75 nm in diameter. This implies that the separation of the PS‐rich phase provokes the separation of the liquid crystal and allows one to obtain a novel thermally switchable smart material.

     

Crystallization and Properties of Novel Polyurethanes Based on the Chain Extender Ethylene Glycol and Aromatic Diisocyanates of Variable Flexibility

Summary: Novel polyurethane elastomers (PUs) were synthesized with ethylene glycol (EG) as a chain extender. The macrodiol was poly(ethylene adipate) (PEA), MW = 2000 ± 50. Two isocyanates were employed: 4,4′-methylene bis(phenyl isocyanate) (MDI) and 4,4′-dibenzyl diisocyanate (DBDI). The conformational mobility of DBDI causes an unusually wide range of mechanical, physical and chemical properties, associated with the possibility of pronounced phase separation into a domain – matrix morphology, and with a higher tendency to crystallization and self-association by hydrogen bonding. Materials were characterized by wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical analyses (DMA), and mechanical measurements. Results were discussed in terms of the effect of PUs crystallinity. In the case where the chain extender–diisocyanate couple was EG-DBDI, the hard segments were observed to crystallize. The DBDI based PUs displayed higher flow stress in the hard phase caused by stronger phase segregation.     

Electrophilically Activated Nitroalkanes in Double Annulation of [1,2,4]Triazolo[4,3-a]quinolines and 1,3,4-Oxadiazole Rings

Nitroalkanes activated with polyphosphoric acid could serve as efficient electrophiles in reactions with amines and hydrazines, enabling various cascade transformations toward heterocyclic systems. This strategy was developed for an innovative synthetic protocol employing simultaneous or sequential annulation of two different heterocyclic cores, affording [1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]quinolines with 1,3,4-oxadiazole substituents.     

Leptin in Human Milk—One of the Key Regulators of Nutritional Programming

Breast milk is the optimal food for infants and toddlers, providing basic nutrients. It is also a source of many biologically active substances. Among them are hormones responsible for metabolic balance. One of the hormones taken in with breast milk by a breastfed baby is leptin. This hormone is involved in the regulation of appetite, informing the brain about the body’s energy resources. Having the correct mechanisms related to the action of leptin is a factor reducing the risk of obesity. The natural presence of leptin in the composition of breast milk suggests that it has a specific role in shaping the health of a breastfed child. Obesity as a disease of civilization affects more and more people, including children. The development of this disease is multifaceted and determined by many factors, including genetic and environmental factors such as eating habits and low physical activity. Behind obesity, there are complex mechanisms in which many elements of the human body are involved. Understanding the effects of breastfeeding as a natural source of leptin can help prevent childhood obesity and development of this disease in future life.     

The Dual Function of PhOH Included in the Coordination Sphere of the Nickel Complexes in the Processes of Oxidation with Dioxygen

The role of ligands in the regulation of the catalytic activity of Ni-complexes (Ni(acac)₂) in green process-selective ethylbenzene oxidation with O₂ into α-phenyl ethyl hydroperoxide is considered in this article. The dual function of phenol (PhOH) included in the coordination sphere of the nickel complex as an antioxidant or catalyst depends on the ligand environment of the metal. The role of intermolecular H-bonds and supramolecular structures (AFM method) in the mechanisms of selective catalysis by nickel complexes in chemical and biological oxidation reactions is analyzed.     

New Derivatives of 5-Substituted Uracils: Potential Agents with a Wide Spectrum of Biological Activity

Pyrimidine nucleoside analogues are widely used to treat infections caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and DNA viruses from the herpes family. It has been shown that 5-substituted uracil derivatives can inhibit HIV-1, herpes family viruses, mycobacteria and other pathogens through various mechanisms. Among the 5-substituted pyrimidine nucleosides, there are not only the classical nucleoside inhibitors of the herpes family viruses, 2′-deoxy-5-iodocytidine and 5-bromovinyl-2′-deoxyuridine, but also derivatives of 1-(benzyl)-5-(phenylamino)uracil, which proved to be non-nucleoside inhibitors of HIV-1 and EBV. It made this modification of nucleoside analogues very promising in connection with the emergence of new viruses and the crisis of drug resistance when the task of creating effective antiviral agents of new types that act on other targets or exhibit activity by other mechanisms is very urgent. In this paper, we present the design, synthesis and primary screening of the biological activity of new nucleoside analogues, namely, 5′-norcarbocyclic derivatives of substituted 5-arylamino- and 5-aryloxyuracils, against RNA viruses.     

New Cysteine-Containing PEG-Glycerolipid Increases the Bloodstream Circulation Time of Upconverting Nanoparticles

Upconverting nanoparticles have unique spectral and photophysical properties that make them suitable for development of theranostics for imaging and treating large and deep-seated tumors. Nanoparticles based on NaYF₄ crystals doped with lanthanides Yb³⁺ and Er³⁺ were obtained by the high-temperature decomposition of trifluoroacetates in oleic acid and 1-octadecene. Such particles have pronounced hydrophobic properties. Therefore, to obtain stable dispersions in aqueous media for the study of their properties in vivo and in vitro, the polyethylene glycol (PEG)-glycerolipids of various structures were obtained. To increase the circulation time of PEG-lipid coated nanoparticles in the bloodstream, long-chain substituents are needed to be attached to the glycerol backbone using ether bonds. To prevent nanoparticle aggregation, an L-cysteine-derived negatively charged carboxy group should be included in the lipid molecule.