Weak decoherence and quantum trajectory graphs

Griffiths' quantum trajectories formalism is extended to describe weak decoherence. The decoherence conditions are shown to severely limit the complexity of histories composed of fine-grained events.     

Formation of nanostructured polymer filaments in nanochannels

We describe the use of hard etching methods to create nanodimensional channels and their use as templates for the formation of polymer filament arrays with precise dimensional and orientational control in a single integrated step. The procedure is general as illustrated by the radical, coordination, and photochemical polymerizations that were performed in these nanochannels. The nanochannel templates (20 nm high, 20-200 nm wide, and 100 mum long) were fabricated by the combined use of electron-beam lithography and a sacrificial metal line etching technique. Radical polymerization of acrylates, metal-catalyzed polymerization of norbornene, and photochemical polymerization of 1,4-diiodothiophene were carried out in these nanochannels. The polymers grown follow the dimensions and orientation of the channels, and the polymer filaments can be released without breaking. The approach opens up the possibility of just-in-place manufacturing and processing of patterns and devices from nanostructured polymers using well-established polymer chemistry.     

Grafting Vinyl Monomers onto Silk Fibers. XI. Graft Copolymerization of Methyl Methacrylate onto Silk Using Fe3+-Thiourea Redox System

The results of some investigations into the synthesis and characterization of a new class of oligomers and polymers, the polyselenoacetals, are described.     

Grafting Vinyl Monomers onto Silk Fibers. XIII. Graft Copolymerization of Methyl Methacrylate onto Silk Using Fe3+−Cysteine Redox System

The graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate onto silk fibers initiated by the ferric chloride-eysteine redox system has been investigated in aqueous medium. The rate of grafting was calculated by varying the concentrations of monomer, initiator, acidity of the medium, cysteine, and temperature. The percentage of grafting increases with an increase of Fe³⁺ concentration up to 2,5 × 10^?3 mol/L and thereafter it decreases. The graft yield increases steadily upon increasing the monomer concentration. The graft yield also increases with increasing cysteine concentration up to 0.5 × 10^?3 mol/L and then decreases. The effect of the perchloric acid concentration, temperature, solvents, and certain neutral salts on graft yield has also been investigated and a suitable reaction scheme has been proposed.     

New Insights on Acanthus ebracteatus Vahl: UPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS Profile,Antioxidant, Antimicrobial and Anticancer Activities

This study investigated the antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, and phytochemical profiling of extracts from the leaves and stem/root of Acanthus ebracteatus (AE). The total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) radical-scavenging activity, 2, 2′-azino-Bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical-scavenging activity, metal chelating activities (MCA), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and oxygen radical antioxidant capacity (ORAC) were used for antioxidant assessment. The ethanolic extracts of the leaves (AEL-nor) and stem/root (AEWP-nor) without chlorophyll removal and those with chlorophyll removal, using sedimentation process (AEL-sed and AEWP-sed), were prepared. Generally, AEL-sed showed the highest antioxidant activity (FRAP: 1113.2 µmol TE/g; ORAC: 11.52 µmol TE/g; MCA: 47.83 µmol EDTA/g; ABTS 67.73 µmol TE/g; DPPH 498.8 µmol TE/g; TPC: 140.50 mg/GAE g and TFC: 110.40 mg/CE g) compared with other extracts. Likewise, AEL-sed also showed the highest bacteriostatic (MIC) and bactericidal (MBC) effects, as well as the highest anticancer and antiproliferative activity against oral squamous carcinoma (CLS-354/WT) cells. UPLC-ESI-QTOF/MS analysis of AEL-sed and AEWP-sed tentatively identified several bioactive compounds in the extracts, including flavonoids, phenols, iridoids, and nucleosides. Our results provide a potentially valuable application for A. ebracteatus, especially in further exploration of the plant in oxidative stress-related disorders, as well as the application of the plant as potential nutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals.