Applying Tikhonov regularization to process pendant droplet tensiometry data

The problem of obtaining the first and second derivatives of the profile of a pendant droplet is formulated as an integral equation of the first kind. This equation is solved by Tikhonov regularization in which the method of general cross validation is used to guide the selection of the regularization parameter. These derivatives are converted into mean curvature as a function of droplet height. Surface tension is then obtained by regression computation between the mean curvature and two possible algebraic expressions suggested by the Laplace-Young equation. This way of obtaining surface tension is demonstrated by applying it to a number of published droplet profiles. Some of the problems encountered are discussed and solutions suggested.     

Effect of sulfur coverage on Fe(110) adhesion: a DFT study

The effect of adsorbed S at different coverages on the adhesion of Fe(110) surfaces in match and mismatch is examined using density functional theory (DFT). S is adsorbed in atop, bridge, and 4-fold hollow sites on one side of the interface in c(2 x 2) and p(1 x 1) arrangements, corresponding to coverages of 1/2 and 1 monolayer, respectively. The calculated adhesion energy values at different interfacial separations are fitted to the universal binding energy relation, and the effect of the S coverages on the adhesive strength is analyzed. The effect of relaxation of the interfaces at equilibrium is also investigated, and the resulting interfacial structures and related magnetic and charge density properties are compared.     

The roles of template complexation and ligand binding conditions on recognition in bupivacaine molecularly imprinted polymers

A model for the molecular basis for ligand recognition in bupivacaine imprinted methacrylic acid-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate co-polymers has been developed based upon a series of (1)H-NMR studies in conjunction with HPLC and radioligand binding analyses. (1)H-NMR studies indicated that functional monomer-template complexes survive the polymerisation process, at least up until the stage of gelation. Polymers were synthesised and characterised by surface area analysis (BET), FT-IR and SEM. A combination of zonal and frontal chromatographic studies in aqueous and non-polar media indicate that selectivity arises from a combination of hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions. However, in the concentration regime employed for LC-based studies, ligand recognition in aqueous media was shown to be predominantly non-specific and hydrophobic in character. Radioligand binding studies, in lower ligand binding concentration regimes, permitted closer examination of the higher affinity binding sites. It was shown that the presence of a polar modifier in a non-polar solvent, or an organic modifier in water, produced enhanced selectivity. Variable temperature studies showed that the temperature of binding influences selectivity as well as the apparent number of sites available and that this effect is different in organic and aqueous environments. This indicates that the system studied is more complex in character than is generally appreciated. A comparison of the techniques employed here indicates that although chromatographic studies provide a valuable first-round screen for polymer-ligand selectivities, the level of detail obtainable using radioligand binding studies (lower concentrations and true equilibrium binding) makes them superior for detailed evaluations of molecularly imprinted polymers.     

"Exact" surface free energies of iron surfaces using a modified embedded atom method potential and lambda integration

Previously a new universal lambda-integration path and associated methodology was developed for the calculation of "exact" surface and interfacial free energies of solids. Such a method is in principle applicable to any intermolecular potential function, including those based on ab initio methods, but in previous work the method was only tested using a relatively simple embedded atom method iron potential. In this present work we apply the new methodology to the more sophisticated and more accurate modified embedded atom method (MEAM) iron potential, where application of other free- energy methods would be extremely difficult due to the complex many-body nature of the potential. We demonstrate that the new technique simplifies the process of obtaining "exact" surface free energies by calculating the complete set of these properties for the low index surface faces of bcc and fcc solid iron structures. By combining these data with further calculations of liquid surface tensions we obtain the first complete set of exact surface free energies for the solid and liquid phases of a realistic MEAM model system. We compare these predictions to various experimental and theoretical results.     

Ozone etching of a highly asymmetric triblock copolymer with a majority polydiene component

The ozone etching of thin films of a commercial polystyrene-polyisoprene-polystyrene (PS-PI-PS) triblock copolymer (Vector 4111) was studied using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and ellipsometry. The major phase of the copolymer consists of PI (82 wt.%) and the copolymer forms a cylindrical structure upon annealing. Moderate ozone doses (1.4% wt/wt) were used to etch the copolymer. This revealed two stages of the ozonation: rapid etching of the PI fragments followed by slow compacting of the remaining PS cylinders. Under certain conditions ozone treatment results in the formation of nanosized grooves in a PS matrix which is suitable for lithographic processes.     

Barrierless electron transfer bond fragmentation reactions

The ultrafast N-O bond fragmentation in a series of N-methoxypyridyl radicals, formed by one-electron reduction of the corresponding N-methoxypyridiniums, has been investigated as potentially barrierless electron-transfer-initiated chemical reactions. A model for the reaction involving the electronic and geometric factors that control the shape of the potential energy surface for the reaction is described. On the basis of this model, molecular structural features appropriate for ultrafast reactivity are proposed. Femtosecond kinetic measurements on these reactions are consistent with a kinetic definition of an essentially barrierless reaction, i.e., that the lifetime of the radical is a few vibrational periods of the fragmenting bond, for the p-methoxy-N-methoxypyridyl radical.     

Synthesis of novel KDR kinase inhibitors through catalytic reductive cyclization of o-nitrobenzylcarbonyl compounds

An efficient synthesis of o-nitrobenzylcarbonyl compounds is demonstrated through the Swern-type oxidation of readily accessible phenethanol analogues. Reductive cyclization of o-nitrobenzylcarbonyl 3 using catalytic Raney nickel gives 1H-indol-2-yl-1H-quinoline 2 in 95% yield. Hydrolysis of 2 affords the KDR kinase inhibitor 1 in quantitative yield. The examination of the reductive cyclization reaction and optimization of conditions is described.     

Enantioselective synthetic thalidomide receptors based upon DNA binding motifs

A series of molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) synthetic receptors selective for the sedative thalidomide (5) have been designed and synthesized based upon the functional monomer 9-(2'-methacryloyloxyethyl)adenine (2). (1)H-NMR studies were used to establish the existence of DNA-like binding interactions between 2 and the template (5). A series of ethylene glycol dimethacrylate cross-linked copolymers was synthesized using either 2 or methacrylic acid, or a combination of these functional monomers. Zonal HPLC studies demonstrated enantioselectivity (alpha = 2.11) and ligand selectivity which could be attributed to the interaction of 2 with the imide moiety of 5. Compound 2 provided a more significant contribution to the binding of 5 than methacrylic acid, though a combination of these two functional monomers resulted in improved enantioselectivity. Frontal chromatographic and batch binding studies confirmed the observed differences in affinity of the imprinted and reference polymers for the template.