An experimental and theoretical study of the self-assembly of gold nanoparticles at the surface of functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes

This paper reports the findings of a detailed study of the self-assembly of gold nanoparticles at the surface of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The study included the development of a predictive model for the interactions (charge transfer, van der Waals, osmotic, elastic, nonelastic, and covalent) between tetraoctylammonium bromide-stabilized (TOAB) gold nanoparticles and alkyl- and alkylthiol-modified multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). It also included the measurement of the coverage of gold nanoparticles at the surface of the above MWCNTs as a function of increasing alkyl chain length. One key finding is that it is possible to predict with a high degree of accuracy using the above model the measured coverage of gold nanoparticles adsorbed, either noncovalently or covalently, at the surface of a MWCNT. Another key finding is that, as predicted, under well-defined conditions the measured coverage of nanoparticles is very sensitive to the nature of the modified CNT surface and the contiguous environment, providing valuable insights that will underpin the rational design of functional nanoscale devices assembled from nanoparticle and CNT building blocks.     

Around Browder’s fixed point theorem for contractions

We revisit a fixed point theorem for contractions established by Felix Browder in 1968. We show that many definitions of contractive mappings which appeared in the literature after 1968 turn out to be equivalent formulations or even particular cases of Browder’s definition. We also discuss the problem of the existence of approximate fixed points of continuous mappings; in particular, we settle it in the affirmative for Browder contractions. Finally, we recall three problems concerning Browder contractions which remain unsolved. With great respect for Professor Felix E. Browder     

Iterative equations in Banach spaces

Let X be a Banach space, let

     

The first nonempirical circular dichroism determination of the absolute configuration of N-phthalimidosulfoximines based on exciton coupling mechanism and a correlation with the absolute configuration of chiral sulfoxides

A simple nonempirical method for the assignment of absolute configuration of N-phthalimidosulfoximines and related S-chiral sulfoxides, based on exciton-coupled circular dichroism, is presented.     

Mössbauer and magnetic characterization of TbRhSn

The intermetallic compound TbRhSn was investigated in detail by X-ray, magnetic susceptibility measurements and ¹¹⁹Sn Mössbauer spectroscopy. This compound undergoes a transition from a paramagnetic to an antiferromagnetic state at T _N = 20.8(2) K. The ¹¹⁹Sn Mössbauer spectrum recorded at 4.2 K can be well fitted as a composition of three subspectra with the same intensities, magnitudes of H _hf, ΔE _Q, and δ _is, in agreement with the model of triangular-like antiferromagnetic arrangements of equal magnetic Tb moments lying in the basal ab-plane deduced from neutron diffraction studies (Szytu?a et al., J Alloys Compd 244:94–98, 1996).     

IR spectroscopy reveals effect of non-cytotoxic doses of anti-tumour drug on cancer cells

Identifying early cellular events in response to a chemotherapy drug treatment, in particular at low doses that will destroy the highest possible number of cancer cells, is an important issue in patient management. In this study, we employed Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy as a potential tool to access such information. We used as model the non-small cell lung cancer cell line, Calu-1. They were exposed to cytostatic doses (0.1 to 100 nM for 24, 48 and 72 h) of gemcitabine, an anti-tumour drug, currently used in treatment of lung cancer patients. In these conditions, inhibition of cell proliferation ranges from weak (≤5%), to moderate (∼23%), to high (82–95%) without affecting cell viability. Following drug treatment as a function of doses and incubation times, the spectra of cell populations and of individual cells were acquired using a bench-top IR source and a synchrotron infrared microscope. It is demonstrated that spectral cell response to gemcitabine is detectable at sublethal doses and that effects observed on cell populations are similar to those from single cells. Using cluster analysis, spectra could be classified in two main groups: a first group that contains spectra of cells exhibiting a weak or moderate proliferation rate and a second group with spectra from cells presenting a high growth inhibition. These results are promising since they show that effects of subtoxic doses can also be monitored at the single-cell level with the clinical implications that this may have in terms of patient benefit and response to chemotherapy.     

Kinetics of Interfacial Polycondensation of Bisphenols with Isophthaloyl Chloride

Reaction rates of interfacial polycondensation of bisphenol A and chlorobisphenol II with isophthaloyl chloride were investigated. Rate constants and activation energies were determined The reaction rate was found to depend on stirring speed, catalyst, type of bisphenol, and temperature.     

A procedure for the determination of dichloromethane and tetrachloroethene in water using pervaporation and gas chromatography

In the present study, pervaporation was applied to the determination of tetrachloroethene (PCE) and dichloromethane (DCM) in liquid samples. PCE is the most commonly used solvent in drycleaning processes. PCE belongs to group 2A of carcinogens (probably carcinogenic to humans) according to the classification of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). DCM is also widely used as an industrial solvent for the purification and isolation of intermediates or products. DCM is classified as a “possible” human carcinogen by the IARC. The aim of this study was to evaluate a new procedure for the determination of DCM and PCE in liquid samples based on the pervaporative removal of DCM and PCE from liquid samples as an analyte isolation/enrichment technique, followed by a direct aqueous injection of the extracts onto the column of a gas chromatograph equipped with an electron capture detector (DAI-GC-ECD). The basic parameters of the new PV-DAI-GC-ECD procedure were evaluated.