On the relations of graph parameters and its total parameters

In this paper we get some relations between α（G）, α＇（G）, β（G）, β＇（G） and αT（G）, βT（G）. And all bounds in these relations are best possible, where α（G）, α＇（G）,/3（G）, β（G）, αT（G） and βT（G） are the covering number, edge-covering number, independent number, edge-independent number （or matching number）, total covering number and total independent number, respectively.     

Electromechanical impedance measurement from large structures using a dual piezoelectric transducer

This study develops a new electromechanical (EM) impedance measurement technique specifically for continuous monitoring of large structures. Conventionally, a single surface-mounted lead zirconate titanate (PZT) transducer is often used to measure the EM impedance of a coupled PZT-structure system for damage diagnosis. However, when the target structure is massive, the impedance measurement becomes challenging. In this study, a dual piezoelectric transducer, composed of two separate but concentric PZT segments, is used for effective measurement of the EM impedance from large-scale structures. The impedance measurement using the dual PZT is theoretically formulated and numerically verified. Then, a series of experiments are carried out on a laboratory-size specimen and full-scale bridge and building structures. The experimental results reveal that the proposed technique successfully measures the EM impedance signals from massive structures with a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and good repeatability even when the conventional techniques fail to do so. At the same time, the proposed technique allows low-cost and fast measurement of impedance signals.     

Erratum to Formation and control of Au and Ag nanoparticles inside borate glasses using femtosecond laser and heat treatment

We report the spectroscopic properties of femtosecond laser-irradiated sodium-alumino-borate glass doped with silver and gold ions. We precipitated gold and silver nanoparticles by laser irradiation and annealing at 400°C for 30 min. The irradiation and annealing treatment produced different absorption and emission characteristics in Au³⁺ doped and Au³⁺, Ag⁺ codoped glasses, and the possible mechanisms of the observed results are discussed. The size of the nanoparticles was estimated by TEM and absorption band analysis.     

Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B inhibitors from a marine-derived fungal strain aspergillus sp. SF-5929

Abstract

In the course of our continuing investigation of bioactive secondary metabolites from marine-derived fungal strains, a racemate of a novel diphenolic derivative named (±)-tylopilusin D (1) along with ten previously known secondary metabolites (2–11) were isolated from a marine-derived fungal strain Aspergillus sp. SF-5929. Their structures were elucidated mainly by analysis of NMR and MS data. In addition, the inhibitory effects of the isolated compounds against protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) activity were evaluated, and compounds 1, 2, and 5–7 inhibited PTP1B activity with IC₅₀ values ranging from 3.3 to 8.1?µM. Kinetics studies suggested that compounds 1, 2, and 5 had noncompetitive inhibitory effects against PTP1B.     

Decarboxylative cross-couplings of 2-aminopyrimidine-5-carboxylic acids

Decarboxylative CC cross-couplings of 2-aminopyrimidine-5-carboxylic acids under a Pd/Ag-based catalytic system opens a new platform for the introduction of diverse C5 substituents. The reaction methods proceeded efficiently with a wide range of the acids and the coupling partners of aryl iodides, alkenes, bromoalkynes, and azoles. Considering ready availability of 2-aminopyrimidine-5-carboxylic acid from the oxidative dehydrosulfurative CN cross-coupling of the 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-1H-2-thiones, this reaction method unambiguously pave a shortcut to densely substituted 2-aminopyrimidine derivatives with unprecedented diversity.     

Search for new red phosphors using genetic algorithm-assisted combinatorial chemistry

A genetic algorithm was employed in association with high-throughput synthesis and characterization in an attempt to search for red phosphors with high photoluminescent intensity. A tetravalent manganese-doped alkali earth germanium oxide system, with an emission color close to a desirable deep red, was screened with the assistance of a genetic algorithm to pinpoint the phosphor exhibiting the highest photoluminescence. As the genetic algorithm was in progress, the PL intensity increased and maximized in the fourth generation. The highest and the average PL intensity of the fourth generation improved by 23 and 120%, respectively, compared with that of the first generation.     

Stereocalpin A, a bioactive cyclic depsipeptide from the Antarctic lichen Stereocaulon alpinum

A new cyclic depsipeptide stereocalpin A (1) has been isolated from the MeOH extract of the Antarctic lichen Stereocaulon alpinum by various chromatographic methods. The structure of stereocalpin A (1) was mainly determined by analysis of the NMR spectroscopic data and by chemical methods. Stereocalpin A (1) is a unique cyclic peptide incorporating an unprecedented 5-hydroxy-2,4-dimethyl-3-oxo-octanoic acid in the structure. Stereocalpin A (1) shows moderate cytotoxicity against three human solid tumor cell lines.     

SMART: A data reporting standard for mass spectrometry imaging By Ying Xi,Alexandria L. Sohn,Alena N. Joignant,Stephanie M. Cologna,Boone M. Prentice and David C. Muddiman

Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) is an important analytical technique that simultaneously reports the spatial location and abundance of detected ions in biological, chemical, clinical, and pharmaceutical studies. As MSI grows in popularity, it has become evident that data reporting varies among different research groups and between techniques. The lack of consistency in data reporting inherently creates additional challenges in comparing intra- and inter-laboratory MSI data. In this tutorial, we propose a unified data reporting system, SMART, based on the common features shared between techniques. While there are limitations to any reporting system, SMART was decided upon after significant discussion to more easily understand and benchmark MSI data. SMART is not intended to be comprehensive but rather capture essential baseline information for a given MSI study; this could be within a study (e.g., effect of spot size on the measured ion signals) or between two studies (e.g., different MSI platform technologies applied to the same tissue type). This tutorial does not attempt to address the confidence with which annotations are made nor does it deny the importance of other parameters that are not included in the current SMART format. Ultimately, the goal of this tutorial is to discuss the necessity of establishing a uniform reporting system to communicate MSI data in publications and presentations in a simple format to readily interpret the parameters and baseline outcomes of the data.     

Synthesis of atypical nanoparticles by the nanostructure in thin films of triblock copolymers

We report the synthesis of atypical nanoparticles in donut shape with or without additional spherical nanoparticles attached on them by using the donut-like nanostructure formed in a thin film of triblock copolymers. In a high-humidity condition, a spin-coated film of triblock copolymer had donut-like holes consisting of the periphery and the center. By selective coordination of precursors of nanoparticles to the periphery of the holes, donut-like oxide nanoparticles were synthesized by oxygen plasma treatment on the film. Moreover, we were able to attach spherical nanoparticles on the donut-like nanoparticles by incorporating the other type of precursors to the center of the holes. Thus, beyond the synthesis of typical spherical nanoparticles, the results here extend potentials of the block copolymer approach to control the shape and complexity of nanoparticles.     

Change in the interfacial reaction of Hf-silicate film as a function of thickness and stoichiometry

Medium energy ion scattering and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy are used to investigate the depth of the interfacial reaction of Hf-silicate film. The interfacial reaction is critically affected by the film thickness and the mole fraction of HfO(2) in silicate film. The interfacial compressive strain generated at the surface of the Si substrate is dependent on the film thickness during the postannealing process in film with a thickness of approximately 4 nm. Finally, the phase separation phenomenon demonstrates critically different behaviors at different film thicknesses and stoichiometries because the diffusion of Si from interface to surface is dependent on these factors. Moreover, the oxidation by oxygen impurity in the inert ambient causes SiO(2) top formation.