Intermediacy of an N-heterocyclic carbene complex in the catalytic C-H activation of a substituted benzimidazole

An N-heterocyclic carbene complex was found to be the active catalyst in the Rh(I)-catalyzed intramolecular coupling of an alkenyl group to a C-H bond of a substituted benzimidazole. Kinetic studies demonstrated that the catalytic cyclization is zero-order in substrate and first-order in catalyst. Furthermore, DFT calculations with a model system suggest that the rate-limiting step involves insertion of the alkenyl double bond into the rhodium-carbene bond.     

Determining bounds for the first conjugate point

Summary The purpose of this paper is to provide relatively simple methods for the determination of useful upper and lower bounds for the first zero greater than a of solutions of systems y″+p(x)y=0, y(a)=0, where p(x) is positive and continuous on an interval [a, b] and is either convex or concave there. On occasion, p(x) is required to be of class C′ or of class C″. This will acknowledge the partial support of the authors by the U.S. Army Research Office (Durham) under Grant numbered DA-ARO-D-31-124-G1007. Entrata in Redazione il 4 novembre 1969.     

Optimizing biosensing properties on undecylenic Acid-functionalized diamond

The optimization of biosensing efficiency on a diamond platform depends on the successful coupling of biomolecules on the surface, and also on effective signal transduction in the biorecognition events. In terms of biofunctionalization of diamond surfaces, surface electrochemical studies of diamond modified with undecylenic acid (UA), with and without headgroup protection, were performed. The direct photochemical coupling method employing UA was found to impart a higher density of carboxylic acid groups on the diamond surface compared to that using trifluoroethyl undecenoate (TFEU) as the protecting group during the coupling process. Non-faradic impedimetric DNA sensing revealed that lightly doped diamond gives better signal transduction sensitivity compared to highly doped diamond.     

Electrophysical Properties along the Interface of Two Polymer Films of Polymethylmethacrylate

Physics of the Solid State - The electrical conductivity is studied along the interface between dielectric films of submicrometer thicknesses. The results of the comparative study of the...     

Logarithmic stability inequality in an inverse source problem for the heat equation on a waveguide

ABSTRACT

We prove logarithmic stability in the parabolic inverse problem of determining the space-varying factor in the source, by a single partial boundary measurement of the solution to the heat equation in an infinite closed waveguide, with homogeneous initial and Dirichlet data.     

Spinning magnetic trap for automated microfluidic assay systems

While sophisticated analyses have been performed using lab-on-chip devices, in most cases the sample preparation is still performed off chip. The global need for easy-to-use, disposable testing devices necessitates that sample processing is automated and that transport complexity between the processing and analytical components is minimal. We describe a complete sample manipulation unit for performing automated target capture, efficient mixing with reagents, and controlled target release in a microfluidic channel, using an array of spinning magnets. The "MagTrap" device consists of 6 pairs of magnets in a rotating wheel, situated immediately beneath the microchannel. Rotation of the wheel in the direction opposite to the continuous flow entraps and concentrates the bead-target complexes and separates them from the original sample matrix. As the wheel rotates and the active pair of magnets moves away from the microchannel, the beads are released and briefly flow downstream before being trapped and pulled upstream by the next pair of magnets. This dynamic and continuous movement of the beads ensures that the full surface area of each bead is exposed to reagents and prevents aggregation. The release of the target-bead complexes for further analysis is facilitated by reversing the rotational direction of the wheel to sweep the beads downstream. Sample processing with the MagTrap was demonstrated for the detection of E. coli in a range of concentrations (1 × 10(3), 1 × 10(4) and 1 × 10(6) cells ml(-1)). Results show that sample processing with the MagTrap outperformed the standard manual protocols, improving the detection capability while simultaneously reducing the processing time.