The shear modulus of the human vocal fold in a transverse direction

The aim of this study was to measure the shear modulus of the vocal fold in a human hemilarynx, such that the data can be related to direction of applied stress and anatomical context. Dynamic spring rate data were collected using a modified linear skin rheometer using human hemilarynges, and converted to estimated shear modulus via application of a simple shear model. The measurement probe was attached to the epithelial layer of the vocal fold cover using suction. A sinusoidal force of 3g was applied to the epithelium, and the resultant displacement logged at a rate of 1kHz. Force measurement accuracy was 20microg and position measurement accuracy was 4microm. The force was applied in a transverse direction at the midmembranous point between the vocal process and the anterior commissure. The shear modulus of the three female vocal folds ranged from 814 to 1232Pa. The shear modulus of the three male vocal folds ranged from 1021 to 1796Pa. These data demonstrate that it is possible to obtain estimates for the shear modulus of the vocal fold while preserving anatomical context. The modulus values reported here are higher than those reported using parallel plate rheometry. This is to be expected as the tissue is attached to surrounding structures, and is under natural tension.     

Hydraulic network design for stationary operation

A hydraulic network design method is proposed, which uses design parameters ensuring constant discharges through the sections of the network. For tree type networks, the weight minimization problem is reduced to a mathematical programming problem.Translated from Programmno-apparatnye Sredstva i Matematicheskoe Obespechenie Vychislitel'nykh Sistem, pp. 122–127, 1994.     

Regulating aspects of biosoluble and insoluble film release systems containing protein proteinase inhibitor

New types of potent aprotinin-containing medicinal polymer films are elaborated for topical applications. The higher the temperature of drying, the lower the steam absorption, the film swelling, and the velocity of aprotinin in vitro release. The presence of antimicrobials having the basic functional groups contributed to compacting the structure of the films and retention of aprotinin in them. The velocity of aprotinin release from the films is regulated by adding different polymers. Inclusion of polyvinylpirrolidone in the film resulted in acceleration and increase of aprotinin release. This was probably because of increasing the film swelling by a factor of 1.7. Additional retention of the inhibitor in films was achieved by inclusion of sodium alginate and cellulose powder capable of binding aprotinin. Soluble bioadhesive films derived from a copolymer of acrylamide,N-vinyl-pirrolidone, ethyl acrylate (M _r 30,000-600,000) and aprotinin were obtained and analyzed. Kinetics of aprotinin release from biosoluble films was studied under various conditions. The duration of aprotinin release was comparable with duration of gradual dissolution of the matrix. Bioavailability of aprotinin from soluble films was linear with time.     

New method for the synthesis of substituted thieno[3,2-b]pyridines and 5H-pyrano[2,3-d]thieno[3,2-b]pyridines derived from them

A new highly selective method was developed for the synthesis of substituted thieno[3,2-b]-pyridines based on the domino reaction of monopotassium salt (rather than dipotassium one) of carbamoylcyanodithioacetic acid with ethyl 4-chloroacetoacetate. Substituted 5H-pyrano[2,3-d]-thieno[3,2-b]pyridines were synthesized based on these thieno[3,2-b]pyridines.     

Nanosized Heterostructures of Au@Prussian Blue Analogues: Towards Multifunctionality at the Nanoscale

Access to multifunctionality at the nanoscale requires the development of hybrid nanostructures that combine materials of different natures. In this line of thought, current research on coordination polymers is not only focusing on their synthesis at the nanoscale, but also on combining these polymers with other materials. According to a novel and rational approach, single‐layer Au@Prussian blue analogue (PBA) and double‐layer Au@PBA@PBA′ core–shell nanoparticles (NPs) may be obtained through the growth of a cyano‐bridged coordination network on the gold surface. The nanosized heterostructures combine the plasmonic optical properties of the gold core and the magnetic properties of the PBA shell. Whereas the single‐layer nanoparticles are paramagnetic, the double‐layer nanostructures display ferromagnetism; therefore, the overall structural motif may be considered as multifunctional. The developed synthetic concept also includes an easy access to hollow PBA NPs.     

Multiple bond migration with participation of a protophilic agent

Ab initio study of the pathways of migration of the double bond in the 3-methylthioprop-1-ene (1) and 3-methoxyprop-1-ene (2) molecules with participation of hydroxide ion was carried out by the RHF/6-31+G^* and MP2/6-31+G//RHF/6-31+G^* methods. Conformational isomerism of the initial molecules and reaction products was considered. The distinctions are discussed in the spatial and electronic structure of intermediate carbanions stabilized (for1) due to the negative hyperconjugation. Stationary points corresponding to complexes between the molecules under study and the hydroxide ion and between the corresponding carbanion and water molecule were localized on the potential energy surfaces of the proton transfer reactions. For2, the single-stage mechanism of prototropic rearrangement involving the H atom of the hydroxide ions was found to be more energetically preferable than the two-stage mechanism, whereas both mechanisms are expected to be equiprobable for1. For Parts 1–3, see Refs. 1–3. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Kimicheskaya, No. 3, pp. 407–413, March, 2000.     

Proton-acceptor properties of azahomofullerene and fullerenoaziridine containing a cyanuric acid fragment

¹³C and ¹H NMR and UV spectral studies on 1,3-diallyl-5-[4-(azahomo[60]fullereno)butyl]hexahydro-1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-trione ([5,6]-open isomer) and 1,3-diallyl-5-[4-(aziridino[60]fullereno)butyl]hexahydro-1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-trione ([6,6]-closed isomer), as well as quantum-chemical calculations, showed that only the latter possesses weakly basic properties.