Pulsed ultrasound-modulated light tomography

Ultrasound-modulated light tomography is a new technique that combines laser light and ultrasound to provide a representation of the light density inside turbid media. We present a method that can produce two- or three-dimensional light density representations with standard ultrasonic pulses. This technique should allow simple, direct fusion of ultrasonic images with optical tomography.     

Crystal structure in nematic emulsion

We describe the experimental observation of a crystal structure formed by glycerol droplets suspended in a nematic liquid crystal. The structure exhibits a high density hexagonal ordering. We have experimentally observed a noticeable interaction between droplets with tangential boundary conditions. Within the scope of known models we discuss the nature of appropriate mechanisms of the interaction.     

Ultrasound tagged light imaging in turbid media in a reflectance geometry

A combination of light and focused ultrasound waves provides a unique way to obtain directly three-dimensional absorption data in a turbid medium. We present the combination of an ultrasound wave and light in which both the input and the output optodes are on the same side of the sample (reflectance geometry). This technique permits local detection in depth of the presence of a purely absorbing object, without further mathematical processing. It is a promising technique for medical imaging and monitoring of tissues.     

Molecular conductors with 8,8′-diiodo cobalt bis(dicarbollide) anion

New molecular conductors on the base of 8,8′-diiodo cobalt bis(dicarbollide) anion (TTF)[8,8′-I₂-3,3′-Co(1,2-C₂B₉H₁₀)₂] (1), (BMDT-TTF)₄[8,8′-I₂-3,3′-Co(1,2-C₂B₉H₁₀)₂] (2) and (BEDT-TTF)₂[8,8′-I₂-3,3′-Co(1,2-C₂B₉H₁₀)₂] (3) were synthesized and their crystal structures and electrical conductivities were determined. All the radical cation salts prepared were found to be semiconductors. Some regularities in the crystal structures of the TTF-based radical cation salts with bis(dicarbollide) complexes of transition metals are discussed.     

Towards advanced circuit board materials: adhesion of copper foil to ultra‐high molecular weight polyethylene composite

Polyethylene based composites are attractive materials for advanced circuit board applications because of their unique combination of properties: low dielectric constant and loss factor, light weight, high flexural modulus and low thermal expansion coefficient controlled in all spatial directions. This investigation describes a process to consolidate chopped fibers of ultra‐high molecular weight polyethylene concurrently with its bonding to a copper foil. Bonding is affected by a thin sheet of low‐density polyethylene, incorporating a crosslinking agent with a concentration gradient across the sheets thickness. In this single step process, the composite material is formed and bonded to the metal foil, achieving good adhesion without the use of extraneous glue. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Phospholipid coated poly(lactic acid) microspheres for the delivery of LHRH analogues

The aim of this work was to develop alternative peptide‐loaded microspheres using liposphere formulation—a lipid based microdispersion system. This formulation represents a new type of lipid or polymer‐based encapsulation system developed for parenteral and topical drug delivery of bioactive compounds. Our strategy was to utilize the liposphere formulation to improve the entrapment efficiency and release profile of triptorelin and leuprolide [luteinizing hormone–releasing hormone (LHRH) analogues] in vitro. Peptides (2% w/w) were loaded into lipospheres contained of polylactic acid (PLA) or poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA) with several types of phospholipids. The effects of polymer and phospholipid type and concentration, method of preparation and solvents on the liposphere characteristics, particle size, surface and bulk structure, drug diffusion rate, and erosion rate of the polymeric matrix were studied. The use of L ‐PLA (M_w = 2000) and hydrogenated soybean phosphatidylcholine (HSPC) with phospholipid–polymer ratio of 1 : 6 w/w, was the most efficient composition that formed lipospheres of particle size in the range of 10 µm with most of the phospholipid embedded on the particles surface. In a typical procedure, peptides were dissolved in N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone (NMP), and dispersed in a solution of polymer and phospholipids in a mixture of NMP and chloroform with the use of 0.1% poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) as the emulsified aqueous medium. Uniform microspheres were prepared after solution was mixed at 2000 rpm at room temperature for 30 min. Using this formulation, the entrapment efficiency of LHRH analogues in lipospheres was up to 80%, and the peptides were released for more than 30 days. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Iterative stereospecific reagent-controlled homologation using a functionalized α-chloroalkyllithium: synthesis of cyclic targets related to epibatidine

Enantioenriched 1-chloro-2-(1,3-dioxolan-2-yl)ethyllithium was generated by PhLi initiated sulfoxide-ligand exchange and deployed in situ for sequential double stereospecific reagent-controlled homologation (StReCH) of B-(2-chloro-pyrid-5-yl) pinacol boronate. This process afforded highly functionalized contiguous stereodiad motifs (typically, % ee ≥ 98%, dr ≥ 85:15) amenable to subsequent annulative transformations as demonstrated by the concise synthesis (5-7 steps) of cyclic adducts related to the analgesic alkaloid epibatidine.     

Two-dimensional supramolecular nanopatterns formed by the coadsorption of guanine and uracil at the liquid/solid interface

A novel supramolecular nanostructure formed by the coadsorption of the complementary nucleobases guanine (G) and uracil (U) at the liquid (1-octanol solvent)/solid (graphite) interface is revealed by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). The GU supramolecular structure is distinctly different from the structures observed by STM when the individual nucleobases (NB) are adsorbed on graphite in the control experiments. Using a systematic methodology and ab initio density functional theory (DFT), an atomistic structural model is proposed for the supramolecular coadsorbed GU structure, which consists of a periodic repetition of cyclic units based on the strongest GU base pairing.     

Synthesis, structure and theoretical study of mixed fluoro-trifluoromethyl derivatives of C60. Molecular structures of C60F18(CF3)6 and C60F16(CF3)6

A series of novel mixed C60Fn(CF3)m compounds has been produced by trifluoromethylation of C60F18 with CF3I in ampoules at 380-420 degrees C. Two of these compounds, C60F18(CF3)6 and C60F16(CF3)6, have been characterized by X-ray crystallography, which has revealed addition of six CF3 groups to the C3v-C60F18 for the former and replacement/elimination of two outermost F atoms in the latter. Quantum chemical calculations have been employed to predict the most stable possible isomers of C60F16/18(CF3)6 in order to rationalize the experimental results.