A structural interpretation of the two components governing the kinetic fragility from the example of interpenetrated polymer networks

Kinetic fragility and cooperativity length, two major characteristics of the relaxation dynamics at the glass transition, are, respectively, investigated by dynamic mechanical analysis and modulated temperature differential scanning calorimetry in a series of interpenetrated polymer networks based on acrylate and epoxy systems. The relaxation dynamics are impacted by two variables: the rigidity of the network, and the structural heterogeneity resulting from blending. However, the fragility and the cooperativity do not vary similarly. The glass transition progressively broadens as the mass fractions of acrylate and epoxy become equivalent, leading to a strong decrease in cooperativity. On the other hand, under the same conditions, the fragility transitions between the lower value of pure acrylate and the higher value of pure epoxy. This divergence helps concluding that the variations in the temperature dependence of the relaxation time are not purely related to the more or less cooperative nature of the glass transition. By splitting the fragility index in a volume contribution and an energetic contribution, it is shown that the contribution of cooperativity to the variations of the relaxation time with temperature is increased under two structural conditions: low backbone rigidity and high intermolecular interactions. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2018 , 56, 1393–1403     

C*-simplicity and the unique trace property for discrete groups

A discrete group is said to be C*-simple if its reduced C*-algebra is simple, and is said to have the unique trace property if its reduced C*-algebra has a unique tracial state. A dynamical characterization of C*-simplicity was recently obtained by the second and third named authors. In this paper, we introduce new methods for working with group and crossed product C*-algebras that allow us to take the study of C*-simplicity a step further, and in addition to settle the longstanding open problem of characterizing groups with the unique trace property. We give a new and self-contained proof of the aforementioned characterization of C*-simplicity. This yields a new characterization of C*-simplicity in terms of the weak containment of quasi-regular representations. We introduce a convenient algebraic condition that implies C*-simplicity, and show that this condition is satisfied by a vast class of groups, encompassing virtually all previously known examples as well as many new ones. We also settle a question of Skandalis and de la Harpe on the simplicity of reduced crossed products. Finally, we introduce a new property for discrete groups that is closely related to C*-simplicity, and use it to prove a broad generalization of a theorem of Zimmer, originally conjectured by Connes and Sullivan, about amenable actions.     

Different molecular assemblies in two new phosphoric triamides with the same C(O)NHP(O)(NH)<Subscript>2</Subscript> skeleton: crystallographic study and Hirshfeld surface analysis

Different molecular assemblies were compared in two new structures [4-CH₃-C₆H₄C(O)NH]P(O)[NH]₂(CH₂)₃, 1, and [4-CH₃-C₆H₄C(O)NH]P(O)[NHC₆H₃(3,4-CH₃)₂]₂, 2, belonging to the families of “cyclic phosphoric triamide” and “phosphoric triamide”, respectively. The differences in the hydrogen bond motifs were discussed (by single crystal X-ray diffraction) as a result of three factors: (1) action of two N atoms with a non-planar environment in 1 as an H-bond acceptor, (2) different orientations of three N–H bond vectors in two molecules and (3) different conformations of C=O and P=O groups. These differences lead to more complicated hydrogen bond pattern of 1, with respect to that of 2, as structure 1 may be considered as a model of four-acceptor–three-donor versus a two-acceptor–three-donor system in 2. The main discrepancies of 1 and 2, monitored by the Hirshfeld surface analysis, are related to the contribution portions of O···H/H···O contacts, in which compound 1 not only involves the greater existence of classical hydrogen bonds but also contains the further C–H···O weak interactions in its crystal packing with respect to compound 2. Instead, in 2, the shortage of O···H/H···O contacts has been partially compensated by the C···H/H···C interactions, due to the presence of more unsaturated carbon acceptors. The differences in assemblies are also reflected in the solid-state IR spectra, especially for the N–H vibration frequencies. The new compounds were further studied by 1D NMR experiments (¹H, ¹³C, ³¹P), 2D NMR techniques [HMQC and HMBC (H–C correlation), HSQC (N–H correlation)], high-resolution ESI–MS, EI–MS spectrometry and IR spectroscopy.     

Preparation of a miniaturised iodide ion selective sensor using polypyrrole and pencil lead: effect of double-coating, electropolymerisation time, and current density

Polypyrrole (PPy) is a conducting polymer which can be used for producing different ion-selective electrodes. An iodide-doped (PPy-iodide) was prepared electrochemically by anodic polymerisation of pyrrole in the presence of an iodide ion in an aqueous solution on the surface of a pencil lead. Polymerisation was investigated under galvanostatic conditions. The effects of electropolymerisation conditions on the characteristics of the potential response of the sensor were examined. Concentrations of pyrrole, iodide ions, and conditioning solution plus current density and the time of electropolymerisation were optimised in relation to the slope and linearity of calibration graphs. This electrode showed a Nernstian behaviour of 61.1 mV per decade for I^? ion over a wide concentration range from 1.0 × 10^?5 M to 1.0 × 10^?1 M, with the limit of detection of 9.3 × 10^?6 M. The response time of the electrode was from 3–5 s. The selectivity coefficients of the prepared sensors over a wide spectrum of interference anions were also evaluated, revealing that selectivity improves as a result of double-coating with PPy. A similar improvement was observed under lower current density and longer electropolymerisation time. This sensor was applied in the determination of iodide ions using titration potentiometry. This electrode can be used for the determination of iodide in drug preparations.     

A Rapid and Sensitive LC–MS Method for Determination of Ezetimibe Concentration in Human Plasma: Application to a Bioequivalence Study

A selective and highly sensitive high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry method has been developed for determination of ezetimibe concentrations in human plasma. Ezetimibe was extracted from plasma with ethyl acetate followed by evaporation of the organic layer and, then, reconstitution of the residue in mobile phase before injection to chromatograph. The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile-ammonium acetate (10 mM, pH 3.0), 75:25 (v/v). An aliquot of 10 μL was chromatographically analyzed on a prepacked Zorbax XDB-ODS C₁₈ column (2.1 × 100 mm, 3.5 micron). Detection of analytes was achieved by mass spectrometry with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) interface in the negative ion mode operated under the multiple-reaction monitoring mode (m/z transition: ezetimibe 408–271). Standard curves were linear (r = 0.998) over the wide ezetimibe concentration range of 0.05–30.0 ng mL^?1 with acceptable accuracy and precision. The limit of detection was 0.02 ng mL^?1. The validated LC–APCI–MS method has been used successfully throughout a bioequivalence study on an ezetimibe generic product in 24 healthy male volunteers.     

Biosynthesis of Highly Dispersed Palladium Nanoparticles Using Astraglmanna Aqueous Extract

Biosynthesis of nanoparticles has received increased attention due to a growing need to develop environmentally benign technologies in material synthesis and employment of secondary metabolites from plant extract that has emerged as a novel technology for this purpose. In this study, a rapid and biogenic process for fabrication of palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs) is reported. Highly dispersed palladium nanoparticles were successfully prepared by using aqueous extract of Astraglmanna, a non‐toxic and eco‐friendly material, without extra surfactant, capping agent, and template. The PdNPs were characterized by using UV—Visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope ‐ energy dispersive spectra (SEM‐EDX), Fourier transform infra red spectroscopy (FTIR), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Transmission electron microscopic (TEM) images of the PdNPs were recorded and mean size of the biosynthesized nanoparticles was found to be approximately 15 nm.     

A Turn Off Fluorescence Probe Based on Carbon Dots for Highly Sensitive Detection of BRCA1 Gene in Real Samples and Cellular Imaging

Journal of Fluorescence - In this research, DNA-modified carbon dots (CDs) were exploited to construct a fluorescence assay for breast cancer genes (BRCA1, a potential marker for cancer diagnosis)...     

Unsteady flows of inhomogeneous incompressible fluids

In this paper, we study the unsteady motion of inhomogeneous incompressible viscous fluids. We present the results corresponding to Stokes' second problem and for the flow between two parallel plates where one is oscillating.     

Silver nanoparticles‐tragacanth gel as a green membrane for effective extraction and determination of capecitabine

A novel eco‐friendly and effective electromembrane extraction method combining high‐performance liquid chromatography with UV detection was developed for the enrichment and determination of capecitabine. Tragacanth‐silver nanoparticles conjugated gel was prepared by dissolving the tragacanth powder in synthesized silver nanoparticles solution and was used as a green membrane in electromembrane extraction. The porosity and presence of silver nanoparticles in the gel were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy. This new electromembrane extraction approach uses neither organic solvent nor carrier agents to extract the target analyte. The best electromembrane extraction efficiency was obtained by using 4.0 mm membrane gel thickness containing 2.5% w/v of tragacanth gum, donor phase pH = 5.0, acceptor phase pH = 3.0, applied voltage 50 V, extraction time 20 min, and agitation rate 500 rpm. During method validation under the optimized conditions, good linearity dynamic range between 1 and 500 ng/mL with the coefficient of determination (R²) = 0.998 was obtained. Limit of detection and Limit of quantitation were estimated to be 0.84 and 1.0 ng/mL, respectively. Finally, the applicability of this method in real samples was confirmed by an acceptable performance in extraction and determination of capecitabine in human plasma samples.     

Theoretical studies on the rotamers and dynamic behaviors of ethyl-5-acetyl-4-(3′,4′-dimethoxyphenyl)-2,6-dimethyl-1,4-dihydropyridine-3-carboxylate

The potential energy surfaces of ethyl-5-acetyl-4-(3′,4′-dimethoxyphenyl)-2,6-dimethyl-1,4-dihydropyridine-3-carboxylate have been explored by density functional theory B3LYP with 6-31G* basis set method. All minima and maxima points have a flat boat conformation and the aryl ring lies above the 1,4-dihydropyridine ring. Therefore, the rotation of aryl, acetyl, and carboethoxy groups do not cause a major conformational change in this compound. However, the orientations of carbonyl groups and the distortion from planarity of dihydropyridine ring have been changed. Intramolecular H-contacts involving CH-groups as proton donors have also been investigated. Comparative analysis of the results indicates that the barrier to rotation for aryl group is smaller than that of the carbonyl groups. In addition, the barriers to rotation for the carbonyl and aryl groups of the corresponding pyridine, i.e., ethyl-5-acetyl-4-(3′,4′-dimethoxyphenyl)-2,6-dimethyl-pyridine-3-carboxylate, have also been computed by a similar basis set to investigate the effect of aromaticity of the dihydropyridine ring on the these parameters.