An Electrochemical Assay for Monitoring Differentiation of the Osteoblastic Cell Line (MBA‐15) on the Sensor Chip

An electrochemical assay for the indication of the activity of the cell bound differentiation marker alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is proposed using voltammetry on an in‐vitro cell culture. The basis of the assay is cultivation of cells on gold microelectrodes in wells of a microplate, catalytic hydrolysis of p‐aminophenyl phosphate by ALP and indication of p‐aminophenol oxidation by square wave voltammetry (SWV) with the sensors onto which the cells attached. The morphology of the bone marrow stromal cell line (MBA‐15) on the electrode surface was investigated and it exhibited in vitro osteogenic characteristics. Since ALP is expressed on the cell surface in early differentiation stage of osteoblastic cells, its activity was followed after different culture times over a period of 144 h by recording repetitive voltammograms at different time points upon addition of the substrate p‐aminophenyl phosphate. The ALP activity was estimated from the signal increase related to formation rate of p‐aminophenol and the number of cells. The highest value was measured at 120 h, when the cells reached confluence. The results of the electrochemical activity assay are consistent with the colorimetric acquired value from p‐nitrophenol formation rate.     

The Crystal and Molecular Structure of 1-Allyl-5-benzoyl-4-phenylpyrimidine-2-one hemihydrate

The crystal structure of C₂₀H₁₆N₂O₂. 0.5 H₂O has been determined from three dimensional X-ray diffraction data. The crystals are monoclinic, space group C 2/c, with a = 24.491(3) Å, b =10.241(2) Å, c = 16.643(2) Å, β =126.63(1)°, V = 3350.0(9) ų, D_calc = 1.290 g. cm⁻³, Z = 8. The structure was solved by direct methods and refined by least-squares methods to a final R = 0.0625 for 1358 observed unique reflections (F² ⩾ 2σ(F²)].     

Segment block dendrimers via Diels-Alder cycloaddition

Segment block dendrimers consisting of polyester and polyaryl ether dendrons were synthesized using reagent free Diels-Alder cycloaddition reactions. Three generations of furan functionalized polyaryl ether dendrons were reacted with maleimide functionalized polyester dendrons of the same generation to obtain segment block dendrimers in good yields. The thermoreversible nature of these macromolecules was investigated by subjecting them to elevated temperatures in the presence of anthracene as a scavenger diene.     

Energy and exergy analysis of solar energy-integrated,geothermal energy-powered Organic Rankine Cycle

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - In this study, the energy and exergy analysis of the solar- and geothermal energy-powered Organic Rankine Cycle was made for different system...     

Near‐IR Absorbing BODIPY Derivatives as Glutathione‐Activated Photosensitizers for Selective Photodynamic Action

Enhanced spatiotemporal selectivity in photonic sensitization of dissolved molecular oxygen is an important target for improving the potential and the practical applications of photodynamic therapy. Considering the high intracellular glutathione concentrations within cancer cells, a series of BODIPY‐based sensitizers that can generate cytotoxic singlet oxygen only after glutathione‐mediated cleavage of the electron‐sink module were designed and synthesized. Cell culture studies not only validate our design, but also suggest an additional role for the relatively hydrophobic quencher module in the internalization of the photosensitizer.     

Two-phase flow instabilities in a horizontal single boiling channel

A study of the stability of an electrically heated single channel, forced convection horizontal system was conducted by using Freon-11 as the test fluid. Two major modes of oscillations, namely, density-wave type (high frequency) and pressure-drop type (low frequency) oscillations have been observed. The steady-state operating characteristics and stable and unstable regions are determined as a function of heat flux, exit orifice diameter and mass flow rate. Different modes of oscillations and their characteristics have been investigated. The effect of the exit restriction on the system stability has also been studied.A mathematical model has been developed to predict the transient behavior of boiling two-phase systems. The model is based on homogenous flow assumption and thermodynamic equilibrium between the liquid and vapor phases. The transient characteristics of boiling two-phase flow horizontal system are obtained for various heat inputs, flow rates and exit orifice diameters by perturbing the governing equations around a steady state. Theoretical and experimental results have been compared.     

Modeling of particle–resin suspension impregnation in compression resin transfer molding of particle-filled,continuous fiber reinforced composites

A particle–resin suspension impregnation model is used for analyzing the mold filling process in compression resin transfer molding (CRTM) of particle-filled, continuous fiber composites. The model is based on Darcy flow coupled with particle filtration and is applicable to two-dimensional impregnation through isotropic/anisotropic fiber preforms. Comparisons with simple analytical solutions and experimental results from the literature were made to validate the numerical solution. Simulations showed that CRTM was advantageous over resin transfer molding (RTM) for smaller non-homogeneity in composite microstructure, when particle filtration was high. Limits on certain process parameters were observed beyond which molding pressures in CRTM became comparable with those in RTM. The preform anisotropy was effective in the particle distribution profile. The choice of inlet gate configuration in CRTM was found influential in the particle distribution homogeneity and molding pressures. The developed modeling tool can be extended to analyze any composite liquid molding process involving particle fillers.     

Correction to: Effect of heating rate on structure,morphology and photocatalytic properties of TiO2 particles: thermal kinetic and thermodynamic studies

Journal of Sol-Gel Science and Technology -     

Metabolic control analysis of trio enzymes system

For practical purposes the calculation of rate constants is not particularly valuable, since their physical significance is not clear. Of greater practical use are metabolic control coefficients and elasticities. Given the definition of the flux control coefficients , concentration control coefficient and elasticity . We can calculate symbolic formulae for these using computer algebra techniques. These are then functions of V_max, K_m, K_i enzyme and concentrations. Having derived estimates of V_max, K_m, K_i using the fitting method we can then calculate values of the control coefficients and elasticities. Furthermore we can calculate the metabolic control parameters using symbolic values for the conventional kinetic parameters. Using these we have verified the summation and connectivity theorems. This is a useful cross check on the reliability of the calculations.     

Application of ultrasonic-assisted cloud point extraction/flame atomic absorption spectrometry (UA-CPE/FAAS) for preconcentration and determination of low levels of antimony in some beverage samples

Due to be able to migrate or leach from food packaging materials into the foods and/or beverages, development of a new, sensitive and selective analytical methods for low levels of antimony as a food contaminant is of great importance in terms of food safety. In this context, an ultrasonic-assisted cloud point extraction method was developed for the preconcentration and determination of antimony as Sb(III) using 4-(2-thiazolylazo)resorcinol (TAR) and 2-(2-thiazolylazo)-p-cresol (TAC) as chelating agents and sodium dodecyl sulfate as signal enhancing agent at pH 6.0 and mediated by nonionic surfactant, t-octylphenoxypolyethoxyethanol by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Using the optimized conditions, the calibration curves obtained from Sb(III) with TAR and TAC were linear in the concentration ranges of 0.5–180 and 1–180 μg L^?1 with detection limits of 0.13 and 0.28 μg L^?1, respectively. The precision (as relative standard deviations, RSDs) was lower than 3.9 % (25 and 100 μg L^?1, n: 6). The method accuracy was validated by the analysis of two standard reference materials. The results obtained were statistically in a good agreement with the certified values at 95 % confidence limit. The method has successfully been applied to the determination of Sb(III) and total Sb in selected beverages, milk and fruit-flavored milk products before and after pre-reduction of Sb(V) to Sb(III) with a mixture of KI/ascorbic acid in acidic media. The Sb(V) contents of samples were quantitatively calculated from analytical difference between total Sb and Sb(III) levels.