Simple Patterning of Cells on a Biocompatible Nonchemically Amplified Resist

Summary: A simple lithographic process in conjunction with a novel biocompatible nonchemically amplified photoresist material was successfully used for cell patterning. UV light irradiation on selected regions of the nonchemically amplified resist film renders the exposed regions hydrophilic by the formation of carboxylic groups. Mouse fibroblast cells were found to be preferentially aligned and proliferated on the UV light exposed regions of the nonchemically amplified resist film where carboxylic groups were present.

Schematic representation of the simplified lithographic process used for cell patterning.     

DISPERSION-CORRECTED DENSITY FUNCTIONAL THEORY STUDIES ON GLYCOLIC ACID-METAL COMPLEXES

Journal of Structural Chemistry - The structure and metal complexation studies using dispersion-corrected density functional theory methods are performed for four stable glycolic acid conformers...     

Superconductivity with transition temperature up to 80 K for TbSr2Cu2.7Mo0.3O7+δ

A Tb-123 phase with the composition, TbSr₂Cu_2.7Mo_0.3O_7+δ, has been synthesized in single-phase form by the solid-state reaction route. Its phase purity has been confirmed from neutron powder diffraction studies. The as-synthesized Tb-123 sample does not show superconductivity down to 5 K. On the other hand, an unusually high antiferromagnetic ordering temperature (T_N) of around 7 K is seen for the Tb moments. After 120-atm-O₂ post-annealing, bulk superconductivity is achieved in this compound with a superconducting transition temperature (T_c) of about 30 K, without any significant effect on T_N. To achieve higher oxygen content and higher T_c, the as-synthesized sample was subjected to high-pressure oxygenation, carried out in a closed cell, at 5 GPa and 400 °C in the presence of AgO as an excess-oxygen source. This sample exhibited superconductivity onset at around 80 K with a Meissner fraction larger than 10% at 5 K. Our observation of superconductivity at 80 K is the highest T_c to-date for the Tb-123 type compounds.     

Temperature variation of the Debye-Waller factors of metal and halide ions in CsCl and CsBr powders by X-ray diffraction. II. Debye-Waller factors of Cs+ and Br− ions in CsBr from room temperature to 78.2°K

The temperature variation of the Debye-Waller factors of Cs⁺ and Br⁻ ions in CsBr powder has been studied using powder X-ray diffraction. The integrated intensities of the Bragg peaks at different temperatures have been obtained. These results have been verified by structure factor least squares refinement program. Theoretical shell model lattice dynamical calculations have been done using a 7-parameter model in the harmonic approximation and the values compared with the present X-ray measurements. The observed intensities have been corrected for first order thermal diffuse scattering.     

Studies on modified anode polymer hydrogen sensor

An improved polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell based amperometric hydrogen sensor that operates at room temperature has been developed. The electrolyte used in the sensor is PVA/H₃PO₄ blend, which is a proton conducting solid polymer electrolyte. A blend of palladium and platinum coated on the membrane is used as anode and platinum as cathode. The sensor functions as a fuel cell, H₂/Pd-Pt//PVA-H₃PO₄//Pt/O₂, and the short circuit current is found to be linearly related to the hydrogen concentration. The present study aims at investigating the dependence of sensor behaviour on the anode composition. Paper presented at the 2nd International Conference on Ionic Devices, Anna University, Chennai, India, Nov. 28–30, 2003.     

Investigations of mean and turbulent flow characteristics of a two dimensional plane diffuser

This paper reports the investigation of mean and turbulent flow characteristics of a two-dimensional plane diffuser. Both experimental and theoretical details are considered. The experimental investigation consists of the measurement of mean velocity profiles, wall static pressure and turbulence stresses. Theoretical study involves the prediction of downstream velocity profiles and the distribution of turbulence kinetic energy using a well tested finite difference procedure. Two models, viz., Prandtl's mixing length hypothesis and k- model of turbulence, have been used and compared. The nondimensional static pressure distribution, the longitudinal pressure gradient, the pressure recovery coefficient, percentage recovery of static pressure, the variation of U _max/U _bar along the length of the diffuser and the blockage factor have been valuated from the predicted results and compared with the experimental data. Further, the predicted and the measured value of kinetic energy of turbulence have also been compared. It is seen that for the prediction of mean flow characteristics and to evaluate the performance of the diffuser, a simple turbulence model like Prandtl's mixing length hypothesis is quite adequate.List of symbols C ₁ , C ₂ ,C turbulence model constants - F _x body force - k kinetic energy of turbulence - l _m mixing length - L length of the diffuser - u, v, w rms value of the fluctuating velocity - u, v, w turbulent component of the velocity - mean velocity in the x direction - _A average velocity at inlet - U _bar average velocity in any cross section - U _max maximum velocity in any cross section - V mean velocity in the y direction - W local width of the diffuser at any cross section - x, y coordinates - dissipation rate of turbulence - _m eddy diffusivity - Von Karman constant - mixing length constant - _l laminar viscosity - _eff effective viscosity - v kinematic viscosity - density - _k effective Schmidt number for k - effective Schmidt number for - stream function - non dimensional stream function     

Investigation of the upper rim binding of triphenylpyrylium cation with p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene

The interaction of 2,4,6-triphenylpyrylium cation with p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene is studied using absorption, emission, NMR and electrochemical techniques. The increase in the absorption is observed with the increase in the concentration of p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene. The emission intensity of 2,4,6-triphenylpyrylium cation is also enhanced in the presence of p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene. The electrochemical titration reveals the presence of host–guest interaction. The NMR analysis explains the upper rim interaction of 2,4,6-triphenypyrylium cation with p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene. The mode of binding is studied using computational methods. The quantum chemical simulations reveal the binding orientation of cationic TPP with p-SC4. The calculated complexation energy (??33.19 kcal mol^?1) indicates the strong binding nature of 2,4,6-triphenylpyrylium cation with p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene.     

Antioxidant activity of phenolic compounds from extracts of Eucalyptus globulus and Melaleuca styphelioides and their protective role on D-glucose-induced hyperglycemic stress and oxalate stress in NRK-49Fcells

Phytochemicals serve as potential therapeutic agents for the prevention and treatment of diseases. In this study, we elucidate the renoprotective activity of compounds isolated from Eucalyptus globulus and Melaleuca styphelioides extracts in glucose- and oxalate-challenged NRK-49F cell model. The antioxidant potential of isolated compounds was evaluated based on their effect on antioxidant enzyme activities and lipid peroxidation levels. The results demonstrated that exposure of NRK-49F cells to glucose and oxalate stress augmented cell damage and attenuated antioxidant enzyme activities. The phytochemicals 2,2,8-trimethyl-6-formyl-chrom-3-ene-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, Cornusiin B and tellimagrandin I treatment restored antioxidant enzyme activity, significantly lowered lipid peroxidation levels and effectively protected cells from glucose and oxalate stress equivalent to the known antioxidant, N-acetyl cysteine. Pterocarinin A significantly reversed cellular damage owing to glucose stress. In conclusion, the compounds isolated from E. globulus and M. styphelioides showed potential cytoprotective and anti-oxidative property against glucose- and oxalate-induced oxidative stress in NRK-49F cells.     

Hierarchical Nanoboxes Composed of Co9S8−MoS2 Nanosheets as Efficient Electrocatalysts for the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

The development of hydrogen evolution catalysts based on nonprecious metals is essential for the practical application of water‐splitting devices. Herein, the synthesis of Co₉S₈?MoS₂ hierarchical nanoboxes (HNBs) as efficient catalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is reported. The surface of the hollow cubic structure was organized by CoMoS₄ nanosheets formed through the reaction of MoS₄^2? and Co²⁺ released from the cobalt zeolite imidazole framework (ZIF‐67) templates under reflux in a mixture of water/ethanol. The formation process for the CoMoS₄ HNB structures was characterized by TEM images recorded at various reaction temperatures. The amorphous CoMoS₄ HNBs were converted through sequential heat treatments into CoS_x?MoS₂ and Co₉S₈?MoS₂ HNBs. Owing to their unique chemical compositions and structural features, Co₉S₈?MoS₂ HNBs have a high specific surface area (124.6 m² g^?1) and superior electrocatalytic performances for the HER. The Co₉S₈?MoS₂ HNBs exhibit a low overpotential (η₁₀) of 106 mV, a low Tafel slope of 51.8 mV dec^?1, and long‐term stability in an acidic medium. The electrocatalytic activity of Co₉S₈?MoS₂ HNBs is superior to that of recently reported values, and these HNBs prove to be promising candidates for the HER.     

Tetrahedral n-type materials: efficient quenching of the excitation of p-type polymers in amorphous films

Tetrahedral naphthalenediimide compound 1 has been synthesized as an example of a new class of amorphous n-type materials, in which the nondirectionality obtained by its shape is decoupled from its optoelectronic properties. 1 forms bicontinuous films with p-type polymers and effectively quenches the excited state, yielding long-lived mobile charge carriers on pulsed illumination.