Reactivity of monolayer-protected gold nanoclusters at dye-sensitized liquid/liquid interfaces

Hexanethiolate monolayer-protected gold nanoclusters (MPCs) were used as redox quenchers at the polarizable water/1,2-dichloroethane (DCE) interface. Photocurrent responses originating from the heterogeneous quenching of photoexcited water soluble porphyrin complexes by MPCs dissolved in the DCE phase were observed. As MPCs can function as both electron acceptors and donors, the photocurrent results from the superposition of two simultaneous processes, which correspond to the oxidation and reduction of MPCs. The magnitude of the net photocurrent is essentially determined by the balance of the kinetics of these two processes, which can be controlled by tuning the Galvani potential difference between the two phases. We show that, within the available potential window, the apparent electron-transfer rate constants follow classical Butler-Volmer dependence on the applied potential difference.     

121Sb-Mössbauer-Spektren von Antimon(V)-Verbindungen. II

¹²¹Sb Mössbauer Spectra of Antimony (V) Compounds. II The Mössbauer resonance effect of ¹²¹Sb has been studied at 4.2 K in a series of 11 antimony(V) compounds which are in most cases bridged. Isomer shift and quadrupole splitting variations are considered in the light of results of X-ray and vibrational spectroscopy. Preparation and the vibrational spectra of [NMe₄][SbCl₄(n₃)₂] are described. Within the limitations of available structural data related tin compounds are compared with those of corresponding ¹¹⁹Sn Mössbauer spectra.     

Periodic,multiplicative number-theoretical functions

D. Leitmann andD. Wolke [3] proved that multiplicative functions, which are restrictions of continuous, periodic functionsF: with irrational period, are constant equal to 0 or 1. In this note a simpler proof for this result is given.     

A comparison of two approaches to the optimal positioning of a new product in an attribute space

This paper is concerned with the optimal positioning of a new product in an attribute space. A deterministic optimization model that relies on the axiom of choice is compared with the model byShocker/Srinivasan [1974] that incorporates a probabilistic measure of choice. Investigating the assumptions and the construction of both models, it is shown that the probability function byShocker/Srinivasan is based on a controversial assumption and incorporates a parameter that has not been given an economic explanation. Furthermore, both models are applied to complex configurations. It is demonstrated that the optimal positions for the new product resulting from the model byShocker/Srinivasan depend heavily on the parameter just mentioned and may run contrary to plausible consequences of the axiom of choice.

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Zusammenfassung Für die optimale Gestaltung neuer Produkte, d.h. ihrer Positionierung in einem Raum von Produkteigenschaften, wird ein Modell angeboten, das auf einer deterministischen Kaufentscheidung beruht, ein anderes, das eine stochastische Kaufentscheidung unterstellt. Es wird gezeigt, daß der zuletzt genannte Modelltyp stark von der Spezifikation eines ökonomisch bisher nicht erklärten Parameters abhängt und z.T. Konsequenzen aufweist, die dem Wahlaxiom zuwider laufen, auf das das erstgenannte Modell aufbaut. Durch einen Vergleich auch komplexer Konfigurationen von Käuferbeurteilungen neuer Produkte wird gezeigt, welche Gestaltungsentscheidungen auf der Grundlage der beiden Modelle zur Optimierung einer Zielfunktion zu treffen sind.

     

On the Fourier transformation on spaces of (p,q)-multipliers

LetG denote a locally compact abelian topological group. The aim of the present paper is to prove an “intermediate” result between two well-known results ofL. Hörmander andG. I. Gaudry concerning the structure of the spaces ?_G?μ?t ^p,q (G).     

Enhancing cell membrane phase separation for inhibiting cancer metastasis with a stimuli-responsive DNA nanodevice

Phase separation in cell membranes promotes the assembly of transmembrane receptors to initiate signal transduction in response to environmental cues. Many cellular behaviors are manipulated by promoting membrane phase separation through binding to multivalent extracellular ligands. However, available extracellular molecule tools that enable manipulating the clustering of transmembrane receptors in a controllable manner are rare. In the present study, we report a DNA nanodevice that enhances membrane phase separation through the clustering of dynamic lipid rafts. This DNA nanodevice is anchored in the lipid raft region of the cell membrane and initiated by ATP. In a tumor microenvironment, this device could be activated to form a long DNA duplex on the cell membrane, which not only enhances membrane phase separation, but also blocks the interaction between the transmembrane surface adhesion receptor and extracellular matrix, leading to reduced migration. We demonstrate that the ATP-activated DNA nanodevice could inhibit cancer cell migration both in vitro and in vivo. The concept of using DNA to regulate membrane phase separation provides new possibilities for manipulating versatile cell functions through rational design of functional DNA structures.

A DNA nanodevice is developed to enhance the cell membrane phase separation in a tumor microenvironment to weaken the formation of focal adhesion. As a result, the migration of cancer cells is inhibited both in vitro and in vivo.     

Surface Functionalized Magnetic Nanoparticles as a Selective Sorbent for Affinity Fishing of PPAR-γ Ligands from Choerospondias axillaris

Coronary heart disease (CHD), which has developed into one of the major diseases, was reported to be treated by the target of peroxisome proliferators-activate receptor γ (PPAR-γ). As a natural medicine long used in the treatment of CHD, there are few studies on how to screen the target active compounds with high specific activity from Choerospondias axillaris. To advance the pace of research on target-specific active compounds in natural medicines, we have combined magnetic ligand fishing and functionalized nano-microspheres to investigate the active ingredients of PPAR-γ targets in Choerospondias axillaris. The PPAR-γ functionalized magnetic nano-microspheres have been successfully synthesized and characterized by vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The specificity, reusability, and reproducibility of the nano-microspheres were investigated with the help of the specific binding of rosiglitazone to PPAR-γ. In addition, the incubation temperature and the pH of the buffer solution in the magnetic ligand fishing were optimized to improve the specific adsorption efficiency of the analytes. Finally, with the aid of ultraperformance liquid chromatography plus Q-Exactive Orbitrap tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap-MS/MS), the 16 active ligands including 9 organic acids, 5 flavonoids, and 2 phenols were found in the ethanolic extracts of Choerospondias axillaris. Therefore, the study can provide a successful precedent for realizing the designated extraction and rapid isolation of target-specific active ingredient groups in the complex mixtures.     

Highly Effective Proton-Conduction Matrix-Mixed Membrane Derived from an -SO3H Functionalized Polyamide

Developing a low-cost and effective proton-conductive electrolyte to meet the requirements of the large-scale manufacturing of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells is of great significance in progressing towards the upcoming “hydrogen economy” society. Herein, utilizing the one-pot acylation polymeric combination of acyl chloride and amine precursors, a polyamide with in-built -SO₃H moieties (PA-PhSO₃H) was facilely synthesized. Characterization shows that it possesses a porous feature and a high stability at the practical operating conditions of PEM fuel cells. Investigations of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements revealed that the fabricated PA-PhSO₃H displays a proton conductivity of up to 8.85 × 10⁻² S·cm⁻¹ at 353 K under 98% relative humidity (RH), which is more than two orders of magnitude higher than that of its -SO₃H-free analogue, PA-Ph (6.30 × 10⁻⁴ S·cm⁻¹), under the same conditions. Therefore, matrix-mixed membranes were fabricated by mixing with polyacrylonitrile (PAN) in different ratios, and the EIS analyses revealed that its proton conductivity can reach up to 4.90 × 10⁻² S·cm⁻¹ at 353 K and a 98% relative humidity (RH) when the weight ratio of PA-PhSO₃H:PAN is 3:1 (labeled as PA-PhSO₃H-PAN (3:1)), the value of which is even comparable with those of commercial-available electrolytes being used in PEM fuel cells. Additionally, continuous tests showed that PA-PhSO₃H-PAN (3:1) possesses a long-life reusability. This work demonstrates, using the simple acylation reaction with the sulfonated module as precursor, that low-cost and highly effective proton-conductive electrolytes for PEM fuel cells can be facilely achieved.     

“Click handle”-modified 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoroarabino nucleic acid as a synthetic genetic polymer capable of post-polymerization functionalization

The functions of natural nucleic acids such as DNA and RNA have transcended genetic information carriers and now encompass affinity reagents, molecular catalysts, nanostructures, data storage, and many others. However, the vulnerability of natural nucleic acids to nuclease degradation and the lack of chemical functionality have imposed a significant constraint on their ever-expanding applications. Herein, we report the synthesis and polymerase recognition of a 5-(octa-1,7-diynyl)uracil 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoroarabinonucleic acid (FANA) triphosphate. The DNA-templated, polymerase-mediated primer extension using this “click handle”-modified FANA (cmFANA) triphosphate and other FANA nucleotide triphosphates consisting of canonical nucleobases efficiently generated full-length products. The resulting cmFANA polymers exhibited excellent nuclease resistance and the ability to undergo efficient click conjugation with azide-functionalized molecules, thereby becoming a promising platform for serving as a programmable and evolvable synthetic genetic polymer capable of post-polymerization functionalization.

Polymerase-mediated incorporation of a “click handle”-modified fluoroarabinonucleic acid (cmFANA) triphosphate produces a new class of nuclease-resistant, evolvable genetic polymers that can be functionalized with azide-containing molecules.     

Phenothiazine-based covalent organic frameworks with low exciton binding energies for photocatalysis

Designing delocalized excitons with low binding energy (E_b) in organic semiconductors is urgently required for efficient photochemistry because the excitons in most organic materials are localized with a high E_b of >300 meV. In this work, we report the achievement of a low E_b of ∼50 meV by constructing phenothiazine-based covalent organic frameworks (COFs) with inherent crystallinity, porosity, chemical robustness, and feasibility of bandgap engineering. The low E_b facilitates effective exciton dissociation and thus promotes photocatalysis by using these COFs. As a demonstration, we subject these COFs to photocatalytic polymerization to synthesize polymers with remarkably high molecular weight without any requirement of the metal catalyst. Our results can facilitate the rational design of porous materials with low E_b for efficient photocatalysis.

We report the construction of phenothiazine-based covalent organic frameworks, which exhibited diverse structures, the feasibility of bandgap engineering, and unprecedented ultralow exciton binding energy of ∼50 meV for photocatalytic polymerization.