Polymerization behaviors of racemic and chiral amphiphilic monomers in organized bilayer membranes of lamellar liquid crystalline phase

A racemic amphiphilic monomer, n‐dodecyl glyceryl itaconate (DGI), forms bilayer membranes in water in the presence of small amount of ionic cosurfactant and shows iridescent color. A chiral DGI, S‐DGI, also shows an iridescent property, but with a rather red shift in the color, which can be ascribed to the increased packing density of the monomer in the bilayer membranes. Chrial DGI has a more compact packing density than racemic one owing to closer distance between the monomer molecules; the conversion rate, however, is slower than that of racemic one when H₂O₂ is used as an initiator. When the initiator is changed to an amphiphilic one, 4‐(2‐hydroxyethoxy) phenyl‐(2‐hydroxy‐2‐propyl) ketone (Irgacure 2959), the chiral DGI shows even a little faster conversion rate than that of racemic one. The NMR chemical shift results of protons in benzene ring show that the molecules of Irgacure 2959 insert into the bilayer membranes. The molecular weights of the corresponding polymers prove that the initiation by H₂O₂ is restricted compared to that by Irgacure 2959. It is concluded that the decelerated polymerization behavior of chiral DGI initiated by H₂O₂ is a result of limited diffusion of the initiator into the lamellar bilayer structures. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 4891–4900, 2007     

Effects of the H-bond donor structure on the properties of supramolecular side chain liquid crystalline polymers based on poly(3-carboxypropylmethylsiloxane-co-dimethylsiloxane)s and stilbazoles

Supramolecular side chain liquid crystalline polymers (SCLCPs) based on poly(3-carboxypropylmethylsiloxane-co-dimethylsiloxane) (PSIX, X=100, 76, 60, 41 or 23, denoting the mole percentage of 3-carboxypropylmethylsiloxane unit in the polymer) and stilbazole derivatives have been obtained through intermolecular hydrogen bonding (H-bonding) interactions between the carboxylic acid and the pyridyl moieties. The formation of H-bonding and self-assembly results in the formation of new mesogenic units, in which H-bonds function as molecular connectors. FTIR shows the existence of H-bonding in the complexes. The polymeric complexes behave as single component liquid crystalline polymers and exhibit stable and enantiotropic mesophases. The liquid crystalline properties of the supramolecular SCLCPs were studied using differential scanning calorimetry, polarizing optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction, and were found to exhibit smectic A phases with focal-conic textures. The thermal stability of the SCLCP increases on increasing the carboxylic acid content in the polysiloxane and the concentration of the stilbazole derivative in the complex. However, the thermal stability decreases on increasing the chain length of the stilbazole derivative. The crystal phase was not formed even on cooling to the glass transition temperature of the polymeric complex.     

Preparation of Papers

We motivate the study of a vector variational inequality by a practical flow equilibrium problem on a network, namely a generalization of the well-known Wardrop equilibrium principle. Both weak and strong forms of the vector variational inequality are discussed and their relationships to a vector optimization problem are established under various convexity assumptions.     

Gap-Free Set Partitions

A set partition is called “gap-free” if its block sizes form an interval. In other words, there is at least one block of each size between the smallest and largest block sizes. Let B(n) and G(n), respectively, denote the number of partitions and the number of gap-free partitions of the set [n]. We prove that      

Biogenetically inspired approach to the Strychnos alkaloids. Concise syntheses of (+/-)-akuammicine and (+/-)-strychnine

A linear synthesis of the indole alkaloid (+/-)-akuammicine (2) was completed by a novel sequence of reactions requiring only 10 steps from commercially available starting materials. The approach features a tandem vinylogous Mannich addition and an intramolecular hetero Diels-Alder reaction to rapidly assemble the pentacyclic heteroyohimboid derivative 8 from the readily available hydrocarboline 6. Oxidation of the E ring of 8 gave the lactone 9 that was converted into deformylgeissoschizine (11). The subsequent elaboration of 11 into 2 was effected by a biomimetically patterned transformation that involved sequential oxidation and base-induced skeletal reorganization. A variation of these tactics was then applied to the synthesis of the C(18) hydroxylated akuammicine derivative 36. Because 36 had previously been converted into strychnine (1) in four steps, its preparation constitutes a concise, formal synthesis of this complex alkaloid.     

First observation of the P-wave spin-singlet bottomonium states hb(1P) and hb(2P)

We report the first observations of the spin-singlet bottomonium states h(b)(1P) and h(b)(2P). The states are produced in the reaction e(+)e(-)→h(b)(nP)π(+)π(-) using a 121.4 fb(-1) data sample collected at energies near the Υ(5S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e(+)e(-) collider. We determine M[h(b)(1P)]=(9898.2(-1.0-1.1)(+1.1+1.0)) MeV/c(2) and M[h(b)(2P)]=(10,259.8±0.6(-1.0)(+1.4)) MeV/c(2), which correspond to P-wave hyperfine splittings ΔM(HF)=(+1.7±1.5) and (+0.5(-1.2)(+1.6)) MeV/c(2), respectively. The significances of the h(b)(1P) and h(b)(2P) are 5.5σ and 11.2σ, respectively. We find that the production of the h(b)(1P) and h(b)(2P) is not suppressed relative to the production of the Υ(1S), Υ(2S), and Υ(3S).     

A stochastic model for risk management in global supply chain networks

With the increasing emphasis on supply chain vulnerabilities, effective mathematical tools for analyzing and understanding appropriate supply chain risk management are now attracting much attention. This paper presents a stochastic model of the multi-stage global supply chain network problem, incorporating a set of related risks, namely, supply, demand, exchange, and disruption. We provide a new solution methodology using the Moreau–Yosida regularization, and design an algorithm for treating the multi-stage global supply chain network problem with profit maximization and risk minimization objectives.     

Solving the Generalized Machine Assignment Problem in Group Technology

Many existing solution methodologies for machine assignment problems in group technology do not consider factors such as part demand, operation sequence and cost of intercellular moves. We formulate a 0-1 quadratic programming model that takes into account these factors in machine assignment. Two approaches are proposed to solve this problem. The first is an A*-based approach that generates optimal solutions. The second is a heuristic approach developed to solve problems with large number of machines and/or parts. The heuristic approach is shown to be efficient in producing good solutions in a computational study.     

Electrophoretic deposition of PVA coated hydroxyapatite on 316L stainless steel

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) coated hydroxyapatite was deposited onto a 316L stainless steel substrate by electrophoretic deposition. Deposition was carried out in a methanol suspension at pH 5.5 using a graphite rod as an anode. Parameters such as PVA concentration, deposition voltage and time were optimized to achieve a homogeneous, crack-free adhesive coating. Techniques such as X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were used to study the phase composition of the coated materials and the stability of hydroxyapatite in the presence of PVA.     

Determination of interferon-gamma in Chinese hamster ovary cell culture supernatant by coupled-column liquid chromatography

A robust tandem HPLC method coupling size-exclusion (Shodex Asahipak GS-320HQ) and reversed phase (Vydac 218TP54) columns with ultraviolet detection was developed for quantitative determination of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in Chinese hamster ovary cell culture supernatant. The 2D-HPLC system was linked up by a 6-port 2-position low hold-up volume switch valve. Compared to a commercial ELISA kit for IFN-gamma, the coupled column LC approach was able to detect and quantify soluble IFN-gamma, regardless of the glycoprotein's molecular/conformational variability and sample background. Each LC-LC analysis took 90 minutes inclusive of column regeneration. The relative standard deviation of measurements (n = 5) was less than 3%. The limit of detection (LOD) was determined to be 0.35 microg IFN-gamma.