Mechanism and Cellular Kinetic Studies of the Enhancement of Antioxidant Activity by Using Surface‐Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles

The enhanced antioxidant activity of surface‐functionalized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) synthesized by self‐assembly has attracted great attention, but little is known about the mechanism behind the enhanced activity. To address this challenge, the antioxidant activity of Au@PEG3SA (i.e., surface‐functionalization of spherical AuNPs with the antioxidant salvianic acid A) was used as an example to illustrate the mechanism of the enhanced activity. Evaluation of the antioxidant activity was performed in a radical‐scavenging reaction between Au@PEG3SA and 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical. As expected, the rate constant for the reaction of Au@PEG3SA with DPPH was about nine times greater than that for the salvianic acid A monomer. A comparative analysis of the spectral characteristics of Au@PEG3SA and the salvianic acid A monomer further imply that the enhancement of the antioxidative reaction kinetics may be ascribed to the variation in the transition state for the DPPH‐radical scavenging reaction through π–π stacking interactions between and among adjacent groups on the surface of Au@PEG3SA. On the other hand, the kinetic enhancement of Au@PEG3SA on reactive‐oxygen‐species (ROS) scavenging can be observed in living cells and in vivo, which possibly provides new insight for the bioapplication of self‐assembly of surface‐functionalized AuNPs.     

Extraction of coal-tar pitch using NMP/ILs mixed solvents

Coal-tar pitch(CP)is a promising carbon raw material for producing needle coke,carbon fiber etc.During processing,the H/C ratio,ash content,and quinoline insoluble(QI)in the CP are the key factors that influence the material preparation.In this study,NMP was selected to extract CP first;then[BMIM]Cl/NMP mixed solvent was used;and finally a series of ionic liquids(ILs)mixtures with NMP were developed for the extraction of CP to obtain the refined pitch.The extracts were analyzed via elemental analysis,TGA,FT-IR,and 13C-NMR.Results indicate that different NMP/IL mass ratios or different kinds of ILs have impact on the extraction yield.The relationship of the hydrogen to carbon(H/C)ratio changed with different solvents and QI extracts were obtained.Results showed that the H/C ratios changed little between NMP extracts and could be adjusted by changing the NMP/ILs mass ratio or using different ILs.The extracts are suitable for preparation mesophase pitch because of no ash content,low QI,and appropriate H/C ratios.As a result,NMP can be used to refine pitch.In addition,[BMIM]Cl is good mixed with NMP for CP extraction,because it can obtain a relatively high yield under the same extraction conditions.     

Water-in-salt widens the electrochemical stability window: Thermodynamic and kinetic factors

Originating from the 1.23 V potential window of pure water, the narrow electrochemical stability window (ESW) has always been the most stubborn problem for aqueous battery systems. However, the water-in-salt system magically widens the ESW of aqueous electrolyte from 1.23 V to above 3 V by the super-concentrated LiTFSI solution. The mechanisms of widening aqueous battery ESW have been a crucial topic, in which the significant factors, including unique solid–electrolyte interface, solvation structure, and others, have been highlighted. Here, we specify the concept of ESW in detail and review the influence factors of ESW in the water-in-salt system from both thermodynamic and kinetic perspectives to explore the importance of each factor.     

Hyperterpenoids A and B: Two pairs of unprecedented 6/6/4/6/6 polycyclic cyclobutane meroterpenoids with potent neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory activities from Hypericum beanii

Hyperterpenoid A (1) and B (2), two pairs of enantiomers, with an unprecedented 6/6/4/6/6 polycyclic skeleton, along with one known compoud hypermonone A (3) were isolated from Hypericum beanii. The racemate (±)-1 and (±)-2 were successfully separated into the two optically pure enantiomers (ee ≥ 99%) using a preparative HPLC system. Their absolute configurations were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analyses and single-crystal X-ray diffraction method. The related plausible biogenetic pathways were presented. Compound 1-3 showed significant neuroprotective activity and potential anti-inflammatory activity. The result that (+)-2 and (-)-2 presented different anti-inflammatory properties, may lead us to new discovery of structure activity relationship between racemates, enantiomers, and diastereomers, as well as further research regarding the binding of drugs to target proteins.     

Hopf bifurcation direction of a delayed bacteria-immunity system with quorum sensing mechanism

Considering the mechanism of quorum sensing, we formulate a bacteria-immunity model to describe the competition between bacteria and immune cells on the basis of Zhang’s model (see [9] for more details). A time delay is introduced to characterize the time in which bacteria receive signal molecules and then combat with immune cells. In the sequel, the length of delay which preserves the stability of the positive equilibrium is estimated, and the existence of Hopf bifurcation when the delay crosses through a critical value is investigated. Further, by using the normal form theory and center manifold theory, the explicit formulae are calculated which determine the stability, the direction and the period of bifurcating periodical solutions. Finally, numerical simulations are employed to verify the mathematical conclusions.     

THEORY OF DIELECTRIC ELASTOMERS

In response to a stimulus, a soft material deforms, and the deformation provides a function. We call such a material a soft active material （SAM）. This review focuses on one class of soft active materials： dielectric elastomers. When a membrane of a dielectric elastomer is subject to a voltage through its thickness, the membrane reduces thickness and expands area, possibly straining over 100%. The dielectric elastomers are being developed as transducers for broad applications, including soft robots, adaptive optics, Braille displays, and electric generators. This paper reviews the theory of dielectric elastomers, developed within continuum mechanics and thermodynamics, and motivated by molecular pictures and empirical observations. The theory couples large deformation and electric potential, and describes nonlinear and nonequilibrium behavior, such as electromechanical instability and viscoelasticity. The theory enables the finite element method to simulate transducers of realistic configurations, predicts the efficiency of electromechanical energy conversion, and suggests alternative routes to achieve giant voltage-induced deformation. It is hoped that the theory will aid in the creation of materials and devices.     

On the interconversion pathway of HBO<-->BOH

The potential energy surfaces have been constructed for the 1A', 3A', and 3A" states of HBO by using the multireference perturbation theory with the basis set cc-pVTZ (6d,10f). Two stationary points and a transition state have been characterized on all the three surfaces, which are in good agreement with available experiments and previous calculations. The interconversion pathways from metastable boron hydroxide BOH to the considerably more stable HBO are expounded based on the nature of the surfaces.     

芴-咔唑新型共聚物/PVK掺杂体系的电致发光特性研究

研究了新型的芴-咔唑共聚物(PFC)与聚乙烯咔唑(PVK)掺杂体系的光致发光和电致发光特性.制备了结构分别为indium-tin-oxide(ITO)/PVK:PFC/bathocuproine(BCP)/tris-(8-hydroxylquinoline)-aluminum (Alq₃) /Mg:Ag，ITO/PFC/BCP/Alq₃/Mg∶Ag和ITO/PVK/BCP/Alq₃/Mg∶Ag的三种有机电致发光器件.对器件的光电特性进行了测试.结果表明，掺杂体系中的PVK有效地抑制了固态膜中PFC激基缔合物的形成.掺杂器件在不同的外加电场作用下发生发光层位置的移动，通过调节外加电场，可以获得从绿光到蓝光的可见光发射.当外加电压大于7V时，掺杂器件的蓝色发光亮度达到1650cd/m²，推测其中可能存在从PVK到PFC的能量传递过程.     

A Novel Way to Prepareγ-A1_2O_3 Supported SO_4~(2-)/ZrO_2 Solid Superacid Catalysts for n-Butane Isomerization

The isomerization of n-butane to isobutane, which is a valuable precursor for theproduction of MTBE and alkylated gasoline, on strong acid catalysts is an importantprocess in refining industry. Solid superacid, especially sulfated zirconia, has highcatalytic activity in n-butane isomerization at comparatively low temperatures andtherefore has attracted more attention of researchers in the past twenty years.' However,from the view point of practice, the activity of SZ needs to be improved fur…     

Complete assignments of 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopic data for three new stigmastane glycosides from Vernonia cumingiana

Three new steroidal saponins, Vernoniosides S1 ( 1 ), Vernoniosides S2 ( 2 ) and Vernoniosides S3 ( 3 ) were isolated from the stem of Vernonia cumingian. Their chemical structures were elucidated on the basis of MS, NMR spectroscopic and chemical analysis. Complete assignment of ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopic data were achieved by 1D and 2D NMR experiments (HMQC, HMBC, ROESY). Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.