Free energy simulations of single and double ion occupancy in gramicidin A

Simultaneous occupancy of the two binding sites in gramicidin A by monovalent cations is a well known property of this channel, but the energetic feasibility of this process in molecular dynamics simulations has not been established so far. Here the authors study the energetics of single and double ion occupancy in gramicidin A by constructing the potential of mean force for single and pair of cations. As representatives of small and large ions, they consider both Na+ and K+ ions in the calculations. Binding constants of ions are estimated from the free energy profiles. Comparisons with the experimental results indicate 3-4 kT discrepancy in the binding energies. They also study the coordination of the ions in their respective binding sites and the dynamic behavior of the channel water during the double ion binding process.     

Synthesis of new 1,3-disubstituted-2,3-dihydro-1H-naphth[1,2e][1,3]oxazines

1,3-Disubstituted-2,3-dihydro-1H-naphth[1,2-e][1,3]oxazines were prepared through the ring-closure reactions of the aminobenzylnaphthols with substituted aryl- and heteroarylaldehydes.     

Hybrid reinforcement in nitrile rubber composites

Nitril rubber‐PVC composites having carbon black and mica fillers in different compositions as hybrid reinforcements have been studied. The degree of replacement on static‐dynamic mechanical, swelling behavior of resultant composites were all discussed. Results showed that increase in mica in total filler resulted in increase in toughness values, decrease in swelling in organic solvents together with increase in vibrational damping capacity of the resultant composites.     

Ultrasound-assisted rapid synthesis of <Emphasis Type=Italic>β</Emphasis>-aminoketones with direct-type catalytic Mannich reaction using bismuth(III) triflate in aqueous media at room temperature

An innovative, powerful, efficient and relatively rapid method was developed to synthesise various β-aminoketone derivatives from cyclohexanone, substituted aromatic amines and aromatic or hetero-aromatic aldehydes via ultrasound-assisted direct-type catalytic Mannich reaction using bismuth(III) triflate in water. Good yields of the desired β-aminoketones were obtained at room temperature by ultrasound-assisted reaction within 1–2 h. The major advantages of the proposed method are undemanding conditions, easy operation, low toxicity, shorter reaction time, anti selectivity and higher yields in comparison with conventional methods.     

β-Hydroxyamide derivatives of salicylic acid as organocatalysts for enantioselective reductions of prochiral ketones

In order to find the most effective catalyst for the enantioselective reduction of a prochiral ketone, a series of novel β-hydroxyamide derivatives of salicylic acid and chiral amino alcohols were synthesized. Different substituted prochiral ketones have been reduced in high yield (up to 99%) and the corresponding secondary alcohols are formed with good enantiomeric excess (up to 86%). The mechanism of this type of catalyst can be explained by considering the reaction mechanism for the CBS catalyst.     

Calcification resistance of polyisobutylene and polyisobutylene‐based materials

Calcification of implanted biomaterials is highly undesirable and limits clinical applicability. Experiments were carried out to assess the calcification resistance of polyisobutylene (PIB), PIB‐based polyurethane (PIB‐PU), PIB‐PU reinforced with (CH₃)₃N⁺CH₂CH₂CH₂NH₂ I^?‐modified montmorillonite (PIB‐PU/nc), PIB‐based polyurethane urea (PIB‐PUU), PIB‐PU containing S atoms (PIB_S‐PU), PIB_S‐PU reinforced with (CH₃)₃N⁺CH₂CH₂CH₂NH₂ I^?‐modified montmorillonite (PIB_S‐PU/nc), and poly(isobutylene‐b‐styrene‐b‐isobutylene) (SIBS), relative to that of a clinically widely implanted polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)–based PU, Elast‐Eon (the “control”). Samples were incubated in simulated body fluid for 28 days at 37°C, and the extent of surface calcification was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Fourier‐transform‐infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy. Whereas the PDMS‐based PU showed extensive calcification, PIB and PIB‐PU containing 72.5% PIB, ie, a polyurethane whose surface is covered with PIB, were free of calcification. PIB_S‐PU and PIB‐PUU, ie, polyurethanes that contain S or urea groups, respectively, were slightly calcified. The amine‐modified montmorillonite‐reinforcing agent reduced the extent of calcification. SIBS was found slightly calcified. Evidently, PIB and materials fully coated with PIB are calcification resistant.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) and Poly(vinyl acetate) Diblock Copolymers via MADIX Process

The synthesis of diblock copolymers of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) and poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) was performed by macromolecular design via interchange of xanthates (MADIX) process. Following the preparation of methyl (isopropoxycarbonothioyl) sulfanyl acetate (MIPCTSA) as chain transfer agent, it was reacted with vinyl acetate to obtain PVAc macro-chain transfer agent. Then, block copolymerization was completed by successive addition of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM). ¹H NMR spectroscopy confirmed the presence of both blocks in the copolymer structure, with the expected composition based on the feed ratio. Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC) was used to investigate the relative values of molecular characteristics. Only 20% of PVAc was converted to block copolymer. The resultant block copolymer structures were further examined in terms of their morphologies as well as critical micelle concentration (CMC) by using ESEM and Fluorescence Excitation Spectroscopic techniques, respectively. Morphological characterization confirmed amphiphilic block copolymer formation with the existence of mainly ca. 100 nm well distributed micelles. The thermo responsive amphiphilic behavior of the block copolymer solutions were followed by Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) technique.     

A Klein–Gordon particle captured by embedded curves

In the present work, a Klein–Gordon particle with singular interactions supported on embedded curves on Riemannian manifolds is discussed from a more direct and physical perspective, via the heat kernel approach. It is shown that the renormalized problem is well-defined, and the ground state energy is unique and finite. The renormalization group invariance of the model is discussed, and it is observed that the model is asymptotically free.