Thermal characterization of usnic acid/collagen-based films

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the physical–chemical properties of collagen (CL) and usnic acid/collagen-based (UAC) films, using differential thermal analysis (DTA), thermogravimetry (TG/DTG), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Both films were prepared by casting process using polyethylene glycol 1500 (PEG 1500) as plasticizer. In the spectrum of UAC, similar bands of the usnic acid are observed, indicating that the polymerization (film formation) did not affect the stability of the drug. Distinctly, DTA curve of UAC did not show an endothermic peak at 201 °C, indicative that the drug was incorporated into the polymeric system. These results were corroborated by the scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The TG/DTG curves of UAC presented a different thermal decomposition profile compared to the individual compounds and CL. These findings suggest the occurrence of molecular dispersion or solubilization of the drug in the collagen film.     

Identification of archaeal proteins that affect the exosome function in vitro

Background  

The archaeal exosome is formed by a hexameric RNase PH ring and three RNA binding subunits and has been shown to bind and degrade RNA in vitro. Despite extensive studies on the eukaryotic exosome and on the proteins interacting with this complex, little information is yet available on the identification and function of archaeal exosome regulatory factors.     

Crystal structures and spectral properties of new Cd(II) and Hg(II) complexes of monensic acid with different coordination modes of the ligand

The single crystal X-ray structures and the spectroscopic properties of complexes of monensic acid (C₃₆H₆₂O₁₁·H₂O) with toxic metal ions of Cd(II) and Hg(II) are discussed. The cadmium(II) complex (1) is of composition [Cd(C₃₆H₆₁O₁₁)₂(H₂O)₂] and crystallizes in the monoclinic system (space group P2(1), Z = 2) with a = 12.4090(8), b = 24.7688(16), c = 14.4358(11) Å, β = 91.979(7)°. Two ligand monoanions are bound in a bidentate coordination mode to Cd(II) via the carboxylate and the primary hydroxyl oxygens occupying the equatorial plane of the complex. The axial positions of the inner coordination sphere of Cd(II) are filled by two water molecules additionally engaged in intramolecular hydrogen bonds. The Hg(II) complex (2), [Hg(C₃₆H₆₀O₁₁)(H₂O)], crystallizes in the orthorhombic system (space group P2(1)2(1)2(1), Z = 4) with a = 12.7316(2), b = 16.4379(3), c = 18.7184(4) Å. The monensic acid reacts with Hg(II) in a tetradentate coordination manner via both oxygen atoms of the carboxylate function and oxygens of two hydroxyl groups. The twofold negative charge of the ligand is achieved by deprotonation of carboxylic and secondary hydroxyl groups located at the opposite ends of the molecule. Hg(II) is surrounded by five oxygen atoms in a distorted square pyramidal molecular geometry.

Open image in new window

     

Accurate heat capacity measurements on powdered samples using a Quantum Design physical property measurement system

We have evaluated the accuracy of the heat capacity option of a Quantum Design physical property measurement system (PPMS) by measuring the heat capacity of various types of conducting and insulating samples over the temperature range from (2 to 300) K. In particular, the accuracy of measurements on a copper pellet was determined to be ±2% for 2 K < T < 20 K and ±0.6% for 20 K < T < 300 K, however similar measurements on a powdered sample of benzoic acid had errors as high as 20%. A new method for heat capacity measurements of powdered samples using a PPMS system has been developed that allows us to obtain heat capacity measurements for both insulating and conducting powdered samples with an accuracy of ±1% from (20 to 300) K and ±2% to ±5% for T < 20 K. Since the heat capacity of substances (and corresponding entropy contribution) is small at low temperatures for lattice-only contributions, the accuracy of ±2% to ±5% below 20 K is considered acceptable. As a test of the new method, the heat capacity of powdered bulk hematite has been measured in the temperature range from (2 to 300) K with the PPMS, and its standard entropy at T = 298.15 K was calculated to be (87.33 and 87.27) J · K^?1 · mol^?1, which deviates ?0.08% and ?0.15% from the accepted reference value, respectively. We recommend that this new method become the standard for accurate heat capacity measurements on insulating powdered samples using a PPMS system and the corresponding thermodynamic calculations.     

Fabrication and characterization of CdS-sensitized TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanotube photoelectrode

CdS quantum dot (Qd)-sensitized TiO₂ nanotube array photoelectrode is synthesised via a two-step method on tin-doped In₂O₃-coated (ITO) glass substrate. TiO₂ nanotube arrays are prepared in the ethylene glycol electrolyte solution by anodizing titanium films which are deposited on ITO glass substrate by radio frequency sputtering. Then, the CdS Qds are deposited on the nanotubes by successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction technique. The resulting nanotube arrays are characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and UV–visible absorption spectroscopy. The length of the obtained nanotubes reaches 1.60 μm and their inner diameter and wall thickness are around 90 and 20 nm, respectively. The XRD results show that the as-prepared TiO₂ nanotubes array is amorphous, which are converted to anatase TiO₂ after annealed at 450 °C for 2 h. The CdS Qds deposited on the TiO₂ nanotubes shift the absorption edge of TiO₂ from 388 to 494 nm. The results show that the CdS-sensitized TiO₂ nanotubes array film can be used as the photoelectrode for solar cells.     

Precise control for vibration of rigid–flexible mechanical arm

In the present paper, based on the nonlinear dynamic equation of spacial flexible mechanical arm with dual-link bar, the method of linear quadratic control is used to eliminate the remain vibration of mechanical arm. In the process of computation, the traditional differential algorithm is replaced by the time integration method. Because of taking the more precise time-intervals in the given time-interval and avoiding a lot of computational difficulties, the method of this paper has the characteristics of high precision and unconditional stable. For a typical structure, the precise control law is obtained and the advantages of the algorithm in this paper are shown.     

Copper‐Catalyzed Formation of α‐Alkoxycycloalkenones from N‐Tosylhydrazones

The combination of 20 mol % of copper iodide and lithium tert‐butoxide triggers the formation of a broad range of substituted, functionalized α‐alkoxy 2H‐naphthalenones from readily available N‐tosylhydrazones. The data suggests that this transformation occurs through cycloaddition of a copper carbenoid with an ester, followed by a Lewis acid‐catalyzed [1,2] alkyl shift of the in situ generated alkoxyepoxide intermediate.     

Preparation of novel curcumin‐imprinted polymers based on magnetic multi‐walled carbon nanotubes for the rapid extraction of curcumin from ginger powder and kiwi fruit root

A novel molecularly imprinted polymer based on magnetic phenyl‐modified multi‐walled carbon nanotubes was synthesized using curcumin as the template molecule, methacrylic acid as the functional monomer and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as the cross‐linker. The phenyl groups contained in the magnetic imprinted polymers acted as the assisting functional monomer. The magnetic imprinted polymers were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy and vibrating sample magnetometry. Adsorption studies demonstrated that the magnetic imprinted polymers possessed excellent selectivity toward curcumin with a maximum capacity of 16.80 mg/g. Combining magnetic extraction and high‐performance liquid chromatography technology, the magnetic imprinted polymer based on magnetic phenyl‐modified multi‐walled carbon nanotubes was applied for the rapid separation and enrichment of curcumin from ginger powder and kiwi fruit root successfully.     

基于双功能单体的磁性双酚A印迹聚合物的制备及应用

以二氧化硅包覆的四氧化三铁为载体,双酚A(BPA)为模板分子,β-环糊精和4-乙烯基吡啶为二元功能单体,采用热聚合方法制备了对双酚A具有特异吸附性能的磁性印迹复合材料(mag-MIPs).采用透射电子显微镜(TEM)、傅里叶变换红外光谱(FTIR)和振动样品磁强计(VSM)对该印迹复合材料进行了表征,并结合磁固相萃取(M-SPE)技术和高效液相色谱(HPLC)研究了其对双酚A的吸附行为,结果表明该印迹复合材料对双酚A具有良好的选择吸附能力.液相色谱检测结果表明,该磁性印迹复合材料可用于环境水样中双酚A的快速分离富集,回收率为90.51%~98.21%.