Silver nanoparticle containing silk fibroin bionanotextiles

Development of new generation bionanotextiles is an important growing field, and they have found applications as wound dressings, bandages, tissue scaffolds, etc. In this study, silver nanoparticle (AgNP) containing silk-based bionanotextiles were fabricated by electrospinning, and processing parameters were optimized and discussed in detail. AgNPs were in situ synthesized within fibroin nanofibers by UV reduction of silver ions to metallic silver. The influence of post-treatments via methanol treatment and glutaraldehyde (GA) vapor exhibited changes in the secondary structure of silk. Methanol treatment increased the tensile properties of fibers due to supported crystalline silk structure, while GA vapor promoted amorphous secondary structure. AgNP containing silk fibroin bionanotextiles had strong antibacterial activity against gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa.     

Gradual Growth of Gold Nanoseeds on Silica for Silica@Gold Core–Shell Nano Applications by Two Different Methods: A Comparison on Structural Properties

This paper describes the homogeneous growth of gold shells on the surfaces of spherical dielectric silica nanoparticle cores by two different approaches: common two-step method (the name) and deposition–precipitation process. The methods basically are different in forming the precursor gold seed particles on silica. The structural and optical properties and morphology of the nanoparticles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV–Vis spectrophotometery, and photo luminescence spectroscopy (PL). The results showed that, although in both the methods the core–shell nanoparticles can be reliably prepared in a controlled fashion with a favorable uniformity, but deposition–precipitation method indicated a better mechanical stability while it was more cost and time effective too. A regular red shift, from 488 to 662 nm, and peak broadening was also risen for the striking plasmon absorption peak as gold nanoseeds created by each of the two methods grew in size on silica cores.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of binuclear ytterbium(III) complexes with 2-amino and 3-amino benzoic acid

Two novel homobinuclear ytterbium(III) complexes, [Yb₂(2AMB)₆(H₂O)₄] · 2C₂H₆O (I) and Yb₂(3AMB)₆(H₂O)₄] · 3H₂O (II) (2AMB = 2-aminobenzoic acid, 3AMB = 3-aminobenzoic acid) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and X-ray crystallography (CIF files CCDC nos. 950103 (I), 921652 (II)). Complex I crystallizes in triclinic space group \(P\bar 1\) and complex II crystallizes in monoclinic space group P2₁/n. X-ray analysis shows that both complexes (I, II) have the dinuclear structure. The central Yb³⁺ ions in both complexes are eight-coordinated adopting distorted YbO₈ dodecahedral geometry. Each Yb³⁺ ion is coordinated to two O atoms from bridging carboxylate, four O atoms from the chelating carboxylate ligands and two O atoms of water molecules. The crystal structure of I and II are stabilized by N-H…O, O-H…O, O-H…N, and C-H…O hydrogen bonds, C-H…π interactions and weak π-π stacking interactions.     

Measuring the thermal conductivity of heat transfer fluids via the modified transient plane source (MTPS)

Heat transfer fluids are often a critical performance component in industrial processes and system design. Fluids are used in heat dissipation to maintain stable operating temperatures in a variety of applications, such as diesel engines, chemical production, asphalt storage, and high-power electric transformers. A wide range of fluids specific to various applications are available, thus a reliable and accurate thermal conductivity characterization is extremely important. Thermal conductivity analysis of heat transfer fluids with traditional methods is time-consuming and error-prone due to the impact of convection. Convection often distorts effective thermal conductivity measurement as an additional source of heat transfer. The modified transient plane source method implemented in the C-Therm Technologies TCi Analyzer provides an easy way to accurately measure the thermal conductivity and distinguish this form of heat transfer in negating the impact of convection by (a) employing the shortest test time in commercially available sensors (0.8 s), (b) offering a minimal sample volume requirement (1.25 mL), and (c) employing a low-energy power flux to the specimen under test (approximately 2,600 W m^?2). This work presents thermal conductivity results generated on three types of heat transfer fluids over a wide temperature range and discusses the significance of the data in relevance to the application.     

The excess current in cyclic voltammetry arising from the presence of an electrode edge

The popular inlaid disc electrode suffers from an edge effect that is usually, and sometimes unwarrantedly, ignored in analyzing transient voltammograms. This study addresses the role played by the edge in linear scan and cyclic voltammetries when the electron transfer is reversible or quasi-reversible. A simulation models the concentrations, current densities and currents in two circumstances—when the edge in important and when it is absent—simultaneously, and thereby the evolving edge current is quantified. Special attention is paid to the effect that the edge has on the heights and positions of the voltammetric peaks. It is demonstrated that disregarding the edge may lead to the bogus classification of a reversible electrode reaction as quasi-reversible.     

Synthesis of Highly Functionalized Diaryl Ethers by Copper‐Mediated O‐Arylation of Phenols using Trivalent Arylbismuth Reagents

Highly functionalized diaryl ethers were prepared by copper(II) acetate mediated O‐arylation reaction of phenols using trivalent organobismuthanes. The reaction is performed under simple conditions and tolerates a wide diversity of functional groups on the phenol and on the organobismuth reagent. Substoichiometric amounts of catalyst can be used by performing the reaction under an oxygen atmosphere. The N‐arylation of pyridones is also reported.     

Keplerate巨型纳米多孔聚氧钼酸盐作为可重复使用催化剂用于合成1,2,4,5-四取代咪唑(英文)

The Keplerate‐type giant nanoporous isopolyoxomolybdate (NH4)42[MoVI72MoV60O372‐(CH3COO)30(H2O)72], denoted {Mo132}, has been used as a catalyst for the synthesis of1,2,4,5‐tetrasubstituted imidazoles by the one‐pot, four‐component thermal reaction of benzil with aromatic aldehydes, primary amines, and ammonium acetate under solvent‐free conditions. The catalyst was prepared according to a previously published literature procedure using inexpensive and readily available starting materials, and subsequently characterized by FT‐IR, UV and X‐ray diffraction spectroscopy, as well as microanalysis. The results showed that {Mo132} exhibited high catalytic activity towards the synthesis of 1,2,4,5‐tetrasubstituted imidazoles, with the desired products being formed in good to high yields. Furthermore, the catalyst was recyclable and could be reused at least three times without any discernible loss in its catalytic activity. Overall, this new catalytic method for the synthesis of 1,2,4,5‐tetrasubstituted imidazoles provides rapid access to the desired compounds following a simple work‐up procedure, and avoids the use of harmful organic solvents. This method therefore represents a significant improvement over the methods currently available for the synthesis of tetrasubstituted imidazoles.     

Synthesis and Rheological Investigation ofModel Symmetric 3-Arm Star Polyethylene简

A variety of linear and 3-arm star polyethylene （PE） model polymers covering a wide range of molecular weight are synthesized by the living polymerization of butadiene and the subsequent hydrogenation. Several rheological parameters of these model linear and 3-arm star PE samples are analyzed for detecting the long chain branching （LCB） structure. It is found that the analyses based on zero shear viscosity, vGP plot and flow activation energy are very sensitive to the 3-arm star PEs. The information on the presence of LCB can be obtained with these methods even for low molecular weight samples, which can not be determined by GPC-MALLS. However the information about the LCB structure can not be obtained by the rheological methods alone.     

Exploration of a Cheaper Carbon Source for Extracellular β-glucosidase Synthesis from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Debaryomyces pseudopolymorphus</Emphasis> NRRL YB-4229

In the present work, interactions between common media components and fermentation conditions were explored to come up with a simple media recipe for extracellular β-glucosidase (Dβ-gl) synthesis from Debaryomyces pseudopolymorphus to substitute cellobiose, which is currently used as a sole carbon source. Taguchi L₂₅ orthogonal array design was used to screen factors influencing Dβ-gl synthesis (carbon, organic nitrogen, inorganic nitrogen, trace elements, inoculum volume, and fermentation time). A significant influence of xylose, peptone, and potassium nitrate as carbon, organic nitrogen, and inorganic nitrogen sources, respectively, on Dβ-gl synthesis was identified by Taguchi. These factors were further optimized using central composite rotatable design (CCRD) of response surface methodology (RSM). The results showed that in the range studied, potassium nitrate had insignificant effect while xylose, peptone, and xylose-peptone interaction had a significant effect on Dβ-gl synthesis. Peptone/xylose ratio of 1.33 was found to be an important parameter for inducing Dβ-gl synthesis. The regression coefficient (R ²) of 0.915 and P value of <0.0003 for the model indicated that it was highly significant. The maximum activity obtained after RSM (32.2 U/ml) was comparable with that obtained (68.8 U/ml) when cellobiose (20 g/l) was used as a sole carbon source. Considering the cost difference between xylose and cellobiose, a 16-fold cost reduction could be obtained for equivalent Dβ-gl yield. Fed-batch fermentations were carried out wherein peptone/xylose ratio of 1.33 was maintained and continuous Dβ-gl synthesis was observed.     

Regulation of vincamine biosynthesis and associated growth promoting effects through abiotic elicitation,cyclooxygenase inhibition,and precursor feeding of bioreactor grown Vinca minor hairy roots

Hydroxylase/acetyltransferase elicitors and cyclooxygenase inhibitor along with various precursors from primary shikimate and secoiridoid pools have been fortified to vincamine less hairy root clone of Vinca minor to determine the regulatory factors associated with vincamine biosynthesis. Growth kinetic studies revealed that acetyltransferase elicitor acetic anhydride and terpenoid precursor loganin significantly reduce the growth either supplemented alone or in combination (GI?=?140.6?±?18.5 to 246.7?±?24.3), while shikimate and tryptophan trigger biomass accumulation (GI?=?440.2?±?31.5 to 540.5?±?40.3). Loganin also downregulates total alkaloid biosynthesis. Maximum flux towards vincamine production (0.017?±?0.001 % dry wt.) was obtained when 20-day-old hairy roots were fortified with secologanin (10 mg/l) along with tryptophan (100 mg/l), naproxen (8.4 mg/l), hydrogen peroxide (20 μg/l), and acetic anhydride (32.4 mg/l). This was supported by RT PCR (qPCR) analysis where 2- and 3-fold increase in tryptophan decarboxylase (TDC; RQ?=?2.0?±?0.09) and strictosidine synthase (STR; RQ?=?3.3?±?0.36) activity, respectively, was recorded. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) for growth kinetics, total alkaloid content, and gene expression studies favored highly significant data (P?<?0.05–0.01). Above treated hairy roots were also up-scaled in a 5-l stirred-tank bioreactor where a 40-day cycle yielded 8-fold increase in fresh root mass.