Aligned MoOx/MoS2 Core–Shell Nanotubular Structures with a High Density of Reactive Sites Based on Self‐Ordered Anodic Molybdenum Oxide Nanotubes

The present work demonstrates the self‐organized formation of anodic molybdenum oxide nanotube arrays. The amorphous tubes can be crystallized to MoO₂ or MoO₃ and be converted fully or partially into molybdenum sulfide. Vertically aligned MoO_x/MoS₂ nanotubes can be formed when, under optimized conditions, defined MoS₂ sheets form in a layer by layer arrangement that provide a high density of reactive stacking misalignments (defects). These core–shell nanotube arrays consist of a conductive suboxide core and a functional high defect density MoS₂ coating. Such structures are highly promising for applications in electrocatalysis (hydrogen evolution) or ion insertion devices.     

Counterparty Credit Exposures for Interest Rate Derivatives using the Stochastic Grid Bundling Method

The regulatory credit value adjustment (CVA) for an outstanding over-the-counter (OTC) derivative portfolio is computed based on the portfolio exposure over its lifetime. Usually, the future portfolio exposure is approximated using the Monte Carlo simulation, as the portfolio value can be driven by several market risk-factors. For derivatives, such as Bermudan swaptions, that do not have an analytical approximation for their Mark-to-Market (MtM) value, the standard market practice is to use the regression functions from the least squares Monte Carlo method to approximate their MtM along simulated scenarios. However, such approximations have significant bias and noise, resulting in inaccurate CVA charge. In this paper, we extend the Stochastic Grid Bundling Method (SGBM) for the one-factor Gaussian short rate model, to efficiently and accurately compute Expected Exposure, Potential Future exposure and CVA for Bermudan swaptions. A novel contribution of the paper is that it demonstrates how different measures, for instance spot and terminal measure, can simultaneously be employed in the SGBM framework, to significantly reduce the variance and bias of the solution.     

Ionization potentials of fluoroindoles and the origin of nonexponential tryptophan fluorescence decay in proteins

This work reports an explanation for the unusual monoexponential fluorescence decay of 5-fluorotryptophan (5FTrp) in single-Trp mutant proteins [Broos, J.; Maddalena, F.; Hesp, B. H. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2004, 126, 22-23] and substantially clarifies the origin of the ubiquitous nonexponential fluorescence decay of tryptophan in proteins. Our results strongly suggest that the extent of nonexponential fluorescence decay is governed primarily by the efficiency of electron transfer (ET) quenching by a nearby amide group in the peptide bond. Fluoro substitution increases the ionization potential (IP) of indole, thereby suppressing the ET rate, leading to a longer average lifetime and therefore a more homogeneous decay. We report experimental IPs for a number of substituted indoles including 5-fluoroindole, 5-fluoro-3-methylindole, and 6-fluoroindole, along with accurate ab initio calculations of the IPs for these and 20 related molecules. The results predict the IP of 5-fluorotryptophan to be 0.19 eV higher than that of tryptophan. 5-Fluoro substitution does not measurably alter the excitation-induced change in permanent dipole moment nor does it change the fluorescent state from 1La to 1Lb. In combination with electronic structure information this argues that the increased IP and the decreased excitation energy of the 1La state, together 0.3 eV, are solely responsible for the strong reduction of electron transfer quenching. 6-Fluoro substitution is predicted to increase the IP by a mere 0.09 eV. In agreement with our conclusions, the fluorescence decay curves of 6-fluorotryptophan-containing proteins are well fit using only two decay times compared to three required for Trp.     

Integrated Process for Ethanol,Biogas, and Edible Filamentous Fungi-Based Animal Feed Production from Dilute Phosphoric Acid-Pretreated Wheat Straw

Integration of wheat straw for a biorefinery-based energy generation process by producing ethanol and biogas together with the production of high-protein fungal biomass (suitable for feed application) was the main focus of the present study. An edible ascomycete fungal strain Neurospora intermedia was used for the ethanol fermentation and subsequent biomass production from dilute phosphoric acid (0.7 to 1.2% w/v) pretreated wheat straw. At optimum pretreatment conditions, an ethanol yield of 84 to 90% of the theoretical maximum, based on glucan content of substrate straw, was observed from fungal fermentation post the enzymatic hydrolysis process. The biogas production from the pretreated straw slurry showed an improved methane yield potential up to 162% increase, as compared to that of the untreated straw. Additional biogas production, using the syrup, a waste stream obtained post the ethanol fermentation, resulted in a combined total energy output of 15.8 MJ/kg wheat straw. Moreover, using thin stillage (a waste stream from the first-generation wheat-based ethanol process) as a co-substrate to the biogas process resulted in an additional increase by about 14 to 27% in the total energy output as compared to using only wheat straw-based substrates.

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Oxidative transformation of the natural lignan hydroxymatairesinol with 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone

The oxidative transformation of the two isomers of the natural lignan hydroxymatairesinol from Norway Spruce (Picea abies) by 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (DDQ), has been studied. Significant differences in the outcome of the reactions were observed when the pure isomers of hydroxymatairesinol were reacted with DDQ under the same conditions. The different stereoelectronic effects in the two isomers as well as their conformational structures seem to determine the site of reaction, which results in different reaction products. Several products were identified by GC-MS and NMR spectroscopy. Oxomatairesinol was obtained in a yield of 25%.     

UV-Cured Antibacterial Hydrogels Based on PEG and Monodisperse Heterofunctional Bis-MPA Dendrimers

Bacterial infections are one of the major threats to human health due to the raising crisis of antibiotic resistance. Herein, second generation antibacterial heterofunctional dendrimers based on 2,2-bis(methylol)propionic acid were synthesized. The dendrimers possessed six alkenes and 12 ammonium end-groups per molecule and were used to fabricate antibacterial hydrogels together with dithiol-functional polyethylene glycol (mol wt of 2, 6 and 10 kDa) as crosslinkers via thiol-ene chemistry. The network formation can be completed within 10 s upon UV-irradiation as determined by the stabilization of the storage modulus in a rheometer. The hydrogels swelled in aqueous media and could be functionalized with the N-hydroxysuccinimide ester of the dye disperse red 13, which allowed for visually studying the degradation of the hydrogels through the hydrolysis of the ester bonds of the dendritic component. The maximum swelling ratio of the gels was recorded within 4–8 h and the swelling ratios increased with higher molecular weight of the polyethylene glycol crosslinker. The gel formed with 10 kDa polyethylene glycol crosslinker showed the highest swelling ratio of 40 and good mechanical properties, with a storage modulus of 8 kPa. In addition, the hydrogels exhibited good biocompatibility towards both human fibroblasts and mouse monocytes, while showing strong antibacterial activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.     

Characterisation of RPLC columns packed with porous sub-2 microm particles

Eight commercially available sub-2 microm octadecyl silane columns (C18 columns) have been characterised by the Tanaka protocol. The columns can be grouped into two groups that display large differences in selectivity and peak shape due to differences in hydrophobicity, degree of surface coverage and silanol activity. Measurements of particle size distributions were made using automated microscopy and electrical sensing zone measurements. Only a weak correlation could be found between efficiency and particle size. Large differences in column backpressure were observed. These differences are not related to particle size distribution. A more likely explanation is differences in packing density. In order to take full advantage of 100-150 mm columns packed with sub-2 microm particles, it is often necessary to employ not only an elevated pressure but also an elevated temperature. A comparison between columns packed with sub-2, 3 and 5 microm versions of the same packing indicates potential method transferability problems for several of the columns due to selectivity differences. Currently, the best alternative for fast high-resolution LC is the use of sub-2 microm particles in combination with elevated pressure and temperature. However, as shown in this study additional efforts are needed to improve transferability as well as column performance.     

Production and decay of polarized hyperon-antihyperon pairs

Polarized hyperon-antihyperon pairs shed light on various unresolved puzzles in contemporary physics: How the strong interaction confines quarks into hadrons, how accurately the Standard Model describes microcosmos and even why our universe consists of so much more matter than antimatter. Thanks to their weak, parity violating decays, hyperons reveal their spin properties. This can be exploited e.g. the decomposition of the electromagnetic structure of hyperons, precision tests of flavour symmetry and searches for CP violation. At the BESIII experiment at BEPC-II, Beijing, China, hyperon-antihyperon pairs can be produced in abundance. Recently collected large data samples have triggered the development of new methods that provide unprecedented precision and a plethora of new results have emerged. When applied at future high-intensity facilities like PANDA and STCF, precision physics will be taken to a new level which can contribute to the solution to the aforementioned puzzles.