Chemical modification of colloidal masks for nanolithography

A method is presented to tune the holes in colloidal masks used for nanolithography. Using a simple wet-chemical method, a thin layer of silica is grown on masks of silica particles. The size of the holes is controlled by the amount of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) added. More accurate tuning of the hole size is possible in the presence of a calibrated seed dispersion of silica colloids. We demonstrate modified masks that were used to create arrays of metal nanoparticles with a size ranging from 400 nm, for unmodified masks, down to tens of nanometers. The method is easy-to-use, fast, and inexpensive.     

Quantification of key red blood cell folates from subjects with defined MTHFR 677C>T genotypes using stable isotope dilution liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry

Red blood cell (RBC) folate levels are established at the time of erythropoiesis and therefore provide a surrogate biomarker for the average folate status of an individual over the preceding four months. Folates are present as folylpolyglutamates, highly polar molecules that cannot be secreted from the RBCs, and must be converted into their monoglutamate forms prior to analysis. This was accomplished using an individual's plasma pteroylpolyglutamate hydrolase by lysing the RBCs in whole blood at pH 5 in the presence of ascorbic acid. Quantitative conversion of formylated tetrahydrofolate derivatives into the stable 5,10-methenyltetrahydrofolate (5,10-MTHF) form was conducted at pH 1.5 in the presence of [(13)C(5)]-5-formyltetrahydrofolate. The resulting [(13)C(5)]-5,10-MTHF was then used as an internal standard for the formylated forms of tetrahydrofolate that had been converted into 5,10-MTHF as well any 5,10-MTHF that had been present in the original sample. A stable isotope dilution liquid chromatography-multiple reaction monitoring/mass spectrometry method was validated and then used for the accurate and precise quantification of RBC folic acid, 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF), tetrahydrofolate (THF), and 5,10-MTHF. The method was sensitive and robust and was used to assess the relationship between different methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) 677C>T genotypes and RBC folate phenotypes. Four distinct RBC folate phenotypes could be identified. These were classified according to the relative amounts of individual RBC folates as type I (5-MTHF >95%; THF <5%; 5,10-MTHF <5%), type II (5-MTHF <95%; THF 5% to 20%; 5,10-MTHF <5%), type III (5-MTHF >55%; THF >20%; 5,10-MTHF >5%), and type IV (5-MTHF <55%; THF >20%; 5,10-MTHF >5%).     

Dual aperture control on pH- and anion-driven supramolecular nanoscopic hybrid gate-like ensembles

The development of gate-like systems able to perform certain programmed functions is an interesting way of taking chemistry to the frontiers of nanoscience. In relation to this field, we report a complete study of the behavior of a pH-driven and anion-controlled nano-supramolecular gate-like ensemble obtained by anchoring suitable polyamines on the pore outlets of mesoporous materials of the type MCM-41 (solid N3-S). The release of an entrapped dye (Ru(bipy)3(2+)) from the pore voids into the bulk solution allows us to study the gating effect. A pH-driven open/close mechanism was observed that arises from the hydrogen-bonding interaction between amines at neutral pH (open gate) and Coulombic repulsions at acidic pH between closely located polyammoniums at the pore openings (closed gate). Molecular dynamics simulations using force field methods have been carried out to explain the pH-driven open/close mechanism. For this purpose, a mesoporous silica structure was constructed, taking as base the (111) plane of the beta-crystoballite structure on which large hexagonal nanopores and anchored polyamines were included. From these calculations, it was observed how completely unprotonated amines display poor coverage of the pore (fully open gate), whereas completely protonated amines (simulating a pH 2 or lower) result in a clear reduction of the pore aperture, in agreement with the experimental results. In additional to the pH-driven protocol, opening/closing of the gate-like ensemble can also be modulated via an anion-controlled mechanism. This study was carried out by monitoring the dye released from the pore voids of the N3-S solid at a certain pH in the presence of a range of anions with different structural dimensions and charges, including chloride, sulfate, phosphate, and ATP (C(anion) = 1 x 10(-2) mol dm(-3)). The choice of a certain anionic guest results in a different gate-like ensemble behavior, ranging from basically no action (chloride) to complete (ATP) or partial pore blockage, depending on the pH (sulfate and phosphate). The remarkable anion-controllable response of the gate-like ensemble can be explained in terms of anion complex formation with the tethered polyamines. These experimental studies are also in agreement with computational simulations with fluoride, chloride, iodide, and dihydrogen phosphate anions. In the model, larger anions push the tethered polyamines toward the pore openings more efficiently, and therefore the pore aperture decreases. The studies also show that, for anions showing a strong tendency to form hydrogen-bonding networks (e.g., phosphate), complete pore blockage was observed at acidic pH. Finally, selectivity patterns have been discussed in terms of kinetic rates of the liberation of the Ru(bipy)3(2+) dye from the amine-functionalized dye-containing material N3-S.     

Luminescence of LnIII dithiocarbamate complexes (Ln = La, Pr, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy)

We have discovered room temperature photoluminescence in Sm3+ and Pr3+ dithiocarbamate complexes. Surprisingly, these complexes exhibit more intense emission than those of the Eu3+, Tb3+, and Dy3+ analogues. The electronic absorption, excitation, and emission spectra are reported for the complexes [Ln(S2CNR2)3L] and NH2Et2[Ln(S2CNEt2)4], where Ln = Sm, Pr; R = ethyl, ibutyl, benzyl; and L = 1,10-phenanthroline, 2,2'-bipyridine, and 5-chloro-1,10-phenanthroline. The lowest ligand-localized triplet energy level (T1) of the complexes are determined from the phosphorescence spectra of analogous La3+ and Gd3+ chelates. The luminescence decay curves were measured to determine the excited-state lifetimes for the Pr3+ and Sm3+ complexes. X-ray crystal structures of Sm(S2CNiBu2)3phen, Pr(S2CNEt2)3phen, and Pr(S2CNiBu2)3phen are also reported.     

Very strong hydrogen bonds in a bent chain structure of fluorohydrogenate anions in liquid Cs(FH)2.3F

The structure of liquid Cs(FH)(2.3)F was revealed using a combination of high-energy x-ray and neutron diffraction measurements. We found that the strongest intermolecular H-F hydrogen bonds at an average distance of 1.36 A are accompanied by the formation of a high degree of bending of the oligomer chain in the melt, with [angle]FHF=150 degrees . A reverse Monte Carlo simulation showed that the average number of atoms per chain is 4.4. A detailed chain analysis of the atomic configuration revealed that (FH)(2)F(-) oligomer chains are the major entities in the liquid, and asymmetrical FHF(-) are formed owing to the strong H-F hydrogen bonds. The results suggest that an average of one or two HF molecules bond to each of the 11 fluorine atoms surrounding a cesium ion.     

Electrochemical Capacitive K+ EMIS Chemical Sensor Based on the Dibromoaza[7]helicene as an Ionophore for Potassium Ions Detection

A K⁺‐sensitive capacitive electrolyte‐membrane‐insulator‐semiconductor (EMIS) based on a novel dibromoaza[7]helicene ionophore has been developed. An ion‐sensitive membrane based on polyvinylchloride (PVC) doped with the ionophore was deposited on the Si₃N₄/SiO₂/Si‐p/Cu‐Al transducer. The properties of the K⁺‐EMIS chemical sensor were investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). All the developed devices upon being tested have shown good sensitivity and linearity responses within the range 10^?6 M to 10^?1 M of potassium activity, with good selectivity over a wide variety of other cations (Na⁺, Li⁺, Cu²⁺, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺). To our knowledge, this is the first time that a capacitive field‐effect sensor has been fabricated using helicene as a carrier for K⁺‐detection, combined with the structure: Si₃N₄/SiO₂/Si‐p/Cu‐Al as a transducer.     

Cobalt(II)-(dpyo)-dicarboxylate networks: unique H-bonded assembly and rare bridging mode of dpyo in one of them [dpyo = 4,4'-dipyridyl N,N'-dioxide

Polymeric networks, {[Co(dpyo)(ox)]}(n) (1), {[Co(dpyo)(fum)(H(2)O)(2)]}(n) (1) and {[Co(dpyo)(tp)(H(2)O)(2)] x [Co(H(2)O)(6)] x (tp) x (H(2)O)}(n) (3) [ox = oxalate dianion, fum = fumarate dianion, tp = terephthalate dianion and dpyo = 4,4'-dipyridyl N,N'-dioxide] have been synthesized and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. The structural determination reveals 1 and 2 are covalent bonded 2D networks of 4,4 topology and of these, complex 2 undergoes a H-bonding scheme resulting in a 3D supramolecular architecture. Complex 3 is a 1D coordination polymer built up by almost collinear hexacoordinated Co(ii), doubly bridged by a tp carboxylate group and a dpyo oxygen, which in combination with lattice [Co(H(2)O)(6)](2+), tp and water molecules shows an unprecedented 3D supramolecular network through H-bonding. In the polymer the dpyo shows novel mu-4,4 bridging mode towards the cobalt ion. Low temperature magnetic interaction reveals antiferromagnetic coupling in all of the complexes.     

Cell cycle-dependent characterization of single MCF-7 breast cancer cells by 2-D CE

The composition of single MCF-7 breast cancer cells is characterized using 2-D CE. Individual MCF-7 cells were aspirated into a 30 mum inner diameter fused-silica capillary and lysed by contact with an SDS-containing buffer. Proteins and other primary amines were fluorescently labeled on-column using the fluorogenic dye 3-(2-furoyl)quinoline-2-carboxaldehyde. Labeled components were separated first according to molecular weight using capillary sieving electrophoresis (CSE) and then by MEKC. Analytes were detected in a sheath-flow cuvette using LIF. The expression profiles for MCF-7 cellular homogenate and a single MCF-7 cell are compared. As a proof-of-principle investigation, variation in expression was also compared within and between G1 and G2/M cell cycle phases for MCF-7 cells. Following their treatment with the viable nuclear stain Hoechst 33342, MCF-7 cells were sorted by flow cytometry on the basis of their ploidy. Sorted cells were then analyzed by 2-D CE. The degree of variability was >2.5 times larger between cells of different phases than between cells of the same phase. In typical 1 h 2-D CE separations using MCF-7 cells, over 100 components are resolved.     

Dipyridyl bridged coordination polymers of Cu(II): Synthesis,crystal structure and magnetic study

Two coordination polymers, [Cu(bpp)(H₂O)₂(ClO₄)₂]_n (1) and {[Cu(bpds)₂(ClO₄)₂] · 1.5(H₂O)}_n (2) [bpp, 1,3-bis(4-pyridyl)propane and bpds, 4,4′-bipyridyl disulfide] have been synthesized and characterized by X-ray single crystal diffraction study and magnetic measurement. Both the coordination polymers display 1D chains with perchlorate anions acting as pendant ligands. In 1 undulated polymers are built by Cu(H₂O)₂(ClO₄)₂ units connected by single bpp and in complex 2 Cu(ClO₄)₂ fragments are linked by pairs of bpds ligands to form a double-stranded chain. The crystal packing evidences polymers of 1 involved in weak H-bonding interactions leading to a 3D supramolecular network. Magnetic study reveals weak antiferromagnetic interactions in both complexes.     

Quadratic systems with a rational first integral of degree 2: A complete classification in the coefficient space $$\mathbb{R}^{12} $$

A quadratic polynomial differential system can be identified with a single point of through the coefficients. Using the algebraic invariant theory we classify all the quadratic polynomial differential systems of having a rational first integral of degree 2. We show that there are only 24 topologically different phase portraits in the Poincaré disc associated to this family of quadratic systems up to a reversal of the sense of their orbits, and we provide a unique representative of every class modulo an affine change of variables and a rescalling of the time variable. Moreover, each one of these 24 representatives is determined by a set of invariant conditions and each respective first integral is given in invariant form directly in The authors are partially supported by a MEC/FEDER grant MTM2005-06098-C02-01, and a CONACIT grant number 2005SGR-00550. Partially supported by CRDF-MRDA CERIM-1006-06