Simple and effective 3D recognition of domoic acid using a molecularly imprinted polymer

We have developed a simple and effective molecular imprinting technique to target compounds with flexible structure. Domoic acid (DA), an amnesic shellfish poison, was used as the target compound while many acidic compounds (mono-, di-, and tricarboxylic acids) were used as template molecules for molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs). Evaluation of selective recognition abilities using liquid chromatography revealed that the highest selective recognition ability for DA was found when pentane-1,3,5-tricarboxylic acid (1,3,5-PeTA) was used as the template. Computer modeling studies of the DA structure suggested that the observed selective recognition depended on the structural changes in DA at the recognition site of the MIPs as well as spatial distance between the COOH groups in DA and 1,3,5-PeTA. Using the 1,3,5-PeTA-MIP, we could easily purify DA from blue mussel extracts by solid-phase extraction.     

Modeling of Dark Solitons for Nonlinear Longitudinal Wave Equation in a Magneto-Electro-Elastic Circular Rod

In this paper, sub equation and expansion methods are proposed to construct exact solutions of a nonlinear longitudinal wave equation (LWE) in a magneto-electro-elastic circular rod. The proposed methods have been used to construct hyperbolic, rational, dark soliton and trigonometric solutions of the LWE in the magneto-electro-elastic circular rod. Arbitrary values are given to the parameters in the solutions obtained. 3D, 2D and contour graphs are presented with the help of a computer package program. Solutions attained by symbolic calculations revealed that these methods are effective, reliable and simple mathematical tool for finding solutions of nonlinear evolution equations arising in physics and nonlinear dynamics.     

Synthesis,crystal structure,thermal decomposition,and XPS studies of homo and heterotrinuclear Cu(II)–Cu(II)–Cu(II) and Cu(II)–Ni(II)–Cu(II) complexes obtained from salpn type ligands

In this study, a mononuclear CuL complex was prepared by the use of bis-N,N′-(salicylidene)-1, 3-propanediamine (LH₂) and Cu²⁺ ion. NiCl₂ and NiBr₂ salt were treated with this complex in dioxanewater medium and two new complexes [(CuL)₂NiCl₂(H₂O)₂] and [(CuL)₂NiBr₂(H₂O)₂)] with Cu(II)–Ni(II)–Cu(II) nucleus structure were obtained. In addition to this bis-N,N′-(2-hydroxybenzyl)-1,3-diaminopropane (L^HH₂) was prepared by the reduction of LH₂ with NaBH₄ in MeOH medium. The treatment of this reduced complex with Cu²⁺ ion resulted a complex [(CuL^H)₂CuCl₂] with a structure of Cu(II)–Cu(II)–Cu(II). The complexes prepared were characterized by the use of elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric and X-ray diffraction methods. The crystal structures of [(CuL)₂NiBr₂(H₂O)₂] (СIF file CCDC 1448402) and [(CuL^H)₂CuCl₂] (СIF file CCDC 1448401) complexes were elucidated. It was found that halogen ions are coordinated to terminal Cu²⁺ ions which are in a distorted square pyramid coordination sphere. It was determined that the central Cu(II), which joins terminal square pyramidal Cu(II), was coordinated only by the phenolic oxygens of the ligand while the central Ni(II) was coordinated by two phenolic oxygens of the organic ligand and two water molecules. These complexes were investigated by XPS and it was found that the terminal and central Cu²⁺ ions were different in Cu(II)–Cu(II)–Cu(II) complex. Also, the thermal degradation of the CuLH complex unit was observed to exothermic in contrast to the expectations.

     

Absolute negative resistance induced by directional electron-electron scattering in a two-dimensional electron gas

A three-terminal device formed by two electrostatic barriers crossing an asymmetrically patterned two-dimensional electron gas displays an unusual potential depression at the middle contact, yielding absolute negative resistance. The device displays momentum and current transfer ratios that far exceed unity. The observed reversal of the current or potential in the middle terminal can be interpreted as the analog of Bernoulli's effect in a Fermi liquid. The results are explained by directional scattering of electrons in two dimensions.     

Bournonite PbCuSbS3: Stereochemically Active Lone‐Pair Electrons that Induce Low Thermal Conductivity

An understanding of the structural features and bonding of a particular material, and the properties these features impart on its physical characteristics, is essential in the search for new systems that are of technological interest. For several relevant applications, the design or discovery of low thermal conductivity materials is of great importance. We report on the synthesis, crystal structure, thermal conductivity, and electronic‐structure calculations of one such material, PbCuSbS₃. Our analysis is presented in terms of a comparative study with Sb₂S₃, from which PbCuSbS₃ can be derived through cation substitution. The measured low thermal conductivity of PbCuSbS₃ is explained by the distortive environment of the Pb and Sb atoms from the stereochemically active lone‐pair s² electrons and their pronounced repulsive interaction. Our investigation suggests a general approach for the design of materials for phase‐change‐memory, thermal‐barrier, thermal‐rectification and thermoelectric applications, as well as other functions for which low thermal conductivity is purposefully sought.     

A new method for fast chitin extraction from shells of crab,crayfish and shrimp

A new method for quick chitin isolation from the shells of crab, crayfish and shrimp is described. The main difference between the new method and the conventional method is two sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) treatments for 10 min each before the processes of demineralisation and deproteinisation. After the NaClO treatment, only 15 min is adequate for the demineralisation and 20 min for the deproteinisation processes. Newly extracted chitin from crab, crayfish and shrimp shells and commercial chitin were characterised using FT-IR, TGA, X-ray diffractometry and elemental analysis. From the results, it was observed that the chitins isolated with the new method and the commercial chitin had almost the same physicochemical properties. The advantage of the new method compared to traditional methods is the relatively rapid chitin extraction. When compared to the traditional chitin extraction method, the proposed method appears to be promising regarding its time and energy saving nature.     

Highly Selective and Stable Florescent Sensor for Cd(II) Based on Poly(azomethine-urethane)

In this study a kind of poly(azomethine-urethane); (E)-4-((2 hydroxyphenylimino) methyl)-2-methoxyphenyl 6-acetamidohexylcarbamate (HDI-co-3-DHB-2-AP) was prepared as in the literature and employed as a new fluorescent probe for detection of Cd(II) concentration. The photoluminescence (PL) measurements were carried out in the presence of several kinds of heavy metals. HDI-co-3-DHB-2-AP gave a linearly and highly stable response against Cd(II) as decreasing a new emission peak at 562 nm. Possible interferences of other ions were found too low. Detection limit of the sensor was found as 8.86?×?10^?4?mol?L^?1. Resultantly, HDI-co-3- DHB-2-AP could be effectively used as an optical Cd(II) sensor.     

Emulsion Copolymerization of Vegetable Oil Macromonomers Possessing both Acrylic and Allylic Functionalities

Summary: A soybean oil-based vegetable oil macromonomer (VOMM) was incorporated as a comonomer into an all-acrylic copolymer via semi-continuous emulsion polymerization. Structurally, VOMMs are comprised of long hydrocarbon fatty acid moieties with allylic double bonds which enable auto-oxidative crosslinking at ambient temperature. VOMMs facilitate low temperature film formation and the fatty acid chains tethered to the polymer backbone auto-oxidize upon film formation to yield crosslinked films. Latexes with varying VOMM levels were synthesized to elucidate the effect of VOMMs on the pre-cure and post-cure glass transition temperature (T_g) and minimum film formation temperature (MFT). Thermoplastic control latexes (without VOMM) were also synthesized via copolymerization of butyl acrylate and methyl methacrylate. This paper details the characterization performed to validate and quantify the VOMM allylic unsaturation retention before, during, and after polymerization, and to quantify and confirm the increase in T_g resulting from auto-oxidative crosslinking via solid state ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry.     

The effects of a new selection operator on the performance of a genetic algorithm

In this study, the new back controlled (BCSO) selection operator for genetic algorithm (GA) is presented. In the first stage, six existing operators and the BCSO were applied to the traveling salesman and space truss benchmark problems. An analysis of the results of the benchmark problems was made for each of the seven selection operators. In the second stage, the BCSO, the Roulette Wheel, dominant selection the hybrid II and operators were used to determine the fittest beam section has been used. In this stage, the cost of beam for a 18.3 m span developed by Mid-Atlantic States Pre-stressed Concrete Committee for Economic Fabrication and using a genetic algorithm the cost of a beam using BCSO were compared. It was determined that the beam produced using the proposed BCSO selection operator would be lower than those obtained with the existing selection operators. Also the determined beam cost is compares favourably with the average cost of a beam sold by the precast industry in the USA.     

A comparative study of 9,9-bis(4-aminophenyl)fluorene polymers prepared by catalytic and non-catalytic oxidative polymerisation methods

9,9-Bis(4-aminophenyl)fluorene (APF) polymers were synthesized by two different pathways. The different synthetic routes gave polymers with different structures. FT-IR and NMR studies revealed that the catalytic oxidative polymerisation of APF in acetonitrile produced P2, whereas oxidative polymerisation of APF in aqueous alkaline media gave P3. The effects of these different techniques on spectral, thermal, optical, electrical, electrochemical, and morphological properties of resulting polymers were investigated.