Nickel(II) macrocyclic complexes with long alkyl pendant chain: synthesis,x-ray structure,and anion exchange property in the solid state

A nickel(II) pentaaza macrocyclic complex containing a 1-hexadecyl pendant chain, [Ni(C(25)H(55)N(5))](ClO(4))(2).H(2)O (1), was synthesized by a one-pot metal-template condensation reaction. Crystal data for 1: triclinic, Ponemacr;, a = 8.333(4) A, b = 8.356(3) A, c = 28.374(9) A, alpha = 81.865(19) degrees, beta = 86.242(18) degrees, gamma = 63.871(17) degrees, Z = 2. Solid 1 forms hydrophobic layers that are constructed by the long alkyl chains of the macrocycles. Solid 1 exchanges ClO(4)(-) with NCS(-), PF(6)(-), C(2)O(4)(2-), NO(3)(-), and CF(3)SO(3)(-) that are dissolved in water. From the reaction of [Ni(C(25)H(55)N(5))Cl(2)] with Et(3)NH(TCNQ)(2) in EtOH/DMF/acetone solution, [Ni(C(25)H(55)N(5))(TCNQ)(2)](TCNQ).(CH(3)COCH(3)) (2) (TCNQ = 7,7,8,8-tetracyano-p-quinodimethane) was prepared. Crystal data for 2: triclinic, Ponemacr;, a = 8.459(0) A, b = 13.945 (1) A, c = 26.833(2) A, alpha = 88.744(2) degrees, beta = 84.536(2) degrees, gamma = 80.089(4) degrees, Z = 2. In 2, TCNQ anions coordinate nickel(II) at the axial sites, which form pi-stacked TCNQ(-) dimers to give rise to 1-D chains. The neutral TCNQ molecules are included between the dimerized TCNQ(-) species, which construct a pi-stacked group of six TCNQ units as blocked by the long alkyl chains. Compound 2 is an electric insulator. It shows a weak signal in the EPR spectrum. The magnetic susceptibility data of 2 measured at 5-300 K exhibit a simple paramagnetism at low temperatures (<100 K) but an increase in the magnetic moment at higher temperatures due to the contribution of a thermally accessible triplet state for the antiferromagnetically coupled [TCNQ](2)(2-).     

Synchronization of chaos in simultaneous time-frequency domain

Synchronization of chaos presents many challenges for controller design. The novel notion of exerting concurrent control in the joint time-frequency domain is applied to formulate a chaos synchronization scheme that requires no linearization or heuristic trial-and-errors for nonlinear controller design. The concept is conceived through recognizing the basic attributes inherent of all chaotic systems, including the simultaneous deterioration of dynamics in both the time and frequency domains when bifurcates, nonstationarity, and sensitivity to initial conditions. Having its philosophical bases established in simultaneous time-frequency control, on-line system identification, and adaptive control, the chaos synchronization scheme incorporates multiresolution analysis, adaptive filters, and filtered-x Least Mean Square algorithm as its physical features. Without A priori knowledge of the driven system parameters, synchronization is invariably achieved regardless of the initial and forcing conditions the response system is subjected to. In addition, driving and driven trajectories are seen robustly synchronized with negligible errors in spite of the infliction of high frequency noise.     

Analysis of therapeutic effectiveness attained through generation of three alpha particles in proton-boron fusion reaction based on Monte Carlo simulation code

This study analyzed the effectiveness attained through generation of three alpha particles in proton-boron fusion therapy (PBFT) based on a Monte Carlo simulation. PBFT is based on a fusion reaction between protons and boron. Three alpha particles are emitted from this reaction. The three alpha particles cause greater damage to tumor cells than the single alpha particle produced in the boron neutron capture reaction or conventional therapy. In addition, the intrinsic proton dose pattern follows Bragg-peak curve. We confirmed an energy deposition by the alpha particle and verified the therapeutic effect of the PBFT.     

Monodisperse micron-sized macroporous poly(styrene-co-divinylbenzene) particles by seeded polymerization

Macroporous poly(styrene-co-divinylbenzene) particles were produced in a micron-size range by two-stage swelling and continuous polymerization. The molecular weight of the polystyrene seed particles was controlled by incorporating a urethane acrylate. It was found that the porosity of the particles produced by the seeded polymerization was dependent on the molecular weight of the seed polymer. As the molecular weight of the polystyrene seed increased, the porous particles produced became macroporous. Interestingly, the high molecular weight of the polystyrene seed had a negligible influence on the change of porosity of the seeded polymerized particles. It is believed that the viscosity of the swollen droplet phase remained pretty high with the change in composition because the polystyrene seed copolymerized with urethane cacrylate had many side chains. Received: 16 December 1999 Accepted: 9 August 2000     

Robust and recoverable dual cross-linking networks in pressure-sensitive adhesives

Pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs) demand the ability to simultaneously improve toughness and adhesion. However, these requirements of PSAs have remained a great challenge because robust and recoverable characteristics are usually contradictory properties of PSAs. Dual cross-linking networks developed by incorporating dynamic noncovalent bonds into chemical cross-linking networks have the potential to mitigate these requirements in a wide variety of applications including adhesives, hydrogels, and elastomers. Herein, a facile approach to achieve dual cross-linking networks of acrylic PSAs with excellent mechanical properties and high-adhesive performance that integrate physically cross-linked networks into chemically cross-linked networks is proposed. Diurethane acrylic monomer-pentaerythritol ethoxylate (DAM-PEEL) groups were introduced into the acrylic PSA system through photopolymerization. The PSA/DAM-PEEL dual cross-linking networks led to the development of the chemically cross-linked networks for both PSA and DAM via covalent bonds and the physically cross-linked networks between the amide groups of DAM and the hydroxyl groups of PEEL via hydrogen bonds. Consequently, the PSA/DAM-PEEL dual cross-linking networks were able to simultaneously improve the modulus and stretchability. This design strategy for developing dual cross-linking networks of materials could offer potential applications for various adhesive-related applications.     

Complex projective towers and their cohomological rigidity up to dimension six

A complex projective tower, or simply a ?P-tower, is an iterated complex projective fibration starting from a point. In this paper we classify all six-dimensional ?P-towers up to diffeomorphism, and as a consequence we show that all such manifolds are cohomologically rigid, i.e., they are completely determined up to diffeomorphism by their cohomology rings.     

Graphene-induced apoptosis in lung epithelial cells through EGFR

Expanding interest in nanotechnology applied to electronic and biomedical fields has led to fast-growing development of various nanomaterials. Graphene is a single-atom thick, two-dimensional sheet of hexagonally arranged carbon atoms with unique physical and chemical properties. Recently, graphene has been used in many studies on electronics, photonics, composite materials, energy generation and storage, sensors, and biomedicine. However, the current health risk assessment for graphene has been relatively limited and inconclusive. This study evaluated the toxicity effects of graphene on the airway epithelial cell line BEAS-2B, which represents the first barrier of the human body to interact with airborne graphene particles. Our result showed that graphene can induce the cellular Ca²⁺ by phospholipase C (PLC) associated pathway by activating epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Subsequently, inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (IP₃) receptors activate the release of Ca²⁺ from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca²⁺ stores. Those Ca²⁺ signals further trigger the calcium-regulated apoptosis in the cell. Furthermore, the stimulation can cause EGFR upregulation, which have been demonstrated to associate with diseases such as lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and cardiovascular diseases. This study highlights the additional health risk considering that it can function as a contributing factor for other respiratory diseases.     

Thiolated dextran-coated gold nanorods for photothermal ablation of inflammatory macrophages

Thiolated dextran-coated gold nanorods (DEX-GNRs) were synthesized for targeted delivery to inflammatory macrophages and their photothermal ablation under near-infrared (NIR) light irradiation. Successful synthesis of DEX-GNRs was achieved using thiolated dextran, generated by applying mercaptopropionic acid to transform a hydroxyl group of dextran into a thiol group which has strong binding affinity with surfaces of GNRs. We confirmed both the existence of a thiol group in the functionalized dextran using Ellman's reagent in a thiol group assay and the characteristic band of DEX-GNRs using FT-IR spectrum. Furthermore, a cellular uptake study revealed that dextran showed a superior ability to bind the GNRs surface against macrophages compared to those of PEGylated GNRs with various molecular weights of polyethyleneglycol (PEG). Consequently, an in vitro photothermal irradiation experiment using NIR light indicated that DEX-GNRs exhibited a significant cell-killing efficacy, even with a lower concentration of Au and a low-power light source.     

Post‐Synthetic Reversible Incorporation of Organic Linkers into Porous Metal–Organic Frameworks through Single‐Crystal‐to‐Single‐Crystal Transformations and Modification of Gas‐Sorption Properties

The porous metal–organic framework (MOF) {[Zn₂(TCPBDA)(H₂O)₂]?30 DMF?6 H₂O}_n ( SNU‐30 ; DMF=N,N‐dimethylformamide) has been prepared by the solvothermal reaction of N,N,N′,N′‐tetrakis(4‐carboxyphenyl)biphenyl‐4,4′‐diamine (H₄TCPBDA) and Zn(NO₃)₂?6 H₂O in DMF/tBuOH. The post‐synthetic modification of SNU‐30 by the insertion of 3,6‐di(4‐pyridyl)‐1,2,4,5‐tetrazine (bpta) affords single‐crystalline {[Zn₂(TCPBDA)(bpta)]?23 DMF?4 H₂O}_n ( SNU‐31 SC ), in which channels are divided by the bpta linkers. Interestingly, unlike its pristine form, the bridging bpta ligand in the MOF is bent due to steric constraints. SNU‐31 can be also prepared through a one‐pot solvothermal synthesis from Zn^II, TCPBDA^4?, and bpta. The bpta linker can be liberated from this MOF by immersion in N,N‐diethylformamide (DEF) to afford the single‐crystalline SNU‐30 SC , which is structurally similar to SNU‐30 . This phenomenon of reversible insertion and removal of the bridging ligand while preserving the single crystallinity is unprecedented in MOFs. Desolvated solid SNU‐30′ adsorbs N₂, O₂, H₂, CO₂, and CH₄ gases, whereas desolvated SNU‐31′ exhibits selective adsorption of CO₂ over N₂, O₂, H₂, and CH₄, thus demonstrating that the gas adsorption properties of MOF can be modified by post‐synthetic insertion/removal of a bridging ligand.