Polymer Brushes Showing Non‐Fouling in Blood Plasma Challenge the Currently Accepted Design of Protein Resistant Surfaces

Ultra‐low‐fouling poly[N‐(2‐hydroxypropyl) methacrylamide] (poly(HPMA)) brushes have been synthesized for the first time. Similar to the so far only ultra‐low‐fouling surface, poly(carboxybetaine acrylamide), the level of blood plasma fouling was below the detection limit of surface plasmon resonance (SPR, 0.03 ng · cm⁻²) despite being a hydrogen bond donor and displaying a moderate wettability, thus challenging the currently accepted views for the design of antifouling properties. The antifouling properties were preserved even after two years of storage. To demonstrate the potential of poly(HPMA) brushes for the preparation of bioactive ultra‐low fouling surfaces a label‐free SPR immunosensor for detection of G Streptococcus was prepared.

     

Effects of methyl substituent on the charge-transfer complexations of dicarbazolylalkanes with p-chloranil, tetracyanoethylene and tetracyanoquinodimethane

Series of 1,n-dicarbazolylalkanes and 1,n-di(3-methylcarbazolyl)alkanes (where n=1-5) were synthesized and the molar extinction coefficients, equilibrium constants, enthalpies, and entropies of their charge-transfer (CT) complexes with the π-acceptors p-chloranil, tetracyanoethylene, and tetracyanoquinodimethane were investigated. 1,n-Di(3-methylcarbazolyl)alkanes formed CT complexes with higher equilibrium constants, more negative enthalpies and entropies than 1,n-dicarbazolylalkanes. Vibrational spectra of CT complexes of one of the donor molecules (1,4-dicarbazolylbutane) with all three acceptors were compared.     

Studies on the electronic absorption spectra of some monoazo derivatives

The electronic absorption spectra of a series of azo dye compounds containing -Cl, -SO3H and -OH groups were recorded in twenty one solvents with different polarities. The solvents were selected to cover a wide range of parameters (refractive index, dielectric constant and hydrogen bonding ability). Solvent-induced effect on the maximum absorption band frequencies of azo dye compounds are described in terms of solute-solvent interactions. Multiple linear regression equation for νmax was performed using polarizability-polarity parameters and Kamlet-Taft solvatochromic parameters. The results help to assign the solvent-solute interactions and the solvatochromic potential of the investigated compounds. It is concluded that the electronic of the substituent and hydrogen bonding acceptor ability of the solvents are the major factors to the interaction in solutions.     

Adsorption of benzoic acid onto high specific area activated carbon cloth

The adsorption of benzoic acid from aqueous solution onto high area carbon cloth at different pH values has been studied. Over a period of 125 min the adsorption process was found to follow a first-order kinetics and the rate constants were determined for the adsorption of benzoic acid at pH 2.0, 3.7, 5.3, 9.1, and 11.0. The extents of adsorption and the percentage coverage of carbon cloth surfaces were calculated at 125 min of adsorption. Adsorption isotherms at pH values of 2.0, 3.7, and 11.0 were derived at 25 degrees C. Isotherm data were treated according to Langmuir and Freundlich equations and the parameters of these equations were evaluated by regression analysis. The fit of experimental isotherm data to both equations was good. It was found that both the adsorption rate and the extent of adsorption at 125 min were the highest at pH 3.7 and decreased at higher or lower pH values. The types of interactions governing in the adsorption processes are discussed considering the surface charge and the dissociation of benzoic acid at different pH values.     

Adsorption of Cu(II), Zn(II), Ni(II), Pb(II), and Cd(II) from aqueous solution on Amberlite IR-120 synthetic resin

The adsorption of copper(II), zinc(II), nickel(II), lead(II), and cadmium(II) on Amberlite IR-120 synthetic sulfonated resin has been studied at different pH and temperatures by batch process. The effects of parameters such as amount of resin, resin contact time, pH, and temperature on the ion exchange separation have been investigated. For the determination of the adsorption behavior of the resin, the adsorption isotherms of metal ions have also been studied. The concentrations of metal ions have been measured by batch techniques and with AAS analysis. Adsorption analysis results obtained at various concentrations showed that the adsorption pattern on the resin followed Freundlich isotherms. Here we report the method that is applied for the sorption/separation of some toxic metals from their solutions.     

Rapamycin-cyclodextrin complexation: improved solubility and dissolution rate

The objective of this study was to improve poor aqueous solubility and dissolution properties of anticancer drug rapamycin through formation of inclusion complexes with natural and modified cyclodextrins. Of the cyclodextrins tested, ??-cyclodextrin and hydroxypropyl-??-cyclodextrin did not complex with rapamycin. However, complexes of rapamycin with ??-cyclodextrin, methyl-??-cyclodextrin and hydroxypropyl-??-cyclodextrin were prepared and characterized by techniques such as Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, phase solubility analysis and in vitro dissolution studies. According to the characterization data for the complexes, rapamycin water solubility was highly enhanced by all three ??-cyclodextrins with methyl-??-cyclodextrin complex resulting in particularly higher solubility enhancement. FTIR spectra and DSC thermograms supported the formation of inclusion complexes. The complexes showed highly improved dissolution rate in water. Complexation with cyclodextrin derivatives such as methyl-??-cyclodextrin and hydroxypropyl-??-cyclodextrin can provide promising alternatives for the formulation of rapamycin.     

Extractive-spectrophotometric determination of amine-type stimulants and antidepressants with anionic indicator dyes

Amphetamines having a stimulant effect on the central nervous system, certain antidepressants, and slimming agents containing sibutramine bear the cationic amine constituents that can form colored ion-association complexes with anionic basic dyes (i.e. bromocresol purple (BCP), methyl orange (MeO), and eriochrome black-T (EBT)), and be extracted into organic solvents for spectrophotometric determination. The limit of detection (LOD, mg/L) of the tested amines varied within the following intervals: MDMA: 0.09–0.33; MDA: 0.14–1.43; fluoxetine: 0.09–0.24; sibutramine: 0.07–0.28, depending on the dye. The proposed rapid and cost-effective extractive-photometric method for MDMA, fluoxetine, and sibutramine was statistically validated against HPLC using ecstasy, prozac, and lida pharmaceutical tablets.     

Optimal Policies for Multi-server Non-preemptive Priority Queues

We consider a multi-server non-preemptive queue with high and low priority customers, and a decision maker who decides when waiting customers may enter service. The goal is to minimize the mean waiting time for high-priority customers while keeping the queue stable. We use a linear programming approach to find and evaluate the performance of an asymptotically optimal policy in the setting of exponential service and inter-arrival times.