Numerical Simulation of Phase Separation Kinetic of Polymer Solutions Using the Spectral Discrete Cosine Transform Method

A spectral discrete cosine transform (DCT) method was used to solve numerically the spatio-temporal nonlinear Cahn-Hilliard equation for a temperature-induced phase separation process of a polymer solution. The properties of a high molecular weight polystyrene solution were used in the model to reflect the behavior of a real world polymer system. Based on the value of the initial concentration, three different final morphologies of the phase separated system, granular, interconnected, and microcellular, were identified. It was shown that the initial concentration is the main factor to determine the high rate of the phase separation when the phase separation time is the primary desired parameter. The degree of phase separation, as a quantitative measure of the phase separation process, indicates the rate and amount of separated polymer material for practical applications. The model is capable of providing quantitative information of morphology evolution during phase separation processes for microstructure control purposes. The structure factor profile was extracted as a theoretical output that enables comparison with scattering experiments observations as the finger-print of phase separation morphological evolution. It is shown that the DCT method is a very suitable and feasible method for solution of the nonlinear partial differential equation of phase separation kinetics.     

SO3H-Functionalized Ionic Liquids: Green, Efficient and Reusable Catalysts for the Facile Dehydration of Aldoximes into Nitriles

Easily synthesized aldoximes have been converted to the corresponding nitriles under very mild conditions by a simple reaction using two halogen‐free SO₃H‐functionalized ionic liquids, 3‐methyl‐1‐(4‐sulfonic acid)butylimi‐ dazolium hydrogen sulfate [MIM(CH₂)₄SO₃H][HSO₄] and 1‐(4‐sulfonic acid)butylpyridinium hydrogen sulfate [PY(CH₂)₄SO₃H][HSO₄], as catalyst and reaction medium without any additional organic solvent. The method was equally effective for aromatic aldoximes bearing electron‐donating and electron‐withdrawing substituents. Taking into account environmental and economical consideration, the protocol presented here has the merits of environmentally friendly, simple operation, easy work‐up and very good yields. The catalysts could be recycled and reused for several times without noticeably decreasing in their catalytic activities.     

Characterization of peptide–protein interactions using photoaffinity labeling and LC/MS

The combination of photoaffinity labeling (PAL) with modern mass spectrometric techniques is a powerful approach for the characterization of peptide–protein interactions. Depending on the analytical strategy applied, a PAL experiment can provide different levels of information ranging from the identification of interaction partners to the structural characterization of ligand-binding sites. On the basis of LC/MS data generated in the framework of the identification of the binding site of the neuropeptide corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) on its binding protein (CRFBP), the key role of LC/MS in the characterization of photoadducts on different structural levels was demonstrated. Covalent photoadducts of rat CRFBP (rCRFBP) were obtained by PAL with different mono- and bifunctional benzophenone photoprobes designed on the basis of the sequence of the synthetic CRF fragment human/rat CRF^6–33 which binds to CRFBP with high affinity. In view of the stoichiometry, LC/MS analysis revealed that the photoadducts consisted of one molecule of photoprobe and one molecule of rCRFBP. For a further characterization of the photoadducts on the oligopeptide level, enzymatic digests of unlabeled rCRFBP and of the respective photoadduct were compared by peptide mapping monitored with LC/MS. Thereby, it was found that the photoprobe that contained the photophore at its N-terminus labeled the amino acid sequence rCRFBP(34–38), whereas the photoprobe that contained the photophore at its C-terminus labeled rCRFBP(12–26). On the basis of the characterization of the photoadduct formed by rCRFBP and the bifunctional photoprobe that contained photophores on both termini, semiquantitative comparison of different enzymatic digests was accomplished by application of the mass-selective multiple ion chromatogram strategy.     

Microwave-assisted aldol condensation of benzil with ketones

Under microwave irradiation,the corresponding hydroxycyciopentenones were prepared in high yields by the cross-aldol reactions of benzil with various ketones.When the reactions were performed in vailOUS solvents under classical heating for a long time,they produced the products in relatively low yields.     

Monte–Carlo Simulation of Ester Exchange Reactions in PET/PEN Blends

Monte–Carlo kinetic simulations are performed to study exchange reactions in PET/PEN blends. Chain distribution of the blend is simulated at various mixing conditions. The average length of PET and PEN repeating units decreases with increasing exchange reactions. Derivative of heat flow is modeled at T_g region during mixing. Two peaks are observed on the derivative of heat flow curve at the early stages of mixing, indicating formation of an immiscible blend. With increasing mixing time, miscibility between two phases increasea and the peaks converge toward each other and finally form a single peak. The Monte–Carlo simulation results are in fine agreement with experimental data obtained from different systems.

     

Therapeutic Effects of Gallic Acid in Regulating Senescence and Diabetes; an In Vitro Study

Gallic acid (GA), a plant-derived ubiquitous secondary polyphenol metabolite, can be a useful dietary supplement. This in vitro study’s primary purpose was to assess the anti-aging properties of GA using rat embryonic fibroblast (REF) cells, antidiabetic effects via pancreatic islet cells, and finally, elucidating the molecular mechanisms of this natural compound. REF and islet cells were isolated from fetuses and pancreas of rats, respectively. Then, several senescence-associated molecular and biochemical parameters, along with antidiabetic markers, were investigated. GA caused a significant decrease in the β-galactosidase activity and reduced inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress markers in REF cells. GA reduced the G0/G1 phase in senescent REF cells that led cells to G2/M. Besides, GA improved the function of the β cells. Flow cytometry and spectrophotometric analysis showed that it reduces apoptosis via inhibiting caspase-9 activity. Taken together, based on the present findings, this polyphenol metabolite at low doses regulates different pathways of senescence and diabetes through its antioxidative stress potential and modulation of mitochondrial complexes activities.     

Preparation of single-phase α-Fe(III) oxide nanoparticles by thermal decomposition. Influence of the precursor on properties

In this research, we present an experimental procedure to prepare single-phase α-Fe(III) oxide nanoparticles by thermal decomposition of five different precursors including: iron(III) citrate; Fe(C₆H₅O₇), iron(III) acetylacetonate; Fe(C₅H₇O₂)₃, and iron(III) oxalate; Fe(C₂O₄)₃, iron(III) acetate; Fe(C₂H₃O₂)₃, and the thermal curves obtained were analyzed. The influence of the thermal decomposition of precursors on the formation α-Fe₂O₃ was studied by differential thermal gravimetry and thermogravimetry. The synthesized powders were characterized by using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. High quality iron oxide nanoparticles with narrow size distribution and average particle size between ca. 2 and 30 nm have been obtained. It was found that the iron precursors affect the temperatures of the pure α-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticle formation with different diameters; iron(III) citrate (29 nm), iron(III) acetylacetonate (37 nm), and iron(III) oxalate (24 nm).     

KF/Al2O3‐Mediated N‐Alkylation of Amines and Nitrogen Heterocycles and S‐Alkylation of Thiols

KF/Al₂O₃ efficiently catalyzes N‐alkylation of heterocyclic, primary, and secondary amines and S‐alkylation of thiols with a variety of alkyl halides. The N‐alkylation and S‐alkylation adducts were produced in good to excellent yields and in short times.     

Protein separation and surfactant control of electroosmotic flow in poly(dimethylsiloxane)-coated capillaries and microchips

A thermally pyrolyzed poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) coating intended to prevent surface adsorption during capillary electrophoretic (CE) [Science 222 (1983) 266] separation of proteins, and to provide a substrate for surfactant adsorption for electroosmotic mobility control was prepared and evaluated. Coating fused-silica capillaries or glass microchip CE devices with a 1% solution of 100 cSt silicone oil in CH2Cl2, followed by forced N2 drying and thermal curing at 400 degrees C for 30 min produced a cross-linked PDMS layer. Addition of 0.01 to 0.02% Brij 35 to a 0.020 M phosphate buffer gave separations of lysozyme, cytochrome c, RNase, and fluorescein-labeled goat anti-human IgG Fab fragment. Respective plates/m typically obtained at 20 kV (740 V cm(-1)) were 2, 1.5, 1.25, and 9.4-10(5). In 50 mM ionic strength phosphate, 0.01% Brij 35 running buffer, the electroosmotic flow observed was about 25% of that in a bare capillary, and showed no pH dependence between pH 6.3-8.2. Addition of sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) or cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) to this running buffer allowed ready control of electroosmotic mobility, mu(eo). Concentrations of SDS between 0.005 to 0.1% resulted in mu(eo) ranging from 3 to 5 x 10(-4) cm2 V(-1) s(-1). Addition of 1 to 2.3 x 10(-4)% (2.7-6.3 microM) CTAB caused flow reversal. CTAB concentrations between 3.5 x 10(-4) and 0.05% (0.0014-1.37 mM) allowed control of mu(eo) between -1 x 10(-4) and -5.0 x 10(-4) cm2 V(-1) s(-1). For both surfactants the added presence of 0.01% Brij 35 provided slowly varying changes in mu(eo) with charged surfactant concentration.     

Phase synchronization and synchronization frequency of two-coupled van der Pol oscillators with delayed coupling

In this paper, phase synchronization and the frequency of two synchronized van der Pol oscillators with delay coupling are studied. The dynamics of such a system are obtained using the describing function method, and the necessary conditions for phase synchronization are also achieved. Finding the vicinity of the synchronization frequency is the major advantage of the describing function method over other traditional methods. The equations obtained based on this method justify the phenomenon of the synchronization of coupled oscillators on a frequency either higher, between, or lower than the highest, in between, or lowest natural frequency of the aggregate oscillators. Several numerical examples simulate the different cases versus the various synchronization frequency delays.