Stochastic Motion by Mean Curvature

We prove the existence of a continuously time‐varying subset K(t) of R ⁿ such that its boundary ∂K(t), which is a hypersurface, has normal velocity formally equal to the (weighted) mean curvature plus a random driving force. This is the first result in such generality combining curvature motion and stochastic perturbations. Our result holds for any C ² convex surface energy. The K(t) can have topological changes. The randomness is introduced by means of stochastic flows of diffeomorphisms generated by Brownian vector fields which are white in time but smooth in space. We work in the context of geometric measure theory, using sets of finite perimeter to represent K(t). The evolution is obtained as a limit of a time‐stepping scheme. Variational minimizations are employed to approximate the curvature motion. Stochastic calculus is used to prove global energy estimates, which in turn give a tightness statement of the approximating evolutions. (Accepted December 22, 1997)     

Enantioselective capillary electrophoresis for the assessment of CYP3A4-mediated ketamine demethylation and inhibition in vitro

Enantioselective CE with sulfated cyclodextrins as chiral selectors was used to determine the CYP3A4-catalyzed N-demethylation kinetics of ketamine to norketamine and its inhibition in the presence of ketoconazole in vitro. Ketamine, a chiral phencyclidine derivative, was incubated with recombinant human CYP3A4 from a baculovirus expression system as racemic mixture and as single enantiomer. Alkaline liquid/liquid extracts of the samples were analyzed with a pH 2.5 buffer comprising 50 mM Tris and phosphoric acid together with either multiple isomer sulfated β-cyclodextrin (10 mg/mL) or highly sulfated γ-cyclodextrin (2%, w/v). Data obtained in the absence of ketoconazole revealed that the N-demethylation occurred stereoselectively with Michaelis-Menten (incubation of racemic ketamine) and Hill (separate incubation of single enantiomers) kinetics. Data generated in the presence of ketoconazole as the inhibitor could best be fitted to a one-site competitive model and inhibition constants were calculated using the equation of Cheng and Prusoff. No stereoselective difference was observed, but inhibition constants for the incubation of racemic ketamine were found to be larger compared with those obtained with the incubation of single ketamine enantiomers.     

Massively parallel concentration device for multiplexed immunoassays

A massively parallel nanofluidic concentration device array for multiplexed and high-throughput biomolecule detection is demonstrated. By optimizing the microchannel/nanojunction design and channel conductivity, an array of up to 128 nanofluidic concentration devices were fabricated. Operation of the entire array requires only one inlet and one outlet reservoir, with the application of a single operational voltage bias across them. Concentration efficiencies of the devices were found to be uniform within the array, within 5% error. Alternatively, concentration speed in each channel can be individually tuned by controlling the length of the inlet microchannel and thus controlling the flow rate based on change of the tangential electric field. This allows immuno-binding reactions at different concentration ranges to be performed in parallel. Using multiplexed, successive-concentration enhanced detection in the device, we have shown that the dynamic range and reliability of the immunoassay can be significantly increased.     

Insights into the stereospecificity of ketoreduction in a modular polyketide synthase

Ketoreductase enzymes are responsible for the generation of hydroxyl stereocentres during the biosynthesis of complex polyketide natural products. Previous studies of isolated polyketide ketoreductases have shown that the stereospecificity of ketoreduction can be switched by mutagenesis of selected active site amino acids. We show here that in the context of the intact polyketide synthase multienzyme the same changes do not alter the stereochemical outcome in the same way. These findings point towards additional factors that govern ketoreductase stereospecificity on intact multienzymes in vivo.     

On the roles of solid-bound ligand scavengers in the removal of palladium residues and in the distinction between homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis

We have studied the roles and behavior of typical resin- and silica-bound thiol scavengers in the removal of palladium (Pd) residues and in the determination of the true catalytic species in the Heck coupling of bromobenzene and styrene. The results of Pd scavenging and catalyst poisoning by elemental analysis (EA) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) indicate that silica-bound thiols have an advantage over resin-bound thiols in residual Pd removal from a Heck reaction solution and that all of these scavengers poison effectively the catalytic species but hardly scavenge Pd clusters, even as small as 1 nm from solution presumably because of the steric barrier. Because of a smaller proportion of soluble Pd clusters, using a molecular Pd precatalyst results in a much higher Pd scavenging efficiency than using a supported Pd particle precatalyst. With the aid of catalyst poisoning by the scavengers, filtration testing and TEM studies further illustrate that Pd clusters are inactive for the Heck reaction over Pd(0)/SiO(2), with molecular Pd(0) being solely active. Studies through EA and thermogravimetric analysis suggest that the bound thiols are leached from the scavengers to a different extent at reaction temperatures of 90-135 °C, probably owing to base-catalyzed decomposition or based-promoted dissociation of functional groups from the surfaces, leading to interaction between leached thiols and a solid Pd precatalyst. Meanwhile, the effect of solid-bound thiol binding to soluble Pd on the efficiency of Pd scavenging and the impact of a scavenger on the Pd leaching from supported Pd particles are discussed.     

Isoreticular expansion of metal-organic frameworks with triangular and square building units and the lowest calculated density for porous crystals

The concept and occurrence of isoreticular (same topology) series of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) is reviewed. We describe the preparation, characterization, and crystal structures of three new MOFs that are isoreticular expansions of known materials with the tbo (Cu(3)(4,4',4'-(benzene-1,3,5-triyl-tris(benzene-4,1-diyl))tribenzoate)(2), MOF-399) and pto topologies (Cu(3)(4,4',4'-(benzene-1,3,5-triyl-tribenzoate)(2), MOF-143; Cu(3)(4,4',4'-(triazine-2,4,6-triyl-tris(benzene-4,1-diyl))tribenzoate)(2), MOF-388). One of these materials (MOF-399) has a unit cell volume 17 times larger than that of the first reported material isoreticular to it, and has the highest porosity (94%) and lowest density (0.126 g cm(-3)) of any MOFs reported to date.     

Graft copolymer directed synthesis of micron-thick organized mesoporous TiO2 films for solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells

Micron thick, well-organized mesoporous TiO(2) films with high porosity and good connectivity were synthesized by templating an amphiphilic graft copolymer for solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells.     

Spectroelectrochemistry of cytochrome c and azurin immobilized in nanoporous antimony-doped tin oxide

Stable immobilization of two redox proteins, cytochrome c and azurin, in a thin film of highly mesoporous antimony-doped tin oxide is demonstrated via UV-vis spectroscopic and electrochemical investigation.     

Effect of organic vapors and potential-dependent Raman scattering of 2,6-dimethylphenylisocyanide on platinum nanoaggregates

The surface-enhanced Raman scattering characteristics of 2,6-dimethylphenylisocyanide (2,6-DMPI) on Pt nanoaggregates, in ambient and electrochemical environments and in the presence of organic vapors, were examined and compared with those on Au nanoaggregates. Due to the exclusive adsorption via the isocyanide group, the NC stretching band was very susceptible to the measurement conditions although the ring associated bands showed negligible peak shifts. In ambient conditions, the peak shift of the NC stretching vibration on Pt (29 cm(-1)) was one half of that on Au (61 cm(-1)), suggesting that the electron donation capability of the isocyanide group to Au was greater than that to Pt. In the electrochemical environment, the NC stretching peak varied linearly with slopes of ～42 and ～36 cm(-1) V(-1) on Pt and Au, respectively. On the other hand, the NC stretching bands of 2,6-DMPI on Pt red-shifted by as much as 15 and 41 cm(-1), in the presence of acetone and ammonia, respectively, corresponding to the lowering of the surface potential of Pt nanoaggregates from +0.2 to -0.2 and -0.8 V, respectively. On Au nanoaggregates, however, acetone appeared to increase the surface potential of Au from +0.2 to +0.3 V, although ammonia decreased the surface potential from +0.2 to -0.4 V. Acetone must then act as an electron donor when interacting with Pt while it serves as an electron acceptor when interacting with Au, in agreement with an ab initio quantum mechanical calculation.