Algebraic and analytic properties of semigroups related to fixed point properties of non-expansive mappings

Semigroup Forum - The purpose of this paper is to give an updated survey on various algebraic and analytic properties of semigroups related to fixed point properties of semigroup actions on a...     

Diversity‐Oriented Desulfonylative Functionalization of Alkyl Allyl Sulfones

The diversity‐oriented desulfonylative functionalization of alkyl allyl sulfones with various sulfone‐type reagents by radical chemistry has been developed. The readily installed allylsulfonyl moiety acts as a C‐radical precursor, which is substituted by various functionalities using sulfur‐based radical trapping reagents. The generality of this approach is documented by the successful desulfonylative alkynylation, azidation, trifluoromethylthiolation, sulfenylation, trifluoromethylselenylation, halogenation, and deuteration. The method is compatible with a wide range of functional groups. Considering the deuteration, products are obtained in good yields with a high level of deuterium incorporation.     

Self‐emulsion polymerization of amphiphilic monomers—a green route to synthesis of polymeric nanoscaffolds

Self‐emulsion polymerization (SEP), a green route developed by us for the polymerization of amphiphilic monomers, does not require any emulsifier or an organic solvent except that the water‐soluble initiators such as 2,2′‐azobis[2‐(2‐imidazolin‐2‐yl)propane]dihydrochloride (VA‐044) and potassium persulfate (KPS) are only used. We report here the polymer nanoscaffolds from a number of amphiphilic monomers, which can be used for in situ encapsulation of a variety of nanoparticles. As a demonstration of the efficacy of these nanoscaffolds, the synthesis of a biocompatible hybrid nanoparticle (nanohybrid), prepared by encapsulating Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticle (Fe₃O₄ MNPs) in poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) in water, for MRI application is presented. The nanohybrid prepared following the SEP in the form of an emulsion does not involve the use of any stabilizing agent, crosslinker, polymeric emulsifier, or surfactant. This water‐soluble, spherical, and stable nanohybrid containing Fe₃O₄ MNPs of average size 10 ± 2 nm has a zeta potential value of ?41.89 mV under physiological conditions. Magnetic measurement confirmed that the nanohybrid shows typical magnetic behavior having a saturation magnetization (Ms) value of 32.3 emu/g and a transverse relaxivity (r2) value of 29.97 mM^?1 s^?1, which signifies that it can be used as a T2 contrast agent in MRI. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019     

Top-down synthesis of polyoxometalate-like sub-nanometer molybdenum-oxo clusters as high-performance electrocatalysts

The top-down fabrication of catalytically active molecular metal oxide anions, or polyoxometalates, is virtually unexplored, although these materials offer unique possibilities, for catalysis, energy conversion and storage. Here, we report a novel top-down route, which enables the scalable synthesis and deposition of sub-nanometer molybdenum-oxo clusters on electrically conductive mesoporous carbon. The new approach uses a unique redox-cycling process to convert crystalline Mo^IVO₂ particles into sub-nanometer molecular molybdenum-oxo clusters with a nuclearity of ∼1–20. The resulting molybdenum-oxo cluster/carbon composite shows outstanding, stable electrocatalytic performance for the oxygen reduction reaction with catalyst characteristics comparable to those of commercial Pt/C. This new material design could give access to a new class of highly reactive polyoxometalate-like metal oxo clusters as high-performance, earth abundant (electro-)catalysts.

The top-down synthesis and deposition of polyoxometalate-like clusters on porous carbon is reported together with the high electrocatalytic oxygen reduction reactivity of the composite.     

Deep desulfurization by oxidation using an active ionic liquid‐supported Zr metal–organic framework as catalyst

In this study, a Zr metal–organic framework (UIO‐66) was synthesized with zirconium tetrachloride and terephthalic acid using the solvent method. Then various masses of 1‐methylimidazolium‐3‐propylsulfonate hydrosulfate (PSMIMHSO₄) were supported on the UIO‐66 as catalysts, which were used for catalytic oxidative desulfurization. Sulfur removal using 400 mg of 40% PSMIMHSO₄ supported on the UIO‐66 of greater than 94% was obtained at 313 K for 20 min with an O/S molar ratio of 7:1. The results obtained in this work could provide useful information for the design of water‐stable metal–organic frameworks with permanent porosity in applications of catalytic oxidative desulfurization. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

“Self-repairing” nanoshell for cell protection

Self-repair is nature''s way of protecting living organisms. However, most single cells are inherently less capable of self-repairing, which greatly limits their wide applications. Here, we present a self-assembly approach to create a nanoshell around the cell surface using nanoporous biohybrid aggregates. The biohybrid shells present self-repairing behaviour, resulting in high activity and extended viability of the encapsulated cells (eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells) in harsh micro-environments, such as under UV radiation, natural toxin invasion, high-light radiation and abrupt pH-value changes. Furthermore, an interaction mechanism is proposed and studied, which is successful to guide design and synthesis of self-repairing biohybrid shells using different bioactive molecules.     

Analysis of the human breast milk microbiome and bacterial extracellular vesicles in healthy mothers

The microbiota of human breast milk (HBM) contribute to infant gut colonization; however, whether bacterial extracellular vesicles (EVs) are present in HBM or might contribute to this process remains unknown. In this study, we characterized the HBM microbiota of healthy Korean mothers and measured the key bacteria likely affecting infant gut colonization by analyzing both the microbiota and bacterial EVs. A total of 22 HBM samples were collected from lactating mothers. The DNA of bacteria and bacteria-derived EVs was extracted from each sample. In alpha-diversity analyses, bacterial samples showed higher richness and evenness than bacterial EV samples, and beta-diversity analyses showed significant differences between bacteria and bacterial EVs within identical individual samples. Firmicutes accounted for the largest proportion among the phyla, followed by Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Actinobacteria, in both bacteria and bacterial EV samples. At the genus level, Streptococcus (25.1%) and Staphylococcus (10.7%) were predominant in bacterial samples, whereas Bacteroides (9.1%), Acinetobacter (6.9%), and Lactobacillaceae(f) (5.5%) were prevalent in bacterial EV samples. Several genera, including Bifidobacterium, were significantly positively correlated between the two samples. This study revealed the diverse bacterial communities in the HBM of healthy lactating mothers, and found that gut-associated genera accounted for a high proportion in bacterial EV samples. Our findings suggest the existence of key bacteria with metabolic activity that are independent of the major bacterial populations that inhabit HBM, and the possibility that EVs derived from these bacteria are involved in the vertical transfer of gut microbiota.Subject terms: Immunogenetics, Immunization