Non‐Newtonian Polymer–Nanoparticle Hydrogels Enhance Cell Viability during Injection

Drug delivery and cell transplantation require minimally invasive deployment strategies such as injection through clinically relevant high‐gauge needles. Supramolecular hydrogels comprising dodecyl‐modified hydroxypropylmethylcellulose and poly(ethylene glycol)‐block‐poly(lactic acid) have been previously demonstrated for the delivery of drugs and proteins. Here, it is demonstrated that the rheological properties of these hydrogels allow for facile injectability, an increase of cell viability after injection when compared to cell viabilities of cells injected in phosphate‐buffered saline, and homogeneous cell suspensions that do not settle. These hydrogels are injected at 1 mL min^?1 with pressures less than 400 kPa, despite the solid‐like properties of the gel when at rest. The cell viabilities immediately after injection are greater than 86% for adult human dermal fibroblasts, human umbilical vein cells, smooth muscle cells, and human mesenchymal stem cells. Cells are shown to remain suspended and proliferate in the hydrogel at the same rate as observed in cell media. The work expands on the versatility of these hydrogels and lays a foundation for the codelivery of drugs, proteins, and cells.     

Macrophage Activation by a Lipophilic Derivative of Muramyldipeptide within Nanocapsules: Investigation of the Mechanism of Drug Delivery

Different colloidal formulations: nanocapsules (NC), emulsion and micelles, containing the lipophilic immunomodulator muramyltripeptide cholesterol (MTP-Chol) induce nitric oxide synthase activity in the RAW 264.7 cell line. The use of cytochalasin B, an inhibitor of cell movements, showed that phagocytosis was an important mechanism as far as NC and the emulsion were concerned. However, when the cells were separated from particles containing the immunomodulator by a membrane of 100nm pore size, significant activity could still be obtained, provided that serum was included in the medium. To determine whether low-density lipoprotein (LDL) might act as an intermediate carrier for MTP-Chol, the transfer of the immunomodulator from NC to LDL was studied by an ultrafiltration/centrifugation method followed by HPLC analysis. Although MTP-Chol could be transferred to LDL, when purified human LDL was added to serum-free medium, activation by MTP-Chol NC was reduced, rather than increased. This suggests that intact LDL carrying MTP-Chol is not taken up to a great extent by these macrophages.     

Niederkoordinierte Phosphorverbindungen. 58. Synthese und Reaktivität der 2, 4, 6-Tri-tert-butylphenyl (halogenmethylen)phosphane

The synthesis of the 2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenyl(halogenmethylene)phosphanes 4a—d from the tri-tert-butylphenylphosphane 1 and trihalogenomethanes 2a—d is described. Tri-tert-butylphenyl(difluoromethylene)phosphane 8a and the analogous (diiodomethylene)-phosphane 8d are obtained by dehalogenation of the chloro(trifluoromethyl)phosphane 7 and dehydrohalogenation of the triiodomethylphosphane 10 . The first different halogeno-substituted (bromochloromethylene)phosphane 8e leads after metallation with lithiumbis (trimethylsilyl)phosphide 13 and elimination of lithiumchloride to the phosphaalkyne 16 . Direct addition of chlorotrimethylsilane to the metallated 8e yields the 2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenyl(chloro(trimethylsilyl)-methylene)phosphane 17 .     

Vibrational Spectra of the Cyclic SN-Compounds S4N4, S4N4H4 and S3N3Cl3

The IR and Raman spectra of solid and dissolved S₄N₄, S₄N₄H₄, S₄N₄D₄ and S₃N₃Cl₃ have been recorded and are assigned according to D_2d, C_4v and C_3v symmetry respectively. In the solid state, many forbidden bands and splittings of degenerate vibrations are observed because of the symmetry lowering in the crystals. Due to the different size and shape of the rings and to strong coupling of the normal modes there is no clear correlation between the SN ring stretching vibrations and the strength of the SN bonds, except for the one of the E modes. However, the stretching force constant show the trend expected from changes in interatomic distances.     

Catalytic properties of transition metal salts immobilized on nanoporous silica polyamine composites II: hydrogenation

The transition metal compounds Pd(OAc)₂, RhCl₃·4H₂O and RuCl₃ · nH₂O were adsorbed onto the nanoporous silica polyamine composite (SPC) particles (150–250 µm), WP‐1 [poly(ethyleneimine) on amorphous silica], BP‐1 [poly(allylamine) on amorphous silica], WP‐2 (WP‐1 modified with chloroacetic acid) and BP‐2 (BP‐1 modified with chloroacetic acid). Inductively coupled plasma‐atomic emission spectrometry analysis of the dried samples after digestion indicated metal loadings of 0.4–1.2 mmol g^?1 except for RhCl₃·4H₂O on BP‐2 which showed a metal loading of only 0.1 mmol g^?1. The metal loaded composites were then screened as hydrogenation catalysts for the reduction of 1‐octene, 1‐decene, 1‐hexene and 1, 3‐cyclohexadiene at a hydrogen pressure of 5 atm in the temperature range of 50–90 °C. All 12 combinations of SPC and transition metal compound proved active for the reduction of the terminal olefins, but isomerization to internal alkenes was competitive in all cases. Under these conditions, selective hydrogenation of 1,3‐cyclohexadiene to cyclohexene was observed with some of the catalysts. Turnover frequencies were estimated for the hydrogenation reactions based on the metal loading and were in some cases comparable to more conventional heterogeneous hydrogenation catalysts. Examination of the catalysts before and after reaction with X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy revealed that, in the cases of Pd(OAc)₂ on WP‐2, BP‐1 and BP‐2, conversion of the surface‐ligand bound metal ions to metal nano‐particles occurs. This was not the case for Pd(OAc)₂ on WP‐1 or for RuCl₃ · nH₂O and RhCl₃· 4H₂O on all four composites. The overall results are discussed in terms of differences in metal ion coordination modes for the composite transition‐metal combinations. Suggested ligand interactions are supported by solid state CPMAS ¹³C NMR analyses and by analogy with previous structural investigations of metal binding modes on these composite materials. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Numerical modeling and characterization of Electrolyte/Insulator/Semiconductor sensor systems

A model is proposed to describe integrated ionsensitive devices based on Electrolyte/Insulator/Semiconductor systems. In particular a special type of sensor will be discussed based on a pure Electrolyte/Insulator/Semiconductor structure in the constant capacitance mode. The following models will serve to describe the sensor effects: The site-binding model for pH-sensors and a single-site model for pF-sensors. The theory of the field effect has been integrated into the complete model. In this way pH/pF responses and quasistatic (lf) as well as rf C(V) characteristics can be simulated. A comparison between measurements and simulations can be made for the pH EIS structures with ZrO₂, SrTiO₃ and pF EIS structures with LaF₃.     

Synthesis of 1-azaxanthones by condensation of 1,3-bis(trimethylsilyloxy)-1,3-butadienes with 3-(cyano)benzopyrylium triflates and subsequent domino ‘retro-Michael/nitrile-addition/heterocyclization’ reaction

Functionalized 1-azaxanthones (5-oxo-5H-[1]-benzopyrano[2,3-b]pyridines) were prepared by TMSOTf-mediated condensation of 1,3-bis(trimethylsilyloxy)-1,3-butadienes with 3-cyanochromones and subsequent base-mediated domino ‘retro-Michael/nitrile-addition/heterocyclization’ reaction.     

In situ measurements and modeling of carbon nanotube array growth kinetics during chemical vapor deposition

Direct measurements of carbon nanotube growth kinetics are described based upon time-resolved reflectivity (TRR) of a HeNe laser beam from vertically aligned nanotube arrays (VANTAs) as they grow during chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Growth rates and terminal lengths were measured in situ for VANTAs growing during CVD between 535 °C and 900 °C on Si substrates with evaporated Al/Fe/Mo multi-layered catalysts and acetylene feedstock at different feedstock partial pressures. Methods of analysis of the TRR signals are presented to interpret catalyst particle formation and oxidation, as well as the porosity of the VANTAs. A rate-equation model is developed to describe the measured kinetics in terms of activation energies and rate constants for surface carbon formation and diffusion on the catalyst nanoparticle, nanotube growth, and catalyst over-coating. Taken together with the TRR data, this model enables basic understanding and optimization of growth conditions for any catalyst/feedstock combination. The model lends insight into the main processes responsible for the growth of VANTAs, the measured number of walls in the nanotubes at different temperatures, conditions for growth of single-wall carbon nanotube arrays, and likely catalyst poisoning mechanisms responsible for the sharp decline in growth rates observed at high temperatures. PACS  61.46.+w; 81.07.De; 81.16.Hc     

Hardware-Echtzeitsimulator für intelligente Antennen

As part of a joint research project a hardware real time simulator for smart antennas was developed. The simulator allows for the simulation and evaluation of smart antenua algorithms. Simulations are carried out in the baseband domain and consist of a transmitter (GSM signal generator), mobile transmission channels for multiple receiveing antennas (Geometry-based Stochastic Channel Model according to COST259), (GSM-) co-channel interferers, and a multi-channel mobile terminal receiver using smart antenna algorithms. Typical results are presented.     

All-fiber single-mode fiber frequency-modulated continuous-wave Sagnac gyroscope

An all-fiber single-mode fiber unbalanced Sagnac gyroscope is described. The gyroscope is based on optical frequency-modulated continuous-wave interference and consists primarily of four Y-type single-mode fiber directional couplers and a single-mode fiber coil. The rotational velocity of the fiber coil is determined simultaneously by detection of the phase shift of the beat signal. The advantages and limitations of the gyroscope are discussed.