Development of a new fluorimetric bulk optode membrane based on 2,5-thiophenylbis(5-tert-butyl-1,3-benzexazole) for nickel(II) ions

A highly sensitive and selective fluorimetric optode membrane for the determination of ultra trace amounts of Ni²⁺ ions was prepared. The plasticized PVC-membrane incorporating potassium tetrakis(p-chlorophenyl)borate (KTpClPB) and 2,5-thiophenylbis(5-tert-butyl-1,3-benzexazole) (TTBB), as a highly fluorescent chromoionophore, displays a calibration response for Ni²⁺ ions over a wide concentration range of 1.0×10⁻³ to 1.0×10⁻⁸ M. It has a relatively fast response of <40 s. In addition to high stability and reproducibility, and relatively long working lifetime, the sensor possesses good selectivity for nickel ions over several common diverse ions. The fluorescence signal of the optode membrane can be easily recovered by immersion in EDTA solution. The optode was applied successfully to the determination of traces of Ni²⁺ ion in edible oil and a wastewater sample from nickel electroplating industries.     

New computer program to calculate the symmetry of molecules

In this paper we, present some MATLAB and GAP programs and use them to find the automorphism group of the Euclidean graph of the C₈₀ fullerence with connectivity and geometry of I _h symmetry point group. It is proved that this group has order 120 and is isomorphic to I _h ≊Z₂×A₅, where Z₂ is, a cyclic group of order 2 and A₅ is the alternating group on five symbols.     

Die Reaktion von Tellurhexafluorid mit Trimethylamin,Strukturen der TeF5−- und SeF5−-Anionen

Reaction of Telluriumhexafluoride and Trimethylamine, Structures of the TeF₅^? and SeF₅^? Anions The reaction of TeF₆ and (CH₃)₃N is of the redox kind, resulting in reduction of tellurium: X-ray single crystal analysis reveals the compounds (CH₃)₂N? CH₂? N(CH₃)₂⁺TeF₅^? and [(CH₃)₃NH⁺]₅(TeF₅^?)₃(HF₂^?)₂. By comparison with published data it can be shown that this mixture is identical to previously published [(CH₃)₃N]₂TeF₆. The latter was supposed to be one of the few examples of tellurium in a coordination state of eight. (CH₃)₄N⁺TeF₅^? and (CH₃)₄N⁴SeF₅^? are obtained and their structure is investigated by single crystal x-ray methods also. The anions SF₅^?, SeF₅^? and TeF₅^? are discussed in terms of weak interactions.     

A novel one-pot synthesis of some new interesting pyrrole derivatives

[reaction: see text] 11-(1H-Pyrrol-1-yl)-11H-indeno[1,2-b]quinoxaline and 3-(1H-pyrrol-1-yl)indolin-2-one derivatives have been synthesized in good yields in a novel, one-pot, and efficient process by condensation of 11H-indeno[1,2-b]quinoxalin-11-one or isatin derivatives with 4-hydroxyproline on solid-support montmorillonite K10 under microwave irradiation.     

SURFACE-ENHANCED RESONANCE RAMAN SCATTERING SPECTROSCOPY AS A SURFACE TOPOGRAPHY PROBE IN PLANT PHOTOSYNTHETIC MEMBRANES

Strong resonance Raman (RR) and surface-enhanced resonance Raman scattering (SERRS) signals from carotenoids were detected from thylakoid (stromal-side out) vesicles and inside-out (lumenal-side out) vesicles isolated from spinach chloroplasts. The intensity of the signals from both types of membranes was comparable, indicating that plant carotenoids are exposed on or close to both surfaces or sides of the thylakoid membrane. This is in contrast to previous studies with bacterial photosynthetic membranes (Picorel et al., 1988, J. Biol. Chem. 263 , 4374–4380; and 1990, Biochemistry 29 , 707–712) that show carotenoids selectively located on the cytoplasmic side. In addition_; strong RR and SERRS signals were detected from stacked and unstacked photosystem-II-enriched membrane fragments, demonstrating that carotenoids are also exposed on both surfaces of the appressed region of the thylakoid membrane. Antibodies against the photosystem (PS) II extrinsic proteins blocked SERRS signals from stacked PS II membrane fragments, but only partially affected the SERRS signals from unstacked membranes. The results indicate that these antibodies, which preferentially cover the surface of the original lumenalside of the appressed region, act as spacers between the membrane and SERRS electrode surfaces. The original stromal-side of the appressed region is unaffected. These findings verify the distance sensitivity of the SERRS technique and underscore the above conclusion about the location of carotenoids in the appressed regions. Finally, SERRS signals are sensitive to membrane aging and storage temperature; caution is suggested to those applying SERRS spectroscopy to intact membrane systems.     

CCGA packages for space applications

Commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) area array packaging technologies in high reliability versions are now being considered for applications, including use in a number of NASA electronic systems being utilized for both the Space Shuttle and Mars Rover missions. Indeed, recently a ceramic package version specifically tailored for high reliability applications was used to provide the processing power required for the Spirit and Opportunity Mars Rovers built by NASA-JPL. Both Rovers successfully completed their 3-months mission requirements and continued exploring the Martian surface for many more moths, providing amazing new information on previous environmental conditions of Mars and strong evidence that water exists on Mars.Understanding process, reliability, and quality assurance (QA) indicators for reliability are important for low risk insertion of these newly available packages in high reliability applications. In a previous investigation, thermal cycle test results for a non-functional daisy-chained peripheral ceramic column grid array (CCGA) and its plastic ball grid array (PBGA) version, both having 560 I/Os, were gathered and are presented here. Test results included environmental data for three different thermal cycle regimes (−55/125 °C, −55/100 °C, and −50/75 °C). Detailed information on these—especially failure type for assemblies with high and low solder volumes—are presented. The thermal cycle test procedure followed those recommended by IPC-9701 for tin–lead solder joint assemblies. Its revision A covers guideline thermal cycle requirements for Pb-free solder joints. Key points on this specification are also discussed.In a recent investigation a fully populated CCGA with 717 I/Os was considered for assembly reliability evaluation. The functional package is a field-programmable gate array that has much higher processing power than its previous version. This new package is smaller in dimension, has no interposer, and has a thinner column wrapped with copper for reliability improvement. This paper will also present thermal cycle test results for assemblies of this and its plastic package version with 728 I/Os, both of which were exposed to four different cycle regimes. Two of these cycle profiles are specified by IPC-9701A for tin–lead, namely, −55 to 100 °C and −55 to 125 °C. One is a cycle profile specified by Mil-Std-883, namely, −65/150 °C, generally used for ceramic hybrid packages screening and qualification. The last cycle is in the range of −120 to 85 °C, a representative of electronic systems directly exposed to the Martian environment without use in a thermal control enclosure. Per IPC-9701A, test vehicles were built using daisy chain packages and were continuously monitored and/or manually checked for opens at intervals. The effects of many process and assembly variables—including corner staking commonly used for improving resistance to mechanical loading such as drop and vibration loads—were also considered as part of the test matrix. Optical photomicrographs were taken at various thermal cycle intervals to document damage progress and behavior. Representative samples of these are presented along with cross-sectional photomicrographs at higher magnification taken by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to determine crack propagation and failure analyses for packages.     

Dendrimer‐encapsulated Cu(Π) nanoparticles immobilized on superparamagnetic Fe3O4@SiO2 nanoparticles as a novel recyclable catalyst for N‐arylation of nitrogen heterocycles and green synthesis of 5‐substituted 1H‐tetrazoles

In this study, dendrimer‐encapsulated Cu(Π) nanoparticles immobilized on superparamagnetic Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ nanoparticles were prepared via a multistep‐synthesis. Then, the synthesized composite was fully characterized by various techniques such as fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), dynamic light scattering (DLS), UV‐vis spectroscopy, energy dispersive X‐ray analysis (EDX), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and vibration sample magnetometer (VSM). From the information gained by FE‐SEM and TEM studies it can be inferred that the particles are mostly spherical in shape and have an average size of 50 nm. Also, the amount of Cu is determined to be 0.51 mmol/g in the catalyst by inductively coupled plasma (ICP) analyzer. This magnetic nano‐compound has been successfully applied as a highly efficient, magnetically recoverable and stable catalyst for N‐arylation of nitrogen heterocycles with aryl halides (I, Br) and arylboronic acids without using external ligands or additives. The catalyst was also employed in a one‐pot, three‐component reaction for the efficient and green synthesis of 5‐substituted 1H‐tetrazoles using various aldehydes, hydroxylamine hydrochloride and sodium azide in water. The magnetic catalyst can be easily separated by an external magnet bar and is recycled seven times without significant loss of its activity.     

Preparation and characterization of Cu (II) supported on poly(8‐hydroxyquinoline‐p‐styrene sulphonate) and its application as catalyst for the synthesis of hexahydroquinolines

Cu ( II ) supported on poly(8‐hydroxyquinoline‐p‐styrenesulfonate) (Cu ( II )@PHQSS) was prepared and fully characterized by the different techniques including fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), differential thermal gravimetric (DTG), differential thermal analysis (DTA), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive X‐ray analysis (EDS). Afterward, the Cu ( II )@PHQSS as nanostructured catalyst was used as catalyst for the synthesis of hexahydroquinolines.     

Vector and Cell Line Engineering Technologies Toward Recombinant Protein Expression in Mammalian Cell Lines

The rapid growth of global biopharmaceutical market in the recent years has been a good indication of its significance in biotechnology industry. During a long period of time in recombinant protein production from 1980s, optimizations in both upstream and downstream processes were launched. In this regard, one of the most promising strategies is expression vector engineering technology based on incorporation of DNA opening elements found in the chromatin border regions of vectors as well as targeting gene integration. Along with these approaches, cell line engineering has revealed convenient outcomes in isolating high-producing clones. According to the fact that more than 50% of the approved therapeutic proteins is being manufactured in mammalian cell lines, in this review, we focus on several approaches and developments in vector and cell line engineering technologies in mammalian cell culture.     

Health-based pharmaceutical pay-for-performance risk-sharing agreements

Many new drugs, such as biologics and cancer drugs, are very costly. However, their effectiveness outside of clinical trial settings is often uncertain at the time they gain market approval. This uncertainty may reflect a lack of real-world outcomes data, as opposed to clinical trials data, for a typical patient population. A risk-sharing agreement is a contract between a drug manufacturer and a healthcare payer to help manage uncertainties regarding the cost and effectiveness of those drugs. In this paper, we model a risk-sharing agreement in which a proportion of total sales is rebated. We model disease progression using a continuous time Markov chain with uncertain transition rates. We examine the performance of this risk-sharing agreement from the manufacturer’s perspective and investigate the conditions under which the manufacturer will make a profit. We illustrate with a numerical model parameterized using data from a Phase 2 clinical trial of an oncology drug that was subjected to a risk-sharing agreement in the UK.