A general approach to cyathin diterpenes. Total synthesis of allocyathin B(3)

[reaction: see text] The synthesis of allocyathin B(3) from an advanced intermediate possessing the ring system and relative stereochemistry but lacking the isopropyl and hydroxymethyl groups is reported. The isopropyl group was introduced by radical cyclization of a methyl propargyl acetal of an alpha-bromo ketone, and the hydroxymethyl group was generated by Pd-catalyzed carbonylation of a vinyl triflate. The route provides functionalized intermediates that could allow access to more complex members of the cyathin family of diterpenes.     

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of a New Quinazolinone Compound 2,3-Dihydro-2-（2-hydroxyphenyl）-3-phenyl-quinazolin-4（1H）-one

A new quinazolinone compound 2,3-dihydro-2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-phenylquinazolin-4(IH)-one 3 ([C2oH16O2N2]-C2H5OH, Mr = 362.42) and compound 2-(2-hydroxybenzylidene-amino)-N-phenyl-benzamide 2 (C2oH16O2N2, Mr = 316.34) were prepared from a precursor of 2-amino-N-phenyl-benzamide 1 (C13H12ON2, Mr = 212.25). Compound 3 was characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The crystal belongs to orthorhombic,space group Pbca with a = 1.2889(11), b = 1.6170(14), c = 1.7729(15) nm, V= 3.695(6) nm^3, Z= 8, F(000) = 1536, Mr = 362.42, Dc = 1.303 g/cm^3, μ(MoKa) = 0.087 mm^-1, R = 0.0447 and wR= 0.0879. The crystal structure analysis indicates that the title compound has a two-dimensional network structure formed by hydrogen bonds and electrostatic interactions.     

A new method for determining the local environment and orientation of individual side chains of membrane-binding peptides

We studied here the binding of the mastoparan X peptide to a zwitterionic lipid bilayer (POPC) and demonstrated that nitrile-derivatized amino acids can be used to determine the hydration state (or change in hydration state) of specific sites of membrane-interactive peptides (upon binding). We have also shown that polarized ATR-FTIR measurements can further be used to uncover information regarding the spatial orientation of individual side chains as well as their conformational preference within the lipid bilayer.     

基于并行基因算法的语音识别方法

提出一种基于并行基因算法的孤立字识别时间规正算法，该算法是在［３］的基础上提出，可解决动态时间规划（ＤＴＷ）难以解决的一些问题：①使距离归一化因子Ｍ与实际路径相关；②以自然方式提供多条最佳规划路径；③语音端点检测正确性对识别率的影响得到一定程度的改善。建立了试验数据库，根据试验数据建立了模板距离遵循正态分布的算法性能分析模型。比较了并行基因算法，串行基因算法［３］和动态时间规划算法的性能。试验结果表明：基因算法比动态时间规划能得到更高的识别率，在单ＣＰＵ情形下，虽然并行基因算法的性能比串行基因算法略微提高，但至少可节约三分之一的ＣＰＵ时间     

基于DSP和CPLD的数粒机计数系统设计

为提高数粒机的的计数速度和精度,设计了一种计数系统。该系统以光电传感器作为检测机构,使用CPLD、DSP双核控制系统,采用多通道相互独立、并行采集的工作方式。系统可实现颗粒药品包装前的计数,并在一定程度上进行残缺药品的检测与识别。理论上每通道计数速度可达3 000粒/min以上,实际计数速度为1 000粒/min左右。对药品直径在3~20 mm的不规则物体均可实现准确计数。     

Investigating the Photostability of Quantum Dots at the Single‐Molecule Level

Quantum dots (QDs) have shown great potential to provide spatial, temporal, and structural information for biological systems. However, blinking, photobleaching, and spectral blueshift are adverse effects on their practical applications in biomedical research. An investigation of the effects of six reducing agents including cysteine (Cys), 1,4‐dithiothreitol (DTT), ethyl gallate (EG), L ‐glutathione (GSH), mercaptoacetic acid (MAA), and thiourea (TU) on the photostability of single QDs was studied. Our experiments demonstrate that both DTT and EG effectively inhibit blinking, photobleaching, and spectral blueshift. GSH molecules block blinking and photobleaching of QDs. The other reagents, Cys, MAA, and TU, only have the ability to counteract blinking. Possible explanations are given on the basis of research evidence. The results suggest possibilities for significant improvements in QDs for biological applications by adjusting the environmental conditions.     

Facile and surfactant-free synthesis of SnO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-graphene hybrids as high performance anode for lithium-ion batteries

A facile microwave-assisted ethylene glycol method is developed to synthesize the SnO₂ nanoparticles dispersed on or encapsulated in reduced graphene oxide (SnO₂-rGO) hybrids. The morphology, structure, and composition of SnO₂-rGO are investigated by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscope, thermo-gravimetric analyzer, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The electrochemical performance of SnO₂-rGO as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries was tested by cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge–discharge cycling, and rate capability test. It is found that the SnO₂ nanoparticles with a uniform distribution have p-type doping effect with rGO nanosheets. The as-prepared SnO₂-rGO hybrids exhibit remarkable lithium storage capacity and cycling stability, and the possible mechanism involved is also discussed. Their capacity is 1222 mAhg^?1 in the first cycle and maintains at 700 mAhg^?1 after 100 cycles. This good performance can be mainly attributed to the unique nanostructure, good structure stability, more space for volume expansion of SnO₂, and mass transfer of Li⁺ during cycling.     

Morphology and mechanical behavior of isotactic polypropylene with different stereo‐defect distribution in injection molding

Large amount of work has been published on the isotacticity–properties relationship of isotactic polypropylene (iPP). However, the stereo‐defect distribution dependence of morphology and mechanical properties of iPP injection molding samples is still not clear. In this study, two different isotactic polypropylene (iPP) resins (PP‐A and PP‐B) with similar average isotacticity but different stereo‐defect distribution were selected to investigate the morphology evolution and mechanical properties (tensile and notching) of their injection molding samples using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), 2D wide angle X‐ray diffraction (2D‐WAXD), and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results of DMA showed that the molecular movement ability of PP‐A (with less uniform distribution of stereo‐defect) was stronger than that of PP‐B, meanwhile the analysis of DSC and SEM suggested that after injection molding, smaller spherullites, and crystals with higher perfection had formed in the specimens of PP‐A. The resulting of tensile properties of PP‐A were found to be better than that of PP‐B. The results of morphology evolution by SEM observation and 2D‐WAXD showed that PP‐A is more likely to occur interspherulite deformation and can disperse the tensile stress more efficiently, and therefore, its crystal structure can withstand a greater force when tensile stress is applied. On the other hand, PP‐B has larger spherulites and boundaries, and low perfection of lamellaes, and the intraspherulte deformation tend to take place. It is easier for the crystal of PP‐B to be broken up and reoriented along the tensile direction. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.