Highly hydrophobic and oleophilic foam for selective absorption

In this article, both highly hydrophobic and oleophilic foam were fabricated by coating inner surface of polyurethane (PU) foam with a super-hydrophobic film. The contact angle of the foam is large as 152.2° for water, and 0° for kerosene. The foam can absorb kerosene selectively from kerosene-water mixture and be regenerated easily. The foam may be used to reclaim oil from polluted natural water area resulted from shipwreck or leakage.     

偶特征有限域上对称矩阵结合方案

设S(n,q)是偶特征有限域F_q上n×n对称矩阵所成的集合.令R_i={(X,Y)|X,Y∈S(n,q),rank(Y-X)=2i-1,2i},0≤i≤[(n+1)/2]采用矩阵方法,证明了Sym(n,q)={s(n,q),{R_i}_(0≤i≤)[(n+1)/2]}是[(n+1)/2]个结合类的P—多项式对称结合方案,而Sym(n,q)的结合关系的图Γ~((1))是正则的,并且它同构于交错矩阵结合方案.此外,又给出Sym(n,q)的自同构形式.     

Empirical Euclidean likelihood for general estimating equations under association dependence

Empirical Euclidean likelihood for general estimating equations for association dependent processes is investigated. The strong consistency and asymptotic normality of the blockwise maximum empirical Euclidean likelihood estimator are presented. We show that it is more efficient than estimator without blocking. The blockwise empirical Euclidean log-likelihood ratio asymptotically follows a chi-square distribution.     

Genetic variations in medical research in the past,at present and in the future

As we look so different, our genomic sequences vary enormously. The differences in our genome, genetic variations, have played very significant roles in medical research and have contributed to improvement of medical managements in the last 2–3 decades. Genetic variations include germline variations, somatic mutations, and diversities in receptor genes of rearranged immune cells, T cells and B cells. Germline variants are in some cases causative of genetic diseases, are associated with the risk of various diseases, and also affect drug efficacies or adverse events. Some somatic mutations are causative of tumor development. Recent DNA sequencing technologies allow us to perform single-cell analysis or detailed repertoire analysis of B and T cells. It is critically important to investigate temporal changes in immune environment in various anatomical regions in the next one to two decades. In this review article, we would like to introduce the roles of genetic variations in medical fields in the past, at present and in the future.     

Magnetic hydrophobic nanocomposites: Silica aerogel/maghemite

Magnetic hydrophobic aerogels (MHA) in the form of nanocomposites of silica and maghemite (γ-Fe₂O₃) were prepared by one step sol–gel procedure followed by supercritical solvent extraction. Silica alcogels were obtained from TEOS, MTMS, methanol and H₂O, and Fe(III) nitrate as magnetic precursor. The hydrophobic property was achieved using the methytrimethoxysilane (MTMS) as co-precursor for surface modification. The so produced nanocomposite aerogels are monolithic, hydrophobic and magnetic. The interconnected porous structure hosts ∼6 nm size γ-Fe₂O₃ particles, has a mean pore diameter of 5 nm, and a specific surface area (SSA) of 698 m²/g. Medium range structure of MHA is determined by SAXS, which displays the typical fractal power law behavior with primary particle radius of ∼1 nm. Magnetic properties of the nanoparticle ensembles hosted in them are studied by means of dc-magnetometry.     

Distinctive thermodynamic properties of solute–solvent hydrogen bonds in self‐associated solvents

Solute–solvent hydrogen bonding affects reactivity and other properties of dissolved species. In self‐associated media, because of cooperativity and solvent reorganization, the thermodynamic functions of solute bonding with bulk solvent can be different from those of bimolecular solute–solvent complexes. Using available experimental data on the Gibbs free energies of solvation in aliphatic alcohols and water, we have determined the energies of solute–solvent hydrogen bonding for various proton accepting solutes. We show that the increase in the strength of hydrogen bonds because of the cooperative effect is strong for bonding with bulk water and significantly less so with bulk aliphatic alcohols. The hydrogen bonding Gibbs free energies for the same solute with bulk water and alcohol are correlated, but they correlate poorly with the energies of formation of the corresponding bimolecular solute–solvent complexes. Thus, the traditional hydrogen bond basicity scales, based on data for bimolecular complexes, do not correctly describe the thermodynamics of hydrogen bonding with self‐associated solvents. Our results may help to define a separate solute basicity scale for associated media. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Surface characterization of polyethylene terephthalate/silica nanocomposites

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) based nanocomposites containing hydrophilic (i.e. Aerosil 200 or Aerosil TT 600) or hydrophobic (i.e. Aerosil R 972) nano-silica were prepared by melt compounding. Influence of nano-silica type on surface properties of the resultant nanocomposites was investigated by the use of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), atomic force microscopy (AFM), contact angle measurement (CAM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and reflectance spectroscopy (RS). The possible interaction between nano-silica particles and PET functional groups at bulk and surface were elucidated by transmission FTIR and FTIR-ATR spectroscopy, respectively. AFM studies of the resultant nanocomposites showed increased surface roughness compared to pure PET. Contact angle measurements of the resultant PET composites demonstrated that the wettability of such composites depends on surface treatment of the particular nano-silica particles used. SEM images illustrated that hydrophilic nano-silica particles tended to migrate to the surface of the PET matrix.     

Photophysical studies of PET based acridinedione dyes with globular protein: Bovine serum albumin

Interaction of acridinedione dyes with model transport proteins, bovine serum albumin (BSA) in aqueous solution were investigated by fluorescence spectral studies. A fluorescence enhancement was observed on the addition of BSA to photoinduced electron transfer (PET) based acridinedione dyes, which posses C₆H₄(p-OCH₃) in the 9th position of the basic acridinedione ring. On the contrary, the addition of BSA to non-PET based acridinedione dyes with methyl or phenyl substitution in the 9th position does not result in any fluorescence enhancement. The enhancement in the fluorescence intensity is attributed to the suppression of PET process through space between -OCH₃ group and the acridinedione moiety is elucidated by steady state fluorescence measurements. The fluorescence anisotropy value (r) of 0.40 reveals that the motion of the dye molecule is highly constrained and is largely confined to the rigid microenvironment of the protein molecule. The binding constant (K) was found to be in the order of 6.0×10³ [M]⁻¹, which implies the existence of hydrophobic interaction between the PET based dye and BSA. Time resolved fluorescence lifetime measurements reveal that the PET based acridinedione dye preferably binds in the hydrophobic interior of BSA.     

Supramolecular Hydrogels Based on L‐Phenylalanine Derivatives with a Positively Charged Terminal Group

A new hydrogelator based on L ‐phenylalanine with a long hydrophobic chain and positively charged terminus was synthesized, and its gelation behavior in H₂O was investigated. Polarized optical microscopy (POM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM), and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) results indicate that the hydrogelator self‐assembles into fibres‐like aggregates which then lead to the formation of a hydrogel. ¹H‐NMR and CD spectra of hydrogels and aqueous solution revealed that intermolecular H‐bonding between the amide groups was the driving force for gelation. A luminescence study, in which ANS (8‐anilinonaphthalene‐1‐sulfonic acid) was used as a probe, indicated that the hydrophobic interactions between long chains were the driving force for gelation. Consequently, it was proved that the hydrogelator self‐assembles into fibre‐like aggregates and then forms supramolecular hydrogels through the H‐bonding and hydrophobic interactions.     

Nanofiber formation of hydroxylpropylcellulose (HPC)

The aggregative behaviors of hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC) molecules in aqueous solution and on substrates have been observed by employing laser light scattering (LLS) and, after deposition on a mica surface, atomic force microscopy (AFM). LLS studies showed that the HPC molecules formed large aggregates through self-association when the concentration of the solution was above the critical concentration c(t). AFM measurements revealed that when a dilute aqueous solution of HPC molecules was deposited onto a mica substrate at a temperature below its lower critical solution temperature (LCST) thin nanofibers were formed with a height of 0.9 nm, whereas thick nanofibers were formed when an aqueous solution of HPC molecules was deposited onto a substrate above its LCST. Furthermore, the growth of nanofibers led to the formation of fan structures.