On the multiplicity and the Cohen-Macaulayness of fiber cones of graded algebras

Let A be a Noetherian local ring with the maximal ideal m and an m-primary ideal J. Let S=?_n≥0S_n be a finitely generated standard graded algebra over A. Set S⁺=?_n>0S_n. Denote by F_J(S)=?_n≥0→(S_n/JS_n) the fiber cone of S with respect to J. The paper characterizes the multiplicity and the Cohen-Macaulayness of F_J(S) in terms of minimal reductions of S⁺.     

Determination of water states and the structural parameters of W/O microemulsions

The states of water in sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate (AOT)/isooctane/water reverse(W/O) microemulsions system have been investigated by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR) technique. The broad peak obtained for hydroxy(O-H) of water has been resolved by least square curve-fitting. It has been observed that the water solubilized in microemul-sion droplets has four states, i.e. bound water with sulfo-group, free water, bound water with sodium counterion in the water pool of microemulsion droplets and a small amount of trapped water in the palisade layer of microemulsion droplets. The following have also been determined: the aggregation number (n), the radius of the water pool in the microemulsions(rw), the thickness of the bound water with sulfo-group(d1), the thickness of the bound water with sodium counterion(d2), the total thickness of the bound water (d) and the effective area of head groups of AOT(AAOT).     

TA on Mo(W)/Cu(Ag)/S clusters derived with [Cp*MS3]- Kinetics of [PPh4]2[Cp*WS3(CuBr)3]2 and [PPh4]2[Cp*MoS3(CuBr)3]2

Thermal analysis on two new heterometallic sulfide clusters, [PPh4]2[WS3(CuBr)3]2 and [PPh4]2[MoS3(CuBr)3]2 (where PPh4=tetraphenyl phosphonium, =pentamethylcyclopenta- dienyl), was carried out using a simultaneous TG-DTA unit in an atmosphere of flowing nitrogen and at various heating rates. Supplemented using EDS method, their thermal behavior and properties, together with the composition of their intermediate product, were examined and discussed in connection with their distinctive molecular structure as a dianion, which provided some theoretically and practically significant information. Both clusters decomposed in a two-step mode, but without a stable new phase composed of Mo/W-Cu-S formed during their decomposition process as we expected. Based on TG-DTG data, four methods, i.e. Achar-Brindley-Sharp, Coats-Redfern, Kissinger and Flynn- Wall-Ozawa equation, were used to calculate the non-isothermal kinetic parameters and to determine the most probable mechanisms. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

FT-IR and FT-FIR studies of vanadium,molybdenum and tungsten oxides supported on different carriers

In the far IR region at low molybdenum loadings, Mo-SiO₂ catalysts present a pseudomolybdate or a polymolybdate species, while bulk-like MoO₃ appears at loadings close to the geometrical monolayer coverage. W-SiO₂ and V-SiO₂ spectra show bands close to those observed on the corresponding bulk oxides.In the case of TiO₂, Al₂O₃, ZrO₂ supported catalysts, a band is observed near 1000 cm^–1 which is assigned to the Mo=O stretching vibration of coordinatively unsaturated Mo ⁿ⁺ ions showing a stronger interaction with the support than one observed on silica.     

Kinetic study of ion exchange reaction between lysozyme and carboxymethyl Sephadex C-25

The ion-exchange reaction of lysozyme with carboxymethyl Sephadex C-25 was followed by conductivity change as a function of time just after the rapid mixing of the protein solution with the Sephadex suspension. A single relaxation process was observed; the conductivity increased exponentially with time in the 100 s scale. In this process, protons were released from the Sephadex C-25 in the same time scale. The relaxation process slowed down with an increase in the lysozyme concentration, but it quickened upon the addition of HCl. On the other hand, the potential on the Sephadex C-25 surface changed from a negative value to a positive one with an increase in the amount of lysozyme adsorbed on the surface. On the basis of these data, the relaxation process was attributed to the ion-exchange reaction of lysozyme with several protons of carboxymethyl groups of the Sephadex.     

More QACs,more questions: Recent advances in structure activity relationships and hurdles in understanding resistance mechanisms

Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) are a class of antimicrobials that have been around for over a century; nevertheless, they have found continued renewal in the structures to which they can be appended. Ranging from antimicrobial polymers to adding novel modes of action to existing antibiotics, QACs have found ongoing use due to their potent properties. However, resistance against QACs has begun to emerge, and the mechanism of resistance is still only partially understood. In this review, we aim to summarize the current state of the field and what is known about the mechanisms of resistance so that the QACs of the future can be designed to be evermore efficacious and utilized to unearth the remaining mysteries that surround bacteria’s resistance to them.     

Phytoecdysteroids of Plants of the Silene Genus. 2-Deoxyecdysterone-25-Acetate from Silene wallichiana

The new ecdysteroid 2-deoxyecdysterone-25-acetate was isolated from roots of Silene wallichiana Klotzsch.     

A／W生物活性微晶玻璃的制备

生物活性玻璃陶瓷材料由于能够与活体组织自发产生紧密的化学键合而成为骨修复材料中的重要分支,其中A／W生物微晶玻璃更是由于在保持良好生物活性的基础上,力学性能接近甚至超过自然骨而作为承重的生物活性材料应用于临床。采用正硅酸乙酯和磷酸三乙酯,利用溶胶-凝胶法制备玻璃粉体,这种玻璃粉体经过一定的热处理工艺可以得到含有磷灰石和硅灰石的A／W生物微晶玻璃。     

Effect of soy protein isolate on the thermal, mechanical and morphological properties of poly (-caprolactone) and corn starch blends

The development of biodegradable polymers is considered to be a good alternative to decrease the volume of the plastic waste disposed into the environment every year. The use of natural polymers as raw materials to develop polymer blends and composites has increased the demand for renewable sources such as starch and soy protein.In this work, the authors prepared and characterized the thermal, mechanical and morphological properties of blends based on poly (-caprolactone) and modified corn starch, with added soy protein isolate (SPI) and sorbitol. All samples were processed by extrusion in a single-screw extruder and hot pressing. It was observed that the addition of modified corn starch and SPI were responsible for the reduction of thermal and mechanical properties of the materials, compared to pristine PCL. However, with increasing amounts of SPI and the reduction of starch incorporated into the samples, their properties tend to recover. The insertion of soy protein isolate in the formulations was done with the aim of balancing the C/N ratio of the blend, which plays a key role in the biodegradation process of these materials.