A Small-Molecule Diketopyrrolopyrrole-Based Dye for in vivo NIR-IIa Fluorescence Bioimaging

Organic small-molecule fluorophores with near-infrared IIa (NIR-IIa) emission have great potential in pre-clinical detection and inoperative imaging due to the high-spatial resolution and deep penetration. However, developments of the NIR-IIa fluorophores are still facing considerable challenges. In this work, a series of diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP)-based fluorophores were designed and synthesized. Subsequently, nanomaterial T25@F127 with significant NIR-IIa emission properties was rationally prepared by encapsulating DPP-based fluorophore T25 , and was selected for fluorescence angiography and cerebral vascular microscopic imaging with nearly 800 μm penetrating depth and excellent signal-background ratio of 4.07 and 2.26 (at 250 and 400 μm), respectively. Furthermore, the nanomaterial T25@cRGD with tumor targeting ability can image tiny metastatic tumor on intestine with a small size of 0.3 mm×1.0 mm and high-spatial resolution (SBR=3.84). This study demonstrates that the nanomaterials which encapsulated T25 behave as excellent NIR-IIa fluorescence imaging agents and have a great potential for in vivo biological application.     

Laccases ofRigidoporus lignosus andPhellinus noxius

A laccase that has been isolated previously (1) from the Basidiomycete,Rigidoporus lignosus, a white rot fungus of rubber tree, was used in the present study. When a thioglycolic lignin (TGL) was incubated in the presence of this enzyme, pronounced changes in the UV spectrum and size distribution of the substrate were observed. Sephadex gel filtration indicated that two types of reactions occurred: (1) A degradation of the polymer, as evidenced by the production of low-molecular-weight material; and (2) a condensation of some of the TGL molecules, as revealed by an increase in the fractions of higher molecular weight.     

Analysis of Pathogenic Bacterial and Yeast Biofilms Using the Combination of Synchrotron ATR-FTIR Microspectroscopy and Chemometric Approaches

Biofilms are assemblages of microbial cells, extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), and other components extracted from the environment in which they develop. Within biofilms, the spatial distribution of these components can vary. Here we present a fundamental characterization study to show differences between biofilms formed by Gram-positive methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and the yeast-type Candida albicans using synchrotron macro attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) microspectroscopy. We were able to characterise the pathogenic biofilms’ heterogeneous distribution, which is challenging to do using traditional techniques. Multivariate analyses revealed that the polysaccharides area (1200–950 cm⁻¹) accounted for the most significant variance between biofilm samples, and other spectral regions corresponding to amides, lipids, and polysaccharides all contributed to sample variation. In general, this study will advance our understanding of microbial biofilms and serve as a model for future research on how to use synchrotron source ATR-FTIR microspectroscopy to analyse their variations and spatial arrangements.     

New symmetric azomethinic dimer: the influence of structural heterogeneity on the liquid crystalline behaviour

The paper deals with the study of the thermotropic liquid crystalline properties of a new azomethinic symmetric dimer and some of its structural heterogeneous mixtures with one of its reagents. Their thermotropic behaviour was monitored by polarised light microscopy, differential scanning microscopy and variable temperature X-ray diffraction measurements. The influence of the structural heterogeneity on the mesomorphic behaviour was established and some similarities with the mesomorphic behaviour of the polydisperse polymers were underlined.     

A simple isotherm equation for describing gas adsorption on heterogeneous microporous solids

A simple isotherm equation for describing gas adsorption on solids showing heterogeneity of microporous structure is proposed. It is shown that this equation gives a good representation of the experimental data of argon, nitrogen and benzene adsorption on different types of activated carbons. Its parameters may be used to characterize heterogeneity of microporous structure of the solids.

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Eine einfache Isotherme zur Beschreibung der Gas-Adsorption an heterogenen mikroporösen Feststoffen

Zusammenfassung Es wird eine einfache Isotherme zur Beschreibung der Gasadsorption an Feststoffen mit heterogener mikroporöser Struktur vorgeschlagen. Es wird gezeigt, daß diese Gleichung die experimentellen Daten für die Adsorption von Argon, Stickstoff und Benzol an verschiedenen Typen von Aktivkohle gut beschreibt. Die Parameter der Isotherme können zur Charakterisierung der Heterogenität der mikroporösen Struktur von Festkörpern herangezogen werden.

     

阴离子嵌段共聚的交联聚苯乙烯的网络链长多分散性与网络结构非均一性

用链长分布不同的活性聚苯乙烯子聚物与二乙烯基苯进行阴离子嵌段共聚,合成了一系列两相模型交联网络。以作者等提出的方法测定了所合成网络的结构非均一因子Z。实验测定的网络结构非均一因子Z与交联前聚苯乙烯活性链的分子量分布宽度指数d之间有平行的相应变化规律,表明所给予的非均一因子Z的物理意义是合理的。同时说明,子聚物链长分布较宽时,在网络的高交联区中除了二乙烯基苯外,还有一些对溶胀无贡献的子聚物以悬挂链的形式存在。     

Topologies of capillary condensation

Calculations are presented to illustrate the dependence of capillary adsorption upon the interactions present in model pores. The sequence of phase transitions at zero temperature is determined for a Lennard-Jones lattice gas in a pore consisting of 4 × 4 × sites. The dependence of the specific filling sequence upon the comparative strength of the gas-pore wall and the gas-gas interaction well-depths is determined. Grand canonical Monte Carlo simulations of sorption at finite temperature in the continuum version of the same model pore are also reported. Both the theory and the simulations were performed with variable gas-solid and gas-gas energy well-depths. At a temperature of 90 K, the gas-solid heterogeneity associated with atoms adsorbed in the corners, on the walls and in the interior pore volume gives rise to sequential adsorption similar to that observed in the lattice gas calculation at 0 K. A gradual approach to non-wetting behavior is observed as the gas-solid well-depth decreases. Values of the gas-solid well-depth needed to produce pore filling at saturation (i.e., pore-wetting) are discussed.     

Controlled-rate thermal analysis

Controlled-rate thermal analysis (CRTA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were used to investigate the adsorbed water layers and the surface properties of different commercial activated carbons. A simple method is proposed to obtain information on the properties of the adsorbed water film and the surface heterogeneity of the materials studied. This method utilizes TG mass loss and the first derivative of the DTG mass loss curves with respect to temperature and time, obtained during programmed liquid thermodesorption. The obtained TG mass loss curves, which reflect the energetic heterogeneity, consisted of steps and inflections which were associated with the mechanism of wetting of the solid surfaces. The heights of these steps and inflections depend on the adsorption capacity, the adsorption potential and the nature and number of the active centers of the carbon samples studied. The values of the total porosity and the surface phase capacity obtained by this method are in good agreement with those estimated on the basis of independent methods. The behaviour of water/carbon samples was studied by means of DSC at subambient and elevated temperatures. The experimental results provided novel data on the structural heterogeneity, the thermal stability of the water/carbon interface and its phase and structural transitions.Support from the Research Council of Kent State University (Ohio, USA) is acknowledged. The author is pleased to thank Drs M. Jaroniec, R. K. Gilpin, J. Choma and R. Dobrowolski for fruitful discussions and the active carbon samples.     

Modification of solids with volatile organics III: Natural zeolites

Summary The effect of pre-adsorbed benzene and ethanol on the adsorptive properties of natural zeolite (clinoptilolite) has been studied by gas-solid chromatography. It has been shown that modification of the solid surface by volatile organics has a significant influence on the adsorptive properties. The modification is of the same order as the more difficult modification by inorganics, as illustrated here by clinoptilolite modification with Co²⁺. Energy distribution of surface adsorptive sites appears to be continuous and confirms previous finding that only a small proportion of active sites is responsible for most adsorbate retention. Part II reference [4]     

交互作用偏差对双系统估计量的影响

虽然双系统估计量目前是人口普查质量评估领域估计总体实际人口数的主要方法,但其内在固有的缺陷却依然存在,即由于人口普查与其质量评估调查不独立引起的交互作用偏差使其低估或高估人口数。独立性假设失败源于在普查及其质量评估调查中登记的因果相关性,以及在普查及质量评估调查中登记概率的异质性。Bell模型是当前公认的测算交互作用偏差的有效方法。该方法建立在0-17岁及成年女性的双系统估计值不存在交互作用偏差的假设条件下。利用美国普查局提供的2010年资料全面展示了双系统估计量交互作用偏差的测算过程。实证结果表明,黑人成年男性的双系统估计值存在显著的交互作用偏差。研究有助于我国在未来人口普查质量评估工作中意识到交互作用偏差的存在,把测算的交互作用偏差添加到双系统估计量估计的人口数中,并依据修正后的双系统估计值计算人口普查净误差。