Study of clinker dopped with P and S compounds

The sintering and the structure of clinkers, modified by the introduction of different ionic forms of sulfur and phosphorus into the raw mix, were examined. One reference synthetic mixture and 25 modified mixtures were prepared by mixing the reference sample with 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5%w/w of chemical grade CaSO₄, CaS, Ca₃(PO₄)₂, CaHPO₄ and Ca(H₂PO₄)₂. Free lime content in all samples was measured. The sintering reactions in samples were recorded by means of differential thermal analysis. The texture of the clinkers was examined using a scanning electron microscope and EDX. It is concluded that, despite of their relatively low doping concentration in the raw mix, P and S affect considerably its reactivity and the texture of the clinker. The various ionic forms of the same element (SO₄ ^2-, S^2- for S, PO₄ ^3-, HPO₄ ^2- and H₂PO₄ ^- for P) exhibit a different and unequivocal effect on the reactivity of the synthetic raw mix and on the texture of the corresponding clinkers. S (in both forms) and P (added as HPO₄ ^2-) are mainly dissolved in the melt and they have a positive effect on the burnability of the raw mix. P (added as PO₄ ^3- or H₂PO^4-) is preferentially accumulated in belite. In this case further stabilization of β-C₂S occurs and the binding of the free lime is hindered. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Characterization and pozzolanic activity of thermally treated zeolite

Summary The pozzolanic reactivity of thermally treated zeolites was studied on the basis of the Chapelle test combined with X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform (FTIR) spectroscopy, as well as thermogravimetric analysis (TG/DTG) and differential thermal analysis (DTA). The raw zeolite samples are from the Pentalofos area, Thrace, NE Greece. Their main mineral constituent is 'heulandite type-II', an intermediate type of the heulandite-clinoptilolite isomorphous series. Calcination of the samples was carried out up to 400, 500, 600, 700 and 1000°C for 15 h. The changes were recorded using the above methods. The deformation of the zeolite crystal lattice starts at about 400°C and proceeds as the temperature of thermal treatment rises. The thermal treatment of zeolite at 400°C improves its pozzolanic reactivity and accelerates the reaction with Ca(OH)₂.     

A comparative study of molecular complexation of [60]- and [70]fullerenes with 1,3,5-tribromobenzene by UV-vis spectrophotometric method

By UV-vis spectrophotometric method it has been shown that 1,3,5-tribromobenzene (TBB) forms molecular complexes of 1:2 stoichiometry with [60]- and [70]fullerenes. An isosbestic point could be detected in case of the [70]fullerene complex. The formation constant of the [60]fullerene complex is higher than that of the [70]fullerene complex at each of the four temperatures under study. This is in opposite order of the electron affinities of the two fullerenes; moreover, no charge transfer band was observed in the spectra of either complex in solution. This indicates that van der Waals forces, rather than CT interactions, are responsible for complexation. The results reveal that the C-atoms at the pentagon vertices of [60]fullerene have greater polarizing power than those in [70]fullerene.     

Radiolabeled novel peptide for imaging somatostatin-receptor expressing tumor: synthesis and radiobiological evaluation

The aim of this study was to synthesis, a radiolabeled (^99mTc) new somatostatin-analogue 6-hydrazinopyridine-3-carboxylic-acid (HYNIC)-Asn³-octreotate (^99mTc-HYNIC-AATE), and to evaluate as a candidate for imaging somatostatin-receptor (SSTR)-positive tumors and also compare it with ^99mTc-HYNIC-Tyr³-octreotide (^99mTc-HYNIC-TOC). Synthesis was performed by Fmoc-solid-phase strategy and ^99mTc labeled by SnCl₂. Biodistribution and imaging properties of new radiopeptide were also studied in C6 tumor bearing rat. Radiolabeling was performed at high specific activities and it showed high binding-affinity for SSTR2. In biodistribution, radiopeptides have showed high and receptor-specific uptake in the SSTR2 positive organs, tumor with rapid renal excretion from non-target tissues. These results demonstrated that ^99mTc-HYNIC-AATE is a new specific radioligand for scintigraphy of somatostatin-receptor-positive tumors.     

Characteristic polynomials of linear polyacenes and their subspectrality

Coefficients of characteristic polynomials (CP) of linear polyacenes (LP) have been shown to be obtainable from Pascal’s triangle by using a graph factorisation and squaring technique. Strong subspectrality existing among the members of the linear polyacene series has been shown from the derivation of the CP’s. Thus it has been shown that the entire eigenspectrum of ann-ring LP is included in that of (2n + 1)-ring LP. Correspondence between the eigenspectra of linear chains and LP’s is brought out by a recently developed vertex-alternation and squaring algorithm.     

Rhodamine-Based Cu2+ -Selective Fluorosensor: Synthesis, Mechanism, and Application in Living Cells

A rhodamine B-based fluorescence probe (1) for the sensitive and selective detection of Cu²⁺ ion has been designed and synthesized using pyridine moiety. The optical properties of this compound have been investigated in acetonitrile-water binary solution (7:3 v/v). Compound 1 is found to be an excellent sensor for a biologically/physiologically very important transition metal ion (Cu²⁺) using only the two very different modes of measurements (absorption and emission); one case displayed intensity enhancement whereas in other case showed intensity depletion (quenching). A mechanistic investigation has been performed to explore the static nature of quenching process. The sensor has been found to be very effective in sensing Cu²⁺ ion inside living cells also.     

Aggregation of [70]fullerene in presence of acetonitrile: a chemical kinetic experiment

[70]fullerene solutions in carbon tetrachloride and o-xylene exhibit a noteworthy spectral variation with time when acetonitrile is added. This has been ascribed to self-aggregation of [70]fullerene caused by the repulsion between polar acetonitrile and hydrophobic [70]fullerene, and the aggregation numbers have been determined from a kinetic scheme and also from a scanning electron microscopic study. The numbers thus obtained follow a cuboctahedral stacking pattern proposed recently and also agree with the magic formula n=55+3m (m=1 to 14) proposed by Branz et al. for [60]fullerene clusters [Phys. Rev. B. 66, 094107 (2002)].     

Development of a new fluorescence ratiometric switch for endogenous hypochlorite detection in monocytes of diabetic subjects by dye release method

Increased oxidative stress in metabolic complications like type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia and cardiovascular disorders exerts potential health hazards in many facets. Enhanced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) due to increased oxidative stress promotes the damage of many biologically important macromolecules. Hypochlorous acid (HOCl), a microbicidal agent is also known to be an important ROS sub-species. An enhanced generation of endogenous HOCl due to diseased condition therefore can be detrimental to health. In present work, a new quinoline-diaminomaleonitrile based probe (HQMN) has been designed for the selective detection of hypochlorite. The probe in hand shows a selective ratiometric emission change towards OCl^?. The probe behaves as a highly selective and sensitive tool for the detection of OCl^? over other analytes with a fast response time (within 100 s). Bioimaging study revealed that HQMN can detect endogenous OCl^? in human monocytes and an increase in endogenous HOCl concentration has been witnessed in diabetic condition compared to healthy control. Thus HQMN can be used as an excellent fluorescent probe for dynamic tracking of hypochorite in living biological cells especially to identify diabetic conditions.     

A Triphenyl Amine‐Based Solvatofluorochromic Dye for the Selective and Ratiometric Sensing of OCl− in Human Blood Cells

A new visible‐light‐excitable fluorescence ratiometric probe for OCl^? has been developed based on a triphenylamine‐diamiomaleonitrile (TAM) moiety. The structure of the dye was confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray analysis. It behaves as a highly selective and sensitive probe for OCl^? over other analytes with a fast response time (～100 s). OCl^? reacts with the probe leading to the formation of the corresponding aldehyde in a mixed‐aqueous system. The detection limit of the probe is in the 10^?8 M range. The probe (TAM) also exhibits solvatofluorochromism. Changing the solvent from non‐polar to polar, the emission band of TAM largely red‐shifted. Moreover, the probe shows an excellent performance in real‐life application in detecting OCl^? in human blood cells. The experimentally observed changes in the structure and electronic properties of the probe after reaction with OCl^? were studied by DFT and TDDFT computational calculations.