Physicochemical properties and bio-interfacial interactions of surface modified PDLLA-PAMAM linear dendritic block copolymers

Here, we demonstrate the applicability of self-assembling linear-dendritic block copolymers (LDBCs) and their nanoaggregates possessing varied surfaces as therapeutic nanocarriers. These LDBCs are comprised of a hydrophobic, linear polyester chemically coupled to a hydrophilic dendron polyamidoamine (PAMAM)—the latter of which acts as the surface of the self-assembled nanoaggregate in aqueous media. To better understand how surface charge density affects the overall operability of these nanomaterials, we modified the nanoaggregate surface to yield cationic (NH₃⁺), neutral (OH), and anionic (COO⁻) surfaces. The effect of these modifications on the physicochemical properties (i.e., size, morphology, and surface charge density), colloidal stability, and cellular uptake mechanism of the polymeric nanocarrier were investigated. This comparative study demonstrates the viability of nanoaggregates formed from PDLLA-PAMAM LDBCs to serve as nanocarriers for applications in drug delivery.     

Anomalous elastic behaviour of Bi-Pb-Ag composites

Bi-Pb and Bi-Pb-Ag superconducting composites have been prepared by the solid state reaction method. After the usual characterization, ultrasonic longitudinal velocity and attenuation studies have been undertaken over a temperature range 80–300 K by the pulse transmission technique. In contrast to normal solids, the ultrasonic velocities of both the samples in the temperature range 200-100 K are found to decrease with decreasing temperature (softening), followed by a velocity maximum. The samples are also found to exhibit longitudinal attenuation peaks at TEMPERATURES = 260, 160 and 120 K. An attempt has also been made to verify whether the Wachtman's equations can theoretically explain the low-temperature behaviour of the Young's modulus of these materials. A qualitative explanation for both the phenomena of softening of velocity as well as the occurrence of attenuation peaks is given.     

Ni+Pd+Ga and Ni+Pd+in liquid alloys: Enthalpies of formation

In order to fill the evident gap in the thermodynamic data of nickel-palladium-gallium and nickel-palladium-indium ternary alloys, the enthalpies of formation of these systems in the liquid state have been determined. This was achieved by means of a very high temperature calorimeter (T<1800 K), using the direct drop method, and based on analogous measurements of the respective binary alloys previously published. Complete automation of the calorimeter led to a good precision even at the highest temperatures. The enthalpies of formation of the ternary liquid alloys were measured between 1400 and 1600 K on the whole composition range. As in the limiting binary systems, enthalpies of formation are negative and non temperature dependent at any composition.

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Zusammenfassung Um die Lücke hinsichtlich thermodynamischer Daten von Nickel-Palladium-Gallium und Nickel-Palladium-Indium Legierungen zu füllen, wurden die Bildungsenthalpien dieser ternÄren Systeme im flüssigen Zustand bestimmt. Dies erfolgte mittels eines Kalorimeters für sehr hohe Temperaturen (T<1800 K), unter Verwendung der direkten Einwurfmethode auf der Basis früher veröffentlichter Messungen an den entsprechenden binÄren Systemen. Die Bildungsenthalpien der flüssigen ternÄren Legierungen wurden zwischen 1400 und 1600 K über den gesamten Zusammensetzungsbereich bestimmt. VollstÄndige Automation des Kalorimeters bewirkte hohe PrÄzision selbst bei den höchsten Temperaturen. Wie in den begrenzenden binÄren Systemen sind die Bildungsenthalpien negativ und bei allen Zusammensetzungen nicht temperaturabhÄngig.

     

Organopolysiloxanes as Chemically Sensitive Coatings for Optical Fibers

Various types of UV-curable organically modified siloxanes have been synthesized by the sol-gel method with the aim of fabricating chemically sensitive coatings for silica optical fibers. The refractive index of the coating material can be tailored in the range from 1.46 to 1.56 and sensitivity towards CO2 is achieved by incorporation of amino groups. The interaction of the cured layers with CO2 or with hydrocarbons has been studied in immersion experiments. Both the reaction of CO2 with incorporated amino groups and the penetration of hydrocarbons into the layer induce changes of the light absorption coefficient and the refractive index of the coating which are detected by measuring the output light intensity from the fiber.     

Sol-Gel Fabrication and Properties of Silica Cores of Optical Fibers Doped with Yb3+, Er3+, Al2 O3 or TiO2

Optical cores of preforms for drawing optical fibers doped with Er3+ and Yb3+ were fabricated by the sol-gel method with the aim of increasing the thickness of glass layers coated in a single coating cycle and to determine the relation between the preparation conditions and optical properties of the fibers. Al2O3-P2O5-SiO2 and TiO2-P2O5-SiO2 glasses have been studied as matrices for entrapping the rare-earth elements. Input sols have been prepared from silicon and titanium alkoxides, AlCl3, ErCl3, YbCl3, POCl3, water and a modifier under acidic catalysis of HCl. The sols were coated on the inner wall of a silica substrate tube and the gel layers were sintered at high temperatures up to 2000°C after which the tube was collapsed into the preform. Continuous and homogenous glass films with the maximum thickness of about 8 m were fabricated. The influence of high-temperature heat treatment of the layers on their composition and optical attenuation was observed. The amplified stimulated emission of Er3+ around 1.55 m was measured under the excitation of the fibers by an Nd : YAG laser at 1.064 m.     

A simple, efficient and highly selective deprotection of t-butyldimethylsilyl (TBDMS) ethers using silica supported sodium hydrogen sulfate as a heterogeneous catalyst

t-Butyldimethylsilyl (TBDMS) ethers have been efficiently and selectively deprotected using silica supported sodium hydrogen sulfate (NaHSO₄·SiO₂) as a heterogeneous catalyst at room temperature to regenerate the parent alcohols in high yields.     

Folding, conformational changes, and dynamics of cytochromes C probed by NMR spectroscopy

NMR spectroscopy has become a vital tool for studies of protein conformational changes and dynamics. Oxidized Fe(III)cytochromes c are a particularly attractive target for NMR analysis because their paramagnetism (S = (1)/(2)) leads to high (1)H chemical shift dispersion, even for unfolded or otherwise disordered states. In addition, analysis of shifts induced by the hyperfine interaction reveals details of the structure of the heme and its ligands for native and nonnative protein conformational states. The use of NMR spectroscopy to investigate the folding and dynamics of paramagnetic cytochromes c is reviewed here. Studies of nonnative conformations formed by denaturation and by anomalous in vivo maturation (heme attachment) are facilitated by the paramagnetic, low-spin nature of native and nonnative forms of cytochromes c. Investigation of the dynamics of folded cytochromes c also are aided by their paramagnetism. As an example of this analysis, the expression in Escherichia coli of cytochrome c(552) from Nitrosomonas europaea is reported here, along with analysis of its unusual heme hyperfine shifts. The results are suggestive of heme axial methionine fluxion in N. europaea ferricytochrome c(552). The application of NMR spectroscopy to investigate paramagnetic cytochrome c folding and dynamics has advanced our understanding of the structure and dynamics of both native and nonnative states of heme proteins.     

Infrared spectroscopy for the study of urinary calculi

The occurance of the urinary stones varies according to the geographical regions. The presence of stones in the urinary system causes pain and discomfort. These generate colics and hence are sometimes life threatening. In the present study, infrared measurements have been made on several stone samples. It has been found that calcium oxalate, calcium phosphate, magnesiunm ammonium phosphate, calcium carbonate, uric acid, -cystine and xanthin are present, as expected. Also, silicon dioxide is found to be present in some of the stones but in small quantity, in addition to the above constituents. This constituent is responsible to exhibit piezoelectricity in the urinary calculi.     

A simple and efficient one-pot synthesis of β-acetamido carbonyl compounds using sulfated zirconia as a heterogeneous recyclable catalyst

Sulfated zirconia has been employed as an efficient recyclable catalyst for the preparation of various β-acetamidoketones or esters at room temperature. The process involves the one-pot multicomponent reactions of aromatic aldehydes, enolizable ketones or β-ketoesters and acetonitrile in the presence of acetyl chloride.