On describing the steady absorption of brownian particles by a restricted random walk

This paper is concerned with idealizing brownian motion as a random walk, using the diffusion equation, and finding the boundary condition at an absorbing surface - all with an eye towards chemical kinetics. Three models of random walk (due to Smoluchowski, Fermi, and Lorentz) are considered, and it is concluded that the lorentzian model is the most appropriate.     

On the long-lived transient absorption observed in nanosecond laser photolysis studies of two polymethine cyanine dyes

It is shown that the long-lived transient absorption which is observed when solutions of cryptocyanine and DDI (1, 1′-diethyl-2, 2′-dicarbocyanine iodide) in methanol and other alcohols are exposed to nanosecond ruby laser pulses arises from a photoproduct whose formation requires consecutive absorption of two photons.     

Chemical Antibody Mimics Inhibit Cadherin-Mediated Cell–Cell Adhesion: A Promising Strategy for Cancer Therapy

One of the most promising strategies to treat cancer is the use of therapeutic antibodies that disrupt cell–cell adhesion mediated by dysregulated cadherins. The principal site where cell–cell adhesion occurs encompasses Trp2 found at the N-terminal region of the protein. Herein, we employed the naturally exposed highly conserved peptide Asp1-Trp2-Val3-Ile4-Pro5-Pro6-Ile7, as epitope to prepare molecularly imprinted polymer nanoparticles (MIP-NPs) to recognize cadherins. Since MIP-NPs target the site responsible for adhesion, they were more potent than commercially available therapeutic antibodies for inhibiting cell–cell adhesion in cell aggregation assays, and for completely disrupting three-dimensional tumor spheroids as well as inhibiting invasion of HeLa cells. These biocompatible supramolecular anti-adhesives may potentially be used as immunotherapeutic or sensitizing agents to enhance antitumor effects of chemotherapy.     

An ILP and simulation model to optimize search and rescue helicopter operations

Maritime search and rescue (SAR) operations, conducted for rendering aid to the victims in need of help at sea, play a crucial role in dropping the number of causalities. Therefore, it is of high importance to organize SAR operations properly. In this paper, we compose a hybrid methodology which combines optimization and simulation to allocate SAR helicopters. First, we build an integer linear programming (ILP) model to provide an effective deployment plan and use it as an input to a simulation model which includes constraints that the ILP model cannot tackle. Next, using a rule-based algorithm, we generate alternative solutions and seek better plans that exist in the vicinity of the ILP model solution. We perform our methodology on the historical incident data in the Aegean Sea region. Results show that the hybrid methodology we adopted leads to a more effective utilization of resources than the optimization model alone.     

Synthesis of enantiopure β-amino alcohols via AKR/ARO of epoxides using recyclable macrocyclic Cr(III) salen complexes

A series of chiral macrocyclic Cr(III) salen complexes 1-8 were synthesized and characterized. These complexes were found to be highly active, regio-, diastereo-, and enantioselective catalysts in aminolytic kinetic resolution (AKR) of racemic trans-epoxides as well as asymmetric ring opening (ARO) of prochiral meso-epoxides with various anilines as nucleophiles at room temperature in 18-24 h. Excellent yields (>99% with respect to the nucleophile) with high enantioselectivity (ee, >99%) of chiral anti-β-amino alcohols was achieved with concomitant recovery of corresponding epoxides in high ee (up to >99%). The complex 1 also catalyzed the ARO of meso-epoxides to provide corresponding syn-β-amino alcohols in high yield (99%) and ee (up to 91%). Due to built-in basic sites in the catalyst, no external base (as an additive) was required to promote AKR and ARO reactions. The catalyst 1 was conveniently recycled several times with retention of its performance. The AKR of trans-stilbene oxide with aniline was successfully demonstrated at relatively higher scale (10 mmol) using the catalyst 1.     

Synthesis,characterization and catalytic performance of nanosized iron-cobalt catalysts for light olefins production

Nanosized Fe-Co catalysts were prepared by co-precipitation method and studied for the conversion of synthesis gas to light olefins.In particular,the effects of a range of preparation variables such as Co/Fe molar ratios of the precipitation solution,pH value of precipitate,temperature of precipitation,promoters and loading of optimum promoter on the structure and catalytic performance are investigated.The optimal nano catalyst for light olefins (C2-C4) production was obtained over the catalyst with Co/Fe molar ratio of 3/1 which promoted with 2 wt% K.The results show that the best operational conditions were GHSV=2200 h-1 (H2/CO=2/1) at 260℃ under atmospheric pressure.Characterization of catalysts were carried out using X-ray diffraction (XRD),thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA),differential scanning calorimetry (DSC),scanning electron microscopy (SEM),transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and N2 physisorption measurements such as Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) and Barrett-Joyner-Halenda (BJH) methods.     

Fiber Optic Spectrophotometer for Noninvasive Transmission and Diffuse Reflection Studies

We describe the construction of a simple but versatile single-beam spectrophotometer that uses no sample holder at all; one arm of a bifurcated fiber optic bundle illuminates the specimen, while the other receives the remitted light. Though designed with an eye to recording the diffuse reflection spectra of scattering-and-absorbing substances, it can also be used for conventional studies (ie transmission spectroscopy) by merely placing a plane mirror behind the cuvette. The performance of the instrument is evaluated and representative spectra of several powders, solutions, and biomaterials are presented.     

THE MECHANISM OF SINGLET-SINGLET EXCITATION ENERGY TRANSFER FROM CAROTENOIDS TO CHLOROPHYLL

Abstract— It is proposed that the light-harvesting function of carotenoids in photosynthesis requires electron exchange between the energy donor (carotenoids) and the acceptor (antenna Chi molecules); this supports an earlier suggestion by Goedheer (1972) that there exists a close spatial relationship between these pigments in vivo.     

Estimation of Pigment Stoichiometries in Photosynthetic Systems of Purple Bacteria: Special Reference to the (Absence of) Second Carotenoid in LH2

Abstract— In this short communication we present the stoichiometric ratio of bacteriochlorophyll, bacteriopheophytin and carotenoids in a few photosynthetic purple bacteria complexes (whose two-dimensional or three-dimensional structures are well known) determined using the spectrum-reconstruction method (SRCM). An important conclusion of our pigment stoichiometric analysis is the evidence for the absence of the second carotenoid in the light-harvesting complex 2 (LH2). In the process, we also highlight the useful application of SRCM in determining the molar extinction coefficients of carotenoids present in LH1, LH2 or reaction centers for which these values are not known due to isolation problems and/or stability.     

The influence of molecular geometry on the fluorescence spectra of biphenyl and the polyphenyls

The shapes of the fluorescence spectra of rigid solutions (in ethanol at 77 K) of biphenyl,p-terphenyl, andp-quaterphenyl are shown to depend on the wavelength of the exciting light: the spectral resolution enhances with increasing wavelength of excitation. These spectra are interpreted in terms of a model wherein the equilibrium configuration of the fluorescent state is planar, but that of the ground state deviates from planarity.Some other results reported in the literature are also discussed and it is concluded that the ground states of the singly and doubly charged ions of these molecules, as well as the lowest triplet states of the neutral molecules, are nearly planar.