Triphilic pentablock copolymers with perfluoroalkyl segment in central position

Adding perfluoroalkyl (PF) segments to amphiphilic copolymers yields triphilic copolymers with new application profiles. Usually, PF segments are attached as terminal blocks via Cu(I) catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC). The purpose of the current study is to design new triphilic architectures with a PF segment in central position. The PF segment bearing bifunctional atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) initiator is employed for the fabrication of triphilic poly(propylene oxide)-b-poly(glycerol monomethacrylate)-b-PF-b-poly(glycerol monomethacrylate)-b-poly(propylene oxide) PPO-b-PGMA-b-PF-b-PGMA-b-PPO pentablock copolymers by a combined ATRP and CuAAC reaction approach. Differential scanning calorimetry indicates the PF-initiator to undergo a solid–solid phase transition at 63°C before the final crystal melting at 95°C. This is further corroborated by polarized optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction studies. The PF-initiator could successfully polymerize solketal methacrylate (SMA) under typical ATRP conditions producing well-defined Br-PSMA-b-PF-b-PSMA-Br triblock copolymers that are then converted into PPO-b-PSMA-b-PF-b-PSMA-b-PPO pentablock copolymer via CuAAC reaction. Subsequently, acid hydrolysis of the PSMA blocks afforded water soluble well-defined triphilic pentablock copolymers PPO-b-PGMA-b-PF-b-PGMA-b-PPO with fluorophilic central segment, hydrophilic middle blocks, and lipophilic outer blocks. The triphilic block copolymers could self-assemble, depending upon the preparatory protocol, into spherical and filament-like phase-separated nanostructures as revealed by transmission electron microscopy.     

Conceptual continuity as a mode of understanding complex systems: Applications to the dynamics sociopolitical systems

In complex biological systems, entities that are conceptually distinct but empirically related—such as sunlight and plant growth or antigene and immune response—are being explicitly linked through the identification of highly specific uninterrupted interaction sequences that take place between their macromolecular system components. These uninterrupted sequences of causation include common elements that are shared by the empirically related but conceptually distinct entities. Through the identification of specific shared elements, “conceptual continuity” is established between these entities. Examples are introduced to suggest that in sociopolitical systems, an analogous conceptual continuity can be established between distinct sociopolitical entities. The identification of specific shared elements, essential for the well being of each of the entities, can play a significant role in resolving conflicts between those separated by seemingly insurmountable obstacles such as race or religion or ideology. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity 11:20–24, 2006     

Acetanilid und Phenacetin

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Collective flow model for the pion transverse momentum spectra from relativistic nuclear collisions at CERN

The transverse momentum spectra for pions observed by WA80 and NA35 collaborations are analysed within a fireball model with collective isentropic expansion and a realistic freeze-out criterion. By varing the initial state of the fireball, an excellent fit to the data is achieved for the whole measured range ofP _T . Slight differences in the data for the spectral slopes from central and pheripheral collisions originate in our model from the difference in the size of the fireball and in the number of participating nucleons in central and peripheral collisions. Using additional information from two-pion correlations, we can extrapolate our model back from the freeze-out point (determined from the spectra) to the initial state; we find that an initial energy density of 1.5–2GGeV/fm³ is sufficient to explain the data from central O+Au collisions at 200A GeV.     

Multicyclic polyethers derived from 1,1,1‐tris(4‐hydroxyphenyl)ethane and 2,6‐dihalopyridines

Poly(pyridine ether)s were prepared in two ways: the polycondensation of silylated 1,1,1‐tris(4‐hydroxyphenyl)ethane (THPE) with 2,6‐difluoropyridine (method A) and the polycondensation of free THPE with 2,6‐dichloropyridine (method B). With method A, the THPE/difluoropyridine feed ratio was varied from 1.0:1.0 to 1.0:1.6. Cycles, bicycles, and multicycles were the main reaction products, and crosslinking was never observed. When ideal stoichiometry was used exclusively, multicycles free of functional groups were obtained. These multicycles were detectable in matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight (MALDI‐TOF) mass spectra up to B₃₈C₇₆ with a mass of approximately 32,000 Da. With method B, the reaction conditions were varied at a fixed feed ratio to achieve an optimum for the preparation of multicyclic polyethers, but because of the lower reactivity of 2,6‐dichloropyridine, a quantitative conversion was not achieved. The reaction products were characterized with MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry, viscosity measurements, and size exclusion chromatography. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 5725–5735, 2004     

Development of a novel approach for the production of dried genomic DNA for use as standards for qualitative PCR testing of food-borne pathogens

As part of a multi-centre European project, FOOD-PCR, the feasibility of a novel approach for production of dried bacterial DNA that could be used as certified reference materials (CRM) was assessed. Selected strains of Salmonella typhimurium, Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli O157, Campylobacter jejuni and Yersinia enterocolitica were used to produce genomic DNA (gDNA). These preparations gave support to method development for qualitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection methods for food-borne pathogens. Purified gDNA was transformed into stable and dry gDNA by using polypropylene vials as carrier and applying a vacuum-drying technique. The gDNA preparations were shown to be sufficiently stable under ambient transport conditions without cooling and proved to have long-term stability at 5°C of at least 22 months. The dried DNA was easily reconstituted by addition of distilled water then gentle shaking. These studies have shown that production of stable and dry bacterial gDNA material is feasible and could help satisfy the increasing need for certified reference DNA positive control samples in the field of PCR testing for detection and verification of food-borne microbial pathogens.

     

Polyelectrolyte complexes. VI. Polycation structure,polyanion molar mass,and polyion concentration effects on complex nanoparticles based on poly(sodium 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropanesulfonate)

The formation and characterization of some interpolyelectrolyte complex (IPEC) nanoparticles based on poly(sodium 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropanesulfonate) (NaPAMPS), as a function of the polycation structure, polyanion molar mass, and polyion concentration, were followed in this work. Poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) and two polycations (PCs) containing (N,N‐dimethyl‐2‐hydroxypropyleneammonium chloride) units in the backbone (PCA₅ and PCA₅D₁) were used as starting polyions. The complex stoichiometry, (n^?/n⁺)_iso, was pointed out by optical density at 500 nm (OD₅₀₀), polyelectrolyte titration, and dynamic light scattering. IPEC nanoparticle sizes were influenced by the polycation structure and polyanion molar mass only before the complex stoichiometry, which was higher for the more hydrophilic polycations (PCA₅ and PCA₅D₁) and for a higher NaPAMPS molar mass, and were almost independent of these factors after that, at a flow rate of the added polyion of about 0.28 mL × (mL PC)^?1 × h^?1. The IPEC nanoparticle sizes remained almost constant for more than 2 weeks, both before and after the complex stoichiometry, at low concentrations of polyions. NIPECs as stable colloidal dispersions with positive charges in excess were prepared at a ratio between charges (n^?/n⁺) of 0.7, and their storage colloidal stability, as a function of the polycation structure and polyion concentration (from 0.8 to ca. 7.8 mmol/L), was demonstrated. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 2495–2505, 2004