Preparation and characterization of methoxy‐poly(ethylene glycol) side chain grafted onto chitosan as a wound dressing film

Chitosan has received extensive attention as a biomedical material; however, the poor solubility of chitosan is the major limiting factor in its utilization. In this study, chitosan‐based biomaterials with improved aqueous solubility were synthesized. Two molecular weights (750 Da and 2000 Da) of methoxypoly(ethylene glycol) (mPEG) were grafted onto chitosan (mPEG‐g‐chitosan) to form a ～100‐μm‐thick plastic film as a wound dressing. The chemical structures of the mPEG‐g‐chitosan copolymers were confirmed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and the thermal properties were characterized using thermogravimetry analysis (TGA). Their microstructures were observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The other properties were analyzed via the swelling ratio, tensile strength, elongation, and water vapor transmission rate (WVTR). Biocompatibility evaluations through biodegradability, cytotoxicity, and antimicrobial effect studies were also performed. The obtained mPEG‐g‐chitosan copolymers were soluble in slightly acidic aqueous solutions (pH～6.5) at a concentration of 10 wt %. The optimal mPEG‐g‐chitosan hydrogels had swelling ratios greater than 100% and WVTRs greater than 2000 g/m²/day. Their performance against Staphylococcus aureus will be subjected to further improvements with respect to medical applications. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42340.     

Knowledge contribution in information system development teams: An empirical research from a social cognitive perspective

The extent of knowledge contribution is the key to the success of system development projects. Knowledge contribution refers to the knowledge that is provided to increase a team's efficiency and achieve its goal. This study proposes a research model exploring factors that influence the extent of knowledge contribution from a social cognitive perspective. These factors include the team relationship commitment, team relationship norms, and awareness of expertise location. Additionally, this study argues that a team's awareness of expertise location mediates the effects of affective commitment and relationship norms on knowledge contribution. The result shows that the awareness of expertise location plays a crucial mediating role in the relationships between the two socially prescribed motivations and knowledge contribution. Moreover, team relationship commitment has an important impact on team established relational norms.     

硫脲浸出液活性炭负载洗脱研究

从硫脲浸出液中活性炭负载洗脱金是比较困难的,目前在这方面发表的文献并不很多。本文着重研究并讨论了从负载活性炭上洗脱金的不同方法,包括酸性硫脲有机溶液和非有机洗脱液。研究了丙酮、乙腈、丁醇、乙二醚和乙醇5种有机溶剂。研究了不同的硫脲、硫酸和有机溶剂的浓度和温度对洗脱的影响。试验表明了这5种有机溶剂对金的洗脱能力按如下顺序排列: 丁醇>乙腈>乙二醚>乙醇>丙酮当采用5%丁醇,50～100g/L硫脲和50～100g/L硫酸,温度40～60℃时,金的洗脱率可达98～99%,此时活性炭含金降至0.10mg/g以下。对于非有机洗脱液,像硫化钠和硫代硫酸钠,研究表明金的洗脱率主要取决于溶液的浓度和温度,在室温时,1～2mol的硫化钠溶液可以洗脱99%的金。如果溶液的浓度降低至0.5mol,则温度需升至80℃以上才可能获得相同的洗脱率。     

Highly sensitive electrochemical sensor based on zirconium oxide-decorated gold nanoflakes nanocomposite 2,4-dichlorophenol detection

Journal of Applied Electrochemistry - In this study, a sensitive and selective electrochemical sensor based on a zirconia oxide-decorated gold nanoflake nanocomposite-modified glassy carbon...     

Gas Chromatography with Flame Ionization Detection of 1,4-Dioxane in Palm-Based Fatty Alcohol Ethoxylates

During the ethoxylation of fatty alcohol, 1,4-dioxane, a toxic by-product may be formed. A simple and rapid method using gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector was developed for detection of 1,4-dioxane in commercial palm-based fatty alcohol ethoxylate (FAEO). The method involved spiking the 1,4-dioxane into FAEO samples, and directly injecting the spiked samples into GC with no clean-up steps. The method was validated in terms of linearity, accuracy, intra-day precision and inter-day precision, selectivity, limit of detection and limit of quantification. In terms of linearity, a calibration curve with a correlation coefficient of 0.9999 was obtained. The accuracy of the method was indicated by recovery obtained for spiked 1,4-dioxane samples at 5 levels of spiking, i.e. at 30, 60, 100, 200 and 500 μg/g, where recoveries were within 99–105 % with relative standard deviation (RSD) of <4.0 %. The RSD values of the intra-day and inter-day precision were <1.0 %. The limit of detection and quantification was 10 and 30 μg/g, respectively. The selectivity of the method was indicated by its ability to analyze commercial FAEO samples with different average moles of ethylene oxide (EO). The GC profiles of these FAEO with varying numbers of moles of EO were similar, and there were no other peaks interfering with the 1,4-dioxane peak.     

Studies on the preparation and properties of conductive polymers. IX. Using photographic developer to prepare metallized conductive polymer films

Poly(vinyl alcohol) metal chelate solutions were prepared by mixing silver nitrate with solutions of poly(vinyl alchol), and films wee prepared from these solutions. These poly(vinyl alcohol) metal chelate films were reduced by photographic developer. The silver ions in poly(vinyl alcohol) films were reduced to silver on the surface, and conductive polymer films were obtained. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Myrosinase activity and total glucosinolate content of cruciferous vegetables,and some properties of cabbage myrosinase in Taiwan

The myrosinase activity and total glucosinolates of 10 different cruciferous vegetables and some properties of cabbage (Brassica oleracea L var capitata L) myrosinase were investigated. Radish, cabbage and broccoli showed higher myrosinase activity than other samples. No correlation (P > 0–05) was found between myrosinase activity and total glucosinolates of cruciferous vegetables tested. Myrosinase activity for white cabbage was higher than red cabbage. An optimal pH of myrosinase activity was observed at pH 8–0 for both white and red cabbages. The myrosinase extracted from cabbage was more stable in neutral or alkaline pH. The optimal temperature of myrosinase activity for both cabbages was about 60°C, but the myrosinase activity was destroyed after heating at 70°C for 30 min. The myrosinase activities of both white and red cabbages were activated by 10 mM and 5 mM ascorbic acid, respectively.