Chromotropic ferrocenyl chalcone with two pyrenyl groups: Solvatochromism and molecular chemosensor for Fe(III)/Fe(II) ions

A chromotropic ferrocenyl chalcone with two pyrenyl groups (Fc-dPyr) is prepared and spectroscopically characterized. The X-ray structure analysis shows that the two pyrenyl groups are almost parallel to each other with a torsion angle of 5.57° and adopt a dimeric mode with a distance of 3.776 Å between them, ready to form an excimer. The solvatochromic fluorescence spectra indicate that the emission maxima observed in hydrogen-bonding donor (HBD) solvents (CHCl₃, EtOH and MeOH) exhibit a strictly linear relationship with the normalized E_T^N value, while those in a non-HBD solvent (CH₃CN) do not. The molecular chemosensor activity of Fc-dPyr is highly selective toward Fe(III) ions over Fe(II) ions. The fluorescence emission intensity of Fc-dPyr steeply decreases in the presence of Fe(III) ions as an oxidant, but not in the presence of Fe(II) ions.     

Development of a Simple,Rapid Multiplex PCR Method Using the 16S rRNA Gene to Determine the Country of Origin of Brackish Water Bivalve <Emphasis Type="Italic">Corbicula japonica</Emphasis>

In this study, a multiplex PCR detection method was developed to identify the country of origin of Corbicula japonica (clams), a commercially important bivalve in Asia. Specific primer sets that have a single nucleotide mismatch at the 3′ terminus were designed after sequencing the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene of clams identified as C. japonica originating from Korea, China, and Japan. Using this method, each origin was clearly identified based on the PCR products: three bands for Korean C. japonica (100, 283, and 384 bp), one band for Chinese C. japonica (384 bp), and two bands for Japanese C. japonica (384 and 100 bp). These results indicate that the 16S rRNA gene, which is usually used to identify species, can distinguish the country of origin within C. japonica. Our multiplex PCR assay should be a useful tool for the fair trade of the species.     

Failure mechanism for metal cylinder under explosive loading

This paper presents the numerical study of dynamic fracture for metal cylinder under internal explosive loading. Also, the effects of fracture models and groove designs on fracture behavior are investigated. For the dynamic hardening behavior, the Lim-Huh model including the thermal softening effect is adopted [1, 2]. Also, the Lou-Huh fracture model considering the strain rate dependency is used for fracture prediction [3]. The tensile fracture occurs first at the outer surface, and the shear fracture is observed near the inner surface. In addition, finite element analyses are performed to study the effect of various groove designs on dynamic fracture; single U-groove and V-groove at the outer surface. The tensile and shear fracture lines are predicted near the groove tip and inner surface, respectively. It is concluded that the stress triaxiality parameter is one of the critical factors in the dynamic fracture prediction of the metal cylinder.

     

Deterioration behavior analysis of dysprosium and thulium co-doped barium titanate ceramics for multilayer ceramic capacitors

An accelerated testing method for barium titanate (BaTiO₃) dielectrics was proposed to elucidate deterioration behavior of dielectric constant based on the life-temperature relation. The accelerated degradation test (ADT) which was designed using various temperature ranges below and above Curie temperature (T_c) was focused on the optimized composition of dysprosium (Dy) and thulium (Tm) co-doped BaTiO₃. The statistical analysis of the failure time data was performed to determine the optimum distribution as a goodness-of-fitness test. A scale parameter (η) and activation energy (E_α) were calculated in order to predict the life time of the co-doped BaTiO₃, and there was difference between the expected life times according to the acceleration temperature rating of the ADT. The difference of deterioration mechanism around T_c could be deduced from the change of lattice parameter and polarization behavior. The drastic decrease of tetragonality and ferroelectric property caused by the phase transition of the co-doped BaTiO₃ was verified in the temperature above T_c. Accordingly, the acceleration factor over T_c should be considered as reliability study of the BaTiO₃ dielectrics for multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs).     

Dielectric and piezoelectric properties of KCT added (Li0.02(Na0.56 K0.46)0.98(Nb0.81Ta0.15Sb0.04)O3 ceramics

In this study, [Li_0.02(Na_0.56 K_0.46)_0.98](Nb_0.81Ta_0.15Sb_0.04)O₃ + x mol% K_5.4Cu_1.3Ta₁₀O₂₉ ceramics were fabricated by conventional solid-state solution processes. Then, their dielectric and piezoelectric properties were investigated. Sinterability of all samples was enhanced because K_5.4Cu_1.3Ta₁₀O₂₉ (abbreviated as KCT) acted as sintering aids. As the result of XRD, phase structure showed orthorhombic symmetry when KCT ≤ 0.2 mol%. Whereas, the phase structure changed from orthorhombic symmetry to tetragonal symmetry when KCT?≥?0.4 mol%. The results suggest that the orthorhombic and tetragonal phases co-exist in the composition ceramics with 0.2 mol% < KCT < 0.4 mol% at room temperature. The effects of the addition of KCT on the dielectric and piezoelectric properties were investigated. As the result, excellent properties of density=4.81[g/cm³], electromechanical coupling factor (k_p)=0.48 and piezoelectric constant(d₃₃)=252[pC/N] were obtained in the composition ceramics with 0.4 mol%KCT.     

The synthesis of crown ether-appended dichlorofluoresceins and their selective Cu2+ chemosensing

Dichlorofluorescein derivatives with two aza-crown ether binding units were prepared by the Mannich reaction and their chemosensing behaviors toward transition metal ions were investigated. An 18-crown-6 ether derivative exhibited pronounced Cu²⁺-selective fluorescence signaling, with selectivity over other common physiologically important alkali, alkaline earth and transition metal ions. The compound also displayed 1:1 complex formation with Cu²⁺ ion, with a detection limit of 2.9 × 10^?6 M in an aqueous 50% DMSO solution at pH 7, showing that it may offer potential as a chemosensor for the detection of submillimolar Cu²⁺ ions in physiological environments. A 15-Crown-5 ether analogue also revealed selective Cu²⁺ signaling, although with somewhat diminished selectivity compared with its 18-crown-6 counterpart.     

A preliminary study on the development of an easy method for beef freshness using a cyclic voltammetric system

This study was carried out to develop an easy method for beef freshness using a cyclic voltammetric system. Prime graded (USDA) beef loin at 48 h postmortem was cut into pieces 3 cm thick, packaged into commercial plastic zipper bag, and then stored at 4 °C for 0, 3, 6 and 9 days. A commercial cyclic voltammetry and data processing software were used for this study and the interdigitated electrode was fabricated according to semiconductor manufacturing. The homogenated beef was filtered through Whatman No. 1 filter paper and 250 μL of the filtrate was applied on the interdigitated electrode sensor chip for electrochemical detection. Electrochemical signals changed as storage periods increased. The shape of the cyclic voltammogram changed from a roundish curve to a shapely curve. Redox values (V) also increased during storage. Electrochemical signals matched well with lipid oxidation values (Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances: TBARS). A linear relationship between redox value and TBARS was obtained with a correlation factor of 0.957. Thus, the electrochemical signal of a cyclic voltammetric system can be used as an indicator of beef freshness.     

Identification of functional elements of p18INK4C essential for binding and inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4 and CDK6

An indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) was used to identify patients with antibodies reactive to the human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE) agent. Serum samples collected from clinically ill individuals were submitted to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention by physicians via state health departments from throughout the United States and tested against a panel of ehrlichial and rickettsial pathogens. Antibodies reactive to the HGE agent were detected in 142 (8.9%) of 1,602 individuals tested. There were 19 confirmed and 59 probable (n = 78) cases of HGE as defined by seroconversion or a fourfold or higher titer to the HGE agent than to the Ehrlichia chaffeensis antigens. The average age of patients with HGE was 57 years, and males accounted for 53 (68%) of the patients. Cases of HGE occurred in 21 states; 47 (60%) of the cases occurred in Connecticut (n = 14), New York (n = 18), and Wisconsin (n = 15). Onset of HGE was identified from April through December, with cases peaking in June and July. The earliest confirmed cases of HGE occurred in 1987 in Wisconsin and 1988 in Florida. No fatalities were reported among the 78 patients with confirmed or probable HGE. Reactivity to the HGE agent and to either Coxiella burnetii, Rickettsia rickettsii, or Rickettsia typhi was infrequent; however, 74 (52%) of the 142 individuals who were positive for HGE had at least one serum sample that also reacted to the E. chaffeensis antigen. Thirty-four persons with confirmed or probable human monocytic ehrlichiosis due to E. chaffeensis also had antibodies to the HGE agent in at least one serum sample. The specific etiologic agent for 30 patients was not ascribed because of similarity of titers to both ehrlichial antigens. The use of both antigens may be required to correctly diagnose most cases of human ehrlichiosis, especially in geographic regions where both the HGE agent and E. chaffeensis occur.     

Evaluation of a Silver Nanoparticle Generator Using a Small Ceramic Heater for Inactivation of S. epidermidis Bioaerosols

Silver has been known to show antibacterial activity. Recently, silver nanoparticles have been become widely used in diverse applications. In a previous work by the authors, a small nanoparticle generator that uses a ceramic heater with a local heating area was developed. The performance of the device was evaluated in terms of the silver nanoparticles it generated. In the present article, a feasibility study regarding the inactivation of bacteria bioaerosols by the developed small silver nanoparticle generator is conducted to assess its possible use for the active control of indoor bioaerosols. To simulate the inactivation of bacteria on a surface exposed to air, an antibacterial test system consisting of an airborne silver nanoparticle generator, a bacteria bioaerosol generator, and two airborne bacteria samplers with membrane filters was utilized. Spherical polydisperse silver nanoparticles with mode diameters in the range of 10 ～ 27 nm were generated. Their size distribution was changed according the applied voltage and the airflow rate. S. epidermidis gram-positive bacteria having mode diameter of approximately 800 nm were aerosolized using a single-jet Collison nebulizer in an effort to verify the antibacterial activity of the silver nanoparticles in an air environment. With variables of 100 V and 6 L/min, the viability of S. epidermidis bacteria exposed to silver nanoparticles was lower than 5% for an exposure time ranging from 1 ～ 9 min. The viability curve was well represented in terms of the total surface area of the exposed silver nanoparticles. From the results, it was concluded that the developed small airborne silver nanoparticle generator has considerable potential as an active antimicrobial device for use in indoor air applications.