Synthesis of novel UV-curable difunctional thiourethane methacrylate and studies on organic–inorganic nanocomposite hard coatings for high refractive index plastic lenses

This study relates to the development of ultraviolet (UV)-curable, organic–inorganic nanocomposite hard coatings for plastic lens substrates, especially for polythiourethane (PTU) and polycarbonate (PC). Novel difunctional thiourethane methacrylate (mercaptoethylsulfide-thiourethane methacrylate: coded MES-TUMA and isophorone diisocyanate-mercaptoethylsulfide-thiourethane methacrylate: coded IPDI-MES-TUMA) was synthesized to enhance the adhesive strength for PTU. On the basis of IR, ¹H NMR, electron spray ionisation-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) analysis and gel permeation chromatography (GPC), the expected structures were confirmed. These difunctional thiourethane methacrylates were easily mixed with multifunctional urethane acrylate, surface-modified ZrO₂–TiO₂ nanoparticles and photoinitiator in coating formulations. The UV-cured organic–inorganic nanocomposites were very useful as hard coatings for high refractive index plastic lenses such as PTU and PC.     

Molecular modeling of single polypeptide chain of calcium-binding protein p26olf from dimeric S100B()

P26olf from olfactory tissue of frog, which may be involvedin olfactory transduction or adaptation, is a Ca²⁺-binding proteinwith 217 amino acids. The p26olf molecule contains two homologousparts consisting of the N-terminal half with amino acids 1–109and the C-terminal half with amino acids 110–217. Eachhalf resembles S100 protein with about 100 amino acids and containstwo helix–loop–helix Ca²⁺-binding structural motifsknown as EF-hands: a normal EF-hand at the C-terminus and apseudo EF-hand at the N-terminus. Multiple alignment of thetwo S100-like domains of p26olf with 18 S100 proteins indicatedthat the C-terminal putative EF-hand of each domain containsa four-residue insertion when compared with the typical EF-handmotifs in the S100 protein, while the N-terminal EF-hand ishomologous to its pseudo EF-hand. We constructed a three-dimensionalmodel of the p26olf molecule based on results of the multiplealignment and NMR structures of dimeric S100B(ßß)in the Ca²⁺-free state. The predicted structure of the p26olfsingle polypeptide chain satisfactorily adopts a folding patternremarkably similar to dimeric S100B(ßß). Each domainof p26olf consists of a unicornate-type four-helix bundle andthey interact with each other in an antiparallel manner formingan X-type four-helix bundle between the two domains. The twoS100-like domains of p26olf are linked by a loop with no sterichindrance, suggesting that this loop might play an importantrole in the function of p26olf. The circular dichroism spectraldata support the predicted structure of p26olf and indicatethat Ca²⁺-dependent conformational changes occur. Since theC-terminal putative EF-hand of each domain fully keeps the helix–loop–helixmotif having a longer Ca²⁺-binding loop, regardless of the four-residueinsertion, we propose that it is a new, novel EF-hand, althoughit is unclear whether this EF-hand binds Ca²⁺. P26olf is a newmember of the S100 protein family.     

Synthesis and hydrophilic property of polypropylene-graft-poly(polyethylene glycol-methacrylate) (PP-g-P(PEGMA))

Polypropylene-graft-poly(polyethylene glycol-methacrylate) (PP-g-P(PEGMA)), which is a hydrophobic-hydrophilic graft copolymer, was synthesized by a combination of an atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of PEGMA with brominated polypropylene (PP-Br), which was synthesized from PP-OH prepared by metallocene-catalyzed copolymerization. Its structure was confirmed by ¹H NMR and GPC analyses. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) micrographs of PP-g-P(PEGMA) revealed the nanometer level microphase-separation morphology between the PP segment and the P(PEGMA) segment. The obtained PP-g-P(PEGMA) showed water-absorbing property as well as thermostability.     

Overcharge protection effect and reaction mechanism of cyclohexylbenzene for lithium ion batteries

We studied the relationship between the structure of aromatic compounds and the overcharge protection effect, using cyclohexylbenzene, isopropylbenzene, and toluene as the overcharge protection agents. Cyclohexylbenzene proved to be the most effective overcharge protection agent among these aromatic compounds. The effect is enhanced using a higher concentration of cyclohexylbenzene and elevated temperatures. The reaction product of cyclohexylbenzene was analyzed using field desorption mass spectrometry to elucidate its reaction mechanism. The results suggested that some of the overcharge reaction products of CHB were more reactive than that of IPB, which is consistent with the better suppressing effect on overcharging of the active material in the positive electrode.     

Laser‐induced full body cleavage of flat‐panel‐display glass

Abstract— Of the two types of thermal‐stress processes for glass, i.e., surface scribing and full body cleavage, the latter is not presently applied in commercial manufacturing due to the technical difficulties, notwithstanding its various advantages. These difficulties, which were pointed out by Kondratenko and were refered to as size effect, consist of a reduced processing speed in a large glass plate and the positional inaccuracy when cleaving close to edges of a glass plate. The result of the investigation aimed to solve these problems, which can pave the way to the commercial application of full body cleavage in the manufacturing of flat‐panel‐display (FPD) devices, is reported.     

Antioxidative activities of some peptides isolated from hydrolyzed potato protein extract

Three peptides (5A, 5C and 6C), purified from potato protein hydrolysate fractions, possessed antioxidative activities. Isolation and purification were carried out using gel permeation chromatography and successive reverse-phase HPLC. These three peptide fractions were sequenced and identified as Phe-Gly-Glu-Arg, Phe-Asp-Arg-Arg and Phe-Gly-Glu-Arg-Arg, respectively. The fractions 5A, 5C and 6C inhibited linoleic acid oxidation by 55.3%, 58.5% and 61.7% using β-carotene decolorization assay system, while the inhibition ratio was 32.1%, 93.0% and 93.4% in the ferric thiocyanate assay system, respectively. The peptide fractions 5A, 5C and 6C also repressed lipid oxidation by 24.2%, 14.7% and 26.4% in the erythrocyte membrane ghost assay system, respectively. Oral administration of 100 mg/kg of body weight of the chemically synthesized peptides, 5A, 5C and 6C to rats (male Wistar) 30 min prior to ethanol injection reduced ethanol-induced gastric mucosal damage by 67.9%, 57.0% and 60.3%, respectively. Conclusively, these peptides have shown real potent antioxidative activities and could further be investigated for potential use as food additives.     

The effects of R-75,317 on antiglomerular basement membrane glomerulonephritis in rats

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is a potent inflammatory mediator which is released by various inflammatory cells and produced by certain tissues, including the kidney. PAF has been shown to increase glomerular permeability to protein and to decrease glomerular filtration rate (GFR) by contracting mesangium. On the basis of these observations, it has been suspected that PAF may play a role as mediator of glomerular damage in glomerular nephritis. To examine this possibility, we studied the effects of a specific PAF antagonist, R-75,317, on the development of an experimental model of anti-glomerular basement membrane (anti-GBM) glomerulonephritis. Glomerulonephritis was initiated by injecting rabbit anti-rat GBM serum into rats. Proteinuria gradually developed after serum injection, plateaued at week 2, and remained at the high level of week 2 throughout the experimental period (6 wk). Chronic treatment with R-75,317 (10 mg/kg/day i.p.) tended to delay the onset of proteinuria and significantly accelerated the recovery phase. Creatinine clearance (Ccr) fell to 40% at week 3. R-75,317 treatment completely prevented this decline of Ccr. Histological changes in this model (glomerular hypertrophy, proliferation of mesangial matrix and interstitial fibrosis) were also ameliorated by the R-75,317 treatment. The results suggest that PAF may play a role in the development of glomerulonephritis and that PAF antagonists could be used in the treatment of human renal disease. Based on a paper presented at the Third International Conference on Platelet-Activating Factor and Structurally Related Alkyl Ether Lipids, May 1989.     

Effect of initiating groups introduced onto ultrafine silica on the molecular weight polystyrene grafted onto the surface

Summary The effect of initiating groups introduced onto silica surface on the molecular weight of grafted polystyrene chain was investigated. By the treatment of polystyrene-grafted silica with aqueous solution of alkali, surface grafted polystyrene was isolated from the surface. The molecular weight of polystyrene grafted onto the silica obtained from the radical graft polymerization initiated by peroxyester groups introduced onto the surface was found to be much larger than that from the cationic polymerization initiated by acylium perchlorate groups. The number of grafted polystyrene in the radical polymerization, however, was much less than that in the cationic polymerization. Furthermore, the effect of molecular weight of grafted polystyrene on the dispersibility of silica in tetrahydrofuran was examined.     

A New Equation for Predicting the Dielectric Constant of a Mixture

The dielectric constant of a compound consisting of two different materials was simulated using the Monte Carlo and finite element methods. In the high concentration range of the higher dielectric constant material, the simulated value of the dielectric constant showed a "parallel-model"-like tendency. On the other hand, in the low concentration range of the higher dielectric constant material, the compound showed a "serial-model"-like behavior. Around 65% content of the higher dielectric constant material, it exhibited results similar to the logarithmic mixing rule. After careful consideration of these results, a new equation to predict the dielectric constant of the compound was derived. The agreement between the dielectric constant calculated by the new equation and the measured values was better than in any other case reported before.     

Reactive carbon black having isocyanate or acyl azide group

Summary Introduction of isocyanate (NCO) group onto carbon black surface was achieved by the treatment of carbon black with toluene-2,4-diisocyanate. In addition, carbon black having acyl azide (CON₃) group, a precursor of NCO group, was prepared by the reaction of COCl or COOCOOC₂H₅ group on carbon black with NaN₃. The CON₃ group on carbon black was relatively stable at below 20°C but readily decomposed to NCO group by heating (Curtius rearrangement). By the reation of NCO group on carbon black with hydroxyl group of polymers, such as polypropylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, and polyvinyl alcohol, these polymers were found to be grafted onto carbon black.