Synthesis,characterization and crosslinking of functional star‐shaped poly(ε‐caprolactone)

Star‐shaped low molecular weight poly(ε‐caprolactone)s (PCLs) were synthesized and functionalized with crosslinkable terminal groups for subsequent crosslinking. The ε‐caprolactone (CL) prepolymers were polymerized by ring‐opening in the presence of polyglycerine (PGL) as an initiator (1, 3 and 5 mol%) and Sn(II)2‐ethylhexanoate as a catalyst. Characterization of the prepolymer by ¹³C/¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, size exclusion chromatography (SEC), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) revealed a six‐armed star‐shaped structure for the prepolymer with the molecular weight controlled by the ratio of PGL and CL. Functionalization of the hydroxyl‐terminated prepolymer was carried out with maleic or itaconic anhydride. In both cases, the characterization of the functionalized prepolymer showed that the hydroxyl groups were completely substituted. The functionalized PCLs were successfully crosslinked through the reaction of double bonds. The crosslinking was induced either thermally with organic peroxide or photochemically with a photosensitive initiator. Characterization of the crosslinked PCLs by Soxhlet extraction, DSC and FTIR showed that the itaconic double bond was much more reactive in thermal crosslinking than the maleic double bond. Thus, the crosslinked prepolymers that were functionalized with itaconic double bonds achieved a gel content of about 90%. A gel content of 100% was achieved with several compositions where crosslinking agents were employed. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

A europium chelate for quantitative point-of-care immunoassays using direct surface measurement

New labels and assay techniques are needed to improve the sensitivity and quantitativeness of point-of-care immunotesting while sustaining the rapidity and ease of use of the assays. We synthesized a novel, intrinsically fluorescent nonadentate europium chelate with two chromophores and hydrophilic alpha-galactose side groups. The chelate is highly fluorescent, soluble in water, and provides effective shielding of Eu from water. The performance of the nonadentate chelate was compared with a heptadentate chelate in a dry reagent immunoassay for human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). After 15-min incubation and washing, time-resolved fluorescence was measured directly from a wet or dried well surface. Contrary to the heptadentate label, the effect of aqueous quenching on the nonadentate label was found to be insignificant, with calculated analytical detection limits (background + 3 SD) of 0.9 and 0.7 IU/L hCG for wet and dry measurements, respectively, and a linear range up to 5000 IU/L. The CVs for the new label were <8% at the cutoff of 25 IU/L and above in both whole blood and plasma. The novel nonadentate label facilitates short turnaround times and simple instrumentation due to the absence of all signal development steps, at the same time retaining an excellent immunoassay performance.     

Tyrosine-derived polycarbonate membrane in treating mandibular bone defects. An experimental study.

This study was designed to evaluate the suitability of a novel bioabsorbable material in treating bone defects. A poly(desaminotyrosyl-tyrosine-ethyl ester carbonate) (PDTE carbonate) membrane (thickness 0.2-0.3 mm) was implanted into the mandibular angle of 20 New Zealand White rabbits to cover a through-and-through defect (12 x 6 mm). In group 1, the defects were left unfilled but covered with membrane and in group 2 the defects were filled with bioactive glass mesh and covered with membrane, too. Controls were left uncovered and unfilled. The animals were followed for 6, 12, 24 and 52 weeks, respectively. The material was evaluated by qualitative analysis of histological reactions and newly formed bone.We found that PDTE carbonate elicited a modest foreign body reaction in the tissues, which was uniform throughout the study. New bone formation was seen in all samples after six weeks. Group 1 had more new bone formation until 24 weeks and after this the difference settled. Based on findings of this study it was concluded that PDTE carbonate membranes have good biocompatibility and are sufficient to enhance bone growth without additional supportive matrix.     

Relationships between probabilistic Boolean networks and dynamic Bayesian networks as models of gene regulatory networks

A significant amount of attention has recently been focused on modeling of gene regulatory networks. Two frequently used large-scale modeling frameworks are Bayesian networks (BNs) and Boolean networks, the latter one being a special case of its recent stochastic extension, probabilistic Boolean networks (PBNs). PBN is a promising model class that generalizes the standard rule-based interactions of Boolean networks into the stochastic setting. Dynamic Bayesian networks (DBNs) is a general and versatile model class that is able to represent complex temporal stochastic processes and has also been proposed as a model for gene regulatory systems. In this paper, we concentrate on these two model classes and demonstrate that PBNs and a certain subclass of DBNs can represent the same joint probability distribution over their common variables. The major benefit of introducing the relationships between the models is that it opens up the possibility of applying the standard tools of DBNs to PBNs and vice versa. Hence, the standard learning tools of DBNs can be applied in the context of PBNs, and the inference methods give a natural way of handling the missing values in PBNs which are often present in gene expression measurements. Conversely, the tools for controlling the stationary behavior of the networks, tools for projecting networks onto sub-networks, and efficient learning schemes can be used for DBNs. In other words, the introduced relationships between the models extend the collection of analysis tools for both model classes.     

Effect of Oat Bran Fractions on Extrudates Made of Defatted Oats

Food and Bioprocess Technology - Oats are rich in dietary fibre (DF) especially in β-glucan which has several health-promoting effects. Oats are not commonly used in extruded snacks because...     

Quantitative NIR chemical imaging in heritage science

Until recently, applications of spectral imaging in heritage science mostly focused on qualitative examination of artworks. This is partly due to the complexity of artworks and partly due to the lack of appropriate standard materials. With the recent advance of NIR imaging spectrometers, the interval 1000-2500 nm became available for exploration, enabling us to extract quantitative chemical information from artworks. In this contribution, the development of 2D NIR quantitative chemical maps of heritage objects is discussed along with presentation of the first quantitative image. Further case studies include semiquantitative mapping of plasticiser distribution in a plastic object and identification of historic plastic materials. In the NIR imaging studies discussed, sets of 256 spatially registered images were collected at different wavelengths in the NIR region of 1000-2500 nm. The data was analyzed as a spectral cube, both as a stack of wavelength-resolved images and as a series of spectra, one per each sample pixel, using multivariate analysis. This approach is only possible using well-characterized reference sample collections, as quantitative imaging applications need to be developed, thus enabling spatial maps of damaged and degraded areas to be visualized to a level of chemical detail previously not possible. Such quantitative chemical mapping of vulnerable areas of heritage objects is invaluable, as it enables damage to historic objects to be quantitatively visualized.     

Evidence for unpinned magnetic flux vortices above theI ctransition in the 2223-phase high-T csuperconductor

A similarity in the dc voltage-current (V-I) curves for both direct and alternating transport currents is used to propose that unpinned flux vortices are generated above theI _ctransition for dc transport currents, when Abrikosov flux vortices begin to penetrate the superconductor. Two methods can be used to give a dc voltage drop for an ac transport current: (1) if there is a slight dc offset voltage in the ac current which favors vortex loop collapse as in a traditional dcI _ctest, or (2) if an asymmetric transverse magnetic field is present which favors vortex loop collapse for current in one direction over the reverse direction.     

Packaging dangerous goods for transport

The principle of uniformity in national and international transport regulations has now been widely recognized and implemented. Most features of the regulations are now fully operational e.g. in respect of classification, permitted packagings and maximum quantities, labelling etc. So far as packaging standards are concerned, 1990 is scheduled as the end of the transitional period. The major problem anticipated, that of the vast numbers of combination packagings needing testing and certifying, has hopefully been reduced to a level consistent with safety by the development of the UN limited quantity provisions, their adoption in the IMDG Code and the similar provisions in RID/ADR. The outstanding questions relate to air transport. Non-specification packagings have been acceptable in air transport under the transitional packaging arrangements since the ICAO Technical Instructions came into effect in 1983/84: these are often far larger in size than those covered in Chapter 15 of the UN Recommendations. As far as is known, the use of these non-specification packagings has not given rise to problems in air transport. It is hoped that the ICAO Dangerous Goods Panel will adopt practical limited quantity provisions from 31 December 1990.     

SECRETION OF α-AMYLASE BY THE EPITHELIUM OF BARLEY SCUTELLUM

Aleurone-free scutella prepared from barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv Himalaya) grains after 1 day of germination released α-amylase into the incubation medium at a constant rate for at least 2 hours. The release was arrested by a Golgi inhibitor, monensin which caused accumulation of α-amylase inside the scutella instead of the incubation medium. Immunofluorescence labeling showed that α-amylase in the scutella was located in the epithelial cells, no label was found in the parenchyma cells. These results indicate that the scutellar epithelial cells have a true capacity to synthesize and secrete α-amylase.