Small‐Molecule Proteomimetic Inhibitors of the HIF‐1α–p300 Protein–Protein Interaction

The therapeutically relevant hypoxia inducible factor HIF‐1α–p300 protein–protein interaction can be orthosterically inhibited with α‐helix mimetics based on an oligoamide scaffold that recapitulates essential features of the C‐terminal helix of the HIF‐1α C‐TAD (C‐terminal transactivation domain). Preliminary SAR studies demonstrated the important role of side‐chain size and hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity in determining potency. These small molecules represent the first biophysically characterised HIF‐1α–p300 PPI inhibitors and the first examples of small‐molecule aromatic oligoamide helix mimetics to be shown to have a selective binding profile. Although the compounds were less potent than HIF‐1α, the result is still remarkable in that the mimetic reproduces only three residues from the 42‐residue HIF‐1α C‐TAD from which it is derived.     

Magnetic Properties of Mn‐doped SnO2 Thin Films Prepared by the Sol–Gel Dip Coating Method for Dilute Magnetic Semiconductors

Manganese‐doped tin oxide (SnO₂:Mn) thin films were deposited on glass substrates by the sol–gel dip coating technique. The effect on structural, morphological, magnetic, electrical, and optical properties in the films with different Mn concentrations (0–5 mol%) were investigated. X‐ray diffraction patterns (XRD) showed the deterioration of crystallinity with increase in Mn‐doping concentration. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies showed an inhibition of grain growth with an increase in Mn concentration. X ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) revealed the presence of Sn⁴⁺ and Mn³⁺ in SnO₂: Mn films. SnO₂: Mn films show ferromagnetic and paramagnetic behavior. These SnO₂:Mn films acquire n‐type conductivity for 0–3 mol% (SnO₂ ‐ Sn_0.97Mn_0.03O_{2) ‐}doping concentration and p type for 5 mol% Mn‐doping concentration(Sn_0.95Mn_0.05O₂) in SnO₂ films. An average transmittance of > 75% (in UV‐Vis region) was observed for all the SnO₂:Mn films. Optical band gap energy of SnO₂: Mn films were found to vary in the range 3.55 to 3.71 eV with the increase in Mn‐doping concentration. Photoluminescence (PL) spectra of the films exhibited an increase in the emission intensity with increase in Mn‐doping concentration which may be due to structural defects or luminescent centers, such as nanocrystals and defects in the SnO₂. Such SnO₂:Mn films with structural, magnetic and optical properties can be used as dilute magnetic semiconductors.     

Estimating the processed value of soybeans

Interest in marketing soybeans on the basis of protein and oil content is increasing. Producers, breeders, handlers and buyers of soybeans need a method of evaluating soybean lots of different composition. A model is presented that predicts, given soybean composition and processing conditions, the yield of crude soybean oil and soybean meal from the processing of soybeans in a solvent extraction plant. From these yields, an estimated processed value (EPV) was calculated. For one set of price conditions, the EPV of typical soybeans had a range of $0.93 per bushel if premiums were paid for meal protein in excess of specifications and a range of $0.53 per bushel if meal protein premiums were not paid. Trading rules established by the National Oilseed Processors Association for domestic meal markets have a significant effect on the value and composition of soybean meal.     

Soxhlet extraction of mucic acid from fungal biomass

Biologically produced mucic acid may form crystals before being separated from the biomass. Here we use Soxhlet extraction of fungal biomass to obtain mucic acid that was otherwise lost when separating biomass from the supernatant. Culture supernatant was used to extract the biomass, avoiding dilution of the mucic acid while retaining a cell-free suspension. Soxhlet extraction of biomass recovered 7% of total mucic acid produced at pH 4 and 24% at pH 6. The potential for mucic acid to cyclize to the 1,4-lactone was investigated by solid state NMR, confirming that very little lactone was present after the crystallization step.     

Molecular and thermal studies of carbon fiber precursor polymers with low thermal‐oxidative stabilization characteristics

In this investigation, terpolymers, copolymers, and homopolymer of acrylonitrile with dimethylaminopropyl acrylamide (DMAPA), itaconic acid (IA) viz., poly(acrylonitrile‐ran‐3‐dimethylaminopropyl acrylamide‐ran‐itaconic acid) [P(AN‐DMAPP‐IA)], poly(acrylonitrile‐co‐3, dimethylaminopropyl acrylamide) [P(AN‐DMAPP)] were synthesized with varying amounts of comonomers using solution polymerization process. The chemical structure, composition, bonding network were determined employing infrared, 1H and, 13‐carbon nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic techniques. Molecular characteristics of as‐synthesized polymers such as different kinds of average molecular weights, molecular weight distribution were estimated applying solution viscometry and size exclusion chromatography. The influence of comonomers (DMPAA, IA) on the thermal stabilization characteristics of acrylonitrile terpolymers in comparison with copolymers and homopolymers of acrylonitrile were studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), hyphenated thermal techniques (thermal gravimetry coupled with differential thermal analyzer).The DSC curves of P(AN‐DMAPP‐IA) exhibit a distinct broader bimodal peaks with thermal exotherm initiating at as low as 165 °C, and followed by two peaks with temperature difference of 42 °C, releasing the evolved heat at a release rate of 0.7–0.11 J g^?1s^?1over 10 min as compared to 1.2, 7.5 J g^?1s^?1 in 4.5, 2 min as observed in P(AN‐DMAPP), polyacrylonitrile, respectively. The thermal stability of P(AN‐DMAPP‐IA) and P(AN‐DMAPP), as evidenced by TGA‐DTA was found to be higher than PAN homopolymers. Specific heat capacity measurements confirmed the DSC results. Bulk densities of P(AN‐DMAPP‐IA) were in the range 0.31–0.35 g/cc. These results confirm the low‐temperature stabilization characteristics and suitability of P(AN‐DMAPP‐IA) as low cost carbon fiber precursor polymers. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46381.     

Densification behavior of flash sintered boron suboxide

A study to quantify the flash sintering kinetics of boron suboxide (B₆O) under various electric field strengths and cut‐off amperages is presented. B₆O is conventionally sintered at a prolonged temperature above 1800°C, near its thermal decomposition temperature, with an overpressure >3 atm. By applying a direct current (DC) electric field across a green powder compact, B₆O can be sintered at 1000°C at atmospheric pressure. During the flash sintering process, an intensive radiation was emitted (electroluminescence), which is distinct from the thermal radiation (thermoluminescence) that is expected in conventional sintering. It was observed that the degree of sintering of the large B₆O specimen was heterogeneous due to apparent localization of electrically conducting paths. The material near the surface was sintered, but the core of the specimen was not. It was found that the flash event occurred at a critical temperature, which was obtained by combining external heating via ambient furnace conditions and internal Joule heating. The progressive densification behaviors of the B₆O are also presented.     

Preparation and Reinforcement of Dual‐Porous Biocompatible Cellulose Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering

Biocompatible cellulose‐based aerogels composed of nanoporous struts, which embed interconnected voids of controlled micron‐size, have been prepared employing temporary templates of fused porogens, reinforcement by interpenetrating PMMA networks and supercritical carbon dioxide drying. Different combinations of cellulose solvent (Ca(SCN)₂/H₂O/LiCl or [EMIm][OAc]/DMSO) and anti‐solvent (EtOH), porogen type (paraffin wax or PMMA spheres) and porogen size (various fractions in the range of 100–500 μm) as well as intensity of PMMA reinforcement have been investigated to tailor the materials for cell scaffolding applications. All aerogels exhibited an open and dual porosity (micronporosity >100 μm and nanoporosity extending to the low micrometer range). Mechanical properties of the dual‐porous aerogels under compressive stress were considerably improved by introduction of interpenetrating PMMA networks. The effect of the reinforcing polymer on attachment, spreading, and proliferation of NIH 3T3 fibroblast cells, cultivated on selected dual‐porous aerogels to pre‐evaluate their biocompatibility was similarly positive.