Computational simulation of Belousov–Zhabotinskii oscillating chemical reaction

The suitability of computational simulation of the Belousov–Zhabotinskii oscillating chemical reaction by differential kinetic methodology for resolving nonlinear multi-component system is demonstrated in this work. According to the Field–KÖrÖs–Noyes mechanism and the Oregonator model, the change of the concentrations of HBrO₂, bromide ion and cerium ion are simulated. The results of computational simulation are consistent with experimental results very well. At the same time, the effect of variables and parameters, especially the rate constant on the oscillation curve, are investigated deeply. A simple method of estimating rate constants is obtained through simulation the concentrations of key components of the system, and then comparison the simulation results with the experimental ones. The reasonable rate constant is also proposed.     

Synthesis of ultrathin semicircle-shaped copper nanowires in ethanol solution for low haze flexible transparent conductors

Nano Research - Copper nanowires (CuNWs) are becoming an indispensable item for next-generation transparent optical devices due to their excellent conductivity and transparency. In this work,...     

Entrapping multifunctional dendritic nanoparticles into a hydrogel for local therapeutic delivery and synergetic immunochemotherapy

Nano Research - Developing multifunctional nanoparticles to support new therapy models is a promising and challenging task to address the current dilemma on antitumor treatment. Herein, we...     

开发可统计任意密码子用法的软件BestCodon

密码子偏好是自然现象,分析密码子的用法可以优化表达基因,即密码子优化,从而调节目的基因在特定宿主中的表达水平。现有密码子用法分析软件多数只限于单个密码子,适用于密码子对和密码子三联体的较少见。本文提出1种可统计任意密码子用法的软件结构,开发出1个密码子用法统计软件BestCodon,拥有序列检查和密码子用法统计2个模块。检查模块可代替人工校对,剔除输入序列中非规范字符,为后续分析提供正确的、符合规范的数据。统计模块根据用户指定的密码子组合类型,结果返回特定的密码子用法表。本文还探讨序列检查和密码子用法统计中计算机的运算特性,结果表明该软件检查1条长达150000 bp的序列仅耗时约0.2 s,而从中统计密码子十联体的用法仅耗时约0.1 s。     

A low temperature preparation and photocatalytical activities of PDVB@TiO2 hybrid microspheres

The core/shell anatase TiO₂ encapsulated poly(divinylbenzene) (PDVB@TiO₂) hybrid microspheres were prepared by the two steps: (1) the copolymer particles (PDVB) were prepared by the radical precipitation copolymerization of divinylbenzene (DVB) and γ-[(methacryloxy)propyl]trimethoxysilane (KH-570); (2) tetrabutyl titanate (TBOT) was co-hydrolyzed with the trimethoxysilyl groups on the surfaces of the PDVB cores and then the amorphous TiO₂ shell obtained was phase transformed to anatase TiO₂ by acid peptization. The products were characterized by FT-IR, UV–vis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). Their photocatalytical activities were measured by the photo-degradation of methylene blue (MB). The polymer supported TiO₂ photocatalysts prepared at low temperature, had better repetition because of the coupled action of KH-570 between the PDVB core and TiO₂ shell. Furthermore, it could be easily separated from the solution by simple sedimentation.     

Effect of doping cobalt on the micro-morphology and electrochemical properties of birnessite MnO2

Birnessite-type MnO₂ nanoparticles are synthesized by mixing KMnO₄ solution directly with ethylene glycol under ambient conditions. When cobalt exists in the solution, the micro-morphology of the products transforms from conglomeration to dispersive state. The result of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) shows that the product is constructed with nanosphere in sizes of ca. 40 nm. These nanospheres are twisted by nanorods clusters. X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern shows that the products are birnessite-type. The electrochemical properties of the prepared materials are studied using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and galvanostatic charge–discharge test in aqueous electrolyte. The product shows a very high specific capacity of 326.4 F g⁻¹. These results indicate that cobalt has great effects on the micro-morphology and electrochemical properties of manganese dioxide.     

Interpretation of A.C. impedance response of chromated electrogalvanized steel

A need exists for the development of a fast and accurate testing technique which plating shops could use to evaluate the corrosion resistance of chromated galvanized steel. A.c. impedance techniques were explored as a method to evaluate the corrosion protection properties of chromated electrogalvanized steel. Experimental impedance data were analyzed with respect to a non-linear model. Parameters from the model have been given physical interpretations which provide insight into the possible formation and protection mechanisms of a chromate coating on electrogalvanized steel. The measurement of these parameters may prove useful for predicting the corrosion protection properties of chromated electrogalvanized steel.     

Applicability assessment of a real-time PCR assay for the specific detection of bovine,ovine and caprine material in feedstuffs

A TaqMan real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method was developed for specific detection of bovine, ovine and caprine processed animal protein (PAP) in industrial feedstuffs. The method uses species-specific primers and probes targeting short mitochondrial D-loop sequences, and a positive amplification control based on 18S rRNA gene. The applicability of the real-time PCR protocol was assessed through analysis of 126 industrial feed samples that were manufactured to reproduce rendering processes of commercial feeds destined for farmed animals. The assay successfully classified samples as positive or negative according to the ruminant composition, enabling qualitative detection of banned material in feeds at levels as low as 0.1%. Although the method provides quantitative potential, results suggest that the real quantitative capability of the assay is limited by the existing variability in terms of composition and processing treatments of the feeds, which affect the amount and quality of amplifiable DNA.