Glass transition behavior of emulsion-polymerized polymer films containing a surface-active agent

The glass transition behavior of emulsion-polymerized poly(methyl methacrylate) and polystyrene films containing sodium laurylsulfate as emulsifier was studied by measurements of dynamic mechanical properties and thermal depolarization current. The film specimens of the emulsion-polymerized polymers were prepared by casting from their benzene solutions. The glass transition temperatures of the emulsion-polymerized films are higher than those of the bulk-polymerized films. The higher glass transition temperature of the emulsion-polymerized films is attributed to the colloidal properties of sodium laurylsulfate in the process of the film formation. The restriction of the molecular chains in the emulsion-polymerized films is attributed to the interaction between the hydrophobic groups of sodium laurylsulfate and the polymer molecules.     

Reaction of sodium perborate with a chlorinated cyclic hindered amine (TMP-Cl): I. Quantitative evaluation of active oxygen species in fabric bleaching

The reaction of N-chloro-4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine (TMP-Cl) with sodium perborate (PB) was investigated with special reference to the generation of singlet oxygen and the possible application to a new oxidative bleaching process. Generation of the singlet oxygen (¹O₂), the hydroxyl radical (HO·) and superoxide anion radical (O₂·⁻) in the PB/TMP-Cl mixed solution was confirmed by the trapping reagent method. From the results of another experiment, in which the bleaching abilities of each active oxygen species were confirmed, the main active oxygen species contributing to the bleaching of purpurogallin, the skeleton of black tea pigment, in the PB/TMP-Cl system was concluded to be¹O₂.     

Measurement of self-diffusion coefficients in Li ionic conductors by using the short-lived radiotracer of 8Li

For the effective use of short-lived radioactive beams, soon to be available at the Tokai Radioactive Ion Accelerator Complex, the authors have developed a radiotracer method for diffusion studies in solids. The experimental test was performed by the measurement of the diffusion coefficients of Li in a sample of the compound βLiAl using an α-emitting radiotracer of ⁸Li (T_1/2=0.84 s). It was found that the time-dependent yields of the α particles from the diffusing ⁸Li that was initially implanted in the sample could be used as a measure of the diffusivity of the tracer in a nondestructive way. The method was applied to measure the self-diffusion coefficients of Li in βLiGa, and for investigating how the Li diffusion in the Li ionic conductors is affected by the concentration of atomic defects (i.e., the existence of the atomic vacancies of Li and the defects in Ga sites that are replaced by Li).     

Elevated Alpha 1(I) to Alpha 2(I) Collagen Ratio in Dermal Fibroblasts Possibly Contributes to Fibrosis in Systemic Sclerosis

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is characterized by excessive collagen deposition in the skin and internal organs. Activated fibroblasts are the key effector cells for the overproduction of type I collagen, which comprises the α1(I) and α2(I) chains encoded by COL1A1 and COL1A2, respectively. In this study, we examined the expression patterns of α1(I) and α2(I) collagen in SSc fibroblasts, as well as their co-regulation with each other. The relative expression ratio of COL1A1 to COL1A2 in SSc fibroblasts was significantly higher than that in control fibroblasts. The same result was observed for type I collagen protein levels, indicating that α2(I) collagen is more elevated than α2(I) collagen. Inhibition or overexpression of α1(I) collagen in control fibroblasts affected the α2(I) collagen levels, suggesting that α1(I) collagen might act as an upstream regulator of α2(I) collagen. The local injection of COL1A1 small interfering RNA in a bleomycin-induced SSc mouse model was found to attenuate skin fibrosis. Overall, our data indicate that α2(I) collagen is a potent regulator of type I collagen in SSc; further investigations of the overall regulatory mechanisms of type I collagen may help understand the aberrant collagen metabolism in SSc.     

Uncooled InAs0.09Sb0.91 photoconductors with cutoff wave- length extended to 11.5 μm

Uncooled InAsSb photoconductors were fabricated. The photoconductors were based on InAs0.05Sb0.95 and InAs0.09Sb0.91 thick epilayers grown on InAs substrates by melt epitaxy (ME). Ge immersion lenses were set on the photoconductors. The cutoff wavelength of InAs0.09Sb0.91 detectors is obviously extended to 11.5 mm, and that of InAs0.05Sb0.95 detectors is 8.3 mm. At room temperature, the peak detectivity of Dλp at wavelength of 6.8 mm and modulation frequency of 1 200 Hz is 1.08×109 cm.Hz1/2.W-1 for InAs0.09Sb0.91 photoconductors, the detectivity D at wavelength of 9 mm is 7.56×108 cm.Hz1/2.W-1, and that at 11 mm is 3.92×108 cm.Hz1/2.W-1. The detectivity of InAs0.09Sb0.91 detectors at the wavelengths longer than 9 mm is about one order of magnitude higher than that of InAs0.05Sb0.95 detectors, which rises from the increase of arsenic (As) composition in InAs0.09Sb0.91 materials.     

In Silico/In Vitro Hit-to-Lead Methodology Yields SMYD3 Inhibitor That Eliminates Unrestrained Proliferation of Breast Carcinoma Cells

SMYD3 is a lysine methyltransferase that regulates the expression of over 80 genes and is required for the uncontrolled proliferation of most breast, colorectal, and hepatocellular carcinomas. The elimination of SMYD3 restores normal expression patterns of these genes and halts aberrant cell proliferation, making it a promising target for small molecule inhibition. In this study, we sought to establish a proof of concept for our in silico/in vitro hit-to-lead enzyme inhibitor development platform and to identify a lead small molecule candidate for SMYD3 inhibition. We used Schrodinger^® software to screen libraries of small molecules in silico and the five compounds with the greatest predicted binding affinity within the SMYD3 binding pocket were purchased and assessed in vitro in direct binding assays and in breast cancer cell lines. We have confirmed the ability of one of these inhibitors, Inhibitor-4, to restore normal rates of cell proliferation, arrest the cell cycle, and induce apoptosis in breast cancer cells without affecting wildtype cell behavior. Our results provide a proof of concept for this fast and affordable small molecule hit-to-lead methodology as well as a promising candidate small molecule SMYD3 inhibitor for the treatment of human cancer.     

Colloidal gold submonolayer-coated thin-film glass plates for waveguide-coupled surface plasmon resonance sensors

A novel optical sensor based on spectroscopic measurement of the plasmon absorption of a colloidal gold submonolayer immobilized upon a planar waveguide has been developed for label-free detection of biomolecular interactions at the sensor's surface. We fabricated the sensor by locally modifying a 50-microm-thick glass plate with hemoglobin (Hb) and then self-assembling gold colloids from the aqueous solution onto the Hb-modified area of the glass plate. Polychromatic light from a xenon-arc lamp was launched into the thin-film glass plate by use of a broadband fiber-coupling method. With the use of a CCD detector to monitor the light beam emitted from an end face of the glass plate, the plasmon absorption spectrum of the colloidal gold submonolayer was determined to depend on the polarization states of the guided light and to change with the refractive index of the medium in contact with the colloids. In addition to simplicity of fabrication and the ease of use, the sensor yields a larger absorbance sensitivity than the normal transmission measurement.     

Round‐robin measurement intercomparison of c‐Si PV modules among Asian testing laboratories

Because of recent advances in the production and installation of photovoltaic (PV) systems, the international conformity of PV module performance measurement has become increasingly important. The increase in PV production sites is particularly significant in the Asian region. The present paper summarizes and discusses the results of a round‐robin intercomparison of crystalline silicon modules among national laboratories and certified testing laboratories in the Asian region conducted from 2009 to 2011. Most of the values of P_max measured at the different laboratories were within a ±2% range, although some P_max results showed differences of up to about 3%. This result is comparable to that obtained in the recent intercomparison among international laboratories. Possible sources of difference in the measured values of I_sc, V_oc, FF, and P_max are discussed, for further improvement of international conformity in PV measurement technologies. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Local power of likelihood‐based tests for cointegrating rank: Comparative analysis of full and partial systems

This note investigates local power properties of likelihood‐based cointegrating rank tests for partial and full vector autoregressive systems. The asymptotic distributions of partial likelihood‐based tests under local alternatives are derived, depending on various specifications of deterministic terms. A simulation study is then performed using both the full and partial systems. It is demonstrated that the rank tests based on the partial system, if a required parametric condition is fulfilled, can be more powerful than those based on the full system. This finding encourages testing cointegrating rank using a partial system as well as a full system, in such circumstances as the parametric condition could be satisfied.     

Zinc oxide-coated plasmonic chip modified with a bispecific antibody for sensitive detection of a fluorescent labeled-antigen

A plasmonic biosensor chip of silver-coated PMMA grating with a zinc oxide (ZnO) overlayer is fabricated for surface plasmon field-enhanced fluorescence (SPF) detection of Cy5-labeled green fluorescent protein (GFP). A bispecific antibody (anti-GFP x anti-ZnO antibody) prepared in our lab is densely immobilized on the sensor chip for GFP detection. The sensitivity of the plasmonic biosensors is improved due to densely packed antibodies and ZnO-coating that suppresses nonspecific protein adsorption and fluorescent quenching. With the ZnO-coated plasmonic chip, Cy5-labeled GFP of 10 pM can be detected through SPF. This sensitivity is 100 higher compared with the normal fluorescent detection on a ZnO-coated glass slide.