Nanoporous Carbons Derived from Metal-Organic Frameworks as Novel Matrices for Surface-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry

Surface-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (SALDI-MS) represents a powerful tool for the analysis of biomolecules, synthetic polymers, and even small organic compounds; its performances largely depend on the type of matrix materials utilized. Here, for the first time the employment of nanoporous carbons derived from metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as novel matrices for SALDI-MS is demonstrated. The nanoporous carbons derived from MOFs not only circumvent the shortcomings of existing matrix materials but also demonstrate much higher efficiency of laser desorption/ionization for various compounds than any other nanoporous carbons reported so far. A new perspective for the development of matrix materials for SALDI-MS application is therefore provided.

NMR Evidence for Inhomogeneous Nematic Fluctuations in BaFe_{2}(As_{1-x}P_{x})_{2}

We present evidence for nuclear spin-lattice relaxation driven by glassy nematic fluctuations in isovalent P-doped BaFe_{2}As_{2} single crystals. Both the ^{75}As and ^{31}P sites exhibit a stretched-exponential relaxation similar to the electron-doped systems. By comparing the hyperfine fields and the relaxation rates at these sites we find that the As relaxation cannot be explained solely in terms of magnetic spin fluctuations. We demonstrate that nematic fluctuations couple to the As nuclear quadrupolar moment and can explain the excess relaxation. These results suggest that glassy nematic dynamics are a common phenomenon in the iron-based superconductors.

Synthesis, characterization and reactivity study of aluminum compounds incorporating bi- and tri-dentate pyrrole–piperazine ligands

A series of Al derivatives are afforded incorporating substituted bi- and tri-dentate pyrrole–piperazine precursors. The reactivity with small organic molecules and the associated mechanistic details are also reported.

Waste polyethylene terephthalate (PET) materials as sustainable precursors for the synthesis of nanoporous MOFs, MIL-47, MIL-53(Cr, Al, Ga) and MIL-101(Cr)

Waste PET to useful MOFs: simple, novel, and sustainable methods have been developed for the first time, for the effective conversion of waste polyethylene terephthalate (PET) materials into valuable MOF materials.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of new spirooxindoles with embedded pharmacophores

The newly synthesized spirooxindole derivatives have shownin vitroantioxidant, antidiabetic and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities.

Crystal structure of 4'-(2-meth-oxy-quinolin-3-yl)-1'-methyl-dispiro-[indan-2,2'-pyrrolidine-3',3''-indoline]-1,3,2''-trione

In the title compound, C₃₀H₂₃N₃O₄, the central 1-methyl­pyrrolidine ring adopts a twist conformation on the N—CH₂ bond. The pyrrolidin-2-one ring of the indolin-2-one ring system also has a twist conformation on the C—C bond involving the spiro C atom and the carbonyl C atom. The five-membered ring of the indene-1,3-dione moiety has an envelope conformation with the spiro C atom as the flap. The quinoline ring system adopts an almost planar conformation (r.m.s. deviation = 0.04 Å). The mean planes of the indolin-2-one ring system, the indene-1,3-dione ring system and the the quinoline ring system are inclined to the mean plane of the central 1-methyl­pyrrolidine ring by 77.97 (7), 86.98 (7) and 46.58 (6)°, respectively. In the crystal, mol­ecules are linked via N—H⋯N hydrogen bonds, forming chains along the b axis. The chains are linked via a number of C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, and C—H⋯π and π–π inter­actions [inter-centroid distance = 3.7404 (9) Å], forming a three-dimensional network.

Precision Measurement of the Helium Flux in Primary Cosmic Rays of Rigidities 1.9 GV to 3 TV with the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer on the International Space Station

Knowledge of the precise rigidity dependence of the helium flux is important in understanding the origin, acceleration, and propagation of cosmic rays. A precise measurement of the helium flux in primary cosmic rays with rigidity (momentum/charge) from 1.9 GV to 3 TV based on 50 million events is presented and compared to the proton flux. The detailed variation with rigidity of the helium flux spectral index is presented for the first time. The spectral index progressively hardens at rigidities larger than 100 GV. The rigidity dependence of the helium flux spectral index is similar to that of the proton spectral index though the magnitudes are different. Remarkably, the spectral index of the proton to helium flux ratio increases with rigidity up to 45 GV and then becomes constant; the flux ratio above 45 GV is well described by a single power law.

To Transfer or Not to Transfer? Development of a Dinitrosyl Iron Complex as a Nitroxyl Donor for the Nitroxylation of an Fe(III) -Porphyrin Center

A positive myocardial inotropic effect achieved using HNO/NO(-) , compared with NO⋅, triggered attempts to explore novel nitroxyl donors for use in clinical applications in vascular and myocardial pharmacology. To develop M-NO complexes for nitroxyl chemistry and biology, modulation of direct nitroxyl-transfer reactivity of dinitrosyl iron complexes (DNICs) is investigated in this study using a Fe(III) -porphyrin complex and proteins as a specific probe. Stable dinuclear {Fe(NO)2 }(9) DNIC [Fe(μ-(Me) Pyr)(NO)2 ]2 was discovered as a potent nitroxyl donor for nitroxylation of Fe(III) -heme centers through an associative mechanism. Beyond the efficient nitroxyl transfer, transformation of DNICs into a chemical biology probe for nitroxyl and for pharmaceutical applications demands further efforts using in vitro/in vivo studies.

Carbonization and oxidation of metal-organic frameworks based on 1,4-naphthalene dicarboxylates

Three new isostructural metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), [V(OH)(NDC)] (1), [Cr(OH)(NDC)] (2), and [Ga(OH)(NDC)] (3) have been synthesized hydrothermally using 1,4-naphthalene dicarboxylate (NDC) as the linker. These MOFs (1, 2 and 3) have been used as a template for the synthesis of metal-oxide-inserted nanoporous carbon materials. The newly synthesized MOFs and the resulting porous carbon hybrid functional materials have been characterized using powder x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopic analysis. Results show that compounds 2 and 3 form their respective metal oxide nanoparticles on the surface of the carbon materials during carbonization at 800 °C. The gas sorption properties of the new MOFs and their corresponding carbon frameworks have been reported.

Suicidal drug overdose in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, a nationwide population-based case-control study

OBJECTIVE

A four-fold increase of suicide mortality has been demonstrated in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. Prior studies showed that the most common method of suicide attempts in SLE patients involves drug overdose. Therefore, we conducted a nationwide population-based case-control study to elucidate factors associated with drug overdose as suicide attempt in SLE patients.

METHODS

This study was based on the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan. We identified all SLE patients from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2010. Patients who had suicidal drug overdose (SDO) were selected as cases while age- and gender-matched patients who did not have SDO were selected as controls.

RESULTS

The incidence rate of SDO in SLE patients was 291 cases per 100,000 person-years, higher than that in the general population (160 cases per 100,000 person-years). In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, we observed that SDO was associated with psychiatric disorders such as depressive disorders (odds ratio: 8.36, 95% confidence interval (CI): 5.60-12.48) and insomnia (odds ratio: 2.71, 95% CI: 1.73-4.25), and lower monthly income (odds ratios: 2.74 to 3.50) in SLE patients.

CONCLUSION

SDO is associated with psychiatric disorders such as depressive disorders and insomnia, and lower monthly income in SLE patients.

Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate)/GaAs hybrid solar cells with 13% power conversion efficiency using front- and back-surface field

Planar hybrid solar cells based on bulk GaAs wafers with a background doping density of 10(16) cm(-3) and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): poly(styrenesulfonate) (

PEDOT

PSS) demonstrated an excellent power conversion efficiency of 8.99%. The efficiency of the cell was enhanced to 9.87% with a back-surface field feature using a molecular beam epitaxially grown n-type GaAs epi-layer. The efficiency and fill factor reach 11.86% and 0.8 when an additional p + GaAs epi-layer is deposited on the surface of the solar cells, which provides a front-surface field. The interface between the high- and low-doped regions in the polymer/GaAs and GaAs formed an electric field that introduced a barrier to minority carriers flow to the substrate and effectively reduced front surface carrier recombination, thereby enhancing light-generated free carrier collection efficiency and open-circuit voltage. Compared with the device without the front- and back-surface field, the fill factor and open-circuit voltage of the hybrid solar cell were improved from 0.76 to 0.8 and from 0.68 V to 0.77V, respectively. The highest efficiency reaches a record 13% when the Zonyl fluorosurfactant-treated

PEDOT

PSS is used as a hole-transporting conducting layer for hybrid cells.

Doubly end-on azido bridged mixed-valence cobalt trinuclear complex: Spectral study, VTM, inhibitory effect and antimycobacterial activity on human carcinoma and tuberculosis cells

Doubly end-on azido-bridged mixed-valence trinuclear cobalt complex, [Co3(L)2(N3)6(CH3OH)2] (1) is afforded by employing a potential monoanionic tetradentate-N2O2 Schiff base precursor (2-[{[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]imino}methyl]-6-methoxyphenol; HL). Single crystal X-ray structure reveals that in 1, the adjacent Co(II) and Co(III) ions are linked by double end-on azido bridges and thus the full molecule is generated by the site symmetry of a crystallographic twofold rotation axis. Complex 1 is subjected on different spectral analysis such as IR, UV-vis, emission and EPR spectroscopy. On variable temperature magnetic study, we observe that during cooling, the χMT values decrease smoothly until 15K and then reaches to the value 1.56 cm(3) K mol(-1) at 2 K. Complex 1 inhibits the cell growth on human lung carcinoma (A549 cells), human colorectal (COLO 205 and HT-29 cells), and human heptacellular (PLC5 cells) carcinoma cells. Complex 1 exhibits anti-mycobacterial activity and considerable efficacy on Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv ATCC 27294 and H37Ra ATCC 25177 strains.

Metal-Organic Frameworks to Metal/Metal Oxide Embedded Carbon Matrix: Synthesis, Characterization and Gas Sorption Properties

Three isostructural metal-organic frameworks, (MOFs), [Fe(OH)(1,4-NDC)] (1), [Al(OH)(1,4-NDC)] (2), and [In(OH)(1,4-NDC)] (3) have been synthesized hydrothermally by using 1,4-naphthalene dicarboxylate (1,4-NDC) as a linker. The MOFs were characterized using various techniques and further used as precursor materials for the synthesis of metal/metal oxide nanoparticles inserted in a carbon matrix through a simple thermal conversion method. The newly synthesized carbon materials were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis, powder X-ray diffraction and BET analysis. The results showed that the MOF-derived carbon composite materials maintained the morphology of the original MOF upon carbonization, and confirmed the insertion of metal/metal oxide particles in the carbon matrix.

Influenza A plasma and serum virus antibody detection comparison in dogs using blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

Background and Aim:

The influenza A virus (IAV) is an important zoonotic pathogen with infections also reported in dogs. IAV infections can be detected through the presence of antibodies using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Serum is the only standard sample source; however, there is no information on the availability of other sample sources for IAV antibody detection in dogs. Compared with serum, plasma is more widely employed in most animal hospitals. The object of this study is to investigate whether plasma collected in ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) tubes (EDTA plasma) or heparin tubes (heparin plasma) could be used in the ELISA protocol instead of serum for IAV antibody detection in dogs.

Materials and Methods:

Totally, 82 matched EDTA plasma and serum sample pairs and 79 matched heparin plasma and serum sample pairs were employed using blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (bELISA). The agreement and correlation between the plasma (EDTA or heparin plasma) and serum were assessed using the agreement index kappa (kD) calculation and Pearson correlation coefficient, respectively.

Results:

The agreement index kD of EDTA plasma and serum was 1.0, and that of heparin plasma and serum was 0.85. The Pearson correlation coefficient of EDTA plasma and serum was 0.87 (p<0.01), and that of heparin plasma and serum was 0.82 (p<0.01).

Conclusion:

The results proved that plasma, especially EDTA plasma, could be substituted for serum in the bELISA test. This might greatly expand the clinical applicability of IAV antibody detection in dogs.

Multidimensional (0D to 3D) Alkaline-Earth Metal Diphosphonates: Synthesis, Structural Diversity, and Luminescence Properties

A series of new alkaline-earth metal diphosphonate frameworks were successfully synthesized under solvothermal reaction condition (160 °C, 3 d) using 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid (CH3C(OH)(H2PO3)2, hedpH4) as a diphosphonate building block and Mg(II), Ca(II), Sr(II), or Ba(II) ions as alkaline-earth metal ion centers in water, dimethylformamide, and/or EtOH media. These diphosphonate frameworks, (H2NMe2)4[Mg(hedpH2)3]·3H2O (1), (H2NMe2)2[Ca(hedpH2)2] (2), (H2NMe2)2[Sr3(hedpH2)4(H2O)2] (3), and [Ba3(hedpH2)3]·H2O (4) exhibited interesting structural topologies (zero-, one-, two-, and three-dimensional (0D, 1D, 2D, and 3D, respectively)), which are mainly depending on the metal ions and the solvents used in the synthesis. The single-crystal analysis of these newly synthesized compounds revealed that 1 was a 0D molecule, 2 has 1D chains, 3 was a 3D molecule, and 4 has 2D layers. All compounds were further characterized using thermogravimetric analysis, solid-state (31)P NMR, powder X-ray diffraction analysis, UV-vis spectra, and infrared spectroscopy. In addition, Eu(III)- and Tb(III)-doped compounds of 1-4, namely, (H2NMe2)4[Ln(x)Mg(1-x)(hedpH2)2(hedpH(2-x))]·3H2O (1Ln), (H2NMe2)2[Ln(x)Ca(1-x)(hedpH2)(hedpH(2-x))] (2Ln), (H2NMe2)2[Ln(x)Sr(3-x)(hedpH2)3(hedpH(2-x))(H2O)2] (3Ln), and [Ln(x)Ba(3-x)(hedpH2)2(hedpH(2-x))]·H2O (4Ln) (where Ln = Eu, Tb), were synthesized, and their photoluminescence properties were studied. The quantum yield of 1Eu-4Eu was measured with reference to commercial red phosphor, Y2O2S:Eu(3+) (YE), and the quantum yield of terbium-doped compounds 1Tb-4Tb was measured with reference to commercial green-emitting phosphor CeMgAl10O17:Tb(3+). Interestingly, the compound 2Eu showed very high quantum yield of 92.2%, which is better than that of the reference commercial red phosphor, YE (90.8%).

Precision Measurement of the Proton Flux in Primary Cosmic Rays from Rigidity 1 GV to 1.8 TV with the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer on the International Space Station

A precise measurement of the proton flux in primary cosmic rays with rigidity (momentum/charge) from 1 GV to 1.8 TV is presented based on 300 million events. Knowledge of the rigidity dependence of the proton flux is important in understanding the origin, acceleration, and propagation of cosmic rays. We present the detailed variation with rigidity of the flux spectral index for the first time. The spectral index progressively hardens at high rigidities.

SUMO modification of Akt regulates global SUMOylation and substrate SUMOylation specificity through Akt phosphorylation of Ubc9 and SUMO1

SUMOylation is an important post-translational modification, and Akt SUMOylation was found to regulate cell proliferation, tumorigenesis and cell cycle, but the molecular mechanism of Akt SUMOylation is less well known. Here, we show both endogenous and ectopic Akt SUMOylation and Lys276 is the major SUMO acceptor on Akt. Further, Akt SUMOylation is Akt phosphorylation dependent and Akt SUMOylation increases Akt kinase activity without affecting the phosphorylation level of Akt. Moreover, endogenous Akt SUMOylation is enhanced by insulin treatment and this is Akt activity dependent. Heat-shock stimulus also increases Akt SUMOylation and it is also Akt activity dependent. Endogenous Akt SUMOylation is also found in the rat brain and it is enhanced by insulin-like growth factor-1 stimulation. In addition, Akt directly phosphorylates Ubc9 at Thr35 and phosphorylates SUMO1 at Thr76. Ubc9 phosphorylation at Thr35 promotes Ubc9 thioester bond formation and SUMO1 phosphorylation at Thr76 stabilizes the SUMO1 protein. Through these distinct mechanisms, Akt SUMOylation regulates global SUMOylation, including Akt and Ubc9 SUMOylation, and substrate SUMOylation specificity, including STAT1 and CREB SUMOylation, in different manners. Akt SUMOylation also enhances phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) SUMOylation through Akt phosphorylation of Ubc9 and SUMO1, which serves as an endogenous mechanism to stop the positive feedback loop resulted from Akt activation. Further, Akt SUMOylation increases cyclin D1 expression and cell proliferation, and these effects are also mediated through Ubc9 phosphorylation at Thr35 and SUMO1 phosphorylation at Thr76. Here, we have identified a novel mechanism for SUMOylation regulation. Because of the important role Akt plays in tumorigenesis, this mechanism may also be involved in Akt-regulated tumorigenesis.

Synthesis, structure and study of azo-hydrazone tautomeric equilibrium of 1,3-dimethyl-5-(arylazo)-6-amino-uracil derivatives

Azo dyes, 1,3-dimethyl-5-(arylazo)-6-aminouracil (aryl=-C6H5 (1), -p-CH3C6H4 (2), -p-ClC6H4 (3), -p-NO2C6H4 (4)) were prepared and characterized by UV-vis, FT-IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR spectroscopic techniques and single crystal X-ray crystallographic analysis. In the light of spectroscopic analysis it evidences that of the tautomeric forms, the azo-enamine-keto (A) form is the predominant form in the solid state whereas in different solvents it is the hydrazone-imine-keto (B) form. The study also reveals that the hydrazone-imine-keto (B) form exists in an equilibrium mixture with its anionic form in various organic solvents. The solvatochromic and photophysical properties of the dyes in various solvents with different hydrogen bonding parameter were investigated. The dyes exhibit positive solvatochromic property on moving from polar protic to polar aprotic solvents. They are fluorescent active molecules and exhibit high intense fluorescent peak in some solvents like DMSO and DMF. It has been demonstrated that the anionic form of the hydrazone-imine form is responsible for the high intense fluorescent peak. In addition, the acid-base equilibrium in between neutral and anionic form of hydrazone-imine form in buffer solution of varying pH was investigated and evaluated the pKa values of the dyes by making the use of UV-vis spectroscopic methods. The determined acid dissociation constant (pKa) values increase according to the sequence of 2>1>3>4.

Real-time dangling objects sensing: A preliminary design of mobile headset ancillary device for visual impaired

Blinds and severe visual impairments can utilize tactile sticks to assist their walking. However, they cannot fully understand the dangling objects in front of their walking routes. This research proposed a mobile real-time dangling objects sensing (RDOS) prototype, which is located on the cap to sense any front barrier. This device utilized cheap ultrasonic sensor to act as another complement eye for blinds to understand the front dangling objects. Meanwhile, the RDOS device can dynamically adjust the sensor's front angle that is depended on the user's body height and promote the sensing accuracy. Meanwhile, two major required algorithms, height-angle measurement and ultrasonic sensor alignment, are proposed with this prototype. The research team also integrated the RDOS device prototype with mobile Android devices by communicating with Bluetooth to record the walking route.

Catalytic transfer hydrogenation and anticancer activity of arene–ruthenium compounds incorporating bi-dentate precursors

A series of arene–Ru compounds were synthesized and their catalytic transfer hydrogenation and anticancer activity towards human hormone-refractory prostate cancer were investigated.

Precision Measurement of the (e^{+}+e^{-}) Flux in Primary Cosmic Rays from 0.5 GeV to 1 TeV with the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer on the International Space Station

We present a measurement of the cosmic ray (e^{+}+e^{-}) flux in the range 0.5 GeV to 1 TeV based on the analysis of 10.6 million (e^{+}+e^{-}) events collected by AMS. The statistics and the resolution of AMS provide a precision measurement of the flux. The flux is smooth and reveals new and distinct information. Above 30.2 GeV, the flux can be described by a single power law with a spectral index γ=-3.170±0.008(stat+syst)±0.008(energy scale).

Electron and positron fluxes in primary cosmic rays measured with the alpha magnetic spectrometer on the international space station

Precision measurements by the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer on the International Space Station of the primary cosmic-ray electron flux in the range 0.5 to 700 GeV and the positron flux in the range 0.5 to 500 GeV are presented. The electron flux and the positron flux each require a description beyond a single power-law spectrum. Both the electron flux and the positron flux change their behavior at ∼30  GeV but the fluxes are significantly different in their magnitude and energy dependence. Between 20 and 200 GeV the positron spectral index is significantly harder than the electron spectral index. The determination of the differing behavior of the spectral indices versus energy is a new observation and provides important information on the origins of cosmic-ray electrons and positrons.

High statistics measurement of the positron fraction in primary cosmic rays of 0.5-500 GeV with the alpha magnetic spectrometer on the international space station

A precision measurement by AMS of the positron fraction in primary cosmic rays in the energy range from 0.5 to 500 GeV based on 10.9 million positron and electron events is presented. This measurement extends the energy range of our previous observation and increases its precision. The new results show, for the first time, that above ∼200  GeV the positron fraction no longer exhibits an increase with energy.

Synthesis and Gas Storages of Mesoporous Aluminium Metal-Organic Frameworks

Two mesoporous metal-organic framework of [Al(OH)(SDC)] (CYCU-3) and [Al(OH)(SDC)] (CYCU-4), (H2SDC = 4,4'-stilbenedicarboxylic acid) were synthesized between Al(III) ions and H2SDC under solvothermal reactions. The two crystals have same formula with different topology as supramolecular isomerisms and form 3D mesoporous frameworks in which carboxylate oxygen on each terminus of the ligand forms AlO6 octahedra by cornered-sharing to come into 1D inorganic chain. Further gas sorption measurements also exhibit highly porous properties and uptake capacities of H2 (8.22 and 7.36 mmol/g at 77 K and 1 atm) and CO2 (1.54 and 1.66 mmol/g at 298 K and 1 atm; 2.83 and 2.65 mmol/g CO2 at 273 K and 1 atm). As verified by N2 sorption measurements, the CYCU-3 exhibits the largest pore volume (1.39 cm3g–1) and the largest open channels (3.0 nm) in the system of Al-MOFs reported to date. The CYCU-4 has about 2.1 nm open channels and large pore volume of 1.20 cm3g–1.

Fast multipoint immobilized MOF bioreactor

An enzyme-NBD@MOF bioreactor with exemplary proteolytic performance, even after successive reuse and storage, was produced through a novel, rapid and simple multipoint immobilization technique without chemical modification of the solid support. Enzyme loading and distribution could be directly monitored from the fluorescence emission of the bioreactor. The dye molecular dimension plays a role in its overall performance.

Evaluation of structural transformation in 2D metal–organic frameworks based on a 4,4′-sulfonyldibenzoate linker: microwave-assisted solvothermal synthesis, characterization and applications

Structural transformation has been observed in 2D MOFs.

Improvements on a patient-specific dose estimation system in nuclear medicine examination

The purpose of this paper is to develop a patient-specific dose estimation system in nuclear medicine examination. A dose deposition routine to store the deposited energy of the photons during their flights was embedded in the widely used SimSET Monte Carlo code and a user-friendly interface for reading PET and CT images was developed. Dose calculated on ORNL phantom was used to validate the accuracy of this system. The ratios of S value for (99m)Tc, (18)F and (131)I computed by this system to those obtained with OLINDA for various organs were ranged from 0.93 to 1.18, which were comparable to that obtained from MCNPX2.6 code (0.88-1.22). Our system developed provides opportunity for tumor dose estimation which cannot be known from the MIRD. The radiation dose can provide useful information in the amount of radioisotopes to be administered in radioimmunotherapy.