White polymeric light-emitting diodes with high color rendering index

The efficient white polymeric light-emitting diodes based on a white emissive polymer doped with a red phosphorescent dopant were fabricated by spin-coating method. The emission spectrum of the device is broadened to cover the full visible region by doping the red phosphorescent dye and thereby realizes white emission with high color-rendering index (CRI). By controlling the contents of the doped electron-transporting 2-(4-biphenylyl)-5-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole and the red phosphorescent dopant, a luminous efficiency as high as 5.3 cd/A and a power efficiency of 3 lm/W were obtained with a CRI of 92.

Surface morphology evolution of a thin polymeric supramolecular film by tuning interactions

A polymeric supramolecule consisting of symmetric polystyrene-block-poly(4-vinylpytidine) (PS-b-P4VP), dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid (DBSA), and 3-pentadecylphenol (PDP) was formed by proton transfer and hydrogen bonding. The surface morphology,of a thin film of the polymeric supramolecule has been investigated. The spherical PS microdomains embedded in a P4VP(DBSA)(1.0)(PDP)(1.0) matrix are observed for the as-cast film because the weight fraction, f(comb), of the P4VP(DBSA) (1.0)(PDP)(1.0) blocks is much higher than that of PS as a result of the non-covalent interactions of P4VP and DBSA and DBSA and PDR Upon annealing the PS-b-P4VP(1:1)(DBSA)(1.0)(PDP)(1.0) film at high temperatures, the hydrogen bonding between the DBSA and PDP diminishes, which leads to a change of overall morphology from an ordered sphere to a pitted structure.

Differential proteomic analysis of neonatal cardiomyocytes in response to beta-adrenergic receptor stimulation

beta-Adrenoceptors(beta-ARs) play a critical role in regulating cardiac functions under both physiological and pathological conditions. To further explore the mechanisms through which beta-ARs perform its actions, proteomic approaches were adopted to study the global protein patterns in cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes exposed to isoproterenol (ISO). A modified method, "Mirror Images in One Gel", was used to improve the reproducibility and resolution power of two-dimensional electrophoresis. A 2-DE map with a good reproducibility was obtained in which 1281 70 spots were detected and about 1191 +/- 54 spots were matched, with an average matching rate of 92.9%. Nine proteins with significant changes were identified by using peptide mass fingerprinting(PMF) data obtained via MALDI-MS.

A cunning strategy in design of polymeric nanomaterials with novel microstructures

A relative approach, based on the dynamic density functional theory, for simulating the solvent evaporation rate dependence of self-assembly process of block copolymers in solution is proposed. The di- and triblock copolymers are first chosen as the candidates for exploration of novel microstructures. The results reveal that asymmetrical block copolymers with unequal block length, which generally exhibit disordered microdomain patterns in melts, have the ability to assemble into periodic ordered microdomain patterns by properly controlling solvent evaporation rate, e.g., diblock copolymers may assemble into lamellar microstructures with lamellar thickness proportional to individual block length. This simulation suggests a strategy of design and manufacture of polymeric nanomaterials with novel microstructures.

Interactions of thiamine monophosphate (TMP) with one- and two-dimensional polymeric halogenomercurate anions. Crystal structures of (TMP)(Hg2Br5)center dot 0.5H(2)O and (TMP)(2)(Hg3I8)

An investigation into the interactions between thiamine monophosphate (TMP) and anions has resulted in the preparation and X-ray characterization of the compounds (TMP)(Hg2Br5).0.5H(2)O (1) and (TMP)(2)(Hg3I8) (2). In each compound the TMP molecule exists as a monovalent cation in the usual F conformation. The halogenomercurate anions occur in two-dimensional (2-D) network in 1 or one-dimensional (1-D) chain in 2. In both 1 and 2, the structures consist of alternating cationic sheets of the hydrogen-bonded TMP molecules and anionic sheets of the polymeric halogenomercurate anions. The TMP molecule binds to the polymeric anions through the characteristic 'anion bridge I', C(2)-H..X...pyrimidinium (X = Br in 1 and 1 in 2), and electrostatic interactions between electropositive S(1) and halogen atoms. The 'anion bridge II' of the type N(4'1)-H...X...thiazolium (X = phosphate group) plays a role in stabilizing the molecular conformation. The biological implication of the host-guest-like complexation between TMP and polymeric anions is discussed.

Methods to study the ionic conductivity of polymeric electrolytes using a.c. impedance spectroscopy

Composite polymeric electrolytes of PEO-LiClO4-Al2O3 and PEO-LiClO4-EC were prepared and the ionic conductivity by a.c. impedance was calculated using four different methods, and three kinds of representations of a.c. impedance spectra were adopted. The first is based on the Nyquist impedance plot of the imaginary part (Z") versus the real part (Z') of the complex impedance. The second and the third correspond to the plots of imaginary impedance Z" as a function of frequency (f), and the absolute value (\Z\) and phase angle (theta) as a function of f, respectively. It was found that the values of the ionic conductivity calculated using the three representations of a.c. impedance spectra are basically identical.

Lanthanide coordination polymers with dicarboxylate-like ligands: crystal structures of polymeric lanthanum(III) and terbium(III) complexes with flexible double betaines

Four novel polymeric lanthanide(III) complexes of two new double betaine derivatives have been synthesized and structurally determined. In [{La-2(L-1)(2)(H2O)(9)}(n)]Cl-6n. 2nH(2)O (1) and [{Tb(L-1)(H2O)(4)}(n)]Cl-3n. nH(2)O (2) (L-1 =4,4'-trimethylenedipyridinio-N,N'-diacetate), the lanthanide(III) ions form a two-dimensional layer in which each pair of lanthanide(III) ions is bridged by two syn-anti mu-carboxylato-O,O' groups. Adjacent layers are cross-linked through hydrogen bonds among aqua ligands, lattice water molecules and chloride ions, to form a three-dimensional network. Isomorphous [{Ln(L-1)(H2O)(4)}(n)]Cl-3n. 5nH(2)O (Ln=La, 3; Ln=Tb, 4; L-2=1,3 bis(pyridinio-4-carboxylato)-propane) each contain a centrosymmetric paddle-wheel-like dimeric unit in which each pair of adjacent metal atoms is bridged by four syn-syn mu-carboxylato-O,O' groups that are oriented nearly perpendicular to each other about the metal-metal axis. Neighboring dimeric subunits are bridged by a pair of flexible LL ligands into a polymeric chain. Adjacent chains are inter-linked by hydrogen bonds among aqua ligands, lattice water molecules and chloride ions into a three-dimensional network. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Synthesis and crystal structure of a polymeric erbium(III)-sodium(I) coordination complex of picolinic acid N-oxide

A new Er(III)-Na(I) coordination polymer of stoichiometry [NaEr2L5(H2O)(6)(NO3)](NO3). 3.5H(2)O (HL = picolinic acid N-oxide) has been synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray analysis. Crystals are triclinic, P (1) over bar with a = 9.823(2), b = 12.453(2), c = 20.643(4) Angstrom; alpha = 98.49(3), beta = 101.40(3), gamma = 108.69(3)degrees; V = 2284(1) Angstrom(3); Z = 2. Of the two independent eight-coordinate erbium(III) ions in this complex, one is surrounded by four bidentate chelating L ligands, and the other by one bidentate chelating L ligand, four aqua ligands and two anti-carboxylate oxygen atoms from two neighboring [ErL4] units. The sodium(I) ion is in a distorted octahedral environment, being coordinated by a unidentate nitrate anion, three aqua ligands and two anti-carboxylate oxygen atoms from two adjacent [ErL4] units. The complex is built from zigzag chains of syn-anti carboxylate-bridged erbium(III) moieties directed in the a direction, which are cross-linked pairwise by aqua-bridged dimeric sodium(I) units. The resulting composite polymeric chains are further connected by hydrogen bonds to form a three-dimensional network.

Synthesis and structural characterization of a novel polymeric praseodymium(III) complex with a new flexible double betaine

A novel polymeric Pr(III) complex with a new double betaine, namely [{Pr(L-1)(1.5)(H2O)(2)}(n)] [ClOli4]3(n). nH(2)O (1) (L-1= 1,4-diazoniobicyclo[2,2,2]octane- 1,4-dipropionate), has been synthesized and characterized by X-ray analysis. In the title complex, the Pr(III) atom is nine-coordinated by seven oxygen atoms from five L-1 ligands and two aqua ligands. Each pair of adjacent praseodymium(III) atoms is linked by a pair of mu(3) chelating and bridging carboxylate groups, thus forming an infinite metal metal chain running parallel to the a direction, and such chains are cross-linked by flexible backbones of L-1 ligands into a three-dimensional network with the perchlorate anions and lattice water molecules accommodated in the interstitial space. The title complex crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/n with a = 8.085(2), b = 14.316(3), c = 29.775(6) Angstrom, beta = 103.04(3)degrees and Z = 4.

In-situ FTIR spectroelectrochemical investigation of cobalt(II)-cyanoferrate polymeric film coated on a glassy carbon electrode

Cobalt(II)-cyanoferrate polymeric film has been electrochemically deposited on a glassy carbon electrode and investigated by cyclic voltammetry and in-situ reflection FTIR spectroscopy. A reorientation of the terminal C=N groups upon redox reactions was proposed. The stretching vibration mode of the terminal C=N groups associated with Fe(III) was observed at 2122 cm(-1), however, the stretching vibration mode for terminal groups associated with Fe(II) did not appear. This process could result in a switch between lattice-closed and lattice-opened surface structure. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.

Synthesis, crystal structure and magnetic properties of a series of polymeric lanthanoid-copper complexes [Ln(2)Cu(3){O(CH2-CO2)(2)}(6)].nH(2)O (Ln=La, Nd, n=9; Ln=Er, n=6)

The reaction of diglycolic acid, O(CH2CO2H)(2), with Cu(NO3)(2) . H2O and lanthanoid nitrate hydrate produces a series of novel Ln-Cu mixed metal complexes, [Ln(2)CU(3){O(CH2CO2)(2)}(6)]. nH(2)O (Ln = La, Nd, n = 9; Ln = Er, n = 6), which have been characterized by elemental analysis, i.r. spectroscopy, magnetic measurements and X-ray crystallography. The Ln(3+) and Cu2+ ions are connected by the carboxylate groups of the ligands, resulting in the formation of a complicated network.

APPLICATION OF POLYBUTADIENE-BASED POLYMERIC SURFACTANTS IN LIQUID MEMBRANE SEPARATION

New polybutadiene-based surfactants (LYF) were synthesized by sulfonation of liquid polybutadiene with acetal sulfate at an elevated temperature, and their properties in a liquid surfactant membrane (LSM) separation process were examined by comparison with the two polyisobutylene-based surfactants ECA4360 and EM301. It was found that LYF surfactants had satisfactory overall properties as regards stability, swelling, and demulsification Of the W/O emulsion in the cases of both acidic and caustic internal aqueous phases.

THE USE OF LIGHT-MICROSCOPY FOR INVESTIGATIONS OF EPITAXIAL-GROWTH OF POLYMERS ON POLYMERIC SUBSTRATES

In order to study the oriented (epitaxial) crystallization of thermoplastic polymers on oriented polymer substrates, generally the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is used. With this instrument, the crystallized material can easily be resolved and orientation relationships can be monitored by electron diffraction. Disadvantages are the time consuming sample preparations and difficulties in the in-situ observations of the crystallization events, because of the radiation sensitivity of the polymer crystals. It is demonstrated that these disadvantages of the TEM can be eleminated by the use of different methods of light optical contrasts under specific preparation conditions of the samples and that the optical microscopy being a supplementary method to the TEM for investigations of epitaxial crystallization.

Molecular characterization and effect of RNA interference of retinoid X receptor (RXR) on E75 and chitinase gene expression in Chinese shrimp Fenneropenaeus chinensis

Retinoid X receptor (RXR)/ultraspiracle (USP) is the heterodimeric partner of ecdysteroid receptor and is required for the molting process of arthropods. To better understand the molecular aspects governing the process of molting in shrimp, the full-length cDNA of two RXRs, named as FcRXR-1 and FcRXR-2 were obtained from Chinese shrimp Fenneropenaeus chinensis which were of 1715 and 1700 bp long, revealed a 1315 and 1300 bp open reading frame (ORF) respectively. Quantitative Real time PCR analysis showed a marked tissue-specific difference in the expression of FcRXR transcript, which revealed that the expression of FcRXR Could be regulated in a tissue-specific manner. Moreover, high expression of FcRXR mRNAs was observed in late pre-molt period (D3) and post molt stages (A-B) of shrimp. Among the two isoforms, FcRXR-2 appeared in a considerably high level in all the stages compared to the FcRXR-1. In addition, we examined the temporal expression of two chitinase genes: FcChitinase (FcChi) and FcChitinase-1 (FcChi-1) during the molt cycle of F chinensis. Both the FcChi and FcChi-1 transcripts were detected in all stages of molting, although considerable fluctuations observed through the molt cycle. Injection of double stranded RXR (dsRXR) into juvenile shrimp resulted in a maximum silencing effect at 48 h post injection. We analyzed the expression levels of FcChi, FcChi-1 and the ecdysone inducible gene E75 (FcE75) in samples of dsRXR injected shrimp. Significant reduction in levels of both FcE75, FcChi and FcChi-1 transcripts Occurred in the silenced shrimp. This correlation suggested that RXR might involve in the downstream regulation of E75 and chitinase gene transcription in the ecdysone signaling pathway of decapod crustaceans. (C) 2009 Published by Elsevier Inc.

Identification and expression of TRAF6 (TNF receptor-associated factor 6) gene in Zhikong Scallop Chlamys farreri

Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6), a key signaling adaptor molecule common to the TNFR superfamily and IL-IR/TLR family, is important not only for a diverse array of physiological processes functions of the TNFR superfamily, but also is involved in adaptive immunity and innate immunity. In this report, the first bivalve TRAF6 (named as CfTRAF6) gene is identified and characterized from Zhikong scallop Chlamys farreri. The full-length cDNA of CfTRAF6 is of 2510 bp, consisting of a 5'-terminal untranslated region (UTR) of 337 bp, a 3'-terminal UTR of 208 bp with a canonical polyadenylation signal sequence AATAAA and a poly (A) tail, and an open reading frame (ORF) encoding a polypeptide of 655 amino acids. The predicted amino acid sequence of CfTRAF6 comprises characteristic motifs of the TRAF proteins, including a Zinc finger of RING-type, two Zinc fingers of TRAF-type, a coiled-coil region, and a MATH (the meprin and TRAF homology) domain. The overall amino acid sequence identity between CfTRAF6 and other TRAF6s is 28-68%. Phylogenetic analyses of CfTRAF6 sequence with TRAF sequences from other organisms indicate that CfTRAF6 is a true TRAF6 orthologue. The mRNA expression of CfTRAF6 in various tissues is measured by Real-time RT-PCR. The mRNA transcripts are constitutively expressed in tissues of haemocyte, muscle, mantle, heart, gonad and gill, but the highest expression is observed in the gonad. The temporal expressions of CfTRAF6 mRNA in the mixed primary cultured haemocytes are recorded after treatment with 20 mu g mL(-1) and 0.5 mu g mL(-1) peptido-glycan (PGN). The expression level of CfTRAF mRNA is down-regulated from 1.5 h to 3 h after the treatment with 0.5 mu g mL(-1) PGN, and then recovers to the original level. While the expression of CfTRAF6 is obviously decreased after treatment with 20 mu g mL(-1) PGN, and reach the lowest point (only about 1/9 times to control) at 3 h. The result Suggests that CfTRAF6 can be greatly regulated by PGN and it may be involved in signal transduction and immune response of scallop. (C) 2008 Published by Elsevier Ltd.