Characterization of conducting polymer coated synthetic fabrics for heat generation

Heat generation in fabrics coated with the conductive polymer polypyrrole was investigated. The PET fabrics were coated by chemical synthesis using four different oxidizing agent–dopant combinations. The samples from the four different dopant systems all show an increase in temperature when a fixed voltage is applied to the fabric. The antraquinone-2-sulfonic acid (AQSA) sodium salt doped polypyrrole coating was the most effective in heat generation whereas the sodium perchlorate dopant system was the least effective. The power density per unit area achieved in polypyrrole coated polyester–Lycra® fabric with 0.027 mol/l of AQSA acting as dopant was 430 W/m². The power density per unit area achieved for the sodium perchlorate system, using the same synthesis conditions, was 55 W/m².

Epichlorohydrin Cross-Linking of Synthetic DNA Oligomers

Epichlorohydrin (ECH), an important chemical in the synthetic polymer industry, is a bifunctional alkylating agent with the potential to form DNA interstrand crosslinks. Occupational exposure to this suspect carcinogen leads to chromosomal aberrations, and ECH has been shown to undergo reaction with DNA in vivo and in vitro. We are using denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to assess cross-linking of synthetic DNA oligomers by both ECH and the related compound, epibromohydrin (EBH). Both epihalohydrins produce a low-mobility band on denaturing gels consistent with an interstrand cross-link. Moreover, the efficiencies, sequence preferences, reaction kinetics, and pH dependence differ for the two compounds, suggesting different mechanisms of reaction. Understanding these alkylation reactions may help explain the role of the epihalohydrins in cancer development.

Purification and analysis of protein synthetic initiation factors from Volvox Carteri

Volvox carteri, a multi-celled green algae, can grow synchronously given a sixteen hour light period followed by an eight hour dark period, a cycle which is repeated for a 48 hour growth cycle total. Near the end of each light period, reproductive cells divide rapidly resulting in the differentiation of ceIls. When the dark period begins, this differentiation stops and the cells remain dormant with little protein synthesis or differentiation occurring. Immediately after the lights come back on, however, the cells again undergo rapid protein synthesis and complete their differentiation. Previous studies have concluded that Volvox carteri discontinue protein synthesis during the dark phase due to regulation at the translational level and not the transcriptional level. Therefore, the inhibition of protein synthesis does not lie in the transfer of the protein coding sequence from DNA to mRNA, but rather in the transfer of this information from the mRNA to the ribosomes. My research examined this translational regulation to determine the factor(s) causing the discontinuation of protein synthesis during the dark phase. Evidence from other research further suggests that the control of translation lies in the initiation step rather than the elongation step. Eukaryotic initiation factors aid in the binding of the ribosomal subunits to the mRNA to initiate protein synthesis. It is known that initiation factors can be modified by phosphorylation, regulating their activity. Therefore, my study focused upon isolating some of these initiation factors in order to determine whether or not such modifications are responsible for the inhibition of dark phase protein synthesis in Volvox carteri.

Validation of model-based estimates (synthetic estimates) of the prevalence of risk factors for coronary heart disease for wards in England

Several sets of model-based estimates (synthetic estimates) of the prevalence of risk factors for coronary heart disease for small areas in England have been developed. These have been used in policy documents to indicate which areas are in need of intervention. In general, these models have not been subjected to validity assessment. This paper describes a validity assessment of 16 sets of synthetic estimates, by comparison of the models with national, regional and local survey-based estimates, and local mortality rate estimates. Model-based estimates of the prevalence of smoking, low fruit and vegetable consumption, obesity, hypertension and raised cholesterol are found to be valid.

Synthetic studies towards anthraquinones

The oxidation of substituted phenols with phenyliodonium diacetate in methanol was found to afford 2,4-cyclohexadienones, 2,5-cyclohexadienones or mixtures of isomers depending on the substrate being oxidized. A reaction mechanism was proposed for this oxidation which involved an intermediate aryloxenium ion. A strong correlation was observed between the experimentally determined product ratios and the results predicted by calculation of the LUMO coefficients of the proposed intermediates, Annulation of these cyclohexadienones with the anion derived from cyanophthalide afforded substituted anthraquinones in high yields. The chemistry relating to the annulation of Michael acceptors with phthalide anions was comprehensively reviewed. A mild selective method for the oxidation of hydroquinones to quinones using dibenzoyl peroxide and base is presented. A general synthetic approach to C-glycosylanthraquinones was presented, based on the annulation of a C-glycosylcyclohexadienone with the anion derived from cyanophthalide, A suitable precursor to a C-glycosylcyclohexadienone, 2-(2’,3’,4’,6’-tetra-0-acetyl-|3-D-glucopyranosyl)benzyloxybenzene, was prepared via the reaction of benzoylbromoglucose with 2-benzyloxyphenylmagnesium bromide, A group of molecules were prepared by a Marschalk reaction between /ewcoquinizarin and aldehydo-sugsrs. These compounds are potential bioreductive alkylating agents in which molecular simplicity can be achieved without overly sacrificing DNA binding ability.

Electrochemical behaviour of the pyrethroid insecticides

A systematic study is made of the electrochemical reduction and oxidation of eighteen pyrethroid insecticides and six model compounds. In addition the electrochemical oxidation of an insecticide synergist and the reduction of an insect repellent is studied. Oxidation and reduction mechanisms were partially or fully assigned for the the electrochemical reactions. The results indicate the presence of two oxidation sites common to the majority of pyrethroids. Specific sites of electrochemical reduction are observed for a number of pyrethroids. The electrochemical respones may be applied to the selective determination of a number pf pyrethroids synergists and repellents in commercial formulations without the requirement of pyrethroids, synergists and repellents in commerical formulations without the requirement for extensive sample preparation or the use of a separation technique.

SEMI-SYNTHETIC MATERIAL

The invention relates to a modified ultra-fine natural fibre powder for use in a melt forming process for the preparation of a semi-synthetic material, the powder including particles of a natural fibre modified to improve the heat stability of the natural fibre powder particles during said melt forming process. The invention also relates to a semi-synthetic material including a modified ultra-fine natural fibre powder and a synthetic polymer component.

Semi-synthetic material

The invention relates to a modified ultra-fine natural fibre powder for use in a melt forming process for the preparation of a semi-synthetic material, the powder including particles of a natural fibre modified to improve the heat stability of the natural fibre powder particles during said melt forming process. The invention also relates to a semi-synthetic material including a modified ultra-fine natural fibre powder and a synthetic polymer component.