Hydrogen-bonded interpolymer complexes. Formation, structure and applications

Noncovalent interactions play key roles in many natural processes leading to the self-assembly of molecules with the formation of supramolecular structures. One of the most important forces responsible for self-assembly is hydrogen bonding, which also plays an important role in the self-assembly of synthetic polymers in aqueous solutions. Proton-accepting polymers can associate with proton-donating polymers via hydrogen bonding in aqueous solutions and form polymer-polymer or interpolymer complexes. There has been an increased interest among researchers in hydrogen-bonded interpolymer complexes since the first pioneering papers were published in the early 1960s. Several hundred research papers have been published on various aspects of complex formation reactions in solutions and interfaces, properties of interpolymer complexes and their potential applications. This book focuses on the latest developments in the area of interpolymer complexation via hydrogen bonding. It represents a collection of original and review articles written by recognized experts from Germany, Greece, Kazakhstan, Poland, Romania, Russia, UK, Ukraine, and the USA. It highlights many important applications of interpolymer complexes, including the stabilization of colloidal systems, pharmaceuticals, and nanomaterials.

The application of ichnofabrics towards bridging the dichotomy between siliciclastic and carbonate shelf facies: examples from the Upper Jurassic Fulmar Formation (UK) and the Jubaila Formation (Saudi Arabia)

An initial study of the ichnofabrics of the Upper Jurassic (Kimmeridgian) Jubaila Formation of Saudi Arabia shows that the ichnofabrics are closely matched to the relatively well-described ichnofabrics of the contemporary Fulmar Formation of the UK Continental Shelf (North Sea), in respect of the lower shoreface/offshore transition facies to offshore facies. The ichnology and ichnofabrics of the Lower Jubaila Formation show that deposition took place on an open-marine platform on the Arabian craton subject to periodic storm activity, but under a persisting equilibrium between sediment accumulation and subsidence. This is consistent with the moderately deep-marine foraminiferal assemblages and the presence of calcareous nannofossils. Cyclicity is absent, though storm beds may be grouped, in contrast with the genetic sequences present in the rift and halokinetic scenario of the North Sea. In contrast with the siliciclastic setting hardgrotinds (with Gastrochaenolites), more common firmground omission surfaces, and micritic mudstones with Chondrites and Zoophycos are notable features of the carbonate facies. In siliciclastic successions (parasequences) the latter ichnotaxa are generally regarded as having been deposited in rather deeper water, but in the carbonate Jubaila Formation are interpreted as being associated with local areas of lower turbulence. Likewise, the hardgrounds and firmgrounds, which have not been traced laterally, are tentatively regarded to be of local significance.

Chip formation mechanism and machinability of wrought duplex stainless steel alloys

This paper investigates the chip formation mechanism and machinability of two-phase materials, such as, wrought duplex stainless steel alloys SAF 2205 and SAF 2507. SEM and optical microscopic details of the frozen cutting zone and chips revealed that the harder austenite phase dissipates in the advancement of the cutting tool, being effectively squeezed out of the softer ferrite phase. Microhardness profiles reveal correlation in hardness from the workpiece material transitioning to the chip. The tool wear (TiAIN + TiN coated solid carbide twist drill) and machining forces were investigated. Tool wear, was dominantly due to the adhesion process which developed from built-up edge formation, is highly detrimental to the flank face. Flute damage was also observed as a major issue in the drilling of duplex alloys leading to premature tool failure. Duplex 2507 shows higher sensitivity to cutting speed during machining and strain hardening at higher velocity and less machinability due to presence of higher percentage of Ni, Mo and Cr.

Study of acrosome formation, interspecific and intraspecific, in the testicular lobes of some pentatomid species

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

RGMa and RGMb expression pattern during chicken development suggest unexpected roles for these repulsive guidance molecules in notochord formation, somitogenesis, and myogenesis

Background: Repulsive guidance molecules (RGM) are high-affinity ligands for the Netrin receptor Neogenin, and they are crucial for nervous system development including neural tube closure; neuronal and neural crest cell differentiation and axon guidance. Recent studies implicated RGM molecules in bone morphogenetic protein signaling, which regulates a variety of developmental processes. Moreover, a role for RGMc in iron metabolism has been established. This suggests that RGM molecules may play important roles in non-neural tissues. Results: To explore which tissues and processed may be regulated by RGM molecules, we systematically investigated the expression of RGMa and RGMb, the only RGM molecules currently known for avians, in the chicken embryo. Conclusions: Our study suggests so far unknown roles of RGM molecules in notochord, somite and skeletal muscle development. Developmental Dynamics, 2012. (C) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Protomers: formation, separation and characterization via travelling wave ion mobility mass spectrometry

Travelling wave ion mobility mass spectrometry (TWIM-MS) with post-TWIM and pre-TWIM collision-induced dissociation (CID) experiments were used to form, separate and characterize protomers sampled directly from solutions or generated in the gas phase via CID. When in solution equilibria, these species were transferred to the gas phase via electrospray ionization, and then separated by TWIM-MS. CID performed after TWIM separation (post-TWIM) allowed the characterization of both protomers via structurally diagnostic fragments. Protonated aniline (1) sampled from solution was found to be constituted of a ca. 5:1 mixture of two gaseous protomers, that is, the N-protonated (1a) and ring protonated (1b) molecules, respectively. When dissociated, 1a nearly exclusively loses NH3, whereas 1b displays a much diverse set of fragments. When formed via CID, varying populations of 1a and 1b were detected. Two co-existing protomers of two isomeric porphyrins were also separated and characterized via post-TWIM CID. A deprotonated porphyrin sampled from a basic methanolic solution was found to be constituted predominantly of the protomer arising from deprotonation at the carboxyl group, which dissociates promptly by CO2 loss, but a CID-resistant protomer arising from deprotonation at a porphyrinic ring NH was also detected and characterized. The doubly deprotonated porphyrin was found to be constituted predominantly of a single protomer arising from deprotonation of two carboxyl groups. Copyright (C) 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The Universe 10 Billion years ago: Morphologies, Star-formation rates and Galactic-scale winds in z ∼ 2 Galaxies

This thesis is devoted to the study of the properties of high-redsfhit galaxies in the epoch 1 < z < 3, when a substantial fraction of galaxy mass was assembled, and when the evolution of the star-formation rate density peaked. Following a multi-perspective approach and using the most recent and high-quality data available (spectra, photometry and imaging), the morphologies and the star-formation properties of high-redsfhit galaxies were investigated. Through an accurate morphological analyses, the built up of the Hubble sequence was placed around z ~ 2.5. High-redshift galaxies appear, in general, much more irregular and asymmetric than local ones. Moreover, the occurrence of morphological k-­correction is less pronounced than in the local Universe. Different star-formation rate indicators were also studied. The comparison of ultra-violet and optical based estimates, with the values derived from infra-red luminosity showed that the traditional way of addressing the dust obscuration is problematic, at high-redshifts, and new models of dust geometry and composition are required. Finally, by means of stacking techniques applied to rest-frame ultra-violet spectra of star-forming galaxies at z~2, the warm phase of galactic-scale outflows was studied. Evidence was found of escaping gas at velocities of ~ 100 km/s. Studying the correlation of inter-­stellar absorption lines equivalent widths with galaxy physical properties, the intensity of the outflow-related spectral features was proven to depend strongly on a combination of the velocity dispersion of the gas and its geometry.

Xanthohumol ameliorates atherosclerotic plaque formation, hypercholesterolemia, and hepatic steatosis in ApoE-deficient mice

SCOPE: Xanthohumol (XN), a prenylated antioxidative and anti-inflammatory chalcone from hops, exhibits positive effects on lipid and glucose metabolism. Based on its favorable biological properties, we investigated whether XN attenuates atherosclerosis in western-type diet-fed apolipoprotein-E-deficient (ApoE(-/-) ) mice. METHODS AND RESULTS: XN supplementation markedly reduced plasma cholesterol concentrations, decreased atherosclerotic lesion area, and attenuated plasma concentrations of the proinflammatory cytokine monocyte chemoattractant protein 1. Decreased hepatic triglyceride and cholesterol content, activation of AMP-activated protein kinase, phosphorylation and inactivation of acetyl-CoA carboxylase, and reduced expression levels of mature sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP)-2 and SREBP-1c mRNA indicate reduced lipogenesis in the liver of XN-fed ApoE(-/-) mice. Concomitant induction of hepatic mRNA expression of carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1a in ApoE(-/-) mice-administered XN suggests increased fatty acid beta-oxidation. Fecal cholesterol concentrations were also markedly increased in XN-fed ApoE(-/-) mice compared with mice fed western-type diet alone. CONCLUSION: The atheroprotective effects of XN might be attributed to combined beneficial effects on plasma cholesterol and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 concentrations and hepatic lipid metabolism via activation of AMP-activated protein kinase.