MCM-41 functionalized with YVO4 : Eu3+: a novel drug delivery system

Luminescence functionalization of ordered mesoporous MCM-41 silica was realized by depositing a YVO4:Eu3+ phosphor layer on its surface via the Pechini sol-gel process. This material, which combines the mesoporous structure of MCM-41 and the strong red luminescence property of YVO4: Eu3+, has been studied as a host carrier for drug delivery/release systems. The structure, morphology, texture and optical properties of the materials were well characterized by x-ray diffraction ( XRD), Fourier infrared spectroscopy ( FT-IR), transmission electron microscopy ( TEM), N-2 adsorption and photoluminescence ( PL) spectra. The results indicated that the specific surface area and pore volume of MCM-41, which were directly correlated to the drug-loading amount and ibuprofen ( IBU) release rate, decreased in sequence after deposition of YVO4:Eu3+ and loading of IBU as expected. The IBU-loaded YVO4:Eu3+@ MCM-41 system still showed red luminescence under UV irradiation ( 365 nm) and a controlled release property for IBU. In addition, the emission intensity of Eu3+ increases with an increase in the cumulative released amount of IBU, making the extent of drug release easily identified, tracked and monitored by the change of luminescence, which demonstrates its potential application in drug delivery/release systems.

A new method of measuring alcohol clusters in polyimide membrane: combination of inverse gas chromatography with equilibrium swelling

A new method of measuring the mean size of solvent clusters in swollen polymer membrane is presented in this paper. This method is based on a combination of inverse gas chromatography (IGC) and equilibrium swelling. The mechanism is that weight fraction activity coefficient of solvent in swollen polymer is influenced by its clusters size. The mean clusters size of solvent in swollen polymer can be calculated as the quotient of the weight fraction activity coefficient of clustering system dividing the weigh fraction activity coefficient of non-clustering system. In this experiment, the weigh fraction activity coefficient of non-clustering system was measured with IGC. Methanol, ethanol and polyimide systems were tested with the new method at three temperatures, 20, 40, and 60degreesC. The mean clusters size of methanol in polyimide was five, four, and three at each temperature condition, respectively. Ethanol did not form clusters (the mean clusters size was one). In contrast to the inherent narrow temperature range in DSC, XRD, and FTIR methods, the temperature range in IGC and equilibrium swelling is broad. Compared with DSC. XRD. and FTIR, this new method can detect the clusters of solvent-polymer system at higher temperature.

Three-phase extraction study of Cyanex 923-n-heptane/Ce4+-H2SO4 system

Phase behavior of the extraction system, Cyanex 923-heptane/Ce4+-H2SO4 has been studied and compared with Cyanex 923-heptane/H2SO4 System. Cerium(IV) is mainly extracted into the third phase, and its concentration in the third phase first increases with the increasing aqueous acid concentration, reaches maximum and then decreases. At higher acidity, cerium(IV) is hardly extracted in the third phase. The phase behavior and change of the contents of acid and water are similar to those in the acid system. The acid concentration increases with increase of the aqueous acid in the whole extraction region while the water content first decreases with it and then increases after the third phase formation. The third phase has a characteristic lamellar structure formed by the aggregates of Cyanex 923 (.) (H2SO4)(2) (.) H2O as those in the case of acid system. The third phase loaded Ce(IV) has been used to prepare ultrafine CeO2 powder conveniently by precipitation with oxalic acid, and powders with size mostly smaller than 100 nm can be obtained.

Vibrational spectrum and luminescence properties of the system Al2O3-B2O3-Eu2O3

The system Al2O3-B2O3-Eu2O3, with Al/B ratio varying from 4.5 to 2 and Eu/(Al+B)=0.02, was synthesized by solid state reaction. The vibrational spectra of the system Al2O3-B2O3-Eu2O3 were investigated. It was found that no definite change in the regions of 1200 similar to 1000 cm(-1) due to the adsorption BO4 groups with decreasing Al/B ratio, indicating no Al3+ ion was substituted by Eu3+ ions and other changes revealed that there was an amorphous phase and Eu3+ ions may dope into the amorphous phase. The studies on the luminescent properties of the system Al2O3-B2O3 also show that Eu3+ ions dope into amorphous phase. The investigations on the phonon sideband of Eu3+ indicate that electron-phonon coupling strength decreases with Al/B ratio change from 3 to 2, leading to the non-radiative decay rate decreases and the Eu3+-emission intensity increase.

Evaluation of luminol-H2O2-KIO4 chemiluminescence system and its application to hydrogen peroxide, glucose and ascorbic acid assays

(A) novel chemiluminescence (CL) system was evaluated for the determination of hydrogen peroxide, glucose and ascorbic acid based on hydrogen peroxide, which has a catalytic-cooxidative effect on the oxidation of luminol by KIO4. Hydrogen peroxide can be directly determined by luminol-KIO4 -H2O2 CL system. The detection limit was 3.0 x 10(-8) mol l(-1) and the calibration graph was linear over the range of 2.0 x 10(-7)-6.0 x 10(-4) mol l(-1). The relative standard deviation of H2O2 was 1.1% for 2.0 x 10(-6) mol l(-1) (N = 11). Glucose was indirectly determined through measuring the H2O2 generated by the oxidation of glucose in the presence of glucose oxidase at pH 7.6. The present method provides a source for H2O2, which, in turn, coupled with the luminol-KIO4-H2O2 CL reaction system. The CL was linearly correlated with glucose concentration of 0.6-110 mu g ml(-1). The relative standard deviation was 2.1% for 10 mu g ml(-1) (N = 11). Detection limit of glucose was 0.08 mu g ml(-1). Ascorbic acid was also indirectly determined by the suppression of luminol-KIO4-H2O2 CL system. The calibration curve was linear over the range of 1.0 x 10(-7)-1.0 x 10(-5) mol l(-1) of ascorbic acid. The relative standard deviation was 1.0% for 8.0 x 10(-7) mol l(-1) (N = 11). Detection limit of ascorbic acid was 6.0 x 10(=8) mol l(-1). These proposed methods have been applied to determine glucose, ascorbic acid in tablets and injection. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Relationship between luminescence and matrices in the system Al2O3-B2O3-Ce2O3

The system Al2O3-B2O3-Ce2O3, with Al/B ratio varying from 4.5 to 2 and Ce/(Al + B) = 0.02, has been prepared at the temperature from 1 200 to 1 400 degrees C. Relationship between luminescence and matrices in the system Al2O3-B2O3-Ce2O3 was investigated. It was found that some changes of the matrices occurred with Al/B ratio varying from 4.5 to 2. These results lead to a great change in luminescence properties, indicating variation of Ce-surroundings of crystal field. With the decrease of the ratio from 3 to 2, the excitation and emission peaks shift to shorter wavelengths. it was also found that a new type of rare earth luminescent materials was obtained with appropriate Al/B ratio.

Study on binary system comprising a non-mesogen and a mesogen

Mixed liquid crystal formation has been studied in a new binary system comprising paranitroazobenzene derivatives, in which one component was a mesogen and the other was a non-mesogen. The mixtures were found to exhibit a monotropic nematic phase which was converted to an enantiotropic phase in specific ranges of temperature and concentration. The latent liquid crystal-isotropic transition temperature (LTP) of the non-mesogen was obtained by using the extrapolation method of the transition temperature-composition curve and the equal-G analysis method. The LTPs of the non-mesogen obtained by the above two methods showed good agreement with each other. The low-temperature transition of the mixtures detected by DSC was attributed to a change of the crystallite size.

Application of the Sanchez-Lacombe lattice fluid theory to the system pvme/ps and model calculations

Cloud point curves reported in the literature for five representatives of the system poly(vinyl methyl ether)/polystyrene were evaluated theoretically by means of the Sanchez-Lacombe lattice fluid theory. The measured phase separation behavior can be described within experimental error using only one adjustable parameter (quantifying the interaction between the unlike mers). The Flory-Huggins interaction parameters calculated from this theoretical description depend in good approximation linearly on composition (volume fractions) and on the inverse temperature. An evaluation of these data yields a maximum heat effect which is almost one order of magnitude less (ca. -0.25 J/cm(3)) than obtained via Hess's cycle (dissolution of the components and of the blend) from calorimetric measurements. Model calculations on the basis of the present theory demonstrate that the critical points shift to a different extent upon a certain relative change in the molar mass of the blend components. The sensitivity of the calculated phase diagrams against changes in the scaling parameter decreases in the following order: interaction energies between unlike mers, differences in the scaling temperatures, pressures and densities.

ESCA study of dichlorozirconocene/methylaluminoxane olefin polymerization catalyst system

An investigation has been undertaken by use of ESCA in the characterization of the central metal(Zr) of dichlorozirconocene/methylaluminoxane homogeneous olefin polymerization catalyst. The change of electron density shown by a shift in ESCA signals (181.8 - 182.7eV) indicates that the catalytic species are ''cation-like''. Within the range of detecting sensitivity of ESCA spectrometer, only a part of the new catalytic derivative was formed. The influence of complexion time and Al : Zr ratio on the formation of the catalytic zirconocene cation has also been investigated.

STUDIES ON THE PEROVSKITE-TYPE MIXED CATALYSTS OF TITANIUM SYSTEM FOR OXIDATIVE COUPLING OF METHANE - THE INFLUENCE OF CALCINATION TEMPERATURE

The correlations of the calcination temperature, structure and catalytic activity for the oxidative coupling of methane on the LiLa0.5Ti0.5O2+lambda catalysts whose main phase and major active phase is Perovskite-type ternary complex oxide LaTi1-yLiyO3-lambda have been studied. The surface and bulk structures of the catalysts were characterized by means of XRD, XPS, IR, BET and so on, The results cleary indicated that the effect of calcination temperature on the activity for the oxidative coupling of methane is twofold. On one hand, it is favorable for Li+ substitution for Ti3+ to enter into the lattice of LaTiO3 and produce more oxygen vacancies in which active oxygens are formed; however, excessively high calcination temperature make the amount of Li+ substitution for Ti3+ lower, due to a little change of structure or phases for the catalyst. On the other hand, the conversion of CH4 drops because of the decrease of surface area, when the calcination temperature is raised.

Seismic stratigraphy of the Qiongdongnan deep sea channel system, northwest South China Sea

Based on more than 4000 km 2D seismic data and seismic stratigraphic analysis, we discussed the extent and formation mechanism of the Qiongdongnan deep sea channel. The Qiongdongnan deep sea channel is a large incised channel which extends from the east boundary of the Yinggehai Basin, through the whole Qiongdongnan and the Xisha trough, and terminates in the western part of the northwest subbasin of South China Sea. It is more than 570 km long and 4-8 km wide. The chaotic (or continuous) middle (or high) amplitude, middle (or high) continuity seismic facies of the channel reflect the different lithological distribution of the channel. The channel formed as a complex result of global sea level drop during early Pliocene, large scale of sediment supply to the Yinggehai Basin, inversion event of the Red River strike-slip fault, and tilted direction of the Qiongdongnan Basin. The large scale of sediment supply from Red River caused the shelf break of the Yinggehai Basin to move torwards the S and SE direction and developed large scale of prograding wedge from the Miocene, and the inversion of the Red River strike-slip fault induced the sediment slump which formed the Qiongdongnan deep sea channel.

A moored underwater energy conservation system for profiling measurement

There is a need to obtain the hydrologic data including ocean current, wave, temperature and so on in the South China Sea. A new profiling instrument which does not suffer from the damage due to nature forces or incidents caused by passing ships, is under development to acquire data from this area. This device is based on a taut single point mid-water mooring system. It incorporates a small, instrumented vertically profiling float attached via an electromechanical cable to a winch integral with the main subsurface flotation. On a pre-set schedule, the instrument float with sensors is winched up to the surface if there is no strip passing by, which is defined by an on-board miniature sonar. And it can be immediately winched down to a certain depth if the sonar sensor finds something is coming. Since, because Of logistics, the area can only be visited once for a long time and a minimum of 10 times per day profiles are desired, energy demands are severe. To respond to these concerns, the system has been designed to conserve a substantial portion of the potential energy lost during the ascent phase of each profile and subsequently use this energy to pull the instrument down. Compared with the previous single-point layered measuring mode, it is advanced and economical. At last the paper introduces the test in the South China Sea.

Higher-order Boussinesq-type equations for interfacial waves in a two-fluid system

Interfacial waves propagating along the interface between a three-dimensional two-fluid system with a rigid upper boundary and an uneven bottom are considered. There is a light fluid layer overlying a heavier one in the system, and a small density difference exists between the two layers. A set of higher-order Boussinesq-type equations in terms of the depth-averaged velocities accounting for stronger nonlinearity are derived. When the small parameter measuring frequency dispersion keeping up to lower-order and full nonlinearity are considered, the equations include the Choi and Camassa's results (1999). The enhanced equations in terms of the depth-averaged velocities are obtained by applying the enhancement technique introduced by Madsen et al. (1991) and Schaffer and Madsen (1995a). It is noted that the equations derived from the present study include, as special cases, those obtained by Madsen and Schaffer (1998). By comparison with the dispersion relation of the linear Stokes waves, we found that the dispersion relation is more improved than Choi and Camassa's (1999) results, and the applicable scope of water depth is deeper.

Response of cyanobacterial carbon concentrating system to light intensity: a simulated analysis

Cyanobacteria possess a delicate system known as the carbon concentrating mechanism (CCM), which can efficiently elevate the intracellular inorganic carbon (Ci) concentration via active transportation. The system requires energy supplied by photosystems; therefore, the activity of the Ci transporter is closely related to light intensity. However, the relationship between CCM and light intensity has rarely been evaluated. Here, we present an improved quantitative model of CCM in which light is incorporated, and developed a CCM model that modified after Fridlyand et al. in 1996. Some equations used in this model were inducted to describe the relationship between transport capacity and light intensity, by which the response of the CCM to light change is simulated. Our results indicate that the efficiency of the carbon concentrating system is sensitive to light intensity. When the external Ci concentration was low, CO2 uptake dominated the total Ci uptake with increasing light intensity, while under high external Ci concentrations HCO3- uptake primarily contributed to the total Ci uptake. Variations in the ratio of energy allocated between the transport systems could markedly affect the operation of CCM. Indeed, our simulations suggest that various combinations of Ci fluxes can provide a possible approach to detect the way by which the cell distributes energy produced by the photosystems to the two active Ci transport processes. The proportion of the energy consumed on CCM to the total energy expenditure for the fixation of one CO2 molecule was determined at 18%-40%.

Representing and Reasoning About Change in Geologic Interpretation

Geologic interpretation is the task of inferring a sequence of events to explain how a given geologic region could have been formed. This report describes the design and implementation of one part of a geologic interpretation problem solver -- a system which uses a simulation technique called imagining to check the validity of a candidate sequence of events. Imagining uses a combination of qualitative and quantitative simulations to reason about the changes which occured to the geologic region. The spatial changes which occur are simulated by constructing a sequence of diagrams. The quantitative simulation needs numeric parameters which are determined by using the qualitative simulation to establish the cumulative changes to an object and by using a description of the current geologic region to make quantitative measurements. The diversity of reasoning skills used in imagining has necessitated the development of multiple representations, each specialized for a different task. Representations to facilitate doing temporal, spatial and numeric reasoning are described in detail. We have also found it useful to explicitly represent processes. Both the qualitative and quantitative simulations use a discrete 'layer cake' model of geologic processes, but each uses a separate representation, specialized to support the type of simulation. These multiple representations have enabled us to develop a powerful, yet modular, system for reasoning about change.