Electrode characteristics and microstructure of AB(2)-AB(5) composite hydrogen storage alloy formed by ball-milling process

For improving the electrode characteristics of the Zr-based AB(2)-type alloy, a new kind of composite hydrogen Zr0.9Ti0.1(Ni0.50Mn0.35V0.15)(2)(represented as AB(2)) with a rare storage alloy was successfully prepared by ball-milling I earth-based AB(5)-type alloy (represented as AB(5)) which worked as a surface modifier. Effects of ball-milling on the electrode characteristics and microstructure of Zr0.9Ti0.1(Ni0.50Mn0.35V0.15)(2) alloy and mixtures of AB(2) with AB(5) alloy were investigated. After milling the mixed AB(2) and AB(5) powders (9: 1 in mass ratio) for 10min, XRD and SEM analysis showed that AB(2) and AB(5) maintained their original crystalline states, respectively, some AB(5) particles were adhered onto the surface of AB(2), and some fresh surfaces were formed. It was found that the activation cycles of AB(2)-AB(5) composite alloy was shortened from 14 to 7 and the maximum discharge capacity was increased from 330mAh . g(-1) to 347mAh . g(-1) as compared with AB(2) alloy. The discharge rate capability of AB(2) alloy was also improved by ball milling AB(2) with AB(5) alloy process. The combined effect of ball-milling and mixing with AB(5) alloy is superior to that of sole treatment. It was believed that AB(5) alloy works not only as a regular hydrogen storage alloy, but also as a surface modifier to catalyze the hydriding/ dehydriding process of AB(2) alloy.

Novel hydrogen-bonded three-dimensional networks encapsulating one-dimensional covalent chains: [M(4,4 '-bipy)(H2O)4](4-abs)2 center dot nH(2)O (4,4 '-bipy=4,4 '-Bipyridine; 4-abs=4-aminobenzenesulfonate) (M=Co, n=1; M=Mn, n=2)

Two novel compounds, [Co(4,4'-bipy)(H2O)(4)](4-abS)(2).H2O (1) and [Mn(4,4'-bipy)(H2O)(4)](4-abs)(2).2H(2)O (2) (4,4'-bipy = 4,4'-bipyridine; 4-abs = 4-aminobenzenesulfonate), have been synthesized in aqueous solution and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, elemental analyses, UV-vis and IR spectra, and TG analysis. X-ray structural analysis revealed that 1 and 2 both possess unusual hydrogen-bonded three-dimensional (3-D) networks encapsulating one-dimensional (1-D) covalently bonded infinite [M(4,4'-bipy)(H2O)(4)](2+) (M = Co, Mn) chains. The 4-abs anions in 1 form 1-D zigzag chains through hydrogen bonds. These chains are further extended through crystallization water molecules into 3-D hydrogen-bonded networks with 1-D channels, in which the [Co(4,4'-bipy)(H2O)(4)](2+) linear covalently bonded chains are located. Crystal data for 1: C22H30CoN4O11S2, monoclinic P2(1), a = 11.380(2) Angstrom, b = 8.0274(16) Angstrom, c = 15.670(3) Angstrom, alpha = gamma = 90degrees, beta = 92.82(3)degrees, Z = 2. Compound 2 contains interesting two-dimensional (2-D) honeycomb-like networks formed by 4-abs anions and lattice water molecules via hydrogen bonding, which are extended through other crystallization water molecules into three dimensions with 1-D hexagonal channels. The [Mn(4,4'-bipy)(H2O)(4)](2+) linear covalent chains exist in these channels. Crystal data for 2: C22H32WN4O12S2, monoclinic P2(1)/c, a = 15.0833(14) Angstrom, b = 8.2887(4) Angstrom, c = 23.2228(15) Angstrom, alpha = gamma = 90degrees, beta = 95.186(3)degrees, Z = 4.

Morphology and structure of nylon-2,14 single crystals from dilute solution

A perfect single crystal of nylon-2,14 was prepared from 0.02% (w/v) 1,4-butanediol solution by a "self-seeding" technique and isothermal crystallization at 120 and 145 degreesC. The morphology and structure features were examined by transmission electron microscopy with both image and diffraction modes, atomic force microscopy, and wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD). The nylon-2,14 single crystal grown from 1,4-butanediol at 145 degreesC inhabited a lathlike shape with a lamellar thickness of about 9 nm. Electron diffraction and WAXD data indicated that nylon-2,14 crystallized in a triclinic system with lattice dimensions a = 0.49 nm, b = 0.51 nm, c = 2.23 nm, alpha = 60.4degrees, beta = 77degrees, and gamma = 59degrees. The crystal structure is different from that of nylon-6,6 but similar to that of other members of nylon-2Y.

Synthesis of bis [bis (tert-butylcyclopentadienyl) neodymium chloride] and structural trend of bis[bis(tertbutylcyclopentadienyl) lanthanide chloride]

The reaction of NdCl3 with 2 equiv. of Na-(BuC5H4)-C-t in THF(tetrahydrofuran) gives blue crystals [((BUC5H4)-C-t)(2)NdCl](2), C36H52Cl2Nd2(M-r = 844.11) Which crystallizes in the triclinic system with space group . The crystal data are a=11.978 (1), b=12.671(4), c=12.706(2)Angstrom, alpha=105.47(2), beta=99.38(1)? gamma=93.15 (2)degrees, V=1825 (3) Angstrom(3), Z = 2 , D-c = 1.53g/cm(3), F(000) = 450 , T = 298K , lambda(MoK alpha) = 0.71069 Angstrom, , mu = 14.97cm(-1). Final R = 0.0390, R-w = 0.0376 for 4329 reflections with I greater than or equal to 3 sigma(I-o). The molecule has a dimer structure with two certrosymmetrical chlorine bridges. The structural trend of these analogous complexes is discussed.

Hydrothermal synthesis and crystal structure of [{Cu(2,2 '-bpy)(2)}(2)Mo8O26]: a beta-octamolybdate cluster covalently bonded to two {Cu(2,2 '-bpy)(2)}(2+) coordination complexes via bridging oxo groups

An organic-inorganic hybrid solid, (Cu(2,2'-bpy)(2))(2)Mo8O26, has been hydrothermally synthesized and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Dark green crystals crystallize in the orthorhombic system, space group Pna21, a = 24.164(5), b = 18.281(4), c = 11.877(2) Angstrom, alpha = 90 degrees, beta = 90 degrees, gamma = 90 degrees, V= 5247(2) Angstrom (3), Z = 4, lambda (MoK alpha) = 0.71073 Angstrom (R(F) = 0.0331 for 5353 reflections). Data were collected on a Siemens P4 four-circle diffractometer at 293 K in the range 1.69 degrees < theta < 25.04 degrees using the omega -scan technique. The structure was solved by the direct method and refined by full-matrix least squares on F-2 using SHELXL-93. The structure of this compound consists of discrete (Cu(2,2'-bpy)(2))(2)Mo8O26 clusters, constructed from beta -octamolybdate subunits ((Mo8O26)(4-)) covalently bonded to two (Cu(2,2'-bpy)(2))(2+) coordination complexes via bridging oxo groups that connect two adjacent molybdenum sites. (C) 2001 Academic Press.

Syntheses and crystalline structures of clusters Co-3(CO)(7)(mu(3)-S)(mu, eta(2)-SCNR2)

Through the reaction of Co-2(CO)(8) with four thiuram [R2NC(S)S](2), four new sulfur-capped trinuclear cobalt carbonyl clusters Co-3 (CO)(7) (mu(3)-S) (mu, eta(2)-S* C* NR2) ( I : R = Me; I : R = Et; II : R = i-Pr; IV : NR= -N [GRAPHICS] were prepared and characterized by elementary analysis, IR,H-1 NMR and MS spectroscopy. The crystal structure of the cluster Co-3(CO)(7)(mu(3)-S)[mu, eta(2)-S*C*N (i-Pr)(2)]( III) was determined by X-ray single crystal diffraction method. The crystal of m is monoclinic, belonging to space group P2(1)/n, and the cell parameters are as follows: a = 1, 145 2(2) nm, b = 1. 502 8(3) nm, c = 1, 214 4(2) nmj alpha = 90 degrees, beta = 92, 15(3)degrees, gamma = 90 degrees; V = 2. 088 5(7) nm(3) , Z = 4, F (000) = 1 096, D-c = 1. 747 mg . m(-3), mu = 2. 588 mm(-1), R=0. 040 7, R-w=0. 062 4, The structural analysis shows that cluster II has a pyrimidal Co3S framework and contains a heterocylic bridging bidentate ligand [mu, eta(2)-S* C* N (i-Pr)(2)] linked to the Co2 and Co3 atoms of the cluster by a cobalt-carbon and a cobalt-sulfur bond respectively.

Synthesis and structure of 1:1 complex of ethylphenyltin dichloride with N-4-methoxyphenyl-2-hydroxynaphthylideneimine

A novel organotin complex, EtPhSnCl(2) . 2HOC(10)H(6)CH = NC6H1OCH3 was synthesized, and its crystal structure was determined by X-ray diffraction method. The crystal is triclinic, belonging to space group, with unit cell parameters a = 1.150 8(5) nm, b = 1. 153 1(5) gm, c = 1. 004 6 (3) nm, alpha = 94. 15 (3)degrees, beta = 115.47 (3)degrees, r = 85. 94 (4)degrees, V = 1199 7(1) nm(3), Z=2, D-c=1.68 g/cm(3), mu=13. 20 cm(-1), F(000)=618 for 4 131 reflections tions. R=0. 047, R(w)=0. 047. The ligand coordinates to tin atom via phenolic oxygen atom. The complex has a distored trigonal bipyramidal structure, the phenolic oxygen atom of the ligand and one of two chlorine atoms occupy the axial position. The distance between noncoodinated nitrogen atom with phenolic oxygen atom is 0. 257 4 nm, which indicates that the intramolecular hydrogen bond of Schiff base ligand is retained in the complex.

Brominated Selinane Sesquiterpenes from the Marine Brown Alga Dictyopteris divaricata

Two new brominated selinane sesquiterpenes, 1-bromoselin-4(14), 11-diene (1) and 9-bromoselin-4(14), 11-diene (2), one known cadinane sesquiterpene, cadalene (3), and four known selinane sesquiterpenes, alpha-selinene (4), beta-selinene (5), beta-dictyopterol (6), and cyperusol C (7), were isolated from a sample of marine brown alga Dictyopteris divaricata collected off the coast of Yantai (China). Their structures were established by detailed MS and NMR spectroscopic analysis, as well as comparison with literature data.

Genomic cloning, expression and recombinant protein purification of alpha and beta subunits of the allophycocyanin gene (apc) from the cyanobacterium Anacystis nidulans UTEX 625

A genomic fragment encoding alpha(APC) and beta(APC) (i.e., alpha and beta units of the allophycocyanin, APC) from Anacystis nidulans UTEX 625 was cloned and sequenced. This fragment, containing a non-coding sequence of 56 nucleotides in between, was then subcloned into the expression vector pMal-c2 downstream from and in frame with the malE gene of E. coli encoding MBP ( maltose binding protein). The fusion protein was purified by amylose affinity chromatography and cleaved by coagulation factor Xa. alpha(APC) and beta(APC) were then separated from MBP and MBP fusion proteins, respectively, and concentrated by membrane centrifugation. The study provides a method to produce recombinant allophycocyanin subunits for biomedical and biotechnological applications.

Ergosterimide, a new natural Diels-Alder adduct of a steroid and maleimide in the fungus Aspergillus niger

Ergosterimide (1), a natural Diels-Alder adduct of ergosteroid and maleimide, was characterized from the culture extract of Aspergillus niger EN-13, an endophytic fungus isolated from the marine brown alga Colpomenia sinuosa. In addition, four known steroids including (22E,24R)-ergosta-5,7,22-trien-3 beta-ol (2), (22E,24R)-ergosta-4,6,8(14),22-tetraen-3one (3), (22E,24R)-5 alpha,8 alpha-epidioxyergosta-6,22-dien-3 beta-ol (4), and (22E,24R)-ergosta-7,22dien-3 beta,5 alpha,6 beta-triol. (5) were also isolated and identified. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by extensive analysis of 1D and 2D NMR and IR spectra and MS data. The plausible biosynthetic pathway of 1 was also discussed. To the best of our knowledge, 1 is the first natural Diels-Alder adduct of steroid and maleimide reported so far. (C) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

三种海洋红藻和两株放线菌次级代谢产物研究

海洋是一个巨大的天然产物宝库，约占地球表面积70%的海洋蕴藏着80%的生物资源。由于海洋生态环境的特殊性，导致海洋生物能够产生大量结构独特多变和活性特殊多样的代谢产物。我国海域辽阔，海洋资源丰富，为寻找结构新颖、生理活性独特的先导化合物，加强对海洋资源的开发利用，本论文对中国沿海的三种海洋红藻和两株放线菌次生代谢产物以及生物活性进行研究，为新药研究与开发提供模式结构和药物前体。 对红藻似瘤凹顶藻Laurencia similis乙酸乙酯萃取物进行分离纯化，从中得到单体化合物35个，通过波谱学方法（IR、MS、NMR等）鉴定了他们的结构。分别为：2, 2, 5, 5, 6, 6-sixibromo-3, 3-bi-1H-indole (1)，3,5-dibromo- 1-methyl-indole (2)，3',5',6,6'-tetrabromo-2,4-dimmethyldiphenyl ether (3)，1,2,5- tribromo-3-bromoamino-7-bromomethylnaphthalene (4)，2,5,8-tribromo-3-bromo- amino-7-bromomethylnaphthalene (5)，2,5,6-tribromo-3-bromoamino-7-bromo- methylnaphthalene (6), 2,5,6,5',6'-pentabromo-3,4,3',4'-tetramethoxybenzophenone (7), (4E)-1-bromo-5-[(1'S*,3'R*)-3'-bromo-2',2'-dimethyl-6'-methylenecyclohexyl] -3-methylpent-4-ene-2,3-diol (8)，4-hydroxy-Palisadin C (9)，Isopalisol (10)，Luzonensol (11)，Palisadin B (12)，Aplysistatin (13)，Palisadin A (14)，5-Acetoxypalisadin B (15)，Aristolan-1(10)- en-9-ol (16)，Aristol-8-en-1-one (17)，Aristolan-9-en-1-one (18)，Aristolan-1(10)-en- 9-one (19)，Aristofone (20)，Aristolan-1(10)-8-diene (21)，Aristolan-1,9-diene (22)，10-Hydroxyaristolan-9-one (23)，7,11,15-trimethyl-3-methylene-hexadecan-1,2-diol (24)，3β-Hydroxyergosta- 5,24(28)-dien-7-one (25)，Isofucosterol (26)，β-sitosterol (27)，豆甾-4-烯-3α,6β-二醇 (28)，Cholesta-5-en-3β-ol (29)，Stigmasterol (30)，2,3,5,6-四溴-吲哚 (31)，2,3,6-tribromo-1H-indole (32)，3,5,6-tribromo-1-methylindole (33)，3,5,6-tribromo -1H-indole (34)，2,3,5-tribromo-1-methylindole (35)，其中化合物1-9为新化合物，化合物10-15、20和化合物24-30均为首次从该种海藻中得到。对新化合物1-9进行PTP1B酶抑制剂活性筛选，新化合物1、3、7显示强的PTP1B酶抑制活性。 对红藻齐藤凹顶藻Laurencia saitoi乙酸乙酯萃取物进行分离纯化，从中得到单体化合物11个，通过波谱学方法（IR、MS、NMR等）鉴定了他们的结构，分别为：2-hydroxyl-Luzofuranone (1)，2-hydroxyl-Luzofuranone B (2)，4-hydroxyl-Palisudin C (3)，2-bromo-γ-ionone (4)，Aplysistatin (5)，5-Acetoxypalisadin B (6)，Palisadin B (7)，Palisadin A (8)，Pacifigorgiol (9)，豆甾-4-烯-3α,6β-二醇 (10)，2, 3, 5, 6-四溴-吲哚 (11)，其中化合物1-4为新化合物，所有化合物均为首次从该种海藻中得到。通过MTT法对分离得到的新化合物1-4进行肿瘤细胞毒活性筛选，结果显示4个新化合物对所测肿瘤细胞株均无明显的活性。 对红藻瘤状软骨凹顶藻Chondrophycus papillous乙酸乙酯萃取物进行分离纯化，从中得到单体化合物5个，通过波谱学方法（MS、NMR等）鉴定了他们的结构，分别为邻苯二甲酸二丁酯 (1)，邻苯二甲酸二异辛酯 (2)，胆甾醇 (3)，3,7,11,15-tetramethyl-hexadec-2-en-1-ol (4)，4-羟基苯甲醛 (5)，所有化合物均为首次从该种海藻中得到。 对海洋放线菌M159乙酸乙酯萃取物进行分离纯化，从中得到单体化合物13个，通过波谱学方法（MS、NMR等）鉴定了他们的结构，分别为：5-(4',6'-dihydroxy-6-methyloctyl)furan-2(5H)-one (A)，phenethyl alcohol (1)，4-羟基苯甲醛(2)，anthranilic acid (3)，4-Hydroxy-3-methoxy- phenyl-propionic acid (4)，5-(6,7-dihydroxy-6-methyloctyl)furan-2(5H)-one (5)，p-Hydroxyphenylethyl alcohol (6)，3-Indoleacrylic acid (7)，Indol-3-carboxylic acid (8)，Adenine cordyceposide (9)，腺嘌呤核苷(10)，尿嘧啶核苷(11)，Thymidine (12)，其中化合物A为新化合物。所有化合物均为首次从该株放线菌中得到。 对海洋放线菌L211乙酸乙酯萃取物进行分离纯化，从中得到单体化合物15个，通过波谱学方法（MS、NMR等）鉴定了7个结构，分别为：spatozoate (1)，anthranilic acid (2)，3-Indolylethanol (3)，1-Acetyl-β-carbolin (4)，p-Hydroxyphen- ylethyl alcohol (5)，Indole-3-acetic acid (6)，Indol-3-carboxylic acid (7)，所有化合物均为首次从该株放线菌中得到。

ent-kaurene diterpenoids from Isodon rubescens

Two kaurenoids, taibairubescensins A and B, were isolated from the ethanol extract of the leaves and branches of Isodon rubescens. Their structures are designated as 2 beta,3 beta-diacetoxy-11 beta,13 alpha-dihydroxy-ent-kaur-16-en-15-one and 3 beta,11 beta-diacetoxy-2 beta,6 alpha-dihydroxy-ent-kaur-16-en-15-one, respectively, on the basis of detailed spsctroscopic analyses. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Two new diterpenoids from Isodon rubescens

Two new diterpenoids taibairubescensin A (1) and B (2) have been isolated from Isodon rubescens. The structures of compound 1 and 2 were elucidated as 2 beta,3 beta-diacetoxy-11 beta,13 alpha-dihydroxy-ent-kaur- 16-en-15-one (1) and 3 beta,11 beta-diacetoxy-2 beta,6 alpha-dihydroxy-ent-kaur-16-en-15-one (2) on the basis of spectroscopic analysis.

5-α reductase inhibitors and prostate cancer prevention: where do we turn now?

With the lifetime risk of being diagnosed with prostate cancer so great, an effective chemopreventive agent could have a profound impact on the lives of men. Despite decades of searching for such an agent, physicians still do not have an approved drug to offer their patients. In this article, we outline current strategies for preventing prostate cancer in general, with a focus on the 5-α-reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs) finasteride and dutasteride. We discuss the two landmark randomized, controlled trials of finasteride and dutasteride, highlighting the controversies stemming from the results, and address the issue of 5-ARI use, including reasons why providers may be hesitant to use these agents for chemoprevention. We further discuss the recent US Food and Drug Administration ruling against the proposed new indication for dutasteride and the change to the labeling of finasteride, both of which were intended to permit physicians to use the drugs for chemoprevention. Finally, we discuss future directions for 5-ARI research.

Use of synthetic peptides to locate novel integrin alpha(2)beta(1)-binding motifs in human collagen III

A set of 57 synthetic peptides encompassing the entire triple-helical domain of human collagen III was used to locate binding sites for the collagen-binding integrin alpha(2)beta(1). The capacity of the peptides to support Mg2+-dependent binding of several integrin preparations was examined. Wild-type integrins (recombinant alpha(2) I-domain, alpha(2)beta(1) purified from platelet membranes, and recombinant soluble alpha(2)beta(1) expressed as an alpha(2)-Fos/beta(1)-Jun heterodimer) bound well to only three peptides, two containing GXX'GER motifs (GROGER and GMOGER, where O is hydroxyproline) and one containing two adjacent GXX'GEN motifs (GLKGEN and GLOGEN). Two mutant alpha(2) I-domains were tested: the inactive T221A mutant, which recognized no peptides, and the constitutively active E318W mutant, which bound a larger subset of peptides. Adhesion of activated human platelets to GER-containing peptides was greater than that of resting platelets, and HT1080 cells bound well to more of the peptides compared with platelets. Binding of cells and recombinant proteins was abolished by anti-alpha(2) monoclonal antibody 6F1 and by chelation of Mg2+. We describe two novel high affinity integrin-binding motifs in human collagen III (GROGER and GLOGEN) and a third motif (GLKGEN) that displays intermediate activity. Each motif was verified using shorter synthetic peptides.