A review is made on the chemical vapor deposition polymerization (CVDP) of insoluble and infusible poly(arylenevinylene)s and its applications to nanoscience. Poly(p-phenylenevinylene) (PPV), poly(naphthylenevinylene)s, poly(2,5-thinenylenevinylene) (PTV), and other homologous polymers containing oligothiophenes could be prepared by the CVDP method in the form of films, tubes, and fibers of nano dimensions. They would be readily converted to graphitic carbons of different structures by thermal treatment. Field emission FE) of carbonized PPV nanotubes, photoconductivity of carbonized PPV/PPV bilayer nanotubes and nanofilms also were studied.

In the reaction A + B $^\rightarrow_\leftarrow$ C, where A and B are ionic reactants having opposite charges, a B molecule approaching an A will experience a switching of the interaction potential when the A molecule is captured by one of the other B molecules in the medium. In the reversible case, the former B molecule still has a chance to react with the A, so that one needs to take into account the switched interaction between the reactant B and the product C as well as that between the reactants to treat the kinetics accurately. It is shown that this kind of interaction potential switching affects the relaxation kinetics in an intriguing way as observed in a recent experiment on an excited-state proton transfer reaction.

Isomeric series of dilinked $NO_2S_2$ macrocycles ($L^2$: para-, $L^3$: meta- and $L^4$: ortho-linked) capable of binuclear complexing ability were prepared from its monomeric analog $L^1$ in reasonable yields except ortho-type reaction, which led to mixture due to the formation of monomer-type macrocyclic quaternary ammonium bromide $L^5$. Moreover, L2 (as $2HNO_3$ form) and $L^5$ were confirmed by an X-ray crystallography. Reaction of $HgCl_2$ with $L^2$ yielded a binuclear complex $[Hg_2(L^2)Cl_4]$. In the complex, each mercury(II) has a distorted tetrahedral environment made up of S and N donors from an exodentate $L^2$ and two coordinated Cl atoms.

The enthalpies of transfer, $\Delta H_t^\theta$, of urea from water to aqueous ethanol, EtOH, propan-1-ol, PrOH, and acetonitrile, MeCN, are reported and analysed in terms of the new solvation theory. The analyses show that the solvation of urea is random in the considered solvent mixtures. It is also found that urea interact more strongly with EtOH or PrOH than water.

This work deals with 24 substances composed of nitrogen-containing heterocycles. The relationships between the chromatographic retention factor (k) and those physicochemical properties which are relevant in quantitative structure-properties relationship (QSPR) studies, such as the polarizability $(\alpha)$, molar refractivity (MR), lipophilicity (logP), dipole moment $(\mu)$, total energy $(E_{tot})$, heat of formation $(\Delta H_f)$, molecular surface area $(S_M)$, and binding energy $(E_b)$, were investigated. The accuracy of the simple linear regressions between the chromatographic retention and the descriptors for all of the compounds was satisfactory (correlation coefficient, $0.8 \leq r \leq 1.0$). The QSPR models of these nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds could be predicted with a multiple linear regression equation having the statistical index, r = 1.000. This work demonstrated the successful application of the multiple linear approaches through the development of accurate predictive equations for retention factors in liquid chromatography.

The thermal decomposition of tetrakis(ethylmethylamido) titanium (TEMAT) has been investigated in Ar and $H_2$ gas atmospheres at gas temperatures of 100-400 ${^{\circ}C}$ by using Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) as a fundamental study for the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of titanium nitride (TiN) thin film. The activation energy for the decomposition of TEMAT was estimated to be 10.92 kcal/mol and the reaction order was determined to be the first order. The decomposition behavior of TEMAT was affected by ambient gases. TEMAT was decomposed into the intermediate forms of imine (C=N) compounds in Ar and $H_2$ atmosphere, but additional nitrile (RC$\equiv$N) compound was observed only in $H_2$ atmosphere. The decomposition rate of TEMAT under $H_2$ atmosphere was slower than that in Ar atmosphere, which resulted in the extension of the regime of the surface reaction control in the CVD TiN process.

Escherichia coli transcription termination factor Rho catalyzes the unwinding of RNA/DNA duplex in reactions that are coupled to ATP binding and hydrolysis. We report here the kinetic mechanism of presteady state ATP binding and hydrolysis by the Rho-RNA complex. Presteady state chemical quenched-flow technique under multiple turnover condition was used to probe the kinetics of ATP binding and hydrolysis by the Rho-RNA complex. The quenched-flow presteady state kinetics of ATP hydrolysis studies show that three ATPs are bound to the Rho-RNA complex with a rate of $4.4\;{\times}\;10^5M^{-1}s^{-1}$, which are subsequently hydrolyzed at a rate of $88s^{-1}$ and released during the initiation process. Global fit of the presteady state ATP hydrolysis kinetic data suggests that a rapid-equilibrium binding of ATP to Rho-RNA complex occurs prior to the first turnover and the chemistry step is not reversible. The initial burst of three ATPs hydrolysis was proposed to be involved in the initialization step that accompanies proper complex formation of Rho-RNA. Based on these results a kinetic model for initiation process for Rho-RNA complex was proposed relating the mechanism of ATP binding and hydrolysis by Rho to the structural transitions of Rho-RNA complex to reach the steady state phase, which is implicated during translocation along the RNA.

A novel sample pretreatment technique, headspace hanging drop liquid phase microextraction (HS-LPME) was studied and applied to the determination of flavors from solid clove buds by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Several parameters affecting on HS-LPME such as organic solvent drop volume, extraction time, extraction temperature and phase ratio were investigated. 1-Octanol was selected as the extracting solvent, drop size was fixed to 0.6 $\mu$L. 60 min extraction time at 25 ${^{\circ}C}$ was chosen. HS-LPME has the good efficiency demonstrated by the higher partition equilibrium constant ($K_{lh}$) values and concentration factor (CF) values. The limits of detection (LOD) were 1.5-3.2 ng. The amounts of eugenol, $\beta$-caryophyllene and eugenol acetate from the clove bud sample were 1.90 mg/g, 1.47 mg/g and 7.0 mg/g, respectively. This hanging drop based method is a simple, fast and easy sample enrichment technique using minimal solvent. HSLPME is an alternative sample preparation method for the analysis of volatile aroma compounds by GC-MS.

$Fe_3O_4$ and $CoFe_2O_4$ magnetic nanoparticles have been synthesized successfully in aqueous solution and coated with oleic acid. The solid and organic solution of the synthesized nanoparticles was obtained. Self-assembled monolayer films were formed using organic solution of these nanoparticles. The crystal sizes determined by Debye-Scherre equation with XRD data were found close to the particle sizes calculated from TEM images, and this indicates that the synthesized particles are nanocrystalline. Especially, EDS, ED, FT-IR, TGA/DTA and DSC were used to characterize the nanoparticles and the oleic acid adsorption, and it was found that oleic acid molecule on the $Fe_3O_4$ nanoparticle is a bilayer adsorption, while that on $CoFe_2O_4$ nanoparticle is single layer adsorption. The superparamagnetic behavior of the nanoparticles was documented by the hysteresis loop measured at 300 K.

Three novel potential metal ion chelating units have been synthesized and characterized: 5-hexylcarbamoyl-3,4-dihydroxythiophene-2-carboxylic acid methyl ester (5), 3-benzyloxy-4-hydroxythiophene-2,5-dicarboxylic acid bis-hexylamide (6), and 3,4-dihydroxythiophene-2,5-dicarboxylic acid bis-hexylamide (7). The crystal structure of 6 was obtained and suggests the presence of three distinct intramolecular hydrogen bonds, namely $[N_{amide}-H{\cdot}{\cdot}{\cdot}O]$ $[O-H{\cdot}{\cdot}{\cdot}O_{amide}]$ and $[N_{amide}-H{\cdot}{\cdot}{\cdot}S]$. Boron chelation with 5, 6 and 7 through the use of $BF_3, \;B(OH)_3 \;or \;B(OMe)_3$ was probed by $^1H$, $^{11}B$, and $^{13}C$ NMR spectroscopy. Technetium (I) chelation with 5, 6 and 7 was also studied via HPLC elutions using $[^{99m}Tc(CO)_3(OH_2)_3]^+$.

The formation of polyaniline (PANI) in the reverse micelles of poly(oxyethylene) nonylphenyl ether, $(NP5, H(CH_2)_9Ph(OC_2H_4)_5OH)$, was investigated by small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). The reverse micellar solution containing initiators in the inner part of reverse micelle was prepared with surfactant (NP5), water, cyclohexane and an initiator (ammonium persulfate (APS)). The core-shell sphere model containing smearing effect reveals that the polymerization occurs on the shell layer of the reverse micelles. Shell thickness averages varied from 48 $\AA$ to 109 $\AA$ with increases of monomer concentration.

The oxidation of hydrazobenzene by molecular oxygen in the polar solvent methanol is catalysed by a Schiff's base complex Co(3MeOsalen) which is a synthetic oxygen carrier. The products are trans-azobenzene and water. The rate of the reaction has been studied spectrophotometrically and the rate law established. A mechanism involving a ternary complex of catalyst, hydrazobenzene and molecular oxygen has been proposed. The kinetic studies show that a ternary complex $CoL{\cdot}H_2AB{\cdot}O_2$ is involved in the rate determining step. The reactions are summarised in a catalytic cycle. The kinetic data suggest that a ternary complex involving Co(3MeOsalen), triphenyl-phosphine and molecular oxygen is catalytically acive species but at higher triphenylphosphine concentrations the catalyst becomes inactive. The destruction of the catalytic activity could be due to the catalyst becoming coordinated with triphenyl phosphine at both z axis sites of the complex e.g. Co (3MeOsalen)$(PPh_3)_2$.

Three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship (3D-QSAR) models were developed for 67 molecules of 2-amino-benzothiazole-6-anilide derivatives against lymphocyte-specific protein tyrosine kinase (P56 LCK). The molecular field analysis (MFA) and receptor surface analysis (RSA) were employed for QSAR studies and the predictive ability of the model was validated by 15 test set molecules. Structure-based investigations using molecular docking simulation were performed with the crystal structure of P56 LCK. Good correlation between predicted fitness scores versus observed activities was demonstrated. The results suggested that the nature of substitutions at the 2-amino and 6-anilide positions were crucial in enhancing the activity, thereby providing new guidelines for the design of novel P56 LCK inhibitors.

Three dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship studies for a series of isatin derivatives as a nonpeptidyl caspase-3 enzyme inhibitor were investigated using comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) and comparative molecular similarity indices analysis (CoMSIA). The first approach of non-peptidyl small molecules by 3D QSAR may be useful in guiding further development of potent caspase-3 inhibitors.

Rapid and highly sensitive determination of nicotine in a PDMS microfluidic channel was investigated using surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). A three-dimensional PDMS microfluidic channel was fabricated for this purpose. This channel shows a high mixing efficiency because the transverse and vertical dispersions of the fluid occur simultaneously through the upper and lower zig zag-type blocks. A higher efficiency of mixing could also be obtained by splitting each of the confluent streams into two sub-streams that then joined and recombined. The SERS signal was measured after nicotine molecules were effectively adsorbed onto silver nanoparticles by passing through the three-dimensional channel. A quantitative analysis of nicotine was performed based on the measured peak area at 1030 $cm^{-1}$. The detection limit was estimated to be below 0.1 ppm. In this work, the SERS detection, in combination with a PDMS microfluidic channel, has been applied to the quantitative analysis of nicotine in aqueous solution. Compared to the other conventional analytical methods, the detection sensitivity was enhanced up to several orders of magnitude.

Microbial fuel cells (MFC) stacked with bipolar plates have been constructed and their performance was tested. In this design, single fuel cell unit was connected in series by bipolar plates where an anode and a cathode were made in one graphite block. Two types of bipolar plate stacked MFCs were constructed. Both utilized the same glucose oxidation reaction catalyzed by Gram negative bacteria, Proteus vulgaris as a biocatalyst in an anodic compartment, but two different cathodic reactions were employed: One with ferricyanide reduction and the other with oxygen reduction reactions. In both cases, the total voltage was the mathematical sum of individual fuel cells and no degradation in performance was found. Electricity from these MFCs was stored in a supercapacitor to drive external loads such as a motor and electric bulb.

Rapid and facile syntheses of N-alkenyl lactam series via condensation between lactams and a variety of aldehydes such as n-propanal, isobutanal, n-butanal, n-hexanal, n-octanal and phenylacetaldehyde were studied under microwave or conventional heating. Various solid catalysts and solvents were examined to maximize the yields of condensation reactions.

A highly sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic-tandem mass spectrometric method (HPLC-MSMS) has been developed to quantify itraconazole in human plasma for the purpose of pharmacokinetic studies. Sample preparation was carried out by liquid-liquid extraction using loratadine as an internal standard. Chromatographic separation used a YMC $C_{18}$ column, giving an extremely fast total run time of 3 min. The method was validated and used for the bioequivalence study of itraconazole tablets in healthy male volunteers (n = 31). The lower limit of detection proved to be 0.2 ng /mL for itraconazole.