An inexpensive and efficient catalyst system has been developed for the N-arylation of phenylurea including a variety of aryl halides. This simple protocol uses $Cu_2O$ as the catalyst, microwave assisted, solvent- and ligand-free, $K_3PO_4{\cdot}H_2O$ as the base.

Bio-functionalized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), which bio-specifically interact with biotin-(strept)avidin, were investigated in this study. AuNPs were functionalized with a synthetically-provided biotin-linked thiol (BLT), which was synthesized by amidation of the active ester of biotin with 2-mercaptoethylamine. The BLT-attached AuNP was bio-specific for streptavidin, making it potentially useful for biosensor applications. To test the bio-specific interactions, the colors, absorption spectra and TEM images were investigated for proteins such as streptavidin, cytochrome C, myoglobin and hemoglobin. The colors and absorption spectra changed when streptavidin was added to the BLT-attached AuNP solution. However, the color and spectra did not change when the other proteins were added to the same solution. These results show that the AuNPs provided a colloidal solution with excellent stability and highly selective absorption characteristics for streptavidin as a target molecule. Proteins were also screened in order to identify a general strategy for the use of optical biosensing proteins based on AuNPs. In addition, TEM images confirmed that streptavidin led the BLT-attached AuNPs to aggregate or precipitate.

The reaction of (chlorocarbonyl)phenyl ketene, with readily available benzhydroxamic acid derivatives, such as benzhydroxamic acid, 4-chlorobenzhydroxamic acid, 3-nitrobenzhydroxamic acid, 4-methylbenzhydroxamic acid, N-hydroxy-3-oxo-3-phenylpropionamide, N-hydroxy-2-phenylacetamide, affords isoxazolone derivatives in high yields in a one step procedure. The formation of the products proceeds by a mechanism, that involves replacement of chlorine of the ketene, by benzhydroxamic acids, followed by rapid ring closure of this intermediate to form isoxazolone derivatives.

The nucleophilic substitution reactions of bis(2,6-dimethylphenyl) chlorophosphate (5), containing the four ortho-methyl substituents, with X-pyridines are investigated kinetically in MeCN at $65.0^{\circ}C$. The free energy correlations for substituent X variations in the nucleophiles exhibit biphasic concave upwards with a breakpoint at a X = 3-Cl. Unusual positive ${\rho}_X$ (= +5.40) and negative ${\beta}_X$ (= -0.83) values are obtained with the weakly basic pyridines. The pyridinolysis rate of 5 is hundreds times slower compared to that of bis(phenyl) chlorophosphate because of the steric hindrance of the four ortho-methyl substituents in the two phenyl rings. Ion-pair mechanism is proposed and positive ${\rho}_X$ and negative ${\beta}_X$ values are substantiated by an imbalance of the transition state.

The nucleophilic substitution reactions of ethylene phosphorochloridate (1c) with substituted anilines ($XC_6H_4NH_2$) and deuterated anilines ($XC_6H_4ND_2$) are investigated kinetically in acetonitrile at $5.0^{\circ}C$. The anilinolysis rate of 1c involving a cyclic five-membered ring is four thousand times faster than its acyclic counterpart (1a: diethyl chlorophosphate) because of great positive value of the entropy of activation of 1c (${\Delta}S^{\neq}=+30\;cal\;mol^{-1}K^{-1}$ compared to negative value of 1a (${\Delta}S^{\neq}=-45\;cal\;mol^{-1}K^{-1}$) over considerably unfavorable enthalpy of activation of 1c (${\Delta}H^{\neq}=27.7\;kcal\;mol^{-1}$) compared to 1a (${\Delta}H^{\neq}=8.3\;kcal\;mol^{-1}$). Great enthalpy and positive entropy of activation are ascribed to sterically congested transition state (TS) and solvent structure breaking in the TS. The free energy correlations exhibit biphasic concave upwards for substituent X variations in the X-anilines with a break point at X = 3-Me. The deuterium kinetic isotope effects are secondary inverse ($k_H/k_D$ < 1) with the strongly basic anilines and primary normal ($k_H/k_D$ > 1) with the weakly basic anilines and rationalized by the TS variation from a dominant backside attack to a dominant frontside attack, respectively. A concerted $S_N2$ mechanism is proposed and the primary normal deuterium kinetic isotope effects are substantiated by a hydrogen bonded, four-center-type TS.

Sodium periodate ($NaIO_4$) and potassium iodide (KI) in aqueous ammonia has been used for the one-pot synthesis of nitriles from the corresponding aldehydes and alcohols in moderate to good yield. This transformation, proceeds via an in situ oxidation- imination-aldimine oxidation sequence.

Intramolecular ${\pi}-{\pi}$ and ${\sigma}-{\pi}$ interactions are omnipresent for numerous energetic and structural phenomena in nature, and the exact description of these nonbonding interactions plays an important role in the accurate prediction of the three-dimensional structures for numerous interesting molecular systems such as protein folding and polymer shaping. We have selected two prototype molecular systems for benchmarking calculations of intramolecular ${\pi}-{\pi}$ and ${\sigma}-{\pi}$ interactions. Accurately describing conformational energy of such systems requires highly elaborate but very expensive ab initio methods such as coupled cluster singles, doubles, and (triples) (CCSD(T)). Our calculations reveal a double hybrid density functional incorporating dispersion correction (B2PLYP-D) that agrees excellently with the CCSD(T) results, indicating that B2PLYP-D can serve as a practical method of choice.

Using models simulating the environment of two distinct adsorption sites of $H_2$ in metal-organic framework-5 (MOF-5), binding energies of $H_2$ to MOF-5 were evaluated at the MP2 and CCSD(T) level. For organic linker section modeled as dilithium 1,4-benzenedicarboxylate ($C_6H_4(COO)_2Li_2$), the MP2 and CCSD(T) basis set limit binding energies are estimated to be 5.1 and 4.4 kJ/mol, respectively. For metal oxide cluster section modeled as $Zn_4O(CO_2H)_6$, while the MP2 basis set limit binding energy estimate amounts to 5.4 kJ/mol, CCSD(T) correction to the MP2 results is shown to be insignificant with basis sets of small size. Substitution of benzene ring with pyrazine ring in the model for the organic linker section in MOF-5 is shown to decrease the $H_2$ binding energy noticeably at both the MP2 and CCSD(T) level, in contrast to the previous study based on DFT calculation results which manifested substantial increase of $H_2$ binding energies upon substitution of benzene ring with pyrazine ring in the similar model.

The $Li_2Mn_{0.5}Fe_{0.5}SiO_4$ silicate was prepared by blending of $Li_2MnSiO_4$ and $Li_2FeSiO_4$ precursors with same molar ratio. The one of the silicates of $Li_2FeSiO_4$ is known as high capacitive up to ~330 mAh/g due to 2 mole electron exchange, and the other of $Li_2FeSiO_4$ has identical structure with $Li_2MnSiO_4$ and shows stable cycle with less capacity of ~170 mAh/g. The major drawback of silicate family is low electronic conductivity (3 orders of magnitude lower than $LiFePO_4$). To overcome this disadvantage, carbon composite of the silicate compound was prepared by sucrose mixing with silicate precursors and heat-treated in reducing atmosphere. The crystal structure and physical morphology of $Li_2Mn_{0.5}Fe_{0.5}SiO_4$ was investigated by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and high resolution transmission electron microscopy. The $Li_2Mn_{0.5}Fe_{0.5}SiO_4$/C nanocomposite has a maximum discharge capacity of 200 mAh/g, and 63% of its discharge capacity is retained after the tenth cycles. We have realized that more than 1 mole of electrons are exchanged in $Li_2Mn_{0.5}Fe_{0.5}SiO_4$. We have observed that $Li_2Mn_{0.5}Fe_{0.5}SiO_4$ is unstable structure upon first delithiation with structural collapse. High temperature cell performance result shows high capacity of discharge capacity (244 mAh/g) but it had poor capacity retention (50%) due to the accelerated structural degradation and related reaction.

Quasiclassical trajectory (QCT) calculations of Ne + ${H_2}^+$ reaction have been carried out on the adiabatic potential energy surface of the ground state $1^2$ A'. The reaction probability of the title reaction for J = 0 has been calculated, and the QCT result is consistent with the previous quantum mechanical wave packet result. Quasiclassical trajectory calculations of the four polarization-dependent differential cross sections have been carried out in the center of mass (CM) frame. The P(${\theta}_r$), P(${\phi}_r$) and P(${\theta}_r$, ${\phi}_r$) distributions, the k-k'-j' correlation and the angular distribution of product rotational vectors are presented in the form of polar plots. Due to the well in $1^2$ A' PES, the reagent vibrational excitation has greater influence on the polarization of the product rotational angular momentum vectors j' than the collision energy.

This study introduces a new concept for a simple, efficient and cheap sensitivity amplification of a Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM) based immunosensor system for the detection of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$, TNF) by using an in-built magnetic system. The frequency shift due to the applied magnetic field was successfully observed on magnetic particles labeled detection antibodies, anti-human TNF-${\alpha}$, which were bound to the immunologically captured TNF-${\alpha}$ on the gold coated quartz crystals. In the present system, the magnitude of frequency shift depends on both the strength of magnetic field and the amount of target antigen applied. Significant signal amplification was observed when the additional built-in residual stress generated by the modified magnetic particles under the magnetic field applied. Used in conjunction with a sandwich type non-competitive immunoassay format, the lower detection limit was calculated to be 25 $ngmL^{-1}$ and showed good linearity up to TNF-${\alpha}$ concentrations as high as 2.0 ${\mu}gmL^{-1}$. The sensitivity, most importantly, was improved up to 4.3 times compared with the same QCM system which was used only an antigen-antibody binding without additional magnetic amplification.

Honeycomb-patterned polyvinypyrrolidone (PVP) thin films coated with nanometer-sized silver particles were prepared using honeycomb-patterned polystyrene (PS) template films fabricated by casting a polystyrene solution under humid condition. Silver was first metallized on the patterned PS films via silver nitrate ($AgNO_3$) reduction using tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) and a small amount of PVP as the reductant and dispersing agent, respectively. The effects of $AgNO_3$, TTF, and PVP solution concentrations during the reduction process in acetonitrile were determined to obtain a uniform silver-coated honeycomb-patterned PS film. Second, the silver-metallized patterned porous PS films were filled with high PVP concentration solutions via the spincoating process. Silver-coated patterned PVP films were obtained by peeling off the PVP layer from the template PS film after drying. The results show that the honeycomb-patterned PVP films uniformly coated with silver particles are conveniently obtained using the silver-coated patterned PS template, although the direct fabrication of these films using water droplets under humid conditions was not feasible because of the water solubility of PVP.

A number of new 2,5-disubstituted 1,3,4-thiadiazole and their S- or N-substituted derivatives as well as the corresponding sugar hydrazone derivatives were synthesized and tested for their antimicrobial activity against Bacillus subtilis (Gram-positive), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Gram-negative), and Streptomyces species (Actinomycetes). The synthesized compounds displayed different degrees of antimicrobial activities or inhibitory actions.

Based on the exact quantization rule for the nonrelativistic Schrodinger equation, the exact quantization rule for the relativistic one-dimensional Klein-Gordon equation is suggested. Using the new quantization rule, the exact relativistic energies for exactly solvable potentials, e.g. harmonic oscillator, Morse, and Rosen-Morse II type potentials, are obtained. Consequently the new quantization rule is found to be exact for one-dimensional spinless relativistic quantum systems. Though the physical meanings of the new quantization rule have not been fully understood yet, the present formal derivation scheme may shed light on understanding relativistic quantum systems more deeply.

Biocompatible hydrogels from 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) monomer containing various amount of alginate in the presence and absence of hydrophilic methacrylic acid (MAA) were synthesized in order for biomedical application. The antimicrobial effect and interaction with proteins for hydrogels were investigated in this study. MAA was introduced because it was expected to increase the amount of water content in the polymer which is an important factor for biocompatibility, and alginate was expected to enhance the antimicrobial activity. The antimicrobial effect against S. aureus and E. coli increased for all hydrogels as the amount of alginate and MAA contained. Presence of MAA further enhances the antimicrobial effect. Amount of adsorption of bovine serum albumin (BSA) increased with increasing concentration of alginate whether MAA was present or not. Contrarily, the amount of lysozyme was not affected with increasing alginate concentration in the absence of MAA, while it decreased in the presence of MAA.

A simple chromogenic system based on 1-fluoride was developed to determine water content in organic solvent. This system utilized deprotonation and protonation of the anion receptor 1. The water content evaluated from this system gave close value to the real water content in the range of 0 to 0.35% in acetonitrile and 0.2 to 0.5% in DMSO. Therefore, protonation and deprotonation phenomenon from the anion receptor by basic anion could be promising method for water sensing system.

The porphyrin-incorporated arylether dendrimers ZnP-D1 and ZnP-D4 were investigated to discover the influence of dendritic environments for the axial ligation of pyridine and photoinduced electron transfer by methyl viologen. Absorption and fluorescence spectra of ZnP, ZnP-D1, and ZnP-D4 were measured in dichloromethane with the addition of pyridine or methyl viologen dichloride. Axial ligation of pyridine was confirmed by red-shifted absorption spectrum. The complex formation constants $K_f$ (Table 1) for axial coordination of pyridine on ZnP, ZnP-D1, and ZnP-D4 were estimated to be $4.4{\times}10^3\;M^{-1}$, $3.3{\times}10^3\;M^{-1}$, and $1.7{\times}10^3\;M^{-1}$, respectively. The photoinduced electron transfer to methyl viologen dichloride was confirmed by fluorescence quenching. Stern-Volmer constants Ksv for ZnP, ZnP-D1, and ZnP-D4 were calculated to be $2.6{\times}10^3$, $2.5{\times}10^3$, and $2.1{\times}10^3$, respectively. ZnP-D4 surrounded by 4 aryl ether dendrons shows the smallest $K_f$ and Ksv values, with comparison to ZnP and ZnP-D1.

Sodium dodecyl sulfate-capillary gel electrophoresis (SDS-CGE) and capillary isoelectric focusing (CIEF) were employed to characterize and compare ricin E purified from the small grain seeds of Ricinus communis with ricin D isoform. During the purification of ricin E using ion-exchange and size-exclusion chromatography, SDS-CGE was found to be useful for monitoring the efficiencies of purification steps. SDS-CGE showed that the molecular size of ricin E was not significantly different from that of ricin D, which was confirmed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. CIEF was useful for discriminating ricin E from ricin D based on their isoelectric points (pI). The pI values of ricin E and D were 8.6-8.8 and 7.0-7.4, respectively. This study demonstrates the usefulness of SDS-CGE and CIEF for the characterization of ricin toxins.

The total mercury concentration ($Hg_T$) of surface snow samples collected along a ~1500 km transect in east Queen Maud Land was determined using inductively coupled plasma sector field mass spectrometry to address the behavior of Hg on the Antarctic Plateau. Due to the volatile nature of mercury, measures were taken against Hg loss from standard solutions by choosing appropriate container material and stabilizing agents. Glass bottles with Teflon-lined caps were superior to Teflon and polyethylene containers in protecting against Hg loss, but addition of gold chloride ($AuCl_3$) or bromine chloride (BrCl) was necessary to ensure preservation of Hg. As Hg loss was also observed in snowmelt samples, our analysis may underestimate the actual amount of HgT in the snow. Even so, the measured HgT was still very low (< 0.4-10.8 pg $g^{-1}$, n = 44) without a signal of depositional enhancement accompanying photo-oxidation of atmospheric elemental mercury in austral midsummer. Moreover, the dynamic variation along the traverse implies spatial and temporal heterogeneity in its source processes.

A method based on ethyl acetate extraction and gas chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry was developed for determining tetraconazole residues in fruits and vegetables. A 10 g homogenized sample was mixed with 10 mL ethyl acetate, shaken vigorously for 3 min, stored at $-20^{\circ}C$ for 15 min, and then vortexed vigorously for 1 min; 1 g NaCl and 4 g anhydrous $MgSO_4$ were added. The clean-up was carried out by applying dispersive solid-phase with 150 mg $MgSO_4$and 50 mg primary secondary amine. Three precursor product ion transitions for tetraconazole were measured and evaluated to provide the maximum degree of confidence. Average recoveries in fruits and vegetables at three levels (0.005, 0.05 and 0.5 mg/kg) ranged from 85.53% to 110.66% with relative standard deviations ($RSD_r$) from 1.3% to 17.5%. The LODs ranged from 0.002 to 0.004 ${\mu}g$/kg, and LOQs ranged from 0.006 to 0.012 ${\mu}g$/kg. This method was also applied to determine tetraconazole residue in cucumber dissipation experiment under field conditions. The half-lives of tetraconazole in cucumber were in the range of 2.1-3.1 days.

A method is proposed for determining chromium content in the carbon steel pipes of a nuclear power plant (NPP) to evaluate wall thinning caused by flow-accelerated corrosion (FAC). A flat file was used to obtain filings samples. To assess sampling quality, a disk form of SRM 1227 was ground with the flat file, and the amount of Cr in the filings was determined by ICP-AES. The content of chromium in the filings of SRM 1227 was estimated as six times higher than the certified value due to the contamination of chromium in the file. To eliminate chromium contamination from the file, it was coated with WC-12Co using high-velocity oxygen-fuel (HVOF) spraying systems. After obtaining filings samples using the coated file, Cr content in four types of disk-form SRMs was determined by ICP-AES. The recoveries of Cr in the disk-form SRMs were in the range of 95.4-102.6%, with relative standard deviations from 0.43 to 3.0%. The Cr contents in the filings collected from the used outlet headers of the nuclear power plants using the flat file coated were in the range of 0.11-0.19%.

Present study describes the optimization of disk type sorptive extraction using monolithic material (Mono Trap) for the analysis of volatile aroma compounds from Lantana camara L. in combination with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Monolithic material sorptive extraction (MMSE) is a new sampling technique using a monolithic hybrid adsorptive disk (O.D. 10 mm, 1 mm thickness) made of high purity silica and activated carbon having a large surface area chemically bonded with octadecyl silane (ODS). The experimental parameters that may influence the MMSE efficiency have been optimized. Linearity, accuracy, precision and detection limits were evaluated to assess the performance of the proposed method. The method was validated with real plant samples of Lantana camara L. Twenty eight compounds including the main representative compounds of ${\alpha}$-curcumene and ${\beta}$-caryophyllene were found in analyzed samples. Results proved that proposed method could be used as a good alternative for the analysis for such volatile aroma compounds in plant samples.

We introduced a promising patterned substrate by using a microcontact printing method that can be used for SERS immunoassays based on antigen-antibody binding. SERS spectrum of the Raman reporter with antibody, which is rhodamine 6G (R6G) adsorbed on colloidal gold nanoparticles, was observed only for the surfaces in which prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is present on the substrate that is attached to an immobilized layer of antibody on the gold nanoparticles layer of the patterned substrate. Raman mapping images clearly showed that the antibodies on the Raman reporter were successfully and selectively conjugated with the antigen on the patterned substrate. This method could be potentially extended to multi-protein detections and ultrasensitive biosensors.

A novel catalytic synthesis of biscoumarins from 4-hydroxycoumarin and aromatic aldehydes has been developed. The reaction occurs in ethanol in the presence of tetrabutylammonium hexatungstate $[TBA]_2[W_6O_{19}]$ as catalyst to give the corresponding products in high yields. This new approach has short reaction times, clean reaction profiles, and simple experimental and workup procedures. Moreover, the catalyst can be easily recovered by filtration and used at least three times with only slight reduction in its catalytic activity.

Gravitational SPLITT fractionation (GSF) provides separation of colloidal particles into two subpopulations in a preparative scale. Conventionally, GSF is carried out in a thin rectangular channel having two inlets and two outlets at the top and bottom of the channel, respectively. And the channel is equipped with two flow-splitters, one between the top and bottom inlets and another between the top and bottom outlets. A large scale splitter-less GSF system had been developed, which was designed to operate in the full feed depletion (FFD) mode. In the FFD mode, there is only one inlet through which the sample is fed, thus preventing the sample dilution. In this study, the effect of the sample-loading (in the unit of g/hr) on the fractionation efficiency (FE, number% of particles in a GSF fraction that have the sizes expected by theory) of the new large scale splitter-less FFD-GSF system was investigated. The system was tested in the sample-loading range of 3.0-12.0 g/hr with polyurethane latex beads (PU) and sea-sediment. It was found that there is an optimum range in the sample-loading for a FFD-GSF separation. It was also found that there is a general tendency of FE decreasing as the concentration of the sample suspension increases.

Under solvent-free conditions, the synthesis of propargylic alcohols by direct addition of terminal alkynes to aldehydes promoted by ZnO as a novel, commercially, and cheap catalyst is described. Furthermore, the catalyst can be reused for several times without any significant loss of its catalytic activity.

Kinetic studies of the reactions of O,O-dimethyl Z-S-aryl phosphorothioates with X-benzylamines have been carried out in dimethyl sulfoxide at $85.0^{\circ}C$. The Hammett (log $k_2$ vs ${\sigma}_X$) and Br$\ddot{o}$nsted [log $k_2$ vs $pK_a$(X)] plots for substituent X variations in the nucleophiles are discrete with a break region between 4-Me and H, while the Hammett plots (log $k_2$ vs ${\sigma}_Z$) for substituent Z variations in the leaving groups are linear. The sign of the cross-interaction constant (${\rho}_{XZ}$) is positive for both the strongly and weakly basic nucleophiles. Greater magnitude of ${\rho}_{XZ}$ (= 2.54) value is observed with the weakly basic nucleophiles compared to with the strongly basic nucleophiles (${\rho}_{XZ}$ = 0.17). The deuterium kinetic isotope effects ($k_H/k_D$) involving deuterated benzylamines [$XC_6H_4CH_2ND_2$] are primary normal ($k_H/k_D$ > 1). The proposed mechanism is a stepwise with a rate-limiting leaving group expulsion from the intermediate involving a frontside nucleophilic attack with a hydrogen bonded, four-center-type transition state for both the strongly and weakly basic nucleophiles.

For synthesis of benzastatin E, F and G analogues, the indole-2-carbaldehydes with or without substituents at C-5 position were prepared as key intermediates. Several synthetic attempts to achieve benzastatin E-G analogues were suggested using the indole-2-carbaldehyde intermediates.

The effects of various hydroxide compounds on base stacking (BS) were investigated for pre-concentration of DNA molecules in capillary electrophoresis (CE). In BS, hydroxide ions ($OH^-$) were electrokinetically introduced after DNA sample injection. A neutralization reaction occurred between the $OH^-$ and $Tris^+$ of the running buffer, which resulted in a zone of lower conductivity. Within the low conductivity zone of the high electric field, the DNA molecules moved more rapidly and were concentrated in front of the low conductivity zone. At the same BS conditions of CE, the enhanced sensitivity of the DNA samples was dependent on the kind of multivalent cations in the hydroxide compounds. Except for LiOH, the hydroxide compounds with monovalent cations showed more effective BS than those with divalent cations because of solubility, ionic strength and electronegativity. The order of hydroxide compounds that enhance the detection sensitivity of DNA molecules was as follows: NaOH > $NH_4OH$ > KOH > $Ba(OH)_2$ > $Sr(OH)_2$ > LiOH > $Ca(OH)_2$ > $Mg(OH)_2$. $NH_4OH$, KOH and $Ba(OH)_2$ proved to be efficient hydroxide compounds to use as effective BS reagents in CE instead of NaOH.

A new series of heteroleptic cyclometalated iridium(III) complexes has been synthesized and characterized by absorption, emission and cyclic voltammetry studies: $(pqx)_2Ir(acac)$ (1), $(dmpqx)_2Ir(acac)$ (2) and $(dfpqx)_2Ir(acac)$ (3) where pqx=2-phenylquinoxalinate, dmpqx=2-(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)quinoxalinate, dfpqx=2-(2,4-difluorophenyl) quinoxalinate and acac=acetylacetonate anion. The reaction of excess acetylacetone with ${\mu}$-chloride-bridged dimeric iridium complex, $[(C\^N)_2Ir({\mu}-Cl)]_2$, gives a complex 1 and an unusual hydridoiridium(III) complex, $(pqx)IrH(acac)_2$ (4). The complex 1, 2 and 3 show their emissions in an orangered region (${\lambda}_{PL,max}$ = 583-616 nm), and the emission maxima can be tuned by the change of substituent at phenyl ring of 2-phenylquinoxaline ligand. The phosphorescent line shape indicates that the emissions originate predominantly from $^3MLCT$ states with little admixture of ligand-based $^3({\pi}-{\pi}^*)$ excited states. The structures of complex 3 and 4 are additionally characterized by a single crystal X-ray diffraction method. The complex 3 shows a distorted octahedral geometry around iridium(III) metal ion. A strong trans influence of the phenyl ring is examined. In complex 4, there are two discrete molecules which are mirror images each other at the ratio of 1:1 in an unit cell. We propose that the phosphorescent complex 1, 2 and 3 are possible candidates for the phosphors in OLEDs applications.

A new method in thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) was developed to correct peak tailing backgrounds in the isotope ratio measurements of uranium in ultra trace levels for higher accuracy. Two different uranium standard reference materials (U005 and U030) were used to construct databases of signal intensities at mass 234 u and mass 236 u, which correspond to the two uranium minor isotopes, and signal intensity of $^{238}U$. Correlations between peak tailing backgrounds and $^{238}U$ were obtained by least-squares regression on calculated backgrounds at mass 234 u and mass 236 u with respect to the signal intensity of $^{238}U$ followed by separation of the peak tails of the two major isotopes of uranium ($^{235}U$ and $^{238}U$), which enables us to obtain a master equation for peak tailing background correction on all kinds of samples. Verification of the correction method was carried out using U010 and IRMM-040a.

The chalcopyrite-type $CuInSe_2$ is a remarkable material for thin film solar cells owing to its electronic structure and optical response. Single-phase sphere-like $CuInSe_2$ nanocrystallite particles were prepared by a facile noninjection method with triethanolamine as the complexing agent and the solvent simultaneously. The period of the reaction was the key to form single-phase $CuInSe_2$ nanocrystals at $240^{\circ}C$. TEM, XRD, XPS, EDX investigations were performed to characterize the morphology and the detailed structure of as-synthesized $CuInSe_2$ nanocrystals. All of the analysis results proved that the synthesized nanocrystals were pure phase and close to the stoichiometric ratio rather than a simple mixture. The band gap of the obtained $CuInSe_2$ nanocrystals was $1.03{\pm}0.03$ eV.

The vitamin D receptor binding peptide, VDRBP, was overexpressed as a fused form with the ubiquitin molecule in Rosetta(DE3)pLysS, a protein production strain of Escherichia coli harboring an induction controller plasmid. The fusion protein was bound to the immobilized metal ions, and the denaturation and renaturation of the fusion protein were performed as a part of the purification procedure. After the elution of the fusion protein, the peptide hormone was released from its fusion partner by using yeast ubiquitin hydrolase (YUH), and subsequently purified by reverse phase chromatography. The purity of the resulting peptide fragment was checked by MALDI-TOF mass and NMR spectroscopy. The final yields of the target peptide were around 5 and 2 mg per liter of LB and minimal media, respectively. The recombinant expression and purification of this peptide will enable structural and functional studies using multidimensional NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography.

Impact sensitivity, one of the most important screening factors for novel high energy density materials (HEDMs), was predicted by use of quantitative structure-property relationship (QSPR) based on the electrostatic potential (ESP) values calculated on the van der Waals molecular surface (MSEP). Among various 3D descriptors derived from MSEP, we utilized total and positive variance of MSEP, and devised a new QSPR equation by combining three other parameters. We employed 37 HEDMs bearing a benzene scaffold and nitro substituents, which were also utilized by Rice and Hare. All the molecular structures were optimized at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level of theory and confirmed as minima by the frequency calculations. Our new QSPR equation provided a good result to predict the impact sensitivities of the molecules in the training set including zwitterionic molecules.

The nucleophilic substitution reactions of ethylene phosphorochloridate (2) with X-pyridines are investigated kinetically in acetonitrile at $-20.0^{\circ}C$. The free energy correlations for substituent X variations in the nucleophiles exhibit biphasic concave upwards with a break point at X = 3-Ph. Unusual positive ${\rho}_X$ (= +2.49) and negative ${\beta}_X$ (= -0.41) values are obtained with the weakly basic pyridines, and rationalized by the isokinetic relationship with isokinetic temperature at $t_{ISOKINETIC}=6.6^{\circ}C$. The pyridinolysis rate of 2 with a cyclic five-membered ring is forty thousand times faster than its acyclic counterpart (3: diethyl chlorophosphate) because of great positive value of the entropy of activation of 2 (${\Delta}S^{\neq}$ = +49.2 eu) compared to negative value of 3 (${\Delta}S^{\neq}$ = -44.1 eu) over considerably unfavorable enthalpy of activation of 2 (${\Delta}H^{\neq}=28.4\;kcal\;mol^{-1}$) compared to 3 (${\Delta}H^{\neq}=6.3\;kcal\;mol^{-1}$). Great enthalpy and positive entropy of activation are ascribed to sterically congested transition state (TS) and solvent structure breaking in the TS. A concerted mechanism involving a change of nucleophilic attacking direction from a frontside attack with the strongly basic pyridines to a backside attack with the weakly basic pyridines is proposed.

A four dimensional quantitative structure activity relationship analysis was applied to a series of 50 flavonoid inhibitors of $p56^{lck}$ protein tyrosine kinase by the molecular comparative electron topological method. It was found that the -log (IC50) values of the compounds were highly dependent on the topology, size and electrostatic character of the substituents at seven positions of the flavonoid scaffold in this study. Depending on the negative or positive charge of the groups correctly embedded in these substituents, three-dimensional bio-structure to increase or decrease -log (IC50) values in the training set of 39 compounds was predicted. The test set of 11 compounds was used to evaluate the predictivity of the model. To generate 4D-QSAR model, the defined function groups and pharmacophore used as topological descriptors in the calculation of activity were of sufficient statistical quality ($R^2$ = 0.72 and $Q^2$ = 0.69). Ligand docking approach by using Dock 6.0. These compounds include many flavonoid analogs, They were docked onto human families of p56lck PTKs retrieved from the Protein Data Bank, 1lkl.pdb.

The nucleophilic substitution reactions of bis(N,N-dimethylamino) phosphinic chloride (3) with substituted anilines ($XC_6H_4NH_2$) and deuterated anilines ($XC_6H_4ND_2$) are investigated kinetically in acetonitrile at $65.0^{\circ}C$. The anilinolysis rate of 3 is rather slow to be rationalized by the conventional stereoelectronic effects. The magnitudes of ${\rho}_X$ (= -6.42) and ${\beta}_X$ (= 2.27) values are exceptionally great. The deuterium kinetic isotope effects (DKIEs; $k_H/k_D$) are secondary inverse ($k_H/k_D$ = 0.69-0.96). A concerted $S_N2$ mechanism involving a backside attack is proposed on the basis of secondary inverse DKIEs and the variation trend of the $k_H/k_D$ values with X. The anilinolyses of six phosphinic chlorides in MeCN are briefly reviewed by means of DKIEs, steric effects of the two ligands, positive charge of the reaction center phosphorus atom, and selectivity parameters to obtain systematic information on phosphoryl transfer reaction mechanism.

A simple, green and cost-effective protocol was used for the aromatization of 1,3,5-trisubstituted-2-pyrazolines to the corresponding pyrazoles by in situ generation of iodine ($I^+$) from $H_2O_2$/AcOH or SSA or oxalic acid /KI or NaI system under thermal condition with moderate to good yields.

In this work, we investigate the growth behavior of silicon oxide nanowires via a solid-liquid-solid process. Silicon oxide nanowires were synthesized at $1000^{\circ}C$ in an Ar and $H_2$ mixed gas. A pre-oxidized silicon wafer and a nickel film are used as the substrate and catalyst, respectively. We propose two distinctive growth modes for the silicon oxide nanowires that both act as a unique solid-liquid-solid growth process. We named the two growth mechanisms "grounded-growth" and "branched-growth" modes to characterize their unique solid-liquid-solid growth behavior. The two growth modes were classified by the generation site of the nanowires. The grounded-growth mode in which the grown nanowires are generated from the substrate and the branchedgrowth mode where the nanowires are grown from the side of the previously grown nanowires or at the metal catalyst drop attached at the tip of the nanowire stem.

In this study, real-time and label-free methods for monitoring the enzymatic reaction of urease, which releases ammonia through the hydrolysis of urea in an aqueous solution, were developed using a liquid crystal (LC)-based pH sensor. Nematic liquid crystal 4-cyano-4'-pentylbiphenyl (5CB), doped with 4'-pentyl-biphenyl-4-carboxylic acid (PBA), exhibited a shift in optical appearance from bright to dark when it was in contact with ammonia generated from the enzymatic reaction between urease and urea. This optical change was attributed to the anchoring transitions of LCs caused by hydrophobic interactions between the tails of deprotonted PBA ($PBA^-$) molecules and the LCs at the aqueous/LC interface. This novel technique holds great promise for the sensitive detection of urease along with its substrates and inhibitors.

$TiO_2$ hollow spheres were fabricated by using $SiO_2$ as an inorganic template. Spherical $SiO_2$ particles were coated by $TiO_2$ through the nucleation process, and then the core $SiO_2$ part was eliminated by using HF solution. Finally, $TiO_2$ hollow spheres were obtained. The size of the $TiO_2$ hollow spheres was about 300-400 nm and the thickness of the hollow wall was about 20-30 nm. The hollow has several holes whose diameters were within 100-200 nm. Dye-sensitized solar cells fabricated by using the $TiO_2$ hollow spheres were characterized. The solar conversion efficiency of the cell was 8.45% when $TiO_2$ hollow spheres were used as a scattering material, while it was 4.59% when $TiO_2$ hollow spheres were used as a normal electrode material.

The kinetic studies on the pyridinolysis of diisopropyl thiophosphinic chloride have been carried out in acetonitrile at $55.0^{\circ}C$. The free energy correlations for substituent X variations in the X-pyridines are biphasic concave upwards with a break point at X = 3-Ph. A concerted SN2 mechanism is proposed with a change of the attacking direction of the X-pyridine from a frontside attack for the strongly basic pyridines to a backside attack for the weakly basic pyridines. The factors to determine the rates and thio effects on the rates for the pyridinolyses of thiophophinic chloride, chlorothiophosphate, phosphinic chloride, phosphonochloridothioate, and chlorophosphate systems are briefly reviewed on the basis of the magnitude of the positive charge of the reaction center P atom and steric effects of the two ligands.

Porous silicon with a complex network of nanopores is utilized for photoelectrochemical energy conversion. A novel electroless Pt deposition onto porous silicon is investigated in the context of photoelectrochemical hydrogen generation. The electroless Pt deposition is shown to improve the characteristics of the PS photoelectrode toward photoelectrochemical $H^+$ reduction, though excessive Pt deposition leads to decrease of photocurrent. Furthermore, it is found that a thin layer (< 10 ${\mu}m$) of porous silicon can serve as anti-reflection layer for the underlying Si substrate, improving photocurrent by reducing photon reflection at the Si/liquid interface. However, as the thickness of the porous silicon increases, the surface recombination on the dramatically increased interface area of the porous silicon begins to dominate, diminishing the photocurrent.

The NF-${\kappa}B$ system of transcription factors plays a crucial role in inflammatory diseases, making it an important drug target. We combined quantitative structure activity relationships for predicting the activity of new compounds and quantitative dynamic models for the NF-${\kappa}B$ network with intracellular concentration models. GFA-MLR QSAR analysis was employed to determine the optimal QSAR equation. To validate the predictability of the $IKK{\beta}$ QSAR model for an external set of inhibitors, a set of ordinary differential equations and mass action kinetics were used for modeling the NF-${\kappa}B$ dynamic system. The reaction parameters were obtained from previously reported research. In the IKKb QSAR model, good cross-validated $q^2$ (0.782) and conventional $r^2$ (0.808) values demonstrated the correlation between the descriptors and each of their activities and reliably predicted the $IKK{\beta}$ activities. Using a developed simulation model of the NF-${\kappa}B$ signaling pathway, we demonstrated differences in $I{\kappa}B$ mRNA expression between normal and different inhibitory states. When the inhibition efficiency increased, inhibitor 1 (PS-1145) led to long-term oscillations. The combined computational modeling and NF-${\kappa}B$ dynamic simulations can be used to understand the inhibition mechanisms and thereby result in the design of mechanism-based inhibitors.

The nucleophilic substitution reactions of dipropyl chlorothiophosphate (3) with substituted anilines ($XC_6H_4NH_2$) and deuterated anilines ($XC_6H_4ND_2$) are investigated kinetically in acetonitrile at $55.0^{\circ}C$. The obtained deuterium kinetic isotope effects (DKIEs; $k_H/k_D$) are primary normal ($k_H/k_D$ = 1.11-1.35). A concerted mechanism involving predominant frontside nucleophilic attack is proposed on the basis of the primary normal DKIEs and selectivity parameters. Hydrogen bonded, four-center-type transition state is proposed. The steric effects of the two ligands on the anilinolysis rates of various substrates are discussed.