Single crystal EPR and optical studies of a mixed ligand zinc(II) complex doped with VO(II) ion is carried out to establish the structural properties. The angular variation of vanadyl hyperfine lines indicates a single site, with spin Hamiltonian parameters as: $g_{xx}=1.985$, $g_{yy}=1.979$, $g_{zz}=1.943$; $A_{xx}=8.71$, $A_{yy}=6.41$ and $A_{zz}=17.80$ mT. By comparing the direction cosines of principal g and A values with the direction cosines of metalligand bonds, it has been confirmed that the vanadyl ion has entered the lattice interstitially. The exact interstitial position of VO(II) in host lattice has been calculated using the fractional coordinates of atoms in the host lattice out of many assumptions. The EPR and optical data have been confirmed to obtain various bonding parameters, from which the nature of the bonding in the complex is discussed. FT-IR confirms the formation of structure of host lattice.

The three dimensional-quantitative structure activity relationship (3D-QSAR) studies on chemical features of pyridine-2-amines in the external region of c-Met active site (ER chemical features of pyridine-2-amines) were conducted by docking, comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA), and topomer CoMFA methods. The CoMFA model obtained the partial least-squares (PLS) statistical results, cross-validated correlation coefficient ($q^2$) of 0.703, non cross-validated correlation coefficient ($r^2$) of 0.947 with standard error of estimate (SEE) of 0.23 and the topomer CoMFA obtained $q^2$ of 0.803, $r^2$ of 0.940, and SEE of 0.24. Further, the test set was applied to validate predictive abilities of models, where the predictive $r^2$ ($r{^2}_{pred}$) for CoMFA and topomer CoMFA models were 0.746 and 0.608, respectively. Each contribution of ER chemical features of pyridine-2-amines to the inhibitory potency showed correlation coefficients, $r^2$ of 0.670 and 0.913 for two core parts, 3-(benzo[d]oxazol-2-yl)pyridine-2-amine and 3-(1-(2,6-dichloro-3-fluorophenyl)ethoxy) pyridine-2-amine, respectively, with corresponding experimental $pIC_{50}$.

Alumina particles were grafted onto the surface of manganese oxide particles via the coprecipitation process using surfactant and cosurfactant. The phase of Mn/Al salts (Phase I) and the phase of precipitation agent (Phase II) were prepared in aqueous surfactant solution, separately. Phase II was added into Phase I and the reaction was performed to form the precursors of composites through hydrogen bonding between $Mn(OH)_2$ and $Al(OH)_3$ prepared by the reaction of Mn/Al salts with the precipitation agent. The alumina-grafted manganese oxide particles were obtained as a final product after calcination. The concentrations of Al salt and surfactant were varied to investigate their effects on the formation and the crystallinity of composites. In addition, the crystal structure of products could be controlled by changing the calcination temperature. Through thermal analyses, it was found that the thermal stability of manganese oxide was improved by the introduction of alumina on its surface.

A home-made pinhole-type glass nozzle was employed to generate vibronically excited but jet-cooled benzyl-type radicals from precursor 2-fluoro-4-chlorotoluene with a large amount of carrier gas He, from which the visible vibronic emission spectrum was recorded with a long-path monochromator. From an analysis of the spectrum observed, it was found that two benzyl-type radicals, 2-fluorobenzyl and 2-fluoro-4-chlorobenzyl radicals, were formed from the precursor in corona discharge. The possible pathway for the production of benzyl-type radicals that can explain the spectroscopic observation is herein proposed. In addition, the electronic energy of the $D_1{\rightarrow}D_0$ transition and the vibrational mode frequencies in the $D_0$ state of the 2-fluoro-4-chlorobenzyl radical were determined for the first time.

Poly(methacrylic acid)-functionalized SBA-15 silicas (denoted as P-x-PMA/SBA-15 where x is molar ratio of TSPM/(TEOS+TSPM) in percentage in the initial mixture) were synthesized by co-condensation of tetraethoxysilane and varying contents of 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate in acidic medium with the block copolymer Pluronic 123 as a structure directing agent and then polymerization by methacrylic acid in the presence of ammonium persulfate as an initiator. The functionalized materials were characterized by PXRD, TEM, SEM, IR, and $N_2$ adsorption-desorption at 77 K. The investigation of phenol adsorption in aqueous solution on the materials showed that the poly(methacrylic acid)-functionalized mesoporous silicas possess strong adsorption ability for phenol with interaction of various kinds of hydrogen bonds. The adsorption data were fitted to Langmuir isotherms and the maximum adsorption capacity of the three functionalized materials P-5-PMA/SBA-15, P-10-PMA/SBA-15, and P-15-PMA/SBA-15 to be 129.37 mg/g, 187.97 mg/g, and 78.43 mg/g, respectively, were obtained. The effect of the pH on phenol adsorption was studied.

Syndecan-4 (heparan sulfate proteoglycan), biologically important in cell-to-cell interactions and tumor suppression, was studied through mutation of the GXXXG motif of its transmembrane domain (Syd4-TM), a motif which governs dimerization. The expression and purification of the mutant (mSyd4-TM) were optimized here to assess the function of the GXXXG motif in the dimerization of Syd4-TM. mSyd4-TM was obtained in M9 minimal media and its oligomerization was identified by SDS PAGE, Circular Dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy. The mutant, unlike Syd4-TM, did not form dimers and was observed as monomers. The GXXXG motif of Syd-4TM was shown to be an important structural determinant of its dimerization.

We present here an efficient and simple method for preparation of highly active heterogeneous ZnO photocatalyst (graphene oxide-zinc oxide: GO-ZnO), specifically by deposition of ZnO nanoparticles onto thiolated GOs. The resultant GO-ZnO sample was characterized by TEM, XRD, Auger, XPS, and Raman measurements, revealing that the size-similar and quasi-spherical ZnO nanoparticles were anchored to the thiolated GO surfaces. The average particle diameter was about 2.5 nm. In the photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) under ultraviolet (UV) light, GO-ZnO exhibited remarkably enhanced photocatalytic efficiency compared with thiolated GO and pure ZnO particles. This strong photocatalytic performance of GO-ZnO can be attributed to the suppression of electron recombination and the enhancement of mass transportation. The results showed that thiolated GO is the preferable supporting material.

The enantioselective aza-Morita Baylis Hillman reaction of nitroalkene and N-tosylimine catalyzed by thiourea-tertiary amine has been investigated using density functional theory. Enantioselectivity is dominated by the cooperative effect of non-covalent and weak covalent interactions imposed by different units of catalyst. As Lewis base, the tertiary amine unit activates nitroalkene via weak covalent bond. The weak covalent interaction orients the reaction in a major path with smaller variations of this bond. The aromatic ring unit activates N-tosylimine via ${\pi}-{\pi}$ stacking. The non-covalent interaction selects the major path with smaller changes of the efficient packing areas. Thiourea unit donates more compact H-bonded network for species of the major path. The calculated ee value in xylene solution phase (97.6%) is much higher than that in N,N-Dimethylformamide (27.2%). Our conclusion is also supported by NBO analysis.

The reactions of bis(Y-aryl) chlorothiophosphates (1) with substituted anilines and deuterated anilines are investigated kinetically in acetonitrile at $55.0^{\circ}C$. The Hammett plots for substituent Y variations in the substrates show biphasic concave upwards with a break point at Y = H. The cross-interaction constants (${\rho}_{XY}$) are positive for both electron-donating and electron-withdrawing Y substituents. The kinetic results of 1 are compared with those of Y-aryl phenyl chlorothiophosphates (2). The cross-interaction between Y and Y, due to additional substituent Y, is significant enough to result in the change of the sign of ${\rho}_{XY}$ from negative with 2 to positive with 1. The effect of the cross-interaction between Y and Y on the rate changes from negative role with electron-donating Y substituents to positive role with electron-withdrawing Y substituents, resulting in biphasic concave upward free energy correlation with Y. A stepwise mechanism with a rate-limiting leaving group departure from the intermediate involving a predominant frontside attack hydrogen bonded, four-center-type transition state is proposed based on the positive sign of ${\rho}_{XY}$ and primary normal deuterium kinetic isotope effects.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which is a common species of yeast, is by far the most extensively studied model of a eukaryote because although it is one of the simplest eukaryotes, its basic cellular processes resemble those of higher organisms. In addition, yeast is a commercially valuable organism for ethanol production. Since the yeast data can be extrapolated to the important aspects of higher organisms, many researchers have studied yeast metabolism under various conditions. In this report, we analyzed and compared metabolites of Saccharomyces cerevisiae under salt and pH stresses of various strengths by using two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy. A total of 31 metabolites were identified for most of the samples. The levels of many identified metabolites showed gradual or drastic increases or decreases depending on the severity of the stresses involved. The statistical analysis produced a holistic outline: pH stresses were clustered together, but salt stresses were spread out depending on the severity. This work could provide a link between the metabolite profiles and mRNA or protein profiles under representative and well studied stress conditions.

Orthorhombic and hexagonal lanthanum(III) hydroxycarbonate ($LaCO_3OH$) and $Ln^{3+}$-doped $LaCO_3OH$ ($LaCO_3OH:Ln^{3+}$, where Ln = Ce, Eu, Tb, and Ho) powders were prepared by a hydrothermal reaction under ambient pressure and characterized by thermogravimetry, powder X-ray diffraction, infrared and luminescence spectroscopy, and field-emission scanning electron microscopy. The polymorph of $LaCO_3OH$ depended on the reaction temperature, inorganic salt additive, species of $Ln^{3+}$ dopant, and solvent. The calcination of orthorhombic $LaCO_3OH:Ln^{3+}$ (2 mol %) powers at $600^{\circ}C$ yielded a mixture of hexagonal and monoclinic $La_2O_2CO_3:Ln^{3+}$ powders. The relative quantity of the latter increased with decreasing ionic radius of the $Ln^{3+}$ dopant ion and increasing doping concentrations. On the other hand, the calcination of hexagonal $LaCO_3OH:Ln^{3+}$ (2 mol %) powders at $600^{\circ}C$ resulted in a pure hexagonal $La_2O_2CO_3:Ln^{3+}$ powder, regardless of the species of $Ln^{3+}$ ions (Ln = Ce, Eu, and Tb). The luminescence spectra of $LaCO_3OH:Ln^{3+}$ and $La_2O_2CO_3:Ln^{3+}$ were measured to examine the effect of their polymorph on the spectra.

Two novel copper(II) bromide complexes with pyridine containing Schiff base ligands, $Cu(pmed)Br_2$ and $Cu(pmed)Br_2$ where pmed = N'-((pyridin-2-yl)methylene)ethane-1,2-diamine (pmed) and dpmed = N,N-diethyl-N'-((pyridin-2-yl)methylene)ethane-1,2-diamine (dpmed) were synthesized and characterized using X-ray single crystal structure analysis, optical and magnetic susceptibility measurements. Crystal structural analysis of $Cu(pmed)Br_2$ showed that the copper(II) ion has a distorted square-pyramidal geometry with the trigonality index of ${\tau}=0.35$ and two intermolecular hydrogen bonds, which result in the formation of two dimensional networks in the ab plane. On the other hand, $Cu(pmed)Br_2$ displayed a near square-pyramidal geometry with the value of ${\tau}=0.06$. In both compounds, the NNN Schiff base and one Br atom occupy the basal plane, whereas the fifth apical position is occupied by the other Br atom at a greater Cu-Br apical distance. The reported complexes show $g_{\mid}$ > $g_{\perp}$ > 2.0023 with a $d_{x2-y2}$ ground state and a penta-coordinated square pyramidal geometry. Variable temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements showed that the developed copper(II) complexes follow the Curie-Weiss law, that is there are no magnetic interactions between the copper(II) ions since the Cu--Cu distance is too far for magnetic contact.

Novel 5'-deoxythreosyl purine phosphonic acid analogues containing a 2'-electropositive moiety such as fluorine atom, were designed and synthesized from commercially available 1,3-dihydroxy acetone. Condensation successfully proceeded from a glycosyl donor 6 under Vorbr$\ddot{u}$ggen conditions and cross-metathesis gave the desired phosphonate analogues 7a, 7b, 17a and 17b. The synthesized nucleoside phosphonic acid analogues 13, 16, 23, 26, 28 were subjected to antiviral screening against HIV-1. The bis(SATE) adenine analogue 28 exhibited significant in vitro activities against HIV-1.

In this study, an improved method for the quantitative analysis of ginkgolic acids (GAs) in Ginkgo biloba leaf extract was developed. The samples were extracted with a mixture of chloroform and 50 % ethanol, after which the chloroform extract was dried and reconstituted in methanol. GAs with 13:0, 15:1, and 17:1 in the extract were successfully separated within 40 min and determined with high throughput performance using an online column-switching HPLC method using an SP column C8 SG80 ($4.6{\times}150mm$, $5{\mu}m$) and a Cadenza 5CD C18 column ($4.6{\times}150mm$, $3{\mu}m$). The developed HPLC method was validated for Ginkgo biloba leaf extract. The validation parameters were specificity, linearity, precision, accuracy, and limits of detection and quantitation (LODs and LOQs, respectively). It was found that all of the calibration curves showed good linearity ($r^2$ > 0.9993) within the tested ranges. The LODs and LOQs were all lower than $0.04{\mu}g/mL$. The established method was found to be simple, rapid, and high throughput for the quantitative analysis of GAs in ten commercial Ginkgo biloba leaf extract and dietary supplements. The samples were also analyzed in LC-electrospray ionization (ESI) tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) - multiple-ion reaction monitoring (MRM) mode to confirm the identification results that were obtained by the column switching HPLC-DAD method. The developed method is considered to be suitable for the routine quality control and safety assurance of Ginkgo biloba leaf extract.

We prepared Ni and Pd-modified $TiO_2@SiO_2$ core-shell nanostructures and then analyzed them by scanning electron microscopy, optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction crystallography, FT-IR and UV-Visible absorption spectroscopy. In addition, their CO oxidation performance was tested by temperature-programmed mass spectrometry. The CO oxidation activity showed an order of Ni-$TiO_2@SiO_2$ ($900^{\circ}C$) < Ni-$TiO_2@SiO_2$ ($90^{\circ}C$) < Ni-$TiO_2@SiO_2$ ($450^{\circ}C$) in the first CO oxidation run, and greatly improved activity in the same order in the second run. The $T_{10%}$ (the temperature at 10% CO conversion) corresponds to the CO oxidation rate of $2.8{\times}10^{-5}$ molCO $g{_{cat}}^{-1}s^{-1}$. For Ni-$TiO_2@SiO_2$ ($450^{\circ}C$), the $T_{10%}$ was observed at $365^{\circ}C$ in the first run and at $335^{\circ}C$ in the second run. For the Pd-$TiO_2@SiO_2$ ($450^{\circ}C$), the $T_{10%}$ was observed at a much lower temperature of $263^{\circ}C$ in the first CO oxidation run, and at $247^{\circ}C$ in the second run. The CO oxidation activities of transition metal modified $TiO_2@SiO_2$ core-shell nanostructures presented herein provide new insights that will be useful in developing catalysts for various environments.

Energy transfer and bond dissociation of $C-H_{methyl}$ and $C-H_{ring}$ in excited toluene in the collision with $H_2$ and $D_2$ have been studied by use of classical trajectory procedures at 300 K. Energy lost by the vibrationally excited toluene to the ground-state $H_2/D_2$ is not large, but the amount increases with increasing vibrational excitation from 5000 and $40,000cm^{-1}$. The principal energy transfer pathway is vibration to translation (V-T) in both systems. The vibration to vibration (V-V) step is important in toluene + $D_2$, but plays a minor role in toluene + $H_2$. When the incident molecule is also vibrationally excited, toluene loses energy to $D_2$, whereas it gains energy from $H_2$ instead. The overall extent of energy loss is greater in toluene + $D_2$ than that in toluene + $H_2$. The different efficiency of the energy transfer pathways in two collisions is mainly due to the near-resonant condition between $D_2$ and C-H vibrations. Collision-induced dissociation of $C-H_{methyl}$ and $C-H_{ring}$ bonds occurs when highly excited toluene ($55,000-70,400cm^{-1}$) interacts with the ground-state $H_2/D_2$. Dissociation probabilities are low ($10^{-5}{\sim}10^{-2}$) but increase exponentially with rising vibrational excitation. Intramolecular energy flow between the excited C-H bonds occurring on a subpicosecond timescale is responsible for the bond dissociation.

As anode fabrication with different materials has been proven to be a successful alternative for enhancing power generation in the microbial fuel cells, a new approach to improved performance of MFCs with the use of menadione/carbon powder composite-modified carbon cloth anode has been explored in this study. Menadione has formal potential to easily accept electrons from the outer membrane cytochromes of electroactive bacteria that can directly interact with the solid surface. Surface bound menadione was able to maintain an electrical wiring with the trans-membrane electron transfer pathways to facilitate extracellular electron transfer to the electrode. In a single chamber air cathode MFC inoculated with aerobic sludge, maximum power density of $1250{\pm}35mWm^{-2}$ was achieved, which was 25% higher than that of an unmodified anode. The observed high power density and improved coulomb efficiency of 61% were ascribed to the efficient electron shuttling via the immobilized menadione.

The synthesis of a DO3A conjugate of [(p-aniline benzothiazole)methyl]pyridine ($L^2H_3$) and its gadolinium complex of the type [$Gd(L^2)(H_2O)$] ($GdL^2$) is described. The $R_1$ relaxivity ($=4.50mM^{-1}sec^{-1}$) and kinetic inertness of $GdL^2$ compares well with those of structurally analogous Dotarem$^{(R)}$ ($R_1=3.70mM^{-1}sec^{-1}$), a typical extracellular (ECF) MRI contrast agent (CA). Yet, by comparison with Dotarem$^{(R)}$, $GdL^2$ exhibits non-covalent interactions with human serum albumin (HSA) as evidenced by the ${\varepsilon}^*$ titration curve along with in vivo MR signal enhancement in both aorta and heart. Liver-specific nature of $GdL^2$ is also observed as excretion is made through gallbladder. Most notably, $GdL^2$ further demonstrates specificity toward the MDA-MB-231 breast cancer.

Eight representative explosives (ammonium perchlorate (AP), ammonium nitrate (AN), trinitrotoluene (TNT), 2,4-dinitrotoluene (DNT), cyclonite (RDX), cyclotetramethylenetetranitramine (HMX), pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN), and hexanitrostilbene (HNS)) were comprehensively analyzed with an ion trap mass spectrometer in negative ion mode using direct infusion electrospray ionization. MS/MS experiments were performed to generate fragment ions from the major parent ion of each explosive. Explosives in salt forms such as AP or AN provided cluster parent ions with their own anions. Explosives with an aromatic ring were observed as either $[M-H]^-$ for TNT and DNT or $[M]^{{\cdot}-}$ for HNS, while explosives without an aromatic ring such as RDX, HMX, and PETN were detected as an adduct ion with a formate anion, i.e., $[M+HCOO]^-$. These findings provide a guideline for the rapid and accurate detection of explosives once portable MS instruments become more readily available.

The R3V6 peptide includes a hydrophilic arginine stretch and a hydrophobic valine stretch. In previous studies, the R3V6 peptide was evaluated as a gene carrier and was found to have low cytotoxicity. However, the transfection efficiency of R3V6 was lower than that of poly-L-lysine (PLL) in N2A neuroblastoma cells. In this study, the transfection efficiency of R3V6 was improved in combination with high mobility group box 1A domain (HMGA). HMGA is originated from the nuclear protein and has many positively-charged amino acids. Therefore, HMGA binds to DNA via charge interaction. In addition, HMGA has a nuclear localization signal peptide and may increase the delivery efficiency of DNA into the nucleus. The ternary complex with HMGA, R3V6, and DNA was prepared and evaluated as a gene carrier. First, the HMGA/DNA complex was prepared with a negative surface charge. Then, R3V6 was added to the complex to coat the negative charges of the HMGA/DNA complex, forming the ternary complex of HMGA, R3V6, and DNA. A physical characterization study showed that the ternary complex was more stable than the PLL/DNA complex. The HMGA/R3V6/DNA complex had a higher transfection efficiency than the PLL/DNA, HMGA/DNA, or R3V6/DNA complexes in N2A cells. Furthermore, the HMGA/R3V6/DNA complex was not toxic to cells. Therefore, the HMGA/R3V6/DNA complex may be a useful gene delivery carrier.

A series of carbon nanotube, $C_{60}$, and graphene modified $TiO_2$ nanocomposites were prepared by hydrothermal method. X-ray diffraction, $N_2$ adsorption, UV-Vis spectroscopy, photoluminescence, and Electrochemical impedance spectra were used to characterize the prepared composite materials The results reveal that incorporating $TiO_2$ with carbon materials can extend the adsorption edge of all the $TiO_2$-carbon nanocomposites to the visible light region. The photocatalytic activities were tested in the degradation of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCP) under visible light. No obvious difference in essence was observed in structural and optical properties among three series of carbon modified $TiO_2$ nanocomposites. Three series of carbon materials modified $TiO_2$ composites follow the analogous tentative reaction mechanism for TCP degradation. GR modified $TiO_2$ nanocomposite exhibits the strongest interaction and the most effective interfacial charge transfer among three carbon materials, thus shows the highest electron-hole separation rate, leading to the highest photocatalytic activity and stability.

Novel tri- and tetra-substituted pyrimido[4,5-d]pyridazines-2(1H,3H,7H)-ones have been synthesized via the regiospecific condensation reaction of hydrazine derivatives with 5-acetyl-4-aryloyl-6-methyl-3,4-dihydropyrimidinones in the presence of $SiO_2-Y(NO_3)_3$ as a green and recyclable catalyst under solvent-free conditions. All products were obtained in high yields and short reaction time. Employing this method is in accord with green chemistry principles.

This study explored a direct SET-photochemical strategy to construct a new family of thioene conjugated-naphthalamide fluorophore based lariat-crown ethers which show strong binding properties towards heavy metal ions. Irradiations of designed nitrogen branched (trimethylsilyl)methylthio-terminated polyethylenoxy-tethered naphthalimides in acidic methanol solutions have led to highly efficient photocyclization reactions to generate naphthalamide based lariat type thiadiazacrown ethers directly in chemo- and regio-selective manners which undergo very facile secondary dehydration reactions during separation processes to produce their corresponding amidoenethio ether cyclic products tethered with electron donating diethyleneoxy- and diethyenethio-side arm chains. Fluorescence and metal cation binding properties of the lariat type enamidothio products were examined. The photocyclized amidoenethio products, thioene conjugated naphthalamide fluorophore containing lariat-thiadiazacrowns exhibited strong fluorescence emissions in region of 330-450 nm along with intramolecular exciplex emissions in region of 450-560 nm with their maxima at 508 nm. Divalent cation $Hg^{2+}$ and $Pb^{2+}$ showed strong binding to sulfur atom(s) in side arm chain and atoms in enethiadiazacrown ether rings which led to significant enhancement of fluorescence from its chromophore singlet excited state and concomitant quenching of exciplex emission. The dual fluorescence emission responses towards divalent cations might provide a new guide for design and development of fluorescence sensors for detecting those metals.

The $H_2Ge=Ge:$ and its derivatives ($X_2Ge=Ge:$, X = H, Me, F, Cl, Br, Ph, Ar${\ldots}{\ldots}$) is a new species. Its cycloaddition reactions is a new area for the study of germylene chemistry. The mechanism of the cycloaddition reaction between singlet state Cl2Ge=Ge: and formaldehyde has been investigated with CCSD(T)//MP2/$6-31G^*$ method. From the potential energy profile, it could be predicted that the reaction has only one dominant reaction pathway. The reaction rule presented is that the two reactants first form a fourmembered Ge-heterocyclic ring germylene through the [2+2] cycloaddition reaction. Because of the 4p unoccupied orbital of Ge: atom in the four-membered Ge-heterocyclic ring germylene and the ${\pi}$ orbital of formaldehyde forming a ${\pi}{\rightarrow}p$ donor-acceptor bond, the four-membered Ge-heterocyclic ring germylene further combines with formaldehyde to form an intermediate. Because the Ge: atom in intermediate hybridizes to an $sp^3$ hybrid orbital after transition state, then, intermediate isomerizes to a spiro-Ge-heterocyclic ring compound via a transition state. The research result indicates the laws of cycloaddition reaction between $H_2Ge=Ge:$ and formaldehyde, and laid the theory foundation of the cycloaddition reaction between $H_2Ge=Ge:$ and its derivatives ($X_2Ge=Ge:$, X = H, Me, F, Cl, Br, Ph, Ar${\ldots}{\ldots}$) and asymmetric ${\pi}$-bonded compounds, which is significant for the synthesis of small-ring and spiro-Ge-heterocyclic compounds. The study extends research area and enriches the research content of germylene chemistry.

A nickel(II) complex $[Ni(H_2biim)_2(H_2O)_2](ClO_4)_2{\cdot}H_2O$ (1) of biimidazole ligand has been synthesized and characterized (Where $H_2biim$ = 2,2'-biimidazole). The single crystal X-ray diffraction of the complex shows a dimeric structure with six coordinated psudo-octahedral geometry. The cyclic voltammograms of complex exhibited one quasireversible reduction wave ($E_{pc}=-0.61V$) and an irreversible oxidation wave ($E_{pa}=1.28V$) in DMF solution. The interaction of the complex with Calf-Thymus DNA (CT-DNA) has been investigated by absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. The complex is an avid DNA binder with a binding constant value of $1.03{\times}10^5M^{-1}$. The results suggest that the nickel(II) complex bind to CT-DNA via intercalative mode and can quench the fluorescence intensity of EB bind to CT-DNA with $K_{app}$ value of $3.2{\times}10^5M^{-1}$. The complex also shown efficient oxidative cleavage of supercoiled pBR322 DNA in the presence of hydrogen peroxide as oxidizing agent. The DNA cleavage by complex in presence of quenchers; viz. DMSO, KI, $NaN_3$ and EDTA reveals that hydroxyl radical or singlet oxygen mechanism is involved. The complex showed invitro antimicrobial activity against four bacteria and two fungi. The antimicrobial activity was nearer to that of standard drugs and greater than that of the free ligand.

The scaling relationship of the longest relaxation time of a single chain of semiflexible biological polyelectrolyte has been investigated by performing well-established coarse-grained Brownian dynamics simulations. Two kinds of longest relaxation times were estimated from time-sequences of chain trajectories, and their behaviors were interpreted by applying the scaling law for different molecular weights of polyelectrolyte and Debye lengths. The scaling exponents for longest stress relaxation and rotational relaxation are found in the ranges of 1.67-1.79 and 1.65-1.81, respectively, depending on the physicochemical interaction of electrostatic Debye screening. The scaling exponent increases with decreasing screening effect, which is a special feature of polyelectrolytes differing from neutral polymers. It revealed that the weak screening allows a polyelectrolyte chain to follow the behavior in good solvent due to the strong electrostatic repulsion between beads.

Based on the Debye-H$\ddot{u}$ckel equation, a semi-empirical equation for activity coefficients was derived through empirical and theoretical trial and error efforts. The obtained equation included two parameters: the proportional factor and the effective radius of an ionic sphere. These parameters were used in the empirical and regression parameter fitting of the calculated values to the experimental results. The activity coefficients calculated from the equation agreed with the data. Transforming to a semi-empirical form, the equation was expressed with one parameter, the ion radius. The ion radius, ${\alpha}$, was divided into three parameters, ${\alpha}_{cation}$, ${\alpha}_{anion}$ and ${\delta}_{cation}$, representing parameters for the cation, anion and combination, respectively. The advantage of this equation is the ability to propose a semi-empirical equation that can easily determine the activity coefficient with just one parameter, so the equation is expected to be used more widely in actual industry applications.

In this study, the behavior of cells on the modified surface, and the correlation between the modified substrates and the response of cells is described. A close-packed layer of nano-sized silica beads was prepared on a coverslip, and the adhesion, proliferation, and migration of BALB/3T3 fibroblast cells on the silica layer was monitered. The 550 nm silica beads were synthesized by the hydrolysis and condensation reaction of tetraethylorthosilicate in basic solution. The amine groups were introduced onto the surfaces of silica particles by treatment with 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane. The close-packed layer of silica beads on the coverslip was obtained by the reaction of the amine-functionalized silica beads and the (3-triethoxysilyl)propylsuccinic anhydride treated coverslip. BALB/3T3 fibroblast cells were loaded on bare glass, APTMS coated glass, and silica bead coated glass with the same initial cell density, and the migration and proliferation of cells on the substrates was investigated. The cells were fixed and stained with antibodies in order to analyze the changes in the actin filaments and nuclei after culture on the different surfaces. The motility of cells on the silica bead coated glass was greater than that of the cells cultured on the control substrate. The growth rate of cells on the silica bead coated glass was slower than that of the control. Because the close-packed layer of silica beads gave an embossed surface, the adhesion of cells was very weak compared to the smooth surfaces. These results indicate that the adhesion of cells on the substrates is very important, and the actin filaments might play key roles in the migration and proliferation of cells. The nuclei of the cells were shrunk on the weakly adhered surfaces, and the S1 stage in which DNA is duplicated in the cell dividing processes might be retarded. As a result, the rate of proliferation of cells was decreased compared to the smooth surface of the control. In conclusion, the results described here are very important in the understanding of the interaction between implanted materials and biosystems.

Covalent functionalization of a $Zn_{12}O_{12}$ nano-cage with $CO_2$ molecule in terms of energetic, geometry, and electronic properties was investigated by density functional theory method. For chemisorption configurations, the adsorption energy of $CO_2$ on the $Zn_{12}O_{12}$ nano-cage for the first $CO_2$ was calculated -1.25 eV with a charge transfer of 1.00|e| from the nano-cage to the $CO_2$ molecule. The results show that $CO_2$ molecule was significantly detected by pristine $Zn_{12}O_{12}$ nano-cage, therefore the nano-cage can be used as $CO_2$ storage. Also, more efficient binding could not be achieved by increasing the $CO_2$ concentration. For Physisorption configurations, HOMO-LUMO gap of the configurations has not changed, while slight changes have been observed in the chemisorption configurations.

The interaction between metalloporphyrins and diazine tautomers was investigated using quantum chemistry method. The results showed that the metal atom in the metalloporphyrin was not coplanar with porphin ring, and zinc porphyrin has the most extent of its non-coplanar nature. The most stable complex in nine complexes was iron porphyrin. NBO analysis indicated that the interaction between the lone pair of electrons on the nitrogen atom and the unoccupied lone pair orbital of metal contributes significantly to the stability of the complexes. Through the conceptual DFT parameter and Fukui dual descriptor, the thermodynamic stability and reactivity of complexes were analyzed. The density difference function (DDF) analyzes were performed to explore the rearrangement of electronic density after the coordination interaction. NICS calculation indicated that metalloporphyrin aromaticity was reduced after the coordination interaction, and aromaticity of diazine tautomer was increased along direction vector of the coordination interaction force.

Polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-based ultrafine fibers and carbon fibers were produced by wet-spinning, and the crystal sizes and thermal and mechanical properties of the fibers were investigated. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the superfine fibrils in the surfaces of the PAN/polyvinyl acetate (PVA) blend fibers increased slightly with increasing PAN content before removal of the PVA. Differential scanning calorimetry indicated that the PAN and PVA in the blend fibers do not mix and, therefore, each maintains their inherent thermal characteristics. The crystal sizes of the blend fibers prepared by removing PVA with water increased at 5 wt % water. The extent of the reaction of the PAN carbon fibers, as calculated from the FT-IR spectra, is maximized at the stepwise temperature of $230^{\circ}C$, and the density increased significantly above this temperature. The carbon fibers had relatively good mechanical properties, as shown by their tensile strength and modulus values of 2396 MPa and 213 GPa, respectively.

The reaction mechanism of $SiF_2$ radical with HNCO has been investigated by the B3LYP method of density functional theory(DFT), while the geometries and harmonic vibration frequencies of reactants, intermediates, transition states and products have been calculated at the B3LYP/$6-311++G^{**}$ level. To obtain more precise energy result, stationary point energies were calculated at the CCSD(T)/$6-311++G^{**}$//B3LYP/$6-311++G^{**}$ level. $SiF_2+HNCO{\rightarrow}IM3{\rightarrow}TS5{\rightarrow}IM4{\rightarrow}TS6{\rightarrow}OSiF_2CNH(P3)$ was the main channel with low potential energy, $OSiF_2CNH$ was the main product. The analyses for the combining interaction between $SiF_2$ radical and HNCO with the atom-in-molecules theory (AIM) have been performed.

A tetradentate ligand of 2-phenyl-4,6-di(pyridin-2-yl)pyrimidine (L) has been synthesized and its complexes with $ZnI_2$ and CuI have been obtained by hydrothermal method. single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis indicates that ligand L coordinates with Zn(II) ions to form a simple four-coordinate di-nuclear complex, while the complexation of L with Cu(I) constructs a one-dimensional chain polymer. The existence of $I^-$ ion hampers the L to assemble grid-type complexes with Zn(II) and Cu(I). Fluorescence spectra show that the L emits blue fluorescence while its Cu(I) polymer decrease the fluorescence intensity and Zn(II) complex quenches the fluorescence.

Two 3D isomorphous and isostructural complexes, namely, $[Zn(BDOA)(bpy)(H_2O)_2]_n$ (1) and $[Cd(BDOA)-(bpy)(H_2O)_2]_n$ (2); (BDOA = Benzene-1,4-dioxyacetic acid, bpy = 4,4'-bipyridine) were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and characterized by means of elemental analyses, thermogravimetric (TG), infrared spectrometry, and single crystal X-ray diffraction. Complexes 1 and 2 crystallize in the triclinic system, space group P-1 and each metal ion in the complexes are six-coordinated with the same coordination environment. In the as-synthesized complexes, $BDOA^{2-}$ anions link central metal ions to form a 1D zigzag chain $[-BDOA^{2-}-Zn(Cd)-BDOA^{2-}-Zn(Cd)-]_{\infty}$, whereas bpy pillars connect metal ions to generate a 1D linear chain $[-bpy-Zn(Cd)-bpy-Zn(Cd)-]_{\infty}$. Both infinite chains are interweaved into 2D grid-like layers which are further constructed into a 3D open framework, where hydrogen bonds play as the bridges between the adjacent 2D layers. Luminescent properties of complex 1 showed selectivity for $Hg^{2+}$ ion.

This study aims to assess the ecological risk of the hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) emitted in the semiconductor manufacturing processes in Korea by using Quantitative Structure Activity Relationship (QSAR, EPA, US, EPI $Suite^{TM}$ 4.1). Owing to the absence of environmental standards of hazardous air pollutants in the semiconductor manufacturing processes in Korea, 18 HAPs in the semiconductor field included in both the US EPA NESHAPs and the hazardous air pollutant list of Ministry of Environment in Korea were selected. As a results 8 chemicals (44.4%) of the selected 18 HAPs were VOCs. Cyanides (cyanides) and ethylene oxides (epoxy resins), and tetrachloro-ethylene (aliphatic compounds, halides) showed long half-lives. Cyanide HAPs especially had the highest half-life with the estimated value of 356.533 days. Nickel compounds (heavy metal compounds) possessed the highest water solubility followed by acetaldehyde (aldehyde compounds), ethylene oxides, and 1,4-dioxanes. The halides, including tetrachloro-ethylenes, carbon tetra-chlorides, benzene (aromatic compounds), and lead (heavy metals), are estimated to take the longest time for biodegradation. Tetrachloroethylene, with the acute toxicity end point of 3.685-7.033 mg/L, was assessed to be the most highly toxic substance among the 18 HAPs. However, considering the absence of the HAPs in the common category of log $K_{ow}{\geq}4$and $BCF{\geq}500$, which indicates the standard of bioconcentration potentials, potentials of the bioconcentration are considered to be low.

This article examines the modification of surface properties of ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) with nanoscale ceramic particles to fabricate an improved composite with butadiene-nitrile rubber (BNR). Adhesion force data showed that ceramic zeolite particles on the surface of UHMWPE modulated the surface state of the polymer and increased its compatibility with BNR. Atomic force microscopy phase images showed that UHMWPE made up the microphase around the zeolite particles and formed the evolving layer with a complex interface. The complex interface resulted in improvements in the mechanical properties of the composite, especially its low-temperature resistance coefficients, thereby improving its performance in low-temperature applications.

Potassium methylselenite ($KSeO_2(OCH_3)$) was reduced to elemental selenium, Se(0), and then doped onto montmorillonite K 10 (MK10) clay to examine the interaction between elemental mercury (Hg(0)) vapor and Se(0) in an effort to understand the possible heterogeneous reaction of Hg(0) vapor and Se(0) solid. The clay was used as a cost-effective support material for uniform dispersion of Se(0). The Se(0)-doped MK10 showed an excellent reaction performance with Hg(0) under an inert nitrogen gas at 70 and $140^{\circ}C$ in our lab-scale fixed-bed system. However, the precursor, $KSeO_2(OCH_3)$-doped MK10 showed a negligible reaction performance with Hg(0), suggesting that the oxidation state of selenium plays a key role in the reaction of Hg(0) vapor and selenium compounds.

1-Alkyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride-LiCl melts were prepared from the reaction of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([RMIm]Cl; R=allyl or n-butyl) and lithium chloride, and their ability to dissolve cellulose was evaluated. The solubility of cellulose was greatly increased to 320% when [RMIm]Cl was replaced by [RMIm][$LiCl_2$]. Dissolved cellulose in LiCl/[RMIm]Cl melts was successfully regenerated by adding water and LiCl/[RMIm]Cl melts were easily recovered by removing water. As supported by the computational results, the higher solubility of cellulose in [RMIm][$LiCl_2$] can be ascribed to the increased bond distance between anion and C(2)-H of the imidazolium ring compared with that in [RMIm]Cl, thereby resulting in the increased interaction between $[LiCl_2]^-$ and the hydroxyl groups of cellulose.

A formal total synthesis of aliskiren was accomplished. A key in our synthesis was to use the symmetric ciscisoid-cis-bis-lactone 3' as a precursor, which was prepared from D-tartrate diester. Appending the end groups and functional group transformations completed the synthesis.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer and that accounts for 85% of lung cancer patients. Although several EGFR-targeted drugs have been developed in the treatment of NSCLC, the clinical efficacy of EGFR-targeted drugs in NSCLC is limited by the occurrence of drug resistance. In this regard, Hsp90 represents great promise as a therapeutic target of cancer due to its potential to simultaneously disable multiple signaling pathways. In this study, we discovered that a natural product, flavokawain B disrupted Hsp90 chaperoning function and impaired the growth of gefitinib-resistant non-small cell lung cancer (H1975). The result suggested that flavokawain B could serve as a potential lead compound to overcome the drug resistance in cancer chemotherapy.

In this study, the silicone thermal curing degree of the silicone-encapsulated quantum dot light emission diode was measured using the various types of chemical ligands around quantum dot. It was confirmed that the trioctyl phosphin oxide (TOPO) ligand around the quantum dot was responsible for dispersion of the quantum dot in silicone encapsulant and decline of the thermal curing degree of the silicone encapsulant. Also, it was confirmed that the thermal curing degree of silicone encapsulants containing the steric acid (SA) and the dodecanoic acid (DA) ligands were higher than the one of TOPO ligand.

Molecular dynamics simulations were performed to study the structure and stability of a nanoscale self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of alkanethiol on a gold (111) surface. The tilt angle and orientational order of the alkyl chains in the SAM island were examined by systematically varying the size of the island. The chain length dependence of the SAM island was examined by considering alkanethiols containing 12, 16, 20, and 24 carbon atoms. The minimum diameter of SAM islands made from 1-tetracosanethiol, 1-ecosanethiol, 1-hexadecanethiol and 1-dodecanethiol were 2.29, 1.9, 4.7 and 4.76 nm, respectively. These set the ultimate resolution that can be patterned by soft nanolithography. As the length of alkanethiol increases, the SAM islands became more ordered in both orientation and conformation of the alkyl chains.

The second-order rate constants ($k_N$) have been measured spectrophotometrically for nucleophilic substitution reactions of Y-substituted-phenyl 2-methylbenzoates (6a-e) with a series of cyclic secondary amines in MeCN at $25.0{\pm}0.1^{\circ}C$. Comparison of the $k_N$ values for the reactions of 4-nitrophenyl 2-methylbenzoate (6d) with those reported previously for the corresponding reactions of 4-nitrophenyl 2-methoxybenzoate (5) reveals that 6d is significantly less reactive than 5, indicating that modification of 2-MeO in the benzoyl moiety of 5 by 2-Me (i.e., $5{\rightarrow}6d$) causes a significant decrease in reactivity. This supports our previous report that aminolysis of 5 proceeds through a six-membered cyclic intermediate, which is highly stabilized through intramolecular H-bonding interactions. The Br${\o}$nsted-type plot for the reactions of 6d with a series of cyclic secondary amines is linear with ${\beta}_{nuc}=0.71$, which appears to be a lower limit of ${\beta}_{nuc}$ for a stepwise mechanism with breakdown of an intermediate ($T^{\pm}$) being rate-determining step (RDS). The Br${\o}$nsted-type plot for the reactions of 6a-e with piperidine is curved, i.e., the slope of Br${\o}$nsted-type plot (${\beta}_{lg}$) decreases from -1.05 to -0.41 as the leaving-group basicity decreases. The nonlinear Br${\o}$nsted-type plot has been taken as evidence for a stepwise mechanism with a change in RDS (e.g., from the $k_2$ step to the $k_1$ process as the leaving-group basicity decreases). Dissection of $k_N$ into the microscopic rate constants associated with the reactions of 6a-e with piperidine (e.g., $k_1$ and $k_2/k_{-1}$ ratio) also supports the proposed mechanism.

In this study, molecular dynamics simulations of SPC/E (extended simple point charge) model have been carried out in the canonical NVT ensemble over the range of temperatures 300 to 550 K with and without Ewald summation. The quaternion method was used for the rotational motion of the rigid water molecule. Radial distribution functions $g_{OO}(r)$, $g_{OH}(r)$, and $g_{HH}(r)$ and self-diffusion coefficients D for SPC/E water were determined at 300-550 K and compared to experimental data. The temperature dependence on the structural and diffusion properties of SPC/E water was discussed.

The surface modification of silica particles (SPs) was systemically conducted by the treatment of 0.1-10 wt % phenylsilanetriol (PST) on the basis of SPs used through two step processes: 1) the PST coating of SPs via evaporation under reduced pressure and 2) their thermal condensation leading to Si-O-Si bond formation via heating at $130^{\circ}C$. The evaluation of the modified SPs was conducted by the simple floating test on water and the measurement of the contact angle (CA) of water droplet on the 2-dimensional layer of modified SPs on slide glass. When PST was used about 2 wt % or above on the basis of SPs (about average size: 50 nm) used, the modified SPs were fully floated on the water and all dispersed into upper organic solvent layer after a shaking with the mixture of the water and benzene, indicating that the modified SPs have hydrophobic properties. The modified SPs were characterized by $^{29}Si$ MAS NMR and physicochemical properties including SEM, TEM, BET, adsorption/desorption isotherms, etc. were measured and compared each other in details. This research demonstrates that the organosilanetriol is a good modifier applicable for the surface modification of inorganic oxide particles using a low amount of modifier on the basis of oxide particles used.

Nucleophilic substitution reactions of ethyl methyl (2), ethyl propyl (4) and diisopropyl (7) chlorothiophosphates with substituted anilines and deuterated anilines are investigated kinetically in acetonitrile at $55.0^{\circ}C$. A concerted mechanism is proposed based on the selectivity parameters. The deuterium kinetic isotope effects (DKIEs; $k_H/k_D$) are secondary inverse ($k_H/k_D=0.66-0.99$) with 2, primary normal and secondary inverse ($k_H/k_D=0.78-1.19$) with 4, and primary normal ($k_H/k_D=1.06-1.21$) with 7. The primary normal and secondary inverse DKIEs are rationalized by frontside attack involving hydrogen bonded, four-center-type transition state, and backside attack involving in-line-type transition state, respectively. The anilinolyses of ten chlorothiophosphates are examined based on the reactivity, steric effect of the two ligands, thio effect, reaction mechanism, DKIE and activation parameter.

Various separation modes in HPLC, such as anion exchange (AE), reversed-phase (RP), and affinity (AF) chromatography were examined for the separation of selenium species in human blood serum and urine. While RP- and AE-HPLC were mainly used for the separation of small molecular selenium species, double column AF-HPLC achieved the separation of selenoproteins in blood serum efficiently. Further, the effluent of AF-HPLC was enzymatically hydrolyzed and then analyzed with RP HPLC for selenoamino acid study. The versatility of the hybrid technique makes the in-depth study of selenium species possible. For quantification, post column isotope dilution (ID) with $^{78}Se$ spike was performed. ORC ICP/MS (octapole reaction cell inductively coupled plasma/mass spectrometry) was used with 4 mL $min^{-1}$ Hydrogen as reaction gas. In urine sample, inorganic selenium and SeCys were identified. In blood serum, selenoproteins GPx, SelP and SeAlb were detected and quantified. The concentration for GPx, SelP and SeAlb was $22.8{\pm}3.4\;ng\;g^{-1}$, $45.2{\pm}1.7\;ng\;g^{-1}$, and $16.1{\pm}2.2\;ng\;g^{-1}$, respectively when $^{80}Se/^{78}Se$ was used. The sum of these selenoproteins ($84.1{\pm}4.4\;ng\;g^{-1}$) agrees well with the total selenium concentration measured with the ID method of $87.0{\pm}3.0\;ng\;g^{-1}$. Enzymatic hydrolysis of each selenium proteins revealed that SeCys is the major amino acid for all three proteins and SeMet is contained in SeAlb only.

In this study, the influences of aniline to acid composition were investigated on the electrical conductivity of PANI-PAAMPSA. The ratio of aniline to sulfonic acid groups was optimized for the maximum conductivity of PANI-PAAMPSA. The conductivity is strongly correlated with the electronic structure of PANI-PAAMPSA; the highest conductivity of PANI-PAAMPSA was observed when PANI has the longest conjugation length.

$H{\beta}$ (core)/SAPO-11 (shell) composite molecular sieve was synthesized by the hydrothermal method in order to combine the advantages of $H{\beta}$ and SAPO-11 for the methylation of naphthalene with methanol. For comparison, the mechanical mixture was prepared through the blending of $H{\beta}$ and SAPO-11. The physicochemical properties of $H{\beta}$, SAPO-11, the composite and the mechanical mixture were characterized by various characterization methods. The characterization results indicated that $H{\beta}$/SAPO-11 composite molecular sieve exhibited a core-shell structure, with the $H{\beta}$ phase as the core and the SAPO-11 phase as the shell. The pore diameter of the composite was between that of $H{\beta}$ and SAPO-11. The composite had fewer acid sites than $H{\beta}$ and mechanical mixture while more acid sites than SAPO-11. The experimental results indicated that the composite exhibited high catalytic performances for the methylation of naphthalene with methanol.

A new synthesis route for Pt nanoparticles by direct electrochemical reduction of a solid-state Pt ion precursor ($K_2PtCl_6$) is demonstrated. Solid $K_2PtCl_6$-supported polyethyleneimine (PEI) coatings on the surface of glassy carbon electrode were prepared by simple mixing of solid $K_2PtCl_6$ into a 1.0% PEI solution. The potential cycling or a constant potential in a PBS (pH 7.4) medium were applied to reduce the solid $K_2PtCl_6$ precursor. The reduction of Pt(IV) began at around -0.2 V and the reduction potential was ca. -0.4 V. A steady state current was achieved after 10 potential cycling scans, indicating that continuous formation of Pt nanoparticles by electrochemical reduction occurred for up to 10 cycles. After applying the reduction potential of -0.6 V for 300 s, Pt nanoparticles with diameters ranging from $0.02-0.5{\mu}m$ were observed, with an even distribution over the entire glassy carbon electrode surface. Characteristics of the Pt nanoparticles, including their performance in electrochemical reduction of $H_2O_2$ are examined. A distinct reduction peak observed at about -0.20 V was due to the electrocatalytic reduction of $H_2O_2$ by Pt nanoparticles. From the calibration plot, the linear range for $H_2O_2$ detection was 0.1-2.0 mM and the detection limit for $H_2O_2$ was found to be 0.05 mM.