Second-order rate constants ($k_{HOO^-}$) for the nucleophilic substitution reactions of Y-substituted-phenyl diphenylphosphinates (4a-4i) with $HOO^-$ in $H_2O$ have been measured spectrophotometrically. The ${\alpha}$-nucleophile $HOO^-$ is 10-70 times more reactive than the reference nucleophile $OH^-$ although the former is ca. $4pK_a$ units less basic than the latter, indicating the ${\alpha}$-effect is operative. The Bronsted-type plot for the reactions of 4a-4i with $HOO^-$ is linear with ${\beta}_{lg}=-0.51$, a typical ${\beta}_{lg}$ value for reactions which were reported to proceed through a concerted mechanism. The Yukawa-Tsuno plot is also linear with ${\rho}=1.40$ and r = 0.47, indicating that a negative charge develops partially on the O atom of the leaving group, which can be delocalized to the substituent Y through resonance interactions. Thus, the reactions have been proposed to proceed through a concerted mechanism. The magnitude of the ${\alpha}$-effect (i.e., the $k_{HOO^-}/k_{HO^-}$ ratio) decreases linearly as the leaving-group basicity increases. It has been concluded that solvation effect is not solely responsible for the ${\alpha}$-effect found in this study but the transition-state stabilization through an intramolecular H-bonding interaction is also responsible for the ${\alpha}$-effect.

A new quinoline-based acylhydrazone (1) has been synthesized and applied as a fluorescent probe. Probe 1 exhibits high selectivity and sensitivity to $Cu^{2+}$ with fluorescence "ON-OFF" behavior in HEPES buffered (1‰ DMSO, HEPES 20 mM, pH = 7.4) solution. The on-site generated 1-$Cu^{2+}$ complex displays excellent selectivity to sulfide ions with fluorescence "OFF-ON" performance through copper displacement approach.

This paper describes the synthesis and water sensing properties of a fluorescent photoinduced electron transfer (PET) sensor (5) with an extended operating sensing range. The 1,8-naphthalimide derivative (5) attached with a piperazine group and a carboxylic group was synthesized and applied as a fluorescent water sensor in water-miscible organic solvents. The fluorescence intensity of the dye 5 increased with increasing water content up to 80% (v/v) and the fluorescence intensities were enhanced 45-, 67- and 122-fold in aqueous EtOH, DMF and DMSO solutions, respectively. In aqueous acetone solution, the enhancement of the fluorescence intensities was somewhat lower (30-fold) but the response range was wider (0-90%, v/v).

A series of blue fluorescent emitters based on triphenylene derivatives were synthesized via the Diels-Alder reaction in moderate yields. The electronic absorption and emission characteristics of the new functional materials were affected by the nature of the substituent on the triphenylene nucleus. Multilayered OLEDs were fabricated with a device structure of: ITO/NPB (50 nm)/EML (30 nm)/Bphen (30 nm)/Liq (2.0 nm)/Al (100 nm). All devices showed efficient blue emissions. Among those, a device using 1 gives the best performances with a high brightness (978 cd $m^{-2}$ at 8.0 V) and high efficiencies (a luminous efficiency of 0.80 cd/A, a power efficiency of 0.34 lm/W and an external quantum efficiency of 0.73% at 20 $mA/cm^2$). The peak wavelength of the electroluminescence was 455 nm with CIEx,y coordinates of (0.17, 0.14) at 8.0 V.

We report on the photoelectrochemical properties of partially reduced mesoporous titania thin films. The fabrication is achieved by synthesizing mesoporous titania thin films through the self-assembly of a titania precursor and a block copolymer, followed by aging and calcination, and heat-treatment under a $H_2$ (1 torr) environment. Depending on the temperature used for the reaction with $H_2$, the degree of the reduction (generation of oxygen vacancies) of the titania is controlled. The oxygen vacancies induce visible light absorption, and decrease of resistance while the mesoporosity is practically unaltered. The photoelectrochemical activity data on these films, by measuring their photocurrent-potential behavior in 1 M NaOH electrolyte under AM 1.5G 100 mW $cm^{-2}$ illumination, show that the three effects of the oxygen vacancies contribute to the enhancement of the photoelectrochemical properties of the mesoporous titania thin films. The results show that these oxygen deficient $TiO_2$ mesoporous thin films hold great promise for a solar hydrogen generation. Suggestions for the materials design for improved photoelectrochemical properties are made.

The accurate prediction of vertical excitation energies is very important for the development of new materials in the dye and pigment industry. A time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) approach coupled with 22 different exchange-correlation functionals was used for the prediction of vertical excitation energies in the halogenated copper phthalocyanine molecules in order to find the most appropriate functional and to determine the accuracy of the prediction of the absorption wavelength and observed spectral shifts. Among the tested functional, B3LYP functional provides much more accurate vertical excitation energies and UV-vis spectra. Our results clearly provide a benchmark calibration of the TD-DFT method for phthalocyanine based dyes and pigments used in industry.

The electronic structure, optical spectra, and thermodynamic properties of the three FOX-7 polymorphs (${\alpha}$, ${\beta}$, and ${\gamma}$) have been studied systematically using density functional theory. The LDA (CA-PZ) and generalized gradient approximation (GGA) (PW91) functions were used to relax the three FOX-7 phases without any constraint. Their density of states and partial density of states were calculated and analyzed. The band gaps for the three phases were calculated and the sequence of their sensitivity was presented. Their absorption coefficients were computed and compared. The thermodynamic functions including enthalpy (H), entropy (S), free energy (G), and heat capacity ($C_p$) for the three phases were evaluated.

Ring opening reactions of epoxides with oxygen nucleophiles catalyzed by a variety of quaternary onium salt, such as ammonium or phosphonium salt were explored. The results showed that tetrabutylphosphonium bromide (TBPB) among salts serves as the most efficient catalyst for this process and that expoxide ring opening reactions with a variety of oxygen nucleophiles including carboxyic acid and phenol, promoted using this salt, lead to generate readily purifiable products in excellent yields.

An efficient carbon monoxide (CO) sensor was developed based on poly(3,4-ethylenedioxy)thiophenepoly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) modified with a new pyrimidine-fused heterocyclic compound, bis(2-hydroxyphenyl)dihydropyrido[2,3-d:6,5-d]dipyrimidine-tetraone (B2HDDT). B2HDDT remains stable in the polymer matrix through interactions with functional groups of the polymer. It created prominent sites that captured CO gas, and the experimental parameters, including the amount of doped B2HDDT in the PEDOT:PSS film, were optimized. The sensor probe was also examined to verify its reliability for detecting CO in the presence of atmospheric gases in a discriminating manner. NMR, AFM, and FT-IR spectra were obtained to evaluate the structure and morphology of the B2HDDT-doped PEDOT:PSS (PEDOT:PSS/B2HDDT) film. The content of 35 vol % B2HDDT (7.0 mM) in PEDOT:PSS provided the largest response factor (${\Delta}R/R_o$) for the CO gas. The sensor response was reproducible, with a relative standard deviation < 5% (n = 5). The detection limit was determined to be $0.44{\pm}0.05$ vol %.

A series of novel benzimidazole derivatives bearing a heterocyclic ring as oxadiazole (21-32), thiadiazole (33-34), triazole (35-36) were synthesized and evaluated for their activities against Coxsackie virus B3 and B6 in Vero cells. Compounds 21-26, 31-36 with moieties of 2'-pyridyl, 3'-pyridyl and 4'-pyridyl at the 2-position and oxadiazoles, thiadiazole, or triazole substituent at the 4- or 5-position generally displayed activities against CVB3 and CVB6. Especially compound 24 ($IC_{50}=1.08{\mu}g/mL$, SI = 61.7 against CVB3) was the promising candidate as lead compound for anti-enteroviral drug. It was observed in the incorporation of heterocyclic rings in benzimidazole at the 5-position could enhance their biological activities.

A novel series of 2-heteroaryl substituted benzimidazole derivatives, containing the piperidinylphenyl acetamide group at the 1-position, were synthesized and evaluated as MCH-R1 antagonists. Extensive SAR investigation probing the effects of C-2 heteroaryl group led to the identification of 2-[2-(pyridin-3-yl)ethyl] analog 3o, which exhibits highly potent MCH-R1 binding activity with an $IC_{50}$ value of 1 nM. This substance 3o also has low hERG binding activity, good metabolic stability, and favorable pharmacokinetic properties.

A series of new diarylamide and diarylurea derivatives possessing pyrimidinylaminobenzene scaffold was synthesized. Their in vitro antiproliferative activities were tested against A375P human melanoma cell line. Among them, compounds 1a-c, k and 2b-d, f, g, j, l showed superior potencies against A375P human melanoma cell line to Sorafenib. In particular, compound 2f possessing 3-fluoro-5-trifluoromethyl moiety exhibited the highest potency with $IC_{50}$ value in nanomolar scale.

Thiourea and vinyl sulfoxide derivatives were designed based on the structures of sulforaphane and gallic acid, prepared and tested for HO-1 inducing activity as a measure of Nrf2 activation, and inhibitory effect on NO production as a measure of anti-inflammatory activity. Both series of compounds showed moderate activity on HO-1 induction, and no inhibitory effect on NO production. Interestingly the thiourea compound 6d showed better HO-1 induction (71% SFN) than the corresponding isothiocyanate compound 6a (55% SFN). Overall, it seemed that more efficient electrophile is needed to get more effective Nrf2 activator.

An improved hybrid solar cell was obtained by focusing on the effects of ligand for CdSe nanoparticles, in the active layers. The performance was compared by mixing nanoparticles capped with pyridine or oleic acid for the acceptor material into poly(3-hexylthiophene):[6,6]-phenyl C61 butyric acid methyl ester based active layer. The solar cells with pyridine capped CdSe nanoparticles showed a power conversion efficiency of 2.96% while oleic acid capped CdSe nanoparticles showed 2.85%, under AM 1.5G illumination. Formation of percolation pathways for carrier transport and a reduction in the hopping event resulted in better performance of pyridine capped nanoparticles.

Second-order rate constants $k_N$ have been measured for reactions of benzyl 2-pyridyl thionocarbonate (4b) and t-butyl 2-pyridyl thionocarbonate (5b) with a series of cyclic secondary amines in MeCN at $25.0{\pm}0.1^{\circ}C$. The $k_N$ values for the reactions of 4b and 5b have been compared with those reported previously for the corresponding reactions of benzyl 2-pyridyl carbonate (4a) and t-butyl 2-pyridyl carbonate (5a) to investigate the effect of changing the electrophilic center from C=O to C=S on reactivity and reaction mechanism. The thiono compound 4b is more reactive than its oxygen analogue 4a. The Br${\o}$nsted-type plots for the reactions of 4a and 4b are linear with ${\beta}_{nuc}=0.57$ and 0.37, respectively. The reactions of 4a were previously reported to proceed through a concerted mechanism, while those of 4b in this study have been concluded to proceed through a stepwise mechanism with formation of an intermediate being the rate-determining step on the basis of the ${\beta}_{nuc}$ value of 0.37. Enhanced polarizability upon changing the C=O in 4a by C=S has been suggested to be responsible for the reactivity order and the contrasting reaction mechanisms. In contrast, the reactivity of 5a and 5b is similar, but they are much less reactive than 4a and 4b. Furthermore, the reactions of 5a and 5b have been concluded to proceed through the same mechanism (i.e., a concerted mechanism) on the basis of linear Bronsted-type plots with ${\beta}_{nuc}=0.45$ or 0.47. It has been concluded that the strong steric hindrance exerted by the t-Bu in 5a and 5b causes a decrease in their reactivity and forces the reactions to proceed through a concerted mechanism.

A highly selective molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) for sarcosine, a cancer marker, was prepared and its use as solid-phase extraction (SPE) sorbent material was demonstrated. The MIP was prepared by a very simple procedure using methacrylic acid as functional monomer and a mixture acetonitrile/water (4/1, v/v) as porogen, overcoming in this way the problems usually related to the imprinting of biological polar compounds. The MIP was tested in batch experiments in order to evaluate its binding properties and then used as SPE sorbent for the selective clean-up and pre-concentration of sarcosine. The extraction protocol was successfully applied to the direct extraction of sarcosine from spiked human urine indicating that the MIP allowed sarcosine to be pre-concentrated while simultaneously interfering compounds were removed from the matrix.

Relative reactivity of various Al-substituted dialkylalans ($AlR_2(X)$) in reduction of acetone has been studied with density functional theory and MP2 method. Formation of the alan dimers and the alan-acetone adduct, and the transition state for the Meerwein-Ponndorf-Verley (MPV) type reduction of the adduct were calculated to figure out the energy profile. Formation of dimeric alans is highly exothermic. Both the relative free energies for acetone-alan adduct formation and the TS barriers for the MPV type reduction with respect to alan dimers and acetone were calculated and they show the same trend. Based on these energetic data, relative reactivity of alans is expected to be; $AlR_2(Cl)$ > $AlR_2(OTf)$ > $AlR_2(O_2CCF_3)$ > $AlR_2(F)$ > $AlR_2(OMs)$ > $AlR_2(OAc)$ > $AlR_2(OMe)$ > $AlR_2(NMe_2)$. The energy profile is relatively well correlated with the experimental order of the reactivity of Al-substituted dialkylalans. It is noted that the substituents of alans have initial effects on the relative free energies for the carbonyl-adduct formation. Therefore, an $AlR_2(X)$ which forms a more stable carbonyl-adduct is more reactive in carbonyl reduction.

A convenient Rh-catalyzed C-H arylation of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines with a variety of aryl halides or triflates has been reported. This process afforded a range of biaryl compounds in excellent yields and showed high activity and broad scope.

In this work, manganese dioxide ($Mn_3O_4$)/carbon black (CB) composites (Mn-CBs) were prepared by an in situ coating method as electrical fillers and the effect of the Mn-CBs on the electrical performance of activated carbon (AC)-based electrodes was investigated. Structural features of Mn-CBs produced via in situ coating using a $KMnO_4$ solution were confirmed by XRD and TEM images. The electrical performances, including cv curves, charge-discharge behaviors, and specific capacitance of the ACs/Mn-CBs, were determined by cyclic voltammograms. It was found that the composites of $Mn_3O_4$ and CBs were successfully formed by in situ coating method. ACs/Mn-CBs showed higher electrical performance than that of AC electrodes fabricated with conventional CBs due to the pesudocapacitance reaction of manganese oxides in the aqueous electrolyte. Consequently, it is anticipated that the incorporation of $Mn_3O_4$ into CBs could facilitate the utilization of CBs as electrical filler, leading to enhanced electrochemical performance of AC electrodes for supercapacitors.

We report a simple electrochemical approach in fabricating multiple colored molybdenum (Mo) oxide bronzes on the surface of a Mo-quartz electrode. A three step electrochemical batch process consisting of linear sweep voltammetry and anodic oxidation followed by cathodic reduction in neutral $K_2SO_4$ electrolyte at different end potentials, viz. -0.62, -0.80 and -1.60 V (vs. $Hg/HgSO_4$) yielded red, blue and yellow colored bronzes. The samples produced were analyzed by XRD, EDS, and SIMS. The color variation was suggested to be associated with the cations intercalation into the oxide formed and the simultaneous structural changes that occurred during the cathodic reduction in neutral aqueous medium.

The objective of this study was to develop a simple, less time-consuming and accurate sampling technique based on solid-phase sorption with activated carbon as the sorbents. The results from solid-phase sorption techniques were compared to that from a conventional solvent impinger-based technique to confirm the efficacy of the proposed method. The laboratory results indicated that the solid-phase sorption method was suitable for the determination of siloxanes as the measured concentrations were similar to that from a solvent impinge method. The data from solid-phase sorption method showed excellent recovery and reproducibility while the sampling was less labor intensive and less time consuming than the solvent impinge method. Following the laboratory tests, the solid-phase sorption technique was successfully applied to sampling biogas from a field site. This study shows that the activated carbon-based solid-phase sorption can be a reliable and less time-consuming option for the sampling and collection of siloxanes under various different landfill conditions.

Iron oxide (ferrihydrite, hematite, and magnetite) coated silica gels were prepared using a low-cost, easily-scalable and straightforward method as the adsorbent material for arsenic removal application. Adsorption of the anionic form of arsenic oxyacids, arsenite ($AsO^{2-}$) and arsenate ($AsO{_4}^{3-}$), onto hematite coated silica gel was fitted against non-linear 3-parameter-model Sips isotherm and 2-parameter-model Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm. Adsorption kinetics of arsenic could be well described by pseudo-second-order kinetic model and value of adsorption energy derived from non-linear Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherm suggests chemical adsorption. Although arsenic adsorption process was not affected by the presence of sulfate, chloride, and nitrate anions, as expected, bicarbonate and silicate gave moderate negative effects while the presence of phosphate anions significantly inhibited adsorption process of both arsenite and arsenate. When the actual efficiency to remove arsenic was tested against 1 L of artificial arsenic-contaminated groundwater (0.6 mg/L) in the presence competing anions, the reasonable amount (20 g) of hematite coated silica gel could reduce arsenic concentration to below the WHO permissible safety limit of drinking water of $10{\mu}g/L$ without adjusting pH and temperature, which would be highly advantageous for practical field application.

Lysine (Lys) immobilized on zeolite 4A was prepared by a simple adsorption method. The physical and chemical properties of Lys/zeolite 4A were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), FT-IR, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and UV-vis. The obtained organic-inorganic composite was effectively employed as a heterogeneous basic catalyst for synthesis of ${\alpha},{\beta}$-unsaturated carbonyl compounds. No by-product formation, high yields, short reaction times, mild reaction conditions, operational simplicity with reusability of the catalyst are the salient features of the present catalyst.

Two metal-organic frameworks based on the connectivity co-effect between rigid benzenedicarboxylic acid and bridging ligand have been synthesized $[Zn_2(3-NO_2-bdc)_2(4,4'-bpy)_2H_2O]_n$ (1), $[Co(3-NO_2-bdc)(4,4'-bpy)H_2O]_n$ (2) (where $3-NO_2-bdcH_2$ = 3-nitro-1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, 4,4'-bpy = 4,4'-bipyridine). The two novel complexes were characterized by IR spectrum, elemental analysis, fluorescent properties, thermogravimetric analysis, single-crystal X-ray diffraction and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD). X-ray structure analysis reveals that 1 and 2 are two-dimensional (2D) network structures. Complex 1 and complex 2 belong to triclinic crystal with P-1 space group. The luminescence measurements reveal that two complexes exhibit good fluorescent emissions in the solid state at room temperature. Also, thermal decomposition process and powder X-ray diffraction of complexes were investigated.

A new series of Mn(II) and Mo(VI) complexes containing the Schiff bases hydrazinecarbothioamide and hydrazinecarboxamide of 5,6-dimethyl-1H-indol-2,3-dione have been synthesized. The nature of bonding and the stereochemistry of the complexes have been deduced from elemental analyses, molecular weight determinations and spectral studies viz. electronic IR, ESR, $^1H$ NMR and $^{13}C$ NMR and X-ray diffraction spectral studies. The magnetic moment values of the manganese(II) complexes are in the range of 5.80-6.15 B.M. suggesting a high spin state of manganese in these complexes. The spectral data are consistent with a tetrahedral geometry around Mn(II) and an octahedral geometry for Mo(VI), in which the ligands act as bidentate chelating agents, coordinated through the nitrogen and sulfur/oxygen atoms. The ligands and their metal complexes have been tested against a number of pathogenic fungi and bacteria at different concentrations and were found to possess sufficient fungicidal and bactericidal properties. Further, the complexes were also tested for their antifertility activity in male albino rats and the results were indeed positive.

Benzotriazole is an important synthetic auxiliary for potential clinical applications. A series of benzotriazoles as potential antiproliferative agents by inhibiting histone deacetylase (HDAC) were recently reported. Three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship (3D-QSAR), including comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) and comparative molecular similarity indices analysis (CoMSIA), were performed to elucidate the 3D structural features required for the antiproliferative activity. The results of both ligand-based CoMFA model ($q^2=0.647$, $r^2=0.968$, ${r^2}_{pred}=0.687$) and CoMSIA model ($q^2=0.685$, $r^2=0.928$, ${r^2}_{pred}=0.555$) demonstrated the highly statistical significance and good predictive ability. The results generated from CoMFA and CoMSIA provided important information about the structural characteristics influence inhibitory potency. In addition, docking analysis was applied to clarify the binding modes between the ligands and the receptor HDAC. The information obtained from this study could provide some instructions for the further development of potent antiproliferative agents and HDAC inhibitors.

Nicotine is the main component of environmental tobacco smoke, and its presence in indoor air is widely used as a secondhand-smoke indicator. Environmental tobacco smoke is a major source of indoor air pollution, but sufficient investigation of the uncertainty of its measurement, which mirrors the reliability of nicotine measurement, has not been performed. We calculated the uncertainty of measurement of indoor air nicotine concentration at low, medium, and high concentrations of 11.3798, 10.1977, $98.3768{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively, and we employed the Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurements (GUM), proposed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The factors considered in determining the uncertainty were uncertainty of the calibration curve (calibration curve and repeated measurements), desorption efficiency, extraction volume, and sampling airflow (accuracy and acceptable limits of flowmeter). The measurement uncertainty was highest at low concentrations; the expanded measurement uncertainty is $0.9435{\mu}g/m^3$ and is represented as a relative uncertainty of 63.38%. At medium and high (concentrations, the relative uncertainty was 13.1% and 9.1%, respectively. The uncertainty of the calibration curve was largest for low indoor nicotine concentrations. To increase reliability of measurement in assessing the effect of secondhand smoke, measures such as increasing the sample injection rate ($1{\mu}L$ or more), increasing sampling volume to increase collected nicotine, and using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) or GC/MS/MS, which has a lower quantitation threshold, rather than gas chromatography with nitrogen phosphorous detector, should be considered.

The catalytic pyrolysis of cellulose was carried out over SAPO-11 for the first time. Pyrolyzer-gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy was used for the in-situ analysis of the pyrolysis products. The acid sites of SAPO-11 converted most levoglucosan produced from the non-catalytic pyrolysis of cellulose to furans. In particular, the selectivity toward light furans, such as furfural, furan and 2-methyl furan, was high. When the catalyst/cellulose ratio was increased from 1/1 to 3/1 and 5/1, the increase in the quantity of acid sites led to the promotion of deoxygenation and the resultant increase of the contents of light furan compounds. Because furans can be used as basic feedstock materials, the augmentation of the economical value of bio-oil through the catalytic upgrading over SAPO-11 is considerable.

The hybrid density-functional (B3LYP/6-31G(d,p)) method was used to analyze the substitution effect on the $C_{20}H_{20}$ cage based on calculation of the frontier orbitals of fifteen $C_{20}H_{17}(OH)_3$ derivatives. All substitution products were geometrically optimized without constraints and confirmed by frequency analysis. The results suggest that the cis-1 cis-1 cis-2 regioisomer is the most stable isomer, which implies that hydrogen bonding exerts a stronger effect on the relative energies of the trihydroxide than long-range interactions. Thus, this supports the experimental result in which the bisvicinal tetrol was of particular preparative-synthetic interest. While the LUMO of each of the $C_{20}H_{17}(OH)_3$ regioisomers was equivalently delocalized over the void within the cage, the HOMO was limitedly delocalized on substituents and carbons in close proximity to the substituents. The characteristics of the HOMO of each of the regioisomers vary based on the substitution sites. This indicates that the 15 regioisomers of each $C_{20}H_{20}$ trisubstituted derivative might undergo an entirely different set of characteristic chemical reactions with electrophilic reagents. The results further suggest that the penta-substituted OH groups on the surface of the fullerene cage are more likely to be localized on a pentagon than to be homogeneously delocalized.

We demonstrate herein the synthesis and modification of magnetic nanoparticles and its use in the immobilization of the lipase. Magnetic $Fe_3O_4$ nanoparticles (MNPs) were prepared by simple co-precipitation method in aqueous medium and then subsequently modified with tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and 3-aminopropyl triethylenesilane (APTES). Silanization magnetic nanoparticles (SMNP) and amino magnetic nanomicrosphere (AMNP) were synthesized successfully. The morphology, structure, magnetic property and chemical composition of the synthetic MNP and its derivatives were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis, X-ray diffraction, superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) and thermogravimetric analyses (TGA). All of these three nanoparticles exhibited good crystallization performance, apparent superparamagnetism, and the saturation magnetization of MNP, SMNP, AMNP were 47.9 emu/g, 33.0 emu/g and 19.5 emu/g, respectively. The amino content was 5.66%. The AMNP was used to immobilize lipase, and the maximum adsorption capacity of the protein was 26.3 mg/g. The maximum maintained activity (88 percent) was achieved while the amount of immobilized lipase was 23.7 mg $g^{-1}$. Immobilization of enzyme on the magnetic nanoparticles can facilitate the isolation of reaction products from reaction mixture and thus lowers the cost of enzyme application.

Forensic and legal medicine require reliable data to indicate excessive alcohol consumption. Ethanol is oxidatively metabolized to acetate by alcohol dehydrogenase and non-oxidatively metabolized to ethyl glucuronide (EtG), ethyl sulfate (EtS), phosphatidylethanol, or fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEE). Oxidative metabolism is too rapid to provide biomarkers for the detection of ethanol ingestion. However, the non-oxidative metabolite EtG is a useful biomarker because it is stable, non-volatile, water soluble, highly sensitive, and is detected in body fluid, hair, and tissues. EtG analysis methods such as mass spectroscopy, chromatography, or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay techniques are currently in use. We suggest that nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy could be used to monitor ethanol intake. As with current conventional methods, NMR spectroscopy doesn't require complicated pretreatments or sample separation. This method has the advantages of short acquisition time, simple sample preparation, reproducibility, and accuracy. In addition, all proton-containing compounds can be detected. In this study, we performed $^1H$ NMR analyses of urine to monitor the ethanol and EtG. Urinary samples were collected over time from 5 male volunteers. We confirmed that ethanol and EtG signals could be detected with NMR spectroscopy. Ethanol signals increased immediately upon alcohol intake, but decreased sharply over time. In contrast, EtG signal increased and reached a maximum about 9 h later, after which the EtG signal decreased gradually and remained detectable after 20-25 h. Based on these results, we suggest that $^1H$ NMR spectroscopy may be used to identify ethanol non-oxidative metabolites without the need for sample pretreatment.

Guanosine-5'-diphosphate 3'-diphosphate (ppGpp) serves as alarmone in bacterial stringent responses. In this study, an affinity column was constructed by immobilizing ppGpp to NHS-Sepharose for isolating ppGpp-binding proteins. A novel ppGpp-binding protein, YjgA, was isolated and characterized by MALDI-TOF MS (matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry) coupled with two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. YjgA and truncated forms of YjgA were cloned and over-expressed in BL21 (DE3). The binding affinity of YjgA to ppGpp was determined by equilibrium dialysis. The interaction of YjgA with ppGpp was very specific, considering that the dissociation constant of YjgA with ppGpp was measured as $5.2{\pm}2.0{\mu}M$, while the affinities to GTP and GDP were about 60 and 30 times weaker than ppGpp. Expression of yjgA gene in Escherichia coli K-12 MG1655 was examined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RT-PCR results revealed that yjgA was expressed from early to late stationary phase. The yjgA deletion mutant exhibited decreased cell number at stationary phase compared to parent strain and the over-expression of YjgA increased the cell number. These results suggested that YjgA might stimulate cell division under stationary phase. In most prokaryotic genome, about half of the protein candidates are hypothetical, that are expected to be expressed but there is no experimental report on their functions. The approach utilized in this study may serve as an effective mean to probe the functions of hypothetical proteins.

A simple, fast and robust analytical method was developed to determine imatinib in human plasma using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization in the positive ion mode. Imatinib and labeled internal standard were extracted from plasma with a simple protein precipitation. The chromatographic separation was performed using an isocratic elution of mobile phase involving 5.0 mM ammonium formate in water-5.0 mM ammonium formate in methanol (30:70, v/v) over 3.0 min on reversed-stationary phase. The detection was performed using a triple-quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer in multiple-reaction monitoring mode. The developed method was validated with lower limit of quantification of 10 ng/mL. The calibration curve was linear over 10-2000 ng/mL ($R^2$ > 0.99). The method validation parameters met the acceptance criteria. The spiked samples and standard solutions were stable under conditions for storage and handling. The reliable method was successfully applied to real sample analyses and thus a pharmacokinetic study in 27 healthy Korean male volunteers.

A simple and efficient method for the synthesis of spiro[4H-pyran-oxindole] derivatives by means of three-component reactions between isatins, malononitrile or ethyl cyano-acetate, and 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds in the presence of catalytic amount of magnesium perchlorate in 50% aqueous ethanol medium has been described.

${\alpha}$-Muricholic acid was synthesized through 9 steps from chenodeoxycholic acid with 26% overall yield. Hyocholic acid was synthesized through 8 steps from the same starting material with 63% overall yield. Taurine conjugates of ${\alpha}$-muricholic acid and hyocholic acid were also prepared via their pentafluorophenyl ester.

Chitosan non-woven fabrics were acetylated to improve their antimicrobial properties. The active chlorine content, antimicrobial properties, storage stability, and surface properties of acetylated chitosan non-woven fabrics were investigated. The active chlorine content of the fabrics increased upon reduction of the degree of the acetylation or increase in sodium hypochlorite concentration. Acetylated chitosan non-woven fabrics showed powerful antimicrobial activity by efficiently killing Escherichia coli and forming a growth inhibition zone for Staphylococcus aureus. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy observations demonstrated that the acetylated chitosan non-woven fabrics were not damaged in sodium hypochlorite solution.

Oxindole dimers have been used as intermediates in the synthesis of various cyclotryptamine alkaloids. An efficient direct synthesis of oxindole dimers has been carried out from 3-substituted oxindoles via an oxidative dimerization using manganese(III) acetate or copper acetate/silver acetate system.

Poly(methyl methacrylate) coated $BaF_2:Er^{3+}$ nanoparticles were prepared via a novel reverse-emulsion polymerization process using methyl methacrylate as continuous phase and water as dispersed phase. Preparation and coating of $BaF_2:Er^{3+}$ particles were processed in a single step. The resulting polymeric composites show the characteristic $Er^{3+}$ luminescence at excitation of 980 nm and may have potential applications in amplified optical networks.

Second-order rate constants ($k_N$) have been measured spectrophotometrically for the nucleophilic displacement reactions of 4-nitrophenyl X-substituted-cinnamates (4a-4e) and Y-substituted-phenyl cinnamates (5a-5e) with Z-substituted-phenoxide anions in 80 mol % $H_2O$/20 mol % DMSO at $25.0{\pm}0.1^{\circ}C$. The Hammett plot for the reactions of 4a-4e with 4-chlorophenoxide (4-$ClPhO^-$) consists of two intersecting straight lines, which might be taken as a change in the rate-determining step (RDS). However, it has been concluded that the nonlinear Hammett plot is not due to a change in the RDS but is caused by stabilization of the ground state of substrates possessing an electron-withdrawing group in the cinnamoyl moiety through resonance interactions, since the Yukawa-Tsuno plot exhibits an excellent linear correlation with ${\rho}X=0.89$ and r = 0.58. The Br${\o}$nsted-type plot for the reactions of 4-nitrophenyl cinnamate (4c) with Z-substituted-phenoxides is linear with ${\beta}_{nuc}=0.76$. The Br${\o}$nsted-type plot for the reactions of Y-substituted-phenyl cinnamates (5a-5d) with 4-chlorophenoxides (4-$ClPhO^-$) is also linear with ${\beta}_{lg}=-0.72$. The Hammett plot correlated with ${\sigma}^-$ constants for the reactions of 5a-5d results in a much better linear correlation than that correlated with ${\sigma}^o$ constants, indicating that a partial negative charge develops on the O atom of the leaving aryloxide. Thus, the reactions have been concluded to proceed through a concerted mechanism.

Pd-$Ce/{\gamma}-Al_2O_3-TiO_2$ catalysts were prepared by combined sol-gel and impregnation methods. Transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, $H_2$-temperature-programmed reduction, $O_2$-temperature-programmed desorption, and ethanol oxidation experiments were conducted to determine the properties of the catalysts. Addition of an optimal amount of Ce improved the performance of the $Pd/{\gamma}-Al_2O_3-TiO_2$ catalyst in promoting the complete oxidation of ethanol. The catalyst with 1% Ce exhibited the highest activity, and catalyzed complete oxidation of ethanol at $175^{\circ}C$; its selectivity to $CO_2$ reached 87%. Characterization results show that addition of appropriate amount of Ce could enrich the PdO species, and weaken the Pd-O bonds, thus enhancing oxidation ability of the catalyst. Meanwhile, the introduction of $CeO_2$ could make PdO better dispersed on ${\gamma}-Al_2O_3-TiO_2$, which is beneficial for the improvement of the catalytic oxidation activity.

Human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) is a causative agent of Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), which has affected a large population of the world. Viral envelope glycoprotein (gp120) is an intrinsic protein for HIV-1 to enter into human host cells. Molecular docking guided molecular dynamics (MD) simulation was performed to explore the interaction mechanism of heterobiaryl derivative with gp120. MD simulation result of inhibitor-gp120 complex demonstrated stability. Our MD simulation results are consistent with most of the previous mutational and modeling studies. Inhibitor has an interaction with the CD4 binding region. Van der Waals interaction between inhibitor and Val255, Thr257, Asn425, Met426 and Trp427 were important. This preliminary MD model could be useful in exploiting heterobiaryl-gp120 interaction in greater detail, and will likely to shed lights for further utilization in the development of more potent inhibitors.

The kinetics of the radical-polar molecule reaction $CH_3+HBr{\rightarrow}CH_4+Br$ has been studied at temperatures between 150 and 1000 K using classical dynamics procedures. Potential energy surfaces constructed using analytical forms of inter- and intramolecular interaction energies show a shallow well and barrier in the entrance channel, which affect the collision dynamics at low temperatures. Different collision models are used to distinguish the reaction occurring at low- and high-temperature regions. The reaction proceeds rapidly via a complex-mode mechanism below room temperature showing strong negative temperature dependence, where the effects of molecular attraction, H-atom tunneling and recrossing of collision complexes are found to be important. The temperature dependence of the rate constant between 400 and 1000 K is positive, the values increasing in accordance with the increase of the mean speed of collision. The rate constant varies from $7.6{\times}10^{-12}$ at 150 K to $3.7{\times}10^{-12}$ at 1000 K via a minimum value of $2.5{\times}10^{-12}\;cm^3\;molecule^{-1}\;s^{-1}$ at 400 K.

A new series of diarylamides and diarylureas having 2,3-dihydropyrrolo[3,2-b]quinoline scaffold was synthesized. Their in vitro antiproliferative activities were tested over NCI-60 cancer cell lines of nine different cancer types. Some target compounds showed good inhibition percentages over different cell lines. Among all the target compounds, compound 1f possessing 6,7-dimethoxy-2,3-dihydropyrrolo[3,2-b]quinoline nucleus, amide linker, and 4-chloro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl terminal ring showed high selectivity against MCF7 and MDA-MB-468 breast cancer cell lines more than the other tested cell lines. Its inhibition percentages at $10{\mu}M$ concentration over those two cell lines were 84.97% and 87.13%, respectively.

SA51, a medium potency inhibitor of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B), was identified to be a potent inhibitor of $I{\kappa}B$ kinase ${\beta}$ ($IKK{\beta}$). Consistent with this, SA51 prevented lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced breakdown of $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ in macrophages. The effects of SA51 in mice were compared with those of structurally related compounds, SA18 and SA32, which were previously reported as inhibitors of both enzymes - less potent against $IKK{\beta}$ but more potent against PTP1B compared to SA51. SA51 improved glucose tolerance and lipid parameters in mice, consistent with the results reported for $IKK{\beta}^{+/-}$ mice. In contrast, SA18 and SA32 showed anti-obesity effects without anti-diabetic effects. Collectively, the effects of SA51 could be due largely to the inhibition of $IKK{\beta}$, whereas SA18 and SA32 may be more likely to inhibit PTP1B, consistent with their relative in vitro inhibitory effects.

The effect of additives in an electrolyte solution on the conversion efficiency of a dye sensitized solar cell was investigated. A density functional theory (DFT) method was used to examine the physical and chemical properties of nitrogen-containing additives adsorbed on a $TiO_2$ surface. Our results show that additives which cause lower partial charges, higher Fermi level shifts, and greater adsorption energies tend to improve the performance of DSSCs. Steric effects that prevent energy losses due to electron recombination were also found to have a positive effect on the conversion efficiency. In this work, 3-amino-5-methylthio-1H-1,2,4-triazole (AMT) has been suggested as a better additive than the most popular additive, TBP, and verified with experiments.