Encapsulation of titanium dioxide in styrene/n‐butyl acrylate copolymer by miniemulsion polymerization

Miniemulsion copolymerization of styrene/n‐butyl acrylate was investigated as a means of encapsulating hydrophilic titanium dioxide (TiO₂) in a film‐forming polymer. Dispersion studies of the TiO₂ were first carried out to determine the choice of stabilizer, its concentration, and the dispersion process conditions for obtaining stable TiO₂ particles with minimum particle size. Through screening studies of various functional stabilizers and shelf‐life stability studies at both room and polymerization temperatures, Solsperse 32,000 was selected to give relatively small and stable TiO₂ particles at 1 wt % stabilizer and with 20–25 min sonification. The subsequent encapsulation of the dispersed TiO₂ particles in styrene/n‐butyl acrylate copolymer (St/BA) via miniemulsion polymerization was carried out and compared with a control study using styrene monomer alone. The lattices resulting from the miniemulsion encapsulation polymerizations were characterized in terms of the encapsulation efficiencies (via density gradient column separations; DGC) and particle size (via dynamic light scattering). Encapsulation efficiencies revealed that complete encapsulation of all of the TiO₂ by all of the polymer was not achieved. The maximum encapsulation efficiencies were 79.1% TiO₂ inside 61.7% polystyrene and 63.6% TiO₂ inside 38.5% St/BA copolymer. As the density of the particles collected from the DGC increased from one layer to another, both the average particle size and the number of the TiO₂ particles contained in each latex particle increased. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 3479–3486, 2006     

Orthogonal Peptide-Templated Labeling Elucidates Lateral ETAR/ETBR Proximity and Reveals Altered Downstream Signaling

Fine-tuning of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling is important to maintain cellular homeostasis. Recent studies demonstrated that lateral GPCR interactions in the cell membrane can impact signaling profiles. Here, we report on a one-step labeling method of multiple membrane-embedded GPCRs. Based on short peptide tags, complementary probes transfer the cargo (e. g. a fluorescent dye) by an acyl transfer reaction with high spatial and temporal resolution within 5 min. We applied this approach to four receptors of the cardiovascular system: the endothelin receptor A and B (ET_AR and ET_BR), angiotensin II receptor type 1, and apelin. Wild type-like G protein activation after N-terminal modification was demonstrated for all receptor species. Using FRET-competent dyes, a constitutive proximity between hetero-receptors was limited to ET_AR/ET_BR. Further, we demonstrate, that ET_AR expression regulates the signaling of co-expressed ET_BR. Our orthogonal peptide-templated labeling of different GPCRs provides novel insight into the regulation of GPCR signaling.     

Thermal, microstructural and textural characterisation of gelatinised corn, cassava and yam starch blends

The functional properties of mixtures of maize, cassava and yam starches and their relationships with microstructural characteristics were investigated. Experiments were performed following the simplex‐centroid design with internal points and restrictions (upper limit) for yam starch proportion. The statistical model used (Scheffé canonical equation) was a powerful tool to predict the pastes behaviour within the limits of the experimental area. Polynomials with second level interactions were applied to obtain the surface response. Viscoelastic attributes of mixtures differed from those of individual starches. As shown by differential scanning calorimetry and microscopical observations, physical properties of the mixtures depended on the type of networks obtained. These networks varied upon yam, corn and cassava starch proportions as each one has a particular characteristic: gelatinisation temperature, granule size, swelling capacity and amylose/amylopectin ratio among others.     

Synthesis of Long-Chain β-Lactones and Their Antibacterial Activities against Pathogenic Mycobacteria

In the quest for new antibacterial agents, a series of novel long- and medium-chain mono- and disubstituted β-lactones was developed. Their activity against three pathogenic mycobacteria—M. abscessus, M. marinum, and M. tuberculosis—was assessed by the resazurin microtiter assay (REMA). Among the 16 β-lactones synthesized, only 3-hexadecyloxetan-2-one (VM005) exhibited promising activity against M. abscessus, whereas most of the β-lactones showed interesting activities against M. marinum, similar to that of the classical antibiotic, isoniazid. Regarding M. tuberculosis, six compounds were found to be active against this mycobacterium, with β-lactone VM008 [trans-(Z)-3-(hexadec-7-en-1-yl)-4-propyloxetan-2-one] being the best growth inhibitor. The promising antibacterial activities of the best compounds in this series suggest that these molecules may serve as leads for the development of much more efficient antimycobacterial agents.     

How much do water deficits alter the nitrogen nutrition status of forage crops?

Water deficits alter the nitrogen nutrition of crops. In grasslands, this has a major impact on both forage yield and nitrogen fluxes in the soil. It is important to assess the N balance in order to adjust fertilization to the expected needs of the crop and thus minimize any environmentally negative impacts of crops. Grassland species, including grasses, display a diverse ability to utilise soil resources. Nitrogen fluxes and the nitrogen absorption by grass swards of two species with contrasting rooting depths were computed using the appropriate module from the STICS simulation platform. In the case of the deep-rooted species, tall fescue, soil mineral N fluxes to the roots were very close to N uptake values, consistent with its nitrogen nutrition index being lower than one. In the case of the shallow-rooted species Italian ryegrass, there was a large excess in terms of N supply, which was also consistent with its non-limiting nitrogen nutrition index. In both species, and even when nitrogen demands for growth were fully satisfied, the nitrogen nutrition index was closely and linearly related to the soil mineral N flux to roots.     

Energy coupled to matter for magnetic alignment of rare earth–doped alumina

Energy coupled to matter (ECM) concepts such as magnetic field–assisted processing were used to align rare earth–doped alumina ceramics in the presence of applied fields. The addition of gadolinium and ytterbium dopants to alumina increased the magnetic susceptibility anisotropies, and induced magnetic torques that led to significant alignment of ceramic particles under the application of magnetic fields as low as 1.8?T. In comparison, undoped alumina materials showed minimal alignment under applied field strengths as high as 9?T. Density function theory modeling indicated that the specific dopant type dictated changes in the magnetic properties of different rare earth–doped alumina systems by directly affecting the magnetic moment localization and magnetocrystalline anisotropy.     

Synthesis and characterization of cytidine derivatives that inhibit the kinase IspE of the non-mevalonate pathway for isoprenoid biosynthesis

The enzymes of the non-mevalonate pathway for isoprenoid biosynthesis are attractive targets for the development of novel drugs against malaria and tuberculosis. This pathway is used exclusively by the corresponding pathogens, but not by humans. A series of water-soluble, cytidine-based inhibitors that were originally designed for the fourth enzyme in the pathway, IspD, were shown to inhibit the subsequent enzyme, the kinase IspE (from Escherichia coli). The binding mode of the inhibitors was verified by co-crystal structure analysis, using Aquifex aeolicus IspE. The crystal structures represent the first reported example of a co-crystal structure of IspE with a synthetic ligand and confirmed that ligand binding affinity originates mainly from the interactions of the nucleobase moiety in the cytidine binding pocket of the enzyme. In contrast, the appended benzimidazole moieties of the ligands adopt various orientations in the active site and establish only poor intermolecular contacts with the protein. Defined binding sites for sulfate ions and glycerol molecules, components in the crystallization buffer, near the well-conserved ATP-binding Gly-rich loop of IspE were observed. The crystal structures of A. aeolicus IspE nicely complement the one from E. coli IspE for use in structure-based design, namely by providing invaluable structural information for the design of inhibitors targeting IspE from Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Plasmodium falciparum. Similar to the enzymes from these pathogens, A. aeolicus IspE directs the OH group of a tyrosine residue into a pocket in the active site. In the E. coli enzyme, on the other hand, this pocket is lined by phenylalanine and has a more pronounced hydrophobic character.     

Rural electrification systems based on renewable energy: The social dimensions of an innovative technology

Many areas in rural non-Western regions are installing electrification systems based on renewable energy. Although these projects are usually welcome, they sometimes fail. Explanations for failures often cite technical reasons. In this research, partly based on the results of the SOPRA_RE project, we focus on the users, studying the relationships between technology and society. By analysing potential sources of failures, we identify the root of the problem as how a new technology is received by the local society. In this paper we introduce dimensions that we consider to be especially important in the process of technology integration. We defend the importance of combining the technical outlook with the sociological one, based on the idea that the latter is often indispensable as a complementary element of technical explanations of system failures, which in turn provides a better basis for solving them. We use specific examples to bolster our insistence on the need to achieve convergence between the technical and the sociological outlooks.     

Mechanical characteristics of porous hydroxyapatite/oxide composites produced by post-sintering hot isostatic pressing

Porous hydroxyapatite and hydroxyapatite/oxide composites, with 10 wt% addition of Y₂O₃, ZrO₂ or TiO₂ have been prepared by hot isostatic pressing after pressureless sintering, and their phase composition, mechanical properties and microstructure investigated. The quantitative X-ray diffraction analyses reveal that the addition of Y₂O₃ inhibits the hydroxyapatite decomposition completely during the consolidation processes as a result of the Y ion dissolution into the hydroxyapatite lattice. On the contrary, it is found that the addition of ZrO₂ or TiO₂ enhances the decomposition of hydroxyapatite into Ca₃(PO₄)₂, which causes the transformation of the starting oxides. The mechanical characterization of the materials has been accomplished by three-point flexure tests, and nanoindentation and microhardness measurements. Post-sintering hot isostatic pressed pure hydroxyapatite, which resulted in a porous biphasic material with 13.2 wt% β-Ca₃(PO₄)₂, exhibited the best mechanical properties. The failure of hydroxyapatite-10Y₂O₃ during the flexure tests was no catastrophic in contrast to the catastrophic behaviour found in the other materials.