Superior Properties (superior + property)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Identification of a 1,2,4,5-Tetraoxane Antimalarial Drug-Development Candidate (RKA,182) with Superior Properties to the Semisynthetic Artemisinins

ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE, Issue 33 2010

Etappensieg gegen Wirkstoffresistenz: Aus einer Bibliothek von über 150 1,2,4,5-Tetraoxanen wurde ein Kandidat, RKA,182, für die präklinische Entwicklung von Malariatherapeutika selektiert. RKA,182 zeigt herausragende In-vitro-Aktivität gegen resistente Stämme von P.,falciparum und wirkt auch gegen südostasiatische Isolate, bei denen die Artemisinin-basierte Kombinationstherapie versagt. [source]


Aerogel and Xerogel Catalysts Based on ,-Alumina Doped with Silicon for High Temperature Reactions

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 3 2005
Aurelien Florin Popa
Abstract Numerous materials (supports and catalysts) based on alumina have been prepared using the sol-gel process and carbon dioxide supercritical drying. In this work two types of solids, i.e. xerogels and aerogels, were systematically compared and a way of introducing platinum metal with a content of 5% percent by weight was examined. The structural data, the surface area, Pt dispersion and catalytic activity for the decomposition of the propellant were measured for the various samples. The (Al2O3)0.88(SiO2)0.12 samples prepared show very interesting porosity values, especially for the aerogel. For this reason, they were chosen as supports for the synthesis of 5 wt% platinum on alumina catalysts. The results presented in this work allowed us to obtain an overall view of the influence of the preparation mode on the properties of platinum on alumina supported catalysts. The dispersion of the metal phase is directly dependent on the specific surface of the support. A significant value for the surface area implies a large amount of centers for interaction with the metal precursor and, consequently, the appearance of more centres of simultaneous germination. Although aerogels obtained by carbon dioxide supercritical drying always show superior properties compared with xerogels, for catalytic decompositions the xerogels still remain superior. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2005) [source]


Effect of Alkyl Side-Chain Length on Photovoltaic Properties of Poly(3-alkylthiophene)/PCBM Bulk Heterojunctions

ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 20 2009
Abay Gadisa
Abstract The morphological, bipolar charge-carrier transport, and photovoltaic characteristics of poly(3-alkylthiophene) (P3AT):[6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) blends are studied as a function of alkyl side-chain length m, where m equals the number of alkyl carbon atoms. The P3ATs studied are poly(3-butylthiophene) (P3BT, m,=,4), poly(3-pentylthiophene) (P3PT, m,=,5), and poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT, m,=,6). Solar cells with these blends deliver similar order of photo-current yield (exceeding 10,mA cm,2) irrespective of side-chain length. Power conversion efficiencies of 3.2, 4.3, and 4.6% are within reach using solar cells with active layers of P3BT:PCBM (1:0.8), P3PT:PCBM (1:1), and P3HT:PCBM (1:1), respectively. A difference in fill factor values is found to be the main source of efficiency difference. Morphological studies reveal an increase in the degree of phase separation with increasing alkyl chain length. Moreover, while P3PT:PCBM and P3HT:PCBM films have similar hole mobility, measured by hole-only diodes, the hole mobility in P3BT:PCBM lowers by nearly a factor of four. Bipolar measurements made by field-effect transistor showed a decrease in the hole mobility and an increase in the electron mobility with increasing alkyl chain length. Balanced charge transport is only achieved in the P3HT:PCBM blend. This, together with better processing properties, explains the superior properties of P3HT as a solar cell material. P3PT is proved to be a potentially competitive material. The optoelectronic and charge transport properties observed in the different P3AT:PCBM bulk heterojunction (BHJ) blends provide useful information for understanding the physics of BHJ films and the working principles of the corresponding solar cells. [source]


Analysis of stress due to shrinkage in a hardening process of liquid epoxy resin

HEAT TRANSFER - ASIAN RESEARCH (FORMERLY HEAT TRANSFER-JAPANESE RESEARCH), Issue 3 2002
Tetsuro Nishimura
Abstract At present, epoxy resin is applied during the manufacturing of more compact and thinner components for the packaging of electronic and other devices. Epoxy resin has superior properties in terms of heat resistance, insulation, and strength; however, defects such as deformations and cracks often occur because of stress concentration. It is important to determine the inner stress of resin solidification for molding processes. Through a combination of numerical analyses of heat generated due to chemical reactions and experiments on shrinkage and strain that occur during hardening of epoxy resin, it becomes possible to analyze the stress generated due to hardening shrinkage. The developed analytical method can contribute to the realization of highly reliable components made of epoxy resin. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res, 31(3): 194,211, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/htj.10028 [source]


The discovery of metallocene catalysts and their present state of the art

JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE (IN TWO SECTIONS), Issue 16 2004
Walter Kaminsky
Abstract Metallocene and other transition metal complexes activated by methylaluminoxane are highly active catalysts for the polymerization of olefins, diolefins, and styrene, which was discovered at the University of Hamburg about 25 years ago. These catalysts allow the synthesis of polymers with a highly defined microstructure, tacticity, and stereoregularity, as well as new copolymers with superior properties such as film clarity, tensile strength, and lower extractables. A better understanding of the mechanism of olefin polymerization leads to findings of other new single site catalysts. The development of the metallocene/MAO-catalysts from their discovery to their present state of the art is presented. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 3911,3921, 2004 [source]


The discovery of polymer-clay hybrids

JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE (IN TWO SECTIONS), Issue 4 2004
Masaya Kawasumi
Abstract The first successful example of a polymer-clay hybrid was nylon-clay hybrid (NCH), which is a nano-meter-sized composite of nylon-6 and 1-nm-thick exfoliated aluminosilicate layers of the clay mineral. NCH was found and developed at Toyota Central Research and Development Laboratories over 17 years ago. The NCH containing a few weight percentages of clay exhibits superior properties such as high modulus, high strength, and good gas-barrier properties. The key for the discovery of NCH was the polymerization of a nylon monomer in the interlayer space of the clay. This highlight presents the development of NCH from its discovery to its commercialization. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 819,824, 2004 [source]


Flexural Strength, Elastic Modulus, and pH Profile of Self-etch Resin Luting Cements

JOURNAL OF PROSTHODONTICS, Issue 4 2008
Egle Saskalauskaite DDS
Abstract Purpose: To determine the flexural strength, modulus of elasticity, and 24-hour pH profile of three self-etching resin luting cements and to obtain comparative data for representative conventional resin and resin-modified glass ionomer luting cements. Materials and Methods: Three self-etching resin luting cements [RelyX Unicem (3M ESPE), Maxcem (Kerr), Embrace Wetbond (Pulpdent)] were tested and compared with two conventional resin cements [RelyX ARC (3M ESPE), Linkmax (GC)] plus two resin-modified glass ionomer luting cements [Fuji Plus (GC), RelyX Luting Plus (3M ESPE)]. Flexural strength and modulus of elasticity were determined using bar-shaped specimens (2 × 2 × 25 mm3) at 24 hours, using an Instron universal testing machine. Setting pH was measured using a flat-surface pH electrode at 0, 2, 5, 15, and 30 minutes and 1, 2, 4, 6, and 24 hours after mixing. Testing was performed under both dual-cured and self-cured conditions for all dual-cure cements. Data analysis included ANOVA and Tukey's test (p < 0.05). Results: The self-etching cements showed similar flexural strength to the conventional resin cements, except for Embrace Wetbond self-cured, which was considerably lower. Modulus of elasticity results were both higher and lower than for conventional resin cements. All photopolymerized conventional and self-etch dual-cure cements showed markedly higher flexural strength and modulus than when solely self-cured. The resin-modified glass ionomer cements were characterized by lower flexural strength and elastic modulus. Self-etching resin cements showed lower initial pH (2.0 to 2.4) than conventional resin cements (4.8 to 5.2) and a wide range of final pH values (3.9 to 7.3) at 24 hours. One self-etching cement (Unicem) revealed a unique pH profile characterized by a more rapid rise in pH to neutrality both when dual-cured (15 minutes) and when auto-cured (1 hour). Conclusions: The self-etching resin cements evaluated in this study displayed disparate properties and cannot be considered a homogeneous group. Flexural strength properties were most uniform and were similar to those of the conventional resin cements, whereas moduli of elasticity showed greater variation. Setting pH profiles differed, depending on the brand and mode of cure, even within the same category of luting cement. All cements with dual-cure capability, both conventional and self-etch, showed significantly superior properties when photopolymerized. [source]


On Processing and Impact Deformation Behavior of High Density Polyethylene (HDPE),Calcium Carbonate Nanocomposites

MACROMOLECULAR MATERIALS & ENGINEERING, Issue 2 2009
Qiang Yuan
Abstract Different processing approaches were adopted to obtain the best combination of strength and toughness. The approach that yielded superior properties was examined in detail to study the mechanical response of nanoscale calcium carbonate-reinforced high density polyethylene in conjunction with unreinforced high density polyethylene. The reinforcement of high density polyethylene with nanoscale calcium carbonate increases impact strength and is not accompanied by decrease in yield strength. The addition of nanoscale calcium carbonate to high density polyethylene alters the micromechanism of deformation from crazing-tearing in high density polyethylene to fibrillation in high density polyethylene,calcium carbonate nanocomposite. [source]


GaN nanorods and LED structures grown on patterned Si and AlN/Si substrates by selective area growth

PHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (C) - CURRENT TOPICS IN SOLID STATE PHYSICS, Issue 7-8 2010
Shunfeng Li
Abstract GaN nanorods (NRs) show promising applications in high-efficiency light emitting diodes, monolithic white light emission and optical interconnection due to their superior properties. In this work, we performed GaN nanostructures growth by pre-patterning the Si and AlN/Si substrates. The pattern was transferred to Si and AlN/Si substrates by photolithography and inductively-coupled plasma etching. GaN NRs were grown on these templates by metal-organic vapour phase epitaxy (MOVPE). GaN grown on Si pillar templates show a truncated pyramidal structure. Transmission electron microscopy measurements demonstrated clearly that the threading dislocations bend to the side facets of the GaN nanostructures and terminate. GaN growth can also be observed on the sidewalls and bottom surface between the Si pillars. A simple phenomenological model is proposed to explain the GaN nanostructure growth on Si pillar templates. Based on this model, we developed another growth method, by which we grow GaN rod structures on pre-patterned AlN/Si templates. By in-situ nitridation and decreasing of the V/III ratio, we found that GaN rods only grew on the patterned AlN/Si dots with an aspect ratio of about 1.5 - 2. (© 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source]


Modulation of F1 hybrid stature without altering parent plants through trans-activated expression of a mutated rice GAI homologue

PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL, Issue 2 2005
Ning Su
Summary Hybrid breeding, by taking advantage of heterosis, brings about many superior properties to the F1 progeny. However, some properties, such as increased plant height, are not desirable for agronomic purposes. To specifically counter the height increase associated with hybrid progeny, we employed an Arabidopsis model and tested a trans-activation system for specifically expressing a mutated GAI gene only in the F1 hybrid plants to reduce plant stature. A transcriptional activator, the Gal4 DNA-binding domain fused to the acidic activation domain of herpes simplex virus VP16 protein, driven by a maize ubiquitin promoter, was introduced in one parental line. A rice GAI homologue with an N-terminal deletion of the DELLA domain, driven by a promoter that is responsive to the transcriptional activator, was transferred into another parental line. After genetic crossing, trans-activation of the GAI mutant gene resulted in a dwarf phenotype. Over 50 pair-wise crosses between the parental lines were performed, and analyses suggested that the percentage of F1 progeny exhibiting dwarfism ranged from about 25% to 100%. Furthermore, the dwarfism trait introduced in F1 progeny did not seem to affect total seed yield. Our result suggests the feasibility of manipulating F1 hybrid progeny traits without affecting parent plants or the agronomic property of the progeny. [source]


The study of morphology, thermal and thermo-mechanical properties of compatibilized TPU/SAN blends

POLYMER ENGINEERING & SCIENCE, Issue 5 2004
M. Ulcnik-Krump
The compatibilizing efficiency of three different compatibilizers in thermoplastic polyurethane/styrene-co-acrylonitrile (TPU/SAN) blends was investigated after their incorporation via melt-mixing. The compatibilizers studied were poly-,-caprolactone (PCL), a mixture of polystyrene-block-polycaprolactone (PS-b-PCL) and polystyrene-block-poly(methyl methacrylate) (PS-b-PMMA), and a mixture of polyisoprene-block-polycaprolactone (PI-b-PCL) and polybutadiene-block-poly(methyl methacrylate) (PB-b-PMMA). All compatibilizers were synthesized by living anionic polymerization. Investigations of thermal and thermo-mechanical properties performed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DTMA), respectively, were systematically classified into two groups, i.e. blends of TPU or SAN with 20 wt% of different compatibilizers (so-called limit conditions) and TPU/SAN 25/75 blends with 5 wt% of different compatibilizers. In order to determine the compatibilizer's location, morphology of TPU/SAN 25/75 blends was studied with transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Different compatibilization activity was found for different systems. Blends compatibilized with PCL showed superior properties over the other blends. Polym. Eng. Sci. 44:838,852, 2004. © 2004 Society of Plastics Engineers. [source]


Starch-based nanocomposites by reactive extrusion processing

POLYMER INTERNATIONAL, Issue 10 2004
Sathya B Kalambur
Abstract Nanocomposites with unique material properties have been prepared from synthetic plastics and nanosilicates (nanoclay) until now, but not from biopolymers such as starch. The primary challenge in making biopolymeric nanocomposites is to achieve strong adhesion between nanoclay and polymer matrix. For the first time nanocomposites with superior properties have been successfully made from starch-polycaprolactone (PCL) blends in the presence of montmorillonite (MMT) nanoclay. Reactive extrusion results showed that addition of a modified nanoclay at 3 % wt level increased elongation almost fourfold over that of pristine starch,PCL blends. X-ray diffractions results showed dispersion of clay in the polymer matrix. The nanocomposites have better solvent-resistance properties because of resistance to diffusion offered by clay platelets in the polymer matrix. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry [source]


Reproducible growth of well diffracting ribosomal crystals

ACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION D, Issue 6 2005
Tamar Auerbach-Nevo
The crystallization of ribosomal particles is associated with extraordinary challenging demands. This originates mainly from the ribosome's natural tendency to deteriorate and from its multi-conformational heterogeneity, both of which stem from its functional flexibility. To increase the level of homogeneity of ribosomal preparations, systematic searches for conditions yielding populations of fully defined chemical compositions were employed and the variables essential for high functional activity were analyzed and optimized. These include temperature, cell-growth duration and media, the cell-harvesting stage, ribosomal purification and storage. The functional state that is most suitable to yield quality crystals was identified as that of the polysome and it was found that this fraction reproducibly yielded crystals of superior properties. [source]


The experimental Alzheimer drug phenserine: preclinical pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics

ACTA NEUROLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 2000
N. H. Greig
Phenserine, a phenylcarbamate of physostigmine, is a new potent and highly selective acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor, with a >50-fold activity versus butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), in clinical trials for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Compared to physostigmine and tacrine, it is less toxic and robustly enhances cognition in animal models. To determine the time-dependent effects of phenserine on cholinergic function, AChE activity, brain and plasma drug levels and brain extracellular acetylcholine (ACh) concentrations were measured in rats before and after phenserine administration. Additionally, its maximum tolerated dose, compared to physostigmine and tacrine, was determined. Following i.v. dosing, brain drug levels were 10-fold higher than those achieved in plasma, peaked within 5 min and rapidly declined with half-lives of 8.5 and 12.6 min, respectively. In contrast, a high (>70%) and long-lasting inhibition of AChE was achieved (half-life >8.25 h). A comparison between the time-dependent plasma AChE inhibition achieved after similar oral and i.v. doses provided an estimate of oral bioavailability of 100%. Striatal, in vivo microdialysis in conscious, freely-moving phenserine-treated rats demonstrated >3-fold rise in brain ACh levels. Phenserine thus is rapidly absorbed and cleared from the body, but produces a long-lasting stimulation of brain cholinergic function at well tolerated doses and hence has superior properties as a drug candidate for AD. It selectively inhibits AChE, minimizing potential BChE side effects. Its long duration of action, coupled with its short pharmacokinetic half-life, reduces dosing frequency, decreases body drug exposure and minimizes the dependence of drug action on the individual variations of drug metabolism commonly found in the elderly. [source]


Novel Probes Showing Specific Fluorescence Enhancement on Binding to a Hexahistidine Tag

CHEMISTRY - A EUROPEAN JOURNAL, Issue 26 2008
Mie Kamoto
Abstract The introduction of hexahistidine (His tag) is widely used as a tool for affinity purification of recombinant proteins, since the His tag binds selectively to nickel,nitrilotriacetic acid (Ni2+,NTA) complex. To develop efficient "turn-on" fluorescent probes for His-tagged proteins, we adopted a fluorophore displacement strategy, that is, we designed probes in which a hydroxycoumarin fluorophore is joined via a linker to a metal,NTA moiety, with which it forms a weak intramolecular complex, thereby quenching the fluorescence. In the presence of a His tag, with which the metal,NTA moiety binds strongly, the fluorophore is displaced, which results in a dramatic enhancement of fluorescence. We synthesized a series of hydroxycoumarins that were modified by various linkers with NTA (NTAC ligands), and investigated the chemical and photophysical properties of the free ligands and their metal complexes. From the viewpoint of fluorescence quenching, Ni2+ and Co2+ were the best metals. Fluorescence spectroscopy revealed a 1:1 binding stoichiometry for the Ni2+ and Co2+ complexes of NTACs in pH,7.4 aqueous buffer. As anticipated, these complexes showed weak intrinsic fluorescence, but addition of a His-tagged peptide (H-(His)6 -Tyr-NH2; Tyr was included to allow convenient concentration measurement) in pH,7.4 aqueous buffer resulted in up to a 22-fold increase in the fluorescence quantum yield. We found that the Co2+ complexes showed superior properties. No fluorescence enhancement was seen in the presence of angiotensin,I, which contains two nonadjacent histidine residues; this suggests that the probes are selective for the polyhistidine peptide. [source]


Understanding Adsorption and Interactions of Alkane Isomer Mixtures in Isoreticular Metal,Organic Frameworks

CHEMISTRY - A EUROPEAN JOURNAL, Issue 22 2007
Li Zhang Dr.
Abstract Novel metal,organic frameworks (MOFs) may lead to advances in adsorption and catalysis owing to their superior properties compared to traditional nanoporous materials. A combination of the grand canonical Monte Carlo method and configurational-bias Monte Carlo simulation was used to evaluate the adsorption isotherms of C4,C6 alkane isomer mixtures in IRMOF-1 and IRMOF-6. The amounts of adsorbed linear and branched alkanes increase with increasing pressure, and the amount of branched alkanes is larger than that of the linear ones. The locations of the alkane isomer reveal that the Zn4O clusters of the IRMOFs are the preferential adsorption sites for the adsorbate molecules. The interaction energy between the Zn4O cluster and the adsorbate is larger than that between the organic linker and the adsorbate. It was further confirmed that the Zn4O cluster plays a much more important role in adsorption by pushing a probe molecule into the pore at positions closer to the Zn4O cluster. It is difficult for branched alkane molecules to approach the Zn4O cluster of IRMOF-6 closely owing to strong spatial hindrance. In addition, the adsorption selectivity is discussed from the viewpoints of thermodynamics and kinetics, and the diffusion behavior of n -butane and 2-methylpropane were investigated to illustrate the relationship between diffusion and adsorption. [source]