Synthesis, Characterization, and Cyclopolymerization of a Functional Non-Symmetric Divinyl Monomer

A non-symmetric divinyl monomer with terminal carboxylic acid functionality was readily synthesized from the reaction of ethyl α-hydroxymethylacrylate (EHMA) with maleic anhydride. The new monomer (EHMA–MA) was homopolymerized in both bulk and ethyl acetate using AIBN as an initiator to give cyclopolymers. The synthesis of the monomer and cyclopolymers were followed by 13C NMR, 1H NMR, and FTIR. 1H NMR was also utilized to obtain the degree of cyclization of the polymers, which were found to be 95% or higher in all cases. The molecular weights of the cyclopolymers were around 40–60,000 g/mol as estimated by SEC. The cyclopolymers were thermally stable up to 150 °C. Although the cyclopolymers obtained were not water-soluble; they were soluble in aqueous 1 M NaOH solution. In addition to the carboxylic acid functionality present, the cyclopolymers also had an ethyl ester and a lactone moiety. These functional groups were reacted with hexylamine to obtain a polymer with imide and amide moieties

UV Curable Coatings for Improved Gas Barrier Properties of Poly(ethylene terephthalate)

A new high-barrier coating based on methyl (alpha-hydroxymethyl)acrylate (MHMA) for poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) was developed along with the process for preform dipping and cure prior to blow molding into bottles. The UV curable coating gives excellent gas barrier improvement when coated onto PET biaxially oriented thin films. Blown bottle side walls from coated PET preforms also show 2-3 times improvement over uncoated side walls. The effect of photoinitiator concentration, initiator types, and temperature on photopolymerization kinetics of MHMA was investigated. Once the photoinitiator, lrgacure 819 (R), concentration became larger than 1 mol%, a decrease in rate of propagation was observed. The conversion also decreased with higher initiator concentration. lrgacure 819 (R) reduced the auto-acceleration peak and reached maximum rates of polymerization much faster than Irgacure 651 (R). It also gave a slightly higher conversion. Overall conversion for combinations of these photoinitiators was high, above 80%. Real-time FTIR (RT-FTIR) studies of copolymerization of MHMA and methyl methacrylate (MMA) showed that conversion was fairly high up to 25 mol% MMA. However, once MMA feed ratio exceeded 10 mol%, a decrease in barrier performance was observed. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Antibacterial Fluoromicas: A Novel Delivery Medium

Antibacterial fluoromicas were prepared by ion-exchanging fluoromicas with different antibacterial agents including various quaternary ammonium compounds, AgNO3, and norfloxacin. Antibacterial activities of the ion-exchanged fluoromicas were determined against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and zone of inhibition (ZOI) tests were performed to determine both antibacterial effectiveness and mode of action associated with the fluoromicas. All treated fluoromicas showed excellent antibacterial activities against both types of bacteria. The antibacterial activities of treated fluoromicas were found to be either better than or the same as those of neat antibacterial agents. The repeated antibacterial activity tests demonstrated the extended activity of these systems. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

The genetic architecture of the human cerebral cortex

The cerebral cortex underlies our complex cognitive capabilities, yet little is known about the specific genetic loci that influence human cortical structure. To identify genetic variants that affect cortical structure, we conducted a genome-wide association meta-analysis of brain magnetic resonance imaging data from 51,665 individuals. We analyzed the surface area and average thickness of the whole cortex and 34 regions with known functional specializations. We identified 199 significant loci and found significant enrichment for loci influencing total surface area within regulatory elements that are active during prenatal cortical development, supporting the radial unit hypothesis. Loci that affect regional surface area cluster near genes in Wnt signaling pathways, which influence progenitor expansion and areal identity. Variation in cortical structure is genetically correlated with cognitive function, Parkinson's disease, insomnia, depression, neuroticism, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Photopolymerized Thiol-ene Nanocomposite Films

Conference paper from the 235th ACS National Meeting, Spring 2008; New Orleans, LA; 6 April 2008 through 10 April 2008; Code 7357

Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization of Octadecyl α-(hydroxymethyl) Acrylate Ester Ether Dimer and their Corresponding Block Copolymers

Conference paper from the 235th ACS National Meeting, Spring 2008; New Orleans, LA; 6 April 2008 through 10 April 2008; Code 7357

Synthesis and Characterization of Supramolecular Assemblies Based on Cyclodextrin Inclusion Complexation for Drug Delivery Application

Conference paper from the 235th ACS National Meeting, Spring 2008; New Orleans, LA; 6 April 2008 through 10 April 2008; Code 7357

Synthesis and (Co)polymerization of Diester and Ether Dimer of Octadecyl α-(hydroxymethyl) Acrylate

Conference paper from the 235th ACS National Meeting, Spring 2008; New Orleans, LA; 6 April 2008 through 10 April 2008; Code 7357