Phase transitions and dynamics in ionic liquid crystals confined in nanopores.

We investigate the phase-transition behavior of ionic liquid crystals, namely 1-methyl-3-alkylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, [Cnmim]BF4, confined in cylindrical nanopores using differential scanning calorimetry, x-ray scattering, and dielectric relaxation spectroscopy. Here, n is the number of carbon atoms in the alkyl part of this ionic liquid crystal. For n = 10 and 12, the isotropic liquid phase changes to the smectic phase and then to a metastable phase for the cooling process.

Crystallization with Nodular Aggregation near the Glass Transition Temperature for Syndiotactic Polypropylene.

The isothermal crystallization from the melt state of syndiotactic polypropylene (sPP) has been studied by wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), and optical microscopy. The WAXD and SAXS results show the crystallization mechanism near the glass transition temperature in which the crystalline and mesomorphic nodules cover the entire sample with the formation of aggregation regions. For the SAXS analysis, the scattering function for the three-component system has been suggested.

Kinetic Study on Alpha-Form Crystallization of Mixed-Acid Triacylglycerols POP, PPO, and Their Mixture.

The crystallization behavior of the metastable α form of triacylglycerols (TAGs) plays a critical role as a precursor for the crystallization of more stable β' and β forms for various applications in food and pharmaceutical products. However, precise analysis of the crystallization kinetics of α has not been performed, likely due to its rapid and complex behavior. This paper presents the observation results of the initial stages of the isothermal crystallization kinetics of α forms of 1,3-dipalmitoyl-2-oleoyl-glycerol (POP), 1,2-dipalmitoyl-3-oleoyl--glycerol (-PPO), and molecular compound (MC) crystals of a POP/-PPO (1/1) mixture (MCPOP/PPO) using synchrotron radiation time-resolved X-ray diffraction and polarized optical microscopy.

Molecular Weight Dependence of Crystal Growth in Isotactic Polystyrene Ultrathin Films.

In this paper, we report the molecular weight dependence of the crystal growth of isotactic polystyrene from 10 nm ultrathin films. The growth rate and characteristic length of the branching morphology of a crystal grown in 10 nm ultrathin films change depending on the molecular weight of the sample. Analysis of the molecular weight dependence according to the theory of growth front instability reveals that the diffusion coefficient of molecular chains in ultrathin films around branching crystals scales with the molecular weight as for samples with weights higher than the critical molecular weight for the entanglement of polystyrene.

The tumor-associated antigen, RCAS1, can be expressed in immune-mediated diseases as well as in carcinomas of biliary tract.

Background/aims: RCAS1, which is recognized by the specific antibody 22-1-1, was first identified as a tumor-associated antigen in gynecological carcinomas. RCAS1 is the ligand of a putative receptor present on lymphocytes, the expression of which is enhanced by lymphocyte activation. RCAS1 inhibits the growth of receptor-bearing cells and induces apoptotic death.