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This brief presents a second-order discrete-time (DT) modified feed-forward (FF) delta-sigma modulator. To reduce the attenuation of the quantizer’s input signal due to switched-capacitor (SC) passive summing, the proposed modulator eliminates the internal FF path and reduces the number of input signals of the adder. A 4-bit asynchronous successive-approximation-register (SAR) analog-to-digital converter (ADC) incorporated with a passive adder is used to reduce power consumption and area. To allow the conversion delay of the SAR ADC, a delayed feedback is adopted. The prototype ADC is fabricated in a $0.11~\mu \text{m}$ CMOS process using four metal layers with an active die area of 0.165mm2. It achieves a dynamic range (DR) of 96.3 dB and a peak signal-to-noise and distortion ratio (SNDR) of 93.9 dB in a 2 kHz signal bandwidth while consuming $62.43~\mu \text{W}$ from a 1.8V/1.65V power supply, corresponding to a Schreier figure-of-merit (FOM) of 171dB.

This article proposes a low common-mode (CM) noise full-bridge LLC resonant converter with two balanced resonant tanks. In the proposed converter, each resonant inductor and capacitor is divided into two components with the same value. The CM current flowing through parasitic capacitors of the transformer is reduced due to the balanced resonant tank. Moreover, the CM noise can be significantly reduced by adjacently locating the primary and secondary layers with the same dv / dt characteristic. Therefore, the proposed converter decreases the CM noise generated from the planar transformer (PT) by the balanced resonant tank and proposed layer arrangement of PT and achieves a high power density with a decreased size of the electromagnetic interference filter. The validity of the proposed converter is verified by a 1.5-kW prototype with 400-V input and 270–420-V output.

A new structure of the transformer and its winding layout are proposed to reduce the common-mode (CM) noise generated from the planar transformer (PT). In the proposed converter, two half-bridge LLC resonant converters are connected in parallel on the primary side, and the secondary side of them is connected in series. The proposed converter can be utilized for the medium-to-high power applications due to the full-bridge structure of the primary side. For each transformer, one of the terminals is connected to the static point, which has zero dv / dt characteristic. Thus, the primary-side layer can have the same dv / dt characteristics with the secondary-side layer. By adjacently locating the primary and secondary layers, which have the same dv / dt characteristic, the CM current and noise generated from PT can be significantly reduced. Therefore, the proposed converter can achieve a high power density by reducing the size of the electromagnetic interference filter.

Lithium-ion batteries suffer from serious problems in charging and discharging in a low-temperature environment, and battery pre-heating methods are being actively conducted to solve this problem. The internal heating method which uses the ohmic loss of the battery internal resistance can be implemented with an on-board self-heater without an external power source, and is suitable for electric vehicles or portable devices. This paper proposes a new resonant push-pull AC heater. The proposed heater reduces voltage stress and switching loss by connecting a resonant capacitor to the switch in parallel. In addition, it has a small volume as it can achieve ’all-time heating’ of a battery without an interleaving structure. In order to verify the effectiveness of the proposed AC heater, an experiment was performed to preheat a lithium-ion battery of 8 series-2 parallel 18650 type from −20°C to 0°C.

A new structure and a winding layout of the transformer are proposed to reduce the common-mode (CM) noise of the converter for medium-to-high power applications. The proposed converter is composed of two half-bridge LLC resonant converters. The primary side of transformers are connected in parallel, and the secondary side of transformers are connected in series. In transformers, two layers having the same dv/dt characteristic are located adjacently to minimize CM current through the parasitic capacitor between two layers. One of the terminals of the transformer is connected to the ground or input voltage whose dv/dt characteristic is zero. Thus, there are secondary layers having the same dv/dt characteristic compared with the primary layers. Thus, the proposed converter can minimize the CM noise in transformer, and it can achieve high power density by reducing the size of EMI filter.

A new synchronous rectifier (SR) control method for phase-shifted full-bridge (PSFB) converter with coupled inductor rectifier (CIR) is proposed in order to achieve high efficiency over wide output voltage range. The key operation of the proposed control method is to turn on the SR earlier than the conventional method in which SR is operated as a diode. By using the proposed SR control method, the primary circulating current can be rebuilt-up, and the circulating current is used to achieve zero-voltage switching (ZVS) of the primary legging-leg switches. Therefore, since the magnetizing inductance of the transformer can be designed large, the conduction loss and the switch turn-off loss on the primary side can be reduced. As a result, the proposed SR control method achieves high efficiency over a wide output voltage range. The proposed method is verified by using prototype converter at 400 V input and 27-54 V/13 A output condition.

In this paper, based on the pulsating voltage analysis, a CM noise reduction method of the back-to-back BPFC is introduced. In this method, two types of pulsating voltage, a pulsating voltage in the switching cycle and a pulsating voltage in the line input voltage, are considered. Based on the analysis, a proper design method of selecting the external large capacitors of inrush diodes is presented. The feasibility of the proposed analysis and method is verified by the experiments with 800W /400V prototype. From the experiments, the validity of the presented design method about CM noise reduction is validated. Therefore, the proposed analysis and method is adaptable to reduce the CM noise of back-to-back BPFC by supporting proper selecting guide for the external capacitors of inrush diodes.

This paper proposes a new dual half-bridge LLC resonant converter which can regulate wide output voltage range. The proposed converter uses two operation modes: voltage doubler mode and voltage quadrupler mode. Thus, the proposed converter can regulate wide output voltage range with narrow switching frequency variation by changing operation mode adaptively. Because the operation mode is changed by primary switch gate signal, additional components are not required. Also, the output current ripple across the output capacitor is reduced, because of the high minimum operating switching frequency and hybrid rectifier structure. Therefore, the size of output capacitor is decreased, and the proposed converter can achieve high power density.

Fluorescent self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on hydrophilic oxide surfaces are developed as new sensing materials for metal ions. This fluorescent film sensor was designed and prepared by chemically immobilization of a terminal silane group of monomer molecule onto SAM on quartz plates and was used for detection of Zn 2+ ion in MeOH solvent. The advantages of this technique have been demonstrated experimentally by the sensitive response of the presence of small amount of Zn 2+ (DL = 1.7 × 10 −5 mol L −1 ). Optical spectroscopy study of the film showed that strong interactions occur between the receptor molecule and Zn 2+ . In the presence of Zn 2+ , the position λ max of the film shifts from 405 nm to 365 nm. Also, the film emission intensity is increased at 486 nm due to intra-molecular charge transfer (ICT) in the excited state of the receptor while the other transition metal ions showed little or no interaction. The sensitive response and interference free of the sensing process make the film a promising Zn 2+ -sensor.

A new colorimetric sensors containing thiourea (1-(4-nitrophenyl)-3-quinolin-6-ylthiourea; 1) and urea(1-(4-nitrophenyl)-3-quinolin-6-ylurea; 2) moieties for fluoride were designed and synthesized. These simple receptors were characterized their stoichiometry, and investigates the mechanism of their selectivity as anion receptors. The addition of tetrabutylammonium fluoride salts to the solution of receptors caused a dramatically and clearly observable color changes from colorless to yellow. To examine their application as anion receptors by UV-vis and NMR spectroscopy results revealed their higher selectivity for fluoride ion than other anions. The receptors and fluoride ion formed a 1:1 stoichiometry complex through strong hydrogen bonding interactions in the first step, followed by a process of deprotonation in presence of an excess of in DMSO solvent.

Efficient ditopic receptor, uranyl(II) N,N'-(ethylenedioxy)benzenebis(salicylideneimine) (3) for beryllium ion has been obtained upon functionalization of 1,2-ethylenedioxybenzene (1) with a uranyl-salphen (salphen = N,N'-phenylenebis(salicylideneimine)) unit. Binding affinities of the receptor, 3 in AN-DMSO (v/v 95:5) solution have been measured for alkali and alkaline earth metal ions by conductometry comparing 1. The results showed that both monotopic 1 and ditopic receptor 3 were selective for ions over other cations, while especially 3 that can complex both with cations (coordinated to basic oxygen of ethylenedioxybenzene) and anions (coordinated to the Lewis acidic uranyl center) results in an increase of the stability constants by a factor of with respect to 1. Furthermore, the -3 interactions are demonstrated by NMR experiments in highly polar solvent medium, DMSO-. Higher selectivities were also observed for when the ditopic receptor, 3 was incorporated into PVC membranes and tested as ion selective electrodes at neutral pH.

The effects of red ginseng extract on circulating angiogenic cell mobilization and improvement of microvascular integrity were evaluated in ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients during 8-month follow-up. AMI patients (n = 50) were randomly assigned to the red ginseng group (3 g/day, n = 25) or the placebo group (n = 25) after coronary stenting. Coronary flow reserve (CFR) was measured at baseline and at 8 months with an intracoronary Doppler wire. Serial changes in the absolute numbers of circulating angiogenic cells such as CD34+, CXCR4+, CD117+, CD133+ and C-met+ were measured at baseline, 1 day, 5 days and at 8 months. CFR were similar between the two groups at baseline, and CFR was significantly higher in the red ginseng group than in the placebo group (2.80 ± 0.91 and 2.56 ± 0.77, p < 0.05, respectively) after 8 months of red ginseng administration. The absolute numbers of circulating CD34+, CXCR4+ and CD117+ cells were significantly higher in the red ginseng group at 1 and 5 days after stenting. Significant positive correlations were found between the numbers of circulating angiogenic cells at day 1 and the changes from baseline in CFR for CD34+, CXCR4+, CD117+ and C-met+ cells. Red ginseng extract increased CD34+, CXCR4+ and CD117+ circulating angiogenic cell mobilization and decreased inflammation in AMI patients, thereby improving CFR during the 8-month follow-up. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Objective To compare the effects of atorvastatin 10 mg versus 40 mg in circulating angiogenic cell mobilisations and in restoring coronary flow reserve (CFR) during the 8-month follow-up in patients with a first acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Design CFR was measured using an intracoronary Doppler wire in 102 patients with AMI at baseline and at 8 months. Changes in the absolute number of circulating angiogenic cells were measured at baseline, 1 day, 5 days and at 8 months. Stented patients were randomly assigned to either low-dose atorvastatin 10 mg (ATOR10, n=52) or moderate-dose atorvastatin 40 mg (ATOR40, n=50). Setting University Hospital. Results CFR increased significantly in both groups during the 8-month follow-up. The 8-month increases from baseline in CFR were significantly greater in the ATOR40 group than in the ATOR10 group (0.99±0.69 vs 0.55±0.47, p=0.017, respectively). The serial increases in the absolute number of CD34+ and CXCR4+ cells were significantly greater in the ATOR40 group, especially at 24 h after the procedure (two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance: p=0.046 and p=0.022, respectively). Decreases from baseline for interleukin 6 (−2.94±3.31 vs −1.52±2.82 pg/ml), tumour necrosis factor α (−1.31±2.96 vs −0.01±1.29 pg/ml), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (−71±95 vs 37±83 ng/ml) and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (−51±364 vs 190±204 ng/ml) were significantly greater in the ATOR40 group. Conclusions The recovery of microvascular integrity after acute ischaemic injury in the ATOR40 group was expedited by greater circulating angiogenic cell mobilisations such as CD34+ and CXCR4+ cells, together with greater decreases in inflammatory cytokines and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol concentrations. Registration number http://ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00536887.

ClPB) is shown to improve potentiometric anion selectivity, suggesting that the palladium complex may operate as a partially charged carrier-type ionophore within the polymer membrane phase. The reaction mechanism is discussed with respect to UV-Vis and IR spectroscopy. Application of the electrode to the potentiometric titration of thiocyanate ion with silver nitrate is reported.

and the ligand exchange reactions of the Pd complexes were investigated using the ab initio second order Moller-Plesset perturbation (MP2) and Density Functional Theory (DFT) methods. The geometrical characteristics of the tetracoordinated Pd(II) complexes with mono- and bidentate ligands, the effects of the atomic charges for the charged and uncharged ligands, the (dz2-π) interactions between the dz2-orbital of Pd(II) and the π-orbital of bidentates, and the relative stabilities between the isomers of PdCl2Z2 and PdZ2Y were investigated in detail. The potential energy surfaces for the ligand exchange reactions used for the conversions of {[PdCl2(NH3)2] + H2O} to {[PdCl(NH3)2(H2O)] + + Cl − } and {[PdCl2(PH3)2] + H2O} to {[PdCl(PH3)2(H2O)] + + Cl − ]} were investigated. The geometrical structure variations, molecular orbital variations (HOMO and LUMO), and relative stabilities for the ligand exchange processes were also examined quantitatively.

A new highly salicylate-selective PVC membrane electrode based on tripodal tris-thiourea derivatives, L 1 and L 2 , as neutral carriers is described. The electrodes display an excellent potentiometric response to salicylate ions and an anti-Hofmeister selectivity sequence in the following order: Salicylate" > ClO 4 - > Benzoate - > I - > NO 3 - > NO 2 - > Maleate - > Acetate - > Lactate - > Fumarate - . It also exhibited a near-Nernstian potential in a linear range of 5.0 x 10 -5 - 1.0 x 10 -1 M with a detection limit of 9.0 x 10 -5 mol/L and a slope of -59.9 mV/decade at a pH of 7.0 in a saline buffer solution at 25 °C. The stability constant (log K s ) of the anions-ionophore complex was also determined at 25 °C by a conductometric titration in DMSO solution.

The complexation of N,N'-4,5-(ethylenedioxy)benzenebis(salicylideneimine), (salphenH 2 ) with uranyl ion was studied in acetonitrile solution spectrophtometrically, and the formation constant of the resulting 1: 1 complex was evaluated. The salphenH 2 ligand was used as an ionophore in plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) matrix membrane sensor for uranyl ion. The prepared sensors exhibited a near Nemstian response, 28.0-30.9 mV/decade for uranyl ion over the concentration range 1.0 x 10 -2 to 1.0 × 10 -6 M with a limit of detection of 3.2 x 10 -7 M. The proposed electrode could be used at a working pH range of 1.5-4.0.

S 2 O-donor macrocyclic isomers incorporating a xylyl group in o- (L 1 ), m- (L 2 ) and p-positions (L 3 ) extract no metal ions except silver(I) from aqueous to chloroform phase. And the magnitudes of %Ex for silver(I) are in the order of L 1 > L 2 > L 3 . Taking this result into account, L 1 -L 3 were utilized as membrane active components to prepare potentiometric silver(I)-selective electrodes. The proposed macrocycles-based electrodes El (L 1 ), E2 (L 2 ) and E3 (L 3 ) exhibited comparable results which show considerable selectivity toward silver(I) over alkali, alkali earth and other transition metal ions. Comparative NMR study on L 1 -L 3 and their complexes with silver(I) in solution was also accomplished. In addition, a unique sandwich-type complex [Ag(L 1 ) 2 ]ClO 4 was prepared from the assembly reaction of L 1 with AgClO 4 and structurally characterized by an X-ray diffraction analysis.

Crystal structure, Looped coordination polymer, Co(II), Zn(II), Hydrogen bondingAn increasing interest has been directed toward the synthesis of new inorganic/or ganic hybrid compounds which involve the self-assembly of structural motifs into well-defined supramolecules via hydrogen bonds, metal-ligand coordination bonds, and donor-acceptor interactions. In particular, the formation of cyclic nanostructures with large cavity makes these materials potential candidates not only for the catalysis

Self-assembly of CuI and 1,12-diphenyl-5,8-dioxa-2,11-dithiadodecane ( L ), a podal ligand with S 2 O 2 donor set, afforded a unique square-grid type coordination polymer [Cu 4 I 4 L 2 ] n ( 1 ). X-ray analysis of 1 shows that cubane-like Cu 4 I 4 clusters are located at the nodes of the square-grid and connected to four ligands by Cu–S bonds forming a layer structure. The layers are stacked with an ABAB sequence. Photoluminescence behavior of 1 was also investigated.

The ammonium ion-selective electrodes (NH 4 +-ISEs) based on the tetrahydrofuran(THF)-containing-16-crown-4 derivatives, 1,4,6,9,11,14,16,19-tetraoxocycloeicosane (L 1 ) and 5,10,15,20,-tetramethyl-1,4,6,9,11, 14,16,19-tetraoxocycloeicosane (L 2 ), were prepared and the electrode characteristics were tested. The conditioned NH 4 +-ISES (E1) based on L 1 with TEHP as a plasticising solvent mediator gave best results with near-Nernstian slope of 53.9 mV/decade of activity, detection limit of 10 - 4 . 9 M, and enhanced selectivity coefficients for the NH 4 + ion with respect to an interfering K + ion (log K p o t NH 4 + , K + = -1.84). This result was compared to other ammonium ionophores reported previously, for example, that of nonactin (log K p o t NH 4 + , K + = -0.92). The proposed electrode showed no significant potential changes in the range of 3.0 < pH < 9.0.

Three diaza-18-crown-6 derivatives having methyl (L1), methoxy (L2) and phenyl (L3) end-groups in para-substituted phenolic side-arms have been investigated as potentiometric sensing materials for silver(I)-selective poly(vinyl chloride) membrane electrodes. The aim of the present work is to establish whether a combination of macrocyclic coordination to Ag+ ion and Ag-pi interaction might produce synergic effect in Ag+ ion sensing. The electrode based on the aromatic end-groups, L3 was found to give remarkably better electrochemical performance than their aliphatic counterparts (L1 and L2). The sensing ability for Ag+ ion with the proposed electrode was enhanced noticeably due to the pi-coordination of Ag+ ion, which was elucidated by NMR. The present findings may serve as an alternative approach for designing advanced sensing materials.

A series of octamethylcalix[m]pyrroles[n]furans (m + n = 4), such astrans-octamethylcalix[2]pyrroles[2]furans L1),cis-octamethylcalix[2]pyrroles[2]furans (L2) and octamethylcalix[1]pyrrole[3]furans (L3) have been studied as sensors in liquid membrane ion-selective electrodes for Ag(I) ion. The electrode based on L1, trans-N2O2 porphyrinogen, gave the best results with a wide working concentration range of 1.0 × 10-1 - 1.0 × 105.6 M and a Nernstian slope of 57.0 mV/decade. This electrode exhibited a fast response time of 30 s and high selectivity over a number of mono-, di- and tri-valent cations, with only Tl(I) and Hg(II) ion interferences. The effect of anion excluders on the performance of the membrane electrodes has been also studied. The electrode based on L1 showed no significant potential changes in the range 2.5 < pH < 7.5. The crystalstructure of L3, NO3 porphyrinogen, was determined by single crystal X-ray analysis. The crystallographic analysis of L3 reveals that its structure is a saddle-shaped 1,3-alternate conformation with enough space to accommodate Ag(I) in the three dimensional cavity.

Copper(I) coordination polymer [Cu3I3L]n (1) has been synthesized by the reaction of CuI and 1,4-bis((cyclohexylthio)acetyl)piperazine (L). Structural and photophysical studies of 1 in solid state are reported. The bonding of Cu3I3 produces staircase polymers interconnected by the sulfur atoms of L.

Au nanoparticles, PVC membrane, Colorimetric sensing, Anion sensorThe design of anion sensors has long been a focus ofresearch as it can provide on-site, real-time detection andquantification of beneficial and toxic anions. In general,specific interaction such as hydrogen bonds/electrostaticinteractions

The potentiometric response characteristics of lithium ion-selective membrane electrodes employing three different THF-type 16-crown-4 derivatives as ionophores were investigated. Of the THF- based crown compounds tested, a cis-type isomer of the derivative with only methyl groups (H/CH3) at four bridged positions (cis-THF-I) was found to exhibit the best selectivity for Li+ over other cations. The composition of the cis-THF-I-based PVC-matrix membrane was optimized and its performance was compared with those based on lithium ionophores reported previously. The new cis-THF-I-based membrane exhibits remarkably enhanced selectivities for lithium over other cations: logKpotLi,Na = –2.8, logKpotLi,K = –4.6, logKpotLi,NH4 = –5.4, logKpotLi,Ca = –5.7 and logKpotLi,Mg = –5.4. Furthermore, it was found that serum components do not interfere significantly with the lithium measurements when the cis-THF-I-based electrode is used. The response of the electrode was found to be linear in the clinical range of interest.

Objective Telmisartan is a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ activator with potent anti-inflammatory and antiatherogenic effects. The authors compared the effects of telmisartan and valsartan on neointima volume, atherosclerosis progression and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) after stenting in hypertensive type 2 diabetes. Design This was a prospective, randomised, 8-month follow-up study that included patients with significant coronary stenosis who received telmisartan (n=36) or valsartan (n=37). Setting University hospital. Main outcome measures Neointima volume and atherosclerosis progression 10 mm proximal and distal to the stented segment were analysed using repeat intravascular ultrasonography. baPWV and inflammatory markers such as interleukin 6, tumour necrosis factor α, C-reactive protein and adiponectin were compared. Results Neointima volume at 8 months was significantly lower in the telmisartan group than the valsartan group (1.9±1.0 vs 2.6±1.4 mm 3 /1 mm, p=0.007, respectively). Total plaque volumes 10 mm proximal (7.1±1.5 vs 7.8±1.6 mm 3 /1 mm, p=0.032, respectively) and distal (3.5±1.4 vs 4.1±1.3 mm 3 /1 mm, p=0.028, respectively) to the stent were significantly lower in the telmisartan group than the valsartan group at 8 months. The decrease from baseline in baPWV was significantly greater in the telmisartan group than the valsartan group (−52±104 vs 30±113 cm/s, p=0.002, respectively). The increase from baseline in adiponectin levels and the decreases from baseline in interleukin 6 and tumour necrosis factor α levels were significantly greater in the telmisartan group at 8 months. Retinol-binding protein-4, homeostasis model of assessment index, hemoglobin A 1c and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels decreased significantly in both groups without differences in changes from baseline between the two groups. Conclusions Telmisartan reduced neointima volume; atherosclerosis progression 10 mm proximal and distal to the stented segment and baPWV independent of blood pressure, glucose and lipid control in hypertensive type 2 diabetes. Clinical trial no NCT00599885 (clinicaltrials.gov.)

In the title compound, C18H26N4O4, the bridgehead N atom is located toward the inside of the cage and the displacement from the aromatic ring is 4.2110 (13) A. The three C atoms adjacent to the bridgehead N atom are disordered with roughly equal occupancy between two sets of positions.

Cilostazol, a phosphodiesterase III inhibitor, is known to have anti-proliferative activity. We investigated the effects of cilostazol 200 mg, in addition to aspirin 100 mg and clopidogrel 75 mg, on carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) progression during a 2-year follow-up period in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) requiring stent implantation. Patients with ACS (n = 130) were randomly assigned to the cilostazol group (n = 64) or the control group (n = 66). Longitudinal images of left and right carotid IMT were measured at baseline, at 6, 12, and 24 months using a 10-MHz linear vascular probe. The primary endpoint was to compare the changes in maximum carotid IMT at 2 years. Other parameters such as inflammatory markers [interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, C-reactive protein (CRP), and adiponectin] and bleeding risk were also compared. The carotid IMT showed no significant progression from baseline in the cilostazol group compared to significant progression in the control group at 12 months (0.78 ± 0.38 and 0.85 ± 0.41 mm, p = 0.034, respectively) and 24 months (0.82 ± 0.41 and 0.96 ± 0.39 mm, p = 0.022, respectively). Major bleeding (p = 1.00), minor bleeding (p = 0.68), and total bleeding rates (p = 0.74) were similar between the two groups during the 2-year follow-up. Decreases from baseline in IL-6 (−2.79 ± 2.83 and −2.14 ± 3.36 pg/ml, p = 0.010, respectively) and TNF-α (−2.81 ± 1.97 and −2.21 ± 2.68 pg/ml, p = 0.029, respectively) were significantly greater in the cilostazol group than the control group during the follow-up. Cilostazol treatment, with greater anti-inflammatory effect, inhibited the progression of carotid IMT without increasing the risk of bleeding in patients with ACS during the 2-year follow-up.

The effects of red ginseng extract on circulating angiogenic cell mobilization and improvement of microvascular integrity were evaluated in ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients during 8-month follow-up. AMI patients (n = 50) were randomly assigned to the red ginseng group (3 g/day, n = 25) or the placebo group (n = 25) after coronary stenting. Coronary flow reserve (CFR) was measured at baseline and at 8 months with an intracoronary Doppler wire. Serial changes in the absolute numbers of circulating angiogenic cells such as CD34(+) , CXCR4(+) , CD117(+) , CD133(+) and C-met(+) were measured at baseline, 1 day, 5 days and at 8 months. CFR were similar between the two groups at baseline, and CFR was significantly higher in the red ginseng group than in the placebo group (2.80 ± 0.91 and 2.56 ± 0.77, p0.05, respectively) after 8 months of red ginseng administration. The absolute numbers of circulating CD34(+) , CXCR4(+) and CD117(+) cells were significantly higher in the red ginseng group at 1 and 5 days after stenting. Significant positive correlations were found between the numbers of circulating angiogenic cells at day 1 and the changes from baseline in CFR for CD34(+) , CXCR4(+) , CD117(+) and C-met(+) cells. Red ginseng extract increased CD34(+) , CXCR4(+) and CD117(+) circulating angiogenic cell mobilization and decreased inflammation in AMI patients, thereby improving CFR during the 8-month follow-up.

The new ion-selective electrodes (ISEs) based on salphenH2 derivatives such as N,N′-(propylenedioxy)benzenebis(salicylideneimine) L1 and N,N′-4,5-(propylenedioxy)benzenebis(3,5-di-tert-butylsalicylideneimine) L2 as cation carriers are developed for a uranyl ion. The combination of these new ionophores with tris(2-ethylhexyl)phosphate (TEHP) as a plasticizer particularly shows near Nernstian slope in the wide concentration range (1.0 × 10−6 to 1.0 × 10−2 M) of UO22+ and is observed well in the pH range from 1.0 to 5.0 with a response time less than 20 s. Since the employed ionophores were confirmed to form well-defined stable 1:1 complexes with UO22+, the observed high selectivity for a uranyl ion over the other cations was attributed to the selective complexation as well as the lipophilic behavior of these ligands especially for L2. The proposed electrodes offered practically low detection limit of 6.5 × 10−7 M and reasonably good end-points within experimental error were obtained when the sensor was used as an indicator electrode for the potentiometric titration.

The S3O2 macrocycle L1 was synthesized by a dithiol-dihalide coupling reaction under high-dilution conditions. The reaction of L1 with K2PdCl4 afforded an exocoordinated complex 1, [cis-Cl2Pd(L1)], which can then be manipulated to provide a heterobinuclear complex 3, {[Pd(L1)Ag(NO3)(2.5)](NO3)(0.5)}n, utilizing endocyclic Pd(II) and exocyclic Ag(I) in a single macrocycle through a successive reaction with AgNO3. The network of 3 contains a unique honeycomb-like 2-D sheet made up of the repeating unit [Ag6(NO3)6].

A platinum complex with 6-oxa-3,9-dithiabicyclo[9,4,0]-pentadeca-1(11),12,14-triene (L) was prepared and its crystal structure was analyzed. In the complex, the Pt atom is four-coordinated in a distorted square-planar environment with two S atoms and two Cl-ions in a cis-arrangement.

The sandwich dimeric structure of di-μ-iodo-bis[(1,4,7,10,13,16-hexaoxa­cyclo­octa­decane)­caesium(I)] p-xyl­ene solvate, [Cs2I2(C12H24O6)2]·C8H10, has been characterized by X-ray crystallography. The complex adopts an encapsulate of a molecular dimeric array [Cs(18-crown-6)(μ-I)]2·C8H10. Two Cs(18-crown-6)+ moieties are doubly linked by two iodide ions. The mol­ecule has crystallographic 2/m (C2h) symmetry.