Engineering DNA-Grafted Quatsomes as Stable Nucleic Acid-Responsive Fluorescent Nanovesicles

The development of artificial vesicles into responsive architectures capable of sensing the biological environment and simultaneously signaling the presence of a specific target molecule is a key challenge in a range of biomedical applications from drug delivery to diagnostic tools. Herein, the rational design of biomimetic DNA-grafted quatsome (QS) nanovesicles capable of translating the binding of a target molecule to amphiphilic DNA probes into an optical output is presented. QSs are synthetic lipid-based nanovesicles able to confine multiple organic dyes at the nanoscale, resulting in ultra-bright soft materials with attractiveness for sensing applications. Dye-loaded QS nanovesicles of different composition and surface charge are grafted with fluorescent amphiphilic nucleic acid-based probes to produce programmable FRET-active nanovesicles that operate as highly sensitive signal transducers. The photophysical properties of the DNA-grafted nanovesicles are characterized and the highly selective, ratiometric detection of clinically relevant microRNAs with sensitivity in the low nanomolar range are demonstrated. The potential applications of responsive QS nanovesicles for biosensing applications but also as functional nanodevices for targeted biomedical applications is envisaged.     

Solid acid (superacid) catalyzed regioselective adamantylation of substituted benzenes

Adamantylation of substituted benzenes with 1-bromo-adamantane was catalyzed by solid acids including acidic ion exchange and ionomer resins, HY zeolite, sulfated zirconia and supported superacids on HY zeolite and SiO₂. Adamantylation generally takes place in excellent yield giving predominantly para products without formation of byproducts. The reactions did not require the usual workup of Friedel-Crafts reactions as catalysts were simply filtered of. Cross-linked polystyrene resin sulfonic acid (Amberlyst) was found particularly suitable as besides its high catalytic activity, high regioselectivity was observed with almost exclusive formation ofp-adamantylated benzenes. AMI, PM3 and MNDO semiempirical calculations of heats of formation showed that of all regioisomers, the para isomer is the most stable. The temperature dependence of adamantylation was also investigated allowing the optimization ofp-substituted product in high yield and excellent selectivity. Lack of isomerization of 1-p-tolyla-damantane using solid (Amberlyst, Nafion-H) and liquid acids (neat and modified trifluoromethanesulfonic acid) indicates absence of product isomerization, while the intramolecular rearrangement of the intermediate arenium complex is still possible.Catalysis by solid superacids, Part 30. For part 29, see ref.[1A].     

Antibacterial LDPE Nanocomposites Based on Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles/Vermiculite Nanofiller

Polyethylene (PE) nanocomposites with the zinc oxide-nanoparticles/vermiculite nanofiller were prepared in two-steps. In first step, the ZnO-np/V nanofiller were prepared by the mechanochemical method followed by a heat treatment at 650?°C for 90 min. In second step, this nanofiller was used in concentration 3, 6, 10 and 15 wt% for PE nanocomposites preparation via melt compounding technique, the nanocomposites plates were pressed. The particles morphology of the ZnO-np/V nanofiller, arrangement of the ZnO-np/V nanofiller and surface of the PE plates were studied using scanning electron microscopy, optical light microscopy and atomic force microscopy. The surface roughness of the PE plates was evaluated from AFM measurements. Structural changes of the ZnO-np/V nanofiller in PE nanocomposites were monitored using X-ray diffraction analysis and Fourier transform infrared analysis. The gradual and long-term antibacterial effect of PE nanocomposites was tested on the Gram positive bacteria E. faecalis by counting the colony forming units number.     

Topologically controlled growth of magnetic-metal-functionalized semiconductor oxide nanorods

Colloidal semiconductor-magnetic hybrid nanocrystals with topologically controlled composition are fabricated by heterogeneous nucleation of spherical epsilon-Co domains onto anatase TiO2 nanorods. The latter can be selectively decorated at either their tips or at multiple locations along their longitudinal sidewalls, forming lattice-matched heterointerfaces regardless of the metal deposition sites. The possibility of switching between either heterostructure growth modes arises from the facet-dependent chemical reactivity of the oxide seeds, which is governed mainly by selective adhesion of the surfactants rather than by small differences in misfit-induced interfacial strain at the relevant junction points.     

Evaluating and comparing three community small-scale wind electrification projects

Electrification systems based on renewable energy have proven suitable for providing electricity autonomously to rural communities. Among the technical options available, wind systems are increasingly getting attention. In the northern mountains of Peru, at 3800 m.a.s.l., three community wind electrification projects have been implemented. The technical solutions used in each project are different: wind vs. hybrid photovoltaic-wind systems; individual equipment vs. microgrids. This study aims to describe, evaluate and compare these three small-scale community wind electrification projects. The evaluation of the three projects was carried out by comparing previous and present scenario; attention has been focused on project design and technical aspects, socio-economic impacts and sustainability and management model. These three examples shed light on both the advantages and disadvantages of different technological options as well as on appropriate community-level management models.     

Effect of branched PP content on the physical properties and cell growth during foaming of TPOs

Linear/branched PP blends at various ratios were used as the matrix for thermoplastic olefin (TPO) compounds, containing an ethylene–octene copolymer dispersed phase. A detailed investigation of the physical properties of these blends revealed that addition of branched PP (BPP) resulted in improved stiffness and flexural properties. Given that the phase morphology of the blends and the interfacial tension between their components remained virtually unaffected, these improvements are attributed to the higher stiffness of the BPP‐containing matrices. Talc‐filled TPOs containing branched PPs exhibited further improvements in the stiffness and flexural properties. An investigation into the bubble growth process during foaming using a batch foaming simulation system revealed that the presence of BPP resulted in a slight delay in cell nucleation, whereas the rate of bubble growth was not significantly altered. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Novel spectropolarimeter employing fixed polarizers for the determination of optically active samples

A novel spectropolarimeter, based on modification of an ordinary, inexpensive, multiwavelength ultraviolet (UV)-visible-near-infrared (NIR) spectrophotometer, is described and applied to the determination of sucrose, sucrose inversion, and enantiomeric composition of solutions of (R)-(+)-limonene and (S)-(-)-limonene. The instrument has no moving parts, and optical rotation measurements are encoded as an apparent absorbance. Apparent absorbance measurements can be combined with multivariate statistical analysis over a wide spectral range, and a background correction technique that employs the sample as its own blank provides an effective means of correcting for the presence of chromophores that also absorb over the wavelengths of interest. The instrument was tested against an ordinary polarimeter and showed good performance with both colorless and colored samples.     

Morphoanatomical and phytochemical studies of Salvia lachnostachys (Lamiaceae)

Salvia lachnostachys Benth., Lamiaceae, is a endemic species from southern Brazil. The essential oil of its leaves and flowers is mainly constituted by aliphatic compounds, such as dodecanoic acid, with sesquiterpenes as minor constituents. This work evaluated the morphology, anatomy, microchemistry, and phytochemistry of S. lachnostachys to provide advanced knowledge of Brazilian plants with medicinal potential. Light and scanning electron microscopy techniques were used in the anatomical and microchemical studies. Compounds were isolated by chromatographic techniques, identified by analysis of their NMR spectra and compared with published data. S. lachnostachys can be distinguished from other related species mainly by its petiolate leaves, terminal inflorescence, persistent bracts, and villous‐glandular corolla. The stem and leaves of S. lachnostachys display anatomical characteristics common to the family Lamiaceae. However, this species can be distinguished from other family members by the morphology and the presence of eglandular and glandular trichomes, as well as the organization of the vascular bundles of the petiole. The phytochemical results revealed that S. lacnostachys produces oleanolic and ursolic acids in addition to the diterpene fruticuline A, which is a rare compound, previously found only in Salvia fruticulosa Benth. and S. corrugata Vahl. Ursolic and oleanolic acids are bioactive triterpenes that exhibit antiatherosclerotic, anticancer, antihypertensive, antinflammatory, antileukemic, antimutagenic, antioxidant, antiproliferative, and antiviral activities, and fruticuline A has antibacterial activity. Microsc. Res. Tech. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Exploring the Origin of the Temperature‐Dependent Behavior of PbS Nanocrystal Thin Films and Solar Cells

Temperature‐dependent studies of the electrical and optical properties of cross‐linked PbS nanocrystal (NC) solar cells can provide deeper insight into their working mechanisms. It is demonstrated that the overall effect of temperature on the device efficiency originates from the temperature dependence of the open‐circuit voltage and the short‐circuit current, while the fill factor remains approximately constant. Extensive modeling provides signs of band‐like transport in the inhomogeneously coupled NC active layer and shows that the charge transport is dominated by diffusion. Moreover, via low temperature absorption and photoluminescence (PL) measurements, it is shown that the optical properties of PbS thin films before and after benzenedithiol (BDT) treatment exhibit very distinct behavior. After BDT treatment, both the optical density (OD) and PL are shifted to lower energies, indicating the occurrence of electronic wave function overlap between adjacent NCs. Decrease of the temperature leads to additional red‐shift of the OD and PL spectra, which is explained by the well‐known temperature dependence of the PbS NCs' bandgap. Moreover, BDT treated PbS NCs show unusual properties, such as decrease of the PL signal and broadening of the spectra at low temperatures. These features can be attributed to the partial relaxation of the quantum confinement and the opening of new radiative and nonradiative pathways for recombination at lower temperatures due to the presence of trap states.     

Structural development of sucrose-sweetened and sucrose-free sponge cakes during baking

The influence of sucrose, wheat starch and sorbitol upon the heat- and mass-exchanging processes forming the structure of sponge cake was studied. Under the influence of wheat starch and sorbitol the structure of the sucrose-free sponge cake was formed at more uniform total moisture release. This process was done at lower temperatures and smoother change of the sponge cake height with respect to the sucrose-sweetened sponge cake. The porous and steady structure of both cakes was finally formed at identical time--between 18th and 19th minute, at the applied conditions for baking of each batter (metal pan with diameter 15.4 cm and depth 6.2 cm containing 300 g of batter and placed in an electric oven "Rahovetz-02", Bulgaria for 30 min at 180 degrees C). The water-losses at the end of baking (10.30% and 10.40% for the sucrose-sweetened cake and sucrose-free cake, respectively) and the final temperatures reached in the crumb central layers (96.6 degrees C and 96.3 degrees C for the sucrose-sweetened cake and sucrose-free cake, respectively) during baking of both samples were not statistically different. The addition of wheat starch and sorbitol in sucrose-free sponge cake lead to the statistically different values for the porosity (76.15% and 72.98%) and the volume (1014.17 cm3 and 984.25 cm3) of the sucrose-sweetened and sucrose-free sponge cakes, respectively. As a result, the sucrose-free sponge cake formed during baking had a more homogeneous and finer microstructure with respect to that ofthe sucrose-sweetened one.