Inclusion of Polyphenol Oxidase Substrates in β-Cyclodextrin: A 1 H-NMR Study

A ¹H-NMR study of the interactionsbetween -cyclodextrin (-CD) and included phenolic molecules (chloragenic acid and caffeic acid ) in aqueous medium is reported. The results confirm that inclusion occurs. Data analysis by the continuous variation method shows that all the complexes have 1 : 1 stoichiometries. Values for the apparent association constants of the inclusion compounds are estimated and compared with previously reported values.     

Kinetically locked-in colloidal transport in an array of optical tweezers

We describe measurements of colloidal transport through arrays of micrometer-scale potential wells created with holographic optical tweezers. Varying the orientation of the trap array relative to the external driving force results in a hierarchy of lock-in transitions analogous to symmetry-selecting processes in a wide variety of systems. Focusing on colloid as a model system provides the first opportunity to observe the microscopic mechanisms of kinetic lock-in transitions and reveals a new class of statistically locked-in states. This particular realization also has immediate applications for continuously fractionating particles, biological cells, and macromolecules.     

Inclusion of Enantiomeric Carvones in β-Cyclodextrin: a Variable Temperature 1H NMR Study in Aqueous Solution

In aqueous solution, the apparent association constant at room temperature for the 1 : 1 inclusion of S-(+)-carvone in - cyclodextrin is double of that for R-(-)-carvone, whereas, at 45 °C, both enantiomers have association constants two orders of magnitude smaller, with the S-(+) inclusion being then slightly weaker than the R-(-) encapsulation. Calculations carried out at the molecular mechanics, AM1 and STO-3G levels confirm the preferential inclusion of the S-enantiomer and provide important clues for understanding chiral discrimination by -cyclodextrin.     

Exact solution of an evolutionary model without aging

We introduce an age-structured asexual population model containing all the relevant features of evolutionary aging theories. Beneficial as well as deleterious mutations, heredity, and arbitrary fecundity are present and managed by natural selection. An exact solution without aging is found. We show that fertility is associated with generalized forms of the Fibonacci sequence, while mutations and natural selection are merged into an integral equation which is solved by Fourier series. Average survival probabilities and Malthusian growth exponents are calculated and indicate that the system may exhibit mutational meltdown. The relevance of the model in the context of fissile reproduction groups like many protozoa and coelenterates is discussed.     

Mössbauer and XRD Comparative Study of Host Rock and Iron Rich Mineral Samples from Paz del Rio Iron Ore Mineral Mine in Colombia

The local environment of implanted ¹¹¹Ag (t _1/2 = 7.45 d) in single-crystalline [0001] ZnO was evaluated by means of the perturbed angular correlation (PAC) technique. Following the 60 keV low dose (1 × 10¹³ cm⁻²) ¹¹¹Ag implantation, the PAC measurements were performed for the as-implanted state and following 30 min air annealing steps, at temperatures ranging from 200 to 1050°C. The results revealed that 42% of the probes are located at defect-free S_Zn sites (ν _Q ∼ 32 MHz, η = 0) in the as-implanted state and that this fraction did not significantly change with annealing. Moreover, a progressive lattice recovery in the near vicinity of the probes was observed. Different EFGs assigned to point defects were furthermore measured and a general modification of their parameters occurred after 600°C. The 900°C annealing induced the loss of 30% of the ¹¹¹Ag atoms, 7% of which were located in regions of high defects concentration.     

Structure elucidation with lanthanide-induced shifts. 4—Bound shifts vs relative shifts

The use of lanthanide shift reagents (LSR's) to obtain additional structural information from nuclear magnetic resonance studies has gained widespread acceptance. However, there has not been general agreement with regard to the most appropriate methodology for analysis of the shifted NMR spectra. We present arguments that only the bound shifts (Δ₁) corresponding to the LS complex should be used for correlation of lanthanide-induced shifts with molecular structure by means of the pseudocontact equation. Several examples are discussed of compounds for which the relative induced shifts are dependent on the concentration of LSR. For such cases it is not possible for both Δ₁ and Δ₂ (the bound shift corresponding to the LS₂ complex) to correlate successfully with the correct structure. Alternative methods of obtaining bound shifts are critically evaluated.     

INTERFERENCE BY NEAR ULTRAVIOLET AND GREEN LIGHT WITH GROWTH OF ANIMAL AND PLANT CELL CULTURES*

Abstract— Near ultraviolet (365 nm) and green-yellow (546-579nm) radiations repress the growth of liquid cell cultures of Ginkgo pollen and of monolayer cultures of HeLa. The deleterious effects of green-yellow wavelengths can be negated by red radiation; near-u.v.-induced growth repressions are insensitive to visible light photorestoration. These wavelengths do not interact synergistically and evoke different kinetics of response.     

Creating permanent 3D arrangements of isolated cells using holographic optical tweezers

We report the creation of permanent 3D configurations of cells, at predefined positions, within a gelatin matrix. The technique used holographic optical tweezers to manipulate individual E. coli within a solution comprising monomer precursors. The matrix was then set and after the laser beam was removed, we were able to demonstrate that the structures remained intact for many days. We were also able to demonstrate that, in the presence of appropriate nutrients, the E. coli survived within the gelatin matrix for several days. The technique could have a number of potential future applications, including the arrangement of a variety of different cell types in complex architectures, as motifs for promoting tissue differentiation and growth within the field of cell engineering.