Investigating Asymptotic Suction Boundary Layers using a One-Dimensional Stochastic Turbulence Model

The one-dimensional turbulence model (ODT) is applied to study turbulent asymptotic suction boundary layers for a Reynolds number of Re = u_∞/v₀ = 333, where u_∞ and v₀ are the free stream and suction velocity, respectively. In here we will demonstrate that a large eddy suppression mechanism may reduce the influence of ODT model parameters, such as the viscous cut-off parameter Z. (© 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

The Roles of Composition and Mesostructure of Cobalt-Based Spinel Catalysts in Oxygen Evolution Reactions

By using the crystalline precursor decomposition approach and direct co-precipitation the composition and mesostructure of cobalt-based spinels can be controlled. A systematic substitution of cobalt with redox-active iron and redox-inactive magnesium and aluminum in a cobalt spinel with anisotropic particle morphology with a preferred 111 surface termination is presented, resulting in a substitution series including Co₃O₄, MgCo₂O₄, Co₂FeO₄, Co₂AlO₄ and CoFe₂O₄. The role of redox pairs in the spinels is investigated in chemical water oxidation by using ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN test), electrochemical oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and H₂O₂ decomposition. Studying the effect of dominant surface termination, isotropic Co₃O₄ and CoFe₂O₄ catalysts with more or less spherical particles are compared to their anisotropic analogues. For CAN-test and OER, Co³⁺ plays the major role for high activity. In H₂O₂ decomposition, Co²⁺ reveals itself to be of major importance. Redox active cations in the structure enhance the catalytic activity in all reactions. A benefit of a predominant 111 surface termination depends on the cobalt oxidation state in the as-prepared catalysts and the investigated reaction.     

Interaction of Crown Ether‐Annelated Styryl Dyes with Double‐Stranded DNA

DNA‐binding properties of 15‐crown‐5‐derived mono‐ and bis‐styryl dyes were investigated in the presence of calf thymus DNA. To access the factors that influence the DNA association in the series of these ligands, the structure of the molecules was varied by either changing size of the heterocyclic moiety or altering the position of the styryl substituents. The major binding mode for the monostyryl dyes is intercalation. Notably, binding of the dyes to the nucleic acids leads to a fluorescence enhancement by a factor of up to 54. Therefore, these cationic styryl derivatives may be applied as fluorescent “light‐up” probes for DNA detection.     

Locked by Design: A Conformationally Constrained Transglutaminase Tag Enables Efficient Site‐Specific Conjugation

Based on the crystal structure of a natural protein substrate for microbial transglutaminase, an enzyme that catalyzes protein crosslinking, a recognition motif for site‐specific conjugation was rationally designed. Conformationally locked by an intramolecular disulfide bond, this structural mimic of a native conjugation site ensured efficient conjugation of a reporter cargo to the therapeutic monoclonal antibody cetuximab without erosion of its binding properties.