The core of zero-dimensional monomial ideals

The core of an ideal is the intersection of all its reductions. We describe the core of a zero-dimensional monomial ideal I as the largest monomial ideal contained in a general reduction of I. This provides a new interpretation of the core in the monomial case as well as an efficient algorithm for computing it. We relate the core to adjoints and first coefficient ideals, and in dimension two and three we give explicit formulas.     

P-Partitions and the plactic congruence

A conjecture of Stanley states that if the generating function of a posetP is symmetric, then in factP belongs to the family of posets induced by some skew shape /. In this paper we show that if the setL(P) of the linear extensions of a posetP is plactic-closed, thenP is a poset induced by a skew shape.Supported by LA CIM-UQAM and Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche     

Comprehensive chemical derivatization for gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-based multi-targeted profiling of the major phytohormones

In the present investigation we report selection of the N-methyl-N-(tert.-butydimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (MTBSTFA) reagent as the most comprehensive derivatization protocol among 17 tested reactions covering trifluoroacetylation, pentafluorobenzylation, methylations, and trimethylsilylations. MTBSTFA allowed easy and robust tert.-butyldimethylsilyl derivatization of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid, indole-3-acetic acid, (+/-)-jasmonic acid, salicylic acid, (+/-)-abscisic acid, meta-topolin, and trans-zeatin. Detection limits as analysed by selected ion monitoring quadrupole GC-MS were 0.2, 0.01, 1.0, 0.02, 0.3, 0.3, and 0.9 pmol of injected substance, respectively. Analysis of gibberellic acid A3, trans-zeatin riboside and (+/-)-abscisic acid-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester was best when coupled by splitting extracts and trimethysilylation. The MTBSTFA derivatization protocol was optimised, and validated. The preparation was insensitive to 2% residual water and to < or = 1 day storage at room temperature. The final scheme was highly reproducible and successfully applied to extracts from approximately 300 mg (fresh mass) of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) root and Arabidopsis thaliana seedling.     

Trimethylsilylverbindungen der Vb-Elemente. VII. Die Kristallstrukturen von Lithium-bis(trimethylsilyl)bismutid · DME und Tetrakis(trimethylsilyl)dibismutan sowie Bemerkungen zur Kristallstruktur des Bis(4-methoxyphenyl)ditellans

Trimethylsilyl Derivatives of Vb Elements. VII. Crystal Structures of Lithium Bis(trimethylsilyl)bismuthide · DME and of Tetrakis(trimethylsilyl)dibismuthane as well as Some Comments on the Crystal Structure of Bis(4-methoxyphenyl)ditellane Colourless lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)bismuthide · DME

1 1,2-Dimethoxyethan (DME); Tetrahydrofuran (THF)

1 and green, metallic lustrous tetrakis(trimethylsilyl)dibismuthane 2 crystallize isotopic to their antimony homologues [1, 2]. As it is shown by crystal structure determinations { 1 : ?90°C; I 4 2d; a = 1017,3(4); c = 3738,0(26) pm; Z = 8; R _w = 0,065; 2 : + 20°C; P2 ₁ /c; a = 680,9(4); b = 1704,8(13); c = 1197,9 (10) pm; β = 119,46(6)°; Z = 2; R _w = 0,084} both compounds form chains which in the case of bismuthide 1 are built up as screws of alternating bismuth and lithium atoms; bonding further to two trimethylsilyl groups or to the chelating DME ligand both atoms gain coordination number 4 {Li? Bi 292(3); Bi? Si 263.3(14) pm; Bi? Li? Bi 132(1); Li? Bi? Li 148(1); φ(Li? Bi? Li? Bi) 83°}. In the case of dibismuthane 2 the centrosymmetric molecules are strung, their Bi-Bi groups forming nearly linear zigzag chains with shortened intermolecular contact distances {Bi-Bi 303.5(3); Bi …? Bi 380.4(3); Bi? Si 268 pm; Bi? Bi …? Bi 169; Bi? Bi? Si 97.4(5) and 92.0(5)°}. Structure and properties of 2 are compared with those of similar compounds; the crystal structure of brown, green metallic lustrous bis(4-methoxyphenyl)ditellane 5 already published by Ludlow and McCarthy[3] is reinvestigated with respect to very short intermolecular Te…?Te contacts.     

Lignin peroxidase-catalyzed oxidation of nonphenolic trimeric lignin model compounds: fragmentation reactions in the intermediate radical cations

The H(2)O(2)-promoted oxidations of the two nonphenolic beta-O-aryl lignin model trimers 1 and 2, catalyzed by lignin peroxidase (LiP) at pH = 3.5, have been studied. The results have been compared with those obtained in the oxidation of 1 and 2 with the genuine one-electron oxidant potassium 12-tungstocobalt(III)ate. These models present a different substitution pattern of the three aromatic rings, and by one-electron oxidation, they form radical cations with the positive charge, which is localized in the dialkoxylated ring as also evidenced by a pulse radiolysis study. Both the oxidations with the enzymatic and with the chemical systems lead to the formation of products deriving from the cleavage of C-C and C-H bonds in a beta position with respect to the radical cation with the charge residing in the dialkoxylated ring (3,4-dimethoxybenzaldehyde (5) and a trimeric ketone 6 in the oxidation of 1 and a dimeric aldehyde 8 and a trimeric ketone 9 in the oxidation of 2). These products are accompanied by a dimeric aldehyde 7 in the oxidation of 1 and 4-methoxybenzaldehyde (10) in the oxidation of 2. The unexpected formation of these two products has been explained by suggesting that 1.+ and 2.+ can also undergo an intramolecular electron transfer leading to the radical cations 1a.+ and 2a.+ with the charge residing in a monoalkoxylated ring. The fast cleavage of a C-C bond beta to this ring, leading to 7 from 1.+ and to 10 from 2.+, is the driving force of the endoergonic electron transfer. A kinetic steady-state investigation of the LiP-catalyzed oxidation of the trimer 2, the dimeric model 1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-phenoxy-1-ethanol (4), and 3,4-dimethoxybenzyl alcohol (3) has indicated that the turnover number (k(cat)) and the affinity for the enzyme decrease significantly by increasing the size of the model compound. In contrast, the three substrates exhibited a very similar reactivity toward a chemical oxidant [Co(III)W]. This suggests a size-dependent interaction of the enzyme with the substrate which may influence the efficiency of the electron transfer.     

Low-Cost Potentiometric Sensor for Chloride Measurement in Continuous Industrial Process Control

Recently, the new updates in legislation about drinking water control and human health have increased the demand for novel electrochemical low-cost sensors, such as potentiometric ones. Nowadays, the determination of chloride ion in aqueous solutions has attracted great attention in several fields, from industrial processes to drinking water control. Indeed, chloride plays a crucial role in corrosion, also influencing the final taste of beverages, especially coffee. The main goal is to obtain devices suitable for continuous and real-time analysis. For these reasons, we investigated the possibility to develop an easy, low-cost potentiometric chloride sensor, able to perform analysis in aqueous mediums for long immersion time and reducing the need of periodic calibration. We realized a chloride ion selective electrode made of Ag/AgCl sintered pellet and we tested its response in model solutions compatible with drinking water. The sensor was able to produce a stable, reproducible, and accurate quantification of chloride in 900 s, without the need for a preliminary calibration test. This opens the route to potential applications of this sensor in continuous, in situ, and real time measurement of chloride ions in industrial processes, with a reduced need for periodic maintenance.     

Novel Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Induce Ferroptosis in a Panel of Cancer Cell Lines

The use of nanomaterials rationally engineered to treat cancer is a burgeoning field that has reported great medical achievements. Iron-based polymeric nano-formulations with precisely tuned physicochemical properties are an expanding and versatile therapeutic strategy for tumor treatment. Recently, a peculiar type of regulated necrosis named ferroptosis has gained increased attention as a target for cancer therapy. Here, we show for the first time that novel iron oxide nanoparticles coated with gallic acid and polyacrylic acid (IONP–GA/PAA) possess intrinsic cytotoxic activity on various cancer cell lines. Indeed, IONP–GA/PAA treatment efficiently induces ferroptosis in glioblastoma, neuroblastoma, and fibrosarcoma cells. IONP–GA/PAA-induced ferroptosis was blocked by the canonical ferroptosis inhibitors, including deferoxamine and ciclopirox olamine (iron chelators), and ferrostatin-1, the lipophilic radical trap. These ferroptosis inhibitors also prevented the lipid hydroperoxide generation promoted by the nanoparticles. Altogether, we report on novel ferroptosis-inducing iron encapsulated nanoparticles with potent anti-cancer properties, which has promising potential for further in vivo validation.