Efficient Gene Transfection through Inhibition of β-Sheet (Amyloid Fiber) Formation of a Short Amphiphilic Peptide by Gold Nanoparticles

The effect of citrate-stabilized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) on the secondary structure of an artificial β-sheet-forming cationic peptide has been studied. The AuNPs inhibited β-sheet formation and led to fragmented fibrils and spherical oligomers with assembled AuNPs on their surface. Besides this structural change, the functional properties of the peptide are also different. Whereas the peptide was unable to act as a vector for gene delivery, formation of a complex with AuNPs allowed successful gene delivery into cells.     

Hydration structure of the Ti(III) cation as revealed by pulse EPR and DFT studies: new insights into a textbook case

The (17)O and (1)H hyperfine interactions of water ligands in the Ti(III) aquo complex in a frozen solution were determined using Hyperfine Sublevel Correlation (HYSCORE) and Pulse Electron Nuclear Double Resonance (ENDOR) spectroscopies at 9.5 GHz. The isotropic hyperfine interaction (hfi) constant of the water ligand (17)O was found to be about 7.5 MHz. (1)H Single Matched Resonance Transfer (SMART) HYSCORE spectra allowed resolution of the hfi interactions of the two inequivalent water ligand protons and the relative orientations of their hfi tensors. The magnetic and geometrical parameters extracted from the experiments were compared with the results of DFT computations for different geometrical arrangements of the water ligands around the cation. The theoretical observable properties (g tensor (1)H and (17)O hfi tensors and their orientations) of the [Ti(H(2)O)(6)](3+) complex are in quantitative agreement with the experiments for two slightly different geometrical arrangements associated with D(3d) and C(i) symmetries.     

Generation and EPR characterization of color centers at the surface of ionic oxides

The activation of the surface of high surface area alkali-earth oxides to form surface color centers is described in detail. Two methods (the radiative coloring and the additive coloring by means of vapors of low ionization energy metals) have been adopted to form surface electron excess centers of various complexity. The EPR technique is essential to describe the nature and the structural features of the paramagnetic centers. The electron rich surface quickly reacts with a variety of adsorbed molecules forming adsorbed anions and radical anions. Two examples of such reactivity are illustrated in the final part of the paper.     

Some remarks on an experiment suggesting quantum-like behavior of cognitive entities and formulation of an abstract quantum mechanical formalism to describe cognitive entity and its dynamics

We have executed for the first time an experiment on mental observables concluding that there exists equivalence (that is to say, quantum-like behavior) between quantum and cognitive entities. Such result has enabled us to formulate an abstract quantum mechanical formalism that is able to describe cognitive entities and their time dynamics.     

Catalytic reactivity of Cr/SiO2 in the liquid phase oxidation of cyclohexanol by tert-butyl hydroperoxide

Silica supported chromium is a heterogeneous, active and selective catalyst for the liquid phase oxidation of cyclohexanol by tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) in the presence or absence of oxygen. It is also active for the decomposition of TBHP. The reactivity at 70ºC and atmospheric pressure is higher than over other catalysts and the cyclohexanone selectivity is 100%.     

Hydrogen evolution in amorphous silicon carbide

The influence of the hydrogen content and its evolution in the annealing treatments of the structural properties of hydrogenated amorphous silicon carbide (a-SiC:H) prepared by plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition under different deposition conditions have been studied. The results indicate how strongly hydrogen affects the presence of defects in the amorphous network of the samples.