Niche-dependent development of functional neuronal networks from embryonic stem cell-derived neural populations

Background  

The present work was performed to investigate the ability of two different embryonic stem (ES) cell-derived neural precursor populations to generate functional neuronal networks in vitro. The first ES cell-derived neural precursor population was cultivated as free-floating neural aggregates which are known to form a developmental niche comprising different types of neural cells, including neural precursor cells (NPCs), progenitor cells and even further matured cells. This niche provides by itself a variety of different growth factors and extracellular matrix proteins that influence the proliferation and differentiation of neural precursor and progenitor cells. The second population was cultivated adherently in monolayer cultures to control most stringently the extracellular environment. This population comprises highly homogeneous NPCs which are supposed to represent an attractive way to provide well-defined neuronal progeny. However, the ability of these different ES cell-derived immature neural cell populations to generate functional neuronal networks has not been assessed so far.     

The Unexpected Formation of a 2,2′-Di( N -ethyl-acetamino)substituted Diphenyl Disulfane on Oxidation of 3-Ethyl-2-methylbenzothiazolium Tetrafluoroborate

Attempts at the oxidation of 3-ethyl-2-methylbenzothiazolium salt 2 with a variety of oxidizing reagents did not lead to the desired isochiral S -oxide 3 or achiral S , S -dioxide 4 , in some cases, however, unexpectedly to the ring-opened dimeric 2,2'-di( N -ethyl-acetamino)substituted diphenyl disulfane 5 , the molecular structure of which was confirmed by x-ray analysis. The synthesis of 2-methylbenzothiazole- S , S -dioxide 14 , reported by Zincke et al. in 1915, turned out to be not reproducible. \centerline{\epsfbox{:art:fig-01.jpg}}     

Self-organization of gold atoms on a polar FeO(111) surface

The spatial distribution of single Au atoms on a thin FeO film has been investigated by low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy. The adatoms preferentially adsorb on distinct sites of the Moiré cell formed by the oxide layer and the Pt(111) support and arrange into a well-ordered hexagonal superlattice with 25 angstroms lattice constant. The self-organization is the consequence of an inhomogeneous surface potential within the FeO Moiré cell and substantial electrostatic repulsion between the adatoms.     

Local Entropy Conditions in Transonic Potential Flow Problems

The transonic potential flow problem is handled as a variational problem over a closed convex set which is given by a bound for the gas velocity and by a local entropy condition. It can be shown that the minimum problem has a solution though the functional need not be convex and the given set is not compact. Furthermore, the convergence of an approximation method (KATCHANOV'S method) for the solution to the corresponding variational inequality is proved.     

Investigating the molecular mechanisms of in-plane mechanochemistry on cantilever arrays

Free-standing cantilevers, which directly translate specific biochemical reactions into micromechanical motion, have recently attracted much attention as label-free biosensors and micro/nano robotic devices. To exploit this mechanochemical sensing technology, it is essential to develop a fundamental understanding of the origins of surface stress. Here we report a detailed study into the molecular basis of stress generation in aqueous environments focusing on the pH titration of model mercaptohexadecanoic acid self-assembled monolayers (SAMs), using in situ reference cantilevers coated with nonionizable hexadecanethiol SAMs. Semiautomated data analysis and a statistical model were developed to quantify cyclic deprotonation/protonation reactions on multiple arrays. In-plane force titrations were found to have the sensitivity to detect ionic hydrogen bond formation between protonated and nonprotonated carboxylic acid groups in the proximity of the surface pK1/2, which generated a mean tensile differential surface stress of +1.2 +/- 0.3 mN/m at pH 6.0, corresponding to 1 pN attractive force between two adjacent MHA molecules. Conversely, the magnitude of compressive differential surface stress was found to increase progressively with pH >/= 7.0, reaching a maximum of -14.5 +/- 0.5 mN/m at pH 9.0, attributed to enhanced electrostatic repulsion between deprotonated carboxylic acid groups. However, striking differences were observed in the micromechanical responses to different ionic strength and ion species present in the aqueous environment, highlighting the critical role of counter- and co-ions on surface stress. Our findings provide fundamental insights into the molecular mechanisms of in-plane mechanochemistry, which may be exploited for biosensing and nanoactuation applications.     

Fulven-Dimere: Synthese,Strukturbeweis and thermisches Verhalten

Fulvene-Dieters: Synthesis, Structure Elucidation and Thermal Behaviour In contrast to earlier assumptions, thermal reaction of pure fulvene ( 1a ), 6-methylfulvene ( lb ) and 6, 6-dimethylfuivene ( 1c ) at 227deg; gives oligomeric mixtures consisting mainly of the endo-[4 + 2]-eycloaddition products 2a , 2b and 2c . Thermal reactivity of the fulvenes decreases strongly in the series 1a > 1b > 1c . While the dimers 2b and 2c equilibrate very easily in solution above room temperature with 1b and 1c , respectively, 2a equilibrates with the isomer 5a (? 1, 6-Dimethyliden3a α, 3bβ, 6a α, 6bβ-tetrahydro-1-H), 6 H-bi (cyclopentadienylen). This surprising rearrangement envolves a formal 1,3-shift of the 1, 2-dihydrofulvene-unit of 2a (s. Scheme 4).