Transport and separation of biomolecular cargo on paramagnetic colloidal particles in a magnetic ratchet

Paramagnetic particles in a magnetic ratchet potential were transported in discrete steps in an aqueous solution on the surface of a magnetic garnet film. The proposed technique allows the simultaneously controlled, dispersion-free movement of an ensemble of paramagnetic particles across the surface. External magnetic modulations were used to transport the particles in a defined direction, and a current reversal upon changing the size of the particles was used to separate particles having different diameters. Doublets consisting of a larger and a smaller particle functionalized with complimentary oligonucleotides and bound via Watson-Crick base pairing were separated after melting the double stranded DNA.     

Mechanistic investigation of the gold-catalyzed aerobic oxidation of aldehydes: added insight from Hammett studies and isotopic labelling experiments

The gold-catalyzed aerobic oxidation of aldehydes proceeds through development of a partial negative charge and has a significant kinetic isotope effect (kH/kD = 2.8-2.9), which illustrates that activation of the C-H bond takes place in the rate-determining step.     

First Evidence of a Combination of Terpinen-4-ol and α-Terpineol as a Promising Tool against ESKAPE Pathogens

Antimicrobial resistance is a major public health issue raising growing concern in the face of dwindling response options. It is therefore urgent to find new anti-infective molecules enabling us to fight effectively against ever more numerous bacterial infections caused by ever more antibiotic-resistant bacteria. In this quest for new antibacterials, essential oils (or compounds extracted from essential oils) appear to be a promising therapeutic option. In the present work, we investigate the potential antibacterial synergy between a combination of terpinen-4-ol and α-terpineol (10:1) compared to standard tea tree oil. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined. Then, time kill assays, in vitro cytotoxicity and bactericidal activity on latent bacteria (persisters) were investigated. Finally, an in silico study of the pharmacokinetic parameters of α-terpineol was also performed. Altogether, our data demonstrate that the combination of terpinen-4-ol and α-terpineol might be a precious weapon to address ESKAPE pathogens.     

Characterization of the Intensity Distribution in a Single Laser Spot Applied to the Annealing of Ion-Implanted Silicon

By means of the annealing events of ion-implanted p-type silicon in liquid phase epitaxy (implantation dose 2.5 × 10¹⁶ As⁺/cm²) the degree of homogeneity of a bent quartz rod diffuser for single pulses of a Q-switched Nd-glass laser (λ = 1.06 μm) is investigated using SEM-EBIC, TEM and RBS. Starting from discrete distributions of EBIC signal heights in the annealing spot the specific distribution of recrystallized monocrystalline and polycrystalline regions as well as the transition between them are proved by TEM diffraction contrast studies. The perfect recrystallization for a locally optimum laser energy density as well as the rectangular shape of the carrier concentration profile are proved by RBS measurements. At different positions of the measuring point within the annealing area RBS, too, renders it possible to point out local inhomogeneities of the energy density distribution in the case of low-quality beam diffusers.