Finite Hilbert stability of (bi)canonical curves

We prove that a generic canonically or bicanonically embedded smooth curve has semistable mth Hilbert points for all m≥2. We also prove that a generic bicanonically embedded smooth curve has stable mth Hilbert points for all m≥3. In the canonical case, this is accomplished by proving finite Hilbert semistability of special singular curves with $\mathbb{G}_{m}$ -action, namely the canonically embedded balanced ribbon and the canonically embedded balanced double A _2k+1-curve. In the bicanonical case, we prove finite Hilbert stability of special hyperelliptic curves, namely Wiman curves. Finally, we give examples of canonically embedded smooth curves whose mth Hilbert points are non-semistable for low values of m, but become semistable past a definite threshold.     

Implications of heterogeneous bead behavior on cell mechanical properties measured with magnetic twisting cytometry

Magnetic twisting cytometry (MTC) measures cellular mechanical properties, such as cell stiffness and viscosity, by applying mechanical stress to specific cell surface receptors via ligand-coated ferromagnetic beads. MTC measures simultaneously the rotation of approximately 50,000 beads attached to 20,000 - 40,000 cells. Here we show direct evidence of heterogeneous bead behavior and examine its consequences in the interpretation of cell mechanical properties.     

A Promiscuous Halogenase for the Derivatization of Flavonoids

Halogenation often improves the bioactive properties of natural products and is used in pharmaceutical research for the generation of new potential drug leads. High regio- and stereospecificity, simple reaction conditions and straightforward downstream processing are the main advantages of halogenation using enzymatic biocatalysts compared to chemical synthetic approaches. The identification of new promiscuous halogenases for the modification of various natural products is of great interest in modern drug discovery. In this paper, we report the identification of a new promiscuous FAD-dependent halogenase, DklH, from Frankia alni ACN14a. The identified halogenase readily modifies various flavonoid compounds, including those with well-studied biological activities. This halogenase has been demonstrated to modify not only flavones and isoflavones, but also flavonols, flavanones and flavanonols. The structural requirements for DklH substrate recognition were determined using a feeding approach. The homology model of DklH and the mechanism of substrate recognition are also proposed in this paper.     

Impact of Electrospinning Parameters and Post-Treatment Method on Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Activity of Chitosan Nanofibers

Chitosan, a natural biopolymer, is an ideal candidate to prepare biomaterials capable of preventing microbial infections due to its antibacterial properties. Electrospinning is a versatile method ideally suited to process biopolymers with minimal impact on their physicochemical properties. However, fabrication parameters and post-processing routine can affect biological activity and, therefore, must be well adjusted. In this study, nanofibrous membranes were prepared using trifluoroacetic acid and dichloromethane and evaluated for physiochemical and antimicrobial properties. The use of such biomaterials as potential antibacterial agents was extensively studied in vitro using Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli as test organisms. The antibacterial assay showed inhibition of bacterial growth and eradication of the planktonic cells of both E. coli and S. aureus in the liquid medium for up to 6 hrs. The quantitative assay showed a significant reduction in bacteria cell viability by nanofibers depending on the method of fabrication. The antibacterial properties of these biomaterials can be attributed to the structural modifications provided by co-solvent formulation and application of post-treatment procedure. Consequently, the proposed antimicrobial surface modification method is a promising technique to prepare biomaterials designed to induce antimicrobial resistance via antiadhesive capability and the biocide-releasing mechanism.     

Post‐Synthesis Stabilization of Germanosilicate Zeolites ITH,IWW, and UTL by Substitution of Ge for Al

Germanosilicate zeolites often suffer from low hydrothermal stability due to the high content of Ge. Herein, we investigated the post‐synthesis introduction of Al accompanied by stabilization of selected germanosilicates by degermanation/alumination treatments. The influence of chemical composition and topology of parent germanosilicate zeolites ( ITH , IWW , and UTL ) on the post‐synthesis incorporation of Al was studied. Alumination of ITH (Si/Ge=2–13) and IWW (Si/Ge=3–7) zeolites resulted in the partial substitution of Ge for Al (up to 80 %), which was enhanced with a decrease of Ge content in the parent zeolite. In contrast, in extra‐large pore zeolite UTL (Si/Ge=4–6) the hydrolysis of the interlayer Ge?O bonds dominated over substitution. The stabilization of zeolite UTL was achieved using a novel two‐step degermanation/alumination procedure by the partial post‐synthesis substitution of Ge for Si followed by alumination. This new method of stabilization and incorporation of strong acid sites may extend the utilization of germanosilicate zeolites, which has been until now been limited.     

Alkyl chains of surface ligands affect polytypism of cdse nanocrystals and play an important role in the synthesis of anisotropic nanoheterostructures

We show that the length of the alkyl chain of surface ligands can shift the equilibrium between the wurtzite and zinc blende polytypes of CdSe nanocrystals. In-situ wide-angle X-ray scattering measurements reveal that short-chain (e.g., propyl) phosphonic acids stabilize CdSe nanocrystals with the zinc blende phase whereas octadecylphosphonic acid stabilize nanocrystals with the wurtzite phase. We also demonstrate how this effect can be used to improve the shape selectivity in the synthesis of anisotropic CdSe/CdS and ZnSe/CdS nanoheterostructures.     

Nanocrystal superlattices with thermally degradable hybrid inorganic-organic capping ligands

Colloidal metallic and semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs) functionalized with metal chalcogenide complexes (MCCs) have shown a promise for designing materials that combine high carrier mobility with the electronic structure of strongly quantum-confined solids. Here we report a simple and general methodology for switching the repulsive forces responsible for colloidal stabilization of MCC-capped NCs from long-range electrostatic to short-range steric through the formation of tight ionic pairs with cationic surfactants. This noncovalent surface modification remarkably improved the ability of MCC-capped NCs to self-assemble into long-range ordered superlattices. These NCs are highly soluble in nonpolar solvents and compatible with various technologically relevant organic molecules and polymers. The hybrid inorganic-organic coating can be thermally decomposed at significantly lower temperatures compared to those required for removal of conventional organic ligands.     

Predictive tracking of an object by a pan–tilt camera of a robot

Nonlinear Dynamics - Moving-object tracking using a pan–tilt camera setup is quite a well-known task in robotics. However, the presented research addresses specific properties of the tracked...