Ag2 and Ag3 Clusters: Synthesis,Characterization, and Interaction with DNA

Subnanometric samples, containing exclusively Ag₂ and Ag₃ clusters, were synthesized for the first time by kinetic control using an electrochemical technique without the use of surfactants or capping agents. By combination of thermodynamic and kinetic measurements and theoretical calculations, we show herein that Ag₃ clusters interact with DNA through intercalation, inducing significant structural distortion to the DNA. The lifetime of Ag₃ clusters in the intercalated position is two to three orders of magnitude longer than for classical organic intercalators, such as ethidium bromide or proflavine.     

Isolation of Biogenic Amines Using Paramagnetic Microparticles Off-Line Coupled with Ion Exchange Liquid Chromatography

This study aims at the possibility of single structured paramagnetic microparticles (PMPs), composed of maghemite (γ-Fe₂O₃) core modified with chitosan called MAN8, or tetraethyl orthosilicate covered with Dowex called MAN35, to be helpful for isolation of biogenic amines prior to their further analysis. Primarily, we synthesized and characterized PMPs. To obtain the information about bead morphology, scanning electron microscopy was employed. Furthermore, X-ray fluorescence was employed to carry out the elemental composition analyses. To obtain further insight into interaction between PMP surface and biogenic amines, scanning electron microscope was employed. It was shown that binding of biogenic amines causes increase of relative current response of deprotonated microparticles. We tested the specificity of PMPs to bind biogenic amines on histamine, tyramine, spermine, spermidine, putrescine, and cadaverine. We found that two types of our PMPs were able to selectively bind spermidine, cadaverine, and histamine in the case of MAN35; and histamine, tyramine, and putrescine in the case of MAN8. Finally, we carried out the analyses of real samples obtained from patients suffering from prostate carcinoma, where histamine was determined as the most abundant biogenic amine (10.456–13.654 µg mL⁻¹). The prepared PMPs were able to isolate the biogenic amines from real samples, and thus they may be helpful in construction of biosensors, or Lab-on-a-Chip platforms, enabling less painful, and more rapid diagnosis of prostate cancer.

     

Experimental study of controlling chaos in a DC–DC boost converter

This paper presents a delayed feedback control scheme for eliminating chaotic behaviour in a peak current-mode controlled DC–DC boost converter operating in the continuous current conduction mode. Experimental results and FORTRAN simulations show the effectiveness and robustness of the scheme.     

Aaptanone, a novel zwitterionic metabolite of the aaptamine class with an oxygenated 1,6-naphthyridine core from the Vietnamese marine sponge Aaptos aaptos

A new zwitterionic compound, aaptanone, having a rare oxygenated 1,6-naphthyridine core, has been isolated from the Vietnamese marine sponge Aaptos aaptos, along with the known metabolites, aaptamine, isoaaptamine, and their hydrochloride salts. The structure of aaptanone was determined as 8-methoxy-1-methyl-5,6-dioxo-5,6-dihydro-4H-benzo[de]-1,6-naphthyridine-1-ium-9-olate from spectroscopic data, X-ray analysis, and by spectroscopic analysis of an N-methyl derivative.     

Local compactness in right bounded asymmetric normed spaces

We characterize the finite dimensional asymmetric normed spaces which are right bounded and the relation of this property with the natural compactness properties of the unit ball, such as compactness and strong compactness. In contrast with some results found in the existing literature, we show that not all right bounded asymmetric norms have compact closed balls. We also prove that there are finite dimensional asymmetric normed spaces that satisfy that the closed unit ball is compact, but not strongly compact, closing in this way an open question on the topology of finite dimensional asymmetric normed spaces. In the positive direction, we will prove that a finite dimensional asymmetric normed space is strongly locally compact if and only if it is right bounded.     

On a vibration problem of antiplane strain (shear) of orthotropic non-homogeneous prismatic shell-like bodies

Vibration problem of an antiplane strain (shear) of orthotropic non-homogeneous prismatic shell-like bodies is considered when the shear moduli depending on the body projection (i.e. on a domain lying in the plane of interest) variables may vanish on a part of the boundary of the projection.     

Using Plasma-Activated High Performance Fibers with Nanocrystalline Structure in Producing New Reinforced Composite Materials

A multifilament wet-pull-out method for estimation of physicochemical interaction between the fiber and the matrix in composite materials reinforced with high-strength high-modulus polyethylene fiber has been proposed. Controlled parameters are fiber capillary rise h and pull-out force F. The method allows one to estimate the wettability and multifilament fiber impregnation with the liquid matrix and measure fiber capillary rise and the joint strength after curing process finished. The multifilament wet-pull-out method considers a total interaction between the matrix and filaments in a complex fiber or yarn. It is the advantage of this method in comparison with the tests of individual monofilament. The method makes it possible to model the real operating conditions of CM.