Microwave-Assisted Desulfation of the Hemolytic Saponins Extracted from Holothuria scabra Viscera

Saponins are plant and marine animal specific metabolites that are commonly considered as molecular vectors for chemical defenses against unicellular and pluricellular organisms. Their toxicity is attributed to their membranolytic properties. Modifying the molecular structures of saponins by quantitative and selective chemical reactions is increasingly considered to tune the biological properties of these molecules (i) to prepare congeners with specific activities for biomedical applications and (ii) to afford experimental data related to their structure–activity relationship. In the present study, we focused on the sulfated saponins contained in the viscera of Holothuria scabra, a sea cucumber present in the Indian Ocean and abundantly consumed on the Asian food market. Using mass spectrometry, we first qualitatively and quantitatively assessed the saponin content within the viscera of H. scabra. We detected 26 sulfated saponins presenting 5 different elemental compositions. Microwave activation under alkaline conditions in aqueous solutions was developed and optimized to quantitatively and specifically induce the desulfation of the natural saponins, by a specific loss of H₂SO₄. By comparing the hemolytic activities of the natural and desulfated extracts, we clearly identified the sulfate function as highly responsible for the saponin toxicity.     

K-line X-ray fluorescence from highly charged iron ions under dense astrophysical plasma conditions

In the present work, we report an investigation of plasma environment effects on the atomic parameters associated with the K-vacancy states in highly charged iron ions within the astrophysical context of accretion disks around black holes. More particularly, the sensitivity of K-line X-ray fluorescence parameters (wavelengths, radiative transition probabilities, and Auger rates) in Fe XVII–Fe XXV ions has been estimated for plasma conditions characterized by an electron temperature ranging from 10⁵ to 10⁷ K and an electron density ranging from 10¹⁸ to 10²² cm⁻³. In order to do this, relativistic multiconfiguration Dirac-Fock atomic structure calculations have been carried out by considering a time averaged Debye-Hückel potential for both the electron–nucleus and electron–electron interactions.     

Variability in the Formation and Framework Polymorphism of Metal-organic Frameworks based on Yttrium(III) and the Bifunctional Organic Linker 2,5-Dihydroxyterephthalic Acid

Depending on the solvothermal reaction conditions, we obtained three different metal-organic frameworks with yttrium(III) as metal component and 2,5-dihdyroxyterepthalic acid (H₄dhtp) as bifunctional organic linker: Y₂(H₂dhtp)₃(dmf)₄ · (dmf)₂ (CPO-29) contains dinuclear, paddle-wheel like inorganic secondary building units (SBUs) connected by the organic linker to a network with α-Po topology, while Y₂(H₂dhtp)(dhtp)(dmf)₂ (CPO-30) and Y₂(H₂dhtp)(dhtp)(dmf)₂(H₂O)₂ · (H₂O)₄ (CPO-31) contain one-dimensional inorganic SBUs that differ in how the half- and fully deprotonated ligands are connected to and arranged around them. Only the carboxylic acid groups of the organic linker are deprotonated in CPO-29, while CPO-30 and CPO-31 contain both 2,5-dihydroxyterephthalate (H₂dhtp^2–) linkers and fully deprotonated 2,5-dioxidoterephthalate (dhtp^4–) linkers. All three compounds contain large volumes filled with solvent, but we were able to demonstrate permanence of porosity only for CPO-30. Variable temperature powder X-ray diffraction reveals that CPO-29 and CPO-31 undergo discontinuous phase transitions upon heating, and the flexibility of the framework structure indicated by these might be the reason for the inability to access the pore volume. Desolvated CPO-30 and CPO-31 are polymorphs, whose network structures differ in whether the H₂dhtp^2– and dhtp^4– linkers are located in cis or trans arrangement around the inorganic SBU.     

An SIS waveguide heterodyne receiver for 600 HGz-635 GHz

A waveguide SIS heterodyne receiver using a Nb/AlO_X/Nb junction has been built for astronomical observations of molecular transitions in the frequency range 600 GHz - 635 GHz, and has been successfully used at the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory (CSO). We report double sideband (DSB) receiver noise temperatures as low as 245 K at 600 GHz -610 GHz, and near 300 K over the rest of the bandwidth. These results confirm that SIS quasiparticle mixers work well at submillimeter-wave frequencies corresponding to photon energies of at least 90% of the superconductor energy gap. In addition, we have systematically investigated the effect on the receiver performance of the overlap between first-order and second-order photon steps of opposite sign at these frequencies. The receiver noise increases by as much as 40% in the region of overlap. We infer potential limitations for operating submillimeter-wave Nb/AlO_x/Nb mixers.     

Effects of brain polarization on reaction times and pinch force in chronic stroke

Background  

Previous studies showed that anodal transcranial DC stimulation (tDCS) applied to the primary motor cortex of the affected hemisphere (M1_{affected hemisphere}) after subcortical stroke transiently improves performance of complex tasks that mimic activities of daily living (ADL). It is not known if relatively simpler motor tasks are similarly affected. Here we tested the effects of tDCS on pinch force (PF) and simple reaction time (RT) tasks in patients with chronic stroke in a double-blind cross-over Sham-controlled experimental design.     

Surface Modified Single Molecules Free-Diffusion Evidenced by Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy

We report on the free diffusion of single molecule near an interface studied using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy. In particular, we show that the chemical nature of the substrate may modify the free diffusion of a widely used molecule (rhodamine 6G), thus inducing unexpected effects in fluorescence correlation spectroscopy measurements. Our results show a strong influence, up to a few micrometer from the interface, of the surface polarity. This effect is assessed through the relative weight of the two dimensions diffusion process observed close to the surface. Our results are discussed in terms of competition between surface-solvent, solvent-molecule and molecule-surface specific interactions.     

On-Surface Synthesis and Characterization of Acene-Based Nanoribbons Incorporating Four-Membered Rings

A bottom up method for the synthesis of unique tetracene-based nanoribbons, which incorporate cyclobutadiene moieties as linkers between the acene segments, is reported. These structures were achieved through the formal [2+2] cycloaddition reaction of ortho-functionalized tetracene precursor monomers. The formation mechanism and the electronic and magnetic properties of these nanoribbons were comprehensively studied by means of a multitechnique approach. Ultra-high vacuum scanning tunneling microscopy showed the occurrence of metal-coordinated nanostructures at room temperature and their evolution into nanoribbons through formal [2+2] cycloaddition at 475 K. Frequency-shift non-contact atomic force microscopy images clearly proved the presence of bridging cyclobutadiene moieties upon covalent coupling of activated tetracene molecules. Insight into the electronic and vibrational properties of the so-formed ribbons was obtained by scanning tunneling microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and theoretical calculations. Magnetic properties were addressed from a computational point of view, allowing us to propose promising candidates to magnetic acene-based ribbons incorporating four-membered rings. The reported findings will increase the understanding and availability of new graphene-based nanoribbons with high potential in future spintronics.     

Parabolic equations of Von Karman type on Kähler manifolds

We study a parabolic version of a system of Von Karman type on a compact Kähler manifold of arbitrary dimension. We provide local in time regular solutions, which can be extended to global bounded ones if the data of the problem are small.     

Thermal,Raman and dielectric study of 0.5K0.5Bi0.5TiO3–0.5PbTiO3 ceramics

The 0.5K_0.5Bi_0.5TiO₃–0.5PbTiO₃ ceramics were prepared by following a standard solid-state method. The Raman, thermal and dielectric properties of these ceramics were investigated. The X-ray measurements showed that samples have single perovskite-type structure with tetragonal symmetry. Dielectric study revealed that the dielectric behaviour of the investigated ceramics is rather of normal ferroelectrics with large thermal hysteresis. The transition temperature observed by means of differential scanning calorimetry measurements is in good agreement with that obtained from dielectric study.     

Palladium island growth on Ni(111) Stochastic classical trajectory — ghost atom calculations

We generalize previous stochastic classical trajectory-ghost atom calculations for describing palladium deposition onto the Ni(111) surface between 0.1 and 0.5 monolayers. The growth evolves through two-dimensional islands. The islands are formed following the downward funneling mechanism. Surface temperature does not affect the island growth.