Direct loading of polymer matrices in plastic microchips for rapid DNA analysis: A comparative study

We report the design and performance validation of microfluidic separation technologies for human identification using a disposable plastic device suitable for integration into an automated rapid DNA analysis system. A fabrication process for a 15-cm long hot-embossed plastic microfluidic devices with a smooth semielliptical cross section out of cyclic olefin copolymer is presented. We propose a mixed polymer solution of 95% w/v hydroxyethylcellulose and 5% w/v polyvinylpyrrolidone for a final polymer concentration of 2.5 or 3.0% to be used as coating and sieving matrix for DNA separation. This formulation allows preparing the microchip without pretreatment in a single-loading step and provides high-resolution separation (≈1.2 bp for fragments <200 bp), which is superior to existing commercial matrices under the same conditions. The hot-embossed device performance is characterized and compared to injection-molded devices made out of cyclic olefin copolymer based on their respective injector geometry, channel shape, and surface charges. Each device design is assessed by fluorescence videomicroscopy to evaluate the formation of injection plugs, then by comparing electropherograms for the separation of a DNA size standard relevant to human identification.     

Random Skew Plane Partitions with a Piecewise Periodic Back Wall

Random skew plane partitions of large size distributed according to an appropriately scaled Schur process develop limit shapes. In the present work, we consider the limit of large random skew plane partitions where the inner boundary approaches a piecewise linear curve with non-lattice slopes, describing the limit shape and the local fluctuations in various regions. This analysis is fairly similar to that in Okounkov and Reshetikhin (Commun Math Phys 269:571–609, 2007), but we do find some new behavior. For instance, the boundary of the limit shape is now a single smooth (not algebraic) curve, whereas the boundary in Okounkov and Reshetikhin (Commun Math Phys 269:571–609, 2007) is singular. We also observe the bead process introduced in Boutillier (Ann Probab 37(1):107–142, 2009) appearing in the asymptotics at the top of the limit shape.     

时间分辨全反射红外光谱对醋酸诱导丝蛋白构象转变的研究

采用时间分辨全反射红外光谱为主要分析手段, 对醋酸在丝蛋白膜中的扩散过程及其对丝蛋白构象转变机理进行了研究. 结果表明, 醋酸能够诱导丝蛋白构象转变为β-折叠. 醋酸的扩散速率和β-折叠构象的生成速率较为相似, 表明醋酸分子渗透到丝蛋白聚集体中是破坏丝蛋白原有氢键并诱导肽链重排, 进而实现构象转变的一个先决条件. 同时, 通过比较真空干燥处理前后丝蛋白膜的实验结果, 证实了丝蛋白中的水含量是影响醋酸的扩散速度以及丝蛋白多肽链重排速度的一个重要因素.     

Wireless Coupling of Conducting Polymer Actuators with Light Emission

Combining the actuation of conducting polymers with additional functionalities is an interesting fundamental scientific challenge and increases their application potential. Herein we demonstrate the possibility of direct integration of a miniaturized light emitting diode (LED) in a polypyrrole (PPy) matrix in order to achieve simultaneous wireless actuation and light emission. A light emitting diode is used as a part of an electroactive surface on which electrochemical polymerization allows direct incorporation of the electronic device into the polymer. The resulting free-standing polymer/LED hybrid can be addressed by bipolar electrochemistry to trigger simultaneously oxidation and reduction reactions at its opposite extremities, leading to a controlled deformation and an electron flow through the integrated LED. Such a dual response in the form of actuation and light emission opens up interesting perspectives in the field of microrobotics.     

Total synthesis of some new 4-demethoxyanthracyclinones

Optically active 4-demethoxyanthracyclinoiies (39a-g) bearing a variety of substituents at the 9position have been synthesised by an analogous route to that previously employed by us for (+)-4-demethoxydaunomycinone (5). These novel anthracyclinones have been prepared in sufficient quantity for subsequent glycosidation and biological evaluation.     

Highest spin reached in the superdeformed well in the A≈190 mass region

The high efficiency of the new-generation of γ-arrays as EUROGAM or GAMMASPHERE makes reachable the fission limit in angular momentum of the nuclei populated by means of heavy ion reactions in the A ≈ 190 mass region. This is established by the strong correlation between the fissility parameters Z ²/A and the spin values of the state of highest energy observed in the yrast superdeformed bands.     

Biomimetic copper(I)--CO complexes: a structural and dynamic study of a cali

Four novel calix[6]arene-based cuprous complexes are described. They present a biomimetic tris(imidazole) coordination core associated with a hydrophobic cavity that wraps the apical binding site. Each differs from the other by the methyl or ethyl substituents present on the phenoxyl groups (OR1) and on the imidazole arms (NR2) of the calix[6]arene structure. In solution, stable CO complexes were obtained. We have investigated their geometrical and dynamic properties with respect to the steric demand. IR and NMR studies revealed that, in solution, these complexes adopted two distinct conformations. The preferred conformation was dictated only by the size of the OR1 group. When R1 was an ethyl group, the complex preferentially adopted a flattened C3-symmetrical structure. The corresponding helical enantiomers were in conformational equilibrium, which, however, was slow on the 1H NMR time scale at -80 degrees C. When R1 was a methyl group, the low-temperature NMR spectra revealed the partial inclusion of one tBu group. The complex wobbled between three dissymmetric but equivalent conformations. Hence, small differences in the steric demand of the calixarene's skeleton changed the geometry and dynamics of the system. Indeed, this supramolecular control was promoted by the strong conformational coupling between the metal center and the host structure. Interestingly, this was not only the result of a covalent preorganization, but also stemmed from weak interactions within the hydrophobic pocket. The vibrational spectra of the bound CO were revealed to be a sensitive gauge of this supramolecular behavior, similar to copper proteins in which allosteric effects are common.