Separation of plant viral satellite double-stranded RNA using high-performance liquid chromatography

High-performance liquid chromatography was developed for further separation of double-stranded (ds) RNAs obtained by CF-11 cellulose chromatography from plants infected with satellite associated cucumber mosaic virus. Fractions separated by monolithic polymer column, especially applicable for nucleic acid analyses, were identified electrophoretically and confirmed with a polymerase chain reaction test. Once standardized, the method has revealed clear evidence of satellite presence without precipitation and electrophoresis. According to demonstrated sensitivity, its application in the preliminary diagnostics of field samples is also predictable. Principally, it can be used as a powerful preparative approach resulting in highly pure satellite dsRNA for further analyses.     

The relationship between SnII fraction and visible light activated photocatalytic activity of SnOx·SiO2 glass studied by Mössbauer spectroscopy

The relationship between local structure and visible-light photocatalytic ability of tin silicate glass prepared by sol–gel method was investigated. ¹¹⁹Sn Mössbauer spectrum of SnO_x·SiO₂ glass prepared from SnCl₂ showed a small peak of Sn^II component besides the major amount of Sn^IV. The smallest bandgap energy of 2.5 ± 0.5 eV was estimated from Tauc plot, and the largest first order rate constant (k) of (13.8 ± 0.1) 10⁻³ min⁻¹ was recorded from the methylene blue degradation test under visible-light irradiation. It is concluded that Sn^II shows remarkable photocatalytic ability when it is incorporated into silica glass matrix.

     

Universal Form of Stochastic Evolution for Slow Variables in Equilibrium Systems

Nonlinear, multiplicative Langevin equations for a complete set of slow variables in equilibrium systems are generally derived on the basis of the separation of time scales. The form of the equations is universal and equivalent to that obtained by Green. An equation with a nonlinear friction term for Brownian motion turns out to be an example of the general results. A key method in our derivation is to use different discretization schemes in a path integral formulation and the corresponding Langevin equation, which also leads to a consistent understanding of apparently different expressions for the path integral in previous studies.     

Ruby laser beam interaction with ceramic and copper artifacts

Preventive care, research, and restoration of cultural heritage objects requires multidisciplinary research and the involvement of experts of different profiles, using high technology equipment. Nondestructive methods dominate in the diagnosis of the situation and protection of cultural heritage objects. The application of lasers has opened many possibilities for research in the field of protection, conservation, restoration, and/or assessment of artifacts. We present the results of the interaction of ruby-laser light with the surfaces of Neolithic ceramics (Obrenovac, Serbia) and samples of copper of unknown age. The investigation was conducted in order to determine the maximum energy density of the laser light that can be applied in nondestructive testing and encrustation cleaning of these ceramic and metal cultural heritage objects. We investigate the laser-light interactions using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) with energy-dispersal unit for the analysis of X-rays (EDX).     

Representation of Nonequilibrium Steady States in Large Mechanical Systems

Recently a novel concise representation of the probability distribution of heat conducting nonequilibrium steady states was derived. The representation is valid to the second order in the “degree of nonequilibrium”, and has a very suggestive form where the effective Hamiltonian is determined by the excess entropy production. Here we extend the representation to a wide class of nonequilibrium steady states realized in classical mechanical systems where baths (reservoirs) are also defined in terms of deterministic mechanics. The present extension covers such nonequilibrium steady states with a heat conduction, with particle flow (maintained either by external field or by particle reservoirs), and under an oscillating external field. We also simplify the derivation and discuss the corresponding representation to the full order.     

Fabrication of three-dimensional (3D) woodpile structure photonic crystal with layer by layer e-beam lithography

Photonic crystal based superprism offers a way to design new optical components for beam steering and DWDM (Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing) application. Three-dimensional (3D) photonic crystals are especially attractive as they could offer more control of the light beam. A FCT (Face-Centered-Tetragonal) woodpile structure has been fabricated using layer by layer stacking techniques with E-Beam lithography. Special planarizations and processes have been introduced to ensure the survivability and good alignment of the fabricated nanostructures. Scanning electron microscopy results proved the structure uniformity. With the proper design, the structure exhibits superprism effects around 1550 nm, and such effects have been observed in the experiments.     

DNA binding and antitumor activities of platinum(IV) and zinc(II) complexes with some S-alkyl derivatives of thiosalicylic acid

A series of complexes of platinum(IV) (C1–C5) and zinc(II) (C6–C10) with S-alkyl derivatives of thiosalicylic acid were prepared and characterized. The interactions of the complexes with calf thymus DNA were analyzed by absorption (UV–Vis) and emission spectral studies (ethidium bromide displacement studies). The cytotoxic activities of complexes C1–C10 were determined against mouse B cell lymphocytic leukemia cells (BCL1), human B-prolymphocytic leukemia (JVM-13), mouse mammary carcinoma cells (4T1), and human mammary carcinoma cells (MDA-MB-468) and compared to the activities of the free ligand precursors and cisplatin. The cytotoxicities of the platinum(IV) and zinc(II) complexes toward mouse tumor cell lines were higher compared with their effects on human tumor cell lines. The zinc(II) complex C9 showed the highest antitumor activity toward the tested human cell lines, while the platinum(IV) complex C4 exhibited the highest antitumor activity toward mouse BCL1 and 4T1 cells. Both C4 and C9 have ligands derived from S-propyl thiosalicylic acid.