Quantitative Grothendieck property

A Banach space X is Grothendieck if the weak and the weak^? convergence of sequences in the dual space X^?$X^{?}$ coincide. The space ?^∞${?}^{\infty }$ is a classical example of a Grothendieck space due to Grothendieck. We introduce a quantitative version of the Grothendieck property, we prove a quantitative version of the above-mentioned Grothendieck?s result and we construct a Grothendieck space which is not quantitatively Grothendieck. We also establish the quantitative Grothendieck property of L^∞(μ)$L^{\infty }(\mu )$ for a σ-finite measure μ.     

A data-integrated method for analyzing stochastic biochemical networks

Variability and fluctuations among genetically identical cells under uniform experimental conditions stem from the stochastic nature of biochemical reactions. Understanding network function for endogenous biological systems or designing robust synthetic genetic circuits requires accounting for and analyzing this variability. Stochasticity in biological networks is usually represented using a continuous-time discrete-state Markov formalism, where the chemical master equation (CME) and its kinetic Monte Carlo equivalent, the stochastic simulation algorithm (SSA), are used. These two representations are computationally intractable for many realistic biological problems. Fitting parameters in the context of these stochastic models is particularly challenging and has not been accomplished for any but very simple systems. In this work, we propose that moment equations derived from the CME, when treated appropriately in terms of higher order moment contributions, represent a computationally efficient framework for estimating the kinetic rate constants of stochastic network models and subsequent analysis of their dynamics. To do so, we present a practical data-derived moment closure method for these equations. In contrast to previous work, this method does not rely on any assumptions about the shape of the stochastic distributions or a functional relationship among their moments. We use this method to analyze a stochastic model of a biological oscillator and demonstrate its accuracy through excellent agreement with CME/SSA calculations. By coupling this moment-closure method with a parameter search procedure, we further demonstrate how a model's kinetic parameters can be iteratively determined in order to fit measured distribution data.     

Solid state self-assembly of triptycene-based catechol derivatives by multiple O-H…O hydrogen bonds

Single crystals of two triptycene-based catechol derivatives 1 and 2 were obtained,and their X-ray crystal structural studies showed that the two tecton molecules had different conformations in the solid state,and they could self-assemble into interesting 3D networks with solvent molecules included inside, in which multiple O-H…O hydrogen bonds played important roles.     

Effect of supercritical water on the stability and activity of alkaline carbonate catalysts in coal gasification

The stability and activity of alkaline carbonate catalysts in supercritical water coal gasification has been investigated using density functional theory method.Our calculations present that the adsorption of Na₂CO₃ on coal are more stable than that of K2CO3,but the stability of Na₂CO₃ is strongly reduced as the cluster gets larger.In supercritical water system,the dispersion and stability of Na₂CO₃ catalyst on coal support is strongly improved.During coal gasification process,Na₂CO₃ transforms with supercritical water into NaOH and NaHCO₃,which is beneficial for hydrogen production.The transformation process has been studied via thermodynamics and kinetics ways.The selectively catalytic mechanism of NaOH and the intermediate form of sodium-based catalyst in water-gas shift reaction for higher hydrogen production has also been investigated.Furthermore,NaOH can transform back to Na₂CO₃ after catalyzing the water-gas shift reaction.Thus,the cooperative effects between supercritical water and Na₂CO₃ catalyst form a benignant circle which greatly enhances the reaction rate of coal gasification and promotes the production of hydrogen.     

Investigation of the metabolism of monepantel in ovine hepatocytes by UHPLC/MS/MS

Monepantel (MOP) belongs to a new class of anthelmintic drugs known as aminoacetonitrile derivatives. It was approved for use in veterinary practice in Czech Republic in 2011. So far, biotransformation and transport of MOP in target animals have been studied insufficiently, although the study of metabolic pathways of anthelmintics is very important for the efficacy of safety of therapy and evaluation of the risk of drug–drug interactions. The aim of this study was to identify MOP metabolites and to suggest the metabolic pathways of MOP in sheep. For this purpose, primary culture of ovine hepatocytes was used as a model in vitro system. After incubation, medium samples and homogenates of hepatocytes were extracted separately using solid-phase extraction. Analysis was performed using a hybrid quadrupole-time-of-flight analyzer with respect to high mass accuracy measurements in full scan and tandem mass spectra for the confirmation of an elemental composition. The obtained results revealed S-oxidation to sulfoxide and sulfone and arene hydroxylation as MOP phase I biotransformations. From phase II metabolites, MOP glucuronides, sulfates, and acetylcysteine conjugates were found. Based on the obtained results, a scheme of the metabolic pathway of MOP in sheep has been proposed.     

Use of electrophoretic techniques and MALDI–TOF MS for rapid and reliable characterization of bacteria: analysis of intact cells, cell lysates, and “washed pellets”

In this study electrophoretic and mass spectrometric analysis of three types of bacterial sample (intact cells, cell lysates, and “washed pellets”) were used to develop an effective procedure for the characterization of bacteria. The samples were prepared from specific bacterial strains. Five strains representing different species of the family Rhizobiaceae were selected as model microorganisms: Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii, R. leguminosarum bv. viciae, R. galegae, R. loti, and Sinorhizobium meliloti. Samples of bacteria were subjected to analysis by four techniques: capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE), capillary isoelectric focusing (CIEF), gel IEF, and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI–TOF MS). These methods are potential alternatives to DNA-based methods for rapid and reliable characterization of bacteria. Capillary electrophoretic (CZE and CIEF) analysis of intact cells was suitable for characterization of different bacterial species. CIEF fingerprints of “washed pellets” and gel IEF of cell lysates helped to distinguish between closely related bacterial species that were not sufficiently differentiated by capillary electrophoretic analysis of intact cells. MALDI–TOF MS of “washed pellets” enabled more reliable characterization of bacteria than analysis of intact cells or cell lysates. Electrophoretic techniques and MALDI–TOF MS can both be successfully used to complement standard methods for rapid characterization of bacteria.     

“Self activation”properties of the nanophase photocatalytic titania precursors

Summary Unexpected photocatalytic properties of templated precursors of nanostructured TiO₂(titania) were observed in the development of a generally applicable method for the synthesis of a truly nanocrystalline titania at temperatures compatible with plastic catalytic supports. It specifically comprised the “self-activation”feature of the TiO₂nanostructured precursor (produced within the non-ionic surfactant template) likely induced by the preparation method “imprinted”photoactivity. Such behavior complied with the principal aim to develop the photocatalytic material without recourse to any significant thermal step.     

Novel pH-responsive nanoparticles

In this work we report a new type of pH-responsive micelle-like nanoparticle. Reversible nanoscale structures are formed in solutions of a pH-sensitive hydrophobic polyelectrolyte, poly( N-methacryloyl- l-valine) or poly( N-methacryloyl- l-phenylalanine), and nonionic surfactant (Brij 98) in the presence of hydrochloric acid. The influence of composition and pH on particles size and shape was investigated by a variety of methods. An entity's size and polydispersity could be varied in a broad range making them a perspective candidate as a drug carrier. Unlike the case of typical micelles, our results indicate the presence of cavities in the formed particles. A hypothetical model of a nanoparticle and mechanism of formation are proposed.