Two coupled enzymes perform in parallel the 'AND' and 'InhibAND' logic gate operations

The coupled activation of two enzymes: glucose dehydrogenase (GDH) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP), is used to construct the parallel-operating AND and InhibAND logic gates. The added substrates for the respective enzymes, glucose and H(2)O(2), act as the gate inputs, while the biocatalytically generated NADH and gluconic acid provide the output signals that follow the operations of the gates. The two gates are generated in the same vial, thus allowing the logic operations to take place in parallel, and the simultaneous readout of the functions of the gates.     

Synthesis of oxacalixarenes incorporating nitrogen heterocycles: evidence for thermodynamic control

[structure: see text] Oxacalix[2]arene[2]hetarenes are formed in a single step by cyclooligomerization of meta-diphenols with meta-dichlorinated azaheterocycles. The high selectivity for cyclic tetramer formation results from thermodynamic product control. Macrocycles as large as oxacalix[5]arene[5]hetarenes have been isolated under nonequilibrating conditions.     

Switchable electrode controlled by Boolean logic gates using enzymes as input signals

Application of Boolean logic operations performed by enzymes to control electrochemical systems is presented. Indium–tin oxide (ITO) electrodes with the surface modified with poly-4-vinyl pyridine (P4VP) brush were synthesized and used as switchable electrochemical systems. The switch ON and OFF of the electrode activity were achieved by pH changes generated in situ by biocatalytic reactions in the presence of enzymes used as input signals. Two logic gates operating as AND/OR Boolean functions were designed using invertase and glucose oxidase or esterase and glucose oxidase as input signals, respectively. The electrode surface coated with a shrunk P4VP polymer at neutral pH values was not electrochemically active because of the blocking effect of the polymer film. The positive outputs of the logic operations yielded a pH drop to acidic conditions, resulting in the protonation and swelling of the P4VP polymer allowing penetration of a soluble redox probe to the conducting support, thus switching the electrode activity ON. The electrode interface was reset to the initial OFF state, with the inhibited electrochemical reaction, upon in situ pH increase generated by another enzymatic reaction in the presence of urease. Logically processed biochemical inputs of various enzymes allowed reversible activation–inactivation of the electrochemical reaction.     

Stirring unmagnetized plasma

A new concept for spinning unmagnetized plasma is demonstrated experimentally. Plasma is confined by an axisymmetric multicusp magnetic field and biased cathodes are used to drive currents and impart a torque in the magnetized edge. Measurements show that flow viscously couples momentum from the magnetized edge (where the plasma viscosity is small) into the unmagnetized core (where the viscosity is large) and that the core rotates as a solid body. To be effective, collisional viscosity must overcome the ion-neutral drag due to charge-exchange collisions.     

Blended Conjugated Host and Unconjugated Dopant Polymers Towards N-type All-Polymer Conductors and High-ZT Thermoelectrics

N-Type thermoelectrics typically consist of small molecule dopant+polymer host. Only a few polymer dopant+polymer host systems have been reported, and these have lower thermoelectric parameters. N-type polymers with high crystallinity and order are generally used for high-conductivity ( ) organic conductors. Few n-type polymers with only short-range lamellar stacking for high-conductivity materials have been reported. Here, we describe an n-type short-range lamellar-stacked all-polymer thermoelectric system with highest of 78 S⁻¹, power factor (PF) of 163 μW m⁻¹ K⁻², and maximum Figure of merit (ZT) of 0.53 at room temperature with a dopant/host ratio of 75 wt%. The minor effect of polymer dopant on the molecular arrangement of conjugated polymer PDPIN at high ratios, high doping capability, high Seebeck coefficient (S) absolute values relative to , and atypical decreased thermal conductivity ( ) with increased doping ratio contribute to the promising performance.     

The effect of torsional vibrations superimposed on a creep loaded adhesive joint on its final tensile properties

Aluminum - epoxy single lap joints were subjected at different temperatures to torsional vibrations at constant amplitude superimposed on a creep load. This combination of dynamic and static stresses was chosen in order to simulate to a certain extent the real service conditions of an ordinary bonded joint. The shear strength of these joints was checked in tension at room temperature after their removal from the special device in which the superimposed stresses were applied. It was found that the shear strength of the joint is very dependent on its thermo-mechanical history. DSC analyses and SEM micrographs of the failure surface were used in an attempt to find some correlation between the mechanical properties and the microstructure of the adhesive.