Teleparallel versions of Friedmann and Lewis–Papapetrou spacetimes

This paper is devoted to investigating the teleparallel versions of the Friedmann models as well as the Lewis–Papapetrou solution. We obtain the tetrad and the torsion fields for both spacetimes. It is shown that the axial-vector vanishes for the Friedmann models. We discuss the different possibilities for the axial-vector, depending on the arbitrary functions ω and ψ in the Lewis–Papapetrou metric. The vector related to spin has also been evaluated.     

High-throughput screening of enzyme libraries: thiolactonases evolved by fluorescence-activated sorting of single cells in emulsion compartments

Single bacterial cells, each expressing a different library variant, were compartmentalized in aqueous droplets of water-in-oil (w/o) emulsions, thus maintaining a linkage between a plasmid-borne gene, the encoded enzyme variant, and the fluorescent product this enzyme may generate. Conversion into a double, water-in-oil-in-water (w/o/w) emulsion enabled the sorting of these compartments by FACS, as well as the isolation of living bacteria cells and their enzyme-coding genes. We demonstrate the directed evolution of new enzyme variants by screening >10(7) serum paraoxonase (PON1) mutants, to yield 100-fold improvements in thiolactonase activity. In vitro compartmentalization (IVC) of single cells, each carrying >10(4) enzyme molecules, in a volume of <10 femtoliter (fl), enabled detection and selection despite the fast, spontaneous hydrolysis of the substrate, the very low initial thiolactonase activity of PON1, and the use of difusable fluorescent products.     

An injectable chitosan-based hydrogel reinforced by oxidized nanocrystalline cellulose and mineral trioxide aggregate designed for tooth engineering applications

The complex anatomy of teeth limits the accessibility and efficacy of regenerative treatments. Therefore, the application of well-known inducers as injectable hydrogels for the regeneration of the dentin-pulp complex is considered a promising approach. In this regard, this study aimed to develop an injectable hydrogel containing mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA). The injectable chitosan/oxidized-nanocrystalline cellulose/MTA (CS/OCNC/MTA) hydrogels were prepared, and the physicochemical properties of these hydrogels were evaluated by TGA, FTIR, Rheological analysis, and SEM. Moreover, the effect of MTA on the swelling and degradability of scaffolds was assessed. The proliferative effects of synthesized hydrogels were also determined on human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) by MTT assay. For induction of differentiation and biomineralization in these cells, the alkaline phosphatase activity and Alizarin Red S staining tests were performed in the presence of fabricated scaffolds. The proliferation of hDPSCs was significantly increased in the presence of these hydrogels. Moreover, the addition of MTA to hydrogel structure dramatically improved the differentiation of hDPSCs. These results suggested that this novel injectable hydrogel provides appropriate physiochemical properties and can be considered a promising scaffold for regenerative endodontic procedures.

Graphical abstract

     

Diverse redox-active molecules bearing O-, S-, or Se-terminated tethers for attachment to silicon in studies of molecular information storage

A molecular approach to information storage employs redox-active molecules tethered to an electroactive surface. Attachment of the molecules to electroactive surfaces requires control over the nature of the tether (linker and surface attachment group). We have synthesized a collection of redox-active molecules bearing different linkers and surface anchor groups in free or protected form (hydroxy, mercapto, S-acetylthio, and Se-acetylseleno) for attachment to surfaces such as silicon, germanium, and gold. The molecules exhibit a number of cationic oxidation states, including one (ferrocene), two [zinc(II)porphyrin], three [cobalt(II)porphyrin], or four (lanthanide triple-decker sandwich compound). Electrochemical studies of monolayers of a variety of the redox-active molecules attached to Si(100) electrodes indicate that molecules exhibit a regular mode of attachment (via a Si-X bond, X = O, S, or Se), relatively homogeneous surface organization, and robust reversible electrochemical behavior. The acetyl protecting group undergoes cleavage during the surface deposition process, enabling attachment to silicon via thio or seleno groups without handling free thiols or selenols.     

Polarographic microdetermination of sulphur in organic compounds after oxygen flask combustion

Summary Three polarographic micro-methods are described for the determination of sulphur in organic compounds after oxygen-flask combustion. The products are converted into sulphuric acid by oxidation with hydrogen peroxide, the excess of which is expelled through boiling. The methods are based upon allowing the sulphuric acid to react with an excess of barium iodate or bromate, then recording polarographically the cathodic reduction wave of the iodate or bromate ion. The bromate methods are superior to the iodate method being simpler and more rapid, and the results are correct to within ca. ±0.5%.

---

Zusammenfassung Drei polarographische Mikromethoden zur Bestimmung von Schwefel in organischen Verbindungen nach deren Verbrennung im Sauerstoffkolben wurden beschrieben. Die Verbrennungsprodukte werden durch Oxydation mit Wasserstoffperoxid in Schwefelsäure umgesetzt. Der Überschuß des Oxydationsmittels wird durch Kochen zerstört. Die Schwefelsäure läßt man mit überschüssigem Bariumjodat oder -bromat reagieren und mißt dann polarographisch die kathodische Reduktionswelle des Jodats oder Bromats. Die Bromatmethode ist der Jodatmethode überlegen, da sie einfacher und rascher zu Resultaten führt, die innerhalb ±0,5% korrekt sind.

     

Novel aromatic polyimides derived from benzofuro[2,3-b]benzofuran-2,3,8,9-tetracarboxylic dianhydride (BBTDA)

Benzofuro[2,3-b]benzofuran-2,3,8,9-tetracarboxylic dianhydride (BBTDA) is introduced as a monomer for the synthesis of a series of novel polyimides with enhanced high thermal stability. Polyimides derived from BBTDA and aromatic diamines showed high glass transition (T_g>296 °C) and degradation (T₅>455 °C) temperatures, and were soluble in organic solvents (i.e. N-methyl pyrrolidone (NMP), N,N^′-dimethylformamide (DMF), N,N^′-dimethylacetamide (DMAc)). The polymerization yielded high-molecular-weight polyimides with inherent viscosities ranging from 1.75 to 2.14 dl/g. The polymers were characterized by IR and elemental analysis.     

Efficient and practical Ag-catalyzed cycloadditions between arylimines and the Danishefsky diene

An efficient Ag-catalyzed method for asymmetric addition of the Danishefsky diene to various aryl imines to afford cycloadducts in > or =89% ee and > or =85% isolated yield is reported. Reactions are effected with 0.1-1 mol % catalyst (4 degrees C), and the chiral ligand is readily prepared from commercially available materials, including the inexpensive i-Leu. These catalytic asymmetric cycloadditions can be carried out without the use of solvent or with undistilled THF in air. A first generation supported chiral catalyst that effectively promotes the cycloaddition reaction and can be recycled (five cycles) is described.     

Hydrodynamics of a bounded vertical film with nonlinear surface properties

The drainage of a thin liquid film with an insoluble monolayer down a vertical wall is studied. Lubrication theory is used to develop a model where the film is pinned at the top with a given thickness and the film drains into a bath at the bottom. A nonlinear equation of state is used for the surface tension and the surface viscosity is a nonlinear function of the surfactant concentration; these are appropriate for some aqueous systems. The three partial differential equations are solved via discretization in space and then the resulting differential algebraic system is solved. Results are described for a wide range of parameters, and the conditions under which the free surface is immobilized are discussed.     

Separation of peptides and proteins by capillary electrophoresis using acidic buffers containing tetraalkylammonium cations and cyclodextrins

A method for improving separations of peptides and other positively charged species in capillary zone electrophoresis with untreated capillaries using acidic buffers containing tetraalkylammonium cations is described. Tetramethylammonium and tetrabutylammonium cations dynamically modify the capillary surface, leading to a reversal in the direction of the electroosmotic flow. As a result, the adsorption of positively charged peptides and proteins is minimized, and resolution and peak capacity are improved as the migration of cationic analytes is counterbalanced by the electroosmotic flow. The combining effect of reversing electroosmotic flow and cyclodextrin inclusion complexation on separations of closely related peptides and a protein mixture, as well as tryptic digest of hemoglobin is demonstrated.