Modified spectrum autointerferometric correlation (MOSAIC) for single-shot pulse characterization

A method for generation of the modified spectrum autointerferometric correlation that allows single-shot pulse characterization is demonstrated. A sensitive graphical representation of the ultrashort pulse phase quality is introduced that delineates the difference between the presence of temporal and spectral phase distortions. Using these schemes, full-field reconstruction of ultrashort laser pulses is obtained in real time using an efficient iterative technique.     

Novel single-source precursors for the fabrication of PbTiO3, PbZrO3 and Pb(Zr(1-x)Ti(x))O3 thin-films by chemical vapor deposition

Lead titanate, lead zirconate, and lead zirconate titanate (PZT) films in the sub-μm-range were produced at temperatures around 400 °C using novel single-source precursors in a classical thermal CVD process. The design of two bimetallic alkoxide compounds, a lead titanate and a lead zirconate source with almost identical physical properties and complement miscibility, resulted in a new quasi-single-source PZT precursor, an azeotropic mixture that evaporates at 30 °C and at a pressure of 4 × 10(-1) mbar. After thermal treatment at 650 °C, transparent (100)-oriented PZT films with remnant polarization of 20 μC cm(-2) and a coercive field strength of 20 V μm(-1) were achieved. An additional lead source is not required.     

Controlled growth of rutile TiO2 by atomic layer deposition on oxidized ruthenium

Crystalline rutile TiO₂ films were grown by atomic layer deposition on oxidized Ru electrodes using a titanium methoxide as the metal precursor and O₃ as the oxidant. A protective layer of ～0.3 nm TiO₂ grown with H₂O as the oxidant was first deposited in order to avoid etching of the Ru bottom electrode by the O₃ used for the growth of the TiO₂ (bulk) layer. Electrical evaluation of the capacitor stacks with TiO₂ as dielectric, RuO₂/Ru and Pt as the bottom and top electrodes respectively, resulted in superior characteristics of the rutile phase as compared to the anatase. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Periodic orbits for classical particles having complex energy

This Letter revisits earlier work on complex classical mechanics in which it was argued that when the energy of a classical particle in an analytic potential is real, the particle trajectories are closed and periodic, but that when the energy is complex, the classical trajectories are open. Here it is shown that there is a discrete set of eigencurves in the complex-energy plane for which the particle trajectories are closed and periodic.     

Synthesis and Biological Activity of New Resveratrol Derivative and Molecular Docking: Dynamics Studies on NFkB

Resveratrol (RVS) is a naturally occurring antioxidant, able to display an array of biological activities. In the present investigation, a new derivative of RVS, RVS(a), was synthesized, and its biological activity was determined on U937 cells. It was observed that RVS(a) showed pronounced activity on U937 cells than RVS. RVS(a) is able to induce apoptosis in tumor cell lines through subsequent DNA fragmentation. From the EMSA results, it was evident that RVS(a) was able to suppress the activity of NFkB by interfering its DNA binding ability. Furthermore, the molecular interaction analysis (docking and dynamics) stated that RVS(a) has strong association with the IkB-alpha site of NFkB compared with RVS; this binding nature of RVS(a) might be prevent the NFkB binding ability with DNA. The present findings represent the potential activity of propynyl RVS on U937 cells and signifying it as a one of putative chemotherapeutic drugs against cancer.     

Studies on SO 4 2− Ion Incorporation into Apatite Structure

Calcium sulphate-apatites were synthesised by precipitation from aqueous solutions with different fluorine content and analyzed by chemical, x-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analyses. Their thermal stability was studied by differential scanning calorimetry (TG/DSC) and high-temperature XRD. It was established that the introduction of SO 4 2 m into apatite structure and the thermal changes depend on the fluorine content in the apatite structure. At temperatures above 600;C the structure of apatite reorganizes and CaSO 4 forms a separate phase.     

Using alpha-helical coiled-coils to design nanostructured metalloporphyrin arrays

We have developed a computational design strategy based on the alpha-helical coiled-coil to generate modular peptide motifs capable of assembling into metalloporphyrin arrays of varying lengths. The current study highlights the extension of a two-metalloporphyrin array to a four-metalloporphyrin array through the incorporation of a coiled-coil repeat unit. Molecular dynamics simulations demonstrate that the initial design evolves rapidly to a stable structure with a small rmsd compared to the original model. Biophysical characterization reveals elongated proteins of the desired length, correct cofactor stoichiometry, and cofactor specificity. The successful extension of the two-porphyrin array demonstrates how this methodology serves as a foundation to create linear assemblies of organized electrically and optically responsive cofactors.     

Extraction of Inulinase Obtained by Solid State Fermentation of Sugarcane Bagasse by Kluyveromyces marxianus NRRL Y-7571

Production of inulinase by solid state fermentation always involves an extraction step, which dictates enzyme recovery yield and is related to cultivation conditions and control of process parameters. This work is focused on the study of extraction conditions aiming to maximize yield of an inulinase obtained by solid state fermentation of sugar cane bagasse and Kluyveromyces marxianus NRRL Y-7571. Kinetics of extraction was followed varying the kind of solvent used. After determining the best solvent, an experimental design was carried out to study the effect of the solid/liquid ratio (1:10-1:20), extraction temperature (20-53 degrees C), and stirring rate (50-177 rpm). Results showed that maximum yield was obtained when sodium acetate buffer 0.1 M pH 4.8 was used, using a solid/liquid ratio of 1:10, at 53 degrees C and 150 rpm for 40 min.     

Diversity-oriented synthesis; a spectrum of approaches and results

Since our emerging area article, diversity-oriented synthesis (DOS), which aims to prepare efficiently collections of skeletally diverse small molecules, has developed in the synthetic approaches it employs. This article describes three general strategies, highlighting some successful examples. The utility of DOS, in the interrogation of chemical space and in the identification of novel biologically active lead compounds, is also discussed.