Single-chain antibodies against DNA aptamers for use as adapter molecules on DNA tile arrays in nanoscale materials organization

Complex DNA nanostructures have been developed as structural components for the construction of nanoscale objects. Recent advances have enabled self-assembly of organized DNA nanolattices and their use in patterning functional bio-macromolecules and other nanomaterials. Adapter molecules that bind specifically to both DNA lattices and nanomaterials would be useful components in a molecular construction kit for patterned nanodevices. Herein we describe the selection from phage display libraries of single-chain antibodies (scFv) for binding to a specific DNA aptamer and their development as adapter molecules for nanoscale construction. We demonstrate the decoration of various DNA tile structures with aptamers and show binding of the selected single-chain antibody as well as the self-assembly of mixed DNA-protein biomolecular lattices.     

Conformational and configurational studies on 3-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane (3-abn) derivatives and related systems employing carbon-13 NMR spectroscopy

The ¹³C nmr spectra of 4 cis-2,4-diphenyl-3-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonanes, 11 cis-2,4-diaryl-3-azabicyclo[3.3.1]-nonan-9-ones, 26 cis-2,4-diaryl-3-azabicyclo[3.3.1]-nonan-9-ols or acetates thereof, 5 cis-2,4-diaryl-3-azabi-cyclo[4.3.1]decan-10-ones or -10-ols and 5 cis-2,4-diphenyl-3-aza-7-thiabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-9-ones, -9-ols or 9-yl acetates have been recorded. Except for the 7-thia compounds, which appear to exist mainly in the configuration and conformation with the nitrogen-containing ring in the boat form, these compounds seem to exist overwhelmingly in chair-chair conformations. The configuration of the 9-ols and their acetates (syn or anti to the nitrogen-containing ring) has been deduced from the spectra. In a number of cases, the structures assigned differ from those earlier postulated. Broadening of one set of aryl signals (probably those due to the ortho carbons) in the case of N-methyl (but not N-H) compounds without ortho substituents is ascribed to restricted phenyl rotation.     

Preparation of antimicrobial polycaprolactone‐silica composite films with nanosilver rods and triclosan using roll‐milling method

In this study, antimicrobial polycaprolactone composite films containing 12.5% silica and 0.15% silver nanorods were prepared using the roll‐milling method. The destruction of E. coli and S. aureus on the surface of the composite films was evaluated after 6 hr of incubation at 37°C. For the E. Coli, no bacterial contamination was detected after 6 hr and the film surface was completely disinfected with 100% reduction of the microbial contamination. For the S. aureus, 94% reduction of the bacterial contamination was observed after 6 hr. The results were compared with the composite films containing triclosan, a broad‐spectrum antimicrobial agent. The antimicrobial activity tests with 0.25% triclosan incorporated polycaprolactone‐silica composite films showed only 70% reduction of E. coli and 95% reduction of S. aureus after 6 hr. The results demonstrated that the use of silver nanoparticles in the biopolymer industry has huge potential for the self‐cleaning applications. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of Mg doping on morphology,photocatalytic activity and related biological properties of Zn1−xMgxO nanoparticles

The objective of this study is to synthesize ZnO and Mg doped ZnO (Zn_1−xMg_xO) nanoparticles via the sol-gel method, and characterize their structures and to investigate their biological properties such as antibacterial activity and hemolytic potential.Nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized by the sol-gel method using zinc acetate dihydrate (Zn(CH₃COO)₂.2H₂O) and magnesium acetate tetrahydrate (Mg(CH₃COO)₂.4H₂O) as precursors. Methanol and monoethanolamine were used as solvent and sol stabilizer, respectively. Structural and morphological characterizations of Zn_1−xMg_xO nanoparticles were studied by using XRD and SEM-EDX, respectively. Photocatalytic activities of ZnO and selected Mg-doped ZnO (Zn_1−xMg_xO) nanoparticles were investigated by degradation of methylene blue (MeB). Results indicated that Mg doping (both 10% and 30%) to the ZnO nanoparticles enhanced the photocatalytic activity and a little amount of Zn0.90 Mg0.10 O photocatalyst (1.0 mg/mL) degraded MeB with 99% efficiency after 24 h of irradiation under ambient visible light. Antibacterial activity of nanoparticles versus Escherichia coli ( E. coli ) was determined by the standard plate count method. Hemolytic activities of the NPs were studied by hemolysis tests using human erythrocytes. XRD data proved that the average particle size of nanoparticles was around 30 nm. Moreover, the XRD results indicatedthat the patterns of Mg doped ZnO nanoparticles related to ZnO hexagonal wurtzite structure had no secondary phase for x ≤ 0.2 concentration. For 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.02, NPs showed a concentration dependent antibacterial activity against E. coli . While Zn_0.90Mg_0.10 O totally inhibited the growth of E. coli , upper and lower dopant concentrations did not show antibacterial activity.     

石墨、菱铁矿与超临界水反应的实验研究

 为研究地球深部无机成烃的机制，在金刚石压腔（DAC，温度为800~1 500 ℃，压力略大于1 GPa）中进行了石墨和菱铁矿分别与超临界水反应的实验研究。用气相色谱法分析了气体产物的组成，发现其中均有大量的甲烷生成，并伴有CO₂和CO；此外还有少量其它烃类。上述结果意味着在地球深部高温高压条件下，含碳物质与超临界水反应可能是一种新的、重要的成烃机制。     

Magnetoelectric effect in cobalt ferrite-barium titanate composites and their electrical properties

CoFe₂O₄-BaTiO₃ composites were prepared using conventional ceramic double sintering process with various compositions. Presence of two phases in the composites was confirmed using X-ray diffraction. The dc resistivity and thermoemf as a function of temperature in the temperature range 300 K to 600 K were measured. Variation of dielectric constant (ɛ′) with frequency in the range 100 Hz to 1 MHz and also with temperature at a fixed frequency of 1 kHz was studied. The ac conductivity was derived from dielectric constant (ɛ′) and loss tangent (tan δ). The nature of conduction is discussed on the basis of small polaron hopping model. The static value of magnetoelectric conversion factor has been studied as a function of magnetic field.     

Influence of Hydraulic Retention Time and Reactor Configuration During Fermentation of Diluted Chicken Manure

In this study, single-stage and two-phase semi-continuous thermophilic anaerobic reactors fed with diluted (3 % total solids (TS) and 1.8 % volatile solids (VS)) chicken manure at three different hydraulic retention times (HRTs) were compared interms of biogas production rate, methane content of the produced biogas, and VS and TS removal. Along the study, HRTs of 16, 12, and 8 days were implemented to the single-stage and the two-phase systems. It was observed that the single-stage anaerobic system was superior to the two-phase anaerobic system according to their biogas production rates (517 vs. 356, 551 vs. 359, 459 vs. 386 (mL/g VS_feed)) at all HRTs. On the other hand, methane content of the biogas produced was higher in the two-phase system compared to the single-stage system.     

The Tensile Properties of Uncoated and TiO2 Coated Bombyx Mori Silk Yarns Exposed to Thermal Treatment

Bombyx mori silk yarns were coated with a TiO₂ network by sol-gel processing. The tensile properties of TiO₂ coated silk yarns heated at various temperatures were examined and compared with those of uncoated silk yarns. The thermal properties of uncoated silk yarns and TiO₂ coated silk yarns were also discussed. Prominent changes were seen in the rigidity and Young's modulus. The Young's modulus of TiO₂ coated silk yarn increased by 13% at room condition and remained higher than that of uncoated silk yarns with increasing temperature. The shape of the stress–strain curve of TiO₂ coated silk yarns became the same as uncoated silk yarns and showed a similar tendency of change to uncoated silk yarns with increasing temperature. The rupture values of uncoated silk yarns and TiO₂ coated silk yarns decreased significantly, e.g., the breaking extension decreased from 17.28 to 2.44% and from 15.25 to 1.96% for uncoated silk yarns and TiO₂ coated silk yarns, respectively, when the temperature was increased from 25 to 225°C. Structural changes and degradation processes due to thermal effects for both uncoated and TiO₂ coated silk yarns are discussed.