Multiplex Detection of Enzymatic Activity with Responsive Lanthanide‐Based Luminescent Probes

Multiplex analyte detection in complex dynamic systems is desirable for the investigation of cellular communication networks as well as in medical diagnostics. A family of lanthanide‐based responsive luminescent probes for multiplex detection is reported. The high modularity of the probe design enabled the rapid assembly of both green and red emitters for a large variety of analytes by the simple exchange of the lanthanide or an analyte‐cleavable caging group, respectively. The real‐time three‐color detection of up to three analytes was demonstrated, thus setting the stage for the non‐invasive investigation of interconnected biological processes.     

Molden 2.0: quantum chemistry meets proteins

Since the first distribution of Molden in 1995 and the publication of the first article about this software in 2000 work on Molden has continued relentlessly. A few of the many improved or fully novel features such as improved and broadened support for quantum chemistry calculations, preparation of ligands for use in drug design related softwares, and working with proteins for the purpose of ligand docking.     

Mechanically-induced dimensional extensibility of fibers towards tough fiber networks

The beneficial effect of materials with high aspect ratio as composite reinforcement has prompted continuous interest towards cellulosic fibers. Besides providing stiffness, fibers can potentially contribute to composite extensibility. While mechanical treatments are typically used to adjust the physical and surface properties of fibers, less is known about ensuing effects on their extensibility and that of associated networks. Fiber network dimensional extensibility of 16% was achieved by processing the precursor aqueous fiber dispersions following a simple mechanical treatment with a judicious combination of low (PFI refining) and high concentrations and temperatures (Wing defibrator). Consequently, deformation of fibers and increased inter-fiber bonding resulted in a three-fold increase in strength to rupture of the fiber network leading to the structures with unprecedented toughness.     

Biosynthesis,characterization, and antimicrobial effect of silver nanoparticles obtained using <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lavandula</Emphasis> × <Emphasis Type="Italic">intermedia</Emphasis>

The use..... of aqueous leaf extract of Lavandula × intermedia for biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) is presented. The plant extract was obtained by boiling dried leaves and using the obtained filtrate for the synthesis of AgNPs. The study was conducted to investigate an ecofriendly approach to metal nanoparticle synthesis and to evaluate the antimicrobial potential of both the aqueous plant extract and resulting silver nanoparticles against different microbes using the disc diffusion method. The synthesis of silver nanoparticles was monitored using ultraviolet–visible (UV–v is) spectroscopy, which showed a localized surface plasmon resonance band at 411 nm and a shift of the band to higher wavenumber of 422 nm after 90 min of reaction. Powder X-ray diffraction analysis and transmission electron microscopy of the obtained AgNPs revealed their crystalline nature, with average size of 12.6 nm. Presence of elemental silver was further confirmed by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed presence of phytochemicals from Lavandula × intermedia leaf extract on the AgNPs. The AgNPs showed good antimicrobial activity with inhibition zone ranging from 10 to 23 mm; the largest inhibition zone (23 mm) occurred against Escherichia coli. Generally, the AgNPs displayed more antimicrobial activity against all investigated pathogens compared with Lavandula × intermedia leaf extract, and were also more active than streptomycin against Klebsiella oxytoca and E. coli at the same concentration. The silver nanoparticles showed prominent antimicrobial activity with a lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 15 μg/mL against E. coli, K. oxytoca, and Candida albicans.     

Wireless Sensor Networks in IPv4/IPv6 Transition Scenarios

The wireless sensor networks (WSNs) concept was appeared in the middle of 90s and have been a subject under intensive research in the past few years. Several factors have contributed to this, but the potential for application of WSNs in almost every aspect of day-to-day life is the predominant one. This type of networks has been developed using proprietary solutions instead of standard solutions. More recently, the importance of standards motivated the use of IETF standards in WSNs, making the Internet integration easier. However, more efforts are necessary in order to provide a full integration. The WSNs use mainly IPv6 protocol, but the IPv4 is the predominant one in the Internet. As a consequence, IPv4 to IPv6 transition mechanisms must be provided to allow the interaction between all Internet connected devices independently of the supported IP version. It is also critical to provide a standard application interface to make easier the application development and independently of the hardware platform used. The RESTfull Web services can provide this standard interface. So, combine RESTfull Web services with IPv4 to IPv6 transition mechanisms can increase the WSN services dissemination. The transition mechanisms and the REST Web services are supported in the gateway in order to save the wireless sensor device resources’. The smartphone with Internet connectivity can also be the drive to the WSNs growth, because user-friendly applications can be used to retrieve and collect sensed data. This paper proposes a solution based on REST web services to permit the interaction between a mobile application and the IPv6 compliant WSN.     

Spectrophotometric flow injection monitoring of sulfide during sugar fermentation

A spectrophotometric flow injection procedure involving N,N-dimethyl-p-phenylenediamine (DMPD) is applied to the sulfide monitoring of a sugar fermentation by Saccharomyces cerevisiae under laboratory conditions. The gaseous chemical species evolving from the fermentative process, mainly CO₂, are trapped allowing a cleaned sample aliquot to be collected and introduced into the flow injection analyzer. Measurement rate, signal repeatability, detection limit and reagent consumption per measurement were estimated as 150 h⁻¹, 0.36% (n = 20), 0.014 mg L⁻¹ S and 120 μg DMPD, respectively. The main characteristics of the monitoring record are discussed. The strategy is worthwhile for selecting yeast strain, increasing the industrial ethanol production and improving the quality of wines.     

Spectral analysis of a high-order Hermitian algorithm for structural dynamics

The spectral analysis of an efficient step-by-step direct integration algorithm for the structural dynamic equation is presented. The proposed algorithm is formulated in terms of two Hermitian finite difference operators of fifth-order local truncation error and it is unconditionally stable with no numerical damping presenting a fourth-order truncation error for period dispersion (global error). In addition, although it is in competition with higher-order algorithms presented in the literature, the computational effort is similar to that of the classical second-order Newmark’s method. The numerical application for nonlinear structural dynamic problems is also considered.     

Ring-closing metathesis reactions of terminal alkene-derived cyclic phosphazenes

The first examples of ring-closing metathesis (RCM) reactions of a series of terminal alkene-derived cyclic phosphazenes have been carried out. The tetrakis-, hexakis-, and octakis(allyloxy)cyclophosphazenes (NPPh(2))(NP(OCH(2)CH=CH(2))(2))(2) (1), N(3)P(3)(OCH(2)CH=CH(2))(6) (2), and N(4)P(4)(OCH(2)CH=CH(2))(8) (3) and the tetrakis(allyloxy)-S-phenylthionylphosphazene (NS(O)Ph)[NP(OCH(2)CH=CH(2))(2)](2) (4) were prepared by the reactions of CH(2)=CHCH(2)ONa with the cyclophosphazenes (NPPh(2))(NPCl(2))(2), N(3)P(3)Cl(6), and N(4)P(4)Cl(8) and the S-phenylthionylphosphazene (NS(O)Ph)(NPCl(2))(2). The reactions of 1-4 with Grubbs first-generation olefin metathesis catalyst Cl(2)Ru=CHPh(PCy(3))(2) resulted in the selective formation of seven-membered di-, tri-, and tetraspirocyclic phosphazene compounds (NPPh(2))[NP(OCH(2)CH=CHCH(2)O)](2) (5), N(3)P(3)(OCH(2)CH=CHCH(2)O)(3) (6), and N(4)P(4)(OCH(2)CH=CHCH(2)O)(4) (7) and the dispirocyclic S-phenylthionylphosphazene compound (NS(O)Ph)[NP(OCH(2)CH=CHCH(2)O)](2) (8). X-ray structural studies of 5-8 indicated that the double bond of the spiro-substituted cycloalkene units is in the cis orientation in these compounds. In contrast to the reactions of 1-4, RCM reactions of the homoallyloxy-derived cyclophosphazene and thionylphosphazene (NPPh(2))[NP(OCH(2)CH(2)CH=CH(2))(2)](2) (9) and (NS(O)Ph)[NP(OCH(2)CH(2)CH=CH(2))(2)](2) (10) with the same catalyst resulted in the formation of 11-membered diansa compounds NPPh(2)[NP(OCH(2)CH(2)CH=CHCH(2)CH(2)O)](2) (11) and (NS(O)Ph)[NP(OCH(2)CH(2)CH=CHCH(2)CH(2)O)](2) (13) and the intermolecular doubly bridged ansa-dibino-ansa compounds 12 and 14. The X-ray structural studies of compounds 11 and 13 indicated that the double bonds of the ansa-substituted cycloalkene units are in the trans orientation in these compounds. The geminal bis(homoallyloxy)tetraphenylcyclotriphosphazene [NPPh(2)](2)[NP(OCH(2)CH(2)CH=CH(2))(2)] (15) upon RCM with Grubbs first- and second-generation catalysts gave the spirocyclic product [NPPh(2)](2)[NP(OCH(2)CH(2)CH=CHCH(2)CH(2)O)] (16) along with the geminal dibino-substituted dimeric compound [NPPh(2)](2)[NP(OCH(2)CH(2)CH=CHCH(2)CH(2)O)(2)PN][NPPh(2)](2) (17) as the major product. The dibino compound 17, upon reaction with the Grubbs second-generation catalyst, was found to undergo a unique ring-opening metathesis reaction, opening up the bino bridges and partially converting to the spirocyclic compound 16.     

Application of a chiral metal-organic framework in enantioselective separation

A modular approach for the synthesis of highly ordered porous and chiral auxiliary (Evans auxiliary) decorated metal-organic frameworks is developed. Our synthesis strategy, which uses known porous structures as model materials for incorporation of chirality via linker modification, can provide access to a wide range of porous materials suitable for enantioselective separation and catalysis. Chiral analogues of UMCM-1 have been synthesized and investigated for the enantioseparation of chiral compounds in the liquid phase and first promising results are reported.