Synthesis of (±)-10H-Phenothiazine-10-propanoyl-1′-myo-inositol

The synthesis of (±)10H-phenothiazine-10-propanoyl-1′-myo-inositol was accomplished in order to test it as inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol specfic phospholipase C (PI-PLC).     

A Multifunctional Surface That Simultaneously Balances Hydrophilic Enzyme Catalysis and Hydrophobic Water Repellency

The compatibility of multiple functions at a single interface is difficult to achieve, but is even more challenging when the functions directly counteract one another. This study provides insight into the creation of a simultaneously multifunctional surface formed by balancing two orthogonal functions; water repellency and enzyme catalysis. A partially fluorinated thiol is used to impart bulk hydrophobicity on the surface, and an N‐hydroxysuccinimide ester‐terminated thiol provides a specific anchoring sites for the covalent enzyme attachment. Different ratios of the two thiols are mixed together to form amphiphilic self‐assembled monolayers, which are characterized with polarization‐modulation infrared reflection–absorption spectroscopy and contact angle goniometry. The enzyme activity is measured by a fluorescence assay. With the results collected here, specific surface compositions are identified at which the orthogonal functions of water repellency and enzyme catalysis are balanced and exist simultaneously. An understanding of how to effectively balance orthogonal functions at surfaces can be extended to a number of higher‐scale applications.     

Antimicrobial activity and phenolic content of natural site and micropropagated Limonium avei (De Not.) Brullo & Erben plant extracts

This study reported the antimicrobial activity and phenolic content of natural site and micropropagated Limonium avei (De Not.) Brullo & Erben inflorescences. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of ethanolic extracts were determined according to the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. Individual phenolic acids and flavonoids were detected by a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-DAD) method. The samples showed a comparable antimicrobial activity, although the natural site extract possessed the lower MIC values. The best activity was detected against Gram-positive bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus including methicillin resistant strains (MIC and MBC values ranging from 7.81 to 62.50?μg?mL(-1) and from 500 to 2000?μg?mL(-1) respectively). In contrast, a low activity was found on Gram-negative bacteria and Candida albicans. The HPLC-DAD analysis revealed ten phenolic acids and four flavonoids with a major amount of m-coumaric acid, naringin and quercetin in the natural site extract.     

Supramolecular assemblies of DNA with neutral nucleoside amphiphiles

A neutral uridine-based amphiphile is described which condenses plasmid DNA. AFM studies show that the three distinct structural components of the amphiphile (i.e, nucleobase, alkyl chains, and poly(ethylene glycol)) are required for the formation of DNA-amphiphile supramolecular assemblies on a mica surface.     

Non-minimal and non-universal supersymmetry

I motivate and discuss non-minimal and non-universal models of supersymmetry and supergravity consistent with string unification at 10¹⁰ GeV.     

Direct-writing of polymer nanostructures: poly(thiophene) nanowires on semiconducting and insulating surfaces.

A new technique for direct-writing of polymer nanostructures on insulating and semiconducting surfaces based on Electrochemical Dip-Pen Nanolithography (E-DPN) is described. The technique is based on electrochemical polymerization of monomers directly underneath the AFM tip. Sub-50 nm poly-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene lines can be easily created. Such capability to direct-write and pattern polymeric materials with interesting electronic and electrooptical properties at the nanoscale creates a number of opportunities since a large variety of monomers are available.