Post-Assembly Photomasking of Potassium Acyltrifluoroborates (KATs) for Two-Photon 3D Patterning of PEG-Hydrogels

Chemical ligation reactions of functional groups that can be masked with two-photon labile protecting groups provide a powerful technology for the three-dimensional patterning of molecules – including proteins – onto hydrogel scaffolds. In order to utilize readily prepared hydrogels constructed by the potassium acyltrifluoroborate (KAT)-hydroxylamine amide formation ligation for two-photon patterning, we have developed a unique post-polymerization protecting group strategy through the reaction of KATs and dithiols in water and deprotection by two-photon excitation. After precise 3D spatially confined light irradiation, the unprotected KATs undergo ligations with hydroxylamine-functionalized superfolder GFP and sulforhodamine B for the composition of three-dimensional patterns.     

Development of form and function in peripheral auditory structures of the zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Investigations of the development of auditory form and function have, with a few exceptions, thus far been largely restricted to birds and mammals, making it difficult to postulate evolutionary hypotheses. Teleost fishes represent useful models for developmental investigations of the auditory system due to their often extensive period of posthatching development and the diversity of auditory specializations in this group. Using the auditory brainstem response and morphological techniques we investigated the development of auditory form and function in zebrafish (Danio rerio) ranging in size from 10 to 45 mm total length. We found no difference in auditory sensitivity, response latency, or response amplitude with development, but we did find an expansion of maximum detectable frequency from 200 Hz at 10 mm to 4000 Hz at 45 mm TL. The expansion of frequency range coincided with the development of Weberian ossicles in zebrafish, suggesting that changes in hearing ability in this species are driven more by development of auxiliary specializations than by the ear itself. We propose a model for the development of zebrafish hearing wherein the Weberian ossicles gradually increase the range of frequencies available to the inner ear, much as middle ear development increases frequency range in mammals.     

Genetic analysis of the GRIK2 modifier effect in Huntington's disease

Background  

In Huntington's disease (HD), age at neurological onset is inversely correlated with the length of the CAG trinucleotide repeat mutation, but can be modified by genetic factors beyond the HD gene. Association of a relatively infrequent 16 TAA allele of a trinucleotide repeat polymorphism in the GRIK2 3'UTR with earlier than expected age at neurological onset has been suggested to reflect linkage disequilibrium with a functional polymorphism in GRIK2 or an adjacent gene.     

Rigidity in one-dimensional tiling spaces

Suppose Tφ and Tθ are tiling spaces arising from primitive nonperiodic substitutions φ and θ. Suppose Fφ and Fθ denote the corresponding inflation and substitution maps on the respective tiling spaces. We prove that Tφ and Tθ are homeomorphic if and only if there exist positive integers m and n such that and are topologically conjugate.     

ON THE ROLE OF MONOMER-MONOMER COMPLEXES IN ALTERNATING FREE-RADICAL COPOLYMERIZATIONS: THE CASE OF STYRENE AND MALEIC ANHYDRIDE

Abstract

Great interest has been shown in the kinetics and mechanisms of free radical copolymerizations that produce highly alternating copolymers. In many of these systems the production of alternating copolymers seems to arise naturally, while in others it is necessary to add a metal halide or an organometal halide regulating agent to modify reactivities. Much of the interest in alternating radical copolymerizations centers around the precise mechanism of alternation and in particular whether or not any of the alternation arises from the involvement of monomer-monomer donor-acceptor complexes (sometimes called charge-transfer complexes).