Interstellar formation of lactaldehyde, a key intermediate in the methylglyoxal pathway.

Aldehydes are ubiquitous in star-forming regions and carbonaceous chondrites, serving as essential intermediates in metabolic pathways and molecular mass growth processes to vital biomolecules necessary for the origins of life. However, their interstellar formation mechanisms have remained largely elusive. Here, we unveil the formation of lactaldehyde (CHCH(OH)CHO) by barrierless recombination of formyl (HĊO) and 1-hydroxyethyl (CHĊHOH) radicals in interstellar ice analogs composed of carbon monoxide (CO) and ethanol (CHCHOH).

Identifying differences in the tribological performance of GUR 1020 and GUR 1050 UHMWPE resins associated to pressure × velocity conditions in linear reciprocating sliding tests.

In this work, two commercial UHMWPE (ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene) resins used in orthopedics, GUR 1050 and GUR 1020, were evaluated through linear reciprocating dry friction tests. Average contact pressures (P) of 34 MPa and 50 MPa and sliding velocities (V) of 0.02 m/s and 0.

Unconventional Pathway in the Gas-Phase Synthesis of 9H-Fluorene (C H ) via the Radical-Radical Reaction of Benzyl (C H ) with Phenyl (C H ).

The simplest polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) carrying a five-membered ring-9H-fluorene (C H )-is produced isomer-specifically in the gas phase by reacting benzyl (C H ⋅) with phenyl (C H ⋅) radicals in a pyrolytic reactor coupled with single photon ionization mass spectrometry. The unconventional mechanism of reaction is supported by theoretical calculations, which first produces diphenylmethane and unexpected 1-(6-methylenecyclohexa-2,4-dienyl)benzene intermediates (C H ) accessed via addition of the phenyl radical to the ortho position of the benzyl radical. These findings offer convincing evidence for molecular mass growth processes defying conventional wisdom that radical-radical reactions are initiated through recombination at their radical centers.

Determining the Specific Activity of Anti-Rabies Sera and Immunoglobulin Using Atomic Force Microscopy of Cell Cultures.

Background: Mouse neutralization test is widely used to determine the level of anti-rabies antibodies, but it is labor-intensive and time consuming. Alternative methods for determining the neutralizing activity of anti-rabies sera and immunoglobulin in cell cultures are also known. Methods such as FAVN and RFFIT involve the use of fluorescent diagnostics.