Wet-dry cycles cause nucleic acid monomers to polymerize into long chains.

The key first step in the oligomerization of monomers is to find an initiator, which is usually done by thermolysis or photolysis. We present a markedly different approach that initiates acid-catalyzed polymerization at the surface of water films or water droplets, which is the reactive phase during a wet-dry cycle in freshwater hot springs associated with subaerial volcanic landmasses. We apply this method to the oligomerization of different nucleic acids, a topic relevant to how it might be possible to go from simple nucleic acid monomers to long-chain polymers, a key step in forming the building blocks of life.

Effects of Pulsed Electric Field on the Physicochemical and Structural Properties of Micellar Casein.

Pulsed electric field (PEF) as a green processing technology is drawing greater attention due to its eco-friendliness and potential to promote sustainable development goals. In this study, the effects of different electric field strengths (EFS, 0-30 kV/cm) on the structure and physicochemical features of casein micelles (CSMs) were investigated. It was found that the particle sizes of CSMs increased at low EFS (10 kV/cm) but decreased at high EFS (30 kV/cm).

Investigation of osmotic shock effect on pulsed electric field treated S. cerevisiae yeast cells.

Pulsed electric field (PEF) treatment is known to cause plasma membrane permeabilization of microorganisms, an effect known as electroporation. PEF treatment is very attractive since it can achieve permeabilization with or without lethal damage in accordance with desired results. This study aimed to expand the accomplishment of electroporation outcomes by applying sudden post-PEF osmotic composition change of the media.

Stronger than Ever: Multifilament Fiberglass Posts Boost Maxillary Premolar Fracture Resistance.

This paper investigates the influence of cavity configuration and post-endodontic restoration on the fracture resistance, failure mode and stress distribution of premolars by using a method of fracture failure test and finite elements analysis (FEA) coupled to Weibull analysis (WA). One hundred premolars were divided into one control group (G) ( = 10) and three experimental groups, according to the post-endodontic restoration ( = 30), G, restored using composite, G, restored using single fiber post and G, restored using multifilament fiberglass posts (m-FGP) without post-space preparation. Each experimental group was divided into three subgroups according to the type of coronal cavity configuration ( = 10): G, G and G with occlusal (O) cavity configuration; G, G, and G with mesio-occlusal (MO); and G, G, and G with mesio-occluso-distal (MOD).

Development of a Disposable Polyacrylamide Hydrogel-Based Semipermeable Membrane for Micro Ag/AgCl Reference Electrode.

Currently, Ag/AgCl-based reference electrodes are used in most electrochemical biosensors and other bioelectrochemical devices. However, standard reference electrodes are rather large and do not always fit within electrochemical cells designed for the determination of analytes in low-volume aliquots. Therefore, various designs and improvements in reference electrodes are critical for the future development of electrochemical biosensors and other bioelectrochemical devices.