Benzylfentanyl as a Surrogate Template for Fentanyl-Selective Imprinted Polymers.

The illicit use of fentanyl has led to hundreds of thousands of opioid-related deaths worldwide. Therefore, the detection of fentanyl by law enforcement and recreational users is of utmost importance. However, current detection methods are expensive, time-consuming, require special storage conditions, and necessitate complex instrumentation that is generally unportable and requires skilled personnel to operate.

Analytical Perspectives in the Study of Polyvalent Interactions of Free and Surface-Bound Oligonucleotides and Their Implications in Affinity Biosensing.

The high affinity and/or selectivity of oligonucleotide-mediated binding offers a myriad of therapeutical and analytical applications, whose rational design implies an accurate knowledge of the involved molecular mechanisms, concurring equilibrium processes and key affinity parameters. Oligonucleotide-functionalized gold surfaces or nanostructures are regularly employed analytical platforms for the development of label-free optical or electrochemical biosensors, and recently, novel detection platform designs have been increasingly considering the synergistic effect of polyvalent binding, involving the simultaneous interaction of two or several oligonucleotide strands. Considering the general lack of studies involving ternary single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) interactions, a complementary analytical workflow involving capillary gel electrophoretic (CGE) mobility shift assay, microcalorimetry and computational modeling has been deployed for the characterization of a series of free and surface-bound binary and ternary oligonucleotide interactions.

Dirichlet Polynomials and Entropy.

A Dirichlet polynomial in one variable y is a function of the form d(y)=anny+⋯+a22y+a11y+a00y for some n,a0,…,an∈N. We will show how to think of a Dirichlet polynomial as a set-theoretic bundle, and thus as an empirical distribution. We can then consider the Shannon entropy H(d) of the corresponding probability distribution, and we define its (or, classically, its ) by L(d)=2H(d).

Improved Enantioselectivity for Atenolol Employing Pivot Based Molecular Imprinting.

In the last few decades, molecular imprinting technology went through a spectacular evolution becoming a well-established tool for the synthesis of highly selective biomimetic molecular recognition platforms. Nevertheless, there is still room for advancement in the molecular imprinting of highly polar chiral compounds. The aim of the present work was to investigate the favorable kosmotropic effect of a ternary complex involving a polar chiral template (eutomer of atenolol) and a functional monomer, bridged by a central metal ion through well-defined, spatially directional coordinate bonds.

Decentering in the process of cultivating mindfulness: An experience-sampling study in time and context.

Objective: Through intensive experience sampling, we studied the practice and development of mindfulness as a dynamic process in time and context. We focused on role(s) and salutary function(s) of mindfulness and decentering for emotional experience over the course of mindfulness practice and development.

Method: Eighty-two meditation-naive adults from the general community, 52% women, M (SD) = 25.

Matriarch: A Python Library for Materials Architecture.

Biological materials, such as proteins, often have a hierarchical structure ranging from basic building blocks at the nanoscale (e.g., amino acids) to assembled structures at the macroscale (e.

Categorical prototyping: incorporating molecular mechanisms into 3D printing.

We apply the mathematical framework of category theory to articulate the precise relation between the structure and mechanics of a nanoscale system in a macroscopic domain. We maintain the chosen molecular mechanical properties from the nanoscale to the continuum scale. Therein we demonstrate a procedure to 'protoype a model', as category theory enables us to maintain certain information across disparate fields of study, distinct scales, or physical realizations.

Preparation of molecularly imprinted polymeric fibers using a single bifunctional monomer for the solid-phase microextraction of parabens from environmental solid samples.

In this study, molecularly imprinted polymer fibers for solid-phase microextraction have been prepared with a single bifunctional monomer, N,O-bismethacryloyl ethanolamine using the so-called "one monomer molecularly imprinted polymers" method, replacing the conventional combination of functional monomer and cross-linker to form high fidelity binding sites. For comparison, imprinted fibers were prepared following the conventional approach based on ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as cross-linker and methacrylic acid as monomer. The recognition performance of the new fibers was evaluated in the solid-phase microextraction of parabens, and from this study it was concluded that they provided superior performance over conventionally formulated fibers.

Ionic liquid crosslinkers for chiral imprinted nanoGUMBOS.

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are an important class of selective materials for molecular specific sensors and separations. Molecular imprinting using non-covalent interactions in aqueous conditions still remains a difficult challenge due to interruption of hydrogen-bonding or electrostatic interactions water. Newly developed crosslinking ionic liquids are demonstrated herein to overcome problems of synthesizing aqueous MIPs, adding to previous examples of ionic liquids used as monomers in non-aqueous conditions or used as MIP solvents.

Scalemic and racemic imprinting with a chiral crosslinker.

The development of molecularly imprinted chiral stationary phases has traditionally been limited by the need for a chiral pure template. Paradoxically, availability of a chiral pure template largely defeats the purpose of developing a chiral stationary phase. To solve this paradox, imprinting of scalemic and racemic template mixtures was investigated using both chiral (N-α-bismethacryloyl-L-alanine) and achiral (N,O-bisacrylamide ethanolamine) crosslinkers.

[Telomere length, telomerase activity, stress and aging].

The review is dedicated to analysis of data available at present time concerning possible influence of stress upon telomere lengths and telomerase activity, as well as various ways of counteracting it. Present-day telomerase theory of aging gains a new impetus, shedding light upon the influence of psychological state of humans and their ability to counteract stress, upon the process of aging. It also tends to regard telomere shortening and the decrease in the activity of telomerase as a marker of level of the ability to adapt to both inner and outer influences.

Kondo physics in non-local metallic spin transport devices.

The non-local spin-valve is pivotal in spintronics, enabling separation of charge and spin currents, disruptive potential applications and the study of pressing problems in the physics of spin injection and relaxation. Primary among these problems is the perplexing non-monotonicity in the temperature-dependent spin accumulation in non-local ferromagnetic/non-magnetic metal structures, where the spin signal decreases at low temperatures. Here we show that this effect is strongly correlated with the ability of the ferromagnetic to form dilute local magnetic moments in the NM.

Highly selective detection of oil spill polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons using molecularly imprinted polymers for marine ecosystems.

Im*plications due to oil spills on marine ecosystems have created a great interest toward developing more efficient and selective materials for oil spill toxins detection and remediation. This research paper highlights the application of highly efficient molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) adsorbents based on a newly developed functional crosslinker (N,O-bismethacryloyl ethanolamine, NOBE) for detection of highly toxic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in seawater. The binding capacity of MIP for oil spill toxin pyrene is 35 mg/g as compared to the value of 3.

Absolute configuration determination using enantiomeric pairs of molecularly imprinted polymers.

A new method for determination of absolute configuration (AC) is demonstrated using an enantiomeric pair of molecularly imprinted polymers, referred to as "DuoMIPs". The ratio of HPLC capacity factors (k') for the analyte on each of the DuoMIPs is defined as the γ factor and can be used to determine AC when above 1.2.

A double-imprinted diffraction-grating sensor based on a virus-responsive super-aptamer hydrogel derived from an impure extract.

The detection of viruses is of interest for a number of fields including biomedicine, environmental science, and biosecurity. Of particular interest are methods that do not require expensive equipment or trained personnel, especially if the results can be read by the naked eye. A new "double imprinting" method was developed whereby a virus-bioimprinted hydrogel is further micromolded into a diffraction grating sensor by using imprint-lithography techniques to give a "Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Gel Laser Diffraction Sensor" (MIP-GLaDiS).

WITHDRAWN: MS related employment and disease modifying treatment in the German working population: 1994-2009.

Ahead of Print article withdrawn by publisher.

Materials by Design: Merging Proteins and Music.

Tailored materials with tunable properties are crucial for applications as biomaterials, for drug delivery, as functional coatings, or as lightweight composites. An emerging paradigm in designing such materials is the construction of hierarchical assemblies of simple building blocks into complex architectures with superior properties. We review this approach in a case study of silk, a genetically programmable and processable biomaterial, which, in its natural role serves as a versatile protein fiber with hierarchical organization to provide structural support, prey procurement or protection of eggs.

Nanostructure shape effects on response of plasmonic aptamer sensors.

A localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) sensor surface was fabricated by the deposition of gold nanorods on a glass substrate and subsequent immobilization of the DNA aptamer, which specifically bind to thrombin. This LSPR aptamer sensor showed a response of 6-nm λ(max) shift for protein binding with the detection limit of at least 10 pM, indicating one of the highest sensitivities achieved for thrombin detection by optical extinction LSPR. We also tested the LSPR sensor fabricated using gold bipyramid, which showed higher refractive index sensitivity than the gold nanorods, but the overall response of gold bipyramid sensor appears to be 25% less than that of the gold nanorod substrate, despite the approximately twofold higher refractive index sensitivity.

Macromolecular amplification of binding response in superaptamer hydrogels.

It is becoming more important to detect ultralow concentrations of analytes for biomedical, environmental, and national security applications. Equally important is that new methods should be easy to use, inexpensive, portable, and if possible allow detection by the naked eye. By and large, detection of low concentrations of analytes cannot be achieved directly but requires signal amplification by catalysts, macromolecules, metal surfaces, or supramolecular aggregates.

Enantioseparations by high-performance liquid chromatography using molecularly imprinted polymers.

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are becoming increasingly useful as chromatographic adsorbents for molecular separations, especially chiral separations, because they can be tailored to specifically recognize the target molecule including its stereochemistry. Traditionally formed MIPs (as described here) are stable under ambient conditions for years, take only days to make, and use relatively inexpensive components, with the possible exception of the template in some cases which can be reused after it is removed from the polymer to keep costs down. In addition to providing experimental details for typical synthetic methods to fabricate MIPs and pack them into HPLC columns, this chapter also gives an overview of the concepts of molecular imprinting method and discusses important factors for designing an effective imprinted polymer.

[The factor analysis results of the relationship of socio-demographic, clinical and functional indicators with the likelihood of identifying age-related disorders in the population in North-Western Russia].

By using the method of factor analysis (principal component method) the determinants of disease in elderly and senile patients were searched with an estimate of their influence degree in the population of the North-West Russia. The data from medical records of 712 patients of both sexes aged 59 to 98 years were analyzed. The factor 1 proved to be associated with: marital status, living conditions, family relationships, bad habits, appearance, cough, diet, hearing and vision, laxatives, joint health, ability to move and sleep disturbances.

[Telomere length in the population of long-lived persons of North-West region of Russia].

Interdisciplinary study of telomere length, polymorphism of genes of renin-angiotensin (ACE) and serotonin (5HTR2A and 5HTTPR) systems in population of aged and old inhabitants of the North-West of Russia was conducted, in their relations to data from clinical and geriatric anamnesis, and psychological functioning. Regular link between telomere length and respondent's age was demonstrated in subgroups of old respondents and long-livers, by method of factor analysis.

[Distribution of serotonin transporter 5-HTTLPR gene polymorphism in population of the North-West of Russia].

Genetic polymorphism of the promotor zone of the gene of serotonin transporter (5HTT) is related to adaptive ability of humans, along with ability of conducting emotional control. Consequently, 5HTT polymorhisms form a constructive model of enhanced resistance to psychoemotional strain in aged humans. The paper is dedicated to tracing back relations between 5HTT polymorphic variants, and psychological characteristics of the long-livers of the North-Western Russia, as well as the geriatric ones.