Synthesis-enabled exploration of chiral and polar multivalent quaternary sulfides.

An innovative method of synthesis is reported for the large and diverse (RE)(TM) (Tt)S (RE = rare-earth, TM = transition metals, Tt = Si, Ge, and Sn) family of compounds (∼1000 members, ∼325 contain Si), crystallizing in the noncentrosymmetric, chiral, and polar 6 space group. Traditional synthesis of such phases involves the annealing of elements or binary sulfides at elevated temperatures. The atomic mixing of refractory components technique, presented here, allows the synthesis of known members and vastly expands the family to nearly the entire transition metal block, including 3d, 4d, and 5d TMs with oxidation states ranging from 1+ to 4+.

High-throughput Screening of Erratic Cell Volume Regulation Using a Hydrogel-based Single-cell Microwell Array.

Here, we report that a single-cell microwell array based on photocrosslinked hydrogel can be used to screen cells exhibiting a defective regulatory volume decrease (RVD) in high-throughput. The RVD is a regulatory function of cells that maintains cell volume homeostasis in a hypotonic medium. Single Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells grown in the microwells were loaded with a volume-sensitive fluorescence dye.

Spatial distance effect of bienzymes on the efficiency of sequential reactions in a microfluidic reactor packed with enzyme-immobilized microbeads.

Three different configurations of microfluidic reactors packed with enzyme-bearing microbeads were examined to show that the overall efficiency of coupled enzyme-catalyzed reactions depends on the spatial relationship of two enzymes immobilized on the bead surfaces. The spatial distances of glucose oxidase (GOx) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) enzymes were controlled by using microbeads as a supporting matrix for immobilizing the two enzymes and packing them in two microfluidic chambers. A microreactor packed with microbeads coimmobilized with the two enzymes showed a better overall reaction efficiency than the other two reactors, where the two enzymes were spatially distant, under a flow condition.

PCB and PBDE levels in wild common carp (Cyprinus carpio) from eastern Lake Erie.

Male common carp (Cyprinus carpio) from eastern Lake Erie, which is greatly effected by urbanization, agriculture, and industry, were analyzed for PCB and PBDE concentrations in plasma, muscle, and liver to evaluate exposure to these chemicals through habitat interactions. Additional male carp from two nearby relatively clean lakes (Bear Lake and Hemlock Lake, NY) were also sampled as controls. While PCBs were detected in muscle, liver, and plasma of Lake Erie carp, the largest concentrations were found in muscle, which also had the most number of congeners.