Image reconstruction technique and optical monitoring of the QSO2237+0305 from Maidanak Observatory in 2002 -- 2003

We have observed the gravitational lens system Q2237+0305 from the Maidanak Observatory over the period from August 2002 to November 2003. Here we report the results of our observations. We implemented a two-stage technique that has been developed specifically for the purpose of gravitational lens image reconstruction. The technique is based on the Tikhonov regularization approach and allows one to obtain astrometric and photometric characteristics of the gravitational lens system. Light curves with 78 data points for the four quasar components are obtained. Slow brightness variations over the observational period are found in all components. Images A, C, D have a tendency to decrease in brightness. Image B does not vary more than 0.05mag. The observations did not reveal evidence for large variations in brightness of the components due to microlensing effects. To provide an overall picture of the photometry behaviour, our data are combined with the Maidanak observations published for 1995 -- 2000.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures, accepted by MNRA

Interactions between metal oxides and biomolecules: from fundamental understanding to applications

Metallo-oxide (MO) based bioinorganic nanocomposites promise unique structures, physico-chemical properties and novel bio-chemical functionalities and within the last decade, investment in research on materials such as ZnO, TiO2, SiO2 and GeO2 has significantly increased. Besides traditional approaches, the synthesis, shaping, structural patterning and post-processing chemical functionalization of the materials surface is inspired by strategies which mimic processes in nature. Would such materials deliver new technologies? Answering this question requires the merging of historical knowledge and current research from different fields of science. Practically, we need an effective defragmentation of the research area. From our perspective, the superficial accounting of material properties, chemistry of the surfaces and the behaviour of biomolecules next to such surfaces is a problem. This is particularly of concern when we wish to bridge between technologies in vitro and biotechnologies in vivo. Further, besides the potential practical technological efficiency and advantages such materials might exhibit, we have to consider the wider long-term implications of material stability and toxicity. In this contribution we present a critical review of recent advances in the chemistry and engineering of MO based biocomposites highlighting the role of interactions at the interface and the techniques by which these can be studied. At the end of the article we outline the challenges which hamper progress in research and extrapolate to developing and promising directions including additive manufacturing and synthetic biology that could benefit from molecular level understanding of interactions occurring between inanimate (abiotic) and living (biotic) materials