Optimising DNA binding to carbon nanotubes by non-covalent methods

The use of carbon nanotubes as a gene delivery system has been extensively studied in recent years owing to its potential advantages over viral vectors. To achieve this goal, carbon nanotubes have to be functionalized to become compatible with aqueous media and to bind the genetic material. To establish the best conditions for plasmid DNA binding, we compare the dispersion properties of single-, double- and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs, DWCNTs and MWCNTs, respectively) functionalized with a variety of surfactants by non-covalent attachment. The DNA binding properties of the functionalized carbon nanotubes were studied and compared by electrophoresis. Furthermore, a bilayer functionalization method for DNA binding on SWCNTs was developed that utilized RNA-wrapping to solubilize the nanotubes and cationic polymers as a bridge between nanotubes and DNA

TAIGA -- an advanced hybrid detector complex for astroparticle physics and high energy gamma-ray astronomy

The physical motivations, present status, main results in study of cosmic rays and in the field of gamma-ray astronomy as well future plans of the TAIGA-1 (Tunka Advanced Instrument for cosmic ray physics and Gamma Astronomy) project are presented. The TAIGA observatory addresses ground-based gamma-ray astronomy and astroparticle physics at energies from a few TeV to several PeV, as well as cosmic ray physics from 100 TeV to several EeV. The pilot TAIGA-1 complex is located in the Tunka valley, ~50 km west from the southern tip of the lake Baikal.Comment: Submission to SciPost Phys. Proc., 10 pages, 2 figure

Primary Cosmic Rays Energy Spectrum and Mean Mass Composition by the Data of the TAIGA Astrophysical Complex

The corrected dependence of the mean depth of the EAS maximum $X_{max}$ on the energy was obtained from the data of the Tunka-133 array for 7 years and the TAIGA-HiSCORE array for 2 year. The parameter $\langle\ln A\rangle$, characterizing the mean mass compositon was derived from these results. The differential energy spectrum of primary cosmic rays in the energy range of $2\cdot 10^{14}$ - $2\cdot 10^{16}$\,eV was reconstructed using the new parameter $Q_{100}$ the Cherenkov light flux at the core distance 100 m.}Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures, Submitted to SciPost Phys.Pro

Development of hybrid reconstruction techniques for TAIGA

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Size effects in monodomain magnetite based ferrofluids

Ferrofluids based on two types of hybrid particles Fe(3)O(4)/beta-cyclodextrin were prepared: Using monodomain (below 60 nm) magnetite nanoparticles with (A) non-superparamagnetic (non-SPM) behaviour and (B) with superparamagnetic (SPM) behaviour. We found a strong dependence of the hybrid particles' magnetic properties on their size and homogeneity. In both types of ferrofluids we observed hyperthermia upon applying an ac electromagnetic field with frequency 40 kHz and amplitude 30 kA/m. The maximal Delta T upon irradiation with duration of about 12 min for the non-SPM particles was 12 degrees C, while for the SPM ones it was 3.5 degrees C

Novel fluorescent sensors based on zinc(II) bis(dipyrromethenate)s for furosemide detection in organic media

© 2019 Elsevier B.V. In this paper, the sensitivity of new fluorescent sensors based on zinc(II) bis(dipyrromethenate)s ([Zn2L2]s) to the furosemide presence in organic media is described. It has been shown that the instantaneous spectral response of [Zn2L2]s to the furosemide presence is based on the fluorescence quenching effect. Multi-approach analysis (UV–vis and fluorescent titrations, PXRD, FTIR, 1H NMR, DOSY, and DFT calculations) has shown that the [Zn2L2]s fluorescence quenching is associated with the formation of stable [Zn2L2Fur]s supramolecular systems, capable of photoinduced electron transfer. The furosemide detection limit with using [Zn2L2]s was 65–78 μg L−1. The proposed sensors can be used for the forensic, clinical and sports medicine needs