Toxic metal complexes of macrocyclic cyclen molecule – synthesis, structure and complexing properties

Toxic metal (Cd2+, Hg2+, Pb2+, and Ag+) complexes with the tetradentate macrocyclic ligand - cyclen (1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane, [12]aneN4, L) were prepared and studied in the solid state by IR, X-ray diffraction, elemental and thermal analysis. Diffraction results have yielded three molecular structures, [Cd([12]ane-κ4N1,4,7,10)(NO3)2)] (1), [Hg([12]ane-κ4N1,4,7,10)(NO3-κ2O,O`)]NO3 (2), [Pb2([12]ane-κ4N1,4,7,10)2][Pb(NO3)6] (3) and one polymeric structure {[Ag2([12]ane-κ3N1,4,7)(μ2-[12]aneN10)](NO3)2∙2H2O)}n (4) featuring a unique coordination mode not observed before with cyclen as a ligand. The monodentate (1) and chelate (with small bite angle 50.3(3)°, (2) coordination modes of nitrate ligands were confirmed. Stereochemically active 6s2 lone pair was suggested in 3 and DFT results confirmed no significant metal–metal covalent bond. The stability constants of the complexes with Cd2+ and Pb2+ ions were determined by potentiometric methods in aqueous solutions. Additionally, the structures of complexes in solution were observed by 1H NMR. Both methods confirm similar cyclen complexing properties toward Zn2+ biometal and Cd2+, Pb2+ toxic metals

Ni 2 FeSi Heusler Glass Coated Microwires

We report on fabrication, structural and magnetic properties of novel Heusler-type glass coated Ni2FeSi microwires that were prepared by the Taylor-Ulitovsky method, having a metallic nucleus diameter about 3.9 µm and total sample diameter of 39 µm. This single step and low cost fabrication technique offers to prepare up to km of glass-coated microwires starting from few g of cheap elements for diverse applications. The X-ray diffraction data from the metallic nucleus indicates L21 crystalline structure (a = 5.563 Å), with a possible DO3 disorder. Magnetic measurements determined the Curie temperature well above the room temperature (770 K) together with uniform easy magnetization axis of the metallic core, which predisposes this material to a suitable candidate for spintronic applications

Prevalence and Detection of Flaviviruses Occurring in Slovakia

The tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) and West Nile virus (WNV) are arboviruses of the genus Flavivirus in the family Flaviviridae. Their hosts are vertebratesof which rodents are the reservoirs of TBEV and birds are the reservoirs of WNV. Both viruses are transmitted from reservoirs to mammals by vectors. TBEV is transmitted by ticks (mostly Ixodes spp.) and WNV by mosquitoes (mostly Culex spp.). Both viruses are capable of infecting mammals, including man. TBEV and WNV are neurotropic, however infection is, in most cases, subclinical or accompanied by only moderate general signs. However, in some cases they can cause serious disturbances of the CNS. Our study focused on the detection of the genomes of TBEV and WNV in vectors by means of the reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The flavivirus genome was detected by means of oligonucleotides delineating the sequence in NS5 gene that encodes viral RNA-dependent RNA-polymerase. For the detection of TBEV, we used the oligonucleotide pair detecting the structural envelope protein. The positive samples were subjected to the sequence and phylogenetic analysis. The WNV was not detected in any of the pooled samples prepared from 616 mosquitoes captured in the vicinity of the village Drienovec, district Košice-surroundings. The investigation of 676 ticks demonstrated the presence of one strain of TBEV. One blood-fed I. ricinus female was obtained from a goat grazing in a pasture in the Dúbrava area close to Prešov. The genetic analysis revealed the presence of a strain close to the endemic strainsof TBEV Hypr and Neudörfl. The results of our study can become a motivation for additional studies in model locations oriented on ecology and circulation of these important zoonotic flaviviruses

Analysis of Thermal Field in Mineral Transformer Oil Based Magnetic Fluids

Growing interest in the use of magnetic fluids in power systems especially in transformers as insulation and a coolant is nowadays registered. Magnetisable nanofluids, which are used in cooling systems as an alternative to mineral transformer oil, are characterized by lower concentration of magnetic nanoparticles. The magnetic fluid has better heat transfer and dielectric properties such as breakdown than mineral transformer oil and it can be used to improve heat flow, thereby increasing the ability of the active parts to resist failures such as electromagnetic pulses. External magnetic field may be used for forced circulation of magnetic fluid. Magnetic force inside the magnetic fluid can be adequately controlled by adjusting the incident magnetic field. This paper presents thermal distribution, fluid flow and cooling ability of mineral transformer oil and magnetic fluid based on mineral transformer oil. The concentration of Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles is 0.15% volume of mineral transformer oil. The thermal field is generated by a steel conductor. Thermal distributions in mineral transformer oil and magnetic fluid are investigated and differences for both cases are discussed in the paper

Variation of magnetic fluid deformation related to nanoparticle concentration in steady electric field

Today, it is important to know the behaviour of magnetic fluids applied in the power electrical machines, e.g. in power transformers, when exposed to an electric field. Besides their promising applications in high voltage engineering, they are of increasing interest from designed assembly and pattern formation point of view. The structure of such magnetic fluids is easily controllable by external magnetic fields. However, less attention has been paid to structural phenomena in magnetic fluids induced by electric fields. The core of this paper is dedicated to the experimental observation of a magnetic fluid droplet deformation in a steady electric field. The mutual relation between the deformation parameter and magnetic nanoparticles concentration is analysed. Spatio-temporal analysis of the droplet shape is presented in the paper. The phenomena of the droplet deformation were recorded by a camera. The detailed experimental procedure is presented. The method of deformation parameter calculation based on the linear pixel as the smallest-size unit in digital image is written. Finally, the relation between the deformation parameter and the nanoparticle volume concentration, as well as the time and magnitude of the DC field application are thoroughly evaluated. The results show that the deformation parameter decreases with increasing concentration at constant applied steady electric field but increases with increasing applied steady electric field

Genomics and transcriptomics yields a system-level view of the biology of the pathogen Naegleria fowleri

Background The opportunistic pathogen Naegleria fowleri establishes infection in the human brain, killing almost invariably within 2 weeks. The amoeba performs piece-meal ingestion, or trogocytosis, of brain material causing direct tissue damage and massive inflammation. The cellular basis distinguishing N. fowleri from other Naegleria species, which are all non-pathogenic, is not known. Yet, with the geographic range of N. fowleri advancing, potentially due to climate change, understanding how this pathogen invades and kills is both important and timely. Results Here, we report an -omics approach to understanding N. fowleri biology and infection at the system level. We sequenced two new strains of N. fowleri and performed a transcriptomic analysis of low- versus high-pathogenicity N. fowleri cultured in a mouse infection model. Comparative analysis provides an in-depth assessment of encoded protein complement between strains, finding high conservation. Molecular evolutionary analyses of multiple diverse cellular systems demonstrate that the N. fowleri genome encodes a similarly complete cellular repertoire to that found in free-living N. gruberi. From transcriptomics, neither stress responses nor traits conferred from lateral gene transfer are suggested as critical for pathogenicity. By contrast, cellular systems such as proteases, lysosomal machinery, and motility, together with metabolic reprogramming and novel N. fowleri proteins, are all implicated in facilitating pathogenicity within the host. Upregulation in mouse-passaged N. fowleri of genes associated with glutamate metabolism and ammonia transport suggests adaptation to available carbon sources in the central nervous system. Conclusions In-depth analysis of Naegleria genomes and transcriptomes provides a model of cellular systems involved in opportunistic pathogenicity, uncovering new angles to understanding the biology of a rare but highly fatal pathogen