Steady State Fluorescence Studies of Wild Type Recombinant Cinnamoyl CoA Reductase (Ll-CCRH1) and its Active Site Mutants

Fluorescence quenching and time resolved fluorescence studies of wild type recombinant cinnamoyl CoA reductase (Ll-CCRH1), a multitryptophan protein from Leucaena leucocephala and 10 different active site mutants were carried out to investigate tryptophan environment. The enzyme showed highest affinity for feruloyl CoA (K _a ?=?3.72?×?10⁵ M^?1) over other CoA esters and cinnamaldehydes, as determined by fluorescence spectroscopy. Quenching of the fluorescence by acrylamide for wild type and active site mutants was collisional with almost 100 % of the tryptophan fluorescence accessible under native condition and remained same after denaturation of protein with 6 M GdnHCl. In wild type Ll-CCRH1, the extent of quenching achieved with iodide (f _a?=?1.0) was significantly higher than cesium ions (f _a?=?0.33) suggesting more density of positive charge around surface of trp conformers under native conditions. Denaturation of wild type protein with 6 M GdnHCl led to significant increase in the quenching with cesium (f _a?=?0.54), whereas quenching with iodide ion was decreased (f _a?=?0.78), indicating reorientation of charge density around trp from positive to negative and heterogeneity in trp environment. The Stern-Volmer plots for wild type and mutants Ll-CCRH1 under native and denatured conditions, with cesium ion yielded biphasic quenching profiles. The extent of quenching for cesium and iodide ions under native and denatured conditions observed in active site mutants was significantly different from wild type Ll-CCRH1 under the same conditions. Thus, single substitution type mutations of active site residues showed heterogeneity in tryptophan microenvironment and differential degree of conformation of protein under native or denatured conditions.     

Dye‐Sensitized Core/Shell Upconversion Nanoparticles for Detecting Nitrites in Plant Cells

A fluorescent nanoprobe is reported for rapid detection of nitrites (NO₂^?) in plant cells. The probe is fabricated by linking neutral reds (NR) to the surface of upconversion fluorescent core/shell nanocrystalline with the bridging of polyethylene glycol (PEG) molecules. The fluorescence of upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) is stored by NR through fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) under 980 nm excitation that can be released by further linking to NO₂^?. It is observed that the intensity rate of green to red emission of NR‐modified UCNPs changes linearly with increasing the amount of NO₂^?. So that concentration of NO₂^? can be accordingly addressed. Worth mentioning is that, comparing with bare core upconversion nanoparticles (NPs), core/shell UCNPs can greatly reduce the surface quenching of the fluorescence induced by solvents instead of NR and thus leading to the enhancement of signal‐to‐noise ratios. Moreover, excitation of core/shell UCNPs requires only a much lower power (0.06 W cm^?2) than bare cores which is beneficial to reducing the decomposition of NR to stabilize the FRET processes. Under the optimum conditions, the detection limit of nitrite in plant cells was 0.1 µg mL^?1.     

Bifunctional Calix[4]arene Sensor for Pb(II) and Cr2O7 2− Ions

A readily available chromionophore 5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butyl-25,27-bis(hydrazidecarbonylmethoxy)-26,28-dihydroxycalix[4]arene (HCC4) was employed as a chromogenic sensing probe selective for Pb(II) and Cr₂O₇ ^2? ions among a series of various ions such as Li(I), Na(I), K(I), Rb(I), Ba(II), Sr(II), Al(III), Cd(II), Co(II), Cu(II), Hg(II), Ni(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) as well as Cr₂O₇ ^2?, CH₃CO₂ ^?, Br^?, Cl^?, F^?, I^?, ClO₄ ^? and NO₃ ^? that have been examined by UV-visible and fluorescence spectroscopic techniques. The HCC4 in DCM-MeCN system forms 2:1 (ligand-metal) complex with Pb(II). It also shows 2:1 stoichiometry with Cr₂O₇ ^2?. The complexation phenomenon has been confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy that favors the selective nature of HCC4 with Pb(II) and Cr₂O₇ ^2?. Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) also supports its utility in drastic conditions.     

Fluorescence Quenching of Humic Acid by Coated Metallic Silver Particles

Natural organic matter is an important component of the aquatic environments, which has attracted wide attention to its influence of interaction with other pollutants. The present work aimed to investigate its fluorescence quenching (FQ) by coated metallic silver particles (AgNPs). In this work, using fluorescence spectroscopy in conjunction with UV-Vis spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering, the effect of coated AgNPs on fluorescence quenching intensity (FQI) of humic acid (HA) was assessed. In addition, the influence of electrolytes (NaCl, NaNO₃ and CaNO₃) in the FQI was observed. Results showed that with AgNPs dosage increased (>1.17X10^?3 mM), fluorescence quantum yield of HA gradually decreased, which implies that the FQ occurred. Furher observation showed that the FQ process followed both first-order and second-order Stern–Volmer functions. The FQ process was affected by the electrolytes: NaCl had an effect on reduction of FQI, possibly resulting from dissolution of AgNPs; Both of NaNO₃ and Ca(NO₃)₂ had an effect on the FQ of HA but Ca(NO₃)₂ presented greater degree. As a result, the FQ degree of HA by alone electrolyte was listed in descent order as Ca(NO₃)₂ > NaNO₃ > NaCl, which also implies the subsequent experimental results, indicating the FQ degree of HA by mutual electrolytes as Ca(NO₃)₂ + NaNO₃ > Ca(NO₃)₂ + NaCl > NaNO₃ + NaCl.     

Electrochemical and catalytic investigations of epinephrine,acetaminophen and folic acid at the surface of titanium dioxide nanoparticle-modified carbon paste electrode

In the present paper, the use of a carbon paste electrode modified with 1-(4-(1, 3-dithiolan-2-yl)-6, 7-dihydroxy-2-methyl-6, 7-dihydrobenzofuran-3-yl)ethanone (DDE) and TiO₂ nanoparticles prepared by a simple and rapid method was described. The modified electrode showed excellent properties for electrocatalytic oxidization of epinephrine (EP), acetaminophen (AC) and folic acid (FA). The apparent charge transfer rate constant, k _s?=?1.14 s^?1, and transfer coefficient, α?=?0.54, for electron transfer between the modifier and carbon paste electrode were calculated. It has been found that under optimum condition (pH?=?7.0) in cyclic voltammetry, the oxidation of EP occurs at a potential about 280 mV less positive than that of an unmodified carbon paste electrode. The values of transfer coefficients (α?=?0.46), catalytic rate constant (k?=?1.2?×?10⁴ M^?1 s^?1) and diffusion coefficient (D?=?2.70?×?10^?5 cm² s^?1) were calculated for EP. Differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) exhibited two linear dynamic ranges of 0.5 to 50.0 μM and 50.0 to 1,000 μM for EP. This modified electrode is quite effective not only for the detection of EP, AC and FA but also for the simultaneous determination of these species in a mixture. The limit of detection for EP, AC and FA is 0.10, 1.80 and 2.36 μM, respectively.     

Synthesis and characterisation of the Fe(II–III) hydroxy-formate green rust

A new methodology was envisioned in order to prepare green rust compounds build on organic anions that could intervene in microbiologically influenced corrosion processes of iron and steel. The formate ion was chosen as an example. The formation of rust was simulated by the oxidation of aqueous suspensions of Fe(OH)₂ precipitated from Fe(II) lactate and sodium hydroxide, in the presence of sodium formate to promote the formation of the corresponding green rust. The evolution of the precipitate with time was followed by transmission Mössbauer spectroscopy at 15 K. It was observed that the initial hydroxide was transformed into a new GR compound. Its spectrum is composed of three quadrupole doublets, D ₁ (δ?=?1.28 mm s^?1, Δ?=?2.75 mm s^?1) and D ₂ (δ?=?1.28 mm s^?1, Δ?=?2.48 mm s^?1) that correspond to Fe(II) and D ₃ (δ?=?0.49 mm s^?1, Δ?=?0.37 mm s^?1) that corresponds to Fe(III). The relative area of D ₃, close to the proportion of Fe(III) in the GR, was found at 28.5?±?1.5% (～2/7). Raman spectroscopy confirmed that the intermediate compound was a Fe(II–III) hydroxy-formate, GR(HCOO^?).     

Elucidation of Selectivity for Uranyl Ions with an ICT Organosilane-Modified Fluorescent Receptor

A fluorescent receptor, isocyanatopropyl trimethoxysilane grafted 9-amino acridine (AcI), was synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, FTIR and NMR spectroscopy. Photophysical properties and pH-dependent fluorescence behavior of AcI were investigated and its complex stoichiometry with uranyl ion was elucidated. Change in fluorescence emission of AcI with pH of the solution was observed and pKa value was determined by using integrated emission intensity versus pH. It was found that AcI exhibited fluorescence enhancement, which can be attributed to an internal charge transfer (ICT) mechanism, upon titration with uranyl ions in mixture of ethanol-buffer solution while the fluorescence emission of AcI was not affected by addition of other divalent transition metal ions except mercury (II) ions. On the other hand, the both fluorescence and UV-vis titration measurements revealed unique selectivity for uranyl ions over the interfering mercury (II) ions. The spectrofluorometric titration clarified that uranyl interacted with AcI to form AcI ₂(UO ₂ ^2?+ )₃ (2:3) complex structure with an apparent association constant of K?=?7.41?×?10⁶ M^?2/3. The interference effect of some cations on fluorescence enhancement exhibited by complex was also tested.     

Binding of rare earth metal complexes with an ofloxacin derivative to bovine serum albumin and its effect on the conformation of protein

The water-soluble Pr (Ⅲ) and Nd (Ⅲ) complexes with an ofloxacin derivative have been prepared and characterized. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction showed that the Pr (III) and Nd (III) complexes have the similar molecular structure. Under physiological pH condition, the effects of [PrL(NO₃)₂(CH₃OH)](NO₃) and [NdL(NO₃)₂(CH₃OH)](NO₃) on bovine serum albumin (BSA) were examined using fluorescence spectroscopy in combination with UV-vis absorbance and circular dichroism (CD) spectra. The result reveals that the quenching mechanism of fluorescence of BSA by two complexes is a static quenching process and the number of binding sites is about 1 for both. The thermodynamic parameters (ΔH=−14.52 kJ mol⁻¹, ΔS=56.54 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹ for [PrL(NO₃)₂(CH₃OH)](NO₃) and ΔH=−24.63 kJ mol⁻¹, ΔS=22.07 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹ for [NdL(NO₃)₂(CH₃OH)](NO₃)) indicate that hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions are the main binding force in the complexes-BSA system. The binding average distance between complexes and BSA was obtained on the basis of Förster's theory. In addition, it was proved by the CD spectra that the BSA secondary structure was changed in the presence of complexes in an aqueous solution.     

IR,UV and visible absorption of X irradiated single crystals of sodium nitrite

X irradiation of NaNO₂ single crystals, induces a motion of some NO₂^? ions, mainly around the axis perpendicular to their planes (a axis). The change in the orientation of NO₂^? is observed on the v₂ vibration of NO₂^? (by IR absorption) and on the vibronic structures associated with the NO₂^? electronic transitions (by UV and visible absorption). Other centers, like no₃^?, are also produced by irradiation. Their evolution with temperature is studied.     

The reactions of nitric oxide with nickel films as studied by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy has been employed to study the reactions between nitric oxide and freshly deposited nickel films. When the nickel surface is treated with NO at pressures of less than 1 · 10^?4 torr for 60 s (6000L), the NO is dissociatively adsorbed with no oxidation of the nickel surface. When treated with 0.40 torr of NO that has been exposed to varying degrees of oxidation, the nickel surface is oxidized and species such as NO₃^?, NO₂^?, NO and N₂ may be found on the surface. The species found are determined by the extent of oxidation of NO.     

Laser Induced Energy Transfer Studies in Polyatomic Mixtures: CH3F-NO2

Abstract

The internal kinetics of NO₂ as well as the kinetics of crossover between CH₃F and NO₃ were studied in mixtures of these polyatomics and rare gases.

Subsequent to excitation of the CH₃F to v ₃=1 by the P(20) line of a 9.6μ Q-switch CO₂ laser, fluorescence of NO₂ at 6.12μ from v ₃=1 was monitored.

The equilibration rate of the stretching modes in NO₂ was determined to be 46 ± 10 msec^?1 torr^?1 while the rate of stretches-bend equilibration was measured as 15 ± 3 msec^?1 torr^?1. The rate of crossover from excited CH₃F to NO₂ in high rare gas dilution was measured as 90 ± 20 msec^?1 torr^?1 and the reverse rate as 285 ± 60 msec^?1 torr^?1.

Comparison to other triatomic systems as well as other experiments with mixtures of polyatomics are made and implications of laser “photochemistry” of NO₂ reactions are discussed.     

Study of complex impedance spectroscopic properties of the KFeP2O7 compound

The KFeP₂O₇ compound was prepared by the conventional solid-state reaction. The sample was characterized by X-ray powder diffraction. The AC electrical conductivity and the dielectric relaxation properties of this compound have been investigated by means of impedance spectroscopy measurements over a wide range of frequencies and temperatures, 200 Hz–5 MHz and 553–699 K, respectively. Both impedance and modulus analysis exhibit the grain and grain boundary contribution to the electrical response of the sample. The temperature dependence of the bulk and grain boundary conductivity were found to obey the Arrhenius law with activation energies Eg?=?0.94 (3)?eV and Egb?=?0.89 (1)?eV. The grain-and-grain boundary conductivities at 573 K are 1.07?×?10^?4 and 1.16?×?10^?5 (Ω^?1 cm^?1). The scaling behavior of the imaginary part of the complex impedance suggests that the relaxation describes the same mechanism at various temperatures. The near value of the activation energies obtained from the equivalent circuit, conductivity data, and analysis of M″ confirms that the transport is through ion hopping mechanism.     

Phase transition and freezing of ionic disorder in CsNO2 and TINO2 crystals2

The heat capacities of CsNO₂ and TlNO₂ have been measured in the temperature region between 13 and 350 K. The phase transitions of CsNO₂ and TlNO₂ were found at (209.16 ± 0.10)K and (282.4 ± 0.1)K. The enthalpy and entropy of the phase transition were (3.45 ± 0.20) kJ mol^?1 and (17.2 ± 1.0) JK^?1 mol^?1 for the former, and (6.44 ± 0.31) kJ mol^?1 and (23.8 ± 1.1) JK^?1 mol^?1 for the latter. The glass transitions were found around 42 K in CsNO₂ and around 60 K for TlNO₂, respectively. The corresponding dielectric relaxations were observed between 58 and 130 K for CsNO₂ in the frequency range between 10² and 10⁵ Hz and between 80 and 180 K for TlNO₂ in the frequency range between 2 × 10² and 10⁵ Hz. The calorimetric and dielectric relaxation times yielded a straight line in the Arrhenius plot over a wide time scale ranging from 10^?6 to 10⁵ sec. The slope gave the activation enthalpy of 13.8 kJ mol^?1 and 19.5 kJ mol^?1 for CsNO₂ and TlNO₂, respectively. The transition entropy supplemented by a residual entropy R ln 3 for CsNO₂ and R ln 2 for TlNO₂ gave (26.3 ± 1.0) JK^?1 mol^?1 and (29.6 ± 1.1) JK^?1 mol^?1 for the orientational entropy of the NO₂^? ion in the high-temperature phase. Based on the packing and symmetry considerations, these entropies were interpreted by the model which included two different sets of orientations of the NO₂^? ions parallel to [110] and [111] in the CsCl type unit cell. The existence of the different sets of orientation was proved by the doublet (Δv ~ 10 cm^?1) of the Raman spectrum of the bending mode of the NO₂^? ion in the cubic phase of the CsNO₂ crystal. The band narrowed to an ordinary singlet with increasing temperature. This observation was accounted for as the motional narrowing in which the NO₂^? ion felt an averaged field of the two different sets owing to the increased rate of jumping as the temperature increased.     

Orientational and positional disorder of ions and its freezing in the CsNO2-TlNO2 system2

The heat capacities of Cs_0.695Tl_0.305NO₂ (Specimen I) and Cs_0.385Tl_0.615NO₂ (Specimen II) have been measured between 14 and 350 K. Specimen I underwent a phase transition at (197.7 ± 0.1) K, with ΔS = (19.2 ± 1.5) JK^?mol^?, and specimen II at (214.5 ± 0.2) K, with ΔS = (5.4 ± 1.0) JK^?1mol^?1, respectively. Above the phase transition, an exothermic temperature drift due to phase separation was observed. Annealing of the sample at 203 K for 300 hr brought about complete phase separation. The solid solution system annealed at 203 K gave two heat capacity peaks at (203.3 ± 0.1) K, with ΔS = (13.8 ± 0.8) JK^?1 mol^?1, and (242.4 ± 0.2) K, with ΔS = (10.6 ± 1.3) JK^?1 for Specimen I, and at (203.0 ± 0.1) K with ΔS = (6.7 ± 0.5) JK^?1 mol^?1, and (257.5 ± 0.2) K with ΔS = (17.9 ± 1.7) JK^?1 mol^?1 for Specimen II. The phase diagram of the CsNO₂-TlNO₂ binary system was constructed on the basis of DTA, heat capacity and dielectric measurements. In the metastable phase, the existence of a residual entropy due to the freezing of a random distribution of Cs⁺₁ and Tl⁺ cations in addition to the orientational disorder of the NO₂^?1 ion was confirmed by a comparison of entropies of the stable and the metastable phases.     

Determination of nitrites and nitrates in plasma-activated deionized water by microchip capillary electrophoresis

In this work, we present the application of a fast and sensitive microanalytical method, microchip capillary electrophoresis (MCE), for the determination of NO₂⁻ and NO₃⁻ ions in deionized water treated by atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ). The MCE technique consisted of an online combination of isotachophoresis with zone electrophoresis, both performed on the microchip. The argon plasma has been characterized by optical emission spectroscopy (OES) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). OES confirmed the presence of argon excited species (Ar I) emission (4p → 4s) lines, N₂ emission bands (second positive system C³Π_u → B³Π_g), and OH band (A²∑⁺ → X²Π Δv = 0), as well as the presence of NO and excited NO₂. The presence of NO₂ molecules was also confirmed by FTIR absorption spectroscopy. The performance of the developed MCE method was evaluated for linearity, limit of detection, limit of quantitation, precision, and accuracy, and the concentration of NO₂⁻ and NO₃⁻ in the water as a function of the water treatment time was monitored.     

Gold chloride cluster ions generated by vacuum laser ablation

In this work, a simple way for study the possibility of formation a vapor cluster species of tetrachloroauric acid (HAuCl₄), using the laser ablation in the absence of a buffer or reactive atmosphere, and without a postablation supersonic expansion on a commercial matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometer, is reported. Tetrachloroauric acid is known as precursor for the synthesis of gold nanostructures and the complex salts; therefore it is an important task to discover and quantify the species arising from HAuCl₄, in order to understand their role in the gold assisted reactions. Mass spectrum of HAuCl₄ in a reflector negative-ion mode contains the hydrated mono- and dinuclear gold clusters in the m/z range 286–436, and gold chloride clusters in the m/z range 447–795. In the first part of spectrum, m/z range 286–436, the hydrated gold cluster species of type Au _n ^? (H₂O)_m (n?=?1–2; m?=?1, 2, 5, 7, 8) and [Au_n(OH)_k]^?(H₂O)_m (n?=?1–2; k?=?1–2; m?=?1, 4–8) were found. Besides that, there are gold chloride clusters with general formula [AuH_r(HCl)₂]^?(H₂O)_m (m?=?1–5; 8–9; r?=?0–2) in this part of spectrum. In the second part of spectrum, the m/z range 447–795, only gold chloride clusters were obtained. Their general formulae can be written as [AuCl_t(HCl)_v]^?(H₂O)_m (t?=?1–4; v?=?5–8; m?=?2–4, 6–8) and [Au_n(HCl)_v]^?(H₂O)_m (n?=?1–2, v?=?4–5, m?=?1–2, 5, 7). The analysis of concentration effects on the LDI mass spectra of gold clusters reveals that the relative intensities of signals for the mono- and dinuclear Au clusters increase with decreasing the concentration of water HAuCl₄ solutions.     

Mössbauer and optical investigation of Co3−x Fe x O4 thin films grown by sol–gel process

Structural transformation and the related variation in magnetic and optical properties of Co_3?x Fe _x O₄ thin films grown by a sol–gel method have been investigated as the Fe composition varies up to x?=?2. The normal spinel phase is dominant below x?=?0.55 and the inverse spinel phase grows as x increases further. Conversion electron Mössbauer spectroscopy (CEMS) measurements indicate that the normal spinel phase have octahedral Fe³⁺ ions mostly while the inverse spinel phase contain octahedral Fe²⁺ and tetrahedral Fe³⁺ ions. For higher Fe composition (x?>?1.22), Co²⁺ ions are found to substitute the octahedral Fe²⁺ sites. The measured optical absorption spectra for the Co_3?x Fe _x O₄ films by spectroscopic ellipsometry support the CEMS interpretation.     

Deexcitation of Cd 53P1 atoms in collisions with ground state atoms and molecules

Collisions of excited Cd 5³P₁ atoms were investigated using atomic fluorescence spectroscopy. Cadmium vapor, together with a quenching gas, was irradiated in a quartz fluorescence vessel with Cd 3261 Å resonance radiation and the intensity of the resulting resonance fluorescence was monitored in relation to the gas pressures. The experiments yielded the following cross sections Q₁₀ (in A²) for collisional transfer 5³P₁→5³P₀: CdAr=2×10^?3, CdN₂=8.0, CdH₂=7.0, CdCO=15.6. The cross sections Q for collisional deexcitation to the ground state (quenching) in A² are CdN₂ = 2.6×10^?2, CdH₂ = 11.0, CdCO = 3.4, CdCO₂ = 26.     

Laser excited fluorescence spectrum of nitrogen dioxide

The fluorescence spectrum of NO₂ excited by a single mode argon-ion laser was studied at a spectral resolution of 0.1 cm^?1. In particular the Stokes and the anti-Stokes ν₂ band excited by the 5145 Å line of an argon-ion laser were examined in detail. Some of the vibrational and rotational parameters of the ground electronic state and the rotational constants of the B₂ vibronic state were obtained.     

Distribution of Externally Applied 15NH4 + or 15NO3 − in White Lupins at Different Developmental Stages

White lupins (Lupinus albus L., var. Kievsky mutant) were grown in Mitscherlich pots. ¹⁵NH₄NO₃ or NH₄ ¹⁵NO₃ (10 or 95 at% ¹⁵N exc.) was applied at the late vegetative stage (14–16 leaves) or at the generative stage (end of bloom), respectively. Dry weight increase (ΔDW) of the plants as well as the ¹⁵N distribution in different organs and N fractions (NO_{3 ?}-N, NH₂-N, protein N) were investigated after 5 days and 50 days (maturity). The following results were obtained:

1. In comparison with the ¹⁵N derived from NO₃ ^?, the ¹⁵N derived from NH₄ ⁺ was more strongly retained in the roots. When transported into the shoot, it was more strongly translocated into the tip.

2. More ¹⁵N derived from NH⁴ ₊ was incorporated into proteins and reduced soluble N compounds than ¹⁵N derived from NO₄ ^?. Even in the above-ground plant tissues, a considerable proportion of the latter was found as NO₃ ^?.

3. In the long-term experiment (harvest at maturity 50 days after application), no difference in translocation and incorporation could be found between the two offered ¹⁵N sources.