Radiative deactivation of the lowest triplet state of dibenzo-<Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-dioxine

A theoretical evaluation of the dipole moments of vibronic transitions (which are governed by vibronic spin-orbit interactions) was carried out for dibenzo-p-dioxin molecules. On the basis of the comparison of the obtained results with the data on the distribution of line intensities in a fine-structure phosphorescence spectrum of dibenzo-p-dioxin at 4.2 K, it is inferred that radiative deactivation of the lowest triplet state T ₁ (ππ*) occurs from one of the triplet sublevels. For the molecules of dibenzo-p-dioxin and one of the isomers of tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, the effect of the form of vibrational modes and individual constants of the spin-orbit coupling in O and Cl atoms on vibronic spin-orbit interactions is discussed.     

Nonradiative deactivation of the lowest excited triplet state of the dibenzo-<Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-dioxin molecule

In the nonadiabatic approximation, we study how intramolecular interactions affect the nonradiative energy degradation T ₁ ^s ↝ S ₀ of triplet sublevels s of the lowest triplet state of the dibenzo-p-dioxin molecule. We consider the role played in the degradation by the shape of promoting high- and low-frequency vibrational modes and by spin-orbit interactions separately in the carbon backbone of the molecule and in heteroatoms (oxygen). We find that σ-electrons of oxygen that correspond to the lone pair and to valence electrons play different roles in the nonadiabatic interaction.     

Conversion of wood pyrolysates to PCDD/F

This contribution assesses the propensity of wood components to form polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/F) in fires and in combustion in stoves, heaters and burn barrels. Volatiles generated from model lignocellulosic compounds or fractions isolated from wood are reacted with a surrogate ash positioned in a tubular reactor under inert pyrolysis atmospheres. The surrogate ash contains copper and chlorine salts to simulate heterogeneous PCDD/F formation during combustion of preservative-treated wood. Pyrolysis temperatures were selected to fall within the range in which the component decomposes, while the surrogate ash temperature was set at 400 °C which is typical of pyrolysis during fires, and corresponds to conditions which were favourable to PCDD/F formation. PCDF are favoured over PCDD in all experiments. Lignin yields considerably more PCDD/F than the carbohydrates. The ratio of PCDD to PCDF varies according to the chemical structure of the feed; with carbohydrates demonstrating greater relative preference for PCDD than lignin. PCDD/F formation via direct chlorination of dibenzofuran and dibenzo-p-dioxin dominates the pyrolysis of lignin, as evidenced by a significant preference for 2,3,7,8 congeners. Carbohydrates likely produce PCDD/F as a result of formation and condensation of chlorophenol.     

Intramolecular vibrational modes of polychlorodibenzo-p-dioxines of the D 2h symmetry

The infrared and Raman spectra of the octachlorodibenzo-p-dioxine molecule are measured and all normal vibrational modes of the molecule are calculated. Each vibrational mode was assigned to the vibrations of certain functional groups of atoms in the molecule, taking into account the local symmetry characteristics of the vibration mode. A correlation of vibrational modes by their shape was established in a series of molecules: dibenzo-p-dioxine, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxine, and OCDX. The influence of substituents on vibrational frequencies was also examined.     

Nonradiative deactivation of the lowest triplet state of tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin

In the nonadiabatic approximation, we have studied how the shape of promoting out-of-plane vibrational modes and vibronically induced spin-orbit interactions in structural elements of the 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin molecule affect the energy degradation rate constants K _dg ^s of triplet T ₁ ^s sublevels.     

Ordering of p‐n‐alkylbenzoic acids (nBAC) having four,five, and six alkyl chain carbon atoms – a computational analysis

A computational analysis of ordering in p‐n‐alkylbenzoic acids, having 4 (4BAC), 5 (5BAC), and 6 (6BAC) alkyl chain carbon atoms, has been carried out based on quantum mechanics and intermolecular forces. The evaluation of atomic charge and dipole moment at each atomic centre has been carried out through an all‐valance electron (CNDO/2) method. The modified Rayleigh‐Schrodinger perturbation theory along with multicentered‐multipole expansion method has been employed to evaluate long‐range intermolecular interactions while a ‘6‐exp’ potential function has been assumed for short‐range interactions. The total interaction energy values obtained through these computations were used to calculate the probability of each configuration at room temperature, nematic‐isotropic transition temperature and above transition temperature using the Maxwell‐Boltzmann formula. A comparative picture of molecular parameters like total energy, binding energy and total dipole moment has been given. A model has been developed to describe the nematogenicity of these acids in terms of their relative order with molecular parameter introduced in this article.     

基于支持向量机、支持向量回归和分子对接的CYP450 1A2抑制剂的发现研究

支持向量机,支持向量回归和分子对接的计算方法已广泛应用于化合物的药理活性计算。为了提高计算的准确性和可靠性,拟以细胞色素P450酶1A2为研究载体,运用建立的联合SVM-SVR-Docking计算模型预测潜在的CYP1A2抑制剂。其中,建立的最优SVM定性模型训练集,内部测试集和外部测试集的准确率分别为99.432%,97.727%和91.667%。最优SVR定量模型训练集和测试集的R和MSE分别为0.763,0.013和0.753,0.056。实验表明两个模型具有较高的准确性和可靠性。通过对SVM和SVR模型结果的比较分析,发现连接性指数、分子构成描述符和官能团数目等分子描述符可能与CYP1A2抑制剂的辨识和活性预测密切相关。随后利用分子对接技术分析化合物与CYP1A2的结合构象及相互作用的稳定性。形成氢键相互作用的关键氨基酸包括THR124,ASP320;形成疏水相互作用的关键氨基酸包括ALA317和GLY316。所获得模型可用于天然产物化学成分中CYP1A2潜在抑制剂的活性计算及其介导的药物-药物相互作用预测提供理论指导,也为合理联合用药提供一定参考。共获得20个对CYP1A2具有潜在抑制活性的化合物。部分结果与文献结果相互印证,进一步说明了模型的准确性和联合计算策略的可靠性.     

Analytical Possibilities of the Fine-Structure Phosphorescence Spectrometry Technique for Registration of Polychlorinated Dioxins

The fine-structure phosphorescence spectra of 11 chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins were registered in hexane solutions at 77 and 4.2 K. Vibronic structure pecularities were revealed and the possibility of its analytical application was demonstrated. Evaluation of the detection limit for dioxin was performed for our spectral equipment.     

Biochemical enrichment and biophysical characterization of a taste receptor for L-arginine from the catfish, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ictalurus puntatus</Emphasis>

Background  

The channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, is invested with a high density of cutaneous taste receptors, particularly on the barbel appendages. Many of these receptors are sensitive to selected amino acids, one of these being a receptor for L-arginine (L-Arg). Previous neurophysiological and biophysical studies suggested that this taste receptor is coupled directly to a cation channel and behaves as a ligand-gated ion channel receptor (LGICR). Earlier studies demonstrated that two lectins, Ricinus communis agglutinin I (RCA-I) and Phaseolus vulgaris Erythroagglutinin (PHA-E), inhibited the binding of L-Arg to its presumed receptor sites, and that PHA-E inhibited the L-Arg-stimulated ion conductance of barbel membranes reconstituted into lipid bilayers.     

Theoretical Study on Destruction Mechanism of 2,3,7,8-TCDD by O3 and NO3

采用B3LYP/6-31G(d)方法优化获得O₃及NO₃降解2,3,7,8-TCDD反应通道上驻点的几何构型, 得到微观反应进程,并采用MP2/6-311G(d,p)//B3LYP/6-31G(d)方法计算得到相关反应的活化能. 研究表明,O₃和NO₃采用不同的方式对2,3,7,8-TCDD进行降解. O₃通过臭氧加成及碳碳双键断裂使2,3,7,8-TCDD降解,而NO₃通过氯取代反应使得2,3,7,8-TCDD上2,3,7,8取代位置上的氯原子被取代为氧原子,从而达到有效降解的目的. O₃降解2,3,7,8-TCDD的反应能垒显著小于NO₃降解2,3,7,8-TCDD的反应能垒,表明O₃降解2,3,7,8-TCDD的能力显著高于NO₃.     

Investigation of ionization equilibria of L-aspartic and L-glutamic acids in water at a microscopic level by DFT method

The pK_a values of different dissociable groups of L-Aspartic and L-Glutamic acids in vacuo and in aqueous medium over a wide pH range have been estimated by DFT/B3LYP/6-31G(d) and 6-31G++(d,p) methods. For both the amino acids discrete water molecules (n?=?0, 3 and 6) have been used to get the first hydration sphere. Starting from a low pH, all possible tautomers resulting from each dissociation step are assumed to exist in a cyclic equilibrium. The structures of the species involved in the dissociation and tautomerization processes have been optimized in vacuo and also in aqueous medium considering H-bonded water molecules under the PCM formalism. For obtaining pK_a in aqueous medium the difference in Gibbs energy of the clusters H₃O⁺.mH₂O and (H₂O) _m+1 (m?=?an integer) is necessary and has been evaluated from computed literature data. Calculations reveal that in vacuo the neutral or less charged species predominate but in aqueous medium the zwitterionic or more chargeable forms contribute appreciably. The Gibbs energy changes for the microscopic cyclic equilibria have been estimated theoretically. These lead to overall (macroscopic) pK_a values for the ionization steps which are in good agreement with available experimental data for both the amino acids.     

Recognition of aromatic amino acids and proteins with p‐sulfonatocalix[4]arene – A luminescence and theoretical approach

The host–guest interaction of p‐sulfonatocalix[4]arene (p‐SC4) with aromatic amino acids (AAs) and two proteins has been studied using UV–Vis absorption, fluorescence, and theoretical methods. Spectral studies supported by binding constant and calculated binding energy (BE) values show that p‐SC4 binds more strongly with tyrosine compared with other AAs. The application of Bader's theory of atoms in molecule shows the involvement of various types of noncovalent interactions in the formation of the host–guest complexes. Both tyrosine and histidine have strong electrostatic interaction with the sulfonato group and other two AAs have dominant π?π interaction with the aromatic rings of calixarene. In addition, the role of C?H···O, C?H···π and lone pair···π (lp···π) interactions in the stabilization of p‐SC4‐AA complexes has also been realized from the atoms in molecule analysis. The electron density at the bond critical points varies with the calculated BEs and trend in BEs is in good agreement with the experimental binding constant values. The work has been extended to the binding of p‐SC4 with proteins, bovine serum albumin and ovalbumin. Ovalbumin exhibits stronger binding with p‐SC4 than bovine serum albumin. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Heavy atom effect on photophysical deactivation of molecular triplet states

The decrease in the spin-orbit (SO) interaction with increasing number of chlorine atoms in molecules of dibenzo-p-dioxine derivatives is found and explained. The heavy atom effect on components of the rate constant of phosphorescence k _ph=_{k SO}+_{k VSO} related to SO and vibronic-spin-orbit (VSO) interactions is quantitatively estimated.     

Effective atomic numbers of some H-, C-, N- and O-based composite materials derived from differential incoherent scattering cross-sections

In this work, we have made an effort to determine whether the effective atomic numbers of H-, C-, N- and O-based composite materials would indeed remain a constant over the energy grid of 280–1200 keV wherein incoherent scattering dominates their interaction with photons. For this purpose, the differential incoherent scattering cross-sections of Be, C, Mg, Al, Ca and Ti were measured for three scattering angles 60°, 80° and 100° at 279.1, 661.6 and 1115.5 keV using which an expression for the effective atomic number was derived. The differential incoherent scattering cross-sections of the composite materials of interest measured at these three angles in the same set-up and substituted in this expression would yield their effective atomic number at the three energies. Results obtained in this manner for bakelite, nylon, epoxy, teflon, perspex and some sugars, fatty acids as well as amino acids agreed to within 2% of some of the other available values. It was also observed that for each of these samples, Z _eff was almost a constant at the three energies which unambiguously justified the conclusions drawn by other authors earlier [Manjunathaguru and Umesh, J. Phys. B: At. Mol. Opt. Phys. 39, 3969 (2006); Manohara et al,Nucl. Instrum. Methods B266, 3906 (2008); Manohara et al Phys. Med. Biol. 53, M377 (2008)] based on total interaction cross-sections in the energy grid of interest.     

基于酪氨酸端基的ACE三肽抑制剂定量构效关系研究

固定酪氨酸为端基对ACE三肽抑制剂进行构效关系研究,采用多元线性回归方法,基于不同描述符建立模型,比较模型的可靠性和准确性。结果表明Z描述子建立的模型最好。定量构效关系研究表明ACE抑制三肽第一位氨基酸的疏水性是抑制活性的最大影响因素。     

The role played by some factors of intramolecular interaction in nonradiative deactivation of the lowest triplet state of octachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin

We have studied how intramolecular interactions, such as vibronically induced spin-orbit (VISO) and nonadiabatic interactions, which are governed by different structural elements of the octachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (OCDD) molecule, affect the deactivation of its lowest triplet state. In the nonadiabatic approximation, taking into account out-of-plane vibrational modes as promoting ones, we have estimated the values of rate constant K _dg ^s of the nonradiative energy deactivation of in-plane triplet sublevels (s = z, y) of the triplet state of the OCDD molecule.