Semicarbazide-functionalized Si(111) surfaces for the site-specific immobilization of peptides

The covalent attachment of semicarbazide-functionalized layers to hydrogen-terminated Si(111) surfaces is reported. The surface modification, based on the photoinduced hydrosilylation of a Si(111) surface with protected semicarbazide-functionalized alkenes, was investigated by means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), contact angle measurements, and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The removal of the protecting group yielded a semicarbazide-terminated monolayer which was reacted with peptides bearing a glyoxylyl group for site-specific alpha-oxo semicarbazone ligation.     

Graduation of electron spectrometer intensity scale. Part 2. How to do it

Graduation function G(E′) absolute values have been determined experimentally for the first time for the intensity scale of an ordinary Auger electron spectrometer. The determination of G(E′) includes creation of an original standard signal and measurement of the consequent reaction of the spectrometer using a “giant rectangular modulation” operation mode, integration of the measurand, and use of an original G(E′) definition. The experimental values of G(E′) are presented in the correct dimensional units for a pass energy range E′ = 150–1000 eV. A non-monotonous behaviour of G(E′), a strong dependence of G(E′) on the multiplier entrance bias voltage, and a discrepancy between the graduation functions of spectrometers of the same type with CMA are demonstrated. Possibilities are predicted for a similar G(E′) determination for other types of spectromer.     

The Q-switched Nd : YAG and Yb : YAG microchip lasers optimization and comparative analysis

The microchip lasers based on the neodymium or the ytterbium doped yttrium-aluminium garnet crystal and Q-sw itched by the Cr⁴⁺:YAG film are considered. The optimal (maximizing of energy) values of the pumping beam radius, the absorber parameters (the thickness and tetravalent chromium ion concentration), and the output mirror reflectivity are determined. The possibility of higher values of energy in the Yb:YAG laser pulse, in comparison with a more traditional Nd:YAG laser, is also substantiated. PACS 42.60.Gd     

Toward Artificial Mussel-Glue Proteins: Differentiating Sequence Modules for Adhesion and Switchable Cohesion

Artificial mussel-glue proteins with pH-triggered cohesion control were synthesized by extending the tyrosinase activated polymerization of peptides to sequences with specific modules for cohesion control. The high propensity of these sequence sections to adopt β-sheets is suppressed by switch defects. This allows enzymatic activation and polymerization to proceed undisturbed. The β-sheet formation is regained after polymerization by changing the pH from 5.5 to 6.8, thereby triggering O→N acyl transfer rearrangements that activate the cohesion mechanism. The resulting artificial mussel glue proteins exhibit rapid adsorption on alumina surfaces. The coatings resist harsh hypersaline conditions, and reach remarkable adhesive energies of 2.64 mJ m⁻² on silica at pH 6.8. In in situ switch experiments, the minor pH change increases the adhesive properties of a coating by 300 % and nanoindentation confirms the cohesion mechanism to improve bulk stiffness by around 200 %.     

Photoluminescence of montmorillonite clay minerals modified by cetyltrimethylammonium bromide

The structure and photoluminescent properties of natural montmorillonite (MMT) aluminosilicates from three mineral deposits that were modified by cations of sodium or the surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) have been investigated. X-ray fluorescence analysis showed significant differences in the concentrations of the inorganic dopants in these materials. An x-ray diffraction analysis established that incorporation of the CTA⁺ long-chain cations into the MMTs expands remarkably the mineral interplanar distances, the values of which are close to each other for all organoclay samples under study and equal to 1.8–2.0 nm. The photoluminescent properties of the Na-form of the MMTs are shown to depend on the amount of introduced dopant capable of either enhancing or quenching the emission. Deposition of CTAB on the mineral surface influences the luminescence pattern, the spectral contour and wavelength range being practically the same for all modified samples. The emission may intensify or weaken because of such surface modification.     

Synthesis and Electronic Transitions of the Dye Based on 1-{2-[4-(3-Hydroxy-2-oxo-2H-chromen-4-yl)phenyl]-2-oxoethyl}-4-methylpyridinium Bromide

Russian Journal of General Chemistry - 4-[4-(2-Bromoacetyl)phenyl]-3-hydroxy-2H-chromen-2-one reacted with pyridine and 4-methylpyridine to give the corresponding quaternary pyridinium salts. The...     

Peptide immobilization on amine-terminated boron-doped diamond surfaces

This paper reports on the formation and characterization of semicarbazide termination on aminated boron-doped diamond (BDD) surfaces, and further preparation of peptide microarray through site-specific alpha-oxo semicarbazone ligation. Hydrogen-terminated BDD electrodes were first aminated using NH3 plasma treatment and then reacted with triphosgene and Fmoc-protected hydrazine to yield a protected semicarbazide termination. Subsequent deprotection and chemical reaction with glyoxylyl peptides led to the covalent immobilization of the peptides on the surface through site-specific ligation. The resulting surfaces were characterized using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and fluorescence measurements.     

The penetrable sphere and related models of liquid—vapour equilibrium

The equation of state of the penetrable sphere model of liquid—vapour equilibrium is calculated by three different sequences of approximations; the first is based on the virial expansion of the equivalent two-component model in powers of the densities, the second on expansion in powers of the activity, and the third on a cumulant expansion of the configurational energy in powers of the reciprocal temperature. These sequences are examined both with the inclusion of all coefficients and with the sub-sets of coefficients appropriate to the first and second Percus-Yevick (PY) approximations. The first PY approximation gives a classical critical point whose density and temperature are accurately determined. The second PY and the complete set of coefficients yield badly-behaved series from which few conclusions can be drawn.

The penetrable sphere model is generalized to a wider class of potentials and one of these, in which the configurational energy is expressed in terms of gaussian functions is related to a two-component model of Helfand and Stillinger. It is more tractable than the original model and is examined by the same sequences of approximations. They have shown that the complete series leads to a non-classical critical point in their version of the model; here we show that the first PY approximation is classical but the second nonclassical.     

Access to cyclic or branched peptides using bis(2-sulfanylethyl)amido side-chain derivatives of Asp and Glu

Bis(2-sulfanylethyl)amido (SEA) side-chain derivatives of aspartic and glutamic acids enable the synthesis of tail-to-side chain cyclic or branched peptides using standard Fmoc-SPPS followed by SEA native peptide ligation.