Generalized gradient approximation adjusted to transition metals properties: Key roles of exchange and local spin density

Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof (PBE) and PBE adapted for solids (PBEsol) are exchange-correlation (xc) functionals widely used in density functional theory simulations. Their differences are the exchange, μ, and correlation, β, coefficients, causing PBEsol to lose the Local Spin Density (LSD) response. Here, the μ/β two-dimensional (2D) accuracy landscape is analyzed between PBE and PBEsol xc functional limits for 27 transition metal (TM) bulks, as well as for 81 TM surfaces. Several properties are analyzed, including the shortest interatomic distances, cohesive energies, and bulk moduli for TM bulks, and surface relaxation degree, surface energies, and work functions for TM surfaces. The exploration, comparing the accuracy degree with respect experimental values, reveals that the found xc minimum, called VV, being a PBE variant, represents an improvement of 5% in mean absolute percentage error terms, whereas this improvement reaches ~11% for VVsol, a xc resulting from the restoration of LSD response in PBEsol, and so regarded as its variant.     

Recent trends in capillary and micro-chip electrophoretic instrumentation for field-analysis

Technical advances in the development of field-deployable capillary and microchip electrophoretic instruments and reports of their deployment between 2013 and 2017 were reviewed. Strategies and considerations in the design of the injection, separation and detection hardware, chemistry and associated infrastructure were discussed from an in-field perspective, with portability, robustness and automation/“ease of use” featuring as key requirements. Integration of functionality is important for adequate in-field performance. Progress was made towards the use of multiple channel devices for increased throughput and/or resolving power, mixing devices for on-line/in-line sample derivatization, battery operation and temperature control. The strengths and weaknesses of the various approaches described in the literature are discussed from the perspective of in-field operation. An overview of the applications of the field electrophoretic instruments is provided, including environmental science and planetary investigation.     

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The novel heteronuclear complexes [{cis-PtCl (NH₃)(μ-pyrazine)ZnCl (terpy)}](ClO₄)₂ (Pt-L1-Zn) and [{cis-PtCl (NH₃)(μ-4,4′-bipyridyl)ZnCl (terpy)}](ClO₄)₂ (Pt-L2-Zn) (where terpy = 2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine, L1 = pyrazine, L2 = 4,4′-bipyridyl) were synthesized and characterized. The pK_a values were determined, and based on them it was established that the π-acceptor ability of the pyrazine bridging ligand is more affective on lower pK_a values. The kinetic measurements of the substitution reactions with biologically relevant ligands, such as guanosine-5′-monophosphate (5′-GMP), inosine-5′-monophosphate (5′-IMP) and glutathione (GSH), were studied at pH 7.4. The reactions were followed under pseudo-first-order conditions by UV–Vis spectrophotometry. The order of reactivity of the investigated biomolecules for the first reaction is 5′-GMP > 5′-IMP > GSH, while for the second is 5′-IMP > GSH. Pt-L1-Zn complex is more reactive than Pt-L2-Zn. The cytotoxic activity of heteronuclear Pt-L1-Zn and Pt-L2-Zn complexes was determined on human colorectal cancer cell line (HCT-116) and human breast cancer cell line (MDA-MB-231). Both complexes significantly reduced cell viability on tested cell lines and exerted significant cytotoxic effects, with better effect on HCT-116 cells than cisplatin, especially after 72 hr (IC₅₀ < 0.52 μM). The Pt-L2-Zn complex showed higher activity against human breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231) than cisplatin after 72 hr. The higher reactivity toward DNA constituent and significant cytotoxic activity may be attributed to the different geometry, Lewis acidity of different metal centers, as well as, to choice of bridging ligands.     

Two new aromadendrane sesquiterpenes from Verticillium psalliotae

The chemical constituents of the fungus Verticillium psalliotae were studied. Two new aromadendrane sesquiterpenes inonotin M (1) and inonotin N (2) were isolated from the EtOAc extract of the fungal culture broth. The structures of compounds were elucidated mainly by HRESIMS experiments, and 1D, 2D-NMR spectroscopy analysis.     

DNA interaction,cytotoxicity and molecular structure of cobalt complex of 4‐amino‐N‐(6‐chloropyridazin‐3‐yl)benzene sulfonamide in the presence of secondary ligand pyridine

Novel cobalt complex of 4‐amino‐N‐(6‐chloropyridazin‐3‐yl)benzene sulfonamide (sulfachloropyridazine) has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, FT‐IR spectroscopy and magnetic susceptibility (VSM). Cobalt complex of Sulfachloropyridazine (Co‐SCP) crystallized in monoclinic space group P2₁/n with Z = 4. The structure is solved by direct method and refined to R = 0.099 for 4720 reflections with I ?4σ(I). The results of FT‐IR spectra suggest the binding of cobalt atom to the sulfonamide ligand which is in agreement with the crystal structure determination. In crystal structure, molecule is linked via, C‐H … π, C‐Cl … π and π … π intermolecular interactions. The computational studies like the optimization energy and root means square deviation compare with single crystal structure, frontier molecular orbital (Homo‐Lumo energy) and binding energy of the Co‐SCP has been carried out using DFT/B3LYP level of theory in gaseous phase. Hirshfeld surfaces and the 2D‐fingerprint analysis are performed to study the nature of interactions and their measurable contributions towards crystal packing. The interaction of the complex with DNA is investigated using viscosity measurement and absorption titration studies. The result shows the complex bind to DNA with intercalative mode with high DNA‐binding constant (K_b). Also, in vivo and in vitro cytotoxic studies are performed using S. pombe cells and brine shrimp lethality bioassay. DNA‐cleavage study shows better cleaving ability of the complex.     

Validation of quartz crystal rheometry in the megahertz frequency regime

The utility of the quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) as a high‐frequency rheometer operating at 15 MHz was demonstrated. High‐frequency data obtained from a series of rubbery materials were compared with results obtained from traditional dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) at much lower frequencies. The high‐frequency data enable meaningful shift factors to be obtained at temperatures much further above glass‐transition temperature (T _g) than would otherwise be possible, giving a more complete picture of the temperature dependence of the viscoelastic properties. The QCM can also be used to quantify mass uptake and changes in viscoelastic properties during sample oxidation. The viscoelastic response spanning the full range of behaviors from the rubber to glassy regimes was found to fit well with a six‐element model consisting of three power‐law springpot elements. One of these elements is particularly sensitive to the behavior in the transition regime where the phase angle is maximized. The value of this quantity is obtained from the maximum phase angle, which can be obtained from a temperature sweep at fixed frequency, proving a means for more detailed frequency‐dependent rheometric information to be obtained from a fixed‐frequency measurement at a range of temperatures. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2019 , 57, 1246–1254