Interparticle interactions in agglomerates of alpha-Fe2O3 nanoparticles: influence of grinding

We have chemically prepared a sample of antiferromagnetic alpha-Fe2O3 nanoparticles by a gel-sol technique. M?ssbauer spectra of the as-prepared sample showed that superparamagnetic relaxation was suppressed due to strong magnetic interparticle interactions even at room temperature. However, subsequent grinding of the sample by hand in a mortar for some minutes resulted in fast superparamagnetic relaxation of some of the particles. The effect was even more dramatic if the alpha-Fe2O3 powder was ground for a longer time or together with nonmagnetic eta-Al2O3 nanoparticles. Similar effects were found after low-energy ball milling. Thus it is found that the agglomeration of the nanoparticles during preparation under wet conditions results in strong magnetic interparticle interaction, but a relatively gentle mechanical treatment is sufficient to break up the agglomerates, resulting in much weaker interactions. We show that these effects can also be seen when a soil sample containing magnetic nanoparticles is ground.     

Excess partial molar enthalpies,entropies, Gibbs energies,and volumes in aqueous dimethylsulfoxide

The excess partial molar enthalpies, the vapor pressures, and the densities of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO)–H₂O mixtures were measured and the excess partial molar Gibbs energies and the partial molar volumes were calculated for DMSO and for H₂O. The values of the excess partial molar Gibbs energies for both DMSO and H₂O are negative over the entire composition range. The results for the water-rich region indicated that the presence of DMSO enhances the hydrogen bond network of H₂O. Unlike monohydric alcohols, however, the solute-solute interaction is repulsive in terms of the Gibbs energy. This was a result of the fact that the repulsion among solutes in terms of enthalpy surpassed the attraction in terms of entropy. The data in the DMSO-rich region suggest that DMSO molecules form clusters which protect H₂O molecules from exposure to the nonpolar alkyl groups of DMSO.     

Different Views on the Stability of Protein Conformations and Hydrophobic Effects

Apparently contradictory statements about the thermodynamics of aqueous protein solutions and of hydrophobic effect are quoted and discussed. Some credibility is found in the divergent points of view and it is pointed out that they focus attention on different aspects of the complicated conditions in aqueous solutions, some of which are more important than others for the stability of protein conformations.The importance of characteristics of solvent water is emphasized, in particular (1) the strong mutual cohesion of water molecules, and (2) structural changes of water induced by (nonpolar) solute molecules. It is stressed that consideration of only one of these effects and an inexpedient choice of standard states are origins of confusion in the literature about aqueous systems. A simple approach to hydrophobic effects considering both of the above mentioned effects, is proposed.     

3-methylthio-1,2-dithiolylium salts : Reaction with 4-hydroxy-6-methyl-2H-pyran-2-one and 4-hydroxycoumarin

The reaction of 4- and 5-aryl-3-methylthio-1,2-dithiolylium iodides with 4-hydroxy-6-methyl-2$\text{H}$-pyran-2-one and 4-hydroxycoumarin has been studied. 4-Substituted salts yielded 3-aryl-7-methyl-2-thioxo-2$\text{H}$,5$\text{H}$-pyrano [3,2-c]pyran-5-ones and 3-aryl-2-thioxo-2H,5H-pyrano[3,2-c]benzo[e]pyran-5-ones, respectively, whereas 5-substituted salts gave rise to 3-(5′-aryl-1′,2′-dithiol-3′-ylidene)-6-methyl-2$\text{H}$-pyran-2,4-diones and 3-(5′-aryl-1′,2′-dithiol-3′-ylidene)-2$\text{H}$-benzo [b]-pyran-2,4-diones.     

Using the Donsker Delta Function to Compute Hedging Strategies

We use white noise calculus and the Donsker Delta Function to find explicit formulas for the replicating portfolios in a Black–Scholes market for a class of contingent T-claims.     

Bilirubin/rat serum albumin interaction

Essential differences are demonstrated between bilirubin binding to rat serum proteins and to albumin in human serum. Acidimetric titration of rat serum with and without added bilirubin shows that binding of bilirubin acid in the range of pH from 6.8 to 8.8 takes place with release of less than one hydrogen ion per molecule of bound bilirubin. With human serum, two hydrogen ions are released, indicating binding of bilirubin dianion. The binding equilibrium of N-[4-[(4-aminophenyl)-sulfonyl]phenyl]-acetamide (MADDS) to rat serum albumin is influenced slightly by cobinding of bilirubin whereas MADDS and bilirubin bind competitively to human serum albumin. Finally, the rate of oxidation of bilirubin with hydrogen peroxide and peroxidase is decreased moderately by addition of rat serum albumin and strongly by the human protein, indicating that biliribin in its complex with rat serum albumin is subject to oxidation while the complex with human serum albumin is protected. These differences should be considered when rats are used as a model in experimental studies aiming at prevention of bilirubin encephalopathy in human neonates.     

Magnetic Properties of Nanoparticles of Antiferromagnetic Materials

Hyperfine Interactions - The magnetic properties of antiferromagnetic nanoparticles have been studied by Mössbauer spectroscopy and neutron scattering. Temperature series of Mössbauer...     

Uncertainty budget for determinations of mean isomer shift from Mössbauer spectra

The magnetite/maghemite content within iron oxide nanoparticles can be determined using the mean isomer shift (\(\overline {\delta }\)). However, accurate characterisation of the composition is limited by the uncertainty associated with \(\overline {\delta }\). We have identified four independent sources of uncertainty and developed a quantitative expression for the uncertainty budget. Sources of uncertainty are categorised as follows: that from the fitting of the Mössbauer spectrum (σ _fit), that of the calibration of the α-Fe reference spectrum (σ _cal), thermal corrections to the spectrum due to second order Doppler shift (SODS) (σ _Δδ ) and other experimental errors (σ _err). Each contribution is discussed in detail using ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectra obtained from an iron oxide nanoparticle system at temperatures between 16 K and 295 K on different spectrometers in two different laboratories.     

Exploring Effects of Protease Choice and Protease Combinations in Enzymatic Protein Hydrolysis of Poultry By-Products

A study of the effects of single and combined protease hydrolysis on myofibrillar versus collagenous proteins of poultry by-products has been conducted. The aim was to contribute with knowledge for increased value creation of all constituents of these complex by-products. A rational approach was implemented for selecting proteases exhibiting the most different activity towards the major protein-rich constituents of mechanically deboned chicken residue (MDCR). An initial activity screening of 18 proteases on chicken meat, turkey tendons and MDCR was conducted. Based on weight yield, size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and SDS-PAGE, stem Bromelain and Endocut-02 were selected. Studies on hydrolysis of four different poultry by-products at 40 °C, evaluated by protein yield, SEC, and SDS-PAGE, indicate that the proteases’ selectivity difference can be utilized in tailor-making hydrolysates, enriched in either meat- and collagen-derived peptides or gelatin. Three modes of stem Bromelain and Endocut-02 combinations during hydrolysis of MDCR were performed and compared with single protease hydrolysis. All modes of the protease combinations resulted in a similar approximately 15% increase in product yield, with products exhibiting similar SEC and SDS-PAGE profiles. This shows that irrespective of the modes of combination, the use of more than one enzyme in hydrolysis of collagen-rich material can provide means to increase the total protein yield and ultimately contribute to increased value creation of poultry by-products.     

Temperature dependence of the magnetization of canted spin structures

Numerous studies of the low-temperature saturation magnetization of ferrimagnetic nanoparticles and diamagnetically substituted ferrites have shown an anomalous temperature dependence. It has been suggested that this is related to freezing of canted magnetic structures. We present models for the temperature dependence of the magnetization of a simple canted spin structure in which relaxation can take place at finite temperatures between spin configurations with different canting angles. We show that the saturation magnetization may either decrease or increase with decreasing temperature, depending on the ratio of the exchange coupling constants. This is in agreement with experimental observations.