Detecting Counterion Dynamics in DNA–Protein Association

Due to a high density of negative charges on its surface, DNA condenses cations as counterions, forming the so-called “ion atmosphere”. Although the release of counterions upon DNA–protein association has been postulated to have a major contribution to the binding thermodynamics, this release remains to be confirmed through a direct observation of the ions. Herein, we report the characterization of the ion atmosphere around DNA using NMR spectroscopy and directly detect the release of counterions upon DNA–protein association. NMR-based diffusion data reveal the highly dynamic nature of counterions within the ion atmosphere around DNA. Counterion release is observed as an increase in the apparent ionic diffusion coefficient, which directly provides the number of counterions released upon DNA–protein association.     

Pairs of oblique duals in spaces of periodic functions

We construct non-tight frames in finite-dimensional spaces consisting of periodic functions. In order for these frames to be useful in practice one needs to calculate a dual frame; while the canonical dual frame might be cumbersome to work with, the setup presented here enables us to obtain explicit constructions of some particularly convenient oblique duals. We also provide explicit oblique duals belonging to prescribed spaces different from the space where we obtain the expansion. In particular this leads to oblique duals that are trigonometric polynomials.     

Methods for correlating T1rho and FID components in wideline 1H NMR studies of motionally heterogeneous polymer systems

We address the problem of correlating the observed FID and T_1ρ components in wideline ¹H relaxation measurements of motionally heterogeneous polymers, and show that different methods of data treatment can highlight different aspects of the correlations present. For a sample of polypropylene we find that the T_1ρ relaxation behaviour is driven by relaxation associated with the intermediate FID component, which strongly suggests a motionally inhomogeneous amorphous region in the sample.     

Utilizing inverse micelles to synthesize calcium phosphate nanoparticles as nano-carriers

The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of the inverse micelles (IM) technique in producing protein-loaded calcium phosphate nanoparticles (CaP NPs), and to compare this technique with the conventional co-precipitation (co-ppt) technique. In this study, bovine serum albumin and lysozyme were used as model proteins. The results show that CaP NPs produced by IM were shown to be spherical and homogenous in size of ~50 nm. Protein loading efficiency of the IM technique was shown to be much higher than CaP NPs synthesized through co-ppt technique. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy shows that proteins were not adsorbed onto the surface of IM-synthesized CaP NPs, which suggested that the proteins were entrapped within the particle matrix. Release studies show that protein release was more rapid at lower pH conditions (pH 5 and 6) than at physiological pH of 7.4. A burst release was observed for co-ppt CaP NPs, while a continuous release of protein was observed for IM-produced CaP NPs. This study shows the superiority of the IM technique in preparing pH responsive CaP NPs as nano-carriers.     

Effects of MnO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nano-particles on the conductivity of PMMA-PEO-LiClO<Subscript>4</Subscript>-EC polymer electrolytes

Li-ion rechargeable batteries based on polymer electrolytes are of great interest for solid state electrochemical devices nowadays. Many studies have been carried out to improve the ionic conductivity of polymer electrolytes, which include polymer blending, incorporating plasticizers and filler additives in the electrolyte systems. This paper describes the effects of incorporating nano-sized MnO₂ filler on the ionic conductivity enhancement of a plasticized polymer blend PMMA–PEO–LiClO₄–EC electrolyte system. The maximum conductivity achieved is within the range of 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹ by optimizing the composition of the polymers, salts, plasticizer, and filler. The temperature dependence of the polymer conductivity obeys the VTF relationship. DSC and XRD studies are carried out to clarify the complex formation between the polymers, salts, and plasticizer.     

Aqua(nitrilo­triacetato)­(1,10‐phenanthroline)iron(III) monohydrate: a seven‐coordinate iron(III) complex

Reaction of 1,10‐phenanthroline (phen) with iron trichloride in the presence of sodium nitrilo­tri­acetate (NTA) resulted in the formation of red crystals of the title complex, [Fe(C₆H₆NO₆)(C₁₂H₈N₂)(H₂O)]·H₂O. The Fe atom has a distorted capped trigonal prismatic coordination comprised of one tetradentate NTA, one bidentate phen molecule and a water mol­ecule. Intermolecular O—H?O hydrogen bonds link the mol­ecules into infinite chains. The chains are crosslinked by hydrogen bonds involving the solvent water mol­ecule, leading to an infinite ladder packing mode.     

A three-way synergy of triple-modified Bi2WO6/Ag/N-TiO2 nanojunction film for enhanced photogenerated charges utilization

We demonstrate a general strategy to prepare Bi(2)WO(6)/Ag/N-TiO(2) film with double visible-light-active components bridged by Ag nanoparticles as an electron shuttle, which exhibits enhanced photocatalytic activity and photoelectrochemical performance under visible light.     

Recombination and chemical energy accommodation coefficients from chemical dynamics simulations: O/O2 mixtures reacting over a β-cristobalite (001) surface

A microkinetic model is developed to study the reactivity of an O/O(2) gas mixture over a β-cristobalite (001) surface. The thermal rate constants for the relevant elementary processes are either inferred from quasiclassical trajectory calculations or using some statistical approaches, resting on a recently developed interpolated multidimensional potential energy surface based on density functional theory. The kinetic model predicts a large molecular coverage at temperatures lower than 1000 K, in contrary to a large atomic coverage at higher temperatures. The computed atomic oxygen recombination coefficient, mainly involving atomic adsorption and Eley-Rideal recombination, is small and increases with temperature in the 700-1700 K range (0.01 < γ(O) < 0.02) in good agreement with experiments. In the same temperature range, the estimated chemical energy accommodation coefficient, the main contribution to which is the atomic adsorption process is almost constant and differs from unity (0.75 < β(O) < 0.80).     

Nanosensors having dipicolinic acid imprinted nanoshell for Bacillus cereus spores detection

Molecular imprinted polymers (MIPs) as a recognition element for sensors are increasingly of interest and MIP nanoclusters have started to appear in the literature. In this study, we have proposed a novel thiol ligand-capping method with polymerizable methacryloylamido-cysteine (MAC) attached to gold–silver nanoclusters, reminiscent of a self-assembled monolayer and have reconstructed surface shell by synthetic host polymers based on molecular imprinting method for recognition. In this method, methacryloylamidoantipyrine–terbium ((MAAP)₂–Tb(III)) has been used as a new metal-chelating monomer via metal coordination–chelation interactions and dipicolinic acid (DPA) which is main participant of Bacillus cereus spores used as a model. Nanoshell sensors with templates give a cavity that is selective for DPA. The DPA can simultaneously chelate to Tb(III) metal ion and fit into the shape-selective cavity. Thus, the interaction between Tb(III) ion and free coordination spheres has an effect on the binding ability of the gold–silver nanoclusters nanosensor. The binding affinity of the DPA imprinted nanoclusters has been investigated by using the Langmuir and Scatchard methods, and the respective affinity constants (K _affinity) determined were found to be 1.43 × 10⁴ and 9.1 × 10⁶ mol L^?1.