Surface diffusion as a rate-enhancing mechanism in macromolecular association: The effectiveness of one- and two-dimensional surface sliding

The effective rate for a macromolecular association can be increased if the molecules can be held together loosely by nonspecific surface forces while they search for the specific reactive sites. In this way steric constraints can be relieved. In extreme cases, a specific interaction site can be surrounded by extensive surfaces either essentially linear (e.g. a DNA site) or two-dimensional (e.g. a membrane-bound receptor). If ligands can bind nonspecifically and search these surfaces in a lower-dimensional diffusion process, very substantial rate enhancements can be achieved under suitable conditions. The ranges of concentration and affinity of such nonspecific surfaces that can produce rate enhancements are derived and discussed. It is found that under the expected conditions in the living cell, such rate enhancements will be fairly modest. Nonetheless, nonspecific surface diffusion may play an important role.     

A method for the determination of technetium in environmental waters

A method is described which can be used to determine technetium-99 levels in a range of water types. Ruthenium isotopes which may interfere in the analysis are removed from the sample by precipitation before concentration of pertechnetate onto an ion-exchange column. Other nuclides can be removed from the column using NaOH before elution of the technetium using NaSCN. The technetium in the NaSCN eluent can then be extracted into butan-2-one which can be evaporated onto a planchette. Technetium-99m is used as a yield tracer and after this has decayed away to negligible levles the amount of technetium on the planchette can be determined by measuring the rate of beta radiation emission from the final concentrate.     

N-H carbazole synthesis from 2-chloroanilines via consecutive amination and C-H activation

N-H carbazoles can be produced from 2-chloroanilines and aryl bromides via consecutive catalytic amination and C-H activation. In many instances, this can be done in a tandem manner in one pot. The methodologies developed can be used in the synthesis of a range of carbazoles, including the natural products Clausine P and glycozolidine and a precursor in the synthesis of Clausines H, K, O, and 7-methoxy-O-methylmukonal, and can be extended to the synthesis of indoles.     

Prediction of the separation in gas chromatography : Application to the Analysis of Mixtures with Mixed Stationary Phases and Temperature Programming

A mathematical method is developed which predicts the characteristics of a gas chromatographic separation and optimizes some operational parameters. It can be used for isothermal and programmed-temperature conditions and can be applied to both packed and open tubular columns. The optimum composition of a mixed stationary phase for the separation of a complex mixture can be predicted. The method can be implemented in most microcomputers. The method proved satisfactory in obtaining good separations of moderately volatile components of wine flavours.     

SCTA and Adsorbents

Sample controlled thermal analysis (SCTA) can be used in several manners with respect to adsorbents. Almost 70% of adsorbent synthesis procedures involve a thermal step that can be adapted to a sample controlled method. In this respect, SCTA has been used for the preparation of activated alumina, calcination of zeolites and activation of carbons. The thermodesorption of adsorbed molecules can also be carried out using a sample controlled method. Here, both the surface area and pore volume of adsorbents can be assessed. Finally, SCTA can be highly beneficial in the thermal pretreatment of adsorbents prior to adsorption. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Bulk synthesis of polymer-inorganic colloidal clusters

We describe a procedure to synthesize colloidal clusters with polyhedral morphologies in high yield (liter quantities at up to 70% purity) using a combination of emulsion polymerization and inorganic surface chemistry. We show that the synthesis initially used for silica-polystyrene hybrid clusters can be generalized to create clusters from other inorganic and polymer particles. We also show that high yields of particular morphologies can be obtained by precise control of the inorganic seed particle size, a finding that can be explained using a hard-sphere packing model. These clusters can be further chemically modified for a variety of applications. Introducing a cross-linker leads to colloidal clusters that can be index matched in an appropriate solvent, allowing them to be used for particle tracking or optical studies of colloidal self-assembly. Also, depositing a thin silica layer on these colloids allows the surface properties to be controlled using silane chemistry.     

A versatile twisted optical fiber sensor

An optical sensor sensitive to changes in light absorption and other optical interactions, and consisting of two fibers twisted around each other, is described. The sensor can be used as a refractometer, is very sensitive to the presence of water in oil, can be used to determine the amount of a solvent in oil, and might be useful in monitoring degradation of internal combustion engine oil. In addition, by surrounding the fibers with a film of solution, and observing the changes in ouput over time, additional information can be obtained. Used in this manner, the sensor can be used to identify specific solutions.     

Controlling nanoparticle formation via sizable cages of supramolecular soft materials

We present a new generic strategy to fabricate nanoparticles in the "cages" within the fibrous networks of supramolecular soft materials. As the cages can be acquired by a design-and-production manner, the size of nanoparticles synthesized within the cages can be tuned accordingly. To implement this idea, both selenium and silver were chosen for the detailed investigation. It follows that the sizes of selenium and silver nanoparticles can be controlled by tuning the pore size of the fiber networks in the material. When the concentration of the gelator is high enough, monodisperse nanoparticles can be prepared. More interestingly, the morphology of the nanoparticles can be altered: silver disks can be formed when the concentrations of both the gelator and silver nitrate are sufficiently low. As the fiber network serves as a physical barrier and semisolid support for the nanoparticles, the stability in the aqueous media and the ease of application of these nanoparticles can be substantially enhanced. This robust surfactant-free approach will not only allow the controlled fabrication of nanoparticles, but also can be applied to the fabrication of composite materials for robust applications.     

Indirect Electroorganic Syntheses—A Modern Chapter of Organic Electrochemistry [New Synthetic Methods (59)]

The electrochemical formation and regeneration of redox agents for organic syntheses (indirect electrolysis) widens the potential of electrochemistry, as higher or totally different selectivities can often be obtained while at the same time the energy input can be lowered significantly. Higher current densities can also be obtained by preventing otherwise often encountered electrode inhibition. New types of redox catalysts can be formed in-situ and can be regenerated after reaction with the substrates. This principle is of increasing importance also for the application of already known redox agents with regard to environmental protection, since large amounts of a product can be generated in a closed circuit using only relatively small amounts of the redox reagent. Consequently the operation of such a process can be greatly simplified, and the release of ecologically objectionable spent reagents into the environment can be prevented. The broad spectrum of redox catalysts currently in use includes, inter alia, metal salts in very low or high oxidation states, halogens in various oxidation states, and, in particular, a wide variety of transition-metal complexes. A great deal of progress has recently been made in the application of organic electron transfer agents, since compounds have been found that are sufficiently stable in both the reduced as well as the oxidized state.     

A simple method for thermoanalysis of evolved gases

Thermoanalytical processes involving the splitting-off of ammonia, water, halogens, inorganic acids or acid anhydrides can be simply observed by using a specimen-holder in which specific reactions with the decomposition products can be induced. A special glass or quartz double crucible can be used for this purpose; the products arising in the lower part of the crucible can be oxidized selectively with reagents placed in the upper part, or can be bound or transformed into other compounds. This double crucible is also suitable for studying reactions taking place between solid and gaseous substances.     

High-contrast flicker luminescence on dynamic covalent structure based nanoaggregates

In nanoscience, molecular switches have played a significant role to deliver different control abilities to practical functions,whereas high-contrast luminescence switchable manipulation at nanoscale is still limited. Since the tuning for emission behavior with high contrast ratio strongly connects to numerous visualized sensing and optoelectronic applications, we here report that autonomous p H control can be enrolled to address a high-contrast molecular emission change at the nanoaggregated level, for gaining a flicker luminescence performance in aqueous media. Employing a BODIPY contained dynamic covalent dye, we find its luminescent signal and nanoaggregate size can be spontaneously adjusted in water. On this basis, high-contrast luminescence switching of the material can be achieved upon the alternate introduction of base and acid into the aggregation state. Such a behavior can be attributed to a p H triggered photo-induced electron transfer regulation process. The dye aggregates can be well endocytosed for bioimaging and its luminescent variation can be autonomously displayed as a flicker effect. These results provide new visions for the design and development of smart materials with a dynamic luminescence behavior.     

Voltammetry of Organic Microparticles

 Solid microparticles of several different insoluble organic compounds were mechanically immobilized on the surface of graphite electrodes and immersed into a liquid electrolyte in order to study their electrochemical reactions. Cyclic staircase voltammetry and square-wave voltammetry were used. Quinhydrone was found to be a stable intermediate in the reversible redox reaction of solid quinone and hydroquinone on the electrode surface. The reaction occurs on the surface of the solid particle which is in contact with water. Indigo can be reduced to leucoindigo and oxidized to dehydroindigo in two separate reversible redox reactions. In strongly basic medium indigo dissolves in water upon electroreduction. A hydroacridine radical was detected as a stable intermediate in the electrochemically irreversible redox reaction of acridine and dihydroacridine. Famotidine can be electrooxidized and the product of this reaction can be electroreduced in two separate chemically irreversible reactions. Probucol is oxidized to a semiquinone radical which can be re-reduced in an electrochemically irreversible redox reaction. Propyl- thiouracil can be also oxidized to an unknown product which can be re-reduced in a chemically reversible, but slow solid state surface redox reaction. Reductions of solid thionicotinoylanilide and nicotinoylanilide are totally irreversible. Received September 22, 1998. Revision March 19, 1999.     

Light activated patterning of dye-labeled molecules on surfaces

This Communication describes a novel method for patterning proteins, ligands, or other organic/inorganic species onto solid substrates. The process works by linking the moiety of interest to a fluorophore that can be subsequently photobleached and bound to the interface. The technique can be performed in aqueous solution and allows several species to be addressed onto the surface simultaneously by using different frequencies of light. Because the method can be used with fluorophores excited by visible light, shorter and more damaging wavelengths can be avoided.     

Variable phase dark-field contrast--a variant illumination technique for improved visualizations of transparent specimens

Variable phase dark-field contrast has been developed as an illumination technique in light microscopy, which promises significant improvements and a higher variability in imaging of several transparent specimens. In this method, a phase contrast image is optically superimposed on a dark-field image so that a partial image based on the principal zeroth-order maximum (phase contrast) interferes with an image that is based on the secondary maxima (dark field). The background brightness and character of the resulting image can be continuously modulated from a phase-contrast-dominated to a dark-field-dominated character. The condenser aperture diaphragm can be used for modulations of the image's appearance. Specimens can either be illuminated concentrically or obliquely (eccentrically) when parts of the illuminating light beams are covered and blocked. Moreover, a bright-field-like partial image can be added. In this way, the illumination can be optimally adjusted to the specific properties of the specimen. The techniques described can lead to improved visual information especially in biological specimens consisting of phase structures and additional light-absorbing or -reflecting components. Moreover, the specimen's three-dimensionality can be accentuated with improved clarity because the illuminating light beams associated with phase contrast and dark field run to the specimen at different angles of incidence.     

Enhancing the information content of vibrational spectra through sample perturbation

Infrared and Raman band frequencies, intensities and line shapes are often sensitive to the local molecular environment determined by molecular conformation, surrounding matrix, temperature, pressure, etc. The variety of local environments experienced by a condensed-phase molecule can lead to vibrational spectra with broad bands containing many overlapped spectral features. The spectral resolution of these overlapped features can be enhanced by making perturbations to the sample environment. Examples of perturbations which can be applied to the sample to enhance the information content of infrared spectra are changes in temperature, concentration and mechanical strain. In each instance, the spectra obtained as a function of the perturbation can be cross-correlated to produce a two-dimensional correlation map defined by two independent wavenumber axes. in this representation, infrared bands which respond to the perturbation in a similar or different manner can be clearly identified. This information can be used to help resolve overlapped bands and make unambiguous band assignments.     

Biocompatibility of nanofilm-encapsulated silicone and silicone-hydrogel contact lenses

A material placed in or in contact with a biological system, that causes the minimum perturbation that can be tolerated by the host biological system, can be considered to be biocompatible. The major effects caused by a contact lens can be considered to be 1) the blocking of the natural supply of oxygen to the epithelium cells of the cornea, 2) interference with the normal evaporation of water from the tear fluid layer, and 3) hindrance of the normal functions of blinking for replenishing oxygen-saturated tear fluid and removing dead epithelium cells, which result from apoptosis. The encapsulation of a highly oxygen-permeable contact lens by a nanofilm with an imperturbable surface state minimizes all these terms. The encapsulated contact lens can be worn safely in extended wear.     

Manipulation and characterization of aqueous sodium dodecyl sulfate/sodium chloride aerosol particles

Aerosol optical tweezers coupled with Raman spectroscopy can allow the detailed investigation of aerosol dynamics. We describe here measurements of the evolving size, composition, and phase of single aqueous aerosol droplets containing the surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate and the inorganic salt sodium chloride. Not only can the evolving wet particle size be probed with nanometer accuracy, but we show that the transition to a metastable microgel particle can be followed, demonstrating that optical tweezers can be used to manipulate both spherical and non-spherical aerosol particles. Further, through the simultaneous manipulation and characterization of two aerosol droplets of different composition in two parallel optical traps, the phase behavior of a surfactant-doped particle and a surfactant-free droplet can be compared directly in situ. We also illustrate that the manipulation of two microgel particles can allow studies of the coagulation and interaction of two solid particles. Finally, we demonstrate that such parallel measurements can permit highly accurate comparative measurements of the evolving wet particle size of a surfactant-doped droplet with a surfactant-free droplet.     

Four-arm oligonucleotide Ni(II)-cyclam-centered complexes as precursors for the generation of supramolecular periodic assemblies

The development of a multiarm metal-centered DNA building block as a precursor for the construction of supramolecular assemblies has relied upon the preparation of a Ni(II)-1,4,8,11-tetrazacyclotetradecane ligand (cyclam) functionalized with four linkers. This complex can be incorporated into a support-bound DNA sequence and the remaining three linkers can then be elongated by DNA synthesis. The result is a Ni(II)-cyclam complex tethering four 20-mer DNA strands. This building block, designed to be tetrahedral in nature, can in principle be used to form tetrahedral assemblies. These assemblies can be designed to be of known size and composition or permitted to grow into complexes of essentially infinite size, ideally the macroscopic version of a crystal.     

The analysis of counter performance by cusum techniques

It is necessary in most radiochemical studies to check periodically the efficiency of the detector with a standard or reference source to ensure its constancy. This can lead to a large number of readings which can best be analysed graphically by means of cumulative summation. Minor abrupt changes in counter performance can often be determined by retrospective examination of cusums. Alternatively in an on-going situation the reference source readings may be plotted as they are taken and a significant change detected comparatively rapidly with a V-mask. The standard deviation used in tests of significant change has in practice been found to be greater than that expected simply from the randomness of the disintegration process. The point of change can often be located precisely so that it should be possible if necessary to correct other measurements with the detector.