On the influence of heterogeneity of graphene sheets in the determination of the pore size distribution of activated carbons

We model carbon-based microporous materials, such as activated carbons, taking into account surface defects in the form of geometrical rugosity in the inner surface of each graphitic slit pore. The used model is a simplified variation of the randomly etched graphite (REG) pore model (Seaton et al., Langmuir 13:1199–1204, 1997).     

Investigation of the Thermodynamic Properties of the Cationic Surfactant CTAC in EG + Water Binary Mixtures

To understand the thermodynamic characteristics of cationic surfactants in binary mixtures, the aggregation behavior of hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC) has been investigated in ethylene glycol (EG) + water solvent mixtures at different temperatures and EG to water ratios. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) and degree of counter ion bonding (β) were calculated from electrical conductivity measurements. An equilibrium model for micelle formation was applied to obtain the thermodynamic parameters for micellization, including the standard Gibbs energies of micellization (DG_mic^o)\Delta G_{\mathrm{mic}}^{\mathrm{o}}), standard enthalpies of micelle formation (DH_mic^o)\Delta H_{\mathrm{mic}}^{\mathrm{o}}) and standard entropies of micellization (DS_mic^o)\Delta S_{\mathrm{mic}}^{\mathrm{o}}). Our results show that DG_mic^o\Delta G_{\mathrm{mic}}^{\mathrm{o}} is always negative and slightly dependent on temperature. The process of micellization is entropy driven in pure water, whereas in EG + water mixtures the micellization is enthalpy driven.     

Estimation of the Effectiveness of the Phosphate Group in Binary Phosphoserine/Biogenic Amine Systems in Aqueous Solution

Adduct formation in the binary systems of O-phospho-L-serine with biogenic amines (putrescine, spermidine or spermine) has been investigated. The overall stability constants of the adducts and the equilibrium constants of their formation have been determined using computer analysis of potentiometric data. Ion-ion interactions have been established to occur in the identified molecular complexes. The potential reaction centers are phosphate, carboxylate and amine groups from phosphorylated serine as well as the –NH₃⁺ and –NH₂⁺– groups from polyamine. The pH range of adduct formation is found to coincide with that in which the polyamine is protonated (positive reaction center) and the phosphoserine is partly or totally deprotonated (negative reaction center). The stability of the molecular complexes formed in the studied systems depends on the acid-base character of the substrates and on the structure of the reacting molecules. Sites of interactions in the bioligands have been deduced on the basis of the results of the equilibrium study and analysis of the changes in the positions of signals in the ¹³C and ³¹P NMR spectra.     

Volumetric Study of Aqueous Solutions of Polyethylene Glycol as a Function of the Polymer Molar Mass in the Temperature Range 283.15 to 313.15 K and 0.1 MPa

Density measurements were made for binary aqueous solutions of polyethylene glycol at seven temperatures: 283.15, 288.15, 293.15, 298.15, 303.15, 308.15, and 313.15 K. Polyethylene glycol samples with nominal average molar masses of 3000 g⋅mol⁻¹ (PEG 3000), 6000 g⋅mol⁻¹ (PEG 6000), 10000 g⋅mol⁻¹ (PEG 10000) and 20000 g⋅mol⁻¹ (PEG 20000) were used. These results were used to determine the specific volumes of solutions with solute-to-solvent mass ratios (mass of the solute/mass of the solvent) in the range 0.0546 to 1.4932 for PEG 3000, from 0.0553 to 1.4986 for PEG 6000, from 0.0552 to 1.2241 for PEG 10000, and from 0.0530 to 1.2264 for PEG 20000. The differences between the specific volume of a solution and the specific volume of the pure solvent, at a given temperature, were represented by a virial-type equation in terms of solute concentration. The first-order coefficient of the expansion is the partial specific volume of the solute at infinite dilution. The higher-order coefficients are related to the contribution of pairs, triplets, and higher-order solute aggregates, according to the Constant-Pressure Solution Theory. The functional dependence of the virial coefficients upon temperature is discussed in terms of solute-solute and solute-solvent interactions. The effect of the PEG molar mass on the partial specific volume of solute at infinite dilution, as well as the contributions of pairs of solute molecules to the solution volume, are also investigated. The apparent specific volume, apparent specific expansibility, apparent specific expansibility at infinite dilution and virial coefficients of the apparent specific expansibility are also presented.     

A molecular simulation study of the distribution of cation in zeolites

NVT Monte Carlo simulations are first used to describe the distribution of Na cations in Faujasite for several Si/Al ratios. These calculations were performed by combining two different sets of potential parameters combined with both T-atoms and explicit Si,Al models. Grand Canonical Monte Carlo simulations are then employed to investigate the influence of water adsorption on the distribution of cations in the case of a Faujasite sample with 56 cations (NaY56). These simulations data are compared to available experimental data and the influence of the choice of the forcefield for describing the cation/zeolite interaction on these results is discussed.     

Crown-Ether Type Podands as Alkali Metal Cation Extractants: Influence of the Number of Oxygens in the Chain

Several polyether-type podands were synthesized that contained a variable number of potential donor oxygen atoms (four to twelve) and an aromatic ring in the chain. Extraction experiments were performed to elucidate the influence of the number of oxygen atoms on the extraction selectivity towards alkali metal picrates, from aqueous to dichloromethane phases. The results show that the extraction efficiency for lithium picrate is almost independent of the number of oxygen atoms in the podand. The extraction efficiency for sodium picrate was found to increase significantly with the number of oxygen atoms up to about seven, but for the potassium to cesium picrates the extraction efficiency increased up to about eight oxygen atoms. The increase in extraction efficiency may be rationalized in terms of the saturation of the cation’s first coordination sphere: after a critical number of oxygen atoms is reached and the first coordination sphere is saturated, the much smaller detected increases in the extraction efficiency may be seen as a statistical effect. The discrimination between sodium and potassium pirates is only achieved when the podands possess seven or more oxygen atoms. Under the experimental conditions used, the podands studied are unable to discriminate between potassium, rubidium and cesium picrates.     

Effect of Temperature on the Solubility of Short-Chain Carboxylic Acids in Water

The aqueous solubilities of pentanoic and hexanoic acids were measured between 298.15 and 333.15 K at intervals of 5.00 K. Nonlinear dependences were found for the variation of solubility with temperature. The temperature dependences of the solubility of the acids in water are described by nonlinear van’t Hoff plots. Experimental data were fitted by the method of least-squares to a second-order polynomial equation, which was then used to determine the differential solution enthalpies at selected temperatures. The values for the apparent Gibbs energy and the apparent entropy of solution are calculated.     

The Partial Molar Volumes and Heat Capacities of the Arginyl Side-chain of Proteins in Aqueous Solution over the Temperature Range 288.15 to 328.15 K

Solution densities over the temperature range 288.15 to 328.15 K have been measured for aqueous solutions of N-acetylarginamide monotrifluoroacetate and sodium trifluoroacetate, from which the partial molar volumes at infinite dilution, V₂^oV_{2}^{\mathrm{o}}, were determined. The partial molar heat capacities at infinite dilution, C_p,2^oC_{p,2}^{\mathrm{o}}, were also determined for these solutes over the same temperature range. These V₂^oV_{2}^{\mathrm{o}} and C_p,2^oC_{p,2}^{\mathrm{o}} results, along with relevant data taken from the literature, have been used to calculate the contributions of the protonated arginyl side-chain to the thermodynamic properties. These new side-chain values were critically compared with those obtained previously using alternative side-chain model compounds.     

Anti-allergic effect of the flavonoid myricitrin from Myrica rubra leaf extracts in vitro and in vivo

Flavonoids are ingested by the general population as anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory agents. In this study, we investigated the effects of myricitrin, a flavonoid rich in Myrica rubra leaf, upon anti-inflammatory action. Myrica rubra leaf extracts inhibited pro-inflammatory TNFα production in a macrophage cell line, Raw264.7 cells. We observed that the serum IgE levels in the leaf extract-treated DO11.10, a mouse allergy model, were down-regulated. HPLC was performed to demonstrate that M. rubra leaf extracts contain a large amount of myricitrin. We observed an inhibitory effect of HPLC-purified myricitrin on TNFα production in Raw264.7 cells. Thus, myricitrin may be of potential interest in the management of inflammatory conditions.     

Spectral and Mechanistic Investigation of the Osmium(VIII) Catalyzed Oxidation of Diclofenac Sodium by the Copper(III) Periodate Complex in Aqueous Alkaline Medium

The kinetics of the osmium(VIII) (Os(VIII)) catalyzed oxidation of diclofenac sodium (DFS) by diperiodatocuprate(III) (DPC) in aqueous alkaline medium has been studied spectrophotometrically at a constant ionic strength of 1.0 mol⋅dm⁻³. The reaction showed first order kinetics in [Os(VIII)] and [DPC] and less than unit order with respect to [DFS] and [alkali]. The rate decreased with increase in [periodate]. The reaction between DFS and DPC in alkaline medium exhibits 1:2 [DFS]:[DPC] stoichiometry. However, the order in [DFS] and [OH⁻] changes from first order to zero order as their concentration increases. Changes in the ionic strength and dielectric constant did not affect the rate of reaction. The oxidation products were identified by LC-ESI-MS, NMR, and IR spectroscopic studies. A possible mechanism is proposed. The reaction constants involved in the different steps of the mechanism were calculated. The catalytic constant (K _C) was also calculated for Os(VIII) catalysis at the studied temperatures. From plots of log ₁₀ K _C versus 1/T, values of activation parameters have been evaluated with respect to the catalytic reaction. The activation parameters with respect to the slow step of the mechanism were computed and discussed, and thermodynamic quantities were also determined. The active osmium(VIII) and copper(III) periodate species have been identified.     

Solvent Extraction of Calcium and Strontium into Nitrobenzene by Using Hydrogen Dicarbollylcobaltate in the Presence of Dibutyl Diethylcarbamoylmethylene Phosphonate

Extraction of micro amounts of calcium and strontium by a nitrobenzene solution of hydrogen dicarbollylcobaltate (H⁺B⁻) in the presence of dibutyl diethylcarbamoylmethylene phosphonate (DBDECMP, L) has been investigated. The equilibrium data have been explained assuming that the complexes HL⁺, HL₂⁺\mathrm{HL}_{2}^{+}, ML₂²⁺\mathrm{ML}_{2}^{2+} and ML₃²⁺\mathrm{ML}_{3}^{2+} (M²⁺=Ca²⁺,Sr²⁺) are extracted into the organic phase. The values of extraction and stability constants of the species in nitrobenzene saturated with water have been determined. It was found that the stability of the complex cations CaL₃²⁺\mathrm{CaL}_{3}^{2+}, SrL₃²⁺\mathrm{SrL}_{3}^{2+}, EuL₃³⁺\mathrm{EuL}_{3}^{3+} and AmL₃³⁺\mathrm{AmL}_{3}^{3+}, where L is DBDECMP, increases in the order Sr²⁺<Ca²⁺≪Eu³⁺≈Am³⁺.     

Studies of Partial Molar Volumes of Alkylamines in Non-electrolyte Solvents. IV. Alkyl Amines in Cyclic Ethers at 303.15 K

Apparent molar volumes V _φ,B of n-propylamine, n-butylamine, di-n-propylamine, di-n-butylamine, triethylamine, tri-n-propylamine, and tri-n-butylamine in 1,4-dioxane and in oxolane (tetrahydrofuran) have been determined at 303.15 K using a high-precision Anton Paar vibrating-tube densimeter (model DMA 60/602). The limiting partial molar volumes and limiting excess partial molar volumes are analyzed and interpreted in terms of solute-solvent interactions and structural effects of the molecules. Analyses were made of the contributions of specific interactions to the partial molar volumes of these primary, secondary and tertiary amines in 1,4-dioxane and oxolane using the Terasawa model, scaled particle theory (SPT) and hard-sphere theory (HST). The ERAS model has also been applied to estimate the apparent molar volumes and excess apparent molar volumes of alkylamine solutions in 1,4-dioxane and oxolane.     

Optimization of ultrasonic-assisted extraction of three main taxoids in the twigs of Taxus × media using multi-objective response surface methodology

A multi-objective response surface methodology (RSM) based on a desirability function analysis (DFA) was used to model and optimize the operational parameters of ultrasonic-assisted extraction of three main taxoids in the twigs of Taxus × media. Liquid–solid ratio, extraction temperature, extraction time, and ultrasonic power were chosen as four independent variables, with three objective variables considered: the extraction yields of 10-deacetylbaccatin III (10-DAB III), cephalomannine and paclitaxel. Under the predicted conditions with the highest “desirability’’, compared with the predicted value, the goodness of fit for the experiment extraction yields of 10-DAB III, cephalomannine and paclitaxel was 97.36, 100.81, and 97.46%, respectively. Analysis of variance (ANOVA), regression analysis, and verification test indicated a satisfactory correlation between the experimental data and predicted values. These results showed that RSM and DFA were good methods to solve the problem of multi-objective optimization.     

Calorimetric and Volumetric Studies of the Interactions of Propionamide in Aqueous Alkan-1-ol Solutions at 298.15 K

Enthalpies of solution and apparent molar volumes have been determined for propionamide in aqueous methanol, ethanol and propanol solutions at 298.15 K using a C-80 microcalorimeter and a DMA60/602 vibrating-tube digital densimeter. The enthalpic and volumetric interaction coefficients have been calculated. Using the present results along with results from previous studies for formamide, the pair-interaction coefficients are discussed from the perspective of dipole-dipole and structural interactions. In addition, the triplet interaction coefficients are interpreted by using the solvent-separated association mechanism.     

Adsorption of CO2 as a method for the characterisation of the structure of alumina-pillared clay catalysts

The aim of this work was to study the effect of the metal loading on the structure of two series of cobalt and manganese pillared clay-supported catalysts. For this purpose, equilibrium data for CO₂ adsorption at 273 K were analysed using Freundlich, Langmuir and Toth isotherm models, in order to estimate the adsorption parameters and to relate them with the metal loading of the catalysts. The metal distributions on the porous structure of the catalysts were studied using the temperature programmed reduction results combined with information from the nitrogen physisorption data. Comparison of all results reveals that up to a certain metal loading, about 0.5 wt% of Co and 2 wt% of Mn, the metal oxide is well dispersed into the porous structure of the pillared clay. At higher metal loadings, bulk-metal oxide particles are formed on the external surface.     

A Comparative Study of the Direct Calorimetric Determination of the Denaturation Enthalpy for Lysozyme in Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate and Dodecyltrimethylammonium Bromide Solutions

The complexes of lysozyme with the anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and the cationic surfactant dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB) have been investigated by isothermal titration calorimetry at pH=7.0 and 27 °C in a phosphate buffer. A new direct calorimetric method was applied to follow the protein denaturation and study the effect of surfactants on the stability of proteins. The extended solvation model was used to represent the enthalpies of lysozyme + SDS interaction over the whole range of SDS concentrations. The solvation parameters recovered from the new equation are attributed to the structural change of lysozyme and its biological activity. At low SDS concentrations, the binding is mainly electrostatic with some simultaneous interaction of the hydrophobic tail with nearby hydrophobic regions of lysozyme. These initial interactions presumably cause some protein unfolding and expose additional hydrophobic sites. The induced enthalpy of denaturation of lysozyme by SDS is 160.81±0.02 kJ⋅mol⁻¹. The lysozyme-DTAB complexes behave very differently from those of the lysozyme-SDS complexes. SDS induces a stronger unfolding of lysozyme than DTAB. The induced enthalpy of lysozyme denaturation by DTAB is 86.46±0.02 kJ⋅mol⁻¹.     

Recent advances in electrochemical and electrochemiluminescence based determination of the activity of caspase-3

Caspases, especially caspase-3, play a critical role in the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways of apoptosis. In addition, caspase-3 is involved in mental disorders like Alzheimer disease. Any up and down regulation of caspase-3 activity may cause cancer. This review (with 58 references) summarizes recent advances in electrochemical and electrochemiluminescent quantitation of the activity of caspase-3 based on the use of nanomaterials. The nanomaterials and nanolabels are classified in three main subgroups, namely electrochemical signal amplification strategies, amplification based on modified electrodes, and the combination of both modes. The potential of various electrochemical and electrochemiluminescence bioassays is discussed, and methods to circumvent certain limitations are oresented. Finally, current trends in the detection of caspase-3 such as system integration and the application of advanced nanomaterials are discussed.

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Graphical abstract The review summarizes electrochemical methods for the quantitation of caspase-3 activity based on the use of nanomaterials and of nanomaterial based labels. It contains subsections on electrochemical signal amplification strategies, amplification based on modified electrodes, and the combination of both modes.

     

Determination of the Distribution of Cobalt-Chloro Complexes in Hydrochloric Acid Solutions at 298 K

Knowledge of the distribution of metal-chloro complexes in hydrochloric acid solutions is fundamental for understanding the anion-exchange reaction. Anion-exchange separation allows ultrahigh purification during hydrometallurgical processes. However, at present the exchange reactions are not understood in detail. A more sophisticated purification needs improvement of the anion-exchange separation process. The process is based upon anion-exchange reactions and the distribution of metal-chloro complexes. The present work deals with cobalt-chloro complexes which exhibit a beautiful deep blue color in a concentrated hydrochloric acid solution. The intensity of the absorption attributed to the deep blue color is so strong that it is hard to obtain meaningful results by factor analysis. Another absorption band was chosen to be used in factor analysis and the attempt was successful. The number of cobalt-chloro complexes in hydrochloric acid solutions was determined to be three, and the cumulative formation constants were fitted to absorption spectra decomposed by factor analysis. During the optimization of the cumulative formation constants, a modified Debye–Hückel model for estimation of the activity coefficients of \(\hbox {Cl}^{-}\) was used. It was found that there are three cobalt complexes \([\hbox {Co}^{\mathrm{II}}(\hbox {H}_{2}\hbox {O})_{6}]^{2+}\), \([\hbox {Co}^{\mathrm{II}}\hbox {Cl}(\hbox {H}_{2}\hbox {O})_{5}]^{+}\), and \([\hbox {Co}^{\mathrm{II}}\hbox {Cl}_{4}]^{2-}\), and the two cumulative formation constants were optimized such that \(\log _{10}\beta _{1} = -\,0.861\) and \(\log _{10}\beta _{4} = -\,7.40\). The geometries of the complexes are proposed by assignment of absorption bands using ligand field theory. A qualitative assessment of the relationship between the acquired distribution of cobalt-chloro complexes and the adsorption function of cobalt species from hydrochloric acid solutions to anion-exchange resin was made.     

Spectroscopic Studies on the Molecular Complex of the Drug Atenolol with Iodine

Spectroscopic and spectrofluorimetric studies were made of the interaction between the drug atenolol and iodine. The interaction was found to proceed through the initial formation of a charge transfer (CT) complex as an intermediate species. The product of this interaction has been isolated and characterized using UV-Vis, FT-IR and Raman spectroscopic techniques. Formation of the triodide I₃^-\mathrm{I}_{3}^{-} species was confirmed by its electronic and Raman spectra. Peaks appeared in Raman spectrum of the isolated product at 153, 102 and 85 cm⁻¹ that are assigned to ν _as(I-I), ν _s(I-I) and d(I₃^-)\delta(\mathrm{I}_{3}^{-}) respectively, which confirmed the presence of the I₃^-\mathrm{I}_{3}^{-} ion. The stoichiometry of the complex was found to be 1:2. The rate of their reaction has been measured as a function of time and solvent. Pseudo-first-order rate constants for the reaction were measured at various temperatures and the thermodynamic activation parameters (ΔG ^#,ΔS ^# and ΔH ^#) were computed. Preliminary fluorescence quenching studies indicated that the interaction between atenolol and iodine is spontaneous and proceeds through a CT complex, and the quenching of fluorescence of atenolol by iodine increases as the extent of such complexation increases