Secondary structural changes of chymotrypsinogen A,alpha-chymotrypsin,and the isolated polypeptides Cys1-Leu13, Ile16-Tyr146, and Ala149-Asn245 in sodium dodecyl sulfate,urea and guanidine hydrochloride

Secondary structural changes of chymotrypsinogen A,-chymotrypsin, and their isolated polypeptides Cys¹-Leu¹³, Ile¹⁶-Tyr¹⁴⁶, and Ala¹⁴⁹-Asn²⁴⁵were examined in aqueous solutions of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), urea, and guanidine hydrochloride (residue numbers from chymotrypsinogen). After the fragmentation by the cleavage of disulfide bridges in-chymotrypsin, the helical structure was formed in the isolated polypeptide 16–146 where the helical segments do not exist in the protein state. The polypeptide 149–245, where the helical segments of the parent protein are originally located, contained no helices. The polypeptide 1–13 was almost disordered. The three polypeptides, chymotrypsinogen,-chymotrypsin and the polypeptide 16–146, clearly showed differences in the stabilities of helical structures in solutions of urea and guanidine hydrochloride. The addition of SDS accelerated the formation of helical structures in each polypeptide except for 1–13.     

The effect of carrier solution on the particle size distribution of inorganic colloids measured by steric field-flow fractionation

The number average and the weight average particle diameters for suspended inorganic colloids found by the new technique of steric field-flow fractionation may be successfully used provided that the most suitable carrier solution is selected, in order to minimize the coagulation and adhesion phenomena.In the present work polydisperse, irregular colloidal particles of FePO₄·2H₂O (strengite) were studied. The average particle diameters were found to vary with the electrolyte concentration in the suspending medium. A strong variation of the number and weight average particle diameters was also observed with the quantity of the surfactant added to aquatic medium in order to increase colloidal stability. The influence of the electrokinetic charge of the FePO₄·2H₂O particles in relation to the surface charge of the material of the column employed, on the particle size measured was investigated. The proper carrier solution for minimizing coagulation and adhesion phenomena in the FePO₄·2H₂O colloidal particles was found to contain either 1.5% (v/v) detergent FL-70 and 0.1 MKNO₃ or 0.5% (v/v) detergent FL-70 and 0.033 MNa₂SO₄.     

The viscoelasticity of spinnable solutions of alkyltrimethylammonium salicylates

The viscoelasticity has been measured for aqueous solutions of tetradecyl-and hexadecyltrimethylammonium salicylates (C₁₄TASal, C₁₆TASal). The aqueous solutions of C₁₄TASal without salt displayed the gel-like behavior at 10.0×10^–2 g cm^–3, but those more dilute than 3.2×10^–2 g cm^–3 presented the viscoelasticity similar to that of a Maxwell liquid. The Maxwell-like behavior was converted to the polymer-like one on the addition of (0.1–0.2) M NaBr or (0.02–0.2) M NaSal. The gel-like viscoelasticity can be connected with the spinnability of cohesive fracture failure, and the Maxwell-like and polymer-like viscoelasticities are concerned with the spinnability of ductile failure. The gel-like and Maxwell-like viscoelasticities originate in the pseudo-network formed by the pseudo-linkages between rodlike micelles, while the polymer-like viscoelasticity is caused by the entanglement of long rodlike micelles in semidilute and concentrated solutions. The aqueous solutions of C₁₆TASal behaved very similar to those of C₁₄TASal.     

The association of urethane-polyethyleneoxide (HEUR) thickeners,as studied by NMR self-diffusion measurements

The concentration and molecular weight dependence of the self-diffusion coefficient (D _self) of associative polymers of HEUR-type in aqueous solution have been investigated using FT-PGSE-NMR technique. The idea of three-dimensional network formation as a result of aggregation of the hydrophobic end-groups of the polymer in junctions is supported through the observed dramatic lowering ofD _self with increased concentration. The network-formation efficiency depends on the polymer molecular weight as well as the hydrophobicity of the end-groups.A double logarithmic dependence of the self-diffusion coefficient versus concentration (c) has been observed:D _selfc ^–a1,a2 . The first exponent,a ₁, is valid at low concentration, <1% polymer per weight solution, and ranges from 0.5 to 1, whereas the second exponent,a ₂, describing systems of higher concentration, ranges from 2 to 2.7.     

Studies on cross-linkable copolyimides

Some new flexible and cross-linkable copolyimides containing rubbery unsaturated aliphatic chain moiety (CPLA) were prepared by low temperature polycondensation betweenm-phenylene diamine,bis- 3(4 carboxy phthalimido) benzene, and liquid, bis [2-(4 piperazinyl) ethyl aminocarbonyl] poly-(butadiene-co-acrylonitrile) (ATBN) in (DMAC) solution. The effect of rubbery aliphatic moiety in these copolyimides on the polymer properties has been reported. A comparative study on the properties of these copolyimides (CPLA) with the mixture of ATBN and a low molecular-weight cross-linkable copolyimide possessing the same molecular structure as the aromatic moiety of CPLA polymers has been made.     

Scattering from concentration fluctuations in polymer blends: A monte carlo investigation

The collective scattering function S_coll( ), which describes light (neutron-, x-ray) scattering under wavevector , is obtained from Monte Carlo simulations for a symmetrical polymer mixture. The polymers are modelled by self-avoiding walks ofN _A=N_B=N steps on a simple cubic lattice, where a fraction _V of sites is left vacant, and an attractive energy occurs if two neighboring sites are taken by the same kind of monomer. Spinodal curves are estimated from linear extrapolation of S _coll ^–1 (0) vs./k _B T, whereT is the temperature. Also the single chain structure factor is obtained and the de Gennes random phase approximation (RPA) can thus be tested. Unexpectedly, strong deviations are found if one species is very dilute. The estimation of an effective Flory-Huggins-parameter from scattering data is also discussed.Contributed paper delivered at the Tagung der Deutschen Physikalischen Gesellschaft, Fachausschuß Polymerphysik, Hamburg, March 14–16, 1987.     

Ultrasonic measurements and other allied parameters of praseodymium and neodymium palmitates in mixed organic solvents

Ultrasonic measurements on praseodymium and neodymium palmitates were made in a mixture of 60% benzene and 40% dimethyl sulfoxide (V/V), to determine the critical micelle concentration (CMC), soap-solvent interaction, and various acoustic and thermodynamic parameters. The values of the CMC increase with the increase in the size of the cation in the soap molecules. The ultrasonic velocity, specific acoustic impedance, apparent molar compressibility, apparent molar volume and relative association increase while the adiabatic compressibility, intermolecular free length, solvation number, molar sound velocity and available volume decrease with increasing soap concentration.     

XPS analysis (ESCA) of the surface composition of poly(styrene/2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) microspheres produced by emulsifier-free emulsion polymerization

Polymer microspheres composed of various compositions of styrene and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) were produced by batch emulsifier-free emulsion polymerization. The HEMA content at the surface, [HEMA] _s , of the microspheres powdered by freeze-drying was determined by both quantitativeC ^1s /O ^1s analysis andC ^1s peak shape analysis of the x-ray photoelectron spectroscopic spectra. When the HEMA content in the microsphere, [HEMA] _p , was less than about 5 mole%, the [HEMA] _s values determined by the two different methods showed good agreement. At [HEMA]_p above 5 mole %, [HEMA]_s values determined by the first method were about 15 mole % greater than those determined by the second. They both showed a similar tendency with the [HEMA] _s being higher than the [HEMA] _p , e.g., when [HEMA] _p was 1 mole %, [HEMA] _s was 11 mole %. The intensity of the satellite peak due to the ^* transition of the benzene ring of the styrene component decreased with an increase in [HEMA] _p , to zero at 5 mole % of [HEMA] _p . These results indicate that the HEMA component is localized at the surface.Part CVIII of the series Studies on Suspension and Emulsion.     

X-ray scattering study of molecular order in a liquid crystal-side group polysiloxane

The molecular structure of a polysiloxane with phenyl benzoate mesogenic side groups was investigated in an x-ray scattering study in the partially crystalline, smectic and nematic phase, and in the melt. In the crystalline phase polymer molecules have the form of straight ribbons with a double-comb-conformation. A bilayer structure is built up by regular stacking. Layers are the dominating structure element not only in the crystalline and smectic phase, but also in the nematic phase, and even in the isotropic melt. Layers are planar in the smectic phase and curved in the nematic phase, with an asymmetric distribution of the normal vectors about the director. In the isotropic melt there is evidence for the occurrence of clusters with layer-like short-range order.     

The modification of the triple helical structure of gelatin in aqueous solution I. The influence of anionic surfactants,pH-value,and temperature

The modification of the triple helical structure in aqueous gelatin solutions by changing pH and adding alkyl sulphates at 298 K and after rechilling the solution to 283 K was investigated by CD-measurement. At 298 K the triple helical content at the IEP of the gelatin has its maximum value. It is only weakly affected by adding sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDDS) at concentrations <10^–4 M/dm³. The unfolding of the triple helix affected by pH and SDDS is reversible by rechilling the solution. The triple helical content of gelatin solutions decreases at SDDS concentrations higher than 10^–4 M/dm³. In all cases the decrease of the amount of triple helical structure is connected with an increase of the cis-configuration in single chains and leads to chain reversals. At sufficiently high SDDS concentrations-sheets are formed. These changes are thermally irreversible. Sodium decyl sulphate (SDS) has a more minor influence than SDDS except in the range of the c.m.c. of SDS. At sufficiently high SDS concentrations,-turns appear.     

CPS LG 313 Phenylalkanol — adsorbates on silica as types of immobilized drugs 1. Chemiadsorption on activated silica surfaces

The chemiadsorption of phenylalkanols onto a porous silica support (d _pore 10 nm) viaSi-O-C bonds was studied. The silica support was activated prior to the alcohol adsorption by annealing or by the introduction ofSi-Cl groups. Different reaction conditions were applied, namely time, temperature, solvent and drug-support ratio. The yield of chemiadsorption was dependent on both the reaction conditions and the structure of the alcohols. Long alkyl chains, especially those with an alcohol OH-group positioned in the vicinity of bulky substituents, reduce the yield considerably. Using chlorinated silica, a reasonable yield of chemiadsorption can be obtained even at relatively low reaction temperatures.Dedicated to Professor Dr. Dr. h. c. Armin Weiss on the occassion of his 60th birthday.     

New functional microspheres with active succinimide groups

Radiation-induced polymerization of monomers, for example N-methacryl-oxysuccinimide (MASu) and diethylene glycol dimethacrylate (2G), in ethyl propionate, was performed from +25°C to –78°C. The copoly (MASu/2G) microspheres were obtained in MASu monomer compositions of 30 wt % or below. The average particle diameter of copoly(MASu/2G, 20/80 wt %) microspheres obtained at irradiation temperatures of 25°, 0°, and –43 °C were 0.81±0.29, 0.63±0.26, and 0.90±0.43 m, respectively. No microspheres were formed when irradiated at –78 °C. The reactivity of the succinimide groups on the surface of copoly(MASu/2G, 20/80 wt%) microspheres was checked by reacting with ethylene diamine. The maximal amount of reacting succinimide groups was 9.4±0.5 nol/g, which corresponds to about 1 % of the total number of succinimide groups in the microsphere.     

Formation of the surface charge on silica in mixed solvents

At sufficiently high concentrations of methanol and of alkali salts in aqueous silica dispersions, the negative -potentials of the particles are decreased. This effect is more pronounced with lithium than with other alkali cations, and it is independent on the anion. The NMR spectra indicate lithium adsorption on silica from mixed solvents, but not in the absence of alcohol.Supported by a contract with the XMX Corporation, Burlington, Massachusetts, USA     

Effects of pressure and solvent on the diffusion of aromatic compounds through polymers

The diffusion of six azo and five anthraquinone derivatives through nylon 6, poly(ethylene terephthalate) and secondary cellulose acetate films were studied under high hydrostatic pressures of up to 3000 bar and at temperatures 80–130 °C, by analyzing the diffusion profiles yielded in a stacked multiple film, placed in the solution of the diffusant. It was found that the diffusion coefficient,D, of the diffusant decreased with increasing pressure, giving a linear relationship between InD and the pressure, the slope of which gave the activation volume for the diffusion,V . It was revealedV increased linearly with increasing intrinsic molecular volume of the diffusant,V _w , the slopes being different between the azo and the anthraquinone derivatives. The ratio ofV toV _w (V /V _w ) ranged from 0.13 to 0.93, depending in a sensitive manner on the degree of swelling of the polymer matrix which in turn was varied by the solvent. The overall results could be explained in accordance with the formulation,V _{f, local} +V =V _w , whereV _{f, local} represents the free volume contribution. It was proposed thatV _w is increased by solvation when the solvent is good for the diffusant.     

Estimation of distribution of vinyl groups in micron-sized monodisperse polymer microspheres by bromine titration method

The distribution of vinyl groups in polystyrene/poly(styrene-divinylbenzene) (PS/P(S-DVB)) composite microspheres produced by seeded copolymerization of S and DVB in the presence of 2.1-m monodisperse PS seed particles was estimated from the amount detected with bromine titration method as a function of the reaction time under various conditions.Part CXXIII of the series Studies on Suspension and Emulsion.     

The interaction of modified 7S soy protein with mono- and di-glycerides at the oil-water interface and its effect on the stability of concentrated corn oil-in-water emulsions

The influence of chemically modified 7S fraction of soybean protein (7MSPF), and its partial replacement by mono- and di-glycerides in various ratios, on the rate of drop coalescence in concentrated corn oil-in-water emulsions has been investigated. A total emulsifier concentration of 2.0 % (wt/wt) was used. The minimum drop coalescence rate was achieved when using 1.0% (wt/wt) 7MSPF in conjunction with 0.5% (wt/wt) monoglyceride and 0.5 % (wt/wt) di-glyceride at pH 5.5. At other mono-/di-glycerides and protein/glycerides ratios, and at other pHs, the rate of drop coalescence was higher than when 2.0% (wt/wt) 7MSPF was used. The reduction in drop coalescence rate under these conditions is attributed to association of 7MSPF with the glycerides at the oil-water interface. The influence of protein/glycerides ratio on the viscoelastic properties of mixed interfacial films supports this view.     

Effects of surfactants on wave-induced drainage of foam and emulsion films

It is well established that the plane-parallel models of foam and emulsion films underestimate the velocity of film thinning by up to several orders of magnitude and show an incorrect dependence of thinning velocity on film radius. A new theory of film thinning has been previously formulated for tangentially immobile films [12, 13], and shows that the reason for this discrepancy is the neglect of experimentally observed finite amplitude surface waves. For thin films of relatively large radii (> 1o^–2 cm), the pumping of the fluid generated by oscillations of the surface waves, provides the dominant contribution to film thinning velocity. The present hydrodynamic model includes the effects of surfactants (Marangoni-Gibbs-effect, surface viscosity and surface diffusion) and surface waves on thinning velocity. As in the case of a tangentially immobile film, it is concluded that the thinning velocity varies inversely with less than the first power of the film radius, and not with the square of the film radius, as predicted by the plane-parallel models of thin film. Also, the velocity of thinning is found to be up to several orders of magnitudes larger than that evaluated from the plane-parallel models. The influence of waves in enhancing the thinning velocity is found to be most significant for a tangentially immobile film and this effect decreases by a factor of up to 3, with a decrease in surface elasticity and surface viscosity.     

Steric repulsion of polyoxyethylene groups for emulsion stability

Rapid coalescence was studied on liquid paraffin emulsion stabilized with a series of poly(oxyethylene) dodecyl ethers [C₁₂H₂₅ (EO),n=1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8] and of poly(oxyethylene) nonylphenyl ethers [C₉H₁₉(EO) _n ,n=2, 4, 5, 6, 12]. The turbidity of emulsion was measured as a function of the solution pHs at constant ionic strength of 0.1 mol dm^–3.As a result, it was found that the emulsions (which were formed with C₁₂H₂₅(EO) _n surfactants having less than four oxyethylene groups, or with C₉H₁₉ (EO) _n surfactants having less than six oxyethylene groups) brought about rapid coalescence in the bulk pH between 2.03.5, which corresponded to the zero point of charges for the emulsions of the present systems. According to the Tadros treatment for emulsion flocculation, the total flocculation potennual was estimated as a function of the distance relative to the number of oxyethelene groups in the surfactants. The critical coalescence energy was obtained as –343 ×10^–19 J for the C₁₂H₂₅(EO) _n surfactants and –2.14×10^–19) J for the C₉H₁₉ (EO) _n surfactants. Furthermore, the formation of a hole for coalescence was estimated under the simple assumption that the coalescence was caused only by the energy dissipation.     

Characteristics of mixed bilayers of surfactants formed on alumina

The interaction between hydrocarbon and fluorocarbon surfactants on-alumina has been studied through the dispersion behavior of-alumina. When a low concentration of anionic hydrocarbon or fluorocarbon surfactant as a first additive is added to positively charged alumina, the alumina flocculates. The flocculated alumina redisperses upon addition of different surfactant from the first one by the manner that the hydrophobic parts of hydrocarbon and fluorocarbon surfactants are in contact with hydrophobic parts of the first surfactants and the hydrophilic polar groups direct out to liquid phase, resulting in the formation of mixed bilayers on the alumina. From the measurements of mean particle size, zeta potential of the alumina, and adsorbed amount of surfactants, the mixed bilayers consisting of anionic fluorocarbon-noniomc hydrocarbon surfactants and of anionic fluorocarbon-noioic hydrocarbon ones are found to be formed more preferentially than anionic hydrocarbon-anioic fluorocarbon surfactants. The property of the mixed bilayer on the alumina is also discussed using the fluorescence spectra of pyrene.     

Torsional potential and strain energy distribution in an extended chain under stress

Torsional potentialV() for the single bond transformation in an extended hexadecane, subjected to elongation, has been determined by molecular mechanics calculations. The stored elastic energy significantly modifies the potentialV(), the conformational energies and the barriers of transition. Apart from the soft torsional coordinate, elastic energy is also dissipated considerably by bond stretching and angle bending. Maximal variations of the valence coordinates occur in the vicinity of the torsional defect and dampen along the chain. At higher elongation, the gauche minimum on the potentialV() disappears and the calculations predict the abrupt gauche to trans transition. The energetics of torsion of a deformed chain are compared with the experimental data on the hydrodynamic extension of polymers in dilute solution by elongational flow. The calculations also provide details of a single bond transformation mechanism at conformational interconversions in a long chain, proposed by Helfand.