Evaluation of Hofmeister effects on the kinetic stability of proteins

Dissolved salts are known to affect properties of proteins in solution including solubility and melting temperature, and the effects of dissolved salts can be ranked qualitatively by the Hofmeister series. We seek a quantitative model to predict the effects of salts in the Hofmeister series on the deactivation kinetics of enzymes. Such a model would allow for a better prediction of useful biocatalyst lifetimes or an improved estimation of protein-based pharmaceutical shelf life. Here we consider a number of salt properties that are proposed indicators of Hofmeister effects in the literature as a means for predicting salt effects on the deactivation of horse liver alcohol dehydrogenase (HL-ADH), alpha-chymotrypsin, and monomeric red fluorescent protein (mRFP). We find that surface tension increments are not accurate predictors of salt effects but find a common trend between observed deactivation constants and B-viscosity coefficients of the Jones-Dole equation, which are indicative of ion hydration. This trend suggests that deactivation constants (log k(d,obs)) vary linearly with chaotropic B-viscosity coefficients but are relatively unchanged in kosmotropic solutions. The invariance with kosmotropic B-viscosity coefficients suggests the existence of a minimum deactivation constant for proteins. Differential scanning calorimetry is used to measure protein melting temperatures and thermodynamic parameters, which are used to calculate the intrinsic irreversible deactivation constant. We find that either the protein unfolding rate or the rate of intrinsic irreversible deactivation can control the observed deactivation rates.     

In-depth analysis of glass fibers

Two types of commercial glass fibers were subjected to attack in strongly basic KOH solutions. The resulting leach solutions were analysed for Na, Ca, and Si. This showed that the corrosion process attacks the fibers incongruently. Although there are some distinct differences in the performance of these fibers, to a first approximation both types behave similarly. Further, the fibers were depth profiled using a recently developed SNMS technique for fiber in-depth analysis. This showed that both types of fibers behave in a quite dissimilar manner. The fibers were weathered already without any treatment. Although both fibers show alkali ion exchange and network splitting processes, on one of the fiber layers enriched in SiO₂, Fe₂O₃, and CaO are formed by a redeposition process from the leach solution.Dedicated to Professor Dr. rer. nat. Dr. h.c. Hubertus Nickel on the occasion of his 65th birthday     

Organic functionalization of carbon nanotubes

A very general and versatile method for functionalizing different types of carbon nanotubes is described, using the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides. Approximately one organic group per 100 carbon atoms of the nanotube is introduced, to yield remakably soluble bundles of nanotubes, as seen in transmission electron micrographs. The solubilization of the nanotubes generates a novel, interesting class of materials, which combines the properties of the nanotubes and the organic moiety, thus offering new opportunities for applications in materials science, including the preparation of nanocomposites.     

Fabrication of magnetically separable mesostructured silica with an open pore system

Magnetically separable mesostructured silica with an unobstructed pore system was fabricated through the deposition of cobalt nanoparticles on the outer surface of the submicron-sized silica particles. These cobalt nanoparticles were further protected by a nanometer-thick carbon shell against acid erosion. Due to the fact that the magnetic particles are grafted on the outer surface of the porous silica, the pores are still accessible for further modification, which could widen the application range of porous silica.     

A new approach to the design of surface treatments for reinforcing agents

A new approach for design of improved interfacial bonding between carbon fibers and polymeric matrices is described. In this method the affinity of surface-treated carbon fibers to various polymer matrices is simulated by analyzing the adsorption characteristics of model compounds, typical of the polymer units, onto very high surface area carbon fibers. The affinity can be evaluated by the use of Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) to measure adsorption–desorption characteristics. Since high surface area, activated carbon fibers (ACF) can be chemically treated to obtain acidic, basic, nonpolar or highly polar surfaces, it should be possible to assess the interactions of chemically modified surfaces with model compounds such as methanol (MeOH), acetone, dimethylformamide (DMF), dimethylether, tetrahydrofuran (THF) and water. Some preliminary results are presented, indicating that surface treatments for carbon fibers other than oxidation may lead to enhanced bonding with polymeric matrices.     

Synthesis of (-)-2s,3s, 11s,12r-2,3,11,12-tetraphenyl[18]crown-6

The synthesis of ( - ) 2S,3S,11S,12R-2, 3,11,12-tetraphenyl [18]-crown-6 from (-)-1S,2S-hydrobenzoin and meso-hydrobenzoin is described. Chemical shifts and vicinal coupling constants of the benzylic protons in the 2 S, 3 S and 11 S,12 R substructures in the free ligands and in complexes with KSCN and 1-phenylethylammonium bromides and a brief discussion of the related conformational changes are also presented. A detailed procedure for the resolution of racemic hydrobenzoin is given.     

Mass spectrometric diagnosis of the surface nitriding mechanism in a d.c. glow discharge

Reactive constituents have been investigated in a molecular beam generated in the cathode surface glow area and surface boundary layer. Mixtures of nitrogen and hydrogen form NH_x(x=0–4) compounds, which are of relevance in heterogeneous, plasma vs. metal nitriding reactions. Ammonia decomposition leads to NH_x(x=2–4). Strong cataphoretic enrichment of hydrogen has been observed in the cathode glow area. Heterogeneous reactions of NH_x with iron lead to the formation of iron nitrides via intermediates such as FeNH_2–3. In a pulsed d.c. glow discharge, increased sputtering and decreased hydrogen enrichment have been observed.     

Coordination of solvent molecules to VO(acac)<Subscript>2</Subscript> complexes in solution studied by hyperfine sublevel correlation spectroscopy and pulsed electron nuclear double resonance

Interactions and binding sites of the solvent molecules chloroform and ethanol to bis(acetylacetonate)oxovanadium(IV) (VO(acac)₂) complexes in (frozen) solutions have been investigated by pulsed electron nuclear double resonance, sum peak electron spin echo envelope modulation and hyperfine sublevel correlation spectroscopy. The experimental proton hyperfine coupling data of coordinating solvent molecules have been interpreted using quantum chemical calculations (density functional theory). Experimental and computed hyperfine couplings indicate that ethanol coordinates to vanadium in the equatorial plane of VO(acac)₂ and chloroform interacts via hydrogen bonding to oxygens of the acac ligands.     

An optimal two-step quadratic spline collocation method for the Dirichlet biharmonic problem

Numerical Algorithms - A two-step quadratic spline collocation method is formulated for the solution of the Dirichlet biharmonic problem on the unit square rewritten as a coupled system of two...