Molecular dynamics study of polarizability anisotropy relaxation in aromatic liquids and its connection with local structure

The collective polarizability anisotropy dynamics in a set of three aromatic liquids, benzene (Bz), hexafluorobenzene (HFB), and 1,3,5-trifluorobenzene (TFB), has been studied by molecular dynamics simulation. These liquids have very similar shapes, but different electrostatic interactions due to opposite polarities of C-H and C-F bonds, giving rise to different local intermolecular structures in the liquid phase. We have investigated how these structural arrangements affect polarizability anisotropy dynamics observed in optical Kerr-effect (OKE) spectroscopy. We have modeled the interaction-induced polarizability with the first-order dipole-induced dipole approximation, with the molecular polarizability distributed over the carbon sites. Local contributions to the librational OKE spectrum were computed separately for molecules participating in parallel or perpendicular relative orientations within the first coordination shell. We found that the relative locations of parallel and perpendicular librational bands of the OKE spectra are closely related to the corresponding pair energy distributions of the closest four neighbors of a given molecule, corresponding to a model of a harmonic oscillator in a cage of nearest neighbors. This model predicts higher librational frequencies for more attractive intermolecular interactions, which in all three liquids correspond to parallel local arrangements. On the diffusive orientational time scale, all three liquids exhibit slower relaxation of molecules in parallel arrangements, although the difference in relaxation rates is substantial only in TFB, which has the strongest tendency toward parallel stacking. The analysis of the collective polarizability relaxation was performed using two different approaches, the projection scheme (J. Chem. Phys. 1980, 72, 2801) and the theory developed by Steele (Mol. Phys. 1987, 61, 1031) for the second time derivatives applied to collective time correlations. Both approaches allow the decomposition of the OKE response into contributions from orientational relaxation and other dynamical processes. We find that they lead to different predictions on how the response depends on collective reorientation and processes arising from fluctuations in the interaction-induced polarizability. We discuss the reasons for these differences and the advantages and disadvantages of the two analysis schemes.     

Solvation of coumarin 153 in supercritical fluoroform

We present a study of local density augmentation around an attractive solute (i.e., giving rise to more attractive interaction with the solvent than solvent-solvent interactions) in supercritical fluoroform. This work is based on molecular dynamics simulations of coumarin 153 in supercritical fluoroform at densities both above and below the critical density, ranging from dilute gas-like to liquid-like, at a reduced temperature (T/T(c)) of 1.03. We focused on studying the structure of the solvation shell and the variation of the solute electronic absorption and emission shifts with density. Quantum calculations at the density functional theory (DFT) level were run on the solute in the ground state, and time-dependent DFT calculations were performed in the solute excited state in order to determine the solute-solvent potential parameters. The results obtained for the Stokes shift are in agreement with the experimental measurements. To evaluate local density augmentation from simulations, we used two different definitions, one based on the solvation number and the other derived from solvatochromic shifts. In the former case, the agreement with experimental results is good, while, in the latter case, better agreement is achieved by perturbatively including the induced-dipole contribution to the solvation energy.     

A validated assay by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry for the simultaneous quantification of elvitegravir and rilpivirine in HIV positive patients

Because of the large variability in the pharmacokinetics of anti‐HIV drugs, therapeutic drug monitoring in patients may contribute to optimize the overall efficacy and safety of antiretroviral therapy. An LC–MS/MS method for the simultaneous assay in plasma of the novel antiretroviral agents rilpivirine (RPV) and elvitegravir (EVG) has been developed to that endeavor. Plasma samples (100 μL) extraction is performed by protein precipitation with acetonitrile, and the supernatant is subsequently diluted 1:1 with 20‐mM ammonium acetate/MeOH 50:50. After reverse‐phase chromatography, quantification of RPV and EVG, using matrix‐matched calibration samples, is performed by electrospray ionization–triple quadrupole mass spectrometry by selected reaction monitoring detection using the positive mode. The stable isotopic‐labeled compounds RPV‐¹³C6 and EVG‐D6 were used as internal standards. The method was validated according to FDA recommendations, including assessment of extraction yield, matrix effects variability (<6.4%), as well as EVG and RPV short and long‐term stability in plasma. Calibration curves were validated over the clinically relevant concentrations ranging from 5 to 2500 ng/ml for RPV and from 50 to 5000 ng/ml for EVG. The method is precise (inter‐day CV%: 3–6.3%) and accurate (3.8–7.2%). Plasma samples were found to be stable (<15%) in all considered conditions (RT/48 h, +4°C/48 h, ?20°C/3 months and 60°C/1 h). Selected metabolite profiles analysis in patients' samples revealed the presence of EVG glucuronide, that was well separated from parent EVG, allowing to exclude potential interferences through the in‐source dissociation of glucuronide to parent drug. This new, rapid and robust LCMS/MS assay for the simultaneous quantification of plasma concentrations of these two major new anti‐HIV drugs EVG and RPV offers an efficient analytical tool for clinical pharmacokinetics studies and routine therapeutic drug monitoring service. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Linoleic acid peroxidation vs. isomerization: a biomimetic model of free radical reactivity in the presence of thiols

Biomimetic models of free radical-induced transformation of polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as micelles and liposomes, have been used for the study of lipid peroxidation and lipid isomerization. Free radical reactivity of thiol compounds is the common link between the two processes, since lipid peroxidation is inhibited by thiols, due to their H-donation ability, whereas lipid isomerization is catalysed by S-centered radicals. In this paper the two processes are compared for the first time, in solution and under biomimetic conditions, demonstrating that hydroperoxides and trans lipids are formed to comparable extents as a result of oxidative free radical conditions. The biomimetic model of micelles of linoleic acid, prepared by addition of a non-ionic surfactant (TWEEN(?)-20) and 2-mercaptoethanol as the amphiphilic thiol, was irradiated by ionizing radiation up to 400 Gy under various conditions. In air-equilibrated solutions, the cis-trans isomerization process was observed with a catalytic cycle of 370 together with a substantial amount of hydroperoxides (LOOH). The effect of micelle size was also studied in order to envisage the effect of the supramolecular organization on the outcome of the two processes, and in particular, for the positional preference of the double bond isomerization.     

Full ordering in the Shorrocks mobility sense of the semiring of monotone doubly stochastic matrices

In this paper, we investigate the ordering on a semiring of monotone doubly stochastic transition matrices in Shorrocks’ sense. We identify a class of an equilibrium index of mobility that induces the full ordering in a semiring, while this ordering is compatible with Dardanoni’s partial ordering on a set of monotone primitive irreducible doubly stochastic matrices.     

Chemical analysis of sulfur species in geothermal waters

Analytical methods have been developed to determine sulfur species concentrations in natural geothermal waters using Reagent-Free™ Ion Chromatography (RF™-IC), titrations and spectrophotometry. The sulfur species include SO₄²⁻, S₂O₃²⁻, and ∑S²⁻ with additional determination of SO₃²⁻ and S_xO₆²⁻ that remains somewhat semiquantitative. The observed workable limits of detections were ≤0.5 μM depending on sample matrix and the analytical detection limits were 0.1 μM. Due to changes in sulfur species concentrations upon storage, on-site analyses of natural water samples were preferred. Alternatively, the samples may be stabilized on resin for later elution and analysis in the laboratory. The analytical method further allowed simultaneous determination of other anions including F⁻, Cl⁻, dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and NO₃⁻ without sample preservation or stabilization. The power of the newly developed methods relies in routine analysis of sulfur speciation of importance in natural waters using techniques and facilities available in most laboratories doing water sample analysis. The new methods were successfully applied for the determination of sulfur species concentrations in samples of natural and synthetic waters.     

Colloid-chemical processes in the growth and design of the bio-inorganic aragonite structure in the scleractinian coral Cladocora caespitosa

This study describes the morphological properties and discusses the colloid-chemical mechanisms of the formation of hierarchically structured aragonite fibers in the exoskeleton structure of the Mediterranean zooxanthellate scleractinian coral Cladocora caespitosa. The study is based on a detailed structural and morphological examination of the coral exoskeleton and on a preliminary biochemical and molecular identification of the isolated soluble proteinaceus organic matrix. The biomineral structure was examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and atomic-force microscopy (AFM), while the isolated protein organic constituents were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). The SDS-PAGE analysis of the soluble protein matrix showed three major protein bands at 15, 41, and 80kDa. Based on the MALDI-TOF-MS analyses, the identified peptides tend to exhibit an acidic character. The results obtained confirm and complement the existing hypotheses relating to the significant role of the soluble acidic protein matrix and the biologically induced colloid-chemical processes in the phase formation and growth of scleractinian submicrometer fibrous aragonite units. It was also shown that the general strategy for the morphogenesis of fibrous structured aragonite lies in the nanoscale aggregation and subsequent coalescence processes that occur simultaneously. The subsequent morphological conversion of the initially formed submicrometer fibrous aragonite units into well-defined, micrometer-sized, prismatic facets in the skeletal structures of the corals is demonstrated.     

Anthranilamides with quinoline and β-carboline scaffolds: design,synthesis, and biological activity

Molecular Diversity - In the present study, we report the design and synthesis of novel amide-type hybrid molecules based on anthranilic acid and quinoline or β-carboline heterocyclic...