Monolayer formation of short helical turn forming peptide derivatives at the air–water and air–solid interfaces

Two tetrapeptide derivatives [peptide A (Boc–Ala–Ile–Ile–Gly–OMe) and peptide B (Boc–Ala–Ile–Leu–Ser–OMe)], that take helical turn conformation in solution, were shown to form monolayer at the air/water interface. Circular dichroism (CD) measurements indicate that peptide A has more helical turn propensity than peptide B in sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) micelles. Langmuir–Blodgget film study of peptides A and B suggest that both the peptides form stable monolayer at the air/water interface. Spectroscopic investigations reveal that peptide A forms helical turn assemblage on transferring the film into hydrophilic quartz and hydrophobic ZnSe surfaces. Whereas, peptide B adopts β-sheet structure on hydrophilic surface and a mixture of β-sheet and helical turn conformation on hydrophobic surface.     

Natural bond orbital analysis and vibrational spectroscopic studies of H-bonded N,N′-diphenylguanidinium nitrate

NIR-FT Raman and FT-IR spectra of the crystallized biologically active molecule N,N′-diphenylguanidinium nitrate (DGN) have been recorded and analyzed using quantum chemical computations based on density functional theory. The extraordinary basicity and strong stability of this novel bioactive compound has been discussed as the consequence of resonance stabilization leading to Y-aromaticity and hydrogen bonding. This peculiar Y-delocalization character of DGN is well reflected in the optimized geometry and bond order (BO) calculations. The observance of the equality of C–N bond lengths in the protonated species indicates delocalization of the π-electron system. The spectroscopic and natural bonds orbital (NBO) analysis confirms the occurrence of strong network of inter molecular hydrogen bonds. The changes in electron density in the global minimum and in the energy of hyperconjugative interactions of DGN calculated by second order perturbation theory have been studied extensively in comparison with the values of the neutral species. The observed characteristic ring vibrations are well fit with the theoretical values calculated at B3LYP/6-31G* level.     

Properties of ZnSe films pulse electrodeposited in the presence of phosphotungstic acid

ZnSe films were pulse-electrodeposited on conducting glass substrates with and without the addition of phosphotungstic acid. X-ray diffraction studies indicated the formation of single phase cubic ZnSe. Addition of phosphotungstic acid resulted in films with nanocrystallites. The band gap of the films was found to increase due to addition of phosphotungstic acid. The films had a crystallite size of the order of 15nm and a surface roughness of 1.8nm. Laser Raman studies exhibited the LO phonon peaks of ZnSe. The films were found to possess a slight excess of Se as evident from the energy dispersive X-ray analysis measurements.     

Vibrational spectra and potential energy distributions for 1‐benzyl‐1H‐imidazole by normal coordinate analysis

The Fourier‐transform (FT) Raman and infrared (IR) spectra of the crystallized novel pharmaceutical molecule 1‐benzyl‐1H‐imidazole (BI) were recorded and analyzed. The geometry, intermolecular hydrogen bond, and harmonic vibrational wavenumbers of BI were investigated with the help of B3PW91 density functional theory (DFT) methods. The detailed interpretation of the vibrational spectra was carried out with the aid of normal coordinate analysis (NCA) following the scaled quantum mechanical force field methodology (SQMFF). The aromaticities of the imidazole and phenyl rings were studied using the standard harmonic oscillator model of aromaticity (HOMA) index. Natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis on BI was carried out to demonstrate the various intramolecular interactions that are responsible for the stabilization of this molecule leading to its medicinal activity. The potential energy profile corresponding to the torsion around the bridge bonds connecting the two rings was drawn to explain the steric and/or electronic effects using potential energy surface (PES) scan studies. The pronounced double‐bond localization in the imidazole ring upon intermolecular H‐bonding appears to be the cause for its enhanced aromaticity. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis,Characterization and Biospecific Degradation Behavior of Sulfated Chitin

Chitin is a polysaccharide found in the outer skeleton of insects, crabs, shrimps, and lobsters and in the internal structures of other invertebrates. Sulfated chitin was prepared by reacting carboxymethyl chitin (CM-chitin) with 2-aminoethane sulfonic acid by using 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide (EDC) catalyst. The prepared sulfated chitin was characterized by FTIR, elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The degree of substitution was found to be 0.98 by elemental analysis. The TGA studies showed that sulfated chitin was less thermal stability than carboxymethyl chitin. This is due to the grafting reaction. The sulfated chitin membranes were prepared from sulfated chitin and then crosslink with glutaradehyde. The biodegradation process was performed in PBS (pH 7.4) containing lysozyme (10 µg/ml) at 37 °C in an incubator. Experimental results from weight loss throughout the study showed that the biospecific degradation occur on the membrane by lysozyme.     

Experimental Investigation of Nonlinear Vibration Isolator with Fluidic Actuators (NLVIFA)

This paper elaborates a nonlinear fluidic low frequency vibration isolator designed with the characteristics of quasi-zero stiffness (QZS). The existing model of QZS vibration isolator enhances amplitude of vibration and attenuating vibration frequencies. This concern with displacement plays a vital role in the performance and instability of oblique spring setup reduces the isolator performance in horizontal non-nominal loads, in this accordance; this paper associates double acting hydraulic cylinder (fluidic actuators in short) in oblique and helical coil spring. An approximate expression of unique analytical relationship between the stiffness of vertical spring and bulk modulus of the fluid is derived for Quasi – Zero Stiffness Non-Linear Vibration Isolator with Fluidic Actuators (NLVIFA in short) system and the force transmissibility is formulated and damping ratio are discussed for characteristic analysis. Modal analysis carried out and compared with analytical results and an experimental prototype is developed and investigated. The performance of the NLVIFA reduces the external embarrassment more at low frequencies and the series of experimental studies showing that the soft nonlinearity causes limitation in the resonant frequency thereupon the isolation will be enhanced and NLVIFA greatly outperform some other type of nonlinear isolators.     

Highly diastereoselective multicomponent synthesis of unsymmetrical imidazolines

We report here a highly diastereoselective multicomponent synthesis of imidazolines. These low molecular weight scaffolds contain a four-point diversity applicable to alkyl, aryl, acyl, and hetereocyclic substitutions. [structure: see text]     

Enhanced hydrogen generation by particles during sonochemical decomposition of water

A novel effect of any oxide particle/intermetallics enhancing hydrogen generation from water as compared to water alone when subjected to ultrasonic irradiation is reported here. Addition of methanol to water or decrease in particle size also improved the hydrogen yield. Hydrogen generation from water was further enhanced by the presence of both methanol and particles in water.     

Pullulan hydrogels improve mesenchymal stem cell delivery into high-oxidative-stress wounds

Cell-based therapies for wound repair are limited by inefficient delivery systems that fail to protect cells from the acute inflammatory environment. Here, a biomimetic hydrogel system is described that is based on the polymer pullulan, a carbohydrate glucan known to exhibit potent antioxidant capabilities. It is shown that pullulan hydrogels are an effective cell delivery system and improve mesenchymal stem cell survival and engraftment in high-oxidative-stress environments. The results suggest that glucan hydrogel systems may prove beneficial for progenitor-cell-based approaches to skin regeneration.     

Practical approach for macroporous structure embedded microfluidic system and the catalytic microchemical application

We present a low cost and practical approach to integrate 3D ordered macroporous polyfluoropolyether (PFPE) patterns into a microchannel by a series of porous pattern fabrication processes and subsequent photolithography in a site- and shape-selective manner. The 3D ordered macroporous patterns with high-resolution edges were firstly fabricated by microtransfer molding (μ-TM) of the sacrificial polystyrene (PS) template infiltrated with PFPE as a non-adhesive and solvent-resistant skeletal material. The resulting robust PFPE porous structures with high solvent resistance on a silicon wafer can easily be embedded into the microchannel with the aid of conventional photolithography, leading to a microfluidic system with a built-in microstructure. Moreover, catalytic Pd nanoparticles implanted on the surface of the porous structure were obtained by use of Pd nanoparticle deposited PS spheres, the porous structure embedded channel was utilized to perform a Suzuki coupling reaction.