Differential ordering of the protein backbone and side chains during protein folding revealed by site-specific recombinant infrared probes

The time scale for ordering of the polypeptide backbone relative to the side chains is a critical issue in protein folding. The interplay between ordering of the backbone and ordering of the side chains is particularly important for the formation of β-sheet structures, as the polypeptide chain searches for the native stabilizing cross-strand interactions. We have studied these issues in the N-terminal domain of protein L9 (NTL9), a model protein with mixed α/β structure. We have developed a general approach for introducing site-specific IR probes for the side chains (azide) and backbone ((13)C═(18)O) using recombinant protein expression. Temperature-jump time-resolved IR spectroscopy combined with site-specific labeling enables independent measurement of the respective backbone and side-chain dynamics with single residue resolution. We have found that side-chain ordering in a key region of the β-sheet structure occurs on a slower time scale than ordering of the backbone during the folding of NTL9, likely as a result of the transient formation of non-native side-chain interactions.     

Thermal expansion and heat capacity measurements on Ba10?xCsx(PO4)6Cl2?δ, (x?=?0, 0.5) chloroapatites synthesized by sonochemical process

Ba_10−x Cs _x (PO₄)₆Cl₂, (x = 0, 0.5) chloroapatite ceramics were prepared by sonochemical method of synthesis. The measured room temperature lattice parameters of Ba₁₀ (PO₄)₆Cl₂ and Ba_9.5Cs_0.5 (PO₄)₆Cl_2−δ are practically the same; that is, a = 10.26 (8), c = 7.65 (7) and a = 10.27 (7), c = 7.65 (5), respectively. Heat capacity measurements were carried out on these materials by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) in the temperature range 298–800 K. The heat capacity values of Ba_9.5Cs_0.5(PO₄)₆Cl_2−δ are found to be slightly higher at all temperatures than those of Ba₁₀(PO₄)₆Cl₂. From the heat capacity data, other thermodynamic functions such as enthalpy and entropy increments were computed. The heat capacity values of Ba₁₀(PO₄)₆Cl₂ and Ba_9.5Cs_0.5(PO₄)₆Cl_2−δ at 298 K are 0.3912 and 0.4310 J K⁻¹ g⁻¹, respectively. Thermal expansion property of the doped and undoped barium chloroapatites was measured by using a home built dilatometer which uses LVDT as displacement sensor. The bulk thermal expansion of Ba₁₀(PO₄)Cl₂ and Ba_9.5Cs_0.5(PO₄)Cl_2−δ is observed to be about 0.9% in the temperature range of 298–973 K.     

Raman Spectroscopic Analysis of Perovskite-Structured Alkali Metal Fluorides Containing Nickel and Copper Ions

ABSTRACT

The mixed metal fluorides containing alkali metals have a range of important applications in optical and electronic devices. Raman spectrums of two such fluorides were examined. Raman spectrum of KCuF₃ at 300 K exhibited bands at 261, 295, 363, 468, 519, and 549 cm^?1, indicating site symmetry (orthorhombic) lower than the tetragonal symmetry as observed from the powder X-ray diffraction pattern. Cubic KNiF₃ showed bands at 410, 468, and 657 cm^?1. The first two bands were attributed to the second-order phonon scattering, and the band at 657 cm^?1 was assigned to two-magnon peak.     

Magnetization and specific heat studies of RNi4Ga (RSm,Gd and Tb)

In order to elucidate the anomalous magnetic properties in the ferromagnetically ordered state of SmNi₄Ga GdNi₄Ga and TbNi₄Ga, we have carried out a detailed study with magnetization and specific heat (SH) measurements. GdNi₄Ga shows the possibility of a filled 3d band and a helical spin arrangement below the ordering temperature. TbNi₄Ga shows a dominant crystal field effect resulting in a deviation of T_C from the de-Gennes scaling and possible Schottky anomalies in the SH. SmNi₄Ga shows a large coercivity at low temperatures. A rough estimate of the domain wall thickness in SmNi₄Ga gives a value of 8 Å.     

Fuzzy linear programming with vague objective coefficients in an uncertain environment

In this paper, a new fuzzy linear programming (FLP)-based methodology using a specific membership function named modified logistic membership function is proposed. The modified logistic membership function is first formulated and its flexibility established by an analytical approach. This membership function is tested for its useful performance through an illustrative example by employing FLP. The developed methodology of FLP has provided confidence in applying to real-life industrial production planning problem. This approach of solving industrial production planning problem can provide feedback to the decision maker, implementer and analyst. In such cases, this approach can be called interactive FLP. There is a possibility to design the self-organizing of the fuzzy system for the product mix selection problem in order to find a satisfactory solution. The decision maker, analyst and implementer can incorporate their knowledge and experience to obtain the best outcome.     

Superconductivity in layered nickel oxides

Likely presence of superconductivity in layered nickelates of K₂NiF₄ structure is pointed out.     

Molecular dynamics studies of brittle fracture in vitreous silica: Review and recent progress

The dynamics of brittle fracture in vitreous silica has been a subject of many molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and experiments. A striking similarity between both simulations and experiments is the observation of nanoscale voids that eventually coalesce leading to failure. In this work, we review the above MD simulations and carry out further MD investigations using two variations of classical 2-body potentials. We study the effect of charge-transfer, an important aspect neglected by previous simulations. Further, we examine the growth of ‘critical’ voids and characterize regions surrounding the voids.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the addition of iodine monochloride to some alkenes in nitrobenzene solvent. Effect of polarity of the solvent

The kinetics of the addition of iodine monochloride (ICl) to some vinyl compounds in nitrobenzene solvent was investigated. In all cases the reaction follows second order dependence on ICl and first order on the substrate, making the total order three. Rate constants were measured for each substrate at 20°, 30°, 40° and 50°C.Arrhenius plots were made from which activation energies were evaluated. Other kinetic and thermodynamic parameters are reported. A suitable mechanism is proposed for the reaction and based on this, the various parameters are discussed. Solvent effects are discussed and the data with nitrobenzene and acetic acid solvents are compared.

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Kinetik und Mechanismus der Addition vonICl zu einigen Alkenen in Nitrobenzol als Lösungsmittel. Effekt der Polarität des Lösungsmittels

Zusammenfassung Die Kinetik der Addition von ICl zu einigen Vinylverbindungen in Nitrobenzol als Lösungsmittel wurde untersucht. In allen Fällen ist die Reaktion von zweiter Ordnung hinsichtlich ICl und von erster Ordnung hinsichtlich des Substrats, d. h. mit einer Gesamtordnung von drei. Geschwindigkeitskonstanten wurden für jedes Substrat bei 20°, 30°, 40° und 50°C gemessen. AusArrhenius-Diagrammen wurden Aktivierungsenergien ermittelt und auch andere kinetische und thermodynamische Parameter wurden bestimmt. Ein Mechanismus wird vorgeschlagen, wobei die verschiedenen Parameter diskutiert werden. Lösungsmitteleffekte werden ebenfalls diskutiert und die Daten mit Nitrobenzol und Essigsäure als Lösungsmittel miteinander verglichen.

     

Application of Pschorr reaction to N-(o-aminobenzoyl)-benzyl and phenethyl amines and to N-(o-aminophenylacetyl) anilines

Decomposition of the diazonium chloride from N-(o-aminobenzoyl)-N-methylbenzylamine led to the formation of 3-benzyl-3, 4-dihydrobenzo-triazin-4-one (8), N-benzoylbenzylamine (11), N-benzylphthalimidine (13) ando-diphenic acid N-methyl amide (14), the last one presumably through the intermediary, the expected dibenzazepinone 16. From the analogue, N-(o-aminobenzoyl)-4-methoxybenzyl amine (4), triazinone 10 and N-benzoyl-4-methoxybenzyl amine (12) were obtained. Application of Pschorr reaction to N-(o-aminobenzoyl)-N-methyl-β-(4-methoxyphenyl) ethyl amine (23) afforded 2-methoxy-7-methyl-5, 6, 7, 8- tetrahydrodibenzo (c, e) azocin-8-one (26), with an interesting conformation. From N-(o-aminophenylacetyl)-p-methoxyaniline were obtained under these conditions, indazole-3-carboxylic acidp-anisidide (35) and N-[2-(4-methoxyphenyl carbamoylmethyl) phenyl]-1-(p-methoxyphenyl) isatin-β-hydrazone (37). The structure of 37 was deduced from spectral data and hydrolysis to the acid 42. Diazotisation of N-(o-aminophenylacetyl)-1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydroquinoline (47) led to the formation of tetrahydroquinoline (49) ando-hydroxyphenyl acetic acid (50) presumably through the salicylamide 48. A similar reaction on N-(o-aminophenylacetyl) tetrahydroisoquinoline (52) gave the benzofurandione hydrazone 55, besides tetrahydroisoquinoline. Oxindole 45 and benzofuranone 56 were likely precursors for 37 and 55 respectively. Salicylamides 5, 7, 24 and 34 were byproducts in the Pschorr reaction.