Electrophoretic deposition as a tool for separation of protein inclusion bodies from host bacteria in suspension

This paper shows, for the first time, that the electrophoretic deposition technique is able to selectively collect protein inclusion bodies (PBs) from the host bacteria suspensions. In the first step, zeta potential as a function of pH is carefully determined for both species involved. Based on the obtained dependencies, the pH of the mixture of PBs and bacteria is precisely adjusted and the electrophoretic experiment is carried out. We show that the efficiency of separation and the yield depends not only on the electrokinetic properties of given species but also on the electrode composition and surface morphology. The deposited species are easily removed by forced washing or reverse electric field. As a whole, the selectivity and the yields are higher than in most alternative state-of-the art techniques.     

1′-Acetylferrocene amino acid esters and amides. A simple model for parallel β-helical peptides

In this study we present a synthesis and conformational analysis of 1′-acetylferrocene amino acid derivatives of type Ac–Fn–CO–AA–Y (Fn=ferrocene-1,1-diyl; AA=Gly, Ala or Val; Y=OMe or NHMe) as a simple model for parallel β-helical peptides. Derivatives with only one amino acid adopt a reduced number of total conformations and allow a more exact analysis of intramolecular hydrogen bonds (IHB) close to the ferrocene unit. Conformational analysis of these bioconjugates was performed by a combination of spectroscopic techniques (IR, NMR and CD) and corroborated by solution-phase DFT calculations. The investigation of ester conjugates 1–3 indicates the coexistence of non-bonded (an open forms) and hydrogen bonded NH_a group forming a 7-membered ring (γ-turn). The amide derivatives 4–6 with an additional NH_b hydrogen bond donor are mostly constituted of conformers with a 10-membered ring (β-turn) as a single IHB pattern or the β-turn accompanied by a 7-membered ring (γ-turn) containing NH_a group. The exchange of the amino acid side-chain does not significantly affect the conformational properties and IHB pattern of the studied conjugates 1–6.     

Versatile Organometallic Initiators for the Living Polymerization of Isocyanates

Shashoua and Sweeney first demonstrated that isocyanates could by polymerized via an anionic mechanism to form high molecular weight materials. We have sought to eliminate the problems associated with the anionic procedure by developing transition metal complexes which are capable of catalyzing the living polymerization of isocyanates. Recently, we reported the living polymerization of alkyl isocyanates using TiCl₃OCH₂CF₃, I. Using I, polyisocyanates with controlled molecular weights and narrow polydispersities can be obtained at room temperature. ε⁵-CpTiCl₂N(CH₃)₂ (Cp = cyclopentadienyl), III, is also an excellent catalyst for the polymerization of isocyanates, and in terms of ease of handling and purification and tolerance toward monomer functionality, superior to I. In order to prepare triblock copolymers containing amorphous segments sandwiched between two isocyanate segments, we have prepared bimetallic initiators comprised of titanium alkoxides con- nected by flexible linkers. These linkers may be a small molecule (1,4- dihydroxycyclohexane, V) or a polymer (polydimethylsiloxane, PDMS, VI). Complexes V and VI can be used to initiate the living polymerization of isocyanates to yield polymers possessing central cyclohexyl bends (ldquo;broken worms rdquo;) or PDMS segments (triblock copolymers), respectively. Finally, cyclopolymerizations of 1,2-diisocyanates using these or- ganometallic initiators are reported.     

Synthesis,structure and properties of eight novel molybdenum(VI) complexes of the types: [MoO2LD] and [{MoO2L}2D] (L = thiosemicarbazonato ligand,D = N-donor molecule)

Eight new molybdenum(VI) complexes with 4-(diethylamino)salicylaldehyde and 2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde thiosemicarbazones have been prepared. They were characterized as mononuclear [MoO₂LD] or dinuclear [{MoO₂L}₂D] complexes. In all the compounds the MoO₂²⁺ core is coordinated by a tridentate ONS thiosemicarbazonato ligand and by the N-donor molecule (imidazole, pyridine or γ-picoline). All the complexes were characterized by chemical analysis, IR spectroscopy and thermogravimetry. Three of the mononuclear complexes, dioxo[(2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde thiosemicarbazonato)(pyridine)]molybdenum(VI), dioxo[(2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde thiosemicarbazonato)(γ-picoline)]molybdenum(VI) and dioxo[(2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde thiosemicarbazonato)(imidazole)]molybdenum(VI) were also characterized by single-crystal X-ray structural analysis. A spectrophotometric method for the determination of molybdenum based on extraction of ion-pairs formed by the cationic surfactant and the [MoO(SCN)₄]⁻ anion is described.     

Electronic structure of substituted benzoquinones and quinonechloroimides

The electronic structures of several halogen substituted bezoquinones and benzoquinoneimines have been studied by HeI/HeII photoelectron spectroscopy and Green's function calculations. The information on the electronic structure is discussed in the context of their electron-transfer properties and biological activity.     

Influence of surfactant addition on the stability of concentrated alumina dispersions in water

The goal of this study was to assess the effects of surfactant addition on the stability and viscosity of concentrated alumina dispersions. The stabilizing effects of several candidate surfactants were investigated for concentrated dispersions of two different pseudoboehmite aluminas at pH 4 and 7. The stabilities of concentrated alumina dispersions treated by pH adjustment alone and by pH adjustment combined with surfactant addition were compared to assess the degree to which the surfactant enhanced stability. The initial rate of mass removal from a sedimenting alumina dispersion was used as a measure of stability.

The anionic surfactants Surfine WNT-A and DOWFAX 3B2 were identified as effective in enhancing the stability of concentrated alumina dispersions. The optimal doses of these surfactants for stabilizing 15% by weight VERSAL™ 250 alumina dispersions at pH 4 were determined to be about 4.6 × 10⁻⁵ mol g⁻¹ for both surfactants. On the basis of the initial rate of mass removal, surfactant-stabilized 15 wt.% suspensions were found to be approximately 2.5 and 10.6 times more stable than similar dispersions stabilized electrostatically by pH adjustment alone. These more stable dispersions exhibited lower viscosities than observed for the alumina dispersions not subjected to surfactant addition. The results indicate that the stability of concentrated alumina dispersions can be enhanced by anionic surfactant addition, and that such surfactants may therefore help to control the rheology of concentrated dispersions of alumina in water.     

Terror and Counterterror Operations: Differential Game with Cyclical Nash Solution

The purpose of this paper is to study efficient measures to combat terror. To choose efficient actions against terror organizations, the response of terrorists has to be taken into consideration. Thus, an appropriate framework to study the intertemporal strategic interactions of Western governments and terror organizations is dynamic game theory. Using the open-loop Nash solution concept, it turns out that the system may exhibit long-run persistent oscillations. However, transitory behavior is nonunique.