Protein adsorption in porous adsorbent particles: A multiscale modeling study on inner radial humps in the concentration profiles of adsorbed protein induced by nonuniform ligand density distributions

Recently published results determined from molecular dynamics (MD) modeling and simulation studies have shown that the spatial distribution of the density of immobilized charged ligands in ion‐exchange porous adsorbent particles is most likely nonuniform and the adsorbent particles also exhibit local nonelectroneutrality. In this work, the functional forms of the nonuniform spatial distributions of the density of the immobilized ligands in four different porous adsorbent media that were determined by MD studies were employed in a macroscopic continuum model describing the transport and adsorption of a single protein in the porous particles of the four different adsorbent media. The results clearly show that inner radial humps in the concentration profiles of the adsorbed protein can occur when the spatial distribution of the density of the immobilized ligands in the porous adsorbent particles is nonuniform and also has local maxima or minima along the radial direction in the particle. The results also indicate that the rate at which the equilibrium condition is approached depends significantly on the functional form of the spatial distribution of the density of the immobilized ligands. When adsorption equilibrium has been reached, the concentration profile of the adsorbed protein exhibits the shape of the spatial distribution of the density of the immobilized ligands. The results suggest that the technique of confocal scanning laser microscopy could be used to measure the concentration profile of an adsorbed protein at equilibrium and this measurement could provide the spatial distribution of the density of the immobilized ligands, and such measurements could also be used for quality control of the adsorbent medium. The results in this work have also implications in the modeling, design, analysis, and quality control of systems involving biocatalysis. Furthermore, the results clearly indicate that it is very important to study the dynamic behavior of an adsorption system having a nonuniform spatial distribution in the density of the immobilized charged ligands and where (i) both monovalent and multivalent interactions between the single charged adsorbate and the immobilized charged ligands occur and (ii) the values of the pH and ionic strength are such that the electrophoretic effects are active.     

Towards microphase separation in epoxy systems containing PEO/PPO/PEO block copolymers by controlling cure conditions and molar ratios between blocks. Part 2. Structural characterization

The influence of addition of poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(propylene oxide)-block-poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO–PPO–PEO) copolymers on final morphologies of modified epoxy matrices has been investigated as a function of PEO:PPO molar ratio and cure conditions by comparison with the cured epoxy blends only containing poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) or poly(propylene oxide) (PPO) homopolymers. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) has been used to characterize structural features of blends. Whilst diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A (DGEBA)/4,4’-diaminodiphenylmethane (DDM)/PPO system macrophase separates, the interactions between PEO and cured epoxy are responsible for miscibility of DGEBA/DDM/PEO system. Depending on PEO:PPO molar ratio, micro- or macrophase separated morphologies have been obtained for block copolymer modified epoxy matrices. Moreover, the influence of both copolymer content and cure temperature on final morphologies has also been investigated by both experimental and theoretical analysis.     

Effect of the manufacturing parameters on the structure of nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes produced by catalytic laser-induced chemical vapor deposition

Series of self-assembled and mono-dispersed bovine serum albumin (BSA)-conjugated ZnS/CuS nano-composites with different Zn/Cu ratios had been successfully synthesized by a combination method of the biomimetic synthesis and ion-exchange strategy under the gentle conditions. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy observation, Fourier transform infrared spectra and zeta potential analysis demonstrated that BSA-conjugated ZnS/CuS nano-composites with well dispersity had the hierarchical structure and BSA was a key factor to control the morphology and surface electro-negativity of final products. The real-time monitoring by atomic absorption spectroscopy and powder X-ray diffraction revealed that the Zn/Cu ratio of nano-composites could be controlled by adjusting the ion-exchange time. In addition, the metabolic and morphological assays indicated that the metabolic proliferation and spread of rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells could be inhibited by nano-composites, with the high anti-cancer activity at a low concentration (4 ppm). What were more important, Zn and Cu in nano-composites exhibited a positive cooperativity at inhibiting cancer cell functions. The microscope observation and biochemical marker analysis clearly revealed that the nano-composites-included lipid peroxidation and disintegration of membrane led to the death of PC12 cells. Summarily, the present study substantiated the potential of BSA-conjugated ZnS/CuS nano-composites as anti-cancer drug.     

MgHe~+和BeHe~+光谱的理论研究

用从头算MOLECULE—EPSCF程序计算得到MgHe~+的基电子态~2∑4s和三个激发电子态~2∑3p、~2∏3p、~2∑3s以及BeHe~+的基电子态~2∑3s和二个激发电子态~2∏2p、~2△3d的势能曲线,并在此基础上利用自编的程序计算不态—态间光谱跃迁的Franck—Condon因子。MgHe~+的~2∏3p、~2∑3s都有一个很深的势阱,~2∑4s有一个非常浅的势阱,~2∑3p没有势阱。BeHe~+的~2∏2p、~2△3d各有一个很深的势阱,基电子态~2∑3s有一个非常浅的势阱。     

Thermoplastic-modified epoxy resins cured with different functionalities amine mixtures. Kinetics and miscibility study

The kinetics of a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)-modified epoxy resin cured with different functionalities amine mixtures was analyzed using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) in both isothermal and dynamic conditions. A delay in the reaction rate was observed which increased with PMMA content. An approach of kinetic features involved in curing was carried out. A linear dependence of preexponential factors of neat systems with modifier content was considered. The approach shows the contribution of other factors including the dilution effect of the functional groups to the observed delay. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) indicated a noticeable change in the interactions present in neat systems due to the presence of PMMA. On the other hand, a significant influence of the ratio between each amine in the epoxy/amine mixtures on the final physical appearance was observed. At constant curing conditions, materials from completely opaque (phase separated) to transparent (miscible) were obtained with the increase in monoamine content.     

Temporal decorrelation of collective oscillations in neural networks with local inhibition and long-range excitation

We consider two neuronal networks coupled by long-range excitatory interactions. Oscillations in the gamma frequency band are generated within each network by local inhibition. When long-range excitation is weak, these oscillations phase lock with a phase shift dependent on the strength of local inhibition. Increasing the strength of long-range excitation induces a transition to chaos via period doubling or quasiperiodic scenarios. In the chaotic regime, oscillatory activity undergoes fast temporal decorrelation. The generality of these dynamical properties is assessed in firing-rate models as well as in large networks of conductance-based neurons.     

Analytical method for the determination of mycotoxins in indoor/outdoor airborne particulate matter by HPLC-MS-MS

An effective analytical method for the screening of mycotoxins, in indoor/outdoor airborne particulate matter, was developed and method performance data are presented. Mycotoxins are natural compounds produced, in particular conditions, as secondary metabolites by filamentous fungi and moulds, and, after their production, they can be transported far from their source. To simulate real samples, an urban dust (reference material 1649a) free from mycotoxins was used as matrix and spiked by the most common mycotoxins, chosen on the basis of studies carried out previously in other real matrices: deoxynivalenol, aflatoxin B1, ochratoxin A, T-2 toxin, zearalenone and sterigmatocystin. The analytical method was optimised and structured in four successive steps: (1) accelerated solvent extraction of the (spiked) analytes from matrix, (2) solid-phase purification (SPE) of the previous extract, (3) pre-concentration of the eluates from SPE and (4) analysis of the concentrated eluates by high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry in multiple reaction monitoring mode. After a proper sampling campaign, the method was applied to real indoor and outdoor particulate matter samples, where the clean-up step showed to be very effective and fundamental to avoid misleading analytical results.     

H-mode inductive coupling plasma for PVC surface treatment

An inductively coupled plasma machine has been modified to be able to apply working powers in the order of 1 kW, thus switching to the real inductive H-mode. The plasma is generated by applying a 13.56 MHz radio-frequency to a λ/4 antenna outside the plasma chamber in low pressure conditions. The working gas is argon at pressure in the range from 10 to 100 Pa. With this high power source we have been able to perform plasma etching on a poly(vinyl-chloride) (PVC) film. In particular the effect of the plasma is the selective removal of hydrogen and chlorine from the sample surface. The action of the high power plasma on the sample has been proved to be much more effective than that of the low power one. Results similar to those obtained with the low power machine at about 300 W for 120 min, have been obtained with the high power source at about 600 W for 30 min. The superficial generation of a conductive layer of double C=C bonds was obtained. The samples have been investigated by means of ATR spectroscopy, FIB/SEM microscopy and micro-electrical measurements, which revealed the change in charge conductivity.