The dynamics of unfolded versus folded tRNA: the role of electrostatic interactions

The dynamics of RNA contributes to its biological functions such as ligand recognition and catalysis. Using quasielastic neutron scattering spectroscopy, we show that Mg(2+) greatly increases the picosecond to nanosecond dynamics of hydrated tRNA while stabilizing its folded structure. Analyses of the atomic mean-squared displacement, relaxation time, persistence length, and fraction of mobile atoms showed that unfolded tRNA is more rigid than folded tRNA. This same result was found for a sulfonated polystyrene, indicating that the increased dynamics in Mg(2+) arises from improved charge screening of the polyelectrolyte rather than specific interactions with the folded tRNA. These results are opposite to the relationship between structural compactness and internal dynamics for proteins in which the folded state is more rigid than the denatured state. We conclude that RNA dynamics are strongly influenced by the electrostatic environment, in addition to the motions of local waters.     

Efficient Synthesis of N‐Oxide Derivatives: Substituted 2‐(2‐(Pyridyl‐N‐oxide)methylsulphinyl)benzimidazoles

Different substituted 2‐chloromethylpyridyl derivatives (6a–d) were oxidized with mCPBA to give the respective 2‐chloromethylpyridine‐N‐oxide derivatives (7a–d) at low temperature, which on condensation with 2‐mercapto‐1H‐benzimidazole (8a–c) in the presence of aprotic solvents give the 2‐[[(pyridin‐2‐yl‐1‐oxide)methyl]sulfanyl]‐1H‐benzimidazole (9a–d) in good yield. Finally, 9a–d oxidized with mCPBA in chlorinated solvent gives a mixture of 2‐[[(pyridin‐2‐yl‐1‐oxide)methyl]sulfonyl]‐1H‐benzimidazole (3a–d, 10%) and 2‐[[(pyridin‐2‐yl‐1‐oxide) methyl]sulfinyl]‐1H‐benzimidazole (4a–d, 90%) derivatives.     

Sorption of plutonium from low level liquid waste using nano MnO2

Nano-crystalline MnO₂ has been synthesized by the method of alcoholic hydrolysis of KMnO₄ and its potential as a sorbent for plutonium present in the low level liquid waste (LLW) solutions was investigated. The kinetic studies on the sorption of Pu by MnO₂ reveal the attainment of equilibrium sorption in 15 h, however 90 % of sorption could be achieved within an hour. In the studies on optimization of the solution conditions for sorption, it was observed that the sorption increases with the pH of the aqueous solution, attains the maximum value of 100 % at pH = 3 and remains constant thereafter. The sorption was found to be nearly independent of the ionic strength (0.01–1.0 M) of the aqueous solutions maintained using NaClO₄, indicating the inner sphere complexation between the Pu⁴⁺ ions and the surface sites on MnO₂. Interference studies with different fission products, viz., Cs⁺, Sr²⁺ and Nd³⁺, revealed decrease in the percentage sorption with increasing pH of the suspension indicating the competition between the metal ions. However, at the metal ion concentrations prevalent in the low level liquid waste solutions, the decrease in the Pu sorption was only marginally decreased to 90 % at pH = 3, the decrease being more in the case of Nd³⁺ than that in the case of Cs⁺. This study, therefore, shows nano-crystalline MnO₂ can be used as a sorbent for separation of Pu from LLW solutions.     

Recovery and purification of Sr(II) in perchloric acid medium

Perchloric acid was found to be a suitable medium for the quantitative leaching of Sr(II) from homogeneous and calcined (Th,Sr)O₂ particularly with respect to the contamination from Th(IV). ⁹⁰Sr is a cause of major concern to the environment due to its long half life (28.6 years), significant abundance in large inventory of spent nuclear fuels (~350 thousand tons) awaiting geological disposal and its chemical similarity to Ca(II), an essential element for the living beings. Application of ⁹⁰Sr as a parent radionuclide for ⁹⁰Y (used in therapy radiopharmaceuticals) is possible provided it can be made available at desired high purity. In this context, the distribution coefficients of Sr(II), Th(IV), Zr(IV), Y(III), ¹⁵²Eu(III) and ¹³⁷Cs(I) were determined using Sr selective crown ether 4,4′(5′)-di-tert-butyl-dicyclohexano-18-crown-6 by solid–liquid extraction in perchloric acid medium. Feasibility of employing extraction chromatography using Sr selective resin for the recovery and purification of Sr(II) from leached perchloric acid medium was explored. Perchloric acid medium is better than nitric acid medium for the uptake of Sr by Sr selective chromatographic resin under varying loading conditions of Sr(II). Similarly pH 2 solution appears better eluent of Sr(II) than distilled water. Present work offers a novel approach for setting up a ⁹⁰Sr–⁹⁰Y generator.     

Synthesis,Structural, and Antibacterial Studies of Some Transition Metal Complexes Derived from Thiosemicarbazone and Semicarbazone

A series of metal complexes of Pd(II), Pt(II), Rh(III), Ir(III), and Ru(III) with thiosemicarbazone and semicarbazone of 2-acetyl thiophene have been synthesized. Their structures were determined on the basis of elemental analyses; molar conductance; magnetic susceptibility measurements; and IR, ¹ H NMR, and electronic spectral studies. On the basis of molar conductance, the complexes may be formulated as [M(L)₂]Cl₂ and [M′(L)₂Cl₂]Cl [where M = Pd(II), Pt(II) and M′ = Rh(III), Ir(III), and Ru(III)] due to their 1:2 and 1:1 electrolytic nature. On the basis of IR, ¹ West, D. X., Liberta, A. E., Padhye, S. B., Chikate, R. C., Sonawane, P. B. V., Kumbhar, A. S. and Yerande, R. G. 1993. Coord. Chem. Rev., 123: 49[Crossref], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]H NMR, and electronic spectral studies, an octahedral geometry has been assigned for Rh(III), Ir(III), and Ru(III), while square planar geometry has been assigned for the Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes. The synthesized ligands and their complexes have been screened for bactericidal activity against several bacterial species (i.e., B. macerans, A. aureus, E. coli), and it is shown that the metal complexes act as more active antimicrobial agents than the uncomplexed ligands from which they derive.     

Organic dyes containing indolo[2,3-b]quinoxaline as a donor: synthesis,optical and photovoltaic properties

New organic dyes containing indolo[2,3-b]quinoxaline donor have been synthesized for application in dye sensitized solar cells as sensitizers. The dyes exhibited interesting optical properties tuneable by the nature of the conjugation bridge. Origin of the optical transitions in the dyes was corroborated by the TDDFT computations. The LUMO and HOMO of the dyes were found to be favourable for electron injection into the conduction band of TiO₂ and the regeneration of the dye by the redox shuttle in the electrolyte, respectively. Since the dyes exhibited solvent dependent absorption properties, DSSC were fabricated from two different dye bath solutions, DCM and acetonitrile/tert-butanol/dimethylsulphoxide mixture. The dyes adsorbed from the later bath solution led to better device performance owing to the comparatively less charge transfer resistance arising from the well-spaced dye packing. Among all dyes, a dye containing thiophene in the π-spacer exhibited the highest device efficiency.     

Interaction of Anionic Gemini Surfactants with Other Surfactants

The interaction of anionic gemini surfactants with other surfactants (such as anionic, cationic, nonionic) was systematically overviewed, paying attention to synergism observed in various properties. These mixed systems were found to show remarkable synergism in micelle formation. The critical micelle formation values being lower than the individual gemini surfactants indicate that the mixed micellization is due to attractive interaction between the two components. Almost all combinations were discussed in terms of respective surface tension reduction effectiveness and surface tension reduction efficiency and aggregation number for evaluation of synergism.     

One-pot synthesis of CuInS2 and CuInS2/MS (M=Cd,Zn) core–shell luminescent nanocrystals: a low-temperature and low-cost approach

The single-pot synthesis of highly crystalline and fluorescent chalcopyrite CuInS₂ (CIS) colloidal nanoparticles has been reported by thermal decomposition of metal ethyl xanthate (at ~110 °C) for the first time. The fluorescence emission wavelength can also be readily tuned from the UV to the visible region by merely prolonging the reaction time, as the PL emission may be varied from 550 to 675 nm. The synthesized CIS is subjected to postdeposition treatment with CdS/ZnS in one pot route using cadmium/zinc xanthate at low temperature (~80 °C) to improve the quantum yield of core–shell (CIS/CdS or ZnS) nanocrystallites as compared to CIS core. The stability of core–shell particularly CIS/ZnS system upon continuous laser exposure suggests the formation of surface bonds with superior mechanical stability. This low-cost synthesis of such nontoxic QDs using green chemical routes is a promising approach for the fabrication of optoelectronic and biosensing devices. Graphical Abstract

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Role of Annealing Atmosphere on Structure,Dielectric and Magnetic Properties of La2CoMnO6 and La2MgMnO6

Polycrystalline samples of La₂MMnO₆ (M = Co and Mg) were prepared by a combined gel‐combustion and high temperature reaction method. The samples were annealed in different oxygen partial pressure (p_O2) and characterized by powder XRD, SQUID magnetometry, ac impedance spectroscopy, and electron paramagnetic resonance techniques. Monoclinic (P2₁/n) and rhombohedral (R$\bar{3}$ ) lattices were observed for La₂CoMnO₆ and La₂MgMnO₆, respectively. On annealing in inert atmosphere, La₂MgMnO₆ partially converted to monoclinic La₂CoMnO₆ type structure, whereas no structural change was observed in La₂CoMnO₆. Dielectric studies of La₂CoMnO₆ indicated relaxor like behavior with polaronic conduction, which systematically decreased with the increase in p_O2 of the annealing atmosphere. Magnetic studies indicated multiple ferromagnetic phase transitions in La₂CoMnO₆ and a spin‐glass like phase transition in La₂MgMnO₆. The fraction of ferromagnetic phases of La₂CoMnO₆ was significantly dependent on the annealing environments. The variations of magnetic and dielectric properties of samples were related to the fluctuation of oxidation state of transition metal ions and oxygen vacancies in the samples.     

Concomitant degradation of bisphenol A during ultrasonication and Fenton oxidation and production of biofertilizer from wastewater sludge

Degradation of bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine disruptor, from wastewater sludge (WWS) has attracted great interest recently. In the present study, the effects of different pre-treatment methods, including ultrasonication (US), Fenton's oxidation (FO) and ferro-sonication (FS) was assessed in terms of increase in solubilization of WWS and simultaneous degradation of BPA. Among US, FO and FS pre-treatment, higher suspended solids (SS), volatile suspended solids (VSS), chemical oxygen demand (COD) and soluble organic carbon (SOC) solubilization (39.7%, 51.2%, 64.5% and 17.6%, respectively) was observed during a ferro-sonication pre-treatment process carried out for 180 min, resulting in higher degradation of BPA (82.7%). In addition, the effect of rheological parameters (viscosity and particle size) and zeta potential on the degradation of BPA in raw and different pre-treated sludges were also investigated. The results showed that a decrease in viscosity and particle size and an increase in zeta potential resulted in higher degradation of BPA. BPA degradation by laccases produced by Sinorhizobium meliloti in raw and pre-treated sludge was also determined. Higher activity of laccases (207.9 U L(-1)) was observed in ferro-sonicated pre-treated sludge (180 min ultrasonic time), resulting in higher removal of BPA (0.083 μg g(-1)), suggesting concomitant biological degradation of BPA.