Intriguing self-assembly of large granules of F-actin facilitated by gelsolin and alpha-actinin

We report microscopic observations and a structural determination of actin granules self-assembled in concentrated solutions of actin filaments (F-actin). Optical microscopy shows reproducible formation of numerous and stable granules of densely packed F-actin of variable sizes on the order of 10 microm. These granules coexist with a uniform network of F-actin of a lower concentration. The microscopic segregation of F-actin into two distinct states is assisted by an actin cross-linking protein, alpha-actinin. The rapid on and off rates and temperature sensitivity of the alpha-actinin/F-actin interaction facilitate the formation of multi-micrometer-sized granules of well-defined shapes. Additional physical factors such as the excluded volume effect and the minimization of surface energy act in concert with the specific molecular interactions to define the intriguing granular formation. Both the biochemical specificity of alpha-actinin and the thermodynamics of phase transitions are required for understanding such large scale self-assembly.     

Electronic structures of dihedral (D5h, D5d, D6h, D6d) fullerenes

By means of our proposed method for Hückel theory calculation, we have calculated the electronic structures of dihedral (D_5h, D_5d, D_6h, D_6d) fullerences, which are generated from icosahedral C₂₀, C₆₀, C₈₀, C₁₈₀, C₂₄₀ and C₅₄₀, respectively. From the calculated results of 1224 fullerence molecules, certain rules on the stability and chemical reactivity have been drawn for such types of dihedral fullerenes.     

The structure and magnetic properties of μ3-oxotriiron(III) complex [Fe3O(OBz)6(CH3OH)3](NO3)(CH3OH)2

A new μ₃-O triiron(III) complex [Fe₃O(OBz)₆(CH₃OH)₃](NO₃)(CH₃OH)₂ (HOBZ = benzoic acid) has been synthesized, its structure has been determined and variable temperature magnetic susceptility has also been measured. In the molecule, three iron atoms formed an equilateral triangle with μ₃-O in center. The fitting to the magnetic susceptibility showed that an intramolecular antiferromagnetic exchange interaction occurred between iron atoms with J=-25.51 cm^?1, and a weaker intermolecular autiferromagnetic exchange interaction occurred with zJ' = ?2.30 cm^?1.     

Binding of brucine to human serum albumin

The feature of brucine binding to human serum albumin (HSA) was investigated via fluorescence and UV/vis absorption spectroscopy. The results revealed that brucine caused the fluorescence quenching of HSA by the formation of brucine–HSA complex. The hydrophobic interaction plays a major role in stabilizing the complex; the binding site number n and apparent binding constant K_A, corresponding thermodynamic parameters the free energy change (ΔG), enthalpy change (ΔH) and entropy change (ΔS) at different temperatures were calculated. The distance r between donor (HSA) and acceptor (brucine) was obtained according to fluorescence resonance energy transfer. The effect of brucine on the conformation of HSA was analyzed using synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy and UV/vis absorption spectroscopy.     

High pressure Raman studies of 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) and CuTCNQ

The high-pressure Raman studies of 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) single crystals and polycrystalline CuTCNQ are presented in this paper. TCNQ shows a phase transition at 22 kbar, a pressure higher than reported earlier. CuTCNQ undergoes a first order phase transition at 30 kbar, which is characterized by the abrupt disappearance of all the Raman bands.     

A photometric detector driven by beta radiation

It was recently found that typical Chromatographic carrier gases such as argon or nitrogen could be used in a modified flame photometric detector for general or selective determination of eluted molecules. The detector was powered not by a flame but by a radioactively stimulated, mild discharge. The luminescence arose from the second positive system of nitrogen (in argon), and various emissions from aroyl-containing molecules (in nitrogen).This study describes experiments that take away not only the flame but also the discharge: The energy that produces the luminescence is derived solely from the beta decay of⁶³Ni. Because of this low power input, the sensitivity of the present beta-driven photometric detector (-PD) is limited to about 25 ppm of nitrogen (in argon), and to about 5 pg/s for benzaldehyde and other well-responding aroyl compounds (in nitrogen). In accordance with mechanisms postulated earlier, other types of molecules do not produce significant responses in the absence of an electrical field.Material taken from doctoral thesis     

MH—Ni电池封口化成及其性能

在硼氢化钾碱性溶液中对金属氢化物（ＭＨ）电极的表面进行化学还原处理，提高了ＭＨ电极的放电容量、活化性能和电催化活性．用其为负极组装的ＡＡ型ＭＨ－Ｎｉ电池进行了封口化成，电池放电容量达到１１５０ｍＡｈ，５Ｃ下电池的放电容量达到０．２Ｃ下容量的８０％以上，电池在１Ｃ１００％ＤＯＤ（放电深度）充放电条件下，循环寿命由原来的１００次左右提高到２００次以上     

Perfectly dissolved boron nitride nanotubes due to polymer wrapping

We report for the first time that boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) may be dissolved in organic solvents by wrapping them with a polymer. Transmission electron microscopy and cathodoluminescence studies indicate the strong pi-pi interactions between BNNTs and the polymer. A band gap ranging from 5.2 to 5.5 eV was documented for the BNNTs independent of their geometrical characteristics by using ultraviolet-visible absorption experiments on composite films and thin BNNT films prepared from solutions.     

Chiral separation of 1,1'-bi-2-naphthol and its analogue on molecular imprinting monolithic columns by HPLC

Two molecular imprinting polymer (MIP) monolithic columns with (S)-(-)-1,1'-bi-2-naphthol and (R)-(+)-5,5',6,6',7,7',8,8'-octahydro-1,1'-bi-2-naphthol as the templating molecules, respectively, have been prepared by in situ polymerization using 4-vinylpyridine and ethylene dimethacrylate as functional monomer and cross-linker, respectively. The columns with good flow-through properties were obtained by changing the molar ratio of the functional monomer and the template molecule. The effects of mobile-phase composition on separation of enantiomers were systematically investigated. The results indicate that hydrophobic interaction in aqueous solution and hydrogen-bonding interaction in ACN between the enantiomers and polymers could play important roles in the retention and resolution. The effects of chromatographic conditions, such as flow rate, column temperature, sample loading, on the enantioseparation were also studied. Further, these two MIP columns show a cross-reactivity.     

Synthesis and Insulin—sensitizing Activity of a Series of 2—Benzyl—1,3—dicarbonyl Derivatives

A series of 2-benzyl-1,3-dicabonyl derivatives was synthesized.Their insulin-sensitizing activity was evaluated in 3T3-L1 preadipocyte cells.Compounds3,26 and 27 were found to possess strong insulin-sensitizing activity in vitro and were selected for further hypoglycemic evaluation in vivo.