Fluorescence Spectroscopic and Calorimetry Based Approaches to Characterize the Mode of Interaction of Small Molecules with DNA

Ethidium bromide displacement assay by fluorescence is frequently used as a diagnostic tool to identify the intercalation ability of DNA binding small molecules. Here we have demonstrated that the method has pitfalls. We have employed fluorescence, absorbance and label free technique such as isothermal titration calorimetry to probe the limitations. Ethidium bromide, a non-specific intercalator, netropsin, a (A-T) specific minor groove binder, and sanguinarine, a (G-C) specific intercalator, have been used in our experiments to study the association of a ligand with DNA in presence of a competing ligand. Here we have shown that netropsin quenches the fluorescence intensity of an equilibrium mixture of ethidium bromide - calf thymus DNA via displacement of ethidium bromide. Isothermal titration calorimetry results question the accepted interpretation of the observed decrease in fluorescence of bound ethidium bromide in terms of competitive binding of two ligands to DNA. Furthermore, isothermal titration calorimetry experiments and absorbance measurements indicate that the fluorescence change might be due to formation of ternary complex and not displacement of one ligand by another.     

Origin of charge density wave formation in insulators from a high resolution photoemission study of BaIrO3

We investigate the origin of charge density wave (CDW) formation in insulators by studying BaIrO3 using high-resolution (1.4 meV) photoemission spectroscopy. The spectra reveal the existence of localized density of states at the Fermi level, E(F), in the vicinity of room temperature. These localized states are found to vanish as the temperature is lowered, thereby, opening a soft gap at E(F), as a consequence of CDW transition. In addition, the energy dependence of the spectral density of states reveals the importance of magnetic interactions, rather than well-known Coulomb repulsion effect, in determining the electronic structure thereby implying a close relationship between ferromagnetism and CDW observed in this compound. Also, Ba core level spectra surprisingly exhibit an unusual behavior prior to CDW transition.     

Collective bounce-off phenomenon in139La+Ag(Br) reaction at 1.1 A GeV energy

Out of a total statistics of 896¹³⁹La+Ag(Br) interactions, 128 interactions having multiplicity of target fragments (Z⩾1)⩾8 and projectile fragments (Z⩾2)⩾4 have been selected. They correspond to quasi-peripheral interactions. Azimuthal angle correlation between sources of target fragments (TFs) and projectile fragments (PFs) shows the existence of bounce-off effect. Using data of La+Ag(Br) and⁸⁴Kr+Ag(Br) reactions it is shown that individual helium [Z=2, PFs] and heavier fragment [Z⩾3, PFs] show different emission characteristics. Further, a two prong correlation functionT(Φ _ij ) plotted for heavier fragments and helium fragments separately, indicates the possibility of existence of different physical conditions. This observation is supported by the different momentum widths of helium fragments and heavier fragments. From the momentum width data of Kr+Ag(Br) reactions normalized density comes out to be ≈4.7. Using quasi-elastic kinematics for the bounce-off nuclei, the excitation energy has been computed from the experimental data of flow angles. The strength of bounce-off seems to decrease with the increase of excitation energy or temperature.     

Vibrational dynamics of the organometallic compound triarylorganoantimony (V) SbPh<Subscript>3</Subscript>[O<Subscript>2</Subscript>CC(OH)Ph<Subscript>2</Subscript>]<Subscript>2</Subscript>

A complete normal coordinate analysis was performed for five-coordinate non-rigid triarylantimony diester SbPh₃(O₂CR)₂, known to be a bioactive molecule, using Wilson G-F matrix method and Urey Bradley force field. The study of vibrational dynamics was performed using the concept of group frequencies and band intensities.      

Dispersion of nano-silicon carbide (SiC) powder in aqueous suspensions

The dispersion characteristics of nanosize silicon carbide (SiC) suspension were investigated in terms of surface charge, particle size, rheological measurement and adsorption study. Ammonium polycarboxylate has been used as dispersant to stabilize the suspension. It was found that the isoelectric point (iep) of SiC powder was pH_iep (4.9). The surface charge of powder changed significantly in presence of the ammonium polycarboxylate dispersant and iep shifted significantly towards lower acidic pH (3.6). The shift in iep has been quantified in terms of ΔG ⁰ _SP, the specific free energy of adsorption between the surface sites and the adsorbing polyelectrolyte (APC). The values of ΔG ⁰ _SP (−10.85 RT unit) estimated by the electro kinetic data compare well with those obtained from adsorption isotherms (−9.521 RT unit). The experimentally determined optimum concentration of dispersant required for maximizing the dispersion was found to be 2.4 mg/g of SiC (corresponding to an adsorbed amount of 1.10 mg/g), at pH 7.5. This is much below the full monolayer coverage (corresponding to adsorbed amount of 1.75 mg/g) of the particles surface by the dispersant. The surface charge quantity, rheological, pH, electro kinetic and adsorption isotherm results were used to explain and correlate the stability of the nanosize silicon carbide in aqueous media. At pH 7.5, where both SiC surface and APC are negatively charged, the adsorption of APC was low because of limited availability of favourable adsorption sites. In addition, the brush-like configuration of the adsorbed polymer prevented close approach of any additional dispersant; hence stabilization of the slurry happens at a comparatively lower concentration than the monolayer coverage.     

Comparison of two theories during self-focusing of Gaussian laser beam in thermal conduction-loss predominant plasmas

In the present paper, self-focusing phenomenon occurring as a result of non-linear interaction of intense laser beam with thermal conduction-loss predominant plasmas is studied by following both approaches viz. paraxial theory approach and moment theory approach. Non-linear differential equations for the beam width parameters of laser beam have been set up and solved numerically in both cases to study the variation of beam width parameters with normalized distance of propagation. Effects of laser intensity as well as plasma density on the beam width parameters have also been analyzed. It is observed from the analysis that in case of moment theory approach, strong self-focusing of laser beam is observed as compared to paraxial theory approach.     

Interplay between charge and antiferromagnetic ordering in Bi0.6−xPrxCa0.4MnO3 (0≤x≤0.6) perovskite manganite

Structure, magnetic and transport properties of polycrystalline Bi_0.6−xPr_xCa_0.4MnO₃ (x=0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5 and 0.6) have been studied. Systematic substitution of Pr at Bi site induces an interesting interplay between the charge ordering and antiferromagnetism. The charge ordering temperature (T_CO) decreases with increasing x. The antiferromagnetic (AFM) ordering temperature (T_N) increases sharply at both the extremes but remains nearly constant from x=0.2 to 0.4. At temperatures lower than T_N a transition to the glassy state is observed. The nature of this glass like state appears to be controlled by the Pr content, and at lower values of x this is akin to a spin glass, while at higher x it has a characteristic of cluster glass. The Pr doping also leads to enhancement in the magnetic moment. In the present work it has been proposed that the local lattice distortion induced due to size mismatch between the A-site cations and 6s² character of Bi³⁺ lone pair electron is responsible for the observed magnetic and electrical properties.