Large-scale millisecond intersubunit dynamics in the B subunit homopentamer of the toxin derived from Escherichia coli O157

We report here solution NMR relaxation measurements that show millisecond time-scale intersubunit dynamics in the homopentameric B subunit (VTB) of the toxin derived from Escherichia coli O157. These data are consistent with interconversion between an axially symmetric form and a low-abundance ( approximately 10%, 45 degrees C) higher energy form. The higher energy state is depopulated on binding of a novel bivalent analogue (P(k) dimer) of the natural carbohydrate acceptor globotriaosylceramide. The isothermal titration calorimetry isotherm for the binding of P(k) dimer to VTB is consistent with a five-site sequential binding model which assumes that cooperative effects arise through communication only between neighboring binding sites. The resulting thermodynamic parameters (K(a1) = 114 +/- 2.2 M(-1), K(a2) = 283 +/- 4.5 M(-1), DeltaH(1) degrees = -116.3 +/- 0.55 kJ/mol, and DeltaH(2) degrees = -50.3 +/- 0.11 kJ/mol) indicate favorable entropic cooperativity that has not previously been observed in multivalent systems.     

Yet another optimal algorithm for 3-edge-connectivity

An optimal algorithm for 3-edge-connectivity is presented. The algorithm performs only one pass over the given graph to determine a set of cut-pairs whose removal leads to the 3-edge-connected components. An additional pass determines all the 3-edge-connected components of the given graph. The algorithm is simple, easy to implement and runs in linear time and space. Experimental results show that it outperforms all the previously known linear-time algorithms for 3-edge-connectivity in determining if a given graph is 3-edge-connected and in determining cut-pairs. Its performance is also among the best in determining the 3-edge-connected components.     

Inverse phase transfer catalysis. Kinetics of the pyridine 1-oxide-catalyzed reactions of dichlorobenzoyl chlorides and benzoate ions

The substitution reactions of 2,3-, 2,4-, 3,4-, or 3,5-dichlorobenzoyl chloride (Cl₂C₆H₃COCl) and 2,3-, 2,4-, 3,4-, or 3,5-dichlorobenzoate ion (Cl₂C₆H₅COO⁻) or benzoate ion (C₆H₅COO⁻) in a two-phase H₂O/CH₂Cl₂ medium using pyridine 1-oxide (PNO) as an inverse phase transfer catalyst were investigated. The reaction of Cl₂C₆H₃COCl and PNO in CH₂Cl₂ to produce the ionic intermediate, 1-(dichlorobenzoyloxy)-pyridinium chloride (Cl₂C₆H₃COONP⁺Cl⁻) is the rate-determining step. In the PNO-catalyzed two-phase reaction of Cl₂C₆H₃COCl and C₆H₅COONa, the order of reactivities of Cl₂C₆H₃COCl toward reaction with PNO is (2,3-, 2,4-)>3,5->3,4-2,6-Cl₂C₆H₃COCl, whereas it is 3,5->(2,3-, 3,4-)>2,4-Cl₂C₆H₃COCl in the PNO-catalyzed two-phase reaction of Cl₂C₆H₃COCl and the corresponding Cl₂C₆H₃COONa. The order of reactivities of Cl₂C₆H₃COO⁻ ions towards the reaction with 1-(benzoyloxy)-pyridinium (C₆H₅COONP⁺) ion is (3,4-, 3,5-)>(2,3-, 2,4-Cl₂C₆H₃COO⁻).     

A Theoretical Investigation of the Decomposition Reactions of Ethyl Formate in the S1 and T1 States

This study investigates the decomposition reactions of ethyl formate in the S₁ and T₁ states. The dissociation channels leading to HCOOH + C₂H₄, CH₃CH₂O + HCO, CH₃CH₂OCO + H, and CH₃CH₂ + HCO₂ were studied. The major reactions of ethyl formate in the S₁ and T₁ states are isomerization to the biradical CH₂CH₂OC(OH)H and dissociation to CH₃CH₂O + HCO. All the stationary and intersection points were optimized at the CAS(10,8) level of theory with the 6‐31G(d,p) and 6‐311G(2df,2pd) basis sets. Single‐point CASPT3 energy was calculated for each of the stationary and intersection points. Microcanonical rate constants were also calculated for each of the reactions by using the RRKM theory.     

Synthesis of Self‐Stabilized Poly(N‐(3‐Amidino)‐Aniline) Particles and their CO2‐Responsive Properties

Novel CO₂‐responsive conductive polymer particles based on poly(N‐(3‐amidino)‐aniline) (or PNAAN) are reported in this work. A CO₂‐responsive N‐(3‐amidino)‐aniline (NAAN) monomer is firstly synthesized with the pendant amidine group at the meta‐position of aniline (AN) and subsequently polymerized into the PNAAN polymer by chemical oxidation. Self‐assembly of PNAAN in turn forms the polymer particles. In the strong or weak acid media, the amidine group protonates into cationic amidinium and self‐stabilizes the PNAAN particles without the use of any stabilizers. The reaction media are found to affect the polymerization rate and self‐assembly of particles, and hence the size and size distribution of the resultant particles. The particles synthesized in strong basic media show CO₂‐responsvie properties since the H⁺ released by dissolved CO₂ (dCO₂) can protonate the amidine group into hydrophilic amidinium group and result in swelling of the PNAAN particles. Zeta‐potential measurements show the reversible change of particle surface charges in the presence and absence of dCO₂. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements show the particle size linearly changed with dCO₂ concentration in the range of 5 × 10^?4 and 2.5 × 10^?2 atm. This is the first reported CO₂‐responsive polyaniline (PANI) particles for dCO₂ sensing or reversible fixation of CO₂.     

Layered MoS2 grown on c ‐sapphire by pulsed laser deposition

Layered growth of molybdenum disulphide (MoS₂) was successfully achieved by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) method on c ‐plane sapphire substrate. Growth of monolayer to a few monolayer MoS₂, dependent on the pulsed number of excimer laser in PLD is demonstrated, indicating the promising controllability of layer growth. Among the samples with various pulse number deposition, the frequency difference (A_1g–E¹_2g) in Raman analysis of the 70 pulse sample is estimated as 20.11 cm^–1, suggesting a monolayer MoS₂ was obtained. Two‐dimensional (2D) layer growth of MoS₂ is confirmed by the streaky reflection high energy electron diffraction (RHEED) patterns during growth and the cross‐sectional view of transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The in‐plane relationship, (0006) sapphire//(0002)MoS₂and sapphire//MoS₂ is determined. The results imply that PLD is suitable for layered MoS₂ growth. Additionally, the oxide states of Mo 3d core level spectra of PLD grown MoS₂, analysed by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), can be effectively reduced by adopting a post sulfurization process. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH &Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Applicability of a modified double lattice model for liquid-liquid equilibria of mixed-solvent polymer systems

Expanding upon a previous study, the modified double lattice model for mixed-solvent polymer systems was developed by employing new universal constants. The calculated results of the proposed model showed good agreement with Monte Carlo simulation results and hypothetically predicted Types 0 and 3 phase separations of the Treybal classification. To describe real systems, the chain length of the polymer and energy parameters were adjusted to fit experimental data. The proposed model correlated well with experimental data from real systems incorporating low to high molecular weight polymers (PEO 200, dextran 40 350, PS 300 000) using reasonable model parameters.