Morphological consequences of metal ion-peptide vesicle interaction

The triskelion peptide conjugate 1, having a Trp-Trp dipeptide unit on the three arms, was synthesized and studied for the interaction of peptide-based soft structures with metal ions, by fluorescence and microscopic analyses. We observed that fluorescence was significantly quenched upon addition of Cu(II) metal ions, whereas the addition of other metal ions also caused moderate to insignificant changes in the fluorescence emission, suggesting specificity of this triskelion peptide 1 for Cu(II) ions. The addition of Cu(II) and other metal ions also altered the morphology of preformed vesicles obtained from triskelion peptide 1 in a concentration-dependent fashion, as observed from microscopic analysis. Such metal-responsive soft structures may find potential use as novel materials for delivery and sensing applications.     

Mild synthesis of a family of planar triazinium cations via proton-assisted cyclization of pyridyl containing azo compounds and studies on DNA intercalation

An efficient synthesis of a family of heteroaromatic triazinium compounds, [2a]X-[2g]X (X = Cl, ClO4, NO3, and HSO4), from 2-(arylazo)pyridines via proton-catalyzed heterocyclization is described. Characterization of the compounds is made by different spectroscopic, electrochemical techniques, as well as single-crystal structure determination of the triflate salt of a representative compound, [2a]CF3SO3. The bond parameters indicate that the tricyclo compound, 2a(+), is planar and aromatic with a N-N bond length of 1.275(6) A. These exhibited fluorescence with an emission maximum in the range of 540-535 nm with moderate quantum yields. The triazinium salts can be reduced in two successive one-electron steps as probed by cyclic voltammetry and coulometry. The paramagnetic radical intermediate 2a(*) is distinguished by a sharp and intense EPR spectrum. Fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism, cyclic voltammetry, viscosity measurements, together with DNA melting studies have been used to characterize the binding of 2a(+) with calf thymus DNA. The emission quenching of the compound by [Fe(CN)6](4-) decreased when bound to DNA. As determined by a MTT assay, 2a(+) exhibited significant cytotoxicity at a higher concentration range of 1 mg/mL to 1 microg/mL; however, the % survival ratio increased with dilution. Cellular uptake studies of the referenced compound were followed by FACS analysis.     

On the microscopic basis of Newton's law of cooling and beyond

The microscopic basis of Newton's law of cooling and its modification when the difference in temperature between the system and the surroundings is very large is discussed. When the system of interest is interacting with a small bath, the effect of the dynamical evolution of the bath variables is important to find out its dynamical feedback on the system. As in the usual system-bath approach, however, the bath is finally considered to be in thermal equilibrium and thereby provides an effective generalization of the Born-Markov master equation. It is shown that the cooling at early time is faster than that predicted by Newton's law due to the dynamical feedback of the bath.     

Simultaneous quantification of low Z elements in phosphorus containing alkali borosilicate glass samples by in situ Current normalized external (in air) PIGE method utilizing proton beam from FOTIA

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry - An attempt was made to increase the solubility of High Level liquid Waste (HLW), mainly Cr and Mo, by addition of P2O5 to sodium borosilicate...     

Stereoselective total synthesis of 10-epi-tirandamycin E

A stereoselective total synthesis of 10-epi-tirandamycin E is described, employing desymmetrization protocol, ring-closing metathesis (RCM), acid-catalyzed ketalization, substrate controlled dihydroxylation and Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons olefination as key reactions.     

Phosphorus‐Doped Graphene Oxide Layer as a Highly Efficient Flame Retardant

A simple and easy process has been developed to efficiently dope phosphorus into a graphene oxide surface. Phosphorus‐doped graphene oxide (PGO) is prepared by the treatment of polyphosphoric acid with phosphoric acid followed by addition of a graphene oxide solution while maintaining a pH of around 5 by addition of NaOH solution. The resulting materials are characterized by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The as‐made PGO solution‐coated cloth exhibits excellent flame retardation properties. The PGO‐coated cloth emits some smoke at the beginning without catching fire for more than 120 s and maintains its initial shape with little shrinkage. In contrast, the pristine cloth catches fire within 5 s and is completely burned within 25 s, leaving trace amounts of black residue. The simple technique of direct introduction of phosphorus into the graphene oxide surface to produce phosphorus‐doped oxidized carbon nanoplatelets may be a general approach towards the low‐cost mass production of PGO for many practical applications, including flame retardation.     

Highly sensitive and wide-range nonenzymatic disposable glucose sensor based on a screen printed carbon electrode modified with reduced graphene oxide and Pd-CuO nanoparticles

A nanocomposite consisting of reduced graphene oxide decorated with palladium-copper oxide nanoparticles (Pd-CuO/rGO) was synthesized by single-step chemical reduction. The morphology and crystal structure of the nanocomposite were characterized by field-emission scanning electron microscopy, high resolution transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. A 3-electrode system was fabricated by screen printing technology and the Pd-CuO/rGO nanocomposite was dropcast on the carbon working electrode. The catalytic activity towards glucose in 0.2 M NaOH solutions was analyzed by linear sweep voltammetry and amperometry. The steady state current obtained at a constant potential of +0.6 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) showed the modified electrode to possess a wide analytical range (6 μM to 22 mM), a rather low limit of detection (30 nM), excellent sensitivity (3355 μA∙mM⁻¹∙cm⁻²) and good selectivity over commonly interfering species and other sugars including fructose, sucrose and lactose. The sensor was successfully employed to the determination of glucose in blood serum.

A highly sensitive nonenzymatic electrochemical sensor was fabricated using a Pd-CuO composite with reduced graphene oxide. The sensor has a wide detection range and was used to sense glucose in blood serum

     

Generalized derivations and left multipliers on Lie ideals

Let m, n be two fixed positive integers and let R be a 2-torsion free prime ring, with Utumi quotient ring U and extended centroid C. We study the identity F(x ^m+n+1) = F(x)x ^m+n  + x ^m D(x)x ⁿ for x in a non-central Lie ideal of R, where both F and D are generalized derivations of R and then determine the relationship between the form of F and that of D. In particular the conclusions of the main theorem say that if D is the non-zero map in R, then R satisfies the standard identity s ₄(x ₁, . . . , x ₄) and D is a usual derivation of R.