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Several zwitterionic polymers were prepared by radical homopolymerization of surfactant monomers which bear diallyl, diene or vinylcyclopropane moieties. These polymer systems were complemented by alternating copolymers of appropriate zwitterionic vinyl compounds. Thus, polymers with reduced (as compared with simple vinylic homopolymers, or statistical copolymers) and well defined density of surfactant side groups are obtained. The solubilities found for these polymers are dominated by polymer geometry rather than by the balance of hydrophilic and hydrophobic fragments, thus corroborating a main-chain spacer model proposed recently. All water-soluble polymers exhibit characteristic features of classical polysoaps, as shown by surface tension measurements and by solubilization of hydrophobic dyes. In contrast, the water-insoluble copolymers are capable to form stable monolayers at the air-water interface.
Langmuir-Blodgett multilayers of hydrocarbon and fluorocarbon polymers with hydrophilic spacer, lipid-polyelectrolyte complexes and mesogenic polymers have been prepared. The thermal behaviour of the multilayers was studied by small angle X-ray scattering, IR and UV—visible spectroscopy. Good thermal stabilities were found for the various classes of polymers. In addition, for both complexed multilayers and mesogenic polymer films, reorientation processes were observed.
The piezoelectric and pyroelectric properties of oriented films possessing dipole moments are increasingly being used in pressure, acoustic, thermal and optical devices. The performance of these devices in many applications may be enhanced by thin-film technology.The developing Langmuir-Blodgett thin-film deposition technique offers the opportunity to obtain highly oriented and uniform organic-based films in the 10–5000 nm thickness range. Special techniques must be used, however, to assemble these molecules in such a way as to result in polar multilayer films. Several possible deposition techniques are investigated, with one resulting in a polar and pyroelectric film about 50 nm thick.
The molecular packing and spatial correlations of two isomeric zwitterionic polymethacrylates and one polyacrylate analog are studied by means of X-ray analysis and conformational calculations. The analysis of the correlation functions and density distribution profiles suggest a double-layered molecular packing which is discussed for the three polymers investigated, with respect to their different chemical structures. Whereas the zwitterionic polymethacrylates studied exhibit liquid-like short-range order, the polyacrylate analog exhibits an ordered double-layered superstructure.
A set of novel zwitterionic side-chain polyacrylates and polymethacrylates is studied by X-ray scattering. The structural order both in the short-range and long-range scale is investigated. The influence of the polymer backbone, of different locations of the ionic groups in isomeric polymers, of bound water and of added inorganic salts on the bulk structures is studied, and the observed rearrangements are analysed.
The inhibitory effect of sinefungin on juvenile hormone biosynthesis and development in locusts
(1987)
The antibiotic fungal metabolite sinefungin is a potent inhibitor of S-adenosylmethionine-acceptor methyltransferases. Its effect on insect metabolism and especially on corpora allata farnesoic acid methyltransferase, which catalyzes the penultimate step of juvenile hormone biosynthesis, was investigated in Locusta migratoria. Injection of sinefungin results in a delay of imaginal molt and in suppression of ovary development. Isolated corpora allata are unable to synthesize juvenile hormone III in the presence of more than 1.0 mM sinefungin. In a cell-free system containing the S-adenosylmethionine-dependent farnesoic acid methyltransferase from corpora allata sinefungin is a competitive inhibitor of the synthesis of methylfarnesoate with Ki of 1 μM.
It was the goal of this work to explore two different synthesis pathways using green chemistry. The first part of this thesis is focusing on the use of the urea-glass route towards single phase manganese nitride and manganese nitride/oxide nano-composites embedded in carbon, while the second part of the thesis is focusing on the use of the “saccharide route” (namely cellulose, sucrose, glucose and lignin) towards metal (Ni0), metal alloy (Pd0.9Ni0.1, Pd0.5Ni0.5, Fe0.5Ni0.5, Cu0.5Ni0.5 and W0.15Ni0.85) and ternary carbide (Mn0.75Fe2.25C) nanoparticles embedded in carbon. In the interest of battery application, MnN0.43 nanoparticles surrounded by a graphitic shell and embedded in carbon with a high surface area (79 m^2/g) were synthesized, following a previously set route.The comparison of the material characteristics before and after the discharge showed no remarkable difference in terms of composition and just slight differences in the morphological point of view, meaning the particles are stable but agglomerate. The graphitic shell is contributing to the resistance of the material and leads to a fine cyclic stability over 140 cycles of 230 mAh/g after the first charge/discharge and coulombic efficiencies close to 100%. Due to the low voltage towards Li/Li+ and the low polarization, it might be an attractive anode material for lithium ion batteries. However, the capacity is still noticeably lower than the theoretical value for MnN0.43. A mixture of MnN0.43 and MnO nanoparticles embedded in carbon (surface area 93 m^2/g) was able to improve the cyclic stability to over 160 cycles giving a capacity of 811 mAh/g, which is considerably higher than the capacity of the conventional material graphite (372 mAh/g). This nano-composite seems to agglomerate less during the process of discharge. Interestingly, although the capacity is much higher than of the single phase manganese nitride, the nano-composite seems to only contain MnN0.43 nanoparticles after the process of discharge with no oxide phase to be found. Concerning catalysis application, different metal, metal alloy, and metal carbide nanoparticles were synthesized using the saccharide route. At first, systems that were already investigated before, being Pd0.9Ni0.1, Pd0.5Ni0.5, Fe0.5Ni0.5 and Mn0.75Fe2.25C using cellulose as the carbon source were prepared and tested in an alkylation reaction of toluene with benzylchloride. Unexpectedly, the metal alloys did not show any catalytic activity, but the ternary carbide Mn0.75Fe2.25C showed fine catalytic activity of 98% conversion after 9 hour reaction time (110 °C). In a second step, the saccharide route was modified towards other carbon sources and carbon to metal ratios in order to improve the homogeneity of the samples and accessibility of the particle surfaces. The used carbon sources sucrose and glucose are similar in their basic structure of carbohydrates, but reducing the (polymeric) chain length. Indeed, the cellulose could be successfully replaced by sucrose and glucose. A lower carbon to metal ratio was found to influence the size, homogeneity and accessibility (as evidenced by TEM) of the samples. Since sucrose is an aliment, glucose is the better choice as a carbon source. Using glucose, the synthesis of Cu0.5Ni0.5 and W0.15Ni0.85 nano-composites was also possible, although the later was never obtained as pure phase. These alloy nano-composites were tested, along with nickel0 nanoparticles also prepared with glucose and on their catalytic activity towards the reduction of phenylacetylene. The results obtained let believe that any (poly) saccharide, including lignin, could be used as carbon source. The nickel0 nano-composites prepared with lignin as a carbon source were tested along with those prepared with cellulose and sucrose for their catalytic activity in the transfer hydrogenation of nitrobenzene (results compared with exposed nickel nanoparticles and nickel supported on carbon) leading to very promising results. Based on the urea-glass route and the saccharide route, simple equipment and transition metals, it was possible to have a one-pot synthesize with scale-up possibilities towards new material that can be applied in catalysis and battery systems.
An approach to the development of fluorescent probes to follow polymerizations in situ using fluorinated cross-conjugated enediynes (Y-enynes) is reported. Different substitution patterns in the Y-enynes result in distinct solvatochromic behavior. β,β-Bis(phenylethynyl)pentafluorostyrene 7, which bears no donor substituents and only fluorine at the styrene moiety, shows no solvatochromism. Donor substituted β,β-bis(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenylethynyl) pentafluorostyrene 8 and β,β-bis(4-butyl-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenylethynyl)-3,4,5-trimethoxystyrene 9 exhibit solvatochromism upon change of solvent polarity. Y-enyne 8 showed the largest solvatochromic shift (94 nm bathochromic shift) upon changing solvent from cyclohexane to acetonitrile. A smaller solvatochromic response (44 nm bathochromic shift) was observed for 9. Lippert–Mataga treatment of 8 and 9 yields slopes of -10,800 and -6,400 cm -1, respectively. This corresponds to a change in dipole moment of 9.6 and 6.9 D, respectively. The solvatochromic behavior in 8 and 9 supports the formation of an intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) state. The low fluorescence quantum yields are caused by competitive double bond rotation. The fluorescence decay time of 9 decreases in methyltetrahydrofuran from 2.1 ns at 77 K to 0.11 ns at 200 K. Efficient single bond rotation in 9 was frozen at -50 °C in a configuration in which the trimethoxyphenyl ring is perpendicular to the fluorinated rings. 7–9 are photostable compounds. The X-ray structure of 7 shows it is not planar and that its conjugation is distorted. Y-enyne 7 stacks in the solid state showing coulombic, actetylene–arene, and fluorine–π interactions.
Steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence methods were applied to investigate the fluorescence properties of humic substances of different origins. Using standard 2D emission and total luminescence spectra, fluorescence maxima, the width of the fluorescence band and a relative fluorescence quantum efficiency were determined. Different trends for fulvic acids and humic acids were observed indicating differences in the heterogeneity of the sample fractions. The complexity of the fluorescence decay of humic substances is discussed and compared to simple model compounds. The effect of oxidation of humic substances on their fluorescence properties is discussed as well.
Reversible changes in the self-organization of polysoaps may be induced by controlling their charge numbers via covalently bound redox moieties. This is illustrated with two viologen polysoaps, which in response to an electrochemical stimulus, change their solubility and aggregation in water, leading from homogeneously dissolved and aggregated molecules to collapsed ones and vice verse. Using the electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM), it could be shown that the reversibility of this process is better than 95% in 16 cycles.
Solubilization by polysoaps
(1994)
The aqueous solubilization power of several series of micellar homopolymers and copolymers (polysoaps) is investigated. Using five insoluble or poorly water-soluble dyes, comparisons of the capacities are made with respect ot the influence of structural variables such as the polymer backbone, the polymer geometry, the comonomer content, and the charge of the hydrophilic group. Some guidelines for polysoap structures suited for efficient solubilization are established. Noteworthy is that the solubilization capacities of the polysoaps are neither linked to the ability to reduce the surface tension of water, nor to the polarity of the solubilization sites deduced from spectroscopic probes.
Several polymerizable lipids were synthesized and polymerized to amphiphilic homopolymers and to copolymers with the help of hydrophilic comonomers. The self-organization of these polymeric lipids was investigated in monolayers and Langmuir-Blodgett multilayers. The self-organization of these polymers in model membranes is due to hydrophilic spacer groups in the amphiphilic side groups as well as to hydrophilic spacer groups in the polymer backbone. Thus, highly ordered monolayers and LB-multilayers are easily obtained.
Dielectric spectroscopy is employed to analyze the molecular dynamics and the charge transport in mixtures of zwitterionic polymers of the type poly{3 [N(-methacryloyloxyalkyl)] N, [N-dimethylammonio propanesulfonate] with sodium iodide in the frequency range of 10²Hz-10(up)7 Hz and in the temperature range of 110 K-400 K. The amount of inorganic salt added varies from 0-200 mol-% relative to the number of zwitterionic groups present in the polymer, contributing strongly to the conductivity. One relaxation process is observed whose relaxation rate depends strongly on the length of the aliphatic spacer between the polymethacrylate main chain and the zwitterionic group. Exhibiting an Arrhenius-like temperature depence with activation energy EA = 47 KJ/mol, this relaxation process is assigned to fluctuation of the quaternary ammonium groups in the side chains. At higher temperatures, the dielectric properties and the conductivity are primarily dominated by the mobile inorganic ions: conductivity strongly depends on the salt concentration, showing a pronounced electrode polarization effect. The frequency and salt concentration, dependences of the conductivity can be quantitatively described as hopping of charge carriers being subject to spatially randomly varying energy barriers. For the low-frequency regime and for the critical frequency marking the onset of the conductivity's dispersion, the Barton-Nakajima-Namikawa (BNN) relationship is fulfilled.
This article describes recent achievements in the field of micellar polymers, or polysoaps. Taking advantage of zwitterionic model polymers, systematic variations of the molecular architecture have provided an improved understanding of the relationship between the molecular structure of the polymers and their key properties such as surface activity and solubilization capacity. Useful rules are established, which take into account much of the previous data in the literature.
Quantum dots (QDs) are common as luminescing markers for imaging in biological applications because their optical properties seem to be inert against their surrounding solvent. This, together with broad and strong absorption bands and intense, sharp tuneable luminescence bands, makes them interesting candidates for methods utilizing Forster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET), e. g. for sensitive homogeneous fluoroimmunoassays (FIA). In this work we demonstrate energy transfer from Eu3+-trisbipyridin (Eu-TBP) donors to CdSe-ZnS-QD acceptors in solutions with and without serum. The QDs are commercially available CdSe-ZnS core-shell particles emitting at 655 nm (QD655). The FRET system was achieved by the binding of the streptavidin conjugated donors with the biotin conjugated acceptors. After excitation of Eu-TBP and as result of the energy transfer, the luminescence of the QD655 acceptors also showed lengthened decay times like the donors. The energy transfer efficiency, as calculated from the decay times of the bound and the unbound components, amounted to 37%. The Forster-radius, estimated from the absorption and emission bands, was ca. 77Å. The effective binding ratio, which not only depends on the ratio of binding pairs but also on unspecific binding, was obtained from the donor emission dependent on the concentration. As serum promotes unspecific binding, the overall FRET efficiency of the assay was reduced. We conclude that QDs are good substitutes for acceptors in FRET if combined with slow decay donors like Europium. The investigation of the influence of the serum provides guidance towards improving binding properties of QD assays.
Quantum dots (QDs) are common as luminescing markers for imaging in biological applications because their optical properties seem to be inert against their surrounding solvent. This, together with broad and strong absorption bands and intense, sharp tuneable luminescence bands, makes them interesting candidates for methods utilizing Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET), e. g. for sensitive homogeneous fluoroimmunoassays (FIA). In this work we demonstrate energy transfer from Eu<SUP>3+</SUP>-trisbipyridin (Eu-TBP) donors to CdSe-ZnS-QD acceptors in solutions with and without serum. The QDs are commercially available CdSe-ZnS core-shell particles emitting at 655 nm (QD655). The FRET system was achieved by the binding of the streptavidin conjugated donors with the biotin conjugated acceptors. After excitation of Eu-TBP and as result of the energy transfer, the luminescence of the QD655 acceptors also showed lengthened decay times like the donors. The energy transfer efficiency, as calculated from the decay times of the bound and the unbound components, amounted to 37%. The Förster-radius, estimated from the absorption and emission bands, was ca. 77 Å. The effective binding ratio, which not only depends on the ratio of binding pairs but also on unspecific binding, was obtained from the donor emission dependent on the concentration. As serum promotes unspecific binding, the overall FRET efficiency of the assay was reduced. We conclude that QDs are good substitutes for acceptors in FRET if combined with slow decay donors like Europium. The investigation of the influence of the serum provides guidance towards improving binding properties of QD assays.
[1-14C]-N-Acetyldopamine (NADA) was oxidized in the presence of methyl [3-3H]-β-alanate with mushroom tyrosinase. The complex mixture of reaction products was partly resolved by chromatographic procedures and analyzed by spectroscopic methods. Methyl-β-alanate is incorporated to only a small extent into oxidation products of NADA which inter alia are presumed to be oligomeric hydroxyquinones. After oxidation of [1-14C, 2-3H]-NADA with preparations from tanning Manduca sexta pupal cuticle, N-acetylnoradrenalin was identified as one of the products. Binding of radioactivity to melanin-like material was also observed. These results suggest that oxidation products different from those formulated usually for the crosslinkages between protein amino groups and N-acetyldopaquinone are deposited in darkly brown coloured insect cuticles during sclerotization.
The use of preformed polymers for the preparation of Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) multilayers is reviewed. Principles for polymer self-organization are outlined and the appropriate molecular designs are discussed. Recent developments in the different classes of polymers for LB multilayers are presented, and their outstanding properties highlighted.
A series of amphiphilic copolymers is prepared by copolymerization of choline methacrylate with 1,1,2,2-tetrahydroperfluorooctyl methacrylate in varying amounts. The copolymers bearing fluorocarbon chains are studied concerning their effects on viscosity, solubilization and surface activity in aqueous solution, exhibiting a general behavior characteristic for polysoaps. The results are compared with the ones obtained for an analogous series of amphiphilic copolymers bearing hydrocarbon chains.
To determine whether Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) measurements can provide quantitative distance information in single-molecule fluorescence experiments on polypeptides, we measured FRET efficiency distributions for donor and acceptor dyes attached to the ends of freely diffusing polyproline molecules of various lengths. The observed mean FRET efficiencies agree with those determined from ensemble lifetime measurements but differ considerably from the values expected from Förster theory, with polyproline treated as a rigid rod. At donor–acceptor distances much less than the Förster radius R0, the observed efficiencies are lower than predicted, whereas at distances comparable to and greater than R0, they are much higher. Two possible contributions to the former are incomplete orientational averaging during the donor lifetime and, because of the large size of the dyes, breakdown of the point-dipole approximation assumed in Förster theory. End-to-end distance distributions and correlation times obtained from Langevin molecular dynamics simulations suggest that the differences for the longer polyproline peptides can be explained by chain bending, which considerably shortens the donor–acceptor distances.
Langmuir-Blodgett multilayers of polymerizable carboxylic acids with hydrocarbon or fluorocarbon chains were prepared. The multilayers were polymerized by UV light and the reactions were studied by UV/visible spectroscopy. The polyreactions strongly influence the multilayer structures which were investigated by X-ray small-angle scattering and scanning electron microscopy. The spreading behaviour of the monomers, the preparation of multilayers, their reactivities in multilayers and structural effects caused by the polyreactions are discussed with regard to the hydrophilic head groups, the polymerizable groups and the hydrophobic chains.
Amphiphilic derivatives of octadiene and docosadiene were investigated in monolayers and Langmuir-Blodgett multilayers, with respect to their self-organization and their polymerization behavior. All amphiphiles investigated form monolayers. However, only acid and alcohol derivatives were able to build up multilayers. Those multilayers are rapidly photopolymerized in the layers via a two-step process: Irradiation with long-wavelength UV light yields soluble polymers, whereas additional irradiation with sfiort-wavelength UV light produces insoluble and presumably cross-linked polymers. The reaction meclianism is discussed according to the polymer characterization by UV spectroscopy, small-angle X-ray scattering, NMR spectroscopy, and gel permeation chromatography. All multilayers undergo structural changes during the polymerization; substantial changes result in defects in the polymerized layers as observed by scanning electron microscopy. In contrast to the acids and alcohols, the deposition of monolayers of the aldehyde derivatives did not yield well-ordered multilayers, but rather amorphous films. In this different film structure, the photopolymerization process differs from the one observed in multilayers.
One of the main issues with the use of nickel titanium alloy (NiTi) implants in cardiovascular implants (stents) is that these devices must be of very high quality in order to avoid subsequent operations due to failing stents. For small stents with diameters below ca. 2 mm, however, stent characterization is not straightforward. One of the main problems is that there are virtually no methods to characterize the interior of the NiTi tubes used for fabrication of these tiny stents. The current paper reports on a robust hybrid actuator for the characterization of NiTi tubes prior to stent fabrication. The method is based on a polymer/hydrogel/magnetic nanoparticle hybrid material and allows for the determination of the inner diameter at virtually all places in the raw NiTi tubes. Knowledge of the inner structure of the raw NiTi tubes is crucial to avoid regions that are not hollow or regions that are likely to fail due to defects inside the raw tube. The actuator enables close contact of a magnetic polymer film with the inner NiTi tube surface. The magnetic signal can be detected from outside and be used for a direct mapping of the tube interior. As a result, it is possible to detect critical regions prior to expensive and slow stent fabrication processes.
In the present study, photophysical properties of [N]phenylenes were studied by means of stationary and time-resolved absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy (in THF at room temperature). For biphenylene (1) and linear [3]phenylene (2a), internal conversion (IC) with quantum yields ΦIC > 0.99 is by far the dominant mechanism of S1 state deactivation. Angular [3]phenylene (3a), the zig-zag [4]- and [5]phenylenes (3b), (3c), and the triangular [4]phenylene (4) show fluorescence emission with fluorescence quantum yieds and lifetimes between ΦF = 0.07 for (3a) and 0.21 for (3c) and τF = 20 ns for (3a) and 81 ns for (4). Also, compounds (3) and (4) exhibit triplet formation upon photoexcitation with quantum yields as high as ΦISC = 0.45 for (3c). The strong differences in the fluorescence properties and in the triplet fromation efficiencies between (1) and (2a) on one hand and (3) and (4) on the other are related to the remarkable variation of the internal conversion (IC) rate constants kIC. A tentative classification of (1) and (2a) as “fast IC compounds”, with kIC > 109 s-1, and of (3) and (4) as “slow IC compounds”, with kIC ≈ 107 s-1, is suggested. This classification cannot simply be related to Hückel’s rule-type concepts of aromaticity, because the group of “fast IC compounds” consists of “antiaromatic” (1) and “aromatic” (2a), and the group of “slow IC compounds” consists of “antiaromatic” (3b), (4) and “aromatic” (3a), (3c). The IC in the [N]phenylenes is discussed within the framework of the so-called energy gap law established for non-radiative processes in benzenoid hydrocarbons.
Cinnamic acid moieties were incorporated into amphiphilic compounds containing one and two alkyl chains. These lipid-like compounds with photoreactive units undergo self-organization to form monolayers at the gas-water interface and bilayer structures (vesicles) in aqueous solutions. The photoreaction of the cinnamic acid moiety induced by 254 nm UV light was investigated in the crystalline state, in monolayers, in vesicles and in solution in organic solvents. The single-chain amphiphiles undergo dimerization to yield photoproducts with twice the molecular weight of the corresponding monomers in organized systems. The photoreaction of amphiphiles containing two cinnamic acid groups occurs via two mechanisms: The intramolecular dimerization produces bicycles, with retention of the molecular weight of the corresponding monomer. The intermolecular reaction leads to oligomeric and polymeric photoproducts. In contrast to the single-chain amphiphiles, photodimerization processes of lipoids containing two cinnamic acid moieties also occur in solution in organic solvents.
Oriented supramolecular systems-polymeric monolayers and multilayers from prepolymerized amphiphiles
(1986)
Oriented polymeric membranes were originally prepared by polymerization or polycondensation of preoriented monomers. The introduction of hydrophilic spacer groups into the polymeric amphiphiles allowed the formation of highly ordered systems (monolayers, liposomes, multilayers) from prepolymerized amphiphiles: due to the partial decoupling of the different mobilities and orientation tendencies of the polymer chain and the amphiphilic side groups, these polymers are able to self-organize. In monolayer experiments the high order of these membranes could be demonstrated by their surface pressure area-diagrams. In addition the combination of order and mobility of these spacer groups containing polymeric amphiphiles allowed the formation of Langmuir-Blodgett-multilyers with a high layer correlation. Thus, disturbancies in highly oriented layers can be avoided normally taking place during the polymerization reaction (e.g. contractions) or oriented monomeric layers.
Investigations with frequency domain photon density waves allow elucidation of absorption and scattering properties of turbid media. The temporal and spatial propagation of intensity modulated light with frequencies up to more than 1 GHz can be described by the P1 approximation to the Boltzmann transport equation. In this study, we establish requirements for the appropriate choice of turbid model media and characterize mixtures of isosulfan blue as absorber and polystyrene beads as scatterer. For these model media, the independent determination of absorption and reduced scattering coefficients over large absorber and scatterer concentration ranges is demonstrated with a frequency domain photon density wave spectrometer employing intensity and phase measurements at various modulation frequencies.
Phototropic microalgae have a large potential for producing valuable substances for the feed, food, cosmetics, pigment, bioremediation, and pharmacy industries as well as for biotechnological processes. Today it is estimated that the microalgal aquaculture worldwide production is 5000 tons of dry matter per year (not taking into account processed products) making it an approximately $1.25 billion U.S. per year industry. In this work, several spectroscopic techniques were utilized for the investigation of microalgae cells. Specifically, photondensity wave spectroscopy was applied as a technique for the on-line observation of the culture. For effective evaluation of the photosynthetic growth processes, fast and non-invasive sensor systems that analyze the relevant biological and technical process parameters are preferred. Traditionally, the biomass in a photobioreactor is quantified with the help of turbidimetry measurements, which require extensive calibration. Another problem frequently encountered when using spectral analysis for investigating solutions is that samples of interest are often undiluted and highly scattering and do not adhere to Beer-Lambert's law. Due to the fluorescence properties of chlorophyll, fluorescence spectroscopy techniques including fluorescence lifetime imaging and single photon counting could be applied to provide images of the cells as well as determine the effects of excitation intensity on the fluorescence lifetime, which is an indicator of the condition of the cell. A photon density wave is a sinusoidally intensity-modulated optical wave stemming from a point-source of light, which propagates through diffuse medium and exhibits amplitude and phase variations. Light propagation though strongly scattering media can be described by the P1 approximation to the Boltzmann transport equation. Photon density wave spectroscopy enables the ability to differentiate between scattered and absorbed light, which is desired so that an independent determination of the reduced scattering and absorption coefficients can be made. The absorption coefficient is related to the pigment content in the cells, and the reduced scattering coefficient can be used to characterize physical and morphological properties of the medium and was here applied for the determination of the average cell size.
Optical methods play an important role in process analytical technologies (PAT). Four examples of optical process and quality sensing (OPQS) are presented, which are based on three important experimental techniques: near-infrared absorption, luminescence quenching, and a novel method, photon density wave (PDW) spectroscopy. These are used to evaluate four process and quality parameters related to beer brewing and polyurethane (PU) foaming processes: the ethanol content and the oxygen (O2) content in beer, the biomass in a bioreactor, and the cellular structures of PU foam produced in a pilot production plant.
Aus dem Inhalt: Melanins are complex polyphenolic polymers. They are usually formed in nature by enzyme-catalyzed oxidative polymerization of o-diphenols. The deep black eumelanins, derived from Dopa 1 or dopamine 3, are distinguished from the yellow to brown phaeomelanins obtained from Dopa in the presence of cysteine. Characteristic of eumelanins are the indole units, which are formed from catecholamines by intramolecular addition of the amino groups to the oxidatively generated o-quinones. [...]
Cationic and zwitterionic polymerizable surfactants bearing tri- and tetraethyleneglycol spacer groups between the polymerizable moiety and the surfactant structure were prepared and polymerized. Monomers and polymers were investigated with respect to their aggregation behavior in aqueous systems and compared to analogous monomers and polymers lacking spacer groups. In the case of the monomeric surfactants, the spacer groups depress both the Kraffttemperature and the critical micelle concentration. the area occupied per molecule at the air-water interface is substantially enlarged by the spacers, whereas the depression of surface tension is nearly constant. Although the monomers with and without spacers are true surfactants, all the polymers are water-insoluble, but form monomolecular layers at the air-water interface. In analogy to the monomer behavior, the incorporation of the spacer groups increases the area occupied per repeat unit at the air-water interface substantially, but hardly affects the surface activity.
The performance of a home-built tunable diode laser (TDL) spectrometer has been optimized regarding multi-line detection of carbon dioxide in natural gases. In the regime of the (30<SUP>0</SUP>1)<SUB>III</SUB> ← (000) band of <SUP>12</SUP>CO<SUB>2</SUB> around 1.6 μm, the dominating isotope species <SUP>12</SUP>CO<SUB>2</SUB>, <SUP>13</SUP>CO<SUB>2</SUB>, and <SUP>12</SUP>C<SUP>18</SUP>O<SUP>16</SUP>O were detected simultaneously. In contrast to most established techniques, selective measurements are performed without any sample preparation. This is possible since the CO<SUB>2</SUB> detection is free of interference from water, ubiquitous in natural gases. Detection limits in the range of a few ppmv were obtained for each species utilizing wavelength modulation (WM) spectroscopy with balanced detection in a long-path absorption cell set-up. Linear calibration plots cover a dynamic range of four orders of magnitude, allowing for quantitative CO<SUB>2</SUB> detection in various samples, like soil and breath gas. High isotopic resolution enables the excellent selectivity, sensitivity, and stability of the chosen analytical concept. The obtained isotopic resolution of typically ± 1.0 ‰ and ± 1.5 ‰ (for 3 vol. % and 0.7 vol. % of CO<SUB>2</SUB>, respectively) offers a promising analytical tool for isotope-ratio determination of carbon dioxide in soil gas. Preliminary experiments on soil respiration for the first time combine the on-line quantification of the overall carbon dioxide content with an optode sensor and isotopic determination (TDL system) of natural gas species.
In this work, the development of temperature- and protein-responsive sensor materials based on biocompatible, inverse hydrogel opals (IHOs) is presented. With these materials, large biomolecules can be specifically recognised and the binding event visualised. The preparation of the IHOs was performed with a template process, for which monodisperse silica particles were vertically deposited onto glass slides as the first step. The obtained colloidal crystals with a thickness of 5 μm displayed opalescent reflections because of the uniform alignment of the colloids. As a second step, the template was embedded in a matrix consisting of biocompatible, thermoresponsive hydrogels. The comonomers were selected from the family of oligo(ethylene glycol)methacrylates. The monomer solution was injected into a polymerisation mould, which contained the colloidal crystals as a template. The space in-between the template particles was filled with the monomer solution and the hydrogel was cured via UV-polymerisation. The particles were chemically etched, which resulted in a porous inner structure. The uniform alignment of the pores and therefore the opalescent reflection were maintained, so these system were denoted as inverse hydrogel opals. A pore diameter of several hundred nanometres as well as interconnections between the pores should facilitate a diffusion of bigger (bio)molecules, which was always a challenge in the presented systems until now. The copolymer composition was chosen to result in a hydrogel collapse over 35 °C. All hydrogels showed pronounced swelling in water below the critical temperature. The incorporation of a reactive monomer with hydroxyl groups ensured a potential coupling group for the introduction of recognition units for analytes, e.g. proteins. As a test system, biotin as a recognition unit for avidin was coupled to the IHO via polymer-analogous Steglich esterification. The amount of accessible biotin was quantified with a colorimetric binding assay. When avidin was added to the biotinylated IHO, the wavelength of the opalescent reflection was significantly shifted and therefore the binding event was visualised. This effect is based on the change in swelling behaviour of the hydrogel after binding of the hydrophilic avidin, which is amplified by the thermoresponsive nature of the hydrogel. A swelling or shrinking of the pores induces a change in distance of the crystal planes, which are responsible for the colour of the reflection. With these findings, the possibility of creating sensor materials or additional biomolecules in the size range of avidin is given.
Two examples of our biophotonic research utilizing nanoparticles are presented, namely laser-based fluoroimmuno analysis and in-vivo optical oxygen monitoring. Results of the work include significantly enhanced sensitivity of a homogeneous fluorescence immunoassay and markedly improved spatial resolution of oxygen gradients in root nodules of a legume species.
Monolayers of rod-shaped and disc-shaped liquid crystalline compounds at the air-water interface
(1986)
Calamitic (rod-shaped) and discotic (disc-shaped) thermotropic liquid crystalline (LC) compounds were spread at the air-water interface, and their ability to form monolayers was studied. The calamitic LCs investigated were found to form monolayers which behave analogously to conventional amphiphiles such as fatty acids. The spreading of the discotic LCs produced monolayers as well, but with a behaviour different from classical amphiphiles. The areas occupied per molecule are too small to allow the contact of all hydrophilic groups with the water surface and the packing of all hydrophobic chains. Various molecular arrangements of the discotics at the water surface to fit the spreading data are discussed.
Contents: 1. Discotic Liquid Crystals 2. Monolayers and Langmuir-Blodgett Multilayers 3. Theoretical Considerations on the Molecular Packing of Discotic LCs in Monolayers and Multilayers 4. Spreading Experiments with Discotic LCs 5. LB-Multilayers of Discotic LCs 6. Polymeric Discotic LCs 7. Summary
The salivary glands of the blowfly were injected with luminescent oxygen-sensitive microbeads. The changes in oxygen content within individual gland tubules during hormone-induced secretory activity were quantified. The measurements are based on an upgraded phase-modulation technique, where the phase shift of the sensor phosphorescence is determined independently from concentration and background signals. We show that the combination of a lock-in amplifier with a fluorescence microscope results in a convenient setup to measure oxygen concentrations within living animal tissues at the cellular level.
The article reviews water-soluble polymers characterized by surfactant side chains, and related amphiphilic polymers. Various synthetic approaches are presented, and rules for useful molecular architectures are given. Models for the self-organization of such polymers in water are presented comparing them with the micellization of low molecular weight surfactants. Highlighting key properties of aqueous polysoap solutions such as viscosity, surface tension and solubilization power, some structure-property relationships are established. Further, the formation of mesophases and of superstructures in bulk is addressed. Finally, the functionalization of polysoaps, and potential applications are discussed.
The interactions between peptides and lipids are of fundamental importance in the functioning of numerous membrane-mediated biochemical processes including antimicrobial peptide action, hormone-receptor interactions, drug bioavailability across the blood-brain barrier and viral fusion processes. Alteration of peptide structure could be a cause of many diseases. Biological membranes are complex systems, therefore simplified models may be introduced in order to understand processes occurring in nature. The lipid monolayers at the air/water interface are suitable model systems to mimic biological membranes since many parameters can be easily controlled. In the present work the lipid monolayers were used as a model membrane and their interactions with two different peptides B18 and Amyloid beta (1-40) peptide were investigated. B18 is a synthetic peptide that binds to lipid membranes that leads to the membrane fusion. It was demonstrated that it adopts different structures in the aqueous solutions and in the membrane interior. It is unstructured in solutions and forms alpha-helix at the air/water interface or in the membrane bound state. The peptide has affinity to the negatively charged lipids and even can fold into beta-sheet structure in the vicinity of charged membranes at high peptide to lipid ratio. It was elucidated that in the absence of electrostatic interactions B18 does not influence on the lipid structure, whereas it provides partial liquidization of the negatively charged lipids. The understanding of mechanism of the peptide action in model system may help to develop the new type of antimicrobial peptides as well as it can shed light on the general mechanisms of peptide/membrane binding. The other studied peptide - Amyloid beta (1-40) peptide, which is the major component of amyloid plaques found in the brain of patients with Alzheimer's disease. Normally the peptide is soluble and is not toxic. During aging or as a result of the disease it aggregates and shows a pronounced neurotoxicity. The peptide aggregation involves the conformational transition from a random coil or alpha-helix to beta-sheets. Recently it was demonstrated that the membrane can play a crucial role for the peptide aggregation and even more the peptide can cause the change in the cell membranes that leads to a neuron death. In the present studies the structure of the membrane bound Amyloid beta peptide was elucidated. It was found that the peptide adopts the beta-sheet structure at the air/water interface or being adsorbed on lipid monolayers, while it can form alpha-helical structure in the presence of the negatively charged vesicles. The difference between the monolayer system and the bulk system with vesicles is the peptide to lipid ratio. The peptide adopts the helical structure at low peptide to lipid ratio and folds into beta-sheet at high ratio. Apparently, Abeta peptide accumulation in the brain is concentration driven. Increasing concentration leads to a change in the lipid to peptide ratio that induces the beta-sheet formation. The negatively charged lipids can act as seeds in the plaque formation, the peptide accumulates on the membrane and when the peptide to lipid ratio increases it the peptide forms toxic beta-sheet containing aggregates.
Mixed monolayers and Langmuir-Blodgett multilayers of functional low molecular weight guest compounds, especially nonlinear optical (NLO) dyes, within the matrix of an amphotropic spacer polymer have been prepared. The polymer matrix enabled the transfer of guest compounds not capable of self-organizing at the air-water interface by themselves. The structure of the LB multilayers and the transfer process were studied by small angle X-ray scattering and UV-visible spectroscopy. Good NLO coefficients were found in the mixed films.
In this contribution, we provide a detailed dynamical analysis of the interfacial hydrogen migration mediated by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). Contributions from the STM-current and from the non-adiabatic couplings are taken into account using only first principle models. The slight asymmetry of the tunnelling rates with respect to the potential bias sign inferred from experimental observations is reproduced by weighting the contributions of the metal acceptor–donor states for the propagation of the impinging electrons. The quasi-thermal inelastic collision mechanism is treated perturbatively. The influence of hydrogen pre-coverage is also investigated using new potential energy surfaces obtained from periodic density functional theory calculations. Fully quantum dynamical simulations of the system evolution are performed by solving the Pauli master equation, providing insight into the reaction mechanism of STM manipulation of subsurface hydrogens. It is observed that the hydrogen impurity favors resurfacing over occupation of the bulk and subsurface sites whenever possible. The present simulations give strong indication that the experimentally observed protuberances after STM-excitation are due to hydrogen accumulating in the vicinity of the surface.
The drift time spectra of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), alkylbenzenes and alkylphenylethers were recorded with a laser-based ion mobility (IM) spectrometer. The ion mobilities of all compounds were determined in helium as drift gas. This allows the calculation of the diffusion cross sections (Omegacalc) on the basis of the exact hard sphere scattering model (EHSSM) and their comparison with the experimentally determined diffusion cross sections (Omegaexp). These Omegaexp/Omegacalc-correlations are presented for molecules with a rigid structure like PAH and prove the reliability of the theoretical model and experimental method. The increase of the selectivity of IM spectrometry is demonstrated using resonance enhanced multiphoton ionisation (REMPI) at atmospheric pressure, realized by tuneable lasers. The REMPI spectra of nine alkylbenzenes and alkylphenylethers are investigated. On the basis of these spectra, the complete qualitative distinction of eight compounds in a mixture is shown. These experiments are extended to alkylbenzene isomer mixtures.
From the roots of the African plant Bulbine frutescens (Asphodelaceae), two unprecedented novel dimeric phenylanthraquinones, named joziknipholones A and B, possessing axial and centrochirality, were isolated, together with six known compounds. Structural elucidation of the new metabolites was achieved by spectroscopic and chiroptical methods, by reductive cleavage of the central bond between the monomeric phenylanthraquinone and -anthrone portions with sodium dithionite, and by quantum chemical CD calculations. Based on the recently revised absolute axial configuration of the parent phenylanthraquinones, knipholone and knipholone anthrone, the new dimers were attributed to possess the P-configuration (i.e., with the acetyl portions below the anthraquinone plane) at both axes in the case of joziknipholone A, whereas in joziknipholone B, the knipholone part was found to be M-configured. Joziknipholones A and B are active against the chloroquine resistant strain K1 of the malaria pathogen, Plasmodium falciparum, and show moderate activity against murine leukemic lymphoma L5178y cells.
Near-infrared (NIR) absorption spectroscopy with tunable diode lasers allows the simultaneous detection of the three most important isotopologues of carbon dioxide (<SUP>12</SUP>CO<SUB>2</SUB>, <SUP>13</SUP>CO<SUB>2</SUB>, <SUP>12</SUP>C<SUP>18</SUP>O<SUP>16</SUP>O) and carbon monoxide (<SUP>12</SUP>CO, <SUP>13</SUP>CO, <SUP>12</SUP>C<SUP>18</SUP>O). The flexible and compact fiber-optic tunable diode laser absorption spectrometer (TDLAS) allows selective measurements of CO<SUB>2</SUB> and CO with high isotopic resolution without sample preparation since there is no interference with water vapour. For each species, linear calibration plots with a dynamic range of four orders of magnitude and detection limits (LOD) in the range of a few ppm were obtained utilizing wavelength modulation spectroscopy (WMS) with balanced detection in a Herriott-type multipass cell. The high performance of the apparatus is illustrated by fill-evacuation-refill cycles.
The performance of a home-built tunable diode laser (TDL) spectrometer, aimed at multi-line detection of carbon dioxide, has been evaluated and optimized. In the regime of the (30<SUP>0</SUP>1)<SUB>III</SUB> / (000) band of <SUP>12</SUP>CO<SUB>2</SUB> around 1.6 μm, the dominating isotope species <SUP>12</SUP>CO<SUB>2</SUB>, <SUP>13</SUP>CO<SUB>2</SUB>, and <SUP>12</SUP>C<SUP>18</SUP>O<SUP>16</SUP>O were detected simultaneously without interference by water vapor. Detection limits in the range of few ppmv were obtained for each species utilizing wavelength modulation (WM) spectroscopy with balanced detection in a long-path absorption cell set-up. High sensitivity in conjunction with high precision —typically ±1‰ and ±6‰ for 3% and 0.7% of CO<SUB>2</SUB>, respectively— renders this experimental approach a promising analytical concept for isotope-ratio determination of carbon dioxide in soil and breath gas. For a moderate <SUP>12</SUP>CO<SUB>2</SUB> line, the pressure dependence of the line profile was characterized in detail, to account for pressure effects on sensitive measurements.
Sinefungin inhibited the S-adenosylmethionine-dependent farnesoic acid methyltransferase in a cell-free system containing a homogenate of corpora allata from female locusts, Locusta migratoria. The enzyme catalyzed the penultimate step of juvenile hormone biosynthesis in the insects. Culturing corpora allata in the presence of sinefungin greatly suppressed juvenile hormone production. The following in vivo effects were visible after injection of the inhibitor: increase in mortality and reduction of total haemolymph protein liter and ovary fresh weight, as well as length of terminal oocytes. Attempts to reverse these effects by topical application of the juvenile hormone analog ZR-515 (methoprene) were only partly successful. Therefore, the in vivo effects may be due to a general inhibition of methyltransferase enzymes in the insect. Sinefungin appeared to be of potential interest as the first representative of a new class of insect growth regulators.
Absorption and fluorescence properties of 4 hydraulic oils (3 biological and 1 petroleum-based) were investigated. In-situ LIF (laser-induced fluorescence) analysis of the oils on a brown sandy loam soil was performed. With calibration, quantitative detection was achieved. Estimated limits of detection were below ca. 500 mg/kg for the petroleum-based oil and ca. 2000 mg/kg for one biological oil. A semi-quantitative classification scheme is proposed for monitoring of the biological oils. This approach was applied to investigate the migration of a biological oil in soil-containing compartments, namely a soil column and a soil bed.