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Institute
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Dispersion engineered silicon nitride waveguides by geometrical and refractive-index optimization
(2014)
Dispersion engineering in silicon nitride (SiXNY) waveguides is investigated through the optimization of the waveguide transversal dimensions and refractive indices in a multicladding arrangement. Ultraflat dispersion of -84.0 +/- 0.5 ps/nm/km between 1700 and 2440 nm and 1.5 +/- 3 ps/nm/km between 1670 and 2500 nm is numerically demonstrated. It is shown that typical refractive index fluctuations as well as dimension fluctuations during fabrication of the SiXNY waveguides are a limitation for obtaining ultraflat dispersion profiles. Single- and multicladding waveguides are fabricated and their dispersion profiles measured (over nearly 1000 nm) using a low-coherence frequency domain interferometric technique. By appropriate thickness optimization, the zero-dispersion wavelength is tuned over a large spectral range in single-and multicladding waveguides with small refractive index contrast (3%). A flat dispersion profile with +/- 3.2 ps/nm/km variation over 500 nm is obtained in a multicladding waveguide fabricated with a refractive index contrast of 37%. Finally, we generate a nearly three-octave supercontinuum in this dispersion flattened multicladding SiXNY waveguide. (C) 2014 Optical Society of America
New porous materials based on covalently connected monomers are presented. The key step of the synthesis is an acetalisation reaction. In previous years we used acetalisation reactions extensively to build up various molecular rods. Based on this approach, investigations towards porous polymeric materials were conducted by us. Here we wish to present the results of these studies in the synthesis of 1D polyacetals and porous 3D polyacetals. By scrambling experiments with 1D acetals we could prove that exchange reactions occur between different building blocks (evidenced by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry). Based on these results we synthesized porous 3D polyacetals under the same mild conditions.
Picosecond X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) is used to investigate the electronic and structural dynamics initiated by plasmon excitation of 1.8 nm diameter Au nanoparticles (NPs) functionalised with 1-hexanethiol. We show that 100 ps after photoexcitation the transient XAS spectrum is consistent with an 8% expansion of the Au–Au bond length and a large increase in disorder associated with melting of the NPs. Recovery of the ground state occurs with a time constant of ∼1.8 ns, arising from thermalisation with the environment. Simulations reveal that the transient spectrum exhibits no signature of charge separation at 100 ps and allows us to estimate an upper limit for the quantum yield (QY) of this process to be <0.1.
Arsenic-containing hydrocarbons are one group of fat-soluble organic arsenic compounds (arsenolipids) found in marine fish and other seafood. A risk assessment of arsenolipids is urgently needed, but has not been possible because of the total lack of toxicological data. In this study the cellular toxicity of three arsenic-containing hydrocarbons was investigated in cultured human bladder (UROtsa) and liver (HepG2) cells. Cytotoxicity of the arsenic-containing hydrocarbons was comparable to that of arsenite, which was applied as the toxic reference arsenical. A large cellular accumulation of arsenic, as measured by ICP-MS/MS, was observed after incubation of both cell lines with the arsenolipids. Moreover, the toxic mode of action shown by the three arsenic-containing hydrocarbons seemed to differ from that observed for arsenite. Evidence suggests that the high cytotoxic potential of the lipophilic arsenicals results from a decrease in the cellular energy level. This first in vitro based risk assessment cannot exclude a risk to human health related to the presence of arsenolipids in seafood, and indicates the urgent need for further toxicity studies in experimental animals to fully assess this possible risk.
This study aims to further mechanistically understand toxic modes of action after chronic inorganic arsenic exposure. Therefore long-term incubation studies in cultured cells were carried out, to display chronically attained changes, which cannot be observed in the generally applied in vitro short-term incubation studies. Particularly, the cytotoxic, genotoxic and epigenetic effects of an up to 21 days incubation of human urothelial (UROtsa) cells with pico- to nanomolar concentrations of iAsIII and its metabolite thio-DMAV were compared. After 21 days of incubation, cytotoxic effects were strongly enhanced in the case of iAsIII and might partly be due to glutathione depletion and genotoxic effects on the chromosomal level. These results are in strong contrast to cells exposed to thio-DMAV. Thus, cells seemed to be able to adapt to this arsenical, as indicated among others by an increase in the cellular glutathione level. Most interestingly, picomolar concentrations of both iAsIII and thio-DMAV caused global DNA hypomethylation in UROtsa cells, which was quantified in parallel by 5-medC immunostaining and a newly established, reliable, high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS)-based test system. This is the first time that epigenetic effects are reported for thio-DMAV; iAsIII induced epigenetic effects occur in at least 8000 fold lower concentrations as reported in vitro before. The fact that both arsenicals cause DNA hypomethylation at really low, exposure-relevant concentrations in human urothelial cells suggests that this epigenetic effect might contribute to inorganic arsenic induced carcinogenicity, which for sure has to be further investigated in future studies.
Site-selective emission spectra of Eu3+-doped CeO2 nanoparticles up to the D-5(0) - F-7(5) transition were recorded under cryogenic conditions to identify the local structure around the Eu3+ dopants in ceria. It is found that pretreatment conditions are crucial for the redistribution of dopants from a broad variety of environments to six well-defined lattice sites. The influence of the dopant and the host structure on the catalytic activity was investigated. A relationship between structure and reactivity is discussed. It is shown that oxygen transport is most efficient in particles with a pronounced amorphous character.
For the first time tubulating properties of spherical dendritic glycopolymers and linear alternating polyampholytes against non-uniform negatively charged giant vesicles are proven by light microscopy and cryo-scanning electron microscopy study. Real time observation of the morphological transformation from giant vesicles to tubular structures, simulating morphogenesis in living cells, is given by using the cationic and H-bond active dendritic glycopolymer accompanied by reducing the size of the giant vesicles and the evidence of vesicle-vesicle interaction which was only postulated in a previous study. Similar morphogenesis of non-uniform giant vesicles into tubular network structure can be observed by using a polyampholyte in the stretched conformation at pH 9. Pearl necklace and tubular network structure formation are also observed by applying anionic vesicles of significant smaller dimensions with average size dimensions of 35 nm, after adding the polyampholyte at pH 9. However, the fitting accuracy between the functional groups along the backbone chain of the polyampholyte on one side and the vesicle surface on the other side is of high importance for the transformation process by using polyampholytes. The resulting tubular and network structures offer new fields of application as microfluidic transport channels or template phases for the shape controlled formation of nanoparticles. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
The origin of second harmonic generation (SHG) in starch granules was investigated using ab initio quantum mechanical modeling and experimentally examined using polarization-in, polarization-out (PIPO) second harmonic generation microscopy. Ab initio calculations revealed that the largest contribution to the SHG signal from A- and B-type allomorphs of starch originates from the anisotropic organization of hydroxide and hydrogen bonds mediated by aligned water found in the polymers. The hypothesis was experimentally tested by imaging maize starch granules under various hydration and heat treatment conditions that alter the hydrogen bond network. The highest SHG intensity was found in fully hydrated starch granules, and heat treatment diminished the SHG intensity. The PIPO SHG imaging showed that dried starch granules have a much higher nonlinear optical susceptibility component ratio than fully hydrated granules. In contrast, deuterated starch granules showed a smaller susceptibility component ratio demonstrating that SHG is highly sensitive to the organization of the hydroxyl and hydrogen bond network. The polarization SHG imaging results of potato starch granules, representing starch allomorph B, were compared to those of maize starch granules representing allomorph A. The results showed that the amount of aligned water was higher in the maize granules. Nonlinear microscopy of starch granules provides evidence that varying hydration conditions leads to significant changes in the nonlinear susceptibility ratio as well as the SHG intensity, supporting the hypothesis from ab initio calculations that the dominant contribution to SHG is due to the ordered hydroxide and hydrogen bond network.
Here, we study the metastable decay of 5'-d(TTGCTT) in the presence of 0-6 alkaline metal ions (Li+, Na+, K+, Rb+) and 0-3 alkaline earth metal ions (Mg2+ and Ca2+), which replace the corresponding number of protons in the oligonucleotide. We find that all ions studied here stabilize the oligonucleotide with respect to simple 3'-C-O backbone cleavage, but at the same time these metal ions promote a central oligonucleotide deletion accompanied by a concomitant recombination of the terminal d(TT) groups. We find that the quenching of the 3'-C-O backbone cleavage is not ion specific, since it is due to the removal of the phosphate protons upon replacement with the respective metal ions. The central nucleotide deletion competes with the 3'-C-O backbone cleavage channels and is thus promoted through the replacement of the exchangeable protons against metal ions. However, with increasing positive charge density of the metal ions the yield of the central nucleotide deletion further increases. We attribute this effect to the necessity of sufficient proximity of the terminal d(TT) group to allow for their recombination on this reaction path. Hence, the formation of a reactive conformer is mediated by the metal ions.
On the role of fluoro-substituted nucleosides in DNA radiosensitization for tumor radiation therapy
(2014)
Polyglycolide (PGA) is a biodegradable polymer with multiple applications in the medical sector. Here the synthesis of high molecular weight polyglycolide by ring-opening polymerization of diglycolide is reported. For the first time stabilizer free supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO(2)) was used as a reaction medium. scCO(2) allowed for a reduction in reaction temperature compared to conventional processes. Together with the lowering of monomer concentration and consequently reduced heat generation compared to bulk reactions thermal decomposition of the product occurring already during polymerization is strongly reduced. The reaction temperatures and pressures were varied between 120 and 150 degrees C and 145 to 1400 bar. Tin(II) ethyl hexanoate and 1-dodecanol were used as catalyst and initiator, respectively. The highest number average molecular weight of 31 200 g mol(-1) was obtained in 5 hours from polymerization at 120 degrees C and 530 bar. In all cases the products were obtained as a dry white powder. Remarkably, independent of molecular weight the melting temperatures were always at (219 +/- 2)degrees C.
An atomistic molecular dynamics simulation approach is applied to model the influence of urethane linker units as well as the addition of water molecules on the simulated shape-memory properties of poly[(rac-lactide)-co-glycolide] (PLGA) and PLGA-based copolyester urethanes comprising different urethane linkers. The shape-memory performance of these amorphous packing models is explored in a simulated heating-deformation-cooling-heating procedure. Depending on the type of incorporated urethane linker, the mechanical properties of the dry copolyester urethanes are found to be significantly improved compared with PLGA, which can be attributed to the number of intermolecular hydrogen bonds between the urethane units. Good shape-memory properties are observed for all the modeled systems. In the dry state, the shape fixation is found to be improved by implementation of urethane units. After swelling of the copolymer models with water, which results in a reduction of their glass transition temperatures, the relaxation kinetics during unloading and shape recovery are found to be substantially accelerated.
Polyester networks can be prepared by ultraviolet (UV)-light-induced radical polymerization of methacrylate functionalized oligo(epsilon-caprolactone)s. The properties and functions of the obtained materials depend on defined network structures and may be altered, if crosslinking would occur by side reactions in other positions than the methacrylate endgroups. In order to explore whether and to which extent such side reactions occur, network synthesis as well as related model reactions were performed in the absence of photoinitiator. Hereby precursor structures (linear and four-arm star-shaped) and reaction conditions (in solution and in the melt) were varied. Unspecific side reactions were found only upon extensive UV irradiation for 60min (26 mW cm(-2)) with minor but detectable alterations of physicochemical properties of the networks. The analysis of model reactions suggested minor photolytic cleavage of ester bonds during polymer network synthesis. However, the effect of these side reactions on network properties and functions appeared to be less relevant than an incomplete precursor integration because of a too short UV irradiation for crosslinking. Copyright (c) 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
We report a 1,2,3-triazol fluoroionophore for detecting Na+ that shows in vitro enhancement in the Na+-induced fluorescence intensity and decay time. The Na+-selective molecule 1 was incorporated into a hydrogel as a part of a fiber optical sensor. This sensor allows the direct determination of Na+ in the range of 1–10 mM by measuring reversible fluorescence decay time changes.
The new N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complex [PdCl2{(CN)(2)IMes}(PPh3)] (2) ({(CN)(2)IMes}: 4,5-dicyano-1,3-dimesitylimidazol-2-ylidene) and the NHC palladacycle [PdCl(dmba){(CN)(2)IMes}] (3) (dmba: N,N-dimethylbenzylamine) have been synthesized by thermolysis of 4,5-dicyano-1,3-dimesityl-2-(pentafluorophenyl) imidazoline (1) in the presence of suitable palladium(II) precursors. The acyclic complex 2 was formed by ligand exchange using the mononuclear precursor [PdCl2(PPh3)(2)] and the palladacycle 3 was formed by cleavage of the dinuclear chloro-bridged precursor [Pd(mu-Cl)(dmba)](2). The new NHC precursor 1-benzyl-4,5-dicyano-2-(pentafluorophenyl)-3-picolylimidazoline (5) was formed by condensation of pentafluorobenzaldehyde with N-benzyl-N'-picolyldiaminomaleonitrile (4). The NHC palladacycle [PdCl2{(CN)(2)IBzPic}] (6) ({(CN)(2)IBzPic}: 1-benzyl-4,5-dicyano-3-picolylimidazol-2-ylidene) was prepared by in situ thermolysis of 5 in the presence of [PdCl2(PhCN)(2)]. The three palladium(II) complexes were characterized by NMR and IR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and elemental analysis. In addition, the molecular structures of 2 and 3 were determined by X-ray diffraction. The pi-acidity of (CN)(2)IBzPic was compared with (CN)(2)IMes and perviously reported pi-acidic imidazol-2-ylidenes by NBO analysis. The Mizoroki-Heck (MH) reactions of various aryl halides with n-butyl acrylate were performed in the presence of complexes 2, 3 and 6. The new precatalysts showed high activity in the MH reactions giving good-to-excellent product yields with 0.1 mol-% pre-catalyst. The nature of the catalytically active species of 2, 3 and 6 was investigated by poisoning experiments with mercury and transmission electron microscopy. It was found that palladium nanoparticles formed from the precatalysts were involved in the catalytic process.
New sulphoxide modified resins were synthesized using poly(styrene-co-divinylbenzene) (PS-DVB) as matrix. Infrared spectroscopy and elemental analysis were used for characterisation. Solid-phase extraction of Pt-IV, Ru-III and Ru-IV from acidic chloride solutions was performed via batch experiments. Influence of spacer length between sulphoxide and matrix (ethylene, hexamethylene), substitution of sulphoxide (R-1: ethyl, hexyl, phenyl) and bead size of PS-DVB (spherical beads: d(50) < 155 mu m, d(50) < 80 mu m; powder: d(50) < 30 mu m) on adsorption was investigated subjected to acidity. Experimental results showed that ethyl substituted sulphoxide immobilised onto ground PS-DVB and hexamethylene spacer exhibited best adsorption properties. Different kinetic models and isotherms were fitted to the experimental data to identify extraction mechanism. Pt-IV was quantitative sorbed at [HCl] <= 0.1 mol/L whereas Ru-III and Ru-IV sorption ranged between 90% and 95% at [HCl] 5 mol/L. Desorption was reached using a solution of 0.5 M thiourea (Tu) in 0.1 M HCl at 90 degrees C. Separation of Pt-IV and Rum occurred at [HCl] <= 0.1 mol/L whereas Pt-IV was extracted and Ru-III remained in solution. A further separation was achieved by extracting Pt-IV and Ru-IV at 5 M HCl followed by sequential elution of Pt-IV with concentrated HCl and Ru-IV with 0.5 M Tu in 0.1 M HCl at 90 degrees C. 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
We report a 1,2,3-triazol fluoroionophore for detecting Na+ that shows in vitro enhancement in the Na+-induced fluorescence intensity and decay time. The Na+-selective molecule 1 was incorporated into a hydrogel as a part of a fiber optical sensor. This sensor allows the direct determination of Na+ in the range of 1-10 mM by measuring reversible fluorescence decay time changes.
High fractions of gold nanorods were locally aligned by means of a polymeric liquid crystalline phase. The gold nanorods constituting >80 wt % of the thin organic-inorganic composite films form a network with side-by-side and end-to-end combinations. Organization into these network structures was induced by shearing gold nanorod-LC polymer dispersions via spin-coating. The LC polymer is a polyoxazoline functionalized with pendent cholesteryl and carboxyl side groups enabling the polymer to bind to the CTAB stabilizer layer of the gold nanorods via electrostatic interactions, thus forming the glue between organic and inorganic components, and to form a chiral nematic lyotropic phase. The self-assembled locally oriented gold nanorod structuring enables control over collective optical properties due to plasmon resonance coupling, reminiscent of enhanced optical properties of natural biomaterials.
Thiol-X chemistry has proven to be a valuable toolbox for modification of peptides, proteins, monomers, and polymers. Recently, this has become especially true for the modification of polypeptides (monomers or polymers), which has resulted in a plethora of novel polymers and materials. With this in mind, this highlight focuses on the recent literature concerning the modification of polypeptides by the use of thiol-X chemistry, in particular to synthetic polypeptides either at the monomer or polymer stage modified by thiol-ene, -Michael addition, and -yne chemistries. (C) 2014 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
4-Phenol diazonium salts undergo Pd-catalyzed Heck reactions with various styrenes to 4ï-hydroxy stilbenes. In almost all cases higher yields and fewer side products were observed, compared to the analogous 4-methoxy benzene diazonium salts. In contrast, the reaction fails completely with 2- and 3-phenol diazonium salts. For these substitution patterns the methoxy-substituted derivatives are superior.
With the present theoretical study of the photochemical switching of E-methylfurylfulgide we contribute an important step towards the understanding of the photochemical processes in furylfulgide-related molecules. We have carried out large-scale, full-dimensional direct semiempirical configuration-interaction surface-hopping dynamics of the photoinduced ring-closure reaction. Simulated static and dynamical UV/Vis-spectra show good agreement with experimental data of the same molecule. By a careful investigation of our dynamical data, we were able to identify marked differences to the dynamics of the previously studied E-isopropylfurylfulgide. With our simulations we can not only reproduce the experimentally observed quantum yield differences qualitatively but we can also pinpoint two reasons for them: kinematics and pre-orientation. With our analysis, we thus offer straightforward molecular explanations for the high sensitivity of the photodynamics towards seemingly minor changes in molecular constitution. Beyond the realm of furylfulgides, these insights provide additional guidance to the rational design of photochemically switchable molecules.
Cross metathesis of allyl alcohols: how to suppress and how to promote double bond isomerization
(2014)
Under standard conditions the cross metathesis of allyl alcohols and methyl acrylate is accompanied by the formation of ketones, resulting from uncontrolled and undesired double bond isomerization. By conducting the CM in the presence of phenol, the catalyst loading and the reaction time required for quantiative conversion can be reduced, and isomerization can be suppressed. On the other hand, consecutive isomerization can be deliberately promoted by evaporating excess methyl acrylate after completing cross metathesis and by adding a base or silane as chemical triggers.
Phytochemical investigations of Mammea usambarensis resulted into the isolation a delta-tocotrienol (1) and five known mammea-type coumarins (2-6). Their structures were determined by NMR, IR, and LC-MS spectroscopic methods and by comparison of their spectral and physical data with those reported previously in the literature. The presence of these compounds is consistent with the compound classes reported from other members of the genus Mammal. Compound 6 is isolated from the Mammea genus for the first time. This is the new source of mammea-type coumarin compounds while the chemotaxonomic significance of this investigation is summarized. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
A vegetable oil (VO) was added to an emulsion of silicone oil in water (SO/W) with mixing limited to once turning the test tube upside down. Initially, the VO was dispersed into virtually centimeter-sized drops and the emulsion contained effectively no Janus drops, while after 1 h of agitation at a low level to prevent creaming, drops of 50-100-mu m size of the two oils were observed: in addition to an insignificant number of Janus drops. The topology of the latter showed them to emanate from flocculated individual drops of the two oils, but with no discernible effect by the interfacial tension equilibrium on the drop topology. Continued gentle mixing gave increasing fraction of Janus drops of increased size with a topology gradually approaching the one expected from the interfacial equilibrium at the contact line. The spontaneous formation of Janus drops indicated a reduction of the interfacial free energy in the process and the interfacial energy difference between separate and Janus drops was calculated for an appropriate range of interfacial tensions and for all oil fractions. The calculations enabled a distinction of the decrease due to interfacial area changes from the reduction of interfacial tensions per se, with the latter only a minor fraction.
Photoinduced excitation energy transfer and accompanying charge separation are elucidated for a supramolecular system of a single fullerene covalently linked to six pyropheophorbide-a dye molecules. Molecular dynamics simulations are performed to gain an atomistic picture of the architecture and the surrounding solvent. Excitation energy transfer among the dye molecules and electron transfer from the excited dyes to the fullerene are described by a mixed quantum-classical version of the Forster rate and the semiclassical Marcus rate, respectively. The mean characteristic time of energy redistribution lies in the range of 10 ps, while electron transfer proceeds within 150 ps. In between, on a 20 to 50 ps time-scale, conformational changes take place in the system. This temporal hierarchy of processes guarantees efficient charge separation, if the structure is exposed to a solvent. The fast energy transfer can adopt the dye excitation to the actual conformation. In this sense, the probability to achieve charge separation is large enough since any dominance of unfavorable conformations that exhibit a large dye-fullerene distance is circumvented. And the slow electron transfer may realize an averaging with respect to different conformations. To confirm the reliability of our computations, ensemble measurements on the charge separation dynamics are simulated and a very good agreement with the experimental data is obtained.
Materials derived from renewable resources are highly desirable in view of more sustainable manufacturing. Among the available natural materials, wood is one of the key candidates, because of its excellent mechanical properties. However, wood and wood-based materials in engineering applications suffer from various restraints, such as dimensional instability upon humidity changes. Several wood modification treatments increase water repellence, but the insertion of hydrophobic polymers can result in a composite material which cannot be considered as renewable anymore. In this study, we report on the grafting of the fully biodegradable poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) inside the wood cell walls by Sn(Oct)(2) catalysed ring-opening polymerization (ROP). The presence of polyester chains within the wood cell wall structure is monitored by confocal Raman imaging and spectroscopy as well as scanning electron microscopy. Physical tests reveal that the modified wood is more hydrophobic due to the bulking of the cell wall structure with the polyester chains, which results in a novel fully biodegradable wood material with improved dimensional stability.
A feasible approach to construct multilayer films of sulfonated polyanilines - PMSA1 and PABMSA1 containing different ratios of aniline, 2-methoxyaniline-5-sulfonic acid (MAS) and 3-aminobenzoic acid (AB), with the entrapped redox enzyme pyrroloquinoline quinone-dependent glucose dehydrogenase (PQQ-GDH) on Au and ITO electrode surfaces, is described. The formation of layers has been followed and confirmed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), which demonstrates that the multilayer assembly can be achieved in a progressive and uniform manner. The gold and ITO electrodes subsequently modified with PMSA1:PQQ-GDH and PABMSA1 films are studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and UV-Vis spectroscopy which show a significant direct bioelectrocatalytical response to the oxidation of the substrate glucose without any additional mediator. This response correlates linearly with the number of deposited layers. Furthermore, the constructed polymer/enzyme multilayer system exhibits a rather good long-term stability, since the catalytic current response is maintained for more than 60% of the initial value even after two weeks of storage. This verifies that a productive interaction of the enzyme embedded in the film of substituted polyaniline can be used as a basis for the construction of bioelectronic units, which are useful as indicators for processes liberating glucose and allowing optical and electrochemical transduction.
Charge transport and structural dynamics in low molecular weight and polymerized 1-vinyl-3-pentylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl) imide ionic liquids (ILs) are investigated by a combination of broadband dielectric spectroscopy, dynamic mechanical spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. While the dc conductivity and fluidity exhibit practically identical temperature dependence for the non-polymerized IL, a significant decoupling of ionic conduction from structural dynamics is observed for the polymerized IL. In addition, the dc conductivity of the polymerized IL exceeds that of its molecular counterpart by four orders of magnitude at their respective calorimetric glass transition temperatures. This is attributed to the unusually high mobility of the anions especially at lower temperatures when the structural dynamics is significantly slowed down. A simple physical explanation of the possible origin of the remarkable decoupling of ionic conductivity from structural dynamics is proposed.
A new functional luminescent lanthanide complex (LLC) has been synthesized with terbium as a central lanthanide ion and biotin as a functional moiety. Unlike in typical lanthanide complexes assembled via carboxylic moieties, in the presented complex, four phosphate groups are chelating the central lanthanide ion. This special chemical assembly enhances the complex stability in phosphate buffers conventionally used in biochemistry. The complex synthesis strategy and photophysical properties are described as well as the performance in time-resolved Forster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) assays. In those assays, this biotin-LLC transferred energy either to acceptor organic dyes (Cy5 or AF680) labelled on streptavidin or to quantum dots (QD655 or QD705) surfacefunctionalised with streptavidins. The permanent spatial donor-acceptor proximity is assured through strong and stable biotin-streptavidin binding. The energy transfer is evidenced from the quenching observed in donor emission and from a decrease in donor luminescence decay, both associated with simultaneous increase in acceptor intensity and in the decay time. The dye-based assays are realised in TRIS and in PBS, whereas QD-based systems are studied in borate buffer. The delayed emission analysis allows for quantifying the recognition process and for auto-fluorescence-free detection, which is particularly relevant for application in bioanalysis. In accordance with Forster theory, Forsterradii (R0) were found to be around 60 angstrom for organic dyes and around 105 angstrom for QDs. The FRET efficiency (Z) reached 80% and 25% for dye and QD acceptors, respectively. Physical donor-acceptor distances (r) have been determined in the range 45-60 angstrom for organic dye acceptors, while for acceptor QDs between 120 angstrom and 145 angstrom. This newly synthesised biotin-LLC extends the class of highly sensitive analytical tools to be applied in the bioanalytical methods such as time-resolved fluoroimmunoassays (TR-FIA), luminescent imaging and biosensing.
Diffusion of finite-size particles in two-dimensional channels with random wall configurations
(2014)
Diffusion of chemicals or tracer molecules through complex systems containing irregularly shaped channels is important in many applications. Most theoretical studies based on the famed Fick-Jacobs equation focus on the idealised case of infinitely small particles and reflecting boundaries. In this study we use numerical simulations to consider the transport of finite-size particles through asymmetrical two-dimensional channels. Additionally, we examine transient binding of the molecules to the channel walls by applying sticky boundary conditions. We consider an ensemble of particles diffusing in independent channels, which are characterised by common structural parameters. We compare our results for the long-time effective diffusion coefficient with a recent theoretical formula obtained by Dagdug and Pineda
Intermediates in the formation and thermolysis of peroxides from oxidations with singlet oxygen
(2014)
Herein we describe the recent mechanistic understandings of the singlet oxygen ene reaction to give hydroperoxides and the [4+2] cycloaddition affording endoperoxides. Both experimental findings and theoretical work conclude in the formation of intermediates structurally similar to perepoxides during the ene reaction. Such intermediates mainly control the regio- and stereoselectivities of this reaction class. For the [4+2] cycloaddition, both a synchronous concerted reaction (benzene, naphthalenes) and a stepwise reaction with a non-symmetric zwitterionic intermediate (larger acenes) have been found. The thermolysis of endoperoxides derived from acenes proceeds stepwise for anthracenes, but in a concerted manner for less stable adducts such as naphthalene.
As an engineering material derived from renewable resources, wood possesses excellent mechanical properties in view of its light weight but also has some disadvantages such as low dimensional stability upon moisture changes and low durability against biological attack. Polymerization of hydrophobic monomers in the cell wall is one of the potential approaches to improve the dimensional stability of wood. A major challenge is to insert hydrophobic monomers into the hydrophilic environment of the cell walls, without increasing the bulk density of the material due to lumen filling. Here, we report on an innovative and simple method to insert styrene monomers into tosylated cell walls (i.e. -OH groups from natural wood polymers are reacted with tosyl chloride) and carry out free radical polymerization under relatively mild conditions, generating low wood weight gains. In-depth SEM and confocal Raman microscopy analysis are applied to reveal the distribution of the polystyrene in the cell walls and the lumen. The embedding of polystyrene in wood results in reduced water uptake by the wood cell walls, a significant increase in dimensional stability, as well as slightly improved mechanical properties measured by nanoindentation.
New porous materials based on covalently connected monomers are presented. The key step of the synthesis is an acetalisation reaction. In previous years we used acetalisation reactions extensively to build up various molecular rods. Based on this approach, investigations towards porous polymeric materials were conducted by us. Here we wish to present the results of these studies in the synthesis of 1D polyacetals and porous 3D polyacetals. By scrambling experiments with 1D acetals we could prove that exchange reactions occur between different building blocks (evidenced by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry). Based on these results we synthesized porous 3D polyacetals under the same mild conditions.
The standard procedure in the lab for plasmid isolation usually involves a 2-mL, 16 h over-night cultivation in 15-mL bioreaction tubes in LB medium. This is time consuming, and not suitable for high-throughput applications. This study shows that it is possible to produce plasmid DNA (pDNA) in a 1.5-mL microcentrifuge tube with only 100 L cultivation volume in less than 7 h with a simple protocol. Compared with the standard LB cultivation for pDNA production reaching a final pDNA concentration range of 1.5-4 mu g mL(-1), a 6- to 10-fold increase in plasmid concentration (from 10 up to 25 mu g mL(-1) cultivation volume) is achieved using an optimized medium with an internal substrate delivery system (EnBase (R)). Different strains, plasmids, and the applicability of different inoculation tools (i.e. different starting ODs) were compared, demonstrating the robustness of the system. Additionally, dissolved oxygen was monitored in real time online, indicating that under optimized conditions oxygen limitation can be avoided. We developed a simple protocol with a significantly decreased procedure time, enabling simultaneous handling of more samples, while a consistent quality and a higher final pDNA concentration are ensured.
Three new copper(II) 4-nitrobenzoato coordination compounds (4-NO(2)bz(-) = 4-nitrobenzoate anions) with N-methylnicotinamide (mna) [Cu(4-NO(2)bz)(2)(mna)(2)(H2O)] (1), [Cu(4-NO(2)bz)(2)(mu-mna)(H2O)](2) (2) and [Cu(mu-4-NO(2)bz)(2)(mna)](2) (3) were synthesized and characterized. Due to a comparison, additional two related compounds [Cu(3,5-(NO2)(2)bz)(2)(mna)(2)(H2O)] (4) (nia = nicotinamide, 3,5-(NO2)(2)bz(-) = 3,5-dinitrobenzoate anions) and [Cu(mu-2-NO(2)bz)(2)(mna)](2) (5) (2-NO(2)bz(-) = 2-nitrobenzoate anions) were isolated. The mononuclear compounds with mna 1 and nia 4 show CuO2N2O chromophores with the water molecule placed at the apex of the square pyramid. The square-pyramidal coordination sphere CuO3NO in 2 differs to CuO2N2O in 1 and 4. Differently, the water molecule is in 2 at the basal-plane, while two mna molecules serve also as bridges via N-py and 0-amido enabling a dinuclear molecular structure 1, 2 and 4 are paramagnetic though a dinuclear structure is seen in 2, while a clear-cut strong antiferromagnetic (AFM) coupling (2J -300 cm(-1)) is found for the compounds 3 and 5. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
New N-p-chloro-, N-p-bromo-, and N-p-nitrophenylazobenzylchitosan derivatives, as well as the corresponding azophenyl and azophenyl-p-sulfonic acids, were synthesized by coupling N-benzylvchitosan with aryl diazonium salts. The synthesized molecules were analyzed by UV-Vis, FT-IR, H-1-NMR and N-15-NMR spectroscopy. The capacity of copper chelation by these materials was studied by AAS. Chitosan and the derivatives were subjected to hydrolysis and the products were analyzed by ESI(+)-MS and GC-MS, confirming the formation of N-benzyl chitosan. Furthermore, the MS results indicate that a nucleophilic aromatic substitution (SnAr) reaction occurs under hydrolysis conditions, yielding chloroaniline from N-p-bromo-, and N-p-nitrophenylazo-benzylchitosan as well as bromoaniline from N-p-chloro-, and N-p-nitrophenylazobenzyl-chitosan.
Nanobioconjugates have been synthesized using cadmium selenide quantum dots (QDs), europium complexes (EuCs), and biotin. In those conjugates, long-lived photoluminescence (PL) is provided by the europium complexes, which efficiently transfer energy via Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) to the QDs in close spatial proximity. As a result, the conjugates have a PL emission spectrum characteristic for QDs combined with the long PL decay time characteristic for EuCs. The nanobioconjugates synthesis strategy and photo-physical properties are described as well as their performance in a time-resolved streptavidin-biotin PL assay. In order to prepare the QD-EuC-biotin conjugates, first an amphiphilic polymer has been functionalized with the EuC and biotin. Then, the polymer has been brought onto the surface of the QDs (either QD655 or QD705) to provide functionality and to make the QDs water dispersible. Due to a short distance between EuC and QD, an efficient FRET can be observed. Additionally, the QD-EuC-biotin conjugates' functionality has been demonstrated in a PL assay yielding good signal discrimination, both from autofluorescence and directly excited QDs. These newly designed QD-EuC-biotin conjugates expand the class of highly sensitive tools for bioanalytical optical detection methods for diagnostic and imaging applications. (C) 2014 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE)
We report on the fabrication of a complex electrode architecture for efficient direct bioelectrocatalysis. In the developed procedure, the redox enzyme pyrroloquinoline quinone-dependent glucose dehydrogenase entrapped in a sulfonated polyaniline [poly(2-methoxyaniline-5-sulfonic acid)-co-aniline] was immobilized on macroporous indium tin oxide (macroITO) electrodes. The use of the 3D-conducting scaffold with a large surface area in combination with the conductive polymer enables immobilization of large amounts of enzyme and its efficient communication with the electrode, leading to enhanced direct bioelectrocatalysis. In the presence of glucose, the fabricated bioelectrodes show an exceptionally high direct bioelectrocatalytical response without any additional mediator. The catalytic current is increased more than 200-fold compared to planar ITO electrodes. Together with a high long-term stability (the current response is maintained for >90% of the initial value even after 2 weeks of storage), the transparent 3D macroITO structure with a conductive polymer represents a valuable basis for the construction of highly efficient bioelectronic units, which are useful as indicators for processes liberating glucose and allowing optical and electrochemical transduction.
It is proposed that xanthophylls, and carotenoids in general, may assist in energy transfer from the chlorophyll Soret band to the Q band. Ground-state (1A(g)) and excited-state (1B(u)) optimizations of violaxanthin (Vx) and zeaxanthin (Zx) are performed in an environment mimicking the light-harvesting complex II (LHCII), including the closest chlorophyll b molecule (Chl). Time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT, CAM-B3LYP functional) is used in combination with a semi-empirical description to obtain the excited-state geometries, supported by additional DFT/multireference configuration interaction calculations, with and without point charges representing LHCII. In the ground state, Vx and Zx show similar properties. At the 1B(u) minimum, the energy of the Zx 1Bu state is below the Chl Q band, in contrast to Vx. Both Vx and Zx may act as acceptors of Soret-state energy; transfer to the Q band seems to be favored for Vx. These findings suggest that carotenoids may generally mediate Soret-to-Q energy flow in LHCII.
Surface modification with thermoresponsive polymer brushes for a switchable electrochemical sensor
(2014)
Elaboration of switchable surfaces represents an interesting way for the development of a new generation of electrochemical sensors. In this paper, a method for growing thermoresponsive polymer brushes from a gold surface pre-modified with polyethyleneimine (PEI), subsequent layer-by-layer polyelectrolyte assembly and adsorption of a charged macroinitiator is described. We propose an easy method for monitoring the coil-to-globule phase transition of the polymer brush using an electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (E-QCM-D). The surface of these polymer modified electrodes shows reversible switching from the swollen to the collapsed state with temperature. As demonstrated from E-QCM-D measurements using an original signal processing method, the switch is operating in three reversible steps related to different interfacial viscosities. Moreover, it is shown that the one electron oxidation of ferrocene carboxylic acid is dramatically affected by the change from the swollen to the collapsed state of the polymer brush, showing a spectacular 86% decrease of the charge transfer resistance between the two states.
For in vitro studies assessing the interaction of platelets with implant materials, common and standardized protocols for the preparation of platelet rich plasma (PRP) are lacking, which may lead to non-matching results due to the diversity of applied protocols. Particularly, the aging of platelets during prolonged preparation and storage times is discussed to lead to an underestimation of the material thrombogenicity. Here, we study the influence of whole blood-and PRP-storage times on changes in platelet morphology and function.
Whole blood PFA100 closure times increased after stimulation with collagen/ADP and collagen/epinephrine. Twenty four hours after blood collection, both parameters were prolonged pathologically above the upper limit of the reference range. Numbers of circulating platelets, measured in PRP, decreased after four hours, but no longer after twenty four hours. Mean platelet volumes (MPV) and platelet large cell ratios (P-LCR, 12 fL - 40 fL) decreased over time. Immediately after blood collection, no debris or platelet aggregates could be visualized microscopically. After four hours, first debris and very small aggregates occurred. After 24 hours, platelet aggregates and also debris progressively increased. In accordance to this, the CASY system revealed an increase of platelet aggregates (up to 90 mu m diameter)with increasing storage time.
The percentage of CD62P positive platelets and PF4 increased significantly with storage time in resting PRP. When soluble ADP was added to stored PRP samples, the number of activatable platelets decreased significantly over storage time. The present study reveals the importance of a consequent standardization in the preparation of WB and PRP. Platelet morphology and function, particularly platelet reactivity to adherent or soluble agonists in their surrounding milieu, changed rapidly outside the vascular system. This knowledge is of crucial interest, particularly in the field of biomaterial development for cardiovascular applications, and may help to define common standards in the in vitro hemocompatibility testing of biomaterials.
Janus emulsions were formed by mixing three immiscible liquids; this implies two oil components (i.e. olive oil (00) and silicone oil (SiO)) with water in presence of interfacial active components. The morphology and size of Janus droplets formed strongly depended on the type of surfactant used. In presence of a non-ionic surfactant, i.e. Tween 80, large engulfed Janus droplets were formed. By adding phospholipids to the system the droplet size was decreased and more stable Janus droplets formed. Interfacial tension measurements carried out using a spinning drop apparatus and a ring tensiometer demonstrate that interfacial tension is the most important factor controlling the size, morphology and stability of Janus droplets. When the interfacial tension between oil and water becomes <= 1 mN/m, smaller Janus droplets are formed. Such conditions are fulfilled when phospholipids are used in combination with non-ionic surfactant Tween 80. The morphology of the double droplets is predominantly controlled by the viscosity and interfacial tension between the two oil phases. By using different types of phospholipids, i.e. asolectin and lecithin instead of a more concentrated phosphatidylcholine (phospholipon), the interfacial tension is decreased and different morphologies of engulfing can be observed.
We present a novel laser pulse control for the chiroptical switch 1-(2-cis-fluoroethenyl)-2-fluoro-3,5-dibromobenzene mounted on adamantane, where the latter imitates a linker group or part of a solid surface. This molecular device offers three switching states: a true achiral "off"-state and two chiral "on"-states of opposite handedness. Due to the alignment of its chiral axis along the surface normal several defined orientations of the switch have to be considered for an efficient stereocontrol strategy. In addition to these different initial conditions, coupled torsional degrees of freedom around the chiral axis make the quest for highly stereoselective laser pulses a challenge. The necessary flexibility in pulse accomplished by employing the iterative stochastic pulse optimization method we presented recently. Still, the complexity of the system dictates a combined treatment by fast molecular dynamics and computationally intensive quantum dynamics. Although quantum effects are found to be of importance, the pulses optimized within the classical treatment allow us to turn on the chirality of the switch, achieving high enantioselectivity in the quantum treatment for all orientations at the same time.
Micellar multilayer films were prepared from an amphiphilic comb-like polycation ("polysoap") and the polyanion poly(styrene sulfonate) (PSS) using alternate polyelectrolyte layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembly. Linear growth of the film thickness was evidenced by UV-vis spectroscopy and spectroscopic ellipsometry. Imaging by atomic force microscopy (AFM) indicated that the micellar conformation adopted by the polycation in solutions was preserved in the films. Thus, hydrophobic photoactive molecules, which were solubilized by the hydrophobic nanodomains of the micellar polymer prior to deposition, could be transferred into the films. Photoinduced energy transfer was observed in the nanostructured multilayers between naphthalene (donor) and perylene (acceptor) molecules embedded inside the polymer micelles. The efficiency of the energy transfer process can be controlled to some extent by introducing spacer layers between the layers containing the donor or acceptor, revealing partial stratification of the micellar LbL films. Also, photoinduced electron transfer was evidenced between perylene (donor) and butyl viologen (acceptor) molecules embedded inside the multilayers by steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy. The obtained photoactive nanostructures are promising candidates for solar-to-chemical energy conversion systems.
This Letter is focused on the one-pot formation of CdS nanoparticles in aqueous medium in presence of polyethyleneimine (PEI). Quantum dots can be obtained by adding a pre-cooled aqueous Na2S solution to a pre-cooled aqueous CdCl2 solution dropwise in presence of PEI.
Field flow fractionation in combination with TEM experiments show a time dependent agglomeration of individual quantum dots from 1.6 nm up to 3.2 nm in size. The hyperbranched PEI of moderate molar mass (>20000 g/mol) is an excellent polymer to prevent a further increase of the particle size. Therefore, stable fluorescent PEI-capped CdS quantum dots are available.
Protein-metal interactions-traditionally regarded for roles in metabolic processes-are now known to enhance the performance of certain biogenic materials, influencing properties such as hardness, toughness, adhesion, and self-healing. Design principles elucidated through thorough study of such materials are yielding vital insights for the design of biomimetic metallopolymers with industrial and biomedical applications. Recent advances in the understanding of the biological structure-function relationships are highlighted here with a specific focus on materials such as arthropod biting parts, mussel byssal threads, and sandcastle worm cement.