Single-step synthesis of novel chloroaluminate ionic liquid for green Friedel–Crafts alkylation reaction

Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy - Friedel–Crafts alkylation reactions constitute a very important class of reactions which are usually catalysed in the liquid phase using Lewis...     

Design,Synthesis, and Self-Assembly Studies of a Suite of Monodisperse,Facially Amphiphilic,Protein–Dendron Conjugates

The custom design of protein–dendron amphiphilic macromolecules is at the forefront of macromolecular engineering. Macromolecules with this architecture are very interesting because of their ability to self-assemble into various biomimetic nanoscopic structures. However, to date, there are no reports on this concept due to technical challenges associated with the chemical synthesis. Towards that end, herein, a new chemical methodology for the modular synthesis of a suite of monodisperse, facially amphiphilic, protein–dendron bioconjugates is reported. Benzyl ether dendrons of different generations (G1–G4) are coupled to monodisperse cetyl ethylene glycol to form macromolecular amphiphilic activity-based probes (AABPs) with a single protein reactive functionality. Micelle-assisted protein labeling technology is utilized for site-specific conjugation of macromolecular AABPs to globular proteins to make monodisperse, facially amphiphilic, protein–dendron bioconjugates. These biohybrid conjugates have the ability to self-assemble into supramolecular protein nanoassemblies. Self-assembly is primarily mediated by strong hydrophobic interactions of the benzyl ether dendron domain. The size, surface charge, and oligomeric state of protein nanoassemblies could be systematically tuned by choosing an appropriate dendron or protein of interest. This chemical method discloses a new way to custom-make monodisperse, facially amphiphilic, protein–dendron bioconjugates.     

Rational Design of Programmable Monodisperse Semi-Synthetic Protein Nanomaterials Containing Engineered Disulfide Functionality**

The reversible nature of disulfide functionality has been exploited to design intelligent materials such as nanocapsules, micelles, vesicles, inorganic nanoparticles, peptide and nucleic acid nanodevices. Herein, we report a new chemical methodology for the construction redox-sensitive protein assemblies using monodisperse facially amphiphilic protein-dendron bioconjugates. The disulfide functionality is strategically placed between the dendron and protein domains. The custom designed bioconjugates self-assembled into nanoscopic objects of a defined size dictated by the nature of dendron domain. The stimuli-responsive behavior of the protein assemblies is demonstrated using a suitable redox trigger.     

Fracture experiments on through wall cracked elbows under in-plane bending moment: Test results and theoretical/numerical analyses

Fracture assessment of pipe bends or elbows with postulated through wall crack is very essential for leak-before-break qualification of primary heat transport system piping of nuclear power plants. The methodology for fracture assessment of cracked elbows is still in developing stage. Any new development in theoretical aspect requires experimental validation. However, fracture test data on cracked elbows is not so abundant as straight pipes. The earlier experiments on cracked elbows were focused mainly on the determination of limit load. Other fracture parameters e.g. crack growth, crack initiation load or crack opening displacement were not reported in the open literature. Against this backdrop, a comprehensive experimental and theoretical program on component integrity has been initiated at Reactor Safety Division (RSD) of Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC), India. Under this program, a number of fracture tests have been carried out on elbows with through wall circumferential/axial cracks subjected to in-plane closing/opening bending moment. These test data are then thoroughly analysed numerically through non-linear finite element analyses, analytically through limit load comparison and also through comparison of crack initiation loads by finite element and R6 methods. These test data may be utilized in future for validation of new theoretical developments in the integrity assessment of through wall cracked elbows.     

Stokes flow and heat transfer past a circular cylinder in a square cavity with suction/injection on sidewalls

The laminar viscous fluid flow past a circular cylinder placed in a square cavity of a uniform cross‐section is generated by applying injection/suction at the adjacent sidewalls. The temperature on the side walls without suction and on the boundary of the cylinder is kept constant, and constant heat flux is maintained on the walls with suction. The streamline flow pattern and isothermal lines are drawn. The flow is assumed to be Stokesian. Hence, the resulting biharmonic equation is solved for stream function by expressing it in two coupled equations, and a 5‐point formula is used to solve these equations. Fictitious nodes are introduced for derivative boundary conditions for stream function by using a central difference scheme, and a 3‐point backward difference formula is used for derivative boundary conditions on temperature.     

Programmed and Sequential Disassembly of Multi-responsive Supramolecular Protein Nanoassemblies: A Detailed Mechanistic Investigation

The rational design of a multi-responsive protein-based supramolecular system that can predictably respond to more than one stimulus remains an essential but highly challenging goal in biomolecular engineering. Herein, we report a novel chemical method for the construction of multi-responsive supramolecular nanoassemblies using custom-designed facially amphiphilic monodisperse protein-dendron bioconjugates. The macromolecular synthons contain a globular hydrophilic protein domain site-specifically conjugated to photo-responsive hydrophobic benzyl-ether dendrons of different generations through oligo(ethylene glycol) linkers of defined length. The size of the protein nanoassemblies can be systematically tuned by choosing an appropriate dendron or linker of defined length. Exposure of protein nanoassemblies to light results in partial rather than complete disassembly of the complex. The newly formed protein nanoparticle no longer responds to light but could be disassembled into constitutive monomers under acidic conditions or by further treatment with a small molecule. More interestingly, the distribution ratio of the assembled versus disassembled states of protein nanoassemblies after photochemical reaction does not depend on dendron generation, the nature of the linker functionality or the identity of the protein, but is heavily influenced by the linker length. In sum, this work discloses a new chemical method for the rational design of a monodisperse multi-responsive protein-based supramolecular system with exquisite control over the disassembly process.     

Identification of Moringa oleifera protein responsible for the decolorization and pesticide removal from drinking water and industrial effluent – an in silico and in situ evaluation

Natural products are always in demand, especially in the food and water treatment industry, to reduce health hazards caused by the prolonged use of chemicals. Though crude seed extract of Moringa oleifera (MOCE) is used for decolouration, the protein responsible for such activity is not fully known. In this study, in silico analysis of Moringa oleifera coagulant protein (MOCP; a predominant oligomeric protein in MOCE) was undertaken to check its molecular interactions with water and soil pollutants, in order to identify the protein accountable for such activities. The molecular docking studies of MOCP with azo dyes like congo red, tartrazine) and a pesticide (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) revealed a strong binding affinity (?5.66, ?5.33 and ?5.04, respectively, kJ mol^?1) between the protein and the pollutants through hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions. Further, these results were verified in situ with MOCP, a recombinant form of MOCP (MOCRP) and MOCE against congo red (100 mg L^?1) and revealed the dye removal efficiency of 63.8%, 65.7%, and 72.3%, respectively. While the jar test results of synthetic coloured water and industrial textile effluent containing congo red showed 51.6% and 58.3%. Hence, we believe that the MOCP is responsible for multiple activities of MOCE and suggest its prospective use for large‐scale treatment of drinking water and industrial effluents. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry