NO ions as IR probes for the location of OH groups and Na ions in main channels and side pockets of mordenite

NO⁺, generated from NO and O₂, is an infrared probe for the differentiation of Brønsted sites in the main channels and side pockets of mordenites, and for the location and accessibility of sodium ions in the structure. Na⁺ ions in cationic positions in the main channels are replaced by NO⁺, and sodium nitrate is formed. The band assignment was checked by isotopic experiments.     

Aluminum drinking water treatment residuals (Al-WTRs) as sorbent for mercury: Implications for soil remediation

The potential of readily available and non-hazardous waste material, aluminum drinking water treatment residuals (Al-WTRs), to efficiently sorb and immobilize mercury (Hg) from aqueous solutions was evaluated. Al-WTR samples with average specific surface area of 48m(2)/g and internal micropore surface area of 120m(2)/g were used in a series of batch sorption experiments. Obtained sorption isotherms indicated a strong affinity of Hg for Al-WTRs. Using the Langmuir adsorption model, a relatively high maximum sorption capacity of 79mg Hg/g Al-WTRs was determined. Sorption kinetic data was best fit to a pseudo-first-order model, while the use of the Weber-Morris and Bangham models suggested that the intraparticle diffusion could be the rate-limiting step. Also, Al-WTRs effectively immoblized Hg in the pH range of 3-8. The results from these short-term experiments demonstrate that Al-WTRs can be effectively used to remove Hg from aqueous solutions. This ability points to the potential of Al-WTRs as a sorbent in soil remediation techniques based on Hg-immobilization.     

Sensitivity of CFP/YFP and GFP/mCherry pairs to donor photobleaching on FRET determination by fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy in living cells

Fluorescent protein-based FRET is a powerful method for visualizing protein-protein interactions and biochemical reactions in living cells. It can be difficult, however, to avoid photobleaching when observing fluorescent cells under the microscope, especially those expressing CFP. We compared the sensitivity of two protein-based FRET pairs to light-induced fluorescence changes in the donor, on FRET determination by fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM). Thanks to the very low excitation light levels of the time- and space-correlated single photon counting (TSCSPC) method, FLIM acquisitions were achieved without donor photobleaching. Here, we show that photobleaching of CFP by a mercury lamp under the microscope induced a decrease in the mean fluorescence lifetime, which interfered with FRET determination between CFP and YFP. Importantly, the range of light-induced variation of the mean fluorescence lifetime of CFP was not proportional to the decrease in the steady state fluorescence intensity and varied from cell to cell. The choice of the CFP/YFP pair therefore requires that the cells be observed and analyzed at very low light levels during the whole FRET experiment. In contrast, the GFP/mCherry pair provided an accurate FRET measurement by FLIM, even if some GFP photobleaching took place. We thus demonstrate that CFP can be an unreliable donor for FRET determination in living cells, due to its photosensitivity properties. We demonstrate that the GFP/mCherry pair is better suited for FRET measurement by FLIM in living cells than the CFP/YFP pair.     

Engineering of protein epitopes: a single deletion in a snake toxin generates full binding capacity to a previously unrecognized antibody

Structural features associated with the ability of a monoclonalantibody (mAb) to discriminate between protein variants areidentified and engineered. The variants are the curaremimetictoxin from Naja nigricollis and erabutoxin a or b from Laticaudasemifasciata which differ from each other by 16 substitutionsand one insertion. The neutralizing mAb M1 recognizes with highaffinity a topographical epitope on the surface of toxin , butfails to recognize the erabutoxins although they possess mostof the residues forming the presumed epitope. Examinations ofthe toxin and erabutoxin 3-D structures and molecular dynamicssimulations reveal several differences between the variants.In particular, the region involving the ß-turn 17–24is organized differently. Analysis of the differences foundin this region suggests that the insertion (or deletion) atposition 18 of the variant amino add sequences is particularlyimportant in determining the differential cross-reactivity.To test this proposal, residue 18 was deleted in one erabutoxinusing sitedirected mutagenesis, and the biological propertiesof the resulting mutant were examined. We found that full antigenicitywas restored in the previously unrecognized variant. The implicationsof this finding are discussed.     

Study of an aramid surface reactivity: Modification with a cold plasma or an electron beam followed by a postgrafting reaction

Different modes of activation are described for a postgrafting reaction of acrylic acid on poly(p-phenylene terephthalamid) (PPTA)mitrogen plasma or electron-beam irradiation. Both lead to surface radical formation, and these species are able to initiate grafting. The Functionalization through amino group attachment is characteristic of plasma treatment. Degradation initiated by UV-visible emission of plasma is noticed, leading to the amide clivage. The surface grafting is more important when the PPTA is irradiated with a cold plasma and if water is used as the solvent. The polymer crystallinity degree reduces the grafting of the electron beam-irradiated PPTA even with a high radical concentration. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Correlation between activity and acidity on zeolites: a high temperature infrared study of adsorbed acetonitrile

The influence of the temperature on the protonation of acetonitrile by acidic zeolites was studied by infrared spectroscopy. Acidity at room or low temperature was not correlated with the protonation temperature, but the zeolitic structure played an important role. A new technique is presented for the study of the acidity of solids under reaction conditions. A good correlation was obtained in a series of various zeolites between the catalytic activity in the cracking of n-hexane and the protonation temperature of acetonitrile. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

MIM零件烧结过程中收缩和变形的数值模拟

为描述金属粉末注射成形坯件在烧结过程中的收缩和变形行为,基于连续介质力学原理建立了符合粘塑性本构关系的宏观烧结模型。该模型通过有限元软件Abaqus的用户子程序实现,进行烧结过程的数值模拟。分析了由于坯件重力、非均匀初始密度分布以及坯件支承体之间的摩擦力等因素而引起的非均匀收缩和变形。通过与试验结果的比较,验证了烧结模型和数值方法的正确性。     

Invited article: the fast readout low noise camera as a versatile x-ray detector for time resolved dispersive extended x-ray absorption fine structure and diffraction studies of dynamic problems in materials science, chemistry, and catalysis

Originally conceived and developed at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) as an "area" detector for rapid x-ray imaging studies, the fast readout low noise (FReLoN) detector of the ESRF [J.-C. Labiche, ESRF Newsletter 25, 41 (1996)] has been demonstrated to be a highly versatile and unique detector. Charge coupled device (CCD) cameras at present available on the public market offer either a high dynamic range or a high readout speed. A compromise between signal dynamic range and readout speed is always sought. The parameters of the commercial cameras can sometimes be tuned, in order to better fulfill the needs of specific experiments, but in general these cameras have a poor duty cycle (i.e., the signal integration time is much smaller than the readout time). In order to address scientific problems such as time resolved experiments at the ESRF, a FReLoN camera has been developed by the Instrument Support Group at ESRF. This camera is a low noise CCD camera that combines high dynamic range, high readout speed, accuracy, and improved duty cycle in a single image. In this paper, we show its application in a quasi-one-dimensional sense to dynamic problems in materials science, catalysis, and chemistry that require data acquisition on a time scale of milliseconds or a few tens of milliseconds. It is demonstrated that in this mode the FReLoN can be applied equally to the investigation of rapid changes in long range order (via diffraction) and local order (via energy dispersive extended x-ray absorption fine structure) and in situations of x-ray hardness and flux beyond the capacity of other detectors.     

Effect of watershed parameters on mercury distribution in different environmental compartments in the Mobile Alabama River Basin, USA

Total mercury (THg) and mono-methylmercury (MeHg) levels in water, sediment, and largemouth bass (LMB) (Micropterus salmoides) were investigated at 52 sites draining contrasting land use/land cover and habitat types within the Mobile Alabama River Basin (MARB). Aqueous THg was positively associated with iron-rich suspended particles and highest in catchments impacted by agriculture. Sediment THg was positively associated with sediment organic mater and iron content, with the highest levels observed in smaller catchments influenced by wetlands, followed by those impacted by agriculture or mixed forest, agriculture, and wetlands. The lowest sediment THg levels were observed in main river channels, except for reaches impacted by coal mining. Sediment MeHg levels were a positive function of sediment THg and organic matter and aqueous nutrient levels. The highest levels occurred in agricultural catchments and those impacted by elevated sulfate levels associated with coal mining. Aqueous MeHg concentrations in main river channels were as high as those in smaller catchments impacted by agriculture or wetlands, suggesting these areas were sources to rivers. Elevated Hg levels in some LMB were observed across all types of land use and land cover, but factors such as shallow water depth, larger wetland catchment surface area, low aqueous potassium levels, and higher Chl a concentrations were associated with higher Hg burdens, particularly in the Coastal Plain province. It is suggested that the observed large variability in LMB Hg burdens is linked to fish displacement by anglers, differences in food web structure, and sediment biogeochemistry, with surficial sediment iron oxides buffering the flux of MeHg from sediments to deeper water pelagic food webs.     

As(V) retention and As(III) simultaneous oxidation and removal on a MnO2-loaded polystyrene resin

Based on KMnO4 oxidative capacity, a polystyrene matrix loaded with manganese dioxide was synthesized from an anionic commercial resin in chloride form. This medium, called R-MnO2, was tested for As(V) retention and for As(III) simultaneous oxidation and removal. Equilibrium was reached in 2 h and isotherms showed that R-MnO2 maximal capacities towards As(III) and As(V) are, respectively, 0.7 and 0.3 mmol/g. Various mechanisms were involved in As(III) retention: oxidation of H3AsO3(0) by MnO2(s) leading to the formation of HAsO4(2)- and Mn2+, fixation of As(V) formed on the resin beads and precipitation of Mn3(AsO4)2 with Mn2+ released. Successive arsenic desorption and retention steps were performed and showed that the quantity desorbed was low compared to the quantity removed during the first stage of the process. A second removal step, carried out under the same conditions as the first one, proved that the matrix second-removal capacity was weak. This solid sorbent, although not reusable, can be considered in field application as arsenic retention is really strong.