Reclined trend of alkyl chain of sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate molecules induced by friction

Surfactants tend to adsorb on the surface/interface mostly in a directional manner. The alkyl chain orientation and conformation order for molecular monolayers of sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (SDBS) at low concentrations are studied by using the sum frequency generation vibrational spectroscopy (SFG-VS). The molecular arrangement of the surfactants adsorbed at the solid/liquid interface is further investigated. It is found that the arrangement of the SDBS at the interface becomes relatively ordered with increasing bulk concentration. Meanwhile, the orientation angle reduces gradually, and the molecules tend to be upright state. In addition, the effect of friction on the conformation order and orientation angle are also analyzed. The intensity of the SDBS vibrational contraction peak becomes lower after friction, which indicates that the anion has a reorientation process at the interface. The arrangement of molecules becomes more disordered due to friction. The orientation angle increases slightly, which indicates the monolayer has an inclined trend relative to the lateral direction on the interface. A modified adsorption model considering friction effect is proposed. This work may provide a reference for the further study of adsorption mechanism and application of surfactants.

Synthesis of Hematite Nano Material and Its Effect on Properties of Water Based Drilling Mud

The worldwide use of nanotechnology in most industries, such as in oil and gas industries, the world now has been directed towards introducing this modern technology in drilling fluids for the purpose of reaching and extracting hydrocarbons that exist at high depth where high temperatures and high pressure present using this technology to achieve the required mud properties with lowest cost. In this research, the particles of Nano hematite were prepared in laboratory using two methods, the first method by chemical reaction between iron nitrate (Fe (NO3)3• 9H2O) and ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH), after that, prepared Nano-materials were subjected to AFM, XRD testing in order to investigate the size and type of particles, the investigations showed that the formed particles were Fe2O3 (<100nm). The second method is similar to the first method except adding (CTAB) material in order to reduce the interfacial tension leading to 4.5nm Nano-material. Three samples of drilling mud were prepared, the first sample was prepared from water and bentonite only, the second sample was prepared from water, bentonite and nano (prepared from first method), the third samples was prepared from water, bentonite and nano (prepared from second method), rheological properties, filtration, density, lubricity, sagging and magnetism properties were measured by analyzing and comparing the results. The results were obtained showed that the small effect of nano material filtration, density, lubricity, and sagging properties, except the viscosity increase when the second sample of Nano hematite was added to the mud prepared from water and bentonite. Also, the magnetism increase when the second sample of nano hematite was added to the mud prepared from water and bentonite, due to the difference in the molecular arrangement caused by the presence of CTAB.

Identification of a stereotypic molecular arrangement of endogenous glycine receptors at spinal cord synapses

Precise quantitative information about the molecular architecture of synapses is essential to understanding the functional specificity and downstream signaling processes at specific populations of synapses. Glycine receptors (GlyRs) are the primary fast inhibitory neurotransmitter receptors in the spinal cord and brainstem. These inhibitory glycinergic networks crucially regulate motor and sensory processes. Thus far the nanoscale organization of GlyRs underlying the different network specificities has not been defined. Here, we have quantitatively characterized the molecular arrangement and ultra-structure of glycinergic synapses in spinal cord tissue using quantitative super-resolution correlative light and electron microscopy (SR-CLEM). We show that endogenous GlyRs exhibit equal receptor-scaffold occupancy and constant packing densities of about 2000 GlyRs µm-2 at synapses across the spinal cord and throughout adulthood, even though ventral horn synapses have twice the total copy numbers, larger postsynaptic domains and more convoluted morphologies than dorsal horn synapses. We demonstrate that this stereotypic molecular arrangement is maintained at glycinergic synapses in the oscillator mouse model of the neuromotor disease hyperekplexia despite a decrease in synapse size, indicating that the molecular organization of GlyRs is preserved in this hypomorph. We thus conclude that the morphology and size of inhibitory postsynaptic specializations rather than differences in GlyR packing determine the postsynaptic strength of glycinergic neurotransmission in motor and sensory spinal cord networks.

Orientation of Liquid Crystalline Molecules on PDMS Surfaces and within PDMS Microfluidic Systems

The unique components of PDMS-based microfluidic systems are those combined with liquid crystalline materials. Their functionality, especially when it comes to optical applications, highly depends on the LC molecular arrangement. This work summarizes experimental investigations on the orientation of molecules within LC:PDMS structures according to the manufacturing technologies. The availability of high-quality molds to pattern PDMS is a significant barrier to the creation of advanced microfluidic systems. The possibility of using inexpensive molds in the rapid and reproducible fabrication process has been particularly examined as an alternative to photolithography. Different geometries, including an innovative approach for the electrical control of the molecular arrangement within PDMS microchannels, are presented. These studies are critical for novel optofluidic systems, introducing further research on LC:PDMS waveguiding structures.

Characterization of gliadin, secalin and hordein fractions using analytical techniques

Prolamins, alcohol soluble storage proteins of the Triticeae tribe of Gramineae family, are known as gliadin, secalin and hordein in wheat, rye and barley respectively. Prolamins were extracted from fifteen cultivars using DuPont protocol to study their physiochemical, morphological and structural characteristics. SDS-PAGE of prolamins showed well resolved low molecular weight proteins with significant amount of albumin and globulin as cross-contaminant. The β-sheet (32.72–37.41%) and β-turn (30.36–37.91%) were found higher in gliadins, while α-helix (20.32–28.95%) and random coil (9.05–10.28%) in hordeins. The high colloidal stability as depicted by zeta-potential was observed in gliadins (23.5–27.0 mV) followed secalins (11.2–16.6 mV) and hordeins (4.1–7.8 mV). Surface morphology by SEM illustrated the globular particle arrangement in gliadins, sheet like arrangement in secalins and stacked flaky particle arrangement in hordeins fraction. TEM studies showed that secalin and hordein fractions were globular in shape while gliadins in addition to globular structure also possessed rod-shaped particle arrangement. XRD pattern of prolamin fractions showed the ordered crystalline domain at 2θ values of 44.1°, 37.8° and 10.4°. The extracted prolamins fractions showed amorphous as well as crystalline structures as revealed by XRD and TEM analysis. Space saving hexagonal molecular symmetry was also observed in TEM molecular arrangement of prolamins which has profound application in development of plant-based polymers and fibres.

Near atomic structure of the inner ring of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae nuclear pore complex

Nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) mediate bidirectional nucleocytoplasmic transport of substances in eukaryotic cells. However, the accurate molecular arrangement of NPCs remains enigmatic owing to their huge size and highly dynamic nature. Here we determined the structure of the asymmetric unit of the inner ring (IR monomer) at 3.73 Angstrom resolution by single-particle cryo-electron microscopy, and created an atomic model of the intact IR consisting of 192 copies from 8 subunits. In each IR monomer, two approximately parallel rhomboidal structures of the inner and outer layers are sandwiched with the Z-shaped Nup188-Nup192 middle layer and Nup188, Nup192 and Nic96 link all subunits to constitute a relatively stable IR monomer, while the intact IR is assembled by loose and instable interactions between IR monomer. These structures reveal various interaction modes and extensive flexible connections in the assembly, providing a structural basis for the stability and malleability of IR.

New Physical Hydrogels Based on Co−Assembling of FMOC−Amino Acids

In the last years, physical hydrogels have been widely studied due to the characteristics of these structures, respectively the non−covalent interactions and the absence of other necessary components for the cross−linking processes. Low molecular weight gelators are a class of small molecules which form higher ordered structures through hydrogen bonding and π−π interactions. In this context it is known that the formation of hydrogels based on FMOC−amino acids is determined by the primary structures of amino acids and the secondary structure arrangement (alpha−helix or beta−sheet motifs). The present study aimed to obtain supramolecular gels through co−assembly phenomenon using FMOC−amino acids as low molecular weight gelators. The stability of the new structures was evaluated by the vial inversion test, while FTIR spectra put into evidence the interaction between the compounds. The gel−like structure is evidenced by viscoelastic parameters in oscillatory shear conditions. SEM microscopy was used to obtain the visual insight into the morphology of the physical hydrogel network while DLS measurements highlighted the sol−gel transition. The molecular arrangement of gels was determined by circular dichroism, fluorescence and UV–Vis spectroscopy.

Polymeric Terbium(III) Squarate Hydrate as a Luminescent Magnet

Polymeric terbium(III) squarate hydrate [{Tb2(C4O4)3(H2O)8}n] was prepared from TbCl3 or Tb2O3 and squaric acid. The crystal structure was determined in a monoclinic Pc space group, and the whole molecular arrangement gives a sandwiched two-dimensional structure. The coordination polyhedra are described as a square antiprism. The solid complex emits green light under UV irradiation at room temperature with the quantum yield of 25%. Although Tb3+ is a non-Kramers ion, the alternating-current magnetic susceptibility showed frequency dependence in a 2000-Oe DC field, and the effective energy barrier for magnetization reorientation was 33(2) K. Thus, [{Tb2(C4O4)3(H2O)8}n] displayed functions of a potential luminescent magnet.

Exploring Gunnera tinctoria: From Nutritional and Anti-Tumoral Properties to Phytosome Development Following Structural Arrangement Based on Molecular Docking

Gunnera tinctoria, an underexplored invasive plant found in Azores, Portugal, was studied regarding its nutritional, antioxidant, and antitumoral properties. Higher antioxidant activity was found in baby leaves, followed by adult leaves and inflorescences. A phenolic fraction of the plant was enriched using adsorbent resin column chromatography (DiaionTM HP20LX, and Relite EXA90). Antitumoral effects were observed with the enriched fractions in breast (MCF-7) and pancreatic (AsPC-1) cancer cell lines, being more pronounced in the latter. To improve protection and membrane absorption rates of phenolic compounds, nano-phytosomes and cholesterol-conjugated phytosomes coated with natural polymers were loaded with the enriched fraction. The particles were characterized, and their physiochemical properties were evaluated and compared. All samples presented anionic charge and nanometer size in relation to the inner layer and micrometer size regarding the external layers. In addition, the molecular arrangement of phenolics within both types of phytosomes were studied for the first time by molecular docking. Polarity and molecular size were key factors on the molecular arrangement of the lipid bilayer. In conclusion, G. tinctoria showed to be an interesting source of nutrients and phenolic compounds with anti-tumoral potential. Moreover, phytosome loading with these compounds can increase their stability and bioavailability having in view future applications.

Donor-Type Nickel–Dithiolene Complexes Fused with Bulky Cycloalkane Substituents and Their Application in Molecular Conductors

The effects of substituents on the arrangement of metal–dithiolene complexes based on π-conjugated systems, which are extensively used to synthesize various functional materials, have not been studied adequately. New donor-type nickel–dithiolene complexes fused with bulky cycloalkane substituents [Ni(Cn-dddt)2] (C5-dddt = 4a,5,6,6a-pentahydro-1,4-benzodithiin-2,3-dithiolate; C6-dddt = 4a,5,6,7,8,8a-hexahydro-1,4-benzodithiin-2,3-dithiolate; C7-dddt = 4a,5,6,7,8,9,9a-heptahydro-1,4-benzodithiin-2,3-dithiolate; and C8-dddt = 4a,5,6,7,8,9,10,10a-octahydro-1,4-benzodithiin-2,3-dithiolate) were synthesized in this study. All the complexes were crystallized in cis-[Ni(cis-Cn-dddt)2] conformations with cis-oriented (R,S) conformations around the cycloalkylene groups in the neutral state. Unique molecular arrangements with a three-dimensional network, a one-dimensional column, and a helical molecular arrangement were formed in the crystals owing to the flexible cycloalkane moieties. New 2:1 cation radical crystals of [Ni(C5-dddt)2]2(X) (X = ClO4− or PF6−), obtained by electrochemical crystallization, exhibited semiconducting behaviors (ρrt = 0.8 Ω cm, Ea = 0.09 eV for the ClO4− crystal; 4.0 Ω cm, 0.13 eV for the PF6− crystal) under ambient pressure due to spin-singlet states between the dimers of the donor, which were in accordance with the conducting behaviors under hydrostatic pressure (ρrt = 0.2 Ω cm, Ea = 0.07 eV for the ClO4− crystal; 1.0 Ω cm, 0.12 eV for the PF6− crystal at 2.0 GPa).