Effect of Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes on Electrical and Structural Properties of Polyaniline

Polyaniline (PANI) and PANI/CNT (multiwall carbon nanotubes, CNT) composites were prepared using an oxidative chemical polymerization method with ammonium persulfate and dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid as the oxidizing agent and surfactant, respectively. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy spectra illustrate the presence of PANI in the composite and show that some interaction exists between PANI and CNT. Embedding of CNT in the PANI matrix is confirmed by scanning electron micrography. Conductivity of the PANI/CNT composites was higher than that of pure PANI, and the maximum conductivity obtained was 4.44 S/cm at 20 wt.% CNT.

Structural characterization of folded pentapeptides containing centrally positioned beta(R)Val, gamma(R)Val and gamma(S)Val residues

A cylindrical pore of similar to 7.5 angstrom diameter containing a one-dimensional water wire, within the confines of a hydrophobic channel lined with the valine side chain, has been observed in crystals of the peptide Boc-D-Pro-Aib-Val-Aib-Val-OMe (1) (Raghavender et al., 2009, 2010). The synthesis and structural characterization in crystals of three backbone homologated analogues Boc-D-Pro-Aib-beta(3)(R) Val-Aib-Val-OMe (2), Boc-D-Pro-Aib-gamma(4)(R)Val-Aib-Val-OMe (3), Boc-D-Pro-Aib-gamma(4)(S)Val-Aib-Val-OMe (4) are described. Crystal structures of peptides 2, 3 and 4 reveal close-packed arrangements in which no pore was formed. In peptides 2 and 3 the N-terminus D-Pro-Aib segment adopted conformations closely related to Type II' beta-turns, while residues 2-4 form one turn of an alpha beta right-handed C-11 helix in 2 and an alpha gamma C-12 helix in 3. In peptide 4, a continuous left-handed helical structure was observed with the D-Pro-Aib segment forming a Type III' beta-turn, followed by one turn of a left-handed alpha gamma C-12 helix. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Thermo-physical and structural studies of sodium zinc borovanadate glasses in the region of high concentration of modifier oxides

This paper reports investigation of Na2O and ZnO modified borovanadate glasses in the highly modified regime of compositions. These glasses have been prepared by microwave route. Ultraviolet (UV) and visible, infrared (IR), Magic Angle Spinning Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (MAS NMR) and Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectroscopies have been used to characterize the speciation in the glasses. Together with the variation of properties such as molar volume and glass transition temperatures, spectroscopic data indicate that at high levels of modification, ZnO tends to behave like network former. It is proposed that the observed variation of all the properties can be reasonably well understood with a structural model. The model considers that the modification and speciation in glasses are strongly determined by the hierarchy of group electronegativities. Further, it is proposed that the width of the transitions of glasses obtained under same condition reflects the fragility of the glasses. An empirical expression has been suggested to quantify fragility on the basis of width of the transition regions. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

beta-Turn Analogues in Model a ss-Hybrid Peptides: Structural Characterization of Peptides Containing ss 2,2Ac6c and ss 3,3Ac6c Residues

The effect of gem-dialkyl substituents on the backbone conformations of beta-amino acid residues in peptides has been investigated by using four model peptides: Boc-Xxx-beta 2,2Ac6c(1-aminomethylcyclohexanecarboxylic acid)-NHMe (Xxx=Leu (1), Phe (2); Boc=tert-butyloxycarbonyl) and Boc-Xxx-beta 3,3Ac6c(1-aminocyclohexaneacetic acid)-NHMe (Xxx=Leu (3), Phe (4)). Tetrasubstituted carbon atoms restrict the ranges of stereochemically allowed conformations about flanking single bonds. The crystal structure of Boc-Leu-beta 2,2Ac6c-NHMe (1) established a C11 hydrogen-bonded turn in the a beta-hybrid sequence. The observed torsion angles (a(similar to-60 degrees, similar to-30 degrees), beta(similar to-90 degrees, similar to 60 degrees, similar to-90 degrees)) corresponded to a C11 helical turn, which was a backbone-expanded analogue of the type III beta turn in aa sequences. The crystal structure of the peptide Boc-Phe-beta 3,3Ac6c-NHMe (4) established a C11 hydrogen-bonded turn with distinctly different backbone torsion angles (a(similar to-60 degrees, similar to 120 degrees), beta(similar to 60 degrees, ?60 degrees, similar to-60 degrees)), which corresponded to a backbone-expanded analogue of the type II beta turn observed in aa sequences. In peptide 4, the two molecules in the asymmetric unit adopted backbone torsion angles of opposite signs. In one of the molecules, the Phe residue adopted an unfavorable backbone conformation, with the energetic penalty being offset by a favorable aromatic interaction between proximal molecules in the crystal. NMR spectroscopy studies provided evidence for the maintenance of folded structures in solution in these a beta-hybrid sequences.

Effect of the Edge Type and Strain on the Structural, Electronic and Magnetic Properties of the BNRs

We present the effect of edge structures on the edge energy and stress of BN nanoribbons. Ab initio density functional calculations show that the armchair edge is lower in energy than the zigzag edge by 0.43 eV/angstrom. Both types of the edges are under the compressive stress. The zigzag edges are mechanically more stable than the armchair edges. Based on the calculated edge energies, the equilibrium shape of the BN flakes are found to be regular hexagonal, and dominated by the armchair edges. The zigzag ribbons are found to be half-metallic, whereas the armchair ribbons are semiconducting.

Structural-modulation-driven low-temperature glassy behavior in SrRuO3

We present a critical investigation on the structural, magnetic, and magnetotransport properties of two sets of polycrystalline SrRuO3 samples with uniquely defined ferromagnetic transition temperatures. The ac magnetic susceptibility study exhibits the remarkable memory effect, a distinct characteristic of glassy behavior, at low temperatures. The transport study suggests a crossover from Fermi-liquid to non-Fermi-liquid behavior. Most strikingly, the temperature-dependent magnetoresistance exhibits two distinct dips (one around ferromagnetic ordering temperature and the other around 50 K), resembling a double-well potential in appearance. In addition, the temperature-dependent coercive field shows a plateau around 50 K. An attempt has been made to employ neutron diffraction to understand the genesis of such unusual low-temperature magnetic features. From the neutron-diffraction study, we find the evidence for changes in the unit-cell lattice parameters around 60 K and, thus, believe that the low-temperature anomalous magnetic response is closely intertwined to lattice-parameter change.

Extent of Structural Asymmetry in Homodimeric Proteins: Prevalence and Relevance

Most homodimeric proteins have symmetric structure. Although symmetry is known to confer structural and functional advantage, asymmetric organization is also observed. Using a non-redundant dataset of 223 high-resolution crystal structures of biologically relevant homodimers, we address questions on the prevalence and significance of asymmetry. We used two measures to quantify global and interface asymmetry, and assess the correlation of several molecular and structural parameters with asymmetry. We have identified rare cases (11/223) of biologically relevant homodimers with pronounced global asymmetry. Asymmetry serves as a means to bring about 2:1 binding between the homodimer and another molecule; it also enables cellular signalling arising from asymmetric macromolecular ligands such as DNA. Analysis of these cases reveals two possible mechanisms by which possible infinite array formation is prevented. In case of homodimers associating via non-topologically equivalent surfaces in their tertiary structures, ligand-dependent mechanisms are used. For stable dimers binding via large surfaces, ligand-dependent structural change regulates polymerisation/depolymerisation; for unstable dimers binding via smaller surfaces that are not evolutionarily well conserved, dimerisation occurs only in the presence of the ligand. In case of homodimers associating via interaction surfaces with parts of the surfaces topologically equivalent in the tertiary structures, steric hindrance serves as the preventive mechanism of infinite array. We also find that homodimers exhibiting grossly symmetric organization rarely exhibit either perfect local symmetry or high local asymmetry. Binding of small ligands at the interface does not cause any significant variation in interface asymmetry. However, identification of biologically relevant interface asymmetry in grossly symmetric homodimers is confounded by the presence of similar small magnitude changes caused due to artefacts of crystallisation. Our study provides new insights regarding accommodation of asymmetry in homodimers.

Structural and Mutational Studies on Substrate Specificity and Catalysis of Salmonella typhimurium D-Cysteine Desulfhydrase

Salmonella typhimurium DCyD (StDCyD) is a fold type II pyridoxal 5' phosphate (PLP)-dependent enzyme that catalyzes the degradation of D-Cys to H2S and pyruvate. It also efficiently degrades beta-chloro-D-alanine (beta CDA). D-Ser is a poor substrate while the enzyme is inactive with respect to L-Ser and 1-amino-1-carboxy cyclopropane (ACC). Here, we report the X-ray crystal structures of StDCyD and of crystals obtained in the presence of D-Cys, beta CDA, ACC, D-Ser, L-Ser, D-cycloserine (DCS) and L-cycloserine (LCS) at resolutions ranging from 1.7 to 2.6 angstrom. The polypeptide fold of StDCyD consisting of a small domain (residues 48-161) and a large domain (residues 1-47 and 162-328) resembles other fold type II PLP dependent enzymes. The structures obtained in the presence of D-Cys and beta CDA show the product, pyruvate, bound at a site 4.0-6.0 angstrom away from the active site. ACC forms an external aldimine complex while D- and L-Ser bind non-covalently suggesting that the reaction with these ligands is arrested at C alpha proton abstraction and transimination steps, respectively. In the active site of StDCyD cocrystallized with DCS or LCS, electron density for a pyridoxamine phosphate (PMP) was observed. Crystals soaked in cocktail containing these ligands show density for PLP-cycloserine. Spectroscopic observations also suggest formation of PMP by the hydrolysis of cycloserines. Mutational studies suggest that Ser78 and Gln77 are key determinants of enzyme specificity and the phenolate of Tyr287 is responsible for C alpha proton abstraction from D-Cys. Based on these studies, a probable mechanism for the degradation of D-Cys by StDCyD is proposed.

Structural and phase dependent thermo and photoluminescent properties of Dy(OH)(3) and Dy2O3 nanorods

Hexagonal Dy(OH)(3) and cubic Dy2O3 nanorods were prepared by hydrothermal method. Dy(OH)(3) nanorods was directly obtained at 180 degrees C for 20 h after hydrothermal treatment whereas subsequently heat treatment at 750 degrees C for 2 h gives pure cubic Dy2O3. SEM micrographs reveal that needle shaped rods with different sizes were observed in both the phases. TEM results also confirm this. The TL response of hexagonal Dy(OH)(3) and cubic Dy2O3 nanorods have been analyzed for gamma-irradiation over a wide range of exposures (1-5 kGy). TL glow peak intensity increases with gamma dose in both the phases. The activation energy (E), order of kinetics (6), and frequency factor (s) for both the phases have been determined using Chen's peak shape method. The simple glow curve shape, structure and linear response to gamma-irradiation over a large span of exposures makes the cubic Dy2O3 as a useful dosimetric material to estimate high exposures of gamma-rays. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Structural, EPR, optical and Raman studies of Nd2O3:Cu2+ nanophosphors

Nanocrystalline Nd2O3:Cu2+ (2 mol %) phosphors have been prepared by a low temperature solution combustion technique. Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) results confirm that hexagonal A-type Nd2O3 (900 degrees C, 3 h) and the lattice parameters have been evaluated by Rietveld refinement. Surface morphology of as-formed and Cu2+ doped Nd2O3 phosphors show that the particles are irregular in shape and porous in nature. TEM results also confirm the nature and size of the particles. The EPR spectrum exhibits two resonance signals with effective g values at g(parallel to) approximate to 2.12 and g(perpendicular to) approximate to 2.04. The g values indicate that the site symmetry of Cu2+ ions is octahedral symmetry with elongated tetragonal distortion. Raman studies show major peaks, which are assigned, to F-g and combination of A(g) + E-g modes. It is observed that the Raman peaks and intensity have been reduced in Cu2+ doped samples. UV-Visible absorption spectra exhibit a strong and broad absorption band at similar to 240 nm. Further, the absorption peak shifts to similar to 14 nm in Cu2+ doped samples. The optical band gap is estimated to be 5.28 eV for Cu doped Nd2O3 nanoparticles which are higher than the bulk Nd2O3 (4.7 eV). This can be attributed to the quantum confinement effect of the nanoparticles. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Local Structural Differences in Homologous Proteins: Specificities in Different SCOP Classes

The constant increase in the number of solved protein structures is of great help in understanding the basic principles behind protein folding and evolution. 3-D structural knowledge is valuable in designing and developing methods for comparison, modelling and prediction of protein structures. These approaches for structure analysis can be directly implicated in studying protein function and for drug design. The backbone of a protein structure favours certain local conformations which include alpha-helices, beta-strands and turns. Libraries of limited number of local conformations (Structural Alphabets) were developed in the past to obtain a useful categorization of backbone conformation. Protein Block (PB) is one such Structural Alphabet that gave a reasonable structure approximation of 0.42 angstrom. In this study, we use PB description of local structures to analyse conformations that are preferred sites for structural variations and insertions, among group of related folds. This knowledge can be utilized in improving tools for structure comparison that work by analysing local structure similarities. Conformational differences between homologous proteins are known to occur often in the regions comprising turns and loops. Interestingly, these differences are found to have specific preferences depending upon the structural classes of proteins. Such class-specific preferences are mainly seen in the all-beta class with changes involving short helical conformations and hairpin turns. A test carried out on a benchmark dataset also indicates that the use of knowledge on the class specific variations can improve the performance of a PB based structure comparison approach. The preference for the indel sites also seem to be confined to a few backbone conformations involving beta-turns and helix C-caps. These are mainly associated with short loops joining the regular secondary structures that mediate a reversal in the chain direction. Rare beta-turns of type I' and II' are also identified as preferred sites for insertions.

Influence of Sn doping on structural, optical and electrical properties of ZnO thin films prepared by cost effective sol-gel process

Tin (Sn) doped zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films were synthesized by sol-gel spin coating method using zinc acetate di-hydrate and tin chloride di-hydrate as the precursor materials. The films were deposited on glass and silicon substrates and annealed at different temperatures in air ambient. The agglomeration of grains was observed by the addition of Sn in ZnO film with an average grain size of 60 nm. The optical properties of the films were studied using UV-VIS-NIR spectrophotometer. The optical band gap energies were estimated at different concentrations of Sn. The MOS capacitors were fabricated using Sn doped ZnO films. The capacitance-voltage (C-V), dissipation vs. voltage (D-V) and current-voltage (I-V) characteristics were studied and the electrical resistivity and dielectric constant were estimated. The porosity and surface area of the films were increased with the doping of Sn which makes these films suitable for opto-electronic applications. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Analysis of Conformational Variation in Macromolecular Structural Models

Experimental conditions or the presence of interacting components can lead to variations in the structural models of macromolecules. However, the role of these factors in conformational selection is often omitted by in silico methods to extract dynamic information from protein structural models. Structures of small peptides, considered building blocks for larger macromolecular structural models, can substantially differ in the context of a larger protein. This limitation is more evident in the case of modeling large multi-subunit macromolecular complexes using structures of the individual protein components. Here we report an analysis of variations in structural models of proteins with high sequence similarity. These models were analyzed for sequence features of the protein, the role of scaffolding segments including interacting proteins or affinity tags and the chemical components in the experimental conditions. Conformational features in these structural models could be rationalized by conformational selection events, perhaps induced by experimental conditions. This analysis was performed on a non-redundant dataset of protein structures from different SCOP classes. The sequence-conformation correlations that we note here suggest additional features that could be incorporated by in silico methods to extract dynamic information from protein structural models.

Characterization of structural and free energy properties of promoters associated with Primary and Operon TSS in Helicobacter pylori genome and their orthologs

Promoter regions in the genomes of all domains of life show similar trends in several structural properties such as stability, bendability, curvature, etc. In current study we analysed the stability and bendability of various classes of promoter regions (based on the recent identification of different classes of transcription start sites) of Helicobacter pylori 26695 strain. It is found that primary TSS and operon-associated TSS promoters show significantly strong features in their promoter regions. DNA free-energy-based promoter prediction tool PromPredict was used to annotate promoters of different classes, and very high recall values (similar to 80%) are obtained for primary TSS. Orthologous genes from other strains of H. pylori show conservation of structural properties in promoter regions as well as coding regions. PromPredict annotates promoters of orthologous genes with very high recall and precision.

Structural Characterization and Ultraviolet Photoresponse of GaN Nanodots Grown by Molecular Beam Epitaxy

The present work explores the electrical transport and UV photoresponse properties of GaN nanodots (NDs) grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). Single-crystalline wurtzite structure of GaN NDs is verified by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The interdigitated electrode pattern was created and current-voltage (I-V) characteristics of GaN NDs were studied in a metal-semiconductor-metal configuration. Dark I-V characteristics of lateral grown GaN NDs obeyed the Frenkel-Poole emission model, and the UV response of the device was stable and reproducible with on/off. The responsivity of the detectors is found to be 330 A/W with an external quantum efficiency of 1100%. (C) 2012 The Japan Society of Applied Physics