DNA Compaction by a Dendrimer

At physiological pH, a PAMAM dendrimer is positively charged and can effectively bind negatively charged DNA. Currently, there has been great interest in understanding this complexation reaction both for fundamental (as a model for complex biological reactions) as well as for practical (as a gene delivery material and probe for sensing DNA sequence) reasons. Here, we have studied the complexation between double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) and various generations of PAMAM dendrimers (G3-05) through atomistic molecular dynamics simulations in the presence of water and ions. We report the compaction of DNA on a nanosecond time scale. This is remarkable, given the fact that such a short DNA duplex with a length close to 13 nm is otherwise thought to be a rigid rod. Using several nanoseconds long MD simulations, we have observed various binding modes of dsDNA and dendrimers for various generations of PAMAM dendrimers at varying charge ratios, and it confirms some of the binding modes proposed earlier. The binding is driven by the electrostatic interaction, and the larger the dendrimer charge, the stronger the binding affinity. As DNA wraps/binds to the dendrimer, counterions originally condensed onto DNA (Na+) and the dendrimer (Cl-) get released. We calculate the entropy of counterions and show that there is gain in entropy due to counterion release during the complexation. MD simulations demonstrate that, when the charge ratio is greater than 1 (as in the case of the G5 dendrimer), the optimal wrapping of DNA is observed. Calculated binding energies of the complexation follow the trend G5 > 04 > 03, in accordance with the experimental data. For a lower-generation dendrimer, such as G3, and, to some extent, for G4 also, we see considerable deformation in the dendrimer structure due to their flexible nature. We have also calculated the various helicoidal parameters of DNA to study the effect of dendrimer binding on the structure of DNA. The B form of the DNA is well preserved in the complex, as is evident from various helical parameters, justifying the use of the PAMAM dendrimer as a suitable delivery vehicle.

Physics-Based Thermal Conductivity Model for Metallic Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Interconnects

In this letter, a closed-form analytical model for temperature-dependent longitudinal diffusive lattice thermal conductivity (kappa) of a metallic single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) has been addressed. Based on the Debye theory, the second-order three-phonon Umklapp, mass difference (MD), and boundary scatterings have been incorporated to formulate. in both low-and high-temperature regimes. It is proposed that. at low temperature (T) follows the T-3 law and is independent of the second-order three-phonon Umklapp and MD scatterings. The form factor due to MD scattering also plays a key role in the significant variation of. in addition to the SWCNT length. The present diameter-independent model of. agrees well with the available experimental data on suspended intrinsic metallic SWCNTs over a wide range of temperature and can be carried forward for electrothermal analyses of CNT-based interconnects.

Growth of alkali metal periodates from silica gel and their characterization

Single crystals (up to 1 cm size) of K, Rb and Cs periodates have been grown in silica gel. In general, good quality crystals were obtained in gel of specific gravity 1.04 and pH 4. The metal/iodine ratios were determined and compared with calculated values. Morphological studies were carried out using a bicircle optical goniometer. Other characterization methods include X-ray diffraction, optical absorption, differential scanning calorimetry and optical microscopy. Microscopic examination of CsIO4 crystals in particular has revealed the existence of ferroelastic domains in the crystal. The structural basis for the occurence of ferroelasticity in this crystal is discussed and the high temperature space group is predicted.

Solid state physics through the years: Need for new initiatives

Solid state physics developed in India later than elsewhere in the world. What is particularly disconcerting is the poor state of experimental solid state physics today. A new thrust and better funding are essential if this field has to thrive in the country.

Whither solid state physics

The physics of the solid state has grown into that of condensed matter and is now expanding into the study of a bewildering variety of complex systems. After a brief survey of this progression, I enquire into the health of solid state physics; many signs of vitality and growth are found. The Indian scene in this field is briefly sketched, and some suggestions are offered on how to make it more lively,

Interaction of single-walled carbon nanotubes with poly(propyl ether imine) dendrimers

We study the complexation of nontoxic, native poly(propyl ether imine) dendrimers with single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). The interaction was monitored by measuring the quenching of inherent fluorescence of the dendrimer. The dendrimer-nanotube binding also resulted in the increased electrical resistance of the hole doped SWNT, due to charge-transfer interaction between dendrimer and nanotube. This charge-transfer interaction was further corroborated by observing a shift in frequency of the tangential Raman modes of SWNT. We also report the effect of acidic and neutral pH conditions on the binding affinities. Experimental studies were supplemented by all atom molecular dynamics simulations to provide a microscopic picture of the dendrimer-nanotube complex. The complexation was achieved through charge transfer and hydrophobic interactions, aided by multitude of oxygen, nitrogen, and n-propyl moieties of the dendrimer. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. doi:10.1063/1.3561308]

Influence of pH on the retention of heavy metal ions by fly ash

Clay liners have been widely used to contain toxic and hazardous wastes. Clays adsorb the contaminant cations due to their exchange capacity. To improve the performance of the clay liner, fly ash, a waste material arising out of combustion of coal has been studied as a pre-filter material. The results indicate that fly ash has the potential to retain heavy metal ions. This study concerns the retention of zinc by fly ash. The influence of pH on retention as well as leaching characteristics are examined. The results obtained from the retention experiments by permeameter method indicate that fly ash retains the zinc ions through precipitation in the pores as well as onto the surface when the ambient pH value is more than 6.9, and only through adsorption when the pH value is less than 6.9. It has been observed that fly ash did not release the retained zinc ions when the pH value is between 3.5 and 10.0. Hence, the retention of zinc ions by fly ash is likely to be permanent since the pH of most of the landfill leachates are between 3.7 to 8.8.

Physics Of Undoped And Doped C-60 Fullerene

This paper contains a review of the physical properties of the undoped and alkali-doped C60 materials, including their crystal structure, electronic, optical and vibrational properties and the effect of pressure on the crystal and electronic structure. The mechanisms of superconductivity in alkali-doped C60 in terms of phonon mediated electron pairing vis-a-vis electronic interaction effects are discussed.

Organometallic chemistry of diphosphazanes .13. Palladium complexes of unsymmetrical diphosphazanes Ph(2)PN(Pr-i)PYY'

Unsymmetrical diphosphazanes Ph(2)PN(Pr-i)PYY' [YY' = O2C12H8 (L(1)), O2C20H12 (L(2)); Y = Ph and Y' = OC6H4Br-4 (L(3)), OC(6)H(4)Me-4 (L(4)), OC(6)H(3)Me(2)-3,5 (L(5)), N(2)C(3)HMe(2)-3,5 (L(6))] react with cis-[PdCl2(COD)] (COD = cycloocta-1,5-diene) giving the chelate complexes of the type cis-[PdCl2{eta(2)-Ph(2)PN(Pr-i)PYY'}] [YY' = O2C12H8 (1), O2C20H12 (2), Y = Ph and Y' = OC6H4Br-4 (3), OC(6)H(4)Me-4 (4), OC(6)H(3)Me(2)-3,5 (5), N(2)C(3)HMe(2)-3,5 (6)]. The P-N bond in 3 and 5 undergoes a facile cleavage in methanol solution to give cis-[PdCl2{eta(1)Ph(2)P(OMe)}{eta(1)-PhP(NHPri)(Y')}] [Y' = OC6H4Br-4 (7), OC(6)H(3)Me(2)-3,5 (8)]. Reactions of Pd-2(dba)(3) . CHCl3 (dba = dibenzylideneacetone) with the diphosphazanes Ph(2)PN(Pr-i)PPhY' [Y' = OC(6)H(4)Me-4 (L(4)), N(2)C(3)HMe(2)-3,5 (L(6)), N2C3H3 (L(7))] in the presence of MeI yields cis-[PdI2{eta(2)-Ph(2)PN(Pr-i)PPhMe}] (9); the P-O or P-N(pyrazolyl) bond of the starting ligands is cleaved and a p-C(Me) bond is formed. An analogous oxidative addition reaction in the presence of Ph(2)PN(Pr-i)PPh(2) (L(8)) yields cis-[PdI(Me)(eta(2)-L(8))] (10) and cis-[PdI2(eta 2-L(8))] (11). The structures of 8 and 9 have been determined by X-ray diffraction. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd

The influence of pH on the corrosion of medium strength aerospace alloys 8090, 2091 and 2014

The influence of pH on the corrosion behaviour of two aluminium-lithium-copper-magnesium-zirconium (8090 and 2091) alloys was studied and compared with a standard aircraft alloy, 2014 (Al-4.4% Cu) and 99.9% pure Al. In constant exposure and potentiodynamic polarization studies conducted in 3.5% NaCl solution having different pH values, all the alloys exhibited high corrosion rates in acidic and alkaline environments, with a minimum in less hostile environments close to neutral pH. The pitting potentials for aluminium-lithium alloys were slightly lower than those for 2014 and pure Al. The effect of pH on the passive current density was also less for aluminium-lithium alloys.

Role of Li+ ions in corrosion behaviour of 8090 Al-Li alloy and aluminium in pH 12 aqueous solutions

The influence of Li+ ions on the corrosion behaviour of the Al-Li alloy 8090-T851 and of commercially pure aluminium in aqueous solutions at pH 12 was studied by weight loss and electrochemical polarisation methods. The inhibiting role of Li+ was concentration dependent, corrosion rate decreasing lineally with log[Li+] in the concentration range 10(-4)-10(-1) mol L(-1). A change from general to pitting corrosion was evident from scanning election microscopy studies. Polarisation studies revealed that Li+ primarily acts as an anodic inhibitor (passivator). Passive film formation and stability also become more feasible with increasing Li+ concentration. Fitting potential was dependent on the Cl- ion concentration in the solution. Both materials were affected similarly by the presence of Li+ ions, the corrosion rate of the alloy being slightly lower. This is attributed to the lithium in the alloy acting as a source of lithium for passive film formation. (C) 1995 The Institute of Materials.

Physics with e(+)e(-) linear colliders

The physics potential of e(+) e(-) linear colliders is summarized in this report. These machines are planned to operate in the first phase at a center-of-mass energy of 500 GeV, before being scaled up to about 1 TeV. In the second phase of the operation, a final energy of about 2 TeV is expected. The machines will allow us to perform precision tests of the heavy particles in the Standard Model, the top quark and the electroweak bosons. They are ideal facilities for exploring the properties of Higgs particles, in particular in the intermediate mass range. New vector bosons and novel matter particles in extended gauge theories can be searched for and studied thoroughly. The machines provide unique opportunities for the discovery of particles in supersymmetric extensions of the Standard Model, the spectrum of Higgs particles, the supersymmetric partners of the electroweak gauge and Higgs bosons, and of the matter particles. High precision analyses of their properties and interactions will allow for extrapolations to energy scales close to the Planck scale where gravity becomes significant. In alternative scenarios, i.e. compositeness models, novel matter particles and interactions can be discovered and investigated in the energy range above the existing colliders lip to the TeV scale. Whatever scenario is realized in Nature, the discovery potential of e(+) e(-) linear colliders and the high precision with which the properties of particles and their interactions can be analyzed, define an exciting physics program complementary to hadron machines. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

B Physics: WHEPP-XI working group report

We present the report of the B physics working group of the Workshop on High Energy Physics Phenomenology (WHEPP-XI), held at the Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad, in January 2010.