Probing the role of highly conserved residues in triosephosphate isomerase-analysis of site specific mutants at positions 64 and 75 in the Plasmodial enzyme

Highly conserved residues in enzymes are often found to be clustered close to active sites, suggesting that functional constraints dictate the nature of amino acid residues accommodated at these sites. Using the Plasmodiumfalciparum triosephosphate isomerase (PfTIM) enzyme () as a template, we have examined the effects of mutations at positions 64 and 75, which are not directly involved in the proton transfer cycle. Thr (T) occurring at position 75 is completely conserved, whereas only Gln (Q) and Glu (E) are accommodated at position 64. Biophysical and kinetic data are reported for four T75 (T75S/V/C/N) and two Q64 (Q64N/E) mutants. The dimeric structure is weakened in the Q64E and Q64N mutants, whereas dimer integrity is unimpaired in all four T75 mutants. Measurement of the concentration dependence of enzyme activity permits an estimate of K-d values for dimer dissociation (Q64N=73.79.2nm and Q64E=44.6 +/- 8.4nm). The T75S/V/C mutants have activities comparable to the wild-type enzyme, whereas a fourfold drop is observed for T75N. All four T75 mutants show a dramatic fall in activity between 35 degrees C and 45 degrees C. Crystal structure determination of the T75S/V/N mutants provides insights into the variations in local interactions, with the T75N mutant showing the largest changes. Hydrogen-bond interactions determine dimer stability restricting the choice of residues at position 64 to Gln (Q) and Glu (E). At position 75, the overwhelming preference for Thr (T) may be dictated by the imperative of maintaining temperature stability of enzyme activity.

GRMHD formulation of highly super-Chandrasekhar rotating magnetized white dwarfs: stable configurations of non-spherical white dwarfs

Here we extend the exploration of significantly super-Chandrasekhar magnetized white dwarfs by numerically computing axisymmetric stationary equilibria of differentially rotating magnetized polytropic compact stars in general relativity (GR), within the ideal magnetohydrodynamic regime. We use a general relativistic magnetohydrodynamic (GRMHD) framework that describes rotating and magnetized axisymmetric white dwarfs, choosing appropriate rotation laws and magnetic field profiles (toroidal and poloidal). The numerical procedure for finding solutions in this framework uses the 3 + 1 formalism of numerical relativity, implemented in the open source XNS code. We construct equilibrium sequences by varying different physical quantities in turn, and highlight the plausible existence of super-Chandrasekhar white dwarfs, with masses in the range of 2-3 solar mass, with central (deep interior) magnetic fields of the order of 10(14) G and differential rotation with surface time periods of about 1-10 s. We note that such white dwarfs are candidates for the progenitors of peculiar, overluminous Type Ia supernovae, to which observational evidence ascribes mass in the range 2.1-2.8 solar mass. We also present some interesting results related to the structure of such white dwarfs, especially the existence of polar hollows in special cases.

Ordered Pd2Ge Intermetallic Nanoparticles as Highly Efficient and Robust Catalyst for Ethanol Oxidation

Pd2Ge nanoparticles were synthesized by superhydride reduction of K2PdCl4 and GeCl4. The syntheses were performed using a solvothermal method in the absence of surfactants, and the size of the nanoparticles was controlled by varying the reaction time. The powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and transmission electron microscopy data suggest that Pd2Ge nanoparticles were formed as an ordered intermetallic phase. In the crystal structure, Pd and Ge atoms occupy two different crystallographic positions with a vacancy in one of the Ge sites, which was proved by PXRD and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis. The catalyst is highly efficient for the electrochemical oxidation of ethanol and is stable up to the 250th cycle in alkaline medium. The electrochemical active surface area and current density values obtained, 1.41 cm(2) and 4.1 mA cm(-2), respectively, are superior to those of the commercial Pd on carbon. The experimentally observed data were interpreted in terms of the combined effect of adsorption energies of CH3CO and OH radical, d-band center model, and work function of the corresponding catalyst surfaces.

ZnO quantum dots and graphene based heterostructure for excellent photoelastic and highly sensitive ultraviolet photodetector

Heterostructures comprised of zinc oxide quantum dots (ZnO QDs) and graphene are presented for ultraviolet photodetectors (UV PD). Graphene-ZnO QDs-graphene (G-ZnO QDs-G) based PD demonstrated an excellent UV photoresponse with outstanding photoelastic characteristics when illuminated for several cycles with a periodicity 5 s. PD demonstrated faster detection ability with the response and recovery times of 0.29 s in response to much lower UV illumination. A direct variation in photoresponse is revealed with the bias voltage as well as UV illumination intensity. A drastic reduction in the dark current is noticed due to potential barrier formation between adjacent ZnO QDs and the recombination rate reduces by directly transferring photogenerated charge carriers from ZnO QDs to graphene for enhanced the charge mobility.

HOMOGENIZATION OF A HYPERBOLIC EQUATION WITH HIGHLY CONTRASTING DIFFUSIVITY COEFFICIENTS

We study a hyperbolic problem in the framework of periodic homogenization assuming a high contrast between the diffusivity coefficients of the two components M-epsilon and B-epsilon of the heterogeneous medium. There are three regimes depending on the ratio between the size of the period and the amplitude a, of the diffusivity in B-epsilon. For the critical regime alpha(epsilon) similar or equal to epsilon, the limit problem is a strongly coupled system involving both the macroscopic and the microscopic variables. We also include the results in the non critical case.

HOMOGENIZATION OF A HYPERBOLIC EQUATION WITH HIGHLY CONTRASTING DIFFUSIVITY COEFFICIENTS

We study a hyperbolic problem in the framework of periodic homogenization assuming a high contrast between the diffusivity coefficients of the two components M-epsilon and B-epsilon of the heterogeneous medium. There are three regimes depending on the ratio between the size of the period and the amplitude a, of the diffusivity in B-epsilon. For the critical regime alpha(epsilon) similar or equal to epsilon, the limit problem is a strongly coupled system involving both the macroscopic and the microscopic variables. We also include the results in the non critical case.

Primary and rechargeable zinc-air batteries using ceramic and highly stable TiCN as an oxygen reduction reaction electrocatalyst

Primary and secondary zinc-air batteries based on ceramic, stable, one dimensional titanium carbonitride (TiCN) nanostructures are reported. The optimized titanium carbonitride composition by density functional theory reveals their good activity towards the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Electrochemical measurements show their superior performance for the ORR in alkaline media coupled with favourable kinetics. The nanostructured TiCN lends itself amenable to be used as an air cathode material in primary and rechargeable zinc-air batteries. The battery performance and cyclability are found to be good. Further, we have demonstrated a gel-based electrolyte for rechargeable zinc-air batteries based on a TiCN cathode under ambient, atmospheric conditions without any oxygen supply from a cylinder. The present cell can work at current densities of 10-20 mA cm(2) (app. 10 000 mA g(-1) of TiCN) for several hours (63 h in the case of 10 mA cm(-2)) with a charge retention of 98%. The low cost, noble metal-free, mechanically stable and corrosion resistant TiCN is a very good alternative to Pt for metal-air battery chemistry.

A noble and single source precursor for the synthesis of metal-rich sulphides embedded in an N-doped carbon framework for highly active OER electrocatalysts

Here, we demonstrate a green and environment-friendly pyrolysis route for the synthesis of metal-rich sulphide embedded in an N-doped carbon (NC) framework in the absence of sulphide ions (S2-). The metal-chelate complex (tris(ethylenediamine) metal(II) sulfate) serves as a new and single source precursor for the synthesis of earth abundant and non-precious hybrid structures such as metal-rich sulphides Co9S8@NC and Ni3S2@ NC when M-II = Co2+ and Ni2+ and counter sulphate (SO42-) ions are the source of S. Both the hybrids show superior OER activity as compared to commercial RuO2.

The Liquefaction and Displacement of Highly Saturated Sand under Water Pressure Oscillation

In order to investigate the characteristics of water wave induced liquefaction in highly saturated sand in vertical direction, a one-dimensional model of highly saturated sand to water pressure oscillation is presented based oil the two-phase continuous media theory. The development of the effective stresses and the liquefaction thickness are analyzed. It is shown that water pressure oscillating loading affects liquefaction severely and the developing rate of liquefaction increases with the decreasing of the sand strength or the increasing of the loading strength. It is shown also that there is obvious phase lag in the sand Column. If the sand permeability is non-uniform, the pore pressure and the strain rise sharply at which the smallest permeability occurs. This solution may explain Why the fracture occurs in the sand column in some conditions.

The effect of carbon encapsulation on the magnetic properties of Ni nanoparticles produced by arc discharge in de-ionized water

Despite intensive research on optimizing the methods for depositing carbon encapsulated ferromagnetic nanoparticles, the effect of the carbon cages remains unclear. In the present work, the effect of the graphitic cages on the magnetization of the ferromagnetic core has been studied by comparing the magnetic properties of pure and carbon encapsulated Ni particles of the same size. The carbon encapsulated Ni particles were formed using an electric arc discharge in de-ionized water between a solid graphite cathode and an anode consisting of Ni and C in a mass ratio of Ni:C = 7:3. This method is shown to have potential for low cost production of carbon encapsulated Ni nanoparticle samples with narrow particle size distributions. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) analysis were used to study the crystallography, morphology, and size distribution of the encapsulated and pure Ni nanoparticle samples. The availability of encapsulated particles with various sizes allowed us to elucidate the role of carbon cages in size-dependent properties. Our data suggest that even though encapsulation is beneficial for protection against hostile chemical environments and for avoiding low proximity phenomena, it suppresses the saturation magnetization of the Ni cores.