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Ion Concentration (ion + concentration)
Kinds of Ion Concentration Selected AbstractsInfluence of the starting powders on the synthesis of nickel ferriteCRYSTAL RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY, Issue 8 2006F. Kenfack Abstract The thermal decomposition of freeze-dried nickel(II)-iron(III) formate was investigated by means of DTA, TG, mass spectrometry and X-ray powder diffractometry. For the preparation of homogeneous freeze-dried nickel(II)-iron(III) formate precursors, a rigorous control of nickel ion concentration in the precursor solution was required. The decomposition of the reactive nickel(II)-iron(III) formate does not only reflect aspects of single formates, but also an interaction between components which lowers the decomposition temperature. Crystalline nickel ferrite powders were obtained at 600-800°C. This temperature is quite lower than 1100°C employed for the ceramic method. In the presence of air, the regeneration of nickel ferrite from the taenite phase (,Ni,Fe) is accomplished at 800°C. This temperature is also 300°C below the temperature employed when the mixtures NiO:,-Fe2O3 or Ni:2Fe are the starting powders. The main reason for the high reactivity of the freeze-dried formates and the taenite alloy is the large homogeneity of these precursors. (© 2006 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Characteristic improvement of metal-contaminated sludge using mineralization technologyENVIRONMENTAL PROGRESS & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY, Issue 1 2010Shao-Hua Hu Abstract This study focuses on improving crystalline characteristics of metal-contaminated sludge. The mineralization behavior of Cu/Al or Cu/Fe coexisting in solution is surveyed, and the characteristics of residue and suspension settling are discussed in the context of water content of residue and settling/specific filtration resistance of suspensions. Experimental data show that the hydrate of Cu4SO4(OH)6 forms during mineralization of copper sulfate solution when hydroxide ion concentration, reaction time, and temperature are not controlled appropriately. Mineral characteristics of the residue are usually poor when the Cu4SO4(OH)6 forms in Cu/Al or Cu/Fe solution. However, Cu4SO4(OH)6 can be further transformed into CuO with wet oxidation or ferrite method, respectively (i.e., mineralization treatment). Water reduction of the residue is from 96.8% to 72.8% in the Cu/Al case or 95.6% to 66.6% in the Cu/Fe case, and the mineralized residue volume is only 1/10 of the hydrate sediment. This is particularly beneficial for sludge disposal. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 2010 [source] Reaction kinetics for the degradation of phenol and chlorinated phenols using Fenton's reagentENVIRONMENTAL PROGRESS & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY, Issue 1 2006Asim K. De Abstract Fenton's reaction is an advanced treatment technology often used for the removal of hazardous and refractory organic compounds from industrial wastewaters. It can effectively be used to degrade phenol and chlorophenols. The initial contaminant concentrations as well as the concentration of hydrogen peroxide and ferrous ions in aqueous solution have a significant effect on the effective degradation of contaminants. For a particular concentration of initial substrate in solution there should be an optimum level of ferrous ion concentration in the reaction medium. Based on experimental observations, a probable mechanism for Fenton's degradation kinetics has been proposed and a rate equation developed. From the rate expression, OH· radical reaction rate constants for the degradation of three compounds,phenol and o- and p-chlorophenols,in Fenton reaction were calculated to have values of 2.53 × 107, 2.38 × 107, and 2.45 × 107 m3 mol,1 s,1, respectively. © 2005 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 2005 [source] Stimulation of epidermal calcium gradient loss and increase in TNF-, and IL-1, expressions by glycolic acid in murine epidermisEXPERIMENTAL DERMATOLOGY, Issue 8 2005Se Kyoo Jeong Abstract:, In a previous study, we reported that ,-hydroxy acids (AHA), such as glycolic acid and lactic acid, did not induce any significant changes in transepidermal water loss for normal murine skin. The ultrastructural observations, however, showed that the extent of lamellar body exocytosis significantly increased. Because AHA can theoretically decrease the calcium ion concentration by chelation, topical AHA may induce the loss of epidermal calcium gradient by lowering the calcium ion concentration in the granulocytes and, subsequently, induce lamellar body secretion. The aim of this study is to verify that glycolic acid could modulate the epidermal calcium gradient and increase lamellar body exocytosis. Seventy per cent of glycolic acid aqueous solution was applied to the normal skin of hairless mice and biochemical and morphological studies were performed. The loss of epidermal calcium gradient was observed in glycolic-acid-applied skin of hairless mice and subsequent barrier function recovery processes, such as an increase in lamellar body secretion, were observed. The extracellular glycolic acid was found to inhibit the change in intracellular calcium ion concentration in response to extracellular calcium ion concentration changes in the cultured mouse keratinocyte in vitro. The protein and mRNA expressions of tumour necrosis factor-, and interleukin-1, in the murine epidermis were significantly increased after glycolic acid application. An in vitro study using cultured keratinocytes suggested that glycolic acid could lower the calcium ion concentration, at least in part, through the chelating effects of the glycolic acid on the cationic ions. [source] An allosteric DNAzyme with dual RNA-cleaving and DNA-cleaving activitiesFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 11 2010Dazhi Jiang A series of RNA-cleaving or DNA-cleaving DNAzymes have been obtained by in vitro selection. However, engineering an allosteric DNAzyme with dual RNA-cleaving and DNA-cleaving activities is very challenging. We used an in vitro -selected pistol-like (PL) DNAzyme as a DNA scaffold for designing a DNAzyme with dual catalytic activities. We prepared the 46-nucleotide DNAzyme with DNA-cleaving activity (PL DNAzyme), and then grafted the deoxyribonucleotide residues from an 8,17 variant DNAzyme into the region of stem,loop I and the catalytic core of the PL DNAzyme scaffold. This deoxyribonucleotide residue grafting resulted in a DNAzyme with dual RNA-cleaving and DNA-cleaving activities (DRc DNAzyme). Drc DNAzyme has properties different from those of the original PL DNAzyme, including DNA cleavage sites and the required metal ion concentration. Interestingly, the RNA substrate and RNase A can act as effectors to mediate the DNA cleavage. Our results show that RNA-cleaving and DNA-cleaving activities simultaneously coexist in DRc DNAzyme, and the DNA cleavage activity can be reversibly regulated by a conformational transition. [source] Insights into the structure of plant ,-type phospholipase DFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 10 2007Susanne Stumpe Phospholipases D play an important role in the regulation of cellular processes in plants and mammals. Moreover, they are an essential tool in the synthesis of phospholipids and phospholipid analogs. Knowledge of phospholipase D structures, however, is widely restricted to sequence data. The only known tertiary structure of a microbial phospholipase D cannot be generalized to eukaryotic phospholipases D. In this study, the isoenzyme form of phospholipase D from white cabbage (PLD,2), which is the most widely used plant phospholipase D in biocatalytic applications, has been characterized by small-angle X-ray scattering, UV-absorption, CD and fluorescence spectroscopy to yield the first insights into its secondary and tertiary structure. The structural model derived from small-angle X-ray scattering measurements reveals a barrel-shaped monomer with loosely structured tops. The far-UV CD-spectroscopic data indicate the presence of ,-helical as well as ,-structural elements, with the latter being dominant. The fluorescence and near-UV CD spectra point to tight packing of the aromatic residues in the core of the protein. From the near-UV CD signals and activity data as a function of the calcium ion concentration, two binding events characterized by dissociation constants in the ranges of 0.1 mm and 10,20 mm can be confirmed. The stability of PLD,2 proved to be substantially reduced in the presence of calcium ions, with salt-induced aggregation being the main reason for irreversible inactivation. [source] Assigning macroinvertebrate tolerance classifications using generalised additive modelsFRESHWATER BIOLOGY, Issue 5 2004Lester L. Yuan Summary 1. Macroinvertebrates are frequently classified in terms of their tolerance to human disturbance and pollution. These tolerance values have been used effectively to assess the biological condition of running waters. 2. Generalised additive models were used to associate the presence and absence of different macroinvertebrate genera with different environmental gradients. The model results were then used to classify each genera as sensitive, intermediately tolerant or tolerant to different stressor gradients as quantified by total phosphorus concentration, sulphate ion concentration, qualitative habitat score and stream pH. The analytical approach provided a means of estimating stressor-specific tolerance classifications while controlling for covarying, natural environmental gradients. 3. Computed tolerance classification generally conformed with expectations and provided some capacity for distinguishing between different stressors in test data. [source] A geomorphic template for the analysis of lake districts applied to the Northern Highland Lake District, Wisconsin, U.S.A.FRESHWATER BIOLOGY, Issue 3 2000JoaN. L. Riera 1. We tested the degree to which a lake's landscape position constrains the expression of limnological features and imposes a characteristic spatial pattern in a glacial lake district, the Northern Highland Lake District in north-central Wisconsin. 2. We defined lake order as a metric to analyze the effect of landscape position on limnological features. Lake order, analogous to stream order, is based solely on geographical information and is simple to measure. 3. We examined the strength of the relationship between lake order and a set of 25 variables, which included measures of lake morphometry, water optical properties, major ions, nutrients, biology, and human settlement patterns. 4. Lake order explained a significant fraction of the variance of 21 of the 25 variables tested with ANOVA. The fraction of variance explained varied from 12% (maximum depth) to 56% (calcium concentration). The variables most strongly related to lake order were: measures of lake size and shape, concentrations of major ions (except sulfate) and silica, biological variables (chlorophyll concentration, crayfish abundance, and fish species richness), and human-use variables (density of cottages and resorts). Lake depth, water optical properties, and nutrient concentrations (other than silica) were poorly associated with lake order. 5. Potential explanations for a relationship with lake order differed among variables. In some cases, we could hypothesize a direct link. For example, major ion concentration is a function of groundwater input, which is directly related to lake order. We see these as a direct influence of the geomorphic template left by the retreat of the glacier that led to the formation of this lake district. 6. In other cases, a set of indirect links was hypothesized. For example, the effect of lake order on lake size, water chemistry, and lake connectivity may ultimately explain the relation between lake order and fish species richness. We interpret these relationships as the result of constraints imposed by the geomorphic template on lake development over the last 12 000 years. 7. By identifying relationships between lake characteristics and a measure of landscape position, and by identifying geomorphologic constraints on lake features and lake evolution, our analysis explains an important aspect of the spatial organization of a lake district. [source] Effects of alcohols on micellization and on the reaction methyl 4-nitrobenzenesulfonate + Br, in cetyltrimethylammonium bromide aqueous micellar solutionsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL KINETICS, Issue 12 2004María Muñoz The effects of n -hexanol, n -pentanol, and n -butanol on the critical micelle concentration (cmc), on the micellar ionization degree (,), and on the rate of the reaction methyl 4-nitrobenzenesulfonate + Br, have been investigated in cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) aqueous solutions. An increase in the alcohol concentration present in the solution produces a decrease in the cmc and an increase in the micellar ionization degree. Kinetic data show that the observed rate constant decreases as alcohol concentration increases. This result was rationalized by considering variations in the equilibrium binding constant of the methyl 4-nitrobenzenesulfonate molecules to the micelles, variations in the interfacial bromide ion concentration, and variations in the characteristics of the water,alcohol bulk phase provoked by the presence of alcohols. When these operative factors are considered, kinetic data in this and other works show that the second-order rate constants in the micellar pseudophases of water,alcohol micellar solutions are quite similar to those estimated in the absence of alcohols. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 36: 634,641, 2004 [source] Effect of weak reductant on properties of electroless copper polyacrylonitrile nanocomposites for electromagnetic interference shieldingJOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 2 2010Keng-Yu Tsao Abstract In this work, the electroless copper method with different reductant compositions (NaHSO3/Na2 S2O3·5H2O and Na2S2O3·5H2O) without sensitizing and activating, was used to deposit copper-sulfide deposition on the polyacrylonitrile (PAN) surface for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials. The weak reductant, NaHSO3, in the electroless copper method was used to control the phase of copper-sulfide deposition. The Cux(x=1,1.8)S was deposited on the PAN (CuxS-PAN) by reductant composition (NaHSO3/Na2S2O3·5H2O) and the Cux(x=1,1.8)S deposition of CuxS-PAN possesses three kinds of copper-sulfide phases (CuS, Cu1.75S and Cu1.8S). However, the electroless copper with reductant was only Na2S2O3·5H2O (without weak reductant, NaHSO3), the hexagonal CuS deposition was plated on the PAN (CuS-PAN) and increased the EMI shielding effectiveness of CuS-PAN composites about 10,15 dB. In this study, the best EMI SE of CuS-PAN and CuxS-PAN composites were about 27,30 dB and 15,17 dB respectively, as the cupric ion concentration was 0.24 M. The volume resistivity of CuS-PAN composite was about 1000 times lower than that of CuxS-PAN composite and lowest volume resistivity of CuS-PAN composites was 0.012 , cm, as the cupric ion concentration was 0.24 M. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010 [source] Metal ion-imprinted polymer microspheres derived from copper methacrylate for selective separation of heavy metal ionsJOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 1 2008Anh Hoang Dam Abstract Microbeads of metal ion-imprinted polymers (MIIPs) were prepared by a novel precipitation polymerization technique, in which copper methacrylate monomer and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate crosslinker were copolymerized in a rotary evaporator. The prepared microbeads had mono- or narrow size dispersity, and their sizes increased from 1 to 4 ,m with decreasing solvent amount or increasing initiator concentration. The absorption capacity and selectivity of the imprinted polymer for copper ion were determined in the presence of various competitive metal ions. As results, adsorption equilibrium was quickly achieved in about 10 min with high absorbability (about 90%). The effects of pH, initial metallic ion concentration, and MIIP bead size on the absorption capacity were investigated. The Cu(II)-imprinted polymers exhibited extremely high selectivity, which was much higher than that of corresponding blank polymers. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2008 [source] Characterization and biodegradability of amphoteric superabsorbent polymersJOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 6 2008Dan Wang Abstract Novel amphoteric superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) based on carboxymethyl cellulose, acrylic acid, acrylamide, and [2-(methylacryloyloxy)ethyl]trimethylammonium chloride were prepared by inverse suspension copolymerization. The SAPs were characterized by Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. The absorbency or swelling behaviors in deionized water, saline solutions, and pH value solutions were investigated. Experimental results indicate that the absorbency in various solutions decreases with an increase of the ion concentration, which was attributed to osmotic pressure of water and ions between the polymeric gel and the external solutions. Biodegradability of the amphoteric SAPs was also reported. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008 [source] Sorption properties of the iminodiacetate ion exchange resin, amberlite IRC-718, toward divalent metal ionsJOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 2 2008Charef Noureddine Abstract The sorption properties of the commercially available cationic exchange resin, Amberlite IRC-718, that has the iminodiacetic acid functionality, toward the divalent metal-ions, Fe2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, and Ni2+ were investigated by a batch equilibration technique at 25°C as a function of contact time, metal ion concentration, mass of resin used, and pH. Results of the study revealed that the resin exhibited higher capacities and a more pronounced adsorption toward Fe2+ and that the metal-ion uptake follows the order: Fe2+ > Cu2+> Zn2+ >Ni2+. The adsorption and binding capacity of the resin toward the various metal ions investigated are discussed. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008 [source] Modification of guar gum through grafting of 4-vinyl pyridine using potassium peroxymonosulphate/ascorbic acid redox pairJOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 2 2007Abhishek Srivastava Abstract In the present article, the graft copolymerization of 4-vinyl pyridine onto guar gum initiated by potassium peroxymonosulphate/ascorbic acid redox pair in an aqueous medium was studied gravimetrically under a nitrogen atmosphere. Grafting ratio, grafting efficiency, and add on increased on increasing the concentration of potassium peroxymonosulphate from 5.0 × 10,4 to 10 × 10,4 mol/L and ascorbic acid concentration from 0.4 × 10,3 to 2.0 × 10,3 mol/L. On increasing the hydrogen ion concentration from 2.5 × 10,3 to 10.0 × 10,3 mol/L, grafting ratio, efficiency, add on and conversion were increased. Maximum grafting was obtained when guar gum and monomer concentration were 1.0 g/L and 20.0 × 10,2 mol/L, respectively. An increase in temperature from 30 to 35°C increased the grafting ratio, but conversion and homopolymer decreased. The graft copolymers were characterized by IR spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007 [source] Removal of heavy metals and cyanide from gold mine wastewaterJOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY, Issue 5 2010Mike A. Acheampong Abstract This paper reviews the technology and biotechnology to remove heavy metals (such as copper, arsenic, lead and zinc) and cyanide from contaminated wastewater. The paper places special emphasis on gold mine wastewater and the use of low cost materials as sorbent. Various biological as well as physicochemical treatment processes are discussed and compared on the basis of costs, energy requirement, removal efficiency, limitations and advantages. Sorption using natural plant materials, industrial and agricultural waste has been demonstrated to have the potential to replace conventional methods for the removal of heavy metals because of its cost effectiveness, efficiency and the local availability of these materials as biosorbent. The parameters affecting sorption, such as initial ion concentration, pH, sorbent dosage, particle size and temperature, are discussed. The overall treatment cost of metal and cyanide contaminated wastewater depends on the process employed and the local conditions. In general, technical applicability, cost-effectiveness and plant simplicity are the key factors in selecting the most suitable treatment method. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Removal of cupric ions from acidic sulfate solution using reticulated vitreous carbon rotating cylinder electrodesJOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY, Issue 9 2004Gavin W Reade Abstract The potentiostatic deposition of copper from acid sulfate solutions (0.50 mol dm,3 Na2SO4 at pH 2 and 298 K) was studied at four porosity grades (10, 30, 60 and 100 pores per linear inch, ppi) of reticulated vitreous carbon (RVC) rotating cylinder electrode (RCE). The rate of removal of cupric ions from a 200 cm3 volume of electrolyte was examined as a function of the grade of RVC foam, the electrode potential and the initial cupric ion concentration. For the 100 ppi material, the product of the mass transport coefficient and the electroactive area per unit volume of electrode (kmAe) was equal to 0.28 s,1 at a potential of ,500 mV vs SCE for an initial cupric ion concentration of 0.85 mmol dm,3 and a constant rotation speed of 1500 rev min,1. Under the experimental conditions, an initial dissolved copper concentration of 63.5 ppm could be reduced to <0.1 ppm in approximately 60 min using a 100 ppi RVC RCE. SEM studies showed some non-uniform deposition of metal due to heterogeneous nucleation of copper together with the development of rough deposits. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Effect of Soluble Soybean Protein Hydrolysate-Calcium Complexes on Calcium Uptake by Caco-2 CellsJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 7 2008Y. Lv ABSTRACT:, Soybean protein hydrolysates (SPHs) bind with calcium, forming soluble SPH-calcium complexes via the carboxyl groups of glutamic and aspartic acid residues. However, their effect on calcium uptake is still unclear. In this study, Caco-2 cells were used to estimate the effect of SPH-calcium complexes with different molecular weights on calcium uptake in vitro. The changes in intracellular calcium ion concentration were measured by Fura-2 loading and expressed in fluorescence intensity. SPH-calcium complexes could promote calcium uptake. Improved fluorescence intensity was significantly different in SPH-calcium complexes (10 to 30 kDa), SPH-calcium complexes (3 to 10 kDa), and SPH-calcium complexes (1 to 3 kDa). The maximum levels of relative fluorescence intensity (18.3) occurred with SPH-calcium complexes (10 to 30 kDa). The effect of SPH-calcium complexes (10 to 30 kDa) on Ca2+ increase was determined to be concentration dependent in the range of 0.5 to 4 mg/mL. Our results indicate that soybean protein itself might be responsible for promoting calcium absorption. [source] Effects of Calcium Chloride and Sodium Hexametaphosphate on Certain Chemical and Physical Properties of SoymilkJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 8 2007P. Pathomrungsiyounggul ABSTRACT:, Soymilks with sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP) (0% to 1.2%) and calcium chloride (12.50, 18.75, and 25.00 mM Ca) were analyzed for total Ca, Ca ion concentration, pH, kinematic viscosity, particle diameter, and sediment after pasteurization. Higher added Ca led to significant (P, 0.05) increases in Ca ion concentration and significant (P, 0.05) decreases in pH. At certain levels of SHMP, higher concentrations of added Ca significantly increased (P, 0.05) kinematic viscosity, particle diameter, and sediment. Increasing SHMP concentration reduced Ca ion concentration, particle diameter, and dry sediment content, but reduced kinematic viscosity of samples (P, 0.05). Adding SHMP up to 0.7% influenced pH of soymilk in different ways, depending on the level of Ca addition. When the pH of Ca-fortified soymilk was adjusted to a higher level, ionic Ca decreased as pH increased. There was a negative linear relationship between the logarithm of ionic Ca concentration and the adjusted pH of the soymilk. Ionic Ca appeared to be a good indicator of thermally induced sediment formation, with little sediment being produced if ionic Ca was maintained below 0.4 mM. [source] Synthesis, structure, and selective separation behavior of copper-imprinted microporous polymethacrylate beadsAICHE JOURNAL, Issue 12 2009Nguyen To Hoai Abstract Metal ion-imprinted polymethacrylate beads with sizes ranging from 100 to 300 ,m were prepared by suspension polymerization for the application of selective separation of target metal ions. The metal ion contacting area of the beads was enlarged via pore formation (BET 425 m2/g) using toluene as a porogenic agent. The synthesis of the copper-imprinted porous beads was verified using FTIR, SEM, and ESCA. Separation capacity and selectivity were investigated carrying out column separation experiments. The selective adsorption behavior of the imprinted beads was significantly affected by flow rate, pH, and metal ion concentration in the solution. Adsorption of the copper ion, the template metal ion, onto the beads was highly selective, compared with other ions such as nickel and zinc, with the selective coefficients at approximately 5,10. The microporous particles possessing such high selectivity has a potential application as novel column packing materials especially requiring high selective efficiency, which is usually not achievable by commercial ion exchange resins. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2009 [source] Mercury compounds disrupt neuronal glutamate transport in cultured mouse cerebellar granule cellsJOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH, Issue 4 2005Elena Fonfría Abstract Cerebellar granule cells are targeted selectively by mercury compounds in vivo. Despite the affinity of mercury for thiol groups present in all cells, the molecular determinant(s) of selective cerebellar degeneration remain to be elucidated fully. We studied the effect of mercury compounds on neuronal glutamate transport in primary cultures of mouse cerebellar granule cells. Immunoblots probed with an antibody against the excitatory amino acid transporter (EAAT) neuronal glutamate transporter, EAAT3, revealed the presence of a specific band in control and mercury-treated cultures. Micromolar concentrations of both methylmercury and mercuric chloride increased the release of endogenous glutamate, inhibited glutamate uptake, reduced mitochondrial activity, and decreased ATP levels. All these effects were completely prevented by the nonpermeant reducing agent Tris-(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine (TCEP). Reduction of mitochondrial activity by mercuric chloride, but not by methylmercury, was inhibited significantly by 4,4,-diisothiocyanato-stilbene-2,2,-disulfonic acid (DIDS) and by reduced extracellular Cl, ion concentration. In addition, DIDS and low extracellular Cl, completely inhibited the release of glutamate induced by mercuric chloride, and produced a partial although significant reduction of that induced by methylmercury. We suggest that a direct inhibition of glutamate uptake triggers an imbalance in cell homeostasis, leading to neuronal failure and Cl, -regulated cellular glutamate efflux. Our results demonstrate that neuronal glutamate transport is a novel target to be taken into account when assessing mercury-induced neurotoxicity. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] The intensity of the 1602 cm,1 band in human cells is related to mitochondrial activityJOURNAL OF RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY, Issue 5 2009Vishnu Vardhan Pully Abstract We report a Raman band at 1602 cm,1 in the spectra of human cells, which previously had only been observed in mitochondria of yeast cells. This band, which has not yet been assigned to a particular molecular species, was found to occur in HeLa cells, peripheral blood lymphocytes, human mesenchymal stem cells and bovine chondrocytes. The band is proposed as an indicator of the activity of mitochondria in cells. Cells were cultured with and without serum or temporarily deprived of serum. The band can be observed for all these variations in cell culture methodology. The band intensity decreases under the influence of an increase of the calcium ion concentration in the surrounding medium. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Role of Sulfate in Structural Modifications of Sodium Barium Borosilicate Glasses Developed for Nuclear Waste ImmobilizationJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 12 2008Raman K. Mishra A sodium barium borosilicate glass matrix with a higher solubility of sulfate has been developed recently at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre for vitrification of sulfate bearing high-level nuclear waste. We report here the studies carried out to understand the influence of sulfate ion on the three-dimensional borosilicate network. Experiments were carried out with sodium barium borosilicate base glass samples loaded with varying amounts of SO42, (0,5 mol%). Phase separation studies on the samples revealed that as much as 3 mol% of SO42, can be loaded within the base glass without any phase separation, however, beyond this limit BaSO4 (barite) crystallizes within the matrix. Thermal analyses of the samples indicated a shift in glass transition temperature from 534° (0 mol% SO42,) to 495°C (3 mol% SO42,) and it remained more or less unaltered afterwards even with high SO42, loading. A similar observation of structure stabilization was obtained from 29Si MAS,NMR studies also, which showed that with 2 mol% of SO42, loading, the Q2:Q3 ratio changed from 59:41 (for samples with 0 mol% SO42, loading) to 62:38 and it remained almost the same afterwards even with higher SO42, loading. 11B MAS NMR patterns of the glass samples, however, remained unchanged with SO42, loading ([BO4]:[BO3]=38:62). Based on 29Si and 11B MAS NMR studies, the authors propose two different ways of interaction of SO42, ions with the borosilicate network: (i) the network modifying action of SO42, ions with -Si,O,Si- linkages, at low SO42, ion concentration (<2 mol%) and (ii) the preferential interaction of SO42, with the Ba2+ ions at high SO42, concentration (>2 mol%). [source] Formation Mechanism of Hydrous Zirconia Particles Produced by the Hydrolysis of ZrOCl2 Solutions: III, Kinetics Study for the Nucleation and Crystal-Growth Processes of Primary ParticlesJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 10 2001Koji Matsui The formation rate and primary particle size of monoclinic, hydrous zirconia particles produced by the hydrolysis of various ZrOCl2 solutions (with and without the addition of HCl, NH4OH, NaCl, CaCl2, or AlCl3) were measured to clarify the effects of the H+ and Cl, ion concentrations on the nucleation and crystal-growth processes of primary particles of hydrous zirconia. Chemical-kinetic analyses, to which Avrami,Erofeev's equation was applied, and XRD measurements revealed that both the rate constant and the primary particle size of the hydrous zirconia decreased as the concentrations of H+ and/or Cl, ions produced by hydrolysis increased. The nucleation rate per unit of ZrOCl2 concentration and the crystal-growth rate of the primary particles of the hydrous zirconia were determined by analyzing the relationships between the rate constant and primary particle size. The nucleation rate per unit of ZrOCl2 concentration revealed almost no change and remained constant as the H+ and/or Cl, ion concentrations increased, except in the case of a slight increase for ZrOCl2 solutions with added HCl. The crystal-growth rate decreased as the H+ and/or Cl, ion concentration increased. The present kinetic analyses revealed that the decrease in rate constant with increasing H+ and/or Cl, ion concentrations resulted from the decrease in the crystal-growth rate. The decreasing tendency of the crystal-growth rate was attributed to interference with crystal growth by the Cl, ions attracted onto the particle surface through the formation of an electric double layer. The formation mechanisms for the primary particles of hydrous zirconia were determined based on the present experimental results. [source] A two-step coagulation test to identify anti,2 -glycoprotein I lupus anticoagulantsJOURNAL OF THROMBOSIS AND HAEMOSTASIS, Issue 5 2004V. Pengo Summary., Lupus anticoagulants (LA) are immunoglobulins which inhibit phospholipid (PL)-dependent coagulation tests. LA are not specific, as they may reflect the presence of antibodies to human prothrombin, human ,2 -Glycoprotein I (,2GPI), an association of previous antibodies or other antibodies. Antibodies to human ,2GPI act as in vitro anticoagulants by enhancing the binding of ,2GPI to PL, and this binding may be influenced by calcium ion concentration. A reduction in final calcium concentration, from 10 mm to 5 mm, increased coagulation times in both dilute Russell Viper Venom Time (dRVVT) and dilute Prothrombin Time (dPT) when plasmas of patients with anti,2GPI antibodies were used. Ten LA patients showed increased dRVVT and dPT ratios from means of 1.5 to 1.7 (P < 0.001) and 2.4 to 4.3 (P = 0.002), respectively. Instead, all LA-positive anti,2GPI antibody-negative patients showed decreased coagulation times from mean ratios of 1.5 to 1.3 (P = 0.004) in dRVVT and from 2.0 to 1.5 (P = 0.01) in dPT. These results are confirmed by running dRVVT of normal plasma spiked with affinity purified IgG anti,2GPI antibodies. Therefore, when a PL,dependent coagulation test is run twice, at different final calcium concentrations, anti,2GPI LA can be identified. [source] Effect of potential on the corrosion behavior of a new titanium alloy for dental implant applications in fluoride mediaMATERIALS AND CORROSION/WERKSTOFFE UND KORROSION, Issue 2 2004A. M. Al-Mayouf Abstract The effect of fluoride ion concentration and pH on the corrosion behavior of TCA (60 Ti 10 Ag 30 Cu), which is a new Ti alloy with low melting point, pure Titanium (Ti), and TAV (TiAl6V4) was examined using open circuit potential (OCP) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) at different potentials. Results show that the corrosion resistance of TCA and Ti decrease at anodic potentials compared with results obtained at OCP. At one potential the corrosion resistance decrease depends on NaF concentration and pH. TAV shows less resistance against corrosion in fluoride containing saliva. TCA has potentials more positive than Ti and TAV due to surface enrichment of Cu and Ag as Ti dissolves which accelerates the cathodic reaction. Fluoride ion may not hinder the growth of oxide layers on the surfaces of the electrodes. It will have influence on the properties of the oxide layer causing them to be not protective against corrosion in acid media containing fluoride ions. [source] How do membrane proteins sense water stress?MOLECULAR MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 4 2002Bert Poolman Summary Maintenance of cell turgor is a prerequisite for almost any form of life as it provides a mechanical force for the expansion of the cell envelope. As changes in extracellular osmolality will have similar physicochemical effects on cells from all biological kingdoms, the responses to osmotic stress may be alike in all organisms. The primary response of bacteria to osmotic upshifts involves the activation of transporters, to effect the rapid accumulation of osmo-protectants, and sensor kinases, to increase the transport and/or biosynthetic capacity for these solutes. Upon osmotic downshift, the excess of cytoplasmic solutes is released via mechanosensitive channel proteins. A number of breakthroughs in the last one or two years have led to tremendous advances in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of osmosensing in bacteria. The possible mechanisms of osmosensing, and the actual evidence for a particular mechanism, are presented for well studied, osmoregulated transport systems, sensor kinases and mechanosensitive channel proteins. The emerging picture is that intracellular ionic solutes (or ionic strength) serve as a signal for the activation of the upshift-activated transporters and sensor kinases. For at least one system, there is strong evidence that the signal is transduced to the protein complex via alterations in the protein,lipid interactions rather than direct sensing of ion concentration or ionic strength by the proteins. The osmotic downshift-activated mechanosensitive channels, on the other hand, sense tension in the membrane but other factors such as hydration state of the protein may affect the equilibrium between open and closed states of the proteins. [source] Quantitative FRET Analysis With the E0GFP-mCherry Fluorescent Protein PairPHOTOCHEMISTRY & PHOTOBIOLOGY, Issue 1 2009Lorenzo Albertazzi Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between fluorescent proteins (FPs) is a powerful tool to investigate protein,protein interaction and even protein modifications in living cells. Here, we analyze the E0GFP-mCherry pair and show that it can yield a reproducible quantitative determination of the energy transfer efficiency both in vivo and in vitro. The photophysics of the two proteins is reported and shows good spectral overlap (Förster radius R0 = 51 Å), low crosstalk between acceptor and donor channels, and independence of the emission spectra from pH and halide ion concentration. Acceptor photobleaching (APB) and one- and two-photon fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) are used to quantitatively determine FRET efficiency values. A FRET standard is introduced based on a tandem construct comprising donor and acceptor together with a 20 amino acid long cleavable peptidic linker. Reference values are obtained via enzymatic cleavage of the linker and are used as benchmarks for APB and FLIM data. E0GFP-mCherry shows ideal properties for FLIM detection of FRET and yields high accuracy both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, the recently introduced phasor approach to FLIM is shown to yield straightforward and accurate two-photon FRET efficiency data even in suboptimal experimental conditions. The consistence of these results with the reference method (both in vitro and in vivo) reveals that this new pair can be used for very effective quantitative FRET imaging. [source] Conductivity modification of proton conducting polymer gel electrolytes with the addition of fumed silicaPHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (A) APPLICATIONS AND MATERIALS SCIENCE, Issue 8 2006Jitender Paul Sharma Abstract The addition of nano size fumed silica to non aqueous proton conducting polymer gel electrolytes containing ammonium hexafluorophosphate (NH4PF6) has been found to modify the conductivity and viscosity behavior. Two maxima observed in the conductivity vs. fumed silica plot at very low concentrations have been explained to be due to an increase in free ion concentration with the dissociation of ion aggregates, and the formation of a high conducting interfacial layer between the particles of fumed silica and polymer gel electrolytes respectively. The change in free ion concentration has been monitored by pH measurements whereas change in mobility has been checked from viscosity measurements. The dissociation of ion aggregates with the addition of fumed silica has also been supported by FTIR results. The variation of conductivity and viscosity with temperature has also been studied and conductivity of nano dispersed gels does not show any change with time. (© 2006 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Improvement in crystalline perfection, piezo-electric property and optical transparency of in-situ poled Fe,LiNbO3 single crystals by post growth annealing and polingPHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (A) APPLICATIONS AND MATERIALS SCIENCE, Issue 2 2005G. C. Budakoti Abstract Crystalline perfection, piezoelectric response and optical transparency of in-situ poled Fe,LiNbO3 single crystals was studied. Very low angle grain boundaries and the variations in the piezoelectric charge constant d33 were observed in the as-grown crystals. Grain boundaries were successfully removed at higher annealing temperatures but the d33 value was decreased. Low crystalline perfection and d33 were observed after poling the annealed specimen. These parameters were improved by low temperature annealing followed by very slow cooling. FTIR spectra revealed that OH, and CO32, ionic defects were present in the as-grown crystals. The OH, ion concentration was reduced, CO32, ions were removed and optical quality was improved after annealing at higher temperatures. (© 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Effects of ion concentration on refractive indices of fluids measured by the minimum deviation techniquePHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (C) - CURRENT TOPICS IN SOLID STATE PHYSICS, Issue 5 2008T. Berlind Abstract The prism minimum deviation technique has been used to measure the fluid dependence of refractive indices. Fluids with varying ion concentration (0 to 1.0 M) and varying protein concentration (0.01-10 mg/ml) have been examined and the measurements show that these parameters influence the refractive index values. Also it is shown by simulations that it is important to take the change of refractive index of the fluid into account when evaluating insitu protein adsorption measurements. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||