Sample records for basic ph range

  1. Optimization of paper bridge loading for 2-DE analysis in the basic pH region: application to the mitochondrial subproteome.

    PubMed

    Kane, Lesley A; Yung, Christina K; Agnetti, Giulio; Neverova, Irina; Van Eyk, Jennifer E

    2006-11-01

    Separation of basic proteins with 2-DE presents technical challenges involving protein precipitation, load limitations, and streaking. Cardiac mitochondria are enriched in basic proteins and difficult to resolve by 2-DE. We investigated two methods, cup and paper bridge, for sample loading of this subproteome into the basic range (pH 6-11) gels. Paper bridge loading consistently produced improved resolution of both analytical and preparative protein loads. A unique benefit of this technique is that proteins retained in the paper bridge after loading basic gels can be reloaded onto lower pH gradients (pH 4-7), allowing valued samples to be analyzed on multiple pH ranges.

  2. Multi-wavelength dye concentration determination for enzymatic assays: evaluation of chromogenic para-nitrophenol over a wide pH range.

    PubMed

    Max, Jean-Joseph; Meddeb-Mouelhi, Fatma; Beauregard, Marc; Chapados, Camille

    2012-12-01

    Enzymatic assays need robust, rapid colorimetric methods that can follow ongoing reactions. For this, we developed a highly accurate, multi-wavelength detection method that could be used for several systems. Here, it was applied to the detection of para-nitrophenol (pNP) in basic and acidic solutions. First, we confirmed by factor analysis that pNP has two forms, with unique spectral characteristics in the 240 to 600 nm range: Phenol in acidic conditions absorbs in the lower range, whereas phenolate in basic conditions absorbs in the higher range. Thereafter, the method was used for the determination of species concentration. For this, the intensity measurements were made at only two wavelengths with a microtiter plate reader. This yielded total dye concentration, species relative abundance, and solution pH value. The method was applied to an enzymatic assay. For this, a chromogenic substrate that generates pNP after hydrolysis catalyzed by a lipase from the fungus Yarrowia lipolytica was used. Over the pH range of 3-11, accurate amounts of acidic and basic pNP were determined at 340 and 405 nm, respectively. This method surpasses the commonly used single-wavelength assay at 405 nm, which does not detect pNP acidic species, leading to activity underestimations. Moreover, alleviation of this pH-related problem by neutralization is not necessary. On the whole, the method developed is readily applicable to rapid high-throughput of enzymatic activity measurements over a wide pH range.

  3. Electrophoretic separation of proteins in space

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Brown, R. K.

    1976-01-01

    Commercially available and synthetic wide range and short range ampholytes used in the isoelectric focusing of proteins was analyzed by ion exchange chromatography. A pH gradient over the pH range 3.8 to 11.0 was used to elute the ampholytes from a column of a sulfonated polystyrene resin. The wide range ampholytes were resolved into some 60 to 70 ninhydrin positive components. The recovery obtained with the method was quantitative. Acid short range ampholytes have approximately 35 components which elute readily from the ion exchange resin. Basic short range ampholytes gave about 50 components, most of which eluted at alkaline pH.

  4. Carbon-armored Co9S8 nanoparticles as all-pH efficient and durable H2-evolving electrocatalysts.

    PubMed

    Feng, Liang-Liang; Li, Guo-Dong; Liu, Yipu; Wu, Yuanyuan; Chen, Hui; Wang, Yun; Zou, Yong-Cun; Wang, Dejun; Zou, Xiaoxin

    2015-01-14

    Splitting water to produce hydrogen requires the development of non-noble-metal catalysts that are able to make this reaction feasible and energy efficient. Herein, we show that cobalt pentlandite (Co9S8) nanoparticles can serve as an electrochemically active, noble-metal-free material toward hydrogen evolution reaction, and they work stably in neutral solution (pH 7) but not in acidic (pH 0) and basic (pH 14) media. We, therefore, further present a carbon-armoring strategy to increase the durability and activity of Co9S8 over a wider pH range. In particular, carbon-armored Co9S8 nanoparticles (Co9S8@C) are prepared by direct thermal treatment of a mixture of cobalt nitrate and trithiocyanuric acid at 700 °C in N2 atmosphere. Trithiocyanuric acid functions as both sulfur and carbon sources in the reaction system. The resulting Co9S8@C material operates well with high activity over a broad pH range, from pH 0 to 14, and gives nearly 100% Faradaic yield during hydrogen evolution reaction under acidic (pH 0), neutral (pH 7), and basic (pH 14) media. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that a transition-metal chalcogenide material is shown to have all-pH efficient and durable electrocatalytic activity. Identifying Co9S8 as the catalytically active phase and developing carbon-armoring as the improvement strategy are anticipated to give a fresh impetus to rational design of high-performance noble-metal-free water splitting catalysts.

  5. pH-Dependent Solubility and Dissolution Behavior of Carvedilol--Case Example of a Weakly Basic BCS Class II Drug.

    PubMed

    Hamed, Rania; Awadallah, Areeg; Sunoqrot, Suhair; Tarawneh, Ola; Nazzal, Sami; AlBaraghthi, Tamadur; Al Sayyad, Jihan; Abbas, Aiman

    2016-04-01

    The objective of this study was to investigate the pH-dependent solubility and dissolution of weakly basic Biopharmaceutical Classification Systems (BCS) class II drugs, characterized by low solubility and high permeability, using carvedilol, a weak base with a pK a value of 7.8, as a model drug. A series of solubility and in vitro dissolution studies was carried out using media that simulate the gastric and intestinal fluids and cover the physiological pH range of the GI from 1.2 to 7.8. The effect of ionic strength, buffer capacity, and buffer species of the dissolution media on the solubility and dissolution behavior of carvedilol was also investigated. The study revealed that carvedilol exhibited a typical weak base pH-dependent solubility profile with a high solubility at low pH (545.1-2591.4 μg/mL within the pH range 1.2-5.0) and low solubility at high pH (5.8-51.9 μg/mL within the pH range 6.5-7.8). The dissolution behavior of carvedilol was consistent with the solubility results, where carvedilol release was complete (95.8-98.2% released within 60 min) in media simulating the gastric fluid (pH 1.2-5.0) and relatively low (15.9-86.2% released within 240 min) in media simulating the intestinal fluid (pH 6.5-7.8). It was found that the buffer species of the dissolution media may influence the solubility and consequently the percentage of carvedilol released by forming carvedilol salts of varying solubilities. Carvedilol solubility and dissolution decreased with increasing ionic strength, while lowering the buffer capacity resulted in a decrease in carvedilol solubility and dissolution rate.

  6. The stability of 6-mercaptopurine riboside in neutral and basic medium.

    PubMed

    Jelińska, A; Magdziarz, M

    2000-01-01

    The kinetics of hydrolysis of 6-mercaptopurine riboside (R-6-MP) was studied in aqueous solutions over the pH range of 6.11-12.13 at 353 K. The decomposition was investigated by HPLC method. At the pH range from 6.11 to 12.13 hydrolysis of 6-mercaptopurine riboside includes: spontaeous hydrolysis of non-protonated R-6-MP molecules mono- and di-anions R-6-MP molecules under the effect of water.

  7. Great Salt Lake Composition and Rare Earth Speciation Analysis

    DOE Data Explorer

    Jiao, Yongqin; Lammers, Laura; Brewer, Aaron

    2017-04-19

    We have conducted aqueous speciation analyses of the Great Salt Lake (GSL) brine sample (Table 1) and a mock geo sample (Table 2) spiked with 1 ppb Tb and 100 ppb Tb. The GSL speciation (Figure 1) aligns with our basic speciation expectations that strong carbonate complexes would form at mid to higher pH's. Although we expected strong aqueous complexes with fluorides at neutral pH and with chlorides, and hydroxides at low pH, we observe that the dominant species in the low to mid pH range to be Tb3+ as a free ion. Still, we do see the presence of fluoride and chloride complexes within the expected low to mid pH range.

  8. Effect of n-octanol in the mobile phase on lipophilicity determination by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography on a modified silica column.

    PubMed

    Benhaim, Deborah; Grushka, Eli

    2008-10-31

    In this study, we show that the addition of n-octanol to the mobile phase improves the chromatographic determination of lipophilicity parameters of xenobiotics (neutral solutes, acidic, neutral and basic drugs) on a Phenomenex Gemini C18 column. The Gemini C18 column is a new generation hybrid silica-based column with an extended pH range capability. The wide pH range (2-12) afforded the examination of basic drugs and acidic drugs in their neutral form. Extrapolated retention factor values, [Formula: see text] , obtained on the above column with the n-octanol-modified mobile phase were very well correlated (1:1 correlation) with literature values of logP (logarithm of the partition coefficient in n-octanol/water) of neutral compounds and neutral drugs (69). In addition, we found good linear correlations between measured [Formula: see text] values and calculated values of the logarithm of the distribution coefficient at pH 7.0 (logD(7.0)) for ionized acidic and basic drugs (r(2)=0.95). The Gemini C18 phase was characterized using the linear solvation energy relationship (LSER) model of Abraham. The LSER system constants for the column were compared to the LSER constants of n-octanol/water extraction system using the Tanaka radar plots. The comparison shows that the two methods are nearly equivalent.

  9. Stabilization of T4 bacteriophage at acidic and basic pH by adsorption on paper.

    PubMed

    Meyer, Abigail; Greene, Melissa; Kimmelshue, Chad; Cademartiri, Rebecca

    2017-12-01

    Bacteriophages find applications in agriculture, medicine, and food safety. Many of these applications can expose bacteriophages to stresses that inactivate them including acidic and basic pH. Bacteriophages can be stabilized against these stresses by materials including paper, a common material in packaging and consumer products. Combining paper and bacteriophages creates antibacterial materials, which can reduce the use of antibiotics. Here we show that adsorption on paper protects T4, T5, and T7 bacteriophage from acidic and basic pH. We added bacteriophages to filter paper functionalized with carboxylic acid (carboxyl methyl cellulose) or amine (chitosan) groups, and exposed them to pH from 5.6 to 14. We determined the number of infective bacteriophages after exposure directly on the paper. All papers extended the lifetime of infective bacteriophage by at least a factor of four with some papers stabilizing bacteriophages for up to one week. The degree of stabilization depended on five main factors (i) the family of the bacteriophage, (ii) the charge of the paper and bacteriophages, (iii) the location of the bacteriophages within the paper, (iv) the ability of the paper to prevent bacteriophage-bacteriophage aggregation, and (v) the sensitivity of the bacteriophage proteins to the tested pH. Even when adsorbed on paper the bacteriophages were able to remove E. coli in milk. Choosing the right paper modification or material will protect bacteriophages adsorbed on that material against detrimental pH and other environmental challenges increasing the range of applications of bacteriophages on materials. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  10. Simultaneous Separation of Acidic and Basic Isoperoxidases in Wounded Potato Tissue by Acrylamide Gel Electrophoresis 1

    PubMed Central

    Borchert, Rolf; Decedue, Charles J.

    1978-01-01

    Preparation and use of a newly developed pH 4.3 horizontal thin layer acrylamide gel which permits the simultaneous separation of acidic and basic isoperoxidases in up to 30 samples is described. Use of cytochrome c, horseradish peroxidase, and a purified potato isoperoxidase as internal standards for a range in isoelectric points of peroxidases from pH 3 to 11 is introduced to facilitate comparison of results obtained with different materials and different methods. Distribution of tissue-specific isoperoxidases in different cell layers of wounded potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tissue is shown and their purification described. Evidence for the in vitro degradation of basic potato isoperoxidases resulting in more acidic forms similar to isoperoxidases occurring in wounded potato tissue is presented. The significance of this observation for the postulated differential function of different isoperoxidases is discussed. ImagesFig. 1-3 PMID:16660608

  11. Optimization of the first dimension for separation by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of basic proteins from human brain tissue.

    PubMed

    Pennington, Kyla; McGregor, Emma; Beasley, Clare L; Everall, Ian; Cotter, David; Dunn, Michael J

    2004-01-01

    A major cause of poor resolution in the alkaline pH range of two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) gels is unsatisfactory separation of basic proteins in the first dimension. We have compared methods for the separation of basic proteins in the isoelectric focusing dimension of human brain proteins. The combined use of anodic cup-loading and the hydroxyethyldisulphide containing solution (DeStreak) produced better resolution in both analytical and micropreparative protein loaded 2-DE gels than the other methods investigated.

  12. Strategies to overcome pH-dependent solubility of weakly basic drugs by using different types of alginates.

    PubMed

    Gutsche, S; Krause, M; Kranz, H

    2008-12-01

    Weakly basic drugs demonstrate higher solubility at lower pH, thus often leading to faster drug release at lower pH. The objective of this study was to achieve pH-independent release of weakly basic drugs from extended release formulations based on the naturally occurring polymer sodium alginate. Three approaches to overcome the pH-dependent solubility of the weakly basic model drug verapamil hydrochloride were investigated. First, matrix tablets were prepared by direct compression of drug substance with different types of sodium alginate only. Second, pH-modifiers were added to the drug/alginate matrix systems. Third, press-coated tablets consisting of an inner pH-modifier tablet core and an outer drug/sodium alginate coat were prepared. pH-Independent drug release was achieved from matrix tablets consisting of selected alginates and drug substance only. Alginates are better soluble at higher pH. Therefore, they are able to compensate the poor solubility of weakly basic drugs at higher pH as the matrix of the tablets dissolves faster. This approach was successful when using alginates that demonstrated fast hydration and erosion at higher pH. The approach failed for alginates with less-pronounced erosion at higher pH. The addition of fumaric acid to drug/alginate-based matrix systems decreased the microenvironmental pH within the tablets thus increasing the solubility of the weakly basic drug at higher pH. Therefore, pH-independent drug release was achieved irrespective of the type of alginate used. Drug release from press-coated tablets did not provide any further advantages as compound release remained pH-dependent.

  13. pH tunability and influence of alkali metal basicity on the plasmonic resonance of silver nanoparticles

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yadav, Vijay D.; Akhil Krishnan, R.; Borade, Lalit; Shirolikar, Seema; Jain, Ratnesh; Dandekar, Prajakta

    2017-07-01

    Localized surface plasmon resonance has been a unique and intriguing feature of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) that has attracted immense attention. This has led to an array of applications for AgNPs in optics, sensors, plasmonic imaging etc. Although numerous applications have been reported consistently, the importance of buffer and reaction parameters during the synthesis of AgNPs, is still unclear. In the present study, we have demonstrated the influence of parameters like pH, temperature and buffer conditions (0.1 M citrate buffer) on the plasmonic resonance of AgNPs. We found that neutral and basic pH (from alkali metal) provide optimum interaction conditions for nucleation of plasmon resonant AgNPs. Interestingly, this was not observed in the non-alkali metal base (ammonia). Also, when the nanoparticles synthesized from alkali metal base were incorporated in different buffers, it was observed that the nanoparticles dissolved in the acidic buffer and had reduced plasmonic resonance intensity. This, however, was resolved in the basic buffer, increasing the plasmonic resonance intensity and confirming that nucleation of nanoparticles required basic conditions. The above inference has been supported by characterization of AgNPs using UV-Vis spectrophotometer, Fluorimetry analysis, Infrared spectrometer and TEM analysis. The study concluded that the plasmonic resonance of AgNPs occurs due to the interaction of alkali (Na) and transition metal (Ag) salt in basic/neutral conditions, at a specific temperature range, in presence of a capping agent (citric acid), providing a pH tune to the overall system.

  14. Acceleration of Apoptosis by Extracellular Basic pH in a 3D Human Skin Equivalent System.

    PubMed

    Park, Gunhyuk; Oh, Dal-Seok; Kim, Yong-Ung; Park, Moon Ki

    2017-01-01

    Previously, we have shown that extracellular basic pH plays a significant role in both the direct and indirect regulation of cellular processes in a wound; this in turn affects the wound-healing process. Several studies have demonstrated the importance of apoptosis modulation in the wound-healing process, especially in removing inflammatory cells and in inhibiting scar formation. However, the effects of extracellular basic pH on wound healing-related skin damage are yet to be examined. Therefore, we investigated the induction of accelerated apoptosis by extracellular basic pH in skin. Apoptosis-related protein levels were measured using an array kit, target protein expression levels were detected by immunostaining, lactate dehydrogenase was analyzed spectrophotometrically, and Annexin V levels were measured by fluorescence staining. Basic pH (8.40) strongly upregulated extrinsic apoptosis proteins (Fas, high temperature requirement A, and p21) and slightly upregulated intrinsic apoptosis proteins (cytochrome c, B-cell lymphoma 2 [Bcl-2], Bcl-2-associated death promoter, and Bcl-2-like protein 4) in a 3D human skin equivalent system. Moreover, basic pH (8.40) induced heat shock protein (HSP) 60 and 70. In addition, basic pH-exposed Fas- and HSP60-knockdown cells showed significantly decreased levels of apoptosis. Taken together, these results indicate that extracellular basic pH increases early-stage apoptosis through Fas/FasL via modulation of HSP60 and HSP70. © 2017 S. Karger AG, Basel.

  15. Strategies for the enrichment and identification of basic proteins in proteome projects.

    PubMed

    Bae, Soo-Han; Harris, Andrew G; Hains, Peter G; Chen, Hong; Garfin, David E; Hazell, Stuart L; Paik, Young-Ki; Walsh, Bradley J; Cordwell, Stuart J

    2003-05-01

    Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) is currently the method of choice for separating complex mixtures of proteins for visual comparison in proteome analysis. This technology, however, is biased against certain classes of proteins including low abundance and hydrophobic proteins. Proteins with extremely alkaline isoelectric points (pI) are often very poorly represented using 2-DE technology, even when complex mixtures are separated using commercially available pH 6-11 or pH 7-10 immobilized pH gradients. The genome of the human gut pathogen, Helicobacter pylori, is dominated by genes encoding basic proteins, and is therefore a useful model for examining methodology suitable for separating such proteins. H. pylori proteins were separated on pH 6-11 and novel pH 9-12 immobilized pH gradients and 65 protein spots were subjected to matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry, leading to the identification of 49 unique proteins. No proteins were characterized with a theoretical pI of greater than 10.23. A second approach to examine extremely alkaline proteins (pI > 9.0) utilized a prefractionation isoelectric focusing. Proteins were separated into two fractions using Gradiflow technology, and the extremely basic fraction subjected to both sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and liquid chromatography (LC) - tandem mass spectrometry post-tryptic digest, allowing the identification of 17 and 13 proteins, respectively. Gradiflow separations were highly specific for proteins with pI > 9.0, however, a single LC separation only allowed the identification of peptides from highly abundant proteins. These methods and those encompassing multiple LC 'dimensions' may be a useful complement to 2-DE for 'near-to-total' proteome coverage in the alkaline pH range.

  16. Effects of elevated temperature and mobile phase composition on a novel C18 silica column.

    PubMed

    Lippert, J Andreas; Johnson, Todd M; Lloyd, Jarem B; Smith, Jared P; Johnson, Bryce T; Furlow, Jason; Proctor, Angela; Marin, Stephanie J

    2007-05-01

    A novel polydentate C18 silica column was evaluated at an elevated temperature under acidic, basic, and neutral mobile phase conditions using ACN and methanol as the mobile phase organic modifier. The temperature range was 40-200 degrees C. The mobile phase compositions were from 0 to 80% organic-aqueous v/v and the mobile phase pH levels were between 2 and 12. The maximum operating temperature of the column was affected by the amount and type of organic modifier used in the mobile phase. Under neutral conditions, the column showed good column thermal stability at temperatures ranging between 120 and 200 degrees C in methanol-water and ACN-water solvent systems. At pH 2 and 3, the column performed well up to about 160 degrees C at two fixed ACN-buffer compositions. Under basic conditions at elevated temperatures, the column material deteriorated more quickly, but still remained stable up to 100 degrees C at pH 9 and 60 degrees C at pH 10. The results of this study indicate that this novel C18 silica-based column represents a significant advancement in RPLC column technology with enhanced thermal and pH stability when compared to traditional bonded phase silica columns.

  17. Assessment of solubilization characteristics of different surfactants for carvedilol phosphate as a function of pH.

    PubMed

    Chakraborty, Subhashis; Shukla, Dali; Jain, Achint; Mishra, Brahmeshwar; Singh, Sanjay

    2009-07-15

    The effect of surfactants on the solubility of a new phosphate salt of carvedilol was investigated at different biorelevent pH to evaluate their solubilization capacity. Solutions of different classes of surfactants viz., anionic-sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and sodium taurocholate (STC), cationic-cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and non-ionic-Tween 80 (T80) were prepared in the concentration range of 5-35 mmol dm(-3) in buffer solutions of pH 1.2, 3.0, 4.5, 5.8, 6.8 and 7.2. The solubility data were used to calculate the solubilization characteristics viz. molar solubilization capacity, water micelle partition coefficient, free energy of solubilization and binding constant. Solubility enhancement in basic pH was in following order: CTAB>T80>SDS>STC. CTAB and T80 showed remarkable solubility enhancement in acidic pH as well. Among the anionic surfactants, solubility in acidic medium was retarded except at pH 1.2 in case of SDS. Cationic and non-ionic surfactants were found to be suitable for enhancing the solubility of CP which can be employed for maintaining the in vitro sink condition in the basic dissolution medium. While anionic surfactants showed solubility retardant behavior which may be exploited in increasing the drug entrapment efficiency of a colloidal drug delivery system formulated by emulsification technique.

  18. Degradation rates of glycerol polyesters at acidic and basic conditions

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Polyesters prepared from glycerol with mixtures of adipic and citric acids were evaluated in the laboratory to estimate degradation rates over a range of pH conditions. These renewable polymers provide a market for glycerol that is generated during biodiesel production. The polyesters were prepared...

  19. Site specific solubility improvement using solid dispersions of HPMC-AS/HPC SSL--mixtures.

    PubMed

    Zecevic, Damir Elmar; Meier, Robin; Daniels, Rolf; Wagner, Karl-Gerhard

    2014-07-01

    Many upcoming drug candidates are pH-dependent poorly soluble weak bases in the pH range of the gastrointestinal tract. This often leads to a high in vivo variability and bioavailability issues. Aiming to overcome these limitations, the design of solid dispersions for site specific dissolution improvement or maintenance of a potent supersaturation over the entire gastro-intestinal pH-range, is proposed to assure a reliable drug therapy. Solid dispersions containing different ratios of Dipyridamole (DPD) or Griseofulvin (GRI) and the enteric polymer hydroxypropylmethylcellulose-acetate succinate (HPMC-AS) and the water soluble low-viscosity hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC-SSL) were prepared by hot melt extrusion (HME). The solid dispersions were evaluated for their solid state, dissolution characteristics applying a three pH-step dissolution method following an acidic to neutral pH transition and stability. The use of HPMC-AS in binary mixtures with DPD and GRI facilitated increased solubility and supersaturation at pH-controlled release of the preserved amorphous state of the dispersed drug, which even inverted the pH-dependent solubility profile of the weakly basic model drug (Dipyridamole). I.e. a potent site specific delivery system was created. With ternary solid dispersions of API, HPMC-AS and HPC-SSL, tailored release profiles with superior supersaturation over the applied pH-range could be obtained. At the same time, binary and ternary mixtures showed favorable stability properties at a temperature difference between glass transition temperature and the applied storage temperature of down to 16°C. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  20. Daily and seasonal variability of pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and specific conductance in the Colorado River between the forebay of Glen Canyon, Dam and Lees Ferry, northeastern Arizona, 1998-99

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Flynn, Marilyn E.; Hart, Robert J.; Marzolf, G. Richard; Bowser, Carl J.

    2001-01-01

    The productivity of the trout fishery in the tailwater reach of the Colorado River downstream from Glen Canyon Dam depends on the productivity of lower trophic levels. Photosynthesis and respiration are basic biological processes that control productivity and alter pH and oxygen concentration. During 1998?99, data were collected to aid in the documentation of short- and long-term trends in these basic ecosystem processes in the Glen Canyon reach. Dissolved-oxygen, temperature, and specific-conductance profile data were collected monthly in the forebay of Glen Canyon Dam to document the status of water chemistry in the reservoir. In addition, pH, dissolved-oxygen, temperature, and specific-conductance data were collected at five sites in the Colorado River tailwater of Glen Canyon Dam to document the daily, seasonal, and longitudinal range of variation in water chemistry that could occur annually within the Glen Canyon reach.

  1. Study of dynamics of glucose-glucose oxidase-ferricyanide reaction

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nováková, A.; Schreiberová, L.; Schreiber, I.

    2011-12-01

    This work is focused on dynamics of the glucose-glucose oxidase-ferricyanide enzymatic reaction with or without sodium hydroxide in a continuous-flow stirred tank reactor (CSTR) and in a batch reactor. This reaction exhibits pH-variations having autocatalytic character and is reported to provide nonlinear dynamic behavior (bistability, excitability). The dynamical behavior of the reaction was examined within a wide range of inlet parameters. The main inlet parameters were the ratio of concentrations of sodium hydroxide and ferricyanide and the flow rate. In a batch reactor we observed an autocatalytic drop of pH from slightly basic to medium acidic values. In a CSTR our aim was to find bistability in the presence of sodium hydroxide. However, only a basic steady state was found. In order to reach an acidic steady state, we investigated the system in the absence of sodium hydroxide. Under these conditions the transition from the basic to the acidic steady state was observed when inlet glucose concentration was increased.

  2. Influence of molecular weight and pH on adsorption of chitosan at the surface of large and giant vesicles.

    PubMed

    Quemeneur, Francois; Rinaudo, Marguerite; Pépin-Donat, Brigitte

    2008-01-01

    This paper describes the mechanisms of adsorption of chitosan, a positively charged polyelectrolyte, on the DOPC lipid membrane of large and giant unilamellar vesicles (respectively, LUVs and GUVs). We observe that the variation of the zeta potential of LUVs as a function of chitosan concentration is independent on the chitosan molecular weight (Mw). This result is interpreted in terms of electrostatic interactions, which induce a flat adsorption of the chitosan on the surface of the membrane. The role of electrostatic interactions is further studied by observing the variation of the zeta potential as a function of the chitosan concentration for two different charge densities tuned by the pH. Results show a stronger chitosan-membrane affinity at pH 6 (lipids are negatively charged, and 40% chitosan amino groups are protonated) than at pH 3.4 (100% of protonated amino groups but zwitterionic lipids are positively charged) which confirms that adsorption is of electrostatic origin. Then, we investigate the stability of decorated LUVs and GUVs in a large range of pH (6.0 < pH < 12.0) in order to complete a previous study made in acidic conditions [Quemeneur et al. Biomacromolecules 2007, 8, 2512-2519]. A comparative study of the variation of the zeta potential as a function of the pH (2.0 < pH < 12.0) reveals a difference in behavior between naked and chitosan-decorated LUVs. This result is further confirmed by a comparative observation by optical microscopy of naked and chitosan-decorated GUVs in basic conditions (6.0 < pH < 12.0): at pH > 10.0, in the absence of chitosan, the vesicles present complex shapes, contrary to the chitosan-decorated vesicles which remain spherical, confirming thus that chitosan remains adsorbed on vesicles in basic conditions up to pH = 12.0. These results, in addition with our previous data, show that the chitosan-decorated vesicles are stable over a very broad range of pH (2.0 < pH < 12.0), which holds promise for their in vivo applications. Finally, the quantification of the chitosan adsorption on a LUV membrane is performed by zeta potential and fluorescence measurements. The fraction of membrane surface covered by chitosan is estimated to be lower than 40 %, which corresponds to the formation of a flat layer of chitosan on the membrane surface on an electrostatic basis.

  3. Isolation of levoglucosan from pyrolysis oil derived from cellulose

    DOEpatents

    Moens, Luc

    1994-01-01

    High purity levoglucosan is obtained from pyrolysis oil derived from cellulose by: mixing pyrolysis oil with water and a basic metal hydroxide, oxide, or salt in amount sufficient to elevate pH values to a range of from about 12 to about 12.5, and adding an amount of the hydroxide, oxide, or salt in excess of the amount needed to obtain the pH range until colored materials of impurities from the oil are removed and a slurry is formed; drying the slurry azeotropically with methyl isobutyl ketone solvent to form a residue, and further drying the residue by evaporation; reducing the residue into a powder; continuously extracting the powder residue with ethyl acetate to provide a levoglucosan-rich extract; and concentrating the extract by removing ethyl acetate to provide crystalline levoglucosan. Preferably, Ca(OH).sub.2 is added to adjust the pH to the elevated values, and then Ca(OH).sub.2 is added in an excess amount needed.

  4. Dissolution-modulating mechanism of pH modifiers in solid dispersion containing weakly acidic or basic drugs with poor water solubility.

    PubMed

    Tran, Phuong Ha-Lien; Tran, Thao Truong-Dinh; Lee, Kyoung-Ho; Kim, Dong-Jin; Lee, Beom-Jin

    2010-05-01

    Although the solid dispersion method has been known to increase the dissolution rate of poorly water-soluble drugs by dispersing them in hydrophilic carriers, one obstacle of the solid dispersion method is its limited solubilization capacity, especially for pH-dependent soluble drugs. pH-modified solid dispersion, in which pH modifiers are incorporated, may be a useful method for increasing the dissolution rate of weakly acidic or basic drugs. Sufficient research, including the most recent reports, was undertaken in this review. How could the inclusion of the pH the pH modifiers in the solid dispersion system change drug structural behaviors, molecular interactions, microenvironmental pH, and/or release rate of pH modifiers, relating with the enhanced dissolution of weakly acidic or weakly basic drugs with poor water solubility? These questions have been investigated to determine the dissolution-modulating mechanism of pH modifiers in solid dispersion containing weakly acidic or basic drugs. It is believed that step-by-step mechanistic approaches could provide the ultimate solution for solubilizing several poorly water-soluble drugs with pH-dependent solubility from a solid dispersion system, as well as provide ideas for developing future dosage systems.

  5. Electroless Cu Plating on Anodized Al Substrate for High Power LED.

    PubMed

    Rha, Sa-Kyun; Lee, Youn-Seoung

    2015-03-01

    Area-selective copper deposition on screen printed Ag pattern/anodized Al/Al substrate was attempted using a neutral electroless plating processes for printed circuit boards (PCBs), according to a range of variation of pH 6.5-pH 8 at 70 °C. The utilized basic electroless solution consisted of copper(II) sulfate pentahydrate, sodium phosphinate monohydrate, sodium citrate tribasic dihydrate, ammonium chloride, and nickel(II) sulfate hexahydrate. The pH of the copper plating solutions was adjusted from pH 6.5 to pH 8 using NH4OH. Using electroless plating in pH 6.5 and pH 7 baths, surface damage to the anodized Al layer hardly occurred; the structure of the plated Cu-rich films was a typical fcc-Cu, but a small Ni component was co-deposited. In electroless plating at pH 8, the surface of the anodized Al layer was damaged and the Cu film was composed of a lot of Ni and P which were co-deposited with Cu. Finally, in a pH 7 bath, we can make a selectively electroless plated Cu film on a PCB without any lithography and without surface damage to the anodized Al layer.

  6. Study of properties of modified silicones at solid-liquid interface: fabric-silicone interactions.

    PubMed

    Purohit, P; Somasundaran, P; Kulkarni, R

    2006-06-15

    Silicones are special reagents that impart desired surface properties such as softness, bounciness and antiwrinkle properties to fabrics and related materials. Although these finishing processes have been practiced routinely, very little is known about the mechanisms involved in modification so that they could be improved. The current study was undertaken to develop basic understanding of the mechanisms responsible for surface modification of fibers using silicones. PDMS based amino silicone emulsions, quaternized to various degrees using dimethyl sulphate, were used in the present study. The electrokinetic properties of the modified silicones were studied as a function of pH. It was expected that the silicone emulsions would show a steady positive zeta potential throughout the pH range due to the quaternization by dimethyl sulphate. Surprisingly, a sudden drop in the zeta potential was observed around pH 8 with the samples turning hazy in the pH range of 8-10. Turbidimetric studies also showed a sudden increase in the turbidity in the pH range 8-10 where commercial processes also encounter problems. It was concluded that the emulsions were destabilized at pH 8-10 thus rendering them ineffective for surface treatment. In order to identify reason for the improvement in fabric properties, fiber structure was monitored using atomic force microscopy. It was observed that the treated fibers were far smoother, relaxed and uniform as compared to the untreated fibers. Thus the morphology of the fabric is modified in a specific way by treatment with specialty silicones.

  7. Proton triggered emission and selective sensing of picric acid by the fluorescent aggregates of 6,7-dimethyl-2,3-bis-(2-pyridyl)-quinoxaline.

    PubMed

    Mazumdar, Prativa; Maity, Samir; Shyamal, Milan; Das, Debasish; Sahoo, Gobinda Prasad; Misra, Ajay

    2016-03-14

    A heteroatom containing organic fluorophore 6,7-dimethyl-2,3-bis-(2-pyridyl)-quinoxaline (BPQ) is weakly emissive in solution but its emission properties are highly enhanced in the aggregated state due to the restriction of intramolecular rotation (RIR) and large amplitude vibrational modes, demonstrating the phenomenon, aggregation induced emission enhancement (AIEE). It has strong proton capture capability, allowing reversible fluorescence switching in basic and acidic medium and the emission color changes from blue to green in the aggregated state through protonation. It has been explained as a competition between intramolecular charge transfers (ICTs) and the AIEE phenomena at a lower pH range (pH ∼1-4). Such behavior enables it as a fluorescent pH sensor for detection in acidic and basic medium. Morphologies of the particles are characterized using optical and field emission scanning electron microscopic (FESEM) studies. The turn off fluorescence properties of aggregated BPQ have been utilized for the selective detection of picric acid and the fluorescence quenching is explained due to ground state complexation with a strong quenching constant, 7.81 × 10(4) M(-1).

  8. Acid-induced exchange of the imino proton in G.C pairs.

    PubMed Central

    Nonin, S; Leroy, J L; Gueron, M

    1996-01-01

    Acid-induced catalysis of imino proton exchange in G.C pairs of DNA duplexes is surprisingly fast, being nearly as fast as for the isolated nucleoside, despite base-pair dissociation constants in the range of 10(-5) at neutral or basic pH. It is also observed in terminal G.C pairs of duplexes and in base pairs of drug-DNA complexes. We have measured imino proton exchange in deoxyguanosine and in the duplex (ATATAGATCTATAT) as a function of pH. We show that acid-induced exchange can be assigned to proton transfer from N7-protonated guanosine to cytidine in the open state of the pair. This is faster than transfer from neutral guanosine (the process of intrinsic catalysis previously characterized at neutral ph) due to the lower imino proton pK of the protonated form, 7.2 instead of 9.4. Other interpretations are excluded by a study of exchange catalysis by formiate and cytidine as exchange catalysts. The cross-over pH between the regimes of pH-independent and acid-induced exchange rates is more basic in the case of base pairs than in the mononucleoside, suggestive of an increase by one to two decades in the dissociation constant of the base pair upon N7 protonation of G. Acid-induced catalysis is much weaker in A.T base pairs, as expected in view of the low pK for protonation of thymidine. PMID:8604298

  9. Prediction of pH-Dependent Hydrophobic Profiles of Small Molecules from Miertus-Scrocco-Tomasi Continuum Solvation Calculations.

    PubMed

    Zamora, William J; Curutchet, Carles; Campanera, Josep M; Luque, F Javier

    2017-10-26

    Hydrophobicity is a key physicochemical descriptor used to understand the biological profile of (bio)organic compounds as well as a broad variety of biochemical, pharmacological, and toxicological processes. This property is estimated from the partition coefficient between aqueous and nonaqueous environments for neutral compounds (P N ) and corrected for the pH-dependence of ionizable compounds as the distribution coefficient (D). Here, we have extended the parametrization of the Miertus-Scrocco-Tomasi continuum solvation model in n-octanol to nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds, as they are present in many biologically relevant molecules (e.g., purines and pyrimidines bases, amino acids, and drugs), to obtain accurate log P N values for these molecules. This refinement also includes solvation calculations for ionic species in n-octanol with the aim of reproducing the experimental partition of ionic compounds (P I ). Finally, the suitability of different formalisms to estimate the distribution coefficient for a wide range of pH values has been examined for a set of small acidic and basic compounds. The results indicate that in general the simple pH-dependence model of the ionizable compound in water suffices to predict the partitioning at or around physiological pH. However, at extreme pH values, where ionic species are predominant, more elaborate models provide a better prediction of the n-octanol/water distribution coefficient, especially for amino acid analogues. Finally, the results also show that these formalisms are better suited to reproduce the experimental pH-dependent distribution curves of log D for both acidic and basic compounds as well as for amino acid analogues.

  10. pH-Dependence of Binding Constants and Desorption Rates of Phosphonate- and Hydroxamate-Anchored [Ru(bpy)3]2+ on TiO2 and WO3.

    PubMed

    Esarey, Samuel L; Bartlett, Bart M

    2018-04-17

    The binding constants and rate constants for desorption of the modified molecular dye [Ru(bpy) 3 ] 2+ anchored by either phosphonate or hydroxamate on the bipyridine ligand to anatase TiO 2 and WO 3 have been measured. In aqueous media at pH 1-10, repulsive electrostatic interactions between the negatively charged anchor and the negatively charged surface govern phosphonate desorption under neutral and basic conditions for TiO 2 anatase due to the high acidity of phosphonic acid (p K a,4 = 5.1). In contrast, the lower acidity of hydroxamate (p K a,1 = 6.5, p K a,2 = 9.1) leads to little change in adsorption/desorption properties as a function of pH from 1 to 7. The binding constant for hydroxamate is 10 3 in water, independent of pH in this range. These results are true for WO 3 as well, but are not reported at pH > 4 due to its Arrhenius acidity. Kinetics for desorption as a function of pH are reported, with a proposed mechanism for phosphonate desorption at high pH being the electrostatic repulsion of negative charges between the surface and the anionic anchor. Further, the hydroxamic acid anchor itself is likely the site of quasi-reversible redox activity in [Ru(bpy) 2 (2,2'-bpy-4,4'-(C(O)N(OH)) 2 )] 2+ , which does not lead to any measurable deterioration of the complex within 2 h of dark cyclic voltammogram scans in aqueous media. These results posit phosphonate as the preferred anchoring group under acidic conditions and hydroxamate for neutral/basic conditions.

  11. Sorption influenced transport of ionizable pharmaceuticals onto a natural sandy aquifer sediment at different pH.

    PubMed

    Schaffer, Mario; Boxberger, Norman; Börnick, Hilmar; Licha, Tobias; Worch, Eckhard

    2012-04-01

    The pH-dependent transport of eight selected ionizable pharmaceuticals was investigated by using saturated column experiments. Seventy-eight different breakthrough curves on a natural sandy aquifer material were produced and compared for three different pH levels at otherwise constant conditions. The experimentally obtained K(OC) data were compared with calculated K(OC) values derived from two different logK(OW)-logK(OC) correlation approaches. A significant pH-dependence on sorption was observed for all compounds with pK(a) in the considered pH range. Strong retardation was measured for several compounds despite their hydrophilic character. Besides an overall underestimation of K(OC), the comparison between calculated and measured values only yields meaningful results for the acidic and neutral compounds. Basic compounds retarded much stronger than expected, particularly at low pH when their cationic species dominated. This is caused by additional ionic interactions, such as cation exchange processes, which are insufficiently considered in the applied K(OC) correlations. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  12. A wearable fingernail chemical sensing platform: pH sensing at your fingertips.

    PubMed

    Kim, Jayoung; Cho, Thomas N; Valdés-Ramírez, Gabriela; Wang, Joseph

    2016-04-01

    This article demonstrates an example of a wearable chemical sensor based on a fingernail platform. Fingernails represent an attractive wearable platform, merging beauty products with chemical sensing, to enable monitoring of our surrounding environment. The new colorimetric pH fingernail sensor relies on coating artificial nails with a recognition layer consisted of pH indicators entrapped in a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) matrix. Such color changing fingernails offer fast and reversible response to pH changes, repeated use, and intense color change detected easily with naked eye. The PVC matrix prevents leaching out of the indicator molecules from the fingernail sensor toward such repeated use. The limited narrow working pH range of a single pH indicator has been addressed by multiplexing three different pH indicators: bromothymol blue (pH 6.0-7.6), bromocresol green (pH 3.8-5.4), and cresol red (pH 7.2-8.8), as demonstrated for analyses of real-life samples of acidic, neutral, and basic character. The new concept of an optical wearable chemical sensor on fingernail platforms can be expanded towards diverse analytes for various applications in connection to the judicious design of the recognition layer. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  13. Two-step liquid phase microextraction combined with capillary electrophoresis: a new approach to simultaneous determination of basic and zwitterionic compounds.

    PubMed

    Nojavan, Saeed; Moharami, Arezoo; Fakhari, Ali Reza

    2012-08-01

    In this work, two-step hollow fiber-based liquid-phase microextraction procedure was evaluated for extraction of the zwitterionic cetirizine (CTZ) and basic hydroxyzine (HZ) in human plasma. In the first step of extraction, the pH of sample was adjusted at 5.0 in order to promote liquid-phase microextraction of the zwitterionic CTZ. In the second step, the pH of sample was increased up to 11.0 for extraction of basic HZ. In this procedure, the extraction times for the first and the second steps were 30 and 20 min, respectively. Owing to the high ratio between the volumes of donor phase and acceptor phase, CTZ and HZ were enriched by factors of 280 and 355, respectively. The linearity of the analytical method was investigated for both compounds in the range of 10-500 ng mL(-1) (R(2) > 0.999). Limit of quantification (S/N = 10) for CTZ and HZ was 10 ng mL(-1) , while the limit of detection was 3 ng mL(-1) for both compounds at a signal to noise ratio of 3:1. Intraday and interday relative standard deviations (RSDs, n = 6) were in the range of 6.5-16.2%. This procedure enabled CTZ and HZ to be analyzed simultaneously by capillary electrophoresis. © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  14. Acid-induced exchange of the imino proton in G.C pairs.

    PubMed

    Nonin, S; Leroy, J L; Gueron, M

    1996-02-15

    Acid-induced catalysis of imino proton exchange in G.C pairs of DNA duplexes is surprisingly fast, being nearly as fast as for the isolated nucleoside, despite base-pair dissociation constants in the range of 10(-5) at neutral or basic pH. It is also observed in terminal G.C pairs of duplexes and in base pairs of drug-DNA complexes. We have measured imino proton exchange in deoxyguanosine and in the duplex (ATATAGATCTATAT) as a function of pH. We show that acid-induced exchange can be assigned to proton transfer from N7-protonated guanosine to cytidine in the open state of the pair. This is faster than transfer from neutral guanosine (the process of intrinsic catalysis previously characterized at neutral ph) due to the lower imino proton pK of the protonated form, 7.2 instead of 9.4. Other interpretations are excluded by a study of exchange catalysis by formiate and cytidine as exchange catalysts. The cross-over pH between the regimes of pH-independent and acid-induced exchange rates is more basic in the case of base pairs than in the mononucleoside, suggestive of an increase by one to two decades in the dissociation constant of the base pair upon N7 protonation of G. Acid-induced catalysis is much weaker in A.T base pairs, as expected in view of the low pK for protonation of thymidine.

  15. Quantitative structure-permeability relationships at various pH values for acidic and basic drugs and drug-like compounds.

    PubMed

    Oja, M; Maran, U

    2015-01-01

    Absorption in gastrointestinal tract compartments varies and is largely influenced by pH. Therefore, considering pH in studies and analyses of membrane permeability provides an opportunity to gain a better understanding of the behaviour of compounds and to obtain good permeability estimates for prediction purposes. This study concentrates on relationships between the chemical structure and membrane permeability of acidic and basic drugs and drug-like compounds. The membrane permeability of 36 acidic and 61 basic compounds was measured using the parallel artificial membrane permeability assay (PAMPA) at pH 3, 5, 7.4 and 9. Descriptive and/or predictive single-parameter quantitative structure-permeability relationships were derived for all pH values. For acidic compounds, membrane permeability is mainly influenced by hydrogen bond donor properties, as revealed by models with r(2) > 0.8 for pH 3 and pH 5. For basic compounds, the best (r(2) > 0.7) structure-permeability relationships are obtained with the octanol-water distribution coefficient for pH 7.4 and pH 9, indicating the importance of partition properties. In addition to the validation set, the prediction quality of the developed models was tested with folic acid and astemizole, showing good matches between experimental and calculated membrane permeabilities at key pHs. Selected QSAR models are available at the QsarDB repository ( http://dx.doi.org/10.15152/QDB.166 ).

  16. Evaluation of effects of pH and ionic strength on colloidal stability of IgG solutions by PEG-induced liquid-liquid phase separation.

    PubMed

    Thompson, Ronald W; Latypov, Ramil F; Wang, Ying; Lomakin, Aleksey; Meyer, Julie A; Vunnum, Suresh; Benedek, George B

    2016-11-14

    Colloidal stability of IgG antibody solutions is important for pharmaceutical and medicinal applications. Solution pH and ionic strength are two key factors that affect the colloidal stability of protein solutions. In this work, we use a method based on the PEG-induced liquid-liquid phase separation to examine the effects of pH and ionic strength on the colloidal stability of IgG solutions. We found that at high ionic strength (≥0.25M), the colloidal stability of most of our IgGs is insensitive to pH, and at low ionic strength (≤0.15M), all IgG solutions are much more stable at pH 5 than at pH 7. In addition, the PEG-induced depletion force is less efficient in causing phase separation at pH 5 than at pH 7. In contrast to the native inter-protein interaction of IgGs, the effect of depletion force on phase separation of the antibody solutions is insensitive to ionic strength. Our results suggest that the long-range electrostatic inter-protein repulsion at low ionic strength stabilizes the IgG solutions at low pH. At high ionic strength, the short-range electrostatic interactions do not make a significant contribution to the colloidal stability for most IgGs with a few exceptions. The weaker effect of depletion force at lower pH indicates a reduction of protein concentration in the condensed phase. This work advances our basic understanding of the colloidal stability of IgG solutions and also introduces a practical approach to measuring protein colloidal stability under various solution conditions.

  17. Isolation of levoglucosan from pyrolysis oil derived from cellulose

    DOEpatents

    Moens, L.

    1994-12-06

    High purity levoglucosan is obtained from pyrolysis oil derived from cellulose by: mixing pyrolysis oil with water and a basic metal hydroxide, oxide, or salt in amount sufficient to elevate pH values to a range of from about 12 to about 12.5, and adding an amount of the hydroxide, oxide, or salt in excess of the amount needed to obtain the pH range until colored materials of impurities from the oil are removed and a slurry is formed; drying the slurry azeotropically with methyl isobutyl ketone solvent to form a residue, and further drying the residue by evaporation; reducing the residue into a powder; continuously extracting the powder residue with ethyl acetate to provide a levoglucosan-rich extract; and concentrating the extract by removing ethyl acetate to provide crystalline levoglucosan. Preferably, Ca(OH)[sub 2] is added to adjust the pH to the elevated values, and then Ca(OH)[sub 2] is added in an excess amount needed. 3 figures.

  18. Determination of phenformin hydrochloride using molecular imprinting technology coupled with flow-injection chemiluminescence.

    PubMed

    Liu, Zhenbo; Jia, Fengyan; Wang, Wenwen; Wang, Cuixia; Liu, Yongming

    2012-01-01

    A novel method was developed using molecular imprinting technology (MIT) coupled with flow-injection chemiluminescence (FI-CL) for highly sensitive detection of phenformin hydrochloride (PH). The phenformin imprinted polymer was synthesized with methacrylic acid (MAA) as a functional monomer and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as a cross-linker. Newly synthesized molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) particles were packed into a column as a selective recognition element for determination of PH. A CL method for the determination of PH was developed based on the CL reaction of PH with N-bromosuccinimide sensitized by eosin Y in basic media. The optimization of detection conditions was investigated. The CL intensity responded linearly to the concentration of PH in the range 0.09-2.0 µg/mL, with a correlation coefficient of 0.9920. The detection limit was 0.031 µg/mL. The relative standard deviation for the determination of 1.0 µg/mL PH solution was 1.0% (n = 11). The method was applied to the determination of PH in urine samples, with satisfactory results. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  19. A dynamic system for the simulation of fasting luminal pH-gradients using hydrogen carbonate buffers for dissolution testing of ionisable compounds.

    PubMed

    Garbacz, Grzegorz; Kołodziej, Bartosz; Koziolek, Mirko; Weitschies, Werner; Klein, Sandra

    2014-01-23

    The hydrogen carbonate buffer is considered as the most biorelevant buffer system for the simulation of intestinal conditions and covers the physiological pH range of the luminal fluids from pH 5.5 to about pH 8.4. The pH value of a hydrogen carbonate buffer is the result of a complex and dynamic interplay of the concentration of hydrogen carbonate ions, carbonic acid, the concentration of dissolved and solvated carbon dioxide and its partial pressure above the solution. The complex equilibrium between the different ions results in a thermodynamic instability of hydrogen carbonate solutions. In order to use hydrogen carbonate buffers with pH gradients in the physiological range and with the dynamics observed in vivo without changing the ionic strength of the solution, we developed a device (pHysio-grad®) that provides both acidification of the dissolution medium by microcomputer controlled carbon dioxide influx and alkalisation by degassing. This enables a continuous pH control and adjustment during dissolution of ionisable compounds. The results of the pH adjustment indicate that the system can compensate even rapid pH changes after addition of a basic or acidic moiety in amounts corresponding up to 90% of the overall buffer capacity. The results of the dissolution tests performed for a model formulation containing ionizable compounds (Nexium 20mg mups) indicate that both the simulated fasting intraluminal pH-profiles and the buffer species can significantly affect the dissolution process by changing the lag time prior to initial drug release and the release rate of the model compound. A prediction of the in vivo release behaviour of this formulation is thus most likely strongly related to the test conditions such as pH and buffer species. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  20. Observations on the influence of water and soil pH on the persistence of insecticides.

    PubMed

    Chapman, R A; Cole, C M

    1982-01-01

    The pH-disappearance rate profiles were determined at ca. 25 degrees C for 24 insecticides at 4 or 5 pH values over the range 4.5 to 8.0 in sterile phosphate buffers prepared in water-ethanol (99:1 v/v). Half-lives measured at pH 8 were generally smaller than at lower pH values. Changes in half lives between pH 8.0 and 4.5 were largest (greater than 1000x) for the aryl carbamates, carbofuran and carbaryl, the oxime carbamate, oxamyl, and the organophosphorus insecticide, trichlorfon. In contrast, half lives of phorate, terbufos, heptachlor, fensulfothion and aldicarb were affected only slightly by pH changes. Under the experimental conditions described half lives at pH8 varied from 1-2 days for trichlorfon and oxamyl to greater than 1 year for fensulfothion and cypermethrin. Insecticide persistence on alumina (acid, neutral and basic), mineral soils amended with aluminum sulfate or calcium hydroxide to different pH values and four natural soils of different pH was examined. No correlation was observed between the measured pH of these solids and the rate of disappearance of selected insecticides applied to them. These observations demonstrate the difficulty of extrapolating the pH dependent disappearance behaviour observed in homogeneous solution to partially solid heterogeneous systems such as soil.

  1. The effect of humic acid on uranyl sorption onto bentonite at trace uranium levels.

    PubMed

    Ivanov, Peter; Griffiths, Tamara; Bryan, Nick D; Bozhikov, Gospodin; Dmitriev, Serguei

    2012-11-01

    The effect of humic acid (HA) on U(VI) sorption on bentonite was studied in batch experiments at room temperature and ambient atmosphere at a (237)U(VI) concentration of 8.4 × 10(-11) M and HA concentration of 100 mg L(-1). The distribution of U(VI) between the liquid and solid phases was studied as a function of pH and ionic strength both in the absence and presence of HA. It was shown that the uranyl sorption on bentonite is strongly dependent on pH and the presence of humics, and the effect of the addition order was negligible. In the absence of HA an enhancement in the uptake with increasing pH was observed and a sharp sorption edge was found to take place between pH 3.2 and 4.2. The presence of HA slightly increases uranium(VI) sorption at low pH and curtails it at moderate pH, compared to the absence of HA. In the basic pH range for both the presence and absence of HA the sorption of uranium is significantly reduced, which could be attributed to the formation of soluble uranyl carbonate complexes. The influence of ionic strength on U(VI) and HA uptake by bentonite were investigated in the range of 0.01-1.0 M, and while there was an enhancement in the sorption of humic acid with increasing ionic strength, no significant effect of the ionic strength on the U(VI) sorption was observed in both the absence and presence of HA.

  2. Cementitious porous pavement in stormwater quality control: pH and alkalinity elevation.

    PubMed

    Kuang, Xuheng; Sansalone, John

    2011-01-01

    A certain level of alkalinity acts as a buffer and maintains the pH value in a stable range in water bodies. With rapid urban development, more and more acidic pollutants flow to watersheds with runoff and drop alkalinity to a very low level and ultimately degrade the water environment. Cementitious porous pavement is an effective tool for stormwater acidic neutralization. When stormwater infiltrates cement porous pavement (CPP) materials, alkalinity and pH will be elevated due to the basic characteristics of cement concrete. The elevated alkalinity will neutralize acids in water bodies and maintain the pH in a stable level as a buffer. It is expected that CPP materials still have a certain capability of alkalinity elevation after years of service, which is important for CPP as an effective tool for stormwater management. However, few previous studies have reported on how CPP structures would elevate runoff alkalinity and pH after being exposed to rainfall-runoff for years. In this study, three groups of CPP specimens, all exposed to rainfall-runoff for 3 years, were used to test the pH and alkalinity elevation properties. It was found that runoff pH values were elevated from 7.4 to the range of 7.8-8.6 after infiltrating through the uncoated specimens, and from 7.4 to 8.5-10.7 after infiltrating through aluminum-coated specimens. Runoff alkalinity elevation efficiencies are 11.5-14.5% for uncoated specimens and 42.2% for coated specimens. The study shows that CPP is an effective passive unit operation for stormwater acid neutralization in our built environment.

  3. Physico-chemical changes of ZnO nanoparticles with different size and surface chemistry under physiological pH conditions.

    PubMed

    Gwak, Gyeong-Hyeon; Lee, Won-Jae; Paek, Seung-Min; Oh, Jae-Min

    2015-03-01

    We studied the physico-chemical properties of ZnO nanoparticles under physiological pH conditions (gastric, intestinal and plasma) as functions of their size (20 and 70 nm) and surface chemistry (pristine, L-serine, or citrate coating). ZnO nanoparticles were dispersed in phosphate buffered saline under physiological pH conditions and aliquots were collected at specific time points (0.5, 1, 4, 10 and 24 h) for further characterization. The pH values of the aqueous ZnO colloids at each condition were in the neutral to slightly basic range and showed different patterns depending on the original size and surface chemistry of the ZnO nanoparticles. The gastric pH condition was found to significantly dissolve ZnO nanoparticles up to 18-30 wt%, while the intestinal or plasma pH conditions resulted in much lower dissolution amounts than expected. Based on the X-ray diffraction patterns and X-ray absorption spectra, we identified partial phase transition of the ZnO nanoparticles from wurtzite to Zn(OH)2 under the intestinal and plasma pH conditions. Using scanning electron microscopy, we verified that the overall particle size and morphology of all ZnO nanoparticles were maintained regardless of the pH. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  4. Influence of humic acids on the adsorption of Basic Yellow 28 dye onto an iron organo-inorgano pillared clay and two hydrous ferric oxides.

    PubMed

    Zermane, Faiza; Cheknane, Benamar; Basly, Jean Philippe; Bouras, Omar; Baudu, Michel

    2013-04-01

    Effect of humic acids (HAs), macromolecules from natural organic matter, on the adsorption of Basic Yellow 28 is the aim of the present work. Three adsorbents were investigated in this study: an iron organo-inorgano pillared clay and two synthetic Hydrous Iron Oxide (Goethite and HFO). The surface charge was positive in the pH range of this study for the pillared clay; in contrast, it changes from positive to negative when the pH value increased (pH>9) for the two (oxy)hydroxides. Pseudo-first order kinetic rate constants and adsorption capacities increase from humic acid to BY 28. Adsorption isotherms of BY 28 and HA in single component were analysed using the Freundlich equation. Adsorption capacities increased sharply when the pH value of the dye solution was raised from 3 to 9. Increasing the pH medium from 3 to 9 reduces the HA adsorption capacities onto Fe-SMPM and iron oxyhydroxides, respectively. Fitting between measured and predicted sorption capacities of BY 28 and HA in a binary component system indicates that the Sheindorf-Rebuhn-Sheintuch (SRS) model, an extended Freundlich model, is able to describe the simultaneous adsorption of BY 28 and HA. Humic acids favourably affect the adsorption of BY 28, and a cooperative mechanism could be suggested. The synergetic effect existing between BY 28 and HA is shown by the interaction coefficients η12, which are generally high and increase with pH. Some phenomena have been advanced to explain this mechanism. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  5. Electrosynthesis of magnetoresponsive microrobot for targeted drug delivery using calcium alginate.

    PubMed

    Chengzhi Hu; Riederer, Katharina; Klemmer, Michael; Pane, Salvador; Nelson, Bradley J

    2016-08-01

    Targeted drug delivery systems deliver drugs precisely to a specific targeted site inside the body, and can also release the drugs with controlled kinetics to prolong the efficacy of single dose administration. The advantageous properties of hydrogels make them attractive for use in the area of drug delivery. Calcium alginate is a pH sensitive hydrogel stable in acidic media and soluble in basic media. This enables the hydrogel to absorb and release aqueous solutions at certain ranges of pH values. By absorbing an aqueous solution containing a drug, an active drug release can be triggered at a specified range of pH value. In this paper, we combined calcium alginate with cobalt nickel (CoNi) in a cylindrical hybrid micro robot by electrodeposition. The designed microrobot can be wirelessly actuated with an external magnetic manipulation system and, hence, targeted to a specific location in the human body. At this specific location, characterized by its pH range, the absorbed drug will be released. Here, the fabrication steps of the specified microrobot are characterized, namely the production of a template on a silicon chip and the subsequent template-assisted electrodeposition of CoNi and alginate. Additionally, the dynamics of drug release of calcium alginate is studied.

  6. Observed and modeled effects of pH on bioconcentration of diphenhydramine, a weakly basic pharmaceutical, in fathead minnows

    EPA Science Inventory

    Fathead minnows were exposed to diphenhydramine (DPH), a weakly basic pharmaceutical (pKa = 9.1), to examine pH effects on uptake and accumulation. Fish were exposed to 10 ìg/L DPH in water for up to 96 h at three nominal pH levels: 6.7, 7.7, and 8.7. In each case, an appa...

  7. Polymeric Sulfated Amino Acid Surfactants: A New Class of Versatile Chiral Selectors for Micellar Electrokinetic Chromatography (MEKC) and MEKC-MS

    PubMed Central

    Ali Rizvi, Syed Asad; Zheng, Jie; Apkarian, Robert P.; Dublin, Steven N.; Shamsi, Shahab A.

    2008-01-01

    In this work, three amino acids derived (L-leucinol, L-isoleucinol and L-valinol) sulfated chiral surfactants are synthesized and polymerized. These chiral sulfated surfactants are thoroughly characterized to determine critical micelle concentration, aggregation number, polarity, optical rotation and partial specific volume. For the first time the morphological behavior of polymeric sulfated surfactants is revealed using cryogenic high-resolution electron microscopy (cryo-HRSEM). The polysodium N-undecenoyl-L-leucine sulfate (poly-L-SUCLS) shows distinct tubular structure, while polysodium N-undecenoyl-L-valine sulfate (poly-L-SUCVS) also shows tubular morphology but without any distinct order of the tubes. On the other hand, polysodium N-undecenoyl-L-isoleucine sulfate (poly-L-SUCILS) displays random distribution of coiled/curved filaments with heavy association of tightly and loosely bound water. All three polymeric sulfated surfactants are compared for enantio-separation of broad range of structurally diverse racemic compounds at very acidic, neutral and basic pH conditions in micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC). A small combinatorial library of 10 structurally related phenylethylamines (PEAs) is investigated for chiral separation under acidic and moderately acidic to neutral pH conditions using an experimental design. In contrast to neutral pH conditions, at acidic pH, significantly enhanced chiral resolution is obtained for class I and class II PEAs due to the compact structure of polymeric sulfated surfactants. It is observed that the presence of hydroxy group on the benzene ring of PEAs resulted in deterioration of enantioseparation. A sensitive MEKC-mass spectrometry (MS) method is developed for one of the PEA (e.g., (±)-pseudoephedrine) in human urine. Very low limit of detection (LOD) is obtained at pH 2.0 (LOD 325 ng/mL), which is ca 16 times better compared to pH 8.0 (LOD 5.2 µg/mL). Other broad range of chiral analytes (β-blockers, phenoxypropionic acid, benzoin derivatives, PTH-amino acids, and benzodiazepinones) studied also provided improved chiral separation at low pH compared to high pH conditions. Among the three polymeric sulfated surfactants, poly-L-SUCILS with two chiral centers on the polymer head group provided overall higher enantioresolution for the investigated acidic, basic and neutral compounds. This work clearly demonstrates for the first time the superiority of chiral separation and sensitive MS detection at low pH over conventional high pH chiral separation and detection employing anionic chiral polymeric surfactants in MEKC and MEKC-MS. PMID:17263313

  8. Role of Self-Association and Supersaturation in Oral Absorption of a Poorly Soluble Weakly Basic Drug.

    PubMed

    Narang, Ajit S; Badawy, Sherif; Ye, Qingmei; Patel, Dhaval; Vincent, Maria; Raghavan, Krishnaswamy; Huang, Yande; Yamniuk, Aaron; Vig, Balvinder; Crison, John; Derbin, George; Xu, Yan; Ramirez, Antonio; Galella, Michael; Rinaldi, Frank A

    2015-08-01

    Precipitation of weakly basic drugs in intestinal fluids can affect oral drug absorption. In this study, the implications of self-association of brivanib alaninate in acidic aqueous solution, leading to supersaturation at basic pH condition, on its solubility and oral absorption were investigated. Self-association of brivanib alaninate was investigated by proton NMR spectroscopy, surface tension measurement, dynamic light scattering, isothermal titration calorimetry, and molecular modeling. Drug solubility was determined in various pH media, and its tendency to supersaturate upon pH shift was investigated in buffered and biorelevant aqueous solutions. Pharmacokinetic modeling of human oral drug absorption was utilized for parameter sensitivity analyses of input variables. Brivanib alaninate exhibited continuous, and pH- and concentration-dependent self-association. This phenomenon resulted in positive deviation of drug solubility at acidic pH and the formation of a stable supersaturated drug solution in pH-shift assays. Consistent with the supersaturation phenomenon observed in vitro, oral absorption simulations necessitated invoking long precipitation time in the intestine to successfully predict in vivo data. Self-association of a weakly basic drug in acidic aqueous solution can increase its oral absorption by supersaturation and precipitation resistance at the intestinal pH. This consideration is important to the selection of parameters for oral absorption simulation.

  9. Stibiconite (Sb3O6OH), senarmontite (Sb2O3) and valentinite (Sb2O3): Dissolution rates at pH 2-11 and isoelectric points

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Biver, M.; Shotyk, W.

    2013-05-01

    Batch reactor experiments were carried out in order to derive rate laws for the proton promoted dissolution of the main natural antimony oxide phases, namely stibiconite (idealized composition SbSb2O6OH), senarmontite (cubic Sb2O3) and (metastable) valentinite (orthorhombic Sb2O3) over the range 2 ⩽ pH ⩽ 11, under standard conditions and ionic strength I = 0.01 mol l-1. The rates of antimony release by stibiconite were r = (2.2 ± 0.2) × 10-9 a(H+)0.11±0.01 mol m-2 s-1 for 2.00 ⩽ pH ⩽ 4.74 and r = (4.3 ± 0.2) × 10-10 a(H+)-0.030±0.003 mol m-2 s-1 for 4.74 ⩽ pH ⩽ 10.54. The rates of dissolution of senarmontite were r = (5.3 ± 2.2) × 10-7 a(H+)0.54±0.05 mol m-2 s-1 for 2.00 ⩽ pH ⩽ 6.93 and r = (1.4 ± 0.3) × 10-14 a(H+)-0.53±0.07 mol m-2 s-1 for 6.93 ⩽ pH ⩽ 10.83. The rates of dissolution of valentinite were r = (6.3 ± 0.2) × 10-8 a(H+)0.052±0.003 mol m-2 s-1 for 1.97 ⩽ pH ⩽ 6.85. Above pH = 6.85, valentinite was found to dissolve at a constant rate of r = (2.79 ± 0.05) × 10-8 mol m-2 s-1. Activation energies were determined at selected pH values in the acidic and basic domain, over the temperature range 25-50 °C. The values for stibiconite are -10.6 ± 1.9 kJ mol-1 (pH = 2.00) and 53 ± 14 kJ mol-1 (pH = 8.7). For senarmontite, we found 46.6 ± 4.7 kJ mol-1 (pH = 3.0) and 68.1 ± 6.1 kJ mol-1 (pH = 9.9) and for valentinite 41.9 ± 1.1 kJ mol-1 (pH = 3.0) and 39.0 ± 4.6 kJ mol-1 (pH = 9.9). These activation energies are interpreted in the text. The solubility of stibiconite at 25 °C in the pH domain from 2 to 10 was determined; solubilities decrease from 452.0 μg l-1 (as Sb) at pH = 2.00 to 153.2 μg l-1 at pH = 7.55 and increase again in the basic region, up to 176.6 μg l-1 at pH = 9.92. A graphical synopsis of all the kinetic results, including those of stibnite (Sb2S3) from earlier work, is presented. This allows an easy comparison between the dissolution rates of stibnite and the minerals examined in the present work. The isoelectric point (i.e.p.) of the minerals was determined electrokinetically, as a proxy for the zero point of charge (pHzpc), which was experimentally inaccessible; the measured i.e.p. do not correspond to the dissolution rate minima. I.e.p. of antimony oxides have not yet been documented in the literature. The geochemical implications for the weathering of antimony oxide minerals and stibnite, with particular reference to the mobilization of antimony in the context of an abandoned antimony mine (Goesdorf, Luxembourg), are discussed.

  10. Uranium removal from aqueous solution by coir pith: equilibrium and kinetic studies.

    PubMed

    Parab, Harshala; Joshi, Shreeram; Shenoy, Niyoti; Verma, Rakesh; Lali, Arvind; Sudersanan, M

    2005-07-01

    Basic aspects of uranium adsorption by coir pith have been investigated by batch equilibration. The influence of different experimental parameters such as final solution pH, adsorbent dosage, sorption time, temperature and various concentrations of uranium on uptake were evaluated. Maximum uranium adsorption was observed in the pH range 4.0-6.0. The Freundlich and Langmuir adsorption models were used for the mathematical description of the adsorption equilibrium. The equilibrium data fitted well to both the equilibrium models in the studied concentration range of uranium (200-800 mg/l) and temperatures (305-336 K). The coir pith exhibited the highest uptake capacity for uranium at 317 K, at the final solution pH value of 4.3 and at the initial uranium concentration of 800 mg/l. The kinetics of the adsorption process followed a second-order adsorption. The adsorbent used proved to be suitable for removal of uranium from aqueous solutions. 0.2 N HCl was effective in uranium desorption. The results indicated that the naturally abundant coir pith of otherwise nuisance value exhibited considerable potential for application in removal of uranium from aqueous solution.

  11. The Effect of Membrane Environment on Surfactant Protein C Stability Studied by Constant-pH Molecular Dynamics.

    PubMed

    Carvalheda, Catarina A; Campos, Sara R R; Baptista, António M

    2015-10-26

    Pulmonary surfactant protein C (SP-C) is a small peptide with two covalently linked fatty acyl chains that plays a crucial role in the formation and stabilization of the pulmonary surfactant reservoirs during the compression and expansion steps of the respiratory cycle. Although its function is known to be tightly related to its highly hydrophobic character and key interactions maintained with specific lipid components, much is left to understand about its molecular mechanism of action. Also, although it adopts a mainly helical structure while associated with the membrane, factors as pH variation and deacylation have been shown to affect its stability and function. In this work, the conformational behavior of both the acylated and deacylated SP-C isoforms was studied in a DPPC bilayer under different pH conditions using constant-pH molecular dynamics simulations. Our findings show that both protein isoforms are remarkably stable over the studied pH range, even though the acylated isoform exhibits a labile helix-turn-helix motif rarely observed in the other isoform. We estimate similar tilt angles for the two isoforms over the studied pH range, with a generally higher degree of internalization of the basic N-terminal residues in the deacylated case, and observe and discuss some protonation-conformation coupling effects. Both isoforms establish contacts with the surrounding lipid molecules (preferentially with the sn-2 ester bonds) and have a local effect on the conformational behavior of the surrounding lipid molecules, the latter being more pronounced for acylated SP-C.

  12. A green and facile approach for synthesizing imine to develop optical biosensor for wide range detection of bilirubin in human biofluids.

    PubMed

    Ellairaja, Sundaram; Shenbagavalli, Kathiravan; Ponmariappan, Sarkaraisamy; Vasantha, Vairathevar Sivasamy

    2017-05-15

    Bilirubin, a key biomarker for the jaundice and its clinical diagnosis needs a better analytical tool. A novel and simple fluorescent platform based on (2,2'-((1E,1'E)-((6-bromopyridine-2,3-diyl) bis(azanylylidene)) bis(methanylylidene diphenol) (BAMD) was designed. BAMD showed a remarkable fluorescent intensity with a very good quantum yield of 0.85 and lifetime of 870ps. Hence, it was applied for the determination of bilirubin using both colorimetric and fluorimetric techniques in physiological and basic pH. Under optimized experimental conditions, the probe detects bilirubin selectively in the presence of other interfering biomolecules and metal ions. The linear range of detection is 1pM-500µM at pH=7.4 and LOD is 2.8 and 3.3 pM at pH=7.4 and 9.0, respectively, which were reported so far. The probe detects the bilirubin through FRET mechanism. The practical application of the probe was successfully tested in the human blood and urine samples. Based on all above advantages, this simple idea can be applied to design a simple clinical diagnostic tool for jaundice. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier B.V.

  13. Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of wheat straw: influence of feedwater pH prepared by acetic acid and potassium hydroxide.

    PubMed

    Reza, M Toufiq; Rottler, Erwin; Herklotz, Laureen; Wirth, Benjamin

    2015-04-01

    In this study, influence of feedwater pH (2-12) was studied for hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of wheat straw at 200 and 260°C. Acetic acid and KOH were used as acidic and basic medium, respectively. Hydrochars were characterized by elemental and fiber analyses, SEM, surface area, pore volume and size, and ATR-FTIR, while HTC process liquids were analyzed by HPLC and GC. Both hydrochar and HTC process liquid qualities vary with feedwater pH. At acidic pH, cellulose and elemental carbon increase in hydrochar, while hemicellulose and pseudo-lignin decrease. Hydrochars produced at pH 2 feedwater has 2.7 times larger surface area than that produced at pH 12. It also has the largest pore volume (1.1 × 10(-1) ml g(-1)) and pore size (20.2 nm). Organic acids were increasing, while sugars were decreasing in case of basic feedwater, however, phenolic compounds were present only at 260°C and their concentrations were increasing in basic feedwater. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  14. Importance of pH-regulated charge density on the electrophoresis of soft particles

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gopmandal, Partha P.; Ohshima, H.

    2017-02-01

    The present study deals with the electrophoresis of spherical soft particles consisting of an ion and liquid-penetrable but liquid-flow-impenetrable inner core surrounded by an ion and fluid-penetrable polyelectrolyte layer. The inner core is considered to be dielectric and bearing basic functional group coated with polyelectrolyte layer containing acidic functional group. An approximate expression for the electrophoretic mobility of such a particle is obtained under a low potential limit. The electrophoretic behaviour of the undertaken particle is investigated for a wide range of bulk pH values and electrolyte concentrations. Our study also indicates some remarkable features of the electrophoresis e.g., occurrence of zero mobility, mobility reversal etc.

  15. Broadband pH-Sensing Organic Transistors with Polymeric Sensing Layers Featuring Liquid Crystal Microdomains Encapsulated by Di-Block Copolymer Chains.

    PubMed

    Seo, Jooyeok; Song, Myeonghun; Jeong, Jaehoon; Nam, Sungho; Heo, Inseok; Park, Soo-Young; Kang, Inn-Kyu; Lee, Joon-Hyung; Kim, Hwajeong; Kim, Youngkyoo

    2016-09-14

    We report broadband pH-sensing organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) with the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) sensing layers. The PDLC layers are prepared by spin-coating using ethanol solutions containing 4-cyano-4'-pentyl-biphenyl (5CB) and a diblock copolymer (PAA-b-PCBOA) that consists of LC-philic block [poly(4-cyano-biphenyl-4-oxyundecyl acrylate) (PCBOA)] and acrylic acid block [poly(acrylic acid) (PAA)]. The spin-coated sensing layers feature of 5CB microdomains (<5 μm) encapsulated by the PAA-b-PCBOA polymer chains. The resulting LC-integrated-OFETs (PDLC-i-OFETs) can detect precisely and reproducibly a wide range of pH with only small amounts (10-40 μL) of analyte solutions in both static and dynamic perfusion modes. The positive drain current change is measured for acidic solutions (pH < 7), whereas basic solutions (pH > 7) result in the negative change of drain current. The drain current trend in the present PDLC-i-OFET devices is explained by the shrinking-expanding mechanism of the PAA chains in the diblock copolymer layers.

  16. Communities that thrive in extreme conditions captured from a freshwater lake.

    PubMed

    Low-Décarie, Etienne; Fussmann, Gregor F; Dumbrell, Alex J; Bell, Graham

    2016-09-01

    Organisms that can grow in extreme conditions would be expected to be confined to extreme environments. However, we were able to capture highly productive communities of algae and bacteria capable of growing in acidic (pH 2), basic (pH 12) and saline (40 ppt) conditions from an ordinary freshwater lake. Microbial communities may thus include taxa that are highly productive in conditions that are far outside the range of conditions experienced in their host ecosystem. The organisms we captured were not obligate extremophiles, but were capable of growing in both extreme and benign conditions. The ability to grow in extreme conditions may thus be a common functional attribute in microbial communities. © 2016 The Author(s).

  17. A pH Switch Regulates the Inverse Relationship between Membranolytic and Chaperone-like Activities of HSP-1/2, a Major Protein of Horse Seminal Plasma.

    PubMed

    Kumar, C Sudheer; Swamy, Musti J

    2016-07-05

    HSP-1/2, a major protein of horse seminal plasma binds to choline phospholipids present on the sperm plasma membrane and perturbs its structure by intercalating into the hydrophobic core, which results in an efflux of choline phospholipids and cholesterol, an important event in sperm capacitation. HSP-1/2 also exhibits chaperone-like activity (CLA) in vitro and protects target proteins against various kinds of stress. In the present study we show that HSP-1/2 exhibits destabilizing activity toward model supported and cell membranes. The membranolytic activity of HSP-1/2 is found to be pH dependent, with lytic activity being high at mildly acidic pH (6.0-6.5) and low at mildly basic pH (8.0-8.5). Interestingly, the CLA is also found to be pH dependent, with high activity at mildly basic pH and low activity at mildly acidic pH. Taken together the present studies demonstrate that the membranolytic and chaperone-like activities of HSP-1/2 have an inverse relationship and are regulated via a pH switch, which is reversible. The higher CLA observed at mildly basic pH could be correlated to an increase in surface hydrophobicity of the protein. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study reporting regulation of two different activities of a chaperone protein by a pH switch.

  18. Observed and modeled effects of pH on bioconcentration of diphenhydramine, a weakly basic pharmaceutical, by fathead minnows

    EPA Science Inventory

    Understanding the influence of pH on uptake and accumulation of ionizable pharmaceuticals by fish was recently identified as a major research need. In the present study, fathead minnows were exposed to diphenhydramine (DPH), a weakly basic pharmaceutical (pKa = 9.1). Fish were ...

  19. Motion-Based pH Sensing Based on the Cartridge-Case-like Micromotor.

    PubMed

    Su, Yajun; Ge, Ya; Liu, Limei; Zhang, Lina; Liu, Mei; Sun, Yunyu; Zhang, Hui; Dong, Bin

    2016-02-17

    In this paper, we report a novel cartridge-case-like micromotor. The micromotor, which is fabricated by the template synthesis method, consists of a gelatin shell with platinum nanoparticles decorating its inner surface. Intriguingly, the resulting cartridge-case-like structure exhibits a pH-dependent "open and close" feature, which originates from the pH responsiveness of the gelatin material. On the basis of the catalytic activity of the platinum nanoparticle inside the gelatin shell, the resulting cartridge-case-like structure is capable of moving autonomously in the aqueous solution containing the hydrogen peroxide fuel. More interestingly, we find out that the micromotor can be utilized as a motion-based pH sensor over the whole pH range. The moving velocity of the micromotor increases monotonically with the increase of pH of the analyte solution. Three different factors are considered to be responsible for the proportional relation between the motion speed and pH of the analyte solution: the peroxidase-like and oxidase-like catalytic behavior of the platinum nanoparticle at low and high pH, the volumetric decomposition of the hydrogen peroxide under the basic condition and the pH-dependent catalytic activity of the platinum nanoparticle caused by the swelling/deswelling behavior of the gelatin material. The current work highlights the impact of the material properties on the motion behavior of a micromotor, thus paving the way toward its application in the motion-based sensing field.

  20. ET AAS evaluation of the stability and pH-sensitivity of, pH-sensitive stealth liposomes containing cisplatin in mouse plasma.

    PubMed

    Vieira, F P; Mesquita, T L; Lara, P C P; Ramaldes, G A; Beinner, M A; Silva, J B B; Oliveira, M C; Silveira, J N

    2013-10-01

    In this work, stability and the pH-sensitivity of pH-sensitive stealth liposomes containing cisplatin exposed to plasma medium and their subsequent responses to pH modifications were evaluated. A method to determine platin in mouse plasma by electrothermal atomic absorption spectroscopy (ET AAS) was developed and validated. At first, a comparative study of sample preparation treatments with basic, acidic, and acidic added with Triton X-100 as a modifier was done. The best treatment was obtained with HCl 3% (v/v). The ET AAS method with acid treatment presented linearity at a range of 10-160 ng Pt/mL. The limits of detection (LOD) was 3.1 ng/mL Pt for acid treatment, while the limit quantification (LOQ) was 10 ng/mL Pt. The acid treatment presented good repeatability (VC<15.0%) and recovery close to 100%. This treatment was chosen for subsequent studies due to its best value of repeatability, recovery, LOD and lowest cost. pH-sensitive stealth liposomes, containing cisplatin, demonstrated low stability and poor response to pH variation after plasma incubation. These findings suggest that further studies are needed to improve liposome formulation i.e., to reduce its size. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  1. Adsorption of Cu(II) to Bacillus subtilis: A pH-dependent EXAFS and thermodynamic modelling study

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Moon, Ellen M.; Peacock, Caroline L.

    2011-11-01

    Bacteria are very efficient sorbents of trace metals, and their abundance in a wide variety of natural aqueous systems means biosorption plays an important role in the biogeochemical cycling of many elements. We measured the adsorption of Cu(II) to Bacillus subtilis as a function of pH and surface loading. Adsorption edge and XAS experiments were performed at high bacteria-to-metal ratio, analogous to Cu uptake in natural geologic and aqueous environments. We report significant Cu adsorption to B. subtilis across the entire pH range studied (pH ˜2-7), with adsorption increasing with pH to a maximum at pH ˜6. We determine directly for the first time that Cu adsorbs to B. subtilis as a (CuO 5H n) n-8 monodentate, inner-sphere surface complex involving carboxyl surface functional groups. This Cu-carboxyl complex is able to account for the observed Cu adsorption across the entire pH range studied. Having determined the molecular adsorption mechanism of Cu to B. subtilis, we have developed a new thermodynamic surface complexation model for Cu adsorption that is informed by and consistent with EXAFS results. We model the surface electrostatics using the 1p K basic Stern approximation. We fit our adsorption data to the formation of a monodentate, inner-sphere tbnd RCOOCu + surface complex. In agreement with previous studies, this work indicates that in order to accurately predict the fate and mobility of Cu in complex biogeochemical systems, we must incorporate the formation of Cu-bacteria surface complexes in reactive transport models. To this end, this work recommends log K tbnd RCOOCu + = 7.13 for geologic and aqueous systems with generally high B. subtilis-to-metal ratio.

  2. Hydrolysis of tert-butyl formate: Kinetics, products, and implications for the environmental impact of methyl tert-butyl ether

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Church, Clinton D.; Pankow, James F.; Tratnyek, Paul G.

    1999-01-01

    Asessing the environmental fate of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) has become a subject of renewed interest because of the large quantities of this compound that are being used as an oxygenated additive in gasoline. Various studies on the fate of MTBE have shown that it can be degraded to tert-butyl formate (TBF), particularly in the atmosphere. Although it is generally recognized that TBF is subject to hydrolysis, the kinetics and products of this reaction under environmentally relevant conditions have not been described previously. In this study, we determined the kinetics of TBF hydrolysis as a function of pH and temperature. Over the pH range of 5 to 7, the neutral hydrolysis pathway predominates, with kN = (1.0 ± 0.2) × 10−6/s. Outside this range, strong pH effects were observed because of acidic and basic hydrolyses, from which we determined that kA = (2.7 ± 0.5) × 10−3/(M·s) and kB = 1.7 ± 0.3/(M·s). Buffered and unbuffered systems gave the same hydrolysis rates for a given pH, indicating that buffer catalysis was not significant under the conditions tested. The activation energies corresponding to kN, kA, and kBwere determined to be 78 ± 5, 59 ± 4, and 88 ±11 kJ/mol, respectively. In all experiments, tert-butyl alcohol was found at concentrations corresponding to stoichiometric formation from TBF. Based on our kinetics data, the expected half-life for hydrolysis of TBF at pH = 2 and 4°C (as per some standard preservation protocols for water sampling) is 6 h. At neutral pH and 22°C, the estimated half-life is 5 d, and at pH = 11 and 22°C, the value is only 8 min.

  3. Mouthwatering but erosive? A preliminary assessment of the acidity of a basic sauce used in many Indian dishes.

    PubMed

    Ghai, Nandini; Burke, F J Trevor

    2012-12-01

    The aim of this study was to assess whether some types of Indian cuisine may contain erosive components. Indian dishes were prepared by a previously published method and their pH measured using a pH probe. The results indicated: (i) that some components of Indian cooking, such as tomatoes and red chilli powder, had the potential to erode enamel; (ii) that the pH of some foods was reduced with increasing temperature; and (iii) that all the basic masalas made and tested had a pH of less than 4.5. Within the limitations of the study, it may be concluded that the basic sauce/masala used in north Indian dishes may have erosive potential. This information could be considered useful when advising patients who eat Indian curries about causes of acid erosion of their teeth.

  4. How cocrystals of weakly basic drugs and acidic coformers might modulate solubility and stability.

    PubMed

    Kuminek, G; Rodríguez-Hornedo, N; Siedler, S; Rocha, H V A; Cuffini, S L; Cardoso, S G

    2016-04-30

    Cocrystals of a weakly basic drug (nevirapine) with acidic coformers are shown to alter the solubility dependence on pH, and to exhibit a pHmax above which a less soluble cocrystal becomes more soluble than the drug. The cocrystal solubility advantage can be dialed up or down by solution pH.

  5. The effect of pH and concentration upon aggregation transitions in aqueous solutions of poloxamine T701.

    PubMed

    Armstrong, J K; Chowdhry, B Z; Snowden, M J; Dong, J; Leharne, S A

    2001-10-23

    Thermally induced aggregation transitions have been investigated for aqueous solutions of the poloxamine block copolymer T701-(OE(4)OP(13))(2)NCH(2)CH(2)N(OP(13)OE(4))(2)-using differential scanning calorimetry. The calorimetric signals obtained were fitted to a mass action model description of aggregation using a previously reported analytical procedure (Patterson et al., Langmuir 13 (1997) 2219). The presence of a central ethylene diamine moiety in the molecular structure renders the T701 molecule basic; this was confirmed and measured by acid/base titration. Basicity is shown to have an important impact upon aggregation. At low pH (2.5), the poloxamine exists in its protonated form and the bulk solution proton concentration is sufficient to suppress de-protonation, aggregation-as a consequence-is shifted to a higher temperature range. Any increase in pH reduces the temperature range over which aggregation occurs. The derived experimental calorimetric parameters, obtained from model fitting procedures, can be used to compute the fraction of poloxamine existing in an aggregated form, at any particular temperature. The data sets obtained were interpolated to show that at human body temperature (310.6 K) the fraction of poloxamine found in its aggregated form is zero at a pH of 2.5. However at a pH of 6.8, the percentage aggregation increases to about 85%. These aggregation characteristics of T701 have important implications for the design of drug delivery systems, which incorporate poloxamines.

  6. A functional applied material on recognition of metal ion zinc based on the double azine compound.

    PubMed

    Wei, Taibao; Liang, Guoyan; Chen, Xiaopeng; Qi, Jin; Lin, Qi; Zhang, Youming; Yao, Hong

    2017-05-18

    A colorimetric and fluorescent probe L has been designed and synthesized, which bearing the double azine moiety and showing a detection limit of 2.725 × 10 -7  M towards Zn 2+ . Based on the basic recognition mechanism of ESIPT and CHEF effect, the L has high selectivity and sensitivity to only Zn 2+ (not Fe 3+ , Hg 2+ , Ag + , Ca 2+ , Co 2+ , Ni 2+ , Cd 2+ , Pb 2+ , Cr 3+ , and Mg 2+ ) within the physiological pH range (pH = 7.0-8.4) and showed a fluorescence switch. Moreover, this detection progress occured in the DMSO/H 2 O ∼ HEPES buffer (80/20, v/v; pH 7.23) solution which can conveniently used on test strip.

  7. Regulation of gene expression in roots of the pH-sensitive Vaccinium corymbosum and the pH-tolerant Vaccinium arboreum in response to near neutral pH stress using RNA-Seq.

    PubMed

    Payá-Milans, Miriam; Nunez, Gerardo H; Olmstead, James W; Rinehart, Timothy A; Staton, Margaret

    2017-08-07

    Blueberries are one of the few horticultural crops adapted to grow in acidic soils. Neutral to basic soil pH is detrimental to all commonly cultivated blueberry species, including Vaccinium corymbosum (VC). In contrast, the wild species V. arboreum (VA) is able to tolerate a wider range of soil pH. To assess the molecular mechanisms involved in near neutral pH stress response, plants from pH-sensitive VC (tetraploid) and pH-tolerant VA (diploid) were grown at near neutral pH 6.5 and at the preferred pH of 4.5. Transcriptome sequencing of root RNA was performed for 4 biological replications per species x pH level interaction, for a total of 16 samples. Reads were mapped to the reference genome from diploid V. corymbosum, transforming ~55% of the reads to gene counts. A quasi-likelihood F test identified differential expression due to pH stress in 337 and 4867 genes in VA and VC, respectively. Both species shared regulation of genes involved in nutrient homeostasis and cell wall metabolism. VA and VC exhibited differential regulation of signaling pathways related to abiotic/biotic stress, cellulose and lignin biosynthesis, and nutrient uptake. The specific responses in VA likely facilitate tolerance to higher soil pH. In contrast, response in VC, despite affecting a greater number of genes, is not effective overcoming the stress induced by pH. Further inspection of those genes with differential expression that are specific in VA may provide insight on the mechanisms towards tolerance.

  8. Calculating the Ionization Constant of Functional Groups of Carboxyl Ion Exchangers

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Meychik, N. R.; Stepanov, S. I.; Nikolaeva, Yu. I.

    2018-02-01

    The potentiometric titration of a weakly basic carboxyl cation exchanger, obtained via alkaline hydrolysis of an acrylonitrile copolymer with divinyl benzene (degree of crosslinking, 12%) in a wide range of variation in a solution of pH (2-12) and NaCl (concentration 0.01, 0.1, 0.5, 1 M), is considered. The maximum ion-exchange capacity of the ion exchanger for Na+ is determined (10.10 ± 0.088 mmol/g of the dry mass) and found to be independent of the solution's ionic strength. It is established that in the investigated range of NaCl concentrations and pH, the acid-base balance is adequately described by Gregor's equation. The parameters of this equation are calculated as a function of the NaCl concentration: p K a = 8.13 ± 0.04, n = 1.50 ± 0.02 for 0.01 M; p K a = 6.56 ± 0.04, n = 2.60 ± 0.07 for 0.1 M; and p K a = 5.66 ± 0.6, n = 2.62 ± 0.06 for 0.5 and 1 M. It is shown that to describe the acid-base balance correctly within the proposed model we must estimate the adequacy of the experimental and calculated values of the ion exchanger's capacity at each pH value according to the calculated parameters of Gregor's equation.

  9. Self-assembled multilayers and photoluminescence properties of a new water-soluble poly(para-phenylene)

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Shi, X.; Li, D.Q.; Luett, M.

    1998-03-01

    This paper reports the synthesis and characterizations of a new water-soluble poly(para-phenylene) (PPP) and its applications in preparing self-assembled multilayer films. This new water-soluble conducting polymer was prepared through the sulfonation reaction of poly(p-quarterphenylene-2,2{prime}-dicarboxylic acid). The incorporation of sulfonate groups has dramatically improved PPP`s solubility in water at a wide pH range, whereas previous PPP is only slightly soluble in basic solutions. Dilute aqueous solutions of this polymer with acidic, neutral or basic pH emit brilliant blue light while irradiated with UV light. The sulfonated PPP emits from 350 nm to 455 nm with a maximum intensity at 380 nm.more » Self-assembled multilayers of this sulfonated PPP were constructed with a positively charged polymer poly(diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride) and characterized with various surface analyses. Conductive (RuO{sub 2} and ITO), semiconductive (Si wafer), and non-conductive (SiO{sub 2}) substrates were used in the preparation of self-assembled multilayers. Electrical, optical and structural properties of these novel self-assembled thin films will be discussed.« less

  10. Evaluation of the relation between lipid coat, transepidermal water loss, and skin pH.

    PubMed

    Algiert-Zielińska, Barbara; Batory, Mirella; Skubalski, Janusz; Rotsztejn, Helena

    2017-11-01

    The epidermis is an epidermal barrier which accumulates lipid substances and participates in skin moisturizing. An evaluation of the epidermal barrier efficiency can be made, among others, by the measurement of the following values: the lipid coat, the transepidermal water loss (TEWL) index, and pH. The study involved 50 Caucasian, healthy women aged 19-35 years (mean 20.56). Measurements were made using Courage & Khazaka Multi Probe Adapter MPA 580: Tewameter TM 300, pH-Meter PH 905, Sebumeter SM 815. The areas of measurements included forehead, nose, left cheek, right cheek, chin, and thigh. In the T-zone, the lipid coat was in the range between 0 and 270 μg/cm 2 (mean 128 μg/cm 2 ), TEWL between 1 and 55 g/m 2 /h (mean 11.1 g/m 2 /h), and pH 4.0-5.6 (mean 5.39). Lower values of the lipid coat up to 100 μg/cm 2 were accompanied by TEWL greater than 30 g/m 2 /h and less acidic pH of 5.6-9.0. In the U-zone the range of lipid coat was up to 200 μg/cm 2 (mean 65.2 μg/cm 2 ), the skin pH remained 4.0-5.6 (mean 5.47), and TEWL was in the range between 1 and 20 g/m 2 /h (mean 8.7 g/m 2 /h). Lower values of the lipid coat up to 100 μg/cm 2 were accompanied by TEWL between 1 and 20 g/m 2 /h and less acidic pH of 5.6-9.0. High values of the lipid coat between 180 and 200 μg/cm 2 were connected with TEWL of 1-15 g/m 2 /h. On the skin of the thigh, we observed a very thin lipid coat - 35 μg/cm 2 (mean 5.6 μg/cm 2 ), pH (mean 5.37), and TEWL (mean 8.5 g/m 2 /h) were considered by us to be within regular limits. In the T-zone, a thinner lipid coat resulted in relatively high TEWL and pH levels changing toward alkaline. In the U-zone, thinner lipid coat was accompanied by lower TEWL and pH changing toward alkaline. We also observed that lower values of lipid coat up to 100 μg/cm 2 were associated with higher pH values ranging toward the basic character pH 5.6-9.0). © 2017 The International Society of Dermatology.

  11. Enteric polymers as acidifiers for the pH-independent sustained delivery of a weakly basic drug salt from coated pellets.

    PubMed

    Körber, Martin; Ciper, Mesut; Hoffart, Valerie; Pearnchob, Nantharat; Walther, Mathias; Macrae, Ross J; Bodmeier, Roland

    2011-08-01

    Weakly basic drugs and their salts exhibit a decrease in aqueous solubility at higher pH, which can result in pH-dependent or even incomplete release of these drugs from extended release formulations. The objective of this study was to evaluate strategies to set-off the very strong pH-dependent solubility (solubility: 80 mg/ml at pH 2 and 0.02 mg/ml at pH 7.5, factor 4000) of a mesylate salt of weakly basic model drug (pK(a) 6.5), in order to obtain pH-independent extended drug release. Three approaches for pH-independent release were investigated: (1) organic acid addition in the core, (2) enteric polymer addition to the extended release coating and (3) an enteric polymer subcoating below the extended release coating. The layering of aspartic acid onto drug cores as well as the coating of drug cores with an ethylcellulose/Eudragit L (enteric polymer) blend were not effective to avoid the formation of the free base at pH 7.5 and thus failed to significantly improve the completeness of the release compared to standard ethylcellulose/hydroxypropyl cellulose (EC/HPC)-coated drug pellets. Interestingly, the incorporation of an enteric polymer layer underneath the EC/HPC coating decreased the free base formation at pH 7.5 and thus resulted in a more complete release of up to 90% of the drug loading over 18 h. The release enhancing effect was attributed to an extended acidification through the enteric polymer layer. Flexible release patterns with approximately pH-independent characteristics were successfully achieved. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  12. Fluoride geochemistry of thermal waters in Yellowstone National Park: I. Aqueous fluoride speciation

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Deng, Y.; Nordstrom, D. Kirk; McCleskey, R. Blaine

    2011-01-01

    Thermal water samples from Yellowstone National Park (YNP) have a wide range of pH (1–10), temperature, and high concentrations of fluoride (up to 50 mg/l). High fluoride concentrations are found in waters with field pH higher than 6 (except those in Crater Hills) and temperatures higher than 50 °C based on data from more than 750 water samples covering most thermal areas in YNP from 1975 to 2008. In this study, more than 140 water samples from YNP collected in 2006–2009 were analyzed for free-fluoride activity by ion-selective electrode (ISE) method as an independent check on the reliability of fluoride speciation calculations. The free to total fluoride concentration ratio ranged from <1% at low pH values to >99% at high pH. The wide range in fluoride activity can be explained by strong complexing with H+ and Al3+ under acidic conditions and lack of complexing under basic conditions. Differences between the free-fluoride activities calculated with the WATEQ4F code and those measured by ISE were within 0.3–30% for more than 90% of samples at or above 10−6 molar, providing corroboration for chemical speciation models for a wide range of pH and chemistry of YNP thermal waters. Calculated speciation results show that free fluoride, F−, and major complexes (HF(aq)0">HF(aq)0, AlF2+, AlF2+">AlF2+and AlF30">AlF30) account for more than 95% of total fluoride. Occasionally, some complex species like AlF4-">AlF4-, FeF2+, FeF2+">FeF2+, MgF+ and BF2(OH)2-">BF2(OH)2- may comprise 1–10% when the concentrations of the appropriate components are high. According to the simulation results by PHREEQC and calculated results, the ratio of main fluoride species to total fluoride varies as a function of pH and the concentrations and ratios of F and Al.

  13. Self-assembled multilayers and photoluminescence properties of a new water-soluble poly(para-phenylene)

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Shi, X.; Li, D.; Luett, M.

    1998-07-01

    This paper reports the synthesis and characterizations of a new water-soluble poly(paraphenylene) (PPP) and its applications in preparing self-assembled multi-layer films. This new water-soluble conducting polymer was prepared through the sulfonation reaction of poly(p-quarterphenylene-2,2{prime}-dicarboxylic acid). The incorporation of sulfonate groups has dramatically improved PPP's solubility in water at a wide pH range, whereas previous PPP is only slightly soluble in basic solutions. Dilute aqueous solutions of this polymer with acidic, neutral or basic pH emit brilliant blue light while irradiated with UV light. The sulfonated PPP emits from 350 nm to 455 nm with a maximum intensity at 380 nm.more » Self-assembled multilayers of this sulfonated PPP were constructed with a positively charged polymer poly(diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride) and characterized with various surface analyses. Conductive (RuO{sub 2} and ITO), semiconductive (Si wafer), and non-conductive (SiO{sub 2}) substrates were used in the preparation of self-assembled multilayers. Electrical, optical and structural properties of these novel self-assembled thin films will be discussed.« less

  14. pH titration monitored by quantum cascade laser-based vibrational circular dichroism.

    PubMed

    Rüther, Anja; Pfeifer, Marcel; Lórenz-Fonfría, Víctor A; Lüdeke, Steffen

    2014-04-10

    Vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectra of aqueous solutions of proline were recorded in the course of titrations from basic to acidic pH using a spectrometer equipped with a quantum cascade laser (QCL) as an infrared light source in the spectral range from 1320 to 1220 cm(-1). The pH-dependent spectra were analyzed by singular value decomposition and global fitting of a two-pK Henderson-Hasselbalch model. The analysis delivered relative fractions of the three different protonation species. Their agreement with the relative fractions obtained from performing the same analysis on pH-dependent Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and QCL-IR spectra validates the quantitative results from QCL-VCD. Global fitting of the pH-dependent VCD spectra of L-proline allowed for extraction of pure spectra corresponding to anionic, zwitterionic, and cationic L-proline. From a static experiment, only pure spectra of the zwitterion would be accessible in a straightforward way. A comparison to VCD spectra calculated for all three species led to assignment of vibrational modes that are characteristic for the respective protonation states. The study demonstrates the applicability of QCL-VCD both for quantitative evaluation and for qualitative interpretation of dynamic processes in aqueous solutions.

  15. Single step, pH induced gold nanoparticle chain formation in lecithin/water system.

    PubMed

    Sharma, Damyanti

    2013-07-01

    Gold nanoparticle (AuNP) chains have been formed by a single step method in a lecithin/water system where lecithin itself plays the role of a reductant and a template for AuNP chain formation. Two preparative strategies were explored: (1) evaporating lecithin solution with aqueous gold chloride (HAuCl4) at different pHs and (2) dispersing lecithin vesicles in aqueous HAuCl4 solutions of various pHs in the range of 2.5-11.3. In method 1, at initial pH 2.5, 20-50 nm AuNPs are found attached to lecithin vesicles. When pH is raised to 5.5 there are no vesicles present and 20 nm monodisperse particles are found aggregating. Chain formation of fine nanoparticles (3-5 nm) is observed from neutral to basic pH, between 6.5-10.3 The chains formed are hundreds of nanometers to micrometer long and are usually 2-3 nanoparticles wide. On further increasing pH to 11.3, particles form disk-like or raft-like structures. When method (ii) was used a little chain formation was observed. Most of the nanoparticles formed were found either sitting together as raft like structures or scattered on lecithin structures. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  16. How cocrystals of weakly basic drugs and acidic coformers might modulate solubility and stability

    PubMed Central

    Kuminek, G.; Rodríguez-Hornedo, N.; Siedler, S.; Rocha, H. V. A.; Cuffini, S. L.; Cardoso, S. G.

    2016-01-01

    Cocrystals of a weakly basic drug (nevirapine) with acidic coformers are shown to alter the solubility dependence on pH, and to exhibit a pHmax above which a less soluble cocrystal becomes more soluble than the drug. The cocrystal solubility advantage can be dialed up or down by solution pH. PMID:27042997

  17. Sorption of hydrophilic dyes on anodic aluminium oxide films and application to pH sensing.

    PubMed

    Silina, Yuliya E; Kuchmenko, Tatyana A; Volmer, Dietrich A

    2015-02-07

    The sorption of selected hydrophilic pH-sensitive dyes (bromophenol blue, bromothymol blue, bromocresol purple, alizarin red, methyl orange, congo red, rhodamine 6G) on films of anodized aluminium oxide (AAO) was investigated in this study. Depth and pore structure of the AAO channels were adjusted by changing electrolysis time and current density during treatment of aluminium foil in oxalic acid, sulfosalycilic acid and sulfuric acid at concentration levels between 0.2 and 0.6 M. The dyes were immobilized on the AAO surface by direct saturation of the films in dye solutions. It was shown by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray spectral analysis that the dyes penetrated into the AAO channels by more than 1.5 μm, even at static saturation conditions. The anionic dyes linked to the porous AAO surface exhibited differential shifts of the UV absorption bands in their acidic/basic forms. By combining several dyes, the films have an application range between pH = 0.5-9 in aqueous media. The dye-modified AAO film was a simple, portable, inexpensive and reusable pH sensor with very fast response time and clear colour transitions.

  18. Nanoparticle-based luminescent probes for intracellular sensing and imaging of pH.

    PubMed

    Schäferling, Michael

    2016-05-01

    Fluorescence imaging microscopy is an essential tool in biomedical research. Meanwhile, various fluorescent probes are available for the staining of cells, cell membranes, and organelles. Though, to monitor intracellular processes and dysfunctions, probes that respond to ubiquitous chemical parameters determining the cellular function such as pH, pO2 , and Ca(2+) are required. This review is focused on the progress in the design, fabrication, and application of photoluminescent nanoprobes for sensing and imaging of pH in living cells. The advantages of using nanoprobes carrying fluorescent pH indicators compared to single molecule probes are discussed as well as their limitations due to the mostly lysosomal uptake by cells. Particular attention is paid to ratiometric dual wavelength nanosensors that enable intrinsic referenced measurements. Referencing and proper calibration procedures are basic prerequisites to carry out reliable quantitative pH determinations in complex samples such as living cells. A variety of examples will be presented that highlight the diverseness of nanocarrier materials (polymers, micelles, silica, quantum dots, carbon dots, gold, photon upconversion nanocrystals, or bacteriophages), fluorescent pH indicators for the weak acidic range, and referenced sensing mechanisms, that have been applied intracellularly up to now. WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2016, 8:378-413. doi: 10.1002/wnan.1366 For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  19. Enhanced Activity and Acid pH Stability of Prussian Blue-type Oxygen Evolution Electrocatalysts Processed by Chemical Etching.

    PubMed

    Han, Lijuan; Tang, Pengyi; Reyes-Carmona, Álvaro; Rodríguez-García, Bárbara; Torréns, Mabel; Morante, Joan Ramon; Arbiol, Jordi; Galan-Mascaros, Jose Ramon

    2016-12-14

    The development of upscalable oxygen evolving electrocatalysts from earth-abundant metals able to operate in neutral or acidic environments and low overpotentials remains a fundamental challenge for the realization of artificial photosynthesis. In this study, we report a highly active phase of heterobimetallic cyanide-bridged electrocatalysts able to promote water oxidation under neutral, basic (pH < 13), and acidic conditions (pH > 1). Cobalt-iron Prussian blue-type thin films, formed by chemical etching of Co(OH) 1.0 (CO 3 ) 0.5 ·nH 2 O nanocrystals, yield a dramatic enhancement of the catalytic performance toward oxygen production, when compared with previous reports for analogous materials. Electrochemical, spectroscopic, and structural studies confirm the excellent performance, stability, and corrosion resistance, even when compared with state-of-the-art metal oxide catalysts under moderate overpotentials and in a remarkably large pH range, including acid media where most cost-effective water oxidation catalysts are not useful. The origin of the superior electrocatalytic activity toward water oxidation appears to be in the optimized interfacial matching between catalyst and electrode surface obtained through this fabrication method.

  20. Determination of the microenvironment-pH and charge and size characteristics of amino acids through their electrophoretic mobilities determined by CZE.

    PubMed

    Piaggio, Maria V; Peirotti, Marta B; Deiber, Julio A

    2007-10-01

    Effective electrophoretic mobility data of 20 amino acids reported in the literature are analyzed and interpreted through simple physicochemical models, which are able to provide estimates of coupled quantities like hydrodynamic shape factor, equivalent hydrodynamic radius (size), net charge, actual pK values of ionizing groups, partial charges of ionizing groups, hydration number, and pH near molecule (microenvironment-pH of the BGE). It is concluded that the modeling of the electrophoretic mobility of these analytes requires a careful consideration of hydrodynamic shape coupled to hydration. In the low range of pH studied here, distinctive hydrodynamic behaviors of amino acids are found. For instance, amino acids with basic polar and ionizing side chain remain with prolate shape for pH values varying from 1.99 to 3.2. It is evident that as the pH increases from low values, amino acids get higher hydrations as a consequence each analyte total charge also increases. This result is consistent with the monotonic increase of the hydrodynamic radius, which accounts for both the analyte and the quite immobilized water molecules defining the electrophoretic kinematical unit. It is also found that the actual or effective pK value of the alpha-carboxylic ionizing group of amino acids increases when the pH is changed from 1.99 to 3.2. Several limitations concerning the simple modeling of the electrophoretic mobility of amino acids are presented for further research.

  1. Acidic and basic solutions dissolve protein plugs made of lithostathine complicating choledochal cyst/pancreaticobiliary maljunction.

    PubMed

    Kaneko, Kenitiro; Ono, Yasuyuki; Tainaka, Takahisa; Sumida, Wataru; Ando, Hisami

    2009-07-01

    Symptoms of choledochal cysts are caused by protein plugs made of lithostathine, which block the long common channel and increase pancreaticobiliary ductal pressure. Agents that dissolve protein plugs can provide relief from or prevent symptoms. In the present study, drugs reportedly effective for pancreatic and biliary stones were used in dissolution tests. Protein plugs were obtained from choledochal cysts during surgery in two children (5- and 6-year-old girls). Plugs approximately 2 mm in diameter were immersed in citric acid, tartaric acid, dimethadione, bromhexine, dehydrocholic acid, sodium citrate, hydrochloric acid, and sodium hydroxide solutions under observation with a digital microscope. The pH of each solution was measured using a pH meter. Plugs dissolved in citric acid (5.2 mM; pH 2.64), tartaric acid (6.7 mM; pH 2.51), dimethadione (75 mM; pH 3.70), hydrochloric acid (0.5 mM; pH 3.13), and sodium hydroxide (75 mM; pH 12.75) solutions. Plugs did not dissolve in dimethadione (7.5 mM; pH 4.31), bromhexine (0.1%; pH 4.68), dehydrocholic acid (5%; pH 7.45), and sodium citrate (75 mM; pH 7.23) solutions. Protein plugs in choledochal cysts are dissolved in acidic and basic solutions, which may eliminate longitudinal electrostatic interactions of the lithostathine protofibrils.

  2. Inhibition of Photocatalytic Activity of Basic Blue-41 by ZnO Modified Surface with Amino Silane

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Limsapapkasiphon, S.; Sirisaksoontorn, W.; Songsasen, A.

    2018-03-01

    The reduction of the photo catalytic efficiency of ZnO can be achieved by modifying its surface with amino silane, which synthesized through condensation reaction under basic condition. The pH of solution was varied from 8 to 14 during the synthesis and was found that pH 12 was the most suitable pH for the preparation. All of ZMAS were characterized by Elemental Analysis which showed the highest percentage of nitrogen at 3.1064% and IR technique which indicated the Si-O-Zn bond at about 1000 cm-1. The photodegradation property of ZMAS prepared at pH 8-12 toward basic blue 41 was retarded when compared with the unmodified ZnO. Effect of mole ratio of ZnO:APTES (1:0.1, 1:0.5, 1:1, and 1:2) in the preparation of ZMAS was investigated. The photodegration activity of ZMAS prepared at mole ratio of ZnO:APTES as 1:0.5 to 1:2 toward basic blue 41 was retarded when compared with the unmodified ZnO. The coating of amino silane on ZnO surface did not have much effect on the band gap energy of modified ZnO. The absorption edge of ZMAS was only slightly shifted from 392 to 397 nm.

  3. Formation mechanism of glyoxal-DNA adduct, a DNA cross-link precursor.

    PubMed

    Vilanova, B; Fernández, D; Casasnovas, R; Pomar, A M; Alvarez-Idaboy, J R; Hernández-Haro, N; Grand, A; Adrover, M; Donoso, J; Frau, J; Muñoz, F; Ortega-Castro, J

    2017-05-01

    DNA nucleobases undergo non-enzymatic glycation to nucleobase adducts which can play important roles in vivo. In this work, we conducted a comprehensive experimental and theoretical kinetic study of the mechanisms of formation of glyoxal-guanine adducts over a wide pH range in order to elucidate the molecular basis for the glycation process. Also, we performed molecular dynamics simulations to investigate how open or cyclic glyoxal-guanine adducts can cause structural changes in an oligonucleotide model. A thermodynamic study of other glycating agents including methylglyoxal, acrolein, crotonaldehyde, 4-hydroxynonenal and 3-deoxyglucosone revealed that, at neutral pH, cyclic adducts were more stable than open adducts; at basic pH, however, the open adducts of 3-deoxyglucosone, methylglyoxal and glyoxal were more stable than their cyclic counterparts. This result can be ascribed to the ability of the adducts to cross-link DNA. The new insights may contribute to improve our understanding of the connection between glycation and DNA cross-linking. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  4. Isolation and purification of two bacteriocins 3D produced by Enterococcus faecium with inhibitory activity against Listeria monocytogenes.

    PubMed

    Bayoub, Kaoutar; Mardad, Ilham; Ammar, Emna; Serrano, Aurelio; Soukri, Abdelaziz

    2011-02-01

    Strain 3D, isolated from fermented traditional Moroccan dairy product, and identified as Enterococcus faecium, was studied for its capability to produce two bacteriocins acting against Listeria monocytogenes. Bacteriocins 3 Da and 3Db were heat stable inactivated by proteinase K, pepsin, and trypsin but not when treated with catalase. The evidenced bacteriocins were stable in a wide pH range from 2 to 11 and bactericidal activity was kept during storage at 4°C. However, the combination of temperature and pH exhibited a stability of the bacteriocins. RP-HPLC purification of the anti-microbial compounds shows two active fractions eluted at 16 and 30.5 min, respectively. Mass spectrometry analysis showed that E. faecium 3D produce two bacteriocins Enterocin 3 Da (3893.080 Da) and Enterocin 3Db (4203.350 Da). This strain is food-grade organism and its bacteriocins were heat-stable peptides at basic, neutral, and acid pH: such bacteriocins may be of interest as food preservatives.

  5. Acid-base properties of the alumina surface: influence of the titration procedures on the microcalorimetric results.

    PubMed

    Morel, Jean-Pierre; Marmier, Nicolas; Hurel, Charlotte; Morel-Desrosiers, Nicole

    2009-10-01

    The enthalpy changes associated with the protonation and deprotonation of an alumina surface have been determined on the basis of microcalorimetry experiments and acid-base potentiometric titrations at 25 degrees C. It has been shown that the results may vary significantly according to the experimental procedure. In order to do so, the potentiometric and microcalorimetric titrations have been carried out first from an acidic pH to basic pH and second from a pH near the pH(zpc) of alumina to acidic or basic pH. It has been demonstrated that the pK(a) values deduced from the potentiometric titrations are the same whatever the experimental protocol whereas the only way to obtain meaningful enthalpies of proton exchange is to carry out microcalorimetric titrations by starting around the point of zero charge.

  6. pH-Dependent Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation of Highly Supersaturated Solutions of Weakly Basic Drugs.

    PubMed

    Indulkar, Anura S; Box, Karl J; Taylor, Robert; Ruiz, Rebeca; Taylor, Lynne S

    2015-07-06

    Supersaturated solutions of poorly aqueous soluble drugs can be formed both in vivo and in vitro. For example, increases in pH during gastrointestinal transit can decrease the aqueous solubility of weakly basic drugs resulting in supersaturation, in particular when exiting the acidic stomach environment. Recently, it has been observed that highly supersaturated solutions of drugs with low aqueous solubility can undergo liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) prior to crystallization, forming a turbid solution such that the concentration of the drug in the continuous solution phase corresponds to the amorphous solubility while the colloidal phase is composed of a disordered drug-rich phase. Although it is well established that the equilibrium solubility of crystalline weakly basic drugs follows the Henderson-Hasselbalch relationship, the impact of pH on the LLPS phenomenon or the amorphous solubility has not been explored. In this work, the LLPS concentration of three weakly basic compounds-clotrimazole, nicardipine, and atazanavir-was determined as a function of pH using three different methods and was compared to the predicted amorphous solubility, which was calculated from the pH-dependent crystalline solubility and by estimating the free energy difference between the amorphous and crystalline forms. It was observed that, similar to crystalline solubility, the experimental amorphous solubility at any pH follows the Henderson-Hasselbalch relation and can be predicted if the amorphous solubility of the free base is known. Excellent agreement between the LLPS concentration and the predicted amorphous solubility was observed. Dissolution studies of amorphous drugs showed that the solution concentration can reach the corresponding LLPS concentration at that pH. Solid-state analysis of the precipitated material confirmed the amorphous nature. This work provides insight into the pH-dependent precipitation behavior of poorly water-soluble compounds and provides a fundamental basis with which to understand the performance of supersaturating dosage forms.

  7. Photoluminescence and Coordination Behaviour of Lanthanide Complexes of Tris (Aminomethyl)Ethane-5-Oxine in Aqueous Solution.

    PubMed

    Akbar, Rifat; Baral, Minati; Kanungo, B K

    2017-01-01

    Photophysical properties of a multidentate tripodal ligand, 5,5'-(2-(((8-hydroxyquinolin-5-yl) methylamino)methyl)-2-methylpropane-1,3-diyl) bis (azanediyl)bis (methylene)diquinolin-8-ol, (TAME5OX), with La 3+ and Er 3+ ions have been examined for photonics applications. The change in behavior in electronic spectra of these complexes reveals the use of TAME5OX as a sensitive optical pH based sensor to detect Ln 3+ ions whereas indication of strong green fluorescence allows simultaneous sensing within the visible region in competitive medium. The intense fluorescence intermittently gets quenched under acidic and basic conditions due to photoinduced intramolecular electron transfer from the excited 8-hydroxyquinoline (8-HQ) moiety to the metal ion. This renders these compounds the OFF-ON-OFF type of pH-dependent fluorescent sensor. The thermodynamic stability and coordination behaviour of the chelator with the said lanthanide ions have also been probed by potentiometric, UV - visible and fluorescence spectrophotometric method. TAME5OX forms protonated complex [Ln (H 4 L)] 4+ below pH ~4.0 which sequentially deprotonates through one proton process with increase of pH. The stability constants of neutral complexes have been determined to be in the range log β 110  = 32-34 and pLn in the range of 14-20, indicating TAME5OX is a good synthetic lanthanide chelator. Theoretical spectra were also calculated by ZINDO/s methodology at single excitations (CIS) level on PM7 as sparkle energy-minimized geometries.

  8. EPR parameters of L-α-alanine radicals in aqueous solution: a first-principles study

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Janbazi, Mehdi; T. Azar, Yavar; Ziaie, Farhood

    2018-07-01

    EPR (electron paramagnetic resonance) response for a wide range of possible alanine radicals has been analysed employing quantum chemical methods. The strong correlation between geometry and EPR parameter structure of these radicals has been shown in this research work. Significant solvent effect on EPR parameters has been shown employing both explicit and implicit solvent models. In a relatively good agreement with the experiment, stable conformation of these radicals in acidic and basic conditions was determined, and a new conformation was suggested based on possible proton transfer in the intermediate pH range. The employed methodology along with experimental results may be used for the characterisation of different radiation-induced amino acid radicals.

  9. Protein Buffering in Model Systems and in Whole Human Saliva

    PubMed Central

    Lamanda, Andreas; Cheaib, Zeinab; Turgut, Melek Dilek; Lussi, Adrian

    2007-01-01

    The aim of this study was to quantify the buffer attributes (value, power, range and optimum) of two model systems for whole human resting saliva, the purified proteins from whole human resting saliva and single proteins. Two model systems, the first containing amyloglucosidase and lysozyme, and the second containing amyloglucosidase and α-amylase, were shown to provide, in combination with hydrogencarbonate and di-hydrogenphosphate, almost identical buffer attributes as whole human resting saliva. It was further demonstrated that changes in the protein concentration as small as 0.1% may change the buffer value of a buffer solution up to 15 times. Additionally, it was shown that there was a protein concentration change in the same range (0.16%) between saliva samples collected at the time periods of 13:00 and others collected at 9:00 am and 17:00. The mode of the protein expression changed between these samples corresponded to the change in basic buffer power and the change of the buffer value at pH 6.7. Finally, SDS Page and Ruthenium II tris (bathophenantroline disulfonate) staining unveiled a constant protein expression in all samples except for one 50 kDa protein band. As the change in the expression pattern of that 50 kDa protein band corresponded to the change in basic buffer power and the buffer value at pH 6.7, it was reasonable to conclude that this 50 kDa protein band may contain the protein(s) belonging to the protein buffer system of human saliva. PMID:17327922

  10. Theoretical study on the interactions between chlordecone hydrate and acidic surface groups of activated carbon under basic pH conditions.

    PubMed

    Melchor-Rodríguez, Kenia; Gamboa-Carballo, Juan José; Ferino-Pérez, Anthuan; Passé-Coutrin, Nady; Gaspard, Sarra; Jáuregui-Haza, Ulises Javier

    2018-05-01

    A theoretical study of the influence of acidic surface groups (SG) of activated carbon (AC) on chlordecone hydrate (CLDh) adsorption is presented, in order to help understanding the adsorption process under basic pH conditions. A seven rings aromatic system (coronene) with a functional group in the edge was used as a simplified model of AC to evaluate the influence of SG in the course of adsorption from aqueous solution at basic pH conditions. Two SG were modeled in their deprotonated form: carboxyl and hydroxyl (COO - and O - ), interacting with CLDh. In order to model the solvation process, all systems under study were calculated with up to three water molecules. Multiple Minima Hypersurface (MMH) methodology was employed to study the interactions of CLDh with SG on AC using PM7 semiempirical Hamiltonian, to explore the potential energy surfaces of the systems and evaluate their thermodynamic association energies. The re-optimization of representative structures obtained from MMH was done using M06-2X Density Functional Theory. The Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules (QTAIM) was used to characterize the interaction types. As result, the association of CLDh with acidic SG at basic pH conditions preferentially occurs between the two alcohol groups of CLDh with COO - and O - groups and by dispersive interactions of chlorine atoms of CLDh with the graphitic surface. On the other hand, the presence of covalent interactions between the negatively charged oxygen of SG and one hydrogen atom of CLDh alcohol groups (O - ⋯HO interactions) without water molecules, was confirmed by QTAIM study. It can be concluded that the interactions of CLDh with acidic SG of AC under basic pH conditions confirms the physical mechanisms of adsorption process. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  11. Control of the microstructure and surface chemistry of graphene aerogels via pH and time manipulation by a hydrothermal method.

    PubMed

    García-Bordejé, E; Víctor-Román, S; Sanahuja-Parejo, O; Benito, A M; Maser, W K

    2018-02-15

    Three-dimensional graphene aerogels of controlled pore size have emerged as an important platform for several applications such as energy storage or oil-water separation. The aerogels of reduced graphene oxide are mouldable and light weight, with a porosity up to 99.9%, consisting mainly of macropores. Graphene aerogel preparation by self-assembly in the liquid phase is a promising strategy due to its tunability and sustainability. For graphene aerogels prepared by a hydrothermal method, it is known that the pH value has an impact on their properties but it is unclear how pH affects the auto-assembly process leading to the final properties. We have monitored the time evolution of the chemical and morphological properties of aerogels as a function of the initial pH value. In the hydrothermal treatment process, the hydrogel is precipitated earlier and with lower oxygen content for basic pH values (∼13 wt% O) than for acidic pH values (∼20 wt% O). Moreover, ∼7 wt% of nitrogen is incorporated on the graphene nanosheets at basic pH generated by NH 3 addition. To our knowledge, there is no precedent showing that the pH value affects the microstructure of graphene nanosheets, which become more twisted and bent for the more intensive deoxygenation occurring at basic pH. The bent nanosheets attained at pH = 11 reduce the stacking by the basal planes and they connect via the borders, hence leading eventually to higher pore volumes. In contrast, the flatter graphene nanosheets attained under acidic pH entail more stacking and higher oxygen content after a long hydrothermal treatment. The gravimetric absorption capacity of non-polar solvents scales directly with the pore volume. The aerogels have proved to be highly selective, recyclable and robust for the absorption of nonpolar solvents in water. The control of the porous structure and surface chemistry by manipulation of pH and time will also pave the way for other applications such as supercapacitors or batteries.

  12. SLIP CASTING METHOD

    DOEpatents

    Allison, A.G.

    1959-09-01

    S>A process is described for preparing a magnesium oxide slip casting slurry which when used in conjunction with standard casting techniques results in a very strong "green" slip casting and a fired piece of very close dimensional tolerance. The process involves aging an aqueous magnestum oxide slurry, having a basic pH value, until it attains a specified critical viscosity at which time a deflocculating agent is added without upsetting the basic pH value.

  13. Remediation of lead-contaminated soil with non-toxic biodegradable natural ligands extracted from soybean.

    PubMed

    Lee, Yong-Woo; Kim, Chulsung

    2012-01-01

    Bench-scale soil washing studies were performed to evaluate the potential application of non-toxic, biodegradable extracted soybean-complexing ligands for the remediation of lead-contaminated soils. Results showed that, with extracted soybean-complexing ligands, lead solubility extensively increased when pH of the solution was higher than 6, and approximately 10% (500 mg/kg) of lead was removed from a rifle range soil. Two potential primary factors controlling the effectiveness of lead extraction from lead-contaminated soils with natural ligands are adsorption of extracted aqueous lead ions onto the ground soybean and the pH of the extraction solution. More complexing ligands were extracted from the ground soybean as the reaction pH increased. As a result, significantly higher lead extraction efficiency was observed under basic environments. In addition, less adsorption onto soybean was observed when the pH of the solution was higher than 7. Among two available Lewis base functional groups in the extracted soybean-complexing ligands such as carboxylate and the alpha-amino functional groups, the non-protonated alpha-amino functional groups may play an important role for the dissolution of lead from lead-contaminated soil through the formation of soluble lead--ligand complexes.

  14. Fluorescent-Protein Stabilization and High-Resolution Imaging of Cleared, Intact Mouse Brains

    PubMed Central

    Schwarz, Martin K.; Scherbarth, Annemarie; Sprengel, Rolf; Engelhardt, Johann; Theer, Patrick; Giese, Guenter

    2015-01-01

    In order to observe and quantify long-range neuronal connections in intact mouse brain by light microscopy, it is first necessary to clear the brain, thus suppressing refractive-index variations. Here we describe a method that clears the brain and preserves the signal from proteinaceous fluorophores using a pH-adjusted non-aqueous index-matching medium. Successful clearing is enabled through the use of either 1-propanol or tert-butanol during dehydration whilst maintaining a basic pH. We show that high-resolution fluorescence imaging of entire, structurally intact juvenile and adult mouse brains is possible at subcellular resolution, even following many months in clearing solution. We also show that axonal long-range projections that are EGFP-labelled by modified Rabies virus can be imaged throughout the brain using a purpose-built light-sheet fluorescence microscope. To demonstrate the viability of the technique, we determined a detailed map of the monosynaptic projections onto a target cell population in the lateral entorhinal cortex. This example demonstrates that our method permits the quantification of whole-brain connectivity patterns at the subcellular level in the uncut brain. PMID:25993380

  15. Silicone adhesive matrix of verapamil hydrochloride to provide pH-independent sustained release.

    PubMed

    Tolia, Gaurav; Li, S Kevin

    2014-02-01

    Providing pH-independent oral release of weakly basic drugs with conventional matrix tablets can be challenging because of the pH-dependent solubility characteristics of the drugs and the changing pH environment along the gastrointestinal tract. The aim of the present study was to use a hydrophobic polymer to overcome the issue of pH-dependent release of weakly basic model drug verapamil hydrochloride from matrix tablets without the use of organic buffers in the matrix formulations. Silicone pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) polymer was evaluated because of its unique properties of low surface energy, hydrophobicity, low glass transition temperature, high electrical resistance, and barrier to hydrogen ion diffusion. Drug release, hydrogen ion diffusion, tablet contact angle, and internal tablet microenvironment pH with matrix tablets prepared using PSA were compared with those using water-insoluble ethyl cellulose (EC). Silicone PSA films showed higher resistance to hydrogen ion diffusion compared with EC films. Verapamil hydrochloride tablets prepared using silicone PSA showed higher hydrophobicity and lower water uptake than EC tablets. Silicone PSA tablets also showed pH-independent release of verapamil and decreased in dimensions during drug dissolution. By contrast, verapamil hydrochloride tablets prepared using EC did not achieve pH-independent release.

  16. Anodic stripping voltammetry with carbon paste electrodes for rapid Ag(I) and Cu(II) determinations.

    PubMed

    Labar, C; Lamberts, L

    1997-05-01

    The simultaneous determination of silver(I) and copper(II) is realized for the routine analysis of trace levels of these elements by anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV) at the carbon paste electrode (CPE). The electrochemical response is studied in 14 different supporting electrolytes, ranging from acidic solutions (pH 0.1) to neutral and basic (pH 9.7) media, and the parameters governing electrodeposition and stripping steps are characterized for each medium by the use of pseudo-voltammograms. Comparison between different modes of matter transport mechanisms is also given. The dynamic range of the method is 0.05 to 150 mug 1(-1) Ag(I) in the majority of the media studied and can be extended to 400 mug l(-1) in selected media, with a general reproducibility in the +/- 2% range for five replicate measurements. The total analysis time lies between approximately 30 s and 10 min. Activation of the CPE surface has been studied, but this pretreatment is demonstrated to be unfavourable and is replaced by a simpler unique 'cleaning' procedure of dipping the CPE in diluted nitric acid.

  17. Soybean glycinin subunits: Characterization of physicochemical and adhesion properties.

    PubMed

    Mo, Xiaoqun; Zhong, Zhikai; Wang, Donghai; Sun, Xiuzhi

    2006-10-04

    Soybean proteins have shown great potential for applications as renewable and environmentally friendly adhesives. The objective of this work was to study physicochemical and adhesion properties of soy glycinin subunits. Soybean glycinin was extracted from soybean flour and then fractionated into acidic and basic subunits with an estimated purity of 90 and 85%, respectively. Amino acid composition of glycinin subunits was determined. The high hydrophobic amino acid content is a major contributor to the solubility behavior and water resistance of the basic subunits. Acidic subunits and glycinin had similar solubility profiles, showing more than 80% solubility at pH 2.0-4.0 or 6.5-12.0, whereas basic subunits had considerably lower solubility with the minimum at pH 4.5-8.0. Thermal analysis using a differential scanning calorimeter suggested that basic subunits form new oligomeric structures with higher thermal stability than glycinin but no highly ordered structures present in isolated acidic subunits. The wet strength of basic subunits was 160% more than that of acidic subunits prepared at their respective isoelectric points (pI) and cured at 130 degrees C. Both pH and the curing temperature significantly affected adhesive performance. High-adhesion water resistance was usually observed for adhesives from protein prepared at their pI values and cured at elevated temperatures. Basic subunits are responsible for the water resistance of glycinin and are a good starting material for the development of water-resistant adhesives.

  18. Speedy Alchemy.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Deininger, Rolf A.; Berger, Carl F., Jr.

    1983-01-01

    Provides instructions for interfacing a pH meter directly to an Apple II microcomputer without an analog-to-digital converter. Includes program listing (with enough remark statements to make it self-documenting) in Integer Basic to display the pH readings. (Author/JN)

  19. Positional effects of hydroxy groups on catalytic activity of proton-responsive half-sandwich Cp*Iridium(III) complexes

    DOE PAGES

    Suna, Yuki; Fujita, Etsuko; Ertem, Mehmed Z.; ...

    2014-11-12

    Proton-responsive half-sandwich Cp*Ir(III) complexes possessing a bipyridine ligand with two hydroxy groups at the 3,3'-, 4,4'-, 5,5'- or 6,6'-positions (3DHBP, 4DHBP, 5DHBP, or 6DHBP) were systematically investigated. UV-vis titration data provided average pK a values of the hydroxy groups on the ligands. Both hydroxy groups were found to deprotonate in the pH 4.6–5.6 range for the 4–6DHBP complexes. One of the hydroxy groups of the 3DHBP complex exhibited the low pK a value of < 0.4 because the deprotonation is facilitated by the strong intramolecular hydrogen bond formed between the generated oxyanion and the remaining hydroxy group, which in turnmore » leads to an elevated pK a value of ~13.6 for the second deprotonation step. The crystal structures of the 4– and 6DHBP complexes obtained from basic aqueous solutions revealed their deprotonated forms. The intramolecular hydrogen bond in the 3DHBP complex was also observed in the crystal structures. The catalytic activities of these complexes in aqueous phase reactions, at appropriate pH, for hydrogenation of carbon dioxide (pH 8.5), dehydrogenation of formic acid (pH 1.8), transfer hydrogenation reactions using formic acid/formate as a hydrogen source (pH 7.2 and 2.6) were investigated to compare the positional effects of the hydroxy groups. The 4– and 6DHBP complexes exhibited remarkably enhanced catalytic activities under basic conditions because of the resonance effect of the strong electrondonating oxyanions, whereas the 5DHBP complex exhibited negligible activity despite the presence of electron-donating groups. The 3DHBP complex exhibited relatively high catalytic activity at low pH owing to the one strong electron-donating oxyanion group stabilized by the intramolecular hydrogen bond. DFT calculations were employed to study the mechanism of CO₂ hydrogenation by the 4DHBP and 6DHBP complexes, and comparison of the activation free energies of the H₂ heterolysis and CO₂ insertion steps indicated that H₂ heterolysis is the rate-determining step for both complexes. The presence of a pendent base in the 6DHBP complex was found to facilitate the rate-determining step, and renders 6DHBP a more effective catalyst for formate production.« less

  20. A macrocyclic ligand as receptor and Zn(II)-complex receptor for anions in water: binding properties and crystal structures.

    PubMed

    Ambrosi, Gianluca; Formica, Mauro; Fusi, Vieri; Giorgi, Luca; Macedi, Eleonora; Micheloni, Mauro; Paoli, Paola; Pontellini, Roberto; Rossi, Patrizia

    2011-02-01

    Binding properties of 24,29-dimethyl-6,7,15,16-tetraoxotetracyclo[19.5.5.0(5,8).0(14,17)]-1,4,9,13,18,21,24,29-octaazaenatriaconta-Δ(5,8),Δ(14,17)-diene ligand L towards Zn(II) and anions, such as the halide series and inorganic oxoanions (phosphate (Pi), sulfate, pyrophosphate (PPi), and others), were investigated in aqueous solution; in addition, the Zn(II)/L system was tested as a metal-ion-based receptor for the halide series. Ligand L is a cryptand receptor incorporating two squaramide functions in an over-structured chain that connects two opposite nitrogen atoms of the Me(2)[12]aneN(4) polyaza macrocyclic base. It binds Zn(II) to form mononuclear species in which the metal ion, coordinated by the Me(2)[12]aneN(4) moiety, lodges inside the three-dimensional cavity. Zn(II)-containing species are able to bind chloride and fluoride at the physiologically important pH value of 7.4; the anion is coordinated to the metal center but the squaramide units play the key role in stabilizing the anion through a hydrogen-bonding network; two crystal structures reported here clearly show this aspect. Free L is able to bind fluoride, chloride, bromide, sulfate, Pi, and PPi in aqueous solution. The halides are bound at acidic pH, whereas the oxoanions are bound in a wide range of pH values ranging from acidic to basic. The cryptand cavity, abundant in hydrogen-bonding sites at all pH values, allows excellent selectivity towards Pi to be achieved mainly at physiological pH 7.4. By joining amine and squaramide moieties and using this preorganized topology, it was possible, with preservation of the solubility of the receptor, to achieve a very wide pH range in which oxoanions can be bound. The good selectivity towards Pi allows its discrimination in a manner not easily obtainable with nonmetallic systems in aqueous environment. Copyright © 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  1. Floating lipid beads for the improvement of bioavailability of poorly soluble basic drugs: in-vitro optimization and in-vivo performance in humans.

    PubMed

    Abouelatta, Samar M; Aboelwafa, Ahmed A; Khalil, Rawia M; ElGazayerly, Omaima N

    2015-01-01

    The challenge in developing oral drug delivery systems of poorly soluble basic drugs is primarily due to their pH dependent solubility. Cinnarizine (CNZ), a model for a poorly soluble basic drug, has pH dependent solubility; where it dissolves readily at low pH in the stomach and exhibits a very low solubility at pH values greater than 4. It is also characterized by a short half life of 3-6h, which requires frequent daily administration resulting in poor patient compliance. In an attempt to solve these problems, extended release floating lipid beads were formulated. A 2(4) full factorial design was utilized for optimization of the effects of various independent variables; lipid:drug ratio, % Pluronic F-127, % Sterotex, and Gelucire 43/01:Gelucire 50/13 ratio, on the loading efficiency and release of CNZ from the lipid beads. In-vivo pharmacokinetic study of the optimized CNZ-lipid beads compared to Stugeron® (reference standard) was performed in healthy human volunteers. A promising approach for enhancing the bioavailability of the poorly soluble basic drug, CNZ, utilizing novel and simple floating lipid beads was successfully developed. Zero order release profile of CNZ was achieved for 12h. Mean AUC0-24 and AUC0-∞ of the optimized CNZ-loaded lipid beads were 4.23 and 6.04 times that of Stugeron® tablets respectively. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  2. Dehydration and Stabilization of a Reactive Tertiary Hydroxyl Group in Solid Oral Dosage Forms of BMS-779788.

    PubMed

    Adams, Monica L; Sharma, Vijayata; Gokhale, Madhushree; Huang, Yande; Stefanski, Kevin; Su, Ching; Hussain, Munir A

    2016-04-01

    BMS-779788 contains a reactive tertiary hydroxyl attached to a weakly basic imidazole ring. Propensity of the carbinol toward dehydration to yield the corresponding alkene, BMS-779788-ALK, was evaluated. Elevated levels of BMS-779788-ALK were observed in excipient compatibility samples. Stability studies revealed that BMS-779788 degrades to BMS-779788-ALK in capsules and tablets prepared by both dry and wet granulation processes. An acid-catalyzed dehydration mechanism, in which the heterocyclic core contributes resonance stability to the cationic intermediate via charge transfer to the imidazole ring, was proposed. Therefore, neutralization via a buffered (pH 7.0) granulating solution was used to mitigate dehydration. Solution studies revealed degradation of BMS-779788 to BMS-779788-ALK over the pH range of 1-7.5. Reversibility was confirmed by initiating reactions with BMS-779788-ALK over the same pH range. Accordingly, a simple reversible scheme can be used to describe reactions initiated with either BMS-779788 or BMS-779788-ALK. To eliminate potential for charge delocalization across the heterocycle and probe the degradation mechanism, the imidazole ring of BMS-779788 was methylated (BMS-779788-Me). The propensity for acid-catalyzed dehydration was then evaluated. The acid stability of BMS-779788-Me confirmed that the heterocyclic core contributes to reactivity liability of the tertiary hydroxyl. Copyright © 2016 American Pharmacists Association®. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  3. Impaired drug absorption due to high stomach pH: a review of strategies for mitigation of such effect to enable pharmaceutical product development.

    PubMed

    Mitra, Amitava; Kesisoglou, Filippos

    2013-11-04

    Published reports have clearly shown that weakly basic drugs which have low solubility at high pH could have impaired absorption in patients with high gastric pH thus leading to reduced and variable bioavailability. Since such reduction in exposure can lead to significant loss of efficacy, it is imperative to (1) understand the behavior of the compound as a function of stomach pH to inform of any risk of bioavailability loss in clinical studies and (2) develop a robust formulation which can provide adequate exposure in achlorhydric patients. In this review paper, we provide an overview of the factors that can cause high gastric pH in human, discuss clinical and preclinical pharmacokinetic data for weak bases under conditions of normal and high gastric pH, and give examples of formulation strategies to minimize or mitigate the reduced absorption of weakly basic drugs under high gastric pH conditions. It should be noted that the ability to overcome pH sensitivity issues is highly compound dependent and there are no obvious and general solutions to overcome such effect. Further, we discuss, along with several examples, the use of biopharmaceutical tools such as in vitro dissolution, absorption modeling, and gastric pH modified animal models to assess absorption risk of weak bases in high gastric pH and also the use of these tools to enable development of formulations to mitigate such effects.

  4. Effect of pH on structure, function, and stability of mitochondrial carbonic anhydrase VA.

    PubMed

    Idrees, Danish; Shahbaaz, Mohd; Bisetty, Krishna; Islam, Asimul; Ahmad, Faizan; Hassan, Md Imtaiyaz

    2017-02-01

    Mitochondrial carbonic anhydrase VA (CAVA) catalyzes the hydration of carbon dioxide to produce proton and bicarbonate which is primarily expressed in the mitochondrial matrix of liver, and involved in numerous physiological processes including lipogenesis, insulin secretion from pancreatic cells, ureagenesis, gluconeogenesis, and neuronal transmission. To understand the effect of pH on the structure, function, and stability of CAVA, we employed spectroscopic techniques such as circular dichroism, fluorescence, and absorbance measurements in wide range of pH (from pH 2.0 to pH 11.5). CAVA showed an aggregation at acidic pH range from pH 2.0 to pH 5.0. However, it remains stable and maintains its secondary structure in the pH range, pH 7.0-pH 11.5. Furthermore, this enzyme has an appreciable activity at more than pH 7.0 (7.0 < pH ≤ 11.5) with maximum activity at pH 9.0. The maximal values of k cat and k cat /K m at pH 9.0 are 3.7 × 10 6  s -1 and 5.5 × 10 7  M -1  s -1 , respectively. However, this enzyme loses its activity in the acidic pH range. We further performed 20-ns molecular dynamics simulation of CAVA to see the dynamics at different pH values. An excellent agreement was observed between in silico and in vitro studies. This study provides an insight into the activity of CAVA in the pH range of subcellular environment.

  5. Fluorescent Probes for Sensitive and Selective Detection of pH Changes in Live Cells in Visible and Near-infrared Channels.

    PubMed

    Fang, Mingxi; Adhikari, Rashmi; Bi, Jianheng; Mazi, Wafa; Dorh, Nethaniah; Wang, Jianbo; Conner, Nathan; Ainsley, Jon; Karabencheva-Christova, Tatyana G; Luo, Fen-Tair; Tiwari, Ashutosh; Liu, Haiying

    2017-12-28

    We report five fluorescent probes based on coumarin-hybridized fluorescent dyes with spirolactam ring structures (A-E) to detect pH changes in live cell by monitoring visible and near-infrared fluorescence changes. Under physiological or basic conditions, the fluorescent probes A, B, C, D and E preserve their spirolactam ring-closed forms and only display fluorescent peaks in the visible region corresponding to coumarin moieties at 497, 483, 498, 497 and 482 nm, respectively. However, at acidic pH, the rings of the spirolactam forms of the fluorescent probes A, B, C, D and E open up, generating new near-infrared fluorescence peaks at 711, 696, 707, 715, and 697 nm, respectively, through significantly extended π-conjugation to coumarin moieties of the fluorophores. The fluorescent probes B and E can be applied to visualize pH changes by monitoring visible as well as near-infrared fluorescence changes. This helps avoid fluorescence imaging blind spots at neutral or basic pH, which typical pH fluorescent probes encounter. The probes exhibit high sensitivity to pH changes, excellent photostability, low auto-fluorescence background and good cell membrane permeability.

  6. Simple and effective label-free capillary electrophoretic analysis of sugars by complexation using quinoline boronic acids.

    PubMed

    Kubo, Takuya; Kanemori, Koichi; Kusumoto, Risa; Kawai, Takayuki; Sueyoshi, Kenji; Naito, Toyohiro; Otsuka, Koji

    2015-01-01

    An effective separation and detection procedure for sugars by capillary electrophoresis (CE) using a complexation between quinolineboronic acid (QBA) and multiple hydroxyl structure of sugar alcohol is reported. We investigated the variation of fluorescence spectra of a variety of QBAs with sorbitol at a wide range of pH conditions and then found that 5-isoQBA strongly enhanced the fluorescence intensity by the complexation at basic pH conditions. The other sugar alcohols having multiple hydroxyls also revealed the enhancement of the fluorescence intensity with 5-isoQBA, whereas the alternation of the intensity was not found in the sugars such as glucose. After optimization of the 5-isoQBA concentration and pH of the buffered solution in CE analysis, 6 sugar alcohols were successfully separated in the order based on the formation constants with 5-isoQBA, which were calculated from the variation of the fluorescence intensity with each sugar alcohol and 5-isoQBA. Furthermore, the limits of detection for sorbitol and xylitol by the CE method were estimated at 15 and 27 μM, respectively.

  7. Zeta Potential Measurements on Solid Surfaces for in Vitro Biomaterials Testing: Surface Charge, Reactivity Upon Contact With Fluids and Protein Absorption

    PubMed Central

    Ferraris, Sara; Cazzola, Martina; Peretti, Veronica; Stella, Barbara; Spriano, Silvia

    2018-01-01

    Surface properties of biomaterials (e.g., roughness, chemical composition, charge, wettability, and hydroxylation degree) are key features to understand and control the complex interface phenomena that happens upon contact with physiological fluids. Numerous physico-chemical techniques can be used in order to investigate in depth these crucial material features. Among them, zeta potential measurements are widely used for the characterization of colloidal suspensions, but actually poorly explored in the study of solid surfaces, even if they can give significant information about surface charge in function of pH and indirectly about surface functional groups and reactivity. The aim of the present research is application of zeta potential measurements of solid surfaces for the in vitro testing of biomaterials. In particular, bare and surface modified Ti6Al4V samples have been compared in order to evaluate their isoelectric points (IEPs), surface charge at physiological pH, in vitro bioactivity [in simulated body fluid (SBF)] and protein absorption. Zeta potential titration was demonstrated as a suitable technique for the surface characterization of surface treated Ti6Al4V substrates. Significant shift of the isoelectric point was recorded after a chemical surface treatment (because of the exposition of hydroxyl groups), SBF soaking (because of apatite precipitation IEP moves close to apatite one) and protein absorption (IEP moves close to protein ones). Moreover, the shape of the curve gives information about exposed functional groups (e.g., a plateau in the basic range appears due to the exposition of acidic OH groups and in the acidic range due to exposition of basic NH2 groups). PMID:29868575

  8. Procongopain from Trypanosoma congolense is processed at basic pH: an unusual feature among cathepsin L-like cysteine proteases.

    PubMed

    Serveau, Carole; Boulangé, Alain; Lecaille, Fabien; Gauthier, Francis; Authié, Edith; Lalmanach, Gilles

    2003-06-01

    Congopain, the major cysteine protease from Trypanosoma congolense, is synthesized as an inactive zymogen, and further converted into its active form after removal of the proregion, most probably via an autocatalytic mechanism. Processing of recombinant procongopain occurs via an apparent one-step or a multistep mechanism depending on the ionic strength. The auto-activation is pH-dependent, with an optimum at pH 4.0, and no activation observed at pH 6.0. After addition of dextran sulfate (10 microg/ml), an approx. 20-fold increase of processing (expressed as enzymatic activity) is observed. Furthermore, in the presence of dextran sulfate, procongopain can be processed at pH 8.0, an unusual feature among papain-like enzymes. Detection of procongopain and trypanosomal enzymatic activity in the plasma of T. congolense-infected cattle, together with the capacity of procongopain to be activated at weakly basic pH, suggest that procongopain may be extracellularly processed in the presence of blood vessel glycosaminoglycans, supporting the hypothesis that congopain acts as a pathogenic factor in host-parasite relationships.

  9. Monitoring the Long-Term Degradation Behavior of Biomimetic Bioadhesive using Wireless Magnetoelastic Sensor

    PubMed Central

    Lin, Meng-Hsien; Anderson, Jonathan; Pinnaratip, Rattapol; Meng, Hao; Konst, Shari; DeRouin, Andrew J.; Rajachar, Rupak

    2015-01-01

    The degradation behavior of a tissue adhesive is critical to its ability to repair a wound while minimizing prolonged inflammatory response. Traditional degradation tests can be expensive to perform, as they require large numbers of samples. The potential for using magnetoelastic resonant sensors to track bioadhesive degradation behavior was investigated. Specifically, biomimetic poly(ethylene glycol)- (PEG-) based adhesive was coated onto magnetoelastic (ME) sensor strips. Adhesive-coated samples were submerged in solutions buffered at multiple pH levels (5.7, 7.4 and 10.0) at body temperature (37°C) and the degradation behavior of the adhesive was tracked wirelessly by monitoring the changes in the resonant amplitude of the sensors for over 80 days. Adhesive incubated at pH 7.4 degraded over 75 days, which matched previously published data for bulk degradation behavior of the adhesive while utilizing significantly less material (~103 times lower). Adhesive incubated at pH 10.0 degraded within 25 days while samples incubated at pH 5.7 did not completely degrade even after 80 days of incubation. As expected, the rate of degradation increased with increasing pH as the rate of ester bond hydrolysis is higher under basic conditions. As a result of requiring a significantly lower amount of samples compared to traditional methods, the ME sensing technology is highly attractive for fully characterizing the degradation behavior of tissue adhesives in a wide range of physiological conditions. PMID:26087077

  10. Methodological assessment of the reduction of the content of impurities in nimodipine emulsion via the use of 21 amino acid protection

    PubMed Central

    Xie, Yiqiao; Zhuang, Zhiquan; Zhang, Shu; Xia, Zihua; Chen, De; Fan, Kaiyan; Ren, Jialin; Lin, CuiCui; Chen, Yanzhong; Yang, Fan

    2017-01-01

    Purpose The present study examined the factors affecting the content of impurities of nimodipine (NMP) emulsion and the associated methods of compound protection. Methods Destructive testing of NMP emulsion and its active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) were conducted, and ultracentrifugation was used to study the content of impurities in two phases. The impurity of NMP was measured under different potential of hydrogen (pH) conditions, antioxidants and pH-adjusting agents. Results Following destruction, the degradation of NMP notably occurred in the basic environment. The consumption of the pH-adjusting agent NaOH was proportional to the production of impurities since the inorganic base and/or acid promoted the degradation of NMP. The organic antioxidants, notably amino acids with an appropriate length of intermediate chain and electron-donating side group, exhibited improved antioxidant effects compared with inorganic antioxidants. The minimal amount of impurities was produced following addition of 0.04% lysine and 0.06% leucine in the aqueous phase and adjustment of the pH to a range of 7.5–8.0 in the presence of acetic acid solution. Conclusion NMP was more prone to degradation in an oxidative environment, in an aqueous phase and/or in the presence of inorganic pH-adjusting agents and antioxidants. The appropriate antioxidant and pH-adjusting agent should be selected according to the chemical structure, while destructive testing of the drug is considered to play the optimal protective effect. PMID:28490879

  11. Introduction of agarose gel as a green membrane in electromembrane extraction: An efficient procedure for the extraction of basic drugs with a wide range of polarities.

    PubMed

    Tabani, Hadi; Asadi, Sakine; Nojavan, Saeed; Parsa, Mitra

    2017-05-12

    Developing green methods for analyte extraction is one of the most important topics in the field of sample preparation. In this study, for the first time, agarose gel was used as membrane in electromembrane extraction (EME) without using any organic solvent, for the extraction of four model basic drugs (rivastigmine (RIV), verapamil (VER), amlodipine (AML), and morphine (MOR)) with a wide polarity window (log P from 0.43 to 3.7). Different variables playing vital roles in the proposed method were evaluated and optimized. As a driving force, a 25V electrical field was applied to make the analyte migrate from sample solution with pH 7.0, through the agarose gel 3% (w/v) with 5mm thickness, into an acceptor phase (AP) with pH 2.0. The best extraction efficiency was obtained with an extraction duration of 25min. With this new methodology, MOR with high polarity (log P=0.43) was efficiently extracted without using any carrier or ion pair reagents. Limits of detection (LODs) and quantification (LOQs) were in the ranges of 1.5-1.8ngmL -1 and 5.0-6.0ngmL -1 , respectively. Finally, the proposed method was successfully applied to determine concentrations of the model drugs in the wastewater sample. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  12. Cr(VI) Sorption by Nanosized FeS-Coated Sand

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Park, M.; Jeong, H. Y.; Lee, S.; Kang, N.; Kim, K. H.; Choi, H. J.

    2015-12-01

    Cr(VI) sorption experiments were conducted as a function of pH (4.7, 7.0 and 9.7) using nanosized FeS-coated sand under anoxic environments. Under the experimental conditions, the sand used, with the FeS content of 0.068 mmol per 1 g sand, completely reduced the initially added Cr(VI) to Cr(III) over the pH range examined. The sorption of the once-reduced Cr(III) varied greatly with the solution pH. By the solution-phase analysis, significant amounts of Cr(III) remained as dissolved species at pH 4.7. On the other hands, dissolved Cr was below the detection limit (0.2 μM) at pH 7.0 and 9.7, indicating the greater sorption of Cr(III) at neutral to basic pH than acidic pH. From Cr-K edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) analysis of the solid products, the sorbed Cr was shown to be present predominantly as trivalent state in all samples. Regardless of pH, the second coordination shell around Cr (i.e., the Cr-Cr(Fe) shell) was shown to be located at ~2.6 Å, which was far shorter than those in Cr(III)-bearing model compounds such as Cr(OH)3(s) and [Cr, Fe](OH)3(s). Furthermore, the coordination numbers of the second and third shells in the sorption samples (N = 0.7-1.8) were much lower than those in Cr(OH)3(s) and [Cr, Fe](OH)3(s). Taken together, the sorption of the once-reduced Cr(III) was likely to occur via surface-mediated processes (e.g., surface complexation and/or surface precipitation) rather than the bulk-phase precipitation. Financial support was provided by the "R&D Project on Environmental Management of Geologic CO2 Storage" from the KEITI (Project Number: 2014001810003).

  13. Effect of pH and calcium on short-term NO3- fluxes in roots of barley seedlings

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Aslam, M.; Travis, R. L.; Huffaker, R. C.

    1995-01-01

    The effect of pH and Ca2+ on net NO3- uptake, influx, and efflux by intact roots of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) seedlings was studied. Seedlings were induced with NO3- or NO2-. Net NO3- uptake and efflux, respectively, were determined by following its depletion from, and accumulation in, the external solution. Since roots of both uninduced and NO2(-)-induced seedlings contain little internal NO3- initial net uptake rates are equivalent to influx (M. Aslam, R.L. Travis, R.C. Huffaker [1994] Plant Physiol 106: 1293-1301). NO3-, uptake (influx) by these roots was little affected at acidic pH. In contrast, in NO3(-)-induced roots, which accumulate NO3-, net uptake rates decreased in response to acidic pH. Under these conditions, NO3- efflux was stimulated and was a function of root NO3- concentration. Conversely, at basic pH, NO3- uptake by NO3- and NO2(-)-induced and uninduced roots decreased, apparently because of the inhibition of influx. Calcium had little effect on NO3- uptake (influx) by NO2(-)-induced roots at either pH 3 or 6. However, in NO3(-)-induced roots, lack of Ca2+ at pH 3 significantly decreased net NO3- uptake and stimulated efflux. The results indicate that at acidic pH the decrease in net NO3- uptake is due to the stimulation of efflux, whereas at basic pH, it is due to the inhibition of influx.

  14. Fate of prions in soil: trapped conformation of full-length ovine prion protein induced by adsorption on clays.

    PubMed

    Revault, M; Quiquampoix, H; Baron, M H; Noinville, S

    2005-08-05

    Studying the mechanism of retention of ovine prion protein in soils will tackle the environmental aspect of potential dissemination of scrapie infectious agent. We consider the surface-induced conformational changes that the recombinant ovine prion protein (ovPrP) may undergo under different pH conditions when interacting with soil minerals of highly adsorptive capacities such as montmorillonite. The conformational states of the full-length ovine prion protein adsorbed on the electronegative clay surface are compared to its solvated state in deuterated buffer in the pD range 3.5-9, using FTIR spectroscopy. The in vitro pH-induced conversion of the alpha-helical monomer of ovPrP into oligomers of beta-like structure prone to self-aggregation does not occur when the protein is adsorbed on the clay surface. The conformation of the trapped ovPrP molecules on montmorillonite is pH-independent and looks like that of the ovPrP solvated state at pD higher than 7, suggesting the major role of Arg and Lys residues in the electrostatic origin of adsorption. The uneven distribution of positively and negatively charged residues of the ovPrP protein would promote a favored orientation of the protein towards the clay, so that not only the basic residues embedded in the N-terminal flexible part but also external basic residues in the globular part of the protein might participate to the attractive interaction. From these results, it appears unlikely that the interaction of normal prions (PrP(C)) with soil clay surfaces could induce a change of conformation leading to the pathogenic form of prions (PrP(Sc)).

  15. Adsorption of 6-mercaptopurine and 6-mercaptopurine riboside on silver colloid: a pH dependent surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy and density functional theory study. Part I. 6-Mercaptopurine

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Szeghalmi, A. V.; Leopold, L.; Pînzaru, S.; Chis, V.; Silaghi-Dumitrescu, I.; Schmitt, M.; Popp, J.; Kiefer, W.

    2005-02-01

    Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) on silver colloid has been applied to characterize the interaction of 6-mercaptopurine (6MP), an active drug used in chemotherapy of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, with a model biological substrate at therapeutical concentrations and as function of the pH value. The adsorption active sites and molecular orientation on the metal surface have been determined on the basis of SERS 'surface selection rules' subsequent to a detailed vibrational analysis of the 6MP tautomeric forms. Therefore, DFT calculations (vibrational wavenumbers, Raman scattering activities, partial atomic charges) of the optimized tautomers and potential energy distribution calculations have been performed. Around neutral pH value reorientation of the molecule has been observed. Under basic conditions the 6MP molecule is probably adsorbed on the silver colloid through the N1 atom of the purine ring and possibly the S atom, and adopts a tilted orientation to the surface. A reduction in the number of adsorbed molecules under basic conditions is proposed, since the SERS spectrum recorded at 10-6 M concentration at neutral pH value resembles the SERS spectra obtained under basic conditions at 10-5 M concentration. At acidic pH values a stronger interaction through the N9 and N3 atoms is suggested with an end-on orientation.

  16. Naturally occurring alkaline amino acids function as efficient catalysts on Knoevenagel condensation at physiological pH: a mechanistic elucidation.

    PubMed

    Li, Weina; Fedosov, Sergey; Tan, Tianwei; Xu, Xuebing; Guo, Zheng

    2014-05-01

    To maintain biological functions, thousands of different reactions take place in human body at physiological pH (7.0) and mild conditions, which is associated with health and disease. Therefore, to examine the catalytic function of the intrinsically occurring molecules, such as amino acids at neutral pH, is of fundamental interests. Natural basic α-amino acid of L-lysine, L-arginine, and L-histidine neutralized to physiological pH as salts were investigated for their ability to catalyze Knoevenagel condensation of benzaldehyde and ethyl cyanoacetate. Compared with their free base forms, although neutralized alkaline amino acid salts reduced the catalytic activity markedly, they were still capable to perform an efficient catalysis at physiological pH as porcine pancreatic lipase (PPL), one of the best enzymes that catalyze Knoevenagel condensation. In agreement with the fact that the three basic amino acids were well neutralized, stronger basic amino acid Arg and Lys showed more obvious variation in NH bend peak from the FTIR spectroscopy study. Study of ethanol/water system and quantitative kinetic analysis suggested that the microenvironment in the vicinity of amino acid salts and protonability/deprotonability of the amine moiety may determine their catalytic activity and mechanism. The kinetic study of best approximation suggested that the random binding might be the most probable catalytic mechanism for the neutralized alkaline amino acid salt-catalyzed Knoevenagel condensation.

  17. Spectrophotometric determination of basic fuchsin from various water samples after vortex assisted solid phase extraction using reduced graphene oxide as an adsorbent.

    PubMed

    Tokalıoğlu, Şerife; Yavuz, Emre; Aslantaş, Ayşe; Şahan, Halil; Taşkın, Ferhat; Patat, Şaban

    2015-01-01

    In this study, a fast and simple vortex assisted solid phase extraction method was developed for the separation/preconcentration of basic fuchsin in various water samples. The determination of basic fuchsin was carried out at a wavelength of 554 nm by spectrophotometry. Reduced graphene oxide which was used as a solid phase extractor was synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and the Brunauer, Emmett and Teller. The optimum conditions are as follows: pH 2, contact times for adsorption and elution of 30 s and 90 s, respectively, 10 mg adsorbent, and eluent (ethanol) volume of 1 mL. The effects of some interfering ions and dyes were investigated. The method was linear in the concentration range of 50-250 μg L(-1). The adsorption capacity was 34.1 mg g(-1). The preconcentration factor, limit of detection and precision (RSD, %) of the method were found to be 400, 0.07 μg L(-1) and 1.2%, respectively. The described method was validated by analyzing basic fuchsin spiked certified reference material (SPS-WW1 Batch 114-Wastewater) and spiked real water samples. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  18. Recovery and redispersion of gold nanoparticles using the self-assembly of a pH sensitive zwitterionic amphiphile.

    PubMed

    Morita-Imura, Clara; Imura, Yoshiro; Kawai, Takeshi; Shindo, Hitoshi

    2014-11-04

    The pH-responsive self-assembly of zwitterionic amphiphile C16CA was expanded to the recovery of gold (Au) nanoparticles for environmentally friendly chemistry applications. Multilayered lamellae at pH ∼ 4 were successfully incorporated into nanoparticles by dispersion. Redispersion of nanoparticles was achieved under basic conditions by the transition of self-assembly.

  19. Stoichiometry and pH dependence of the rabbit proton-dependent oligopeptide transporter PepT1.

    PubMed

    Steel, A; Nussberger, S; Romero, M F; Boron, W F; Boyd, C A; Hediger, M A

    1997-02-01

    1. The intestinal H(+)-coupled peptide transporter PepT1, displays a broad substrate specificity and accepts most charged and neutral di- and tripeptides. To study the proton-to-peptide stoichiometry and the dependence of the kinetic parameters on extracellular pH (pHo), rabbit PepT1 was expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes and used for uptake studies of radiolabelled neutral and charged dipeptides, voltage-clamp analysis and intracellular pH measurements. 2. PepT1 did not display the substrate-gated anion conductances that have been found to be characteristic of members of the Na(+)- and H(+)-coupled high-affinity glutamate transporter family. In conjunction with previous data on the ion dependence of PepT1, it can therefore be concluded that peptide-evoked charge fluxes of PepT1 are entirely due to H+ movement. 3. Neutral, acidic and basic dipeptides induced intracellular acidification. The rate of acidification, the initial rates of the uptake of radiolabelled peptides and the associated charge fluxes gave proton-substrate coupling ratios of 1:1, 2:1 and 1:1 for neutral, acidic and basic dipeptides, respectively. 4. Maximal transport of the neutral and charged dipeptides Gly-Leu, Gly-Glu, Gly-Lys and Ala-Lys occurred at pHo 5.5, 5.2, 6.2 and 5.8, respectively. The Imax values were relatively pHo independent but the apparent affinity (Km(app) values for these peptides were shown to be highly pHo dependent. 5. Our data show that at physiological pH (pHo 5.5-6.0) PepT1 prefers neutral and acidic peptides. The shift in transport maximum for the acidic peptide Gly-Glu to a lower pH value suggests that acidic dipeptides are transported in the protonated form. The shift in the transport maxima of the basic dipeptides to higher pH values may involve titration of a side-chain on the transporter molecule (e.g. protonation of a histidine group). These considerations have led us to propose a model for coupled transport of neutral, acidic and basic dipeptides.

  20. Two-step voltage dual electromembrane extraction: A new approach to simultaneous extraction of acidic and basic drugs.

    PubMed

    Asadi, Sakine; Nojavan, Saeed

    2016-06-07

    In the present work, acidic and basic drugs were simultaneously extracted by a novel method of high efficiency herein referred to as two-step voltage dual electromembrane extraction (TSV-DEME). Optimizing effective parameters such as composition of organic liquid membrane, pH values of donor and acceptor solutions, voltage and duration of each step, the method had its figures of merit investigated in pure water, human plasma, wastewater, and breast milk samples. Simultaneous extraction of acidic and basic drugs was done by applying potentials of 150 V and 400 V for 6 min and 19 min as the first and second steps, respectively. The model compounds were extracted from 4 mL of sample solution (pH = 6) into 20 μL of each acceptor solution (32 mM NaOH for acidic drugs and 32 mM HCL for basic drugs). 1-Octanol was immobilized within the pores of a porous hollow fiber of polypropylene, as the supported liquid membrane (SLM) for acidic drugs, and 2-ethyle hexanol, as the SLM for basic drugs. The proposed TSV-DEME technique provided good linearity with the resulting correlation coefficients ranging from 0.993 to 0.998 over a concentration range of 1-1000 ng mL(-1). The limit of detections of the drugs were found to range within 0.3-1.5 ng mL(-1), while the corresponding repeatability ranged from 7.7 to 15.5% (n = 4). The proposed method was further compared to simple dual electromembrane extraction (DEME), indicating significantly higher recoveries for TSV-DEME procedure (38.1-68%), as compared to those of simple DEME procedure (17.7-46%). Finally, the optimized TSV-DEME was applied to extract and quantify model compounds in breast milk, wastewater, and plasma samples. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  1. Hematin crystallization from aqueous and organic solvents

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ketchum, Megan A.; Olafson, Katy N.; Petrova, Elena V.; Rimer, Jeffrey D.; Vekilov, Peter G.

    2013-09-01

    Hematin crystallization is the main mechanism of detoxification of heme that is released in malaria-infected erythrocytes as a byproduct of the hemoglobin catabolism by the parasite. A controversy exists over whether hematin crystals grow from the aqueous medium of the parasite's digestive vacuole or in the lipid bodies present in the vacuole. To this end, we compare the basic thermodynamic and structural features of hematin crystallization in an aqueous buffer at pH 4.8, as in the digestive vacuole, and in water-saturated octanol that mimics the environment of the lipid nanospheres. We show that in aqueous solutions, hematin aggregation into mesoscopic disordered clusters is insignificant. We determine the solubility of the β-hematin crystals in the pH range 4.8-7.6. We image by atomic force microscopy crystals grown at pH 4.8 and show that their macroscopic and mesoscopic morphology features are incompatible with those reported for biological hemozoin. In contrast, crystals grown in the presence of octanol are very similar to those extracted from parasites. We determine the hematin solubility in water-saturated octanol at three temperatures. These solubilities are four orders of magnitude higher than that at pH 4.8, providing for faster crystallization from organic than from aqueous solvents. These observations further suggest that the lipid bodies play a role in mediating biological hemozoin crystal growth to ensure faster heme detoxification.

  2. A Neutral Thermostable β-1,4-Glucanase from Humicola insolens Y1 with Potential for Applications in Various Industries

    PubMed Central

    Zhang, Wei; Huang, Huoqing; Shi, Pengjun; Luo, Huiying; Liu, Bo; Zhang, Yuhong; Zhang, Zhifang; Fan, Yunliu; Yao, Bin

    2015-01-01

    We cloned a new glycoside hydrolase family 6 gene, Hicel6C, from the thermophilic fungus Humicola insolens Y1 and expressed it in Pichia pastoris. Using barley β-glucan as a substrate, recombinant HiCel6C protein exhibited neutral pH (6.5) and high temperature (70°C) optima. Distinct from most reported acidic fungal endo-β-1,4-glucanases, HiCel6C was alkali-tolerant, retaining greater than 98.0, 61.2, and 27.6% of peak activity at pH 8.0, 9.0, and 10.0, respectively, and exhibited good stability over a wide pH range (pH 5.0−11.0) and at temperatures up to 60°C. The K m and V max values of HiCel6C for barley β-glucan were 1.29 mg/mL and 752 μmol/min·mg, respectively. HiCel6C was strictly specific for the β-1,4-glucoside linkage exhibiting activity toward barley β-glucan, lichenan, and carboxy methylcellulose sodium salt (CMC-Na), but not toward laminarin (1,3-β-glucan). HiCel6C cleaved the internal glycosidic linkages of cellooligosaccharides randomly and thus represents an endo-cleaving enzyme. The predominant product of polysaccharide hydrolysis by HiCel6C was cellobiose, suggesting that it functions by an endo-processive mechanism. The favorable properties of HiCel6C make it a good candidate for basic research and for applications in the textile and brewing industries. PMID:25909505

  3. Phenylboronate chromatography selectively separates glycoproteins through the manipulation of electrostatic, charge transfer, and cis-diol interactions.

    PubMed

    Carvalho, Rimenys J; Woo, James; Aires-Barros, M Raquel; Cramer, Steven M; Azevedo, Ana M

    2014-10-01

    Phenylboronate chromatography (PBC) has been applied for several years, however details regarding the mechanisms of interactions between the ligand and biomolecules are still scarce. The goal of this work is to investigate the various chemical interactions between proteins and their ligands, using a protein library containing both glycosylated and nonglycosylated proteins. Differences in the adsorption of these proteins over a pH range from 4 to 9 were related to two main properties: charge and presence of glycans. Acidic or neutral proteins were strongly adsorbed below pH 8 although the uncharged trigonal form of phenylboronate (PB) is less susceptible to forming electrostatic and cis-diol interactions with proteins. The glycosylated proteins were only adsorbed above pH 8 when the electrostatic repulsion between the boronate anion and the protein surface was mitigated (at 200 mM NaCl). All basic proteins were highly adsorbed above pH 8 with PB also acting as a cation-exchanger with binding occurring through electrostatic interactions. Batch adsorption performed at acidic conditions in the presence of Lewis base showed that charge-transfer interactions are critical for protein retention. This study demonstrates the multimodal interaction of PBC, which can be a selective tool for separation of different classes of proteins. Copyright © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  4. Urine pH test

    MedlinePlus

    ... 2015:chap 4. Remer T, Manz F. Potential renal acid load of foods and its influence on urine pH. J Am Diet Assoc . 1995;95(7):791-797. PMID: 7797810 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7797810 . Riley RS, McPherson RA. Basic examination of urine. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, ...

  5. Adsorption of a reactive dye on chemically modified activated carbons--influence of pH.

    PubMed

    Orfão, J J M; Silva, A I M; Pereira, J C V; Barata, S A; Fonseca, I M; Faria, P C C; Pereira, M F R

    2006-04-15

    The surface chemistry of a commercial activated carbon with a slightly basic nature was modified by appropriate treatments in order to obtain two additional samples, respectively with acidic and basic properties, without changing its textural parameters significantly. Different techniques (N2 adsorption at 77 K, temperature programmed desorption, and determination of acidity, basicity, and pH at the point of zero charge) were used to characterize the adsorbents. Kinetic and equilibrium adsorption data of a selected textile reactive dye (Rifafix Red 3BN, C.I. reactive red 241) on the mentioned materials were obtained at the pH values of 2, 7, and 12. The kinetic curves are fitted using the second-order model. The respective rate constants seem to diminish progressively with the initial concentration for the more diluted solutions tested, reaching a constant value at higher concentrations, which depends on the experimental system under consideration (adsorbent and pH). In general, the Langmuir model provides the best fit for the equilibrium data. The different uptakes obtained are discussed in relation to the surface chemical properties of the adsorbents. It is shown that the adsorption of the reactive (anionic) dye on the basic sample (prepared by thermal treatment under H2 flow at 700 degrees C) is favored. This conclusion is explained on the basis of the dispersive and electrostatic interactions involved. Moreover, it is also shown that the optimal adsorption condition for all the activated carbons tested corresponds to solution pH values not higher than the pH(pzc) of the adsorbents, which may be interpreted by taking into account the electrostatic forces present.

  6. The photochemical reaction cycle and photoinduced proton transfer of sensory rhodopsin II (Phoborhodopsin) from Halobacterium salinarum.

    PubMed

    Tamogami, Jun; Kikukawa, Takashi; Ikeda, Yoichi; Takemura, Ayaka; Demura, Makoto; Kamo, Naoki

    2010-04-07

    Sensory rhodopsin II (HsSRII, also called phoborhodopsin) is a negative phototaxis receptor of Halobacterium salinarum, a bacterium that avoids blue-green light. In this study, we expressed the protein in Escherichia coli cells, and reconstituted the purified protein with phosphatidylcholine. The reconstituted HsSRII was stable. We examined the photocycle by flash-photolysis spectroscopy in the time range of milliseconds to seconds, and measured proton uptake/release using a transparent indium-tin oxide electrode. The pKa of the counterion of the Schiff base, Asp(73), was 3.0. Below pH 3, the depleted band was observed on flash illumination, but the positive band in the difference spectra was not found. Above pH 3, the basic photocycle was HsSRII (490) --> M (350) --> O (520) --> Y (490) --> HsSRII, where the numbers in parentheses are the maximum wavelengths. The decay rate of O-intermediate and Y-intermediate were pH-independent, whereas the M-intermediate decay was pH-dependent. For 3 < pH < 4.5, the M-decay was one phase, and the rate decreased with an increase in pH. For 4.5 < pH < 6.5, the decay was one phase with pH-independent rates, and azide markedly accelerated the M-decay. These findings suggest the existence of a protonated amino acid residue (X-H) that may serve as a proton relay to reprotonate the Schiff base. Above pH 6.5, the M-decay showed two phases. The fast M-decay was pH-independent and originated from the molecule having a protonated X-H, and the slow M-decay originated from the molecule having a deprotonated X, in which the proton came directly from the outside. The analysis yielded a value of 7.5 for the pKa of X-H. The proton uptake and release occurred during M-decay and O-decay, respectively. Copyright (c) 2010 Biophysical Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  7. Isolation of levoglucosan from lignocellulosic pyrolysis oil derived from wood or waste newsprint

    DOEpatents

    Moens, L.

    1995-07-11

    A method is provided for preparing high purity levoglucosan from lignocellulosic pyrolysis oils derived from wood or waste newsprint. The method includes reducing wood or newsprint to fine particle sizes, treating the particles with a hot mineral acid for a predetermined period of time, and filtering off and drying resulting solid wood or newsprint material; pyrolyzing the dried solid wood or newsprint material at temperatures between about 350 and 375 C to produce pyrolysis oils; treating the oils to liquid-liquid extraction with methyl isobutyl ketone to remove heavy tar materials from the oils, and to provide an aqueous fraction mixture of the oils containing primarily levoglucosan; treating the aqueous fraction mixtures with a basic metal salt in an amount sufficient to elevate pH values to a range of about 12 to about 12.5 and adding an amount of the salt in excess of the amount needed to obtain the pH range to remove colored materials of impurities from the oil and form a slurry, and freeze-drying the resulting slurry to produce a dry solid residue; and extracting the levoglucosan from the residue using ethyl acetate solvent to produce a purified crystalline levoglucosan. 2 figs.

  8. Isolation of levoglucosan from lignocellulosic pyrolysis oil derived from wood or waste newsprint

    DOEpatents

    Moens, Luc

    1995-01-01

    A method is provided for preparing high purity levoglucosan from lignocellulosic pyrolysis oils derived from wood or waste newsprint. The method includes reducing wood or newsprint to fine particle sizes, treating the particles with a hot mineral acid for a predetermined period of time, and filtering off and drying resulting solid wood or newsprint material; pyrolyzing the dried solid wood or newsprint material at temperatures between about 350.degree. and 375.degree. C. to produce pyrolysis oils; treating the oils to liquid-liquid extraction with methyl isobutyl ketone to remove heavy tar materials from the oils, and to provide an aqueous fraction mixture of the oils containing primarily levoglucosan; treating the aqueous fraction mixtures with a basic metal salt in an amount sufficient to elevate pH values to a range of about 12 to about 12.5 and adding an amount of the salt in excess of the amount needed to obtain the pH range to remove colored materials of impurities from the oil and form a slurry, and freeze-drying the resulting slurry to produce a dry solid residue; and extracting the levoglucosan from the residue using ethyl acetate solvent to produce a purified crystalline levoglucosan.

  9. Gastric reacidification with betaine HCl in healthy volunteers with rabeprazole-induced hypochlorhydria.

    PubMed

    Yago, Marc R; Frymoyer, Adam R; Smelick, Gillian S; Frassetto, Lynda A; Budha, Nageshwar R; Dresser, Mark J; Ware, Joseph A; Benet, Leslie Z

    2013-11-04

    Previous studies have demonstrated that increased gastric pH from the use of acid-reducing agents, such as proton-pump inhibitors or H2-receptor antagonists, can significantly impact the absorption of weakly basic drugs that exhibit pH-dependent solubility. Clinically practical strategies to mitigate this interaction have not been developed. This pilot study evaluated the extent and time course of gastric reacidification after a solid oral dosage form of anhydrous betaine HCl in healthy volunteers with pharmacologically induced hypochlorhydria. Six healthy volunteers with baseline normochlorhydria (fasting gastric pH < 4) were enrolled in this single period study. Hypochlorhydria was induced via 20 mg oral rabeprazole twice daily for four days. On the fifth day, an additional 20 mg dose of oral rabeprazole was given and gastric pH was monitored continuously using the Heidelberg pH capsule. After gastric pH > 4 was confirmed for 15 min, 1500 mg of betaine HCl was given orally with 90 mL of water and gastric pH was continuously monitored for 2 h. Betaine HCl significantly lowered gastric pH by 4.5 (± 0.5) units from 5.2 (± 0.5) to 0.6 (± 0.2) (P < 0.001) during the 30 min interval after administration. The onset of effect of betaine HCl was rapid, with a mean time to pH < 3 of 6.3 (± 4.3) min. The reacidification period was temporary with a gastric pH < 3 and < 4 lasting 73 (± 33) and 77 (± 30) min, respectively. Betaine HCl was well tolerated by all subjects. In healthy volunteers with pharmacologically induced hypochlorhydria, betaine HCl was effective at temporarily lowering gastric pH. The rapid onset and relatively short duration of gastric pH reduction gives betaine HCl the potential to aid the absorption of orally administered weakly basic drugs that exhibit pH-dependent solubility when administered under hypochlorhydric conditions.

  10. Decolorization of basic dye solutions by electrocoagulation: an investigation of the effect of operational parameters.

    PubMed

    Daneshvar, N; Oladegaragoze, A; Djafarzadeh, N

    2006-02-28

    Electrocoagulation (EC) is one of the most effective techniques to remove color and organic pollutants from wastewater, which reduces the sludge generation. In this paper, electrocoagulation has been used for the removal of color from solutions containing C. I. Basic Red 46 (BR46) and C. I. Basic Blue 3 (BB3). These dyes are used in the wool and blanket factories for fiber dyeing. The effect of operational parameters such as current density, initial pH of the solution, time of electrolysis, initial dye concentration and solution conductivity were studied in an attempt to reach higher removal efficiency. The findings in this study shows that an increase in the current density up to 60-80 A m(-2) enhanced the color removal efficiency, the electrolysis time was 5 min and the range of pH was determined between 5.5 and 8.5 for two mentioned dye solutions. It was found that for, the initial concentration of dye in solutions should not be higher than 80 mg l(-1) in order to achieve a high color removal percentage. The optimum conductivity was found to be 8 mS cm(-1), which was adjusted using proper amount of NaCl with the dye concentration of 50 mg l(-1). Electrical energy consumption in the above conditions for the decolorization of the dye solutions containing BR46 and BB3 were 4.70 kWh(kgdye removed)(-1) and 7.57 kWh(kgdye removed)(-1), respectively. Also, during the EC process under the optimized conditions, the COD decreased by more than 75% and 99% in dye solutions containing BB3 and BR46, respectively.

  11. A fluorescent colorimetric pH sensor and the influences of matrices on sensing performances.

    PubMed

    Tian, Yanqing; Fuller, Emily; Klug, Summer; Lee, Fred; Su, Fengyu; Zhang, Liqiang; Chao, Shih-Hui; Meldrum, Deirdre R

    2013-10-01

    A fluorescent colorimetric pH sensor was developed by a polymerization of a monomeric fluorescein based green emitter ( SM1 ) with a monomeric 2-dicyanomethylene-3-cyano-4,5,5-trimethyl-2,5-dihydrofuran derived red emitter ( SM2 ) in poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)- co -polyacrylamide (PHEMA-co-PAM) matrices. Polymerized SM1 ( PSM1 ) in the polymer matrices showed bright emissions at basic conditions and weak emissions at acidic conditions. Polymerized SM2 ( PSM2 ) in the polymer matrices exhibited a vastly different response when compared to PSM1 . The emissions of PSM2 are stronger under acidic conditions than those under basic conditions. When SM1 and SM2 were polymerized in the same polymer matrix, a dual emission sensor acting as a ratiometric pH sensor ( PSM1,2 ) was successfully developed. Because the PSM1 and PSM2 exhibited different pH responses and separated emission windows, the changes in the emission colors were clearly observed in their dual color sensor of PSM1,2 , which changed emission colors dramatically from green at pH 7 to red at pH 4, which was detected visually and/or by using a color camera under an excitation of 488 nm. In addition to the development of the dual color ratiometric pH sensor, we also studied the effects of different matrix compositions, crosslinkers, and charges on the reporting capabilities of the sensors (sensitivity and p K a ).

  12. Capillary gas chromatographic separation of organic bases using a pH-adjusted basic water stationary phase.

    PubMed

    Darko, Ernest; Thurbide, Kevin B

    2016-09-23

    The use of a pH-adjusted water stationary phase for analyzing organic bases in capillary gas chromatography (GC) is demonstrated. Through modifying the phase to typical values near pH 11.5, it is found that various organic bases are readily eluted and separated. Conversely, at the normal pH 7 operating level, they are not. Sodium hydroxide is found to be a much more stable base than ammonium hydroxide for altering the pH due to the higher volatility and evaporation of the latter. In the basic condition, such analytes are not ionized and are observed to produce good peak shapes even for injected masses down to about 20ng. By comparison, analyses on a conventional non-polar capillary GC column yield more peak tailing and only analyte masses of 1μg or higher are normally observed. Through carefully altering the pH, it is also found that the selectivity between analytes can be potentially further enhanced if their respective pKa values differ sufficiently. The analysis of different pharmaceutical and petroleum samples containing organic bases is demonstrated. Results indicate that this approach can potentially offer unique and beneficial selectivity in such analyses. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  13. A fluorescent colorimetric pH sensor and the influences of matrices on sensing performances

    PubMed Central

    Tian, Yanqing; Fuller, Emily; Klug, Summer; Lee, Fred; Su, Fengyu; Zhang, Liqiang; Chao, Shih-hui; Meldrum, Deirdre R.

    2013-01-01

    A fluorescent colorimetric pH sensor was developed by a polymerization of a monomeric fluorescein based green emitter (SM1) with a monomeric 2-dicyanomethylene-3-cyano-4,5,5-trimethyl-2,5-dihydrofuran derived red emitter (SM2) in poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)-co-polyacrylamide (PHEMA-co-PAM) matrices. Polymerized SM1 (PSM1) in the polymer matrices showed bright emissions at basic conditions and weak emissions at acidic conditions. Polymerized SM2 (PSM2) in the polymer matrices exhibited a vastly different response when compared to PSM1. The emissions of PSM2 are stronger under acidic conditions than those under basic conditions. When SM1 and SM2 were polymerized in the same polymer matrix, a dual emission sensor acting as a ratiometric pH sensor (PSM1,2) was successfully developed. Because the PSM1 and PSM2 exhibited different pH responses and separated emission windows, the changes in the emission colors were clearly observed in their dual color sensor of PSM1,2, which changed emission colors dramatically from green at pH 7 to red at pH 4, which was detected visually and/or by using a color camera under an excitation of 488 nm. In addition to the development of the dual color ratiometric pH sensor, we also studied the effects of different matrix compositions, crosslinkers, and charges on the reporting capabilities of the sensors (sensitivity and pKa). PMID:24078772

  14. Dual-Emitting Fluorescent Metal-Organic Framework Nanocomposites as a Broad-Range pH Sensor for Fluorescence Imaging.

    PubMed

    Chen, Haiyong; Wang, Jing; Shan, Duoliang; Chen, Jing; Zhang, Shouting; Lu, Xiaoquan

    2018-05-15

    pH plays an important role in understanding physiological/pathologic processes, and abnormal pH is a symbol of many common diseases such as cancer, stroke, and Alzheimer's disease. In this work, an effective dual-emission fluorescent metal-organic framework nanocomposite probe (denoted as RB-PCN) has been constructed for sensitive and broad-range detection of pH. RB-PCN was prepared by encapsulating the DBI-PEG-NH 2 -functionalized Fe 3 O 4 into Zr-MOFs and then further reacting it with rhodamine B isothiocyanates (RBITC). In RB-PCN, RBITC is capable of sensing changes in pH in acidic solutions. Zr-MOFs not only enrich the target analyte but also exhibit a fluorescence response to pH changes in alkaline solutions. Based on the above structural and compositional features, RB-PCN could detect a wide range of pH changes. Importantly, such a nanoprobe could "see" the intracellular pH changes by fluorescence confocal imaging as well as "measure" the wider range of pH in actual samples by fluorescence spectroscopy. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time a MOF-based dual-emitting fluorescent nanoprobe has been used for a wide range of pH detection.

  15. Two-dimensional RPLC-RPLC system with different pH in two dimensions for separation of alkaloids from Corydalis yanhusuo W. T. Wang.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Jing; Jin, Yu; Liu, Yanfang; Xiao, Yuansheng; Feng, Jiatao; Xue, Xingya; Zhang, Xiuli; Liang, Xinmiao

    2009-06-01

    An effective method utilizing the same RP chromatographic column with different pH in first and second LC dimensions has been developed for separation of the basic compounds from traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs). In this work, the alkaloids in Corydalis yanhusuo which is an important TCM were selected as a model to develop the method. The additives and pH values of the mobile phase were optimized in this work. To investigate the feasibility of this method, off-line mode separation was performed in the experiments. According to the UV-absorption intensity, there were eight fractions collected in acidic conditions. All the fractions were analyzed in basic conditions. The results showed that the chromatographic selectivities were significantly different in the separations performed with acidic and alkaline elution systems. Complementary separation was achieved in this work. It is demonstrated that this method would be an effective tool for alkaloids research. Based on the different pH of the mobile phase in this method, it could also be suitable to analyze compounds which were sensible to the pH of the solution.

  16. Robust analysis of the hydrophobic basic analytes loratadine and desloratadine in pharmaceutical preparations and biological fluids by sweeping-cyclodextrin-modified micellar electrokinetic chromatography.

    PubMed

    El-Awady, Mohamed; Belal, Fathalla; Pyell, Ute

    2013-09-27

    The analysis of hydrophobic basic analytes by micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) is usually challenging because of the tendency of these analytes to be adsorbed onto the inner capillary wall in addition to the difficulty to separate these compounds as they exhibit extremely high retention factors. A robust and reliable method for the simultaneous determination of loratadine (LOR) and its major metabolite desloratadine (DSL) is developed based on cyclodextrin-modified micellar electrokinetic chromatography (CD-MEKC) with acidic sample matrix and basic background electrolyte (BGE). The influence of the sample matrix on the reachable focusing efficiency is studied. It is shown that the application of a low pH sample solution mitigates problems associated with the low solubility of the hydrophobic basic analytes in aqueous solution while having advantages with regard to on-line focusing. Moreover, the use of a basic BGE reduces the adsorption of these analytes in the separation compartment. The separation of the studied analytes is achieved in less than 7min using a BGE consisting of 10mmolL(-1) disodium tetraborate buffer, pH 9.30 containing 40mmolL(-1) SDS and 20mmolL(-1) hydroxypropyl-β-CD while the sample solution is composed of 10mmolL(-1) phosphoric acid, pH 2.15. A full validation study of the developed method based on the pharmacopeial guidelines is performed. The method is successfully applied to the analysis of the studied drugs in tablets without interference of tablet additives as well as the analysis of spiked human urine without any sample pretreatment. Furthermore, DSL can be detected as an impurity in LOR bulk powder at the stated pharmacopeial limit (0.1%, w/w). The selectivity of the developed method allows the analysis of LOR and DSL in combination with the co-formulated drug pseudoephedrine. It is shown that in CD-MEKC with basic BGE, solute-wall interactions are effectively suppressed allowing the development of efficient and precise methods for the determination of hydrophobic basic analytes, whereas the use of a low pH sample solution has a positive impact on the attainable sweeping efficiency without compromising peak shape and resolution. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  17. Study of human serum albumin structure by dynamic light scattering: two types of reactions under different pH and interaction with physiologically active compounds

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Luik, A. I.; Naboka, Yu. N.; Mogilevich, S. E.; Hushcha, T. O.; Mischenko, N. I.

    1998-09-01

    The effect of pH and binding of ten physiologically active compounds (isoproterenol, yohimbine, propranolol, clonidine, phenylephrine, carbachol, tripeptide fMLP, diphenhydramine, chlorpromazine and atropine) on the molecular structure of human serum albumin (HSA) has been studied using the dynamic light scattering. It was found that albumin globule has the most compact configuration (Stokes diameter 59-62 Å) at physiological pH 7.4. The changes in pH, both increase to 8.0 and decrease to 5.4, result in the growth of globule size to 72-81 Å. At acidic shift of pH an additional peak arises in the correlation spectra caused by the light scattering on the structures with the Stokes diameters of 29-37 Å. Those conform to the sizes of the albumin subdomains. The indicated peak is not displayed at basic shift of pH. The interaction with propranolol, clonidine, phenylephrine, carbachol and tripeptide fMLP which hinder adenylate cyclase (AdC) and activate Ca-polyphosphoinositide (Ca-PPI) signaling system of a cell initiates structural rearrangements similar to acidic transitions. Isoproterenol, yohimbine diphenhydramine, chlorpromazine and atropine, which activate AdC and hinder Ca-PPI, cause conformational changes of HSA similar to basic transitions.

  18. Graphite Screen-Printed Electrodes Applied for the Accurate and Reagentless Sensing of pH.

    PubMed

    Galdino, Flávia E; Smith, Jamie P; Kwamou, Sophie I; Kampouris, Dimitrios K; Iniesta, Jesus; Smith, Graham C; Bonacin, Juliano A; Banks, Craig E

    2015-12-01

    A reagentless pH sensor based upon disposable and economical graphite screen-printed electrodes (GSPEs) is demonstrated for the first time. The voltammetric pH sensor utilizes GSPEs which are chemically pretreated to form surface immobilized oxygenated species that, when their redox behavior is monitored, give a Nernstian response over a large pH range (1-13). An excellent experimental correlation is observed between the voltammetric potential and pH over the entire pH range of 1-13 providing a simple approach with which to monitor solution pH. Such a linear response over this dynamic pH range is not usually expected but rather deviation from linearity is encountered at alkaline pH values; absence of this has previously been attributed to a change in the pKa value of surface immobilized groups from that of solution phase species. This non-deviation, which is observed here in the case of our facile produced reagentless pH sensor and also reported in the literature for pH sensitive compounds immobilized upon carbon electrodes/surfaces, where a linear response is observed over the entire pH range, is explained alternatively for the first time. The performance of the GSPE pH sensor is also directly compared with a glass pH probe and applied to the measurement of pH in "real" unbuffered samples where an excellent correlation between the two protocols is observed validating the proposed GSPE pH sensor.

  19. Direct excitation luminescence spectroscopy of Eu(III) complexes of 1,4,7-tris(carbamoylmethyl)-1,4,7,10- tetraazacyclododecane derivatives and kinetic studies of their catalytic cleavage of an RNA analog.

    PubMed

    Nwe, Kido; Richard, John P; Morrow, Janet R

    2007-11-28

    The macrocycles 1,4,7-tris(carbamoylmethyl)-1,4,7,10-tetrazacyclododecane (1), 1,4,7-tris[(N-ethyl)carbamoylmethyl]-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane (2), 1,4,7-tris[(N,N-diethyl)carbamoylmethyl]-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane (3) and their Eu(III) complexes are prepared. Studies using direct Eu(III) excitation luminescence spectroscopy show that all three Eu(III) complexes exhibit only one predominant isomer with two bound waters under neutral to mildly basic conditions (Eu(X)(H(2)O)(2) for X = 1-3). There are no detectable ligand ionizations over the pH range 5.0-8.0 for Eu(3), 5.0-8.5 for Eu(2) or 5.0-9.5 for Eu(1). The three Eu(III) complexes show a linear dependence of second-order rate constants for the cleavage of 4-nitrophenyl-2-hydroxyethylphosphate (HpPNP) on pH in the range 6.5-8.0 for Eu(3), 7.0-8.5 for Eu(2) and 7.0-9.0 for Eu(1). This pH-rate profile is consistent with the Eu(III) complex-substrate complex being converted to the active form by loss of a proton and with Eu(III) water pK(a) values that are higher than 8.0 for Eu(3), 8.5 for Eu(2) and 9.0 for Eu(1). Inhibition studies show that Eu() binds strongly to the dianionic ligand methylphosphate (K(d) = 0.28 mM), and more weakly to diethylphosphate (K(d) = 7.5 mM), consistent with a catalytic role of the Eu(III) complexes in stabilizing the developing negative charge on the phosphorane transition state.

  20. Study of the sonophotocatalytic degradation of basic blue 9 industrial textile dye over slurry titanium dioxide and influencing factors.

    PubMed

    González, Antonia Sandoval; Martínez, Susana Silva

    2008-09-01

    The sonophotocatalytic degradation of basic blue 9 industrial textile dye has been studied in the presence of ultrasound (20 kHz) over a TiO(2) slurry employing an UV lamp (15 W, 352 nm). It was observed that the color removal efficiency was influenced by the pH of the solution, initial dye concentration and TiO(2) amount. It was found that the dye degradation followed apparent first order kinetics. The rate constant increased by decreasing dye concentration and was affected by the pH of the solution with the highest degradation obtained at pH 7. The first order rate constants obtained with sonophotocatalysis were twofold and tenfold than those obtained under photocatalysis and sonolysis, respectively. The chemical oxygen demand was abated over 80%.

  1. Solubility of ammonium acid urate nephroliths from bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus).

    PubMed

    Argade, Sulabha; Smith, Cynthia R; Shaw, Timothy; Zupkas, Paul; Schmitt, Todd L; Venn-Watson, Stephanie; Sur, Roger L

    2013-12-01

    Nephrolithiasis has been identified in managed populations of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus); most of these nephroliths are composed of 100% ammonium acid urate (AAU). Several therapies are being investigated to treat and prevent nephrolithiasis in dolphins including the alkalization of urine for dissolution of nephroliths. This study evaluates the solubility of AAU nephroliths in a phosphate buffer, pH range 6.0-8.0, and in a carbonate-bicarbonate buffer, pH range 9.0-10.8. AAU nephroliths were obtained from six dolphins and solubility studies were conducted using reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection at 290 nm. AAU nephroliths were much more soluble in a carbonate-bicarbonate buffer, pH range 9.0-10.8 compared to phosphate buffer pH range 6.0-8.0. In the pH range 6.0-8.0, the solubility was 45% lower in potassium phosphate buffer compared to sodium phosphate buffer. When citrate was used along with phosphate in the same pH range, the solubility was improved by 13%. At pH 7 and pH 8, 150 mM ionic strength buffer was optimum for dissolution. In summary, adjustment of urinary pH alone does not appear to be a useful way to treat AAU stones in bottlenose dolphins. Better understanding of the pathophysiology of AAU nephrolithiasis in dolphins is needed to optimize kidney stone prevention and treatment.

  2. Nitrogen-rich functional groups carbon nanoparticles based fluorescent pH sensor with broad-range responding for environmental and live cells applications.

    PubMed

    Shi, Bingfang; Su, Yubin; Zhang, Liangliang; Liu, Rongjun; Huang, Mengjiao; Zhao, Shulin

    2016-08-15

    A nitrogen-rich functional groups carbon nanoparticles (N-CNs) based fluorescent pH sensor with a broad-range responding was prepared by one-pot hydrothermal treatment of melamine and triethanolamine. The as-prepared N-CNs exhibited excellent photoluminesence properties with an absolute quantum yield (QY) of 11.0%. Furthermore, the N-CNs possessed a broad-range pH response. The linear pH response range was 3.0 to 12.0, which is much wider than that of previously reported fluorescent pH sensors. The possible mechanism for the pH-sensitive response of the N-CNs was ascribed to photoinduced electron transfer (PET). Cell toxicity experiment showed that the as-prepared N-CNs exhibited low cytotoxicity and excellent biocompatibility with the cell viabilities of more than 87%. The proposed N-CNs-based pH sensor was used for pH monitoring of environmental water samples, and pH fluorescence imaging of live T24 cells. The N-CNs is promising as a convenient and general fluorescent pH sensor for environmental monitoring and bioimaging applications. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  3. Metabolic Control in Mammalian Fed-Batch Cell Cultures for Reduced Lactic Acid Accumulation and Improved Process Robustness

    PubMed Central

    Konakovsky, Viktor; Clemens, Christoph; Müller, Markus Michael; Bechmann, Jan; Berger, Martina; Schlatter, Stefan; Herwig, Christoph

    2016-01-01

    Biomass and cell-specific metabolic rates usually change dynamically over time, making the “feed according to need” strategy difficult to realize in a commercial fed-batch process. We here demonstrate a novel feeding strategy which is designed to hold a particular metabolic state in a fed-batch process by adaptive feeding in real time. The feed rate is calculated with a transferable biomass model based on capacitance, which changes the nutrient flow stoichiometrically in real time. A limited glucose environment was used to confine the cell in a particular metabolic state. In order to cope with uncertainty, two strategies were tested to change the adaptive feed rate and prevent starvation while in limitation: (i) inline pH and online glucose concentration measurement or (ii) inline pH alone, which was shown to be sufficient for the problem statement. In this contribution, we achieved metabolic control within a defined target range. The direct benefit was two-fold: the lactic acid profile was improved and pH could be kept stable. Multivariate Data Analysis (MVDA) has shown that pH influenced lactic acid production or consumption in historical data sets. We demonstrate that a low pH (around 6.8) is not required for our strategy, as glucose availability is already limiting the flux. On the contrary, we boosted glycolytic flux in glucose limitation by setting the pH to 7.4. This new approach led to a yield of lactic acid/glucose (Y L/G) around zero for the whole process time and high titers in our labs. We hypothesize that a higher carbon flux, resulting from a higher pH, may lead to more cells which produce more product. The relevance of this work aims at feeding mammalian cell cultures safely in limitation with a desired metabolic flux range. This resulted in extremely stable, low glucose levels, very robust pH profiles without acid/base interventions and a metabolic state in which lactic acid was consumed instead of being produced from day 1. With this contribution, we wish to extend the basic repertoire of available process control strategies, which will open up new avenues in automation technology and radically improve process robustness in both process development and manufacturing. PMID:28952567

  4. UV/TiO₂ photocatalytic oxidation of recalcitrant organic matter: effect of salinity and pH.

    PubMed

    Muthukumaran, Shobha; Song, Lili; Zhu, Bo; Myat, Darli; Chen, Jin-Yuan; Gray, Stephen; Duke, Mikel

    2014-01-01

    Photocatalytic oxidation processes have interest for water treatment since these processes can remove recalcitrant organic compounds and operate at mild conditions of temperature and pressure. However, performance under saline conditions present in many water resources is not well known. This study aims to explore the basic effects of photocatalysis on the removal of organic matter in the presence of salt. A laboratory-scale photocatalytic reactor system, employing ultraviolet (UV)/titanium dioxide (TiO₂) photocatalysis was evaluated for its ability to remove the humic acid (HA) from saline water. The particle size and zeta potential of TiO₂ under different conditions including solution pH and sodium chloride (NaCl) concentrations were characterized. The overall degradation of organics over the NaCl concentration range of 500-2,000 mg/L was found to be 80% of the non-saline equivalent after 180 min of the treatment. The results demonstrated that the adsorption of HA onto the TiO₂ particles was dependent on both the pH and salinity due to electrostatic interaction and highly unstable agglomerated dispersion. This result supports UV/TiO₂ as a viable means to remove organic compounds, but the presence of salt in waters to be treated will influence the performance of the photocatalytic oxidation process.

  5. A protein-dye hybrid system as a narrow range tunable intracellular pH sensor.

    PubMed

    Anees, Palapuravan; Sudheesh, Karivachery V; Jayamurthy, Purushothaman; Chandrika, Arunkumar R; Omkumar, Ramakrishnapillai V; Ajayaghosh, Ayyappanpillai

    2016-11-18

    Accurate monitoring of pH variations inside cells is important for the early diagnosis of diseases such as cancer. Even though a variety of different pH sensors are available, construction of a custom-made sensor array for measuring minute variations in a narrow biological pH window, using easily available constituents, is a challenge. Here we report two-component hybrid sensors derived from a protein and organic dye nanoparticles whose sensitivity range can be tuned by choosing different ratios of the components, to monitor the minute pH variations in a given system. The dye interacts noncovalently with the protein at lower pH and covalently at higher pH, triggering two distinguishable fluorescent signals at 700 and 480 nm, respectively. The pH sensitivity region of the probe can be tuned for every unit of the pH window resulting in custom-made pH sensors. These narrow range tunable pH sensors have been used to monitor pH variations in HeLa cells using the fluorescence imaging technique.

  6. Electroreduction of carbon monoxide over a copper nanocube catalyst: Surface structure and pH dependence on selectivity

    DOE PAGES

    Roberts, F. Sloan; Kuhl, Kendra P.; Nilsson, Anders

    2016-02-16

    The activity and selectivity for CO 2/CO reduction over copper electrodes is strongly dependent on the local surface structure of the catalyst and the pH of the electrolyte. Here we investigate a unique, copper nanocube surface (CuCube) as a CO reduction electrode under neutral and basic pH, using online electrochemical mass spectroscopy (OLEMS) to determine the onset potentials and relative intensities of methane and ethylene production. To relate the unique selectivity to the surface structure, the CuCube surface reactivity is compared to polycrystalline copper and three single crystals under the same reaction conditions. Here, we find that the high selectivitymore » for ethylene over the CuCube surface is most comparable to the Cu(100) surface, which has the cubic unit cell. However, the suppression of methane production over CuCube is unique to that particular surface. Basic pH is also shown to enhance ethylene selectivity on all surfaces, again with the CuCube surface being unique.« less

  7. Evaluation of pH of Bathing Soaps and Shampoos for Skin and Hair Care.

    PubMed

    Tarun, Jose; Susan, Jose; Suria, Jacob; Susan, Veronica John; Criton, Sebastian

    2014-09-01

    Normal healthy skin has potential of hydrogen (pH) range of 5.4-5.9 and a normal bacterial flora. Use of soap with high pH causes an increase in skin pH, which in turn causes an increase in dehydrative effect, irritability and alteration in bacterial flora. The majority of soaps and shampoos available in the market do not disclose their pH. The aim of this study was to assess the pH of different brands of bathing soaps and shampoos available in the market. The samples of soaps and shampoos were collected from shops in the locality. The samples of different brands are coded before the analysis of the pH. Solution of each sample was made and pH was measured using pH meter. Majority of the soaps have a pH within the range of 9-10. Majority of the shampoos have a pH within the range of 6-7. The soaps and shampoos commonly used by the population at large have a pH outside the range of normal skin and hair pH values. Therefore, it is hoped that before recommending soap to patient especially those who have sensitive and acne prone skin, due consideration is given to the pH factor and also that manufacturers will give a thought to pH of soaps and shampoos manufactured by them, so that their products will be more skin and hair friendly.

  8. Hydrolysis of Indole-3-Acetic Acid Esters Exposed to Mild Alkaline Conditions 1

    PubMed Central

    Baldi, Bruce G.; Maher, Barbara R.; Cohen, Jerry D.

    1989-01-01

    Ester conjugates of indole-3-acetic acid are hydrolyzed easily in basic solutions; however, quantitative data have not been available on the relationship between pH and rate of hydrolysis of the known ester conjugates. The use of basic conditions during extraction or purification of IAA by several laboratories suggested that a more systematic analysis of this process was needed. In this report we present data indicating: (a) that measurable hydrolysis of IAA-glucose (from standard solutions) and IAA-esters (from maize kernel extracts) occurs with only a few hours of treatment at pH 9 or above; (b) that the lability of some ester conjugates is even greater than that of IAA-glucose; and (c) that ester hydrolysis of standard compounds, IAA-glucose and IAA-p-nitrophenol, occurs in the `three phase extraction system' proposed by Liu and Tillberg ([1983] Physiol Plant 57: 441-447). These data indicate that the potential for problems with inadvertent hydrolysis of ester conjugates of IAA exists even at moderate pH values and in the multiphase system where exposure to basic conditions was thought to be limited. PMID:16667049

  9. Using polyacrylate-coated SPME fibers to quantify sorption of polar and ionic organic contaminants to dissolved organic carbon.

    PubMed

    Haftka, Joris J-H; Scherpenisse, Peter; Jonker, Michiel T O; Hermens, Joop L M

    2013-05-07

    A passive sampling method using polyacrylate-coated solid-phase microextraction (SPME) fibers was applied to determine sorption of polar and ionic organic contaminants to dissolved organic carbon (DOC). The tested contaminants included pharmaceuticals, industrial chemicals, hormones, and pesticides and represented neutral, anionic, and cationic structures. Prior to the passive sampler application, sorption of the chemicals to the fibers was characterized. This was needed in order to accurately translate concentrations measured in fibers to freely dissolved aqueous concentrations during the sorption tests with DOC. Sorption isotherms of neutral compounds to the fiber were linear, whereas isotherms of basic chemicals covered a nonlinear and a linear range. Sorption of acidic and basic compounds to the fiber was pH-dependent and was dominated by sorption of the neutral sorbate species. Fiber- and DOC-water partition coefficients of neutral compounds were both linearly related to octanol-water partition coefficients (log Kow). The results of this study show that polyacrylate fibers can be used to quantify sorption to DOC of neutral and ionic contaminants, having multiple functional groups and spanning a wide hydrophobicity range (log Kow = 2.5-7.5).

  10. Suitability of 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium ionic liquids for the analysis of pharmaceutical formulations containing tricyclic antidepressants.

    PubMed

    Calabuig-Hernández, S; Peris-García, E; García-Alvarez-Coque, M C; Ruiz-Angel, M J

    2018-07-20

    The reversed-phase chromatographic behaviour of six tricyclic antidepressants (amitryptiline, clomipramine, doxepin, imipramine, nortryptiline and maprotiline) was examined in this work with acetonitrile-water mobile phases, in the absence and presence of the ionic liquids 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride and 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, which have interesting features for the separation of basic compounds, in terms of peak shape combined with reduced retention. Tricyclic antidepressants are low polarity drugs that strongly associate to the alkyl chains of conventional stationary phases. They are also positively charged in the usual working pH range (2-8) in reversed-phase liquid chromatography, due to their strong basic character. In consequence, they may interact with the residual ionised silanols present in conventional silica-based stationary phases, which is translated in stronger retention, and tailed and broad peaks. A simple chromatographic procedure for the control of tricyclic antidepressants in pharmaceutical formulations was developed using a C8 column and a mobile phase containing 30% acetonitrile/10 mM 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride at pH 3, with UV detection. Intra- and inter-day precisions were usually below +1.0%, and intra- and inter-day bias (trueness) ranged between ‒2.1% and +2.4%, and between ‒3.0% and +2.3%, respectively. Sample preparation was simple and only required solubilisation and filtration previous to injection. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  11. RP-HPLC ANALYSIS OF ACIDIC AND BASIC DRUGS IN SYSTEMS WITH DIETHYLAMINE AS ELUENTS ADDITIVE.

    PubMed

    Petruczynik, Anna; Wroblewski, Karol; Strozek, Szymon; Waksmundzka-Hajnos, Monika

    2016-11-01

    The chromatographic behavior of some basic and acidic drugs was studied on Cl 8, Phenyl-Hexyl and Polar RP columns with methanol or acetonitrile as organic modifiers of aqueous mobile phases containing addition of diethylamine. Diethylamine plays a double function of silanol blocker reagent in analysis of basic drugs and ion-pair reagent in analysis of acidic drugs. Most symmetrical peaks and highest system efficiency were obtained on Phenyl-Hexyl and Polar RP columns in tested mobile phase systems compared to results obtained on C18 column. A new rapid, simple, specific and accurate reverse phase liquid chromatographic method was developed for the simultaneous determination of atorvastatin - antihyperlipidemic drug and amlodipine - calcium channel blocker in one pharmaceutical formulation. Atorvastatin is an acidic compounds while amlodipine is a basic substance. The chromatographic separation was carried out on Phenyl-Hexyl column by gradient elution mode with acetonitrile as organic modifier, acetate buffer at pH 3.5 and Q.025 M/L diethylamine. The proposed method was validated for specificity, precision, accuracy, linearity, and robustness. The linearity range of atorvastatin and amlodipine for 5 - 100 μg/mL was obtained with limits of-detection (LOD) 3.2750 gg/mL and 3.2102 μg/mL, respectively. The proposed method made use of DAD as a tool for peak identity and purity confirmation.

  12. UPTAKE AND ELIMINATION OF IONIZABLE ORGANIC CHEMICALS AT FISH GILLS: PART I. MODEL FORMULATION, PARAMETERIZATION, AND BEHAVIOR

    EPA Science Inventory

    Effects of pH and alkalinity on uptake and elimination of ionizable organic chemicals at the gills of large rainbow trout were studied. Increased pH reduced uptake rates of weakly-acidic chlorinated phenols and increased that of weakly-basic 3,4-dichlorobenzylamine, indicating gr...

  13. Establishment of a high-resolution 2-D reference map of human spermatozoal proteins from 12 fertile sperm-bank donors.

    PubMed

    Li, Ling-Wei; Fan, Li-Qing; Zhu, Wen-Bing; Nien, Hong-Chuan; Sun, Bo-Lan; Luo, Ke-Li; Liao, Ting-Ting; Tang, Le; Lu, Guang-Xiu

    2007-05-01

    To extend the analysis of the proteome of human spermatozoa and establish a 2-D gel electrophoresis (2-DE) reference map of human spermatozoal proteins in a pH range of 3.5-9.0. In order to reveal more protein spots, immobilized pH gradient strips (24 cm) of broad range of pH 3-10 and the narrower range of pH 6-9, as well as different overlapping narrow range pH immobilized pH gradient (IPG) strips, including 3.5-4.5, 4.0-5.0, 4.5-5.5, 5.0-6.0 and 5.5-6.7, were used. After 2-DE, several visually identical spots between the different pH range 2-D gel pairs were cut from the gels and confirmed by mass spectrometry and used as landmarks for computer analysis. The 2-D reference map with pH value from 3.5 to 9.0 was synthesized by using the ImageMaster analysis software. The overlapping spots were excluded, so that every spot was counted only once. A total of 3872 different protein spots were identified from the reference map, an approximately 3-fold increase compared to the broad range pH 3-10 IPG strip (1306 spots). The present 2-D pattern is a high resolution 2-D reference map for human fertile spermatozoal protein spots. A comprehensive knowledge of the protein composition of human spermatozoa is very meaningful in studying dysregulation of male fertility.

  14. Investigation of acyl migration in mono- and dicaffeoylquinic acids under aqueous basic, aqueous acidic, and dry roasting conditions.

    PubMed

    Deshpande, Sagar; Jaiswal, Rakesh; Matei, Marius Febi; Kuhnert, Nikolai

    2014-09-17

    Acyl migration in chlorogenic acids describes the process of migration of cinnamoyl moieties from one quinic acid alcohol group to another, thus interconverting chlorogenic acid regioisomers. It therefore constitutes a special case of transesterification reaction. Acyl migration constitutes an important reaction pathway in both coffee roasting and brewing, altering the structure of chlorogenic acid initially present in the green coffee bean. In this contribution we describe detailed and comprehensive mechanistic studies comparing inter- and intramolecular acyl migration involving the seven most common chlorogenic acids in coffee. We employe aqueous acidic and basic conditions mimicking the brewing of coffee along with dry roasting conditions. We show that under aqueous basic conditions intramolecular acyl migration is fully reversible with basic hydrolysis competing with acyl migration. 3-Caffeoylquinic acid was shown to be most labile to basic hydrolysis. We additionally show that the acyl migration process is strongly pH dependent with increased transesterification taking place at basic pH. Under dry roasting conditions acyl migration competes with dehydration to form lactones. We argue that acyl migration precedes lactonization, with 3-caffeoylquinic acid lactone being the predominant product.

  15. Narrow pH Range of Surface Water Bodies Receiving Pesticide Input in Europe.

    PubMed

    Bundschuh, Mirco; Weyers, Arnd; Ebeling, Markus; Elsaesser, David; Schulz, Ralf

    2016-01-01

    Fate and toxicity of the active ingredients (AI's) of plant protection products in surface waters is often influenced by pH. Although a general range of pH values is reported in literature, an evaluation targeting aquatic ecosystems with documented AI inputs is lacking at the larger scale. Results show 95% of European surface waters (n = 3075) with a documented history of AI exposure fall within a rather narrow pH range, between 7.0 and 8.5. Spatial and temporal variability in the data may at least be partly explained by the calcareous characteristics of parental rock material, the affiliation of the sampling site to a freshwater ecoregion, and the photosynthetic activity of macrophytes (i.e., higher pH values with photosynthesis). Nonetheless, the documented pH range fits well with the standard pH of most ecotoxicological test guidelines, confirming the fate and ecotoxicity of AIs are usually adequately addressed.

  16. Treatment of waste water by coagulation and flocculation using biomaterials

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Muruganandam, L.; Saravana Kumar, M. P.; Jena, Amarjit; Gulla, Sudiv; Godhwani, Bhagesh

    2017-11-01

    The present study deals with the determination of physical and chemical parameters in the treatment process of waste water by flocculation and coagulation processes using natural coagulants and assessing their feasibility for water treatment by comparing the performance with each other and with a synthetic coagulant. Initial studies were done on the synthetic waste water to determine the optimal pH and dosage, the activity of natural coagulant, followed by the real effluent from tannery waste. The raw tannery effluent was bluish-black in colour, mildly basic in nature, with high COD 4000mg/l and turbidity in the range 700NTU, was diluted and dosed with organic coagulants, AloeVera, MoringaOleifera and Cactus (O.ficus-indica). The study observed that coagulant Moringa Oleifera of 15 mg/L dose at 6 pH gave the best reduction efficiencies for major physicochemical parameters followed by Aloe Vera and Cactus under identical conditions. The study reveals that the untreated tannery effluents can be treated with environmental confirmative naturally occurring coagulants.

  17. Design, calibration and application of broad-range optical nanosensors for determining intracellular pH.

    PubMed

    Søndergaard, Rikke V; Henriksen, Jonas R; Andresen, Thomas L

    2014-12-01

    Particle-based nanosensors offer a tool for determining the pH in the endosomal-lysosomal system of living cells. Measurements providing absolute values of pH have so far been restricted by the limited sensitivity range of nanosensors, calibration challenges and the complexity of image analysis. This protocol describes the design and application of a polyacrylamide-based nanosensor (∼60 nm) that covalently incorporates two pH-sensitive fluorophores, fluorescein (FS) and Oregon Green (OG), to broaden the sensitivity range of the sensor (pH 3.1-7.0), and uses the pH-insensitive fluorophore rhodamine as a reference fluorophore. The nanosensors are spontaneously taken up via endocytosis and directed to the lysosomes where dynamic changes in pH can be measured with live-cell confocal microscopy. The most important focus areas of the protocol are the choice of pH-sensitive fluorophores, the design of calibration buffers, the determination of the effective range and especially the description of how to critically evaluate results. The entire procedure typically takes 2-3 weeks.

  18. Understanding The Interfacial Structure Of Aqueous Phospholipid Monolayer Films Via External Reflection FT-IR Spectroscopy.

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mitchell, Melody L.; Dluhy, Richard A.

    1989-12-01

    Monolayer films of dimyristoyl-phosphatidic-acid (DMPA) at neutral and basic pH exhibit first-order phase transitions in their pressure-area curves. In situ external reflection FT-IR studies in the CH, stretching bands over this phase transition region exhibit a --6 cm-1 shift similar to that observed in previous studies of dipalmitoyl-phosphotidylcholine (DPPC)1. The acid form of DMPA at pH 3.0 does not exhibit the first order phase transition, but a ~1cm-1 frequency shift is observed in the liquid condensed phase and is also present in the neutral pH form. A solid-solid phase transition is proposed. Examination of the polar headgroup region (1300-960 cm-1)for acidic, neutral, and basic forms of DMPA give characteristic bands of each protonation state of PO3.

  19. MnMoO4 nanosheet array: an efficient electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction with enhanced activity over a wide pH range.

    PubMed

    Wen, Lulu; Sun, Yiqiang; Zhang, Tao; Bai, Yu; Li, Xinyang; Lyu, Xianjun; Cai, Weiping; Li, Yue

    2018-08-17

    We report the preparation of MnMoO 4 nanosheet array on nickel foam (MnMoO 4 NSA/NF) as an excellent 3D hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) electrocatalyst with good catalytic performance applied under basic, acidic and neutral conditions. In 0.5 M H 2 SO 4 , this MnMoO 4 NSA/NF electrode needs an overpotential of 89 mV to drive current densities of 10 mA cm -2 , to achieve the same current density, it demands overpotentials of 105 mV in 1.0 M KOH, 161 mV in 1.0 M PBS (pH = 7), respectively. After continuous CV scanning for 1000 cycles under different pH conditions, it also demonstrates an excellent stability with ignorable activity decrease. Such preeminent HER performance may be derived from the synergistic effect between manganese (Mn) and molybdenum (Mo) atoms, exposure of more active sites on the nanosheets and effective electron transport along the nanosheets. This MnMoO 4 NSA/NF electrocatalyst provides us a highly efficient material for water splitting devices for industrial hydrogen production.

  20. Sensitive detection of strong acidic condition by a novel rhodamine-based fluorescent pH chemosensor.

    PubMed

    Tan, Jia-Lian; Yang, Ting-Ting; Liu, Yu; Zhang, Xue; Cheng, Shu-Jin; Zuo, Hua; He, Huawei

    2016-05-01

    A novel rhodamine-based fluorescent pH probe responding to extremely low pH values has been synthesized and characterized. This probe showed an excellent photophysical response to pH on the basis that the colorless spirocyclic structure under basic conditions opened to a colored and highly fluorescent form under extreme acidity. The quantitative relationship between fluorescence intensity and pH value (1.75-2.62) was consistent with the equilibrium equation pH = pKa + log[(Imax - I)/(I - Imin)]. This sensitive pH probe was also characterized with good reversibility and no interaction with interfering metal ions, and was successfully applied to image Escherichia coli under strong acidity. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  1. Expression and characterization of plant aspartic protease nepenthesin-1 from Nepenthes gracilis.

    PubMed

    Kadek, Alan; Tretyachenko, Vyacheslav; Mrazek, Hynek; Ivanova, Ljubina; Halada, Petr; Rey, Martial; Schriemer, David C; Man, Petr

    2014-03-01

    Carnivorous plants of the genus Nepenthes produce their own aspartic proteases, nepenthesins, to digest prey trapped in their pitchers. Nepenthesins differ significantly in sequence from other aspartic proteases in the animal or even plant kingdoms. This difference, which also brings more cysteine residues into the structure of these proteases, can be a cause of uniquely high temperature and pH stabilities of nepenthesins. Their detailed structure characterization, however, has not previously been possible due to low amounts of protease present in the pitcher fluid and also due to limited accessibility of Nepenthes plants. In the present study we describe a convenient way for obtaining high amounts of nepenthesin-1 from Nepenthes gracilis using heterologous production in Escherichia coli. The protein can be easily refolded in vitro and its characteristics are very close to those described for a natural enzyme isolated from the pitcher fluid. Similarly to the natural enzyme, recombinant nepenthesin-1 is sensitive to denaturing and reducing agents. It also has maximal activity around pH 2.5, shows unusual stability at high pH and its activity is not irreversibly inhibited even after prolonged incubation in the basic pH range. On the other hand, temperature stability of the recombinant enzyme is lower in comparison with the natural enzyme, which can be attributed to missing N-glycosylation in the recombinant protein. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  2. Continuous removal of ore floatation reagents by an anaerobic-aerobic biological filter.

    PubMed

    Cheng, Huang; Lin, Hai; Huo, Hanxin; Dong, Yingbo; Xue, Qiuyu; Cao, Lixia

    2012-06-01

    A laboratory scale up-flow anaerobic-aerobic biological filter was constructed to treat synthetic ore floatation wastewater. Volcanic stone was applied as packing media for aerobic section. Biodegradation of some common ore floatation reagents as potassium ethyl xanthate dithiophosphate and turpentine were evaluated. An average COD reduction rate of 88.7% for potassium ethyl xanthate by the biofilter was obtained at HRT of 6h, air water flow ratio of 10:1 and pH of 7. Its effluent COD concentration varied between 17 and 43 mg/L. Xanthates and dithiophosphate were found to be easily biodegradable, whereas turpentine was not favorable for microorganism to digest. The performance of the reactor fluctuated slightly within the temperature range of 10-35 °C. Operation of the biofilter was sensitive to influent pH values. A neutral to weak basic influent was preferred for biofilter to maintain an efficient operation. Anaerobic treatment was able to enhance the biodegradability of influents significantly. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  3. Pharmacokinetics and absorption of the anticancer agents dasatinib and GDC-0941 under various gastric conditions in dogs--reversing the effect of elevated gastric pH with betaine HCl.

    PubMed

    Pang, Jodie; Dalziel, Gena; Dean, Brian; Ware, Joseph A; Salphati, Laurent

    2013-11-04

    Changes in gastric pH can impact the dissolution and absorption of compounds presenting pH-dependent solubility. We assessed, in dogs, the effects of gastric pH-modifying agents on the oral absorption of two weakly basic anticancer drugs, dasatinib and GDC-0941. We also tested whether drug-induced hypochlorhydria could be temporarily mitigated using betaine HCl. Pretreatments with pentagastrin, famotidine, betaine HCl, or combinations of famotidine and betaine HCl were administered orally to dogs prior to drug dosing. The gastric pH was measured under each condition for up to 7 h, and the exposure of the compounds tested was calculated. The average gastric pH in fasted dogs ranged from 1.45 to 3.03. Pentagastrin or betaine HCl treatments lowered the pH and reduced its variability between dogs compared to control animals. In contrast, famotidine treatment maintained gastric pH at values close to 7 for up to 5 h, while betaine HCl transiently reduced the pH to approximately 2 in the famotidine-treated dogs. Famotidine pretreatment lowered GDC-0941 exposure by 5-fold, and decreased dasatinib measurable concentrations 30-fold, compared to the pentagastrin-treated dogs. Betaine HCl restored GDC-0941 AUC in famotidine-treated dogs to levels achieved in control animals, and increased dasatinib AUC to 1.5-fold that measured in control dogs. The results confirmed the negative impact of acid-reducing agents on the absorption of weakly basic drugs. They also suggested that betaine HCl coadministration may be a viable strategy in humans treated with acid-reducing agents in order to temporarily reduce gastric pH and restore drug exposure.

  4. Gastric Re-acidification with Betaine HCl in Healthy Volunteers with Rabeprazole-Induced Hypochlorhydria

    PubMed Central

    Yago, Marc Anthony R.; Frymoyer, Adam R.; Smelick, Gillian S.; Frassetto, Lynda A.; Budha, Nageshwar R.; Dresser, Mark J.; Ware, Joseph A.; Benet, Leslie Z.

    2013-01-01

    Previous studies have demonstrated that increased gastric pH from the use of acid-reducing agents, such as proton-pump inhibitors or H2-receptor antagonists, can significantly impact the absorption of weakly basic drugs that exhibit pH-dependent solubility. Clinically practical strategies to mitigate this interaction have not been developed. This pilot study evaluated the extent and time course of gastric re-acidification after a solid oral dosage form of anhydrous betaine HCl in healthy volunteers with pharmacologically-induced hypochlorhydria. Six healthy volunteers with baseline normochlorhydria (fasting gastric pH < 4) were enrolled in this single period study. Hypochlorhydria was induced via 20 mg oral rabeprazole twice daily for four days. On the fifth day, an additional 20 mg dose of oral rabeprazole was given and gastric pH was monitored continuously using the Heidelberg pH capsule. After gastric pH > 4 was confirmed for 15 minutes, 1500 mg of betaine HCl was given orally with 90 mL of water and gastric pH was continuously monitored for 2 hours. Betaine HCl significantly lowered gastric pH by 4.5 (±0.5) units from 5.2 (±0.5) to 0.6 (±0.2) (P <0.001) during the 30 minute interval after administration. The onset of effect of betaine HCl was rapid, with a mean time to pH < 3 of 6.3 (±4.3) minutes. The re-acidification period was temporary with a gastric pH < 3 and < 4 lasting 73 (±33) and 77 (±30) minutes, respectively. Betaine HCl was well tolerated by all subjects. In healthy volunteers with pharmacologically-induced hypochlorhydria, betaine HCl was effective at temporarily lowering gastric pH. The rapid onset and relatively short duration of gastric pH reduction gives betaine HCl the potential to aid the absorption of orally administered weakly basic drugs that exhibit pH-dependent solubility when administered under hypochlorhydric conditions. PMID:23980906

  5. m-Cresol purple functionalized surface enhanced Raman scattering paper chips for highly sensitive detection of pH in the neutral pH range.

    PubMed

    Zou, Xinxin; Wang, Yunqing; Liu, Wanhui; Chen, Lingxin

    2017-06-26

    Herein, a pH sensitive paper SERS chip was prepared by selecting m-cresol purple, a molecule with halochromic properties in the neutral pH range as a Raman reporter. The adsorbed m-cresol purple underwent a reversible change in its electronic configuration from a non-resonant species to a resonant species, which resulted in a significant Raman signal intensity variation due to the transformation of the sensing mode from SERS to surface-enhanced resonance Raman scattering (SERRS). The chips have a sensitive pH range of 6.0 to 8.0 and exhibited good performance for the detection of natural water samples with detection precision of approximately 0.03 pH units, suggesting great potential for environmental pH monitoring applications.

  6. Assessment of gastrointestinal pH, fluid and lymphoid tissue in the guinea pig, rabbit and pig, and implications for their use in drug development.

    PubMed

    Merchant, Hamid A; McConnell, Emma L; Liu, Fang; Ramaswamy, Chandrasekaran; Kulkarni, Rucha P; Basit, Abdul W; Murdan, Sudaxshina

    2011-01-18

    Laboratory animals are often used in drug delivery and research. However, basic information about their gastrointestinal pH, fluid volume, and lymphoid tissue is not completely known. We have investigated these post-mortem in healthy guinea pigs, rabbits and pigs, to assess their suitability for pre-clinical studies by comparing the results with reported human literature. The mean gastric pH (fed ad libitum) was 2.9 and 4.4 in guinea pig and pig, respectively. In contrast, a very low pH (1.6) was recorded in the rabbits. The small intestinal pH was found in the range of 6.4-7.4 in the guinea pigs and rabbits, whereas lower pH (6.1-6.7) was recorded in the pig, which may have consequences for ionisable or pH responsive systems when tested in pig. A relatively lower pH than in the small intestine was found in the caecum (6.0-6.4) and colon (6.1-6.6) of the guinea pig, rabbit and the pig. The water content in the gastrointestinal tract of guinea pig, rabbit and pig was 51g, 153g and 1546g, respectively. When normalized to the body weight, the guinea pig, had larger amounts of water compared to the rabbit and the pig (guinea pig>rabbit>pig); in contrast, a reverse order was found when normalized to per unit length of the gut (guinea pig

  7. 40 CFR 421.154 - Standards of performance for new sources.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ...,700.0 4,378.0 Total Suspended solids 3,300.0 2,640.0 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the range of 7.5 to 10.0 at....000 Total Suspended solids 33,690.000 26,950.000 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the range of 7.5 to 10.0 at all...,269.000 Total Suspended solids 3,218.000 2,574.000 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the range of 7.5 to 10.0 at all...

  8. Peak shapes of acids and bases under overloaded conditions in reversed-phase liquid chromatography, with weakly buffered mobile phases of various pH: A thermodynamic interpretation

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Gritti, Fabrice; Guiochon, Georges A

    2009-01-01

    We measured overloaded band profiles for a series of nine compounds (phenol, caffeine, 3-phenyl 1-propanol, 2-phenylbutyric acid, amphetamine, aniline, benzylamine, p-toluidine, and procainamidium chloride) on columns packed with four different C{sub 18}-bonded packing materials: XTerra-C{sub 18}, Gemini-C{sub 18}, Luna-C{sub 18}(2), and Halo-C{sub 18}, using buffered methanol-water mobile phases. The {sub W}{sup S}pH of the mobile phase was increased from 2.6 to 11.3. The buffer concentration (either phosphate, acetate, or carbonate buffers) was set constant at values below the maximum concentration of the sample in the band. The influence of the surface chemistry of the packing material on the retention andmore » the shape of the peaks was investigated. Adsorbents having a hybrid inorganic/organic structure tend to give peaks exhibiting moderate or little tailing. The retention and the shape of the band profiles can easily be interpreted at {sub W}{sup S}pHs that are well above or well below the {sub W}{sup S}pK{sub a} of the compound studied. In contrast, the peak shapes in the intermediary pH range (i.e., close to the compound {sub W}{sup S}pK{sub a}) have rarely been studied. These shapes reveal the complexity of the competitive adsorption behavior of couples of acido-basic conjugated compounds at {sub W}{sup S}pHs that are close to their {sub W}{sup S}pK{sub a}. They also reveal the role of the buffer capacity on the resulting peak shape. With increasing {sub W}{sup S}pH, the overloaded profiles are first langmuirian (isotherm type I) at low {sub W}{sup S}pHs, they become S-shaped (isotherm type II), then anti-langmuirian (isotherm type III), S-shaped again at intermediate {sub W}{sup S}pHs, and finally return to a langmuirian shape at high {sub W}{sup S}pHs. A new general adsorption isotherm model that takes into account the dissociation equilibrium of conjugated acidic and basic species in the bulk mobile phase accounts for these transient band shapes. An excellent agreement was achieved between experimental profiles and those calculated with a two-sites adsorption isotherm model at all {sub W}{sup S}pHs. The neutral species adsorbs strongly on a first type of sites that have a high density while the ionic species adsorb preferentially on a second type of sites that have a very low density. The evolution of the peak shape when the {sub W}{sup S}pH changes from acidic to basic is well explained by the weak buffer capacity of the mobile phase used compared to the concentration of the eluted compounds.« less

  9. On the Observation of Discrete Fluorine NMR Spectra for Uridine 5′-β,γ-Fluoromethylenetriphosphate Diastereomers at Basic pH

    PubMed Central

    2015-01-01

    Jakeman et al. recently reported the inability to distinguish the diastereomers of uridine 5′-β,γ-fluoromethylenetriphosphate (β,γ-CHF-UTP, 1) by 19F NMR under conditions we previously prescribed for the resolution of the corresponding β,γ-CHF-dGTP spectra, stating further that 1 decomposed under these basic conditions. Here we show that the 19F NMR spectra of 1 (∼1:1 diastereomer mixture prepared by coupling of UMP-morpholidate with fluoromethylenebis(phosphonic acid)) in D2O at pH 10 are indeed readily distinguishable. 1 in this solution was stable for 24 h at rt. PMID:24819695

  10. Adsorption characteristics of a cationic porphyrin on nanoclay at various pH.

    PubMed

    Rice, Zachary; Bergkvist, Magnus

    2009-07-15

    Natural and synthetic porphyrin derivatives offer a range of applications including enzymatic catalysis, photosensitizers for light harvesting and chemical reactions, and molecular electronics. They exhibit unique optical spectra dominated by the presence of Soret and Q-band structures whose position and shape offer a straightforward method to characterize porphyrins in various surroundings. In many applications it is often beneficial to have porphyrins adsorbed onto a solid matrix. Applications of porphyrin-clay complexes extend to numerous biological applications including pharmaceutical drug delivery, cosmetics, and agricultural applications and thus a full understanding of porphyrin-clay surface interactions are essential. Here we investigated the adsorption behavior of meso-tetra(4-N,N,N-trimethylanilinium) porphine (TMAP) onto sodium containing, natural montmorillonite clay (Cloisite Na(+)) in characteristic biological buffers over a range of pHs (approximately 2-9). Spectroscopic analyses show a linear absorption response at acidic and basic pHs but a slight deviation at intermediate pHs. Absorption spectra for TMAP on clay showed distinct red shifts of the Soret and Q-bands compared to free TMAP for all buffer conditions indicating core pi-electron delocalization into the substituent rings. At intermediate pHs, a gradual transition between protonated/deprotonated states were seen, presumably due to higher H(+) concentration at the surface than in bulk. Results indicate TMAP adsorption to clay occurs in a monolayer fashion at low/high pH while slightly acidic/neutral pH possibly rearrange on the surface and/or form aggregates. AFM images of clay saturated with TMAP are reported and show single isolated clay sheets without aggregation, similar to clay without TMAP.

  11. Comparison of pH measurements made using 31P NMR and a fibreoptic pH meter.

    PubMed

    Jayasundar, R; Hall, L D; Bleehen, N M

    1992-01-01

    The objective of this study was to compare pH measurements made in biological samples using 31P NMR (pHNMR) with those made with a novel, dye-based fibreoptic pH measurement system (pHF), which is compatible with use in electromagnetic fields without field perturbation. Using protein-free model solutions, pHNMR was calibrated against pHF, giving a correlation coefficient of 0.969 and a mean difference (+/- SD) between pHNMR and pHF of 0.037 +/- 0.054 over the pH range 6.8-7.7. Further calibration of pHNMR with pHF was carried out for human red blood lysates and then pHNMR was compared with pHF for whole, packed red blood cells over the pH range 7.0-7.8. Values for pHNMR, the intracellular pH, were consistently lower than for pHF, the extracellular pH, by a mean (+/- SD) of 0.15 +/- 0.02 units. A close correlation of extracellular pHNMR with pHF was demonstrated for a blood sample exhibiting two P(i) peaks, over the pH range 7.03-7.71. We conclude that concurrent use of NMR and the fibreoptic pH meter provides a reliable method of simultaneous measurement of intracellular and extracellular pH in biological systems.

  12. Development of a novel colorimetric sensor based on alginate beads for monitoring rainbow trout spoilage.

    PubMed

    Majdinasab, Marjan; Hosseini, Seyed Mohammad Hashem; Sepidname, Marziyeh; Negahdarifar, Manizheh; Li, Peiwu

    2018-05-01

    Alginate is a non-toxic, renewable, and linear copolymer obtained from the brown algae Laminaria digitata that can be easily shaped into beads. Its good gel forming properties have made it useful for entrapping food and pharmaceutical ingredients. In this study, alginate beads were used in a novel application as a colorimetric sensor in food intelligent packaging. Colorimetric sensor was developed through entrapping red cabbage extract as a pH indicator in alginate beads. The pH indicator beads were used in rainbow trout packaging for monitoring fillets spoilage. Color change of beads during fish storage was measured using the CIELab method. The alginate bead colorimetric sensor is validated by measuring total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) levels and microbial populations in fish samples. Moreover, peroxide value (PV) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were evaluated during storage. Results indicated that increasing the bacterial population during storage and production of proteolytic enzymes resulted in protein degradation, accumulation of volatile amine compounds, increase in the pH and finally color change of alginate beads. The values of TVB-N, pH, PV and TBARS increased with time of storage. The results of TVB-N and microbial growth were in accordance with color change of beads and CIELab data. Therefore, the proposed system enjoys a high sensitivity to pH variations and is capable of monitoring the spoilage of fish or other protein-rich products through its wide range of color changes. The alginate beads containing the red cabbage extract can, thus, be used as a low-cost colorimetric sensor for intelligent packaging applications.

  13. Minimally invasive wireless motility capsule to study canine gastrointestinal motility and pH.

    PubMed

    Warrit, K; Boscan, P; Ferguson, L E; Bradley, A M; Dowers, K L; Rao, S; Twedt, D C

    2017-09-01

    The aim of this study was to describe the feasibility of using a gastrointestinal tract wireless motility capsule (WMC) that measured intraluminal pressure, pH and transit time through the gastrointestinal tract, in dogs in their home environment. Forty-four adult healthy dogs, eating a standard diet, were prospectively enrolled. The WMC was well tolerated by all dogs and provided data from the different sections of the gastrointestinal tract. Median gastric emptying time was 20h (range, 6.3-119h), demonstrating a large range. The gastric pressure pattern and pH depended on the phase of food consumption. The small bowel transit time was 3.1h (range, 1.6-5.4h) with average contraction pressures of 6.5mmHg (range, 1.1-21.4mmHg) and pH 7.8 (range, 7-8.9). The large bowel transit time was 21h (range, 1-69h) with average contractions pressures of 0.9mmHg (range, 0.3-2.7mmHg) and pH 6.4 (range, 5.3-8.2). There was considerable individual variation in motility patterns and transit times between dogs. No difference was observed between the sexes. No relationships between any transit time, bowel pH or pressure pattern and bodyweights were identified. The WMC likely represents movement of a large non-digestible particle rather than normal ingesta. Due to its large size, the WMC should not be use in smaller dogs. The WMC is a promising minimally invasive tool to assess GIT solid phase transit times, pressures and pH. However, further studies are necessary due to the current limitations observed. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

  14. Multiple, simultaneous, independent gradients for a versatile multidimensional liquid chromatography. Part II: Application 2: Computer controlled pH gradients in the presence of urea provide improved separation of proteins: Stability influenced anion and cation exchange chromatography.

    PubMed

    Hirsh, Allen G; Tsonev, Latchezar I

    2017-04-28

    This paper details the use of a method of creating controlled pH gradients (pISep) to improve the separation of protein isoforms on ion exchange (IEX) stationary phases in the presence of various isocratic levels of urea. The pISep technology enables the development of computer controlled pH gradients on both cationic (CEX) and anionic (AEX) IEX stationary phases over the very wide pH range from 2 to 12. In pISep, titration curves generated by proportional mixing of the acidic and basic pISep working buffers alone, or in the presence of non-buffering solutes such as the neutral salt NaCl (0-1M), polar organics such as urea (0-8M) or acetonitrile (0-80 Vol%), can be fitted with high fidelity using high order polynomials which, in turn allows construction of a mathematical manifold %A (% acidic pISep buffer) vs. pH vs. [non-buffering solute], permitting precise computer control of pH and the non-buffering solute concentration allowing formation of dual uncoupled liquid chromatographic (LC) gradients of arbitrary shape (Hirsh and Tsonev, 2012 [1]). The separation of protein isoforms examined in this paper by use of such pH gradients in the presence of urea demonstrates the fractionation power of a true single step two dimensional liquid chromatography which we denote as Stability-Influenced Ion Exchange Chromatography (SIIEX). We present evidence that SIIEX is capable of increasing the resolution of protein isoforms difficult to separate by ordinary pH gradient IEX, and potentially simplifying the development of laboratory and production purification strategies involving on-column simultaneous pH and urea unfolding or refolding of targeted proteins. We model some of the physics implied by the dynamics of the observed protein fractionations as a function of both urea concentration and pH assuming that urea-induced native state unfolding competes with native state electrostatic interaction binding to an IEX stationary phase. Implications for in vivo protein-membrane interactions are discussed. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  15. DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Roberts, F. Sloan; Kuhl, Kendra P.; Nilsson, Anders

    The activity and selectivity for CO 2/CO reduction over copper electrodes is strongly dependent on the local surface structure of the catalyst and the pH of the electrolyte. Here we investigate a unique, copper nanocube surface (CuCube) as a CO reduction electrode under neutral and basic pH, using online electrochemical mass spectroscopy (OLEMS) to determine the onset potentials and relative intensities of methane and ethylene production. To relate the unique selectivity to the surface structure, the CuCube surface reactivity is compared to polycrystalline copper and three single crystals under the same reaction conditions. Here, we find that the high selectivitymore » for ethylene over the CuCube surface is most comparable to the Cu(100) surface, which has the cubic unit cell. However, the suppression of methane production over CuCube is unique to that particular surface. Basic pH is also shown to enhance ethylene selectivity on all surfaces, again with the CuCube surface being unique.« less

  16. Production of edible carbohydrates from formaldehyde in a spacecraft. pH variations in the calcium hydroxide catalyzed formose reaction. Final Report, 1 Jul. 1973 - 30 Jun. 1974. M.S. Thesis

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Weiss, A. H.; Kohler, J. T.; John, T.

    1974-01-01

    The study of the calcium hydroxide catalyzed condensation of formaldehyde was extended to a batch reactor system. Decreases in pH were observed, often in the acid regime, when using this basic catalyst. This observation was shown to be similar to results obtained by others using less basic catalysts in the batch mode. The relative rates of these reactions are different in a batch reactor than in a continuous stirred tank reactor. This difference in relative rates is due to the fact that at any degree of advancement in the batch system, the products have a history of previous products, pH, and dissolved catalyst. The relative rate differences can be expected to yield a different nature of product sugars for the two types of reactors.

  17. Effect of gastric pH on the pharmacokinetics of a BCS class II compound in dogs: utilization of an artificial stomach and duodenum dissolution model and GastroPlus,™ simulations to predict absorption.

    PubMed

    Bhattachar, Shobha N; Perkins, Everett J; Tan, Jeffrey S; Burns, Lee J

    2011-11-01

    Dogs are one of the most commonly used non-rodent species in toxicology studies and are known to have basal stomach pH ranging from 2 to 7 in the fasted state. Thus absorption and resulting plasma exposure of weakly basic compounds administered as crystalline suspensions to dogs are often variable. LY2157299 is a potent and selective transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta receptor type 1 kinase (TGF-βRI) inhibitor that displayed variable absorption in early dog studies. This molecule is a weakly basic Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS)Class II compound, and depends on the rate and extent of dissolution to drive oral absorption. An artificial stomach and duodenum (ASD) dissolution model was utilized to evaluate potential effect of gastric pH on the absorption of suspension and buffered solution formulations. GastroPlus™ was also employed to predict the magnitude of gastric pH changes on LY2157299 absorption. The ASD experiments demonstrated that administration of a buffered acidic solution could improve the potential for absorption by normalizing gastric pH and enabling supersaturation in the duodenum. GastroPlus™ modeling suggested that direct modulation of gastric pH could lead to marked changes in bioavailability. Pharmacokinetic experiments were conducted in dogs to evaluate the effect of gastric pH modification on plasma exposure. The data were qualitatively consistent with the predictions. Copyright © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

  18. Electromembrane extraction using two separate cells: A new design for simultaneous extraction of acidic and basic compounds.

    PubMed

    Nojavan, Saeed; Asadi, Sakine

    2016-02-01

    Simultaneous extraction of acidic and basic analytes from a sample is seen to be a challenging task. In this work, a novel and efficient electromembrane extraction (EME) method based on two separate cells was applied to simultaneously extract and preconcentrate two acidic drugs (naproxen and ibuprofen) along with a basic drug (ketamine). Once both cells were filled with the sample solution, basic drug was extracted from one cell with the other cell used to extract acidic drugs. The employed supported liquid membranes for the extraction of acidic and basic drugs were 2-ethyl hexanol and 1-octanol, respectively. Under an applied potential of 250 V in the course of the extraction process, acidic, and basic drugs were extracted from a 3.0 mL aqueous sample solution into 25 μL acceptor solutions. The pH values of the donor and acceptor solutions in the cathodic cell were 5.0 and 1.5, respectively, the corresponding values in the anodic cell were, however, 8.0 and 12.5, respectively. The rates of recovery obtained within 20 min of extraction time at a stirring rate of 750 rpm ranged from 45 to 54%. With correlation coefficients ranging from 0.990 to 0.996, the proposed EME technique provided good linearity over a concentration range of 20-1000 ng/mL. The LOD for all drugs was found to be 6.7 ng/mL, while reproducibility ranged from 7 to 12% (n = 5). Finally, applying the proposed method to determine and quantify the drugs in urine and wastewater samples, satisfactory results were achieved. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  19. "Do-It-Yourself" reliable pH-stat device by using open-source software, inexpensive hardware and available laboratory equipment.

    PubMed

    Milanovic, Jovana Z; Milanovic, Predrag; Kragic, Rastislav; Kostic, Mirjana

    2018-01-01

    In this paper, we present the construction of a reliable and inexpensive pH stat device, by using open-source "OpenPhControl" software, inexpensive hardware (a peristaltic and a syringe pump, Arduino, a step motor…), readily available laboratory devices: a pH meter, a computer, a webcam, and some 3D printed parts. We provide a methodology for the design, development and test results of each part of the device, as well as of the entire system. In addition to dosing reagents by means of a low-cost peristaltic pump, we also present carefully controlled dosing of reagents by an open-source syringe pump. The upgrading of the basic open-source syringe pump is given in terms of pump control and application of a larger syringe. In addition to the basic functions of pH stat, i.e. pH value measurement and maintenance, an improvement allowing the device to be used for potentiometric titration has been made as well. We have demonstrated the device's utility when applied for cellulose fibers oxidation with 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl radical, i.e. for TEMPO-mediated oxidation. In support of this, we present the results obtained for the oxidation kinetics, the consumption of added reagent and experimental repeatability. Considering that the open-source scientific tools are available to everyone, and that researchers can construct and adjust the device according to their needs, as well as, that the total cost of the open-source pH stat device, excluding the existing laboratory equipment (pH meter, computer and glossary) was less than 150 EUR, we believe that, at a small fraction of the cost of available commercial offers, our open-source pH stat can significantly improve experimental work where the use of pH stat is necessary.

  20. Reactive solute transport in streams: 2. Simulation of a pH modification experiment

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Runkel, Robert L.; McKnight, Diane M.; Bencala, Kenneth E.; Chapra, Steven C.

    1996-01-01

    We present an application of an equilibrium-based solute transport model to a pH-modification experiment conducted on the Snake River, an acidic, metal-rich stream located in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. During the experiment, instream pH decreased from 4.2 to 3.2, causing a marked increase in dissolved iron concentrations. Model application requires specification of several parameters that are estimated using tracer techniques, mass balance calculations, and geochemical data. Two basic questions are addressed through model application: (1) What are the processes responsible for the observed increase in dissolved iron concentrations? (2) Can the identified processes be represented within the equilibrium-based transport model? Simulation results indicate that the increase in iron was due to the dissolution of hydrous iron oxides and the photoreduction of ferric iron. Dissolution from the streambed is represented by considering a trace compartment consisting of freshly precipitated hydrous iron oxide and an abundant compartment consisting of aged precipitates that are less soluble. Spatial variability in the solubility of hydrous iron oxide is attributed to heterogeneity in the streambed sediments, temperature effects, and/or variability in the effects of photoreduction. Solubility products estimated via simulation fall within a narrow range (pKsp from 40.2 to 40.8) relative to the 6 order of magnitude variation reported for laboratory experiments (pKsp from 37.3 to 43.3). Results also support the use of an equilibrium-based transport model as the predominate features of the iron and pH profiles are reproduced. The model provides a valuable tool for quantifying the nature and extent of pH-dependent processes within the context of hydrologic transport.

  1. Reactive Solute Transport in Streams: 2. Simulation of a pH Modification Experiment

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Runkel, Robert L.; McKnight, Diane M.; Bencala, Kenneth E.; Chapra, Steven C.

    1996-02-01

    We present an application of an equilibrium-based solute transport model to a pH-modification experiment conducted on the Snake River, an acidic, metal-rich stream located in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. During the experiment, instream pH decreased from 4.2 to 3.2, causing a marked increase in dissolved iron concentrations. Model application requires specification of several parameters that are estimated using tracer techniques, mass balance calculations, and geochemical data. Two basic questions are addressed through model application: (1) What are the processes responsible for the observed increase in dissolved iron concentrations? (2) Can the identified processes be represented within the equilibrium-based transport model? Simulation results indicate that the increase in iron was due to the dissolution of hydrous iron oxides and the photoreduction of ferric iron. Dissolution from the streambed is represented by considering a trace compartment consisting of freshly precipitated hydrous iron oxide and an abundant compartment consisting of aged precipitates that are less soluble. Spatial variability in the solubility of hydrous iron oxide is attributed to heterogeneity in the streambed sediments, temperature effects, and/or variability in the effects of photoreduction. Solubility products estimated via simulation fall within a narrow range (pKsp from 40.2 to 40.8) relative to the 6 order of magnitude variation reported for laboratory experiments (pKsp from 37.3 to 43.3). Results also support the use of an equilibrium-based transport model as the predominate features of the iron and pH profiles are reproduced. The model provides a valuable tool for quantifying the nature and extent of pH-dependent processes within the context of hydrologic transport.

  2. Fractionation analysis of oxyanion-forming metals and metalloids in leachates of cement-based materials using ion exchange solid phase extraction.

    PubMed

    Mulugeta, Mesay; Wibetoe, Grethe; Engelsen, Christian J; Lund, Walter

    2009-05-15

    A simple and versatile solid phase extraction (SPE) method has been developed to determine the anionic species of As, Cr, Mo, Sb, Se and V in leachates of cement mortar and concrete materials in the pH range 3-13. The anionic fractions of these elements were extracted using a strong anion exchanger (SAX) and their concentrations were determined as the difference in element concentration between the sample and the SAX effluent. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used off-line to analyse solutions before and after passing through the SAX. The extraction method has been developed by optimizing sorbent type, sorbent conditioning and sample percolation rate. Breakthrough volumes and effect of matrix constituents were also studied. It was found that a polymer-based SAX conditioned with a buffer close to the sample pH or in some cases deionised water gave the best retention of the analytes. Optimal conditions were also determined for the quantitative elution of analytes retained on the SAX. Extraction of the cement mortar and concrete leachates showed that most of the elements had similar distribution of anions in both leachate types, and that the distribution was strongly pH dependent. Cr, Mo and V exist in anionic forms in strongly basic leachates (pH>12), and significant fractions of anionic Se were also detected in these solutions. Cr, Mo, Se and V were not determined as anions by the present method in the leachates of pH<12. Anionic As and Sb were found in small fractions in most of the leachates.

  3. Identifying across‐system sources of variation in a generalist freshwater fish: Correlates of total and size‐specific abundance of yellow perch

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Carey, Michael P.; Mather, M. E.

    2009-01-01

    Variation in fish abundance across systems presents a challenge to our understanding of fish populations because it limits our ability to predict and transfer basic ecological principles to applied problems. Yellow perch (Perca flavescens) is an ideal species for exploring environmental and biotic correlates across system because it is widely distributed and physiologically tolerant. In 16 small, adjacent systems that span a wide range of environmental and biotic conditions, yellow perch were sampled with a standard suite of gear. Water quality, morphometry, vegetation, invertebrates and fish communities were concurrently measured. Multimodel inference was used to prioritise regressors for the entire yellow perch sample and three size groups (35-80, 81-180, ≥181 mm TL). Across systems, pH and fish richness were identified as the key drivers of yellow perch abundance. At very low pH (<4.0), few fish species and few yellow perch individuals were found. At ponds with moderately low pH (4.0–4.8), numbers of yellow perch increased. Ponds with high pH (>4.8) had many other species and few yellow perch. Similar patterns for pH and fish community were observed for the two largest‐size classes. Negative interactions were observed between the medium‐ and large‐sized yellow perch and between the largest and smallest yellow perch, although interspecific interactions were weaker than expected. This examination of variability for an indicator species and its component‐size classes provides ecological understanding that can help frame the larger‐scale sampling programs needed for the conservation of freshwater fish.

  4. Removal Enhancement of Basic Blue 41 BY RGO-TiO2 Nanocomposite Synthesized Using Pulsed Laser

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ghasemi, Fatemeh; Kimiagar, Salimeh; Shahbazi, Mozhgan; Vojoudi, Hossein

    Graphene oxide (GO) and GO-TiO2 nanocomposite was produced then reduced under pulse laser irradiation (RGO-TiO2). Basic blue 41 (bb41) dye was removed from aqueous solutions by using RGO-TiO2 nanocomposites. The UV-Vis absorption and FTIR analysis were utilized to confirm the reduction of GO-TiO2 to RGO-TiO2. The results showed complete reduction of GO. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectra and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis were applied to approve the RGO-TiO2 nanocomposite structure. The effect of pH on the bb41 removal by RGO-TiO2 was studied varying the pH from 1 to 11. The optimum pH and adsorbent dosage were found to be 9 and 0.2g/L with 98% efficiency, respectively. The calculated coefficients demonstrated that the Langmuir model was fixed to the experimental data. The results indicated that RGO-TiO2 could be engaged as an exceptional sorbent to remove bb41 dye which is in aqueous solution.

  5. Competitive adsorption of copper(II), cadmium(II), lead(II) and zinc(II) onto basic oxygen furnace slag.

    PubMed

    Xue, Yongjie; Hou, Haobo; Zhu, Shujing

    2009-02-15

    Polluted and contaminated water can often contain more than one heavy metal species. It is possible that the behavior of a particular metal species in a solution system will be affected by the presence of other metals. In this study, we have investigated the adsorption of Cd(II), Cu(II), Pb(II), and Zn(II) onto basic oxygen furnace slag (BOF slag) in single- and multi-element solution systems as a function of pH and concentration, in a background solution of 0.01M NaNO(3). In adsorption edge experiments, the pH was varied from 2.0 to 13.0 with total metal concentration 0.84mM in the single element system and 0.21mM each of Cd(II), Cu(II), Pb(II), and Zn(II) in the multi-element system. The value of pH(50) (the pH at which 50% adsorption occurs) was found to follow the sequence Zn>Cu>Pb>Cd in single-element systems, but Pb>Cu>Zn>Cd in the multi-element system. Adsorption isotherms at pH 6.0 in the multi-element systems showed that there is competition among various metals for adsorption sites on BOF slag. The adsorption and potentiometric titrations data for various slag-metal systems were modeled using an extended constant-capacitance surface complexation model that assumed an ion-exchange process below pH 6.5 and the formation of inner-sphere surface complexes at higher pH. Inner-sphere complexation was more dominant for the Cu(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) systems.

  6. Alkaline pH sensor molecules.

    PubMed

    Murayama, Takashi; Maruyama, Ichiro N

    2015-11-01

    Animals can survive only within a narrow pH range. This requires continual monitoring of environmental and body-fluid pH. Although a variety of acidic pH sensor molecules have been reported, alkaline pH sensor function is not well understood. This Review describes neuronal alkaline pH sensors, grouped according to whether they monitor extracellular or intracellular alkaline pH. Extracellular sensors include the receptor-type guanylyl cyclase, the insulin receptor-related receptor, ligand-gated Cl- channels, connexin hemichannels, two-pore-domain K+ channels, and transient receptor potential (TRP) channels. Intracellular sensors include TRP channels and gap junction channels. Identification of molecular mechanisms underlying alkaline pH sensing is crucial for understanding how animals respond to environmental alkaline pH and how body-fluid pH is maintained within a narrow range. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  7. Method of uranium reclamation from aqueous systems by reactive ion exchange. [US DOE patent application; anion exchange resin of copolymerized divinyl-benzene and styrene having quarternary ammonium groups and bicarbonate ligands

    DOEpatents

    Maya, L.

    1981-11-05

    A reactive ion exchange method for separation and recovery of values of uranium, neptunium, plutonium, or americium from substantially neutral aqueous systems of said metals comprises contacting said system with an effective amount of a basic anion exchange resin of copolymerized divinyl-benzene and styrene having quarternary ammonium groups and bicarbonate ligands to achieve nearly 100% sorption of said actinyl ion onto said resin and an aqueous system practically free of said actinyl ions. The method is operational over an extensive range of concentrations from about 10/sup -6/ M to 1.0 M actinyl ion and a pH range of about 4 to 7. The method has particulr application to treatment of waste streams from Purex-type nuclear fuel reprocessing facilities and hydrometallurgical processes involving U, Np, P, or Am.

  8. 40 CFR 471.23 - New source performance standards (NSPS).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... 4.37 Fluoride 4.44 1.97 Oil and grease 0.746 0.746 TSS 1.12 0.895 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the range of 7... 7.63 Oil and grease 2.89 2.89 TSS 4.34 3.47 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the range of 7.5 to 10.0 at all... 59.3 47.4 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the range of 7.5 to 10.0 at all times. (f) Surface treatment spent...

  9. Tyrosine oxidation in heme oxygenase: examination of long-range proton-coupled electron transfer.

    PubMed

    Smirnov, Valeriy V; Roth, Justine P

    2014-10-01

    Heme oxygenase is responsible for the degradation of a histidine-ligated ferric protoporphyrin IX (Por) to biliverdin, CO, and the free ferrous ion. Described here are studies of tyrosyl radical formation reactions that occur after oxidizing Fe(III)(Por) to Fe(IV)=O(Por(·+)) in human heme oxygenase isoform-1 (hHO-1) and the structurally homologous protein from Corynebacterium diphtheriae (cdHO). Site-directed mutagenesis on hHO-1 probes the reduction of Fe(IV)=O(Por(·+)) by tyrosine residues within 11 Å of the prosthetic group. In hHO-1, Y58· is implicated as the most likely site of oxidation, based on the pH and pD dependent kinetics. The absence of solvent deuterium isotope effects in basic solutions of hHO-1 and cdHO contrasts with the behavior of these proteins in the acidic solution, suggesting that long-range proton-coupled electron transfer predominates over electron transfer.

  10. 40 CFR 434.55 - New source performance standards (NSPS).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... consecutive days Concentrations in mg/1 Iron, total 6.0 3.0 TSS 70.0 35.0 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the range 6.0 to... property Limitations Settleable Solids 0.5 ml/1 maximum not to be exceeded. pH (1) (1) Within the range 6.0..., total 4.0 2.0 TSS 70.0 35.0 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the range 6.0 to 9.0 at all times. (2) Except as...

  11. "Do-It-Yourself" reliable pH-stat device by using open-source software, inexpensive hardware and available laboratory equipment

    PubMed Central

    Kragic, Rastislav; Kostic, Mirjana

    2018-01-01

    In this paper, we present the construction of a reliable and inexpensive pH stat device, by using open-source “OpenPhControl” software, inexpensive hardware (a peristaltic and a syringe pump, Arduino, a step motor…), readily available laboratory devices: a pH meter, a computer, a webcam, and some 3D printed parts. We provide a methodology for the design, development and test results of each part of the device, as well as of the entire system. In addition to dosing reagents by means of a low-cost peristaltic pump, we also present carefully controlled dosing of reagents by an open-source syringe pump. The upgrading of the basic open-source syringe pump is given in terms of pump control and application of a larger syringe. In addition to the basic functions of pH stat, i.e. pH value measurement and maintenance, an improvement allowing the device to be used for potentiometric titration has been made as well. We have demonstrated the device’s utility when applied for cellulose fibers oxidation with 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl radical, i.e. for TEMPO-mediated oxidation. In support of this, we present the results obtained for the oxidation kinetics, the consumption of added reagent and experimental repeatability. Considering that the open-source scientific tools are available to everyone, and that researchers can construct and adjust the device according to their needs, as well as, that the total cost of the open-source pH stat device, excluding the existing laboratory equipment (pH meter, computer and glossary) was less than 150 EUR, we believe that, at a small fraction of the cost of available commercial offers, our open-source pH stat can significantly improve experimental work where the use of pH stat is necessary. PMID:29509793

  12. Characterization of the Adsorption of Nucleic Acid Bases onto Ferrihydrite via Fourier Transform Infrared and Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy and X-ray Diffractometry.

    PubMed

    Canhisares-Filho, José E; Carneiro, Cristine E A; de Santana, Henrique; Urbano, Alexandre; da Costa, Antonio C S; Zaia, Cássia T B V; Zaia, Dimas A M

    2015-09-01

    Minerals could have played an important role in concentration, protection, and polymerization of biomolecules. Although iron is the fourth most abundant element in Earth's crust, there are few works in the literature that describe the use of iron oxide-hydroxide in prebiotic chemistry experiments. In the present work, the interaction of adenine, thymine, and uracil with ferrihydrite was studied under conditions that resemble those of prebiotic Earth. At acidic pH, anions in artificial seawater decreased the pH at the point of zero charge (pHpzc) of ferrihydrite; and at basic pH, cations increased the pHpzc. The adsorption of nucleic acid bases onto ferrihydrite followed the order adenine > uracil > thymine. Adenine adsorption peaked at neutral pH; however, for thymine and uracil, adsorption increased with increasing pH. Electrostatic interactions did not appear to play an important role on the adsorption of nucleic acid bases onto ferrihydrite. Adenine adsorption onto ferrihydrite was higher in distilled water compared to artificial seawater. After ferrihydrite was mixed with artificial seawaters or nucleic acid bases, X-ray diffractograms and Fourier transform infrared spectra did not show any change. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy showed that the interaction of adenine with ferrihydrite was not pH-dependent. In contrast, the interactions of thymine and uracil with ferrihydrite were pH-dependent such that, at basic pH, thymine and uracil lay flat on the surface of ferrihydrite, and at acidic pH, thymine and uracil were perpendicular to the surface. Ferrihydrite adsorbed much more adenine than thymine; thus adenine would have been better protected against degradation by hydrolysis or UV radiation on prebiotic Earth.

  13. Photocatalytic degradation of Maxilon C.I. basic dye using CS/CoFe2O4/GONCs as a heterogeneous photo-Fenton catalyst prepared by gamma irradiation.

    PubMed

    Al-Kahtani, Abdullah A; Abou Taleb, Manal F

    2016-05-15

    CS/CF/GONCs were synthesized via gamma irradiation cross-linking method with the aid of sonication. The nanocomposites exhibited a photo-Fenton catalytic feature for the degradation of Maxilon C.I. basic dye in aqueous medium using sunlight. The effects of pH, H2O2 concentration, and dosage of the catalyst, on the degradation rates of the dyes were examined. The optimal degradation rate was reached with 10mM H2O2 at pH 9.5. It was verified that the Maxilon C.I. basic dye degradation rate fits a pseudo-first-order kinetics for different initial concentrations of Maxilon C.I. dye. Fourth cyclic tests for Maxilon C.I. degradation showed that the magnetic catalyst was very stable, recoverable, highly active, and easy to separate using an external magnet. Hence, this magnetic catalyst has potential use in organic pollutant removal. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  14. Decolorisation of Basic Textile Dye from Aqueous Solutions using a Biosorbent derived from Thespesia populnea used Biomass

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gunturu, Bhargavi; Rao Palukuri, Nageswara; Sahadevan, Renganathan

    2018-03-01

    In the present study, the efficiency of a biosorbent derived from seeds of Thespesia populnea was investigated towards the removal of basic textile dye Methylene Blue from an aqueous solution. Adsorption studies were carried out in batch system. Influence of experimental parameters such as adsorbent dosage (0.1g/L-0.3g/L), PH (2-10) and initial dye concentration (50-130mg/L) on adsorption of dye onto biosorbent was investigated. Maximum uptake of dye was observed with 0.1g/L adsorbent dosage at PH 8.0. Equilibrium uptake of methylene blue dye by the adsorbent was analyzed by Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. The data fitted best with Freundlich model, suggesting that adsorption of the dye was by multilayer model on the surface of the adsorbent. Experimental results obtained support that the biosorbent used in the present study can be a suitable low cost alternate for the removal of basic textile dyes.

  15. A novel pH optical sensor using methyl orange based on triacetylcellulose membranes as support.

    PubMed

    Hosseini, Mohammad; Heydari, Rouhollah; Alimoradi, Mohammad

    2014-07-15

    A novel pH optical sensor based on triacetylcellulose membrane as solid support was developed by using immobilization of methyl orange indicator. The prepared optical sensor was fixed into a flow cell for on-line pH monitoring. Variables affecting sensor performance, such as pH of dye bonding to triacetylcellulose membrane and dye concentration have been fully evaluated and optimized. The calibration curve showed good behavior and precision (RSD<0.4%) in the pH range of 4.0-12.0. No significant variation was observed on sensor response with increasing the ionic strength in the range of 0.0-0.5M of sodium chloride. Determination of pH by using the proposed optical sensor is on-line, quick, inexpensive, selective and sensitive in the pH range of 4.0-12.0. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  16. Guidelines for Measuring Changes in Seawater pH and Associated Carbonate Chemistry in Coastal Environments of the Eastern United States

    EPA Science Inventory

    This report begins with descriptions of the differences between coastal and ocean acidification, factors contributing to acidification on the US east coast, and basic characteristics of the seawater carbonate system and its parameters. A basic survey of available methods and cha...

  17. 40 CFR 421.254 - Standards of performance for new sources.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... Oil and Grease 4.000 4.000 Total suspended solids 6.000 4.800 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the range of 7.5 to....000 Total suspended solids 19.500 15.600 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the range of 7.5 to 10.0 at all times. (b... pH (1) (1) 1 Within the range of 7.5 to 10.0 at all times. (d) Electrolyte preparation wet air...

  18. Determination of isoelectric points and the role of pH for common quartz crystal microbalance sensors.

    PubMed

    Cuddy, Michael F; Poda, Aimee R; Brantley, Lauren N

    2013-05-01

    Isoelectric points (IEPs) were determined by the method of contact angle titration for five common quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) sensors. The isoelectric points range from mildly basic in the case of Al2O3 sensors (IEP = 8.7) to moderately acidic for Au (5.2) and SiO2 (3.9), to acidic for Ag (3.2) and Ti (2.9). In general, the values reported here are indicative of inherent surface oxides. A demonstration of the effect of the surface isoelectric point on the packing efficiency of thin mucin films is provided for gold and silica QCM sensors. It is determined that mucin layers on both substrates achieve a maximum and equal layer density of ∼3500 kg/m(3) at the corresponding IEP of either QCM sensor. This implies that mucin film packing is dependent upon short-range electrostatic interactions at the sensor surface.

  19. Determination of Copper and Zinc in Brass: Two Basic Methods

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Fabre, Paul-Louis; Reynes, Olivier

    2010-01-01

    In this experiment, the concentrations of copper and zinc in brass are obtained by two methods. This experiment does not require advanced instrumentation, uses inexpensive chemicals, and can be easily carried out during a 3-h upper-level undergraduate laboratory. Pedagogically, the basic concepts of analytical chemistry in solutions, such as pH,…

  20. CE-MS analysis of heroin and its basic impurities using a charged polymer-protected gold nanoparticle-coated capillary.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Zhengxiang; Yan, Bo; Liu, Kelin; Liao, Yiping; Liu, Huwei

    2009-01-01

    The first application of charged polymer-protected gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) as semi-permanent capillary coating in CE-MS was presented. Poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) was the only reducing and stabilizing agent for Au NPs preparation. Stable and repeatable coating with good tolerance to 0.1 M HCl, methanol, and ACN was obtained via a simple rinsing procedure. Au NPs enhanced the coating stability toward flushing by methanol, improved the run-to-run and capillary-to-capillary repeatabilities, and improved the separation efficiency of heroin and its basic impurities for tracing geographical origins of illicit samples. Baseline resolution of eight heroin-related alkaloids was achieved on the PDDA-protected Au NPs-coated capillary under the optimum conditions: 120 mM ammonium acetate (pH 5.2) with addition of 13% methanol, separation temperature 20 degrees C, applied voltage -20 kV, and capillary effective length 60.0 cm. CE-MS analysis with run-to-run RSDs (n=5) of migration time in the range of 0.43-0.62% and RSDs (n=5) of peak area in the range of 1.49-4.68% was obtained. The established CE-MS method would offer sensitive detection and confident identification of heroin and related compounds and provide an alternative to LC-MS and GC-MS for illicit drug control.

  1. A highly thermostable alkaline cellulase-free xylanase from thermoalkalophilic Bacillus sp. JB 99 suitable for paper and pulp industry: purification and characterization.

    PubMed

    Shrinivas, Dengeti; Savitha, Gunashekaran; Raviranjan, Kumar; Naik, Gajanan Ramchandra

    2010-11-01

    A highly thermostable alkaline xylanase was purified to homogeneity from culture supernatant of Bacillus sp. JB 99 using DEAE-Sepharose and Sephadex G-100 gel filtration with 25.7-fold increase in activity and 43.5% recovery. The molecular weight of the purified xylanase was found to be 20 kDA by SDS-PAGE and zymogram analysis. The enzyme was optimally active at 70 °C, pH 8.0 and stable over pH range of 6.0-10.0.The relative activity at 9.0 and 10.0 were 90% and 85% of that of pH 8.0, respectively. The enzyme showed high thermal stability at 60 °C with 95% of its activity after 5 h. The K (m) and V (max) of enzyme for oat spelt xylan were 4.8 mg/ml and 218.6 µM min(-1) mg(-1), respectively. Analysis of N-terminal amino acid sequence revealed that the xylanase belongs to glycosyl hydrolase family 11 from thermoalkalophilic Bacillus sp. with basic pI. Substrate specificity showed a high activity on xylan-containing substrate and cellulase-free nature. The hydrolyzed product pattern of oat spelt xylan on thin-layer chromatography suggested xylanase as an endoxylanase. Due to these properties, xylanase from Bacillus sp. JB 99 was found to be highly compatible for paper and pulp industry.

  2. Highly Sensitive and Wide-Dynamic-Range Multichannel Optical-Fiber pH Sensor Based on PWM Technique.

    PubMed

    Khan, Md Rajibur Rahaman; Kang, Shin-Won

    2016-11-09

    In this study, we propose a highly sensitive multichannel pH sensor that is based on an optical-fiber pulse width modulation (PWM) technique. According to the optical-fiber PWM method, the received sensing signal's pulse width changes when the optical-fiber pH sensing-element of the array comes into contact with pH buffer solutions. The proposed optical-fiber PWM pH-sensing system offers a linear sensing response over a wide range of pH values from 2 to 12, with a high pH-sensing ability. The sensitivity of the proposed pH sensor is 0.46 µs/pH, and the correlation coefficient R² is approximately 0.997. Additional advantages of the proposed optical-fiber PWM pH sensor include a short/fast response-time of about 8 s, good reproducibility properties with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of about 0.019, easy fabrication, low cost, small size, reusability of the optical-fiber sensing-element, and the capability of remote sensing. Finally, the performance of the proposed PWM pH sensor was compared with that of potentiometric, optical-fiber modal interferometer, and optical-fiber Fabry-Perot interferometer pH sensors with respect to dynamic range width, linearity as well as response and recovery times. We observed that the proposed sensing systems have better sensing abilities than the above-mentioned pH sensors.

  3. Highly Sensitive and Wide-Dynamic-Range Multichannel Optical-Fiber pH Sensor Based on PWM Technique

    PubMed Central

    Khan, Md. Rajibur Rahaman; Kang, Shin-Won

    2016-01-01

    In this study, we propose a highly sensitive multichannel pH sensor that is based on an optical-fiber pulse width modulation (PWM) technique. According to the optical-fiber PWM method, the received sensing signal’s pulse width changes when the optical-fiber pH sensing-element of the array comes into contact with pH buffer solutions. The proposed optical-fiber PWM pH-sensing system offers a linear sensing response over a wide range of pH values from 2 to 12, with a high pH-sensing ability. The sensitivity of the proposed pH sensor is 0.46 µs/pH, and the correlation coefficient R2 is approximately 0.997. Additional advantages of the proposed optical-fiber PWM pH sensor include a short/fast response-time of about 8 s, good reproducibility properties with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of about 0.019, easy fabrication, low cost, small size, reusability of the optical-fiber sensing-element, and the capability of remote sensing. Finally, the performance of the proposed PWM pH sensor was compared with that of potentiometric, optical-fiber modal interferometer, and optical-fiber Fabry–Perot interferometer pH sensors with respect to dynamic range width, linearity as well as response and recovery times. We observed that the proposed sensing systems have better sensing abilities than the above-mentioned pH sensors. PMID:27834865

  4. Cytoplasmic pH response to acid stress in individual cells of Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis observed by fluorescence ratio imaging microscopy.

    PubMed

    Martinez, Keith A; Kitko, Ryan D; Mershon, J Patrick; Adcox, Haley E; Malek, Kotiba A; Berkmen, Melanie B; Slonczewski, Joan L

    2012-05-01

    The ability of Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis to regulate their cytoplasmic pH is well studied in cell suspensions but is poorly understood in individual adherent cells and biofilms. We observed the cytoplasmic pH of individual cells using ratiometric pHluorin. A standard curve equating the fluorescence ratio with pH was obtained by perfusion at a range of external pH 5.0 to 9.0, with uncouplers that collapse the transmembrane pH difference. Adherent cells were acid stressed by switching the perfusion medium from pH 7.5 to pH 5.5. The E. coli cytoplasmic pH fell to a value that varied among individual cells (range of pH 6.2 to 6.8), but a majority of cells recovered (to pH 7.0 to 7.5) within 2 min. In an E. coli biofilm, cells shifted from pH 7.5 to pH 5.5 failed to recover cytoplasmic pH. Following a smaller shift (from pH 7.5 to pH 6.0), most biofilm cells recovered fully, although the pH decreased further than that of isolated adherent cells, and recovery took longer (7 min or longer). Some biofilm cells began to recover pH and then failed, a response not seen in isolated cells. B. subtilis cells were acid shifted from pH 7.5 to pH 6.0. In B. subtilis, unlike the case with E. coli, cytoplasmic pH showed no "overshoot" but fell to a level that was maintained. This level of cytoplasmic pH post-acid shift varied among individual B. subtilis cells (range of pH, 7.0 to 7.7). Overall, the cytoplasmic pHs of individual bacteria show important variation in the acid stress response, including novel responses in biofilms.

  5. Cytoplasmic pH Response to Acid Stress in Individual Cells of Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis Observed by Fluorescence Ratio Imaging Microscopy

    PubMed Central

    Martinez, Keith A.; Kitko, Ryan D.; Mershon, J. Patrick; Adcox, Haley E.; Malek, Kotiba A.; Berkmen, Melanie B.

    2012-01-01

    The ability of Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis to regulate their cytoplasmic pH is well studied in cell suspensions but is poorly understood in individual adherent cells and biofilms. We observed the cytoplasmic pH of individual cells using ratiometric pHluorin. A standard curve equating the fluorescence ratio with pH was obtained by perfusion at a range of external pH 5.0 to 9.0, with uncouplers that collapse the transmembrane pH difference. Adherent cells were acid stressed by switching the perfusion medium from pH 7.5 to pH 5.5. The E. coli cytoplasmic pH fell to a value that varied among individual cells (range of pH 6.2 to 6.8), but a majority of cells recovered (to pH 7.0 to 7.5) within 2 min. In an E. coli biofilm, cells shifted from pH 7.5 to pH 5.5 failed to recover cytoplasmic pH. Following a smaller shift (from pH 7.5 to pH 6.0), most biofilm cells recovered fully, although the pH decreased further than that of isolated adherent cells, and recovery took longer (7 min or longer). Some biofilm cells began to recover pH and then failed, a response not seen in isolated cells. B. subtilis cells were acid shifted from pH 7.5 to pH 6.0. In B. subtilis, unlike the case with E. coli, cytoplasmic pH showed no “overshoot” but fell to a level that was maintained. This level of cytoplasmic pH post-acid shift varied among individual B. subtilis cells (range of pH, 7.0 to 7.7). Overall, the cytoplasmic pHs of individual bacteria show important variation in the acid stress response, including novel responses in biofilms. PMID:22427503

  6. Influence of extraction pH on the foaming, emulsification, oil-binding and visco-elastic properties of marama protein.

    PubMed

    Gulzar, Muhammad; Taylor, John Rn; Minnaar, Amanda

    2017-11-01

    Marama bean protein, as extracted previously at pH 8, forms a viscous, adhesive and extensible dough. To obtain a protein isolate with optimum functional properties, protein extraction under slightly acidic conditions (pH 6) was investigated. Two-dimensional electrophoresis showed that pH 6 extracted marama protein lacked some basic 11S legumin polypeptides, present in pH 8 extracted protein. However, it additionally contained acidic high molecular weight polypeptides (∼180 kDa), which were disulfide crosslinked into larger proteins. pH 6 extracted marama proteins had similar emulsification properties to soy protein isolate and several times higher foaming capacity than pH 8 extracted protein, egg white and soy protein isolate. pH 6 extracted protein dough was more elastic than pH 8 extracted protein, approaching the elasticity of wheat gluten. Marama protein extracted at pH 6 has excellent food-type functional properties, probably because it lacks some 11S polypeptides but has additional high molecular weight proteins. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

  7. Improvement of the optimum pH of Aspergillus niger xylanase towards an alkaline pH by site-directed mutagenesis.

    PubMed

    Li, Fei; Xie, Jingcong; Zhang, Xuesong; Zhao, Linguo

    2015-01-01

    In an attempt to shift the optimal pH of the xylanase B (XynB) from Aspergillus niger towards alkalinity, target mutation sites were selected by alignment between Aspergillus niger xylanase B and other xylanases that have alkalophilic pH optima that highlight charged residues in the eight-residues-longer loop in the alkalophilic xylanase. Multiple engineered XynB mutants were created by site-directed mutagenesis with substitutions Q164K and Q164K+D117N. The variant XynB-117 had the highest optimum pH (at 5.5), which corresponded to a basic 0.5 pH unit shift when compared with the wild-type enzyme. However, the optimal pH of the XynB- 164 mutation was not changed, similar to the wild type. These results suggest that the residues at positions 164 and 117 in the eight-residues-longer loop and the cleft's edge are important in determining the pH optima of XynB from Aspergillus niger.

  8. Unusual Fluorescent Responses of Morpholine-functionalized Fluorescent Probes to pH via Manipulation of BODIPY’s HOMO and LUMO Energy Orbitals for Intracellular pH Detection

    PubMed Central

    Zhang, Jingtuo; Yang, Mu; Mazi, Wafa; Adhikari, Kapil; Fang, Mingxi; Xie, Fei; Valenzano, Loredana; Tiwari, Ashutosh; Luo, Fen-Tair; Liu, Haiying

    2016-01-01

    Three uncommon morpholine-based fluorescent probes (A, B and C) for pH were prepared by introducing morpholine residues to BODIPY dyes at 4,4’- and 2,6-positions, respectively. In contrast to morpholine-based fluorescent probes for pH reported in literature, these fluorescent probes display high fluorescence in a basic condition while they exhibit very weak fluorescence in an acidic condition. The theoretical calculation confirmed that morpholine is unable to function as either an electron donor or an electron acceptor to quench the BODIPY fluorescence in the neutral and basic condition via photo-induced electron transfer (PET) mechanism because the LUMO energy of morpholine is higher than those of the BODIPY dyes while its HOMO energy is lower than those of the BODIPY dyes. However, the protonation of tertiary amines of the morpholine residues in an acidic environment leads to fluorescence quenching of the BODIPY dyes via d-PET mechanism. The fluorescence quenching is because the protonation effectively decreases the LUMO energy which locates between the HOMO and LUMO energies of the BODIPY dyes. Fluorescent probe C with deep-red emission has been successfully used to detect pH changes in mammalian cells. PMID:27547822

  9. Protein recovery from rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) processing byproducts via isoelectric solubilization/precipitation and its gelation properties as affected by functional additives.

    PubMed

    Chen, Yi-Chen; Jaczynski, Jacek

    2007-10-31

    Solubility of rainbow trout proteins was determined between pH 1.5 and 13.0 and various ionic strengths (IS). Minimum solubility occurred at pH 5.5; however, when IS = 0.2, the minimum solubility shifted toward more acidic pH. Isoelectric solubilization/precipitation was applied to trout processing byproducts (fish meat left over on bones, head, skin, etc.), resulting in protein recovery yields (Kjeldahl, dry basis) between 77.7% and 89.0%, depending of the pH used for solubilization and precipitation. The recovered protein contained 1.4-2.1% ash (dry basis), while the trout processing byproducts (i.e., starting material) 13.9%. Typical boneless and skinless trout fillets contain 5.5% ash, and therefore, the isoelectric solubilization/precipitation effectively removed impurities such as bones, scales, skin, etc., from the trout processing byproducts. The recovered proteins retained gel-forming ability as assessed with dynamic rheology, torsion test, and texture profile analysis (TPA). However, the recovered proteins failed to gel unless beef plasma protein (BPP) was added. Even with BPP, the recovered protein showed some proteolysis between 40 and 55 degrees C. Addition of potato starch, transglutaminase, and phosphate to the recovered proteins resulted in good texture of trout gels as confirmed by torsion test and TPA. Higher ( P < 0.05) shear stress and strain were measured for gels developed from basic pH treatments than the acidic counterparts. However, proteins recovered from acidic treatments had higher ( P < 0.05) lipid content than the basic treatments. This is probably why the gels from acidic treatments were whiter ( L* - 3 b*) ( P < 0.05) than those from the basic ones. Our study demonstrates that functional proteins can be efficiently recovered from low-value fish processing byproducts using isoelectric solubilization/precipitation and subsequently be used in value-added human foods.

  10. Statistical investigation of simulated fed intestinal media composition on the equilibrium solubility of oral drugs.

    PubMed

    Zhou, Zhou; Dunn, Claire; Khadra, Ibrahim; Wilson, Clive G; Halbert, Gavin W

    2017-03-01

    Gastrointestinal fluid is a complex milieu and it is recognised that gut drug solubility is different to that observed in simple aqueous buffers. Simulated gastrointestinal media have been developed covering fasted and fed states to facilitate in vitro prediction of gut solubility and product dissolution. However, the combination of bile salts, phospholipids, fatty acids and proteins in an aqueous buffered system creates multiple phases and drug solubility is therefore a complex interaction between these components, which may create unique environments for each API. The impact on solubility can be assessed through a statistical design of experiment (DoE) approach, to determine the influence and relationships between factors. In this paper DoE has been applied to fed simulated gastrointestinal media consisting of eight components (pH, bile salt, lecithin, sodium oleate, monoglyceride, buffer, salt and pancreatin) using a two level D-optimal design with forty-four duplicate measurements and four centre points. The equilibrium solubility of a range of poorly soluble acidic (indomethacin, ibuprofen, phenytoin, valsartan, zafirlukast), basic (aprepitant, carvedilol, tadalafil, bromocriptine) and neutral (fenofibrate, felodipine, probucol, itraconazole) drugs was investigated. Results indicate that the DoE provides equilibrium solubility values that are comparable to literature results for other simulated fed gastrointestinal media systems or human intestinal fluid samples. For acidic drugs the influence of pH predominates but other significant factors related to oleate and bile salt or interactions between them are present. For basic drugs pH, oleate and bile salt have equal significance along with interactions between pH and oleate and lecithin and oleate. Neutral drugs show diverse effects of the media components particularly with regard to oleate, bile salt, pH and lecithin but the presence of monoglyceride, pancreatin and buffer have significant but smaller effects on solubility. There are fourteen significant interactions between factors mainly related to the surfactant components and pH, indicating that the solubility of neutral drugs in fed simulated media is complex. The results also indicate that the equilibrium solubility of each drug can exhibit individualistic behaviour associated with the drug's chemical structure, physicochemical properties and interaction with media components. The utility of DoE for fed simulated media has been demonstrated providing equilibrium solubility values comparable with similar in vitro systems whilst also providing greater information on the influence of media factors and their interactions. The determination of a drug's gastrointestinal solubility envelope provides useful limits that can potentially be applied to in silico modelling and in vivo experiments. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  11. Asparagine deamidation dependence on buffer type, pH, and temperature.

    PubMed

    Pace, Amanda L; Wong, Rita L; Zhang, Yonghua Taylor; Kao, Yung-Hsiang; Wang, Y John

    2013-06-01

    The deamidation of asparagine into aspartate and isoaspartate moieties is a major pathway for the chemical degradation of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). It can affect the shelf life of a therapeutic antibody that is not formulated or stored appropriately. A new approach to detect deamidation using ion exchange chromatography was developed that separates papain-digested mAbs into Fc and Fab fragments. From this, deamidation rates of each fragment can be calculated. To generate kinetic parameters useful in setting shelf life, buffers prepared at room temperature and then placed at the appropriate stability temperatures. Solution pH was not adjusted to the same at different temperatures. Deamidation rate at 40°C was faster in acidic buffers than in basic buffers. However, this trend is reversed at 5°C, attributed to the change in hydroxide ion concentration influenced by buffer and temperature. The apparent activation energy was higher for rates generated in an acidic buffer than in a basic buffer. The rate-pH profile for mAb1 can be deconvoluted to Fc and Fab. The Fc deamidation showed a V-shaped profile: deamidation of PENNY peptide is responsible for the rate at high-pH, whereas deamidation of a new site, Asn323, may be responsible for the rate at low-pH. The profile for Fab is a straight line without curvature. Copyright © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  12. 40 CFR 421.34 - Standards of performance for new sources.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... grease .000 .000 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the range of 7.0 to 10.0 at all times. (d) Subpart C—Demagging Wet....330 3.330 pH (2) (2) 1 At the source. 2 Within the range of 7.0 to 10.0 at all times. (f) Subpart C....290 13.290 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the range of 7.0 to 10.0 at all times. (g) Subpart C—Ingot Conveyor...

  13. 40 CFR 421.152 - Effluent limitations guidelines representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... pH (1) (1) 1 Within the range of 7.5 to 10.0 at all times. (c) Beryllium Carbonate Filtrate. BPT... suspended solids 9,430.0 4,485.0 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the range of 7.5 to 10.0 at all times. (g) Process... Fluoride 3.535 2.010 Total Suspended Solids 4.141 1.970 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the range of 7.5 to 10.0 at all...

  14. 40 CFR 421.34 - Standards of performance for new sources.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... grease .000 .000 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the range of 7.0 to 10.0 at all times. (d) Subpart C—Demagging Wet....330 3.330 pH (2) (2) 1 At the source. 2 Within the range of 7.0 to 10.0 at all times. (f) Subpart C....290 13.290 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the range of 7.0 to 10.0 at all times. (g) Subpart C—Ingot Conveyor...

  15. Nanoscale Platelet Formation by Monounsaturated and Saturated Sophorolipids under Basic pH Conditions.

    PubMed

    Cuvier, Anne-Sophie; Babonneau, Florence; Berton, Jan; Stevens, Christian V; Fadda, Giulia C; Péhau-Arnaudet, Gérard; Le Griel, Patrick; Prévost, Sylvain; Perez, Javier; Baccile, Niki

    2015-12-21

    The self-assembly behavior of the yeast-derived bolaamphiphile sophorolipid (SL) is generally studied under acidic/neutral pH conditions, at which micellar and fibrillar aggregates are commonly found, according to the (un)saturation of the aliphatic chain: the cis form, which corresponds to the oleic acid form of SL, spontaneously forms micelles, whereas the saturated form, which corresponds to the stearic acid form of SL, preferentially forms chiral fibers. By using small-angle light and X-ray scattering (SLS, SAXS) combined with high-sensitivity transmission electron microscopy imaging under cryogenic conditions (cryo-TEM), the nature of the self-assembled structures formed by these two compounds above pH 10, which is the pH at which they are negatively charged due to the presence of a carboxylate group, has been explored. Under these conditions, these compounds self-assemble into nanoscale platelets, despite the different molecular structures. This work shows that the electrostatic repulsion forces generated by COO(-) mainly drive the self-assembly process at basic pH, in contrast with that found at pH below neutrality, at which self-assembly is driven by van der Waals forces and hydrogen bonding, and thus, is in agreement with previous findings on carbohydrate-based gemini surfactants. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  16. Epinigericin toxicity towards Tetrahymena pyriformis GL; changes in cell volume and intracellular pH.

    PubMed

    Bamdad, M; David, L; Grolière, C A

    1995-12-01

    A study of the toxicity of epinigericin, an antibiotic ionophor, towards the ciliate Tetrahymena pyriformis showed that this molecule stopped cell division, increased cell volume and led to a more basic intracellular pH. The action of epinigericin was probably linked to its function as an ionophor. The ionic selectivity of this molecule is still not known. The raising of the intracellular pH of ciliates by this antibiotic may be linked to its toxic action and its iontransport mechanism in Tetrahymena.

  17. Preparation of a novel pH optical sensor using orange (II) based on agarose membrane as support.

    PubMed

    Heydari, Rouhollah; Hosseini, Mohammad; Amraei, Ahmadreza; Mohammadzadeh, Ali

    2016-04-01

    A novel and cost effective optical pH sensor was prepared using covalent immobilization of orange (II) indicator on the agarose membrane as solid support. The fabricated optical sensor was fixed into a sample holder of a spectrophotometer instrument for pH monitoring. Variables affecting sensor performance including pH of dye bonding to agarose membrane and dye concentration were optimized. The sensor responds to the pH changes in the range of 3.0-10.0 with a response time of 2.0 min and appropriate reproducibility (RSD ≤ 0.9%). No significant variation was observed on sensor response after increasing the ionic strength in the range of 0.0-0.5M of sodium chloride. Determination of pH using the proposed optical sensor is quick, simple, inexpensive, selective and sensitive in the pH range of 3.0-10.0. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  18. 40 CFR 421.234 - Standards of performance for new sources.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... solids 0.508 0.406 pH 1 1 1 Within the range of 7.5 to 10.0 at all times. (c) Nickel reduction decant... Total suspended solids 1.155 0.924 pH 1 1 1 Within the range of 7.5 to 10.0 at all times. (b) Nickel....400 152.300 pH 1 1 1 Within the range of 7.5 to 10.0 at all times. (d) Cobalt reduction decant. NSPS...

  19. The effects of acid and alkaline solutions on cut marks and on the structure of bone: An experimental study on porcine ribs.

    PubMed

    Amadasi, Alberto; Camici, Arianna; Sironi, Luca; Profumo, Antonella; Merli, Davide; Mazzarelli, Debora; Porta, Davide; Duday, Henri; Cattaneo, Cristina

    2015-11-01

    Among taphonomical modifications during decomposition processes, little is known about the action of high or low pH to human tissues and bones. Moreover, acid or basic solutions are seldom used to ease decomposition and wrecking of the body. In this study a total of 60 samples of porcine bones on which two cut marks were produced before the beginning of the experiment, were put in six different solutions with different pH (1, 3, 5, 9, 12, 14) and analyzed every five days over a period of 70 days. Surveys were carried out macroscopically, with stereomicroscopy and with light microscopy on thin sections. Only the specimens exposed to extremely acid (<1) or basic (>12) pH showed evident modifications of the bone's structure, as witnessed by the analyses with stereomicroscopy as well. Many samples showed a detachment of the periosteum; cut marks became soon unrecognizable with pH 14 but still detectable in all the other samples. The information gained from the present study can be of great help in detecting the exposure of human tissues to high or low environmental pH and in understanding the effects that these solutions can exert on human bones. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  20. Investigation of pharmaceutical transport in saturated sandy aquifers using column experiments: the effect of pH

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Börnick, Hilmar; Boxberger, Norman; Licha, Tobias; Worch, Eckhard

    2010-05-01

    Due to the development of advanced analytical techniques it is increasingly known that a high number of polar organic trace compounds, particularly residues of pharmaceuticals, occur in the aquatic environment. In contrast to the sources and pathways of such compounds, their impact on ecosystems and their fate in different environmental compartments are comparatively less investigated. Because of the spatial extension and time available, the zone between water and natural solids (e.g. sediments or soil in groundwater zones, bank filtration sites and for soil aquifer treatment) plays an important role in the elimination of anthropogenic trace compounds from water phase. Here, degradation and sorption processes mainly influence the content of trace compounds. Correlations, specific for compound groups, between n-octanol-water distribution coefficients, available from experiment or calculations, and sorption coefficients (e.g. KOC) often allow a suitable prognosis of the transport behavior of organic pollutants in an underground passage. In case of polar, ionizable organic compounds such prediction is problematic and often not possible. Here, besides relatively weak non-polar van der Waals attraction, other interaction mechanisms, such as covalent bonding, complex formation, or ion exchange, can dominate. The latter is closely connected with the type of basic and/or acid groups in a molecule. The degree of protonation could be changed in dependence of type and concentration of other ions and of the acidity constants (pKa) and therefore from pH. Laboratory column studies at different pH value (range from 4 to 8) were carried out using natural sandy sediments from aquifers and model water containing selected pharmaceuticals to investigate the influence of degree of protonation on sorption. Eight different pharmaceuticals were chosen for laboratory column experiments. Their selection was based on the presence of basic/acid functional groups, pKa, high production and consumption rates, and occurrence in environment. The long-term objective of this research is to consider specific interactions such as ion exchange for the improved transport models. Breakthrough experiments show that retardation is significantly influenced by pH for the majority of the selected pharmaceuticals. As a general tendency, it was observed that a decreasing pH caused an enhanced delay. For acidic compounds such as naproxen, this behavior was expected because of the neutral species being the dominating one. The stronger retardation of cationic agents such as atenolol with decreased pH could be explained by additional cation exchange effects. With the exception of atenolol all chosen model compounds show a high stability towards microbial degradation at aerobic conditions. All experiments were repeated at least three times at identical conditions, whereby a good reproducibility was observed. Further experiments are currently performed to characterize pH-depending change of sediment surfaces and to investigate the competitive influence of other presented cations.

  1. 40 CFR 467.32 - Effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... and grease 7.32 4.39 Suspended solids 15.0 7.13 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the range of 7.0 to 10.0 at all... solids 60.60 28.82 pH (1) (1) 1 With the range of 7.0 to 10.0 at all times. Subpart C Direct Chill... wastewater in which case the pH shall be within the range of 6.0 to 10.0 at all times. Subpart C Press Heat...

  2. 40 CFR 471.31 - Effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... TSS 6.97 3.32 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the range of 7.5 to 10.0 at all times. (c) Rolling contact cooling... Nickel 7.24 4.79 Fluoride 225 99.6 Oil and grease 75.4 45.3 TSS 155 73.5 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the range of... 0.295 Fluoride 13.8 6.13 Oil and grease 4.64 2.79 TSS 9.51 4.53 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the range of 7.5...

  3. 40 CFR 471.31 - Effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... TSS 6.97 3.32 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the range of 7.5 to 10.0 at all times. (c) Rolling contact cooling... Nickel 7.24 4.79 Fluoride 225 99.6 Oil and grease 75.4 45.3 TSS 155 73.5 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the range of... 0.295 Fluoride 13.8 6.13 Oil and grease 4.64 2.79 TSS 9.51 4.53 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the range of 7.5...

  4. Present-day nearshore pH differentially depresses fertilization in congeneric sea urchins.

    PubMed

    Frieder, Christina A

    2014-02-01

    Ocean acidification impacts fertilization in some species of sea urchin, but whether sensitivity is great enough to be influenced by present-day pH variability has not been documented. In this study, fertilization in two congeneric sea urchins, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus and S. franciscanus, was found to be sensitive to reduced pH, <7.50, but only within a range of sperm-egg ratios that was species-specific. By further testing fertilization across a broad range of pH, pH-fertilization curves were generated and revealed that S. purpuratus was largely robust to pH, while fertilization in S. franciscanus was sensitive to even modest reductions in pH. Combining the pH-fertilization response curves with pH data collected from these species' habitat demonstrated that relative fertilization success remained high for S. purpuratus but could be as low as 79% for S. franciscanus during periods of naturally low pH. In order for S. franciscanus to maintain high fertilization success in the present and future, adequate adult densities, and thus sufficient sperm-egg ratios, will be required to negate the effects of low pH. In contrast, fertilization of S. purpuratus was robust to a broad range of pH, encompassing both present-day and future ocean acidification scenarios, even though the two congeners have similar habitats.

  5. 40 CFR 467.32 - Effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... and grease 7.32 4.39 Suspended solids 15.0 7.13 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the range of 7.0 to 10.0 at all... solids 60.60 28.82 pH (1) (1) 1 With the range of 7.0 to 10.0 at all times. Subpart C Direct Chill... wastewater in which case the pH shall be within the range of 6.0 to 10.0 at all times. Subpart C Press Heat...

  6. Archaeal abundance across a pH gradient in an arable soil and its relationship to bacterial and fungal growth rates.

    PubMed

    Bengtson, Per; Sterngren, Anna E; Rousk, Johannes

    2012-08-01

    Soil pH is one of the most influential factors for the composition of bacterial and fungal communities, but the influence of soil pH on the distribution and composition of soil archaeal communities has yet to be systematically addressed. The primary aim of this study was to determine how total archaeal abundance (quantitative PCR [qPCR]-based estimates of 16S rRNA gene copy numbers) is related to soil pH across a pH gradient (pH 4.0 to 8.3). Secondarily, we wanted to assess how archaeal abundance related to bacterial and fungal growth rates across the same pH gradient. We identified two distinct and opposite effects of pH on the archaeal abundance. In the lowest pH range (pH 4.0 to 4.7), the abundance of archaea did not seem to correspond to pH. Above this pH range, there was a sharp, almost 4-fold decrease in archaeal abundance, reaching a minimum at pH 5.1 to 5.2. The low abundance of archaeal 16S rRNA gene copy numbers at this pH range then sharply increased almost 150-fold with pH, resulting in an increase in the ratio between archaeal and bacterial copy numbers from a minimum of 0.002 to more than 0.07 at pH 8. The nonuniform archaeal response to pH could reflect variation in the archaeal community composition along the gradient, with some archaea adapted to acidic conditions and others to neutral to slightly alkaline conditions. This suggestion is reinforced by observations of contrasting outcomes of the (competitive) interactions between archaea, bacteria, and fungi toward the lower and higher ends of the examined pH gradient.

  7. Simulated climate change causes immune suppression and protein damage in the crustacean Nephrops norvegicus.

    PubMed

    Hernroth, Bodil; Sköld, Helen Nilsson; Wiklander, Kerstin; Jutfelt, Fredrik; Baden, Susanne

    2012-11-01

    Rising atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration is causing global warming, which affects oceans by elevating water temperature and reducing pH. Crustaceans have been considered tolerant to ocean acidification because of their retained capacity to calcify during subnormal pH. However, we report here that significant immune suppression of the Norway lobster, Nephrops norvegicus, occurs after a 4-month exposure to ocean acidification (OA) at a level predicted for the year 2100 (hypercapnic seawater with a pH lowered by 0.4 units). Experiments carried out at different temperatures (5, 10, 12, 14, 16, and 18°C) demonstrated that the temperature within this range alone did not affect lobster immune responses. In the OA-treatment, hemocyte numbers were reduced by almost 50% and the phagocytic capacity of the remaining hemocytes was inhibited by 60%. The reduction in hemocyte numbers was not due to increased apoptosis in hematopoetic tissue. Cellular responses to stress were investigated through evaluating advanced glycation end products (AGE) and lipid oxidation in lobster hepatopancreata, and OA-treatment was shown to significantly increase AGEs', indicating stress-induced protein alterations. Furthermore, the extracellular pH of lobster hemolymph was reduced by approximately 0.2 units in the OA-treatment group, indicating either limited pH compensation or buffering capacity. The negative effects of OA-treatment on the nephropidae immune response and tissue homeostasis were more pronounced at higher temperatures (12-18°C versus 5°C), which may potentially affect disease severity and spread. Our results signify that ocean acidification may have adverse effects on the physiology of lobsters, which previously had been overlooked in studies of basic parameters such as lobster growth or calcification. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  8. Development and characterization of a voltammetric carbon-fiber microelectrode pH sensor.

    PubMed

    Makos, Monique A; Omiatek, Donna M; Ewing, Andrew G; Heien, Michael L

    2010-06-15

    This work describes the development and characterization of a modified carbon-fiber microelectrode sensor capable of measuring real-time physiological pH changes in biological microenvironments. The reagentless sensor was fabricated under ambient conditions from voltammetric reduction of the diazonium salt Fast Blue RR onto a carbon-fiber surface in aprotic media. Fast-scan cyclic voltammetry was used to probe redox activity of the p-quinone moiety of the surface-bound molecule as a function of pH. In vitro calibration of the sensor in solutions ranging from pH 6.5 to 8.0 resulted in a pH-dependent anodic peak potential response. Flow-injection analysis was used to characterize the modified microelectrode, revealing sensitivity to acidic and basic changes discernible to 0.005 pH units. Furthermore, the modified electrode was used to measure dynamic in vivo pH changes evoked during neurotransmitter release in the central nervous system of the microanalytical model organism Drosophila melanogaster.

  9. Tumor cell membrane-targeting pH-dependent electron donor-acceptor fluorescence systems with low background signals.

    PubMed

    Han, Liang; Liu, Mingming; Ye, Deyong; Zhang, Ning; Lim, Ed; Lu, Jing; Jiang, Chen

    2014-03-01

    Minimizing the background signal is crucial for developing tumor-imaging techniques with sufficient specificity and sensitivity. Here we use pH difference between healthy tissues and tumor and tumor targeting delivery to achieve this goal. We synthesize fluorophore-dopamine conjugate as pH-dependent electron donor-acceptor fluorescence system. Fluorophores are highly sensitive to electron-transfer processes, which can alter their optical properties. The intrinsic redox properties of dopamine are oxidation of hydroquinone to quinone at basic pH and reduction of quinone to hydroquinone at acidic pH. Quinone can accept electron then quench fluorescence. We design tumor cell membrane-targeting carrier for delivery. We demonstrate quenched fluorophore-quinone can be specially transferred to tumor extracellular environment and tumor-accumulated fluorophore can be activated by acidic pH. These tumor-targeting pH-dependent electron donor-acceptor fluorescence systems may offer new opportunity for developing tumor-imaging techniques. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  10. Amperometric micro pH measurements in oxygenated saliva.

    PubMed

    Chaisiwamongkhol, Korbua; Batchelor-McAuley, Christopher; Compton, Richard G

    2017-07-24

    An amperometric micro pH sensor has been developed based on the chemical oxidation of carbon fibre surfaces (diameter of 9 μm and length of ca. 1 mm) to enhance the population of surface quinone groups for the measurement of salivary pH. The pH analysis utilises the electrochemically reversible two-electron, two-proton behaviour of surface quinone groups on the micro-wire electrodes. A Nernstian response is observed across the pH range 2-8 which is the pH range of many biological fluids. We highlight the measurement of pH in small volumes of biological fluids without the need for oxygen removal and specifically the micro pH electrode is examined by measuring the pH of commercial synthetic saliva and authentic human saliva samples. The results correspond well with those obtained by using commercial glass pH electrodes on large volume samples.

  11. Decreased extracellular pH inhibits osteogenesis through proton-sensing GPR4-mediated suppression of yes-associated protein.

    PubMed

    Tao, Shi-Cong; Gao, You-Shui; Zhu, Hong-Yi; Yin, Jun-Hui; Chen, Yi-Xuan; Zhang, Yue-Lei; Guo, Shang-Chun; Zhang, Chang-Qing

    2016-06-03

    The pH of extracellular fluids is a basic property of the tissue microenvironment and is normally maintained at 7.40 ± 0.05 in humans. Many pathological circumstances, such as ischemia, inflammation, and tumorigenesis, result in the reduction of extracellular pH in the affected tissues. In this study, we reported that the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs was significantly inhibited by decreases in the extracellular pH. Moreover, we demonstrated that proton-sensing GPR4 signaling mediated the proton-induced inhibitory effects on the osteogenesis of BMSCs. Additionally, we found that YAP was the downstream effector of GPR4 signaling. Our findings revealed that the extracellular pH modulates the osteogenic responses of BMSCs by regulating the proton-sensing GPR4-YAP pathway.

  12. Control of intracellular pH and growth by fibronectin in capillary endothelial cells

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Ingber, D. E.; Prusty, D.; Frangioni, J. V.; Cragoe, E. J. Jr; Lechene, C.; Schwartz, M. A.

    1990-01-01

    The aim of this work was to analyze the mechanism by which fibronectin (FN) regulates capillary endothelial cell proliferation. Endothelial cell growth can be controlled in chemically-defined medium by varying the density of FN coated on the substratum (Ingber, D. E., and J. Folkman. J. Cell Biol. 1989. 109:317-330). In this system, DNA synthetic rates are stimulated by FN in direct proportion to its effect on cell extension (projected cell areas) both in the presence and absence of saturating amounts of basic FGF. To investigate direct growth signaling by FN, we carried out microfluorometric measurements of intracellular pH (pHi), a cytoplasmic signal that is commonly influenced by soluble mitogens. pHi increased 0.18 pH units as FN coating densities were raised and cells progressed from round to spread. Intracellular alkalinization induced by attachment to FN was rapid and followed the time course of cell spreading. When measured in the presence and absence of FGF, the effects of FN and FGF on pHi were found to be independent and additive. Furthermore, DNA synthesis correlated with pHi for all combinations of FGF and FN. Ethylisopropylamiloride, a specific inhibitor of the plasma membrane Na+/H+ antiporter, completely suppressed the effects of FN on both pHi and DNA synthesis. However, cytoplasmic pH per se did not appear to be a critical determinant of growth since DNA synthesis was not significantly inhibited when pHi was lowered over the physiological range by varying the pH of the medium. We conclude that FN and FGF exert their growth-modulating effects in part through activation of the Na+/H+ exchanger, although they appear to trigger this system via separate pathways.

  13. The effect of pH, buffer capacity and ionic strength on quetiapine fumarate release from matrix tablets prepared using two different polymeric blends.

    PubMed

    Hamed, Rania; AlJanabi, Reem; Sunoqrot, Suhair; Abbas, Aiman

    2017-08-01

    The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of the different physiological parameters of the gastrointestinal (GI) fluid (pH, buffer capacity, and ionic strength) on the in vitro release of the weakly basic BCS class II drug quetiapine fumarate (QF) from two once-a-day matrix tablet formulations (F1 and F2) developed as potential generic equivalents to Seroquel ® XR. F1 tablets were prepared using blends of high and low viscosity grades of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC K4M and K100LV, respectively), while F2 tablets were prepared from HPMC K4M and PEGylated glyceryl behenate (Compritol ® HD5 ATO). The two formulations attained release profiles of QF over 24 h similar to that of Seroquel ® XR using the dissolution medium published by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A series of solubility and in vitro dissolution studies was then carried out using media that simulate the gastric and intestinal fluids and cover the physiological pH, buffer capacity and ionic strength range of the GIT. Solubility studies revealed that QF exhibits a typical weak base pH-dependent solubility profile and that the solubility of QF increases with increasing the buffer capacity and ionic strength of the media. The release profiles of QF from F1, F2 and Seroquel ® XR tablets were found to be influenced by the pH, buffer capacity and ionic strength of the dissolution media to varying degrees. Results highlight the importance of studying the physiological variables along the GIT in designing controlled release formulations for more predictive in vitro-in vivo correlations.

  14. Development and Characterization of a Voltammetric Carbon-fiber Microelectrode pH Sensor

    PubMed Central

    Makos, Monique A.; Omiatek, Donna M.; Ewing, Andrew G.; Heien, Michael L.

    2010-01-01

    This work describes the development and characterization of a modified carbon-fiber microelectrode sensor capable of measuring real-time physiological pH changes in biological microenvironments. The reagentless sensor was fabricated under ambient conditions from voltammetric reduction of the diazonium salt Fast Blue RR onto a carbon-fiber surface in aprotic media. Fast-scan cyclic voltammetry was used to probe redox activity of the p-quinone moiety of the surface-bound molecule as a function of pH. In vitro calibration of the sensor in solutions ranging from pH 6.5 to 8.0 resulted in a pH-dependent anodic peak potential response. Flow-injection analysis was used to characterize the modified microelectrode, revealing sensitivity to acidic and basic changes discernable to 0.005 pH units. Furthermore, the modified electrode was used to measure dynamic in vivo pH changes evoked during neurotransmitter release in the central nervous system of the microanalytical model organism Drosophila melanogaster. PMID:20380393

  15. Student understanding of pH: "i don't know what the log actually is, i only know where the button is on my calculator".

    PubMed

    Watters, Dianne J; Watters, James J

    2006-07-01

    In foundation biochemistry and biological chemistry courses, a major problem area that has been identified is students' lack of understanding of pH, acids, bases, and buffers and their inability to apply their knowledge in solving acid/base problems. The aim of this study was to explore students' conceptions of pH and their ability to solve problems associated with the behavior of biological acids to understand the source of student difficulties. The responses given by most students are characteristic of an atomistic approach in which they pay no attention to the structure of the problem and concentrate only on juggling the elements together until they get a solution. Many students reported difficulty in understanding what the question was asking and were unable to interpret a simple graph showing the pH activity profile of an enzyme. The most startling finding was the lack of basic understanding of logarithms and the inability of all except one student to perform a simple calculation on logs without a calculator. This deficiency in high school mathematical skills severely hampered their understanding of pH. This study has highlighted a widespread deficiency in basic mathematical skills among first year undergraduates and a fragmented understanding of acids and bases. Implications for the way in which the concepts of pH and buffers are taught are discussed. Copyright © 2006 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

  16. The organic agricultural waste as a basic source of biohydrogen production

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sriwuryandari, Lies; Priantoro, E. Agung; Sintawardani, Neni; Astuti, J. Tri; Nilawati, Dewi; Putri, A. Mauliva Hada; Mamat, Sentana, Suharwadji; Sembiring, T.

    2016-02-01

    Biohydrogen production research was carried out using raw materials of agricultural organic waste that was obtained from markets around the Bandung city. The organic part, which consisted of agricultural waste material, mainly fruit and vegetable waste, was crushed and milled using blender. The sludge that produced from milling process was then used as a substrate for mixed culture microorganism as a raw material to produce biohydrogen. As much as 1.2 kg.day-1 of sludge (4% of total solid) was fed into bioreactor that had a capacity of 30L. Experiment was done under anaerobic fermentation using bacteria mixture culture that maintained at pH in the range of 5.6-6.5 and temperature of 25-30oC on semi-continuous mode. Parameters of analysis include pH, temperature, total solid (TS), organic total solid (OTS), total gas production, and hydrogen gas production. The results showed that from 4% of substrate resulted 897.86 L of total gas, which contained 660.74 L (73.59%) of hydrogen gas. The rate of hydrogen production in this study was 11,063 mol.L-1.h-1.

  17. Therapeutic drug monitoring of seven psychotropic drugs and four metabolites in human plasma by HPLC-MS.

    PubMed

    Choong, Eva; Rudaz, Serge; Kottelat, Astrid; Guillarme, Davy; Veuthey, Jean-Luc; Eap, Chin B

    2009-12-05

    A simple and sensitive LC-MS method was developed and validated for the simultaneous quantification of aripiprazole (ARI), atomoxetine (ATO), duloxetine (DUL), clozapine (CLO), olanzapine (OLA), sertindole (STN), venlafaxine (VEN) and their active metabolites dehydroaripiprazole (DARI), norclozapine (NCLO), dehydrosertindole (DSTN) and O-desmethylvenlafaxine (OVEN) in human plasma. The above mentioned compounds and the internal standard (remoxipride) were extracted from 0.5 mL plasma by solid-phase extraction (mix mode support). The analytical separation was carried out on a reverse phase liquid chromatography at basic pH (pH 8.1) in gradient mode. All analytes were monitored by MS detection in the single ion monitoring mode and the method was validated covering the corresponding therapeutic range: 2-200 ng/mL for DUL, OLA, and STN, 4-200 ng/mL for DSTN, 5-1000 ng/mL for ARI, DARI and finally 2-1000 ng/mL for ATO, CLO, NCLO, VEN, OVEN. For all investigated compounds, good performance in terms of recoveries, selectivity, stability, repeatability, intermediate precision, trueness and accuracy, was obtained. Real patient plasma samples were then successfully analysed.

  18. Equilibrium and kinetic adsorption study of Basic Yellow 28 and Basic Red 46 by a boron industry waste.

    PubMed

    Olgun, Asim; Atar, Necip

    2009-01-15

    In this study, the adsorption characteristics of Basic Yellow 28 (BY 28) and Basic Red 46 (BR 46) onto boron waste (BW), a waste produced from boron processing plant were investigated. The equilibrium adsorption isotherms and kinetics were investigated. The adsorption equilibrium data were analyzed by using various adsorption isotherm models and the results have shown that adsorption behavior of two dyes could be described reasonably well by a generalized isotherm. Kinetic studies indicated that the kinetics of the adsorption of BY 28 and BR 46 onto BW follows a pseudo-second-order model. The result showed that the BW exhibited high-adsorption capacity for basic dyes and the capacity slightly decreased with increasing temperature. The maximum adsorption capacities of BY 28 and BR 46 are reported at 75.00 and 74.73mgg(-1), respectively. The dye adsorption depended on the initial pH of the solution with maximum uptake occurring at about pH 9 and electrokinetic behavior of BW. Activation energy of 15.23kJ/mol for BY 28 and 18.15kJ/mol for BR 46 were determined confirming the nature of the physisorption onto BW. These results indicate that BW could be employed as low-cost material for the removal of the textile dyes from effluents.

  19. Theory and practice in the electrometric determination of pH in precipitation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Brennan, Carla Jo; Peden, Mark E.

    Basic theory and laboratory investigations have been applied to the electrometric determination of pH in precipitation samples in an effort to improve the reliability of the results obtained from these low ionic strength samples. The theoretical problems inherent in the measurement of pH in rain have been examined using natural precipitation samples with varying ionic strengths and pH values. The importance of electrode design and construction has been stressed. The proper choice of electrode can minimize or eliminate problems arising from residual liquid junction potentials, streaming potentials and temperature differences. Reliable pH measurements can be made in precipitation samples using commercially available calibration buffers providing low ionic strength quality control solutions are routinely used to verify electrode and meter performance.

  20. Functional magnetic porous silica for T 1-T 2 dual-modal magnetic resonance imaging and pH-responsive drug delivery of basic drugs

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Ling; Zhang, Run; Guo, Yi; Zhang, Cheng; Zhao, Wei; Xu, Zhiping; Whittaker, Andrew K.

    2016-12-01

    A smart magnetic-targeting drug carrier γ-Fe2O3@p-silica comprising a γ-Fe2O3 core and porous shell has been prepared and characterized. The particles have a uniform size of about 60 nm, and a porous shell of thickness 3 nm. Abundant hydroxyl groups and a large surface area enabled the γ-Fe2O3@p-silica to be readily loaded with a large payload of the basic model drug rhodamine B (RB) (up to 73 mg g-1). Cytotoxicity assays of the γ-Fe2O3@p-silica particles indicated that the particles were biocompatible and suitable for carrying drugs. It was found that the RB was released rapidly at pH 5.5 but at pH 7.4 the rate and extent of release was greatly attenuated. The particles therefore demonstrate an excellent pH-triggered drug release. In addition, the γ-Fe2O3@p-silica particles could be tracked by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A clear dose-dependent contrast enhancement in both T 1-weighted and T 2-weighted MR images indicated the potential of the γ-Fe2O3@p-silica particles to act as dual-mode T 1 and T 2 MRI contrast agents.

  1. Archaeal Abundance across a pH Gradient in an Arable Soil and Its Relationship to Bacterial and Fungal Growth Rates

    PubMed Central

    Sterngren, Anna E.; Rousk, Johannes

    2012-01-01

    Soil pH is one of the most influential factors for the composition of bacterial and fungal communities, but the influence of soil pH on the distribution and composition of soil archaeal communities has yet to be systematically addressed. The primary aim of this study was to determine how total archaeal abundance (quantitative PCR [qPCR]-based estimates of 16S rRNA gene copy numbers) is related to soil pH across a pH gradient (pH 4.0 to 8.3). Secondarily, we wanted to assess how archaeal abundance related to bacterial and fungal growth rates across the same pH gradient. We identified two distinct and opposite effects of pH on the archaeal abundance. In the lowest pH range (pH 4.0 to 4.7), the abundance of archaea did not seem to correspond to pH. Above this pH range, there was a sharp, almost 4-fold decrease in archaeal abundance, reaching a minimum at pH 5.1 to 5.2. The low abundance of archaeal 16S rRNA gene copy numbers at this pH range then sharply increased almost 150-fold with pH, resulting in an increase in the ratio between archaeal and bacterial copy numbers from a minimum of 0.002 to more than 0.07 at pH 8. The nonuniform archaeal response to pH could reflect variation in the archaeal community composition along the gradient, with some archaea adapted to acidic conditions and others to neutral to slightly alkaline conditions. This suggestion is reinforced by observations of contrasting outcomes of the (competitive) interactions between archaea, bacteria, and fungi toward the lower and higher ends of the examined pH gradient. PMID:22706045

  2. Adsorption of dyes by ACs prepared from waste tyre reinforcing fibre. Effect of texture, surface chemistry and pH.

    PubMed

    Acevedo, Beatriz; Rocha, Raquel P; Pereira, Manuel F R; Figueiredo, José L; Barriocanal, Carmen

    2015-12-01

    This paper compares the importance of the texture and surface chemistry of waste tyre activated carbons in the adsorption of commercial dyes. The adsorption of two commercial dyes, Basic Astrazon Yellow 7GLL and Reactive Rifafix Red 3BN on activated carbons made up of reinforcing fibres from tyre waste and low-rank bituminous coal was studied. The surface chemistry of activated carbons was modified by means of HCl-HNO3 treatment in order to increase the number of functional groups. Moreover, the influence of the pH on the process was also studied, this factor being of great importance due to the amphoteric characteristics of activated carbons. The activated carbons made with reinforcing fibre and coal had the highest SBET, but the reinforcing fibre activated carbon samples had the highest mesopore volume. The texture of the activated carbons was not modified upon acid oxidation treatment, unlike their surface chemistry which underwent considerable modification. The activated carbons made with a mixture of reinforcing fibre and coal experienced the largest degree of oxidation, and so had more acid surface groups. The adsorption of reactive dye was governed by the mesoporous volume, whilst surface chemistry played only a secondary role. However, the surface chemistry of the activated carbons and dispersive interactions played a key role in the adsorption of the basic dye. The adsorption of the reactive dye was more favored in a solution of pH 2, whereas the basic dye was adsorbed more easily in a solution of pH 12. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  3. Magnetic iron oxide and manganese-doped iron oxide nanoparticles for the collection of alpha-emitting radionuclides from aqueous solutions

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    O'Hara, Matthew J.; Carter, Jennifer C.; Warner, Cynthia L.

    Magnetic nanoparticles are well known to possess chemically active surfaces and large surface areas that can be employed to extract a range of ions from aqueous solutions. In addition, their superparamagnetic properties provide a convenient means for bulk collection of the material from solution after the targeted ions have been adsorbed. We evaluated two nanoscale amphoteric metal oxides, each possessing useful magnetic attributes for their ability to collect trace levels of a chemically diverse range of alpha emitting radioactive isotopes (polonium (Po), radium (Ra), uranium (U), and americium (Am)) from a wide range of aqueous solutions. The nanomaterials include commerciallymore » available magnetite (Fe3O4) and magnetite modified to incorporate manganese (Mn) into the crystal structure. The chemical stability of these nanomaterials was evaluated in Hanford Site, WA ground water between the natural pH (~8) and pH 1. Whereas the magnetite was observed to have good stability over the pH range, the Mn-doped material was observed to leach Mn at low pH. The materials were evaluated in parallel to characterize their uptake performance of the alpha-emitting radionuclide spikes from ground water across a range of pH (from ~8 down to 2). In addition, radiotracer uptake experiments were performed on Columbia River water, seawater, and human urine at their natural pH and at pH 2. Despite the observed leaching of Mn from the Mn-doped nanomaterial in the lower pH range, it exhibited generally superior analyte extraction performance compared to the magnetite, and analyte uptake was observed across a broader pH range. We show that the uptake behavior of the various radiotracers on these two materials at different pH levels can generally be explained by the amphoteric nature of the nanoparticle surfaces. Finally, the rate of sorption of the radiotracers on the two materials in unacidified ground water was evaluated. The uptake curves generally indicate that equilibrium is obtained within a few minutes, which is attributed to the high surface areas of the nanomaterials and the high level of dispersion in the liquids. In sum, our results indicate that these nanomaterials may have the potential to be employed for a range of applications to extract radionuclides from aqueous solutions.« less

  4. Enhanced phosphorus removal from wastewater by growing deep-sea bacterium combined with basic oxygen furnace slag.

    PubMed

    Zhou, Weizhi; Huang, Zhaosong; Sun, Cuiping; Zhao, Haixia; Zhang, Yuzhong

    2016-08-01

    As one solid waste with potential for phosphorus removal, application of slags in water treatment merits attention. But it was inhibited greatly by alkaline solution (pH>9.5) and cemented clogging generated. To give one solution, phosphorus removal was investigated by combining deep-sea bacterium Alteromonas 522-1 and basic oxygen furnace slag (BOFS). Results showed that by the combination, not only higher phosphorous removal efficiency (>90%) but also neutral solution pH of 7.8-8.0 were achieved at wide ranges of initial solution pH value of 5.0-9.0, phosphorus concentration of 5-30mg/L, salinity of 0.5-3.5%, and temperature of 15-35°C. Moreover, sedimentary property was also improved with lower amount of sludge production and alleviated BOFS cementation with increased porosity and enlarged particle size. These results provided a promising strategy for the phosphorus recovery with slags in large-scale wastewater treatment. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  5. Evaluation of metal ion absorptive characteristics of three types of plastic sample bags used for pecipitation sampling

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Good, A.B.; Schroder, L.J.

    1984-01-01

    Simulated precipitation samples containing 16 metal ions were prepared at 4 pH values. Absorptive characteristics of polypropylene, polyethylene, and polyester/polyolefin sacks were evaluated at pH 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, and 5.0. Simulated precipitation was in contact with the sacks for 17 days, and subsamples were removed for chemical analysis at 3, 7, 10, 14, and 17 days after initial contact. All three types of plastic sacks absorbed Fe throughout the entire pH range. Polypropylene and polyethylene absorbed Pb throughout the entire pH range; polyester/polyolefin sacks absorbed Pb at pH 4.0 or greater. All plastic sacks also absorbed Cu, Mo, and V at pH 4.5 and 5.0. Leaching the plastic sacks with 0.7 percent HNO3 did not result in 100 percent of Cu, Fe, Pb, and V. These sacks would be suitable collection vessels for Ba, Be, Ca, Cd, Co, Li, Mg, Mn, Na Sr and Zn in precipitation through the pH range of 3.5 to 5.0.

  6. Rational design of a pH-insensitive cyan fluorescent protein CyPet2 based on the CyPet crystal structure.

    PubMed

    Liu, Rui; Hu, Xiao-Jian; Ding, Yu

    2017-06-01

    The emission spectrum of widely used CyPet is pH-sensitive. In order to synthesize a pH-insensitive cyan fluorescent protein by rational design, we solved the crystal structures of CyPet under different pH conditions. The indole group of the CyPet chromophore adopts a cis-coplanar conformation in acidic and neutral conditions, while it converts to trans-coplanar under basic conditions. His148 and Glu222 play a vital role in this isomerization. The pH-sensitive chromophore isomerization and change in the emission spectrum can be explained by the coexistence of several different fluorescent states. We trap the chromophore in the trans conformation by A167I mutation (CyPet2), which also prevents the multiconformation of the seventh β-strand. CyPet2 exhibits an unchanged emission spectral shape as a function of pH. © 2017 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.

  7. Magnetic iron oxide and manganese-doped iron oxide nanoparticles for the collection of alpha-emitting radionuclides from aqueous solutions

    DOE PAGES

    O'Hara, Matthew J.; Carter, Jennifer C.; Warner, Cynthia L.; ...

    2016-10-31

    Magnetic nanoparticles are well known to possess chemically active surfaces and large surface areas that can be employed to extract a range of ions from aqueous solutions. In addition, their superparamagnetic properties provide a convenient means for bulk collection of the material from solution after the targeted ions have been adsorbed. We evaluated two nanoscale amphoteric metal oxides, each possessing useful magnetic attributes for their ability to collect trace levels of a chemically diverse range of alpha emitting radioactive isotopes (polonium (Po), radium (Ra), uranium (U), and americium (Am)) from a wide range of aqueous solutions. The nanomaterials include commerciallymore » available magnetite (Fe3O4) and magnetite modified to incorporate manganese (Mn) into the crystal structure. The chemical stability of these nanomaterials was evaluated in Hanford Site, WA ground water between the natural pH (~8) and pH 1. Whereas the magnetite was observed to have good stability over the pH range, the Mn-doped material was observed to leach Mn at low pH. The materials were evaluated in parallel to characterize their uptake performance of the alpha-emitting radionuclide spikes from ground water across a range of pH (from ~8 down to 2). In addition, radiotracer uptake experiments were performed on Columbia River water, seawater, and human urine at their natural pH and at pH 2. Despite the observed leaching of Mn from the Mn-doped nanomaterial in the lower pH range, it exhibited generally superior analyte extraction performance compared to the magnetite, and analyte uptake was observed across a broader pH range. We show that the uptake behavior of the various radiotracers on these two materials at different pH levels can generally be explained by the amphoteric nature of the nanoparticle surfaces. Finally, the rate of sorption of the radiotracers on the two materials in unacidified ground water was evaluated. The uptake curves generally indicate that equilibrium is obtained within a few minutes, which is attributed to the high surface areas of the nanomaterials and the high level of dispersion in the liquids. In sum, our results indicate that these nanomaterials may have the potential to be employed for a range of applications to extract radionuclides from aqueous solutions.« less

  8. Synthesis and evaluation of thiophenyl derivatives as inhibitors of alkaline phosphatase.

    PubMed

    Chang, Lei; Duy, Do Le; Mébarek, Saida; Popowycz, Florence; Pellet-Rostaing, Stéphane; Lemaire, Marc; Buchet, René

    2011-04-15

    Pathological calcifications induced by deposition of basic phosphate crystals or hydroxyapatite (HA) on soft tissues are a large family of diseases comprising of ankylosing spondylitis (AS), end-stage osteoarthritis (OA) and vascular calcification. High activity of tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP) is a hallmark of pathological calcifications induced by HA deposition. The use of TNAP inhibitor is a possible therapeutic option to address calcific diseases produced by HA deposition on soft tissues. We report the synthesis of a series of thiopheno-imidazo[2,1-b]thiazole derivatives which were evaluated as potential inhibitors of TNAP displaying a large range of IC(50) at pH 10.4 (from 42±13 μM to more than 800 μM). Copyright © 2011. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

  9. Hydrazine functionalized probes for chromogenic and fluorescent ratiometric sensing of pH and F-: experimental and DFT studies.

    PubMed

    Roy Chowdhury, Additi; Mondal, Amita; Roy, Biswajit Gopal; K, Jagadeesh C Bose; Mukhopadhyay, Sudit; Banerjee, Priyabrata

    2017-11-08

    Two novel hydrazine based sensors, BPPIH (N 1 ,N 3 -bis(perfluorophenyl)isophthalohydrazide) and BPBIH (N 1' ,N 3' -bis(perfluorobenzylidene)isophthalohydrazide), are presented here. BPPIH is found to be a highly sensitive pH sensor in the pH range 5.0 to 10.0 in a DMSO-water solvent mixture with a pK a value of 9.22. Interesting optical responses have been observed for BPPIH in the above mentioned pH range. BPBIH on the other hand turns out to be a less effective pH sensor in the above mentioned pH range. The increase in fluorescence intensity at a lower pH for BPPIH was explained by using density functional theory. The ability of BPPIH to monitor the pH changes inside cancer cells is a useful application of the sensor as a functional material. In addition fluoride (F - ) selectivity studies of these two chemosensors have been performed and show that between them, BPBIH shows greater selectivity towards F - . The interaction energy calculated from the DFT-D3 supports the experimental findings. The pH sensor (BPPIH) can be further interfaced with suitable circuitry interfaced with desired programming for ease of access and enhancement of practical applications.

  10. A Flexible Optical pH Sensor Based on Polysulfone Membranes Coated with pH-Responsive Polyaniline Nanofibers

    PubMed Central

    Abu-Thabit, Nedal; Umar, Yunusa; Ratemi, Elaref; Ahmad, Ayman; Ahmad Abuilaiwi, Faraj

    2016-01-01

    A new optical pH sensor based on polysulfone (PSU) and polyaniline (PANI) was developed. A transparent and flexible PSU membrane was employed as a support. The electrically conductive and pH-responsive PANI was deposited onto the membrane surface by in situ chemical oxidative polymerization (COP). The absorption spectra of the PANI-coated PSU membranes exhibited sensitivity to pH changes in the range of 4–12, which allowed for designing a dual wavelength pH optical sensor. The performance of the membranes was assessed by measuring their response starting from high pH and going down to low pH, and vice versa. It was found that it is necessary to precondition the sensor layers before each measurement due to the slight hysteresis observed during forward and backward pH titrations. PSU membranes with polyaniline coating thicknesses in the range of ≈100–200 nm exhibited fast response times of <4 s, which are attributed to the porous, rough and nanofibrillar morphology of the polyaniline coating. The fabricated pH sensor was characterized by a sigmoidal response (R2 = 0.997) which allows for pH determination over a wide dynamic range. All membranes were stable for a period of more than six months when stored in 1 M HCl solution. The reproducibility of the fabricated optical pH sensors was found to be <0.02 absorption units after one month storage in 1 M HCl solution. The performance of the optical pH sensor was tested and the obtained pH values were compared with the results obtained using a pH meter device. PMID:27355953

  11. Self-assembly processes in the prebiotic environment

    PubMed Central

    Deamer, David; Singaram, Sara; Rajamani, Sudha; Kompanichenko, Vladimir; Guggenheim, Stephen

    2006-01-01

    An important question guiding research on the origin of life concerns the environmental conditions where molecular systems with the properties of life first appeared on the early Earth. An appropriate site would require liquid water, a source of organic compounds, a source of energy to drive polymerization reactions and a process by which the compounds were sufficiently concentrated to undergo physical and chemical interactions. One such site is a geothermal setting, in which organic compounds interact with mineral surfaces to promote self-assembly and polymerization reactions. Here, we report an initial study of two geothermal sites where mixtures of representative organic solutes (amino acids, nucleobases, a fatty acid and glycerol) and phosphate were mixed with high-temperature water in clay-lined pools. Most of the added organics and phosphate were removed from solution with half-times measured in minutes to a few hours. Analysis of the clay, primarily smectite and kaolin, showed that the organics were adsorbed to the mineral surfaces at the acidic pH of the pools, but could subsequently be released in basic solutions. These results help to constrain the range of possible environments for the origin of life. A site conducive to self-assembly of organic solutes would be an aqueous environment relatively low in ionic solutes, at an intermediate temperature range and neutral pH ranges, in which cyclic concentration of the solutes can occur by transient dry intervals. PMID:17008220

  12. A Flexible Optical pH Sensor Based on Polysulfone Membranes Coated with pH-Responsive Polyaniline Nanofibers.

    PubMed

    Abu-Thabit, Nedal; Umar, Yunusa; Ratemi, Elaref; Ahmad, Ayman; Ahmad Abuilaiwi, Faraj

    2016-06-27

    A new optical pH sensor based on polysulfone (PSU) and polyaniline (PANI) was developed. A transparent and flexible PSU membrane was employed as a support. The electrically conductive and pH-responsive PANI was deposited onto the membrane surface by in situ chemical oxidative polymerization (COP). The absorption spectra of the PANI-coated PSU membranes exhibited sensitivity to pH changes in the range of 4-12, which allowed for designing a dual wavelength pH optical sensor. The performance of the membranes was assessed by measuring their response starting from high pH and going down to low pH, and vice versa. It was found that it is necessary to precondition the sensor layers before each measurement due to the slight hysteresis observed during forward and backward pH titrations. PSU membranes with polyaniline coating thicknesses in the range of ≈100-200 nm exhibited fast response times of <4 s, which are attributed to the porous, rough and nanofibrillar morphology of the polyaniline coating. The fabricated pH sensor was characterized by a sigmoidal response (R² = 0.997) which allows for pH determination over a wide dynamic range. All membranes were stable for a period of more than six months when stored in 1 M HCl solution. The reproducibility of the fabricated optical pH sensors was found to be <0.02 absorption units after one month storage in 1 M HCl solution. The performance of the optical pH sensor was tested and the obtained pH values were compared with the results obtained using a pH meter device.

  13. Evaluating nanoparticle sensor design for intracellular pH measurements.

    PubMed

    Benjaminsen, Rikke V; Sun, Honghao; Henriksen, Jonas R; Christensen, Nynne M; Almdal, Kristoffer; Andresen, Thomas L

    2011-07-26

    Particle-based nanosensors have over the past decade been designed for optical fluorescent-based ratiometric measurements of pH in living cells. However, quantitative and time-resolved intracellular measurements of pH in endosomes and lysosomes using particle nanosensors are challenging, and there is a need to improve measurement methodology. In the present paper, we have successfully carried out time-resolved pH measurements in endosomes and lyosomes in living cells using nanoparticle sensors and show the importance of sensor choice for successful quantification. We have studied two nanoparticle-based sensor systems that are internalized by endocytosis and elucidated important factors in nanosensor design that should be considered in future development of new sensors. From our experiments it is clear that it is highly important to use sensors that have a broad measurement range, as erroneous quantification of pH is an unfortunate result when measuring pH too close to the limit of the sensitive range of the sensors. Triple-labeled nanosensors with a pH measurement range of 3.2-7.0, which was synthesized by adding two pH-sensitive fluorophores with different pK(a) to each sensor, seem to be a solution to some of the earlier problems found when measuring pH in the endosome-lysosome pathway.

  14. Patterns of calcium oxalate monohydrate crystallization in complex biological systems

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Golovanova, O. A.; Korol'kov, V. V.; Kuimova, M. V.

    2017-01-01

    The paper presents the features of calcium oxalate crystallization in the presence of additives revealed through experimental modeling. The patterns of phase formation are shown for the Ca2+ - C2O4 2- - H2O and Ca2+ - C2O4 2- - PO4 3- - H2O systems with the components and pH of the saline varying over a wide concentrations range. The effect of additives on crystallization of calcium oxalate monohydrate was investigated. It was found that the ionic strength and magnesium ions are inhibitors, and calcium oxalate and hydroxyapatite crystals are catalysts of calcium oxalate monohydrate crystallization. The basic calcium phosphate (apatite) was found to be most thermodynamically stable, which indicates its special role in kidney stone formation since it is found in virtually all stones.

  15. 40 CFR 421.264 - Standards of performance for new sources.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... Ammonia (as N) 599.900 263.700 Total suspended solids 67.500 54.000 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the range of 7.5....269 Combined metals 0.192 Ammonia (as N) 85.310 37.500 Total suspended solids 9.600 7.680 pH (1) (1) 1....000 12.000 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the range of 7.5 to 10.0 at all times. (d) Spent cyanide stripping...

  16. Surface speciation of yttrium and neodymium sorbed on rutile: Interpretations using the change distribution model.

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Ridley, Mora K.; Hiemstra, T; Machesky, Michael L.

    2012-01-01

    The adsorption of Y3+ and Nd3+ onto rutile has been evaluated over a wide range of pH (3 11) and surface loading conditions, as well as at two ionic strengths (0.03 and 0.3 m), and temperatures (25 and 50 C). The experimental results reveal the same adsorption behavior for the two trivalent ions onto the rutile surface, with Nd3+ first adsorbing at slightly lower pH values. The adsorption of both Y3+ and Nd3+ commences at pH values below the pHznpc of rutile. The experimental results were evaluated using a charge distribution (CD) and multisite complexation (MUSIC) model, and Basic Sternmore » layer description of the electric double layer (EDL). The coordination geometry of possible surface complexes were constrained by molecular-level information obtained from X-ray standing wave measurements and molecular dynamic (MD) simulation studies. X-ray standing wave measurements showed an inner-sphere tetradentate complex for Y3+ adsorption onto the (110) rutile surface (Zhang et al., 2004b). TheMDsimulation studies suggest additional bidentate complexes may form. The CD values for all surface species were calculated based on a bond valence interpretation of the surface complexes identified by X-ray and MD. The calculated CD values were corrected for the effect of dipole orientation of interfacial water. At low pH, the tetradentate complex provided excellent fits to the Y3+ and Nd3+ experimental data. The experimental and surface complexation modeling results show a strong pH dependence, and suggest that the tetradentate surface species hydrolyze with increasing pH. Furthermore, with increased surface loading of Y3+ on rutile the tetradentate binding mode was augmented by a hydrolyzed-bidentate Y3+ surface complex. Collectively, the experimental and surface complexation modeling results demonstrate that solution chemistry and surface loading impacts Y3+ surface speciation. The approach taken of incorporating molecular-scale information into surface complexation models (SCMs) should aid in elucidating a fundamental understating of ion-adsorption reactions.« less

  17. In Vitro Dissolution of Fluconazole and Dipyridamole in Gastrointestinal Simulator (GIS), Predicting in Vivo Dissolution and Drug-Drug Interaction Caused by Acid-Reducing Agents.

    PubMed

    Matsui, Kazuki; Tsume, Yasuhiro; Amidon, Gregory E; Amidon, Gordon L

    2015-07-06

    Weakly basic drugs typically exhibit pH-dependent solubility in the physiological pH range, displaying supersaturation or precipitation along the gastrointestinal tract. Additionally, their oral bioavailabilities may be affected by coadministration of acid-reducing agents that elevate gastric pH. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of a multicompartmental in vitro dissolution apparatus, Gastrointestinal Simulator (GIS), in predicting in vivo dissolution of certain oral medications. In vitro dissolution studies of fluconazole, a BCS class I, and dipyridamole, a BCS class II weak bases (class IIb), were performed in the GIS as well as United States Pharmacopeia (USP) apparatus II and compared with the results of clinical drug-drug interaction (DDI) studies. In both USP apparatus II and GIS, fluconazole completely dissolved within 60 min regardless of pH, reflecting no DDI between fluconazole and acid-reducing agents in a clinical study. On the other hand, seven-fold and 15-fold higher concentrations of dipyridamole than saturation solubility were observed in the intestinal compartments in GIS with gastric pH 2.0. Precipitation of dipyridamole was also observed in the GIS, and the percentage of dipyridamole in solution was 45.2 ± 7.0%. In GIS with gastric pH 6.0, mimicking the coadministration of acid-reducing agents, the concentration of dipyridamole was equal to its saturation solubility, and the percentage of drug in solution was 9.3 ± 2.7%. These results are consistent with the clinical DDI study of dipyridamole with famotidine, which significantly reduced the Cmax and area under the curve. An In situ mouse infusion study combined with GIS revealed that high concentration of dipyridamole in the GIS enhanced oral drug absorption, which confirmed the supersaturation of dipyridamole. In conclusion, GIS was shown to be a useful apparatus to predict in vivo dissolution for BCS class IIb drugs.

  18. Effect of pH and chloroauric acid concentration on the geometry of gold nanoparticles obtained by photochemical synthesis

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Conde Rodríguez, G. R.; Gauthier, G. H.; Ladeira, L. O.; Sanabria Cala, J. A.; Laverde Cataño, D.

    2017-12-01

    Due to their excellent surface properties, gold nanoparticles have been used in a wide range of applications from optics and catalysis to biology and cancer treatment by thermal therapy. Gold nanoparticles can absorb a large amount of radiation according to their geometry, such as nanospheres and nanorods. The importance of gold nanoparticles geometry is based on the electromagnetic spectrum wavelength where exists a greater absorption of radiation, which belongs to the visible region for nanospheres and ranges between visible and near infrared regions for nanorods, conferring greater biomedical applicability to the latter. When using photochemical synthesis method, which consists of reducing gold atoms to their metallic state with UV radiation, the geometry of gold nanoparticles depends on different variables such as: 1) pH, 2) concentration of chloroauric acid, 3) the surfactant, 4) concentration of silver nitrate, 5) temperature and 6) irradiation time. Therefore, in this study the geometry of the gold nanoparticles obtained by photochemical synthesis was determined as a function of solution pH and chloroauric acid concentration, using Spectrophotometry in the Ultraviolet Visible region (UV-vis) as characterization technique. From the analysis of the UV-vis spectra, it was determined that at an acidic pH the particles have two absorption bands corresponding to nanorods geometry, while at a basic pH only nanospheres are found and at a neutral pH the lower relative intensity of the second band indicates the simultaneous existence of the two geometries. The increase in the concentration of chloroauric acid produces a decrease in the amount of synthesized nanorods, seen as a decrease of the relative intensity of the second absorption band. Therefore, obtaining gold nanoparticles with nanorods geometry favours fields such as biomedicine, because they are capable of absorbing infrared radiation and can be used as photosensitive agents in localized thermal therapy against cancer.

  19. 40 CFR 421.244 - Standards of performance for new sources.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... 24.410 12.850 Nickel 24.670 16.320 Total suspended solids 526.800 250.500 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the... Nickel 9.590 6.344 Total suspended solids 204.800 97.400 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the range of 7.5 to 10.0 at....523 Total suspended solids 49.160 23.380 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the range of 7.5 to 10.0 at all times. ...

  20. Variations of thiaminase I activity pH dependencies among typical Great Lakes forage fish and Paenibacillus thiaminolyticus.

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Zajicek, J.L.; Brown, L.; Brown, S.B.; Honeyfield, D.C.; Fitzsimons, J.D.; Tillitt, D.E.

    2009-01-01

    The source of thiaminase in the Great Lakes food web remains unknown. Biochemical characterization of the thiaminase I activities observed in forage fish was undertaken to provide insights into potential thiaminase sources and to optimize catalytic assay conditions. We measured the thiaminase I activities of crude extracts from five forage fish species and one strain of Paenibacillus thiaminolyticus over a range of pH values. The clupeids, alewife Alosa pseudoharengus and gizzard shad Dorosoma cepedianum, had very similar thiaminase I pH dependencies, with optimal activity ranges (> or = 90% of maximum activity) between pH 4.6 and 5.5. Rainbow smelt Osmerus mordax and spottail shiner Notropis hudsonius had optimal activity ranges between pH 5.5-6.6. The thiaminase I activity pH dependence profile of P. thiaminolyticus had an optimal activity range between pH 5.4 and 6.3, which was similar to the optimal range for rainbow smelt and spottail shiners. Incubation of P. thiaminolyticus extracts with extracts from bloater Coregonus hoyi (normally, bloaters have little or no detectable thiaminase I activity) did not significantly alter the pH dependence profile of P. thiaminolyticus-derived thiaminase I, such that it continued to resemble that of the rainbow smelt and spottail shiner, with an apparent optimal activity range between pH 5.7 and 6.6. These data are consistent with the hypothesis of a bacterial source for thiaminase I in the nonclupeid species of forage fish; however, the data also suggest different sources of thiaminase I enzymes in the clupeid species.

  1. 40 CFR 421.74 - Standards of performance for new sources.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... bullion produced Lead 4.340 2.015 Zinc 15.810 6.510 Total suspended solids 232.500 186.000 pH (1) (1... solids .000 .000 pH (1) (1) 1Within the range of 7.5 to 10.0 at all times. (b) Subpart G—Blast Furnace... Zinc .000 .000 Total suspended solids .000 .000 pH (1) (1) 1Within the range of 7.5 to 10.0 at all...

  2. 40 CFR 421.74 - Standards of performance for new sources.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... bullion produced Lead 4.340 2.015 Zinc 15.810 6.510 Total suspended solids 232.500 186.000 pH (1) (1... solids .000 .000 pH (1) (1) 1Within the range of 7.5 to 10.0 at all times. (b) Subpart G—Blast Furnace... Zinc .000 .000 Total suspended solids .000 .000 pH (1) (1) 1Within the range of 7.5 to 10.0 at all...

  3. Surface speciation of yttrium and neodymium sorbed on rutile: Interpretations using the charge distribution model

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ridley, Moira K.; Hiemstra, Tjisse; Machesky, Michael L.; Wesolowski, David J.; van Riemsdijk, Willem H.

    2012-10-01

    The adsorption of Y3+ and Nd3+ onto rutile has been evaluated over a wide range of pH (3-11) and surface loading conditions, as well as at two ionic strengths (0.03 and 0.3 m), and temperatures (25 and 50 °C). The experimental results reveal the same adsorption behavior for the two trivalent ions onto the rutile surface, with Nd3+ first adsorbing at slightly lower pH values. The adsorption of both Y3+ and Nd3+ commences at pH values below the pHznpc of rutile. The experimental results were evaluated using a charge distribution (CD) and multisite complexation (MUSIC) model, and Basic Stern layer description of the electric double layer (EDL). The coordination geometry of possible surface complexes were constrained by molecular-level information obtained from X-ray standing wave measurements and molecular dynamic (MD) simulation studies. X-ray standing wave measurements showed an inner-sphere tetradentate complex for Y3+ adsorption onto the (1 1 0) rutile surface (Zhang et al., 2004b). The MD simulation studies suggest additional bidentate complexes may form. The CD values for all surface species were calculated based on a bond valence interpretation of the surface complexes identified by X-ray and MD. The calculated CD values were corrected for the effect of dipole orientation of interfacial water. At low pH, the tetradentate complex provided excellent fits to the Y3+ and Nd3+ experimental data. The experimental and surface complexation modeling results show a strong pH dependence, and suggest that the tetradentate surface species hydrolyze with increasing pH. Furthermore, with increased surface loading of Y3+ on rutile the tetradentate binding mode was augmented by a hydrolyzed-bidentate Y3+ surface complex. Collectively, the experimental and surface complexation modeling results demonstrate that solution chemistry and surface loading impacts Y3+ surface speciation. The approach taken of incorporating molecular-scale information into surface complexation models (SCMs) should aid in elucidating a fundamental understating of ion-adsorption reactions.

  4. Temperature range and degree of acidity growth of isolate of indigenous bacteria on fermented feed “fermege”

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Isnawati; Trimulyono, G.

    2018-01-01

    Fermege is a fermented feed of ruminants, especially goats made from water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes). Temperature range and pH need to know in making starter formula for acceleration of fermentation process at making ruminant feed made from this materials. The starter formula expired period can be extended by adjusting starter storage temperature and pH of the starter. This research was aimed to find the temperature and pH range for the growth of isolate of indigenous bacteria “fermege.” This research is an explorative research conducted by growing bacteria isolate indigenous fermege in liquid medium with various pH and incubation in various temperature. Bacterial population was calculated based on turbidity of bacterial suspension with turbidometer. The stages of this research were to isolate the bacteria present in the fermege, purify the isolates found, and then grow the isolates in a liquid medium with various pH values. The isolated bacterials were incubated at different temperature variations. The cell population density of the isolates was calculated after incubation for 24 hours. The results showed there were eight indigenous bacterial isolates. All isolates can grow in the pH range 6 and 7. Two isolates (Bacillus subtilis and B. pumilus) can grow at 4°C. All isolates obtained can grow at a temperature of 30°C. Isolates Bacillus badius, B. subtilis, B. cereus, Pseudomonas stutzeri and P. diminuta can grow at 50°C. Based on research indicates that indigenous fermege bacterial isolates have the ability to grow in the neutral pH range and temperature range between 4°C and 50°C.

  5. Spectral Induced Polarization of Low-pH Concrete. Influence of the Electrical Double Layer and Pore Size

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Leroy, P. G.; Gaboreau, S.; Zimmermann, E.; Hoerdt, A.; Claret, F.; Huisman, J. A.; Tournassat, C.

    2017-12-01

    Low-pH concretes are foreseen to be used in nuclear waste disposal. Understanding their reactivity upon the considered host-rock is a key point. Evolution of mineralogy, porosity, pore size distribution and connectivity can be monitored in situ using geophysical methods such as induced polarization (IP). This electrical method consists of injecting an alternating current and measuring the resulting voltage in the porous medium. Spectral IP (SIP) measurements in the 10 mHz to 10 kHz frequency range were carried out on low-pH concrete and cement paste first in equilibrium and then in contact with a CO2 enriched and diluted water. We observed a very high resistivity of the materials (> 10 kOhm m) and a strong phase shift between injected current and measured voltage (superior to 40 mrad and above 100 mrad for frequencies > 100 Hz). These observations were modelled by considering membrane polarization with ion exclusion in nanopores whose surface electrical properties were computed using a basic Stern model of the cement/water interface. Pore size distribution was deduced from SIP and was compared to the measured ones. In addition, we observed a decrease of the material resistivity due to the dissolution of cement in contact with external water. Our results show that SIP may be a valuable method to monitor the mineralogy and the petrophysical and transport properties of cements.

  6. Na(+) transport, and the E(1)P-E(2)P conformational transition of the Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase.

    PubMed Central

    Babes, A; Fendler, K

    2000-01-01

    We have used admittance analysis together with the black lipid membrane technique to analyze electrogenic reactions within the Na(+) branch of the reaction cycle of the Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase. ATP release by flash photolysis of caged ATP induced changes in the admittance of the compound membrane system that are associated with partial reactions of the Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase. Frequency spectra and the Na(+) dependence of the capacitive signal are consistent with an electrogenic or electroneutral E(1)P <--> E(2)P conformational transition which is rate limiting for a faster electrogenic Na(+) dissociation reaction. We determine the relaxation rate of the rate-limiting reaction and the equilibrium constants for both reactions at pH 6.2-8.5. The relaxation rate has a maximum value at pH 7.4 (approximately 320 s(-1)), which drops to acidic (approximately 190 s(-1)) and basic (approximately 110 s(-1)) pH. The E(1)P <--> E(2)P equilibrium is approximately at a midpoint position at pH 6.2 (equilibrium constant approximately 0.8) but moves more to the E(1)P side at basic pH 8.5 (equilibrium constant approximately 0.4). The Na(+) affinity at the extracellular binding site decreases from approximately 900 mM at pH 6.2 to approximately 200 mM at pH 8.5. The results suggest that during Na(+) transport the free energy supplied by the hydrolysis of ATP is mainly used for the generation of a low-affinity extracellular Na(+) discharge site. Ionic strength and lyotropic anions both decrease the relaxation rate. However, while ionic strength does not change the position of the conformational equilibrium E(1)P <--> E(2)P, lyotropic anions shift it to E(1)P. PMID:11053130

  7. Hydrogen storage and evolution catalysed by metal hydride complexes.

    PubMed

    Fukuzumi, Shunichi; Suenobu, Tomoyoshi

    2013-01-07

    The storage and evolution of hydrogen are catalysed by appropriate metal hydride complexes. Hydrogenation of carbon dioxide by hydrogen is catalysed by a [C,N] cyclometalated organoiridium complex, [Ir(III)(Cp*)(4-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl-κN(2))benzoic acid-κC(3))(OH(2))](2)SO(4) [Ir-OH(2)](2)SO(4), under atmospheric pressure of H(2) and CO(2) in weakly basic water (pH 7.5) at room temperature. The reverse reaction, i.e., hydrogen evolution from formate, is also catalysed by [Ir-OH(2)](+) in acidic water (pH 2.8) at room temperature. Thus, interconversion between hydrogen and formic acid in water at ambient temperature and pressure has been achieved by using [Ir-OH(2)](+) as an efficient catalyst in both directions depending on pH. The Ir complex [Ir-OH(2)](+) also catalyses regioselective hydrogenation of the oxidised form of β-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD(+)) to produce the 1,4-reduced form (NADH) under atmospheric pressure of H(2) at room temperature in weakly basic water. In weakly acidic water, the complex [Ir-OH(2)](+) also catalyses the reverse reaction, i.e., hydrogen evolution from NADH to produce NAD(+) at room temperature. Thus, interconversion between NADH (and H(+)) and NAD(+) (and H(2)) has also been achieved by using [Ir-OH(2)](+) as an efficient catalyst and by changing pH. The iridium hydride complex formed by the reduction of [Ir-OH(2)](+) by H(2) and NADH is responsible for the hydrogen evolution. Photoirradiation (λ > 330 nm) of an aqueous solution of the Ir-hydride complex produced by the reduction of [Ir-OH(2)](+) with alcohols resulted in the quantitative conversion to a unique [C,C] cyclometalated Ir-hydride complex, which can catalyse hydrogen evolution from alcohols in a basic aqueous solution (pH 11.9). The catalytic mechanisms of the hydrogen storage and evolution are discussed by focusing on the reactivity of Ir-hydride complexes.

  8. The hydrolysis kinetics of monobasic and dibasic aminoalkyl esters of ketorolac.

    PubMed

    Qandil, Amjad M; Jamhawi, Noor M; Tashtoush, Bassam M; Al-Ajlouni, Ahmad M; Idkaidek, Nasir M; Obaidat, Aiman A

    2013-09-01

    Six aminoethyl and aminobutyl esters of ketorolac containing 1-methylpiperazine (MPE and MPB), N-acetylpiperazine (APE and APB) or morpholine (ME and MB), were synthesized and their hydrolysis kinetics were studied. The hydrolysis was studied at pH 1 to 9 (for MPE, APE and ME) and pH 1 to 8 (for MPB, APB and MB) in aqueous phosphate buffer (0.16 M) with ionic strength (0.5 M) at 37°C. Calculation of k(obs), construction of the pH-rate profiles and determination of the rate equations were performed using KaleidaGraph® 4.1. The hydrolysis displays pseudo-first order kinetics and the pH-rate profiles shows that the aminobutyl esters, MPE, APB and MB, are the most stable. The hydrolysis of the ethyl esters MPE, APE and ME, depending on the pH, is either fast and catalyzed by the hydroxide anion or slow and uncatalyzed for the diprotonated, monoprotonated and nonprotonated forms. The hydrolysis of the butyl esters showed a similar profile, albeit it was also catalyzed by hydronium cation. In addition, the hydroxide anion is 105 more effective in catalyzing the hydrolysis than the hydronium cation. The hydrolysis pattern of the aminoethyl esters is affected by the number and pKa of its basic nitrogen atoms. The monobasic APE and ME, show a similar hydrolysis pattern that is different than the dibasic MPE. The length of the side chain and the pKa of the basic nitrogen atoms in the aminoethyl moiety affect the mechanism of hydrolysis as the extent of protonation at a given pH is directly related to the pKa.

  9. 40 CFR 467.34 - New source performance standards.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... Suspended solids 5.10 4.07 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the range of 7.0 to 10.0 at all times. Subpart C Extrusion....126 Aluminum 1.82 0.81 Oil and grease 2.98 2.98 Suspended solids 4.47 3.58 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the... Suspended solids 30.56 24.45 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the range of 7.0 to 10.0 at all times. Subpart C Cleaning...

  10. 40 CFR 471.53 - New source performance standards (NSPS).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... 4.29 TSS 6.44 5.15 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the range of 7.5 to 10.0 at all times. (c) Drawing spent... Nickel 0.655 0.441 Fluoride 70.8 31.4 Molybdenum 5.99 2.66 Oil and grease 11.9 11.9 TSS 17.9 14.3 pH (1... and grease 2.81 2.81 TSS 4.22 3.37 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the range of 7.5 to 10.0 at all times. (j...

  11. A Framework for Developing pH Guidance for Drinking Water Treatment and Distribution

    EPA Science Inventory

    Worldwide, many agencies have historically limited the range of pH values of distributed water between 6.5 and 8.5. Although this range is not a regulatory limit, many jurisdictions have used it as one. In some cases, the range has been a barrier to optimizing distribution syste...

  12. 40 CFR 421.102 - Effluent limitations guidelines representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... Ammonia (as N) 4,773.000 2,098.000 Total suspended solids 1,468.000 698.300 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the range... 59.900 25.030 Ammonia (as N) 5,469.000 2,404.00 Total suspended solids 1,682.000 800.000 pH (1) (1) 1... suspended solids 0.000 0.000 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the range of 7.0 to 10.0 at all times. (d) Subpart J—Alkali...

  13. 40 CFR 471.53 - New source performance standards (NSPS).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... 4.29 TSS 6.44 5.15 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the range of 7.5 to 10.0 at all times. (c) Drawing spent... Nickel 0.655 0.441 Fluoride 70.8 31.4 Molybdenum 5.99 2.66 Oil and grease 11.9 11.9 TSS 17.9 14.3 pH (1... and grease 2.81 2.81 TSS 4.22 3.37 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the range of 7.5 to 10.0 at all times. (j...

  14. Correlation of the Capacity Factor in Vesicular Electrokinetic Chromatography with the Octanol:Water Partition Coefficient for Charged and Neutral Analytes

    PubMed Central

    Razak, J. L.; Cutak, B. J.; Larive, C. K.; Lunte, C. E.

    2008-01-01

    Purpose The aim of this study was to develop a method based upon electrokinetic chromatography (EKC) using oppositely charged surfactant vesicles as a buffer modifier to estimate hydrophobicity (log P) for a range of neutral and charged compounds. Methods Vesicles were formed from cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and sodium n-octyl sulfate (SOS). The size and polydispersity of the vesicles were characterized by electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and pulsed-field gradient NMR (PFG-NMR). PFG-NMR was also used to determine if ion-pairing between cationic analytes and free SOS monomer occurred. The CTAB/SOS vesicles were used as a buffer modifier in capillary electrophoresis (CE). The capacity factor (log k′) was calculated by determining the mobility of the analytes both in the presence and absence of vesicles. Log k′ was determined for 29 neutral and charged analytes. Results There was a linear relationship between the log of capacity factor (log k′) and octanol/water partition coefficient (log P) for both neutral and basic species at pH 6.0, 7.3, and 10.2. This indicated that interaction between the cation and vesicle was dominated by hydrophobic forces. At pH 4.3, the log k′ values for the least hydrophobic basic analytes were higher than expected, indicating that electrostatic attraction as well as hydrophobic forces contributed to the overall interaction between the cation and vesicle. Anionic compounds could not be evaluated using this system. Conclusion Vesicular electrokinetic chromatography (VEKC) using surfactant vesicles as buffer modifiers is a promising method for the estimation of hydrophobicity. PMID:11336344

  15. Chloride Fluxes in Isolated Dialyzed Barnacle Muscle Fibers

    PubMed Central

    DiPolo, R.

    1972-01-01

    Chloride outflux and influx has been studied in single isolated muscle fibers from the giant barnacle under constant internal composition by means of a dialysis perfusion technique. Membrane potential was continually recorded. The chloride outfluxes and influxes were 143 and 144 pmoles/cm2-sec (mean resting potential: 58 mv, temperature: 22°–24°C) with internal and external chloride concentrations of 30 and 541 mM, respectively. The chloride conductance calculated from tracer measurements using constant field assumptions is about fourfold greater than that calculated from published electrical data. Replacing 97% of the external chloride ions by propionate reduces the chloride efflux by 51%. Nitrate ions applied either to the internal or external surface of the membrane slows the chloride efflux. The external pH dependence of the chloride efflux follows the external pH dependence of the membrane conductance, in the range pH 3.9–4.7, increasing with decreasing pH. In the range pH 5–9, the chloride efflux increased with increasing pH, in a manner similar to that observed in frog muscle fibers. The titration curve for internal pH changes in the range 4.0–7.0 was quantitatively much different from that for external pH change, indicating significant asymmetry in the internal and external pH dependence of the chloride efflux. PMID:5074810

  16. A colloidal water-stable MOF as a broad-range fluorescent pH sensor via post-synthetic modification.

    PubMed

    Aguilera-Sigalat, Jordi; Bradshaw, Darren

    2014-05-11

    We report for the first time the pH-dependent fluorescence of UiO-66-NH2 across the wide range from 1 to 9. By application of a post-synthetic modification (PSM) diazotisation strategy, we synthesized a new material, UiO-66-N=N-ind, which shows increased chemical stability and enhanced sensing up to pH 12.

  17. 40 CFR 421.114 - Standards of performance for new sources.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... Ammonia (as N) 82.910 36.450 Fluoride 21.770 12.440 Total suspended solids 9.330 7.464 pH (1) (1) 1 Within....100 Total Suspended Solids 138.900 111.100 pH (1) (1) AA 1 Within the range of 7.5 to 10.0 at all... solids 3.690 2.952 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the range of 7.5 to 10.0 at all times. (d) Subpart K—Precipitation...

  18. 40 CFR 421.122 - Effluent limitations guidelines representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ....833 3.070 Zinc 4.482 1.873 Ammonia (as N) 409.300 179.900 Total suspended solids 125.900 59.870 pH (1... Ammonia (as N) 6,712.000 2,951.000 Total suspended solids 2,065.000 981.800 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the range... (as N) 129.300 56.840 Total suspended solids 39.770 18.920 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the range of 7.5 to 10...

  19. 40 CFR 421.122 - Effluent limitations guidelines representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ....833 3.070 Zinc 4.482 1.873 Ammonia (as N) 409.300 179.900 Total suspended solids 125.900 59.870 pH (1... Ammonia (as N) 6,712.000 2,951.000 Total suspended solids 2,065.000 981.800 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the range... (as N) 129.300 56.840 Total suspended solids 39.770 18.920 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the range of 7.5 to 10...

  20. A Framework for Developing pH Guidance for Drinking Water Treatment and Distribution - abstract

    EPA Science Inventory

    Worldwide, many agencies have historically limited the range of pH values of distributed water between 6.5 and 8.5. Although this range is not a regulatory limit, many jurisdictions have used it as one. In some cases, the range has been a barrier to optimizing distribution syste...

  1. Simulating botulinum neurotoxin with constant pH molecular dynamics in Generalized Born implicit solvent

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chen, Yongzhi; Chen, Xin; Deng, Yuefan

    2007-07-01

    A new method was proposed by Mongan et al. for constant pH molecular dynamics simulation and was implemented in AMBER 8 package. Protonation states are modeled with different charge sets, and titrating residues are sampled from a Boltzmann distribution of protonation states. The simulation periodically adopts Monte Carlo sampling based on Generalized Born (GB) derived energies. However, when this approach was applied to a bio-toxin, Botulinum Neurotoxin Type A (BoNT/A) at pH 4.4, 4.7, 5.0, 6.8 and 7.2, the pK predictions yielded by the method were inconsistent with the experimental values. The systems being simulated were divergent. Furthermore, the system behaviors in a very weak acidic solution (pH 6.8) and in a very weak basic solution (pH 7.2) were significantly different from the neutral case (pH 7.0). Hence, we speculate this method may require further study for modeling large biomolecule.

  2. 40 CFR 467.34 - New source performance standards.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... Suspended solids 5.10 4.07 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the range of 7.0 to 10.0 at all times. Subpart C Extrusion....126 Aluminum 1.82 0.81 Oil and grease 2.98 2.98 Suspended solids 4.47 3.58 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the... Suspended solids 30.56 24.45 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the range of 7.0 to 10.0 at all times. Subpart C Cleaning...

  3. 40 CFR 421.102 - Effluent limitations guidelines representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... Ammonia (as N) 4,773.000 2,098.000 Total suspended solids 1,468.000 698.300 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the range... 59.900 25.030 Ammonia (as N) 5,469.000 2,404.00 Total suspended solids 1,682.000 800.000 pH (1) (1) 1... suspended solids 0.000 0.000 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the range of 7.0 to 10.0 at all times. (d) Subpart J—Alkali...

  4. The leaching characteristics of selenium from coal fly ashes

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Wang, T.; Wang, J.; Burken, J.G.

    2007-11-15

    The leaching characteristics of selenium from several bituminous and subbituminous coal fly ashes under different pH conditions were investigated using batch methods. Results indicated that pH had a significant effect on selenium leaching from bituminous coal ash. The minimum selenium leaching occurred in the pH range between 3 and 4, while the maximum selenium leaching occurred at pH 12. The release of selenium from subbituminous coal ashes was very low for the entire experimental pH range, possibly due to the high content of calcium which can form hydration or precipitation products as a sink for selenium. The adsorption results formore » different selenium species indicated that Se(VI) was hardly adsorbable on either bituminous coal ashes or subbitumminous coal ashes at any pH. However, Se(I) was highly adsorbed by bituminous coal ashes under acidic pH conditions and was mostly removed by subbitumminous coal ashes across the entire pH range. This result suggests that the majority of selenium released from the tested fly ashes was Se(IV). A speciation-based model was developed to simulate the adsorption of Se(IV) on bituminous coal fly ash, and the pH-independent adsorption constants of HSeO{sup 3-} and SeO{sub 3}{sup 2-} were determined. The modeling approach is useful for understanding and predicting the release process of selenium from fly ash.« less

  5. Effects of gastric pH on oral drug absorption: In vitro assessment using a dissolution/permeation system reflecting the gastric dissolution process.

    PubMed

    Kataoka, Makoto; Fukahori, Miho; Ikemura, Atsumi; Kubota, Ayaka; Higashino, Haruki; Sakuma, Shinji; Yamashita, Shinji

    2016-04-01

    The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of gastric pH on the oral absorption of poorly water-soluble drugs using an in vitro system. A dissolution/permeation system (D/P system) equipped with a Caco-2 cell monolayer was used as the in vitro system to evaluate oral drug absorption, while a small vessel filled with simulated gastric fluid (SGF) was used to reflect the gastric dissolution phase. After applying drugs in their solid forms to SGF, SGF solution containing a 1/100 clinical dose of each drug was mixed with the apical solution of the D/P system, which was changed to fasted state-simulated intestinal fluid. Dissolved and permeated amounts on applied amount of drugs were then monitored for 2h. Similar experiments were performed using the same drugs, but without the gastric phase. Oral absorption with or without the gastric phase was predicted in humans based on the amount of the drug that permeated in the D/P system, assuming that the system without the gastric phase reflected human absorption with an elevated gastric pH. The dissolved amounts of basic drugs with poor water solubility, namely albendazole, dipyridamole, and ketoconazole, in the apical solution and their permeation across a Caco-2 cell monolayer were significantly enhanced when the gastric dissolution process was reflected due to the physicochemical properties of basic drugs. These amounts resulted in the prediction of higher oral absorption with normal gastric pH than with high gastric pH. On the other hand, when diclofenac sodium, the salt form of an acidic drug, was applied to the D/P system with the gastric phase, its dissolved and permeated amounts were significantly lower than those without the gastric phase. However, the oral absorption of diclofenac was predicted to be complete (96-98%) irrespective of gastric pH because the permeated amounts of diclofenac under both conditions were sufficiently high to achieve complete absorption. These estimations of the effects of gastric pH on the oral absorption of poorly water-soluble drugs were consistent with observations in humans. In conclusion, the D/P system with the gastric phase may be a useful tool for better predicting the oral absorption of poorly water-soluble basic drugs. In addition, the effects of gastric pH on the oral absorption of poorly water-soluble drugs may be evaluated by the D/P system with and without the gastric phase. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  6. Influence of pH for the determination of serum albumin by a dye-binding method in the presence of a detergent.

    PubMed

    Suzuki, Yuji

    2008-08-01

    In the dye-binding method, the absorbance increase caused by a protein error of a pH indicator is observed only in a restricted pH range. However, this pH range in the presence of a detergent has not yet been examined. Thus, the author investigated the pH (pH(UL)) where the absorbance increase becomes zero by a calculation based on the chemical equilibrium of a protein error of a pH indicator, and by experiments using four sulfonephthalein dyes. The pH(UL) value changed only with the detergent concentration, but did not change at all due to the dye, buffer solution or protein concentrations. Although the pH(UL) value was different according to the kind of dye used, it correlated well with the pK(D) values (dissociation constant) of BPB, BCG, BCP and BTB. The characteristics of pH(UL) in the reactions of the four dyes indicated good agreement with that obtained by a calculation.

  7. Heavy metal removal from waste waters by ion flotation.

    PubMed

    Polat, H; Erdogan, D

    2007-09-05

    Flotation studies were carried out to investigate the removal of heavy metals such as copper (II), zinc (II), chromium (III) and silver (I) from waste waters. Various parameters such as pH, collector and frother concentrations and airflow rate were tested to determine the optimum flotation conditions. Sodium dodecyl sulfate and hexadecyltrimethyl ammonium bromide were used as collectors. Ethanol and methyl isobutyl carbinol (MIBC) were used as frothers. Metal removal reached about 74% under optimum conditions at low pH. At basic pH it became as high as 90%, probably due to the contribution from the flotation of metal precipitates.

  8. Mixed hemimicelles solid-phase extraction based on sodium dodecyl sulfate-coated nano-magnets for selective adsorption and enrichment of illegal cationic dyes in food matrices prior to high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection detection.

    PubMed

    Qi, Ping; Liang, Zhi-An; Wang, Yu; Xiao, Jian; Liu, Jia; Zhou, Qing-Qiong; Zheng, Chun-Hao; Luo, Li-Ni; Lin, Zi-Hao; Zhu, Fang; Zhang, Xue-Wu

    2016-03-11

    In this study, mixed hemimicelles solid-phase extraction (MHSPE) based on sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) coated nano-magnets Fe3O4 was investigated as a novel method for the extraction and separation of four banned cationic dyes, Auramine O, Rhodamine B, Basic orange 21 and Basic orange 22, in condiments prior to HPLC detection. The main factors affecting the extraction of analysts, such as pH, surfactant and adsorbent concentrations and zeta potential were studied and optimized. Under optimized conditions, the proposed method was successful applied for the analysis of banned cationic dyes in food samples such as chili sauce, soybean paste and tomato sauce. Validation data showed the good recoveries in the range of 70.1-104.5%, with relative standard deviations less than 15%. The method limits of determination/quantification were in the range of 0.2-0.9 and 0.7-3μgkg(-1), respectively. The selective adsorption and enrichment of cationic dyes were achieved by the synergistic effects of hydrophobic interactions and electrostatic attraction between mixed hemimicelles and the cationic dyes, which also resulted in the removal of natural pigments interferences from sample extracts. When applied to real samples, RB was detected in several positive samples (chili powders) within the range from 0.042 to 0.177mgkg(-1). These results indicate that magnetic MHSPE is an efficient and selective sample preparation technique for the extraction of banned cationic dyes in a complex matrix. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  9. Modified Activated Carbon Perchlorate Sorbents

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2007-01-25

    Yield 4.64 g. Methyl Chloride Alkylated Activated Carbon Methyl chloride (MeCl) treatment was carried out in a tube furnace generally in...with alkylation agents lowers the solution pH as the basic sites are alkylated . In the case of Me2SO4 treatment , the low slurry pH is believed to be...by Cannon and coworkers, the alkylated carbons are not significantly better. In the case of the SAI carbons, ammonia treatment does not result in a

  10. On-site detection of packaged squid freshness

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ahmad, Noor Azizah; Heng, Lee Yook; Salam, Faridah; Hanifah, Sharina Abu

    2018-04-01

    The development of indicator label for detection of total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) is described. Dye extract from edible plants containing anthocyanins was immobilized onto iota-carrageenan as polymer matrix. TVB-N detection worked based on pH increase as the basic deterioration volatile amines generated in the package headspace. Results showed that the indicator label has changed color from blue to green after 12 hours of storage at ambient conditions. The TVB-N value was 38.9648 mg /100 g which is exceeded of acceptability level for seafood products. The pH value of squid flesh has also increased during storage. The colour values of L * and a * negative increases while b* negative decrease with increasing storage time. The indicator label is potentially used as freshness indicator for squid at ambient conditions.

  11. Assessing physiological tipping point of sea urchin larvae exposed to a broad range of pH.

    PubMed

    Dorey, Narimane; Lançon, Pauline; Thorndyke, Mike; Dupont, Sam

    2013-11-01

    Our ability to project the impact of global change on marine ecosystem is limited by our poor understanding on how to predict species sensitivity. For example, the impact of ocean acidification is highly species-specific, even in closely related taxa. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that the tolerance range of a given species to decreased pH corresponds to their natural range of exposure. Larvae of the green sea urchin Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis were cultured from fertilization to metamorphic competence (29 days) under a wide range of pH (from pHT  = 8.0/pCO2  ≈ 480 μatm to pHT  = 6.5/pCO2  ≈ 20 000 μatm) covering present (from pHT 8.7 to 7.6), projected near-future variability (from pHT 8.3 to 7.2) and beyond. Decreasing pH impacted all tested parameters (mortality, symmetry, growth, morphometry and respiration). Development of normal, although showing morphological plasticity, swimming larvae was possible as low as pHT  ≥ 7.0. Within that range, decreasing pH increased mortality and asymmetry and decreased body length (BL) growth rate. Larvae raised at lowered pH and with similar BL had shorter arms and a wider body. Relative to a given BL, respiration rates and stomach volume both increased with decreasing pH suggesting changes in energy budget. At the lowest pHs (pHT  ≤ 6.5), all the tested parameters were strongly negatively affected and no larva survived past 13 days post fertilization. In conclusion, sea urchin larvae appeared to be highly plastic when exposed to decreased pH until a physiological tipping point at pHT  = 7.0. However, this plasticity was associated with direct (increased mortality) and indirect (decreased growth) consequences for fitness. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  12. The influence of pH on biotite dissolution and alteration kinetics at low temperature

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Acker, James G.; Bricker, O.P.

    1992-01-01

    Biotite dissolution rates in acidic solutions were determined in fluidized-bed reactors and flowthrough columns. Biotite dissolution rates increased inversely as a linear function of pH in the pH range 3-7, where the rate order n = -0.34. Biotite dissolved incongruently over this pH range, with preferential release of magnesium and iron from the octahedral layer. Release of tetrahedral silicon was much greater at pH 3 than at higher pH. Iron release was significantly enhanced by low pH conditions. Solution compositions from a continuous exposure flow-through column of biotite indicated biotite dissolves incongruently at pH 4, consistent with alteration to a vermiculite-type product. Solution compositions from a second intermittent-flow column exhibited elevated cation release rates upon the initiation of each exposure to solution. The presence of strong oxidizing agents, the mineral surface area, and sample preparation methodology also influenced the dissolution or alteration kinetics of biotite. ?? 1992.

  13. The effect of excipients on the stability of levothyroxine sodium pentahydrate tablets.

    PubMed

    Patel, Himanshu; Stalcup, Apryll; Dansereau, Richard; Sakr, Adel

    2003-10-02

    Levothyroxine tablets, 50 microg, have been marketed for many decades but have had numerous recalls due to degradation and failure to meet potency. These experiments were devised to study the effects of various excipients on the stability of levothyroxine sodium pentahydrate in aqueous slurries and in formulated tablets. The active alone was found to be stable in the solid state for 6 months at 40 degrees C/75% RH whether stored in open or closed containers, and was found to be non-hygroscopic under normal processing conditions (>30% RH). In aqueous slurries with an excipient, the stability of the active improved as the pH of the slurry was increased from pH 3 to 11. Tablets manufactured with lactose anhydrous, starch, or microcrystalline cellulose failed to meet USP assay requirements at 3 months at 40 degrees C/75% RH. Tablets manufactured with dibasic calcium phosphate or mannitol met USP assay requirements at 3, but not 6 months when stored at 40 degrees C/75% RH. Tablets manufactured with dibasic calcium phosphate and a basic pH modifier, such as sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, or magnesium oxide, met the USP assay requirements at both 3 and 6 months. Thus, the use of basic pH modifiers is a potential technique for improving the stability of levothyroxine sodium pentahydrate tablets.

  14. PH-dependence of detergent-induced hemolysis and vesiculation of erythrocytes.

    PubMed

    Chernitsky, E A; Rozin, V V; Senkovich, O A

    2001-01-01

    The influence of pH of the medium on the parameters of detergent-induced fast hemolysis and vesiculation of human erythrocytes was studied. In the range of pH 6.3-7.2 neither the extent nor the rate of the vesiculation induced by 25 microM sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) changed. However, a decrease of pH from 8.0 to 5.8 strongly modified both the extent and the rate of the hemolysis induced by SDS. Within the range of pH 8.0-6.4, the effect can be ascribed to the increase of the positive charge of the membrane. This could lead to the accumulation of the membrane-bound anion detergent and, hence, to the change of the hemolysis parameters. Non-charged detergent Triton X-100 did not display any pH-dependence. At pH between 6.4 and 5.8 the extent and rate of hemolysis changed in a complicated manner. The kinetic curves of hemolysis could be approximated by a single exponential within the pH range between 8.0 and 7.2. Upon further reduction of pH, a second exponential component, with a larger time constant, appeared in the kinetic curves. At 5.8 < pH < 7.2, the contribution of the "fast" hemolysis dropped virtually to zero, with pK about 6.0. This points to a structural transition of the membrane, possibly involving histidine. We suggest that the parameters of the detergent-induced hemolysis are sensitive to the changes of the charge and structural state of erythrocyte membrane.

  15. Complexation Key to a pH Locked Redox Reaction

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Rizvi, Masood Ahmad; Dangat, Yuvraj; Shams, Tahir; Khan, Khaliquz Zaman

    2016-01-01

    An unfavorable pH can block a feasible electron transfer for a pH dependent redox reaction. In this experiment, a series of potentiometric titrations demonstrate the sequential loss in feasibility of iron(II) dichromate redox reaction over a pH range of 0-4. The pH at which this reaction failed to occur was termed as a pH locked reaction. The…

  16. Experimental Studies on role of pH, potential and concentration of buffer solution for chemical bath deposition technique

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Suresha, B. L.; Sumantha, H. S.; Salman, K. Mohammed; Pramod, N. G.; Abhiram, J.

    2018-04-01

    The ionization potential is usually found to be less in acid and more in base. The experiment proves that the ionization potential increases on dilution of acid to base and reduces from base to acid. The potential can be tailored according to the desired properties based on our choice of acid or base. The experimental study establishes a direct relationship between pH and electric potential. This work provides theoretical insights on the need for a basic media of pH 10 in chemical thin film growth techniques called Chemical Bath Deposition Techniques.

  17. Influence of pH Regulation Mode in Glucose Fermentation on Product Selection and Process Stability.

    PubMed

    Mohd-Zaki, Zuhaida; Bastidas-Oyanedel, Juan R; Lu, Yang; Hoelzle, Robert; Pratt, Steven; Slater, Fran R; Batstone, Damien J

    2016-01-04

    Mixed culture anaerobic fermentation generates a wide range of products from simple sugars, and is potentially an effective process for producing renewable commodity chemicals. However it is difficult to predict product spectrum, and to control the process. One of the key control handles is pH, but the response is commonly dependent on culture history. In this work, we assess the impact of pH regulation mode on the product spectrum. Two regulation modes were applied: in the first, pH was adjusted from 4.5 to 8.5 in progressive steps of 0.5 and in the second, covered the same pH range, but the pH was reset to 5.5 before each change. Acetate, butyrate, and ethanol were produced throughout all pH ranges, but there was a shift from butyrate at pH < 6.5 to ethanol at pH > 6.5, as well as a strong and consistent shift from hydrogen to formate as pH increased. Microbial analysis indicated that progressive pH resulted in dominance by Klebsiella, while reset pH resulted in a bias towards Clostridium spp., particularly at low pH, with higher variance in community between different pH levels. Reset pH was more responsive to changes in pH, and analysis of Gibbs free energy indicated that the reset pH experiments operated closer to thermodynamic equilibrium, particularly with respect to the formate/hydrogen balance. This may indicate that periodically resetting pH conforms better to thermodynamic expectations.

  18. Determination of a practical pH cutoff level for reliable confirmation of nasogastric tube placement.

    PubMed

    Gilbertson, Heather Ruth; Rogers, Elizabeth Jessie; Ukoumunne, Obioha Chukwunyere

    2011-07-01

    Enteral feeding is a common method of nutrition support when oral intake is inadequate. Confirmation of correct nasogastric (NG) tube placement is essential. Risks of morbidity/mortality associated with misplacement in the lung are well documented. Studies indicate that pH ≤ 4 confirms gastric aspirate, but in pediatrics, a pH of gastric aspirate is often >4. The goal of this study was to determine a reliable and practical pH value to confirm NG tube placement, without increasing the risk of not identifying a misplaced NG tube. Pediatric inpatients older than 4 weeks receiving enteral nutrition (nasogastric or gastrostomy) were recruited over 9 months. Aspirate samples were pH tested at NG tube placement and before feedings. If pH >4, NG tube position was confirmed by chest radiograph or further investigations. In addition, intensive care unit (ICU) patients who required endotracheal suctioning were recruited, and endotracheal aspirate samples were pH tested. A total of 4,330 gastric aspirate samples (96% nasogastric) were collected from 645 patients with a median (interquartile range [IQR]) age of 1.0 years (0.3-5.2 years). The mean (standard deviation [SD]) pH of these gastric samples was 3.6 (1.4) (range, 0-9). pH was >4 in 1,339 (30.9%) gastric aspirate samples, and of these, 244 were radiographed, which identified 10 misplaced tubes (1 with pH 5.5). A total of 65 endotracheal aspirate samples were collected from 19 ICU patients with a median (IQR) age of 0.6 years (0.4-5.2 years). The mean (SD) pH of these samples was 8.4 (0.8) (range, 6-9.5). Given that the lowest pH value of endotracheal aspirate sample was 6, and a misplaced NG tube was identified with pH 5.5, it is proposed that a gastric aspirate pH ≤ 5 is a safer, reliable, and practical cutoff in this population.

  19. 40 CFR 421.132 - Effluent limitations guidelines representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... suspended solids 107.000 50.900 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the range of 7.5 to 10.0 at all times. (c) Subpart M... .323 .135 Ammonia (as N) .000 .000 Total suspended solids 9.061 4.310 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the range of... Lead .283 .135 Zinc .983 .411 Ammonia (as N) .000 .000 Total suspended solids 27.600 13.130 pH (1) (1...

  20. ZnMoO4:Er3+,Yb3+ phosphor with controlled morphology and enhanced upconversion through alkali ions doping

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Luitel, Hom Nath; Chand, Rumi; Watari, Takanori

    2018-04-01

    A facile hydrothermal method was used to synthesize ZnMoO4:Er3+,Yb3+ nanoparticles. The shapes and sizes of the nanoparticles were well tuned by simply monitoring the pH of the starting solution. Microballs consisting of agglomerated nanograins were observed at strong acidic condition. At mild pH, plates and rectangular particles were realized, while strong basic pH stabilized rods. Further increasing pH to extremely basic conditions (pH > 13), rods changed to fragile hairy structures. The nucleation and growth mechanism of nanograins to form different morphology nanoparticles were studied and illustrated. XRD patterns confirmed well crystalline, triclinic structure despite small amount of aliovalent metal ions doping. Under 980 nm excitation, the ZnMoO4:Er3+,Yb3+ nanophosphor exhibited strong green (centered at 530 and 560 nm) and weak red (centered at 660 nm) upconversion (UC) emissions. Substitution of part of the Zn2+ ions by monovalent alkali ions intensified the UC emission intensities drastically. The order of intensification was K+>Na+>Li+>Rb+>no alkali ion. When Zn2+ ions were substituted with 10 at% K+ ions, the green and red UC emissions intensities increased by more than 50 and 15 folds, respectively. Time dependent measurements confirmed efficient Yb to Er energy transfer in the ZnMoO4:Er3+,Yb3+,K+ nanophosphor. The optimized ZnMoO4:Er3+,Yb3+,K+ phosphor exhibited intense UC emissions with 0.31% quantum yield. The upconverted light is visible to naked eye while pumping by laser of less than 1 mW power and opens door for variety of novel applications.

  1. Determination of the n-octanol/water partition coefficients of weakly ionizable basic compounds by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with neutral model compounds.

    PubMed

    Liang, Chao; Han, Shu-ying; Qiao, Jun-qin; Lian, Hong-zhen; Ge, Xin

    2014-11-01

    A strategy to utilize neutral model compounds for lipophilicity measurement of ionizable basic compounds by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography is proposed in this paper. The applicability of the novel protocol was justified by theoretical derivation. Meanwhile, the linear relationships between logarithm of apparent n-octanol/water partition coefficients (logKow '') and logarithm of retention factors corresponding to the 100% aqueous fraction of mobile phase (logkw ) were established for a basic training set, a neutral training set and a mixed training set of these two. As proved in theory, the good linearity and external validation results indicated that the logKow ''-logkw relationships obtained from a neutral model training set were always reliable regardless of mobile phase pH. Afterwards, the above relationships were adopted to determine the logKow of harmaline, a weakly dissociable alkaloid. As far as we know, this is the first report on experimental logKow data for harmaline (logKow = 2.28 ± 0.08). Introducing neutral compounds into a basic model training set or using neutral model compounds alone is recommended to measure the lipophilicity of weakly ionizable basic compounds especially those with high hydrophobicity for the advantages of more suitable model compound choices and convenient mobile phase pH control. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  2. A novel ''donor-π-acceptor'' type fluorescence probe for sensing pH: mechanism and application in vivo.

    PubMed

    Chao, Jianbin; Wang, Huijuan; Zhang, Yongbin; Yin, Caixia; Huo, Fangjun; Song, Kailun; Li, Zhiqing; Zhang, Ting; Zhao, Yaqin

    2017-11-01

    A novel pH fluorescent probe 1-(pyren-1-yl)-3-(6-methoxypridin-3-yl)-acrylketone, (PMPA), which had a pyrene structure attached to methoxypyridine, was synthesized for monitoring extremely acidic and alkaline pH. The pH titrations indicated that PMPA displayed a remarkable emission enhancement with a pK a of 2.70 and responded linearly to minor pH fluctuations within the extremely acidic range of 1.26-3.97. Interestingly, PMPA also exhibited strong pH-dependent characteristics with pK a 9.32 and linear response to extreme-alkalinity range of 8.54-10.36. In addition, PMPA displayed a good selectivity, excellent photostability and large Stokes shift (167nm). Furthermore, the probe PMPA had excellent cell membrane permeability and was applied successfully to rapidly detect pH in living cells. pH value in these organs was closely related to many diseases, so these findings suggested that the probe had potential application in pH detecting for disease diagnosis. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  3. Modulation of the partition coefficient between octanol and buffer at pH 7.4 and pKa to achieve the optimum balance of blood clearance and volume of distribution for a series of tetrahydropyran histamine type 3 receptor antagonists.

    PubMed

    Hay, Tanya; Jones, Rhys; Beaumont, Kevin; Kemp, Mark

    2009-09-01

    The relationship between rat pharmacokinetics and physicochemical parameters [the partition coefficient between octanol and buffer at pH 7.4 (log D((7.4))) and pK(a)] was studied for a series of tetrahydropyran compounds. Sixteen compounds ranging in log D((7.4)) 0.1 to 1.8 were administered intravenously to rats, and the pharmacokinetic parameters were determined from blood concentration time curves. Across the series, a weak correlation was observed between log D((7.4)) and blood clearance, suggesting that log D((7.4)) values less than 0.5 were required to prevent clearance at hepatic blood flow. In terms of the volume of distribution (V(d)), the compounds fell into three distinct subseries characterized by the number of basic centers and differences in ionization of each basic center at physiological pH. These were referred to as the monobasic, weak second base, and strong second base subseries. All the compounds exhibited V(d) greater than body water, as would be expected from their lipophilic and basic nature. For a given clog P, the strong second base subseries showed higher V(d) than the weak second base subseries, which in turn exhibited higher values than the monobasic subseries. In addition, for the weak second base subseries, V(d) could be tuned by modulating the pK(a) of the second basic center. This relationship was rationalized in respect to the interactions of the ionizable centers with phospholipid heads in the cell membrane and/or lysosomal trapping. Compounds in the weak second base subseries showed optimal V(d), and when combined with a log D((7.4)) of 0.1, driving to moderate blood clearance, one compound showed the optimal pharmacokinetic profile.

  4. Influence of pH Regulation Mode in Glucose Fermentation on Product Selection and Process Stability

    PubMed Central

    Mohd-Zaki, Zuhaida; Bastidas-Oyanedel, Juan R.; Lu, Yang; Hoelzle, Robert; Pratt, Steven; Slater, Fran R.; Batstone, Damien J.

    2016-01-01

    Mixed culture anaerobic fermentation generates a wide range of products from simple sugars, and is potentially an effective process for producing renewable commodity chemicals. However it is difficult to predict product spectrum, and to control the process. One of the key control handles is pH, but the response is commonly dependent on culture history. In this work, we assess the impact of pH regulation mode on the product spectrum. Two regulation modes were applied: in the first, pH was adjusted from 4.5 to 8.5 in progressive steps of 0.5 and in the second, covered the same pH range, but the pH was reset to 5.5 before each change. Acetate, butyrate, and ethanol were produced throughout all pH ranges, but there was a shift from butyrate at pH < 6.5 to ethanol at pH > 6.5, as well as a strong and consistent shift from hydrogen to formate as pH increased. Microbial analysis indicated that progressive pH resulted in dominance by Klebsiella, while reset pH resulted in a bias towards Clostridium spp., particularly at low pH, with higher variance in community between different pH levels. Reset pH was more responsive to changes in pH, and analysis of Gibbs free energy indicated that the reset pH experiments operated closer to thermodynamic equilibrium, particularly with respect to the formate/hydrogen balance. This may indicate that periodically resetting pH conforms better to thermodynamic expectations. PMID:27681895

  5. pH-induced inversion of water-in-oil emulsions to oil-in-water high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs) using core cross-linked star (CCS) polymer as interfacial stabilizer.

    PubMed

    Chen, Qijing; Deng, Xiaoyong; An, Zesheng

    2014-06-01

    A pH-responsive core cross-linked star (CCS) polymer containing poly(N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) arms was used as an interfacial stabilizer for emulsions containing toluene (80 v%) and water (20 v%). In the pH range of 12.1-9.3, ordinary water-in-oil emulsions were formed. Intermediate multiple emulsions of oil-in-water-in-oil and water-in-oil-in-water were formed at pH 8.6 and 7.5, respectively. Further lowering the pH resulted in the formation of gelled high internal phase emulsions of oil-in-water type in the pH range of 6.4-0.6. The emulsion behavior was correlated with interfacial tension, conductivity and configuration of the CCS polymer at different pH. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  6. 40 CFR 420.07 - Effluent limitations guidelines and standards for pH.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... standards for pH. 420.07 Section 420.07 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED... § 420.07 Effluent limitations guidelines and standards for pH. (a) The pH level in process wastewaters subject to a subpart within this part shall be within the range of 6.0 to 9.0. (b) The pH level shall be...

  7. 40 CFR 420.07 - Effluent limitations guidelines and standards for pH.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... standards for pH. 420.07 Section 420.07 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED... § 420.07 Effluent limitations guidelines and standards for pH. (a) The pH level in process wastewaters subject to a subpart within this part shall be within the range of 6.0 to 9.0. (b) The pH level shall be...

  8. Sorption of Cu and Pb to kaolinite-fulvic acid colloids: Assessment of sorbent interactions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Heidmann, Ilona; Christl, Iso; Kretzschmar, Ruben

    2005-04-01

    The sorption of Cu(II) and Pb(II) to kaolinite-fulvic acid colloids was investigated by potentiometric titrations. To assess the possible interactions between kaolinite and fulvic acid during metal sorption, experimental sorption isotherms were compared with predictions based on a linear additivity model (LAM). Suspensions of 5 g L -1 kaolinite and 0.03 g L -1 fulvic acid in 0.01 M NaNO 3 were titrated with Cu and Pb solutions, respectively. The suspension pH was kept constant at pH 4, 6, or 8. The free ion activities of Cu 2+ and Pb 2+ were monitored in the titration vessel using ion selective electrodes. Total dissolved concentrations of metals (by ICP-MS) and fulvic acid (by UV-absorption) were determined in samples taken after each titration step. The amounts of metals sorbed to the solid phase, comprised of kaolinite plus surface-bound fulvic acid, were calculated by difference. Compared to pure kaolinite, addition of fulvic acid to the clay strongly increased metal sorption to the solid phase. This effect was more pronounced at pH 4 and 6 than at pH 8, because more fulvic acid was sorbed to the kaolinite surface under acidic conditions. Addition of Pb enhanced the sorption of fulvic acid onto kaolinite at pH 6 and 8, but not at pH 4. Addition of Cu had no effect on the sorption of fulvic acid onto kaolinite. In the LAM, metal sorption to the kaolinite surface was predicted by a two-site, 1-pK basic Stern model and metal sorption to the fulvic acid was calculated with the NICA-Donnan model, respectively. The LAM provided good predictions of Cu sorption to the kaolinite-fulvic acid colloids over the entire range in pH and free Cu 2+ ion activity (10 -12 to 10 -5). The sorption of Pb was slightly underestimated by the LAM under most conditions. A fractionation of the fulvic acid during sorption to kaolinite was observed, but this could not explain the observed deviations of the LAM predictions from the experimental Pb sorption isotherms.

  9. Stability and oxidation products of hydrolysable tannins in basic conditions detected by HPLC/DAD-ESI/QTOF/MS.

    PubMed

    Tuominen, Anu; Sundman, Terhi

    2013-01-01

    Hydrolysable tannins occur in plants that are used for food or medicine by humans or herbivores. Basic conditions can alter the structures of tannins, that is, the oxidation of phenolic groups can lead to the formation of toxic quinones. Previously, these labile quinones and other oxidation products have been studied with colorimetric or electron paramagnetic resonance methods, which give limited information about products. To study the stability and oxidation products of hydrolysable tannins in basic conditions using HPLC with a diode-array detector (DAD) combined with electrospray ionisation (ESI) and quadrupole time-of-flight (QTOF) MS. Three galloyl glucoses, four galloyl derivatives with different polyols and three ellagitannins were purified from plants. The incubation reactions of tannins were monitored by HPLC/DAD at five pH values and in reduced oxygen conditions. Reaction products were identified based on UV spectra and mass spectral fragmentation obtained with the high-resolution HPLC/DAD-ESI/QTOF/MS. The use of a base-resistant HPLC column enabled injections without the sample pre-treatment and thus detection of short-lived products. Hydrolysable tannins were unstable in basic conditions and half-lives were mostly less than 10 min at pH 10. Degradation rates were faster at pH 11 but slower at milder pH. The HPLC analyses revealed that various products were formed and identified to be the result of hydrolysis, deprotonation and oxidation. Interestingly, the main hydrolysis product was ellagic acid; it was also formed from galloyl glucoses that do not contain oxidatively coupled galloyl groups in their initial structures. HPLD/DAD-ESI/QTOF/MS was an efficient method for the identification of polyphenol oxidation products and showed how different pH conditions determine the fate of hydrolysable tannins. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  10. A mathematical model for the generation and control of a pH gradient in an immobilized enzyme system involving acid generation.

    PubMed

    Chen, G; Fournier, R L; Varanasi, S

    1998-02-20

    An optimal pH control technique has been developed for multistep enzymatic synthesis reactions where the optimal pH differs by several units for each step. This technique separates an acidic environment from a basic environment by the hydrolysis of urea within a thin layer of immobilized urease. With this technique, a two-step enzymatic reaction can take place simultaneously, in proximity to each other, and at their respective optimal pH. Because a reaction system involving an acid generation represents a more challenging test of this pH control technique, a number of factors that affect the generation of such a pH gradient are considered in this study. The mathematical model proposed is based on several simplifying assumptions and represents a first attempt to provide an analysis of this complex problem. The results show that, by choosing appropriate parameters, the pH control technique still can generate the desired pH gradient even if there is an acid-generating reaction in the system. Copyright 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

  11. Determination of Aluminum in Dialysis Concentrates by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry after Coprecipitation with Lanthanum Phosphate.

    PubMed

    Selvi, Emine Kılıçkaya; Şahin, Uğur; Şahan, Serkan

    2017-01-01

    This method was developed for the determination of trace amounts of aluminum(III) in dialysis concentrates using atomic absorption spectrometry after coprecipitation with lanthanum phosphate. The analytical parameters that influenced the quantitative coprecipitation of analyte including amount of lanthanum, amount of phosfate, pH and duration time were optimized. The % recoveries of the analyte ion were in the range of 95-105 % with limit of detection (3s) of 0.5 µg l -1 . Preconcentration factor was found as 1000 and Relative Standard Deviation (RSD) % value obtained from model solutions was 2.5% for 0.02 mg L -1 . The accuracy of the method was evaluated with standard reference material (CWW-TMD Waste Water). The method was also applied to most concentrated acidic and basic dialysis concentrates with satisfactory results.

  12. Sorption Behavior of Dye Compounds onto Natural Sediment of Qinghe River.

    PubMed

    Liu, Ruixia; Liu, Xingmin; Tang, Hongxiao; Su, Yongbo

    2001-07-15

    The objective of this study is to assess the adsorption behavior of C.I. Basic Yellow X-5GL, C.I. Basic Red 13, C.I. Direct Blue 86, C.I. Vat Yellow 2, and C.I. Mordant Black 11 on natural sediment and to identify sediment characteristics that play a predominant role in the adsorption of the dyes. The potentiometric titration experiment is used to investigate acid-base properties of the sediment surface with a constant capacitance surface complexation model. The parameters controlling the sorption such as solution pH and ion strength, as well as the influence of organic carbon and Ca(2+) ion on the adsorption, are evaluated. It is shown that the titration data can be successfully described by the surface protonation and deprotonation model with the least-squares FITEQL program 2.0. The sorption isotherm data are fitted to the Freundlich equation in a nonlinear form (1/n=0.3-0.9) for all tested dyes. With increasing pH value, the sorption of C.I. Mordant Black 11 and C.I. Direct Blue 86 on the sediment decreases, while for C.I. Basic Yellow X-5GL and C.I. Basic Red 13, the extent of sorption slightly increases. In addition, ion strength also exhibits a considerably different effect on the sorption behavior of these dye compounds. The addition of Ca(2+) can greatly reduce the sorption of C.I. Basic Red 13 on the sediment surface, while it enhances the sorption of C.I. Direct Blue 6. The removal of organic carbon decreases the sorption of C.I. Mordant Black 11 and C.I. Direct Blue 86. In contrast, the sorption of C.I. Basic Red 13 and C.I. Basic Yellow X-5GL is obviously enhanced after the removal of organic carbon. The differences in adsorption behavior are mainly attributed to the physicochemical properties of these dye compounds. Copyright 2001 Academic Press.

  13. Origin of the Absorption Band of Bromophenol Blue in Acidic and Basic pH: Insight from a Combined Molecular Dynamics and TD-DFT/MM Study.

    PubMed

    Chattopadhyaya, M; Murugan, N Arul; Rinkevicius, Zilvinas

    2016-09-15

    We study the linear and nonlinear optical properties of a well-known acid-base indicator, bromophenol blue (BPB), in aqueous solution by employing static and integrated approaches. In the static approach, optical properties have been calculated using time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) on the fully relaxed geometries of the neutral and different unprotonated forms of BPB. Moreover, both closed and open forms of BPB were considered. In the integrated approach, the optical properties have been computed over many snapshots extracted from molecular dynamics simulation using a hybrid time-dependent density functional theory/molecular mechanics approach. The static approach suggests closed neutral ⇒ anionic interconversion as the dominant mechanism for the red shift in the absorption spectra of BPB due to a change from acidic to basic pH. It is found by employing an integrated approach that the two interconversions, namely open neutral ⇒ anionic and open neutral ⇒ dianionic, can contribute to the pH-dependent shift in the absorption spectra of BPB. Even though both static and integrated approaches reproduce the pH-dependent red shift in the absorption spectra of BPB, the latter one is suitable to determine both the spectra and spectral broadening. Finally, the computed static first hyperpolarizability for various protonated and deprotonated forms of BPB reveals that this molecule can be used as a nonlinear optical probe for pH sensing in addition to its highly exploited use as an optical probe.

  14. 40 CFR 471.61 - Effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... grease 1.44 0.863 TSS 2.95 1.4 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the range of 7.5 to 10.0 at all times. (f) Extrusion... 0.202 Zinc 1.48 0.616 Ammonia 135 59.2 Fluoride 60.1 26.7 Oil and grease 20.2 12.1 TSS 41.4 19.7 pH....50 TSS 8.53 4.06 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the range of 7.5 to 10.0 at all times. (n) Surface treatment...

  15. Acid and base stress and transcriptomic responses in Bacillus subtilis.

    PubMed

    Wilks, Jessica C; Kitko, Ryan D; Cleeton, Sarah H; Lee, Grace E; Ugwu, Chinagozi S; Jones, Brian D; BonDurant, Sandra S; Slonczewski, Joan L

    2009-02-01

    Acid and base environmental stress responses were investigated in Bacillus subtilis. B. subtilis AG174 cultures in buffered potassium-modified Luria broth were switched from pH 8.5 to pH 6.0 and recovered growth rapidly, whereas cultures switched from pH 6.0 to pH 8.5 showed a long lag time. Log-phase cultures at pH 6.0 survived 60 to 100% at pH 4.5, whereas cells grown at pH 7.0 survived <15%. Cells grown at pH 9.0 survived 40 to 100% at pH 10, whereas cells grown at pH 7.0 survived <5%. Thus, growth in a moderate acid or base induced adaptation to a more extreme acid or base, respectively. Expression indices from Affymetrix chip hybridization were obtained for 4,095 protein-encoding open reading frames of B. subtilis grown at external pH 6, pH 7, and pH 9. Growth at pH 6 upregulated acetoin production (alsDS), dehydrogenases (adhA, ald, fdhD, and gabD), and decarboxylases (psd and speA). Acid upregulated malate metabolism (maeN), metal export (czcDO and cadA), oxidative stress (catalase katA; OYE family namA), and the SigX extracytoplasmic stress regulon. Growth at pH 9 upregulated arginine catabolism (roc), which generates organic acids, glutamate synthase (gltAB), polyamine acetylation and transport (blt), the K(+)/H(+) antiporter (yhaTU), and cytochrome oxidoreductases (cyd, ctaACE, and qcrC). The SigH, SigL, and SigW regulons were upregulated at high pH. Overall, greater genetic adaptation was seen at pH 9 than at pH 6, which may explain the lag time required for growth shift to high pH. Low external pH favored dehydrogenases and decarboxylases that may consume acids and generate basic amines, whereas high external pH favored catabolism-generating acids.

  16. 40 CFR 420.07 - Effluent limitations guidelines and standards for pH.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... standards for pH. 420.07 Section 420.07 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED... § 420.07 Effluent limitations guidelines and standards for pH. (a) The pH level in process wastewaters subject to a subpart within this part shall be within the range of 6.0 to 9.0. (b) The pH level shall be...

  17. 40 CFR 420.07 - Effluent limitations guidelines and standards for pH.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... standards for pH. 420.07 Section 420.07 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED... § 420.07 Effluent limitations guidelines and standards for pH. (a) The pH level in process wastewaters subject to a subpart within this part shall be within the range of 6.0 to 9.0. (b) The pH level shall be...

  18. Plasma cholinesterase activity of rats, western grey kangaroos, alpacas, sheep, cattle, and horses.

    PubMed

    Mayberry, Chris; Mawson, Peter; Maloney, Shane K

    2015-01-01

    Plasma cholinesterase activity levels of various species may be of interest to toxicologists or pathologists working with chemicals that interfere with the activity of plasma cholinesterase. We used a pH titration method to measure the plasma cholinesterase activity of six mammalian species. Plasma cholinesterase activity varied up to 50-fold between species: sheep (88 ± 45 nM acetylcholine degraded per ml of test plasma per minute), cattle (94 ± 35), western grey kangaroos (126 ± 92), alpaca (364 ± 70), rats (390 ± 118) and horses (4539 ± 721). We present a simple, effective technique for the assay of plasma cholinesterase activity levels from a range of species. Although labour-intensive, it requires only basic laboratory equipment. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  19. 40 CFR 471.61 - Effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... grease 1.44 0.863 TSS 2.95 1.4 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the range of 7.5 to 10.0 at all times. (f) Extrusion... 0.202 Zinc 1.48 0.616 Ammonia 135 59.2 Fluoride 60.1 26.7 Oil and grease 20.2 12.1 TSS 41.4 19.7 pH....50 TSS 8.53 4.06 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the range of 7.5 to 10.0 at all times. (n) Surface treatment...

  20. Development of a calibration for the B isotope paleo-pH proxy in the deep sea coral Desmophyllum dianthus

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Anagnostou, E.; Huang, K.; You, C.; Sherrell, R. M.

    2011-12-01

    The boron isotope ratio (δ11B) of foraminifera and coral carbonate has been proposed to record seawater pH. Here we test this pH proxy in the deep sea coral Desmophyllum dianthus (D. dianthus ). This coral species is cosmopolitan in geographic distribution and tolerates a wide temperature and depth range. Previous studies have shown that fossil D. dianthus skeletons can be dated precisely with U/Th measurements. Additionally, skeletal mass is sufficient for multiple elemental, isotopic, and radiocarbon measurements per sample making it a powerful candidate for paleoceanographic reconstructions. Ten modern corals from a depth range of 274-1470m in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Southern Oceans were analyzed using the sublimation method and multi-collector ICP-MS (Neptune), and the measured δ11B was regressed against ambient pH taken from hydrographic data sets (range pH 7.6 to 8.1). Replicate skeletal subsamples from a single coral agree within 0.35% (2SD). The array of δ11B values for these corals plots above the seawater borate δ11B vs. pH curve (Klochko et al., 2006) by an apparently constant value of 11.7 ± 1.2%, well above the range of values seen in foraminifera and surface corals. This offset is attributed to either partial incorporation of boric acid from seawater or, more likely, to physiological manipulation of the calcifying fluid to pH 8.7-9.0. The uncertainty in calculation of seawater pH from δ11B, dominated by the uncertainty in the offset value, currently limits the precision of absolute pH reconstructions to ±0.09pH units. However, the empirical calibration could be used to examine relative pH changes, thereby overcoming contributions to the uncertainty in the offset that result from the calculation of the empirical fractionation factor α and from sampling bias and variable vital effects among individuals, reducing the reconstruction error envelope. This study provides the first evidence that δ11B in D. dianthus has the potential to record ambient seawater pH.

  1. Denitrifying sulfur conversion-associated EBPR: The effect of pH on anaerobic metabolism and performance.

    PubMed

    Guo, Gang; Wu, Di; Hao, Tianwei; Mackey, Hamish Robert; Wei, Li; Chen, Guanghao

    2017-10-15

    The performance of the denitrifying sulfur conversion-associated enhanced biological phosphorus removal (DS-EBPR) process tends to be unstable and requires further study and development. This in turn requires extensive study of the anaerobic metabolism in terms of its stoichiometry and kinetics. This study evaluates the corresponding responses of DS-EBPR to pH, as it significantly influences both stoichiometry and biochemical kinetics. The impacts of five representative pH values ranging between 6.5 and 8.5 on the anaerobic metabolism were investigated, followed by identification of the optimal pH for performance optimization. A mature DS-EBPR sludge was used in the study, enriched with approximately 30% sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) and 33% sulfide-oxidizing bacteria (SOB). Through a series of batch tests, the optimal pH range was determined as 7.0-7.5. In this pH range, the anaerobic stoichiometry of phosphorus released/volatile fatty acid (VFA) uptake ratio, sulfate reduction, and internal polymer production (including poly-β-hydroxyalkanoates and polysulfide and/or elemental sulfur) all increased along with the anaerobic kinetics of the VFA uptake ratio. Consequently, phosphorus removal was maximized at this pH range (≥95% vs. 84-93% at other pH values), as was sulfur conversion (16 mg S/L vs. 10-13 mg S/L). This pH range therefore favors the activity and synergy of the key functional bacteria (i.e. SRB and SOB). Anaerobic maintenance tests showed these bacteria required 38-61% less energy for maintenance than that reported for GAOs regardless of pH changes, improving their ability to cope with anaerobic starvation. Adversely, both bacteria showed much lower VFA uptake rates than that of GAOs at all tested pH values (0.03-0.06 vs. 0.2-0.24 mol-C/C-mol biomass/h), possibly revealing the primary cause of frequent instability in the DS-EBPR process. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  2. 40 CFR 471.81 - Effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ....028 0.017 TSS 0.057 0.027 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the range of 7.5 to 10.0 at all times. (c) Rolling... 22.0 10.5 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the range of 7.5 to 10.0 at all times. (d) Drawing spent emulsions... Cyanide 0.002 0.0007 Zinc 0.009 0.004 Oil and grease 0.116 0.070 TSS 0.238 0.113 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the...

  3. 40 CFR 471.21 - Effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... Zinc 4.22 1.77 Ammonia 385 170 Fluoride 172 76.3 Oil and grease 57.8 34.7 TSS 119 56.4 pH (1) 1 Within... and grease 79.0 47.4 TSS 162 77.1 pH (1) 1 Within the range of 7.5 to 10.0 at all times. (f) Surface....895 TSS 3.06 1.46 pH (1) 1 Within the range of 7.5 to 10.0 at all times. (b) Forging spent lubricants...

  4. 40 CFR 471.81 - Effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ....028 0.017 TSS 0.057 0.027 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the range of 7.5 to 10.0 at all times. (c) Rolling... 22.0 10.5 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the range of 7.5 to 10.0 at all times. (d) Drawing spent emulsions... Cyanide 0.002 0.0007 Zinc 0.009 0.004 Oil and grease 0.116 0.070 TSS 0.238 0.113 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the...

  5. Non-invasive pH determination adjacent to degradable biomaterials in vivo.

    PubMed

    Bartsch, Ivonne; Willbold, Elmar; Rosenhahn, Bodo; Witte, Frank

    2014-01-01

    An appropriate pH level is an important prerequisite for the physiologal functioning of cells and tissues. Changes in the extracellular pH often lead to specific cellular reactions and an altered metabolism of cells and tissues influences the extracellular pH range. Thus a method to monitor the extracellular pH is a valuable tool to track specific tissue reactions. In this article we describe a method for the determination of the pH range adjacent to degradable biomaterials using wireless in vivo imaging. Using hairless but immunocompetent mice the fluorophor 5-(6)-carboxy SNARF-1 and the in vivo fluorescence and multispectral acquisition and analysis system Maestro it is possible to track shifts in pH in small living animals over a longer period of time. This method is especially suitable for studies which focus on the interaction of degrading biomaterials with their adjacent tissues. Copyright © 2013 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  6. Effects of pH, temperature, and chemical structure on the stability of S-(purin-6-yl)-L-cysteine: evidence for a novel molecular rearrangement mechanism to yield N-(purin-6-yl)-L-cysteine.

    PubMed

    Elfarra, A A; Hwang, I Y

    1996-01-01

    The stability of S-(purin-6-yl)-L-cysteine (SPC), a kidney-selective prodrug of 6-mercaptopurine and a putative metabolite of 6-chloropurine, was investigated under various pH and temperature conditions. At room temperature, the half-life (t 1/2) of SPC at either highly acidic (pH 3.6) or basic conditions (pH 9.6) was longer than at neutral or slightly acidic or basic conditions (pH 5.7-8.75). The primary degradation product, N-(purin-6-yl)-L-cysteine (NPC), was isolated using Sephadex LH-20 chromatography and characterized by 1H NMR and FAB/MS after derivatization with 2-iodoacetic acid. These results reveal novel stability requirements and implicate the cysteinyl amino group and the purinyl N-1 nitrogen in the mechanism of SPC rearrangement to NPC. Further evidence for this hypothesis was provided by the findings that the stability of SPC in phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) at 37 degrees C was similar to that of S-(guanin-6-yl)-L-cysteine, whereas S-(purin-6-yl)-N-acetyl-L-cysteine and S-(purin-6-yl)glutathione which have their cysteine amino groups blocked were much more stable than SPC. S-(Purin-6-yl)-L-homocysteine (SPHC) was also more stable than SPC, possibly because the formation of a 6-membered ring transition state as would be expected with SPHC is kinetically less favored than the formation of a 5-membered ring transition state as would be expected with SPC. These results may explain previous in vivo metabolism results of SPC and its analogs and may contribute to a better understanding of stability of structurally related cysteine S-conjugates.

  7. Development of a novel osmotically driven drug delivery system for weakly basic drugs.

    PubMed

    Guthmann, C; Lipp, R; Wagner, T; Kranz, H

    2008-06-01

    The drug substance SAG/ZK has a short biological half-life and because of its weakly basic nature a strong pH-dependent solubility was observed. The aim of this study was to develop a controlled release (cr) multiple unit pellet formulation for SAG/ZK with pH-independent drug release. Pellets with a drug load of 60% were prepared by extrusion/spheronization followed by cr-film coating with an extended release polyvinyl acetate/polyvinyl pyrrolidone dispersion (Kollidon SR 30 D). To overcome the problem of pH-dependent drug release the pellets were then coated with a second layer of an enteric methacrylic acid and ethyl acrylate copolymer (Kollicoat MAE 30 DP). To increase the drug release rates from the double layered cr-pellets different osmotically active ionic (sodium and potassium chloride) and nonionic (sucrose) additives were incorporated into the pellet core. Drug release studies were performed in media of different osmotic pressure to clarify the main release mechanism. Extended release coated pellets of SAG/ZK demonstrated pH-dependent drug release. Applying a second enteric coat on top of the extended release film coat failed in order to achieve pH-independent drug release. Already low enteric polymer levels on top of the extended release coated pellets decreased drug release rates at pH 1 drastically, thus resulting in a reversal of the pH-dependency (faster release at pH 6.8 than in 0.1N HCl). The addition of osmotically active ingredients (sodium and potassium chloride, and sucrose) increased the imbibing of aqueous fluids into the pellet cores thus providing a saturated drug solution inside the beads and increasing drug concentration gradients. In addition, for these pellets increased formation of pores and cracks in the polymer coating was observed. Hence drug release rates from double layered beads increased significantly. Therefore, pH-independent osmotically driven SAG/ZK release was achieved from pellets containing osmotically active ingredients and coated with an extended and enteric polymer. In contrast, with increasing osmotic pressure of the dissolution medium the in vitro drug release rates decreased significantly.

  8. Magnetic iron oxide and manganese-doped iron oxide nanoparticles for the collection of alpha-emitting radionuclides from aqueous solutions

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    O'Hara, Matthew J.; Carter, Jennifer C.; Warner, Cynthia L.

    Magnetic nanoparticles are well known to possess chemically active surfaces and high surface areas that can be employed to extract a range of ions from aqueous solutions. Additionally, their paramagnetic property provides a convenient means for bulk collection of the material from solution after the targeted ions have been adsorbed. Herein, two nanoscale amphoteric metal oxides, each possessing useful magnetic attributes, were evaluated for their ability to collect both naturally occurring radioactive isotopes (polonium (Po), radium (Ra), and uranium (U)) as well as the transuranic element americium (Am) from a suite of naturally occurring aqueous matrices. The nanomaterials include commerciallymore » available paramagnetic magnetite (Fe3O4) and magnetite that was modified to incorporate manganese (Mn) into the crystal structure. The chemical stability of these nanomaterials was evaluated in Hanford Site, WA ground water between the natural pH (~8) and pH 1 (acidified with HCl). Whereas the magnetite was observed to have good stability over the pH range, the Mn-doped material was observed to leach Mn at low pH. The materials were evaluated in parallel to characterize their uptake performance of the aforementioned alpha-emitting radionuclide spikes from Hanford Site ground water across a range of pH (from ~8 down to 2). In addition, radiotracer uptake experiments were performed on Columbia River water, seawater, and human urine at their natural pH and at pH 2. Despite the observed leaching of Mn from the Mn-doped nanomaterial in the lower pH range, it exhibited generally superior analyte extraction performance compared to the magnetite, and analyte uptake was observed across a broader pH range. The uptake behavior of the various radiotracers on these two materials at different pH levels can generally be explained by the amphoteric nature of the nanoparticle surfaces. Finally, the rate of sorption of the radiotracers on the two materials in unacidified groundwater was evaluated. The uptake curves generally indicate that equilibrium is obtained within a few minutes, which is attributed to the high surface areas of the nanomaterials and the high level of dispersion in the liquids. Overall, the results indicate that these nanomaterials may have the potential to be employed for a range of applications to extract radionuclides from aqueous solutions. These applications may include analytical chemistry, waste water treatment and remediation, mining, and in vitro radiobioassay.« less

  9. Photogeneration of H2O2 in SPEEK/PVA aqueous polymer solutions.

    PubMed

    Little, Brian K; Lockhart, PaviElle; Slaten, B L; Mills, G

    2013-05-23

    Photolysis of air-saturated aqueous solutions containing sulphonated poly(ether etherketone) and poly(vinyl alcohol) results in the generation of hydrogen peroxide. Consumption of oxygen and H2O2 formation are initially concurrent processes with a quantum yield of peroxide generation of 0.02 in stirred or unstirred solutions within the range of 7 ≤ pH ≤ 9. The results are rationalized in terms of O2 reduction by photogenerated α-hydroxy radicals of the polymeric ketone in competition with radical-radical processes that consume the macromolecular reducing agents. Generation of H2O2 is controlled by the photochemical transformation that produces the polymer radicals, which is most efficient in neutral and slightly alkaline solutions. Quenching of the excited state of the polyketone by both H3O(+) and OH(-) affect the yields of the reducing macromolecular radicals and of H2O2. Deprotonation of the α-hydroxy polymeric radicals at pH > 9 accelerate their decay and contribute to suppressing the peroxide yields in basic solutions. Maxima in [H2O2] are observed when illuminations are performed with static systems, where O2 reduction is faster than diffusion of oxygen into the solutions. Under such conditions H2O2 can compete with O2 for the reducing radicals resulting in a consumption of the peroxide.

  10. Spectrophotometric and theoretical studies of the protonation of Allura Red AC and Ponceau 4R

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bevziuk, Kateryna; Chebotarev, Alexander; Snigur, Denys; Bazel, Yaroslav; Fizer, Maksym; Sidey, Vasyl

    2017-09-01

    The acid-base properties of Allura Red AC and Ponceau 4R azo dyes were investigated by spectrophotometric, potentiometric and tristimulus colourimetry methods. Ionization constants of the functional groups were also found in aqueous solutions of the dyes. It was discovered that the wavelength of the maximum light absorption of Allura Red AC and Ponceau 4R solutions does not change significantly over a wide pH range. As a result, spectrophotometric methods yield little information for assessing the acid-base properties of the dyes. It was shown with a help of the tristimulus colourimetry method that it is possible to determine the ionization constants of the functional groups of the dyes even when there is significant overlap of the absorption bands of the acid-base forms. The basic spectrophotometric characteristics of the main forms of Allura Red AC and Ponceau 4R in water and organic solvents were calculated. The molar absorbance coefficients of azo forms were shown to increase as the dielectric permittivity of the solvent increases. It was determined that in aqueous solution the dyes exist in the azo form over a wide range of acidity - pH 2-12 for Allura Red AC (λmax = 505 nm; ελ = 3.1·104 dm3 mol-1 cm-1) and 1-13 for Ponceau 4R (λmax = 510 nm; ελ = 1.7·10-4 dm3 mol-1 cm-1). The most probable protonation/deprotonation schemes were theoretically determined for Allura Red AC and Ponceau 4R using DFT calculations.

  11. A tunable pH-sensing system based on Ag nanoclusters capped by hyperbranched polyethyleneimine with different molecular weights.

    PubMed

    Qu, Fei; Zou, Xuan; Kong, Rongmei; You, Jinmao

    2016-01-01

    In this assay, a tunable pH sensing system was developed based on Ag nanoclusters (Ag NCs) capped by hyperbranched polyethyleneimine (PEI) with different molecular weights (abbreviated as Ag NC-PEIs). For instance, when the molecular weight of PEI was 600 or 1800, the fluorescence intensities of Ag NCs exhibited a linear fashion over the pH range 4.10-7.96; when the molecular weight of PEI was 25,000, the pH linear range was from 4.78 to 7.96; when the molecular weight of PEI was 70,000, the pH linear range was 6.09-8.95. According to the molecular weight of PEI 600/1800, 25,000, and 70,000, the color change point was pH 4.10-4.78, 5.33-6.09, and 6.09-6.80, respectively. Therefore, Ag NC-PEI 600 and 1800 were proper to acid conditions; Ag NC-PEI 25,000 was sensitive to weak acid media; while Ag NC-PEI 70,000 was adapted to neutral solution. The tunable and selective color change points brought an excellent feature of Ag NC-PEIs as visual pH indicators, which was flexible and applicable to a variety of environments. Besides, the ratios of absorbance at 415 nm and 268 nm of Ag NCs also showed linear relationships with pH variations. Therefore, there were three ways of this system for sensing pH values, including fluorescence assay, ultraviolet-visible measurement, and visual detection, suggesting that this tunable pH-sensing platform was more feasible, reliable, and accurate. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  12. Oxidation of iodide and iodine on birnessite (delta-MnO2) in the pH range 4-8.

    PubMed

    Allard, Sébastien; von Gunten, Urs; Sahli, Elisabeth; Nicolau, Rudy; Gallard, Hervé

    2009-08-01

    The oxidation of iodide by synthetic birnessite (delta-MnO(2)) was studied in perchlorate media in the pH range 4-8. Iodine (I(2)) was detected as an oxidation product that was subsequently further oxidized to iodate (IO(3)(-)). The third order rate constants, second order on iodide and first order on manganese oxide, determined by extraction of iodine in benzene decreased with increasing pH (6.3-7.5) from 1790 to 3.1M(-2) s(-1). Both iodine and iodate were found to adsorb significantly on birnessite with an adsorption capacity of 12.7 microM/g for iodate at pH 5.7. The rate of iodine oxidation by birnessite decreased with increasing ionic strength, which resulted in a lower rate of iodate formation. The production of iodine in iodide-containing waters in contact with manganese oxides may result in the formation of undesired iodinated organic compounds (taste and odor, toxicity) in natural and technical systems. The probability of the formation of such compounds is highest in the pH range 5-7.5. For pH <5 iodine is quickly oxidized to iodate, a non-toxic and stable sink for iodine. At pH >7.5, iodide is not oxidized to a significant extent.

  13. The potential influence of CO2, as an agent for euthanasia, on the pharmacokinetics of basic compounds in rodents.

    PubMed

    Angus, Derek W; Baker, James A; Mason, Rona; Martin, Iain J

    2008-02-01

    Rodent tissue distribution and pharmacokinetic studies were performed on basic compounds Org A and Org B in support of central nervous system drug discovery programs. A consistent observation from these studies was that drug concentrations in plasma obtained by cardiac puncture after CO(2) euthanasia were markedly higher compared with those from other sampling methods (serial sampling, isoflurane anesthesia, or cervical dislocation). Further investigations demonstrated that CO(2) euthanasia led to a reduction in blood pH in both rats and mice, which was not observed with the other sampling methods. The use of CO(2) euthanasia resulted in a decrease in the brain/plasma ratio of Org B, largely as a result of increased plasma concentrations. The pharmacokinetics of a basic drug, raloxifene, in rat were also influenced by sampling technique. CO(2) euthanasia before sampling, resulted in a 2- to 3-fold increase in the area under the drug concentration-time curve, a decrease in plasma clearance, and a decrease in the steady-state volume of distribution compared with isoflurane anesthesia. It is proposed that a decrease in the pH of blood relative to that of other tissues, as a consequence of CO(2) exposure, results in a redistribution of basic compounds out of the tissues, leading to higher concentrations in plasma.

  14. Quantified pH imaging with hyperpolarized (13) C-bicarbonate.

    PubMed

    Scholz, David Johannes; Janich, Martin A; Köllisch, Ulrich; Schulte, Rolf F; Ardenkjaer-Larsen, Jan H; Frank, Annette; Haase, Axel; Schwaiger, Markus; Menzel, Marion I

    2015-06-01

    Because pH plays a crucial role in several diseases, it is desirable to measure pH in vivo noninvasively and in a spatially localized manner. Spatial maps of pH were quantified in vitro, with a focus on method-based errors, and applied in vivo. In vitro and in vivo (13) C mapping were performed for various flip angles for bicarbonate (BiC) and CO2 with spectral-spatial excitation and spiral readout in healthy Lewis rats in five slices. Acute subcutaneous sterile inflammation was induced with Concanavalin A in the right leg of Buffalo rats. pH and proton images were measured 2 h after induction. After optimizing the signal to noise ratio of the hyperpolarized (13) C-bicarbonate, error estimation of the spectral-spatial excited spectrum reveals that the method covers the biologically relevant pH range of 6 to 8 with low pH error (< 0.2). Quantification of pH maps shows negligible impact of the residual bicarbonate signal. pH maps reflect the induction of acute metabolic alkalosis. Inflamed, infected regions exhibit lower pH. Hyperpolarized (13) C-bicarbonate pH mapping was shown to be sensitive in the biologically relevant pH range. The mapping of pH was applied to healthy in vivo organs and interpreted within inflammation and acute metabolic alkalosis models. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  15. Aerobic Oxidation of Xylose to Xylaric acid in Water over Pt Catalysts.

    PubMed

    Saha, Basudeb; Sadula, Sunitha

    2018-05-02

    Energy-efficient catalytic conversion of biomass intermediates to functional chemicals can enable bio-products viable. Herein, we report an efficient and low temperature aerobic oxidation of xylose to xylaric acid, a promising bio-based chemical for the production of glutaric acid, over commercial catalysts in water. Among several heterogeneous catalysts investigated, Pt/C exhibits the best activity. Systematic variation of reaction parameters in the pH range of 2.5 to 10 suggests that the reaction is fast at higher temperatures but high C-C scission of intermediate C5-oxidized products to low carbon carboxylic acids undermines xylaric acid selectivity. The C-C cleavage is also high in basic solution. The oxidation at neutral pH and 60 C achieves the highest xylaric acid yield (64%). O2 pressure and Pt-amount have significant influence on the reactivity. Decarboxylation of short chain carboxylic acids results in formation of CO2, causing some carbon loss; however such decarboxylation is slow in the presence of xylose. The catalyst retained comparable activity, in terms of product selectivity, after five cycles with no sign of Pt leaching. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  16. Benzothiazole-Based AIEgen with Tunable Excited-State Intramolecular Proton Transfer and Restricted Intramolecular Rotation Processes for Highly Sensitive Physiological pH Sensing.

    PubMed

    Li, Kai; Feng, Qi; Niu, Guangle; Zhang, Weijie; Li, Yuanyuan; Kang, Miaomiao; Xu, Kui; He, Juan; Hou, Hongwei; Tang, Ben Zhong

    2018-04-23

    In this work, a benzothiazole-based aggregation-induced emission luminogen (AIEgen) of 2-(5-(4-carboxyphenyl)-2-hydroxyphenyl)benzothiazole (3) was designed and synthesized, which exhibited multifluorescence emissions in different dispersed or aggregated states based on tunable excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) and restricted intramolecular rotation (RIR) processes. 3 was successfully used as a ratiometric fluorescent chemosensor for the detection of pH, which exhibited reversible acid/base-switched yellow/cyan emission transition. More importantly, the pH jump of 3 was very precipitous from 7.0 to 8.0 with a midpoint of 7.5, which was well matched with the physiological pH. This feature makes 3 very suitable for the highly sensitive detection of pH fluctuation in biosamples and neutral water samples. 3 was also successfully used as a ratiometric fluorescence chemosensor for the detection of acidic and basic organic vapors in test papers.

  17. Semantic conditioning of salivary pH for communication.

    PubMed

    Ruf, Carolin A; De Massari, Daniele; Wagner-Podmaniczky, Franziska; Matuz, Tamara; Birbaumer, Niels

    2013-10-01

    Semantic conditioning of salivary pH was investigated as a new paradigm for binary communication. In a sample of eleven healthy participants, affirmation or negation of presented statements were paired with milk and lemon to condition changes in salivary pH level. Significant differences between the conditioned reactions were found at the group level. However, the analysis of pH changes on single-subject level revealed significant differences between affirmative and negative responses to the presented statements only for isolated samples in few participants. When classifying a change in pH value of more than .01 as correct response to a statement, only responses to affirmative statements reached mean accuracies of more than 60%. Improvements in the paradigm are necessary before testing it with the critical target population of patients to prove its profit for basic yes/no communication in case no other reliable means of communication could be preserved. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  18. [Effects on phenol removal in the process of enhanced coagulation by manganese dioxide formed in situ].

    PubMed

    Zhang, Li-Zhu; Chen, Xiao-Dong; Ma, Jun; Yu, Min; Li, Xin

    2011-10-01

    Phenol was selected as a model compound. Factors, such as Ca2+, tannic acid, dose of kaolinite, dose of manganese dioxide formed in situ and pH, were invested on phenol removal in the process of enhanced coagulation by manganese dioxide formed in situ. Results showed that the addition of Ca2+ is beneficial for phenol removal. In the range of Ca2+ varied from 0 to 1.0 mmol x L(-1), the efficiency of phenol removal was enhanced more than 10%. Tannic acid can enhance phenol removal significantly when they are coexisted in water. As tannic acid was added to 10 mg x L(-1), phenol removal can be increased about 30% and 50% in the process of coagulation by AlCl3 and enhanced coagulation by manganese dioxide formed in situ, respectively. The dose of coagulant can be reduced in the process of enhanced coagulation with the addition of manganese dioxide formed in situ. The point of 1 mg x L(-1) manganese dioxide formed in situ linked with 30 mg x L(-1) AlCl3 can have the same phenol removal efficiency as the addition of 50 mg x L(-1) AlCl3. In the range of pH varied from 5 to 9, phenol can be removed with the high efficiency in the process of enhanced coagulation by manganese dioxide formed in situ. While under the strong acid condition and strong basic condition, phenol has lower removal efficiency.

  19. 40 CFR 432.3 - General limitation or standard for pH.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 29 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false General limitation or standard for pH... standard for pH. Any discharge subject to BPT, BCT, or NSPS limitations or standards in this part must remain within the pH range of 6 to 9. ...

  20. Reflection-mode micro-spherical fiber-optic probes for in vitro real-time and single-cell level pH sensing.

    PubMed

    Yang, Qingbo; Wang, Hanzheng; Lan, Xinwei; Cheng, Baokai; Chen, Sisi; Shi, Honglan; Xiao, Hai; Ma, Yinfa

    2015-02-01

    pH sensing at the single-cell level without negatively affecting living cells is very important but still a remaining issue in the biomedical studies. A 70 μm reflection-mode fiber-optic micro-pH sensor was designed and fabricated by dip-coating thin layer of organically modified aerogel onto a tapered spherical probe head. A pH sensitive fluorescent dye 2', 7'-Bis (2-carbonylethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF) was employed and covalently bonded within the aerogel networks. By tuning the alkoxide mixing ratio and adjusting hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) priming procedure, the sensor can be optimized to have high stability and pH sensing ability. The in vitro real-time sensing capability was then demonstrated in a simple spectroscopic way, and showed linear measurement responses with a pH resolution up to an average of 0.049 pH unit within a narrow, but biological meaningful pH range of 6.12-7.81. Its novel characterizations of high spatial resolution, reflection mode operation, fast response and high stability, great linear response within biological meaningful pH range and high pH resolutions, make this novel pH probe a very cost-effective tool for chemical/biological sensing, especially within the single cell level research field.

  1. Characterization of glutamate decarboxylase from Lactobacillus plantarum and its C-terminal function for the pH dependence of activity.

    PubMed

    Shin, Sun-Mi; Kim, Hana; Joo, Yunhye; Lee, Sang-Jae; Lee, Yong-Jik; Lee, Sang Jun; Lee, Dong-Woo

    2014-12-17

    The gadB gene encoding glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) from Lactobacillus plantarum was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The recombinant enzyme exhibited maximal activity at 40 °C and pH 5.0. The 3D model structure of L. plantarum GAD proposed that its C-terminal region (Ile454-Thr468) may play an important role in the pH dependence of catalysis. Accordingly, C-terminally truncated (Δ3 and Δ11 residues) mutants were generated and their enzyme activities compared with that of the wild-type enzyme at different pH values. Unlike the wild-type GAD, the mutants showed pronounced catalytic activity in a broad pH range of 4.0-8.0, suggesting that the C-terminal region is involved in the pH dependence of GAD activity. Therefore, this study may provide effective target regions for engineering pH dependence of GAD activity, thereby meeting industrial demands for the production of γ-aminobutyrate in a broad range of pH values.

  2. Understanding ozone mechanisms to alleviate ceramic membrane fouling

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chu, Irma Giovanna Llamosas

    Ceramic membranes are a strong prospect as an advanced treatment in the drinking water domain. But their high capital cost and the lack of specific research on their performance still discourage their application in this field. Thus, knowing that fouling is the main drawback experienced in filtration processes, this bench-scale study was aimed to assess the impact of an ozonation pre-treatment on the alleviation of the fouling of UF ceramic membranes. Preozonation and filtration steps were performed under two different pH and ozone doses. Chosen pH values were at the limits of natural surface waters range (6.5 and 8.5) to keep practicability. Raw water from the Thousand Isle's river at Quebec-Canada was used for the tests. The filtration setup involved an unstirred dead-end filtration cell operated at constant flux. Results showed that pre-oxidation by ozone indeed reduced the fouling degree of the membranes according to the dose applied (up to 60 and 85% for membranes 8 and 50 kDa, respectively). Direct NOM oxidation was found responsible for this effect as the presence of molecular ozone was not essential to achieve these results. In the context of this experiment, however, pH showed to be more effective than the ozonation pre-treatment to keep fouling at low levels: 70% lower at pH 6.5 than at pH 8.5 for un-ozonated waters, which was contrary to most of the literature found on the topic (Changwon, 2013; De Angelis & Fidalgo, 2013; Karnik et al., 2005; S. Lee & Kim, 2014). This behaviour results mainly from the operation mode used in the experiment, the electrical repulsions between MON molecules at basic pH that led to the accumulation of material on the feed side of the membranes (concentration polarisation) and ulterior cake formation. In addition, solution pH showed an influence in the definition of fouling mechanisms. At solution pH 6.5, which was precisely the isoelectric point of the membranes (+/-6.5), the blocking fouling mode was frequently detected before the onset of a cake. These facts put in evidence the important role of electrical charges in filtration processes with ceramic membranes (Chiu, 2011; S. Lee & Kim, 2014; Szymczyk, Fievet, Reggiani, & Pagetti, 1998b). In the ozonation side, it was confirmed that natural waters with high NOM content (>3 mg/L) trigger advanced oxidation processes (Acero & Von Gunten, 2001). It was also found that condition pH 6.5 showed higher NOM decomposition than condition pH 8.5 at the highest ozone dose used.

  3. Parametric and energy consumption optimization of Basic Red 2 removal by electrocoagulation/egg shell adsorption coupling using response surface methodology in a batch system.

    PubMed

    de Carvalho, Helder Pereira; Huang, Jiguo; Zhao, Meixia; Liu, Gang; Yang, Xinyu; Dong, Lili; Liu, Xingjuan

    2016-01-01

    In this study, response surface methodology (RSM) model was applied for optimization of Basic Red 2 (BR2) removal using electrocoagulation/eggshell (ES) coupling process in a batch system. Central composite design was used to evaluate the effects and interactions of process parameters including current density, reaction time, initial pH and ES dosage on the BR2 removal efficiency and energy consumption. The analysis of variance revealed high R(2) values (≥85%) indicating that the predictions of RSM models are adequately applicable for both responses. The optimum conditions when the dye removal efficiency of 93.18% and energy consumption of 0.840 kWh/kg were observed were 11.40 mA/cm(2) current density, 5 min and 3 s reaction time, 6.5 initial pH and 10.91 g/L ES dosage.

  4. Fluorescent pH sensor based on Ag@SiO2 core-shell nanoparticle.

    PubMed

    Bai, Zhenhua; Chen, Rui; Si, Peng; Huang, Youju; Sun, Handong; Kim, Dong-Hwan

    2013-06-26

    We have demonstrated a novel method for the preparation of a fluorescence-based pH sensor by combining the plasmon resonance band of Ag core and pH sensitive dye (HPTS). A thickness-variable silica shell is placed between Ag core and HPTS dye to achieve the maximum fluorescence enhancement. At the shell thickness of 8 nm, the fluorescence intensity increases 4 and 9 times when the sensor is excited at 405 and 455 nm, respectively. At the same time, the fluorescence intensity shows a good sensitivity toward pH value in the range of 5-9, and the ratio of emission intensity at 513 nm excited at 455 nm to that excited at 405 nm versus the pH value in the range of 5-9 is determined. It is believed that the present pH sensor has the potential for determining pH real time in the biological sample.

  5. Teaching light scattering spectroscopy: the dimension and shape of tobacco mosaic virus.

    PubMed Central

    Santos, N C; Castanho, M A

    1996-01-01

    The tobacco mosaic virus is used as a model molecular assembly to illustrate the basic potentialities of light scattering techniques (both static and dynamic) to undergraduates. The work has two objectives: a pedagogic one (introducing light scattering to undergraduate students) and a scientific one (stabilization of the virus molecular assembly structure by the nucleic acid). Students are first challenged to confirm the stabilization of the cylindrical shape of the virus by the nucleic acid, at pH and ionic strength conditions where the coat proteins alone do not self-assemble. The experimental intramolecular scattering factor is compared with the theoretical ones for several model geometries. The data clearly suggest that the geometry is, in fact, a rod. Comparing the experimental values of gyration radius and hydrodynamic radius with the theoretical expectations further confirms this conclusion. Moreover, the rod structure is maintained over a wider range of pH and ionic strength than that valid for the coat proteins alone. The experimental values of the diffusion coefficient and radius of gyration are compared with the theoretical expectations assuming the dimensions detected by electron microscopy techniques. In fact, both values are in agreement (length approximately 300 nm, radius approximately 20 nm). PMID:8874039

  6. Glycol stabilized magnetic nanoparticles for photocatalytic degradation of xylenol orange

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ullah, Ikram; Ali, Farman; Ali, Zarshad; Humayun, Muhammad; wahab, Zain Ul

    2018-05-01

    In this work, we have successfully prepared ZnFe2O4 magnetic nanoparticles as photocatalysts via co-precipitation method using triethylene glycol as a stabilizing agent. The resultant nanoparticles were annealed at 400 °C and then acid etched and surface functionalized with 3-(triethoxysilyl) propyl amine (APTES). Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and x-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis were used to characterize these magnetic photocatalysts. XRD patterns revealed that the size of annealed and functionalized ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles falls in the range of 23.3 and 13.9 nm, respectively. The optical band gaps of the magnetic photocatalysts were calculated from UV–Visible absorption spectra using Tauc plots. The band gap of the ZnFe2O4 photocatalyst in acidic and basic medium was 2.47 and 2.7 eV, respectively. The performance of the magnetic photocatalysts was evaluated for xylenol orange (XO) degradation. The degradation rates of XO dye for the blank, annealed and functionalized photocatalysts at pH = 4 were 76%, 85%, and 90%, respectively. In addition, the influence of important parameters such as contact time, pH, catalyst, and dye dose were also investigated for all the three photocatalysts. The applied kinetics models demonstrated that the degradation followed pseudo 1st order.

  7. A single pH fluorescent probe for biosensing and imaging of extreme acidity and extreme alkalinity.

    PubMed

    Chao, Jian-Bin; Wang, Hui-Juan; Zhang, Yong-Bin; Li, Zhi-Qing; Liu, Yu-Hong; Huo, Fang-Jun; Yin, Cai-Xia; Shi, Ya-Wei; Wang, Juan-Juan

    2017-07-04

    A simple tailor-made pH fluorescent probe 2-benzothiazole (N-ethylcarbazole-3-yl) hydrazone (Probe) is facilely synthesized by the condensation reaction of 2-hydrazinobenzothiazole with N-ethylcarbazole-3-formaldehyde, which is a useful fluorescent probe for monitoring extremely acidic and alkaline pH, quantitatively. The pH titrations indicate that Probe displays a remarkable emission enhancement with a pK a of 2.73 and responds linearly to minor pH fluctuations within the extremely acidic range of 2.21-3.30. Interestingly, Probe also exhibits strong pH-dependent characteristics with pK a 11.28 and linear response to extreme-alkalinity range of 10.41-12.43. In addition, Probe shows a large Stokes shift of 84 nm under extremely acidic and alkaline conditions, high selectivity, excellent sensitivity, good water-solubility and fine stability, all of which are favorable for intracellular pH imaging. The probe is further successfully applied to image extremely acidic and alkaline pH values fluctuations in E. coli cells. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  8. Effect of pH on growth and lipid accumulation kinetics of the microalga Chlorella vulgaris grown heterotrophically under sulfur limitation.

    PubMed

    Sakarika, Myrsini; Kornaros, Michael

    2016-11-01

    The goal of the present study was to investigate the pH range that can support the growth of C. vulgaris, and, more specifically, to identify the optimal pH for the microalga's growth, under heterotrophic conditions. Furthermore, the effect of pH on the accumulation of intracellular lipids was studied. A wide range of pH values was tested using the respective buffer solutions. The optimal pH for biomass growth and lipid accumulation under sulfur limitation was found to be 7.5, resulting in maximum specific growth rate of 0.541days(-1) and maximum total lipid content of 53.43%ggDW(-1). The fatty acid composition of C. vulgaris was found to be unrelated to pH, as the lipid content did not present significant variations in the pH values tested. The fatty acid profile was mainly composed of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) with the dominant one being oleic acid (C18:1). Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  9. Development of an extended-range fiber optic pH sensor using evanescent wave absorption of sol-gel-entrapped pH indicators

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Butler, Thomas M.; MacCraith, Brian D.; McDonagh, Colette M.

    1995-09-01

    The sol-gel process has been used to entrap pH indicators in porous glass coatings for sensor applications. This sensor is based on evanescent wave absorption using an unclad optical fiber dipcoated with the pH sensitive coating. The entrapped pH indicators show a broadening of the pH range with respect to the behavior in solution giving accurate measurement over three pH units when one indicator is used (bromophenol blue) and over six pH units (pH 3-9) when two indicators are used (bromophenol blue and bromocresol purple). The response of the pH sensor was monitored by measuring absorption at 590 nm referenced against a nonabsorbing region of the spectrum. This enabled the use of LED sources together with low cost photodiodes. The sensor displayed short response time and good repeatability. The thickness and stability of the pH sensitive coatings can be influenced by modifying the composition of the starting sol mixture. The evanescent absorption, and hence the sensitivity of the sensor, can be increased by selectively launching higher order modes in the fiber. These issues together with a full sensor characterization will be reported.

  10. Reflection-mode micro-spherical fiber-optic probes for in vitro real-time and single-cell level pH sensing

    PubMed Central

    Yang, Qingbo; Wang, Hanzheng; Lan, Xinwei; Cheng, Baokai; Chen, Sisi; Shi, Honglan; Xiao, Hai; Ma, Yinfa

    2014-01-01

    pH sensing at the single-cell level without negatively affecting living cells is very important but still a remaining issue in the biomedical studies. A 70 μm reflection-mode fiber-optic micro-pH sensor was designed and fabricated by dip-coating thin layer of organically modified aerogel onto a tapered spherical probe head. A pH sensitive fluorescent dye 2′, 7′-Bis (2-carbonylethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF) was employed and covalently bonded within the aerogel networks. By tuning the alkoxide mixing ratio and adjusting hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) priming procedure, the sensor can be optimized to have high stability and pH sensing ability. The in vitro real-time sensing capability was then demonstrated in a simple spectroscopic way, and showed linear measurement responses with a pH resolution up to an average of 0.049 pH unit within a narrow, but biological meaningful pH range of 6.12–7.81. Its novel characterizations of high spatial resolution, reflection mode operation, fast response and high stability, great linear response within biological meaningful pH range and high pH resolutions, make this novel pH probe a very cost-effective tool for chemical/biological sensing, especially within the single cell level research field. PMID:25530670

  11. 40 CFR 471.51 - Effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... Molybdenum 7.87 4.07 Oil and grease 23.8 14.3 TSS 48.8 23.2 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the range of 7.5 to 10.0 at... Fluoride 7,200 3,200 Molybdenum 800 414 Oil and grease 2,420 1,450 TSS 4,960 2,360 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the... Molybdenum 2.21 1.14 Oil and grease 6.68 4.01 TSS 13.7 6.51 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the range of 7.5 to 10.0 at...

  12. 40 CFR 464.42 - Effluent limitations guidelines representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... 0.446 TSS 1.7 0.67 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the range of 7.0 to 10.0 at all times. Maximum for any 1 day....39 0.0098 Zinc (T) 1.14 0.43 0.0121 Oil and grease 30 10 0.223 TSS 38 15 0.446 pH (3) (3) (3) 1 kg... TTS 0.328 0.13 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the range of 7.0 to 10.0 at all times. Maximum for any 1 day...

  13. 40 CFR 432.3 - General limitation or standard for pH.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 30 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false General limitation or standard for pH... standard for pH. Any discharge subject to BPT, BCT, or NSPS limitations or standards in this part must remain within the pH range of 6 to 9. ...

  14. The Crystallization of Canavalin as a Function of pH and NaCl Concentration

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Forsythe, Elizabeth L.; Gorti, Sridhar; Pusey, Marc L.

    2004-01-01

    We posed the question of what happens to a protein that is known to grow as an n-mer when it is placed in solution conditions where it is monomeric. The trypsin-treated, or cut, form of the protein canavalin (CCAN) has been shown to nucleate and grow crystals as a trimer from neutral to slightly acidic solutions. Under these conditions the solution is composed almost wholly of trimers. The crystalline protein can be readily dissolved by weakly basic solution, which has been proposed to result in a solution that is monomeric. There are three possible outcomes to an attempt at crystallization of the protein under monomeric (high pH) conditions: 1) we will obtain the same crystals as under trimer conditions, but at different protein concentrations governed by the self association equilibria; 2) we will obtain crystals having a different symmetry, based upon a monomeric growth unit; 3) we will not obtain crystals. Obtaining the first result would be indicative that the solution-phase self-association process is critical to the crystal nucleation and growth process. The second result would be less clear, as it may also reflect a pH-dependent shift in the trimer-trimer molecular interactions. The third result, particularly for experiments in the transition pH's between trimeric and monomeric CCAN, would indicate that the monomer does not crystallize, and that solution phase self association is not part of the crystal nucleation and growth path. Results are presented for crystallization experiments of CCAN over the pH 6.4 to 9.6 range. Fluorescence anisotropy, light scattering, and gel filtration experiments show that the solutions are primarily trimers, with association to form larger species occurring as a function of protein concentration.

  15. New Insights into the Phylogeny and Molecular Classification of Nicotinamide Mononucleotide Deamidases

    PubMed Central

    Sánchez-Carrón, Guiomar; Martínez-Moñino, Ana Belén; Sola-Carvajal, Agustín; Takami, Hideto; García-Carmona, Francisco; Sánchez-Ferrer, Álvaro

    2013-01-01

    Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) deamidase is one of the key enzymes of the bacterial pyridine nucleotide cycle (PNC). It catalyzes the conversion of NMN to nicotinic acid mononucleotide, which is later converted to NAD+ by entering the Preiss-Handler pathway. However, very few biochemical data are available regarding this enzyme. This paper represents the first complete molecular characterization of a novel NMN deamidase from the halotolerant and alkaliphilic bacterium Oceanobacillus iheyensis (OiPncC). The enzyme was active over a broad pH range, with an optimum at pH 7.4, whilst maintaining 90 % activity at pH 10.0. Surprisingly, the enzyme was quite stable at such basic pH, maintaining 61 % activity after 21 days. As regard temperature, it had an optimum at 65 °C but its stability was better below 50 °C. OiPncC was a Michaelian enzyme towards its only substrate NMN, with a K m value of 0.18 mM and a kcat/K m of 2.1 mM-1 s-1. To further our understanding of these enzymes, a complete phylogenetic and structural analysis was carried out taking into account the two Pfam domains usually associated with them (MocF and CinA). This analysis sheds light on the evolution of NMN deamidases, and enables the classification of NMN deamidases into 12 different subgroups, pointing to a novel domain architecture never before described. Using a Logo representation, conserved blocks were determined, providing new insights on the crucial residues involved in the binding and catalysis of both CinA and MocF domains. The analysis of these conserved blocks within new protein sequences could permit the more efficient data curation of incoming NMN deamidases. PMID:24340054

  16. Clinical utility of pH paper versus pH meter in the measurement of critical gastric pH in stress ulcer prophylaxis.

    PubMed

    Bradley, J S; Phillips, J O; Cavanaugh, J E; Metzler, M H

    1998-11-01

    To evaluate the clinical utility of measuring gastric pH with a pH meter vs. pH paper in critical care patients. Prospective comparison of gastric pH measurements, using both pH meter and pH paper. Surgical intensive care unit (ICU) at a rural Midwestern university medical center. Fifty-one patients who received therapy for prophylaxis of stress ulcers in the surgical ICU. Therapy for stress ulcer prophylaxis was monitored. The pH of 985 gastric samples, taken from 51 patients, was measured with both pH meter and pH paper. The pH meter and pH paper measures demonstrated a concordance correlation coefficient of .896. The mean difference between the two measures (pH paper - pH meter) was estimated to be between -0.4 and 1.4, suggesting a positive bias for the paper. The prevalence of events representing clinically relevant differences between the pH meter and pH paper in the measurement of the same gastric sample was calculated. The frequency with which each of the events occurred consecutively (or, in one case, two nearly consecutive events on the same day) was also calculated. Bias in a clinically relevant range was estimated. A set of "probability profiles" was constructed. A hand-held pH meter and pH paper are not interchangeable measures of gastric pH. The pH paper exhibits an appreciable positive bias compared with a hand-held pH meter in the clinically relevant range of 2 to 6. More research is needed to determine if that bias affects treatment outcomes. We recommend the use of a pH meter for patients who demonstrate pH readings of < or = 4, consecutive with readings of < or = 5.

  17. Sorption of carboxylic acid from carboxylic salt solutions at pHs close to or above the pK[sub a] of the acid, with regeneration with an aqueous solution of ammonia or low-molecular-weight alkylamine

    DOEpatents

    King, C.J.; Tung, L.A.

    1992-07-21

    Carboxylic acids are sorbed from aqueous feedstocks at pHs close to or above the acids' pH[sub a] into a strongly basic organic liquid phase or onto a basic solid adsorbent or moderately basic ion exchange resin. The acids are freed from the sorbent phase by treating it with aqueous alkylamine or ammonia thus forming an alkylammonium or ammonium carboxylate which dewatered and decomposed to the desired carboxylic acid and the alkylamine or ammonia. 8 figs.

  18. [Study of hydrogen bonds in the "catalytic triad" of trypsin by NMR spectra at 1H, 13C, and 15N nuclei].

    PubMed

    Golubeb, N S; Gindin, V A; Ligaĭ, S S; Smirnov, S N

    1994-05-01

    The 1H and 13C NMR of trypsin stabilized by chemical modification with a hydrophilic polymer have been obtained in a wide range of pH (1.0-11.0). The spectral features referred to some nuclei of the "catalytic triad" have been identified using different NMR techniques as well as chemical modification with selective reagents. It was found that the monoprotonation of this system results in a quasi-symmetrical hydrogen bond formed between the basic groups which provided explanation for the discrepancies between the experimental findings obtained by different authors concerning the protonation site in this catalytic system. Simulation of the catalytic triad by a 15N-labelled low molecular model suggests that an increase in the OH-group acidity is unaccompanied by a discrete double proton transfer; however, a smooth shift of the bridging protons from one basic atom to another occurs with quasi-symmetrical hydrogen bonds formed in intermediate cases. On the basis of experimental data a new concept has been proposed for the mechanism of acid-base catalysis performed by pains of weak basic groups, such as His-Im and Asp(Glu)-COO- (pKa = 3-7) which are not capable of proton abstraction from alcoholic or water OH-groups (pKa > 13). The catalysis may consist in changing the charge densities on the reacting groups due to strong H-bonding and, on the other hand, in facilitating the free movement of a proton in the field of several basic atoms when going along the reaction coordinate. The energy of very strong hydrogen bonds thus formed diminishes the activation energy of the reaction.

  19. Investigation of the acid-base and electromigration properties of 5-azacytosine derivatives using capillary electrophoresis and density functional theory calculations.

    PubMed

    Geffertová, Denisa; Ali, Syed Tahir; Šolínová, Veronika; Krečmerová, Marcela; Holý, Antonín; Havlas, Zdeněk; Kašička, Václav

    2017-01-06

    Capillary electrophoresis (CE) and quantum mechanical density functional theory (DFT) were applied to the investigation of the acid-base and electromigration properties of important compounds: newly synthesized derivatives of 5-azacytosine - analogs of efficient antiviral drug cidofovir. These compounds exhibit a strong antiviral activity and they are considered as potential new antiviral agents. For their characterization and application, it is necessary to know their acid-base properties, particularly the acidity constants (pK a ) of their ionogenic groups (the basic N 3 atom of the triazine ring and the acidic phosphonic acid group in the alkyl chain). First, the mixed acidity constants (pK a mix ) of these ionogenic groups and the ionic mobilities of these compounds were determined by nonlinear regression analysis of the pH dependence of their effective electrophoretic mobilities. Effective mobilities were measured by CE in a series of background electrolytes in a wide pH range (2.0-10.5), at constant ionic strength (25mM) and constant temperature (25°C). Subsequently, the pK a mix values were recalculated to thermodynamic pK a values using the Debye-Hückel theory. The thermodynamic pK a value of the NH + moiety at the N 3 atom of the triazine ring was found to be in the range 2.82-3.30, whereas the pK a of the hydrogenphosphonate group reached values from 7.19 to 7.47, depending on the structure of the analyzed compounds. These experimentally determined pK a values were in good agreement with those calculated by quantum mechanical DFT. In addition, DFT calculations revealed that from the four nitrogen atoms in the 5-azacytosine moiety, the N 3 atom of the triazine ring is preferentially protonated. Effective charges of analyzed compounds ranged from zero or close-to-zero values at pH 2 to -2 elementary charges at pH≥9. Ionic mobilities were in the range (-16.7 to -19.1)×10 -9 m 2 V -1 s -1 for univalent anions and in the interval (-26.9 to -30.3)×10 -9 m 2 V -1 s -1 for divalent anions. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  20. Surface Charge Development on Transition Metal Sulfides: An Electrokinetic Study

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bebie, Joakim; Schoonen, Martin A. A.; Fuhrmann, Mark; Strongin, Daniel R.

    1998-02-01

    The isoelectric points, pH i.e.p., of ZnS, PbS, CuFeS 2, FeS, FeS 2, NiS 2, CoS 2, and MnS 2 in NaCl supported electrolyte solutions are estimated to be between pH 3.3 and 0.6, with most of the isoelectric points below pH 2. The first electrokinetic measurements on NiS 2, CoS 2, and MnS 2 are reported here. Below pH i.e.p. the metal-sulfide surfaces are positively charged, above pH i.e.p. the surfaces are negatively charged. The addition of Me 2+ ions shifts the pH i.e.p. and changes the pH dependence considerably. The isoelectric points of the measured transition metal sulfides in the absence of metal ions or dissolved sulfide (H 2S or HS -) are in agreement with those found in earlier studies. The pH range of observed isoelectric points for metal sulfides (0.6-3.3) is compared to the considerably wider pH i.e.p. range (2-12) found for oxides. The correlation between pH i.e.p. and the electronegativities of the metal sulfides suggests that all metal sulfides will have an isoelectric point between pH 0.6 and 3.3. Compared to metal oxides, sulfides exhibit an isoelectric point that is largely independent of the nature of the metal cation in the solid.

  1. 40 CFR 471.51 - Effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... Molybdenum 7.87 4.07 Oil and grease 23.8 14.3 TSS 48.8 23.2 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the range of 7.5 to 10.0 at... Fluoride 7,200 3,200 Molybdenum 800 414 Oil and grease 2,420 1,450 TSS 4,960 2,360 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the... Molybdenum 2.21 1.14 Oil and grease 6.68 4.01 TSS 13.7 6.51 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the range of 7.5 to 10.0 at...

  2. 40 CFR 436.42 - Effluent limitations guidelines representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ...— TSS 45 mg/l 25 mg/l. pH (1) (1) 1 Within the range 6.0 to 9.0. (2) Except as provided in paragraphs (a... daily values for 30 consecutive days shall not exceed— TSS 0.046 0.023 Total fluoride .006 .003 pH (1... consecutive days shall not exceed— TSS 45 mg/l 25 mg/l. pH (1) (1) 1 Within the range 6.0 to 9.0. (b) Any...

  3. 40 CFR 439.4 - General limitation or standard for pH.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 30 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false General limitation or standard for pH. 439.4 Section 439.4 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) EFFLUENT... limitation or standard for pH. The pH must remain within the range 6.0 to 9.0 in any discharge subject to BPT...

  4. 40 CFR 432.3 - General limitation or standard for pH.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 31 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false General limitation or standard for pH... limitation or standard for pH. Any discharge subject to BPT, BCT, or NSPS limitations or standards in this part must remain within the pH range of 6 to 9. ...

  5. 40 CFR 439.4 - General limitation or standard for pH.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 31 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false General limitation or standard for pH. 439.4 Section 439.4 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) EFFLUENT... General limitation or standard for pH. The pH must remain within the range 6.0 to 9.0 in any discharge...

  6. Effects of copper source and concentration on in vitro phytate phosphorus hydrolysis by phytase.

    PubMed

    Pang, Yanfang; Applegate, Todd J

    2006-03-08

    Five copper (Cu) sources were studied at pH 2.5, 5.5, and 6.5 to determine how Cu affects phytate phosphorus (PP) hydrolysis by phytase at concentrations up to 500 mg/kg diet (60 min, 40-41 degrees C). Subsequently, Cu solubility with and without sodium phytate was measured. Adding Cu inhibited PP hydrolysis at pH 5.5 and pH 6.5 (P < 0.05). This inhibition was greater with higher concentrations of Cu. Tri-basic copper chloride and copper lysinate inhibited PP hydrolysis much less than copper sulfate pentahydrate, copper chloride, and copper citrate (P < 0.05). A strong negative relationship was observed between PP hydrolysis and soluble Cu at pH 5.5 (r = -0.76, P < 0.0001) and 6.5 (r = -0.54, P < 0.0001). In conclusion, pH, Cu concentration, and source influenced PP hydrolysis by phytase in vitro and were related to the amount of soluble Cu and the formation of insoluble copper-phytin complexes.

  7. Dioctahedral Phyllosilicates Versus Zeolites and Carbonates Versus Zeolites Competitions as Constraints to Understanding Early Mars Alteration Conditions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Viennet, Jean-Christophe; Bultel, Benjamin; Riu, Lucie; Werner, Stephanie C.

    2017-11-01

    Widespread occurrence of Fe,Mg-phyllosilicates has been observed on Noachian Martian terrains. Therefore, the study of Fe,Mg-phyllosilicate formation, in order to characterize early Martian environmental conditions, is of particular interest to the Martian community. Previous studies have shown that the investigation of Fe,Mg-smectite formation alone helps to describe early Mars environmental conditions, but there are still large uncertainties in terms of pH range, oxic/anoxic conditions, etc. Interestingly, carbonates and/or zeolites have also been observed on Noachian surfaces in association with the Fe,Mg-phyllosilicates. Consequently, the present study focuses on the dioctahedral/trioctahedral phyllosilicate/carbonate/zeolite formation as a function of various CO2 contents (100% N2, 10% CO2/90% N2, and 100% CO2), from a combined approach including closed system laboratory experiments for 3 weeks at 120°C and geochemical simulations. The experimental results show that as the CO2 content decreases, the amount of dioctahedral clay minerals decreases in favor of trioctahedral minerals. Carbonates and dioctahedral clay minerals are formed during the experiments with CO2. When Ca-zeolites are formed, no carbonates and dioctahedral minerals are observed. Geochemical simulation aided in establishing pH as a key parameter in determining mineral formation patterns. Indeed, under acidic conditions dioctahedral clay minerals and carbonate minerals are formed, while trioctahedral clay minerals are formed in basic conditions with a neutral pH value of 5.98 at 120°C. Zeolites are favored from pH ≳ 7.2. The results obtained shed new light on the importance of dioctahedral clay minerals versus zeolites and carbonates versus zeolites competitions to better define the aqueous alteration processes throughout early Mars history.

  8. Acid and Base Stress and Transcriptomic Responses in Bacillus subtilis▿†

    PubMed Central

    Wilks, Jessica C.; Kitko, Ryan D.; Cleeton, Sarah H.; Lee, Grace E.; Ugwu, Chinagozi S.; Jones, Brian D.; BonDurant, Sandra S.; Slonczewski, Joan L.

    2009-01-01

    Acid and base environmental stress responses were investigated in Bacillus subtilis. B. subtilis AG174 cultures in buffered potassium-modified Luria broth were switched from pH 8.5 to pH 6.0 and recovered growth rapidly, whereas cultures switched from pH 6.0 to pH 8.5 showed a long lag time. Log-phase cultures at pH 6.0 survived 60 to 100% at pH 4.5, whereas cells grown at pH 7.0 survived <15%. Cells grown at pH 9.0 survived 40 to 100% at pH 10, whereas cells grown at pH 7.0 survived <5%. Thus, growth in a moderate acid or base induced adaptation to a more extreme acid or base, respectively. Expression indices from Affymetrix chip hybridization were obtained for 4,095 protein-encoding open reading frames of B. subtilis grown at external pH 6, pH 7, and pH 9. Growth at pH 6 upregulated acetoin production (alsDS), dehydrogenases (adhA, ald, fdhD, and gabD), and decarboxylases (psd and speA). Acid upregulated malate metabolism (maeN), metal export (czcDO and cadA), oxidative stress (catalase katA; OYE family namA), and the SigX extracytoplasmic stress regulon. Growth at pH 9 upregulated arginine catabolism (roc), which generates organic acids, glutamate synthase (gltAB), polyamine acetylation and transport (blt), the K+/H+ antiporter (yhaTU), and cytochrome oxidoreductases (cyd, ctaACE, and qcrC). The SigH, SigL, and SigW regulons were upregulated at high pH. Overall, greater genetic adaptation was seen at pH 9 than at pH 6, which may explain the lag time required for growth shift to high pH. Low external pH favored dehydrogenases and decarboxylases that may consume acids and generate basic amines, whereas high external pH favored catabolism-generating acids. PMID:19114526

  9. 40 CFR 421.104 - Standards of performance for new sources.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ...,404.000 Total suspended solids 615.400 492.300 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the range of 7.0 to 10.0 at all...H (1) (1) 1 Within the range of 7.0 to 10.0 at all times. (c) Subpart J—Alkali Leach Wash. NSPS... Total suspended solids 0.000 0.000 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the range of 7.0 to 10.0 at all times. (d...

  10. Sensitized terbium(III) macrocyclic-phthalimide complexes as luminescent pH switches.

    PubMed

    Chen, Gaoyun; Wardle, Nicholas J; Sarris, Jason; Chatterton, Nicholas P; Bligh, S W Annie

    2013-10-21

    Four new macrocyclic-phthalimide ligands were synthesised via the coupling of N-(3-bromopropyl)phthalimide either to cyclen (1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane) itself or its carboxylate-functionalized analogues, and photophysical studies were carried out on their corresponding Tb(III) complexes in aqueous media as a function of pH. Luminescence intensities of Tb·L1a–Tb·L3a were in ‘switched off’ mode under acidic conditions (pH < 4), and were activated on progression to basic conditions as the phthalimido functions therein were hydrolysed to their corresponding phthalamates Tb·L1b–Tb·L3b. Emission of phthalamate-based macrocyclic Tb(III) complexes Tb·L1b–Tb·L3b was in ‘switched on’ mode between pH 4 and 11, exhibiting high quantum yields (Φ) and long lifetimes (τ) of the order of milliseconds at pH ~ 6. Tb(III) emissions were found to decline with increasing number of chromophores. The values of Φ and τ were 46% and 2.4 ms respectively for Tb·L1b at pH ~ 6 when activated. This is the best pH-dependent sensor based on a Tb(III) complex reported to date, benefiting from the macrocyclic architecture of the ligand.

  11. A wide range optical pH sensor for living cells using Au@Ag nanoparticles functionalized carbon nanotubes based on SERS signals.

    PubMed

    Chen, Peng; Wang, Zhuyuan; Zong, Shenfei; Chen, Hui; Zhu, Dan; Zhong, Yuan; Cui, Yiping

    2014-10-01

    p-Aminothiophenol (pATP) functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) have been demonstrated as an efficient pH sensor for living cells. The proposed sensor employs gold/silver core-shell nanoparticles (Au@Ag NPs) functionalized MWCNTs hybrid structure as the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate and pATP molecules as the SERS reporters, which possess a pH-dependent SERS performance. By using MWCNTs as the substrate to be in a state of aggregation, the pH sensing range could be extended to pH 3.0∼14.0, which is much wider than that using unaggregated Au@Ag NPs without MWCNTs. Furthermore, the pH-sensitive performance was well retained in living cells with a low cytotoxicity. The developed SERS-active MWCNTs-based nanocomposite is expected to be an efficient intracellular pH sensor for bio-applications.

  12. Multifunctional PHPMA-Derived Polymer for Ratiometric pH Sensing, Fluorescence Imaging, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

    PubMed

    Su, Fengyu; Agarwal, Shubhangi; Pan, Tingting; Qiao, Yuan; Zhang, Liqiang; Shi, Zhengwei; Kong, Xiangxing; Day, Kevin; Chen, Meiwan; Meldrum, Deirdre; Kodibagkar, Vikram D; Tian, Yanqing

    2018-01-17

    In this paper, we report synthesis and characterization of a novel multimodality (MRI/fluorescence) probe for pH sensing and imaging. A multifunctional polymer was derived from poly(N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide) (PHPMA) and integrated with a naphthalimide-based-ratiometric fluorescence probe and a gadolinium-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid complex (Gd-DOTA complex). The polymer was characterized using UV-vis absorption spectrophotometry, fluorescence spectrofluorophotometry, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and confocal microscopy for optical and MRI-based pH sensing and cellular imaging. In vitro labeling of macrophage J774 and esophageal CP-A cell lines shows the polymer's ability to be internalized in the cells. The transverse relaxation time (T 2 ) of the polymer was observed to be pH-dependent, whereas the spin-lattice relaxation time (T 1 ) was not. The pH probe in the polymer shows a strong fluorescence-based ratiometric pH response with emission window changes, exhibiting blue emission under acidic conditions and green emission under basic conditions, respectively. This study provides new materials with multimodalities for pH sensing and imaging.

  13. Label-Free Carbon-Dots-Based Ratiometric Fluorescence pH Nanoprobes for Intracellular pH Sensing.

    PubMed

    Shangguan, Jingfang; He, Dinggeng; He, Xiaoxiao; Wang, Kemin; Xu, Fengzhou; Liu, Jinquan; Tang, Jinlu; Yang, Xue; Huang, Jin

    2016-08-02

    Measuring pH in living cells is of great importance for better understanding cellular functions as well as providing pivotal assistance for early diagnosis of diseases. In this work, we report the first use of a novel kind of label-free carbon dots for intracellular ratiometric fluorescence pH sensing. By simple one-pot hydrothermal treatment of citric acid and basic fuchsin, the carbon dots showing dual emission bands at 475 and 545 nm under single-wavelength excitation were synthesized. It is demonstrated that the fluorescence intensities of the as-synthesized carbon dots at the two emissions are pH-sensitive simultaneously. The intensity ratio (I475 nm/I545 nm) is linear against pH values from 5.2 to 8.8 in buffer solution, affording the capability as ratiometric probes for intracellular pH sensing. It also displays that the carbon dots show excellent reversibility and photostability in pH measurements. With this nanoprobe, quantitative fluorescence imaging using the ratio of two emissions (I475 nm/I545 nm) for the detection of intracellular pH were successfully applied in HeLa cells. In contrast to most of the reported nanomaterials-based ratiometric pH sensors which rely on the attachment of additional dyes, these carbon-dots-based ratiometric probes are low in toxicity, easy to synthesize, and free from labels.

  14. Purification and certain properties of a bacteriocin from Streptococcus mutans.

    PubMed

    Ikeda, T; Iwanami, T; Hirasawa, M; Watanabe, C; McGhee, J R; Shiota, T

    1982-03-01

    An inhibition factor from Streptococcus mutans strain C3603 (serotype c) was purified and isolated, and its properties indicated that it was a bacteriocin. Bacteriocin C3603 is a basic protein with a pI value of 10 and a molecular weight of 4,800. The activity of this bacteriocin was not affected by pH over a range of 1.0 to 12.0 or by storage at 100 degrees C for 10 min at pH 2.0 to 7.0 or storage at 121 degrees C for 15 min at pH 4.0. Pronase; papain, phospholipase C, trypsin, and alpha-amylase had no effect on the activity of the bacteriocin, whereas alpha-chymotrypsin and pancreatin were partially active against it. Bacteriocin activity was greater against certain S. mutans strains of serotypes b, c, e, and f than against certain S. mutans strains of serotypes a, d, and g. Bacteriocin C3603 was also effective against selected strains of S. sanguis, S. salivarius, S. bovis, S. faecium, S. lactis, Lactobacillus casei, L. plantarum, L. fermentum, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium longum, Propionibacterium acnes, and Bacteroides melaninogenicus, but it was not effective against certain strains of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Corynebacterium parvum, and Candida albicans. The inhibition of S. mutans strains BHT and PS-14 by bacteriocin C3603 was found to be due to the bacteriocidal activity of the bacteriocin. When water or a diet containing bacteriocin C3603 was consumed by gnotobiotic and specific pathogen-free rats infected with S. mutans PS-14, the caries score was found to be significantly reduced.

  15. 40 CFR 439.4 - General limitation or standard for pH.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 31 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false General limitation or standard for pH. 439.4 Section 439.4 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) EFFLUENT... General limitation or standard for pH. The pH must remain within the range 6.0 to 9.0 in any discharge...

  16. 40 CFR 439.4 - General limitation or standard for pH.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 30 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false General limitation or standard for pH. 439.4 Section 439.4 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) EFFLUENT... General limitation or standard for pH. The pH must remain within the range 6.0 to 9.0 in any discharge...

  17. A novel acidic pH fluorescent probe based on a benzothiazole derivative

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ma, Qiujuan; Li, Xian; Feng, Suxiang; Liang, Beibei; Zhou, Tiqiang; Xu, Min; Ma, Zhuoyi

    2017-04-01

    A novel acidic pH fluorescent probe 1 based on a benzothiazole derivative has been designed, synthesized and developed. The linear response range covers the acidic pH range from 3.44 to 6.46, which is valuable for pH researches in acidic environment. The evaluated pKa value of the probe 1 is 4.23. The fluorescence enhancement of the studied probe 1 with an increase in hydrogen ions concentration is based on the hindering of enhanced photo-induced electron transfer (PET) process. Moreover, the pH sensor possesses a highly selective response to H+ in the presence of metal ions, anions and other bioactive small molecules which would be interfere with its fluorescent pH response. Furthermore, the probe 1 responds to acidic pH with short response time that was less than 1 min. The probe 1 has been successfully applied to confocal fluorescence imaging in live HeLa cells and can selectively stain lysosomes. All of such good properties prove it can be used to monitoring pH fluctuations in acidic environment with high sensitivity, pH dependence and short response time.

  18. High Sensitivity pH Sensor Based on Porous Silicon (PSi) Extended Gate Field-Effect Transistor.

    PubMed

    Al-Hardan, Naif H; Abdul Hamid, Muhammad Azmi; Ahmed, Naser M; Jalar, Azman; Shamsudin, Roslinda; Othman, Norinsan Kamil; Kar Keng, Lim; Chiu, Weesiong; Al-Rawi, Hamzah N

    2016-06-07

    In this study, porous silicon (PSi) was prepared and tested as an extended gate field-effect transistor (EGFET) for pH sensing. The prepared PSi has pore sizes in the range of 500 to 750 nm with a depth of approximately 42 µm. The results of testing PSi for hydrogen ion sensing in different pH buffer solutions reveal that the PSi has a sensitivity value of 66 mV/pH that is considered a super Nernstian value. The sensor considers stability to be in the pH range of 2 to 12. The hysteresis values of the prepared PSi sensor were approximately 8.2 and 10.5 mV in the low and high pH loop, respectively. The result of this study reveals a promising application of PSi in the field for detecting hydrogen ions in different solutions.

  19. Unravelling the effects of mobile phase additives in supercritical fluid chromatography. Part I: Polarity and acidity of the mobile phase.

    PubMed

    West, Caroline; Melin, Jodie; Ansouri, Hassna; Mengue Metogo, Maïly

    2017-04-07

    The mobile phases employed in current supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) are usually composed of a mixture of pressurized carbon dioxide and a co-solvent. The co-solvent is most often an alcohol and may contain a third component in small proportions, called an additive (acid, base or salt). The polarity of such mobile phase compositions is here re-evaluated with a solvatochromic dye (Nile Red), particularly to assess the contribution of additives. It appears that additives, when employed in usual concentration range (0.1% or 20mM) do not modify the polarity in the immediate environment of the probe. In addition, the combination of carbon dioxide and an alcohol is known to form alkoxylcarbonic acid, supposedly conferring some acidic character to SFC mobile phases. Direct measurements of the apparent pH are impossible, but colour indicators of pH can be used to define the range of apparent pH provided by carbon dioxide-alcohol mixtures, with or without additives. Five colour indicators (Thymol Blue, Bromocresol Green, Methyl Red, Bromocresol Purple, and Bromothymol Blue) were selected to provide a wide range of aqueous pK a values (from 1.7 to 8.9). UV-vis absorption spectra measured in liquid phases of controlled pH were compared to those measured with a diode-array detector employed in SFC, with the help of chemometric methods. Based on these observations, it is concluded that the apparent pH range in carbon dioxide-methanol mobile phases is close to 5. Increasing the proportion of methanol (in the course of a gradient elution for instance) causes decreasing apparent pH. Strong acids can further decrease the apparent pH below 1.7; strong bases have little influence on the apparent pH, probably because, in this range of concentrations, they are titrated by alkoxylcarbonic acid or form ion pairs with alkoxycarbonate. However, bases and salts could stabilize the acidity in the course of gradient runs. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  20. Validation of a portable, waterproof blood pH analyser for elasmobranchs

    PubMed Central

    Bouyoucos, Ian A.; Shipley, Oliver; Rummer, Jodie L.; Mandelman, John W.; Brooks, Edward J.; Grubbs, R. Dean

    2017-01-01

    Abstract Quantifying changes in blood chemistry in elasmobranchs can provide insights into the physiological insults caused by anthropogenic stress, and can ultimately inform conservation and management strategies. Current methods for analysing elasmobranch blood chemistry in the field are often costly and logistically challenging. We compared blood pH values measured using a portable, waterproof pH meter (Hanna Instruments HI 99161) with blood pH values measured by an i-STAT system (CG4+ cartridges), which was previously validated for teleost and elasmobranch fishes, to gauge the accuracy of the pH meter in determining whole blood pH for the Cuban dogfish (Squalus cubensis) and lemon shark (Negaprion brevirostris). There was a significant linear relationship between values derived via the pH meter and the i-STAT for both species across a wide range of pH values and temperatures (Cuban dogfish: 6.8–7.1 pH 24–30°C; lemon sharks: 7.0–7.45 pH 25–31°C). The relative error in the pH meter's measurements was ~±2.7%. Using this device with appropriate correction factors and consideration of calibration temperatures can result in both a rapid and accurate assessment of whole blood pH, at least for the two elasmobranch species examined here. Additional species should be examined in the future across a wide range of temperatures to determine whether correction factors are universal. PMID:28616238

  1. Rennin--a Neglected Enzyme?

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Gill, John; Saunders, Terry

    1987-01-01

    Presents investigations to explore the substrate specificity, pH, concentration, and temperature relations of an enzyme with only inexpensive commercial rennet and basic laboratory equipment. Describes how the activities were carried out with a group of 15-year-old students. (CW)

  2. 40 CFR 432.3 - General limitation or standard for pH.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 31 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false General limitation or standard for pH... limitation or standard for pH. Any discharge subject to BPT, BCT, or NSPS limitations or standards in this part must remain within the pH range of 6 to 9. ...

  3. 40 CFR 432.3 - General limitation or standard for pH.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 30 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false General limitation or standard for pH... limitation or standard for pH. Any discharge subject to BPT, BCT, or NSPS limitations or standards in this part must remain within the pH range of 6 to 9. ...

  4. Acidic-basic properties of three alanine-based peptides containing acidic and basic side chains: comparison between theory and experiment.

    PubMed

    Makowska, Joanna; Bagińska, Katarzyna; Liwo, Adam; Chmurzyński, Lech; Scheraga, Harold A

    2008-01-01

    The purpose of this work was to evaluate the effect of the nature of the ionizable end groups, and the solvent, on their acid-base properties in alanine-based peptides. Hence, the acid-base properties of three alanine-based peptides: Ac-KK-(A)(7)-KK-NH(2) (KAK), Ac-OO-(A)(7)-DD-NH(2) (OAD), Ac-KK-(A)(7)-EE-NH(2) (KAE), where A, D, E, K, and O denote alanine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, lysine, and ornithine, respectively, were determined in water and in methanol by potentiometry. With the availability of these data, the ability of two theoretical methods to simulate pH-metric titration of those peptides was assessed: (i) the electrostatically driven Monte Carlo method with the ECEPP/3 force field and the Poisson-Boltzmann approach to compute solvation energy (EDMC/PB/pH), and (ii) the molecular dynamics method with the AMBER force field and the Generalized Born model (MD/GB/pH). For OAD and KAE, pK(a1) and pK(a2) correspond to the acidic side chains. For all three compounds in both solvents, the pK(a1) value is remarkably lower than the pK(a) of a compound modeling the respective isolated side chain, which can be explained by the influence of the electrostatic field from positively charged ornithine or lysine side chains. The experimental titration curves are reproduced well by the MD/GB/pH approach, the agreement being better if restraints derived from NMR measurements are incorporated in the conformational search. Poorer agreement is achieved by the EDMC/PB/pH method.

  5. Bacterially produced Pt-GFP as ratiometric dual-excitation sensor for in planta mapping of leaf apoplastic pH in intact Avena sativa and Vicia faba.

    PubMed

    Geilfus, Christoph-Martin; Mühling, Karl H; Kaiser, Hartmut; Plieth, Christoph

    2014-01-01

    Ratiometric analysis with H(+)-sensitive fluorescent sensors is a suitable approach for monitoring apoplastic pH dynamics. For the acidic range, the acidotropic dual-excitation dye Oregon Green 488 is an excellent pH sensor. Long lasting (hours) recordings of apoplastic pH in the near neutral range, however, are more problematic because suitable pH indicators that combine a good pH responsiveness at a near neutral pH with a high photostability are lacking. The fluorescent pH reporter protein from Ptilosarcus gurneyi (Pt-GFP) comprises both properties. But, as a genetically encoded indicator and expressed by the plant itself, it can be used almost exclusively in readily transformed plants. In this study we present a novel approach and use purified recombinant indicators for measuring ion concentrations in the apoplast of crop plants such as Vicia faba L. and Avena sativa L. Pt-GFP was purified using a bacterial expression system and subsequently loaded through stomata into the leaf apoplast of intact plants. Imaging verified the apoplastic localization of Pt-GFP and excluded its presence in the symplast. The pH-dependent emission signal stood out clearly from the background. PtGFP is highly photostable, allowing ratiometric measurements over hours. By using this approach, a chloride-induced alkalinizations of the apoplast was demonstrated for the first in oat. Pt-GFP appears to be an excellent sensor for the quantification of leaf apoplastic pH in the neutral range. The presented approach encourages to also use other genetically encoded biosensors for spatiotemporal mapping of apoplastic ion dynamics.

  6. High Sensitivity pH Sensor Based on Porous Silicon (PSi) Extended Gate Field-Effect Transistor

    PubMed Central

    Al-Hardan, Naif H.; Abdul Hamid, Muhammad Azmi; Ahmed, Naser M.; Jalar, Azman; Shamsudin, Roslinda; Othman, Norinsan Kamil; Kar Keng, Lim; Chiu, Weesiong; Al-Rawi, Hamzah N.

    2016-01-01

    In this study, porous silicon (PSi) was prepared and tested as an extended gate field-effect transistor (EGFET) for pH sensing. The prepared PSi has pore sizes in the range of 500 to 750 nm with a depth of approximately 42 µm. The results of testing PSi for hydrogen ion sensing in different pH buffer solutions reveal that the PSi has a sensitivity value of 66 mV/pH that is considered a super Nernstian value. The sensor considers stability to be in the pH range of 2 to 12. The hysteresis values of the prepared PSi sensor were approximately 8.2 and 10.5 mV in the low and high pH loop, respectively. The result of this study reveals a promising application of PSi in the field for detecting hydrogen ions in different solutions. PMID:27338381

  7. Ubiquinone modified printed carbon electrodes for cell culture pH monitoring.

    PubMed

    McBeth, Craig; Dughaishi, Rajaa Al; Paterson, Andrew; Sharp, Duncan

    2018-08-15

    The measurement of pH is important throughout many biological systems, but there are limited available technologies to enable its periodical monitoring in the complex, small volume, media often used in cell culture experiments across a range of disciplines. Herein, pad printed electrodes are developed and characterised through modification with: a commercially available fullerene multiwall carbon nanotube composite applied in Nafion, casting of hydrophobic ubiquinone as a pH probe to provide the electrochemical signal, and coated in Polyethylene glycol to reduce fouling and potentially enhance biocompatibility, which together are proven to enable the determination of pH in cell culture media containing serum. The ubiquinone oxidation peak position (E pa ) provided an indirect marker of pH across the applicable range of pH 6-9 (R 2 = 0.9985, n = 15) in complete DMEM. The electrochemical behaviour of these sensors was also proven to be robust; retaining their ability to measure pH in cell culture media supplemented with serum up to 20% (v/v) [encompassing the range commonly employed in cell culture], cycled > 100 times in 10% serum containing media and maintain > 60% functionality after 5 day incubation in a 10% serum containing medium. Overall, this proof of concept research highlights the potential applicability of this, or similar, electrochemical approaches to enable to detection or monitoring of pH in complex cell culture media. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  8. Effect of blueberry agro-industrial waste addition to corn starch-based films for the production of a pH-indicator film.

    PubMed

    Luchese, Cláudia Leites; Sperotto, Natalia; Spada, Jordana Corralo; Tessaro, Isabel Cristina

    2017-11-01

    Intelligent packaging is an emerging area of food technology that can provide better preservation and be of further convenience for consumers. It is recommended that biodegradable materials be used to develop low-impact designs for better packaging, which could benefit the environment by simply expanding their use to new areas. In this work, corn starch, glycerol and blueberry powder (with and without prior fruit bleaching) were used to produce films by casting. Blueberry powder, a co-product from juice processing, which is rich in anthocyanins, was added in the films to evaluate its potential as a colorimetric indicator, due to the ability of anthocyanin to change color when placed in an acidic or basic environment. After the films were immersed in different buffer solutions, visual color changes were observed, where the films became reddish at acidic pH and bluish at basic pH. The ΔE* values were greater than 3, suggesting a visually perceptible change to the human eye. The samples with fruit bleaching (CB) were visually darker (lower luminance values), while the samples without bleaching (SB) had a lighter color and higher brightness, represented by larger L* values. These results indicate the potential of blueberry powder as a pH indicator for intelligent food packaging or even for sensing food deterioration. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  9. A new pH-responsive peptide tag for protein purification.

    PubMed

    Nonaka, Takahiro; Tsurui, Noriko; Mannen, Teruhisa; Kikuchi, Yoshimi; Shiraki, Kentaro

    2018-06-01

    This paper describes a new pH-responsive peptide tag that adds a protein reversible precipitation and redissolution character. This peptide tag is a part of a cell surface protein B (CspB) derived from Corynebacterium glutamicum. Proinsulin that genetically fused with a peptide of N-terminal 6, 17, 50, or 250 amino acid residues of CspB showed that the reversible precipitation and redissolution depended on the pH. The transition occurred within a physiological and narrow pH range. A CspB50 tag comprising 50 amino acid residues of N-terminal CspB was further evaluated as a representative using other pharmaceutical proteins. Below pH 6.8, almost all CspB50-Teriparatide fusion formed an aggregated state. Subsequent addition of alkali turned the cloudy protein solution transparent above pH 7.3, in which almost all the CspB50-Teriparatide fusion redissolved. The CspB50-Bivalirudin fusion showed a similar behavior with slightly different pH range. This tag is offering a new protein purification method based on liquid-solid separation which does not require an affinity ligand. This sharp response around neutral pH is useful as a pH-responsive tag for the purification of unstable proteins at a non-physiological pH. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  10. pH regulation of the kinetic stability of the lipase from Thermomyces lanuginosus.

    PubMed

    Wang, H; Andersen, K K; Sehgal, P; Hagedorn, J; Westh, P; Borch, K; Otzen, D E

    2013-01-08

    Thermomyces lanuginosus lipase (TlL) is a kinetically stable protein, resistant toward both denaturation and refolding in the presence of the ionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and the nonionic surfactant decyl maltoside (DecM). We investigate the pH dependence of this kinetic stability. At pH 8, TlL remains folded and enzymatically active at multimillimolar surfactant concentrations but fails to refold from the acid urea-denatured state at submillimolar concentrations of SDS and DecM, indicating a broad concentration range of kinetic trapping or hysteresis. At pH 8, very few SDS molecules bind to TlL. The hysteresis SDS concentration range shrinks when moving to pH 4-6; in this pH range, SDS binds as micellelike clusters. Although hysteresis can be eliminated by reducing disulfide bonds, destabilizing the native state, and lowering the unfolding activation barrier, SDS sensitivity is not directly linked to intrinsic kinetic stability [its resistance to the general chemical denaturant guanidinium chloride (GdmCl)], because TlL unfolds more slowly in GdmCl at pH 6.0 than at pH 8.0. However, the estimated net charge drops from approximately -12 to approximately -5 between pH 8 and 6. SDS denatures TlL at pH 6.0 by nucleating via a critical number of bound SDS molecules on the surface of native TlL to form clusters. These results imply that SDS sensitivity is connected to the availability of appropriately charged regions on the protein. We suggest that conformational rigidity is a necessary but not sufficient feature of SDS resistance, because this has to be combined with sufficient negative electrostatic potential to avoid extensive SDS binding.

  11. Validation of a portable, waterproof blood pH analyser for elasmobranchs.

    PubMed

    Talwar, Brendan; Bouyoucos, Ian A; Shipley, Oliver; Rummer, Jodie L; Mandelman, John W; Brooks, Edward J; Grubbs, R Dean

    2017-01-01

    Quantifying changes in blood chemistry in elasmobranchs can provide insights into the physiological insults caused by anthropogenic stress, and can ultimately inform conservation and management strategies. Current methods for analysing elasmobranch blood chemistry in the field are often costly and logistically challenging. We compared blood pH values measured using a portable, waterproof pH meter (Hanna Instruments HI 99161) with blood pH values measured by an i-STAT system (CG4+ cartridges), which was previously validated for teleost and elasmobranch fishes, to gauge the accuracy of the pH meter in determining whole blood pH for the Cuban dogfish ( Squalus cubensis ) and lemon shark ( Negaprion brevirostris ). There was a significant linear relationship between values derived via the pH meter and the i-STAT for both species across a wide range of pH values and temperatures (Cuban dogfish: 6.8-7.1 pH 24-30°C; lemon sharks: 7.0-7.45 pH 25-31°C). The relative error in the pH meter's measurements was ~±2.7%. Using this device with appropriate correction factors and consideration of calibration temperatures can result in both a rapid and accurate assessment of whole blood pH, at least for the two elasmobranch species examined here. Additional species should be examined in the future across a wide range of temperatures to determine whether correction factors are universal.

  12. Supersaturation of aqueous species and hydrothermal crystal growth of ZnO

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gelabert, M. C.

    2015-05-01

    Synthesis of ZnO crystals prepared with zinc acetate or chloride, disodium dihydrogen ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA), potassium hydroxide and sodium triflate at 200 °C and variable pH 8-12 is reported. Crystals were imaged and size-analyzed with optical microscopy. Using aqueous speciation modeling software, supersaturation dependence on pH was calculated for five zinc species-Zn2+, Zn(OH)+, Zn(OH)2, Zn(OH)3- and Zn(OH)42- -to investigate connections between predominate crystal habits at different pH and dominant aqueous species. For zinc acetate and chloride systems, the zinc species with highest supersaturation was Zn(OH)42- throughout the pH 8-12 range, and the second highest was Zn2+ or Zn(OH)3-, with a crossover pH of 10.2-10.4 depending on counterion. The prominence of the tetrahydroxyl zinc species in ZnO crystal growth is supported by these calculations, and total supersaturation is inversely proportional to average crystal sizes, as expected. Optical microscopy and size analysis on products revealed crystals with a needle or prismatic habit throughout the studied pH range, and the change in aspect ratio correlates with supersaturation changes for the Zn2+ in this pH range, thus suggesting that growth rates along the [001] crystallographic direction are affected by small concentration changes of this ion.

  13. The role of counterions in the membrane-disruptive properties of pH-sensitive lysine-based surfactants.

    PubMed

    Nogueira, D R; Mitjans, M; Infante, M R; Vinardell, M P

    2011-07-01

    Surfactants are among the most versatile and widely used excipients in pharmaceuticals. This versatility, together with their pH-responsive membrane-disruptive activity and low toxicity, could also enable their potential application in drug delivery systems. Five anionic lysine-based surfactants which differ in the nature of their counterion were studied. Their capacity to disrupt the cell membrane was examined under a range of pH values, concentrations and incubation times, using a standard hemolysis assay as a model for endosomal membranes. The surfactants showed pH-sensitive hemolytic activity and improved kinetics at the endosomal pH range. Low concentrations resulted in negligible hemolysis at physiological pH and high membrane lytic activity at pH 5.4, which is in the range characteristic of late endosomes. With increasing concentration, the surfactants showed an enhanced capacity to lyse cell membranes, and also caused significant membrane disruption at physiological pH. This observation indicates that, at high concentrations, surfactant behavior is independent of pH. The mechanism of surfactant-mediated membrane destabilization was addressed, and scanning electron microscopy studies were also performed to evaluate the effects of the compounds on erythrocyte morphology as a function of pH. The in vitro cytotoxicity of the surfactants was assessed by MTT and NRU assays with the 3T3 cell line. The influence of different types of counterion on hemolytic activity and the potential applications of these surfactants in drug delivery are discussed. The possibility of using pH-sensitive surfactants for endosome disruption could hold great promise for intracellular drug delivery systems in future therapeutic applications. Copyright © 2011 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  14. Optimizing isothiocyanate formation during enzymatic glucosinolate breakdown by adjusting pH value, temperature and dilution in Brassica vegetables and Arabidopsis thaliana

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hanschen, Franziska S.; Klopsch, Rebecca; Oliviero, Teresa; Schreiner, Monika; Verkerk, Ruud; Dekker, Matthijs

    2017-01-01

    Consumption of glucosinolate-rich Brassicales vegetables is associated with a decreased risk of cancer with enzymatic hydrolysis of glucosinolates playing a key role. However, formation of health-promoting isothiocyanates is inhibited by the epithiospecifier protein in favour of nitriles and epithionitriles. Domestic processing conditions, such as changes in pH value, temperature or dilution, might also affect isothiocyanate formation. Therefore, the influences of these three factors were evaluated in accessions of Brassica rapa, Brassica oleracea, and Arabidopsis thaliana. Mathematical modelling was performed to determine optimal isothiocyanate formation conditions and to obtain knowledge on the kinetics of the reactions. At 22 °C and endogenous plant pH, nearly all investigated plants formed nitriles and epithionitriles instead of health-promoting isothiocyanates. Response surface models, however, clearly demonstrated that upon change in pH to domestic acidic (pH 4) or basic pH values (pH 8), isothiocyanate formation considerably increases. While temperature also affects this process, the pH value has the greatest impact. Further, a kinetic model showed that isothiocyanate formation strongly increases due to dilution. Finally, the results show that isothiocyanate intake can be strongly increased by optimizing the conditions of preparation of Brassicales vegetables.

  15. Variation in pH optima of hydrolytic enzyme activities in tropical rain forest soils.

    PubMed

    Turner, Benjamin L

    2010-10-01

    Extracellular enzymes synthesized by soil microbes play a central role in the biogeochemical cycling of nutrients in the environment. The pH optima of eight hydrolytic enzymes involved in the cycles of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur, were assessed in a series of tropical forest soils of contrasting pH values from the Republic of Panama. Assays were conducted using 4-methylumbelliferone-linked fluorogenic substrates in modified universal buffer. Optimum pH values differed markedly among enzymes and soils. Enzymes were grouped into three classes based on their pH optima: (i) enzymes with acidic pH optima that were consistent among soils (cellobiohydrolase, β-xylanase, and arylsulfatase), (ii) enzymes with acidic pH optima that varied systematically with soil pH, with the most acidic pH optima in the most acidic soils (α-glucosidase, β-glucosidase, and N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase), and (iii) enzymes with an optimum pH in either the acid range or the alkaline range depending on soil pH (phosphomonoesterase and phosphodiesterase). The optimum pH values of phosphomonoesterase were consistent among soils, being 4 to 5 for acid phosphomonoesterase and 10 to 11 for alkaline phosphomonoesterase. In contrast, the optimum pH for phosphodiesterase activity varied systematically with soil pH, with the most acidic pH optima (3.0) in the most acidic soils and the most alkaline pH optima (pH 10) in near-neutral soils. Arylsulfatase activity had a very acidic optimum pH in all soils (pH ≤3.0) irrespective of soil pH. The differences in pH optima may be linked to the origins of the enzymes and/or the degree of stabilization on solid surfaces. The results have important implications for the interpretation of hydrolytic enzyme assays using fluorogenic substrates.

  16. Catalytic mechanism of cationic red GTL at wide pH using the Mo-Zn-Al-O nanocatalyst under room conditions.

    PubMed

    Xu, Yin; Li, Xiaoyi; Sun, Dezhi

    2014-09-01

    Catalytic mechanism of cationic red GTL at wide pH using the Mo-Zn-Al-O nanocatalyst under room conditions was investigated. The experimental results indicate that initial pH significantly affected the removal of cationic red GTL, the removal of COD, the pH value and residual oxygen in the reaction. In the range of pH value from 4 to 10, decolorization of cationic red GTL was almost above 90%. COD removal efficiency was enhanced with the decrease of pH in CWAO process and 79% of the COD was removed at pH 4.0, whereas only 57% COD removal was observed at pH 10.0. The terminal pH was in the range of 5.0-6.0 and the highest terminal concentrations of aqueous oxygen with 5.5 mg/L were observed at pH = 4.0. The radical inhibition experiments also carried out and the generation of *OH and 1O2 in catalytic wet air oxidation process were detected. It was found that the degradation of cationic red GTL occurs mainly via oxidation by 1O2 radical generated by Mo-Zn-Al-O nanocatalyst under acid conditions and *OH radical under alkaline conditions.

  17. Surface Complexation Modeling of Fluoride Adsorption by Soil and the Role of Dissolved Aluminum on Adsorption

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Padhi, S.; Tokunaga, T.

    2017-12-01

    Adsorption of fluoride (F) on soil can control the mobility of F and subsequent contamination of groundwater. Hence, accurate evaluation of adsorption equilibrium is a prerequisite for understanding transport and fate of F in the subsurface. While there have been studies for the adsorption behavior of F with respect to single mineral constituents based on surface complexation models (SCM), F adsorption to natural soil in the presence of complexing agents needs much investigation. We evaluated the adsorption processes of F on a natural granitic soil from Tsukuba, Japan, as a function of initial F concentration, ionic strength, and initial pH. A SCM was developed to model F adsorption behavior. Four possible surface complexation reactions were postulated with and without including dissolved aluminum (Al) and Al-F complex sorption. Decrease in F adsorption with the increase in initial pH was observed in between the initial pH range of 4 to 9, and a decrease in the rate of the reduction of adsorbed F with respect to the increase in the initial pH was observed in the initial pH range of 5 to 7. Ionic strength variation in the range of 0 to 100mM had insignificant effect on F removal. Changes in solution pH were observed by comparing the solution before and after F adsorption experiments. At acidic pH, the solution pH increased, whereas at alkaline pH, the solution pH decreased after equilibrium. The SCM including dissolved Al and the adsorption of Al-F complex can simulate the experimental results quite successfully. Also, including dissolved Al and the adsorption of Al-F complex to the model explained the change in solution pH after F adsorption.

  18. IMPACT OF WATER PH ON ZEBRA MUSSEL MORTALITY

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Daniel P. Molloy

    2002-10-15

    The experiments conducted this past quarter have suggested that the bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens strain CL0145A is effective at killing zebra mussels throughout the entire range of pH values tested (7.2 to 8.6). Highest mortality was achieved at pH values characteristic of preferred zebra mussel waterbodies, i.e., hard waters with a range of 7.8 to 8.6. In all water types tested, however, ranging from very soft to very hard, considerable mussel kill was achieved (83 to 99% mean mortality), suggesting that regardless of the pH or hardness of the treated water, significant mussel kill can be achieved upon treatment with P.more » fluorescens strain CL0145A. These results further support the concept that this bacterium has significant potential for use as a zebra mussel control agent in power plant pipes receiving waters with a wide range of physical and chemical characteristics.« less

  19. pH dominates variation in tropical soil archaeal diversity and community structure.

    PubMed

    Tripathi, Binu M; Kim, Mincheol; Lai-Hoe, Ang; Shukor, Nor A A; Rahim, Raha A; Go, Rusea; Adams, Jonathan M

    2013-11-01

    Little is known of the factors influencing soil archaeal community diversity and composition in the tropics. We sampled soils across a range of forest and nonforest environments in the equatorial tropics of Malaysia, covering a wide range of pH values. DNA was PCR-amplified for the V1-V3 region of the 16S rRNA gene, and 454-pyrosequenced. Soil pH was the best predictor of diversity and community composition of Archaea, being a stronger predictor than land use. Archaeal OTU richness was highest in the most acidic soils. Overall archaeal abundance in tropical soils (determined by qPCR) also decreased at higher pH. This contrasts with the opposite trend previously found in temperate soils. Thaumarcheota group 1.1b was more abundant in alkaline soils, whereas group 1.1c was only detected in acidic soils. These results parallel those found in previous studies in cooler climates, emphasizing niche conservatism among broad archaeal groups. Among the most abundant operational taxonomic units (OTUs), there was clear evidence of niche partitioning by pH. No individual OTU occurred across the entire range of pH values. Overall, the results of this study show that pH plays a major role in structuring tropical soil archaeal communities. © 2013 Federation of European Microbiological Societies. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. All rights reserved.

  20. Interactions between stepwise-eluted sub-fractions of fulvic acids and protons revealed by fluorescence titration combined with EEM-PARAFAC.

    PubMed

    Song, Fanhao; Wu, Fengchang; Guo, Fei; Wang, Hao; Feng, Weiying; Zhou, Min; Deng, Yanghui; Bai, Yingchen; Xing, Baoshan; Giesy, John P

    2017-12-15

    In aquatic environments, pH can control environmental behaviors of fulvic acid (FA) via regulating hydrolysis of functional groups. Sub-fractions of FA, eluted using pyrophosphate buffers with initial pHs of 3.0 (FA 3 ), 5.0 (FA 5 ), 7.0 (FA 7 ), 9.0 (FA 9 ) and 13.0 (FA 13 ), were used to explore interactions between the various, operationally defined, FA fractions and protons, by use of EEM-PARAFAC analysis. Splitting of peaks (FA 3 and FA 13 ), merging of peaks (FA 7 ), disappearance of peaks (FA 9 and FA 13 ), and red/blue-shifting of peaks were observed during fluorescence titration. Fulvic-like components were identified from FA 3 -FA 13 , and protein-like components were observed in fractions FA 9 and FA 13 . There primary compounds (carboxylic-like, phenolic-like, and protein-like chromophores) in PARAFAC components were distinguished based on acid-base properties. Dissociation constants (pK a ) for fulvic-like components with proton ranged from 2.43 to 4.13 in an acidic pH and from 9.95 to 11.27 at basic pH. These results might be due to protonation of di-carboxylate and phenolic functional groups. At basic pH, pK a values of protein-like components (9.77-10.13) were similar to those of amino acids. However, at acidic pH, pK a values of protein-like components, which ranged from 3.33 to 4.22, were 1-2units greater than those of amino acids. Results presented here, will benefit understanding of environmental behaviors of FA, as well as interactions of FA with environmental contaminants. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  1. Temporal and spatial variability of rainfall pH

    Treesearch

    Richard G. Semonin

    1977-01-01

    The distribution of average rainwater pH over an area of 1,800 km² containing 81 collectors was determined from 25 storm events. The areal average of the data was pH 4.9, with a range of values from 4.3 to 6.8. A single storm event was studied to determine the change of pH as a function of time. The initial rain was pH 7.1, decreasing to 4.1. An excellent...

  2. [Characteristics of precipitation pH and conductivity at Mt. Huang].

    PubMed

    Shi, Chun-e; Deng, Xue-liang; Wu, Bi-wen; Hong, Jie; Zhang, Su; Yang, Yuan-jian

    2013-05-01

    To understand the general characteristics of pH distribution and pollution in precipitation at Mt. Huang, statistical analyses were conducted for the routine measurements of pH and conductivity (K) at Mt. Huang during 2006-2011. The results showed that: (1) Over the period of study, the annual volume weighted mean (VWM) precipitation pH varied from 4.81 to 5.57, with precipitation acidity strengthening before 2009 and weakening thereafter. The precipitation acidity showed evident seasonal variations, with the VWM pH lowest in winter (4.78), and highest in summer (5.33). The occurrence frequency of acid rain was 46% , accounting for 45% of total rainfalls and with the most frequent pH falling into weak acid to neutral rain. (2) The annual VWM K varied from 16.91 to 27.84 microS x cm(-1), with no evident trend. As for ions pollution, the precipitation was relatively clean at Mt. Huang, with the most frequent K range being below 15 microS x cm(-1), followed by 15-25 microS x cm(-1). From February 2010 to December 2011, precipitation samples were collected on daily basis for ions analysis, as well as pH and K measurement in lab. Detailed comparisons were conducted between the two sets of pH and K, one set from field measurement and the other from lab measurement. The results indicated: (1) The lab measured pH (K) was highly correlated with the field pH (K); however, the lab pH tended to move towards neutral comparing with the corresponding field pH, and the shift range was closely correlated with the field pH and rainfall. The shift range of K from field to lab was highly correlated with the total ion concentration of precipitation. The field K showed evident negative correlation with the field pH with a correlation coefficient of -0.51. (2) When sampling with nylon-polyethylene bags, the statistics showed smaller bias between two sets of pH, with higher correlation coefficient between two sets of K. Furthermore, the lab K also showed evident negative correlation with the lab pH. Comparing with the observations at other alpine sites in central to eastern China, the natural precipitation at Mt. Huang was weaker in acidity and contains lower ion concentration.

  3. A novel optical probe for pH sensing in gastro-esophageal apparatus

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Baldini, F.; Ghini, G.; Giannetti, A.; Senesi, F.; Trono, C.

    2011-03-01

    Monitoring gastric pH for long periods, usually 24 h, may be essential in analyzing the physiological pattern of acidity, in obtaining information on changes in activity during peptic ulcer disease, and in assessing the effect of antisecretory drugs. Gastro-esophageal reflux, which causes a pH decrease in the esophagus content from pH 7 even down to pH 2, can determine esophagitis with possible strictures and Barrett's esophagus. One of the difficulties of the optical measurement of pH in the gastro-esophageal apparatus lies in the required extended working range from 1 to 8 pH units. The present paper deals with a novel optical pH sensor, using methyl red as optical pH indicator. Contrary to all acidbase indicators characterized by working ranges limited to 2-3 pH units, methyl red, after its covalent immobilization on controlled pore glass (CPG), is characterized by a wide working range which fits with the clinical requirements. The novel probe design here described is suitable for gastro-esophageal applications and allows the optimization of the performances of the CPG with the immobilised indicator. This leads to a very simple configuration characterized by a very fast response time.

  4. Textile dyes removal from aqueous solution using Opuntia ficus-indica fruit waste as adsorbent and its characterization.

    PubMed

    Peláez-Cid, A A; Velázquez-Ugalde, I; Herrera-González, A M; García-Serrano, J

    2013-11-30

    For this research, three different adsorbents, one untreated and two chemically activated, were prepared from Opuntia ficus-indica fruit waste. By the construction of adsorption isotherms, its adsorption capabilities and the viability of its use in the removal of textile basic and direct type dyes were determined. It was found that the adsorbent with the most adsorption capacity for basic dyes was the one activated with NaClO, and, for direct dyes, it was the one activated with NaOH. Langmuir and Freundlich equations isotherms were applied for the analysis of the experimental data. It was found that the Freundlich model best described the adsorption behavior. The adsorption capacity was improved when the pH of the dye solution had an acid value. The specific surface area of the adsorbents was calculated by means of methylene blue adsorption at 298 K to stay within a range between 348 and 643 m(2) g(-1). The FTIR spectroscopic characterization technique, the SEM, the point of zero charge, and the elemental analysis show the chemical and physical characteristics of the studied adsorbents, which confirm the adsorption results obtained. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  5. Phase transition behavior of novel pH-sensitive polyaspartamide derivatives grafted with 1-(3-aminopropyl)imidazole.

    PubMed

    Seo, Kwangwon; Kim, Dukjoon

    2006-09-15

    New pH-sensitive polyaspartamide derivatives were synthesized by grafting 1-(3-aminopropyl)imidazole and/or O-(2-aminoethyl)-O'-methylpoly(ethylene glycol) 5000 on polysuccinimide for application in intracellular drug delivery systems. The DS of 1-(3-aminopropyl)imidazole was adjusted by the feed molar ratio, and the structure of the prepared polymer was confirmed using FT-IR and 1H NMR spectroscopy. Their pH-sensitive properties were characterized by light transmittance measurements, and the particle size and its distribution were investigated by dynamic light scattering measurements at varying pH values. The pH-sensitive phase transition was clearly observed in polymer solutions with a high substitution of 1-(3-aminopropyl)imidazole. The prepared polymers showed a high buffering capacity between pH 5 and 7, and this increased with the DS of 1-(3-aminopropyl)imidazole. The pH dependence of the aggregation and de-aggregation behavior was examined using a fluorescence spectrometer. For MPEG/imidazole-g-polyaspartamides with a DS of 1-(3-aminopropyl)imidazole over 82%, self aggregates associated with the hydrophobic interactions of the unprotonated imidazole groups were observed at pH values above 7, and their mean size was over 200 nm, while the aggregates of polymers were dissociated at pH values below 7 by the protonation of imidazole groups. These pH-sensitive polyaspartamide derivatives are potential basic candidates for intracellular drug delivery carriers triggered by small pH changes.

  6. Spatial patterns of soil pH and the factors that influence them in plantation forests of northern China

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hong, Songbai; Liu, Yongwen; Piao, Shilong

    2017-04-01

    Climate and anthropogenic activities such as afforestation and nitrogen deposition all impact soil pH. Understanding the spatial pattern of soil pH and the factors that influence it can provide basic information for generating appropriate strategies for soil resource management and protection, especially in light of increasing anthropogenic influences and climate change. In this study, we investigated the spatial and vertical pattern of soil pH and evaluated the influence of climate and nitrogen deposition using 1647 soil profiles 1 meter in depth from 549 plots in plantation forests of northern China. We found that soil pH decreased from the southwest to the northeast in the study region and had a similar spatial pattern before and after afforestation. Furthermore, our results show that climate and nitrogen deposition fundamentally influence the pattern of soil pH. Specifically, increasing precipitation significantly decreased soil pH (with a mean rate of 0.3 for every 100 mm rainfall, p<0.001), whereas increasing temperature significantly increased soil pH (0.13 for every degree centigrade, p<0.001). Nitrogen deposition, especially nitrate nitrogen, significantly decreased soil pH (p<0.01). All these factors impact soil pH directly and indirectly through climate-plant-soil interactions. As the risks from both climate change and nitrogen deposition increase, there is an urgent need to further understanding of soil pH dynamics and to develop informed policies to protect soil resources.

  7. pH and temperature dual-sensitive liposome gel based on novel cleavable mPEG-Hz-CHEMS polymeric vaginal delivery system

    PubMed Central

    Chen, Daquan; Sun, Kaoxiang; Mu, Hongjie; Tang, Mingtan; Liang, Rongcai; Wang, Aiping; Zhou, Shasha; Sun, Haijun; Zhao, Feng; Yao, Jianwen; Liu, Wanhui

    2012-01-01

    Background In this study, a pH and temperature dual-sensitive liposome gel based on a novel cleavable hydrazone-based pH-sensitive methoxy polyethylene glycol 2000-hydrazone-cholesteryl hemisuccinate (mPEG-Hz-CHEMS) polymer was used for vaginal administration. Methods The pH-sensitive, cleavable mPEG-Hz-CHEMS was designed as a modified pH-sensitive liposome that would selectively degrade under locally acidic vaginal conditions. The novel pH-sensitive liposome was engineered to form a thermogel at body temperature and to degrade in an acidic environment. Results A dual-sensitive liposome gel with a high encapsulation efficiency of arctigenin was formed and improved the solubility of arctigenin characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. The dual-sensitive liposome gel with a sol-gel transition at body temperature was degraded in a pH-dependent manner, and was stable for a long period of time at neutral and basic pH, but cleavable under acidic conditions (pH 5.0). Arctigenin encapsulated in a dual-sensitive liposome gel was more stable and less toxic than arctigenin loaded into pH-sensitive liposomes. In vitro drug release results indicated that dual-sensitive liposome gels showed constant release of arctigenin over 3 days, but showed sustained release of arctigenin in buffers at pH 7.4 and pH 9.0. Conclusion This research has shed some light on a pH and temperature dual-sensitive liposome gel using a cleavable mPEG-Hz-CHEMS polymer for vaginal delivery. PMID:22679372

  8. Pb and Cd binding to natural freshwater biofilms developed at different pH: the important role of culture pH.

    PubMed

    Hua, Xiuyi; Dong, Deming; Ding, Xiaoou; Yang, Fan; Jiang, Xu; Guo, Zhiyong

    2013-01-01

    The effects of solution pH on adsorption of trace metals to different types of natural aquatic solid materials have been studied extensively, but few studies have been carried out to investigate the effect of pH at which the solid materials were formed on the adsorption. The purpose of present study is to examine this effect of culture pH on metal adsorption to natural freshwater biofilms. The adsorption of Pb and Cd to biofilms which were developed at different culture pH values (ranging from 6.5 to 9.0) was measured at the same adsorption pH value (6.5). The culture pH had considerable effects on both composition and metal adsorption ability of the biofilms. Higher culture pH usually promoted the accumulation of organic material and Fe oxides in the biofilms. The culture pH also affected the quantity and species of algae in the biofilms. The adsorption of Pb and Cd to the biofilms generally increased with the increase of culture pH. This increase was minor at lower pH range and significant at higher pH range and was more remarkable for Cd adsorption than for Pb adsorption. The notable contribution of organic material to the adsorption at higher culture pH values was also observed. The profound impacts of culture pH on adsorption behavior of biofilms mainly resulted from the variation of total contents of the biofilm components and were also affected by the alteration of composition and properties of the components.

  9. A wide range and highly sensitive optical fiber pH sensor using polyacrylamide hydrogel

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pathak, Akhilesh Kumar; Singh, Vinod Kumar

    2017-12-01

    In the present study we report the fabrication and characterization of no-core fiber sensor (NCFS) using smart hydrogel coating for pH measurement. The no-core fiber (NCF) is stubbed between two single-mode fibers with SMA connector before immobilizing of smart hydrogel. The wavelength interrogation technique is used to calculate the sensitivity of the proposed sensor. The result shows a high sensitivity of 1.94 nm/pH for a wide range of pH values varied from 3 to 10 with a good linear response. In addition to high sensitivity, the fabricated sensor provides a fast response time with a good stability, repeatability and reproducibility.

  10. Nature of the Charged-Group Effect on the Stability of the C-Peptide Helix

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shoemaker, Kevin R.; Kim, Peter S.; Brems, David N.; Marqusee, Susan; York, Eunice J.; Chaiken, Irwin M.; Stewart, John M.; Baldwin, Robert L.

    1985-04-01

    The residues responsible for the pH-dependent stability of the helix formed by the isolated C-peptide (residues 1-13 of ribonuclease A) have been identified by chemical synthesis of analogues and measurement of their helix-forming properties. Each of the residues ionizing between pH 2 and pH 8 has been replaced separately by an uncharged residue. Protonation of Glu-2- is responsible for the sharp decrease in helix stability between pH 5 and pH 2, and deprotonation of His-12+ causes a similar decrease between pH 5 and pH 8. Glu-9- is not needed for helix stability. The results cannot be explained by the Zimm-Bragg model and host-guest data for α -helix formation, which predict that the stability of the C-peptide helix should increase when Glu-2- is protonated or when His-12+ is deprotonated. Moreover, histidine+ is a strong helix-breaker in host-guest studies. In proteins, acidic and basic residues tend to occur at opposite ends of α -helices: acidic residues occur preferentially near the NH2-terminal end and basic residues near the COOH-terminal end. A possible explanation, based on a helix dipole model, has been given [Blagdon, D. E. & Goodman, M. (1975) Biopolymers 14, 241-245]. Our results are consistent with the helix dipole model and they support the suggestion that the distribution of charged residues in protein helices reflects the helix-stabilizing propensity of those residues. Because Glu-9 is not needed for helix stability, a possible Glu-9-\\cdots His-12+ salt bridge does not contribute significantly to helix stability. The role of a possible Glu-2-\\cdots Arg-10+ salt bridge has not yet been evaluated. A charged-group effect on α -helix stability in water has also been observed in a different peptide system [Ihara, S., Ooi, T. & Takahashi, S. (1982) Biopolymers 21, 131-145]: block copolymers containing (Ala)20 and (Glu)20 show partial helix formation at low temperatures, pH 7.5, where the glutamic acid residues are ionized. (Glu)20(Ala)20Phe forms a helix that is markedly more stable than (Ala)20(Glu)20Phe. The results are consistent with a helix dipole model.

  11. A highly selective fluorescent chemosensor for CN- based on a novel bis(salamo)-type tetraoxime ligand

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, Fei; Gao, Lei; Zhao, Qing; Zhang, Yang; Dong, Wen-Kui; Ding, Yu-Jie

    2018-02-01

    The optical properties of a novel chemosensor for cyanide anions based on a symmetric bis(salamo)-type ligand (H3L) were investigated by UV-Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy in MeOH/H2O (1:1 v/v) solution. Sensor H3L can selectively sense CN- based on prominent color changes among other anions. The chemosensor exhibits an apparent fluorescence enhancement at 482 nm to CN- which because cyanide ions interact with Cdbnd N bonds. Combining the corrected Benesi-Hildebrand formula, the binding constant of the formed host-guest complex was calculated as 2.42 × 105 M- 1. Meanwhile, the detection limit of the sensor toward CN- was 8.91 × 10- 7 M. It is worth noting that the designed sensor can be used for rapid detection of cyanide anions in basic pH range, and has great practical value.

  12. Binding efficiency of recombinant collagen-binding basic fibroblast growth factors (CBD-bFGFs) and their promotion for NIH-3T3 cell proliferation.

    PubMed

    Wu, Zhenxu; Zhou, Yulai; Chen, Li; Hu, Mingxin; Wang, Yu; Li, Linlong; Wang, Zongliang; Zhang, Peibiao

    2018-03-01

    The recombinant basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) containing collagen-binding domain (CBD) has been found to be a potential therapeutic factor in tissue regeneration. However, its binding efficiency and quantification remain uncertain. In this research, massive recombinant bFGFs with good bioactivity for enhancing the proliferation of NIH-3T3 cells were achieved. An ELISA-based quantitative method was set up to investigate the binding efficiency of CBD-bFGFs on collagen films. It indicated that the CBDs significantly increased the collagen-binding ability of bFGF (P < .05), with the optimum binding condition first determined to be in the pH range of 7.5-9.5 (P < .05). Then, the relevant equations to calculate the binding density of bFGF, C-bFGF, and V-bFGF were acquired. Analysis confirmed that the bioactivity of immobilized bFGFs was well correlated with the density of growth factor on collagen films. Based on this research, the density of growth factor is a logical and applicable dosage unit for quantification of binding efficiency of growth factors, rather than traditional concentration of soluble growth factors in tissue engineering applications. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  13. 40 CFR 467.32 - Effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... 150.25 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the range of 7.0 to 10.0 at all times. Subpart C Solution Heat Treatment... wastewater in which case the pH shall be within the range of 6.0 to 10.0 at all times. Subpart C Press Heat...

  14. Adsorption of Cr(III) on ozonised activated carbon. Importance of Cpi-cation interactions.

    PubMed

    Rivera-Utrilla, J; Sánchez-Polo, M

    2003-08-01

    The adsorption of Cr(III) in aqueous solution was investigated on a series of ozonised activated carbons, analysing the effect of oxygenated surface groups on the adsorption process. A study was carried out to determine the adsorption isotherms and the influence of the pH on the adsorption of this metal. The adsorption capacity and affinity of the adsorbent for Cr(III) increased with the increase in oxygenated acid groups on the surface of the activated carbon. These findings imply that electrostatic-type interactions predominate in the adsorption process, although the adsorption of Cr(III) on the original (basic) carbon indicates that other forces also participate in the adsorption process. Thus, the ionic exchange of protons in the -Cpi-H3O(+) interaction for Cr(III) accounts for the adsorption of cationic species in basic carbons with positive charge density. Study of the influence of pH on the adsorption of Cr(III) showed that, in each system, the maximum adsorption occurred when the charge of the carbon surface was opposite that of the species of Cr(III) present at the pH of the experiment. These results confirmed that electrostatic interactions predominate in the adsorption process.

  15. Design of an optically stable pH sensor based on immobilization of Giemsa on triacetylcellulose membrane.

    PubMed

    Khodadoust, Saeid; Kouri, Narges Cham; Talebiyanpoor, Mohammad Sharif; Deris, Jamile; Pebdani, Arezou Amiri

    2015-12-01

    In this work a simple, inexpensive, and sensitive optical sensor based on triacetylcellulose membrane as solid support was developed by using immobilization of Giemsa indicator for pH measurement. In this method, the influence variables on the membrane performance including pH concentration of indicator, response time, ionic strength, and reversibility were investigated. At optimum values of all variables the response of optical pH sensor is linear in the pH range of 3.0-12.0. This optical sensor was produced through simultaneous binding of the Giemsa on the activated triacetylcellulose membrane which responded to the pH changes in a broader linear range within less than 2.0 min and suitable reproducibility (RSD<5%). Stability results showed that this sensor was stable after 6 months of storage in the water/ethanol (50:50, v/v) solution without any measurable divergence in response properties (less than 5% RSD). Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  16. Effect of peach gum polysaccharides on quality changes of white shrimp.

    PubMed

    Yao, Xing-Cun; Chang, Cheng-Fei; Wu, Sheng-Jun

    2015-01-01

    Peach gum polysaccharides (PGPs) have both antibacterial and antioxidant activities. In this study, the retardation effect of the PGPs on the quality changes of white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) during refrigerated storage was investigated. Shrimp samples were untreated with different concentrations of the PGPs solution and then they were stored under refrigerated conditions for 10 days. During refrigerated storage, shrimp samples were taken periodically and their total viable count, pH value, total volatile basic nitrogen, and overall acceptability score were evaluated. Compared to the control, treatment of the PGPs solution effectively retarded bacterial growth and pH changes, reduced total volatile basic nitrogen, and increased overall acceptability score of white shrimp (P. vannamei) during refrigerated storage. The results indicate that treatment of PGPs could be a promising means to preserve white shrimp (P. vannamei). Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  17. Ratiometric Near-Infrared Fluorescent Probes Based On Through-Bond Energy Transfer and π-Conjugation Modulation between Tetraphenylethene and Hemicyanine Moieties for Sensitive Detection of pH Changes in Live Cells.

    PubMed

    Wang, Jianbo; Xia, Shuai; Bi, Jianheng; Fang, Mingxi; Mazi, Wafa; Zhang, Yibin; Conner, Nathan; Luo, Fen-Tair; Lu, H Peter; Liu, Haiying

    2018-04-18

    In this paper, we present three ratiometric near-infrared fluorescent probes (A-C) for accurate, ratiometric detection of intracellular pH changes in live cells. Probe A consists of a tetraphenylethene (TPE) donor and near-infrared hemicyanine acceptor in a through-bond energy transfer (TBET) strategy, while probes B and C are composed of TPE and hemicyanine moieties through single and double sp 2 carbon-carbon bond connections in a π-conjugation modulation strategy. The specific targeting of the probes to lysosomes in live cells was achieved by introducing morpholine residues to the hemicyanine moieties to form closed spirolactam ring structures. Probe A shows aggregation-induced emission (AIE) property at neutral or basic pH, while probes B and C lack AIE properties. At basic or neutral pH, the probes only show fluorescence of TPE moieties with closed spirolactam forms of hemicyanine moieties, and effectively avoid blind fluorescence imaging spots, an issue which typical intensity-based pH fluorescent probes encounter. Three probes show ratiometric fluorescence responses to pH changes from 7.0 to 3.0 with TPE fluorescence decreases and hemicyanine fluorescence increases, because acidic pH makes the spirolactam rings open to enhance π-conjugation of hemicyanine moieties. However, probe A shows much more sensitive ratiometric fluorescence responses to pH changes from 7.0 to 3.0 with remarkable ratio increase of TPE fluorescence to hemicyanine fluorescence up to 238-fold than probes B and C because of its high efficiency of energy transfer from TPE donor to the hemicyanine acceptor in the TBET strategy. The probe offers dual Stokes shifts with a large pseudo-Stokes shift of 361 nm and well-defined dual emissions, and allows for colocalization of the imaging readouts of visible and near-infrared fluorescence channels to achieve more precisely double-checked ratiometric fluorescence imaging. These platforms could be employed to develop a variety of novel ratiometric fluorescent probes for accurate detection of different analytes in applications of chemical and biological sensing, imaging, and diagnostics by introducing appropriate sensing ligands to hemicyanine moieties to form on-off spirolactam switches.

  18. 40 CFR 467.32 - Effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... 150.25 pH (1) (1) 1 Within the range of 7.0 to 10.0 at all times. Subpart C Solution Heat Treatment... wastewater in which case the pH shall be within the range of 6.0 to 10.0 at all times. Subpart C Press Heat...

  19. Physicochemical characterization of phyllanthin from Phyllanthus amarus Schum. et Thonn.

    PubMed

    Hanh, Nguyen Duc; Sinchaipanid, Nuttanan; Mitrevej, Ampol

    2014-06-01

    Phyllanthin is a major bioactive lignan component of Phyllanthus amarus, with several known biological activities. This study dealt with the isolation and physicochemical characterization of phyllanthin. Phyllanthin was isolated from P. amarus leaves by column chromatography and purified by recrystallization to obtain phyllanthin crystals with a purity of more than 98%. UV, IR, MS, (1)H NMR and (13)C NMR spectra were employed to identify phyllanthin. The physicochemical properties of phyllanthin were characterized using differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, pH-solubility, ionization property and lipophilicity. The results indicated that phyllanthin crystals had the melting point and melting enthalpy range of 96.67-97.03 °C and 109.61-116.34 J/g, respectively. Three kinds of phyllanthin crystals, recrystallized by petroleum ether, absolute ethanol and 25% ethanol solution, showed only one polymorph and no polymorphic impurity. Phyllanthin in a solid state was found to undergo significant thermal decomposition above 200 °C. The compound demonstrated good stability in aqueous solution over a pH range of 1.07-10.02 for at least 4 h. The solubility of phyllanthin appeared to be pH-independent of pH range from 1.07 to 10.26. Ionization property studied by absorbance spectroscopy method was in agreement with the result of pH-solubility study, showing that phyllanthin has no pKa over a pH range of 1.12-10.02. The log Pow value of phyllanthin was found to be 3.30 ± 0.05 at pH 7.48, suggesting that phyllanthin may have good permeability through biological membranes. The findings could be useful tools for the development of stable and bioavailable oral dosage forms of phyllanthin.

  20. Approach to method development and validation in capillary electrophoresis for enantiomeric purity testing of active basic pharmaceutical ingredients.

    PubMed

    Sokoliess, Torsten; Köller, Gerhard

    2005-06-01

    A chiral capillary electrophoresis system allowing the determination of the enantiomeric purity of an investigational new drug was developed using a generic method development approach for basic analytes. The method was optimized in terms of type and concentration of both cyclodextrin (CD) and electrolyte, buffer pH, temperature, voltage, and rinsing procedure. Optimal chiral separation of the analyte was obtained using an electrolyte with 2.5% carboxymethyl-beta-CD in 25 mM NaH2PO4 (pH 4.0). Interchanging the inlet and outlet vials after each run improved the method's precision. To assure the method's suitability for the control of enantiomeric impurities in pharmaceutical quality control, its specificity, linearity, precision, accuracy, and robustness were validated according to the requirements of the International Conference on Harmonization. The usefulness of our generic method development approach for the validation of robustness was demonstrated.

  1. Removal of arsenic from water using manganese (III) oxide: Adsorption of As(III) and As(V).

    PubMed

    Babaeivelni, Kamel; Khodadoust, Amid P

    2016-01-01

    Removal of arsenic from water was evaluated with manganese (III) oxide (Mn2O3) as adsorbent. Adsorption of As(III) and As(V) onto Mn2O3 was favorable according to the Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption equilibrium equations, while chemisorption of arsenic occurred according to the Dubinin-Radushkevich equation. Adsorption parameters from the Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin equations showed a greater adsorption and removal of As(III) than As(V) by Mn2O3. Maximum removal of As(III) and As(V) occurred at pH 3-9 and at pH 2, respectively, while removal of As(V) in the pH range of 6-9 was 93% (pH 6) to 61% (pH 9) of the maximum removal. Zeta potential measurements for Mn2O3 in As(III) was likely converted to As(V) solutions indicated that As(III) was likely converted to As(V) on the Mn2O3 surface at pH 3-9. Overall, the effective Mn2O3 sorbent rapidly removed As(III) and As(V) from water in the pH range of 6-9 for natural waters.

  2. A synthetic multifunctional mammalian pH sensor and CO2 transgene-control device.

    PubMed

    Ausländer, David; Ausländer, Simon; Charpin-El Hamri, Ghislaine; Sedlmayer, Ferdinand; Müller, Marius; Frey, Olivier; Hierlemann, Andreas; Stelling, Jörg; Fussenegger, Martin

    2014-08-07

    All metabolic activities operate within a narrow pH range that is controlled by the CO2-bicarbonate buffering system. We hypothesized that pH could serve as surrogate signal to monitor and respond to the physiological state. By functionally rewiring the human proton-activated cell-surface receptor TDAG8 to chimeric promoters, we created a synthetic signaling cascade that precisely monitors extracellular pH within the physiological range. The synthetic pH sensor could be adjusted by organic acids as well as gaseous CO2 that shifts the CO2-bicarbonate balance toward hydrogen ions. This enabled the design of gas-programmable logic gates, provided remote control of cellular behavior inside microfluidic devices, and allowed for CO2-triggered production of biopharmaceuticals in standard bioreactors. When implanting cells containing the synthetic pH sensor linked to production of insulin into type 1 diabetic mice developing diabetic ketoacidosis, the prosthetic network automatically scored acidic pH and coordinated an insulin expression response that corrected ketoacidosis. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  3. Improved fiber-optic chemical sensor for penicillin

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Healy, B.G.; Walt, D.R.

    An optical penicillin biosensor is described, based on the enzyme penicillinase. The sensor is fabricated by selective photodeposition of analyte-sensitive polymer matrices on optical imaging fibers. The penicillin-sensitive matrices are fabricated by immobilizing the enzyme as micrometer-sized particles in a polymer hydrogel with a covalently bound pH indicator. An array of penicillin-sensitive and pH-sensitive matrices are fabricated on the same fiber. This array allows for the simultaneous, independent measurement of pH and penicillin. Independent measurement of the two analytes allows penicillin to be quantitated in the presence of a concurrent pH change. An analysis was conducted of enzyme kinetic parametersmore » in order to model the penicillin response of the sensor at all pH values. This analysis accounts for the varying activity of the immobilized penicillinase at different pH values. The sensor detects penicillin in the range 0.25-10.0 mM in the pH range 6.2-7.5. The sensor was used to quantify penicillin concentration produced during a Penicillium chrysogenum fermentation. 27 refs., 7 figs., 1 tab.« less

  4. Chemical evolution. XXIX - Pyrimidines from hydrogen cyanide

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Ferris, J. P.; Joshi, P. C.; Lawless, J. G.

    1978-01-01

    Compounds obtained by hydrolysis of HCN oligomers formed by allowing pH 9.2, 0.1 M cyanide to stand at room temperature for 4 to 12 months were analyzed. Hydrolysis of HCN oligomers yielded 4,5-dihydroxypyrimidine and 5-hydroxyuracil; orotic acid was detected after hydrolysis at pH 8.5. A unified pathway from diaminofumaronitrile to the pyrimidines observed is suggested. As purines, pyrimidines and amino acids are released by hydrolysis of HCN oligomers in either acidic or mildly basic aqueous solutions, they could have been formed on the primitive earth in spite of fluctuations in pH. 4,5-dihydroxypyrimidines appear to be likely candidates for incorporation into primitive nucleic acids, as they should undergo Watson-Crick hydrogen bonding with adenine.

  5. pH-Controlled Assembly of DNA Tiles

    DOE PAGES

    Amodio, Alessia; Adedeji, Abimbola Feyisara; Castronovo, Matteo; ...

    2016-09-15

    We demonstrate a strategy to trigger and finely control the assembly of supramolecular DNA nanostructures with pH. Control is achieved via a rationally designed strand displacement circuit that responds to pH and activates a downstream DNA tile self-assembly process. We observe that the DNA structures form under neutral/basic conditions, while the self-assembly process is suppressed under acidic conditions. The strategy presented here demonstrates a modular approach toward building systems capable of processing biochemical inputs and finely controlling the assembly of DNA-based nanostructures under isothermal conditions. In particular, the presented architecture is relevant for the development of complex DNA devices ablemore » to sense and respond to molecular markers associated with abnormal metabolism.« less

  6. pH-Controlled Assembly of DNA Tiles

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Amodio, Alessia; Adedeji, Abimbola Feyisara; Castronovo, Matteo

    We demonstrate a strategy to trigger and finely control the assembly of supramolecular DNA nanostructures with pH. Control is achieved via a rationally designed strand displacement circuit that responds to pH and activates a downstream DNA tile self-assembly process. We observe that the DNA structures form under neutral/basic conditions, while the self-assembly process is suppressed under acidic conditions. The strategy presented here demonstrates a modular approach toward building systems capable of processing biochemical inputs and finely controlling the assembly of DNA-based nanostructures under isothermal conditions. In particular, the presented architecture is relevant for the development of complex DNA devices ablemore » to sense and respond to molecular markers associated with abnormal metabolism.« less

  7. Optimized and validated flow-injection spectrophotometric analysis of topiramate, piracetam and levetiracetam in pharmaceutical formulations.

    PubMed

    Hadad, Ghada M; Abdel-Salam, Randa A; Emara, Samy

    2011-12-01

    Application of a sensitive and rapid flow injection analysis (FIA) method for determination of topiramate, piracetam, and levetiracetam in pharmaceutical formulations has been investigated. The method is based on the reaction with ortho-phtalaldehyde and 2-mercaptoethanol in a basic buffer and measurement of absorbance at 295 nm under flow conditions. Variables affecting the determination such as sample injection volume, pH, ionic strength, reagent concentrations, flow rate of reagent and other FIA parameters were optimized to produce the most sensitive and reproducible results using a quarter-fraction factorial design, for five factors at two levels. Also, the method has been optimized and fully validated in terms of linearity and range, limit of detection and quantitation, precision, selectivity and accuracy. The method was successfully applied to the analysis of pharmaceutical preparations.

  8. Protein crystal growth in low gravity

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Feigelson, Robert S.

    1987-01-01

    The solubility and growth mechanism of canavalin were studied, and the applicability of the Schlieren technique to protein crystal growth was investigated. Canavalin which may be crystallized from a basic solution by the addition of hydrogen (H+) ions was shown to have normal solubility characteristics over the range of temperatures (5 to 25 C) and pH (5 to 7.5) studied. The solubility data combined with growth rate data gathered from the seeded growth of canavalin crystals indicated that the growth mechanism at high supersaturation ratios (>1.28) is screw dislocation like. A Schlieren apparatus was constructed and flow patterns were observed in Rochelle salt (sodium potassium tartrate), lysozyme, and canavalin. The critical parameters were identified as the change in density with concentration (dp/dc) and the change in index of refraction with concentration (dn/dc). Some of these values were measured for the materials listed.

  9. DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Kakade, S. G., E-mail: sundipkakade@gmail.com, E-mail: ydk@physics.unipune.ac.in; Department of Physics, Sir Parashurambhau College, Pune-411 030; Kambale, R. C.

    Cobalt ferrite (CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}) shown to be promising candidate for applications such as high-density magnetic recording, enhanced memory storage, magnetic fluids and catalysts. Utility of ferrite nanoparticles depends on its size, dispersibility in solutions, and magnetic properties. We have investigated the structural properties of synthesized cobalt ferrite nanoparticles synthesized by sol gel auto combustion for uncontrolled, acidic, neutral and basic pH values. X-ray diffraction (XRD) study confirms the cubic spinel phase formation with lattice constant 8.38 Å. In this study, we have optimized the pH value to synthesize homogenous cobalt ferrite nanoparticles with enhanced magnetic behavior. The surface morphologymore » has been investigated by employing SEM images and the confirmation of spinel ferrite was also supported by using IR spectroscopy. Magnetic measurements for CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} compositions (with pH <1, pH = 3, 7, 10) were investigated using VSM measurements.« less

  10. An All-Solid-State pH Sensor Employing Fluorine-Terminated Polycrystalline Boron-Doped Diamond as a pH-Insensitive Solution-Gate Field-Effect Transistor.

    PubMed

    Shintani, Yukihiro; Kobayashi, Mikinori; Kawarada, Hiroshi

    2017-05-05

    A fluorine-terminated polycrystalline boron-doped diamond surface is successfully employed as a pH-insensitive SGFET (solution-gate field-effect transistor) for an all-solid-state pH sensor. The fluorinated polycrystalline boron-doped diamond (BDD) channel possesses a pH-insensitivity of less than 3mV/pH compared with a pH-sensitive oxygenated channel. With differential FET (field-effect transistor) sensing, a sensitivity of 27 mv/pH was obtained in the pH range of 2-10; therefore, it demonstrated excellent performance for an all-solid-state pH sensor with a pH-sensitive oxygen-terminated polycrystalline BDD SGFET and a platinum quasi-reference electrode, respectively.

  11. Studying the influence of stem composition in pH-sensitive molecular beacons onto their sensing properties.

    PubMed

    Dembska, Anna; Kierzek, Elzbieta; Juskowiak, Bernard

    2017-10-16

    Intracellular sensing using fluorescent molecular beacons is a potentially useful strategy for real-time, in vivo monitoring of important cellular events. This work is focused on evaluation of pyrene excimer signaling molecular beacons (MBs) for the monitoring of pH changes in vitro as well as inside living cells. The recognition element in our MB called pHSO (pH-sensitive oligonucleotide) is the loop enclosing cytosine-rich fragment that is able to form i-motif structure in a specific pH range. However, alteration of a sequence of the 6 base pairs containing stem of MB allowed the design of pHSO probes that exhibited different dynamic pH range and possessed slightly different transition midpoint between i-motif and open loop configuration. Moreover, this conformational transition was accompanied by spectral changes showing developed probes different pyrene excimer-monomer emission ratio triggered by pH changes. The potential of these MBs for intracellular pH sensing is demonstrated on the example of HeLa cells line. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  12. Host origin determines pH tolerance of Tritrichomonas foetus isolates from the feline gastrointestinal and bovine urogenital tracts.

    PubMed

    Morin-Adeline, Victoria; Fraser, Stuart T; Stack, Colin; Šlapeta, Jan

    2015-10-01

    The ability for protozoan parasites to tolerate pH fluctuations within their niche is critical for the establishment of infection and require the parasite to be capable of adapting to a distinct pH range. We used two host adapted Tritrichomonas foetus isolates, capable of infecting either the digestive tract (pH 5.3-6.6) of feline hosts or the reproductive tract (pH 7.4-7.8) of bovine hosts to address their adaptability to changing pH. Using flow cytometry, we investigated the pH tolerance of the bovine and feline T. foetus isolates over a range of physiologically relevant pH in vitro. Following exposure to mild acid stress (pH 6), the bovine T. foetus isolates showed a significant decrease in cell viability and increased cytoplasmic granularity (p-value < 0.003, p-value < 0.0002) compared to pH 7 and 8 (p-value > 0.7). In contrast, the feline genotype displayed an enhanced capacity to maintain cell morphology and viability (p-value > 0.05). Microscopic assessment revealed that following exposure to a weak acidic stress (pH 6), the bovine T. foetus transformed into rounded parasites with extended cell volumes and displays a decrease in viability. The higher tolerance for acidic extracellular environment of the feline isolate compared to the bovine isolate suggests that pH could be a critical factor in regulating T. foetus infections and host-specificity. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  13. Relationship Between pH and Electrochemical Corrosion Behavior of Thermal-Sprayed Ni-Al-Coated Q235 Steel in Simulated Soil Solutions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wei, Wei; Wu, Xin-qiang; Ke, Wei; Xu, Song; Feng, Bing; Hu, Bo-tao

    2017-09-01

    Electrochemical corrosion behavior of a thermal-sprayed Ni-Al-coated Q235 steel was investigated in the simulated soil solutions at different pH values using measurements of potentiodynamic polarization curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy as well as surface analyses including x-ray diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscope equipped with an energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results showed that the corrosion resistance of the Ni-Al-coated Q235 steel was dependent on the pH of the test solution. From pH = 3.53 to pH = 4.79, the corrosion resistance of the coated steel increased rapidly. In the pH range from 4.79 to 12.26, the corrosion resistance exhibited no significant change. At pH 13.25, the corrosion resistance of the sample was found to decrease. The calculated corrosion rate of Ni-Al-coated Q235 steel was lower than that of the uncoated Q235 steel and galvanized steel in all the test solutions. Over a wide range of pH values, the Ni-Al-coated Q235 steel exhibited extremely good corrosion resistance. The experimental data together with the potential-pH diagrams provided a basis for a detailed discussion of the related corrosion mechanisms of the coated steel.

  14. Investigating controls on boron isotope ratios in shallow marine carbonates

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhang, Shuang; Henehan, Michael J.; Hull, Pincelli M.; Reid, R. Pamela; Hardisty, Dalton S.; Hood, Ashleigh v. S.; Planavsky, Noah J.

    2017-01-01

    The boron isotope-pH proxy has been widely used to reconstruct past ocean pH values. In both planktic foraminifera and corals, species-specific calibrations are required in order to reconstruct absolute values of pH, due to the prevalence of so-called vital effects - physiological modification of the primary environmental signals by the calcifying organisms. Shallow marine abiotic carbonate (e.g. ooids and cements) could conceivably avoid any such calibration requirement, and therefore provide a potentially useful archive for reconstructions in deep (pre-Cenozoic) time. However, shallow marine abiotic carbonates could also be affected by local shifts in pH caused by microbial photosynthesis and respiration, something that has up to now not been fully tested. In this study, we present boron isotope measurements from shallow modern marine carbonates, from the Bahama Bank and Belize to investigate the potential of using shallow water carbonates as pH archives, and to explore the role of microbial processes in driving nominally 'abiogenic' carbonate deposition. For Bahama bank samples, our boron-based pH estimates derived from a range of carbonate types (i.e. ooids, peloids, hardground cements, carbonate mud, stromatolitic micrite and calcified filament micrite) are higher than the estimated modern mean-annual seawater pH values for this region. Furthermore, the majority (73%) of our marine carbonate-based pH estimates fall out of the range of the estimated pre-industrial seawater pH values for this region. In shallow sediment cores, we did not observe a correlation between measured pore water pH and boron-derived pH estimates, suggesting boron isotope variability is a depositional rather than early diagenetic signal. For Belize reef cements, conversely, the pH estimates are lower than likely in situ seawater pH at the time of cement formation. This study indicates the potential for complications when using shallow marine non-skeletal carbonates as marine pH archives. In addition, variability in δ11B based pH estimates provides additional support for the idea that photosynthetic CO2 uptake plays a significant role in driving carbonate precipitation in a wide range of shallow water carbonates.

  15. pH-Dependent Singlet O2 Oxidation Kinetics of Guanine and 9-Methylguanine: An Online Mass Spectrometry and Spectroscopy Study Combined with Theoretical Exploration.

    PubMed

    Lu, Wenchao; Sun, Yan; Zhou, Wenjing; Liu, Jianbo

    2018-01-11

    We report a kinetic and mechanistic study on the title reactions, in which 1 O 2 was generated by the reaction of H 2 O 2 with Cl 2 and bubbled into an aqueous solution of guanine and 9-methylguanine (9MG) at different pH values. Oxidation kinetics and product branching ratios were measured using online electrospray ionization mass spectrometry coupled with absorption and emission spectrophotometry, and product structures were determined by collision-induced dissociation (CID) tandem mass spectrometry. Experiments revealed strong pH dependence of the reactions. The oxidation of guanine is noticeable only in basic solution, while the oxidation of 9MG is weak in acidic solution, increases in neutral solution, and becomes intensive in basic solution. 5-Guanidinohydantoin (Gh) and spiroiminodihydantoin (Sp) were detected as the major oxidation products of guanine and 9MG, and Sp became dominant in basic solution. A reaction intermediate was captured in mass spectra, and assigned to gem-diol on the basis of CID measurements. This intermediate served as the precursor for the formation of Gh. After taking into account solution compositions at each pH, first-order oxidation rate constants were extracted for individual species: that is, 3.2-3.6 × 10 7 M -1 s -1 for deprotonated guanine, and 1.2 × 10 6 and 4.6-4.9 × 10 7 M -1 s -1 for neutral and deprotonated 9MG, respectively. Guided by approximately spin-projected density-functional-theory-calculated reaction potential energy surfaces, the kinetics for the initial 1 O 2 addition to guanine and 9MG was evaluated using transition state theory (TST). The comparison between TST modeling and experiment confirms that 1 O 2 addition is rate-limiting for oxidation, which forms endoperoxide and peroxide intermediates as determined in previous measurements of the same systems in the gas phase.

  16. The preparation and evaluation of salt forms of linogliride with reduced solubilities as candidates for extended release.

    PubMed

    Chrzanowski, Frank A; Ahmad, Kaleem

    2017-03-01

    Salts of linogliride with reduced solubilities were prepared and evaluated as potential candidates for extended-release oral dosage forms. A once-daily dose of 300-800 mg was intended. Seven acids were selected: p-acetamidobenzoic, benzoic, p-hydroxybenzoic, 3-hydroxy-2-naphthoic, 1-napsylic, pamoic, and p-toluenesulfonic acids but only four salts were able to be prepared in suitable quantities for evaluation: linogliride pamoate, p-hydroxybenzoate, 3-hydroxy-2-naphthoate, and 1-napsylate. The pH-solubility profiles of the four new salts, free base, and fumarate salt were compared over the pH 1.43-8.3 range and the intrinsic dissolution rates of the four new salts and the free base were determined at pH 1.43, 4.4, and 7.5. The range of the pH-solubility profile and intrinsic dissolution rates of the p-hydroxybenzoate salt were less than the free base and fumarate and higher than the other three new salts. The pH-solubilities and intrinsic dissolution rates of the 1-napsylate salt were pH-independent. The solubilities and intrinsic dissolution rates of the pamoate and 3-hydroxy-2-naphthoate were higher at pH 1.4-3.4 than at higher pH. At pH 4.4 and higher, the solubilities were essentially the same, in the 1-2 mg/mL range. The intrinsic dissolution rates were also very low and not very different. Dissolution studies with capsules containing 800 mg doses of the pamoate, 1-napsylate, free base, and fumarate performed in a dissolution medium of pH beginning at 2.2 and ending at 6.8 demonstrated that the pamoate and 1-napsylate salt forms dissolved slower and could be useful as extended-release forms.

  17. Geochemistry of highly basic calcium hydroxide groundwater in Jordan

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Barnes, I.; Presser, T.S.; Saines, M.; Dickson, P.; Van Groos, A. F. K.

    1982-01-01

    Highly-alkaline (pH > 12.5) meteoric waters of a Ca2+OH--type issue from naturally calcined bituminous marl. The cold (16.5 ??? T(??C) ??? 19.1) waters are super-saturated with minerals thought to be of high-temperature origin. ?? 1982.

  18. Molecular aspects of bacterial pH sensing and homeostasis

    PubMed Central

    Krulwich, Terry A.; Sachs, George; Padan, Etana

    2011-01-01

    Diverse mechanisms for pH-sensing and cytoplasmic pH homeostasis enable most bacteria to tolerate or grow at external pH values that are outside the cytoplasmic pH range they must maintain for growth. The most extreme cases are exemplified by the extremophiles that inhabit environments whose pH is below 3 or above 11. Here we describe how recent insights into the structure and function of key molecules and their regulators reveal novel strategies of bacterial pH-homeostasis. These insights may help us better target certain pathogens and better harness the capacities of environmental bacteria. PMID:21464825

  19. Switchable pH-responsive polymeric membranes prepared via block copolymer micelle assembly.

    PubMed

    Nunes, Suzana P; Behzad, Ali Reza; Hooghan, Bobby; Sougrat, Rachid; Karunakaran, Madhavan; Pradeep, Neelakanda; Vainio, Ulla; Peinemann, Klaus-Viktor

    2011-05-24

    A process is described to manufacture monodisperse asymmetric pH-responsive nanochannels with very high densities (pore density >2 × 10(14) pores per m(2)), reproducible in m(2) scale. Cylindric pores with diameters in the sub-10 nm range and lengths in the 400 nm range were formed by self-assembly of metal-block copolymer complexes and nonsolvent-induced phase separation. The film morphology was tailored by taking into account the stability constants for a series of metal-polymer complexes and confirmed by AFM. The distribution of metal-copolymer micelles was imaged by transmission electron microscopy tomography. The pH response of the polymer nanochannels is the strongest reported with synthetic pores in the nm range (reversible flux increase of more than 2 orders of magnitude when switching the pH from 2 to 8) and could be demonstrated by cryo-field emission scanning electron microscopy, SAXS, and ultra/nanofiltration experiments.

  20. Zr/ZrO2 sensors for in situ measurement of pH in high-temperature and -pressure aqueous solutions.

    PubMed

    Zhang, R H; Zhang, X T; Hu, S M

    2008-04-15

    The aim of this study is to develop new pH sensors that can be used to test and monitor hydrogen ion activity in hydrothermal conditions. A Zr/ZrO2 oxidation electrode is fabricated for in situ pH measurement of high-temperature aqueous solutions. This sensor responds rapidly and precisely to pH over a wide range of temperature and pressure. The Zr/ZrO2 electrode was made by oxidizing zirconium metal wire with Na2CO3 melt, which produced a thin film of ZrO2 on its surface. Thus, an oxidation-reduction electrode was produced. The Zr/ZrO2 electrode has a good electrochemical stability over a wide range of pH in high-temperature aqueous solutions when used with a Ag/AgCl reference electrode. Measurements of the Zr/ZrO2 sensor potential against a Ag/AgCl reference electrode is shown to vary linearly with pH between temperatures 20 and 200 degrees C. The slope of the potential versus pH at high temperature is slightly below the theoretical value indicated by the Nernst equation; such deviation is attributed to the fact that the sensor is not strictly at equilibrium with the solution to be tested in a short period of time. The Zr/ZrO2 sensor can be calibrated over the conditions that exist in the natural deep-seawater. Our studies showed that the Zr/ZrO2 electrode is a suitable pH sensor for the hydrothermal systems at midocean ridge or other geothermal systems with the high-temperature environment. Yttria-stabilized zirconia sensors have also been used to investigate the pH of hydrothermal fluids in hot springs vents at midocean ridge. These sensors, however, are not sensitive below 200 degrees C. Zr/ZrO2 sensors have wider temperature range and can be severed as good alternative sensors for measuring the pH of hydrothermal fluids.

  1. Effect of pH on the stability of hemochromatosis factor E: a combined spectroscopic and molecular dynamics simulation-based study.

    PubMed

    Khan, Parvez; Shandilya, Ashutosh; Jayaram, B; Islam, Asimul; Ahmad, Faizan; Hassan, Md Imtaiyaz

    2017-05-01

    Hereditary hemochromatosis is an iron overburden condition, which is mainly governed by hereditary hemochromatosis factor E (HFE), a member of major histocompatibility complex class I. To understand the effect of pH on the structure and stability of HFE, we have cloned, expressed, and purified the HFE in the bacterial system and performed circular dichroism, fluorescence, and absorbance measurements at a wide pH range (pH 3.0-11.0). We found that HFE remains stable in the pH range 7.5-11.0 and gets completely acid denatured at low pH values. In this work, we also analyzed the contribution of salt bridges to the stability of HFE. We further performed molecular dynamics simulations for 80 ns at different pH values. An excellent agreement was observed between results from biophysical and MD simulation studies. At lower pH, HFE undergoes denaturation and may be driven toward a degradation pathway, such as ubiquitination. Hence, HFE is not available to bind again with transferrin receptor1 to negatively regulate iron homeostasis. Further we postulated that, might be low pH of cancerous cells helps them to meet their high iron requirement.

  2. Comparative evaluation of electrostatic repulsion-hydrophilic interaction chromatography (ERLIC) and high-pH reversed phase (Hp-RP) chromatography in profiling of rat kidney proteome.

    PubMed

    Hao, Piliang; Ren, Yan; Dutta, Bamaprasad; Sze, Siu Kwan

    2013-04-26

    ERLIC and high-pH RP (Hp-RP) have been reported to be promising alternatives to strong cation exchange (SCX) in proteome fractionation. Here we compared the performance of ERLIC, concatenated ERLIC and concatenated Hp-RP in proteome profiling. The protein identification is comparable in these three strategies, but significantly more unique peptides are identified by the two concatenation methods, resulting in a significant increase of the average protein sequence coverage. The pooling of fractions from spaced intervals results in more uniform distribution of peptides in each fraction compared with the chromatogram-based pooling of adjacent fractions. ERLIC fractionates peptides according to their pI and GRAVY values. These properties remains but becomes less remarkable in concatenated ERLIC. In contrast, the average pI and GRAVY values of the peptides are comparable in each fraction in concatenated Hp-RP. ERLIC performs the best in identifying peptides with pI>9 among the three strategies, while concatenated Hp-RP is good at identifying peptides with pI<4. These advantages are useful when either basic or acidic peptides/proteins are analytical targets. The power of ERLIC in identification of basic peptides seems to be due to their efficient separation from acidic peptides. This study facilitates the choice of proper fractionation strategies based on specific objectives. For in-depth proteomic analysis of a cell, tissue and plasma, multidimensional liquid chromatography (MDLC) is still necessary to reduce sample complexity for improving analytical dynamic range and proteome coverage. This work conducts a direct comparison of three promising first-dimensional proteome fractionation methods. They are comparable in identifying proteins, but concatenated ERLIC and concatenated Hp-RP identify significantly more unique peptides than ERLIC. ERLIC is good at analyzing basic peptides, while concatenated Hp-RP performs the best in analyzing acidic peptides with pI<4. This will facilitate the choice of the proper peptide fractionation strategy based on a specific need. A combination of different fractionation strategies can be used to increase the sequence coverage and number of protein identification due to the complementary effect between different methods. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  3. Capillary electrophoretic enantioseparation of basic drugs using a new single-isomer cyclodextrin derivative and theoretical study of the chiral recognition mechanism.

    PubMed

    Liu, Yongjing; Deng, Miaoduo; Yu, Jia; Jiang, Zhen; Guo, Xingjie

    2016-05-01

    A novel single-isomer cyclodextrin derivative, heptakis {2,6-di-O-[3-(1,3-dicarboxyl propylamino)-2-hydroxypropyl]}-β-cyclodextrin (glutamic acid-β-cyclodextrin) was synthesized and used as a chiral selector in capillary electrophoresis for the enantioseparation of 12 basic drugs, including terbutaline, clorprenaline, tulobuterol, clenbuterol, procaterol, carvedilol, econazole, miconazole, homatropine methyl bromide, brompheniramine, chlorpheniramine and pheniramine. The primary factors affecting separation efficiency, which include the background electrolyte pH, the concentration of glutamic acid-β-cyclodextrin and phosphate buffer concentration, were investigated. Satisfactory enantioseparations were obtained using an uncoated fused-silica capillary of 50 cm (effective length 40 cm) × 50 μm id with 120 mM phosphate buffer (pH 2.5-4.0) containing 0.5-4.5 mM glutamic acid-β-cyclodextrin as background electrolyte. A voltage of 20 kV was applied and the capillary temperature was kept at 20°C. The results proved that glutamic acid-β-cyclodextrin was an effective chiral selector for studied 12 basic drugs. Moreover, the possible chiral recognition mechanism of brompheniramine, chlorpheniramine and pheniramine on glutamic acid-β-cyclodextrin was investigated using the semi-empirical Parametric Method 3. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  4. Controllable synthesis of green and blue fluorescent carbon nanodots for pH and Cu(2+) sensing in living cells.

    PubMed

    Shi, Lihong; Li, Yanyan; Li, Xiaofeng; Zhao, Bo; Wen, Xiangping; Zhang, Guomei; Dong, Chuan; Shuang, Shaomin

    2016-03-15

    We report a controllable strategy for fabrication of green and blue fluorescent carbon nanodots (CDs), and demonstrate their applications for pH and Cu(2+) sensing in living cells. Green and blue fluorescent CDs have been synthesized by hydrothermal method and pyrolysis of leeks, respectively, providing an easy way for the production of CDs without the request of tedious synthetic methodology or the use of toxic/expensive solvents and starting materials. Green fluorescent CDs (G-CDs) exhibit high tolerance to pH values and external cations. Blue fluorescent CDs (B-CDs) can be applied to pH and Cu(2+) sensing. The linear range of Cu(2+) detection is 0.01-10.00 μM and the detection limit is 0.05 μM. For pH detection, there is a good linearity in the pH range of 3.5-10.0. The linear and rapid response of B-CDs to Cu(2+) and pH is valuable for Cu(2+) and pH sensing in living cells. Confocal fluorescent imaging of human cervical carcinoma cells indicates that B-CDs could visualize Cu(2+) and pH fluctuations in living cells with negligible autofluorescence. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  5. Aggregation and metal-complexation behaviour of THPP porphyrin in ethanol/water solutions as function of pH

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zannotti, Marco; Giovannetti, Rita; Minofar, Babak; Řeha, David; Plačková, Lydie; D'Amato, Chiara A.; Rommozzi, Elena; Dudko, Hanna V.; Kari, Nuerguli; Minicucci, Marco

    2018-03-01

    The effect of pH change on 5,10,15,20-Tetrakis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-21H,23H-porphine (THPP) with its aggregation as function of water-ethanol mixture was studied with UV-vis, fluorescence, Raman and computational analysis. In neutral pH, THPP was present as free-base and, increasing the water amount, aggregation occurred with the formation of H- and J-aggregates. The aggregation constant and the concentration of dimers were calculated, other information about the dimer aggregation were evaluated by computational study. In acidic pH, by the insertions of two hydrogens in the porphyrin rings, the porphyrin changed its geometry with a ring deformation confirmed by red-shifted spectrum and quenching in fluorescence; at this low pH, increasing the water amount, the acidic form (THPPH2)2 + resulted more stable due to a polar environment with stronger interaction by hydrogen bonding. In basic pH, reached by NH4OH, THPP porphyrin was able to react with alkali metals in order to form sitting-atop complex (M2THPP) confirmed by the typical absorption spectrum of metallo-porphyrin, Raman spectroscopy and by computational analysis.

  6. Surface Chemical Studies on Pyrite in the Presence of Polysaccharide-Based Flotation Depressants.

    PubMed

    Rath; Subramanian; Pradeep

    2000-09-01

    The interaction of dextrin and guar gum with pyrite has been investigated through adsorption, flotation, and electrokinetic measurements. The adsorption densities of the polysaccharides onto pyrite reveal a region of higher adsorption density in the pH range 7.5-11, with a maximum around pH 10 for both polymers. The isotherms exhibit Langmuirian behavior. The adsorption density of guar gum onto pyrite is higher than that of dextrin. Electrokinetic measurements indicate a decrease in the electrophoretic mobility values in proportion to the concentration of the polymer added. Co-precipitation tests confirm polymer-ferric species interaction in the bulk solution, especially in the pH range 5.5-8.5. The pH range for higher adsorption, significant co-precipitation, and appreciable depression of pyrite encompass each other. XPS and FTIR spectroscopic studies provide evidence in support of chemical interaction between hydroxylated pyrite and the hydroxyl groups of the polymeric depressants. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.

  7. Effects of pH on contraction of rabbit fast and slow skeletal muscle fibers.

    PubMed Central

    Chase, P B; Kushmerick, M J

    1988-01-01

    We have investigated (a) effects of varying proton concentration on force and shortening velocity of glycerinated muscle fibers, (b) differences between these effects on fibers from psoas (fast) and soleus (slow) muscles, possibly due to differences in the actomyosin ATPase kinetic cycles, and (c) whether changes in intracellular pH explain altered contractility typically associated with prolonged excitation of fast, glycolytic muscle. The pH range was chosen to cover the physiological pH range (6.0-7.5) as well as pH 8.0, which has often been used for in vitro measurements of myosin ATPase activity. Steady-state isometric force increased monotonically (by about threefold) as pH was increased from pH 6.0; force in soleus (slow) fibers was less affected by pH than in psoas (fast) fibers. For both fiber types, the velocity of unloaded shortening was maximum near resting intracellular pH in vivo and was decreased at acid pH (by about one-half). At pH 6.0, force increased when the pH buffer concentration was decreased from 100 mM, as predicted by inadequate pH buffering and pH heterogeneity in the fiber. This heterogeneity was modeled by net proton consumption within the fiber, due to production by the actomyosin ATPase coupled to consumption by the creatine kinase reaction, with replenishment by diffusion of protons in equilibrium with a mobile buffer. Lactate anion had little mechanical effect. Inorganic phosphate (15 mM total) had an additive effect of depressing force that was similar at pH 7.1 and 6.0. By directly affecting the actomyosin interaction, decreased pH is at least partly responsible for the observed decreases in force and velocity in stimulated muscle with sufficient glycolytic capacity to decrease pH. Images FIGURE 1 PMID:2969265

  8. Structure of the S. aureus PI-specific phospholipase C reveals modulation of active site access by a titratable π-cation latched loop†

    PubMed Central

    Goldstein, Rebecca; Cheng, Jiongjia; Stec, Boguslaw; Roberts, Mary F.

    2012-01-01

    Staphylococcus aureus secretes a phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PIPLC) as a virulence factor that is unusual in exhibiting higher activity at acidic pH values than other enzymes in this class. We have determined the crystal structure of this enzyme at pH 4.6 and pH 7.5. Under slightly basic conditions, the S. aureus PI-PLC structure closely follows the conformation of other bacterial PI-PLCs. However, when crystallized under acidic conditions, a large section of mobile loop at the αβ-barrel rim in the vicinity of the active site shows ~10 Å shift. This loop displacement at acidic pH is the result of a titratable intramolecular π-cation interaction between His258 and Phe249. This was verified by a structure of the mutant protein H258Y crystallized at pH 4.6, which does not exhibit the large loop shift. The intramolecular π-cation interaction for S. aureus PI-PLC provides an explanation for the activity of the enzyme at acid pH and also suggests how phosphatidylcholine, as a competitor for Phe249, may kinetically activate this enzyme. PMID:22390775

  9. 40 CFR 410.32 - Effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... (pounds per 1,000 lb) of product BOD5 1.4 0.7 COD 2.8 1.4 TSS 1.4 0.7 ph (1) (1) 1 Within the range 6.0 to... 8.9 4.6 COD 21.3 13.7 TSS 5.5 2.5 ph (1) (1) 1 Within the range 6.0 to 9.0 at all times. ...

  10. Pyrolytic oil of banana (Musa spp.) pseudo-stem via fast process

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Abdullah, Nurhayati; Sulaiman, Fauziah; Taib, Rahmad Mohd

    This study was an attempt to produce bio-oil from banana pseudo-stem, a waste of banana cultivation, using fast pyrolysis technology. The compositions were determined and the thermal degradation behaviour of the raw material was analyzed using Perkin-Elmer Simultaneous Thermal Analyzer (STA) 6000. A 300 g/h fluidized bed bench scale fast pyrolysis unit, assembled with double screw feeders and cyclones, operating at atmospheric pressure, was used to obtain the pyrolysis liquid. The study involves the impact of the following key variables; the reactor temperature in the range of 450–650 °C, and the residence time in the range of 1.00–3.00 s. The particlemore » size was set at 224-400 µm. The properties of the liquid product were analyzed for calorific heating value, pH value, conductivity, water and char content. The basic functional groups of the compositions were also determined using FTIR. The properties of the liquid product were compared with other wood derived bio-oil. The pyrolysis liquids derived from banana pseudo-stem were found to be in an aqueous phase.« less

  11. 40 CFR 410.32 - Effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... (pounds per 1,000 lb) of product BOD5 1.4 0.7 COD 2.8 1.4 TSS 1.4 0.7 ph (1) (1) 1 Within the range 6.0 to... 8.9 4.6 COD 21.3 13.7 TSS 5.5 2.5 ph (1) (1) 1 Within the range 6.0 to 9.0 at all times. ...

  12. 40 CFR 410.32 - Effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... (pounds per 1,000 lb) of product BOD5 1.4 0.7 COD 2.8 1.4 TSS 1.4 0.7 ph (1) (1) 1 Within the range 6.0 to... 8.9 4.6 COD 21.3 13.7 TSS 5.5 2.5 ph (1) (1) 1 Within the range 6.0 to 9.0 at all times. ...

  13. Stability studies on diloxanide furoate: effect of pH, temperature, gastric and intestinal fluids.

    PubMed

    Gadkariem, E A; Belal, F; Abounassif, M A; El-Obeid, H A; E E Ibrahim, K

    2004-04-01

    The degradation of the amoebicide diloxanide furoate in alkaline medium at different temperatures was investigated using both a spectrophotometric and a developed HPLC method. In solutions, the drug was found to undergo decomposition, i.e., temperature and pH dependent. The pH-rate profile at pH between 7.6 and 9.6 indicated a first-order dependence of Kobs on [-OH]. Arrhenius plot obtained at pH 8 was linear between 40 and 63 degrees C. The estimated activation energy of hydrolysis was found to be 18.25 kcal degree.mol(-1). The effect of simulated gastric and intestinal fluids on the drug was also investigated. A new thin-layer chromatographic (TLC) procedure for the fractionation of the drug and its alkaline hydrolysis products has been developed and was found to compare favorably with that of the British Pharmacopoeia. Three hydrolysis products of a basic methanolic solution of the drug, namely furoic acid, diloxanide and methylfuroate could be identified by the use of TLC, HPLC, infrared and mass spectrometry.

  14. Temperature and pH effect on glucose production from pretreated bagasse by a novel species of Citrobacter and other bacteria.

    PubMed

    Jones, Jamila A D; Kerr, R G; Haltli, B A; Tinto, Winston F

    2018-06-01

    Cellulolytic bacteria that produce cellulases, which are active over a range of pH and temperatures, can be used to catalyze hydrolysis of pretreated lignocellulosic material. This is important in the production of second generation biofuels among other biotechnological applications. In this investigation, bacteria isolated from sugarcane bagasse were identified as strains of Enterobacter xiangfangensis , Serratia rubidaea , Klebsiella pneumoniae and a novel species of Citrobacter designated Citrobacter sp. UWIBGS10. The glucose production potential of these strains was studied on thermally and solvent pretreated sugarcane bagasse. This was performed at 24-hour intervals up to 168 hours in the range of pH 5-9 and temperature range 25-40 °C. Maximal concentrations of glucose for Citrobacter sp. UWIBGS10 occurred at pH 6 and 25 °C. For E. xiangfangensis , S. rubidaea , K. pneumoniae glucose concentrations were consistent across the pH and temperature ranges examined. From these results it could be concluded that the bacteria demonstrated ability for lignocellulolytic hydrolysis for the production of glucose and could be further explored for the characterization of commercial cellulolytic enzymes.

  15. pH-Induced precipitation behavior of weakly basic compounds: determination of extent and duration of supersaturation using potentiometric titration and correlation to solid state properties.

    PubMed

    Hsieh, Yi-Ling; Ilevbare, Grace A; Van Eerdenbrugh, Bernard; Box, Karl J; Sanchez-Felix, Manuel Vincente; Taylor, Lynne S

    2012-10-01

    To examine the precipitation and supersaturation behavior of ten weak bases in terms of the relationship between pH-concentration-time profiles and the solid state properties of the precipitated material. Initially the compound was dissolved at low pH, followed by titration with base to induce precipitation. Upon precipitation, small aliquots of acid or base were added to induce slight subsaturation and supersaturation respectively and the resultant pH gradient was determined. The concentration of the unionized species was calculated as a function of time and pH using mass and charge balance equations. Two patterns of behavior were observed in terms of the extent and duration of supersaturation arising following an increase in pH and this behavior could be rationalized based on the crystallization tendency of the compound. For compounds that did not readily crystallize, an amorphous precipitate was formed and a prolonged duration of supersaturation was observed. For compounds that precipitated to crystalline forms, the observed supersaturation was short-lived. This study showed that supersaturation behavior has significant correlation with the solid-state properties of the precipitate and that pH-metric titration methods can be utilized to evaluate the supersaturation behavior.

  16. Mathematical Models for Controlled Drug Release Through pH-Responsive Polymeric Hydrogels.

    PubMed

    Manga, Ramya D; Jha, Prateek K

    2017-02-01

    Hydrogels consisting of weakly charged acidic/basic groups are ideal candidates for carriers in oral delivery, as they swell in response to pH changes in the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in drug entrapment at low pH conditions of the stomach and drug release at high pH conditions of the intestine. We have developed 1-dimensional mathematical models to study the drug release behavior through pH-responsive hydrogels. Models are developed for 3 different cases that vary in the level of rigor, which together can be applied to predict both in vitro (drug release from carrier) and in vivo (drug concentration in the plasma) behavior of hydrogel-drug formulations. A detailed study of the effect of hydrogel and drug characteristics and physiological conditions is performed to gain a fundamental insight into the drug release behavior, which may be useful in the design of pH-responsive drug carriers. Finally, we describe a successful application of these models to predict both in vitro and in vivo behavior of docetaxel-loaded micelle in a pH-responsive hydrogel, as reported in a recent experimental study. Copyright © 2017 American Pharmacists Association®. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  17. Chitosan capped nanoscale Fe-MIL-88B-NH2 metal-organic framework as drug carrier material for the pH responsive delivery of doxorubicin

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sivakumar, P.; Priyatharshni, S.; Nagashanmugam, K. B.; Thanigaivelan, A.; Kumar, K.

    2017-08-01

    In recent years nanoscale metal-organic frameworks (NMOFs) are contributing as an effective material for use in drug delivery and imaging applications due to their porous surfaces and easy surface modifications. In this work, Fe-MIL-88B-NH2 NMOFs were successfully synthesized on facile hydrothermal route and 2-aminoterephthalic acid (NH2-BDC) was employed as a bridging ligand to activate amine functional groups on the surface. Amine functional groups not only serve as a structure stabilizing agent but also enhance the loading efficiency of the doxorubicin (DOX) anticancer drug. A pH responsive DOX release was realized by introducing a positively charged chitosan (Chi) capping layer. Upon Chi-coating, cleavage was observed in the Fe-MIL-88B-NH2 structure at acidic pH, while gel-like insoluble structure was formed at basic pH. By utilizing this phenomenon, a pH responsive DOX release system was developed by using Chi capped Fe-MIL-88B-NH2 NMOFs under the designed pH (4.0-8.0). The results suggest the Chi capped Fe-MIL-88B-NH2 can be a promising candidate for future pH responsive drug delivery systems.

  18. 40 CFR 410.32 - Effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... (pounds per 1,000 lb) of product BOD5 1.4 0.7 COD 2.8 1.4 TSS 1.4 0.7 ph (1) (1) 1 Within the range 6.0 to... 8.9 4.6 COD 21.3 13.7 TSS 5.5 2.5 ph (1) (1) 1 Within the range 6.0 to 9.0 at all times. ...

  19. The Growth Advantage in Stationary-Phase Phenotype Conferred by rpoS Mutations Is Dependent on the pH and Nutrient Environment

    PubMed Central

    Farrell, Michael J.; Finkel, Steven E.

    2003-01-01

    Escherichia coli cells that are aged in batch culture display an increased fitness referred to as the growth advantage in stationary phase, or GASP, phenotype. A common early adaptation to this culture environment is a mutant rpoS allele, such as rpoS819, that results in attenuated RpoS activity. However, it is important to note that during long-term batch culture, environmental conditions are in flux. To date, most studies of the GASP phenotype have focused on identifying alleles that render an advantage in a specific environment, Luria-Bertani broth (LB) batch culture. To determine what role environmental conditions play in rendering relative fitness advantages to E. coli cells carrying either the wild-type or rpoS819 alleles, we performed competitions under a variety of culture conditions in which either the available nutrients, the pH, or both were manipulated. In LB medium, we found that while the rpoS819 allele confers a strong competitive fitness advantage at basic pH, it confers a reduced advantage under neutral conditions, and it is disadvantageous under acidic conditions. Similar results were found using other media. rpoS819 conferred its greatest advantage in basic minimal medium in which either glucose or Casamino Acids were the sole source of carbon and energy. In acidic medium supplemented with either Casamino Acids or glucose, the wild-type allele conferred a slight advantage. In addition, populations were dynamic under all pH conditions tested, with neither the wild-type nor mutant rpoS alleles sweeping a culture. We also found that the strength of the fitness advantage gained during a 10-day incubation is pH dependent. PMID:14645263

  20. Structural and surface functionality changes in reticulated vitreous carbon produced from poly(furfuryl alcohol) with sodium hydroxide additions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Oishi, Silvia Sizuka; Botelho, Edson Cocchieri; Rezende, Mirabel Cerqueira; Ferreira, Neidenêi Gomes

    2017-02-01

    The use of sodium hydroxide to neutralize the acid catalyst increases the storage life of poly(furfuryl alcohol) (PFA) resin avoiding its continuous polymerization. In this work, a concentrated sodium hydroxide solution (NaOH) was added directly to the PFA resin in order to minimize the production of wastes generated when PFA is washed with diluted basic solution. Thus, different amounts of this concentrated basic solution were added to the resin up to reaching pH values of around 3, 5, 7, and 9. From these four types of modified PFA two sample sets of reticulated vitreous carbon (RVC) were processed and heat treated at two different temperatures (1000 and 1700 °C). A correlation among cross-link density of PFA and RVC morphology, structural ordering and surface functionalities was systematically studied using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy techniques. The PFA neutralization (pH 7) led to its higher polymerization degree, promoting a crystallinity decrease on RVC treated at 1000 °C as well as its highest percentages of carboxylic groups on surface. A NaOH excess (pH 9) substantially increased the RVC oxygen content, but its crystallinity remained similar to those for samples from pH 3 and 5 treated at 1000 °C, probably due to the reduced presence of carboxylic group and the lower polymerization degree of its cured resin. Samples with pH 3 and 5 heat treated at 1000 and 1700 °C can be considered the most ordered which indicated that small quantities of NaOH may be advantageous to minimize continuous polymerization of PFA resin increasing its storage life and improving RVC microstructure.

  1. Nanofiltration of Mine Water: Impact of Feed pH and Membrane Charge on Resource Recovery and Water Discharge

    PubMed Central

    Mullett, Mark; Fornarelli, Roberta; Ralph, David

    2014-01-01

    Two nanofiltration membranes, a Dow NF 270 polyamide thin film and a TriSep TS 80 polyamide thin film, were investigated for their retention of ionic species when filtering mine influenced water streams at a range of acidic pH values. The functional iso-electric point of the membranes, characterized by changes in retention over a small pH range, were examined by filtering solutions of sodium sulphate. Both membranes showed changes in retention at pH 3, suggesting a zero net charge on the membranes at this pH. Copper mine drainage and synthetic solutions of mine influenced water were filtered using the same membranes. These solutions were characterized by pH values within 2 and 5, thus crossing the iso-electric point of both membranes. Retention of cations was maximized when the feed solution pH was less than the iso-electric point of the membrane. In these conditions, the membrane has a net positive charge, reducing the transmission rate of cations. From the recoveries of a range of cations, the suitability of nanofiltration was discussed relative to the compliance with mine water discharge criteria and the recovery of valuable commodity metals. The nanofiltration process was demonstrated to offer advantages in metal recovery from mine waste streams, concomitantly enabling discharge criteria for the filtrate disposal to be met. PMID:24957170

  2. Combination of graphene oxide-based solid phase extraction and electro membrane extraction for the preconcentration of chlorophenoxy acid herbicides in environmental samples.

    PubMed

    Tabani, Hadi; Fakhari, Ali Reza; Shahsavani, Abolfath; Behbahani, Mohammad; Salarian, Mani; Bagheri, Akbar; Nojavan, Saeed

    2013-07-26

    Combination of different extraction methods is an interesting and debatable work in the field of sample preparation. In the current study, for the first time, solid phase extraction combined with electro membrane extraction (SPE-EME) was developed for ultra-preconcentration and determination of chlorophenoxy acid herbicides in environmental samples using capillary electrophoresis (CE). In the mentioned method, first, a 100mL of chlorophenoxy acid herbicides (2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (MCPA), 2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy) propanoic acid (2,4-DP) and 2-(4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy) propanoic acid (MCPP)) was passed through a column of graphene oxide as a solid phase, and then the adsorbed herbicides were eluted by 4.0mL of 8% acetic acid (HOAC) in methanol. Then, the elution solvent was evaporated and the herbicides residue was dissolved in 4.0mL of double distilled water (pH 9.0). Afterwards, the herbicides in 4.0mL of the aqueous solution were transferred to an EME glass vial. In the EME step, the herbicides were extracted from the sample solution into the basic acceptor solution (pH 13.0) under electrical potential, which was held inside the lumen of the fiber with 1-octanol as the supported liquid membrane (SLM). Under the optimized conditions, high enrichment factors were obtained in the range of 1950-2000. The limits of quantification (LOQs) and method detection limits (MDLs) were obtained in the range of 1.0-1.5 and 0.3-0.5ngmL(-1), respectively. Finally, the performance of the present method was evaluated for extraction and determination of chlorophenoxy acid herbicides in environmental samples. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  3. pH- and ion-sensitive polymers for drug delivery

    PubMed Central

    Yoshida, Takayuki; Lai, Tsz Chung; Kwon, Glen S; Sako, Kazuhiro

    2013-01-01

    Introduction Drug delivery systems (DDSs) are important for effective, safe, and convenient administration of drugs. pH- and ion-responsive polymers have been widely employed in DDS for site-specific drug release due to their abilities to exploit specific pH- or ion-gradients in the human body. Areas covered Having pH-sensitivity, cationic polymers can mask the taste of drugs and release drugs in the stomach by responding to gastric low pH. Anionic polymers responsive to intestinal high pH are used for preventing gastric degradation of drug, colon drug delivery and achieving high bioavailability of weak basic drugs. Tumor-targeted DDSs have been developed based on polymers with imidazole groups or poly(β-amino ester) responsive to tumoral low pH. Polymers with pH-sensitive chemical linkages, such as hydrazone, acetal, ortho ester and vinyl ester, pH-sensitive cell-penetrating peptides and cationic polymers undergoing pH-dependent protonation have been studied to utilize the pH gradient along the endocytic pathway for intracellular drug delivery. As ion-sensitive polymers, ion-exchange resins are frequently used for taste-masking, counterion-responsive drug release and sustained drug release. Polymers responding to ions in the saliva and gastrointestinal fluids are also used for controlled drug release in oral drug formulations. Expert opinion Stimuli-responsive DDSs are important for achieving site-specific and controlled drug release; however, intraindividual, interindividual and intercellular variations of pH should be considered when designing DDSs or drug products. Combination of polymers and other components, and deeper understanding of human physiology are important for development of pH- and ion-sensitive polymeric DDS products for patients. PMID:23930949

  4. The Influence of pH on Prokaryotic Cell Size and Temperature

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sundararajan, D.; Gutierrez, F.; Heim, N. A.; Payne, J.

    2015-12-01

    The pH of a habitat is essential to an organism's growth and success in its environment. Although most organisms maintain a neutral internal pH, their environmental pH can vary greatly. However, little research has been done concerning an organism's environmental pH across a wide range of taxa. We studied pH tolerance in prokaryotes and its relationship with biovolume, taxonomic classification, and ideal temperature. We had three hypotheses: pH and temperature are not correlated; pH tolerance is similar within taxonomic groups; and extremophiles have small cell sizes. To test these hypotheses, we used pH, size, and taxonomic data from The Prokaryotes. We found that the mean optimum external pH was neutral for prokaryotes as a whole and when divided by domain, phylum, and class. Using ANOVA to test for pH within and among group variances, we found that variation of pH in domains, phyla, classes, and families was greater than between them. pH and size did not show much of a correlation, except that the largest and smallest sized prokaryotes had nearly neutral pH. This seems significant because extremophiles need to divert more of their energy from growth to maintain a neutral internal pH. Acidophiles showed a larger range of optimum pH values than alkaliphiles. A similar result was seen with the minimum and maximum pH values of acidophiles and alkaliphiles. While acidophiles were spread out and had some alkaline maximum values, alkaliphiles had smaller ranges, and unlike some acidophiles that had pH minimums close to zero, alkaliphile pH maximums did not go beyond a pH of 12. No statistically significant differences were found between sizes of acidophiles and alkaliphiles. However, optimum temperatures of acidophiles and alkaliphiles did have a statistically significant difference. pH and temperature had a negative correlation. Therefore, pH seems to have a correlation with cell size, temperature, and taxonomy to some extent.

  5. Proteorhodopsin Photocycle Kinetics Between pH 5 and pH 9.

    PubMed

    Köhler, Thomas; Weber, Ingrid; Glaubitz, Clemens; Wachtveitl, Josef

    2017-05-01

    The retinal protein proteorhodopsin is a homolog of the well-characterized light-driven proton pump bacteriorhodopsin. Basic mechanisms of proton transport seem to be conserved, but there are noticeable differences in the pH ranges of proton transport. Proton transport and protonation state of a carboxylic acid side chain, the primary proton acceptor, are correlated. In case of proteorhodopsin, the pK a of the primary proton acceptor Asp-97 (pK a  ≈ 7.5) is unexpectedly close to environmental pH (pH ≈ 8). A significant fraction of proteorhodopsin is possibly inactive at natural pH, in contrast to bacteriorhodopsin. We investigated photoinduced kinetics of proteorhodopsin between pH 5 and pH 9 by time resolved UV/vis absorption spectroscopy. Kinetics is inhomogeneous within that pH region and can be considered as a superposition of two fractions. These fractions are correlated with the Asp-97 titration curve. Beside Asp-97, protonation equilibria of other groups influence kinetics, but the observations do not point toward major differences of primary proton acceptor function in proteorhodopsin and bacteriorhodopsin. The pK a of proteorhodopsin and some of its variants is suspected to be an example of molecular adaptation to the physiology of the original organisms. © 2017 The American Society of Photobiology.

  6. Influence of pH on optoelectronic properties of zinc sulphide thin films prepared using hydrothermal and spin coating method

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Choudapur, V. H.; Bennal, A. S.; Raju, A. B.

    2018-04-01

    The ZnS nanomaterial is synthesized by hydrothermal method under optimized conditions using Zinc acetate and sodium sulphide as precursors. The Zinc Sulphide thin films are obtained by simple spin coating method with high optical transmittance. The prepared thin films are adhesive and uniform. The x-ray diffraction analysis showed that the films are polycrystalline in cubic phase with the preferred orientation along (111) direction. Current-voltage curves were recorded at room temperature using Keithley 617 programmable electrometer and conductivity is calculated for the film coated on ITO by two probe method. The pH of the solution is varied by using ammonia and hydrochloric acid. The comparative studies of effect of pH on the morphology, crystallanity and optoelectronic properties of the films are studied. It is observed that the pH of the solution has large influence on optoelectronic properties. The thin film prepared with neutral pH has higher crystallanity, bandgap and conductivity as compared to the samples prepared in acidic or basic solutions.

  7. Introduction to Instrumental Analysis of Water Pollutants. Training Manual.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Office of Water Program Operations (EPA), Cincinnati, OH. National Training and Operational Technology Center.

    This course is designed for those requiring an introduction to instruments commonly used in water pollution analyses. Examples are: pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen meters, spectrophotometers, turbidimeters, carbon analyzer, and gas chromatographs. Students should have a basic knowledge of analytical chemistry. (CO)

  8. Design Strategies for CeO2-MoO3 Catalysts for DeNOx and Hg(0) Oxidation in the Presence of HCl: The Significance of the Surface Acid-Base Properties.

    PubMed

    Chang, Huazhen; Wu, Qingru; Zhang, Tao; Li, Mingguan; Sun, Xiaoxu; Li, Junhua; Duan, Lei; Hao, Jiming

    2015-10-20

    A series of CeMoOx catalysts with different surface Ce/Mo ratios was synthesized by a coprecipitation method via changing precipitation pH value. The surface basicity on selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalysts (CeMoOx and VMo/Ti) was characterized and correlated to the durability and activity of catalyst for simultaneous elimination of NOx and Hg(0). The pH value in the preparation process affected the surface concentrations of Ce and Mo, the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) specific surface area, and the acid-base properties over the CeMoOx catalysts. The O 1s X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) spectra and CO2-temperature programmed desorption (TPD) suggested that the surface basicity increased as the pH value increased. The existence of strong basic sites contributed to the deactivation effect of HCl over the VMo/Ti and CeMoOx catalysts prepared at pH = 12. For the CeMoOx catalysts prepared at pH = 9 and 6, the appearance of surface molybdena species replaced the surface -OH, and the existence of appropriate medium-strength basic sites contributed to their resistance to HCl poisoning in the SCR reaction. Moreover, these sites facilitated the adsorption and activation of HCl and enhanced Hg(0) oxidation. On the other hand, the inhibitory effect of NH3 on Hg(0) oxidation was correlated with the competitive adsorption of NH3 and Hg(0) on acidic surface sites. Therefore, acidic surface sites may play an important role in Hg(0) adsorption. The characterization and balance of basicity and acidity of an SCR catalyst is believed to be helpful in preventing deactivation by acid gas in the SCR reaction and simultaneous Hg(0) oxidation.

  9. Membrane potential and human erythrocyte shape.

    PubMed Central

    Gedde, M M; Huestis, W H

    1997-01-01

    Altered external pH transforms human erythrocytes from discocytes to stomatocytes (low pH) or echinocytes (high pH). The process is fast and reversible at room temperature, so it seems to involve shifts in weak inter- or intramolecular bonds. This shape change has been reported to depend on changes in membrane potential, but control experiments excluding roles for other simultaneously varying cell properties (cell pH, cell water, and cell chloride concentration) were not reported. The present study examined the effect of independent variation of membrane potential on red cell shape. Red cells were equilibrated in a set of solutions with graduated chloride concentrations, producing in them a wide range of membrane potentials at normal cell pH and cell water. By using assays that were rapid and accurate, cell pH, cell water, cell chloride, and membrane potential were measured in each sample. Cells remained discoid over the entire range of membrane potentials examined (-45 to +45 mV). It was concluded that membrane potential has no independent effect on red cell shape and does not mediate the membrane curvature changes known to occur in red cells equilibrated at altered pH. Images FIGURE 2 FIGURE 9 PMID:9138568

  10. Testing the stability of magnetic iron oxides/kaolinite nanocomposite under various pH conditions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tokarčíková, Michaela; Tokarský, Jonáš; Kutláková, Kateřina Mamulová; Seidlerová, Jana

    2017-09-01

    Magnetically modified clays containing iron oxides nanoparticles (FexOy NPs) are low-cost and environmentally harmless materials suitable for sorption of pollutants from wastewaters. Stability of this smart material was evaluated both experimentally and theoretically using molecular modelling. Original kaolinite and prepared FexOy/kaolinite nanocomposite were characterized using X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy, and the stability was studied using leaching tests performed according to the European technical standard EN 12457-2 in deionized water and extraction agents with varying pH (2, 4, 9, and 11). The influence of pH on amount of FexOy NPs released from the composite and amount of the basic elements released from the kaolinite structure was studied using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. All experiments proved that the magnetic properties of the nanocomposite will not change even after leaching in extraction agents with various pH.

  11. The pH ruler: a Java applet for developing interactive exercises on acids and bases.

    PubMed

    Barrette-Ng, Isabelle H

    2011-07-01

    In introductory biochemistry courses, it is often a struggle to teach the basic concepts of acid-base chemistry in a manner that is relevant to biological systems. To help students gain a more intuitive and visual understanding of abstract acid-base concepts, a simple graphical construct called the pH ruler Java applet was developed. The applet allows students to visualize the abundance of different protonation states of diprotic and triprotic amino acids at different pH values. Using the applet, the student can drag a widget on a slider bar to change the pH and observe in real time changes in the abundance of different ionization states of this amino acid. This tool provides a means for developing more complex inquiry-based, active-learning exercises to teach more advanced topics of biochemistry, such as protein purification, protein structure and enzyme mechanism.

  12. Turbulent acidic jets and plumes injected into an alkaline environment

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ulpre, Hendrik

    2012-11-01

    The characteristics of a strong acidic turbulent jet or plume injected into an alkaline environment comprising of a weak/strong base are examined theoretically and experimentally. A chemistry model is developed to understand how the pH of a fluid parcel of monoprotic acid changes as it is diluted and reacts with the ambient fluid. A standard fluid model, based on a top-hat model for acid concentration and velocity is used to express how the dilution of acid varies with distance from the point of discharge. These models are applied to estimate the point of neutralisation and the travel time with distance within the jet/plume. An experimental study was undertaken to test the theoretical results. These experiments involved injecting jets or vertical plumes of dilute nitric acid into a large tank containing a variety of base salts dissolved in water. The injected fluid contained litmus indicator dye which showed a change in colour from red to blue close to the point of neutralisation. In order to obtain a range of neutralisation distances, additional basic salts were added to the water to increase its pH buffering capacity. The results are applied to discuss the environmental implications of an acidic jet/plume injected into the sea off the South East coast of Great Britain.

  13. Stability of model membranes in extreme environments.

    PubMed

    Namani, Trishool; Deamer, David W

    2008-08-01

    The first forms of cellular life required a source of amphiphilic compounds capable of assembling into stable boundary structures. Membranes composed of fatty acids have been proposed as model systems of primitive membranes, but their bilayer structure is stable only within a narrow pH range and low ionic strength. They are particularly sensitive to aggregating effects of divalent cations (Mg+2, Ca+2, Fe+2) that would be present in Archaean sea water. Here we report that mixtures of alkyl amines and fatty acids form vesicles at strongly basic and acidic pH ranges which are resistant to the effects of divalent cations up to 0.1 M. Vesicles formed by mixtures of decylamine and decanoic acid (1:1 mole ratio) are relatively permeable to pyranine, a fluorescent anionic dye, but permeability could be reduced by adding 2 mol% of a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon such as pyrene. Permeability to the dye was also reduced by increasing the chain length of the amphiphiles. For instance, 1:1 mole ratio mixtures of dodecylamine and dodecanoic acid were able to retain pyranine dye during and following gel filtration. We conclude that primitive cell membranes were likely to be composed of mixtures of amphiphilic and hydrophobic molecules that manifested increased stability over pure fatty acid membranes.

  14. Rapid non-destructive assessment of pork edible quality by using VIS/NIR spectroscopic technique

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhang, Leilei; Peng, Yankun; Dhakal, Sagar; Song, Yulin; Zhao, Juan; Zhao, Songwei

    2013-05-01

    The objectives of this research were to develop a rapid non-destructive method to evaluate the edible quality of chilled pork. A total of 42 samples were packed in seal plastic bags and stored at 4°C for 1 to 21 days. Reflectance spectra were collected from visible/near-infrared spectroscopy system in the range of 400nm to 1100nm. Microbiological, physicochemical and organoleptic characteristics such as the total viable counts (TVC), total volatile basic-nitrogen (TVB-N), pH value and color parameters L* were determined to appraise pork edible quality. Savitzky-Golay (SG) based on five and eleven smoothing points, Multiple Scattering Correlation (MSC) and first derivative pre-processing methods were employed to eliminate the spectra noise. The support vector machines (SVM) and partial least square regression (PLSR) were applied to establish prediction models using the de-noised spectra. A linear correlation was developed between the VIS/NIR spectroscopy and parameters such as TVC, TVB-N, pH and color parameter L* indexes, which could gain prediction results with Rv of 0.931, 0.844, 0.805 and 0.852, respectively. The results demonstrated that VIS/NIR spectroscopy technique combined with SVM possesses a powerful assessment capability. It can provide a potential tool for detecting pork edible quality rapidly and non-destructively.

  15. Transient removal of proflavine inhibition of bovine beta-trypsin by the bovine basic pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (Kunitz). A case for "chronosteric effects".

    PubMed

    Antonini, E; Ascenzi, P; Bolognesi, M; Menegatti, E; Guarneri, M

    1983-04-25

    The formation of the bovine beta-trypsin-bovine basic pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (Kunitz) (BPTI) complex was monitored, making use of three different signals: proflavine displacement, optical density changes in the ultraviolet region, and the loss of the catalytic activity. The rates of the reactions indicated by the three different signals were similar at neutral pH, but diverged at low pH. At pH 3.50, proflavine displacement precedes the optical density changes in the ultraviolet and the loss of enzyme activity by several orders of magnitude in time (Antonini, E., Ascenzi, P., Menegatti, E., and Guarneri, M. (1983) Biopolymers 22, 363-375). These data indicated that the bovine beta-trypsin-BPTI complex formation is a multistage process and led to the prediction that, at pH 3.50, BPTI addition to the bovine beta-trypsin-proflavine complex would remove proflavine inhibition and the enzyme would recover transiently its catalytic activity before being irreversibly inhibited by completion of BPTI binding. The kinetic evidences, by completion of BPTI binding. The kinetic evidences, here shown, verified this prediction, indicating that during the bovine beta-trypsin-BPTI complex formation one transient intermediate occurs, which is not able to bind proflavine but may bind and hydrolyze the substrate. Thus, the observed peculiar catalytic behavior is in line with the proposed reaction mechanism for the bovine beta-trypsin-BPTI complex formation, which postulates a sequence of distinct polar and apolar interactions at the contact area.

  16. Crown condition dynamics of oak in southern Sweden 1988-1999.

    PubMed

    Drobyshev, Igor; Anderson, Stefan; Sonesson, Kerstin

    2007-11-01

    Crown defoliation of oak (Quercus robur and Q. petraea) was analysed in 808 trees during three forest condition surveys (1988, 1993, and 1999) in the southern Sweden. From 1988 to 1999 crown defoliation increased by more than 20%. Changes in crown defoliation were related to the pH in the upper 20-30 cm of the mineral soils, which was closely connected to other measures of soil fertility (cation exchange capacity, CEC and C/N ratio). Trees growing on soils with a high pH (> or =4.00, in BaCl2 filtrate), high CEC and low C/N ratio had significantly lower crown defoliation than trees growing on more acid soils (pH <4.00), indicating that less favourable soil conditions may further enhance oak decline. Age did not differentiate trees with respect to crown defoliation, indicating that decline in crown condition was not due to an age-related increase in crown transparency. Considering only trees younger than 100 years, a significant interaction was observed between changes in crown defoliation and soil pH. Trees younger than 100 years old growing on more acidic soils had a greater increase in crown transparency than trees on more basic soils between 1988 and 1999. Trees > or =100 years old had significantly higher defoliation on more acidic than on more basic soils, however defoliation dynamics of these trees over 1988-99 was not related to soil acidity. Two biotic agents (insect and fungal leaf infections) evaluated in this study did not prove to be important drivers of defoliation dynamics.

  17. Stable and selective self-assembly of α-lipoic acid on Ge(001) for biomolecule immobilization

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kazmierczak, M.; Flesch, J.; Mitzloff, J.; Capellini, G.; Klesse, W. M.; Skibitzki, O.; You, C.; Bettenhausen, M.; Witzigmann, B.; Piehler, J.; Schroeder, T.; Guha, S.

    2018-05-01

    We demonstrate a novel method for the stable and selective surface functionalization of germanium (Ge) embedded in silicon dioxide. The Ge(001) surface is functionalized using α-lipoic acid (ALA), which can potentially be utilized for the immobilization of a wide range of biomolecules. We present a detailed pH-dependence study to establish the effect of the incubation pH value on the adsorption layer of the ALA molecules. A threshold pH value for functionalization is identified, dividing the examined pH range into two regions. Below a pH value of 7, the formation of a disordered ALA multilayer is observed, whereas a stable well-ordered ALA mono- to bi-layer on Ge(001) is achieved at higher pH values. Furthermore, we analyze the stability of the ALA layer under ambient conditions, revealing the most stable functionalized Ge(001) surface to effectively resist oxidation for up to one week. Our established functionalization method paves the way towards the successful immobilization of biomolecules in future Ge-based biosensors.

  18. Optical pH Sensor Covering the Range from pH 0-14 Compatible with Mobile-Device Readout and Based on a Set of Rationally Designed Indicator Dyes.

    PubMed

    Gotor, Raúl; Ashokkumar, Pichandi; Hecht, Mandy; Keil, Karin; Rurack, Knut

    2017-08-15

    In this work, a family of pH-responsive fluorescent probes has been designed in a rational manner with the aid of quantum chemistry tools, covering the entire pH range from 0-14. Relying on the boron-dipyrromethene (BODIPY) core, all the probes as well as selected reference dyes display very similar spectroscopic properties with ON-OFF fluorescence switching responses, facilitating optical readout in simple devices used for detection and analysis. Embedding of the probes and reference dyes into hydrogel spots on a plastic strip yielded a test strip that reversibly indicates pH with a considerably small uncertainty of ∼0.1 pH units. These strips are not only reusable but, combined with a 3D-printed case that can be attached to a smartphone, the USB port of which drives the integrated LED used for excitation, allows for autonomous operation in on-site or in-the-field applications; the developed Android application software ("app") further simplifies operation for unskilled users.

  19. Vesicular perylene dye nanocapsules as supramolecular fluorescent pH sensor systems.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Xin; Rehm, Stefanie; Safont-Sempere, Marina M; Würthner, Frank

    2009-11-01

    Water-soluble, self-assembled nanocapsules composed of a functional bilayer membrane and enclosed guest molecules can provide smart (that is, condition responsive) sensors for a variety of purposes. Owing to their outstanding optical and redox properties, perylene bisimide chromophores are interesting building blocks for a functional bilayer membrane in a water environment. Here, we report water-soluble perylene bisimide vesicles loaded with bispyrene-based energy donors in their aqueous interior. These loaded vesicles are stabilized by in situ photopolymerization to give nanocapsules that are stable over the entire aqueous pH range. On the basis of pH-tunable spectral overlap of donors and acceptors, the donor-loaded polymerized vesicles display pH-dependent fluorescence resonance energy transfer from the encapsulated donors to the bilayer dye membrane, providing ultrasensitive pH information on their aqueous environment with fluorescence colour changes covering the whole visible light range. At pH 9.0, quite exceptional white fluorescence could be observed for such water-soluble donor-loaded perylene vesicles.

  20. Status of soil acidification in North America

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Fenn, M.E.; Huntington, T.G.; Mclaughlin, S.B.; Eagar, C.; Gomez, A.; Cook, R.B.

    2006-01-01

    Forest soil acidification and depletion of nutrient cations have been reported for several forested regions in North America, predominantly in the eastern United States, including the northeast and in the central Appalachians, but also in parts of southeastern Canada and the southern U.S. Continuing regional inputs of nitrogen and sulfur are of concern because of leaching of base cations, increased availability of soil Al, and the accumulation and ultimate transmission of acidity from forest soils to streams. Losses of calcium from forest soils and forested watersheds have now been documented as a sensitive early indicator and a functionally significant response to acid deposition for a wide range of forest soils in North America. For red spruce, a clear link has been established between acidic deposition, alterations in calcium and aluminum supplies and increased sensitivity to winter injury. Cation depletion appears to contribute to sugar maple decline on some soils, specifically the high mortality rates observed in northern Pennsylvania over the last decade. While responses to liming have not been systematically examined in North America, in a study in Pennsylvania, restoring basic cations through liming increased basal area growth of sugar maple and levels of calcium and magnesium in soil and foliage. In the San Bernardino Mountains in southern California near the west coast, the pH of the A horizon has declined by at least 2 pH units (to pH 4.0-4.3) over the past 30 years, with no detrimental effects on bole growth; presumably, because of the Mediterranean climate, base cation pools are still high and not limiting for plant growth.

  1. Polymeric micelle for tumor pH and folate-mediated targeting.

    PubMed

    Lee, Eun Seong; Na, Kun; Bae, You Han

    2003-08-28

    Novel pH-sensitive polymeric mixed micelles composed of poly(L-histidine) (polyHis; M(w) 5000)/PEG (M(n) 2000) and poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) (M(n) 3000)/PEG (M(n) 2000) block copolymers with or without folate conjugation were prepared by diafiltration. The micelles were investigated for pH-dependent drug release, folate receptor-mediated internalization and cytotoxicity using MCF-7 cells in vitro. The polyHis/PEG micelles showed accelerated adriamycin release as the pH decreased from 8.0. When the cumulative release for 24 h was plotted as a function of pH, the gradual transition in release rate appeared in a pH range from 8.0 to 6.8. In order to tailor the triggering pH of the polymeric micelles to the more acidic extracellular pH of tumors, while improving the micelle stability at pH 7.4, the PLLA/PEG block copolymer was blended with polyHis/PEG to form mixed micelles. Blending shifted the triggering pH to a lower value. Depending on the amount of PLLA/PEG, the mixed micelles were destabilized in the pH range of 7.2-6.6 (triggering pH for adriamycin release). When the mixed micelles were conjugated with folic acid, the in vitro results demonstrated that the micelles were more effective in tumor cell kill due to accelerated drug release and folate receptor-mediated tumor uptake. In addition, after internalization polyHis was found to be effective for cytosolic ADR delivery by virtue of fusogenic activity. This approach is expected to be useful for treatment of solid tumors in vivo.

  2. New tetrameric forms of the rotavirus NSP4 with antiparallel helices.

    PubMed

    Kumar, Sushant; Ramappa, Raghavendra; Pamidimukkala, Kiranmayee; Rao, C D; Suguna, K

    2018-06-01

    Rotavirus nonstructural protein 4, the first viral enterotoxin to be identified, is a multidomain, multifunctional glycoprotein. Earlier, we reported a Ca 2+ -bound coiled-coil tetrameric structure of the diarrhea-inducing region of NSP4 from the rotavirus strains SA11 and I321 and a Ca 2+ -free pentameric structure from the rotavirus strain ST3, all with a parallel arrangement of α-helices. pH was found to determine the oligomeric state: a basic pH favoured a tetramer, whereas an acidic pH favoured a pentamer. Here, we report two novel forms of the coiled-coil region of NSP4 from the bovine rotavirus strains MF66 and NCDV. These crystallized at acidic pH, forming antiparallel coiled-coil tetrameric structures without any bound Ca 2+ ion. Structural and mutational studies of the coiled-coil regions of NSP4 revealed that the nature of the residue at position 131 (Tyr/His) plays an important role in the observed structural diversity.

  3. Identification of key neoculin residues responsible for the binding and activation of the sweet taste receptor

    PubMed Central

    Koizumi, Taichi; Terada, Tohru; Nakajima, Ken-ichiro; Kojima, Masaki; Koshiba, Seizo; Matsumura, Yoshitaka; Kaneda, Kohei; Asakura, Tomiko; Shimizu-Ibuka, Akiko; Abe, Keiko; Misaka, Takumi

    2015-01-01

    Neoculin (NCL) is a heterodimeric protein isolated from the edible fruit of Curculigo latifolia. It exerts a taste-modifying activity by converting sourness to sweetness. We previously demonstrated that NCL changes its action on the human sweet receptor hT1R2-hT1R3 from antagonism to agonism as the pH changes from neutral to acidic values, and that the histidine residues of NCL molecule play critical roles in this pH-dependent functional change. Here, we comprehensively screened key amino acid residues of NCL using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and alanine scanning mutagenesis. We found that the mutations of Arg48, Tyr65, Val72 and Phe94 of NCL basic subunit increased or decreased both the antagonist and agonist activities. The mutations had only a slight effect on the pH-dependent functional change. These residues should determine the affinity of NCL for the receptor regardless of pH. Their locations were separated from the histidine residues responsible for the pH-dependent functional change in the tertiary structure. From these results, we concluded that NCL interacts with hT1R2-hT1R3 through a pH-independent affinity interface including the four residues and a pH-dependent activation interface including the histidine residues. Thus, the receptor activation is induced by local structural changes in the pH-dependent interface. PMID:26263392

  4. Mechanism of Decarboxylation of Pyruvic Acid in the Presence of Hydrogen Peroxide

    PubMed Central

    Lopalco, Antonio; Dalwadi, Gautam; Niu, Sida; Schowen, Richard L.; Douglas, Justin; Stella, Valentino J.

    2015-01-01

    The purpose of this work was to probe the rate and mechanism of rapid decarboxylation of pyruvic acid in the presence of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to acetic acid and carbon dioxide over the pH range 2 – 9 at 25°C, utilizing UV spectrophotometry, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and proton and carbon nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry (1H, 13C-NMR). Changes in UV absorbance at 220 nm were used to determine the kinetics since the reaction was too fast to follow by HPLC or NMR in much of the pH range. The rate constants for the reaction were determined in the presence of molar excess of H2O2 resulting in pseudo first order kinetics. No buffer catalysis was observed. The calculated second order rate constants for the reaction followed a sigmoidal shape with pH independent regions below pH 3 and above pH 7 but increased between pH 4 and 6. Between pH 4 and 9, the results were in agreement with a change from rate determining nucleophilic attack of the deprotonated peroxide species, HOO−, on the α-carbonyl group followed by rapid decarboxylation at pH values below 6 to rate-determining decarboxylation above pH 7. The addition of H2O2 to ethyl pyruvate was also characterized. PMID:26422524

  5. Simulation of stimuli-triggered release of molecular species from halloysite nanotubes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Elumalai, Divya Narayan; Tully, Joshua; Lvov, Yuri; Derosa, Pedro A.

    2016-10-01

    A Monte Carlo model is used to study the effect of environmental variables (pH and temperature) on the transport and release of dexamethasone molecules from Halloysite Nanotubes (HNTs) in a dielectric fluid medium. The model used for this study was introduced elsewhere and it is based on basic physics interactions without experimental parameters for these interactions. An intermediate phase between the burst and saturation phase is found and explained. Molecules experience a 1-D diffusion process that is different from the diffusion in the burst phase or the surface diffusion experienced by molecules attached to the wall. It is predicted that this phase exists when the molecule-wall interaction is attractive but not always noticeable in the release profile. In this work, it is shown that an agreement with the experiment better than previously reported is obtained when simulated delivery curves are produced by the weighted average of the release profiles from a collection of HNTs with diameters and lengths distributed according to the experimental sample, highlighting the relevance of HNTs' morphology in the release. HNTs are suitable for environment-triggered release and thus the effect of temperature, molecule zeta potential, and pH is studied. It is observed that for temperatures that significantly differ from room temperature (by 100's of degrees), the release profile changes significantly, increasing the delivery speed at high temperature and reducing that speed at low temperature. Finally, it is observed that as the pH becomes more acidic, both the molecule and inner wall surface become more positive (or less negative) with both eventually becoming positive leading to a repulsive interaction; thus, molecules are pushed out by electrostatic repulsion. On the contrary, as the pH becomes more basic, positive molecules become more positive while the wall becomes less negative, but even at pH 12, the wall remains negative and the interaction is attractive. Changes in pH between different regions may act as a trigger for delivery or as a control in the delivery rate.

  6. Dually Fluorescent Sensing of pH and Dissolved Oxygen Using a Membrane Made from Polymerizable Sensing Monomers.

    PubMed

    Tian, Yanqing; Shumway, Bradley R; Youngbull, A Cody; Li, Yongzhong; Jen, Alex K-Y; Johnson, Roger H; Meldrum, Deirdre R

    2010-06-03

    Using a thermal polymerization approach and polymerizable pH and oxygen sensing monomers with green and red emission spectra, respectively, new pH, oxygen, and their dual sensing membranes were prepared using poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)-co-poly(acrylamide) as a matrix. The sensors were grafted on acrylate-modified quartz glass and characterized under different pH values, oxygen concentrations, ion strengths, temperatures and cell culture media. The pH and oxygen sensors were excited using the same excitation wavelength and exhibited well-separated emission spectra. The pH-sensing films showed good response over the pH range 5.5 to 8.5, corresponding to pK(a) values in the biologically-relevant range between 6.9 and 7.1. The oxygen-sensing films exhibited linear Stern-Volmer quenching responses to dissolved oxygen. As the sensing membranes were prepared using thermally initiated polymerization of sensing moiety-containing monomers, no leaching of the sensors from the membranes to buffers or medium was observed. This advantageous characteristic accounts in part for the sensors' biocompatibility without apparent toxicity to HeLa cells after 40 hours incubation. The dual-sensing membrane was used to measure pH and dissolved oxygen simultaneously. The measured results correlated with the set-point values.

  7. Finding stable cellulase and xylanase: evaluation of the synergistic effect of pH and temperature.

    PubMed

    Farinas, Cristiane S; Loyo, Marcel Moitas; Baraldo, Anderson; Tardioli, Paulo W; Neto, Victor Bertucci; Couri, Sonia

    2010-12-31

    Ethanol from lignocellulosic biomass has been recognized as one of the most promising alternatives for the production of renewable and sustainable energy. However, one of the major bottlenecks holding back its commercialization is the high costs of the enzymes needed for biomass conversion. In this work, we studied the enzymes produced from a selected strain of Aspergillus niger under solid state fermentation. The cellulase and xylanase enzymatic cocktail was characterized in terms of pH and temperature by using response surface methodology. Thermostability and kinetic parameters were also determined. The statistical analysis of pH and temperature effects on enzymatic activity showed a synergistic interaction of these two variables, thus enabling to find a pH and temperature range in which the enzymes have a higher activity. The results obtained allowed the construction of mathematical models used to predict endoglucanase, β-glucosidase and xylanase activities under different pH and temperature conditions. Optimum temperature values for all three enzymes were found to be in the range between 35°C and 60°C, and the optimum pH range was found between 4 and 5.5. The methodology employed here was very effective in estimating enzyme behavior under different process conditions. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  8. Actin-interacting Protein 1 Promotes Disassembly of Actin-depolymerizing Factor/Cofilin-bound Actin Filaments in a pH-dependent Manner.

    PubMed

    Nomura, Kazumi; Hayakawa, Kimihide; Tatsumi, Hitoshi; Ono, Shoichiro

    2016-03-04

    Actin-interacting protein 1 (AIP1) is a conserved WD repeat protein that promotes disassembly of actin filaments when actin-depolymerizing factor (ADF)/cofilin is present. Although AIP1 is known to be essential for a number of cellular events involving dynamic rearrangement of the actin cytoskeleton, the regulatory mechanism of the function of AIP1 is unknown. In this study, we report that two AIP1 isoforms from the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, known as UNC-78 and AIPL-1, are pH-sensitive in enhancement of actin filament disassembly. Both AIP1 isoforms only weakly enhance disassembly of ADF/cofilin-bound actin filaments at an acidic pH but show stronger disassembly activity at neutral and basic pH values. However, a severing-defective mutant of UNC-78 shows pH-insensitive binding to ADF/cofilin-decorated actin filaments, suggesting that the process of filament severing or disassembly, but not filament binding, is pH-dependent. His-60 of AIP1 is located near the predicted binding surface for the ADF/cofilin-actin complex, and an H60K mutation of AIP1 partially impairs its pH sensitivity, suggesting that His-60 is involved in the pH sensor for AIP1. These biochemical results suggest that pH-dependent changes in AIP1 activity might be a novel regulatory mechanism of actin filament dynamics. © 2016 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

  9. Selective imaging of cancer cells with a pH-activatable lysosome-targeting fluorescent probe.

    PubMed

    Shi, Rongguang; Huang, Lu; Duan, Xiaoxue; Sun, Guohao; Yin, Gui; Wang, Ruiyong; Zhu, Jun-Jie

    2017-10-02

    Fluorescence imaging with tumor-specific fluorescent probe has emerged as a tool to aid surgeons in the identification and removal of tumor tissue. We report here a new lysosome-targeting fluorescent probe (NBOH) with BODIPY fluorephore to distinguish tumor tissue out of normal tissue based on different pH environment. The probe exhibited remarkable pH-dependent fluorescence behavior in a wide pH range from 3.0 to 11.0, especially a sensitive pH-dependent fluorescence change at pH range between 3.5 and 5.5, corresponding well to the acidic microenvironment of tumor cells, in aqueous solution. The response time of NBOH was extremely short and the photostability was proved to be good. Toxicity test and fluorescence cell imaging together with a sub-cellular localization study were carried out revealing its low biotoxicity and good cell membrane permeability. And NBOH was successfully applied to the imaging of tumor tissue in tumor-bearing mice suggesting potential application to surgery as a tumor-specific probe. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  10. The corrosion of titanium in alkaline peroxide bleach liquors

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Wyllie, W.E. II; Brown, B.E.; Duquette, D.J.

    1994-12-31

    An experimental program to determine the effects of hydrogen peroxide (H{sub 2}O{sub 2}) and of potential corrosion inhibitors on the corrosion behavior of titanium has been developed. Corrosion rates less than 0.25 mm/y were observed in laboratory bleach liquor at pH 12 to which 5 g/l of H{sub 2}O{sub 2} were added. At pH 13, with 10 g/l H{sub 2}O{sub 2}, the corrosion rates were unacceptably high in both sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and laboratory bleach liquor solutions (>8.38 mm/y). The preliminary results of inhibitor studies indicated that the addition of 3.7 g/l sodium silicate or 0.01 g/l calcium nitrate (Ca(NO{submore » 3}){sub 2}) effectively inhibited the corrosion of titanium exposed to 5 g/l of H{sub 2}O{sub 2} in NaOH solutions of pH 12. It was also found that in simulated paper mill chemistries, i.e., basic solutions containing 3.7 g/l sodium silicate and 0.6 g/l EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid), corrosion rates increased markedly with the addition of 5 g/l H{sub 2}O{sub 2}. However, subsequent additions of peroxide resulted in corrosion rates which were even lower than those found in NaOH. This is believed to be due to the formation of a black scale on the surface of the sample. The addition of magnesium sulfate (MgSO{sub 4}) in the 0.1--0.5 g/l range also was shown to inhibit corrosion in the NaOH solution, but only after prior exposure to H{sub 2}O{sub 2}.« less

  11. Physiological tolerances of juvenile robust redhorse, Moxostoma robustum: Conservation implications for an imperiled species

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Walsh, S.J.; Haney, D.C.; Timmerman, C.M.; Dorazio, R.M.

    1998-01-01

    The robust redhorse, Moxostoma robustum (Teleostei: Catostomidae), is an imperiled sucker native to large rivers of the Atlantic slope of the southeastern United States. Juvenile M. robustum were tested for tolerances to temperature, salinity, pH, and hypoxia in order to evaluate basic early life-history requirements. Static (acute) tests resulted in estimates of mean lower temperature tolerances (5.3-19.4 ??C) that varied with prior thermal acclimation and indicated no apparent difference in tolerance among fish 30, 60, and 90 days old. Fish acclimated to 20 ??C and 30 ??C had significantly different mean critical thermal maxima (34.9 ??C and 37.2 ??C, respectively) and exhibited pronounced increased opercular ventilation rates with elevated temperatures. Fish exposed to acute and chronic increases in salinity showed unusual patterns of mortality above the isosmotic point (9 ppt) that reflected possible differences in body mass and prior acclimation conditions (i.e., water ionic composition); small fish and those held in soft water were the least tolerant of increased salinity. Abrupt exposure to extreme pH values resulted in greater than 50% mortality at pH values below 4.3 and above 9.5 within a 96-hour period. Fish exposed to progressive hypoxia utilized aquatic surface respiration at a mean oxygen concentration of 0.72-0.80 mg O2 l-1 (20 ??C and 30 ??C acclimated fish, respectively), and lost equilibrium at 0.54-.57 mg O2 l-1. Juvenile M. robustum are moderately tolerant of a wide range of ambient physicochemical parameters, but further research is needed to determine how both abiotic and biotic factors have contributed to population decline and extirpation of this species.

  12. Characterizing the correlation between dephosphorization and solution pH in a calcined water treatment plant sludge.

    PubMed

    Zhou, Zhenming; Liu, Qidi; Li, Shuwen; Li, Fei; Zou, Jing; Liao, Xiaobin; Yuan, Baoling; Sun, Wenjie

    2018-04-26

    This study focused on characterizing the correlation between the dephosphorization process of calcined water treatment plant sludge (C-WTPS) and the solution initial pH in batch experiments. The specific aim was to illustrate the effect of different initial pH on the adsorption and desorption of phosphorous in C-WTPS. In addition, the effects of solution initial pH on the release of ammonia nitrogen and total organic carbon (TOC) from C-WTPS and the change of pH after adsorption were also investigated. The results demonstrated that the initial pH significantly influenced the adsorption of phosphorus on C-WTPS. When initial pH was increased from 3 to 10, the phosphorous absorption capacity reduced by 76.5%. Especially, when the initial pH reached to 11, the phosphorus adsorption capacity became a negative value, indicating that C-WTPS released phosphorus into the solution. The addition of C-WTPS to the solution had little impact on the initial pH of the solution. The absorbed phosphorous on C-WTPS was relatively stable in the pH range of 3 to 10. Nevertheless, when the solution pH was higher than 11, it can be easily released into the solution. Furthermore, by comparison with WTPS, C-WTPS released less ammonia nitrogen and TOC into the solution and adsorbed more phosphorus from the solution in the experimental pH range. Therefore, C-WTPS is more suitable to serve as a cost-effective sorbent for phosphorus removal.

  13. Tolerance of the archaeal Sac7d scaffold protein to alternative library designs: characterization of anti-immunoglobulin G Affitins.

    PubMed

    Béhar, Ghislaine; Bellinzoni, Marco; Maillasson, Mike; Paillard-Laurance, Lauranne; Alzari, Pedro M; He, Xuemei; Mouratou, Barbara; Pecorari, Frédéric

    2013-04-01

    Engineered protein scaffolds have received considerable attention as alternatives to antibodies in both basic and applied research, as they can offer superior biophysical properties often associated with a simpler molecular organization. Sac7d has been demonstrated as an effective scaffold for molecular recognition. Here, we used the initial L1 'flat surface' library constructed by randomization of 14 residues, to identify ligands specific for human immunoglobulin G. To challenge the plasticity of the Sac7d protein scaffold, we designed the alternative L2 'flat surface & loops' library whereof only 10 residues are randomized. Representative binders (Affitins) of the two libraries exhibited affinities in the low nanomolar range and were able to recognize different epitopes within human immunoglobulin G. These Affitins were stable up to pH 12 while largely conserving other favorable properties of Sac7d protein, such as high expression yields in Escherichia coli, solubility, thermal stability up to 80.7°C, and acidic stability (pH 0). In agreement with our library designs, mutagenesis study revealed two distinct binding areas, one including loops. Together, our results indicate that the Sac7d scaffold tolerates alternative library designs, which further expands the diversity of Affitins and may provide a general way to create tailored affinity tools for demanding applications.

  14. Adsorption of bovine serum albumin on silicon dioxide nanoparticles: Impact of pH on nanoparticle-protein interactions.

    PubMed

    Givens, Brittany E; Diklich, Nina D; Fiegel, Jennifer; Grassian, Vicki H

    2017-05-03

    Bovine serum albumin (BSA) adsorbed on amorphous silicon dioxide (SiO 2 ) nanoparticles was studied as a function of pH across the range of 2 to 8. Aggregation, surface charge, surface coverage, and protein structure were investigated over this entire pH range. SiO 2 nanoparticle aggregation is found to depend upon pH and differs in the presence of adsorbed BSA. For SiO 2 nanoparticles truncated with hydroxyl groups, the largest aggregates were observed at pH 3, close to the isoelectric point of SiO 2 nanoparticles, whereas for SiO 2 nanoparticles with adsorbed BSA, the aggregate size was the greatest at pH 3.7, close to the isoelectric point of the BSA-SiO 2 complex. Surface coverage of BSA was also the greatest at the isoelectric point of the BSA-SiO 2 complex with a value of ca. 3 ±   1 × 10 11 molecules cm -2 . Furthermore, the secondary protein structure was modified when compared to the solution phase at all pH values, but the most significant differences were seen at pH 7.4 and below. It is concluded that protein-nanoparticle interactions vary with solution pH, which may have implications for nanoparticles in different biological fluids (e.g., blood, stomach, and lungs).

  15. Relieving Dry Mouth: Varying Levels of pH Found in Bottled Water.

    PubMed

    Fisher, Bailey Jean; Spencer, Angela; Haywood, Van; Konchady, Gayathri

    2017-07-01

    It is estimated that 30% of people older than 60 years suffer from hyposalivation or dry mouth. Drinking water frequently has been recommended as a safe, non-pharmacologic way to combat hyposalivation. The saliva in patients with dry mouth is acidic. Beverages consumed daily may have an erosive potential on teeth. The pH and the mineral content of the beverage determine its erosive potential. An acidic beverage, therefore, may have harmful effects on mineralized tooth structures, causing erosion of enamel, dentin, and cementum. Because bottled water is both convenient and easily available, the authors tested the pH of eight common brands of bottled water. (One brand included two different bottle types, for a total of nine bottled waters tested.) To standardize the pH electrode, pH buffers of 4.7 and 10 were used. The pH was measured using the Denver Instruments basic pH meter. Six recordings were used for each brand and then averaged to report the pH. Two of the bottled water samples tested were below the critical level of 5.2 pH to 5.5 pH, the level at which erosion of enamel occurs. Six of the samples tested were below the critical pH of 6.8, at which erosion of root dentin occurs. The authors conclude that both patients and clinicians incorrectly presume bottled water to be innocuous. Clinicians should be cognizant of the erosive potential of different brands of bottled water to both educate patients and to recommend water with neutral or alkaline pH for patients with symptoms of dry mouth to prevent further deterioration and demineralization of tooth structure.

  16. Calculation and affection of pH value of different desulfurization and dehydration rates in the filling station based on Aspen Plus

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lv, J. X.; Wang, B. F.; Nie, L. H.; Xu, R. R.; Zhou, J. Y.; Hao, Y. J.

    2018-01-01

    The simulation process of the whole CNG filling station are established using Aspen Plus V7.2. The separator (Sep) was used to simulate the desulfurization and dehydration equipment in the gas station, and the flash module separator Flash 2 was used to simulate the gas storage well with proper temperature and environmental pressure. Furthermore, the sensitivity module was used to analyse the behaviour of the dehydration and desulfurization rate, and the residual pH value of the gas storage wells was between 2.2 and 3.3. The results indicated that the effect of water content on pH value is higher than that of hydrogen sulphide in the environment of gas storage wells, and the calculation process of the pH value is feasible. Additionally, the simulation process provides basic data for the subsequent anticorrosive mechanism and work of gas storage well and has great potential for practical applications.

  17. Scales and sources of pH and dissolved oxygen variability in a shallow, upwelling-driven ecosystem

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tanner, C. A.; Martz, T.; Levin, L. A.

    2011-12-01

    In the coastal zone extreme variability in carbonate chemistry and oxygen is driven by fluctuations in temperature, salinity, air-sea gas exchange, mixing processes, and biology. This variability appears to be magnified in upwelling-driven ecosystems where low oxygen and low pH waters intrude into shallow depths. The oxygen and carbon chemistry signal can be further confounded by highly productive ecosystems such as kelp beds where photosynthesis and respiration consume and release significant amounts of dissolved inorganic carbon and oxygen. This variability poses a challenge for scientists assessing the impacts of climate change on nearshore ecosystems. We deployed physical & biogeochemical sensors in order to observe these processes in situ. The "SeapHOx" instruments used in this study consist of a modified Honeywell Durafet° ISFET pH sensor, an Aanderra Optode Oxygen sensor, and a SBE-37 conductivity, temperature, pressure sensor. The instruments were deployed on and around the La Jolla Kelp Forest at a variety of depths. Our goals were to (a) characterize the link between pH and oxygen and identify the magnitude of pH and oxygen variability over a range of intra-annual time scales and (b) investigate spatial patterns of pH and oxygen variability associated with depth, proximity to shore, and presence of kelp. Results thus far reveal a strong relationship between oxygen and pH. Temporal variability is greatest at the semidiurnal frequency where pH (at 7 m) can range up to 0.3 units and oxygen can change 50% over 6 h. Diurnal variability is a combination of the diurnal tidal component and diel cycles of production and respiration. Event-scale dynamics associated with upwelling can maintain pH and oxygen below 7.8 units and 200 μmol kg-1, respectively, for multiple days. Frequent current reversals drive changes in the observed oxygen and pH variability. When alongshore currents are flowing southward, driven by upwelling-favorable winds, the magnitude of semidiurnal pH variability increases 5-fold relative to the magnitude of change during northward alongshore. Applying an empirically-determined alkalinity relationship, we conclude that changes in the carbonate chemistry parameters are largely driven by changes in total carbon. On small spatial scales, cross-shore differences exist in mean oxygen and pH but differences in alongshore mean oxygen and pH at a given depth appears to be negligible. Cross-shore differences can equate to a 0.05 pH unit decrease and 25 μmol kg-1 oxygen decrease over 1 km at a given depth. Strong spatial variability in pH and oxygen conditions exist over vertical gradients in the kelp forest, with mean pH at the surface (7m) being 0.2 pH units greater than at the bottom (17m) and mean oxygen being 104 μmol kg-1 greater. The observed range of pH (7.55-8.22) observed in this shallow environment during the course of a year is greater than open ocean predictions for a global mean pH reduction of 0.2-0.3 units predicted by the year 2100. These results suggest that organisms on exposed upwelling coasts may be adapted to a range of pH conditions and highlight the need for scientists to consider biological response to varying scales of pH change in order to develop more realistic predictions of the impacts of climate change for the coastal zone.

  18. INFLUENCE OF SOLVENT AND SORBENT CHARACTERISTICS ON DISTRIBUTION OF PENTACHLOROPHENOL IN OCTANOL-WATER AND SOIL-WATER SYSTEMS

    EPA Science Inventory

    Sorbent and solvent characteristics influencing sorption of pentachlorophenol (PCP) were investigated. Analysis of aqueous sorption data for several sorbents over a broad pH range suggested hydrophobic sorption of neutral PCP predominates at pH 7. At pH > 7, sorption of the penta...

  19. Novel europium (III)-gatifloxacin complex structure with dual functionality for pH sensing and metal recognition in aqueous environment

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chen, Muhua; Zheng, Yuhui; Gao, Jinwei; Wang, Qianming

    2016-10-01

    A new type of Eu(III)-gatifloxacin complex with characteristic red luminescence has been prepared. Due to the presence of ionization effect linked to the organic chromophore, the molecular fluorescent sensor demonstrated variable pH-sensitive absorption and emission curves. The red emission derived from europium ions was strong during pH range 8-10. Between pH = 7 and 4, the europium emission remained relatively stable and fluorescence signals of gatifloxacin has been improved substantially. Under acidic conditions (pH = 1 to 3), the dramatic changes in the emission colors (from red, yellow to green) were clearly observed. Moreover, the excitation wavelength can be extended into the visible light range (Ex = 411 nm) by using the concentration effect experiment. Importantly, it gave turn-off emissions in the presence of Cu2+ or Fe3+ and the detection limits were determined to be 6.5 μM for Cu2+ and 6.2 μM for Fe3+ respectively.

  20. Electrostatic interactions as governing the fouling in protein microfiltration

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ouammou, M.; Tijani, N.; Calvo, J. I.; Palacio, L.; Prádanos, P.; Hernández, A.

    2005-03-01

    The influence of pH and electrostatic interactions on the fouling mechanism during protein dead-end microfiltration (MF) has been investigated for two charged membranes. Polyethersulfone acidic membranes (ICE-450), being negatively charged, and basic ones (SB-6407), these positively charged, both from Pall Co., have been used in the investigations. BSA and Lysozyme solutions at different pH values (3.0, 5.0, 7.0, 8.5 and 10.0) were microfiltered through the membranes at a constant applied transmembrane pressure. Results have been analysed in terms of usual blocking filtration laws and a substantial change in the fouling behaviour has been observed when solution pH and/or membrane charge as the pressure was changed, this change being clearly related with the specific membrane-protein and protein-protein interactions.

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