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Engineered nanoparticles (NPs) are being studied for their potential to harm humans and the environment. Biological activity, toxicity, physicochemical properties, fate, and transport of NPs must all be evaluated and/or predicted. In this work, we explored the influence of metal oxide nanoparticle facets on their toxicity towards bronchial epithelial (BEAS-2B), Murine myeloid (RAW 264.7), and E. coli cell lines. To estimate the toxicity of metal oxide nanoparticles grown to a low facet index, a quantitative structure–activity relationship ((Q)SAR) approach was used. The novel model employs theoretical (density functional theory calculations) and experimental studies (transmission electron microscopy images from which several particle descriptors are extracted and toxicity data extracted from the literature) to investigate the properties of faceted metal oxides, which are then utilized to construct a toxicity model. The classification mode of the k-nearest neighbour algorithm (EnaloskNN, Enalos Chem/Nanoinformatics) was used to create the presented model for metal oxide cytotoxicity. Four descriptors were identified as significant: core size, chemical potential, enthalpy of formation, and electronegativity count of metal oxides. The relationship between these descriptors and metal oxide facets is discussed to provide insights into the relative toxicities of the nanoparticle. The model and the underpinning dataset are freely available on the NanoSolveIT project cloud platform and the NanoPharos database, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The characterization of the seleno-sulfide-bromo systems and the isomerization process on the [H, S, Se, Br] potential energy surface were investigated using state-of-the-art theoretical methods. The CCSD(T) and the MP2 levels of theory were employed along with the series of correlation consistent basis sets extrapolated to the complete basis set (CBS) limit in the optimization of the geometrical parameters and computation of electronic energies. The relative stability, in kcal mol, at the CCSD(T)/CBS follows the trend: HSSeBr (0) > HSeSBr (9.51) > SSeHBr (24.02) > SeSHBr (25.42). This order was observed in the previous study of the [H, S, Se, Cl] species. The structural parameters and vibrational frequencies of the [H, S, Se, Br] species are reported. This research work should be helpful to experimentalists in order to gain insights into these novel heteroatom molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Respiratory system involvement in scrub typhus is seen in 20-72% of patients. In endemic areas, good understanding and familiarity with the various radiologic findings of scrub typhus are essential in identifying pulmonary complications.~Background and Rationale~Objective~Patients admitted to a tertiary care center with scrub typhus between October 2012 and September 2013 and had a chest X ray done were included in the analysis. Details and radiographic findings were noted and factors associated with abnormal X-rays were analyzed.~Materials and Methods~Methods~The study cohort contained 398 patients. Common presenting complaints included fever (100%), generalized myalgia (83%), headache (65%), dyspnea (54%), cough (24.3%), and altered sensorium (14%). Almost half of the patients (49.4%) had normal chest radiographs. Common radiological pulmonary abnormalities included pleural effusion (14.6%), acute respiratory distress syndrome (14%), airspace opacity (10.5%), reticulonodular opacities (10.3%), peribronchial thickening (5.8%), and pulmonary edema (2%). Cardiomegaly was noted in 3.5% of patients. Breathlessness, presence of an eschar, platelet counts of <20,000 cells/cumm, and total serum bilirubin >2 mg/dL had the highest odds of having an abnormal chest radiograph. Patients with an abnormal chest X-ray had a higher requirement of noninvasive ventilation (odds ratio [OR]: 13.98; 95% confidence interval CI: 5.89-33.16), invasive ventilation (OR: 18.07; 95% CI: 6.42-50.88), inotropes (OR: 8.76; 95% CI: 4.35-17.62), higher involvement of other organ systems, longer duration of hospital stay (3.18 ± 3 vs. 7.27 ± 5.58 days; P< 0.001), and higher mortality (OR: 4.63; 95% CI: 1.54-13.85).~Results~Results~Almost half of the patients with scrub typhus have abnormal chest radiographs. Chest radiography should be included as part of basic evaluation at presentation in patients with scrub typhus, especially in those with breathlessness, eschar, jaundice, and severe thrombocytopenia.~Conclusion~Conclusions [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The optimized molecular structures, vibrational wavenumbers and corresponding vibrational assignments of the syn and anti conformers of 2-, 3- and 4-pyridine carboxaldehydes and their sulfur and selenium analogues were calculated using the density functional theory method employing the B3LYP functional with the 6-311++G(d,p) basis set and second order Møller-Plesset Perturbation Theory (MP2) method with the cc-pVDZ basis set. The calculations were adapted to the C symmetries of all ground state structures. The transition state arising from syn-anti isomerization was also modelled. All structures were fully optimized, and the geometries, rotational constants, dipole moments, charges, thermodynamic properties and energies are reported. Energies of the optimized structures were used to obtain the energy difference between the syn and anti conformers and the rotational barrier. The calculated vibrational wavenumbers were appropriately assigned to the various fundamental modes of vibrations. The Integral Equation Formalism Polarization Continuum Model was used to calculate the optimized geometry and the vibrational wavenumbers for all of the compounds in nine solvents: heptane, chloroform, tetrahydrofuran, dichloroethane, acetone, ethanol, methanol, dimethylsulfoxide and water. In addition, the LUMO, HOMO and energy band gap are also reported. The results indicate that the anti conformer is preferred with a rotational barrier of at least 19 kJ·mol. Graphical Abstract: [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interstellar medium has a rich chemistry which involves a wide variety of molecules. Of particular interest are molecules that have a link to prebiotic chemistry which hold the key to understanding of our origins. On the basis of suggestions that selenium may have been involved in the origin and evolution of life, we have studied the selenium analogue of cyanoethenethiol, namely the novel cyanoetheneselenol. Cyanoetheneselenol exhibits conformational and geometrical isomerism. This theoretical work deals with the study of four forms of cyanoetheneselenol in terms of their structural, spectroscopic and thermodynamic parameters. All computations were performed using density functional theory method with the B3LYP functional and the Pople basis set, 6-311 + G(d,p), for all atoms. The relative stability of the four isomers of cyanoetheneselenol was obtained and interpreted. The infrared spectra were generated and assignment of the normal modes of vibration was performed. Probable regions of detection, proposed on the basis of parameters obtained from this study for the four isomers, include comets, the molecular cloud: Sagittarius B2(N), and planetary atmospheres. The molecular and spectroscopic parameters should be useful for future identification of the astrobiological molecule cyanoetheneselenol and the development of the Square Kilometre Array. [Figure not available: see fulltext.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We hereby report a theoretical study on the equilibrium geometries, electronic structures and harmonic vibrational frequencies of GaSe, GaSe and their anions. The ground and low-lying excited states of GaSe, GaSe, GaSe and GaSe are studied at the B3LYP and/or MP2 and CCSD(T) levels in conjunction with 6-311+G(d) and 6-311+G(2df) one particle basis sets. GaSe adopts the C kite geometry while GaSe has a 'V' geometry. GaSe has a three-dimensional 'D' geometry and GaSe prefers the three-dimensional 'C' structure. Electron detachment energies from the ground electronic states of the anions to several neutral states are reported and discussed. At CCSD(T)//MP2 level, the adiabatic electron affinity (AEA) of GaSe is calculated to be 3.23 eV when using the 6-311+G(2df) basis set and that of GaSe is 2.77 eV with the 6-311+G(d) basis set. The findings of this research are analyzed and compared with gallium oxide and sulfide analogues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A theoretical study of CnX, CnX+ and CnX- (X = O and Se; n = 1-10) clusters is carried out employing the density functional theory and the B3LYP functional. All species are fully optimized using the basis set 6-31G(d) for all atoms and further, single-point computations are done using the B3LYP/aug-cc-pVTZ level. Molecular properties such as equilibrium parameters, dipole moment, infrared vibrational frequencies, Raman activities and rotational constant are predicted. The computations indicate that the equilibrium structures are either linear or quasi-linear. We report the different forms of electron affinities, ionization energy, atomization energy and binding energy of the CnO and CnSe chains. The results indicate parity effect is very apparent for electron affinity, ionization energy, and binding energy but the effect is less pronounced for atomization energy. The n-even linear chains have larger ionization energy and atomization energy than the n-odd ones but this effect is reversed for electron affinity. The findings from this work are critically discussed and they are very similar to those obtained previously for the hetero-atom doped carbon chains. This research indicates that n-odd carbon chains are more stable than n-even and this is the trend for the chalcogens carbon chains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon suboxide, and its sulfur and selenium analogues in D∞h symmetry have been studied in the gas phase by a density functional method using B3LYP as the functional. The basis sets employed are 6-31++G(d,p), 6-311++G(d,p), cc-pVDZ and all calculations have been carried out using Gaussian 03W. Molecular parameters, namely bond lengths, rotational constants, quadrupole moments, and infrared and Raman frequencies are predicted for these molecules. Atomization energies have also been predicted. The calculated molecular parameters and vibrational spectra of the parent molecule, namely carbon suboxide, are in good agreement with literature data. Therefore, data from the present theoretical gas phase study are expected to be valid for the molecular structures and vibrational spectra of carbon subsulfide and carbon subselenide. The results from this study could be used as a reference for these molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experimental and theoretical methods have been used to study the energy difference between the gauche and the trans conformational isomers of 1,2-dihaloethanes (XCH 2 CH 2 X, X&ThickSpace;=&ThickSpace;Cl and Br). Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis, infrared (IR) spectra and refractive index of solutions of 1,2-dichloroethane (DCE) and 1,2-dibromoethane (DBE) in environments of varying polarity have been investigated. Molecular mechanics (MM2) calculations, semiempirical methods (AM1, PM3, MNDO, MNDO-d), ab initio methods (HF, MP2) and density functional theory (B3LYP, MPW1PW91) have been performed to study the relative energies of the two stable conformations of the 1,2-dihaloethanes. The solvent effect has been studied using the Onsager and IPCM models. The basis sets 6-31G(d), 6-31+G(d) and 6-311++G(d,p) were used in the ab initio and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. All calculations have been done on a PC, using facilities available from ChemOffice 2000 and Gaussian 98W. The results obtained show that there is a satisfactory correlation between experimental findings and theoretical predictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]