Motor-protein "roundabouts": microtubules moving on kinesin-coated tracks through engineered networks

Nanotechnology promises to enhance the functionality and sensitivity of miniaturized analytical systems. For example, nanoscale transport systems, which are driven by molecular motors, permit the controlled movement of select cargo along predetermined paths. Such shuttle systems may enhance the detection efficiency of an analytical system or facilitate the controlled assembly of sophisticated nanostructures if transport can be coordinated through complex track networks. This study determines the feasibility of complex track networks using kinesin motor proteins to actively transport microtubule shuttles along micropatterned surfaces. In particular, we describe the performance of three basic structural motifs: (1) crossing junctions, (2) directional sorters, and (3) concentrators. We also designed track networks that successfully sort and collect microtubule shuttles, pointing the way towards lab-on-a-chip devices powered by active transport instead of pressure-driven or electroosmotic flow.     

Quantitative variability in the 252Cf plasma desorption mass spectra of triglycerides and waxes

A series of mixtures of solid triglycerides and waxes are examined using ²⁵²Cf plasma desorption mass spectrometry. The relative abundances of diagnostic ions are found to vary with sample preparation, handling, and composition. It is proposed that the less efficiently packing, shorter chain, compounds are forced to the analysis site, i.e. the surface. This takes place at varying rates that reflect the bulk properties of the mixture as revealed by its phase diagram and thermal history. Mixtures that remain liquids during analysis show ion abundances correctly reflecting their composition. Mixtures of isotopomeric glycerides also show normal ion abundances.     

Mechanistic study of thermal behavior and combustion performance of epoxy resins: I homopolymerized TGDDM

Tetraglycidyl 4,4′-diaminodiphenylmethane (TGDDM) undergoes homopolymerization on heating. Intramolecular reactions which compete with crosslinking favor the formation of cyclic structures with increasing thermal and fire resistance of the resin, whereas physical mechanical properties tend to decrease. The mechanism of thermal decomposition of TGDDM is studied by thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry and thermal volatilization analysis with characterization of volatiles evolved and residue left. Thermal degradation of poly-(TGDDM) starts at 260°C with elimination of water from secondary alcoholic groups which is a typical pathway for epoxy resin degradation. Resulting unsaturations weaken bonds in the β-position and provoke the first chain breaking at allyl–amine and allyl–either bonds. With increasing temperature, saturated alkyl–ether bonds and alkyl carbon–carbon bonds are broken first, followed by the most stable alkyl–aryl bonds at T>365°C. The combustion performance of TGDDM is discussed on the basis of the thermal degradation behavior.     

Cooperative hydrogen-bonding effects in a water square: a single-crystal neutron and partial atomic charges and hardness analysis study

Four isomorphous complexes of formula [M(L)(4)(H(2)O)(2)]SO(4).2H(2)O (M = Co, 1a; Ni, 1b; Cu, 1c; Zn, 1d) have been isolated and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and neutron diffraction using the quasi-Laue diffractometer VIVALDI at the Institut Laue-Langevin as well as by thermogravimetric analysis. The structures contain a discrete, strongly hydrogen-bonded water tetramer which causes a significant distortion of the metal coordination sphere in each case. Partial atomic charges and hardness analysis (PACHA) calculations reveal that the shortest hydrogen bonds are not the strongest in this constrained, cyclic solid-state structure and show that the distortion at the metal center is caused by the drive to maintain the integrity of the water tetramer. The system undergoes a disorder-order transition on slow cooling that provides insight into the nature of communication between water squares.     

Investigation of helium addition for laser-induced plasma spectroscopy of pure gas phase systems: Analyte interactions and signal enhancement

The role of helium addition on the analyte signal enhancement in laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy for analysis of pure gaseous systems was examined using carbon and hydrogen atomic emission lines. Increased analyte response, as measured by peak-to-base and signal-to-noise ratios, was observed with increasing helium addition, with maximum enhancement approaching a factor of 7. Additional measurements revealed a significant decrease in plasma electron density with increasing helium addition. To explore the mechanisms of analyte signal enhancement, the helium emission lines were also examined and found to be effectively quenched with nitrogen addition. In consideration of the data, it is concluded that the role of metastable helium is not as important as the overall changes in plasma properties, namely electron density and laser-plasma coupling. Helium addition is concluded to affect the electron density via Penning ionization, as well as to play a role in the initial plasma breakdown processes.     

The use of semiempirical energy partitioning terms in the study of through space (homoaromatic) interactions

MNDO and AMI calculations, including configuration interactions, were performed on cycloheptatriene (2), 1,6-methano[10]annulene (3), and the tautomeric elassovalenes (4), (5), and (6). The goal of this study is to examine these systems and assess indicators of the importance of through space (homoaromatic) interactions. It is established that the two-center energy partitioning terms are capable of detecting favorable (negative two-center term) through space interactions. In cases of cyclic conjugation (homoconjugation), it is also shown that the inclusion of CI is necessary.     

The mass spectra of small-ring hetero-cycles—II. Aziridinones (α-lactams)

The mass spectra of six aziridinones (α-lactams) are presented. The six aziridinones exhibit the same general fragmentation pattern, the primary processes being loss of the N-t-butyl group, loss of carbon monoxide and loss of t-butyl isocyanate. Several additional rearrangement or fragmentation processes are observed with specific α-lactams.     

Geometry and force constant determination from correlated wave functions for polyatomic molecules: Ground states of H2O and CH2

Ab initio calculations including electron correlation are reported for the water and methylene molecules as a function of geometry. A large contracted gaussian basis set is used and the multiconfiguration wave functions, optimized by the iterative natural orbital procedure, include 277 and 617 configurations for H₂O and CH₂ respectively. The method of selecting configurations, yielding first-order wave functions, is discussed in some detail. For H₂O, the SCF geometry is r=0,942 Å, =105,8°, the correlated result is r=0,968 Å, =103,2°, and the experimental r=0,957 Å, =104,5°. The water stretching force constants, in millidynes/Å, are 8,72 (SCF), 8,75 (CI), and 8,4 (experiment). Bending force constants are 0,88 (SCF), 0,83 (CI), and 0,76 (experiment). For methylene the SCF geometry is r=1,072 Å, =129,5°, while the result from first-order wave functions is r=1,088 Å, =134°. The predicted CH₂ force constants are 6,16 (SCF) and 6,13 (CI) for stretching and 0,44 (SCF) and 0,33 (CI) for bending.

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Zusammenfassung Es wird über ab intito-Rechnungen mit Berücksichtigung der Elektronenkorrelation berichtet, die an Wasser- und Methylenmolekülen als Funktion der Geometrie durchgeführt worden sind. Dazu benutzt man einen großen kontrahierten Gauß-Basissatz. Die Multikonfigurationswellenfunktionen, die unter Benutzung von natürlichen Orbitalen nach der iterativen Prozedur optimiert werden, enthalten für H₂O 277 Konfigurationen und für CH₂ 617. Die Auswahlmethode, die zu Wellenfunktionen 1. Ordnung führt, wird diskutiert. Im Falle des Wassers erhält man die SCF-Geometrie zu r=0,942 Å, =105,8°, das korrelierte Resultat ist: r=0,968 Å, =103,2° und das experimentelle r=0,957 Å, =104,5°. Für Wasser ergeben sich die Valenzkraftkonstanten (in Millidyn Å^–1) 8,72 (SCF), 8,75 (CI) und 8,4 (Experiment). Die Deformationskonstanten sind 0,88 (SCF), 0,83 (CI) und 0,76 (Experiment). Im Falle des Methylens ist die SCF-Geometrie r=1,072 Å, =129,5°, während man mit Wellenfunktionen 1. Ordnung r=1,088 Å und =134° erhält. Die CH₂-Kraftkonstanten werden für die Valenzschwingung zu 6,16 (SCF) und 6,13 (CI) bzw. für die Deformationsschwingung zu 0,44 (SCF) und 0,33 (CI) vorausgesagt.

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Work performed under the auspices of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commision.

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Supported by the grants from the Research Corporation and the University of California Committee on Research.     

Development of a systems analysis approach for resolving the structure of biodegrading soil systems

An experimental and mathematical method is developed for the microbial systems analysis of polyaromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)-degrading mixed cultures in PAH-contaminated “town gas” soil systems. Frequency response is the primary experimental and data analysis tool used to probe the structure of these complicated systems. The objective is to provide a fundamental protocol for evaluating the performance of specific mixed microbial cultures on specific soil systems by elucidating the salient system variables and their interactions. Two well-described reactor systems, a constant volume stirred tank reactor (CSTR) and a plug flow differential volume reactor, are used in order to remove performance effects that are related to reactor type as opposed to system structure. These two reactor systems are well-defined systems that can be described mathematically and represent the two extremes of one potentially important system variable, macroscopic mass transfer. The experimental and mathematical structure of the protocol is described, experimental data is presented, and data analysis is demonstrated for the stripping, sorption, and biodegradation of napththalene.     

A double-twist Möbius-aromatic conformation of [14]annulene

[structure: see text] B3LYP and KMLYP/6-31G(d) calculations predict a double-helical and chiral conformation of [14]annulene with the topological properties of a double-twist M?bius band as highly aromatic; its energy with respect to the known Hückel-aromatic conformation is predicted to be stabilized by suitable ring substitution.