The weakly bound He-HCCCN complex: high-resolution microwave spectra and intermolecular potential-energy surface

Rotational spectra of the weakly bound He-HCCCN and He-DCCCN van der Waals complexes were observed using a pulsed-nozzle Fourier-transform microwave spectrometer in the 7-26-GHz frequency region. Nuclear quadrupole hyperfine structures due to the 14N and D nuclei (both with nuclear-spin quantum number I = 1) were resolved and assigned. Both strong a and weaker b-type transitions were observed and the assigned transitions were used to fit the parameters of a distortable asymmetric rotor model. The dimers are floppy, near T-shaped complexes. Three intermolecular potential-energy surfaces were calculated using the coupled-cluster method with single and double excitations and noniterative inclusion of triple excitations. Bound-state rotational energy levels supported by these surfaces were determined. The quality of the potential-energy surfaces was assessed by comparing the experimental and calculated transition frequencies and also the corresponding spectroscopic parameters. Simple scaling of the surfaces improved both the transition frequencies and spectroscopic constants. Five other recently reported surfaces [O. Akin-Ojo, R. Bukowski, and K. Szalewicz, J. Chem. Phys. 119, 8379 (2003)], calculated using a variety of methods, and their agreement with spectroscopic properties of He-HCCCN are discussed.     

Comparison of total folate concentrations in foods determined by microbiological assay at several experienced U.S. commercial laboratories

Analysis of total folate concentration measured by microbiological assay in a variety of foods submitted in a routine manner to experienced laboratories that regularly perform folate analysis on fee-for-service basis was evaluated. Homogenates of fresh strawberries, frozen spinach, orange juice, frozen meat and vegetable pizza, dry macaroni, and dried pinto beans were prepared and stored under conditions previously determined to maintain stability of folate content. An aliquot of each composite and of 3 certified reference materials were sent on each of 4 occasions to 4 laboratories. Results for macaroni and pizza, the only folic acid-fortified foods, had considerably lower between-laboratory variation (CV(B)) with CV(B) of 9-11% versus >45% for other foods. Mean total folate ranged from 14 to 279 microg/100 g for a mixed vegetable reference material, from 5 to 70 microg/100 g for strawberries, and from 28 to 81 microg/100 g for wholemeal flour. Only 1 laboratory reported using a tri-enzyme extraction, and all laboratories used folic acid fortified foods as internal control materials. Users of commercial total folate analysis should understand the uncertainty in values determined by microbiological assay, particularly for foods containing primarily naturally occurring folate, which may not be apparent when replicate samples are not submitted for analysis.     

Novel diastereoselective synthesis of (E)- and (Z)-allylsilanes via organoboranes

A simple, novel diastereoselective synthesis of both (E)- and (Z)-allylsilanes via organoboranes is developed. (E)-1-Alkenylboronate esters easily prepared from the corresponding terminal alkynes via hydroboration with dibromoborane-methyl sulfide complex followed by treatment with 1,3-propane diol readily react with trimethylsilylmethyllithium at −78 °C in methanol followed by reaction with iodine in methanol to produce the corresponding (Z)-allylsilanes in high yields (72-80%) and in high stereochemical purities (98% as evidenced by CMR spectral data). Similarly, the (Z)-1-alkenylboronate esters react with trimethylsilylmethyllithium at −78 °C in methanol followed by treatment with iodine in methanol to produce the corresponding (E)-allylsilanes in moderate yields (57-65%) in high stereochemical purities (>98% as revealed by CMR spectral data).     

Evaluation of VIDAS Salmonella (SLM) immunoassay method with Rappaport-Vassiliadis (RV) medium for detection of Salmonella in foods: collaborative study

A collaborative study was conducted to compare the VIDAS Salmonella (SLM) with Rappaport-Vassiliadis (RV) method for detection of Salmonella in foods to the current standard method presented in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Bacteriological Analytical Manual (BAM) and the culture method presented in AOAC's Official Methods of Analysis. The VIDAS SLM with RV method uses tetrathionate broth in combination with RV medium in place of selenite cystine broth for selective enrichment, thereby eliminating the hazardous waste issue for laboratories. Twenty five laboratories participated in the evaluation, each testing one or more of 8 test products: nonfat dry milk, dried egg, soy flour, lactic casein, milk chocolate, raw ground pork, raw ground turkey, and raw peeled shrimp. Results of the study showed no significant differences in the numbers of confirmed positive samples with the VIDAS SLM with RV procedure and the BAM/AOAC culture procedure. The VIDAS SLM with RV method was effective for rapid detection of Salmonella in foods. It is recommended that AOAC INTERNATIONAL modify the VIDAS Salmonella SLM procedure to include the RV method.     

Effect of the sixth axial ligand in CS-ligated iron(II)octaethylporphyrinates: structural and Mössbauer studies

The effect of a sixth ligand in a series of low-spin thiocarbonyl-ligated iron(II)octaethylporphyrinates has been investigated. Six-coordinate complexes have been synthesized and characterized by M?ssbauer and infrared spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray structure determinations. The results are compared with the five-coordinate parent complex. The crystal structures of [Fe(OEP)(CS)(1-MeIm)] and [Fe(OEP)(CS)(Py)] are reported and discussed. The 1-methylimidazole and pyridine derivatives exhibit Fe-C(CS) bond distances of 1.703(4) and 1.706(2) A that are significantly longer than the 1.662(3) A reported for five-coordinate [Fe(OEP)(CS)] (Scheidt, W. R.; Geiger, D. K. Inorg. Chem. 1982, 21, 1208). The trans Fe-N(ligand) distances of 2.112(3) and 2.1550(15) A observed for the 1-methylimidazole and pyridine complex are approximately 0.13 A longer than those observed for analogous bis-ligated complexes and are consistent with a significant structural trans effect for the CS ligand. M?ssbauer investigations carried out for five- and six-coordinate thiocarbonyl derivatives with several different sixth axial ligands reveal interesting features. All derivatives exhibit very small isomer shift values, consistent with a very strong interaction between iron and CS. The five-coordinate derivative has delta(Fe) = 0.08 mm/s, and the six-coordinate complexes exhibit delta(Fe) = 0.14 to 0.19 mm/s at 4.2 K. The five-coordinate complex shows a large quadrupole splitting (DeltaE(q) = 1.93 mm/s at 4.2 K) which is reduced on coordination of the sixth ligand (DeltaE(q) = 0.42-0.80 mm/s at 4.2 K). Addition of a sixth ligand also leads to a small decrease in the value of nu(CS). Correlations in structural, IR, and M?ssbauer results suggest that the sixth ligand effect is primarily induced by changes in sigma-bonding. The structure of [Fe(OEP)(CS)(CH(3)OH)] is briefly reported. Crystal data: [Fe(OEP)(CS)(1-MeIm)] crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P2(1)/n, Z = 4, a = 9.5906(5) A, b = 16.704(4) A, c = 23.1417(6) A, beta = 100.453(7) degrees. [Fe(OEP)(CS)(Py)] crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group P1, Z = 5, a = 13.9073(6) A, b = 16.2624(7) A, c = 22.0709(9) A, alpha = 70.586(1) degrees, beta = 77.242(1) degrees, gamma = 77.959(1) degrees. [Fe(OEP)(CS)(CH(3)OH)] crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group P1, Z = 1, a = 9.0599(5) A, b = 9.4389(5) A, c = 11.0676(6) A, alpha = 90.261(1) degrees, beta = 100.362(1) degrees, gamma = 114.664(1) degrees.     

Simplified,interpretable graph convolutional neural networks for small molecule activity prediction

Journal of Computer-Aided Molecular Design - We here present a streamlined, explainable graph convolutional neural network (gCNN) architecture for small molecule activity prediction. We first...     

Line tension at fluid membrane domain boundaries measured by micropipette aspiration

Line tension is a determinant of fluid phase domain formation kinetics and morphology in lipid bilayer membranes, which are models for biological membrane heterogeneity. We describe the first direct measurement of this line tension by micropipette aspiration. Our data are analyzed with a model that does not rely on independently measured (and composition dependent) secondary parameters, such as bending stiffness or membrane viscosities. Line tension is strongly composition dependent and decreases towards a critical consolute point in a quasiternary room temperature phase diagram.