Site-specific ϕ- and ψ-torsion angle determination in a uniformly/extensively 13C- and 15N-labeled peptide

A solid-state rotational-echo double resonance (REDOR) NMR method was introduced to identify the ?- and ψ-torsion angle from a ¹H–¹⁵N or ¹H–¹³C′ spin system of alanine-like residues in a selectively, uniformly, or extensively ¹⁵N-/¹³C-labeled peptide. When a C_α(i) or a ¹⁵N peak is site-specifically obtainable in the NMR spectrum of a uniformly ¹⁵N/¹³C-labeled sample system, the ψ- or ?-torsion angle specified by the conformational structure of peptide geometry involving ¹⁵N(i)–¹H_αi–¹⁵N(i + 1) or ¹³C′(i − 1)–¹H^Ni–¹³C′(i) spin system can be identified based on ¹³C_α- or ¹⁵N-detected ¹H_α–¹⁵N or ¹H_N–¹³C REDOR experiment. This method will conveniently be utilized to identify major secondary motifs, such as α-helix, β-sheet, and β-turn, from a uniformly ¹⁵N-/¹³C-labled peptide sample system. When tested on a ¹³C-/¹⁵N-labeled model system of a three amino acid peptide Gly–[U–¹³C, ¹⁵N]Ala–[U–¹³C, ¹⁵N]Leu, the ψ-angle of alanine obtained experimentally, ψ = −40 ± 30°, agreed reasonably well with the X-ray determined angle, ψ = −39°.     

Two simultaneous mechanisms causing glass transition temperature reductions in high molecular weight freestanding polymer films as measured by transmission ellipsometry

We study the glass transition in confined polymer films and present the first experimental evidence indicating that two separate mechanisms can act simultaneously on the film to propagate enhanced mobility from the free surface into the material. Using transmission ellipsometry, we have measured the thermal expansion of ultrathin, high molecular-weight (MW), freestanding polystyrene films over an extended temperature range. For two different MWs, we observed two distinct reduced glass transition temperatures (T(g)'s), separated by up to 60 K, within single films with thicknesses h less than 70 nm. The lower transition follows the expected MW dependent, linear T(g)(h) behavior previously seen in high MW freestanding films. We also observe a much stronger upper transition with no MW dependence that exhibits the same T(g)(h) dependence as supported and low MW freestanding polymer films.     

Adaptive optics wide-field microscopy using direct wavefront sensing

We report a technique for measuring and correcting the wavefront aberrations introduced by a biological sample using a Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor, a fluorescent reference source, and a deformable mirror. The reference source and sample fluorescence are at different wavelengths to separate wavefront measurement and sample imaging. The measurement and correction at one wavelength improves the resolving power at a different wavelength, enabling the structure of the sample to be resolved.     

Orientable Hamilton Cycle Embeddings of Complete Tripartite Graphs II: Voltage Graph Constructions and Applications

In an earlier article the authors constructed a hamilton cycle embedding of in a nonorientable surface for all and then used these embeddings to determine the genus of some large families of graphs. In this two‐part series, we extend those results to orientable surfaces for all . In part II, a voltage graph construction is presented for building embeddings of the complete tripartite graph on an orientable surface such that the boundary of every face is a hamilton cycle. This construction works for all such that p is prime, completing the proof started by part I (which covers the case ) that there exists an orientable hamilton cycle embedding of for all , . These embeddings are then used to determine the genus of several families of graphs, notably for and, in some cases, for .     

Frameworks with forced symmetry II: orientation-preserving crystallographic groups

We give a combinatorial characterization of minimally rigid planar frameworks with orientation-preserving crystallographic symmetry, under the constraint of forced symmetry. The main theorems are proved by extending the methods of the first paper in this sequence from groups generated by a single rotation to groups generated by translations and rotations. The proof makes use of new families of matroids and submodular functions defined on crystallographic groups.     

Multilayer Film Fabrication Using Flow Injection Coupled with Electrochemical Deposition

A simple method is proposed for the electrodeposition of multilayers using a modified closed flow injection system. The apparatus incorporates flowing streams of electrolyte through a closed atmosphere flow cell for deposition of multilayers. Computer and software control is used to alternate the flow of electrolyte and control the alternating current or potential of the electrochemical cell. Electrodeposition of metallic multilayers of nickel/iron, iron/copper, cobalt/copper, and nickel/copper were used to test the instrument design. X‐ray diffraction was used to verify the composition and orientation of the films and scanning electron microscopy was used to examine the morphology of the deposited films. Advantages are discussed for using this type of instrumental setup for multilayer fabrication.