Crystallization of Arthrobacter sp. strain 1C N-(1-D-carboxyethyl)-L-norvaline dehydrogenase and its complex with NAD+

The novel NAD+-linked opine dehydrogenase from a soil isolate Arthrobacter sp. strain 1C belongs to an enzyme superfamily whose members exhibit quite diverse substrate specificites. Crystals of this opine dehydrogenase, obtained in the presence or absence of co-factor and substrates, have been shown to diffract to beyond 1.8 ? resolution. X-ray precession photographs have established that the crystals belong to space group P21212, with cell parameters a = 104.9, b = 80.0, c = 45.5 ? and a single subunit in the asymmetric unit. The elucidation of the three-dimensional structure of this enzyme will provide a structural framework for this novel class of dehydrogenases to enable a comparison to be made with other enzyme families and also as the basis for mutagenesis experiments directed towards the production of natural and synthetic opine-type compounds containing two chiral centres.     

How does the ambiguity of the electronic stress tensor influence its ability to serve as bonding indicator

The electronic stress tensor is not uniquely defined. Possible bonding indicators originating from the quantum stress tensor may inherit this ambiguity. Based on a general formula of the stress tensor this ambiguity can be described by an external parameter λ for indicators derived from the scaled trace of the stress tensor (whereby the scaling function is proportional to the Thomas–Fermi kinetic energy density). The influence of λ is analyzed and the consequences for the representation of chemical bonding are discussed in detail. It is found that the scaled trace of the stress tensor may serve as suitable bonding indicator over a wide range of λ values, excluding the value range between ?0.15 and ?0.48. Focusing on the eigenvalues of the stress tensor, it is found that the sign of the eigenvalues heavily depends on the chosen representation of the stress tensor. Therefore, chemical bonding analyses which are based on the interpretation of the eigenvalue sign (e.g., the spindle structure) are strongly dependent on the chosen form of the stress tensor. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

About the compatibility between ansatzes and constraints for a local formulation of orbital‐free density functional theory

Functional properties that are exact for the Hohenberg–Kohn functional may turn into mutually exclusive constraints at a given level of ansatz. This is exemplarily shown for the local density approximation. Nevertheless, it is possible to reach exactly the Kohn–Sham data from an orbital‐free density functional framework based on simple one‐point functionals by starting from the Levy–Perdew–Sahni formulation. The energy value is obtained from the density‐potential pair, and therefore does not refer to the functional dependence of the potential expression. Consequently, the potential expression can be obtained from any suitable model and is not required to follow proper scaling behavior.     

The exact Fermi potential yielding the Hartree–Fock electron density from orbital‐free density functional theory

The exact expression for the Fermi potential yielding the Hartree–Fock electron density within an orbital‐free density functional formalism is derived. The Fermi potential, which is defined as that part of the potential that depends on the particles’ nature, is in this context given as the sum of the Pauli potential and the exchange potential. The exact exchange potential for an orbital‐free density functional formalism is shown to be the Slater potential.     

A Problem in Linear Matrix Approximation

Let A be a normal operator in ??(H), H a complex Hilbert space, and let ? _A = ? {AX - XA:X ∈ ??(H)} be the commutator subspace of ??(H) associated with A. If B in ??(H) commutes with A, then B is orthogonal to ?_A with respect to the spectral norm; i.e., the null operator is an element of best approximation of B in ? _A. This was proved by J. Anderson in 1973 and extended by P. J. Maher with respect to the Schatten p-norm recently. We take a look at their result from a more approximation theoretical point of view in the finite dimensional setting; in particular, we characterize all elements of best approximation of B in R_A and prove that the metric projection of H onto ?_A is continuous.     

Ion beam sputter deposition of TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> films using oxygen ions

TiO₂ thin films were grown by ion beam sputter deposition (IBSD) using oxygen ions, with the ion energy and geometrical parameters (ion incidence angle, polar emission angle, and scattering angle) being varied systematically. Metallic Ti and ceramic TiO₂ served as target materials. The thin films were characterized concerning thickness, growth rate, surface topography, structural properties, mass density, and optical properties. It was found that the scattering geometry has the main impact on the film properties. Target material, ion energy, and ion incidence angle have only a marginal influence. Former studies on reactive IBSD of TiO₂ using Ar and Xe ions reported equivalent patterns. Nevertheless, the respective ion species distinctively affects the film properties. For instance, mass density and the refractive index of the TiO₂ thin films are remarkably lower for sputtering with oxygen ions than for sputtering with Ar or Xe ions. The variations in the thin film properties are tentatively attributed to the angular and the energy distribution of the film-forming particles, especially, to those of the backscattered primary particles.     

Correlation of process parameters and properties of TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> films grown by ion beam sputter deposition from a ceramic target

The correlation between process parameters and properties of TiO₂ films grown by ion beam sputter deposition from a ceramic target was investigated. TiO₂ films were grown under systematic variation of ion beam parameters (ion species, ion energy) and geometrical parameters (ion incidence angle, polar emission angle) and characterized with respect to film thickness, growth rate, structural properties, surface topography, composition, optical properties, and mass density. Systematic variations of film properties with the scattering geometry, namely the scattering angle, have been revealed. There are also considerable differences in film properties when changing the process gas from Ar to Xe. Similar systematics were reported for TiO₂ films grown by reactive ion beam sputter deposition from a metal target [C. Bundesmann et al., Appl. Surf. Sci. 421, 331 (2017)]. However, there are some deviations from the previously reported data, for instance, in growth rate, mass density and optical properties.     

Effect of stoichiometry and diffusion on an epoxy/amine reaction mechanism

The bulk phase kinetics of an epoxy (DGEBA) /amine (DDS) thermoset have been studied using DSC, FTIR, and ¹³C-NMR. In the absence of catalyst, the reaction was found to involve a main exothermic reaction between epoxide and amine hydrogen and a side reaction between tertiary amine formed in the main reaction and epoxide. The main reaction was exothermic while the side reaction had no discernable exotherm. Etherification did not occur to any significant extent. Since only the main reaction is exothermic, DSC was very useful for studying the main reaction kinetics. FTIR was used for determining whether epoxide and amine hydrogen were consumed at different rates as a way of following the side reaction. An IR band previously unused by other investigators was used to monitor the amine hydrogen concentration. NMR confirmed the above mechanism by identifying the formation of a quaternary ammonium ion/alkoxide ion pair as a reaction product of tertiary amine and epoxide. This mechanism has been successfully fit to a rate law valid over the entire extent of reaction. The rate constant for the epoxy/amine addition reaction was found to depend on hydroxide concentration (extent), reaction temperature, and glass transition temperature and included contributions from uncatalyzed and autocatalyzed parts. The side reaction (quaternary ammonium ion formation) formed weak bonds which did not affect the overall system T_g. Both reactions were second order. The rate constants for the main reaction first increase with increasing extent due to autocatalysis by hydroxide before decreasing due to the diffusion limit caused by gelation and vitrification. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.