The Angle Defect for Odd-Dimensional Simplicial Manifolds

In a 1967 paper, Banchoff stated that a certain type of polyhedral curvature, that applies to all finite polyhedra, was zero at all vertices of an odd-dimensional polyhedral manifold; one then obtains an elementary proof that odd-dimensional manifolds have zero Euler characteristic. In a previous paper, the author defined a different approach to curvature for arbitrary simplicial complexes, based upon a direct generalization of the angle defect. The generalized angle defect is not zero at the simplices of every odd-dimensional manifold. In this paper we use a sequence based upon the Bernoulli numbers to define a variant of the angle defect for finite simplicial complexes that still satisfies a Gauss-Bonnet-type theorem, but is also zero at any simplex of an odd-dimensional simplicial complex K (of dimension at least 3), such that χ(link(ηⁱ, K)) = 2 for all i-simplices ηⁱ of K, where i is an even integer such that 0 ≤ i ≤ n – 1. As a corollary, an elementary proof is given that any such simplicial complex has Euler characteristic zero.     

The crystal and molecular structure of 12,13-dibromopseurotin.

The crystal structure of 12,13-dibromopseurotin has been determined by single crystal X-ray analysis. The crystals belong to space group P2₁ with a = 16.75, b = 9.63, c = 7.42 Å, β 95.9°, Z = 2. The structure was solved by the heavy atom technique and refined to R = 0.062 with 819 significant reflexions for 299 parameters.     

Radiative lifetimes of ions measured with the photoelectron spectrometer

Using a modified photoelectron spectrometer the radiative lifetimes of some electronically excited diatomic and triatomic molecular ions have been determined. The method is based on measuring the time delay between the ejection of a photoelectron from a molecule and the emission of a photon from the resulting ion.     

Electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization tandem time-of-flight mass spectrometric analyses to solve micro-heterogeneity in post-translationally modified peptides from Phoneutria nigriventer (Aranea, Ctenidae) venom

Previous studies of the fractionated venom of the Brazilian armed spider Phoneutria nigriventer, obtained by gel filtration, have demonstrated the presence of a fraction PhM, a pool of small peptides (up to 2000 Da) that provoke contractions in smooth muscle of guinea pig ileum. Initial attempts to sequence these peptides were largely unsuccessful because of the low purification yield and the fact that the majority seemed to be blocked at their N-termini. In the present work, analysis of this venom fraction by mass spectrometry has revealed the existence of a highly complex mixture of peptides with molecular weights corresponding to those observed for the muscle-active peptides previously described (800-1800 Da). These peptides appear to be a family of isoforms with some particular features. The amino acid sequences of 15 isoforms have been determined by tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) using both electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (ESI-Q/ToFMS) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization tandem time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-ToF/ToFMS). These molecules contain post-translational modifications such as proteolysis and C-terminal amidation, which combine to generate additional isoforms. All the isoforms sequenced in this study possess an N-terminal pyroglutamic acid residue. A search for sequence similarities with other peptides in databanks revealed that these peptides are structurally related to the tachykinins, a family of neuro-hormone peptides. The data obtained in this study will be essential for the subsequent steps of this research, the synthesis of these peptides and pharmacological characterization of their biological activity.     

(2S,3S,4R)-2-正戊基-3,4-二叠氮基四氢噻吩的合成

以（＋）－4，10－二氧杂三环[5.2.1.O^2,6]－癸－8－烯－3－醇为原料。经8步反应，对映选择性地合成出去氧维生素H的重要中间体：（2S，3S，4R）－2－正戊基－3，4－二叠氮基四氢噻吩。为对映选择性合成手性四氢噻吩类化合物提供了新的方法。     

Gas Storage in Porous Molecular Materials

Molecules with permanent porosity in the solid state have been studied for decades. Porosity in these systems is governed by intrinsic pore space, as in cages or macrocycles, and extrinsic void space, created through loose, intermolecular solid-state packing. The development of permanently porous molecular materials, especially cages with organic or metal–organic composition, has seen increased interest over the past decade, and as such, incredibly high surface areas have been reported for these solids. Despite this, examples of these materials being explored for gas storage applications are relatively limited. This minireview outlines existing molecular systems that have been investigated for gas storage and highlights strategies that have been used to understand adsorption mechanisms in porous molecular materials.     

An Improved Synthesis of 2,2-Dialkyl-1,3-Indanediones

2,2-Dialkyl-1,3-indanediones are useful synthetic intermediates (^1,2) and are know to possess an anticonvulsive activity (³). These compounds are usually prepared by alkylation of 1,3-indanedione under drastic conditions and thus are obtained with low yields (20% to 40%). We describe here a convenient and high yield procedure for the synthesis of symmetrical and unsymmetrical 2,2-dialkyl-1,3-in-danediones based on alkylation of 1,3-indanediones in the presence of celite coated with potassium fluoride (KF-celite). This new reagent has been very recently used to carry out various alkylation reactions (³). We found that KF-celite promotes excellent C-dialkylation (⁴) of 1,3-indanedione la, giving rise to symmetrical 2,2-dialkylated compounds 2a. In the same way, unsymmetrical 2,2-dialkyl-1,3 indanediones 2b can be easily prepared from 2-methyl-1,3-indanedione Ib (⁵).     

Polyphenolics with Strong Antioxidant Activity from Acacia nilotica Ameliorate Some Biochemical Signs of Arsenic-Induced Neurotoxicity and Oxidative Stress in Mice

Neurotoxicity is a serious health problem of patients chronically exposed to arsenic. There is no specific treatment of this problem. Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathological process of neurotoxicity. Polyphenolics have proven antioxidant activity, thereby offering protection against oxidative stress. In this study, we have isolated the polyphenolics from Acacia nilotica and investigated its effect against arsenic-induced neurotoxicity and oxidative stress in mice. Acacia nilotica polyphenolics prepared from column chromatography of the crude methanol extract using diaion resin contained a phenolic content of 452.185 ± 7.879 mg gallic acid equivalent/gm of sample and flavonoid content of 200.075 ± 0.755 mg catechin equivalent/gm of sample. The polyphenolics exhibited potent antioxidant activity with respect to free radical scavenging ability, total antioxidant activity and inhibition of lipid peroxidation. Administration of arsenic in mice showed a reduction of acetylcholinesterase activity in the brain which was counteracted by Acacia nilotica polyphenolics. Similarly, elevation of lipid peroxidation and depletion of glutathione in the brain of mice was effectively restored to normal level by Acacia nilotica polyphenolics. Gallic acid methyl ester, catechin and catechin-7-gallate were identified in the polyphenolics as the major active compounds. These results suggest that Acacia nilotica polyphenolics due to its strong antioxidant potential might be effective in the management of arsenic induced neurotoxicity.