Distributed memory parallel implementation of energies and gradients for second-order Møller-Plesset perturbation theory with the resolution-of-the-identity approximation

We present a parallel implementation of second-order M?ller-Plesset perturbation theory with the resolution-of-the-identity approximation (RI-MP2). The implementation is based on a recent improved sequential implementation of RI-MP2 within the Turbomole program package and employs the message passing interface (MPI) standard for communication between distributed memory nodes. The parallel implementation extends the applicability of canonical MP2 to considerably larger systems. Examples are presented for full geometry optimizations with up to 60 atoms and 3300 basis functions and MP2 energy calculations with more than 200 atoms and 7000 basis functions.     

Assignment and extraction of dynamics of a small molecule with a complex vibrational spectrum: thiophosgene

The dispersed fluorescence spectrum of the ground electronic state of thiophosgene, SCCl2, is analyzed in a very complex region of vibrational excitation, 7000-9000 cm(-1). The final result is that most of the inferred excited vibrational levels are assigned in terms of approximate constants of the motion. Furthermore, each level is associated with a rung on a ladder of quantum states on the basis of common reduced dimension fundamental motions. The resulting ladders cannot be identified by any experimental means, and it is the interspersing in energy of their rungs that makes the spectrum complex even after the process of level separation into polyads. Van Vleck perturbation theory is used to create polyad constants of the motion and a spectroscopic Hamiltonian from a potential fitted to experimental data. The eigen functions of this spectroscopic Hamiltonian are rewritten as semiclassical wave functions and transformed to a representation that allows us to analyze and assign the spectra with no other work other than to utilize concepts from nonlinear dynamics.     

Dynamic light-scattering analysis of the electrostatic interaction of hexahistidine-tagged cytochrome P450 enzyme with semiconductor quantum dots.

Currently, there is great interest in the development of methods suitable for determining the stoichiometry of biomolecules attached to nanoparticles. We describe the use of the dynamic light-scattering technique (DLS) to determine the stoichiometry of the protein cytochrome P450(BSbeta) attached to CdS and CdSe quantum dots (QDs). The enzyme-conjugated QDs have different diffusion characteristics compared to the QD and enzyme precursors, expressed in their size, scattering intensity as well as zeta-potential values. The significant enhancement of the scattering intensity of QDs observed upon conjugation with the P450(BSbeta) due to the refractive-index increment and the systematic variation in zeta potential resulting from charge neutralization of the anionic QDs by the cationic histidine-tagged P450(BSbeta) have been used for stoichiometry determination.     

Barrelane-like germanium clusters in Eu3Ge5: Crystal structure, chemical bonding and physical properties

Formation and crystal structure of the binary germanide Eu₃Ge₅ were investigated in detail. The compound forms peritectically at 1008 °C and does not undergo any phase transition down to room temperature. The crystal structure was determined first from X-ray powder diffraction data and was later confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction: structure type Pu₃Pd₅, space group Cmcm (no. 63), , , . The main building blocks are Ge₅⁶⁻ cluster anions surrounded by Eu²⁺ cations. The nearly tetragonal-pyramidal shape is suggested by the interatomic distances. Contrary to that, the bonding analysis with the electron localization function (ELF) reveals only two- and three-bonded germanium atoms forming a strongly distorted [1.1.1]-barrelane-like cluster. Despite the formal electron deficiency, compared to the barrelane C₅H₈, the electron counting in the cluster anion and its conformation cannot be interpreted applying the Wade's rules. In accordance with the calculated electronic density of states, Eu₃Ge₅ shows a metal-like temperature dependence of the electrical resistivity with a sharp change of ρ(T) slope at the Néel point. Above the Néel point the inverse magnetic susceptibility reveals Curie-Weiss behavior with an effective moment of 8.11 μ_B (Eu²⁺, 4f⁷ configuration) in agreement with the analysis of the chemical bonding. The 4f⁷ electronic configuration of europium is confirmed by Eu-L_III X-ray absorption spectroscopy.     

A comparison of thermoreactive water-soluble poly-N,N-diethylacrylamide prepared by anionic and by group transfer polymerization

Several batches of poly-N,N-diethylacrylamide were synthesized by anionic and by group transfer polymerization (GTP). A radical poly-N,N-diethylacrylamide prepared from the same monomer was also included in the comparison. According to matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) both types of living polymerization resulted in narrow molecular weight distributions with M_w/M_n values below 1.5. Average molecular weights (M_n) between 888 and 4678 g/mol were calculated in these cases. The radical polymer had an average molecular weight (M_n) of approximately 130,000 g/mol. The dry anionic and GTP polymers were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and x-ray diffraction spectrometry. Evidence for partial crystallinity in the solid state was found. The conformation of all polymers was examined by high resolution (600 MHz) NMR. According to these measurements, 75% of the ? CHR? groups of the anionic poly-N,N-diethylacrylamide were located in an isotactic triade. The remaining 25% had heterotactic structure, while no indication for the presence of syndiotactic protons was found. Poly-N,N-diethylacrylamide prepared by GTP, on the other hand, had mainly syndiotactic structure. The aqueous solutions of the polymers showed phase separation upon heating. Whereas the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) was approximately 30°C in the case of the poly-N,N-diethylacrylamide prepared by GTP and by radical polymerization, uncommonly high LCSTs of more than 40°C were observed for the anionic poly-N,N-diethylacrylamide. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

An LC-MS screening method with library identification for the detection of steroids in dietary supplements

For many years anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) are by far the most frequently detected pharmacological substances in doping control. In order to improve their performances, professional sportsmen are often tempted to take dietary supplements. However, due to the frequent and widespread occurrence of contaminated supplements, the use of such products is not without risk for the athletes involved. In order to minimize the chances of an unattended positive doping test or serious health problems, fast and reliable screening methods for the detection of anabolic steroids in dietary supplements are needed. A general screening procedure requires the fast and unambiguous detection of a large range of steroids. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) has been used intensively in the detection of doping substances for the past 40 years. Over time, many laboratories have delivered spectra to be included in standard reference databases, one of which is maintained by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) (Gaithersburg, MD, USA). In recent years, however, liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC-MS) has gained popularity. Unfortunately, existing GC-MS libraries are not applicable to LC-MS analysis. In the present study, a new mass spectral library of 88 steroids was developed, along with a fast UPLC-MS method. For the construction of this mass spectral library, three different mass spectra were measured for each steroid, with a sample cone voltage of 30, 60 and 100 V, respectively. This method was then successfully tested on contaminated dietary supplements which had previously been tested by means of a targeted LC-MS/MS method. Overall, the library search was shown to identify the same compounds as the MRM method.