Finite groups of matrices over group rings

We investigate certain finite subgroups of , where is a finite nilpotent group. Such a group gives rise to a -module; we study the characters of these modules to limit the structure of . We also exhibit some exotic subgroups .

     

Optimal rigid body motions,part 2: Minimum time solutions

The time-optimal control of rigid-body angular rates is investigated in the absence of direct control over one of the angular velocity components. The existence of singular subarcs in the time-optimal trajectories is explored. A numerical survey of the optimality conditions reveals that, over a large range of boundary conditions, there are in general several distinct extremal solutions. A classification of extremal solutions is presented, and domains of existence of the extremal subfamilies are established in a reduced parameter space. A locus of Darboux points is obtained, and global optimality of the extremal solutions is observed in relation to the Darboux points. The continuous dependence of the optimal trajectories with respect to variations in control constraints is noted, and a procedure to obtain the time-optimal bang-bang solutions is presented.This work was supported in part by DARPA under Contract No. ACMP-F49620-87-C-0016, by SDIO/IST under Contract No. F49620-87-C0088, and by Air Force Grant AFOSR-89-0001.     

DNA sequence-enabled reassembly of the green fluorescent protein

We describe a general methodology for the direct detection of DNA by the design of a split-protein system that reassembles to form an active complex only in the presence of a targeted DNA sequence. This approach, called SEquence Enabled Reassembly (SEER) of proteins, combines the ability to rationally dissect proteins to construct oligomerization-dependent protein reassembly systems and the availability of DNA binding Cys2-His2 zinc-finger motifs for the recognition of specific DNA sequences. We demonstrate the feasibility of the SEER approach utilizing the split green fluorescent protein appended to appropriate zinc fingers, such that chromophore formation is only catalyzed in the presence of DNA sequences that incorporate binding sites for both zinc fingers.     

Nematic Liquid Crystals with a Trifluoromethyl Group

Abstract

We have synthesised a new class of compounds incorporating a trifluoromethyl group in the terminal alkoxy or alkenyloxy chain. Compounds containing several aromatic rings were synthesised with a view to producing compounds of high birefringence. This also included the synthesis of compounds containing a carbon-carbon triple bond. Compounds with three 1,4-disubstituted rings were synthesised in order to produce materials with a high nematic clearing point and as low a melting point as possible. Laterally fluoro-substituted compounds were prepared to generate a high positive value of the dielectric anisotropy, a low melting point and no smectic mesophases. Substances containing a cyclohexyl ring, which tend to induce a lower viscosity and compounds incorporating a bicyclo[2.2.2]octane ring were also synthesised in order to produce a high nematic clearing point and to influence the elastic constants. The (E)-trifluorobut-2-enyloxy-compounds were prepared in attempts to produce compounds with appropriate elastic constants and a high birefringence.     

Crystal structure of the cytotoxic marine alkaloid 2-bromoleptoclinidinone

2-Bromoleptoclinidinone methanol solvate, C₁₈H₈BrN₃O·CH₄O, crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pbca with a = 15.7013(2), b = 7.3308(1), and c = 26.9326(1) Å. The molecule is essentially planar, with the largest deviations occurring at bromine (–0.21 Å), carbonyl oxygen O(l) (+0.19 Å) and in ring-A (C(9) –0.15 Å, C(10) –0.15 Å). Methanol occupies the 1,10-phenanthroline-like metal binding site of the title compound.     

Redox-state-dependent complex formation between pseudoazurin and nitrite reductase

Bacterial copper-containing nitrite reductase catalyzes the reduction of nitrite to nitric oxide as part of the denitrification process. Pseudoazurin interacts with nitrite reductase in a transient fashion to supply the necessary electrons. The redox-state dependence of complex formation between pseudoazurin and nitrite reductase was studied by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and isothermal titration calorimetry. Binding of pseudoazurin in the reduced state is characterized by the presence of two binding modes, a slow and a fast exchange mode, with a K(d)(app) of 100 microM. In the oxidized state of pseudoazurin, binding occurs in a single fast exchange mode with a similar affinity. Metal-substituted proteins have been used to show that the mode of binding of pseudoazurin is independent of the metal charge of nitrite reductase. Contrary to what was found for other cupredoxins, protonation of the exposed His ligand to the copper of pseudoazurin, His81, does not appear to be involved directly in the dual binding mode of the reduced form. A model assuming the presence of a minor form of pseudoazurin is proposed to explain the behavior of the complex in the reduced state.     

A dynamic study of earthworm feeding ecology -using stable isotopes

Changes in the specific diet of earthworms with time in relation to landuse changes and two different climates were studied by analysing (13)C and (15)N natural abundance in soils and animals. Soil samples from three depths (0-10, 10-20 and 20-30 cm) and earthworms were collected from two sites: Santiago (Northwest Spain) and North Wyke (Southwest England) both consisting of replicated long-term grasslands and recently converted to maize plots. Earthworms were hand-sorted in the field at the peak of the maize growth and after harvesting at both sites. In the Spanish plots, nine and eight earthworm species, all belonging to the three ecological categories (epigeic, anecic and endogeic), were found under maize and permanent pasture, whereas at the English site five and seven different species were, respectively, identified. At both sites (13)C isotopic values of the earthworm tissues reflected changes in diet from C(3) to C(4) with epigeic and epi/anecic worms in the maize plots showing one delta unit difference in relation to the ones found in the grassland plots. Anecic worms seemed to be less responsive to landuse changes. The higher (13)C values of the Spanish soils were also reflected in the earthworm tissues when compared with the English samples. (15)N values showed no clear relationship with the cropping treatments but were clearly related to the ecological grouping, with endogeic worms reaching the highest values whereas for the epigeic and epi/anecic species the lowest values were obtained. This finding was also previously recorded by other authors1 and suggests that, in the future, stable isotope techniques could also be a useful tool in taxonomic studies. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.