RNA-catalyzed RNA ligation on an external RNA template

Variants of the hc ligase ribozyme, which catalyzes ligation of the 3' end of an RNA substrate to the 5' end of the ribozyme, were utilized to evolve a ribozyme that catalyzes ligation reactions on an external RNA template. The evolved ribozyme catalyzes the joining of an oligonucleotide 3'-hydroxyl to the 5'-triphosphate of an RNA hairpin molecule. The ribozyme can also utilize various substrate sequences, demonstrating a largely sequence-independent mechanism for substrate recognition. The ribozyme also carries out the ligation of two oligonucleotides that are bound at adjacent positions on a complementary template. Finally, it catalyzes addition of mononucleoside 5'-triphosphates onto the 3' end of an oligonucleotide primer in a template-dependent manner. The development of ribozymes that catalyze polymerase-type reactions contributes to the notion that an RNA world could have existed during the early history of life on Earth.     

Formation and reactions of metal-metal bonded heterobimetallic (C5H4PR2)-bridged (Zr-Ir) and (Zr-Rh) complexes: evidence for the participation of metal hydride intermediates

Treatment of the complexes [(C(5)H(4)PR(2))(2)Zr(CH(3))(2)](b: R = isopropyl; c: R = cyclohexyl) with the reagent HIr(CO)(PPh(3))(3) (2b) yield the heterobimetallic complexes [mu-C(5)H(4)PR(2))(2)(H(3)C-Zr-Ir(CO)(PPh(3)))] (4b, 4c) with evolution of methane. The reaction of the -PPh(2) substituted analogue with initially yields an intermediate [(H(3)C)(2)Zr(mu-C(5)H(4)PPh(2))(2)Ir(H)(CO)(PPh(3))] 5a, that still contains both methyl groups at zirconium and does not contain a metal-metal bond. At room temperature, the intermediate reacts further with methane formation to eventually yield the (Zr-Ir) complex 4a. The corresponding [mu-C(5)H(4)PR(2))(2)(H(3)C-Zr-Rh(CO)(PPh(3)))] complexes 3a (R = Ph) and 3b (R = isopropyl) react cleanly with isopropyl alcohol to liberate methane and yield the corresponding [mu-C(5)H(4)PR(2))(2)(Me(2)CHO-Zr-Rh(CO)(PPh(3)))] products (7a, 7b). Carefully monitoring the reaction of with Me(2)CHOH by NMR revealed that the Zr-Rh functionality is attacked first to give the intermediate [Me(Me(2)CHO)Zr([micro sign]-C(5)H(4)PR(2))(2)Rh(H)(CO)(PPh(3))] (6b). This intermediate then reacts further to cleave off methane and re-form the (Zr-Rh) metal-metal bond to yield the product 7b. The tetrametallic mu-oxo-(Zr-Rh) metallocene derivate 11a was obtained starting from the (Zr-Rh) complex 3a and it was characterized by X-ray diffraction. It may be that this reaction is also initiated by H-OH addition to the [Zr-Rh] metal-metal bond.     

Zur Kenntnis der anomalen Reaktionen bei der Aminostickstoff-Bestimmung. IX. Die Reaktionen der Pyrrolin- und Oxazolinverbindungen mit salpetriger Säure

Zusammenfassung Es wurde die Reaktion von Pyrrolin- und Oxazolinverbindungen mit salpetriger Säure näher studiert, zumalTh. Wagner- Jauregg die Beobachtung machte, daß diese Verbindungen mit salpetriger Säure 1 Mol Stickstoff entwickeln, ohne daß eine primäre Aminogruppe vorhanden ist. Es zeigte sich, daß die Stickstoffentwicklung wie bei einem leicht desaminierbaren Amin schon bei 20° C schnell und vollständig vonstatten geht (Reaktion 1). Bei den Pyrrohnverbindungen ist ab 50° C noch eine weitere gasbildende Reaktion feststellbar, die bei 80 °C 1,40 Mole (N₂ + N₂O) liefert (Reaktion 2). Für die Reaktion 1 wird wahrscheinlich gemacht, daß sich zunächst eine in wäßriger Lösung unbeständige N-Nitrosoverbindung bildet. Bei deren Hydrolyse entsteht ein Diazoniumsalz, das unter Stickstoffentwicklung zerfällt. Dieses Reaktionsschema wird durch die Tatsache gestützt, daß bei Nitrosierung inwasserfreier Phase keine Stickstoffentwicklung erfolgt.Es wird weiters gezeigt, daß die Reaktion 2 (Gasentwicklung bei erhöhter Temperatur) durch die Folgeprodukte der Reaktion 1 verursacht wird. Bei diesen Folgeprodukten handelt es sich, wieWagner-Jauregg fand, um Acetonylverbindungen. Diese werden, wie wir bereits früher gezeigt haben, nitrosiert, wobei sich Isonitrosoverbindungen bilden. Die Isonitrosogruppe wird von überschüssiger salpetriger Säure unter Bildung von N₂ und N₂O zersetzt.Für die Aminostickstoffbestimmung ergibt sich daraus, daß Pyrrolinund Oxazolinverbindungen nur mit Nitrosylbromid in Eisessig (vgl.Kainz, Huber undKasler ¹⁵) richtig analysiert werden künnen, während die Bestimmung mit wäßriger Nitritlösung(van Slyke) ein Fehlresultat verursacht.

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Summary A study was made of the reaction of pyrrolin- and oxazoline compounds with nitrous acid, especially sinceTh. Wagner- Jauregg observed that these compounds generate 1 mol of nitrogen with nitrous acid, though no primary amino group is present. It was observed that the evolution of nitrogen, as in the case of a readily deaminable amine, occurs rapidly and completely even at 20° C (reaction 1). With the pyrroline compounds, it was possible to demonstrate another gas-producing reaction from 50° C on, which yields 1.40 mols (N₂ + N₂O) at 80° C (reaction 2). It is probable that in reaction (1) there is formation of a N-nitroso compound instable in water solution, and that the hydrolysis of this primary product yields a diazonium salt, which decomposes with evolution of nitrogen. This reaction scheme is supported by the fact that no formation of nitrogen is observed on nitrosation in solutions containing no water.It was also shown that the reaction (2) (evolution of gas at raised temperature) is caused by the secondary product of reaction (1). In these latter products there are involved, as shown byWagner- Jauregg, acetonyl compounds, which as we have proved previously, are nitrosated with formation ofiso-nitroso compounds. Theiso-nitroso group is decomposed by excess nitrous acid with production of N₂ and N₂O.With respect to the determination of amino nitrogen, it was found that pyrroline- and oxazoline compounds can be correctly analyzed only with nitrosyl bromide in glacial acetic acid (compareKainz, Huber, andKasler ¹⁵), whereas the determination with aqueous nitrite solution(van Slyke) brings about an incorrect result.

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Résumé Les auteurs ont poussé l'étude de la réaction des dérivés de la pyrroline et de l'oxazoline avec l'acide nitreux à partir de l'observation deTh. Wagner-Jauregg suivant laquelle ces combinaisons réagissent sur l'acide nitreux en dégageant une molécule d'azote en l'absence de tout groupe aminé primaire. Il est apparu que le dégagement d'azote se produit rapidement et complètement à 20° C comme pour une amine réagissant facilement (Réaction 1). Pour les combinaisons de la pyrroline une autre réaction commençant à partir de 50° C et donnant lieu à la formation de gaz a pu être établie; à 80° C, elle donne naissance à 1,40 molécule du mélange (N₂ + N₂O) (Réaction 2). Pour la réaction 1 il est vraisemblable qu'il se produit tout d'abord en solution aqueuse une combinaison N-nitrosée instable. Son hydrolyse produit un sel de diazonium qui se décompose avec dégagement d'azote. Ce schéma réactionnel est confirmé par le fait que par nitrosation en phase non aqueuse il ne se produit aucun dégagement d'azote.Il a été en outre montré que la réaction 2 (dégagement de gaz par élévation de température) est dûe aux produits formés dans la réaction 1. Parmi ces produits, se trouvent, comme l'ont montréWagner-Jauregg, des combinaisons acétonylées. Ces dernières, comme nous l'avons déjà montré antérieurement, se nitrosent en donnant lieu à la formation de combinaisons isonitrosées. Le groupement isonitrosé est décomposé par l'acide nitreux en excès avec formation de N₂ et de N₂O. Pour la détermination de l'azote aminé, il en résulte que les dérivés de la pyrroline et de l'oxazoline ne peuvent être correctement analysés qu'en employant du bromure de nitrosyle en solution dans l'acide acétique (cf.Kainz, Huber etKasler ¹⁵) tandis que la détermination par action d'une solution aqueuse de nitrite (van Slyke) fournit un résultat erroné.

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VIII. Mitteilung: Anomalie einiger Aminosäuren¹.     

Is there stereoselectivity in spin trapping superoxide by 5-tert-butoxycarbonyl-5-methyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide?

[reaction: see text] Ester-containing nitrones, including 5-tert-butoxycarbonyl-5-methyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide 5, have been reported to be robust spin traps for superoxide (O2*-). Using a chiral column, we have been able to isolate the two enantiomers of nitrone 5. With enantiomerically pure nitrone 5a and 5b we explored whether one of these isomers was solely responsible for the EPR spectrum of aminoxyl 6. Data obtained demonstrate that the spin trapping of O2*- by nitrone 5a and nitrone 5b affords the identical EPR spectra and lifetimes in homogeneous aqueous solution and exhibits the same ratio of cis and trans isomers. Quantum chemical modeling in vacuo also finds no difference, aside from the expected optical activity, arising from the difference in stereochemistry.     

Reduced local energy as a criterion for the accuracy of approximate H2 wave-functions

The goodness of the local fit of an approximate wave-function, \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \tilde \psi $\end{document}, to the exact function, ψ₀, is \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ |\tilde \psi - \psi _0 | $\end{document}. From this quantity the global accuracy of \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \tilde \psi $\end{document} is defined and a “working supposition” is presented, which quantitatively relates the global accuracy to the accuracy of expectation values. Two criteria based on the accuracy of the reduced local energy and the density respectively, are presented as alternatives to \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ |\tilde \psi - \psi _0 | $\end{document}. The relative global accuracies of eight wave-functions for H₂ are determined using the two criteria. The ‘working supposition’ is applied and predictions are made concerning the relative accuracies of the expectation values of the following operators: z², r², x² + y², 3z² ?; r², ξ, r, r, and E_L (the reduced local energy). The success rate is high (>90%) except for those operators which are sensitive to interelectron coordinates or derivatives of the wave-function.     

Developing and Maintaining an Equity Index Fund

An index fund is a portfolio of shares designed to replicate the investment performance of a market index. The index represents the behaviour of the market as a whole. This paper describes the selection of an index fund which minimizes expected tracking error. Using a multivariate model of returns on shares, a development of a univariate model by Taylor, the selection problem is formulated as a quadratic programme. The effects of various constraints on tracking error are demonstrated. Several policies for the readjustment of a fund are examined in the context of the differing objectives of fund managers. As a general rule, regular readjustment is shown to be a more expensive policy than irregular updating.     

Growth and melting behaviour of thin in films on Ge(100)

Growth and melting behaviour of thin indium films on Ge(100) have been investigated by Auger-electron spectroscopy (AES), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and perturbed angular correlation (PAC) spectroscopy, respectively. At room temperature inidium is found to grow in three-dimensional islands even at submonolayer coverages. A very rough film surface is observed for thicknesses up to 230 ML. The melting behaviour of such films has been studied by PAC. A reduction of the melting temperature T _m as well as a strong supercooling of the films is observed. The electric field gradient for ¹¹¹In(¹¹¹Cd) in the indium islands is determined as a function of temperature and is used to monitor the local crystalline order of the films up to temperatures just below the melting point.     

Nonequilibrium Brownian dynamics simulations of shear thinning in concentrated colloidal suspensions

The effect of interparticle forces on shear thinning in concentrated aqueous and nonaqueous colloidal suspensions was studied using nonequilibrium Brownian dynamics. Hydrodynamic interactions among particles were neglected. Systems of 108 particles were studied at volume fractions of 0.2 and 0.4. For the nonaqueous systems, shear thinning could be correlated with the gradual breakup of small flocs present because of the weak, attractive secondary minimum in the interparticle potential. At the highest shear rate for=0.4, the particles were organized into a hexagonally packed array of strings. For the strongly repulsive aqueous systems, the viscosity appeared to be a discontinuous function of the shear rate. For=0.4, this discontinuity coincided with a transition from a disordered state to a lamellar structure for the suspension.