HBT with space- vs. time-like hydrodynamic freeze-out

Bose-Einstein correlations in relativistic heavy ion collisions and their dependence on the freeze-out condition in hydrodynamic models is examined. The Cooper & Fryespace-like freeze-out mechanism is compared totime-like freeze-out, where particles are emittedaway only from the surface, i.e. space- vs. time-like freeze-out. The corresponding HBT radii are calculated for the two models emphasizing the difference in the outward HBT radius.     

Bose-Einstein correlations in thermal field theory

Two-particle correlation functions are calculated for bosons emitted from a localized thermal source (the “glow” of a “hot spot”). In contrast to existing work, non-equilibrium effects up to first order in gradients of the particle distribution function are taken into account. The spectral width of the bosons is shown to be an important quantity: if it is too small, they do not equilibrate locally and therefore strongly increase the measured correlation radius.     

Reaction of the i-C4H5 (CH2CCHCH2) radical with O2

The resonantly stabilized radical i-C(4)H(5) (CH(2)CCHCH(2)) is an important intermediate in the combustion of unsaturated hydrocarbons and is thought to be involved in the formation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons through its reaction with acetylene (C(2)H(2)) to form benzene + H. This study uses quantum chemistry and statistical reaction rate theory to investigate the mechanism and kinetics of the i-C(4)H(5) + O(2) reaction as a function of temperature and pressure, and unlike most resonantly stabilized radicals we show that i-C(4)H(5) is consumed relatively rapidly by its reaction with molecular oxygen. O(2) addition occurs at the vinylic and allenic radical sites in i-C(4)H(5), with respective barriers of 0.9 and 4.9 kcal mol(-1). Addition to the allenic radical form produces an allenemethylperoxy radical adduct with only around 20 kcal mol(-1) excess vibrational energy. This adduct can isomerize to the ca. 14 kcal mol(-1) more stable 1,3-divinyl-2-peroxy radical via concerted and stepwise processes, both steps with barriers around 10 kcal mol(-1) below the entrance channel energy. Addition of O(2) to the vinylic radical site in i-C(4)H(5) directly forms the 1,3-divinyl-2-peroxy radical with a small barrier and around 36.8 kcal mol(-1) of excess energy. The 1,3-divinyl-2-peroxy radical isomerizes via ipso addition of the O(2) moiety followed by O atom insertion into the adjacent C-C bond. This process forms an unstable intermediate that ultimately dissociates to give the vinyl radical, formaldehyde, and CO. At higher temperatures formation of vinylacetylene + HO(2), the vinoxyl radical + ketene, and the 1,3-divinyl-2-oxyl radical + O paths have some importance. Because of the adiabatic transition states for O(2) addition, and significant reverse dissociation channels in the peroxy radical adducts, the i-C(4)H(5) + O(2) reaction proceeds to new products with rate constant of around 10(11) cm(3) mol(-1) s(-1) at typical combustion temperatures (1000-2000 K). For fuel-rich flames we show that the reaction of i-C(4)H(5) with O(2) is likely to be faster than that with C(2)H(2), bringing into question the importance of the i-C(4)H(5) + C(2)H(2) reaction in initiating ring formation in sooting flames.     

(E,E)-1,5-Cyclooctadiene: a small and fast click-chemistry multitalent

Two in one--We show here that the highly strained trans,trans-diolefin (E,E)-1,5-cyclooctadiene can perform efficiently two different click reactions at fast reaction rates. It is capable of first undergoing [3+2] cycloadditions with 1,3-dipoles at a reaction rate comparable to that of strained cyclooctynes. The resulting cycloadduct can then perform a much faster inverse-electron-demand Diels-Alder reaction with tetrazines, effectively linking an azide to a tetrazine. Thus, (E,E)-1,5-cyclooctadiene could have many applications in chemical biology and polymer chemistry.     

Modification of transmembrane and GPI-anchored proteins on living cells by efficient protein trans-splicing using the Npu DnaE intein

The naturally split Npu DnaE intein can be used for ligation of an exogenous polypeptide to membrane proteins on living cells. No reducing agents or other factors are required. The approach is rapid and virtually traceless, because the intein removes itself during the reaction.     

Expanded Click Conjugation of Recombinant Proteins with Ubiquitin-Like Modifiers Reveals Altered Substrate Preference of SUMO2-Modified Ubc9

Wrestling with SUMO: The chemical conjugation of proteins with small ubiquitin-like modifiers (SUMO) can be achieved by a copper(I)-catalyzed cycloaddition and unnatural amino acid mutagenesis. This approach overcomes previous restrictions related to the primary sequence of proteins and coupling conditions. Moreover, biochemical data suggests that this triazole linkage presents the modifier in a proper distance and orientation relative to the target protein.     

Combination of acid labile detergent and C18 Empore™ disks for improved identification and sequence coverage of in-gel digested proteins

A protocol for improved extraction of peptides from in-gel protein digests, using a combination of the acid labile surfactant, sodium deoxycholate (SDC) and C18 Empore™ membranes, is presented. This approach results in better mass spectrum quality, higher numbers of identified peptide peaks and improved identification scores compared to standard tryptic digestion protocols, or protocols using only SDC or only C18 Empore™ disks. The advantages of the new protocol are demonstrated for two different types of samples: Merino wool intermediate filament proteins and Elaeis guineensis (oil palm) mesocarp proteins.     

Heuristic Chemistry—Elimination Reactions

Besides additions and substitutions, elimination reactions play a fundamental role in organic synthesis. However, conceptual reviews of known 1,x‐elimination patterns that go beyond the typical olefin‐forming 1,2‐eliminations are scarce. To develop a broader understanding of elimination reactions, we follow a heuristic approach and deduce recurrent reaction patterns from traditional and specific elimination reactions. Our work demonstrates that 1,x‐elimination reactions and their outcomes can be easily rationalized by defined mnemonic categories.