Two-proton multiplets in theN=82 nucleus 62 144 Sm82 from in-beamγ-measurements

In a high sensitivity (,2n) in-beam study of ₆₂ ¹⁴⁴ Sm₈₂, with the Kölner Würfel OSIRIS -detector array including a Compton polarimeter, we have identified the complete two-proton multiplets d ₅ ^2/–2 , d ₅ ^2/–1 g ₇ ^2/–1 , g ₇ ^2/–2 , h_11/2d ₅ ^2/–1 and the 9^– to 4^– members of the h_11·/2g ₇ ^2/–1 multiplet.Work partially supported by CICYT (Spain).     

On the interpretation of fluorescence anisotropy decays from probe molecules in lipid vesicle systems

Measurements of fluorescence depolarization decays are widely used to obtain information about the molecular order and rotational dynamics of fluorescent probe molecules in membrane systems. This information is obtained by least-squares fits of the experimental data to the predictions of physical models for motion. Here we present a critical review of the ways and means of the data analysis and address the question how and why totally different models such as Brownian rotational diffusion and wobble-in-cone provide such convincing fits to the fluorescence anistropy decay curves. We show that while these models are useful for investigating the general trends in the behavior of the probe molecules, they fail to describe the underlying motional processes. We propose to remedy this situation with a model in which the probe molecules undergo fast, though restricted local motions within a slowly rotating cage in the lipid bilayer structure. The cage may be envisaged as a free volume cavity between the lipid molecules, so that its position and orientation change with the internal conformational motions of the lipid chains. This approach may be considered to be a synthesis of the wobble-in-cone and Brownian rotational diffusion models. Importantly, this compound motion model appears to provide a consistent picture of fluorescent probe behavior in both oriented lipid bilayers and lipid vesicle systems.     

Identification of formylglycine in sulfatases by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

C(alpha)-Formylglycine, the catalytic amino acid residue in the active site of sulfatases, is generated by post-translational modification of a cysteine or serine residue. We describe a highly sensitive procedure for the detection of C(alpha)-formylglycine-containing peptides in tryptic digests of sulfatase proteins. The protocol is based on the formation of hydrazone derivatives of C(alpha)-formylglycine-containing peptides when using dinitrophenylhydrazine as a matrix for matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOFMS). The hydrazone derivatives desorb and ionize with high efficiency and can be detected in the sub-femtomole range. The presence of C(alpha)-formylglycine is indicated by a mass increment of 180.13 u, corresponding to the hydrazone moiety, and also by a unique C-terminal fragment ion, characteristic of sulfatases, that becomes prominent in MALDI post-source decay mass spectra of the hydrazone derivatives.     

Toward separation of nuclear spin isomers with coherent light.

We propose an approach for separating nuclear spin isomers with coherent light and illustrate it by numerical calculations using fulvene as a model system. The scheme employs the equivalence of torsion and interchange of equivalent H-atoms in a class of molecules of which fulvene is a simple example. The exchange symmetry couples with the rotational symmetry to produce a spatial distinction between the two photo-excited nuclear spin isomers, and wavepacket interferometry is applied to separate the species.     

Cluster aggregation: a new method for producing atomic and molecular clusters

A new method for the production of cold free clusters is presented. A beam of large rare gas clusters is passed through a low pressure atomic gas. The gas atoms are picked up by the rare gas clusters whereby they condense. A complete evaporation of rare gas atoms from the newly formed clusters then follows once the number of captured particles becomes sufficiently large. The method is demonstrated for Xe clusters with size up to 500 atoms per cluster but it should work for most materials, including the refractory materials.