A general formalism of deriving the pair potential of polymer chains for arbitrary interaction potentials between isolated chain segments at and close to the theta-point

A formalism has been worked out which allows to transform any non-punctiform segment-segment potential of isolated polymer segments ε of fairly short-ranged character into the pair-potentialU operating between linear polymer chains with a certain reference to the arguments as they have been originally put forward byFlory andKrigbaum. Although no restrictions are made in the derivation as to the repulsive or attractive contribution of the segment-segment potential ε because of some known general deficiencies of theFlory-Krigbaum treatment for exclusively repulsive interaction, the resulting equations are primarily intended to describe the thermodynamic situation at and close to the θ-point where repulsion and attraction—though working at different ranges of segment separation—cancel. As the equation derived is somewhat complicated two different approximate forms have been developed: The first one is based on aTaylor series expansion retaining terms up to the fourth order which allows to characterizeU by the second and the fourth moment of the pair segment-segment distribution function, β and γ (β being the so-called binary cluster integral of segment-segment interaction, which is considered to be zero for θ-conditions). In this caseU may be represented by an expression of the general form $$U/kT = A(1 - BR^2 )\exp \{ - bR^2 \} .$$ The second method is based on a separate integration over the repulsive and attractive ranges of ε giving the repulsive (U ₊) and the attractive (U _?) part ofU finally after some approximations leading to an equation of the general form $$U/kT = (U_ + + U_ - )/kT = A_1 \exp \{ - b_1 R^2 \} - A_2 \exp \{ - b_2 R^2 \} .$$ In both cases the knowledge of the exact form of ε is dispensable, only β and γ—or for the second case their repulsive (β₊ and γ₊) and attractive (β_? and γ_?) parts have to be known. It is shown that the approximations are in excellent accordance with the exact form so that they may be conveniently used to describe pair potentials of polymer chains and to analyze pair potentials of segment-segment interactions under the limitations and conditions indicated.     

IDENTIFICATION OF THE PROTON ACCEPTOR OF SCHIFF BASE DEPROTONATION IN BACTERIORHODOPSIN: A FOURIER-TRANSFORM-INFRARED STUDY OF THE MUTANT ASP85 → GLU IN ITS NATURAL LIPID ENVIRONMENT

Abstract— In order to assign the proton acceptor for Schiff base deprotonation in bacteriorhodopsin to a specific Asp residue, the photoreaction of the Asp85 → Glu mutant, as expressed in Halobacterium sp . GRB, was investigated by static low-temperature and time-resolved infrared difference spec-troscopy. Measurements were also performed on the mutant protein labeled with [4-¹³C]Asp which allowed discrimination between Asp and Glu residues. 14,15-di¹³C-retinal was incorporated to distinguish amide-II absorbance changes from changes of the ethylenic mode of the chromophore. In agreement with earlier UV-VIS measurements, our data show that from both the 540 and 610 nm species present in a pH-dependent equilibrium, intermediates similar to K and L can be formed. The 14 ms time-resolved spectrum of the 540 nm species shows that a glutamic acid becomes protonated in the M-like intermediate, whereas the comparable difference spectrum of the 610 nm species demonstrates that in the initial state a glutamic acid is already protonated. In conjunction with earlier observations of protonation of an Asp residue in wild-type M, the data provide direct evidence that the proton acceptor in the deprotonation reaction of the Schiff base is Asp85.     

Surface Modification of Ultra-high Molecular Weight Polyethylene Membranes Using Underwater Plasma Polymerization

Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene membranes were modified and subsequently polymer coated using the underwater plasma produced by glow discharge electrolysis. This plasma pretreatment generated various O-functional groups among them OH groups have dominated. This modified inner (pore) surface of membranes showed complete wetting and strong adhesion to a hydrogel copolymerized by glow discharge electrolysis also. The deposited hydrogel consists of plasma polymerized acrylic acid crosslinked by copolymerization with the bifunctional N,N′-methylenebis(acrylamide). Tuning the hydrogel hydrophilicity and bio-compatibility poly(ethylene glycol) was chemically inserted into the copolymer. Such saturated polymer could only be inserted on a non-classic way by (partial) fragmentation and recombination thus demonstrating the exotic properties of the underwater plasma. The modification of membrane was achieved by squeezing the reactive plasma solution into the pores by plasma-induced shock waves and supported by intense stirring. The deposited copolymer hydrogel has filled all pores also in the inner of membrane as shown by scanning electron microscopy of cross-sections. The copolymer shows the characteristic units of acrylic acid and ethylene glycol as demonstrated by infrared spectroscopy. A minimum loss in carboxylic groups of acrylic acid during the plasma polymerization process was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Additional cell adhesion tests on copolymer coated polyethylene using IEC-6 cells demonstrated the bio-compatibility of the plasma-deposited hydrogel.     

Mechanisms of Cobalt/Phosphine-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling Reactions

>The combination of CoCl₂ with bidentate phosphines is known to catalyze challenging cross-coupling and Heck-type reactions, but the mechanisms of these valuable transformations have not been established. Here, we use electrospray-ionization mass spectrometry to intercept the species formed in these reactions. Our results indicate that a sequence of transmetalation, reductive elimination, and redox disproportionation convert the cobalt(II) precatalyst into low-valent cobalt complexes. These species readily transfer single electrons to alkyl bromides, which thereupon dissociate into alkyl radicals and Br⁻. In cross-coupling reactions, the alkyl radicals add to the cobalt catalyst to form observable heteroleptic complexes, which release the coupling products through reductive eliminations. In the Heck-type reactions, the low abundance of newly formed ionic species renders the analysis more difficult. Nonetheless, our results also point to the occurrence of single-electron transfer processes and the involvement of radicals in these transformations.     

Physical Dimensions/Units and Universal Constants: Their Invariance in Special and General Relativity

The theory of physical dimensions and units in physics is outlined. This includes a discussion of the universal applicability and superiority of quantity equations. The International System of Units (SI) is one example thereof. By analyzing mechanics and electrodynamics, it naturally leads one, besides the dimensions of length and time, to the fundamental units of action $\mathfrak{h}$, electric charge q, and magnetic flux ?. Also, $q\times ?=\text{action}$ and $q/?=1/\text{resistance}$ are known. These results of classical physics suggests to look into the corresponding quantum aspects of q and ? (and also of $\mathfrak{h}$): The electric charge occurs exclusively in elementary charges e, whereas the magnetic flux can have any value; in specific situations, however, in superconductors of type II at very low temperatures, ? appears quantized in the form of fluxons (Abrikosov vortices). And $\mathfrak{h}$ leads, of course, to the Planck quantum h. Thus, one is directed to superconductivity and, because of the resistance, to the quantum Hall effect. In this way, the Josephson and the quantum Hall effects come into focus quite naturally. One goal is to determine the behavior of the fundamental constants in special and in general relativity.