Laser Mass Spectrometry with Circularly Polarized Light: Circular Dichroism of Molecular Ions

In recent experiments of resonance‐enhanced laser ionization, large differences between circular dichroism measured for molecular and fragment ions were found by several research groups for different molecular systems. In the case of 3‐methylcyclopentanone (3‐MCP) we attributed this effect to a large circular dichroism of the molecular ion. In the work presented here, this effect in 3‐MCP is studied by ion spectroscopy, by varying the neutral intermediate excited state involved in resonance‐enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) and by performing REMPI‐induced measurements of circular dichroism at different laser pulse energies. It turns out that the dynamics of structural changes in the ionic ground state strongly influences the observed ionic circular dichroism.     

DNA origami gatekeepers for solid-state nanopores

DNA has it covered: DNA origami gatekeeper nanoplates convert nanopores in solid-state membranes into versatile devices for label-free macromolecular sensing applications. The custom apertures in the nanoplates can be chemically addressed for sequence-specific detection of DNA.     

The mechanism of alkene addition to a nickel bis(dithiolene) complex: the role of the reduced metal complex

The binding of an alkene by Ni(tfd)(2) [tfd = S(2)C(2)(CF(3))(2)] is one of the most intriguing ligand-based reactions. In the presence of the anionic, reduced metal complex, the primary product is an interligand adduct, while in the absence of the anion, dihydrodithiins and metal complex decomposition products are preferred. New kinetic (global analysis) and computational (DFT) data explain the crucial role of the anion in suppressing decomposition and catalyzing the formation of the interligand product through a dimetallic complex that appears to catalyze alkene addition across the Ni-S bond, leading to a lower barrier for the interligand adduct.     

Early Aptian carbon and sulphur isotope signatures at ODP site 765

Current carbon and sulphur isotope ratios (δ(13)C and δ(34)S) suggest there were major shifts in partitioning between reduced and oxidised reservoirs of carbon and sulphur during the Early Cretaceous. However, the δ(13)C and δ(34)S records are composed from different Ocean Drilling Program sites and are hard to correlate at high resolution. We present high-resolution Aptian δ(13)C(org) and δ(34)S(barite) values derived from the same set of samples, enabling a higher certainty correlation than previously possible. Two major hypotheses aim to explain the Early Aptian S-isotope excursion: increased volcanic degassing and/or fluctuations in the marine sulphate concentration. Our S-isotope data provide tight constraints on the timing and magnitude of volcanic flux required. We show that the observed S-isotope signature can be explained by a 2?Ma pulse of increased volcanic flux, injecting ～4.5×10(18)?mol C into the atmosphere. Further work is needed to evaluate whether these fluxes are compatible with the existing C-isotope record.     

Stochastic force generation by small ensembles of myosin II motors

Forces in the actin cytoskeleton are generated by small groups of nonprocessive myosin II motors for which stochastic effects are highly relevant. Using a cross-bridge model with the assumptions of fast power-stroke kinetics and equal load sharing between equivalent states, we derive a one-step master equation for the activity of a finite-sized ensemble of mechanically coupled myosin II motors. For constant external load, this approach yields analytical results for duty ratio and force-velocity relation as a function of ensemble size. We find that stochastic effects cannot be neglected for ensemble sizes below 15. The one-step master equation can be used also for efficient computer simulations with linear elastic external load and reveals the sequence of buildup of force and ensemble rupture that is characteristic for reconstituted actomyosin contractility.