Calculated optical spectrum of model oxyheme complex

The optical spectrum of a model oxyheme complex has been calculated using a new intermediate neglect of differential overlap (INDO-SCF-CI ) method that allows for the inclusion of configuration interaction and transition metals. In addition to the porphyrin π→π* transitions common to all heme proteins, four weak x,y polarized transitions observed only in oxyheme complexes have been calculated and assigned to excitations involving the lowest-empty highly delocalized (Oπ, dπ) orbital. Two broad z-polarized bands observed in the single-crystal polarized absorption spectra of oxymyoglobin and hemoglobin have also been calculated. Controversy exists over the assignment of these transitions and, in particular, over the extent of involvement of the oxygen ligand. Our calculations assign the weaker near-IR visible band mainly to the d σ dπ→ dπ* excitations and the more intense UV band mainly to a_2u → dσ* excitations. While significant participation (25%) of the highly delocalized (Oπ, dπ) virtual orbital is also found, these z-polarized transitions need not be totally unique to oxyheme complexes, in keeping with experimental observation.     

Synthesis of 3- and 4-(β-D-ribofuranosyl)-s-triazolo[2,3-a] pyrimid-7-one,isomers of inosine containing a bridgehead nitrogen atom

The first synthesis of a purine nucleoside analog containing a bridgehead nitrogen atom is here reported. The direct glycosylation of the trimethylsilyl derivative of s-triazolo[2,3-a] pyrimid-7-one has been shown to give 3-(β-D-ribofuranosyl)-s-triazolo[2,3-a]pyrimid-7-one (V) and 4-(β-D-ribof'uranosyl)-s-lriazolo[2,3-α]pyrimid-7-one (VII). The nueleoside V may he considered a close analog of inosine in which the nitrogen N₁ and C₅ of inosine have been interchanged. Bro-minalion of the tri-O-acelyl derivative IV gave, after deblocking, 6-bromo-3-(β-D-ribofurnaosyl)-s-triazolo[2,3-a] pyrimid-7-one (IX). Structural assignments of the nucleosides were made on the basis of comparison of the ultraviolet absorption spectral characteristics with 3-methyl-s-triazolo-[2,3-a]pyrimid-7-one (XI) and 4-methyl-s-lriazolo[2,3-a Jpyrimid-7-one (XII) prepared by a standard procedure from 7-methoxy-s-triazolo(2,3-a] pyrimidine (X).     

7-Benz[c] acridinemethanols as tetracyclic analogs of the 2-phenyl-4-quinolinemethanol antimalarials

A series of new 7-benz[c]acridinemethanols and 5,6-dihydro-7-benz[c]acridinemethanols was prepared as rigid, tetracyclic analogs of the antimalarial 2-phenyl-4-quinolinemethanols. Condensation of 5,7-dichloroisatin with 6-chloro-, 7-chloro-, and 6,7-dichloro-1-tetralone furnished halogenated 5,6-dihydro-7-benz[c]acridinecarboxylic acids, which were transformed into the corresponding acid chlorides, acyl malonates, α-bromomethyl ketones, and epoxides. Fully aromatic members of the series obtained via dehydrogenation of the 5,6-dihydro acids were likewise converted into epoxides via the acylmalonate route. Although all the epoxides studied proved to be exceptionally resistant to ring-opening by di-n-butylamine, probably on account of steric effects, they could be cleaved readily with piperidine or morpholine. Nmr spectra of the resulting amino alcohols suggest that these compounds exist in a single preferred conformation stabilized by internal O-H····N hydrogen bonding, and that free rotation about the side chain C-C bond does not occur at room temperature.     

Hydrogels of poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) and hydroxyethyl methacrylate—glycerol monomethacry-late copolymers

Hydrophilic three-dimensional polymer networks (hydrogels) were prepared from hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and the copolymer HEMA and glycerol monomethacrylate (GMMA). The equilibrium water content of the hydrogels in water was investigated as a function of the initial dilution of the polymerization mixture, the type of solvent, and the hydrophilicity of the polymer. The initial dilution was found to have a decisive effect on the swelling or deswelling of hydrogels after the completion of the gel formation. With relatively less hydrophilic hydrogels, there is a critical initial dilution to produce the gel which does not swell or deswell in water after the gel formation. This “isovolumic” initial dilution shifts toward a higher dilution as the hydrophilicity of the hydrogels increases; however, when hydrophilicity of the polymer rises above a certain point, gels always swell in water. Permeability of oxygen through hydrogels was also studied.     

A variation principle for energy differences between states of two different Hamiltonians

A modification of a variation principle due to Delves, is derived which permits the direct calculation of energy differences between states of two different Hamiltonians: [Δ ??] = 〈X₀| ??_x – W_x|X₁〉 – 〈Y₀|??_y – W_y|y₁〉 + 〈X₀| Δ ??|Y₀〉 · 〈X₀| Y₀〉^?1. Δ ?? = ??_y – ??_x, |X₀〉 and |Y₀〉 are the wave functions for the X and Y states and |X₁〉 and |Y₁〉 are functions defined in the text. The principle is applied to a few simple examples.     

Does a high UV environment ensure adequate vitamin D status?

This study assesses the Vitamin D status of 126 healthy free-living adults aged 18-87 years, in southeast Queensland, Australia (27 degrees S) at the end of the 2006 winter. Participants provided blood samples for analysis of 25(OH)D (the measure of an individual's Vitamin D status), PTH, Calcium, Phosphate, and Albumin, completed a questionnaire on sun-protective/sun-exposure behaviours, and were assessed for phenotypic characteristics such as skin/hair/eye colour and BMI. We found that 10.2% of the participants had serum 25(OH)D levels below 25 nmol/l (considered deficient) and a further 32.3% had levels between 25 nmol/l and 50 nmol/l (considered insufficient). Our results show that low levels of 25(OH)D can occur in a substantial proportion of the population at the end of winter, even in a sunny climate. 25(OH)D levels were higher amongst those who spent more time in the sun and lower among obese participants (BMI>30) than those who were not obese (BMI<30). 25(OH)D levels were also lower in participants who had black hair, dark/olive skin, or brown eyes, when compared with participants who had brown or fair hair, fair skin, or blue/green eyes. No associations were found between 25(OH)D status and age, gender, smoking status, or the use of sunscreen.     

Magnetism and structure of graphene nanodots with interiors modified by boron, nitrogen, and charge

The properties (geometry, spin, and charge distribution) of a series of flat hexagonal zigzag edged graphene nanodots (GNDs), with interiors modified by centrally located substituent atoms boron and nitrogen and by positive and negative charge, have been calculated using ab initio density functional theory. The doped series X-GND has the stoichiometry C(6m(2)-1)XH(6m), zigzag size index m = 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and substituent X = B or N. The undoped parents C(6m(2) )H(6m) with m ≤ 8 have spin paired ground states and the parent m = 10 has a spin polarized singlet ground state with edges that alternate α- and β-spin. The spin on the substituent atom decreases to zero with size index m and magnetization builds on the edges of all the X-GND. This demonstrates translocation of substituent spin and a proximity or directional effect for small m as the edges show different degrees of magnetization. For the largest X-GND (m = 10) the magnetization on edges resembles the calculated triplet S = 1(a) configuration of the parent (four edge spins up and two down) and has a higher apparent symmetry than the C(2v) point group of X-GND. For charged (m = 10) GNDs the edge magnetization has strength comparable to the parent on two parallel edges and weak on the other four in a perimeter pattern that resembles the triplet S = 1(b) configuration of the undoped parent and not the ground configuration of the isoelectronic X-GND molecule. Many of the results can be interpreted by simple Kekule? valence bond structures for an unpaired spin on a network where the substituent site group symmetry is not compatible with the perimeter. A deeper understanding is provided by the properties of the Kohn-Sham orbitals. The calculations of the X-doped GNDs reveal limitations in the use of the hex-radical hypothesis of the parent ground state to systems where foreign atoms lower symmetry and perturb the π- and σ-bond manifolds.