Undamped relaxation oscillations due to self-gain-switching of laser dye mixtures

Undamped relaxation oscillations were observed from a short, simple dye laser using a laser dye mixture which was pumped at 337 nm using ns pulses. The dye solution contained Rh101 as first laser dye, together with DTDCI in double function as saturable absorber and second laser dye. Two trains of intense laser pulses were generated near 619 and 685 nm, with pulse durations of ca. 4 and 2 times the resonator transit time, respectively. This method of short-pulse generation is related to double mode-locking of dye lasers. Model calculations are used to describe the pulse generation by self-gain-switching, and to estimate radiative and nonradiative contributions towards saturation of the absorber dye.     

Complete Carton-13 Assignments of the Sesquiterpene Lactone 11,13,-Dihydroparthenolide Using 2D-Inadequate

The complete ¹³C NMR resonances for the sesquiterpene lactone 11,13-dihydroparthenolide were established by the application of 2D-INADEQUATE.     

Membrane-mediated induction and sorting of K-Ras microdomain signaling platforms

The K-Ras4B GTPase is a major oncoprotein whose signaling activity depends on its correct localization to negatively charged subcellular membranes and nanoclustering in membrane microdomains. Selective localization and clustering are mediated by the polybasic farnesylated C-terminus of K-Ras4B, but the mechanisms and molecular determinants involved are largely unknown. In a combined chemical biological and biophysical approach we investigated the partitioning of semisynthetic fully functional lipidated K-Ras4B proteins into heterogeneous anionic model membranes and membranes composed of viral lipid extracts. Independent of GDP/GTP-loading, K-Ras4B is preferentially localized in liquid-disordered (l(d)) lipid domains and forms new protein-containing fluid domains that are recruiting multivalent acidic lipids by an effective, electrostatic lipid sorting mechanism. In addition, GDP-GTP exchange and, thereby, Ras activation results in a higher concentration of activated K-Ras4B in the nanoscale signaling platforms. Conversely, palmitoylated and farnesylated N-Ras proteins partition into the l(d) phase and concentrate at the l(d)/l(o) phase boundary of heterogeneous membranes. Next to the lipid anchor system, the results reveal an involvement of the G-domain in the membrane interaction process by determining minor but yet significant structural reorientations of the GDP/GTP-K-Ras4B proteins at lipid interfaces. A molecular mechanism for isoform-specific Ras signaling from separate membrane microdomains is postulated from the results of this study.     

Solid phase microextraction fills the gap in tissue sampling protocols

Metabolomics and biomarkers discovery are an integral part of bioanalysis. However, untargeted tissue analysis remains as the bottleneck of such studies due to the invasiveness of sample collection, as well as the laborious and time-consuming sample preparation protocols. In the current study, technology integrating in vivo sampling, sample preparation and global extraction of metabolites – solid phase microextraction was presented and evaluated during liver and lung transplantation in pig model. Sampling approaches, including selection of the probe, transportation, storage conditions and analyte coverage were discussed. The applicability of the method for metabolomics studies was demonstrated during lung transplantation experiments.     

As12Se44—: ein neuartiges Selenoarsenatanion mit einem Polyarsenkäfig in der Verbindung [Co(NH3)6]2As12Se4 · 12 NH3

As₁₂Se₄^4—: a New Selenoarsenate Anion with a Polyarsenic Cage in the Compound [Co(NH₃)₆]₂As₁₂Se₄ · 12 NH₃ Orange coloured crystals of [Co(NH₃)₆]₂As₁₂Se₄ · 12 NH₃ were prepared by the reduction of As₄Se₄ with a solution of sodium in liquid ammonia and subsequent precipitation with CoBr₂. The X‐ray structure determination shows them to contain the selenoarsenate anion As₁₂Se₄^4—, which consists of a central As₁₂‐cage with four exo‐bonded, formally negatively charged Se atoms. The structure of the As₁₂‐cage is equivalent to the main polyphosphorus building unit of a known organopolyphosphane and of tubular P₁₂ in the compound (CuI)₃P₁₂.     

Si-E (E = N, O, F) bonding in a hexacoordinated silicon complex: new facts from experimental and theoretical charge density studies

The concept of hypervalency in molecules, which hold more than eight valence electrons at the central atom, still is a topic of constant debate. There is general interest in silicon compounds with more than four substituents at the central silicon atom. The dispute, whether this silicon is hypervalent or highly coordinated, is enlightened by the first experimental charge density determination and subsequent topological analysis of three different highly polar Si-E (E = N, O, F) bonds in a hexacoordinated compound. The experiment reveals predominantly ionic bonding and much less covalent contribution than commonly anticipated. For comparison gas-phase ab initio calculations were performed on this compound. The results of the theoretical calculations underline the findings of the experiment.     

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of the Hydrogen Polyphosphide Bis(Tetraphenylphosphonium) hydrogenheptaphosphide‐ammonia(1/3) (PPh4)2HP7 · 3NH3

(PPh₄)₂HP₇ · 3NH₃ was prepared by the reaction of K₃P₇ with a proton‐charged ion exchange resin in the presence of (PPh₄)Br in liquid ammonia, and characterized by low temperature X‐ray structure analysis. The thermally very unstable compound contains the hydrogenheptaphosphide anion HPequation/tex2gif-stack-1.gif, the nortricyclane‐like cage of which is slightly distorted by the attachment of the hydrogen atom.