Mössbauer study of the three-coordinate planar Fe(II) thiolate complex [Fe(SR)(3)](-) (R = C(6)H(2)-2,4,6-tBu(3)): model for the trigonal iron sites of the MoFe(7)S(9):homocitrate cofactor of nitrogenase

The cofactor (M-center) of the MoFe protein of nitrogenase, a MoFe(7)S(9):homocitrate cluster, contains six Fe sites with a (distorted) trigonal sulfido coordination. These sites exhibit unusually small quadrupole splittings, Delta E(Q) approximately 0.7 mm/s, and isomer shifts, delta approximately 0.41 mm/s. M?ssbauer and ENDOR studies have provided the magnetic hyperfine tensors of all iron sites in the S = 3/2 state M(N). To assess the intrinsic zero-field splittings and hyperfine parameters of the cofactor sites, we have studied with M?ssbauer spectroscopy two salts of the three-coordinated Fe(II) thiolate complex [Fe(SR)(3)](-) (R = C(6)H(2)-2,4,6-tBu(3)). One of the salts, [Ph(4)P][Fe(SR)(3)] x 2MeCN x C(7)H(8), 1, has a planar geometry with idealized C(3h) symmetry. This S = 2 complex has an axial zero-field splitting with D = +10.2 cm(-1). The magnetic hyperfine tensor components A(x) = A(y) = -7.5 MHz and A(z) = -29.5 MHz reflect an orbital ground state with d(z(2)) symmetry. A(iso) = (A(x) +A(y) +A(z))/3 = -14.9 MHz, which includes the contact interaction (kappa P = -21.9 MHz) and an orbital contribution (+7 MHz), which is substantially smaller than A(iso) approximately -22 MHz of the tetrahedral Fe(II)(S-R)(4) sites of both rubredoxin and [PPh(4)](2)[Fe(II)(SPh)(4)]. The largest component of the electric field gradient (EFG) tensor is negative, as expected for a d(z(2)) orbital. However, Delta E(Q) = -0.83 mm/s, which is smaller than expected for a high-spin ferrous site. This reduction can be attributed to a ligand contribution, which in planar complexes provides a large positive EFG component perpendicular to the ligand plane. The isomer shift of 1, delta = 0.56 mm/s, approaches the delta-values reported for the six trigonal cofactor sites. The parameters of 1 and their importance for the cofactor cluster of nitrogenase are discussed.     

Two theorems about projective sets

In this paper we prove two (rather unrelated) theorems about projective sets. The first one asserts that subsets of ℵ₁ which are in the codes are constructible; thus it extends the familiar theorem of Shoenfield that subsets of ω are constructible. The second is concerned with largest countable sets and establishes their existence under the hypothesis of Projective Determinacy and the assumption that there exist only countably many ordinal definable reals. Y. N. Moschovakis is a Sloan Foundation Fellow. During the preparation of this paper, both authors were partially supported by NSF Grant GP-27964.     

The Schwartz space of a smooth semi-algebraic stack

Schwartz functions, or measures, are defined on any smooth semi-algebraic (“Nash”) manifold, and are known to form a cosheaf for the semi-algebraic restricted topology. We extend this definition to smooth semi-algebraic stacks, which are defined as geometric stacks in the category of Nash manifolds. Moreover, when those are obtained from algebraic quotient stacks of the form X/G, with X a smooth affine variety and G a reductive group defined over a number field k, we define, whenever possible, an “evaluation map” at each semisimple k-point of the stack, without using truncation methods. This corresponds to a regularization of the sum of those orbital integrals whose semisimple part corresponds to the chosen k-point. These evaluation maps produce, in principle, a distribution which generalizes the Arthur–Selberg trace formula and Jacquet’s relative trace formula, although the former, and many instances of the latter, cannot actually be defined by the purely geometric methods of this paper. In any case, the stack-theoretic point of view provides an explanation for the pure inner forms that appear in many versions of the Langlands, and relative Langlands, conjectures.     

Preventive doping control analysis: liquid and gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry for detection of designer steroids

A new combined doping control screening method for the analysis of anabolic steroids in human urine using liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization orthogonal acceleration time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LCoaTOFMS) and gas chromatography/electron ionization orthogonal acceleration time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GCoaTOFMS) has been developed in order to acquire accurate full scan MS data to be used to detect designer steroids. The developed method allowed the detection of representative prohibited substances, in addition to steroids, at concentrations of 10 ng/mL for anabolic agents and metabolites, 30 ng/mL for corticosteroids, 500 ng/mL for stimulants and beta-blockers, 250 ng/mL for diuretics, and 200 ng/mL for narcotics. Sample preparation was based on liquid-liquid extraction of hydrolyzed human urine, and the final extract was analyzed as trimethylsilylated derivatives in GCoaTOFMS and underivatized in LCoaTOFMS in positive ion mode. The sensitivity, mass accuracy, advantages and limitations of the developed method are presented.     

Synthesis of 2D Germanane (GeH): a New,Fast, and Facile Approach

Germanane (GeH), a germanium analogue of graphane, has recently attracted considerable interest because its remarkable combination of properties makes it an extremely suitable candidate to be used as 2D material for field effect devices, photovoltaics, and photocatalysis. Up to now, the synthesis of GeH has been conducted by substituting Ca by H in a β‐CaGe₂ layered Zintl phase through topochemical deintercalation in aqueous HCl. This reaction is generally slow and takes place over 6 to 14 days. The new and facile protocol presented here allows to synthesize GeH at room temperature in a significantly shorter time (a few minutes), which renders this method highly attractive for technological applications. The GeH produced with this method is highly pure and has a band gap (E_g) close to 1.4 eV, a lower value than that reported for germanane synthesized using HCl, which is promising for incorporation of GeH in solar cells.     

RPE65 and the Accumulation of Retinyl Esters in Mouse Retinal Pigment Epithelium

The RPE65 protein of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) enables the conversion of retinyl esters to the visual pigment chromophore 11‐cis retinal. Fresh 11‐cis retinal is generated from retinyl esters following photoisomerization of the visual pigment chromophore to all‐trans during light detection. Large amounts of esters accumulate in Rpe65^?/? mice, indicating their continuous formation when 11‐cis retinal generation is blocked. We hypothesized that absence of light, by limiting the conversion of esters to 11‐cis retinal, would also result in the build‐up of retinyl esters in the RPE of wild‐type mice. We used HPLC to quantify ester levels in organic extracts of the RPE from wild‐type and Rpe65^?/? mice. Retinyl ester levels in Sv/129 wild‐type mice that were dark adapted for various intervals over a 4‐week period were similar to those in mice raised in cyclic light. In C57BL/6 mice however, which contain less Rpe65 protein, dark adaptation was accompanied by an increase in ester levels compared to cyclic light controls. Retinyl ester levels were much higher in Rpe65^?/? mice compared to wild type and kept increasing with age. The results suggest that the RPE65 role in retinyl ester homeostasis extends beyond enabling the formation of 11‐cis retinal.     

Interfacial thermodynamics of gallic acid adsorption on a chargeable hydrophobic surface

The thermodynamics of adsorption of gallic acid (GA, 3,4,5-trihydroxylbenzoic acid) on the hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE) surface was studied by temperature-dependent stripping voltammetry (TD-SV), at physiological pH 7.4. The thermodynamic parameters, e.g., Gibbs free energy, ΔG(ADS), enthalpy, ΔΗ(ADS) and entropy, ΔS(ADS), of adsorption have been determined at physiological temperatures 2-40 °C. Chemisorption of the radical species ≡[GA(OH)(2)(O(-))]* is the energetically important reaction. The thermodynamic data show a complex mechanism of adsorption of GA on the electrode surface, which is strongly dependent on temperature. At low-temperatures T<12 °C, adsorption is controlled by enthalpy, while at T>22 °C, adsorption is entropy driven. In the temperature range 12 °C and 22 °C, a combined enthalpy-entropy stabilization occurs. A mechanism is proposed which analyses the implication of thermodynamics to the interfacial adsorption of polyphenols with cell membranes under physiological conditions.