Isomers in the N = 83 nucleus 149Dy

Energy levels in the N = 83 nucleus ¹⁴⁹Dy were studied by the reaction ¹⁵²Gd(α, 7n) at 106 MeV bombarding energy using in-beam γ-ray spectroscopy methods. The measurements identified three isomers in this nucleus, at 1073 keV (13 ± 3 ns), at 2700±150keV (5 μs < T_{$\text{1}\text{2}$} < 0.5 s), and above 3.5 MeV (50 ± 15 ns). The low-lying isomer is interpreted as i_{$\text{13}\text{2}$}. The configuration $\text{27}\text{2}$^?(πh_{$\text{11}\text{2}$}²)₁₀₊ ×vf_{$\text{7}\text{2}$} is suggested for the state at 2.7 MeV.     

Evidence for triaxial shapes in Pt nuclei

Positive parity levels in ¹⁹¹Pt obtained from (α, xnγ) reactions and β-decay are presented as a first example of a rather complete $\text{i}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>13</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ level family. The spectrum confirms triaxial shapes found before from $\text{h}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>11</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ and $\text{h}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>9</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ proton structures in this mass region. In addition to the usual decoupled yrast band, a second ΔI = 2 band within the $\text{i}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>13</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ family, built on a low-lying $\text{j?1 =}\text{11}\text{2}$ state, is observed in agreement with theory.     

Time-resolved luminescence spectra in highly photo-excited CdSe at 1.8K

We report the first observation of very precise time-resolved luminescence from highly photoexcited platelets of CdSe at 1.8 K. The time dependence of both spontaneous and stimulated emission are presented. The results are taken as a further indication for the existence of an electron-hole liquid in CdSe at these excitation densities.     

Discovery, structure and biological activities of the cyclotides

The cyclotides are a family of small disulfide rich proteins that have a cyclic peptide backbone and a cystine knot formed by three conserved disulfide bonds. The combination of these two structural motifs contributes to the exceptional chemical, thermal and enzymatic stability of the cyclotides, which retain bioactivity after boiling. They were initially discovered based on native medicine or screening studies associated with some of their various activities, which include uterotonic action, anti-HIV activity, neurotensin antagonism, and cytotoxicity. They are present in plants from the Rubiaceae, Violaceae and Cucurbitaceae families and their natural function in plants appears to be in host defense: they have potent activity against certain insect pests and they also have antimicrobial activity. There are currently around 50 published sequences of cyclotides and their rate of discovery has been increasing over recent years. Ultimately the family may comprise thousands of members. This article describes the background to the discovery of the cyclotides, their structural characterization, chemical synthesis, genetic origin, biological activities and potential applications in the pharmaceutical and agricultural industries. Their unique topological features make them interesting from a protein folding perspective. Because of their highly stable peptide framework they might make useful templates in drug design programs, and their insecticidal activity opens the possibility of applications in crop protection.     

Microwave measurements of proton tunneling and structural parameters for the propiolic acid-formic acid dimer

Microwave spectra of the propiolic acid-formic acid doubly hydrogen bonded complex were measured in the 1 GHz to 21 GHz range using four different Fourier transform spectrometers. Rotational spectra for seven isotopologues were obtained. For the parent isotopologue, a total of 138 a-dipole transitions and 28 b-dipole transitions were measured for which the a-dipole transitions exhibited splittings of a few MHz into pairs of lines and the b-type dipole transitions were split by ~580 MHz. The transitions assigned to this complex were fit to obtain rotational and distortion constants for both tunneling levels: A(0+) = 6005.289(8), B(0+) = 930.553(8), C(0+) = 803.9948(6) MHz, Δ(0+)(J) = 0.075(1), Δ(0+)(JK) = 0.71(1), and δ(0+)(j) = -0.010(1) kHz and A(0-) = 6005.275(8), B(0-) = 930.546(8), C(0-) = 803.9907(5) MHz, Δ(0-)(J) = 0.076(1), Δ(0-)(JK) = 0.70(2), and δ(0-)(j) = -0.008(1) kHz. Double resonance experiments were used on some transitions to verify assignments and to obtain splittings for cases when the b-dipole transitions were difficult to measure. The experimental difference in energy between the two tunneling states is 291.428(5) MHz for proton-proton exchange and 3.35(2) MHz for the deuterium-deuterium exchange. The vibration-rotation coupling constant between the two levels, F(ab), is 120.7(2) MHz for the proton-proton exchange. With one deuterium atom substituted in either of the hydrogen-bonding protons, the tunneling splittings were not observed for a-dipole transitions, supporting the assignment of the splitting to the concerted proton tunneling motion. The spectra were obtained using three Flygare-Balle type spectrometers and one chirped-pulse machine at the University of Virginia. Rotational constants and centrifugal distortion constants were obtained for HCOOH···HOOCCCH, H(13)COOH···HOOCCCH, HCOOD···HOOCCCH, HCOOH···DOOCCCH, HCOOD···DOOCCCH, DCOOH···HOOCCCH, and DCOOD···HOOCCCH. High-level ab initio calculations provided initial rotational constants for the complex, structural parameters, and some details of the proton tunneling potential energy surface. A least squares fit to the isotopic data reveals a planar structure that is slightly asymmetric in the OH distances. The formic OH···O propiolic hydrogen bond length is 1.8 ? and the propiolic OH···O formic hydrogen bond length is 1.6 ?, for the equilibrium configuration. The magnitude of the dipole moment was experimentally determined to be 1.95(3) × 10(-30) C m (0.584(8) D) for the 0(+) states and 1.92(5) × 10(-30) C m (0.576(14) D) for the 0(-) states.     

λ -Benzyl-L-Glutamate Graft Copolymers of Cellulose and Poly[Arylene Ether Sulfone]

Macroinitiators with primary amino substituents were synthesized by one of the following techniques: a) cyanoethylation of cellulose followed by diborane reduction to produce aminopropylcellulose, 1; b) nitration, then SnCl₂ reduction of poly(arylene ether sulfone), 5, to produce poly(2-aminoarylene ether sulfone), 2; c) phthalimidation of 5 followed by hydrazinolysis to yield poly(2-aminomethylarylene ether sulfone), 3; and d) LiAlH₄ reduction of poly(cyanophenylene arylene ether) to poly(aminomethylphenylene arylene ether), 4. Heterogeneous grafting of Λ-benzyl-L-glutamate-N-carboxyanhydride, 8, to Polymer 1 resulted in a nonrandom distribution of amino acid residues; α-helical conformations were detected at low BLG-NCA/NH₂ ratios (<5 amino acids). Using molar ratios ranging from 1 to 100 of 8, relative to the amine concentration, grafting to Polymers 3 and 4 was effected in anhydrous THF at room temperature under homogeneous conditions. If reaction times between 24 and 48 h are utilized, high grafting efficiencies (>80%) are obtained. The conformation of the polypeptide chain was evaluated by NMR and infrared spectroscopy. Polypeptides grafted to Polymers 3 and 4 appeared to adopt the expected conformation for the chain length predicted, i.e., a progression from random coil (<8 amino acids) to β-pleated sheet (8–13 amino acids) to α-helix (> 13 amino acids). The benzyl ester functions on the BLG grafts are subject to direct modification with amine nucleophiles; studies with butylamine correlate reaction conditions with extent of ester vs peptide cleavage. In the presence of 1-hydroxybenzotriazole, aminolysis of the ester is favored and conversions to Λ-amides up to 75% without peptide cleavage are achieved.