Basis set and correlation effects on geometry of octahedral second-row transition-metal complexes

An extensive investigation of the basis-set effect on the predicted geometry of the redox pair [Ru(NH₃)₆]^2+/3+ is presented. Basis sets where the core electrons have been replaced with a relativistic core potential as well as all-electron basis sets were tested. Best agreement with observations was obtained with the all-electron basis set MIDI augmented with a set of f-type polarization functions on the metal center. Other properties such as the vibration spectrum, the relative energy of the high-spin and low-spin states, and geometry changes upon oxidation/reduction of the central metal are discussed. The importance of electron correlation on the predicted geometry was estimated at the MP2, MP3, MP4(SDQ), CCSD, and CCSD(T) levels of theory. The MIDI(f) basis set is then used for other octahedral second-row transition-metal complexes and some other related complexes. The electronic spectrum of [Ru(NH₃)₆]²⁺ is also calculated using two different CI computational schemes. Surprisingly good agreement between the predicted electronic spectrum and the observed spectrum are obtained using one of the CI computational schemes. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Spin squeezing and quantum correlations

We discuss the notion of spin squeezing considering two mutually exclusive classes of spin-s states, namely, oriented and non-oriented states. Our analysis shows that the oriented states are not squeezed while non-oriented states exhibit squeezing. We also present a new scheme for construction of spin-s states using 2s spinors oriented along different axes. Taking the case of s=1, we show that the ‘non-oriented’ nature and hence squeezing arise from the intrinsic quantum correlations that exist among the spinors in the coupled state.     

Method of calculating band shape for molecular electronic spectra

A method for approximating the band shape of molecular electronic transitions based on a single geometric configuration is described. The band shape is modeled using an empirical parameter to estimate the width at half-height for each transition. In addition to generating a shape for allowed transitions, a procedure is developed for approximating the oscillator strength for the symmetry forbidden bands. The results obtained using these two approximations are then compared with experimental spectra and to the results obtained from stochastic methods for simple organic molecules, such as benzene, naphthalene, and the diazobenzenes. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Comput Chem 19: 781–796, 1998     

Theory of sheath in a collisional multi-component plasma

The aim of this brief report is to study the behaviour of sheath structure in a multi-component plasma with dust-neutral collisions. The plasma consists of electrons, ions, micron size negatively charged dust particles and neutrals. The sheath-edge potential and sheath width are calculated for collisionally dominated sheath. Comparison of collisionless and collisionally dominated sheath are made.     

alpha(2A)-adrenergic receptor derived peptide adsorbates: a G-protein interaction study

The affinity of alpha(2A)-adrenergic receptor (alpha(2A)-AR) derived peptide adsorbates for the functional bovine brain G-protein is studied in the search for the minimum sequence recognition. Three short peptides (GPR-i2c, GPR-i3n, and GPR-i3c) are designed to mimic the second and third intracellular loops of the receptor. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy is used to study the chemical composition of the peptides and the binding strength to the surfaces. Chemisorption of the peptides to the gold substrates is observed. Infrared spectroscopy is used to study the characteristic absorption bands of the peptides. The presence of peptides on the surfaces is verified by prominent amide I and amide II bands. The interaction between the peptides and the G-protein is studied with surface plasmon resonance. It is shown that GPR-i3n has the highest affinity for the G-protein. Equilibrium analysis of the binding shows that the G-protein keeps its native conformation when interacting with GPR-i3c, but during the interaction with GPR-i2c and GPR-i3n the conformation of G-protein is changed, leading to the formation of aggregates and/or multilayers.     

Analysis of a shielded TE011 mode composite dielectric resonator for stable frequency reference

Analysis of a TE₀₁₁ mode composite sapphire-rutile dielectric resonator has been carried out to study the temperature variation of resonance frequency, close to the Cs atomic clock hyperfine frequency of 9.192 GHz. The complementary behavior of dielectric permittivity with temperature of the composite has been exploited to obtain the desired turning point in the resonant frequency. The frequency of the composite structure is found to be independent of the shield diameter beyond four times the puck diameter.     

Calculations of the absorption and emission spectra of p-N,N-dimethylaminobenzonitrile and analogues in solution

Summary A self-consistent reaction field (SCRF) method that accounts for full electronic relaxation of the initial and final state in an electron transition is derived. The absorption and emission spectra of p-N,N-dimethylaminobenzonitrile (DMABN) and 6-cyanobenzquinuclidine (CBQ) are calculated in different solvents as a test of the method. The results from the fully relaxed SCRF method compare very well with results from a first-order relaxation SCRF model as well as with the experimental absorption and emission spectra of the two molecules considered in detail in this work.     

Immobilized chemoattractant peptides mediate adhesion and distinct calcium-dependent cell signaling in human neutrophils

Chemotaxis is the stimulated directional migration of cells in response to chemotactic factors, manifested for instance during leukocyte interaction with chemoattractants in inflammation. The N-formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLF) bacterial peptide family is particularly potent in attracting and activating neutrophilic granulocytes. To accomplish defined circumstances for recruitment and activation of cells, we fabricated semitransparent gold-coated glass coverslips functionalized with chemoattractant fMLF receptor peptide agonist analogues. Peptides based on a common leading four-amino-acid sequence Gly-Gly-Gly-Cys were thus coupled to two potent fMLF receptor agonists, N-formyl-Tyr-Nle-Phe-Leu-Nle-Gly-Gly-Gly-Cys and N-formyl-Met-Leu-Phe-Gly-Gly-Gly-Cys, and a formylated control peptide, N-formyl-Gly-Gly-Gly-Cys. They were anchored via the SH group of Cys either directly to the gold surface or a mixed self-assembled monolayer composed of maleimide- and hydroxyl-terminated oligo(ethylene glycol) alkyldisulfides. The overall peptide immobilization procedure was characterized with ellipsometry, contact angle measurement, and infrared spectroscopy. When exposed to granulocytes, the agonist surface rapidly recruited neutrophils and the cells responded with extensive spreading and intracellular calcium transients within minutes. The reference peptide generated no such activation, and the cells maintained a more spherical morphology, suggesting that we have been able to immobilize chemoattractant receptor agonist peptides with retained bioactivity. This is a crucial step in designing surfaces with specific effects on cellular behavior.     

Proteolytic cleavage reveals interaction patterns between silica nanoparticles and two variants of human carbonic anhydrase

To characterize the sites on the protein surface that are involved in the adsorption to silica nanoparticles and the subsequent rearrangements of the protein/nanoparticle interaction, a novel approach has been used. After incubation of protein with silica nanoparticles for 2 or 16 h, the protein was cleaved with trypsin and the peptide fragments were analyzed with mass spectrometry. The nanoparticle surface area was in 16-fold excess over available protein surface to minimize the probability that the initial binding would be affected by other protein molecules. When the fragment patterns obtained in the presence and absence of silica nanoparticles were compared, we were able to characterize the protein fragments that interact with the surface. This approach has allowed us to identify the initial binding sites on the protein structure and the rearrangement of the binding sites that occur upon prolonged incubation with the surface.