An ab initio and density functional theory study of the structure and bonding of sulfur ylides

Sulfur ylides are useful synthetic intermediates that are formed from the interaction between singlet carbenes and sulfur-containing molecules. Partial double-bond character frequently has been proposed as a key contributor to the stability of sulfur ylides. Calculations at the B3LYP, MP2, and CCSD(T) levels of theory employing various basis sets have been performed on the sulfur ylides H(2)S-CH(2) and (CH(3))(2)S-CH(2) in order to investigate the structure and bonding of these systems. The following general properties of sulfur ylides were observed from the computational studies: C-S bond distances that are close in length to that of a typical C-S double bond, high charge transfer from the sulfide to the carbene, and large torsional rotation barriers. Analysis of the sulfur ylide charge distribution indicates that the unusually short C-S bond distance can be attributed in part to the electrostatic attraction between highly oppositely charged carbon and sulfur atoms. Furthermore, n --> sigma* stabilization arising from donation of electron density from the carbon lone pair orbital into S-H or S-C antibonding orbitals leads to larger than expected torsional barriers. Finally, natural resonance theory analysis indicates that the bond order of the sulfur ylides H(2)S-CH(2) and (CH(3))(2)S-CH(2) is 1.4-1.5, intermediate between a single and double bond.     

Ethylene/hexene copolymerization with the heterogeneous catalyst system SiO2/MAO/rac‐Me2Si[2‐Me‐4‐Ph‐Ind]2ZrCl2: The filter effect

The main focus of this study is the ethylene/hexene copolymerization with the silica supported metallocene SiO₂/MAO/rac‐Me₂Si[2‐Me‐4‐Ph‐Ind]₂ZrCl₂. Polymerizations were carried out in toluene at a reaction temperature of 40°C–60°C and the cocatalyst used was triisobutylaluminium (TIBA). The kinetics of the copolymerization reactions (reactivity ratios r_E/H, monomer consumption during reaction) were investigated and molecular weights M_w, molecular weight distributions MWD and melting points T_m were determined. A schematic model for the blend formation observed was developed that based on a filtration effect of monomers by the copolymer shell around the catalyst pellet.     

Microstructure-sensitive extreme value probabilities for high cycle fatigue of Ni-base superalloy IN100

To quantify the effects of interactions between various microstructure attributes on fatigue life in the high cycle fatigue (HCF) regime, we have proposed a new microstructure-sensitive extreme value statistical framework. This framework couples the extreme value distributions of certain fatigue indicator parameters (FIPs) or response functions to the correlated microstructure attributes that exist at the extreme value locations of these FIPs. We demonstrate the application of this statistical framework to investigate the microstructure-sensitive fatigue response of the PM Ni-base superalloy IN100 at 650 °C. To accomplish this task, we construct statistical volume elements (SVEs) used to compute the local response for 200 instantiations of IN100. These SVEs are constructed and simulated via the finite element method with crystal plasticity constitutive relations. The results of the simulations are used to explore extreme value statistics of the FIPs for these microstructures. The extreme value distributions of the Fatemi–Socie FIP are fit with high confidence by the Gumbel distribution and are defined in a representative nature with as few as 25 simulated microstructure instantiations (i.e., SVEs). The extreme value marked correlation functions of the apparent Schmid factor based on the geometry of the slip systems relative to the loading direction indicate that cube slip may be important to fatigue crack formation in this material system. This supports previous experimental observations of fatigue crack formation and microstructurally small fatigue crack growth along cube planes in IN100 in grains that are unfavorably oriented for octahedral slip at elevated temperatures.     

Measurements of total cross sections for positron-K and-Rb scattering

A modification of the apparatus that we have been using to measure absolute total cross sections (Q _T′s) for positron and electron scattering by alkali metal atoms has enabled us to more easily obtainQ _T′s at low energies (<10 eV). Our positron-K and-RbQ _T measurements now extend from 1 to 98 eV and we have made the correspondingQ _T measurements for electrons in the same system using the same technique (a beam transmission technique). Our measured positron-K and-RbQ _T values show a peak in the vicinity of 6 eV and decrease substantially as the positron energy is reduced below 6 eV, in sharp contrast to the results obtained in recent 5-state close-coupling approximation calculations. At higher energies (above 10 eV), we have found that the same calculations are in quite good agreement with our measured positron-K and-RbQ _T′s. Our measurements of the correspondingQ _T′s for electrons below 10 eV do not show a peak, but rather continue to increase as the energy is decreased.     

Variation of oxo-transfer reactivity of (nitro)cobalt picket fence porphyrin with oxygen-donating ligands

Derivatives of (nitro)cobalt picket fence porphyrin with oxygen-donating ligands have been prepared in solution and in the solid state. Crystal structures of two of these derivatives, (H2O)CoTpivPP(NO2) and (CH3OH)CoTpivPP(NO2), have been determined. The ethanol complex (C2H5OH)Co(TPP)(NO2) has been obtained and spectrally characterized using sublimed layers methodology. The formation constant and the DeltaH degrees value of the association reaction with ethanol have been determined by FTIR measurements in CCl4 solution. Catalytic oxygen activation and oxo-transfer reactions of these derivatives have been assessed in solution. Correlations between the oxo-transfer reactivity, thermodynamics, and characteristics of the nitro ligand show that although calculated and observed ONO vibrational spectra and bond lengths suggest activation of the NO2 ligand and enhanced oxo-transfer reactions as seen in the analogous five-coordinate complexes, density functional theory calculations support that thermodynamics limits oxo-atom transfer reactions in these six-coordinate systems.     

Solution NMR studies of the A beta(1-40) and A beta(1-42) peptides establish that the Met35 oxidation state affects the mechanism of amyloid formation

The pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease is characterized by the aggregation and fibrillation of the 40-residue A beta(1-40) and 42-residue A beta(1-42) peptides into amyloid plaques. The structural changes associated with the conversion of monomeric A beta peptide building blocks into multimeric fibrillar beta-strand aggregates remain unknown. Recently, we established that oxidation of the methionine-35 side chain to the sulfoxide (Met35(red) --> Met35(ox)) significantly impedes the rate of aggregation and fibrillation of the A beta peptide. To explore this effect at greater resolution, we carefully compared the (1)H, (15)N, and (13)C NMR chemical shifts of four A beta peptides that had the Met35 reduced or oxidized (A beta(1-40)Met35(red), A beta(1-40)Met35(ox), A beta(1-42)Met35(red), and A beta(1-42)Met35(ox)). With the use of a special disaggregation protocol, the highly aggregation prone A beta peptides could be studied at higher, millimolar concentrations (as required by NMR) in aqueous solution at neutral pH, remaining largely monomeric at 5 degrees C as determined by sedimentation equilibrium studies. The NOE, amide-NH temperature coefficients, and chemical shift indices of the (1)H alpha, (13)C alpha, and (13)C beta established that the four peptides are largely random, extended chain structures, with the Met35(ox) reducing the propensity for beta-strand structure at two hydrophobic regions (Leu17-Ala21 and Ile31-Val36), and turn- or bendlike structures at Asp7-Glu11 and Phe20-Ser26. Additional NMR studies monitoring changes that occur during aging at 37 degrees C established that, along with a gradual loss of signal/noise, the Met35(ox) significantly hindered upfield chemical shift movements of the 2H NMR signals for the His6, His13, and His14 side chains. Taken together, the present NMR studies demonstrate that the Met35(red) --> Met35(ox) conversion prevents aggregation by reducing both hydrophobic and electrostatic association and that the A beta(1-40)Met35(red), A beta(1-40)Met35(ox), A beta(1-42)Met35(red), and A beta(1-42)Met35(ox) peptides may associate differently, through specific, sharp changes in structure during the initial stages of aggregation.     

Metal-triggered radial self-assembly of collagen peptide fibers

A metal-triggered self-assembling collagen peptide was designed and synthesized to generate fibers through a radial growth mechanism. The assembly of the fibers was made possible through the placement of a bipyridine ligands within the center of the triple helix and was triggered by the addition of Fe(II).     

Radiological dose assessment of naturally occurring radioactive materials in concrete building materials

Previous studies have shown that the natural radioactivity contained in building materials have significantly influenced the dose rates in dwelling. Exposure to natural radiation in building has been of concerned since almost 80 % of our daily live are spend indoor. Thus, the aim of the study is to assess the radiological risk associated by natural radioactivity in soil based building materials to dwellers. A total of 13 Portland cement, 46 sand and 43 gravel samples obtained from manufacturers or bought directly from local hardware stores in Peninsular of Malaysia were analysed for their radioactivity concentrations. The activity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K in the studied building materials samples were found to be in the range of 3.7–359.3, 2.0–370.8 and 10.3–1,949.5 Bq kg^?1 respectively. The annual radiation dose rates (μSv year^?1) received by dwellers were evaluated for 1 to 50 years of exposure using Resrad-Build Computer Code based on the activity concentration of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K found in the studied building material samples. The rooms modelling were based on the changing parameters of concrete wall thickness and the room dimensions. The annual radiation dose rates to dwellers were found to increase annually over a period of 50 years. The concrete thicknesses were found to have significantly influenced the dose rates in building. The self-absorption occurred when the concrete thickness was thicker than 0.4 m. Results of this study shows that the dose rates received by the dwellers of the building are proportional to the size of the room. In general the study concludes that concrete building materials; Portland cements, sands, and gravels in Peninsular of Malaysia does not pose radiological hazard to the building dwellers.     

Zeaxanthin Production by Novel Marine Isolates from Coastal sand of India and its Antioxidant Properties

Zeaxanthin carotenoids are class of commercially important natural products and diverse biomolecules produced by plants and many microorganisms. Bacteria often produce a cocktail of polar and nonpolar carotenoids limiting their industrial applications. Marine members of the family Flavobacteriaceae are known to produce potential carotenoids such as astaxanthin and zeaxanthin. A few bacterial species have been reported for the predominant production zeaxanthin. Here, we report the molecular identification of the zeaxanthin as a major carotenoid produced by two novel bacteria (YUAB-SO-11 and YUAB-SO-45) isolated from sandy beaches of South West Coast of India and the effect of carbon sources on the production of zeaxanthin. The strains were identified based on the 16S rRNA gene sequencing as a member of genus Muricauda. The closest relatives of YUAB-SO-11 and YUAB-SO-45 were Muricauda aquimarina (JCM 11811^T) (98.9 %) and Muricauda olearia (JCM 15563^T) (99.2 %), respectively, indicating that both of these strains might represent a novel species. The highest level of zeaxanthin production was achieved (YUAB-SO-11, 1.20?±?0.11 mg g^?1) and (YUAB-SO-45, 1.02?±?0.13 mg g^?1) when cultivated in marine broth supplemented with 2 % NaCl (pH 7) and incubated at 30 °C. Addition of 0.1 M glutamic acid, an intermediate of citric acid cycle, enhanced the zeaxanthin production as 18 and 14 % by the strains YUAB-SO-11 and YUAB-SO-45 respectively. The zeaxanthin showed in vitro nitric oxide scavenging, inhibition of lipid peroxidation, and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl scavenging activities higher than the commercial zeaxanthin. The results of this study suggest that two novel strains YUAB-SO-11 and YUAB-SO-45 belonging to genus Muricauda produce zeaxanthin as a predominant carotenoid, and higher production of zeaxanthin was achieved on glutamic acid supplementation. The pigment showed good in vitro antioxidant activity, which can be exploited further for commercial applications.