Multifrequency EPR Studies of [Cu^(1.5)Cu^(1.5)]+ for Cu_2(μ-NR_2)_2 and Cu_2(μ-PR_2)_2 Diamond Cores

Multifrequency electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy is used to explore the electronic structures of a series of dicopper complexes of the type {(LXL)Cu}_2^+. These complexes contain two four-coordinate copper centers of highly distorted tetrahedral geometries linked by two [LXL]^− ligands featuring bridging amido or phosphido ligands and associated thioether or phosphine chelate donors. Specific chelating [LXL]^− ligands examined in this study include bis(2-tert-butylsulfanylphenyl)amide (SNS), bis(2-di-iso-butylphosphinophenyl)amide (PNP), and bis(2-di-iso-propylphosphinophenyl)phosphide (PPP). To better map the electronic coupling to copper, nitrogen, and phosphorus in these complexes, X-, S-, and Q-band EPR spectra have been obtained for each complex. The resulting EPR parameters implied by computer simulation are unusual for typical dicopper complexes and are largely consistent with previously published X-ray absorption spectroscopy and density functional theory data, where a highly covalent {Cu_2(μ-XR_2)_2}^+ diamond core has been assigned in which removal of an electron from the neutral {Cu_2(μ-XR_2)_2} can be viewed as ligand-centered to a substantial degree. To our knowledge, this is the first family of dicopper diamond core model complexes for which the compendium of X-, S-, and Q-band EPR spectra have been collected for comparison to Cu_A

A Composite Genome Approach to Identify Phylogenetically Informative Data from Next-Generation Sequencing

We have developed a novel method to rapidly obtain homologous genomic data for phylogenetics directly from next-generation sequencing reads without the use of a reference genome. This software, called SISRS, avoids the time consuming steps of de novo whole genome assembly, genome-genome alignment, and annotation. For simulations SISRS is able to identify large numbers of loci containing variable sites with phylogenetic signal. For genomic data from apes, SISRS identified thousands of variable sites, from which we produced an accurate phylogeny. Finally, we used SISRS to identify phylogenetic markers that we used to estimate the phylogeny of placental mammals. We recovered phylogenies from multiple datasets that were consistent with previous conflicting estimates of the relationships among mammals. SISRS is open source and freely available at https://github.com/rachelss/SISRS.Comment: 12 pages plus36 figures, 1 supplementary table, 3 supplementary figure

Unexpected Photoisomerization of a Pincer-type Amido Ligand Leads to Facial Coordination at Pt(IV)

The divalent complex (BQA)PtMe undergoes oxidative addition with MeI to afford the octahedral complex cis-(mer-BQA)PtMe_2I {(BQA)- = bis(8-quinolinyl)amide}. When this molecule is irradiated with visible light, it isomerizes to (fac-BQA)PtMe2I, where the BQA ligand adopts an unexpected facial coordination mode. The amide nitrogen in this molecule is sp^3 hybridized and can be easily quarternized with HBF_4, resulting in [H(fac-BQA)PtMe_2I][BF_4], with only minor perturbation to the coordination sphere

Amido-Bridged Cu_2N_2 Diamond Cores that Minimize Structural Reorganization and Facilitate Reversible Redox Behavior between a Cu^1Cu^1 and a Class III Delocalized Cu^(1.5)Cu^(1.5) Species

A novel Cu_(2)N_(2) diamond core structure supported by an [SNS]^(-) ligand (1) ([SNS]^(-) = bis(2-tert-butylsulfanylphenyl)amido) has been prepared. This dicopper system exhibits a fully reversible one-electron redox process between a reduced Cu1Cu1 complex, {[SNS][Cu]}_(2) (2), and a class III delocalized Cu^(1.5)Cu^(1.5) state, [{[SNS][Cu]}_(2_][B(3,5-(CF_(3))_(2)C_(6)H_(3))_(4)] (3). Structural snapshots of both redox forms have been obtained to reveal remarkably little overall structural reorganization. The Cu···Cu bond distance nonetheless undergoes an appreciable compression (0.13 Å) upon oxidation, providing a Cu···Cu distance of 2.4724(4) Å in the mixed-valence state that is virtually identical to the Cu···Cu distance observed in the reduced form of the Cu_(A) site of thiolate-bridged cytochrome c oxidase. Despite the low structural reorganization evident between 2 and 3, the [SNS]^(-) ligand is quite flexible. For example, square-planar geometries can prevail for divalent copper ions supported by [SNS]^(-) as evident from the crystal structure of [SNS]CuCl (4). Physical characterization for the mixed valence complex 3 includes electrochemical, magnetic (SQUID), EPR, and optical data. The complex has also been examined by density functional methods. An attempt was made to measure the rate of electron self-exchange ks between the Cu^(1)Cu^(1) and the Cu^(1.5)Cu^(1.5) complexes 2 and 3 by NMR line-broadening analysis in dichloromethane solution. While the system is certainly in the fast-exchange regime, the exchange process is too fast to be accurately measured by this technique. The value for ks can be bracketed with a conservative lower boundary of ≥107 M^(-1) s^(-1), a value that appears to be larger than other low molecular weight copper model complexes for which similar data is available. The unusually large magnitude of ks likely reflects the minimal structural reorganization that accompanies Cu^(1)Cu^(1) ↔ Cu^(1.5)Cu^(1.5) interchange

Effect of Preanalytical Processing of ThinPrep Specimens on Detection of High-Risk Human Papillomavirus by the Aptima HPV Assay

Two important preanalytical protocols performed on liquid-based cytological specimens, namely, automated cytology processing and glacial acetic acid (GAA) treatment, may occur prior to the arrival of specimens in a molecular diagnostics laboratory. Ninety-two ThinPrep vials previously positive for high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) via the Cervista HPV HR test were preselected and alternated with 92 previously negative ThinPrep vials. The specimen set was processed in a consecutive fashion by an automated cytology processor without fastidious decontamination precautions. Carryover potential was subsequently assessed by performance of the Aptima HPV assay on aliquots from reprocessed ThinPrep vials. All previously negative ThinPrep vials yielded a negative result following routine automated cytology processing, despite close proximity to known-positive ThinPrep vials. In separate experiments, aliquots from 236 ThinPrep vials were forwarded for tandem analysis with and without GAA treatment. Data from GAA- and mock-treated specimens generated by Aptima HPV were compared to correlate data generated by Cervista. A 99.2% concordance of Aptima HPV results from GAA-treated and mock-treated specimens was noted. This result differed from the concordance result derived from Cervista (91.5%; P \u3c 0.0002). Of the initially positive Cervista results, 21.9% reverted to negative following GAA treatment; the correlate value was 2.7% for Aptima HPV (P = 0.01). While deleterious effects of GAA treatment on genomic DNA were noted with Cervista (P = 0.0015), GAA treatment had no significant effects on Aptima HPV specimen signal/cutoff ratios or amplification of internal control RNA (P ≥ 0.07). The validity of an Aptima HPV result is independent of GAA treatment and routine automated cytology processing

E-Type Delayed Fluorescence of a Phosphine-Supported Cu_2(μ-NAr_2)_2 Diamond Core: Harvesting Singlet and Triplet Excitons in OLEDs

A highly emissive bis(phosphine)diarylamido dinuclear copper(I) complex (quantum yield = 57%) was shown to exhibit E-type delayed fluorescence by variable temperature emission spectroscopy and photoluminescence decay measurement of doped vapor-deposited films. The lowest energy singlet and triplet excited states were assigned as charge transfer states on the basis of theoretical calculations and the small observed S_1−T_1 energy gap. Vapor-deposited OLEDs doped with the complex in the emissive layer gave a maximum external quantum efficiency of 16.1%, demonstrating that triplet excitons can be harvested very efficiently through the delayed fluorescence channel. The function of the emissive dopant in OLEDs was further probed by several physical methods, including electrically detected EPR, cyclic voltammetry, and photoluminescence in the presence of applied current

Structural Snapshots of a Flexible Cu_2P_2 Core that Accommodates the Oxidation States Cu^ICu^I, Cu^(1.5)Cu^(1.5), and Cu^(II)Cu^(II)

The phosphido-bridged dicopper(I) complex {(PPP)Cu}_2 has been synthesized and structurally characterized ([PPP]^- = bis(2-di-iso-propylphosphinophenyl)phosphide). Cyclic voltammetry of {(PPP)Cu}_2 in THF shows fully reversible oxidations at −1.02 V (Cu^(1.5)Cu^(1.5)/Cu^ICu^I) and −0.423 V (Cu^(II)Cu^(II)/Cu^(1.5)Cu^(1.5)). Chemical oxidation of {(PPP)Cu}_2 by one electron yields the class III mixed-valence species [{(PPP)Cu}_2]^+ (EPR, UV−vis). Structural data establish an unexpectedly large change (0.538 Å) in the Cu•••Cu distance upon oxidation state. Oxidation of {(PPP)Cu}_2 by two electrons yields the dication [{(PPP)Cu}_2]^(2+), an antiferromagnetically coupled dicopper(II) complex. Maintenance of a pseudotetrahedral geometry that is midway between a square plane and an ideal tetrahedron at the copper centers, along with a high degree of flexibility at the phosphide hinges, allows for efficient access to Cu^ICu^I, Cu^(1.5)Cu^(1.5), and Cu^(II)Cu^(II) redox states without the need for ligand exchange, substitution, or redistribution processes

Sex Differences in Arm Muscle Fatigability With Cognitive Demand in Older Adults

Background Muscle fatigability can increase when a stressful, cognitively demanding task is imposed during a low-force fatiguing contraction with the arm muscles, especially in women. Whether this occurs among older adults (\u3e 60 years) is currently unknown. Questions/purposes We aimed to determine if higher cognitive demands, stratified by sex, increased fatigability in older adults (\u3e 60 years). Secondarily, we assessed if varying cognitive demand resulted in decreased steadiness and was explained by anxiety or cortisol levels. Methods Seventeen older women (70 ± 6 years) and 13 older men (71 ± 5 years) performed a sustained, isometric, fatiguing contraction at 20% of maximal voluntary contraction until task failure during three sessions: high cognitive demand (high CD = mental subtraction by 13); low cognitive demand (low CD = mental subtraction by 1); and control (no subtraction). Results Fatigability was greater when high and low CD were performed during the fatiguing contraction for the women but not for the men. In women, time to failure with high CD was 16 ± 8 minutes and with low CD was 17 ± 4 minutes, both of which were shorter than time to failure in control contractions (21 ± 7 minutes; high CD mean difference: 5 minutes [95% confidence interval {CI}, 0.78–9.89], p = 0.02; low CD mean difference: 4 minutes [95% CI, 0.57–7.31], p = 0.03). However, in men, no differences were detected in time to failure with cognitive demand (control: 13 ± 5 minutes; high CD mean difference: −0.09 minutes [95% CI, −2.8 to 2.7], p = 1.00; low CD mean difference: 0.75 minutes [95% CI, −1.1 to 2.6], p = 0.85). Steadiness decreased (force fluctuations increased) more during high CD than control. Elevated anxiety, mean arterial pressure, and salivary cortisol levels in both men and women did not explain the greater fatigability during high CD. Conclusions Older women but not men showed marked increases in fatigability when low or high CD was imposed during sustained static contractions with the elbow flexor muscles and contrasts with previous findings for the lower limb. Steadiness decreased in both sexes when high CD was imposed. Clinical Relevance Older women are susceptible to greater fatigability of the upper limb with heightened mental activity during sustained postural contractions, which are the foundation of many work-related tasks

Base-Promoted Benzene C−H Activation Chemistry at an Amido Pincer Complex of Platinum(II)

The thermally robust platinum(II) complex (BQA)Pt(OTf) undergoes benzene C−H bond activation at 150 °C but requires the presence of N^iPr_2Et. The reaction products are the phenyl complex (BQA)Pt(Ph) and a stoichiometric equivalent of [HN^iPr_2Et][OTf]