Resonantly Enhanced Multi-Photon Ionization Spectrum of the Neutral Green Fluorescent Protein Chromophore

The photophysics of the green fluorescent protein is governed by the electronic structure of the chromophore at the heart of its β-barrel protein structure. We present the first two-color, resonance-enhanced, multiphoton ionization spectrum of the isolated neutral chromophore in vacuo with supporting electronic structure calculations. We find the absorption maximum to be 3.65 ± 0.05 eV (340 ± 5 nm), which is blue-shifted by 0.5 eV (55 nm) from the absorption maximum of the protein in its neutral form. Our results show that interactions between the chromophore and the protein have a significant influence on the electronic structure of the neutral chromophore during photoabsorption and provide a benchmark for the rational design of novel chromophores as fluorescent markers or photomanipulators.

Characterisations of the weak expectation property

We use representations of operator systems as quotients to deduce various characterisations of the weak expectation property (WEP) for C∗ -algebras. By Kirchberg’s work on WEP, these results give new formulations of Connes’ embedding problem.

The solvable Lie group N_{6, 28}: an example of an almost C_0(\mathcal{K})-C*-algebra

Motivated by the description of the C*-algebra of the affine automorphism group N6,28 of the Siegel upper half-plane of degree 2 as an algebra of operator fields defined over the unitary dual View the MathML source of the group, we introduce a family of C*-algebras, which we call almost C0(K), and we show that the C*-algebra of the group N6,28 belongs to this class.

Mathematics and reading difficulty subtypes: Minor phonological influences on mathematics for 5-7 year olds

Linguistic influences in mathematics have previously been explored throughsubtyping methodology and by taking advantage of the componential nature ofmathematics and variations in language requirements that exist across tasks. Thepresent longitudinal investigation aimed to examine the language requirements of mathematical tasks in young children aged 5-7 years. Initially, 256 children were screened for mathematics and reading difficulties using standardised measures. Those scoring at or below the 35th percentile on either dimension were classified as having difficulty. From this screening, 115 children were allocated to each of the MD (n=26), MDRD (n=32), reading difficulty (RD, n=22) and typically achieving (TA, n=35) subtypes. These children were tested at four time points, separated by six monthly intervals, on a battery of seven mathematical tasks. Growth curve analysis indicated that, in contrast to previous research on older children, young children with MD and MDRD had very similar patterns of development on all mathematical tasks. Overall, the subtype comparisons suggested that language played only a minor mediating role in most tasks, and this was secondary in importance to non-verbal skills. Correlational evidence suggested that children from the different subtypescould have been using different mixes of verbal and non-verbal strategies to solve the mathematical problems.

Reactions of nitrogen nucleophiles with enantiopure cyclohexenyl electrophiles:a stereo- and regio- selective study

The reactions of enantiopure cyclohexene epoxides and trans-1,2-bromoacetates, derived from the corresponding substituted benzene cis-dihydrodiol metabolites, with nitrogen nucleophiles, were examined and possible mechanisms proposed. An initial objective was the synthesis of new 1,2-aminoalcohol enantiomers as potential chiral ligands and synthetic scaffolds for library generation. These apparently simple substitution reactions proved to be more complex than initially anticipated and were found to involve a combination of different reaction mechanisms. Allylic trans-1,2-azidohydrins were prepared by Lewis acid-catalysed ring-opening of cyclic vinyl epoxides with sodium azide via an S(N)2 mechanism. On heating, these trans-1,2-azidohydrins isomerized to the corresponding trans-1,4-azidohydrins via a suprafacial allyl azide [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement mechanism. Conversion of a 1,2-azidohydrin to a 1,2-azidoacetate moved the equilibrium position in favour of the 1,4-substitution product. Allylic trans-1,2-bromoacetates reacted with sodium azide at room temperature to give C-2 and C-4 substituted products. A clean inversion of configuration at C-2 was found, as expected, from a concerted S(N)2-pathway. However, substitution at C-4 was not stereoselective and resulted in mixtures of 1,4-cis and 1,4-trans products. This observation can be rationalized in terms of competitive S(N)2 and S(N)2 reactions allied to a [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement. cis-1,2-Azidohydrins and cis-1,2-azidoacetates were much more prone to rearrange than the corresponding trans-isomers. Reaction of the softer tosamide nucleophile with trans-1,2-bromoacetates resulted, predominantly, in C-4 substitution via a syn-S(N)2 mechanism. One application of the reaction of secondary amines with allylic cyclohexene epoxides, to give trans-1,2-aminoalcohols, is in the synthesis of the anticholinergic drug vesamicol, via an S(N)2 mechanism. Copyright (c) 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

'A Breath of Fresh Air': The experiences of undergraduate nursing students' participating in a creative learning project:This paper presents the experiences of undergraduate nursing students who participated in a creative learning project to explore the cells, tissues and organs of the human body through felt making.

Aim of the study
This paper presents the experiences of undergraduate nursing students who participated in a creative learning project to explore the cells, tissues and organs of the human body through felt making.

Context and Background
This project was funded by a Teaching Innovation Award from the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queen’s University Belfast to explore creative ways of engaging year one undergraduate nursing students in learning anatomy and physiology. The project was facilitated through collaboration between University Teaching staff and Arts Care, a unique arts and health charity in Northern Ireland.

Methodology
Twelve year one students participated in four workshops designed to explore the cells, tissues and organs of the human body through the medium of felt. Facilitated by an Arts Care artist, students translated their learning into striking felt images. The project culminated in the exhibition of this unique collection of work which has been viewed by fellow students, teaching staff, nurses from practice, and artists from Arts Care, friends, family and members of the public.

Key Findings and conclusions
The opportunity to learn in a more diverse way within a safe and non-judgmental environment was valued, with students’ reporting a greater confidence in life science knowledge. Self- reflection and group discussion revealed that the project was a unique creative learning experience for all involved – students, teaching staff and artist – resulting in individual and collective benefits far beyond knowledge acquisition. As individuals we each felt respected and recognised for our unique contribution to the project. Working in partnership with Arts Care enabled us to experience the benefits of creativity to well-being and reflect upon how engagement in creative activities can help healthcare professionals to focus on the individual patient’s needs and how this is fundamental to enhancing patient-centred care