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At least 325 records · Page 18

Laser-assisted cell removing (LACR) technology contributes to the purification process of the undifferentiated cell fraction during pluripotent stem cell culture

Highlights: • Purification of undifferentiated cells is a critical step in stem cell culture. • We developed an automated laser-assisted cell removing technology. • This system successfully removed contaminated/differentiated cells in human iPS cell culture. Purification of undifferentiated cells by removing differentiated parts is an essential step in pluripotent stem cell culture. This process has been traditionally performed manually using a fine glass capillary or plastic tip under a microscope, or by culturing in a selective medium supplemented with anti-differentiation inhibitors. However, there are several inevitable problems associated with these methods, such as contamination or biological side-effects. Here, we developed a laser-assisted cell removing (LACR) technology that enables precise, fast, and contact-less cell removal. Using LACR combined with computational image recognition/identification-discriminating technology, we achieved automatic cell purification (A-LACR). Practicability of A-LACR was evaluated by two demonstrations: selective removal of trophoblast stem (TS) cells from human iPS and TS cell co-cultures, and purification of undifferentiated iPS cells by targeting differentiated cells that spontaneously developed. Our results suggested that LACR technology is a novel approach for stem cell processing in regenerative medicine.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Defective rapid cell shape and transendothelial migration by calpain-1 null neutrophils

Highlights: • The role of calpain-1 in neutrophil shape change was investigated. • Neutrophils were obtained from knock-out mice and assessed ex vivo. • These cells failed to migrate through endothelial monolayers. • Spontaneous cell spreading was grossly abberant. • Calpain-1 null cells failed to spread in response to IP{sub 3} -induced Ca{sup 2+} signals. It has been proposed that Ca{sup 2+} activation of calpain-1 is an important trigger for rapid cell spreading by neutrophils. In this paper, we have investigated this by assessing the ex vivo functioning of neutrophils from calpain-1 null mice, Calpain-1 null neutrophils failed to migrate through TNF-activated endothelial monolayers. The failure to transmigrate through endothelial monolayers was therefore unlikely to be due to a failure of chemotaxis as chemotaxis by adherent calpain-1 null neutrophils towards fMLP was unpaired. In contrast, the capacity of calpian-1 neutrophils to spontaneously spread was limited to smaller diameters than for wild type cells. Photolytic uncaging of IP{sub 3} with Individual wild type neutrophils resulted in a large Ca{sup 2+} signal and rapid cell spreading. In contrast, calpain-1 neutrophils failed to spread in response to the IP{sub 3}-induced Ca{sup 2+} signal. This work has therefore demonstrated that the presence of calpain-1 was required for effective rapid cell spreading by neutrophils.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Bedrock architecture, soil texture, and hyporheic zone characterization combining electrical resistivity and induced polarization imaging

The shallow (<15 m depth) subsurface environment of a short reach along a bedrock stream was investigated with electrical resistivity and induced polarization (IP) to map details of bedrock and soil sediments. The bedrock is mostly comprised of limestone, and is generally resistive compared to the overlying soil. The soil-bedrock interface was determined through a trial and error approach using a sharp boundary feature in the inversion model. The inferred bedrock surface determined from the inversions exhibited undulating patterns with troughs and ridges. A near continuous trough ran alongside the stream within the floodplain, and is suggestive of a paleochannel among other interpretations of this feature. The structure of the electrical resistivity above the bedrock showed small-scale elongated features. The chargeability from the IP method showed larger scale features. High values of chargeability were associated with the sediments in the floodplain, and low values were associated with bedrock, stream, and soil on the elevated banks above the stream. If the chargeability is associated with membrane polarization characteristic of clayey soils, then IP seems to highlight the mere existence of clay, while the resistivity may be more discernable of the relative proportion of clay. Vegetation differences may also explain the chargeability distribution, where parts of the survey with high chargeability had dense pine with no understory making the soils more organically rich.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

A diffusive information preservation method for small Knudsen number flows

The direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method is a powerful particle-based method for modeling gas flows. It works well for relatively large Knudsen (Kn) numbers, typically larger than 0.01, but quickly becomes computationally intensive as Kn decreases due to its time step and cell size limitations. An alternative approach was proposed to relax or remove these limitations, based on replacing pairwise collisions with a stochastic model corresponding to the Fokker–Planck equation [J. Comput. Phys., 229, 1077 (2010); J. Fluid Mech., 680, 574 (2011)]. Similar to the DSMC method, the downside of that approach suffers from computationally statistical noise. To solve the problem, a diffusion-based information preservation (D-IP) method has been developed. The main idea is to track the motion of a simulated molecule from the diffusive standpoint, and obtain the flow velocity and temperature through sampling and averaging the IP quantities. To validate the idea and the corresponding model, several benchmark problems with Kn ∼ 10{sup −3}–10{sup −4} have been investigated. It is shown that the IP calculations are not only accurate, but also efficient because they make possible using a time step and cell size over an order of magnitude larger than the mean collision time and mean free path, respectively.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Two coordination polymers of manganese(II) isophthalate and their preparation, structures, and magnetic properties

Two manganese coordination polymers, [Mn{sub 2}(ip){sub 2}(dmf)]{center_dot}dmf (1) and [Mn{sub 4}(ip){sub 4}(dmf){sub 6}]{center_dot}2dmf (2) (ip=isophthalate; dmf=N,N-dimethylformamide), have been synthesized and characterized. X-ray crystal structural data reveal that compound 1 crystallizes in triclinic space group P-1, a=9.716(3) A, b=12.193(3) A, c=12.576(3) A, {alpha}=62.19(2) Degree-Sign , {beta}=66.423(17) Degree-Sign , {gamma}=72.72(2) Degree-Sign , Z=2, while compound 2 crystallizes in monoclinic space group Cc, a=19.80(3) A, b=20.20(2) A, c=18.01(3) A, {beta}=108.40(4) Degree-Sign , Z=4. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibilities of compounds 1 and 2 exhibit overall weak antiferromagnetic coupling between the adjacent Mn(II) ions. - Graphical abstract: Three-dimensional porous and two-dimensional layered manganese isophthalates have been prepared. Magnetic susceptibility measurements exhibit overall weak antiferromagnetic interactions between the Mn(II) ions in both compounds. Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Two manganese isophthalates have been prepared. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Compound 1 adopts a three-dimensional porous structure. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Compound 2 adopts a two-dimensional layered structure. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Magnetic properties of both compounds are investigated.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Atomic solid state energy scale: Universality and periodic trends in oxidation state

The atomic solid state energy (SSE) scale originates from a plot of the electron affinity (EA) and ionization potential (IP) versus band gap (E{sub G}). SSE is estimated for a given atom by assessing an average EA (for a cation) or an average IP (for an anion) for binary inorganic compounds having that specific atom as a constituent. Physically, SSE is an experimentally-derived average frontier orbital energy referenced to the vacuum level. In its original formulation, 69 binary closed-shell inorganic semiconductors and insulators were employed as a database, providing SSE estimates for 40 elements. In this contribution, EA and IP versus E{sub G} are plotted for an additional 92 compounds, thus yielding SSE estimates for a total of 64 elements from the s-, p-, d-, and f-blocks of the periodic table. Additionally, SSE is refined to account for its dependence on oxidation state. Although most cations within the SSE database are found to occur in a single oxidation state, data are available for nine d-block transition metals and one p-block main group metal in more than one oxidation state. SSE is deeper in energy for a higher cation oxidation state. Two p-block main group non-metals within the SSE database are found to exist in both positive and negative oxidation states so that they can function as a cation or anion. SSEs for most cations are positioned above −4.5 eV with respect to the vacuum level, and SSEs for all anions are positioned below. Hence, the energy −4.5 eV, equal to the hydrogen donor/acceptor ionization energy ε(+/−) or equivalently the standard hydrogen electrode energy, is considered to be an absolute energy reference for chemical bonding in the solid state. - Highlights: • Atomic solid-state energies are estimated for 64 elements from experimental data. • The relationship between atomic SSEs and oxidation state is assessed. • Cations are positioned above and absolute energy of −4.5 eV and anions below.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

A dosimetric comparison of whole-lung treatment techniques in the pediatric population

To demonstrate the dosimetric advantages and disadvantages of standard anteroposterior-posteroanterior (S-AP/PA{sub AAA}), inverse-planned AP/PA (IP-AP/PA) and volumetry-modulated arc (VMAT) radiotherapies in the treatment of children undergoing whole-lung irradiation. Each technique was evaluated by means of target coverage and normal tissue sparing, including data regarding low doses. A historical approach with and without tissue heterogeneity corrections is also demonstrated. Computed tomography (CT) scans of 10 children scanned from the neck to the reproductive organs were used. For each scan, 6 plans were created: (1) S-AP/PA{sub AAA} using the anisotropic analytical algorithm (AAA), (2) IP-AP/PA, (3) VMAT, (4) S-AP/PA{sub NONE} without heterogeneity corrections, (5) S-AP/PA{sub PB} using the Pencil-Beam algorithm and enforcing monitor units from technique 4, and (6) S-AP/PA{sub AAA[FM]} using AAA and forcing fixed monitor units. The first 3 plans compare modern methods and were evaluated based on target coverage and normal tissue sparing. Body maximum and lower body doses (50% and 30%) were also analyzed. Plans 4 to 6 provide a historic view on the progression of heterogeneity algorithms and elucidate what was actually delivered in the past. Averages of each comparison parameter were calculated for all techniques. The S-AP/PA{sub AAA} technique resulted in superior target coverage but had the highest maximum dose to every normal tissue structure. The IP-AP/PA technique provided the lowest dose to the esophagus, stomach, and lower body doses. VMAT excelled at body maximum dose and maximum doses to the heart, spine, and spleen, but resulted in the highest dose in the 30% body range. It was, however, superior to the S-AP/PA{sub AAA} approach in the 50% range. Each approach has strengths and weaknesses thus associated. Techniques may be selected on a case-by-case basis and by physician preference of target coverage vs normal tissue sparing.

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗

Amino-functionalized graphene quantum dots (aGQDs)-embedded thin film nanocomposites for solvent resistant nanofiltration (SRNF) membranes based on covalence interactions

Solvent resistant nanofiltration (SRNF) membranes are highly demanded in processing organic solutions especially those contain large molecules with molecular weight between 200 to 2000 Da, yet they have some drawbacks such as relatively poor solvent resistance and low solvent permeance. The current work presented an innovative class of amino-functionalized graphene quantum dots (aGQDs) embedded thin film nanocomposites (TFN) for SRNF membranes which were prepared via interfacial polymerization (IP) and subsequent steps (chemical imidization, crosslinking, and solvent activation). The prepared membranes enabled covalent interactions not only between the IP skin layer and the substrate, but also between the IP layer and the embedded aGQDs. The ethanol permeance and surface porosity increased by 44% and 69%, respectively, with the embedment of aGQDs under the optimal conditions, while the Rhodamine B (RDB, 479 Da) rejection maintained essentially stable above 99%. Furthermore, our novel membranes exhibited excellent long-term stability, with a rejection of over 99% for Rose Bengal (RB, 1017 Da) during the continuous filtration of 100 mg L -1 RB/N,N-dimethyl formamide (DMF) solution at room temperature for more than 768 h. They also exhibited good organic solvent resistance and high-temperature tolerance in both DMF and NMP solvents, with a RDB rejection of over 99% and an ethanol permeance of about 38 L m -2 h -1 MPa -1 after being immersed in DMF at 80 °C for 248 h, and a RDB rejection of over 99% and an ethanol permeance of about 41 L m -2 h -1 MPa -1 after being immersed in NMP at 80 °C for 232 h. The results demonstrated that the aGQDs-embedded TFN OSN membrane has vast potential in SRNF applications.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Characterization of Polyamide Thin Films by Atomic Force Microscopy

This study directly compares the mechanical behavior of novel molecular layer deposition (MLD) and analogous interfacial polymerization (IP) polyamide thin films in environments relevant to reverse osmosis (RO) membrane operation. The elastic modulus of the films was determined using atomic force microscopy (AFM) in dry, hydrated, and chlorinated states. Surface roughness characteristics were also obtained given their potential influence on AFM modulus measurements. The much smoother MLD films demonstrated a statistically higher modulus in all states as compared to their IP counterparts. The MLD films maintained a modulus ~3X and ~5X greater than that of IP films after hydration and chlorination, respectively. Such differences in behavior may be due to the higher density and correspondingly lower void content of the MLD films. Results from this study provide a rationale for future development of MLD for fabrication of polyamide films for incorporation in RO membranes.

atomic force microscopy↗

Methanol exposure does not produce oxidatively damaged DNA in lung, liver or kidney of adult mice, rabbits or primates

In vitro and in vivo genotoxicity tests indicate methanol (MeOH) is not mutagenic, but carcinogenic potential has been claimed in one controversial long-term rodent cancer bioassay that has not been replicated. To determine whether MeOH could indirectly damage DNA via reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated mechanisms, we treated male CD-1 mice, New Zealand white rabbits and cynomolgus monkeys with MeOH (2.0 g/kg ip) and 6 h later assessed oxidative damage to DNA, measured as 8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) by HPLC with electrochemical detection. We found no MeOH-dependent increases in 8-oxodG in lung, liver or kidney of any species. Chronic treatment of CD-1 mice with MeOH (2.0 g/kg ip) daily for 15 days also did not increase 8-oxodG levels in these organs. These results were corroborated in DNA repair-deficient oxoguanine glycosylase 1 (Ogg1) knockout (KO) mice, which accumulated 8-oxodG in lung, kidney and liver with age, but exhibited no increase following MeOH, despite a 2-fold increase in renal 8-oxodG in Ogg1 KO mice following treatment with a ROS-initiating positive control, the renal carcinogen potassium bromate (KBrO{sub 3}; 100 mg/kg ip). These observations suggest that MeOH exposure does not promote the accumulation of oxidatively damaged DNA in lung, kidney or liver, and that environmental exposure to MeOH is unlikely to initiate carcinogenesis in these organs by DNA oxidation.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Differential antagonism of tetramethylenedisulfotetramine-induced seizures by agents acting at NMDA and GABA{sub A} receptors

Tetramethylenedisulfotetramine (TMDT) is a highly lethal neuroactive rodenticide responsible for many accidental and intentional poisonings in mainland China. Ease of synthesis, water solubility, potency, and difficulty to treat make TMDT a potential weapon for terrorist activity. We characterized TMDT-induced convulsions and mortality in male C57BL/6 mice. TMDT (ip) produced a continuum of twitches, clonic, and tonic–clonic seizures decreasing in onset latency and increasing in severity with increasing dose; 0.4 mg/kg was 100% lethal. The NMDA antagonist, ketamine (35 mg/kg) injected ip immediately after the first TMDT-induced seizure, did not change number of tonic–clonic seizures or lethality, but increased the number of clonic seizures. Doubling the ketamine dose decreased tonic–clonic seizures and eliminated lethality through a 60 min observation period. Treating mice with another NMDA antagonist, MK-801, 0.5 or 1 mg/kg ip, showed similar effects as low and high doses of ketamine, respectively, and prevented lethality, converting status epilepticus EEG activity to isolated interictal discharges. Treatment with these agents 15 min prior to TMDT administration did not increase their effectiveness. Post-treatment with the GABA{sub A} receptor allosteric enhancer diazepam (5 mg/kg) greatly reduced seizure manifestations and prevented lethality 60 min post-TMDT, but ictal events were evident in EEG recordings and, hours post-treatment, mice experienced status epilepticus and died. Thus, TMDT is a highly potent and lethal convulsant for which single-dose benzodiazepine treatment is inadequate in managing electrographic seizures or lethality. Repeated benzodiazepine dosing or combined application of benzodiazepines and NMDA receptor antagonists is more likely to be effective in treating TMDT poisoning. -- Highlights: ► TMDT produces convulsions and lethality at low doses in mice. ► Diazepam pre- or post-treatments inhibit TMDT-induced convulsions and death. ► Ketamine and MK-801 display biphasic actions on TMDT seizures. ► Diazepam stops convulsions, but ictal EEG events persist to cause lethality hrs later. ► Diazepam repeat dose or paired with ketamine/MK-801 may more effectively block TMDT.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

A Combined Spin-Flip and IP/EA Approach for Handling Spin and Spatial Degeneracies: Application to Double Exchange Systems

Many multiconfigurational systems, such as single-molecule magnets, are difficult to study using traditional computational methods due to the simultaneous existence of both spin and spatial degeneracies. In this work, a new approach termed n -spin-flip ionization potential/electron affinity ( n SF-IP or n SF-EA) is introduced which combines the spin-flip method of Anna Krylov with particle-number changing IP/EA methods. We demonstrate the efficacy of the approach by applying it to the strongly correlated N 2 + , as well as several double exchange systems. We also demonstrate that when these systems are well-described by a double exchange model Hamiltonian, only 1SF-IP/EA is required to extract the double exchange parameters and accurately predict energies for the low-spin states. This significantly reduces the computational effort for studying such systems. The results of including additional excitations (using a RAS- n SF-IP/EA scheme) are also researched, with particular emphasis on hole and particle excitations.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

The Hydration of β- and α' H -Dicalcium Silicates: An X-ray Spectromicroscopic Study

Dicalcium silicate (C 2 S) is an important clinker mineral in Portland and belite-calcium sulfoaluminate cement. However, there is still a lack of information on the local degree of silicate polymerization and calcium coordination in C 2 S hydration products. Here we aimed to fill this gap by characterizing the hydration of two C 2 S polymorphs, the β- and α' H - types, using scanning transmission X-ray microscopy coupled with ptychographic imaging. The results showed that the coordination of the Ca species in β- and ' H -C 2 S had a distorted, cubic-like symmetry, whereas the Ca coordination of calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H), the main hydration product, was structurally similar to that of tobermorite. The outer hydration product (Op) of both polymorphs exhibited an increasing degree of silicate polymerization over time. The inner hydration product (Ip) of β-C 2 S polymerized slower than Op; however, the degree of silicate polymerization of both Ip and Op in the α' H -C 2 S hydration system was comparable. The polymerization degree of Op was relatively heterogeneous, whereas, in α' H -C 2 S, the polymerization degree was more homogeneous. Ptychographic imaging shows that the Op of α' H -C 2 S exhibits coarser fibrils than the Op of β-C 2 S, and a clear Op–Ip interface of hydrated β-C 2 S is observed.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Arene Trifluoromethylation: An Effective Strategy to Obtain Air-Stable n-Type Organic Semiconductors with Tunable Optoelectronic and Electron Transfer Properties

Modulation of organic semiconductor band gap, electron affinities (EA), ionization potentials (IP), and reorganization energies (λ) associated with charge transfer is critical for its applications. We report here that trifluoromethylation not only increases both IP and EA significantly as expected but also narrows the HOMO–LUMO band gaps and increases considerably the air-stability of arene-based n-type organic semiconductors. The increased air-stability results from relatively high EA energies and a change in oxidation mechanism. Calculated EAs and IPs show that trifluoromethylated arenes are excellent candidates for n-type semiconductor materials; though a moderate increase of inner-sphere reorganization energy (λ i ) associated with charge transfer is the penalty for the improved performance of the trifluoromethylated compounds. However, since λ i decreases as the π conjugation increases, a rational design to produce air-stable n-type semiconductor materials with reasonably small λ i is simply to prepare trifluoromethylated arenes with extended π conjugation. Finally, we found that structural isomerization can fine-tune the optoelectronic and electronic transfer properties of the corresponding aromatics.

Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory↗

Permeability and Induced Polarization of Mudstones

Electrical measurements can be used to estimate hydraulic properties such as permeability ( k ) in sedimentary rocks. Previous work has focused on sandstones, siltstones, and carbonates, while investigations on mudstones have rarely been reported. In this study, we report on electrical geophysical measurements for 23 mudstone samples using an experimental approach designed to reliably saturate these low permeability mudstones. The modified Hagen-Poiseuille model linking permeability to the formation factor ( F ) and an effective pore radius ( r ) provides an excellent fit to the data set with a near-constant pore radius, indicating that the effective porosity (1/ F ) is the controlling factor on k . In these samples, the surface area normalized to pore volume ( S por ), frequently used in permeability estimation models, varies by 1–2 orders of magnitude and is thus not a reliable proxy of the inverse effective hydraulic radius. The formation factor also exerts the primary control on induced polarization (IP) parameters, whereas Spor shows no relation to the IP parameters. A strong linear relationship is found between IP parameters (imaginary conductivity and normalized chargeability) and surface conductivity, although the proportionality factor is significantly lower than those observed in more permeable rocks and sediments. Apparent relationships between the polarization strength-derived and time constant-derived geophysical length scales and the effective hydraulic radius appear to be driven by variations in the electrochemical parameters (i.e., specific polarizability and diffusion coefficient). Overall, these findings emphasize that predicting hydraulic properties from electrical measurements in fine-grained rocks remains challenging and requires further investigation into the electrochemical properties involved.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Cross-scale covariance for material property prediction

A simulation can stand its ground against an experiment only if its prediction uncertainty is known. The unknown accuracy of interatomic potentials (IPs) is a major source of prediction uncertainty, severely limiting the use of large-scale classical atomistic simulations in a wide range of scientific and engineering applications. Here we explore covariance between predictions of metal plasticity, from 178 large-scale (~10 8 atoms) molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and a variety of indicator properties computed at small-scales (≤10 2 atoms). All simulations use the same 178 IPs. In a manner similar to statistical studies in public health, we analyze correlations of strength with indicators, identify the best predictor properties, and build a cross-scale “strength-on-predictors” regression model. This model is then used to estimate regression error over the statistical pool of IPs. Small-scale predictors found to be highly covariant with strength are computed using expensive quantum-accurate calculations and used to predict flow strength, within the statistical error bounds established in our study.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Inositol phosphates are assembly co-factors for HIV-1

A short, 14-amino-acid segment called SP1, located in the Gag structural protein, has a critical role during the formation of the HIV-1 virus particle. During virus assembly, the SP1 peptide and seven preceding residues fold into a six-helix bundle, which holds together the Gag hexamer and facilitates the formation of a curved immature hexagonal lattice underneath the viral membrane. Upon completion of assembly and budding, proteolytic cleavage of Gag leads to virus maturation, in which the immature lattice is broken down; the liberated CA domain of Gag then re-assembles into the mature conical capsid that encloses the viral genome and associated enzymes. Folding and proteolysis of the six-helix bundle are crucial rate-limiting steps of both Gag assembly and disassembly, and the six-helix bundle is an established target of HIV-1 inhibitors. Here, using a combination of structural and functional analyses, we show that inositol hexakisphosphate (InsP6, also known as IP 6 ) facilitates the formation of the six-helix bundle and assembly of the immature HIV-1 Gag lattice. IP 6 makes ionic contacts with two rings of lysine residues at the centre of the Gag hexamer. Proteolytic cleavage then unmasks an alternative binding site, where IP 6 interaction promotes the assembly of the mature capsid lattice. Furthermore, these studies identify IP6 as a naturally occurring small molecule that promotes both assembly and maturation of HIV-1.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Direct Delta-MBPT(2) method for ionization potentials, electron affinities, and excitation energies using fractional occupation numbers

A direct method (D-Delta-MBPT(2)) to calculate second-order ionization potentials (IPs), electron affinities (EAs), and excitation energies is developed. The Delta-MBPT(2) method is defined as the correlated extension of the Delta-HF method. Energy differences are obtained by integrating the energy derivative with respect to occupation numbers over the appropriate parameter range. This is made possible by writing the second-order energy as a function of the occupation numbers. Relaxation effects are fully included at the SCF level. This is in contrast to linear response theory, which makes the D-Delta-MBPT(2) applicable not only to single excited but also higher excited states. We show the relationship of the D-Delta-MBPT(2) method for IPs and EAs to a second-order approximation of the effective Fock-space coupled-cluster Hamiltonian and a second-order electron propagator method. We also discuss the connection between the D-Delta-MBPT(2) method for excitation energies and the CIS-MP2 method. Finally, as a proof of principle, we apply our method to calculate ionization potentials and excitation energies of some small molecules. For IPs, the Delta-MBPT(2) results compare well to the second-order solution of the Dyson equation. For excitation energies, the deviation from EOM-CCSD increases when correlation becomes more important. When using the numerical integration technique, we encounter difficulties that prevented us from reaching the Delta-MBPT(2) values. Most importantly, relaxation beyond the Hartree Fock level is significant and needs to be included in future research.

Beste, Ariana↗