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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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Improved Accuracy in Semi-Experimental Structure Determination by Resolving Problems Associated with Rotation of Principal Inertial Axes of Isotopologues: Structures of 1,3-Oxazole ( c -C 3 H 3 NO)

The rotational spectrum of the normal isotopologue of 1,3-oxazole (c-C 3 H 3 NO) was observed from 43 to 750 GHz. Over 3900 transitions for the ground vibrational state are measured, assigned, and least-squares fit to sextic centrifugally distorted-rotor Hamiltonians. The measured frequencies and resulting spectroscopic constants from this extended spectral range, combined with previous measurements of the nuclear quadrupole coupling constants, will facilitate astronomical searches for oxazole across the majority of the range of modern radiotelescopes. Spectra for a set of 30 oxazole isotopologues, which include multiple isotopic substitutions of each atom, are used to determine the first semi-experimental equilibrium ($r$$^{SE}_{e}$) structure and semi-experimental substitution structure ($r$$^{SE}_{e}$), each using CCSD(T) computed values for the vibration–rotation interaction and electron-mass corrections. The large number of isotopologues, including 21 isotopologues observed for the first time, and the redundant substitutions of each atom provide sufficient spectroscopic information to determine the $r$$^{SE}_{e}$ structure with the expected high level of accuracy and precision (0.0001 or 0.0002 Å in bond distances and 0.013 to 0.025° in bond angles). In the course of this study, we analyzed a known issue for some $r$$^{SE}_{e}$ structure determinations of near-oblate asymmetric tops in which inclusion of individual isotopologues degrades the structure determination. We demonstrate that this problem primarily arises from the difference in the values of the computed vibration–rotation interaction corrections as evaluated at the computed re geometry vs the $r$$^{SE}_{e}$ geometry of the “real” molecule. Our solution to this problem substantially improves the $r$$^{SE}_{e}$ structure of oxazole and likely can be generalized to many other molecules.

Chemical structure↗

Radiofluorination of oxazole-carboxamides for preclinical PET neuroimaging of GSK-3

Glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK-3) is an enzyme that is dysregulated in oncology neurodegeneration, neuroinflammation and several mental health illnesses. As such, GSK-3 is a long-sought after target for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging and therapeutic intervention. Herein, we report on the development and radiofluorination of two oxazole-4- carboxamides, including one bearing a non-activated aromatic ring. Both compounds demonstrated excellent selectivity in a kinase screen and inhibit GSK-3 with high affinity. [ 18 F]OCM-49 was synthesized from [ 18 F]fluoride using a copper-mediated reaction of an aryl boronic acid precursor, while [ 18 F]OCM-50 used a trimethylammonium triflate precursor, and both radiotracers were translated for preclinical PET imaging in rodents. Due to superior radiochemical yields and brain uptake (peak standardized uptake value of ~2.0), [ 18 F]OCM-50 was further evaluated in non-human primate and also showed good brain uptake and rapid clearance. Finally, further studies to consider clinical translation of both radiotracers are underway.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Core spectroscopy of oxazole

We have measured, analyzed and simulated the ground state valence photoelectron (PES), X-ray absorption (XAS), X-ray photoelectron (XPS) as well as normal and resonant Auger-Meitner electron (AES) spectra of oxazole at the carbon, oxygen and nitrogen K-edge in order to understand its electronic structure. Experimental data is compared to theoretical calculations performed at the coupled cluster, restricted active space perturbation theory to second order and time-dependent density functional levels of theory. We demonstrate that both N and O K-edge XAS are sensitive to the amount of dynamical electron correlation included in the theoretical description, and that for a complete description of XPS, additional orbital correlation and orbital relaxation effects need to be considered. The normal AES are dominated by a singlet excitation channel and well described by theory. Furthermore, the resonant AES, however, are more complicated. While the participator decay channels, dominating at higher kinetic energies, are well described by coupled cluster theory, spectator channels can only be described satisfactorily using a method that combines restricted active space perturbation theory to second order for the bound part and a one-center approximation for the continuum.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

Glycolonitrile oligomerization: structure of isolated oxazolines, potential heterocycles on the early earth

A study of glycolonitrile polymerization has led to the isolation and characterization of two 2,5-dihydro-4-aminooxazoles, 4 and 5. Previous reports have misassigned these structures as s-triazines or pyrimidines. X-ray diffraction analysis of crystals of 4 and an acetylated oxazole derivative of 5 (6) confirm the proposed structures. Ab initio computations are used to assess the relative thermodynamic stability of three trimer isomers (an s-triazine, an aminohydroxypyrimidine, and an aminooxazoline), and the results indicate that 4 is a novel kinetic product. Mechanistic considerations rationalize kinetic oxazole formation over the more customary triazine or pyrimidine trimers.

Non-NASA Center↗

Polysiloxane Scintillators for Efficient Neutron and Gamma-Ray Pulse Shape Discrimination

Plastic scintillators based on thermoplastics, such as polystyrene and poly(vinyl toluene) (PVT), are capable of neutron and γ radiation detection via pulse shape discrimination (PSD) when overdoped with select fluorescent molecules. This class of plastic scintillator has been extensively studied but is limited to applications suitable for thermoplastics. For applications requiring flexibility, scintillators composed of elastomers, such as polysiloxanes, offer an alternative to PVT scintillators. Polysiloxane scintillators are inherently flexible and have a short processing time on the order of 3 h in air and equivalent or better detection capability at reduced doping concentration (<5 wt %). This work presents polysiloxane-based scintillators, containing only 1–5 wt % of 2,5 diphenyl-oxazole (PPO) or 9,9-dimethyl-2-phenyl-9H-fluorene (PhF) as primary dopants and 9,9-dimethyl-2,7-distyryl-9H-fluorene (SFS) as a wavelength shifter. A 5 wt % PPO polysiloxane sample had improved neutron and gamma ray PSD and comparable light yield than EJ-299-33 tested under the same conditions, i.e., figure of merit (FoM) of 1.33 ± 0.03 at 450 keV ee and light yield of 94% relative to EJ-299-33. The 5 wt % PhF-polysiloxane sample had a higher light yield, 144% of EJ-299-33 but lower FoM under the same conditions (FoM of 1.09 ± 0.03). Furthermore, this work highlights the potential of polysiloxanes as a matrix for PSD capable plastic scintillators.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Archean geochemistry of formaldehyde and cyanide and the oligomerization of cyanohydrin

The sources and speciation of reduced carbon and nitrogen inferred for the early Archean are reviewed in terms of current observations and models, and known chemical reactions. Within this framework hydrogen cyanide and cyanide ion in significant concentration would have been eliminated by reaction with excess formaldehyde to form cyanohydrin (glycolonitrile), and with ferrous ion to formferrocyanide. Natural reactions of these molecules would under such conditions deserve special consideration in modeling of primordial organochemical processes. As a step in this direction, transformation reactions have been investigated involving glycolonitrile in the presence of water. We find that glycolonitrile, formed from formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide or cyanide ion, spontaneously cyclodimerizes to 4-amino-2-hydroxymethyloxazole. The crystalline dimer is the major product at low temperatue (approximately 0 C); the yield diminishes with increasing temperature at the expense of polymerization and hydrolysis products. Hydrolysis of glycolamide and of oxazole yields a number of simpler organic molecules, including ammonia and glycolamide. The spontaneous polymerization of glycolonitrile and its dimer gives rise to soluble, cationic oligomers of as yet unknown structure, and, unless arrested, to a viscous liquid, insoluble in water. A loss of cyanide by reaction with formaldehyde, inferred for the early terrestrial hydrosphere and cryosphere would present a dilemma for hypotheses invoking cyanide and related compounds as concentrated reactants capable of forming biomolecular precursor species. Attempts to escape from its horns may take advantage of the efficient concentration and separation of cyanide as solid ferriferrocyanide, and most directly of reactions of glycolonitrile and its derivatives.

Arrhenius, T.↗

Hydrogels for isotopic neutron emitters and antineutrino detection and related detection systems and methods

Scintillation compositions comprising a gadolinium compound and a scintillation compound in a polymer matrix precursor. The scintillation compound comprises strontium diiodide, fac-tris(2-phenylpyridine)iridium (Ir(ppy)3), a quinine compound, or combinations thereof, or 2-(4-biphenylyl)-5 phenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole (PBD), 2-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-5-(4-phenylphenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole (b-PBD), 2,5-diphenyl oxazole (PPO), 1,4-bis(5-phenyloxazol-2-yl) benzene (POPOP), or combinations thereof. Hydrogels comprising the gadolinium compound and scintillation compound in a polymer matrix are also disclosed, as are related systems and methods.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Kinetics of chromatid break repair in G2-human fibroblasts exposed to low- and high-LET radiations

The purpose of this study is to determine the kinetics of chromatid break rejoining following exposure to radiations of different quality. Exponentially growing human fibroblast cells AG1522 were irradiated with gamma-rays, energetic carbon (290 MeV/u), silicon (490 MeV/u) and iron (200 MeV/u, 600 MeV/u). Chromosomes were prematurely condensed using calyculin A. Prematurely condensed chromosomes were collected after several post-irradiation incubation times, ranging from 5 to 600 minutes, and the number of chromatid breaks and exchanges in G2 cells were scored. The relative biological effectiveness (RBE) for initial chromatid breaks per unit dose showed LET dependency having a peak at 55 keV/micrometers silicon (2.4) or 80 keV/micrometers carbon particles (2.4) and then decreased with increasing LET. The kinetics of chromatid break rejoining following low- or high-LET irradiation consisted of two exponential components. Chromatid breaks decreased rapidly after exposure, and then continued to decrease at a slower rate. The rejoining kinetics was similar for exposure to each type of radiation, although the rate of unrejoined breaks was higher for high-LET radiation. Chromatid exchanges were also formed quickly.

NASA Center JSC↗

Chromosome aberrations induced by high-LET radiations

Measurements of chromosome aberrations in peripheral blood lymphocytes are currently the most sensitive and reliable indicator of radiation exposure that can be used for biological dosimetry. This technique has been implemented recently to study radiation exposures incurred by astronauts during space flight, where a significant proportion of the dose is delivered by high-LET particle exposure. Traditional methods for the assessing of cytogenetic damage in mitotic cells collected at one time point after exposure may not be suitable for measuring high-LET radiation effects due to the drastic cell cycle perturbations and interphase cell death induced by this type of exposure. In this manuscript we review the recent advances in methodology used to study high-LET induced cytogenetic effects and evaluate the use of chemically-induced Premature Chromosome Condensation (PCC) as an alternative to metaphase analysis. Published data on the cytogenetic effects of in vitro exposures of high-LET radiation is reviewed, along with biodosimetry results from astronauts after short or long space missions.

ISS Project↗