The UT excise and taxation department has extended the excise policy from May 15 to June 30 due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the ongoing lockdown.

Ancient tsunami may have struck Falkland Islands  BBC News

Coronavirus shock: Pandemic lockdowns have changed how the planet SOUNDS and vibrates  Express.co.uk

What is a sinkhole and are they caused by bad weather?  expressandstar.com

Holderness coast: Major cliff landslides 'every six years'  BBC News

Scottish Highlands hit by earthquake with magnitude measuring 2.3  The Scottish Sun

Earthquake strikes the west Highlands  Press and Journal

Ancient underwater landslides help Brit scientists predict tsunamis  Metro.co.uk

Climate change and urbanisation 'threaten groundwater', say scientists  ENDS Report

Ancient underwater landslides help predict tsunami risk  Aberdeen Evening Express

In the title compound, C61H15ClN2O3, the heterocyclic ring adopts an envelope conformation, folded across the N⋯N line, with the 2,5-di­meth­oxy­phenyl unit occupying a quasi-axial site. There are two N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds in the structure: one hydrogen bond links mol­ecules related by a 41 screw axis to form a C(6) chain, and the other links inversion-related pairs of mol­ecules to form an R22(8) ring. The ring motif links all of the chains into a continuous three-dimensional framework structure. Comparisons are made with the structures of some related compounds.

Two bis-carbamoyl­methyl­phosphine oxide compounds, namely {[(3-{[2-(di­phen­yl­phosphino­yl)ethanamido]­meth­yl}benz­yl)carbamo­yl]meth­yl}di­phenyl­phos­phine oxide, C36H34N2O4P2, (I), and diethyl [({2-[2-(di­eth­oxy­phosphino­yl)ethanamido]­eth­yl}carbamo­yl)meth­yl]phospho­nate, C14H30N2O8P2, (II), were synthesized via nucleophilic acyl substitution reactions between an ester and a primary amine. Hydrogen-bonding inter­actions are present in both crystals, but these inter­actions are intra­molecular in the case of compound (I) and inter­molecular in compound (II). Intra­molecular π–π stacking inter­actions are also present in the crystal of compound (I) with a centroid–centroid distance of 3.9479 (12) Å and a dihedral angle of 9.56 (12)°. Inter­molecular C—H⋯π inter­actions [C⋯centroid distance of 3.622 (2) Å, C—H⋯centroid angle of 146°] give rise to supra­molecular sheets that lie in the ab plane. Key geometric features for compound (I) involve a nearly planar, trans-amide group with a C—N—C—C torsion angle of 169.12 (17)°, and a torsion angle of −108.39 (15)° between the phosphine oxide phospho­rus atom and the amide nitro­gen atom. For compound (II), the electron density corresponding to the phosphoryl group was disordered, and was modeled as two parts with a 0.7387 (19):0.2613 (19) occupancy ratio. Compound (II) also boasts a trans-amide group that approaches planarity with a C—N—C—C torsion angle of −176.50 (16)°. The hydrogen bonds in this structure are inter­molecular, with a D⋯A distance of 2.883 (2) Å and a D—H⋯A angle of 175.0 (18)° between the amide hydrogen atom and the P=O oxygen atom. These non-covalent inter­actions create ribbons that run along the b-axis direction.

Two CuII complexes [Cu(C14H13N4O2)Cl]n, I, and [Cu4(C8H10NO2)4Cl4]n, II, have been synthesized. In the structure of the mononuclear complex I, each ligand is coordinated to two metal centers. The basal plane around the CuII cation is formed by one chloride anion, one oxygen atom, one imino and one pyridine nitro­gen atom. The apical position of the distorted square-pyramidal geometry is occupied by a pyridine nitro­gen atom from a neighbouring unit, leading to infinite one-dimensional polymeric chains along the b-axis direction. Each chain is connected to adjacent chains by inter­molecular C—H⋯O and C—H⋯Cl inter­actions, leading to a three-dimensional network structure. The tetra­nuclear complex II lies about a crystallographic inversion centre and has one core in which two CuII metal centers are mutually inter­connected via two enolato oxygen atoms while the other two CuII cations are linked by a chloride anion and an enolato oxygen. An open-cube structure is generated in which the two open-cube units, with seven vertices each, share a side composed of two CuII ions bridged by two enolato oxygen atoms acting in a μ3-mode. The CuII atoms in each of the two CuO3NCl units are connected by one μ2-O and two μ3-O atoms from deprotonated hydroxyl groups and one chloride anion to the three other CuII centres. Each of the penta­coordinated CuII cations has a distorted NO3Cl square-pyramidal environment. The CuII atoms in each of the two CuO2NCl2 units are connected by μ2-O and μ3-O atoms from deprotonated alcohol hy­droxy groups and one chloride anion to two other CuII ions. Each of the penta­coordinated CuII cations has a distorted NO2Cl2 square-pyramidal environment. In the crystal, a series of intra­molecular C—H⋯O and C—H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds are observed in each tetra­nuclear monomeric unit, which is connected to four tetra­nuclear monomeric units by inter­molecular C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, thus forming a planar two-dimensional structure in the (overline{1}01) plane.

In the two isotypic title compounds, C14H8BrCl2N3O2, (I), and C14H8Cl3N3O2, (II), the substitution of one of the phenyl rings is different [Br for (I) and Cl for (II)]. Aromatic rings form dihedral angles of 60.9 (2) and 64.1 (2)°, respectively. Mol­ecules are linked through weak X⋯Cl contacts [X = Br for (I) and Cl for (II)], C—H⋯Cl and C—Cl⋯π inter­actions into sheets parallel to the ab plane. Additional van der Waals inter­actions consolidate the three-dimensional packing. Hirshfeld surface analysis of the crystal structures indicates that the most important contributions for the crystal packing for (I) are from C⋯H/H⋯C (16.1%), O⋯H/H⋯O (13.1%), Cl⋯H/H⋯Cl (12.7%), H⋯H (11.4%), Br⋯H/H⋯Br (8.9%), N⋯H/H⋯N (6.9%) and Cl⋯C/C⋯Cl (6.6%) inter­actions, and for (II), from Cl⋯H / H⋯Cl (21.9%), C⋯H/H⋯C (15.3%), O⋯H/H⋯O (13.4%), H⋯H (11.5%), Cl⋯C/C⋯Cl (8.3%), N⋯H/H⋯N (7.0%) and Cl⋯Cl (5.9%) inter­actions. The crystal of (I) studied was refined as an inversion twin, the ratio of components being 0.9917 (12):0.0083 (12).

The crystal structures of tris­[9,9-dihexyl-2-(5-meth­oxy­pyridin-2-yl-κN)-9H-fluoren-3-yl-κC3]iridium pentane monosolvate, [Ir(C31H38NO)3]·C5H12, (I), di-μ2-chlorido-bis­{bis­[2-(5-fluoro­pyridin-2-yl)-9,9-dihexyl-9H-fluoren-3-yl]iridium} pentane 0.3-solvate, [Ir2(C30H35FN)4Cl2]·0.3C5H12, (II), di-μ2-cyanato-bis­{bis­[9,9-dihexyl-2-(5-meth­oxy­pyridin-2-yl)-9H-fluoren-1-yl]iridium} pentane monosolvate, [Ir2(C31H38NO)4(NCO)2(NCO)2]·C5H12, (III), and {μ-N,N'-bis­[3,5-bis­(tri­fluoro­meth­yl)phen­yl]oxamidato}bis(bis{2-[4-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)pyridin-2-yl]phenyl-κ2C1,N'}iridium)–chloro­benzene–pentane (1/2.3/0.4), [Ir2(C20H19N)4(C18H6F12N2O2)]·2.3C6H5Cl·0.4C5H12, (IV), synthesized in the quest for organic light-emitting devices, were determined. The bis-μ2-chloro and bis-μ2-cyanato complexes have ΔΔ and ΛΛ configurations of the distorted octa­hedral Ir centres in racemic crystals, whereas the oxamido complex has a centrosymmetric (meso) structure with the ΔΛ configuration. The bridging oxamido moiety has a nearly planar anti geometry. All structures show substantial disorder of both host mol­ecules and solvents of crystallization.

A one-dimensional nickel(II) coordination polymer with the mixed ligands 6-fluoro­nicotinate (6-Fnic) and 4,4'-bi­pyridine (4,4'-bpy), namely, catena-poly[[di­aqua­bis­(6-fluoro­pyridine-3-carboxyl­ato-κO)nickel(II)]-μ-4,4'-bi­pyri­dine-κ2N:N'] trihydrate], {[Ni(6-Fnic)2(4,4'-bpy)(H2O)2]·3H2O}n, (1), was prepared by the reaction of nickel(II) sulfate hepta­hydrate, 6-fluoro­nicotinic acid (C6H4FNO2) and 4,4'-bi­pyridine (C10H8N2) in a mixture of water and ethanol. The nickel(II) ion in 1 is octa­hedrally coordinated by the O atoms of two water mol­ecules, two O atoms from O-monodentate 6-fluoro­nicotinate ligands and two N atoms from bridging 4,4'-bi­pyridine ligands, forming a trans isomer. The bridging 4,4'-bi­pyridine ligands connect symmetry-related nickel(II) ions into infinite one-dimensional polymeric chains running in the [1overline{1}0] direction. In the extended structure of 1, the polymeric chains and lattice water mol­ecules are connected into a three-dimensional hydrogen-bonded network via strong O—H⋯O and O—H⋯N hydrogen bonds, leading to the formation of distinct hydrogen-bond ring motifs: octa­meric R88(24) and hexa­meric R86(16) loops.

The two new pyrazine­ophanes, 5,7-di­hydro-1H,3H-dithieno[3,4-b:3',4'-e]pyrazine, C8H8N2S2, L1, and 3,4,8,10,11,13-hexa­hydro-1H,6H-bis­([1,4]di­thio­cino)[6,7-b:6',7'-e]pyrazine, C12H16N2S4, L2, both crystallize with half a mol­ecule in the asymmetric unit; the whole mol­ecules are generated by inversion symmetry. The mol­ecule of L1, which is planar (r.m.s. deviation = 0.008 Å), consists of two sulfur atoms linked by a rigid tetra-2,3,5,6-methyl­ene­pyrazine unit, forming planar five-membered rings. The mol­ecule of L2 is step-shaped and consists of two S–CH2–CH2–S chains linked by the central rigid tetra-2,3,5,6-methyl­ene­pyrazine unit, forming eight-membered rings that have twist-boat-chair con­fig­urations. In the crystals of both compounds, there are no significant inter­molecular inter­actions present. The reaction of L1 with silver nitrate leads to the formation of a two-dimensional coordination polymer, poly[(μ-5,7-di­hydro-1H,3H-dithieno[3,4-b;3',4'-e]pyrazine-κ2S:S')(μ-nitrato-κ2O:O')silver(I)], [Ag(NO3)(C8H8N2S2)]n, (I), with the nitrato anion bridging two equivalent silver atoms. The central pyrazine ring is situated about an inversion center and the silver atom lies on a twofold rotation axis that bis­ects the nitrato anion. The silver atom has a fourfold AgO2S2 coordination sphere with a distorted shape. The reaction of L2 with silver nitrate also leads to the formation of a two-dimensional coordination polymer, poly[[μ33,4,8,10,11,13-hexa­hydro-1H,6H-bis­([1,4]di­thio­cino)[6,7-b;6',7'-e]pyrazine-κ3S:S':S''](nitrato-κO)silver(I)], [Ag(NO3)(C12H16N2S4)]n, (II), with the nitrate anion coordinating in a monodentate manner to the silver atom. The silver atom has a fourfold AgOS3 coordination sphere with a distorted shape. In the crystals of both complexes, the networks are linked by C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming supra­molecular frameworks. There are additional C—H⋯S contacts present in the supra­molecular framework of II.

The structures are described of two bis-chelated metal complexes of nickel(II) and copper(II) with S-n-hexyl 3-(1-phenyl­ethyl­idene)di­thio­carbazate Schiff bases in a cis configuration, namely, bis­[S-n-hexyl 3-(1-phenyl­ethyl­idene)di­thio­carbazato-κ2N3,S]nickel(II), [Ni(C15H21N2S2)2], and bis­[S-n-hexyl 3-(1-phenyl­ethyl­idene)di­thio­carbazato-κ2N3,S]copper(II), [Cu(C15H21N2S2)2]. In both complexes, the metals have distorted square-planar geometries. A search in the Cambridge Structural Database [Groom et al. (2016). Acta Cryst. B72, 171–179] for bis-chelated nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes with similar Schiff bases retrieved 55 and 36 hits for the two metals, respectively. An analysis of the geometrical parameters of complexes showing cis and trans configurations is reported and the values compared with those for the complexes described in this work.

The data quality requirements for charge density studies on actinide compounds are extreme. Important steps in data collection and reduction required to obtain such data are summarized and evaluated. The steps involved in building an augmented Hansen–Coppens multipole model for an actinide pseudo-atom are provided. The number and choice of radial functions, in particular the definition of the core, valence and pseudo-valence terms are discussed. The conclusions in this paper are based on a re-examination and improvement of a previously reported study on [PPh4][UF6]. Topological analysis of the total electron density shows remarkable agreement between experiment and theory; however, there are significant differences in the Laplacian distribution close to the uranium atoms which may be due to the effective core potential employed for the theoretical calculations.

A three-dimensional hydrogen-bonded network based on a rare mok topology has been constructed using an organic molecule synthesized in the solid state. The molecule is obtained using a supramolecular protecting-group strategy that is applied to a solid-state [2+2] photodimerization. The photodimerization affords a novel head-to-head cyclo­butane product. The cyclo­butane possesses tetrahedrally disposed cis-hydrogen-bond donor (phenolic) and cis-hydrogen-bond acceptor (pyridyl) groups. The product self-assembles in the solid state to form a mok network that exhibits twofold interpenetration. The cyclo­butane adopts different conformations to provide combinations of hydrogen-bond donor and acceptor sites to conform to the structural requirements of the mok net.

A series of Co2−xRuxMnSi (x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1) Heusler compounds were successfully synthesized. The heat-treatment conditions were crucial to make the materials form a single phase with a Heusler structure. With increasing Ru content, the half-metallic gap, lattice parameters and magnetization are continuously adjustable in a wide range. The Co2−xRuxMnSi (x = 0, 0.25) compounds are rigorous half-metals and show a T3 dependence of resistance at low temperature. The Co2−xRuxMnSi (x = 0.5, 0.75, 1) Heusler compounds are the nearly half-metallic materials and show a semiconductive dependence of resistance at low temperature. The experimental magnetization is consistent with that in theory and follows the Slater–Pauling rule. The Curie temperature is higher than 750 K for all Co2−xRuxMnSi Heusler compounds.

A nonlinear least-squares method for refining a parametric expression describing the estimated errors of reflection intensities in serial crystallographic (SX) data is presented. This approach, which is similar to that used in the rotation method of crystallographic data collection at synchrotrons, propagates error estimates from photon-counting statistics to the merged data. Here, it is demonstrated that the application of this approach to SX data provides better SAD phasing ability, enabling the autobuilding of a protein structure that had previously failed to be built. Estimating the error in the merged reflection intensities requires the understanding and propagation of all of the sources of error arising from the measurements. One type of error, which is well understood, is the counting error introduced when the detector counts X-ray photons. Thus, if other types of random errors (such as readout noise) as well as uncertainties in systematic corrections (such as from X-ray attenuation) are completely understood, they can be propagated along with the counting error, as appropriate. In practice, most software packages propagate as much error as they know how to model and then include error-adjustment terms that scale the error estimates until they explain the variance among the measurements. If this is performed carefully, then during SAD phasing likelihood-based approaches can make optimal use of these error estimates, increasing the chance of a successful structure solution. In serial crystallography, SAD phasing has remained challenging, with the few examples of de novo protein structure solution each requiring many thousands of diffraction patterns. Here, the effects of different methods of treating the error estimates are estimated and it is shown that using a parametric approach that includes terms proportional to the known experimental uncertainty, the reflection intensity and the squared reflection intensity to improve the error estimates can allow SAD phasing even from weak zinc anomalous signal.

A detailed study on chiral compound structures found in the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD) is presented. Solvates, salts and co-crystals have intentionally been excluded, in order to focus on the most basic structures of single enantiomers, scalemates and racemates. Similarity between the latter and structures of achiral monomolecular compounds has been established and utilized to arrive at important conclusions about crystallization of chiral compounds. For example, the fundamental phenomenon of conglomerate formation and, in particular, their frequency of occurrence is addressed. In addition, rarely occurring kryptoracemates and scalemic compounds (anomalous racemates) are discussed. Finally, an extended search of enantiomer solid solutions in the CSD is performed to show that there are up to 1800 instances most probably hiding among the deposited crystal structures, while only a couple of dozen have been previously known and studied.

A study on chiral monomolecular compound structures found in the Cambridge Structural Database is presented.

Crystal structure and microscopic optical properties of anthracene derivative compounds have been investigated by single-crystal synchrotron X-ray diffraction, laser confocal microscopy and fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy.

A recent study of dog bones excavated from archaeological sites on the Channel Islands of California has cast new light on the past ecology of the islands and the impact that domestic dogs--brought to the islands by Native Americans more than 6,000 years ago—may have once had on the islands’ animals and ecosystems.

The post Dog bones reveal ecological history of California’s Channel Islands appeared first on Smithsonian Insider.

A recent survey of the bottom-dwelling animals of the Chesapeake has revealed that communities of even these relatively hardy organisms are under stress. Many regions of the bay are becoming inhospitable to bottom-dwelling animals because of a lack of oxygen—a condition known as “hypoxia.”

The post Bottom-dwelling creatures in the Chesapeake Bay need more oxygen, study finds. appeared first on Smithsonian Insider.

Nearly 100 years ago, scientists detected the first signs of cosmic rays—subatomic particles (mostly protons) that zip through space at nearly the speed of light. […]

The post Telescope array finds new evidence that exploding stars are sources of cosmic rays appeared first on Smithsonian Insider.

The rescue pods will be part of the project’s Amphibian Rescue Center at Summit Municipal Park, which will also include a lab with a quarantine facility.

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Researchers at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute conducted three different kinds of genetics tests and all yielded the same result—the Galapagos seabirds have been genetically different from the magnificent frigatebirds elsewhere for more than half a million years.

The post Genetic surprise: Magnificent frigatebird living on Galapagos Islands is distinct species appeared first on Smithsonian Insider.

Astronomers using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory have found evidence of the youngest black hole known to exist in our cosmic neighborhood. The 30-year-old object is a remnant of SN 1979C, a supernova in the galaxy M100 approximately 50 million light years from Earth.

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The tiger reserves of Asia could support more than 10,000 wild tigers – three times the current number – if they are managed as large-scale […]

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The Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics continues to be a major player in the planet-hunting realm. It is part of an international collaboration building a new instrument called HARPS-North.

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Evidence for a diversified sea-based economy among North American inhabitants dating from 12,200 to 11,400 years ago is emerging from three sites on California's Channel Islands.

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Smithsonian scientists report fledgling catbirds in suburban habitats are at their most vulnerable stage of life, with almost 80 percent killed by predators before they reach adulthood. Almost half of the deaths were connected to domestic cats.

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Faced with insufficient time and inadequate library resources to tackle the problem on their own, they instead posted a catalog of specimen images to Facebook and turned to their network of colleagues for help.

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Looking at more than 200 skulls dating to 20th and 16th century Spain, as well as approximately 50 skulls from 20th century Portugal, the researchers found that craniofacial differences between contemporary men and women are less pronounced than they were in the 16th century.

The post Study finds facial structure of men and women has become more similar over time appeared first on Smithsonian Insider.

Using the deepest X-ray image ever taken, astronomers found the first direct evidence that massive black holes were common in the early universe. This discovery from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory shows that very young black holes grew more aggressively than previously thought, in tandem with the growth of their host galaxies.

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This is the first report of this invasive species in this area, and may indicate a recent range expansion of the snakehead population.

The post Smithsonian team finds northern snakehead fish in Maryland’s Rhode River appeared first on Smithsonian Insider.

New research shows that some old stars might be held up by their rapid spins, and when they slow down, they explode as supernovae. Thousands of these "time bombs" could be scattered throughout our Galaxy.

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Depending on where the fish disperse from, the use of ‘stepping stones', flotsam or simply being an adult can help in the journey to find a new home.

The post Ability to raft with flotsam and use non-reef habitats helps tropical fish journey to new places, study finds appeared first on Smithsonian Insider.

Researchers who will study the microbial communities living on the skins of frogs that are surviving the fungal scourge of chytridiomycosis, deadly to the frogs.

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Two new species of blind snakes found living on small, low-lying atolls in the Caroline Islands, are an unexpected discovery that is quite difficult to explain,

The post Not on a plane, but how did blind snakes ever get to the Pacific’s Caroline Islands? appeared first on Smithsonian Insider.

The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory has been awarded a NASA project to build the Tropospheric Emissions: Monitoring of Pollution (TEMPO) instrument. TEMPO will measure North American air pollution, from Mexico City to the Canadian tar/oil sands, and from the Atlantic to the Pacific, hourly and at high spatial resolution.

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The Mortlock Islands flying fox, a large, breadfruit-eating bat native to a few remote and tiny Pacific islands, has long been regarded as one of […]

The post Scientists shine light on world’s least-studied bat: Mortlock Islands flying fox appeared first on Smithsonian Insider.

Out in Montana’s Big Sky Country Dale Greenwalt spends his summers seeking the incredibly tiny and fragile. Armed with a putty knife honed razor-sharp on […]

The post Quality of insect fossils from Montana’s Flathead River astounds scientists appeared first on Smithsonian Insider.

Tasty and easy to find, the heath hen was a favorite dish of America’s colonial settlers. This beautiful little bird, however, was no match for […]

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What do you want to be when you grow up? Would you want to explore the world searching for long lost creatures of our past? […]

The post Five amazing fossil finds that will make you want to be a fossil hunter appeared first on Smithsonian Insider.