Structural determination by atmospheric pressure photoionization tandem mass spectrometry of some compounds isolated from the SARA fractions obtained from bitumen

We have identified compounds obtained from the SARA fractions of bitumen by using atmospheric pressure photoionization mass spectrometry and low‐energy collision tandem mass spectrometric analyses with a QqToF‐MS/MS hybrid instrument. The identified compounds were isolated from the maltene saturated oil and the aromatic fractions of the SARA components of a bitumen. The QqToF instrument had sufficient mass resolution to provide accurate molecular weight information and to enhance the tandem mass spectrometry results. The APPI‐QqToF‐MS analysis of the separated compounds showed a series of protonated molecules [M + H]⁺ and molecular ions [M]^+? of the same mass but having different chemical structures, in the maltene saturated oil and the aromatic SARA fractions. These isobaric ions were a molecular ion [M₂]^+? at m/z 418.2787 and a protonated molecule [M₅ + H]⁺ at m/z 287.1625 in the saturated oil fraction, and molecular ions [M₆]^+? at m/z 418.1584 and [M₇]^+? at m/z 287.1285 in the aromatic fraction. The identification of this series of chemical compounds was achieved by performing CID‐MS/MS analyses of the molecular ions [M]^+? ([M₁]^+? at m/z 446. 2980, [M₂]^+? at m/z 418.2787, [M₃]^+? at m/z 360.3350 and [M₄]^+? at m/z 346.2095) in the saturated oil fraction and of the [M₅ + H]⁺ ion at m/z 287.1625 also in the saturated oil fraction. The observed CID‐MS/MS fragmentation differences were explained by proposed different breakdown processes of the precursor ions. The presented tandem mass spectrometric study shows the capability of MS/MS experiments to differentiate between different classes of chemical compounds of the SARA components of bitumen and to explain the reasons for the observed mass spectrometric differences. However, greater mass resolution than that provided by the QqToF‐MS/MS instrument would be required for the analysis of the asphaltene fraction of bitumen. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Control of vortex breakdown in a closed cylinder with a rotating lid

The flow within a closed cylinder with a rotating lid is considered as a prototype for fundamental studies of vortex breakdown. Numerical simulations for various parameter values have been carried out to reproduce the known effect of a thin rotating rod positioned along the center axis as well as analyze the influence of local vorticity sources. As expected, the results show that the breakdown bubbles in the steady axisymmetric flow can be affected dramatically, i.e., fully suppressed or significantly enhanced, by rotating the rod. The main contribution of this article is to show that the observed behavior can be explained by the vorticity generated by the rod locally near the rotating lid and near the fixed lid, as analogous behavior is caused by the introduction of local vorticity sources in the flow without a rod. Moreover, we describe the influence on the breakdown bubbles of the vorticity sources by an analytical model. In addition to improving our understanding, this finding should also open the door to other types of flow control devices capable of generating localized vorticity.     

Development of reference materials for microbiological analysis

The reliability of reference materials (RMs) depends on properties such as fitness, robustness, commutability, stability and homogeneity. The development of RMs for microbiological analysis is especially challenged through questions around the stabilisation and recovery of viable cells, the dispersion of precise numbers of cells, matrix effects and, when using molecular techniques, the presence of nucleic acids (e.g. DNA) of dead and live target organisms. However, RMs are indispensable tools for quality control in microbiological analysis. The Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (IRMM), as part of the European Commission, concentrates its efforts on the development of RMs to support the development, implementation and monitoring of EU legislation. A special focus is given to highly precise RMs for presence/absence and enumeration tests in microbiological food and water analysis. Another group of new RMs certified by the IRMM comprise DNA-based materials to control the identity of micro-organisms in qualitative assays. All of these activities serve to improve quality control in microbiological analysis. Presented at ‘BERM-10’, April 2006, Charleston, SC, USA.     

Multidimensional De Novo Design Reveals 5‐HT2B Receptor‐Selective Ligands

We report a multi‐objective de novo design study driven by synthetic tractability and aimed at the prioritization of computer‐generated 5‐HT_2B receptor ligands with accurately predicted target‐binding affinities. Relying on quantitative bioactivity models we designed and synthesized structurally novel, selective, nanomolar, and ligand‐efficient 5‐HT_2B modulators with sustained cell‐based effects. Our results suggest that seamless amalgamation of computational activity prediction and molecular design with microfluidics‐assisted synthesis enables the swift generation of small molecules with the desired polypharmacology.     

Enhanced UV photosensing properties of ZnO nanowires prepared by electrodeposition and atomic layer deposition

A new process enabling the synthesis of zinc oxide (ZnO) and Al-doped ZnO nanowires (NWs) for photosensing applications is reported. By combining atomic layer deposition (ALD) for the seed layer preparation and electrodeposition for the NW growth, high-quality ZnO nanomaterials were prepared and tested as ultraviolet (UV) sensors. The obtained NWs are grown as arrays perpendicular to the substrate surface and present diameters between 70 and 130 nm depending on the Al doping, as seen from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies. Their hexagonal microstructure has been determined using X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. An excellent performance in UV sensing has been observed for the ZnO NWs with low Al doping, and a maximal photoresponse current of 11.1 mA has been measured. In addition, initial studies on the stability have shown that the NW photoresponse currents are stable, even after ten UV on/off cycles.     

Self-assembly of supramolecular architectures and polymers by orthogonal metal complexation and hydrogen-bonding motifs

A modular construction kit with two orthogonal noncovalent binding sites for self-assembly of supramolecular architectures is presented. The heteroditopic building blocks contain a terpyridine (tpy) unit for coordination of metal ions and a Hamilton receptor for multiple H-bonding of cyanuric acid derivatives. The association constants of ligand binding of M(II) complexes (M=Ru, Zn, Fe, and Pt) with a dendritic end cap were determined to be in the range of 10(2) and 10(4) L mol(-1) in chloroform. The capabilities for binding of metal ions were investigated by (1)H NMR and UV/Vis spectroscopy. The Fe complexes are most appropriate for the generation of discrete and high-ordered architectures due to their strong tendency to form FeL(2) complexes. Superstructures are readily formed in a one-pot procedure at room temperature. No mutual interactions between the orthogonal binding motifs were observed, and this demonstrates the highly specific nature of each binding process. Decomplexation experiments were carried out to examine the reversibility of Fe-tpy coordination. Substitution of the terminal end cap with a homoditopic bis-cyanurate linkage leads to formation of an iron-containing supramolecular strand. Formation of coordination polymers was confirmed by viscosity measurements. The supramolecular polymer strands can be reversibly cleaved by addition of a terminating cyanuric acid building block, and this proves the dynamic nature of this noncovalent polymerization process.     

Metabolite extraction from adherently growing mammalian cells for metabolomics studies: optimization of harvesting and extraction protocols

Trypsin/ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) treatment and cell scraping in a buffer solution were compared for harvesting adherently growing mammalian SW480 cells for metabolomics studies. In addition, direct scraping with a solvent was tested. Trypsinated and scraped cell pellets were extracted using seven different extraction protocols including pure methanol, methanol/water, pure acetone, acetone/water, methanol/chloroform/water, methanol/isopropanol/water, and acid–base methanol. The extracts were analyzed by GC-MS after methoximation/silylation and derivatization with propyl chloroformate, respectively. The metabolic fingerprints were compared and 25 selected metabolites including amino acids and intermediates of energy metabolism were quantitatively determined. Moreover, the influence of freeze/thaw cycles, ultrasonication and homogenization using ceramic beads on extraction yield was tested. Pure acetone yielded the lowest extraction efficiency while methanol, methanol/water, methanol/isopropanol/water, and acid–base methanol recovered similar metabolite amounts with good reproducibility. Based on overall performance, methanol/water was chosen as a suitable extraction solvent. Repeated freeze/thaw cycles, ultrasonication and homogenization did not improve overall metabolite yield of the methanol/water extraction. Trypsin/EDTA treatment caused substantial metabolite leakage proving it inadequate for metabolomics studies. Gentle scraping of the cells in a buffer solution and subsequent extraction with methanol/water resulted on average in a sevenfold lower recovery of quantified metabolites compared with direct scraping using methanol/water, making the latter one the method of choice to harvest and extract metabolites from adherently growing mammalian SW480 cells.