Instrument and process independent binning and baseline correction methods for liquid chromatography–high resolution-mass spectrometry deconvolution

Setting appropriate bin sizes to aggregate hyphenated high-resolution mass spectrometry data, belonging to similar mass over charge (m/z) channels, is vital to metabolite quantification and further identification. In a high-resolution mass spectrometer when mass accuracy (ppm) varies as a function of molecular mass, which usually is the case while reading m/z from low to high values, it becomes a challenge to determine suitable bin sizes satisfying all m/z ranges. Similarly, the chromatographic process within a hyphenated system, like any other controlled processes, introduces some process driven systematic behavior that ultimately distorts the mass chromatogram signal. This is especially seen in liquid chromatogram–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) measurements where the gradient of the solvent and the washing step cycle—part of the chromatographic process, produce a mass chromatogram with a non-uniform baseline along the retention time axis. Hence prior to any automatic signal decomposition techniques like deconvolution, it is a equally vital to perform the baseline correction step for absolute metabolite quantification. This paper will discuss an instrument and process independent solution to the binning and the baseline correction problem discussed above, seen together, as an effective pre-processing step toward liquid chromatography–high resolution-mass spectrometry (LC–HR-MS) data deconvolution.     

Synthesis of β-amino alcohols catalyzed by poly(vinyl chloride)-supported Schiff base metal complexes

Abstract  

Eight transition metal complexes of various Schiff bases supported on poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) were prepared and characterized. These metal complexes were screened as heterogeneous catalysts in the synthesis of β-amino alcohols by ring opening of epoxides with amines. The best catalyst was identified as a Ni(II) complex of PVC-supported 2-[(2-aminoethylimino)methyl]phenol and it was used in the synthesis of a number of different β-amino alcohols. The catalyst was found to be reusable for up to five cycles.     

Spiral spin order of self-assembled Co nanodisk arrays

Spin order in hexagonal close packed cobalt nanodisk rows is quantitatively determined by off-axis electron holography. Periodic variation in the density of the local magnetic flux shows features of a spiral spin arrangement along the row axis, resulting from a tilted magnetic moment of nanoparticles with respect to the nanodisk axis.     

Direct space-to-time pulse shaper with reflective arrayed waveguide gratings and phase masks

We demonstrate for what we believe to be the first time the generation of sequences of ultrafast optical pulses by phase modulation in a direct space-to-time pulse shaper. The pulse shaper is based on the combination of a reflective arrayed waveguide grating multiplexer and an external reflector. The spatial modulation of the phase was obtained by fabricating corrugated patterns on the external reflector. We demonstrate that pulse sequences with different repetition rates can be obtained by changing the period in the patterned mask.     

Probing membrane topology by high-resolution 1H-13C heteronuclear dipolar solid-state NMR spectroscopy

Membrane topology changes introduced by the association of biologically pertinent molecules with membranes were analyzed utilizing the (1)H-(13)C heteronuclear dipolar solid-state NMR spectroscopy technique (SAMMY) on magnetically aligned phospholipid bilayers (bicelles). The phospholipids (1)H-(13)C dipolar coupling profiles lipid motions at the headgroup, glycerol backbone, and the acyl chain region. The transmembrane segment of phospholamban, the antimicrobial peptide (KIGAKI)(3) and cholesterol were incorporated into the bicelles, respectively. The lipids (1)H-(13)C dipolar coupling profiles exhibit different shifts in the dipolar coupling contour positions upon the addition of these molecules, demonstrating a variety of interaction mechanisms exist between the biological molecules and the membranes. The membrane topology changes revealed by the SAMMY pulse sequence provide a complete screening method for analyzing how these biologically active molecules interact with the membrane.     

Polymer-assisted growth of molybdenum oxide whiskers via a sonochemical process

Whiskers of molybdenum oxides with high aspect ratios were synthesized from peroxomolybdate precursor solutions in the presence of small amounts of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) via a sonochemical process at temperatures of 25-70 degrees C. Irradiation with ultrasound reduces the time needed for the growth of micrometer-sized whiskers from weeks to a few hours. The simplicity of the sonochemical approach also compares favorably to a hydrothermal/solvothermal process. The morphology, crystal structure, and other characteristics of the whiskers were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, selective area electron diffraction, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, wide-angle X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller method. The surface area of the calcified molybdenum oxide whiskers (55.4 m2/g) was found to be much higher than those of molybdenum oxide nanofibers (35 m2/g) or nanorods (13.4 m2/g) The growth rate of various crystal faces could be postulated to be controlled by the binding of peroxomolybdate ions to pseudo-crown ether cavities formed by PEG. The reduction of molybdenum oxide to produce mixed-valent oxides and their growth could also be controlled by the reducing ability of PEG. The aspect ratio of the molybdenum oxide whiskers increased with decreasing concentration in the initial peroxomolybdate precursor solution. Whether the precursor solution species was H2Mo2O3(O2)4(H2O)2, H2MoO2(O2)2, or MoO2(OH)(OOH), the peroxide group in all the species disproportionates to give the final product MoO3 by a catalytic process. On the basis of experimental evidence of the dual role of glycols, a mechanism for the growth of the molybdenum oxide whiskers is proposed.     

Luminescent triarylborane-functionalized polystyrene: synthesis, photophysical characterization, and anion-binding studies

A new class of highly fluorescent triarylborane polymers has been prepared from trimethylsilyl-substituted polystyrene via a modular approach that involves selective polymer modification reactions with organometallic reagents. The photophysical properties, environmental stability, and the Lewis acidity of the boron sites have been tailored through modifications in the substitution pattern on boron. The photophysical properties are indicative of electronic communication between the chromophores attached to polystyrene, which has been exploited for the efficient probing of fluoride and cyanide in the micromolar concentration range.     

Addition of NH3 to Al3O3-

Recent computational studies on the addition of ammonia (NH3) to the Al3O3- cluster anion [A. Guevara-Garcia, A. Martinez, and J. V. Ortiz, J. Chem. Phys. 122, 214309 (2005)] have motivated experimental and additional computational studies, reported here. Al3O3- is observed to react with a single NH3 molecule to form the Al3O3NH3- ion in mass spectrometric studies. This is in contrast to similarly performed studies with water, in which the Al3O5H4- product was highly favored. However, the anion PE spectrum of the ammoniated species is very similar to that of Al3O4H2-. The adiabatic electron affinity of Al3O3NH3 is determined to be 2.35(5) eV. Based on comparison between the spectra and calculated electron affinities, it appears that NH3 adds dissociatively to Al3O3-, suggesting that the time for the Al3O3-NH3 complex to either overcome or tunnel through the barrier to proton transfer (which is higher for NH3 than for water) is short relative to the time for collisional cooling in the experiment.     

Comparison of DNA‐Reactive Metabolites from Nitrosamine and Styrene Using Voltammetric DNA/Microsomes Sensors

Voltammetric sensors made with films of polyions, double‐stranded DNA and liver microsomes adsorbed layer‐by‐layer onto pyrolytic graphite electrodes were evaluated for reactive metabolite screening. This approach features simple, inexpensive screening without enzyme purification for applications in drug or environmental chemical development. Cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYPs) in the liver microsomes were activated by an NADPH regenerating system or by electrolysis to metabolize model carcinogenic compounds nitrosamine and styrene. Reactive metabolites formed in the films were trapped as adducts with nucleobases on DNA. The DNA damage was detected by square‐wave voltammetry (SWV) using Ru(bpy) as a DNA‐oxidation catalyst. These sensors showed a larger rate of increase in signal vs. reaction time for a highly toxic nitrosamine than for the moderately toxic styrene due to more rapid reactive metabolite‐DNA adduct formation. Results were consistent with reported in vivo TD₅₀ data for the formation of liver tumors in rats. Analogous polyion/ liver microsome films prepared on 500 nm silica nanoparticles (nanoreactors) and reacted with nitrosamine or styrene, provided LC‐MS or GC analyses of metabolite formation rates that correlated well with sensor response.     

Icosahedral DNA Nanocapsules by Modular Assembly

It's a trap! DNA polyhedra formed through molecular self‐assembly may function as nanocapsules for the targeted delivery of encapsulated entities. This functional aspect was demonstrated for the most complex DNA‐based platonic solid: During the stepwise amalgamation of discrete polyhedra to form icosahedra, gold nanoparticles (GNPs) were encapsulated from solution (see illustration and TEM image of icosahedral cages containing GNPs).