Algorithm for coding DNA sequences into "spectrum-like" and "zigzag" representations

An algorithm for encoding long strings of building blocks, like 4 DNA bases (adenine-A, cytosine-C, thymine-T, and guanidine-G), 20 natural amino acids (from Alanine Ala to Valine-Val, plus the stop triplet), or all 64 possible base triplets (from AAA to TTT), into "zigzag" or "spectrum-like" representations is suggested. The new encoding scheme can be derived in the 3-, 2-, or 1-dimensional form depending on the user's wishes. The only information, besides the string for which the "spectrum-like" representation is sought, is the initial positioning of the complete set of units from which the string is composed, i.e., four positions for A, C, G, and T, or 20 positions for natural amino acids plus stop, etc. This initial positioning can be initialized in either the 3-, 2-, or 1-D form. As an illustration of the suggested encoding scheme of the visual and chemometric comparison of the first 10 exon strings of the beta globin gene of 10 different species, each string consisting of about 100 basic amino acids long is shown.     

"Orthogonal" separations for reversed-phase liquid chromatography

A general procedure is proposed for the rapid development of a reversed-phase liquid chromatographic (RP-LC) separation that is "orthogonal" to a pre-existing ("primary") method for the RP-LC separation of a given sample. The procedure involves a change of the mobile-phase organic solvent (B-solvent), the replacement of the primary column by one of very different selectivity, and (only if necessary) a change in mobile phase pH or the use of a third column. Following the selection of the "orthogonal" B-solvent, column and mobile phase pH, further optimization of peak spacing and resolution can be achieved by varying separation temperature and either isocratic %B or gradient time. The relative "orthogonality" of the primary and "orthogonal" RP-LC methods is then evaluated from plots of retention for one method versus the other. The present procedure was used to develop "orthogonal" methods for nine routine RP-LC methods from six pharmaceutical analysis laboratories. The relative success of this approach can be judged from the results reported here.     

分析化学的“昨天、今天和明天”

简述了分析化学的发展历史。分析化学的"昨天",从基于物理化学的溶液理论,以目视可见为工具的"化学分析",进入以物理方法为基础的仪器分析,因此有人提出"化学正在走出分析化学";分析化学的"今天",因为它的主体任务是解决物质的分子原子结构和成分,所以又回归化学领域;对分析化学的"明天"寄厚望,分析化学走出历来仅仅以"为他人报告提供数据"的技术支持者的角色,成为"实际问题解决者",利用分析化学中综合分析的"剖析技术",为新产品开发创制的"反工艺研究"做出独特的贡献。     

Chromene "lock", thiol "key", and mercury(II) ion "hand": a single molecular machine recognition system

A regenerative, molecular machine-like "ON-OFF-ON" chemosensor based on a chromene molecule with the pyran ring "OFF-ON-OFF" cycle is reported for the first time. It behaves as a molecular lock that requires a thiol "key" to open the lock and a mercury(II) ion "hand" that unlatches the key for unsheathing the key to close the lock.     

Synthesis of cyclic dendronized polymers via divergent "graft-from" and convergent click "graft-to" routes: preparation of modular toroidal macromolecules

Cyclic dendronized polymers represent a new class of polymers which exhibit a donut-like "toroidal" shape. Two previous unreported methods for preparing this architecture, the divergent "graft-from" and the convergent click "graft-to" approaches, are explored and the resulting products fully characterized. This route is particularly attractive because it enables production of exact linear and cyclic dendronized analogues, enabling direct comparison of their physical properties. In this preliminary work, the divergent "graft from" approach appears to lead to materials with broad PDI at high DP, whereas the "graft to" approach yields more well-defined dendronized cyclic polymers at larger DP. On the basis of reports to date, a combination of click cyclization followed by click "grafting to" provides the most versatile route for the synthesis of cyclic dendronized polymers.     

"Demonstration" vs. "designation" of measurement competence: the need to link accreditation to metrology

Formal acceptance of the results of chemical laboratories is increasingly organized through a) accreditation of measuring laboratories nationally and b) mutual recognition of accreditation internationally (through formal Multilateral Recognition Agreements, MRAs). However, real comparability of results of measurements is realized by using common (internationally agreed) measurement scales which make these results traceable to this scale, i.e. "traceable" to the same (internationally agreed) value of the unit of that scale. In addition, the criterion against which the evaluation is done, should be "external" to the measurement laboratories which are being evaluated. This is realized in IRMM's International Measurement Evaluation Programme (IMEP) where evaluation is performed against values which are anchored using "metrology", the science of measurement with its own rules, which offers a sound foundation for measurement in all scientific disciplines. It is argued in this paper that the demonstration of measurement capability against values on such scales provides a result-oriented rather than a procedure-oriented evaluation. Thus, competence can be "demonstrated" rather than just "designated" and this can be shown to both customers and regulators. It inspires more confidence.     

关于为拔尖人才培养开设的"学科前沿"类课程的探讨

With the implementation of the basic discipline of "Top Talent Training Program" (the "East Ever Project"), more and more new reforms and attempts are being made in various universities. In the process of innovation and exploration, a new curriculum is being implemented, that is, the "the frontier aspects of disciplines" course. Through investigation and research, we found that many colleges and universities in China are carrying out or trying to carry out such courses, and the students who participated have different benefits. This paper mainly discusses the current situation of the development of the frontier courses of many universities in China, and gives suggestions based on the two courses of Tang Aoqing Honors Program in Science of chemistry in Jilin University. This paper provides reference for other colleges and universities to open such courses.     

The meaning of "sensitivity" in trace analysis

The concepts of the ratio of the change in output signal produced by an increment of a material to be determined to that increment, and the smallest quantity of a material that can be detected "with certainty" are examined. The name "sensitivity" is suggested for the former, and "detectability" for the latter. Mathematical relationships are proposed that will permit the comparison of the detectability of two different analytical methods.     

对“红铝”译名的异见

Red-Al是一种非常重要的铝基还原剂。国内学术界望文生义地将其直译为"红铝"是明显错误的。本文建议将其中文译名改为"还原铝"。     

The Correct Use of "Average" Fluorescence Parameters

When more than one fluorophore is present or when one fluorophore displays a multiple exponential decay "average" fluorescence parameters are derived, which can be combined with "average" lifetimes for further interpretation. However, two kinds of average lifetimes are used in this context: the intensity and the amplitude average lifetime. In this paper the different average parameters are carefully analyzed and their "best" combinations are derived. These average parameters are analyzed in the context of external and internal dynamic and static quenching, Föster energy transfer and the calculation of the radiative rate constant. The use of the amplitude average lifetime for the analysis of multiple fluorophore-containing systems and the detection of interactions is discussed.     

Amphiphilic Janus gold nanoparticles via combining "solid-state grafting-to" and "grafting-from" methods

Despite the great efforts that have been made toward obtaining Janus architectures, synthesizing sub-10 nanometer Janus nanoparticles (NPs) modified with different types of polymers remains a challenging task. In this Communication, "solid-state grafting-to" and "grafting-from" methods were combined to obtain Janus gold NPs (AuNPs) modified with two types of polymer chains on the opposite sides of the NP. We used functionalized polymer single crystals as the solid substrates to immobilize AuNPs. We then used atom transfer radical polymerization to grow polymer chains on the "free" side of the AuNPs. Amphiphilic polyethylene oxide (PEO)-Au-poly(methyl methacrylate), PEO-Au-poly(tert-butyl acrylate) and hydrophilic PEO-Au-poly(acrylic acid) were synthesized. The Janus nature was demonstrated using a platinum-nanoparticle-decoration method. Using polymer single crystals as the reaction substrates is advantageous because they afford higher throughput compared with self-assembled monolayers. Dissolution of the single crystal also leads to NPs with defined polymer patches. We anticipate that our approach could serve as a generic method for synthesizing polymer-functionalized, sub-10 nm Janus NPs. This unique system holds promises for achieving controlled assembly and tunable optic and electronic properties of NPs.     

Synthesis of "solid solution" and "core-shell" type cobalt--platinum magnetic nanoparticles via transmetalation reactions

In this article, we report the synthesis of "solid solution" and "core-shell" types of well-defined Co--Pt nanoalloys smaller than 10 nm. The formation of these alloys is driven by redox transmetalation reactions between the reagents without the need for any additional reductants. Also the reaction proceeds selectively as long as the redox potential between the two metals is favorable. The reaction between Co(2)(CO)(8) and Pt(hfac)(2) (hfac = hexafluoroacetylacetonate) results in the formation of "solid solution" type alloys such as CoPt(3) nanoparticles. On the other hand, the reaction of Co nanoparticles with Pt(hfac)(2) in solution results in "Co(core)Pt(shell)" type nanoalloys. Nanoparticles synthesized by both reactions are moderately monodispersed (sigma < 10%) without any further size selection processes. The composition of the alloys can also be tuned by adjusting the ratio of reactants. The magnetic and structural properties of the obtained nanoparticles and reaction byproducts are characterized by TEM, SQUID, UV/vis, IR, EDAX, and XRD.     

Probing the donor-acceptor proximity on the physicochemical properties of porphyrin-fullerene dyads: "tail-on" and "tail-off" binding approach.

A new approach of probing proximity effects in porphyrin-fullerene dyads by using an axial ligand coordination controlled "tail-on" and "tail-off" binding mechanism is reported. In the newly synthesized porphyrin-fullerene dyads for this purpose, the donor-acceptor proximity is controlled either by temperature variation or by an axial ligand replacement method. In o-dichlorobenzene, 0.1 M (TBA)ClO(4), the synthesized zincporphyrin-fullerene dyads exhibit seven one-electron reversible redox reactions within the accessible potential window of the solvent and the measured electrochemical redox potentials and UV-visible absorption spectra reveal little or no ground-state interactions between the C(60) spheroid and porphyrin pi-system. The proximity effects on the photoinduced charge separation and charge recombination are probed by both steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence techniques. It is observed that in the "tail-off" form the charge-separation efficiency changes to some extent in comparison with the results obtained for the "tail-on" form, suggesting the presence of some through-space interactions between the singlet excited zinc porphyrin and the C(60) moiety in the "tail-off" form. The charge separation rates and efficiencies are evaluated from the fluorescence lifetime studies. The charge separation via the singlet excited states of zinc porphyrin in the studied dyads is also confirmed by the quick rise-decay of the anion radical of the C(60) moiety within 20 ns. Furthermore, a long-lived ion pair with lifetime of about 1000 ns is also observed in the investigated zinc porphyrin-C(60) dyads.     

Conformationally imprinted receptors: atropisomers with "write", "save", and "erase" recognition properties

[reaction: see text] An atropisomeric receptor with "write", "save", and "erase" recognition properties is presented. The receptor adopts a complementary conformation when heating in the presence of an ethyl adenine-9-acetate guest molecule. This complementary hydrogen bonding conformation is "saved" upon cooling to room temperature due to the reestablishment of restricted rotation and is stable even upon removal of the guest. Finally, the atropisomeric receptor can be "erased" by heating in the absence of the guest.     

Photochemically and electrochemically triggered Au nanoparticles "sponges"

Stimuli-triggered wettability of surfaces and controlled uptake and release of substrates by "smart" materials are essential for drug delivery and microfluidic control. A composite "sponge" consisting of bis-aniline-bridged Au nanoparticles (NPs), functionalized with photoisomerizable nitrospiropyran/nitromerocyanine that includes selective imprinted molecular recognition sites for N,N'-bis(3-sulfonatopropyl)-4,4'-bipyridinium (PVS) was electropolymerized on a Au electrode. The system is triggered by photonic and/or electrical signals to yield four different states exhibiting variable binding/release capacities for PVS and controlled wettability of the surface. The electrical/optical uptake and release of PVS to and from the Au NPs "sponge", respectively, is followed by CdSe/ZnS quantum dots, acting as an auxiliary photonic label.     

Resonance CARS study of the structure of "green" and "red" chromophores within the red fluorescent protein DsRed

Vibrational spectra of red fluorescent protein DsRed have been studied for the first time by polarization-sensitive multiplex coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering at two excitation wavelengths, 545 and 583 nm, in resonance with the absorption bands of the immature "green" and mature "red" protein chromophores. Overall vibrational patterns of both DsRed chromophores were found to be similar to each other and to differ from that of S65T-GFP at pH8. The combined analysis of our CARS data and published structural information suggest that both "green" and "red" DsRed species possess an extended chromophore structure. Consequently, our data suggest that pi-bonding system extension during isomerization around the cis peptide bond between Phe 65 and Gln 66 is a necessary but not sufficient step in DsRed chromophore maturation.     

高校化学类专业开展新工科建设的建议

The education characters of emerging engineering education (3E) is summarized. The necessary for reform and construction of new chemistry-related majors based on the ideal of 3E is discussed. The main ideas and ways proposed and the main research progresses made by the Instructional Committee of Chemistry Majors, Mistry of Education are briefly introduced with emphasis on the setup of two new majors namely "Chemistry Metrology and Technology" and "Intelligent Molecular Engineering" and reform of "Energy Chemistry". It is of guidance significance for the future reform of chemistry-related majors based on the 3E idea.     

UOOC平台与腾讯课堂相结合的“在线异步教学”

The COVID-19 broke out on a large scale, and online teaching became the first choice for teachers. Avoiding network congestion and ensuring learning effects are the dilemmas faced by online teaching. With the help of the UOOC platform and the Tencent Classroom, taking the "Polymer Structure and Performance" course as a sample, we suggested a new "online asynchronous teaching" model. Among them, the SPOC course is convenient for students to manage their learning time; "Chapter Quiz" and "Student-to-Student Mutual Evaluation" are helpful for students to obtain multi-angle feedback; project tasks are focused on case analysis so that students carry out inquiry-based learning. Overall, the "online asynchronous teaching" model breaks the time and space restrictions on teaching and learning, guarantees the quality of teaching during the epidemic, and lays the foundation for creating a "golden class".