Pattern recognition and blind assay techniques applied to forensic separation of whiskies

One problem in forensic science is the detection of counterfeit whisky (specifically, replacement of the contents of a bottle). A simple, inexpensive forensic method is required which would reliably distinguish between sampl?es of Chivas Regal, as an example, and samples of less expensive whiskies. Pattern recognition techniques were applied to the results of gas Chromatographic analysis according to the blind assay method. When the amounts of isoamyl alcohol and acetaldehyde present (as revealed in the chromatograms) were used perfect separation of the two classes of samples was possible.     

Sequential and selective Buchwald-Hartwig amination reactions for the controlled functionalization of 6-bromo-2-chloroquinoline: synthesis of ligands for the Tec Src homology 3 domain

Src homology 3 (SH3) domains are highly conserved protein-protein interaction domains that mediate important biological processes and are considered valuable targets for the development of therapeutic agents. In this paper, we report the preparation of a range of new 6-heterocyclic substituted 2-aminoquinolines using Buchwald-Hartwig chemistry. 6-Heterocyclic substitution of the 2-aminoquinoline has provided ligands with increased binding affinity for the SH3 domain relative to the lead compound, 2-aminoquinoline, that are the highest affinity ligands prepared to date. The key step in the synthesis of these compounds required a selective Buchwald-Hartwig amination of an aryl bromide in the presence of an activated heteroaryl chloride. The optimization of reaction conditions to achieve the selective amination is discussed and has allowed for cross-coupling with a range of cyclic amines. Introduction of the amino functionality of the 6-heterocyclic 2-aminoquinolines involved additional Buchwald-Hartwig chemistry utilizing lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide as an ammonia equivalent.     

Mechanistic investigations of lipoic acid biosynthesis in Escherichia coli: both sulfur atoms in lipoic acid are contributed by the same lipoyl synthase polypeptide

Lipoyl synthase catalyzes the final step in the de novo biosynthesis of the lipoyl cofactor, which is the insertion of two sulfur atoms into an octanoyl chain that is bound in an amide linkage to a conserved lysine on a lipoyl-accepting protein. We show herein that the sulfur atoms in the lipoyl cofactor are derived from lipoyl synthase itself, and that each lipoyl synthase polypeptide contributes both of the sulfur atoms to the intact cofactor.     

Modification of convective systems by terrain with local relief of several hundred meters

Zusammenfassung Eingehende Untersuchungen über den Lebenszyklus von durch Regenschauer erzeugten Radarechos und Beobachtungen von Luftbewegungen mittels radarverfolgten Ballons geben Einsicht in einen der physikalischen Kontrollmechanismen, die der Verteilung des sommerlichen Niederschlags in den Zentralappalachen unterliegen. Beobachtungen, die sich über drei Jahre hinweg erstrecken, werden benützt, um zu erklären, wie die durch das Gelände verursachten Wellenbewegungen bevorzugte Gebiete der Schauerauflösung hervorrufen können. Als Beispiel zeigt der besonders trockene Sommer des Jahres 1962, wie grossräumige Luftströmungen, die Mangel an Niederschlag verursachen, im allgemeinen gut ausgebildete stehende Wellen an den Bergen dieser Gegend hervorrufen, und wie dies sich daraufhin auswirkt, die normalen, kleinräumigen Variationen der Niederschlagsverteilung zu vergrössern.Berechnungen ergeben, dass die durch Ausfrieren unterkühlter Teile einer Kumuluswolke freiwerdende Wärme einen positiven Auftrieb verursachen kann, der von derselben Grössenordnung ist wie der im abwärtsgerichteten Teil der Wellenbewegung induzierte negative Auftrieb. Hieraus lässt sich schliessen, dass Wolkenimpfungen dazu dienen könnten, die frühzeitige Schauerauflösung in solchen Wolkensystemen und damit die in Gebieten mit häufiger Bergwellenbildung vorkommende Trockenheit zu verhindern. Natürlich kann dies nicht durch routinemässige Betätigung von Impfstoffquellen vom Boden oder Flugzeug aus geschehen; Voraussetzungen dazu sind Beobachtungen der Wolkensysteme in allen Einzelheiten und Auslösung des Impfmaterials in grossen Mengen zu genau vorbestimmter Zeit und an der richtigen Wolkenstelle.     

Soluble ultra-short single-walled carbon nanotubes

Soluble, ultra-short (length < 60 nm), carboxylated, single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) have been prepared by a scalable process. This process, predicated on oleum's (100% H2SO4 with excess SO3) ability to intercalate between individual SWNTs inside SWNT ropes, is a procedure that simultaneously cuts and functionalizes SWNTs using a mixture of sulfuric and nitric acids. The solubility of these ultra-short SWNTs (US-SWNTs) in organic solvents, superacid and water is about 2 wt %. The availability of soluble US-SWNTs could open opportunities for forming high performance composites, blends, and copolymers without inhibiting their processibility.     

Removal of sample background buffering ions and myoglobin enrichment via a pH junction created by discontinuous buffers in capillary electrophoresis

Traditional CE sample stacking is ineffective for samples containing a high concentration of salt and/or buffer. We recently reported the use of a discontinuous buffer system for protein enrichment that was applicable to samples containing millimolar concentrations of salt. In this paper, the technique was investigated for samples containing unwanted buffering ions, including TRIS, MES, and phosphate, which are commonly used in biological sample preparation. Using myoglobin as a model protein, the results demonstrated that background buffering ions can be effectively removed or separated from the enriched protein. The key is to use either the acid or the base of the discontinuous buffers to adjust the pH of the sample, such that the net charge of the unwanted buffering ions is near-zero. The successful isolation and enrichment of myoglobin from up to 100 mM TRIS and 50 mM MES was demonstrated. The enrichment factors remained at approximately 200. Removal of phosphate was more challenging because its net charge was anionic in both the acid and the base of the discontinuous buffers. The enrichment was only achievable up to 30 mM of sodium phosphate, the enrichment factors observed were significantly lower, below 50, and the process was delayed due to the higher ionic strength resulted from phosphate. The migration of phosphate during enrichment was studied using a UV-absorbing analogue, phenyl phosphate. In addition, Simul 5.0 was used to simulate the discontinuous buffers in the absence and presence of TRIS and phosphate. The stimulated TRIS and phosphate concentration profiles were generally in agreement with the experimental results. The simulation also provided a better understanding on the effect of phosphate on the formation of the pH junction.