A linear semi-infinite programming strategy for constructing optimal wavelet transforms in multivariate calibration problems

A novel strategy for the optimization of wavelet transforms with respect to the statistics of the data set in multivariate calibration problems is proposed. The optimization follows a linear semi-infinite programming formulation, which does not display local maxima problems and can be reproducibly solved with modest computational effort. After the optimization, a variable selection algorithm is employed to choose a subset of wavelet coefficients with minimal collinearity. The selection allows the building of a calibration model by direct multiple linear regression on the wavelet coefficients. In an illustrative application involving the simultaneous determination of Mn, Mo, Cr, Ni, and Fe in steel samples by ICP-AES, the proposed strategy yielded more accurate predictions than PCR, PLS, and nonoptimized wavelet regression.     

Interactions of water and methanol with a mixture of copper and zinc metals: a theoretical <Emphasis Type="Italic">ab initio</Emphasis> study

Ab initio cluster quantum chemical calculations at the Hartree–Fock and second-order Møller–Plesset perturbation theory levels were carried out to mimic the interactions of water and methanol with a mixture of Cu and Zn metals. It was shown that both molecular and dissociative adsorption of methanol on a mixture of Cu and Zn metal catalyst are preferred over the corresponding adsorptions of water. Estimated transition-state structures for dissociation of methanol into CH·₃ and OH· lie about 9.0 and 22.0 kcal/mol higher compared to the dissociated (forward reaction) and molecular adsorption (reverse reaction) complexes, respectively. Based on distinct radicals' bond energies with the active sites of the catalyst considered, it is suggested that hydrogen molecules could be formed through a chain of homogeneous reactions of methyl radicals released into the gas phase with the water and/or methanol molecules.     

Reactions of Roquefortin with Alkyl Chloroformates

Reactions of roquefortin with alkyl chloroformates provide 3-(1-(alkoxycarbonyl)imidazol-4-ylmethylene]-10b-(1,1-dimethyl-2-propenyl)-5a,10b,11,11a-tetrahydro-2H-pyrazinol[1',2':1,5]pyrrolo[2,3-b]indole-1,4(3H,6H)-diones.     

Affinity interactions on a liposome surface detected by ultrasound velocimetry.

In this work, we performed targeted immobilization of immunoglobulins by means of bacterial S-layer proteins from Bacillus coagulans E38-66/V1 recrystallized on liposomes, which were exploited as immobilization matrix for antibody (Ab)-human IgG. The study of interaction of rabbit or swine anti-human IgG as antigens (Ag) was performed by means of measuring changes of ultrasound velocity. We showed that at a temperature of 25 degrees C, the increment of ultrasound velocity [u] linearly decreased following an increase of concentration of Ag. The decrease of [u] was presumably due to changes of hydration of the membrane due to the binding process. Approximately 10 times lower changes of [u] were observed at 45 degrees C for Ag-Ab interaction as well as for nonspecific interaction of Ag with liposomes covered by S-layer without Ab. No substantial differences in the behaviour of [u] were observed for interactions of human IgG with rabbit or swine anti-human IgG.     

Size-dependent chemistry: properties of nanocrystals

Properties of materials determined by their size are indeed fascinating and form the basis of the emerging area of nanoscience. In this article, we examine the size dependent electronic structure and properties of nanocrystals of semiconductors and metals to illustrate this aspect. We then discuss the chemical reactivity of metal nanocrystals which is strongly dependent on the size not only because of the large surface area but also a result of the significantly different electronic structure of the small nanocrystals. Nanoscale catalysis of gold exemplifies this feature. Size also plays a role in the assembly of nanocrystals into crystalline arrays. While we owe the beginnings of size-dependent chemistry to the early studies of colloids, recent findings have added a new dimension to the subject.     

Synthesis of unsymmetrical 2-(2-vinyl-4H-chromen-4-ylidene)malononitrile dyes via Knoevenagel reaction

A series of new chromophores based on 4-(dicyanomethylene)-2-vinyl 4H-chromenes was synthesized and their physical properties (UV–Vis, NMR, mass spectrometry) were studied. The chromophores show moderate or good solubility in organic solvents. Solvatochromism was investigated for compounds in solvents of low (1.4-dioxane, chlorobenzene, methylene chloride) and high polarity (acetone, acetonitrile). The calculations of the first hyperpolarizability (β) was performed using M052X/6-31+G(d) approximation. Chromophore’s molecules are characterized by high calculated values of the first hyperpolarizability (β) that is only 15% lower than that of FTC analogs.     

In vitro anti‐proliferative and in silico docking studies of heteroleptic copper(II) complexes of pyridazine‐based ligands and ciprofloxacin

Three heteroleptic copper(II) complexes of the type [Cu(L^1–3)(cf)(ClO₄)] ( 1 – 3 ), where cf = ciprofloxacin, have been synthesized using pyridazine‐based ligands 3‐chloro‐6‐(salicylidenehydrazinyl)pyridazine (HL¹), 3‐chloro‐6‐(4‐diethylaminosalicylidenehydrazinyl)pyridazine (HL²) and 3‐chloro‐6‐(5‐bromosalicylidenehydrazinyl)pyridazine (HL³). Electronic spectral data and magnetic moment values suggest octahedral geometry for the synthesized copper(II) complexes. Electrochemical data of the copper(II) complexes present an irreversible one‐electron reduction wave in the cathodic potential region (E_pc) between ?0.631 and ?0.670 V. Frontier molecular orbital calculations were carried out, and the obtained low‐energy gap supports the bio‐efficacy of the complexes. All the complexes were screened for their in vitro cytotoxicity activity against three human cancerous (breast adenocarcinoma (MCF‐7), hepatoma (HepG‐2) and cervical (HeLa)) and one non‐cancerous (non‐tumorigenic human dermal fibroblast (NHDF)) cell lines using MTT assay, in which complex 2 exhibited higher activity. The apoptosis induction by the complexes was analysed using the Hoechst dye staining method with MCF‐7 cell line, which indicates higher apoptotic activity of complex 2 . A molecular docking study was carried out to ascertain the binding affinity of the synthesized heteroleptic copper(II) complexes with phosphoinositide 3‐kinase gamma (PI3Kγ) receptor.     

Evaluation of a high-resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometer for the gas chromatographic determination of selected environmental contaminants

A benchtop high-resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOF MS) was evaluated for the determination of key organic microcontaminants. The major advantage of the TOF MS proved to be the high mass resolution of about 0.002 Da (10 ppm). Consequently, the detectability of polar pesticides, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons and polychlorinated biphenyls is excellent, and detection limits are in the order of 1–4 pg injected mass. Best mass spectral resolution was obtained for medium-scale peaks. It is a disadvantage that the calibration range is rather limited, viz. to about two orders of magnitude. The high mass spectral resolution was especially useful to improve the selectivity and sensitivity when analyzing target compounds in complex samples and to prevent false-positive identifications.     

Alkali Metal Compounds of Hydroquinone: Synthesis and Crystal Structure

A number of novel routes to the alkali metal compounds of hydroquinone M₂[p‐C₆H₄O₂] (M = Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs) and M[p‐C₆H₄O(OH)] (M = K, Rb, Cs) have been synthetically explored. The selective synthesis of the alkali 4‐hydroxyphenolates and 1, 4‐phenylenediolates is based on optimized reaction conditions (solvents, temperatures). All compounds were structurally characterized by means of powder X‐ray diffraction using Rietveld profile refinement including C—C and C—O bond distance restraints. The atomic arrangement of M₂[p‐C₆H₄O₂](M = Na, K) (tetragonal, space group: P4₂/ncm) is characterized by infinite pillars of [M₂^[3]O₂^[3]]‐units along the c axis connected by [p‐C₆H₄O₂]^2—‐anions with stacking direction along c. The coordinatively unsaturated alkali metals, surrounded by three oxygen atoms, exhibit symmetrical (K) as well as asymmetrical (Na) interactions with the phenylene rings. M[p‐C₆H₄O(OH] (M = K, Rb) (tetragonal, space group: P4/n) forms hydrogen‐bridged linear chains of [p‐C₆H₄O(OH)]^—‐anions along the c direction. The phenylene planes of neighboring chains have an almost orthogonal arrangement while the interchain planes are parallel. K and Rb are fourfold coordinated by two different oxygen coordination spheres.