Isomer differentiation via collision‐induced dissociation: The case of protonated α‐, β2‐ and β3‐phenylalanines and their derivatives

A combination of electrospray ionisation (ESI), multistage and high‐resolution mass spectrometry experiments is used to examine the gas‐phase fragmentation reactions of the three isomeric phenylalanine derivatives, α‐phenylalanine, β²‐phenylalanine and β³‐phenylalanine. Under collision‐induced dissociation (CID) conditions, each of the protonated phenylalanine isomers fragmented differently, allowing for differentiation. For example, protonated β³‐phenylalanine fragments almost exclusively via the loss of NH₃, only β²‐phenylalanine via the loss of H₂O, while α‐ and β²‐phenylalanine fragment mainly via the combined losses of H₂O + CO. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed to examine the competition between NH₃ loss and the combined losses of H₂O and CO for each of the protonated phenylalanine isomers. Three potential NH₃ loss pathways were studied: (i) an aryl‐assisted neighbouring group; (ii) 1,2 hydride migration; and (iii) neighbouring group participation by the carboxyl group. Finally, we have shown that isomer differentiation is also possible when CID is performed on the protonated methyl ester and methyl amide derivatives of α‐, β²‐ and β³‐phenylalanines. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Positive real control for 2-D discrete delayed systems via output feedback controllers

This paper considers the problem of positive real control for two-dimensional (2-D) discrete delayed systems in the Fornasini–Marchesini second local state-space model. Attention is focused on the design of dynamic output feedback controllers, which guarantee that the closed-loop system is asymptotically stable and the closed-loop transfer function is extended strictly positive real. We first present a sufficient condition for extended strictly positive realness of 2-D discrete delayed systems. Based on this, a sufficient condition for the solvability of the positive real control problem is obtained in terms of a linear matrix inequality (LMI). When the LMI is feasible, an explicit parametrization of a desired output feedback controller is presented. Finally, we provide a numerical example to demonstrate the application of the proposed method.     

Experimental and computational studies of the macrocyclic effect of an auxiliary ligand on electron and proton transfers within ternary copper(II)-Histidine complexes

The dissociation of [Cu^II(L)His]^•2+ complexes [L=diethylenetriamine (dien) or 1,4,7-triazacyclononane (9-aneN₃)] bears a strong resemblance to the previously reported behavior of [Cu^II(L)GGH]^•2+ complexes. We have used low-energy collision-induced dissociation experiments and density functional theory (DFT) calculations at the B3LYP/6-31+G(d) level to study the macrocyclic effect of the auxiliary ligands on the formation of His^•+ from prototypical [Cu^II(L)His]^•2+ systems. DFT revealed that the relative energy barriers of the same electron-transfer (ET) dissociation pathways of [Cu^II(9-aneN₃)His]^•2+ and [Cu^II(dien)His]^•2+ are very similar, with the ET reactions of [Cu^II(9-aneN₃)His]^•2+ leading to the generation of two distinct His^•+ species; in contrast, the proton transfer (PT) dissociation pathways of [Cu^II(9-aneN₃)His]^•2+ and [Cu^II(dien)His]^•2+ differ considerably. The PT reactions of [Cu^II(9-aneN₃)His]^•2+ are associated with substantially higher barriers (>13 kcal/mol) than those of [Cu^II(dien)His]^•2+. Thus, the sterically encumbered auxiliary 9-aneN₃ ligand facilitates ET reactions while moderating PT reactions, allowing the formation of hitherto nonobservable histidine radical cations.     

Factors affecting interaction of radiocesium with freshwater solids

The paper aims at the analysis of principal factors affecting the interaction of radiocesium with freshwater solids, important for the migration of radiocesium in rivers. Uptake of radiocesium by bottom sediments and suspended solids from small streams was studied as a function of pH and composition of aqueous phase, of the concentration of cesium in water and of the composition of freshwater solids, using laboratory model experiments. pH had negligible effect on the uptake in the pH range 5–9, the uptake decreased at pH values less than 3–5 depending on the nature and concentration of the solids. Addition of cations suppressed the uptake in the order K⁺>Na⁺>Ca²⁺, the suppression began at 0.001, 0.01 and 0.1 mol.dm^?3 concentration, respectively. Increase in cesium concentration in water caused a decrease of radiocesium uptake, but at very low concentrations of cesium combined with higher concentration of sediment (2g·dm^?3) the uptake was independent of cesium concentration. Removal of carbonates, oxidic coatings and organic matter from a sediment did not affect the sorption properties of the sediment. The nature of the effects found confirms that cesium is sorbed mainly by clay components of freshwater solids. Results obtained are compared with literature data and conclusions are drawn on the importance of the factors studied for modelling of radiocesium migration in rivers.     

Application of the sequential gradient-restoration algorithm to thermal convective instability problems

The problem of the thermal stability of a horizontal incompressible fluid layer with linear and nonlinear temperature distributions is solved by using the sequential gradient-restoration algorithm developed for optimal control problems. The hydrodynamic boundary conditions for the layer include a rigid or free upper surface and a rigid lower surface. The resulting disturbing equations are solved as a Bolza problem in the calculus of variations. The results of the study are compared with the existing works in the literature.The authors acknowledge valuable discussions with Dr. A. Miele.     

Displacement affinity chromatography of protein phosphatase one (PP1) complexes

Background  

Protein phosphatase one (PP1) is a ubiquitously expressed, highly conserved protein phosphatase that dephosphorylates target protein serine and threonine residues. PP1 is localized to its site of action by interacting with targeting or regulatory proteins, a majority of which contains a primary docking site referred to as the RVXF/W motif.     

Large-scale synthesis of ultrafine Si nanoparticles by ball milling

Si nanoparticles have been synthesized by ball-milling of graphite and SiO₂ powders. The solid-phase reaction, C(graphite)+SiO₂→Si+CO₂, was found to be a novel technique for fabrication of ultrafine Si particles. The reduced Si in the powder assembled as nanoparticles with a wide range of diameters. Multiple-peak structures were observed in the photoluminescence spectra of the Si nanoparticles at room temperature. The peak energies were found to coincide with the PL peak pinning energies previously reported in porous Si. Thus, the fine structures of luminescence spectra could be attributed to the size quantization of the Si nanoparticles formed via solid-phase reaction during ball-milling.     

A sodium ion selective optode based on fluorescein octadecyl ether octadecyl ester and application in beverage and urine assay

A fast responsive sodium ion selective fluorescent optode membrane mounted on an optical fiber has been developed. The sensing membrane contained fluorescein octadecyl ether octadecyl ester (FODEE), potassium tetrakis(4-chlorophenyl) borate (KTpClPB) and a calix[4]arene tetraester in a plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) matrix. It exhibited a reversible response to Na⁺ in 0.5 mol/l of HCl in the concentration range of 1.0×10⁻⁶ to 0.1 mol/l. The selectivity, response time, reproducibility and lifetime of the optode membrane were discussed. The practical use of this sensor was demonstrated by real sample analysis in complex sample solutions such as beverage and urine samples.