An experimental study of chromatographic dynamics in open and packed non-cylindrical conduits

A systematic investigation of the influence of the perimeter shape of open and particle packed fused silica capillaries on chromatographic properties such as resistance to flow and dispersion of solutes propelled through these channels has been conducted. Verifications of these uncommon experiments with existing theoretical treatments are presented and the insights transferred to a novel polymer chip design with integrated facilities for complex separations. A comparison of the chromatographic performance of a real life proteomics sample on this chip with a capillary column of "similar" dimensions is presented.     

Structural aspects of antibody-antigen interaction revealed through small random peptide libraries

Summary Two small random peptide libraries, one composed of 4550 dodecapeptides and one of 8000 tripeptides, were synthesized in newly developed credit-card format miniPEPSCAN cards (miniPEPSCAN libraries). Each peptide was synthesized in a discrete well (455 peptides/card). The two miniPEPSCAN libraries were screened with three different monoclonal antibodies (Mabs). Two other random peptide libraries, expressed on the wall of bacteria (recombinant libraries) and composed of 10⁷ hexa- and octapeptides, were screened with the same three Mabs. The aim of this study was to compare the amino acid sequence of peptides selected from small and large pools of random peptides and, in this way, investigate the potential of small random peptide libraries. The screening of the two miniPEPSCAN libraries resulted in the identification of a surprisingly large number of antibody-binding peptides, while the screening of the large recombinant libraries, using the same Mabs, resulted in the identification of only a small number of peptides. The large number of peptides derived from the small random peptide libraries allowed the determination of consensus sequences. These consensus sequences could be related to small linear and nonlinear parts of the respective epitopes. The small number of peptides derived from the large random peptide libraries could only be related to linear epitopes that were previously mapped using small libraries of overlapping peptides covering the antigenic protein. Thus, with respect to the cost and speed of identifying peptides that resemble linear and nonlinear parts of epitopes, small diversity libraries based on synthetic peptides appear to be superior to large diversity libraries based on expression systems.Abbreviations ABTS 2,2-azino-di-3-ethylbenzthiazoline sulfonate - EGF epidermal growth factor - Mab monoclonal antibody - OD_ccd optical density obtained using CCD camera - RAMPO rabbit-antimouse peroxidase - SDS sodium dodecylsulfate - TGEV transmissible gastroenteritis virus     

A finiteness theorem for maximal independent sets

Denote bymi(G) the number of maximal independent sets ofG. This paper studies the setS(k) of all graphsG withmi(G) = k and without isolated vertices (exceptG K ₁) or duplicated vertices. We determineS(1), S(2), andS(3) and prove that |V(G)| 2 ^k–1 +k – 2 for anyG inS(k) andk 2; consequently,S(k) is finite for anyk. Supported in part by the National Science Council under grant NSC 83-0208-M009-050     

Hydrogenation asymetrique de precurseurs d'aminoacides a l'aide de mono- et diphosphines derivees de sucres

Mono- and di-phosphines derived from sugars are synthesized and used as ligands in asymmetric catalysis. In the presence of a base (triethylamine, KOH…) the cationic complex [Rh(COD)dioxop]⁺ClO₄^?, catalyzes reduction of α-amino acid precursors with high optical yields (78–86%). The influence of the base is discussed.     

Some applications of silica aerogels

Silica aerogels are very highly divided materials which are synthesised through the association of a chemical step, the so-called sol–gel chemistry, with a physical step which is a particular way of drying the wet gel, namely under supercritical conditions with respect to the liquid phase filling its porosity. This drying process preserves the texture of the dry material: in practice it strongly reduces the pore collapse. The resulting hyperporous solids that have bulk densities of the same magnitude as air develop new and very interesting physical and even chemical properties. Owing to their poor chemical reactivity, very large surface areas (of the order of 1,000 m ²/g), unusual porous volumes (greater than 95%), morphologies (monoliths or powders), optical properties (transparent, opaque or translucent), and very low thermal conductivity, they find high added-value applications in the physics of high-energy particles (Cherenkov emitters), transparent and superinsulating double windows, life and space science as well.     

The effect of spherical shells of matter on the Schwarzschild black hole

Based on previous work we show how to join two Schwarzschild solutions, possibly with different masses, along null cylinders each representing a spherical shell of infalling or outgoing massless matter. One of the Schwarzschild masses can be zero, i.e. one region can be flat. The above procedure can be repeated to produce space-times with aC ⁰ metric describing several different (possibly flat) Schwarzschild regions separated by shells of matter. An exhaustive treatment of the ways of combining four such regions is given; the extension to many regions is then straightforward. Cases of special interest are: (1) the scattering of two spherical gravitational shock waves at the horizon of a Schwarzschild black hole, and (2) a configuration involving onlyone external universe, which may be relevant to quantization problems in general relativity. In the latter example, only an infinitesimal amount of matter is sufficient to remove the Wheeler wormhole to another universe.Supported in part by the Stichting voor Fundamenteel Onderzoek der Materie     

Cu K-edge EXAFS characterisation of copper(I) arenethiolate complexes in both the solid and liquid state: detection of Cu-Cu coordination

Herein we describe a structural characterisation with EXAFS of copper(I) arenethiolate complexes in both the solid and liquid state. Previously noted difficulties in the detection of the Cu-Cu interaction have been attributed to anti-phase behaviour of different Cu-Cu neighbour contributions. A data analysis procedure solely based on EXAFS parameters is presented which resolves these problems. A careful analysis of the individual coordination shells and the use of different k-weightings during the data analysis are shown to be an absolute necessity to obtain reliable results. During R-space fitting, the difference file technique is used to separate, examine and compare the individual contributions. Using this technique their statistical significance and correctness can be determined. Anti-phase behaviour can be detected and accounted for in this way. An additional mixed organocopper aggregate [Cu4(SAr)2(Mes)2] with different Cu sites is analysed, which proves the value of the analysis procedure described above. Moreover, this newly developed EXAFS data analysis procedure is applicable to any other EXAFS spectrum obtained. The structural analysis of these organocopper complexes with EXAFS provides information about their actual structure and dynamic behaviour in solution. The technique can now be used to obtain insights into the reactivity of these complexes and the way in which they form catalytic reaction intermediates.