Formation of a [2 + 2]-heterotetranuclear macrocycle from reaction of a platina-homoditopic ligand with iron(II)

Reaction of 4'-(2-propyn-1-oxy)-2,2':6',2'-terpyridine (HC triple bond CCH2Oterpy) with trans-[PtI2(PEt3)2] regioselectively metallates the alkyne to give trans-[Pt(C triple bond CCH2Oterpy)2(PEt3)2] which, when treated with Fe(II), gives a [2 + 2]-metallocycle.     

Quantitative measure of the amount of information acquired in a learning process

When Shannon presents the formula for the entropy of a memoryless source, he presupposes that the prior probabilities of the different source symbols are known. This paper deals with the quantity of information acquired when the prior probabilities of a binary source are learned from a sequence ofN source symbols or Bernoulli trials. Two learning methods are considered: Maximum likelihood estimation of a parameter by calculation of the relative frequency; and calculation of the posterior probability density for . For both methods the acquired information behaves as 1/2 logN + const. for largeN.     

Isosteres of Natural Phosphates. Methylene and Hydroxyrnethylene Analogues of Tyrosine O-Phosphate

Abstract

The ability of phosphonic acid analogues isosteric with natural phosphate esters to Serve as inhibitors of enzymatic phosphate hydrolysis has been documented in a wide variety of systems.¹ The use of such an analogue in place of the natural phosphate ester provides a functionality which the enzyme may not be able to distinguish from the natural ester, but which is incapable of being hydrolyzed. In some instances the use of hydroxymethylene analogues has resulted in a greater degree of recognition, and resultant inhibition of hydrolytic activity, than the simple methylene analogues.² On this basis, the methylene and hydroxymethylene analogues of tyrosine O-phosphate appear to be reasonable candidates to Serve as inhibitors for phosphoprotein phosphatases and alkaline phosphatase, and as probes for biological mechanisms.     

Numerical methods for the simulation of a coalescence-driven droplet size distribution

The droplet size distribution in a turbulent flow field is considered and modeled by means of a population balance system. This paper studies different numerical methods for the 4D population balance equation and their impact on an output of interest, the time-space-averaged droplet size distribution at the outlet, which is known from experiments. These methods include different interpolations of the experimental data at the inlet, various discretizations in time and space, and different schemes for computing the coalescence integrals. It will be shown that noticeable changes in the output of interest might occur. In addition, the computational efficiency of the studied methods is discussed.     

Matrix Assisted Ionization in Vacuum, a Sensitive and Widely Applicable Ionization Method for Mass Spectrometry

An astonishingly simple new method to produce gas-phase ions of small molecules as well as proteins from the solid state under cold vacuum conditions is described. This matrix assisted ionization vacuum (MAIV) mass spectrometry (MS) method produces multiply charged ions similar to those that typify electrospray ionization (ESI) and uses sample preparation methods that are nearly identical to matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI). Unlike these established methods, MAIV does not require a laser or voltage for ionization, and unlike the recently introduced matrix assisted ionization inlet method, does not require added heat. MAIV-MS requires only introduction of a crystalline mixture of the analyte incorporated with a suitable small molecule matrix compound such as 3-nitrobenzonitrile directly to the vacuum of the mass spectrometer. Vacuum intermediate pressure MALDI sources and modified ESI sources successfully produce ions for analysis by MS with this method. As in ESI-MS, ion formation is continuous and, without a laser, little chemical background is observed. MAIV, operating from a surface offers the possibility of significantly improved sensitivity relative to atmospheric pressure ionization because ions are produced in the vacuum region of the mass spectrometer eliminating losses associated with ion transfer from atmospheric pressure to vacuum. Mechanistic aspects and potential applications for this new ionization method are discussed.      

Comparison of an antibody and its recombinant derivative for the detection of the small molecule explosive 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene

Antibodies are commonly used as recognition elements in immunoassays because of their high specificity and affinity, and have seen extensive use in competitive assays for the detection of small molecules. However, these complex molecules require production either in animals or by mammalian cell cultures, and are not easily tailored through genetic manipulation. Single chain antibodies (scFv), recombinantly expressed molecules consisting of only the antibody's binding region joined via a linking peptide, can provide an alternative to intact antibodies. We describe the characterization of a new monoclonal antibody (mAb), 2G5B5, able to detect the small molecule explosive 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) and the scFv derived from its variable regions. The mAb and scFv were tested by surface plasmon resonance to determine their affinity for an immobilized TNT surrogate; dissociation constants were determined to be 1.5 × 10⁻¹³ M and 4.8 × 10⁻¹⁰ M respectively. Circular dichroism was used to determine their melting temperatures. The mAb is more stable melting at ∼75 °C while the scFv melts at ∼65 °C. The recognition elements were incorporated into a competitive assay format using a bead-based multiplexing platform to examine their sensitivity and specificity. The scFv was able to detect TNT ∼10-fold more sensitively than the mAb in this assay format, allowing detection of TNT concentrations down to at least 1 μg L⁻¹. The 2G5B gave similar detection limits to a commercial anti-TNT mAb, but was less specific, recognizing 1,3,5-trinitrobenzene (TNB) equally well as TNT.     

Investigating microcrystalline cellulose crystallinity using Raman spectroscopy

Cellulose - Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) is a semi-crystalline material with inherent variable crystallinity due to raw material source and variable manufacturing conditions. MCC crystallinity...     

Structural Distinction of Diacyl-, Alkylacyl,and Alk-1-Enylacyl Glycerophosphocholines as [M – 15]– Ions by Multiple-Stage Linear Ion-Trap Mass Spectrometry with Electrospray Ionization

We describe a linear ion-trap (LIT) multiple-stage (MSⁿ) mass spectrometric approach towards differentiation of alkylacyl, alk-1-enylacyl- and diacyl-glycerophoscholines (PCs) as the [M – 15]^– ions desorbed by electrospray ionization (ESI) in the negative-ion mode. The MS⁴ mass spectra of the [M – 15 – R₂′CH = CO]^– ions originated from the three PC subfamilies are readily distinguishable, resulting in unambiguous distinction of the lipid classes. This method is applied to two alkyl ether rich PC mixtures isolated from murine bone marrow neutrophils and kidney, respectively, to explore its utility in the characterization of complex PC mixture of biological origin, resulting in the realization of the detailed structures of the PC species, including various classes and many minor isobaric isomers.