Electrophoretic mapping of highly homologous keratins: A novel marker peptide approach

Identification of the intermediate filament proteins (IFPs) in the wool proteome has formerly been hampered by limited sequence information, the high degree of IFP homology and their close proximity on 2‐DE maps. This has been partially rectified by the recent acquisition of four new Type I and two Type II wool IFP sequences. Among closely migrating proteins, such as IFP clusters in a 2‐DE map, proteins with higher sequence coverage will be assigned higher scores, but the identification of unique peptides in such tight clusters may distinguish these closely migrating proteins. Two approaches were adopted for the study of wool IFPs. In the first, searches were conducted for peptides known to be unique to each member of the family in each spot. In the second, MALDI imaging was employed to examine peptides bound to a PVDF membrane from a poorly resolved part of the Type I IFP region of the 2‐DE map. As a result, a distinct picture has emerged of the distribution of the six Type I and four Type II IFPs across the 2‐DE wool protein map.     

Sub-nanometer metrology of chirped phase masks by optical Moiré

Optical Moiré fringe formation between a linear and chirped phase mask has been investigated theoretically and experimentally and used to determine the chirp rate. Period difference determination down to 0.4 nm is demonstrated using a 1080 nm period linear grating and a nominally 1 nm/mm chirped grating. Direct optical diffraction is also used to independently assess the chirp rate.     

Zeolites for nuclear waste treatment: Co,Ni, Zn uptake into synthetic faujasites X & Y

Synthetic zeolites X & Y have been examined for their abilities to take in Co, Ni and Zn radioisotopes. Distribution coefficients (K _d ) have been determined, with and without competing cations, and at various pH values. Elution studies on zeolites containing Co, Ni and Zn radioisotopes considered the effect of acid and alkaline conditions, calcination and cement encapsulation. Leach rates arising from these experiments have been calculated. The general conclusions can be drawn are that zeolites X & Y are suitable for decontamination of aqueous wastes containing Co, Ni and Zn. Cement encapsulation is appropriate but no advantage accrues from pre-calcination. Some comments on the likely mechanism of leaching losses have been made.     

Synthesis of “capped porphyrins”

The synthesis of “capped porphyrins” ($\text{10}$), ($\text{18}$), and ($\text{28}$), and their (chloro)iron(III), iron(II), cobalt (II), and zinc(II) complexes is reported. These complexes serve as models for the active site of the oxygen binding haemoproteins. In addition to reversible binding of dioxygen by each of the iron (II) porphyrin complexes, the 1-methyl-imidazole-(“C₃-capped porphyrin”) iron (II) complex ($\text{23}$) reacts reversibly with carbon monoxide, in solution at 25°C.     

Studies of the solvent extraction of cadmium and silver dithizonates

An extensive study was made of the solvent extraction of cadmium and silver dithizonates into chloroform A few extractions of silver dithizonate were made into carbon tetrachloride. In most cases extraction curves of PH versus % metal extracted were obtained and reported in terms of the PH of 50% extraction. The shift of the extraction curves to higher PH values due to the effect of ions in the aqueous phase which complex with the cadmium or silver ions was investigated An equation was developed which would predict the PH of 50% extraction for the extraction from the solutions containing these complexing ions The effects of chloride, bromide and iodide ions on the extraction of cadmium and the effects of chloride, bromide, iodide, thiocyanate and thiosulfate ions on the extraction of silver. Extraction constants for the various extractions were determined.     

Investigation of the preparation of pyrimidine isocyanates

Uracil-5-yl isocyanate and 1,3-dimethyluracil-5-yl isocyanate were prepared from the corresponding new carboazides. 1,3-Dimethyluracil-5-ylmethyl isocyanate obtained from the chloro compound and silver cyanate, was polymerized with an anionic initiator to the cyclic trimer. Attempts to isolate uracil-6-yl isocyanate, 1,3-dimethyluracil-6-yl isocyanate, pyrimidinyl-4-isocyanate, and 2,6-dichloropyrimidinyl-4-isocyanate were unsuccessful. Ethyl carbamate derivatives were made from all new azides and isocyanates. Other new pyrimidine derivatives included N,N'-bis(pyrimidine-4-carbonyl)hydrazine, N,N'-bis(1,3-dimethyluracil-5-yl)urea, N,N'-bis(1,3-dimethyluracil-6-yl)urea and N,N'-bis(2,5,6-trichloro-4-pyrimidinyl)oxamide.     

One class classification as a practical approach for accelerating π–π co-crystal discovery

The implementation of machine learning models has brought major changes in the decision-making process for materials design. One matter of concern for the data-driven approaches is the lack of negative data from unsuccessful synthetic attempts, which might generate inherently imbalanced datasets. We propose the application of the one-class classification methodology as an effective tool for tackling these limitations on the materials design problems. This is a concept of learning based only on a well-defined class without counter examples. An extensive study on the different one-class classification algorithms is performed until the most appropriate workflow is identified for guiding the discovery of emerging materials belonging to a relatively small class, that being the weakly bound polyaromatic hydrocarbon co-crystals. The two-step approach presented in this study first trains the model using all the known molecular combinations that form this class of co-crystals extracted from the Cambridge Structural Database (1722 molecular combinations), followed by scoring possible yet unknown pairs from the ZINC15 database (21 736 possible molecular combinations). Focusing on the highest-ranking pairs predicted to have higher probability of forming co-crystals, materials discovery can be accelerated by reducing the vast molecular space and directing the synthetic efforts of chemists. Further on, using interpretability techniques a more detailed understanding of the molecular properties causing co-crystallization is sought after. The applicability of the current methodology is demonstrated with the discovery of two novel co-crystals, namely pyrene-6H-benzo[c]chromen-6-one (1) and pyrene-9,10-dicyanoanthracene (2).

Machine learning using one class classification on a database of existing co-crystals enables the identification of co-formers which are likely to form stable co-crystals, resulting in the synthesis of two co-crystals of polyaromatic hydrocarbons.     

Analytical performance of a high-pressure radio frequency-only quadrupole collision cell with an axial field applied by using conical rods

The effect on triple-quadrupole performance of applying an axial field, in an rf-only quadrupole collision cell operated at pressures sufficiently high that collisional focusing is operating, has been investigated. The advantages of such cells have been shown previously to include increased transmission and much improved resolution in fragment ion spectra relative to the performance of collision cells operating at lower gas pressures. The disadvantages of high-pressure collision cells all derive from the relatively long transit times for the ions, which can be long relative to characteristic times for scanning the first mass filter (precursor ion selector) or for switching its setting in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) cycles. The present work describes experiments on a high-pressure cell in which an axial field is created through use of conical rather than cylindrical or hyperbolic rods. In addition, results of computations of the electric fields within such a cell, and of ion trajectories through it, are presented. It is shown that application of axial fields of the order of 0. 1 V/cm can remove all hysteresis effects associated with the long ion transit times, and thus provide excellent performance in quantitation work using MRM, as well as in other scan modes. Furthermore, the advantages of collisional focusing in quadrupole collision cells are shown to be unimpaired by these low axial fields.