Filter Diagonalization with Finite Fourier Transform Eigenfunctions

Below, we briefly report on the progress in the development of the Filter Diagonalization technique when filtering is carried out with the aid of Finite Fourier Transform (FFT) eigenfunctions. During recent years interest in these functions, also known as ‘prolates’, or ‘slepians’, has increased among scientists doing research in the field of signal processing. The main explanation to this follows from the set of very special extremal and orthogonality properties exibited by the FFT eigenfunctions. Recent results of Walter and Shen on sampling with prolate spheroidal functions will necessary produce a new wave of interest. In the presented, Filter diagonalization machinery, we show that the sampling formula of Walter and Shen simplifies essentially the computation of matrix elements as certain 2D–integrals involving FFT eigenfunctions.     

J and term dependences in the isotope shift of Eu I

High-resolution laser atomic beam spectroscopy has been applied to studyJ and term dependences in the isotope shift of the levels 4f ⁷5d6s a ¹⁰ D _J ,a ⁸ D _J of Eu I. A parametric analysis of the isotope shift has been performed. TheJ dependence is interpreted through two term-dependent parametersz _5d , and the term dependence through one parameterΔT:z _5d (a ¹⁰ D)=44.1 (2.6) MHz,z _5d (a ⁸ D)=55.9 (2.3) MHz,ΔT=408.5 (3.2) MHz. Ab initio Hartree-Fock and Dirac-Fock calculations have been made to interpret these parameters. Within the accuracy of the calculations the parameters can be attributed to field shift effects.     

Atmospheric pressure electrospray ionization mass spectra of glucose and 2-fluorodeoxyglucose for quantitative analysis of 2-fluorodeoxyglucose by high-performance liquid chromatography

2-Fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) labeled by fluorine-18 is the most widely used radiopharmaceutical for positron emission tomography (PET). For high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)/MS assay and quality control, the mass spectra of FDG and glucose (Glc) in organic + water solutions were studied by flow injection analysis (FIA) and in a chromatographic eluate. In acetonitrile (MeCN) + 0.025% ammonium formate (NH(4)HCO(2)) solvent (80 : 20), electrospray ionisation (ESI) of glucose-FDG provides M.NH(4)(+) and 2M.Na(+) (M = Glc or FDG) as the most intense positive ions. Formation of the latter ions and also of M.MeCN.Na(+) and 2MeCN. Na(+) is typical of the presence of NaCl in the ESI inlet. The positive ions include heavier ions corresponding to the impurities separated by HPLC and also to the cross-ring fragmentation of complexes (2FDG. aMeCNX)L, where a = 0 or 1, L is either Na(+) or NH(4)(+) and X is a fragmented pyranose or anhydropyranose residue. The second most abundant Glc negative ion is m/z = 359 which was interpreted as (2GlcH(+))(). The negative-ion spectrum of FDG has dominating lines due to FDG.HCO(2)() ions at m/z 227 and also (2FDGH(+))() at m/z 363. The m/z 363 signal is suppressed in the presence of NaCl at a molar ratio of 4 : 1 to NH(4)HCO(2), while the ions at m/z 217 and 219, i.e. FDG.Cl(), become three times more intense than FDG.HCO(2)(). The latter ion appears to be most suitable as an analytical signal for chemical analysis of FDG at m/z 226 and 227. Limits of FDG quantitation (LOQ) of 19 ng and 21 ng were found for the 200(+) and 227() ion signals, respectively, and are wholly adequate for verification of total FDG content in radiopharmaceuticals.     

Analytical procedures for quantification of peptides in pharmaceutical research by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry

Peptide quantification by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) combines the high resolving power of reversed-phase (RP) chromatography with the excellent selectivity and sensitivity of mass spectrometric detection. On the basis of comprehensive practical experience in the analysis of small molecules, pharmaceutical research is developing technologies for analysis of a growing number of peptidic drug candidates. This article is a detailed review of procedures based on LC–MS techniques for quantitative determination of peptides. With the focus on pharmaceutical applications several technologies for sample preparation, various aspects of peptide chromatography, important characteristics of ESI–MS, selectivity of MS-detection modes, the large variability of internal standards, and modern instrumentation are discussed. The demand for reliable, robust, sensitive, and accurate methods is discussed using numerous examples from the literature, complemented by experiments and results from our laboratory.     

Analysis of functional groups on the surface of plasma-treated carbon nanofibers

Plasma chemically modified carbon nanofibers were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy with regard to the content of carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen and the contribution of carboxylic groups or ester, carbonyl and hydroxylic groups or ether on the surface. Unfortunately, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy only provides an average value of the first 10 to 15 molecular layers. For comparison, depth profiles were measured and wet chemical methods were applied to estimate the thickness of the functionalized layer and the distribution of oxygen-containing functional groups within the near-surface layers. The results indicate that the fiber surface is covered by a monomolecular oxygen-containing layer and that plasma treatment allows a complete oxygen functionalization of the uppermost surface layer. The best conditions for plasma treatment found within the set of parameters applied to generate complete functionalization are: plasma gas O(2)/Ar ratio 1:1, gas pressure 1-1.5 hPa, plasma power 80 W, treatment time >or= 5 min. Additionally, three quick and easy methods are presented to estimate the efficiency of plasma treatment with regard to surface functionalization: pyrolysis, contact angle measurements, and light permeability measurements of aqueous carbon nanofiber suspensions.     

Squaric acid N-hydroxylamides: synthesis, structure, and properties of vinylogous hydroxamic acid analogues

The synthesis of squaric acid N-hydroxylamide esters 5 and amides 6 from dimethyl squarate 2a is described. These derivatives are analogues of the naturally occurring iron(III) chelator hydroxamic acid. On the basis of a comparative reactivity study, a concerted retro-Cope mechanism for the formation of the N-hydroxylamide esters 5 by reaction of dimethyl squarate with hydroxylamines is proposed. A preliminary iron(III) binding study of these hydroxamic acid analogues is presented, demonstrating binding of iron(III) to amides 6 in aqueous solutions, while the esters 5 did not show any sign of metal ion binding. 13C NMR spectroscopic data (chemical shift and spin-lattice relaxation time determination) of these and related derivatives delineate the resonance structures predominant in these molecules. The resonance structures of the derivatives rationalize their spectroscopic data, chemical reactivity, and iron(III) binding properties. Single-crystal X-ray structure analyses of squaric acid N-hydroxylamide ester 5b and squaric acid N-hydroxylamide amide 6c confirm their connectivity and provide structural evidence supporting the spectroscopically derived conclusions. The squaric acid N-hydroxylamides are potentially useful in the construction of chemosensors for iron(III).     

Metal Oxoclusters as Molecular Building Blocks for the Development of Nanostructured Inorganic–Organic Hybrid Thin Films

Silica-based inorganic–organic hybrid thin films embedding the organically modified oxohafnium clusters (Hf₄O₂(OMc)₁₂, OMc=OC(O)–C(CH₃)=CH₂) were obtained by photo-activated free radical copolymerisation of the methacrylate groups of the cluster with those of the pre-hydrolysed (methacryloxypropyl)trimethoxysilane (MAPTMS, (CH₂=C(CH₃)C(O)O)(CH₂)₃Si(OCH₃)₃). By this route, a covalent anchoring of the cluster to the forming silica network was achieved. Samples characterized by two different Si/Hf compositions (18:1, 5:1) were prepared. The surface and in-depth composition of the thin films were investigated through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). XPS depth profiles performed on the thin layers evidenced a homogenous in depth distribution of the hafnium guest species within the whole silica films and sharp film-substrate interfaces. Broad band dielectric spectroscopy (BDS) measurements permitted to investigate the electric response of the obtained films in the frequency and temperature range of 40 Hz – 1 MHz and 0–160°C.     

Comparison of electric light scattering and birefringence for polydisperse suspensions

Summary A review is made of the existing theoretical expressions, describing the change of the scattered light intensity and the birefringence by application of an electrical field to a colloid solution.Furthermore, the geometrical functions for disc-shaped particles are calculated in this article for the case of electric light scattering and are. presented graphically. In addition, expressions are derived for the average value of the electrical polarizability () for the case of polydisperse solutions.

---

Zusammenfassung Es wird ein überblick über die existierenden theoretischen Beziehungen gegeben, die die Änderung der Intensität des Streulichtes und der Doppelbrechung von Kolloidsuspensionen im elektrischen Feld beschreiben.Weiterhin sind die geometrischen Funktionen für scheibchenförmige Teilchen in dieser Arbeit für den Fall der elektrooptischen Lichtstreuung berechnet und grafisch dargestellt. Außerdem werden Beziehungen für den Mittelwert der elektrischen Polarisierbarkeit () für den Fall polydisperser Suspensionen abgeleitet.

---

---

With 1 figure and 1 table     

7-Benz[c] acridinemethanols as tetracyclic analogs of the 2-phenyl-4-quinolinemethanol antimalarials

A series of new 7-benz[c]acridinemethanols and 5,6-dihydro-7-benz[c]acridinemethanols was prepared as rigid, tetracyclic analogs of the antimalarial 2-phenyl-4-quinolinemethanols. Condensation of 5,7-dichloroisatin with 6-chloro-, 7-chloro-, and 6,7-dichloro-1-tetralone furnished halogenated 5,6-dihydro-7-benz[c]acridinecarboxylic acids, which were transformed into the corresponding acid chlorides, acyl malonates, α-bromomethyl ketones, and epoxides. Fully aromatic members of the series obtained via dehydrogenation of the 5,6-dihydro acids were likewise converted into epoxides via the acylmalonate route. Although all the epoxides studied proved to be exceptionally resistant to ring-opening by di-n-butylamine, probably on account of steric effects, they could be cleaved readily with piperidine or morpholine. Nmr spectra of the resulting amino alcohols suggest that these compounds exist in a single preferred conformation stabilized by internal O-H····N hydrogen bonding, and that free rotation about the side chain C-C bond does not occur at room temperature.     

Neutral pi-associated porphyrin [2]catenanes

A series of neutral porphyrin-containing catenanes has been synthesised, consisting of a zinc porphyrin strapped by a polyethylene glycol chain containing four or six ethylenoxy-units and incorporating a central naphthoquinol unit, interlinked with a naphthalene diimide macrocycle. The napthalene diimide precursor units exhibit only weak binding with the strapped porphyrins (Ka between 8 and 0.02 M(-1)), but good yields of the catenanes were obtained by Glaser coupling of the alkynyl napthalene diimide precursors in the presence of the porphyrins. Structures and solution conformations were determined by mass spectral and detailed 1H NMR studies. For the longer strapped porphyrins, the diimide macrocycle rotates around the central naphthoquinol unit at 420-450 times per second, while rotation is virtually prevented in the tighter strapped derivatives. A second dynamic process occurring in both sets of catenanes and described as 'yawing' leads to inequivalence in the naphthalene moieties. UV-Visible spectra indicate charge transfer interactions and electronic communication between the two components of the catenane.