On the flexibility of beta-peptides

The full conformational space was explored for an achiral and two chiral beta-peptide models: namely For-beta-Ala-NH2, For-beta-Abu-NH2, and For-beta-Aib-NH2. Stability and conformational properties of all three model systems were computed at different levels of theory: RHF/3-21G, B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p)//RHF/3-21G, B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p), MP2//B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p), CCSD//B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p), and CCSD(T)//B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p). In addition, ab initio E = E(phi, micro, psi) potential energy hypersurfaces of all three models were determined, and their topologies were analyzed to determine the inherent flexibility properties of these beta-peptide models. Fewer points were found and assigned than expected on the basis of Multidimensional Conformational Analysis (MDCA). Furthermore, it has been demonstrated, that the four-dimensional surface, E = E(phi, mu, psi), can be reduced into a three-dimensional one: E = E[phi, f(phi), psi]. This reduction of dimensionality of freedom of motion suggests that beta-peptides are less flexible than one would have thought. This agrees with experimental data published on the conformational properties of peptides composed of beta-amino acid residues.     

Three-phase solvent bar microextraction and determination of trace amounts of clenbuterol in human urine by liquid chromatography and electrospray tandem mass spectrometry

Three-phase solvent bar microextraction (TPSBME) technique is described for the quantitative determination of trace amounts of clenbuterol (CB) in urine samples using liquid chromatography (LC) and electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (ES-TMS). CB was extracted from a basified urine sample (donor phase) into the organic solvent residing in the pores of a freely moving hollow fiber and then back extracted into an acidic solution (acceptor phase) inside the lumen of the hollow fiber. The ends of the fiber were pressure-sealed. Here, forward and back extraction took place spontaneously. We studied various parameters affecting the extraction efficiency viz. type of organic solvent (octanol, nonanol and dihexyl ether) used for immobilization in the pores of the hollow fiber, i.e. extraction time (10-40 min), stirring speed (0-1000 rpm), effect of sodium chloride (0-25%, w/v) and concentration of the donor (0.25-3 M NaOH) and the acceptor (0.5-5 M formic acid) phases. After extraction, CB was analyzed by injecting the analyte enriched acceptor phase into LC combined with ES-TMS. Enrichment factor (79), repeatability (R.S.D. = 5.1%), correlation coefficient (0.9972, for the range of 0.1-4 ng mL⁻¹), detection limit (7 pg mL⁻¹) were also investigated. The present technique is compared with the reported solid phase microextraction techniques in terms of selectivity, analysis time per extraction, cost of analysis per extraction, and precision. Among all microextraction techniques reported, this technique is the most economical sample preparation/preconcentration technique to our knowledge. The method was applied for the analysis of CB in human urine.     

Probing the Interaction of the Hydroxy Group at C(4) of Lactone‐Type Inhibitors with β‐Glucosidases and β‐Galactosidases

The inhibition of the β‐glucosidases from sweet almonds and from Caldocellum saccharolyticum by the 4‐amino‐4‐deoxy lactam 11 , the 4‐deoxy lactam 12 , and the corresponding imidazoles 13 and 14 was compared to the inhibition by the hydroxy analogues 1 and 3 . Substitution of the OH group at C(4) by an amino group or by hydrogen weakened the inhibition by ΔΔG_diss = + 1.9 to + 3.1 kcal/mol. Similarly, the inhibition of the β‐galactosidase from bovine liver and from E. coli by the 4‐deoxy lactam 12 and the imidazole 14 , as compared to the one by the galacto‐configured lactam 9 and imidazole 10 , is weakened by deoxygenation at C(4) (ΔΔG_diss = + 2.6 and 4.5 kcal/mol, resp.). The effect of these substitutions on the inhibition of the C. saccharolyticum β‐glucosidase is slightly stronger than the one on the sweet almonds β‐glucosidases. The effect is also stronger on the inhibition by the imidazoles than by the lactams, and depends on the flexibility of the inhibitors. The amino and deoxy lactams 11 and 12 were prepared from the galactonolactam‐derived triflate 17 by substitution with azide and hydride, respectively, followed by hydrogenation. Azidation of the galacto‐configured imidazopyridine‐derived triflate 24 and hydrogenation gave the amino‐imidazole 13 . The deoxy lactam 20 was transformed to the manno‐ and gluco‐configured deoxy‐imidazoles 29 and 30 via the thionolactam 28 . Hydrogenolytic deprotection of 30 gave the deoxy‐imidazole 14 .     

Stir bar sorptive extraction and trace analysis of alkylphenols in water samples by thermal desorption with in tube silylation and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A novel method called thermal desorption (TD) with in tube silylation followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), which is used for the determination of trace amounts of alkylphenols (APs) in river water samples, is described. APs are extracted from river water samples and concentrated by the stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) technique. The stir bar coated with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is added to 2.0 ml water sample and stirring is carried out for 60 min at room temperature (25 degrees C) in the vial. Then, the PDMS stir bar is subjected to TD with in tube silylation followed by GC-MS. The detection limit is of the sub pg ml(-1) (ppt) level. The method shows good linearity and the correlation coefficients are higher than 0.99 for all analytes. The average recoveries of APs are higher than 90% (R.S.D.: 3.6-14.8%, n=6). This simple and sensitive analytical method may be used in the determination of trace amounts of APs in river water samples.     

Conformational study of a guaiacyl beta-O-4 lignin model compound by NMR. Examination of intramolecular hydrogen bonding interactions and conformational flexibility in solution

Intramolecular H-bonding interactions were investigated in solution for the threo and erythro diastereomeric forms of a guaiacyl beta-O-4 lignin model compound by using the NMR data obtained from hydroxyl protons. Temperature coefficients of the chemical shifts (ddelta/dT) and coupling constants (3J(HCOH)) were measured in aprotic and protic solutions: DMSO-d6, acetone-d6 and acetone-d6-water. The NMR parameters do not support the existence of strong and persistent intramolecular H-bonds that could participate in the stabilization of the guaiacyl beta-O-4 structure in solution, but instead indicate that intermolecular H-bonds to solvent predominate. 1D NOE experiments nevertheless revealed the presence of a direct chemical exchange between the hydroxyl protons, suggesting the possible existence of weak and transient intramolecular H-bonding interactions. The conformational flexibility of the threo structure was also investigated in acetone solution from the measurement of long-range 1H, 1H and 1H, 13C coupling constants and from NOESY experiments. The NMR data are not consistent with any single conformation, indicating that different conformers co-exist in solution. The experimental results support the conformational flexibility predicted by molecular dynamics simulations performed in a previous study. Finally, both experimental and theoretical approaches indicate that weak intramolecular H-bonds can exist transiently in solution, breaking and reforming as the beta-O-4 molecule undergoes conformational interconversion, but cannot be invoked as possible means of conferring rigidity to the beta-O-4 structure.     

Amorphous hydrogenated carbon coatings on IC packaging mold by ECR-CVD system

The surface properties of IC packaging molds such as anti-sticking, wear, and corrosion resistances can be improved by hard surface coating. In this study, Ti/TiN/TiCN/a-C:H thin film coatings were deposited on IC cavity bar molds in a hybrid PVD-ECR-CVD coating system. The structure of the a-C:H films was delineated by a function of bias voltages by Raman spectroscopy. Excellent adhesion and lower friction coefficients of a-C:H films were also assessed. According to the normal adhesion force measurement, a-C:H coating was superior to that of typical electroplated hard chromium (Ep-Cr). Performance evaluation showed that the a-C:H coating could increase the number of molding injections in IC package production lines by 216%.     

Worker deployment in dual resource constrained systems with a task-type factor

This paper investigates worker learning and forgetting phenomenon in a dual resource constrained system (DRC) setting. Worker learning and forgetting in two and three stage DRC systems are modeled according to the dual-phase learning and forgetting model (DPLFM), which is based on the theory that a task has separate cognitive and motor requirements. Results show that the task-type (with respect to its learning rate and proportion of cognitive and motor requirements) affects the performance of training and deployment policies in DRC systems, and as such it should be included in future DRC research.     

A novel dynamic friction experiment using a modified kolsky bar apparatus

A novel dynamic friction experiment using the Kolsky bar concept was developed. The technique is complementary to the plate impact and other macroscopic friction experiments in the sense that sliding velocities and pressures not attainable otherwise can be investigated. The experimental results reported in this article show that the technique provides accurate and repeatable measurement of time-resolved friction. The apparatus is simpler and easier to operate than the plate impact facility. However, it cannot achieve the same level of contact pressure. Several material pairs have been investigated. In particular, the kinetic friction coefficient of Ti-6Al-4V sliding against WC/Co (cermet) and 4340 steel sliding against WC/Co were measured and compared with the values reported by Prakash and Clifton in 1993. Atomic force microscopy is used to characterize the surface topography before and after the friction tests.