Distributed and multicore QuBiLS-MIDAS software v2.0: Computing chiral,fuzzy, weighted and truncated geometrical molecular descriptors based on tensor algebra

Advances to the distributed, multi-core and fully cross-platform QuBiLS-MIDAS software v2.0 ( http://tomocomd.com/qubils-midas ) are reported in this article since the v1.0 release. The QuBiLS-MIDAS software is the only one that computes atom-pair and alignment-free geometrical MDs (3D-MDs) from several distance metrics other than the Euclidean distance, as well as alignment-free 3D-MDs that codify structural information regarding the relations among three and four atoms of a molecule. The most recent features added to the QuBiLS-MIDAS software v2.0 are related (a) to the calculation of atomic weightings from indices based on the vertex-degree invariant (e.g., Alikhanidi index); (b) to consider central chirality during the molecular encoding; (c) to use measures based on clustering methods and statistical functions to codify structural information among more than two atoms; (d) to the use of a novel method based on fuzzy membership functions to spherically truncate inter-atomic relations; and (e) to the use of weighted and fuzzy aggregation operators to compute global 3D-MDs according to the importance and/or interrelation of the atoms of a molecule during the molecular encoding. Moreover, a novel module to compute QuBiLS-MIDAS 3D-MDs from their headings was also developed. This module can be used either by the graphical user interface or by means of the software library. By using the library, both the predictive models built with the QuBiLS-MIDAS 3D-MDs and the QuBiLS-MIDAS 3D-MDs calculation can be embedded in other tools. A set of predefined QuBiLS-MIDAS 3D-MDs with high information content and low redundancy on a set comprised of 20,469 compounds is also provided to be employed in further cheminformatics tasks. This set of predefined 3D-MDs evidenced better performance than all the universe of Dragon (v5.5) and PaDEL 0D-to-3D MDs in variability studies, whereas a linear independence study proved that these QuBiLS-MIDAS 3D-MDs codify chemical information orthogonal to the Dragon 0D-to-3D MDs. This set of predefined 3D-MDs would be periodically updated as long as new results be achieved. In general, this report highlights our continued efforts to provide a better tool for a most suitable characterization of compounds, and in this way, to contribute to obtaining better outcomes in future applications.     

Comprehensive 1H and 13C NMR assignment of 13 protobassic acid saponins

This study aimed to carry out complete ¹H and ¹³C NMR assignment of 13 protobassic acid saponins, including arganins A–C ( 1 – 3 ) and F ( 4 ), butyrosides B–D ( 5 – 7 ), tieghemelin ( 8 ), 3′-O-glucosyl-arganin C ( 9 ), Mi-saponins A–C ( 10 – 12 ), and mimusopsin ( 13 ), recorded in methanol-d₄. This was accomplished by the analysis of high-resolution one-dimensional (1D) NMR (¹H and ¹³C), two-dimensional (2D) NMR (¹H–¹H COSY, HSQC, and HMBC), and selectively excited 1D TOCSY spectra. Before this study, ¹H and ¹³C NMR data of arganins A–C ( 1 – 3 ) and F ( 4 ) were partially assigned. Our effort leads to their complete assignment, especially the glycon residue, and revises some reported data. Some revisions of the ¹H and ¹³C NMR data in the glycon part of butyroside C ( 6 ), tieghemelin ( 8 ), Mi-saponin A ( 10 ), and mimusopsin ( 13 ) were made. Those data of butyrosides B and D ( 5 & 7 ) and Mi-saponin B ( 11 ), which had not been recorded in methanol-d₄, are provided. In addition, the ¹H and ¹³C NMR data of Mi-saponin C ( 12 ) are reported for the first time. These data, being recorded in methanol-d₄, should be more friendly for use as a reference for identifying the related triterpenoid saponins.     

Post-Assembly Photomasking of Potassium Acyltrifluoroborates (KATs) for Two-Photon 3D Patterning of PEG-Hydrogels

Chemical ligation reactions of functional groups that can be masked with two-photon labile protecting groups provide a powerful technology for the three-dimensional patterning of molecules – including proteins – onto hydrogel scaffolds. In order to utilize readily prepared hydrogels constructed by the potassium acyltrifluoroborate (KAT)-hydroxylamine amide formation ligation for two-photon patterning, we have developed a unique post-polymerization protecting group strategy through the reaction of KATs and dithiols in water and deprotection by two-photon excitation. After precise 3D spatially confined light irradiation, the unprotected KATs undergo ligations with hydroxylamine-functionalized superfolder GFP and sulforhodamine B for the composition of three-dimensional patterns.     

液液萃取-场放大进样-毛细管电泳非接触式电导分离检测酱油中的安赛蜜

采用场放大进样（FASI）-毛细管电泳非接触式电导检测法（CE-C⁴D）,结合液液萃取（LLE）的样品净化预处理技术,分离检测了酱油中人工合成甜味剂安赛蜜。酱油样品经酸化后,用乙酸乙酯作为萃取剂,成功地消除了酱油中含有的大量无机盐等复杂基体对微量安赛蜜的干扰。实验对影响LLE萃取效率和FASI-CE-C⁴D分离检测的关键因素进行了讨论,特别是对样品净化前处理过程中萃取剂及用量、样品酸化pH值、萃取时间、萃取温度等条件进行了优化。结果表明,酱油中的安赛蜜可获得良好分离和灵敏检测,检出限和定量限分别为0.15 mg/kg和0.48 mg/kg。对市售酱油样品进行安赛蜜的加标回收测定,得到加标回收率为92.3%~108.1%,相对标准偏差＜8.0%。该法具有简单快速、灵敏高效、分析成本低的优点,能满足酱油中安赛蜜的分析检测要求。     

3D打印便携式凝胶电泳装置用于蛋白质的快速检测

随着现场分析对于快速、便携和经济型检测的需求,分析仪器的便携化和微型化备受关注。3D打印技术的不断发展,将会极大推动小型化、便携式实验设备的开发和研制。分析仪器的微型化有助于促进资源不足地区在医疗现场、食品安全和环境污染等方面的现场监测。目前,用于蛋白质分离的凝胶电泳装置多为实验室用小型化分析仪器,可用于现场快速分离蛋白质的小型化仪器尚未见报道。该研究设计加工了一款便携式凝胶电泳装置,用于蛋白质的快速分离检测。首先,通过3D打印加工的凝胶电泳装置可在实验室内方便、快捷、低成本的复制。其次,通过对预染蛋白质相对分子质量标准的分离测试,对该系统结构进行优化。优化后该凝胶电泳装置电泳槽的尺寸仅为15 mm×20 mm×17 mm,采用3D打印技术可在5 h内加工完成,耗费打印材料10 mL。正负极所用电泳缓冲液共需4 mL,所使用的25 V锂电池可实现100 h左右的工作时间。装置优化后可实现蛋白质的快速高效分离。随后,在5种常用蛋白质相对分子质量标准的分离中,该装置与商业化平板凝胶电泳分离效果相当,同时具备更快的分离速度。该研究在便携式凝胶电泳装置的开发及其在蛋白质快速分离方面取得了初步成果,但在分离完成后立即对蛋白质进行定量分析以及更多实际样品的应用方面还需要进一步研究。     

Optically Triggered Control of the Charge Carrier Density in Chemically Functionalized Graphene Field Effect Transistors

Field effect transistors (FETs) based on 2D materials are of great interest for applications in ultrathin electronic and sensing devices. Here we demonstrate the possibility to add optical switchability to graphene FETs (GFET) by functionalizing the graphene channel with optically switchable azobenzene molecules. The azobenzene molecules were incorporated to the GFET channel by building a van der Waals heterostructure with a carbon nanomembrane (CNM), which is used as a molecular interposer to attach the azobenzene molecules. Under exposure with 365 nm and 455 nm light, azobenzene molecules transition between cis and trans molecular conformations, respectively, resulting in a switching of the molecular dipole moment. Thus, the effective electric field acting on the GFET channel is tuned by optical stimulation and the carrier density is modulated.     

Molecular engineering of CxNy: Topologies,electronic structures and multidisciplinary applications

As a class of metal-free two-dimensional (2D) semiconductor materials, polymeric carbon nitrides have attracted wide attention recently due to its facile regulation of the molecular and electronic structures, availability in abundance and high stability. According to the different ratios of C and N atoms in the framework, a series of C_xN_y materials have been successfully synthesized by virtue of various precursors, which further triggers extensive investigations of broad applications ranging from sustainable photocatalytic reactions and highly sensitive optoelectronic biosensing. In view of topological structures on their electronic structures and material properties, the as-reported C_xN_y could be generally classified into two main categories with three- or six-bond-extending frameworks. Owing to the effective n→π* transition in most C_xN_y materials, the relative energy level of the lone-pair electrons on N atoms is high, which thus endows the materials with the capability of visible light absorption. Meanwhile, the different repeating units, bridging groups and defect sites of these two kinds of C_xN_y allow them to effectively drive a diverse of promising applications that require specific electronic, interfacial and geometric properties. This review paper aims to summarize the recent progress in topological structure design and the relevant electronic band structures and striking properties of C_xN_y materials. In the final part, we also discuss the existing challenges of C_xN_y and outlook the prospect possibilities.     

自制光电比色计及其在中学化学实验中的应用

针对大多数中学缺乏光电比色计和分光光度计的现状,基于朗伯比尔定律和3D打印技术自制光电比色计,测定透明有色溶液的吸光度和浓度。利用自制光电比色计测定了琥珀酸亚铁片中铁的含量和硫酸铜晶体中结晶水的含量,实验结果表明自制光电比色计的精度高、准确性好。将3D打印技术引入化学实验创新改进,体现了跨学科融合和创新设计的思想。     

二维磁性纳米材料的可控合成及磁性调控

自旋电子学的研究重点在于同时利用电子的电荷和自旋两个自由度对信息进行处理和存储,其具有运行速度快、存储密度高和能耗低等优势。毫无疑问,发展二维磁性纳米材料的可控合成方法及磁性调控策略,对于新型自旋电子学器件的构筑具有重要的科学意义和应用价值。然而,目前得到的二维磁性纳米材料的种类十分有限,而且合成方法及磁性调控手段相对单一,极大地限制了该领域的发展。本文首先根据磁性的来源,对二维磁性纳米材料进行了分类,介绍了诱导产生的磁性和具有本征磁性的二维纳米材料,然后详细地归纳了二维磁性纳米材料常见的合成方法,如机械剥离法、电化学剥离法、化学气相沉积法以及液相合成方法等。此外,着重总结了二维材料磁性的主要调控手段,最后展望了该领域遇到的瓶颈、未来的研究重点及应用前景。     

Recent Advances in Atomic-scale Storage Mechanism Studies of Two-dimensional Nanomaterials for Rechargeable Batteries Beyond Li-ion

Developing new types of rechargeable batteries with high energy densities and low cost have received increasing attentions, aiming to reduce the dependence on high-priced lithium. Beyond Li-ion batteries, the potential alternatives including Na-ion batteries, Li-S batteries and Li-air batteries have been investigated recently, which are required to be viable for commercial applications. From this point of view, to understand the electrochemical reaction mechanisms and kinetics of these batteries has become the key challenge to make breakthroughs in the field of new energy storage. In this review, we present a critical overview of the two dimensional nanomaterials-based batteries (except Li-ion-based batteries) that could meet such demonds. To develop new energy storage devices with more promising performances, the microstructure evolution and atomic scale storage mechanism of these batteries are comprehensively summarized. In addition, the major challenges and opportunities of advanced characterization techniques are finally discussed. We do hope that this review will give the readers a clear and profound understanding of the electrochemical reaction mechanisms and kinetics of the as-discussed batteries, thus effectively contributing to the smart design of future-generation energy storage devices.