Overlapping spectra resolution using non-negative matrix factorization

Non-negative matrix factorization (NMF), with the constraints of non-negativity, has been recently proposed for multi-variate data analysis. Because it allows only additive, not subtractive, combinations of the original data, NMF is capable of producing region or parts-based representation of objects. It has been used for image analysis and text processing. Unlike PCA, the resolutions of NMF are non-negative and can be easily interpreted and understood directly. Due to multiple solutions, the original algorithm of NMF [D.D. Lee, H.S. Seung, Nature 401 (1999) 788] is not suitable for resolving chemical mixed signals. In reality, NMF has never been applied to resolving chemical mixed signals. It must be modified according to the characteristics of the chemical signals, such as smoothness of spectra, unimodality of chromatograms, sparseness of mass spectra, etc. We have used the modified NMF algorithm to narrow the feasible solution region for resolving chemical signals, and found that it could produce reasonable and acceptable results for certain experimental errors, especially for overlapping chromatograms and sparse mass spectra. Simulated two-dimensional (2-D) data and real GUJINGGONG alcohol liquor GC-MS data have been resolved soundly by NMF technique. Butyl caproate and its isomeric compound (butyric acid, hexyl ester) have been identified from the overlapping spectra. The result of NMF is preferable to that of Heuristic evolving latent projections (HELP). It shows that NMF is a promising chemometric resolution method for complex samples.     

Coupling matrix element of electron self-exchange reactions in solution

On the basis of the common feature among the electron transfer process and the ion hydration process as well as the relevant experimental kinetic data of electron transfer reaction,a new accurate hydration potential function scheme for the determination of electron transfer coupling matrix element is presented.The coupling matrix element between two hydrated ions of the reacting system in solution is calculated.The results and the applicability of this scheme are discussed.     

一种新的滤纸基质固体表面低温荧光(燐光)测定装置

对自行研制的铜制滤纸基质低温荧光（燐光）测定的样品支架，进行了滤纸基质固体表面低温荧光测定的可行性研究。与同类冷冻装置和室温装置比较，本装置用于滤纸基质固体表面低温荧光（燐光）测定具有以下优点；样品的分析周期大大地缩短，由45min缩短为5-6min；装置简单、便宜耐用；操作简便，简化了室温测定时的滤纸干燥程序，应用范围广，方法的重现性好，检样分析结果的相对标准偏差RSD%小于10%，荧光（燐光）分析灵敏度高，检出限低，线性范围宽。     

Phase-fixed double-group 3-Γ symbols. IV. Real 3-Γ symbols and coupling coefficients for the group hierarchies T* ⊃ C 3 * and T* ⊃ C 2 *

We present sets of real 3- symbols which correspond to explicitly given irreducible matrix representations for the two double group hierarchies T* C ₃ ^* and T* C ₂ ^* . They fit into the formalism exposed in a previous paper [1] on the general theory of 3- symbols and coupling coefficients and illustrate much of the discussion in a subsequent one [2] treating the particular properties of the double groups.     

Determination of aluminum in highly concentrated iron samples: Study of interferences using high-resolution continuum source atomic absorption spectrometry

High-resolution continuum source atomic absorption spectrometry (HR-CS AAS) has been used to investigate spectral and non-spectral interferences found with a conventional line source atomic absorption spectrometer in the determination of aluminum in pharmaceutical products containing elevated iron and sugar concentrations. A transversely heated graphite furnace was used as the atomizer in both spectrometers. The two most sensitive aluminum lines at 309.3 nm and 396.2 nm were investigated and it was found that an iron absorption line at 309.278 nm, in the vicinity of the aluminum line at 309.271 nm, could be responsible for some spectral interference. The simultaneous presence of iron and the organic components of the matrix were responsible for radiation scattering, causing high continuous and also structured background absorption at both wavelengths. The aluminum and iron absorption could not be separated in time, i.e., the iron interference could not be eliminated by optimizing the graphite furnace temperature program. However, an interference-free determination of aluminum was possible carrying out the measurements with HR-CS AAS at 396.152 nm after applying least squares background correction for the elimination of the structured background. Analytical working range and other figures of merit were determined and are presented for both wavelengths using peak volume registration (center pixel ± 1) and the center pixel only. Limits of detection and characteristic masses ranged from 1.1 to 2.5 pg and 13 to 43 pg, respectively. The method was used for the determination of the aluminum contamination in pharmaceutical formulations for iron deficiency treatment, which present iron concentrations from 10 to 50 g l^− 1. Spike recoveries from 89% to 105% show that the proposed method can be satisfactorily used for the quality control of these formulations.     

Novel functional activities of anti-dna autoantibodies from sera of patients with lymphoproliferative and autoimmune diseases

DNA-hydrolyzing activity of IgG autoantibodies from sera of patients with various types of lymphoproliferative diseases was investigated. The association of DNA-hydrolyzing activity with the antibody (Ab) fraction has been proved by newly developed affinity-capture assay. Study of abzyme incidence in blood tumors and systemic lupus erythematosis (SLE) revealed linkage of anti-DNA Ab catalysts to mature B-cell tumors, and increased probability of DNA-abzymes formation on the background of autoimmune manifestations. These data suggest possible similarity between mechanisms of abzyme formation in SLE and B-cell lymphomas. A new mechanism of formation of DNA-specific catalytic Abs has been proposed based on the increased crossreactivity of polyclonal DNA-abzymes to DNA-depleted nuclear matrix proteins. The possibility of the abzyme production as Ab to the energetically destabilized ground state of the antigen has been discussed. Preliminary results were obtained that indicate the complement-independent cytotoxicity of anti-DNA autoantibodies isolated from blood of patients with SLE and chronic lymphocytic leukemia.     

Microscale sample deposition onto hydrophobic target plates for trace level detection of neuropeptides in brain tissue by MALDI-MS

A sample preparation method that combines a modified target plate with a nanoscale reversed-phase column (nanocolumn) was developed for detection of neuropeptides by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). A gold-coated MALDI plate was modified with an octadecanethiol (ODT) self-assembled monolayer to create a hydrophobic surface that could concentrate peptide samples into a approximately 200-500-microm diameter spot. The spot sizes generated were comparable to those obtained for a substrate patterned with 200-microm hydrophilic spots on a hydrophobic substrate. The sample spots on the ODT-coated plate were 100-fold smaller than those formed on an unmodified gold plate with a 1-microl sample and generated 10 to 50 times higher mass sensitivity for peptide standards by MALDI-TOF MS. When the sample was deposited on an ODT-modified plate from a nanocolumn, the detection limit for peptides was as low as 20 pM for 5-microl samples corresponding to 80 amol deposited. This technique was used to analyze extracts of microwave-fixed tissue from rat brain striatum. Ninety-eight putative peptides were detected including several that had masses matching neuropeptides expected in this brain region such as substance P, rimorphin, and neurotensin. Twenty-three peptides had masses that matched peaks detected by capillary liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization MS.     

In-gel deglycosylation of sodiumdodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis-separated glycoproteins for carbohydrate estimation by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Mass determination by mass spectrometric methods (electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOFMS)) of sodiumdodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE)-separated proteins is a well known procedure and reliable protocols are available. In our efforts to use the established methods to determine the molecular mass of the disulfide bridged, heterodimeric glycoprotein GP3 and to determine the carbohydrate content of each protein subunit we developed an in-gel chemical deglycosylation method. For this purpose we established experimental conditions that allow maximum extraction of the high molecular mass protein subunits and developed a routine method to apply the HF-pyridine deglycosylation protocol to proteins isolated from polyacrylamide gel pieces. The novel protocol and extraction procedure described can be used to analyze O-glycosylated proteins up to 150 kDa after SDS-PAGE separation.     

Effects of different alkali metal ions on the cationization of poly(ethylene glycol)s in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry: a new selectivity parameter

The cationization of poly(ethylene glycol)s, PEG 4000 and PEG 6000, under matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization conditions was studied by using different concentration ratios of the sodium ion, as the reference ion, and another alkali metal ion (Li(+), K(+), Rb(+), Cs(+)). A linear correlation was found between the intensity ratio of the sodiated PEGs and PEGs cationized with alkali metal ions versus the initial concentration ratio of sodium and alkali metal ions. The slopes of these straight lines are proposed as a novel selectivity ratio for the ionization process. The intensity distribution of the cationized PEGs was also investigated. It was found that the cationized oligomers follow Poisson statistics. The M(n) and M(w) values were also evaluated. An explanation for the observed effects is given.     

Survey of ligand field parameters of strong field d complexes obtained from the g matrix

Using a newly proposed approach involving an internally consistent set of equations, the ligand field parameters Δ/ξ, V/ξ and k are obtained from literature values of the g matrix for strong field d⁵ systems of various conformations in which |Δ/ξ|≤10. Qualitative analysis of the observed results is done using the Angular Overlap Model, AOM.