Novel matrix invariants for characterization of changes of proteomics maps

Previous studies on mathematical characterization of proteomics maps by sets of map invariants were based on the construction of a set of distance-related matrices obtained by matrix multiplication of a single matrix by itself. Here we consider an alternative characterization of proteomics maps based on a set of matrices characterizing local features of an embedded zigzag curve over the map. It is shown that novel invariants can well characterize proteomics maps. Advantages of the novel approach are discussed.     

基于第一性原理的无铅无机钙钛矿Cs3Bi2X9(X=Cl、Br、I)光电性能表面效应研究

用基于第一性原理的密度泛函理论方法,对Cs₃Bi₂X₉(X=Cl、Br、I)的光电特性进行理论计算,并系统阐述这3种晶体的表面效应对光电性能的影响。结果表明,3种材料的光学特性由铋原子和卤素原子最外层p轨道上的价电子主导。在可见光区中,材料的吸收峰会随卤素原子序数的增加呈现红移,其中一维结构的Cs₃Bi₂Cl₉表面结构在光吸收能力上尤为特别且敏感;二维结构的Cs₃Bi₂Br₉光吸收能力会受厚度影响;零维结构的Cs₃Bi₂I₉非常稳定,且几乎不受表面特性和晶体厚度的影响。     

Investigation of Copper(II) Interference on the Anodic Stripping Voltammetry of Lead(II) and Cadmium(II) at Bismuth Film Electrode

The bismuth‐coated electrode is known to be prone to errors caused by copper(II). This study investigates copper(II) interference at bismuth film electrode for the detection of lead(II) and cadmium(II). It was conducted using glassy carbon electrode, while the bismuth film was plated in situ simultaneously with the target metal ions at ? 1200 mV. Copper(II) presented in solution significantly reduced the sensitivity of the electrode, for example there was an approximately 70 % and 90 % decrease in peak signals for lead(II) and cadmium(II), respectively, at a 10‐fold molar excess of copper(II). The decrease in sensitivity was ascribed to the competition between copper and bismuth or the metal ions for surface active sites. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X‐ray (EDX) analysis suggested a large decrease in the amount of bismuth nanoparticles formed on the electrode surface in the presence of copper(II) occurred, validating the competition between copper and bismuth ions for surface active sites. Recovery of the stripping signal of lead(II) and cadmium(II) was obtained by adding ferrocyanide ion to the solution. Finally, the proposed method was successfully applied to determine lead(II) and cadmium(II) in water samples and the method was validated by ICP‐MS technique.     

Compressed matrix thin film (CMTF)-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometric analysis

The inhomogeneous re-crystallization process of matrix materials is the major concerns associated with matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) analysis. We describe here the approach termed compressed matrix thin film (CMTF) in order to make a uniform matrix deposition. In this approach, solid matrix particles are compressed under 10 MPa of pressure by a compressor that is regularly used in infrared spectroscopic analysis. Then aqueous samples can be deposited on the surface of the matrix film. Major advantages of the CMTF approach are summarized as follows. (1) Reproducible sample preparation procedure. Size and thickness of matrix thin films can be controlled by using a fixed mold.force and known amount of matrix materials. (2) Significantly decreased shot-to-shot variations and enhanced reproducibility. (3) Tolerance for in situ salt washing. Because matrix materials are hydrophobic, salts can be washed away while proteins or peptides are retained on the surface of matrix thin films through hydrophobic interactions. (4) Improved sensitivity. The hydrophobic coating of MALDI sample plate by matrix thin films prevents the spreading of samples across the plate and confines analytes to a small area, leading to increased local concentration. (5) A new means for tissue analysis. Tissue sections can be directly transferred to the uniform surface of matrix materials for reproducible and quantitative comparison of different molecules in different localization. The proposed CMTF should be an enabling technique for mass spectrometric analysis with improved correlations between signal intensities and sample quantities.     

Development of a Sensitive Method for the Determination of 4‐(Methylnitrosamino)‐1‐(3‐pyridyl)‐1‐butanol in Human Urine Using Solid‐phase Extraction Combined with Ultrasound‐assisted Dispersive Liquid–liquid Microextraction and LC‐MS/MS Detection

An efficient and sensitive analytical method based on molecularly imprinted solid‐phase extraction (MISPE) and reverse‐phase ultrasound‐assisted dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (USA‐DLLME) coupled with LC–MS/MS detection was developed and validated for the analysis of urinary 4‐(methylnitrosamino)‐1‐(3‐pyridyl)‐1‐butanol (NNAL), a tobacco‐specific nitrosamine metabolite. The extraction performances of NNAL on three different solid‐phase extraction (SPE) sorbents including the hydrophilic‐lipophilic balanced sorbent HLB, the mixed mode cationic MCX sorbent and the molecularly imprinted polymers (MIP) sorbent were evaluated. Experimental results showed that the analyte was well retained with the highest extraction recovery and the optimum purification effect on MIP. Under the optimized conditions of MIP and USA‐DLLME, an enrichment factor of 23 was obtained. Good linearity relationship was obtained in the range of 5‐1200 pg/mL with a correlation coefficient of 0.9953. The limit of detection (LOD) was 0.35 pg/mL. The recoveries at three spiked levels ranged between 88.5% and 93.7%. Intra‐ and inter‐day relative standard deviations varied from 3.6% to 7.4% and from 5.4% to 9.7%, respectively. The developed method combing the advantages of MISPE and DLLME significantly improves the purification and enrichment of the analyte and can be used as an effective approach for the determination of ultra‐trace NNAL in complex biological matrices.     

In–out asymmetry and interference effects in plasmon excitation by swift charged particles traversing a surface

We investigate the excitation of plasmons by a fast charged particle moving in the vicinity or traversing the surface of a solid along an arbitrary trajectory. We use both quantum‐mechanical and semiclassical dielectric formulations to study how the particle couples with the bulk and surface excitations. We pay special attention to the differences and similarities between incoming and outgoing trajectories, finding some novel oscillatory structures that can be ascribed to an interference effect between direct and reflected plasmon excitations. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Highly unsaturated pyranone derivatives from the basidiomycete Junghuhnianitida

Four new highly unsaturated pyranone derivatives A–D (1–4), together with one known compound 5 (−)-nitidon were isolated from cultures of the fungus Junghuhnianitida. Planar structures of the new compounds were elucidated on the basis of extensive NMR spectroscopic and mass spectrometric analyses. Absolute configurations of the new compounds were determined on the basis of biosynthetic considerations and quantum chemistry theory. Compound 1 exhibited almost the same cytotoxic activities as cis-platin.     

Determination of four sulfonylurea herbicides in tea by matrix solid‐phase dispersion cleanup followed by dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction

Matrix solid‐phase dispersion combined with dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction has been developed as a new sample pretreatment method for the determination of four sulfonylurea herbicides (chlorsulfuron, bensulfuron‐methyl, chlorimuron‐ethyl, and pyrazosulfuron) in tea by high‐performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection. The extraction and cleanup by matrix solid‐phase dispersion was carried out by using CN‐silica as dispersant and carbon nanotubes as cleanup sorbent eluted with acidified dichloromethane. The eluent of matrix solid‐phase dispersion was evaporated and redissolved in 0.5 mL methanol, and used as the dispersive solvent of the following dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction procedure for further purification and enrichment of the target analytes before high‐performance liquid chromatography analysis. Under the optimum conditions, the method yielded a linear calibration curve in the concentration range from 5.0 to 10 000 ng/g for target analytes with a correlation coefficients (r²) ranging from 0.9959 to 0.9998. The limits of detection for the analytes were in the range of 1.31–2.81 ng/g. Recoveries of the four sulfonylurea herbicides at two fortification levels were between 72.8 and 110.6% with relative standard deviations lower than 6.95%. The method was successfully applied to the analysis of four sulfonylurea herbicides in several tea samples.     

Facile Fabrication of PBS/CNTs Nanocomposite Foam for Electromagnetic Interference Shielding

In order to reduce the pollutants of environment and electromagnetic waves, environment friendly polymer foams with outstanding electromagnetic interference shielding are imminently required. In this paper, a kind of electromagnetic shielding, biodegradable nanocomposite foam was fabricated by blending poly (butylene succinate) (PBS) with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) followed by foaming with supercritical CO₂. The crystallization temperature and melting temperature of PBS/CNTs nanocomposites with 4 wt % of CNTs increased remarkably by 6 °C and 3.1 °C compared with that of pure PBS and a double crystal melting peak of various PBS samples appeared in DSC curves. Increasing the CNT content from 0 to 4 wt % leads to an increase of approximately 3 orders of magnitude in storage modulus and nearly 9 orders of magnitude in enhancement of electrical properties. Furthermore, CNTs endowed PBS nanocomposite foam with adjustable electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding property, giving a specific EMI shielding effectiveness of 28.5 dB cm³/g. This study provides a promising methodology for preparing biodegradable, lightweight PBS/CNTs foam with outstanding electromagnetic shielding properties.