Investigation of the Separation of Higher Fatty Acid Methyl Esters by Reversed-Phase HPTLC

JPC – Journal of Planar Chromatography – Modern TLC - Separations of eight methyl esters of higher fatty acids on RP-18 stationary phase with methanol—water and...     

Sum-fuzzy implementation of a choice function using artificial learning procedure with fixed fraction

In one if his paper Luo transformed the problem of sum-fuzzy rationality into artificial learning procedure and gave an algorithm which used the learning rule of perception. This paper extends the Luo method for finding a sum-fuzzy implementation of a choice function and offers an algorithm based on the artificial learning procedure with fixed fraction. We also present a concrete example which uses this algorithm.     

Structure and properties of the ion pair charge-transfer complex of octacyanotungstate(IV) with the 2,2′-bipyridinium dication

The X-ray crystal structure of (bpyH2)2[W(CN)8]·4H2 O (bpyH2=2,2-bipyridinium) is described. The [W(CN)8]4– anion has an approximately square antiprismatic (D4d) conformation, seemingly imposed by strong anion–water–cation hydrogen-bonding interactions. Bond distances in the anion are: WC 2.150(5), 2.163(5); CN 1.128(6), 1.145(6)Å and the angles WCN are 177.6(5), 178.3(5)°. The dihydrate and the anhydrous salt are both intensely black solids, exhibiting ion-pair charge-transfer interaction between cation and anion. E.s.r. spectra indicate that 30% of the tungsten is present as WV in the solid state, but that in solution only the WIV complex is present. The electron withdrawing effect of the cation is discussed and compared with that in a series of salts with different bipyridinium cations.     

Simultaneous in-situ monitoring of parallel polymerization reactions using light scattering; a new tool for high-throughput screening

A recently introduced technique, simultaneous multiple sample light scattering (SMSLS), was used to monitor parallel polymerization reactions in situ. SMSLS is designed for real-time, high-throughput screening and provides a time-dependent light scattering signature for each reaction, which contains both qualitative and semiquantitative information. Qualitatively, the signature immediately indicates whether the reaction occurs or not, whether there is an initial lag period, and how long the reaction takes until it stops. The signature also provides estimates of the reaction rate and weight average molecular mass M(w), and its shape can help identify mechanistic aspects, for example, controlled versus free radical polymerization, presence of impurities, etc. The method is inherently adapted to small sample volumes and requires no special sample preparation or postpolymerization characterization. The demonstration here involved the free radical polymerization of acrylamide under varying conditions and should be readily applicable to a wide variety of other reactions. Results were cross-checked with multi-detector gel permeation chromatography.     

Characterization of a putative sensory [FeFe]-hydrogenase provides new insight into the role of the active site architecture

[FeFe]-hydrogenases are known for their high rates of hydrogen turnover, and are intensively studied in the context of biotechnological applications. Evolution has generated a plethora of different subclasses with widely different characteristics. The M2e subclass is phylogenetically distinct from previously characterized members of this enzyme family and its biological role is unknown. It features significant differences in domain- and active site architecture, and is most closely related to the putative sensory [FeFe]-hydrogenases. Here we report the first comprehensive biochemical and spectroscopical characterization of an M2e enzyme, derived from Thermoanaerobacter mathranii. As compared to other [FeFe]-hydrogenases characterized to-date, this enzyme displays an increased H₂ affinity, higher activation enthalpies for H⁺/H₂ interconversion, and unusual reactivity towards known hydrogenase inhibitors. These properties are related to differences in active site architecture between the M2e [FeFe]-hydrogenase and “prototypical” [FeFe]-hydrogenases. Thus, this study provides new insight into the role of this subclass in hydrogen metabolism and the influence of the active site pocket on the chemistry of the H-cluster.

Characterization of a group D putative sensory [FeFe]-hydrogenase reveals how the active site can be tuned to decrease CO inhibition and increase stability of a reduced H-cluster while retaining the ability to catalyze H⁺/H₂ interconversion.     

Structural characterization of chondroitin/dermatan sulfate oligosaccharides from bovine aorta by capillary electrophoresis and electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry

An analytical approach based on high-performance capillary electrophoresis (CE) in conjunction with electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-QTOF-MS/MS) has been developed for providing the basis to obtain new insights into the domain structure of the glycosaminoglycan (GAG) moiety of proteoglycans. The feasibility and performance of the off-line CE/ESI-QTOF-MS approach in GAG oligosaccharide analysis were assessed by screening a chondroitin/dermatan sulfate (DS) oligosaccharide mixture obtained from bovine aorta by enzymatic depolymerization by chondroitin B lyase. The CS/DS mixture was analyzed by CE using 50 mM ammonium acetate, pH 12.0, dissolved in aqueous methanol (2:3; v/v), as a CE carrier. Structural identification of the GAG components was achieved using off-line CE/nanoESI-QTOF-MS and-MS/MS experiments. ESI-QTOF instrumental parameters were found to play an important role in the MS screening of the CE-separated GAG species. By optimizing the ESI conditions, oligosaccharides differing in chain length and degree of sulfation could be detected. The building block composition, the size of the carbohydrate chain, as well as structural features of the repeating HexA-GalNAc, HexA-GalNAc(S) units, have been determined using MS/MS by applying collision-induced dissociation at low energies. Cleavage of GAG chains by chondroitin B lyase occurs with formation of structural markers useful for identification of IdoA-containing domains.     

Ab initio study of the inversion barrier in NF3+

Ab initio Hartree–Fock, Møller–Plesset perturbation theory (MP 2), and quadratic configuration interaction, using single and double substitutions (QCISD ), calculations were carried out for the NF₃⁺ ion. Optimized structures were examined at the various levels of theory. Calculation of the inversion barrier height shows the importance of optimizing the geometry at the post-Hartree–Fock level and the inclusion of polarization functions. The best calculated inversion barrier was 13.3 kcal/mol, compared to an experimental value of 17.3 kcal/mol. The dissociation transition state was computed to determine the well depth of the NF₃⁺ ion and its stability toward dissociation. The computed well depth was 28 and 48 kcal/mol at the SCF and MP 2 levels, respectively. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

High-performance liquid chromatographic determination of ferulic acid in wheat milling fractions as a measure of bran contamination

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method was developed for selective determination of ferulic acid in 7 min in the extracts from wheat flour and ground whole wheat at typical levels of 50 and 500 micrograms/g, respectively. Recovery of 99.9% was obtained when ferulic acid was extracted into dilute sulfuric acid, followed by enzymatic treatment of the extract with an alpha-amylase preparation. The chromatographic system included a 100-mm column packed with Hypersil 5 micron reversed-phase ODS operating isocratically with 12% methanol-citrate buffer (pH 5.4) mixture. The selectivity and sensitivity of both ultraviolet diode array and fluorescence detectors was investigated. The optimum wavelengths selected were 320 nm and 312 nm/418 nm respectively. Relative standard deviations of the analytical procedure were 2.43% and 5.10% for whole wheat and flour samples, respectively.