Software
CZE Computer-Assisted Optimization vidual ions and net electric conductivity of With Calibration, the user can input (for a the buffer. Data can be imported directly given capillary, buffer solution, and thermointo the Buffers List within CZEA. stat temperature) experimentally derived Upon starting CZEA, the user may ei- current and voltage values and generate a true Ohm's Law plot for the system. From ther enter the program directly via the this exercise, CZEA can measure the Biot File menu or go to the Help menu, which number, which defines the thermal propis essentially an online user's manual. Within the Help menu, the Contents com- erties of the capillary and the system thermostat. This number is one parameter mand provides a full table of contents of the program and a glossary of all technical used to estimate the buffer temperature within the capillary as a function of apterms. All keywords within Contents are CZE Assistant for Windows plied voltage. Parameters allows the user highlighted and can be selected for addiScientific Resources, Inc. (for a given capillary, Biot number, and tional information. 1 Industrial Way West buffer solution) to observe how current Eatontown, NJ 07724 To get started, the user enters the File and buffer temperature vary with voltage menu, selects the Open command, selects 800-637-7948; fax 908-542-0089; and thermostat temperature. In Separathe file "demo.cea", and sees four choices: Sciresourc @aol. com Settings, Calibration, Parameters, and Sepa- tions, the user can (for a given buffer soluVersion 1.30; $650 tion) model how an experimental electroration. Settings allows the user to add or pherogram will change with applied voltedit capillary and buffer characteristics. CZE Assistant for Windows (CZEA) is a Windows-based program for making thermodynamic calculations and modeling electrophoretic behavior associated with capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE). It requires Microsoft Windows, 4 MB of RAM, and approximately 2 MB of hard disk space. I evaluated CZEA on 80386 and 80486 CPUs. This modeling program allows the user to visualize how various parameters, such as buffer composition, capillary dimensions, applied voltage, and column temperature, can affect electrophoretic behavior. CZEA can also estimate the average buffer temperature within the capillary, the temperature difference between the inner capillary wall and the capillary axis, and the current. Several parameters required to model electrophoretic behavior can be user defined; calculated using actual experimental data; or imported from a second, independent software package called the Buffer Workshop, which is included with the CZEA program. This module allows the user to compose a wide variety of multicomponent buffer solutions from an extensive ion list, determine solution pH, and determine mobilities of indiCZEA can be used to model an electropherogram after setting simulation parameters. 36 A
Analytical Chemistry News & Features, January 1, 1997
age, thermostat temperature, and capillary dimensions. It is not possible to enter the chemical characteristics of an analyte, such as its pKa, and simulate migration as a function of buffer composition. Approximately one hour after installing the software, I felt at ease moving between the Buffer Workshop and the four major menus of CZEA. Within the Buffer Workshop, I composed a specific sodium borate solution and pasted it into the Settings menu's Buffers List. Next, I entered the Capillaries List, located within the Settings menu, and added user-defined capillary data along with an Estimate of the Biot number for a fan-cooled capillary system. The relationships between voltage, current, and thermostat temperature for this capillary and buffer, as portrayed within the Parameters menu, were consistent with experimentally observed results. After exploring the various facets of CZEA for many hours, I noted some areas in which the program might be improved. For example, the printed manual that supports Version 1.3 of CZEA is less informative about experimental design and less user-friendly about software installation than the manual that accompanied Version 1.1. Within the separations screen (Separations menu), I noted that when examining a two-component mixture in which the migration times, in Initial Settings, differed by a significant amount (e.g., 3 and 30 min) and the Simulation Parameters included a higher voltage and thermostat temperature than initial conditions, the faster migrating peak of the simulated electropherogram could appear off thetimeaxis. In my opinion, CZEA, like similar types of modeling software, is primarily a learning tool and secondarily a methods development tool. CZE Assistant for Windows is a remarkable tool for gaining a fundamental understanding of several important parameters (notably, thermal effects) that help define CZE performance. Teachers
and students involved in the study of CZE NT 4.0. User interface functions include will appreciate this user-friendly and infor- peak and baseline detection options, analmative software. This program is also a ysis of multiple peaks, integration marker valuable tool in the methods development options, negative peak detection for process, particularly when buffer tempera- HTGPC, automatic reporting of plate ture within the capillary is a critical factor counts, and report generation. It supports in the analysis. AIA format data for collection and reanalyReviewed by Robert L. St. Claire, III, sis of data from multiple systems. GlaxoWellcome, Research Triangle Park, NC Un-Scan-It
SOFTWARE RELEASED Design-Expert Stat-Ease Corp. 2021 East Hennepin Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55413 612-378-9449; fax 612-378-2152; www.statease.com Version 5; $995
Silk Scientific P.O. Box 533 Orem, UT 84059 801-377-6978; fax 801-378-5474; www.silkscientific.com $450
Un-Scan-lt software uses a scanner to convert scanned graphs and gels into digital data. It works with any full-page or hand scanner to automatically determine (x,y) point locations, peak heights, band densiDesign-Expert includes a numerical optimi- ties, band locations, molecular weight values, and odier graphical and gel paramezation function that finds maximum desirters. Data can be stored in ASCII format ability for multiple responses simultafor use with other software programs. neously and offers real-time rotatable 3-D Windows and Macintosh versions are plots for visualizing response surfaces. Inavailable. teractive 2-D graphics allow users to explore plot contours, clicking to set flags that display coordinate and predicted responses. WinSpin System requirements include a PC with a InfoMetrix 486 or higher processor running Windows P.O. Box 1528 3.1, Windows for Work Groups 3.11, Win17270 Wood-Rad Rd., NE, #777 dows 95, or Windows NT 4.0 with 8 MB or Woodinville, WA 98072 RAM (16 MB for Windows NT) and 6 MB 206-402-1450; fax 206-402-1040; of free hard disk space. www. infometrix. com $99.95 (introductory price, $49.95)
PL Caliber WinSpin graphics package offers freespinning 3-D plot rotations, 2-D x,y plots, multiplots, and multicurve line plots for data visualization. Compatible data types include ASCII, Lotus, Excel, Infometrix binary, and various analytical instrument file formats. An intuitive objects manager PL Caliber GPC/SEC software runs under allows multiple views of data in a single session. Windows 3.1, Windows 95, or Windows Polymer Laboratories Essex Rd., Church Stretton Shropshire SY6 6AX, U.K. 44-1694-723581; fax 44-1694-722171; www.polymerlabs. com Version 7.0; Price varies by system
Analytical Chemistry News & Features, January 1, 1997 37 A
