Precision of Flash Pyrolysis-GC-MS Analysis: Experimental Evaluation of the Sources of Variability

The present study was carried out to evaluate the precision and to identify significant sources of variability in flash pyrolysis-GC-MS experiments. The analysis of variance has been applied to the example of polyethylene pyrolysis to estimate the impact of several controlled factors: sample handling, flash pyrolysis filament ageing and calibration. It was demonstrated that to get the best precision in experimental results, it is recommended to set the operator to reduce the impact of sample handling procedure and the filament to avoid variability due to changes in filament characteristics. In comparison, filament ageing and filament calibration are shown to influence in a limited extent the experimental results.     

Study of Self-Ignition of PVC

The self-ignition of rigid PVC has been studied under static and dynamic conditions. Only a high-temperature boundary has been found, and the self-ignition temperature in air at atmospheric pressure lies between 555 and 560°C. The effect of preliminary HC1 evolution has been investigated, and it is shown that the more the HC1 evolution, the higher the self-ignition limit. It has been impossible to make polyacetylene ignite spontaneously in the presence of HC1 in oxygen up to 900° C. This is attributed to a special role of HC1 in combustion of PVC. The rate of HC1 release was measured by a potentiometric method, and the overall activation energy of the process was found to be 9.4 kcal/mole. This low value seems to be due to the presence of oxygen. Chromatographic analysis showed CH4 and CO to be the major gaseous products of oxidation of PVC in this parametric zone.     

Characterization of the barrier properties of composites of HDPE and purified cellulose fibers

The present work presents and discusses the interrelation between composition, morphology, thermal history, mechanical and barrier properties to oxygen and limonene of composites of HDPE/MA-PE/cellulose fibers of significant interest in, among others, food packaging applications. From the overall results, it was observed that increasing the loading of purified alpha-cellulose fibers in the polyethylene matrix beyond 10 wt.% led to a decrease in the permeability coefficient of d-limonene, effect which was found to be primarily related to a decrease in the overall solubility of this strongly plasticizing aroma component. On the other hand, the oxygen permeability was found to decrease to a significant extend with increasing fiber content beyond 5 wt.%, but this effect was more strongly ascribed to a significant decrease in the diffusion coefficient. Therefore, the fibers are thought to generate a more tortuous path for the non-interacting gas molecules to travel across the composites thickness, even when tested at high relative humidity conditions. Optimum fiber loading levels in terms of overall property balance were found to be around 20 wt.%.     

Structural investigations of a series of petrified woods of different origin

Since the investigations on petrified wood performed so far have not proved the assumption that the ring structure is coupled to the changes in the crystalline form of silica, attention was paid to other possible reasons. Using small angle X-ray scattering methods we determined the Porod curves and pore size distributions for five different samples of petrified wood, of different origin. We observed clear porosity differences in different samples. In addition, the normal X-ray diffractometric measurements were carried out, which gave a totally uniform image of the crystallographic structure of all the samples. All of them were made of pure α-quartz. The differentiation of rings in dark and bright zones should be put down to the changes in porosity rather than to other factors. The pores seem to be much more concentrated in those ring locations, which correspond to the original dark wood positions in living wood.     

Mechanism of radiothermoluminescence of crystalline tetracosane

Radiothermoluminescence (RTL) of tetracosane irradiated in liquid nitrogen with γ-rays is due to trapped charges. At doses below 2 kGy, all processes leading to RTL are localized in tetracosane intracrystalline areas in traps with a depth of 0.1–2.0 eV that were present in tetracosane before irradiation. With increasing the dose, radiation-induced traps with a depth of 3 eV or higher appear in addition. At the same time, part of the charges reach the surface and become available for interaction with an electron acceptor. The presence of shallow traps (less than 0.15 eV) leads to a decrease in the RTL intensity over the entire temperature range from 100 to 300 K during storage of irradiated samples in liquid nitrogen.     

Mononitration of derivatives of benzisatins

The mononitration of benz[e]-, benz[f]-, and benz[g]isatins and their tetrahydro derivatives was realized. It was established on the basis of an analysis of the ¹H NMR and mass spectra that substitution takes place at position 5 in the derivatives of the [g] series and at the position adjacent to the NH group in derivatives of the [f] series and in the case of 6,7,8,9-tetrahydrobenz [e]isatin. This reaction path corresponds to the maximum electron density in the HOMO, calculated by the CNDO method. In benz[e]isatin, contrary to the general relationship and to the quantum-chemical prediction, the nitro group initially enters the ring annellated with the indole ring.Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 1, pp. 60–65, January, 1989.     

Efficient quantification of the importance of contacts for the dynamical stability of proteins

Understanding the stability of the native state and the dynamics of a protein is of great importance for all areas of biomolecular design. The efficient estimation of the influence of individual contacts between amino acids in a protein structure is a first step in the reengineering of a particular protein for technological or pharmacological purposes. At the same time, the functional annotation of molecular evolution can be facilitated by such insight. Here, we use a recently suggested, information theoretical measure in biomolecular design - the Kullback-Leibler-divergence - to quantify and therefore rank residue-residue contacts within proteins according to their overall contribution to the molecular mechanics. We implement this protocol on the basis of a reduced molecular model, which allows us to use a well-known lemma of linear algebra to speed up the computation. The increase in computational performance is around 10(1)- to 10(4)-fold. We applied the method to two proteins to illustrate the protocol and its results. We found that our method can reliably identify key residues in the molecular mechanics and the protein fold in comparison to well-known properties in the serine protease inhibitor. We found significant correlations to experimental results, e.g., dissociation constants and Φ values.     

Elucidation of the mechanism of redox grafting of diazotated anthraquinone

Redox grafting of aryldiazonium salts containing redox units may be used to form exceptionally thick covalently attached conducting films, even in the micrometers range, in a controlled manner on glassy carbon and gold substrates. With the objective to investigate the mechanism of this process in detail, 1-anthraquinone (AQ) redox units were immobilized on these substrates by electroreduction of 9,10-dioxo-9,10-dihydroanthracene-1-diazonium tetrafluoroborate. Electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance was employed to follow the grafting process during a cyclic voltammetric sweep by recording the frequency change. The redox grafting is shown to have two mass gain regions/phases: an irreversible one due to the addition of AQ units to the substrate/film and a reversible one due to the association of cations from the supporting electrolyte with the AQ radical anions formed during the sweeping process. Scanning electrochemical microscopy was used to study the relationship between the conductivity of the film and the charging level of the AQ redox units in the grafted film. For that purpose, approach curves were recorded at a platinum ultramicroelectrode for AQ-containing films on gold and glassy carbon surfaces using the ferro/ferricyanide redox system as redox probe. It is concluded that the film growth has its origin in electron transfer processes occurring through the layer mediated by the redox moieties embedded in the organic film.     

聚丙烯酰胺胶状杂质的形成因为

在聚丙烯酰胺(PAM)配制现场发现过滤器滤袋内存在大量黑色和黄色且有刺鼻腐臭气味的胶状条形物;这类杂质造成过滤装置严重堵塞和设备腐蚀.鉴于此,从细菌和无机离子含量两方面着手分析了聚丙烯酰胺胶状条形杂质的形成因为.结果表明:由于细菌和金属离子Fe3+含量的增加,PAM的侧酰胺基降解成羧基;而含大量金属离子的PAM溶液经缠...     

A molecular description of the evolution of resistance

BACKGROUND: In vitro evolution has been used to obtain nucleic acid molecules with interesting functional properties. The evolution process usually is carried out in a stepwise manner, involving successive rounds of selection, amplification and mutation. Recently, a continuous in vitro evolution system was devised for RNAs that catalyze the ligation of oligonucleotide substrates, allowing the evolution of catalytic function to be studied in real time. RESULTS: Continuous in vitro evolution of an RNA ligase ribozyme was carried out in the presence of a DNA enzyme that was capable of cleaving, and thereby inactivating, the ribozyme. The DNA concentration was increased steadily over 33.5 hours of evolution, reaching a final concentration that would have been sufficient to inactivate the starting population in one second. The evolved population of ribozymes developed resistance to the DNA enzyme, reducing their vulnerability to cleavage by 2000-fold but retaining their own catalytic function. Based on sequencing and kinetic analysis of the ribozymes, two mechanisms are proposed for this resistance. One involves three nucleotide substitutions, together with two compensatory mutations, that alter the site at which the DNA enzyme binds the ribozyme. The other involves enhancement of the ribozyme's ability to bind its own substrate in a way that protects it from cleavage by the DNA enzyme. CONCLUSIONS: The ability to direct the evolution of an enzyme's biochemical properties in response to the behavior of another macromolecule provides insight into the evolution of resistance and may be useful in developing enzymes with novel or enhanced function.     

Method of computer-aided determination of the type of normal vibrations of polyatomic molecules

Correct assignment of calculated and experimental frequencies, as well as corservation of the initial assignment in case of a random coincidence of two frequencies during the solution of an inverse spectral problem, are important problems in spectroscopy of polyatomic molecules. Vibrations are classified according to their form, which is thought to be a more reliable basis for assignment than frequency. We offer a PC program to determine the type of vibrations according to their form (obtained by solving a direct vibrational problem) in a given system of vibrational basis set functions. Optimization of systems of basis set functions for molecules with six-membered rings is discussed. L. Ya. Karpov Physicochemical Scientific Research Institute. Translated fromZhurnal Strukturnoi Khimii, Vol. 36, No. 2, pp. 298–303, March–April, 1995. Translated by L. Smolina     

Effect of composition of coordination sphere on value of constant of additional hyperfine structure of EPR spectra

Conclusions Replacing the oxygen atoms by sulfur atoms in the coordination sphere of nitrogen-containing copper complexes leads to a substantial increase in the constant of the additional hyperfine structure from the nitrogen atoms, and consequently also to an increase in the degree of covalency of the Cu-N bonds.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 3, pp. 704–706, March, 1974.The authors thank V. I. Nefedov for taking the x-ray electronic spectra of compounds (I) and (II).     

Application of the Marcus theory to description of the kinetics of reduction processes of organic cations

The calculation of the rate constants for the processes in the reduction of diazonium, tropylium, verdazylium, and pyrylium cations by various organic electron donors, using the equations of the Marcus theory with allowance for the reorganization energy of only the outer coordination sphere, leads to values which are one to seven orders of magnitude higher than the experimental values. By quantum-chemical calculations it was shown that the reduction of diazonium and tropylium cations to the corresponding radicals is accompanied by a substantial change in the structure of the reagents. This leads to high values for the reorganization energy of the inner coordination sphere of the cations, which must be taken into account during calculation of the rate constants. The differences in the rate constants of the processes of direct electron transfer from the electron donors to the organic cations and the recombination of these reagents depend on the dissociation energy of the bond of the cation with the donor leading to the electron transfer products.     

Comparison of the properties of chemical cellulose pulps

The literature related to differences between chemical cellulose pulps produced by different pulping processes has been reviewed. Kraft pulps tend to be stronger, particularly in tear strength, while sulfite pulps hydrate and beat more readily. Organosolv pulps tend to mirror the properties of sulfite more than those of kraft pulps. A number of theories have been offered to explain the different properties of the chemical pulps; however, none has been universally accepted. It may be that acidic processes develop weak points in the fibers which are magnified in tear strength losses since, at a constant tensile strength, a 10% loss in fiber strength can lead to a 25–30% loss in tear strength. The effects of acidic pulping may also be magnified in greater fiber breakage and damage in the subsequent refining stages. However, strength improvements for inferior pulps can be realized through post-chemical treatments. Caustic treatments appear to give the greatest improvements, presumably due to increases in acidic group content which results in enhanced swelling properties, and possible subtle reorientation of cell wall polymers. The strength of hornified, recycled fibers can also be enhanced with such treatments, although simple beating will restore considerable strength, but at the expense of drainage rates. It is clear that the processes are complex and involve both the chemistry and physics of the fibers and how these attributes combine to affect the subsequent beating of the fibers for bonding and strength development.     

Effects of micelle properties on the conformation of oligocholates and importance of rigidity of foldamers

The conformation of a cholate hexamer with a clicked tether in between two tricholate units and pyrene groups at the chain ends was studied by fluorescence spectroscopy. In contrast to the parent cholate hexamer that folded in all micelles investigated, the folding of the clicked hexamer was highly dependent on the type of surfactant used to solubilize the compound. The clicked oligocholate folded in the Brij 35 micelle, possibly due to the latter's small size and strong internal hydrophobicity. The oligocholate formed intermolecular aggregates in SDS solutions below the CMC of the surfactant. The aggregates were dissociated by the SDS micelles but the individual oligocholate stayed unfolded. In Triton X-100 and sodium cholate solutions, the aggregated, unfolded, and folded oligocholates coexisted and gradual unfolding occurred with an increasing concentration of the surfactant. The conformation of the clicked oligocholate was sensitive to the nonideal mixing of ionic/nonionic micelles and to the unconventional aggregation of sodium cholate.     

Biogenesis of the reservosomes of Trypanosoma cruzi.

Reservosomes are endocytic compartments found in the posterior region of epimastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi. In the differentiation from trypomastigotes to epimastigotes (reverse metacyclogenesis in vitro), one has the rare opportunity of following the biogenesis of an endocytic compartment. Metacyclic trypomastigotes incubated in LIT medium highly enriched with fetal calf serum differentiated directly to epimastigotes. In recently differentiated epimastigotes, acidic organelles were found in round compartments spread along the cell body, whereas in control epimastigotes they were found in reservosomes located in the posterior region. Ultrastructural analysis of intermediate forms showed that the cytostome and reservosomes appeared before differentiation to epimastigotes was completed. Many polymorphic reservosomes, with or without lipid inclusions, were observed from the anterior portion of the cell body, in close relationship with the Golgi complex, to the posterior region. Endocytic tracers were observed in the cytostome, flagellar pocket, vesicles, and newly formed reservosomes. Cruzipain, the main protease of T. cruzi, was localized in newly formed reservosomes and in vesicles budding from the trans-Golgi network that seem to fuse with reservosomes. Ingested gold-labeled albumin and cruzipain colocalized in recently formed reservosomes. Endocytosis and immunocytochemical analysis suggested that the endocytic and the secretory pathways may contribute to reservosome formation.     

Synthesis of a Pair of Derivatives of N-Methylpyrrole Polyamide

A pair of derivatives of tetrameric N-methylpyrrole polyamide were synthesized in order to develop a new method for the study of interaction of the polyamide derivatives with DNA. Indole acetic acid and nicotinic acid were introduced to the polyamide in the synthesized compound, which showed an expected red shift in the UV spectrum. These compounds may function as a potential tool in the detection of the polyamide binding to DNA.     

Measurement of surface area of polymer shavings

A modified BET apparatus has been developed to measure the surface area of polymer samples in the range 0.2–3.0 m². The sample holder is designed to permit easy entry for bulky samples, such as polymer shavings, which cannot be loaded through a capillary or exposed to the high temperature required to seal glass. Other apparatus modifications, which allow the accurate measurement of surface area, include the addition of a dibutyl phthalate differential manometer in conjunction with a pressure reservoir. Corrections for the dead volume, nonideality of nitrogen, and the thermal gradient in the sample holder are developed. Calibrations of the equipment with inorganic samples of known areas from 1.81 to 11.8 m² gave highly accurate values of 1.74 to 11.6 m². Results on high-density polyethylene shavings showed precision in determinations and very close agreement in the value of 49.7 for C in the BET equation with the published value, 47.7.