Determination of radionuclides in the environment using gamma-spectrometry

Summary Seventy nine samples, including soil and rock, were collected from the agrestic region of the State of Pernambuco, Brazil. The activity concentrations of ²³⁸U and ²²⁶Ra in the samples were determined by gamma-spectrometry using an HPGe detector. The concentrations of ²³⁸U were 22 Bq ^. kg^-1 to 22 kBq ^. kg^-1. The concentrations of ²²⁶Ra were 14 Bq ^. kg^-1 to 17 kBq ^. kg^-1. The ²³⁸U/²²⁶Ra ratios in the soil were 0.7 to 3.4 (arithmetic mean 1.7). The radiometric data were evaluated to explain ²³⁸U and ²²⁶Ra migration in the soil and the possible consequences to the environment.     

The rα-structure of thieno[2,3-b] thiophene. A 1H-NMR study in a nematic phase including 13C-satellites in natural abundance

The ¹H-NMR spectrum of thieno[2,3-b]thiophene in a nematic phase has been recorded and analysed. The ¹H,¹³C dipole—dipole couplings were obtained from ¹³C satellites in natural abundance. The indirect ¹H,¹H and ¹H,¹³C spin—spin coupling constants were determined from an isotropic sample. The dipole—dipole couplings were corrected for harmonic vibrational contribution. The corrected dipole—dipole couplings were used to evaluate the r_α-structure of the molecule.     

Investigation of microstructure of glycidyl methacrylate/α-methyl styrene copolymers by 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopy

The copolymers of glycidyl methacrylate/α-methyl styrene were synthesized. The quantitative ¹³C{¹H}-NMR spectroscopy was used to determine the copolymer compositions. The distortionless enhancement by polarization transfer, ¹³C-¹H heteronuclear single quantum coherence and total correlation spectroscopy were used for the complete spectral assignment of ¹³C{¹H}- and ¹H-NMR spectra.     

Natural radioactivity in Algerian bottled mineral waters

The activity concentrations of some radionuclides in Algerian bottled mineral waters were determined using CR-39 nuclear track detectors for ²²²Rn, and a high resolution gamma-ray spectrometry for ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K. The mean specific activities of ²²²Rn , ²²⁶Ra, ²³¹Th and ⁴⁰K in the drinking mineral waters were 7±4 Bq^.l^-1, 26±11 mBq^.l^-1, 30±13 mBq^.l^-1 and 1±0.5 Bq^.l^-1, respectively. These values are comparable with concentrations reported for other countries. The effective doses due to intake of these radionuclides as a consequence of direct consumption of drinking mineral waters have been determined. The estimated effective doses were 56.8 mSv^.y^-1 for ²²²Rn, 3.94 mSv^.y^-1 for ²²⁶Ra, 4.45 mSv^.y^-1 for ²³²Th and 3.33 mSv^.y^-1 for ⁴⁰K. Contribution of these radionuclides to the effective dose due to ingestion and inhalation of all terrestrial radionuclides is estimated to be only 0.012%.     

Trapping of photogenerated group IV radicals by TEMPO: Potential new organometallic initiators for “living” free radical polymerization

A series of trialkyl and triaryl organometallic radicals from group IV generated by hydrogen abstraction by tert‐butoxyl radical from the parent hydrides have been examined using laser flash photolysis. The rate constants for the trapping of the metal‐centered radicals by the persistent radical TEMPO were measured and were found to be large and similar to those of the carbon‐centered radical systems, yet below the diffusion controlled limit. The metal‐centered radicals were found to be efficiently trapped by TEMPO and would appear to be candidates suitable for “living” free radical polymerization similar to carbon analogue stoichiometric initiators. The radical trapping rate constants for the trialkyl series (M = Si, Ge, Sn) were found to be 8.9 × 10⁸ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ (M = Si), 7.2 × 10⁸ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ (M = Ge), and 6.2 × 10⁸ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ (M = Sn), respectively. The triaryl (Ph₃M•) series gave slightly slower rates of 1.6 × 10⁸ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ (M = Si), 3.4 × 10⁸ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ (M = Ge), and 1.9 × 10⁷ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ (M = Sn), respectively. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 32: 238–244, 2000     

Synthesis and structure elucidation of 25,26,27,28-tetramethylcalix[4]arene tetraketone using 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopies

The ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra of the new calix[4]arene-based tetraketone were completely assigned by one- and two-dimensional homo- and heteronuclear experiments (¹H–¹H COSY, ¹H–¹³C HMQC, and HMBC) at 400 and 100 MHz, respectively, at 25 °C standard pulse sequence. ¹H and ¹³C spectra were measured at room temperature for 25,26,27,28-tetramethylcalix[4]arene tetraketone (1). ¹³C{¹H}, DEPT and NMR techniques were used to distinguish the methyl, methylene and methine carbon resonance signals of calix[4]arene 1. Correlation of 1D (¹H, ¹³C{¹H}, DEPT) and 2D (HMQC and HMBC) NMR data was used to completely assign various overlapping and broad signals of calix[4]arene 1. Heteronuclear multibond correlation (HMBC) studies were used to completely assign various carbon resonances. Our results show that the conformation of calix[4]arene 1 in the solution is very similar to the cone conformation reported in the literature.     

The rα-structure of thieno[2,3-b] thiophene. A H-NMR study in a nematic phase including C-satellites in natural abundance

The ¹H-NMR spectrum of thieno[2,3-b]thiophene in a nematic phase has been recorded and analysed. The ¹H,¹³C dipole—dipole couplings were obtained from ¹³C satellites in natural abundance. The indirect ¹H,¹H and ¹H,¹³C spin—spin coupling constants were determined from an isotropic sample. The dipole—dipole couplings were corrected for harmonic vibrational contribution. The corrected dipole—dipole couplings were used to evaluate the r_α-structure of the molecule.     

Spectroscopic Study on Interaction of Lomefloxacin with Human Serum Albumin in the Presence of Copper Ion

The interaction of lomefloxacin （LMF） with human serum albumin （HSA） in the presence of copper ions in a physiological medium and its thermodynamic characteristics were investigated by multi-spectroscopy. The experimental results showed that both LMF and LMF-Cu^2＋ could quench the fluorescence of HSA with a static quenching mechanism, indicating that LMF or LMF-Cu^2＋ could react with HSA. The apparent binding constants/numbers of binding sites were estimated as 4.924± 105 Lomol 1/1.473 for LMF-HSA, 8.990± 104 L·mol^-1/1.785 for LMF- Cu^2＋-HSA, 1.10± 105 L·mol^-1/1.21 for LMF-Cu^2＋ and 7.30± 102 L·mol^-1/0.82 for HSA-Cu^2＋, respectively. AH and AS for LMF-HSA system were calculated to be --2.189 kJ·mol^-1 and 61.25 J·mol^-1·K^-1, while those for LMF-Cu^2＋-HSA system were -7.401 kJ·mol^-1 and 47.63 J·mol^-1·K^-1 Although the values of AH and AS in these two systems were different, the treads were similar, which indicated that electrostatic interactions in these two systems played a major role. According to Forster theory, the distances were given as 5.006 nm for HSA-LMF and 4.709 nm for HSA-LMF-Cu^2＋. Synchronous fluorescence and circular dichroism spectra confirmed further that the conformations of human serum albumin before and after interacting with LMF or LMF-Cu^2＋ were different. All the results revealed that copper ions promoted the interaction of lomefloxacin with human serum albumin.     

Application of newly synthesized bisazo dichloro-s-triazinyl reactive dyes bearing 1,3,4-oxadiazole molecule

Novel bisazo dichloro-s-triazinyl (DCT) reactive dyes (5a–h) containing 1,3,4-oxadiazole molecule as a tetrazo component were synthesized and applied on silk, wool and cotton fibers by exhaust dyeing method. The structures of these dyes were confirmed by UV–vis, FT-IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR and elemental analyses. The exhaustion, fixation and fastness properties of the dyed fabric were assessed and the results demonstrated that these dyes showed moderate to very good light and good to excellent washing and rubbing fastness properties. The colorimetric data (L¹, a¹, b¹, C¹, H¹, K/S) of these dyes have also been studied in detail.     

The turn-off fluorescent sensors based on thioether-linked bisbenzamide for Fe3+ and Hg2+

Some dibenzamide derivatives with a thioether linker were designed, synthesized and characterized. The specific responses to Hg²⁺ and Fe³⁺ were investigated by fluorescence. According to fluorescence titration, the Job plot, ¹H NMR, and ESI-mass analysis, the derivative with mono-hydroxyl substituent (1b) on the aromatic ring has high selectivity for Fe³⁺ ion with the formation of 1:1 1b-Fe³⁺ complexes. The specificity of 1c for Hg²⁺ could be switched by swapping the substituent from hydroxyl to amino, and a 1:2 (1c-Hg²⁺) complex was formed. Along with the obtained results, density functional theory (DFT) and natural bond orbital (NBO) analyses, Time-dependent (TD) DFT and natural transition orbital (NTO) analyses were employed to explore the geometric structures, properties and possible mechanisms.     

Assessment of effective radium content and radon exhalation rates in soil samples

Effective radium content and radon exhalation rates in soil samples have been measured by ??Sealed Can Technique?? using LR-115 type II plastic track detectors. The soil samples were collected from Farrukhabad city of Utter Pradesh, India. The values of effective radium content were found to vary from 5.39 to 34.56?Bq?kg^?1 with an average value of 16.58?Bq?kg^?1 and a standard deviation of 7.16. The mass and surface exhalation rate has been found to vary from 0.41?×?10^?6 to 2.64?×?10^?6?Bq?kg^?1?d^?1 and 1.41?×?10^?6 to 9.10?×?10^?6?Bq?m^?2?d^?1, respectively. All the values of radium content in soil samples of study area were found to be quite lower than the permissible value of 370?Bq?kg^?1 recommended by Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.     

Synthesis of derivatives and production of antiserum for class specific detection of pyrethroids by indirect ELISA

Two series of haptens including 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (PBA) and 3-(2-chloro-3, 3,3-trifluoroprop-1-enyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclo-propanecarboxylic acid (CF₃MPA) were used to prepare immunogens through attachment of 4-C or 6-C handles. Class selective antibodies were produced by immunising rabbits. Ab502 showed the highest reactivity towards tau-fluvalinate (IC₅₀ 1.3 ng mL^?1), λ-cyhalothrin (IC₅₀ 2.3 ng mL^?1), cyfluthrin (IC₅₀ 2.2 ng mL^?1) and fenpropathrin (IC₅₀ 18.5 ng mL^?1) among the antibodies in a competitive ELISA. The effects of methanol, pH and salt concentration were optimised for maximum efficiency of the ELISA (Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay). Ab502 (1:80000)/2-OVA-1(0.2 µg mL^?1) was chosen for ELISA optimisation. Finally, 0.05 M phosphate buffered saline (PBS) at pH 6.5 containing 30% methanol (v/v) was used to dilute the standards. Target analytes in honey samples were extracted with ethyl acetate by sonication. The samples were spiked with three different concentrations of each compound (tau-fluvalinate, 0.5 ng g^?1, 3 ng g^?1, 12 ng g^?1; λ-cyhalothrin and cyfluthrin 1 ng g^?1, 5 ng g^?1, 65 ng g^?1). The recoveries were 36–59% at the lowest spiking concentration and 61–81% at the higher concentration. This assay might be useful to screen pyrethroid residues in honey or other matrix.     

Thermodynamic investigation of the binary and ternary complexes involving 1-aminocyclopropane carboxylic acid with reference to plant hormone

Complex formation equilibria of 1-aminocyclopropane carboxylic acid (ACC) and 3,3-bis(1-methylimidazol-2-yl) propionic acid (BIMP) with metal ions Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, Co²⁺, Zn²⁺, Mn²⁺ and Fe²⁺ were investigated. ACC forms 1:1 and 1:2 complexes in addition to the hydrolysed form of the 1:1 complex, except in the case of Mn²⁺ and Fe²⁺, where the hydrolysed complex is not formed. BIMP forms 1:1 and 1:2 complexes in addition to the hydrolsed form of the 1:1 complex in the case of Mn²⁺ and Cu²⁺, however the hydrolysed complex is not detected for Ni²⁺, Co²⁺, Zn²⁺ and Fe²⁺. The concentration distribution diagrams of the complexes were determined. The Fe²⁺-complex with BIMP is exothermic and the thermodynamic parameters were calculated. The effect of organic solvent on the acid dissociation constants of 1-aminocyclopropane carboxylic acid (ACC) and 3,3-bis(1-methylimidazol-2-yl) propionic acid (BIMP) and the formation constants of Fe²⁺ complexes were investigated. Fe²⁺ forms a mixed-ligand complex with ACC and BIMP with stoichiometric coefficients 1:1:1. The formation constant was determined. The ternary complex is enhanced by back donation from the negatively charged 1-aminocyclopropane carboxylate to the π-system of BIMP. From the concentration distribution diagram, the ternary complex prevails in the physiological pH range.      

An Experimental Design for Simultaneous Determination of Carbendazim and Fenamiphos by Electrochemical Method

This study is aimed to develop an electroanalytical methodology using a boron‐doped diamond electrode (BDD) associated with experimental design in order to determine simultaneously and selectively carbendazin (CBZ) and fenamiphos (FNP) pesticides. In previous studies oxidation peaks were observed at 1.10 V (CBZ) and 1.20 V (FNP), respectively, with characteristics of irreversible processes controlled by diffusion of species (in pH 2.0 (CBZ) and pH 3.5 (FNP)) using a BR buffer 0.1 mol L^?1 as support electrolyte. The differences between the potentials for both pesticides, (about 100 mV) indicate the possibility of selective determination of FNP and CBZ. However, employing an equimolar mixture of analytes, the peaks overlap to form a single oxidation peak. Thus, we used a 3⁴ full factorial design with four parameters to be analyzed in three levels, in order to obtain the optimized parameters for the separation of the peaks. The best separation conditions were pH 5.0, square wave frequency of 300 s^?1, pulse amplitude of 10 mV and scan increment of 2 mV. These parameters were used to obtain the calibration curves of CBZ and FNP. For CBZ the analytical curve was obtained in the concentration range of 4.95×10^?6 to 6.90×10^?5 mol L^?1 with good sensitivity and linearity (0.175 A/mol L^?1 and 0.999, respectively). The limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) were 1.6×10^?6 mol L^?1 and 5.5×10^?6 mol L^?1, respectively. For FNP the linear concentration interval was 4.95×10^?6 to 3.67×10^?5 mol L^?1, with a sensitivity of 0,207 A/mol L^?1 and linearity of 0.996. The LOD and LOQ were 4.1×10^?6 mol L^?1 and 13.7×10^?6 mol L^?1, respectively. Using these experimental conditions it was possible to separate the oxidation peaks of CBZ (E_p=1.08 V) and FNP (E_p=1.23 V). The electroanlytical method was applied in lemon juice samples. The recovery values were 110.0 % and 92.5 % for CBZ and FNP, respectively. The results showed that the developed method is suitable for application in foodstuff samples.     

Determination of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) in food and beverages

The determination of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) in food and beverages sold in Turkey was carried out using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). A total of 123 samples of selected food and beverages such as fish, meat, offal, egg, cracker, chips, cake, chocolate, vegetable, milk and juice were examined. The highest PFOA concentrations were determined in cow meat (5.15 ng g^?1), cow kidney (5.65 ng g^?1), cow spleen (5.06 ng g^?1) and chicken liver (5.02 ng g^?1). The highest PFOS levels were found in horse mackerel (52.43 ng g^?1), pike-perch (45.87 ng g^?1), sardine (42.83 ng g^?1) and black cod (41.33 ng g^?1). Fish was found to be major source of the PFOS intake, while meat and offal were found to be major sources of the PFOA intake.     

Spectrophotometric Analysis of some Phenothiazine Neuroleptics using Chloramine-T

ABSTRACT

A sensitive and selective spectrophotometric method has been developed for the determination of six phenothiazine neuroleptics. The method is based on the interaction of the drugs with chloramine-T in sulphuric acid medium to yield a red, reddish-violet, orange or greenish-blue intermediate with maximum absorption at 500-636 nm. Beer's law is obeyed over the range 5-125 μg ml^?1 of the drugs. The apparent molar absorptivities were found to be in the range 1.04x10³ to 5.46x10³ 1.mol^?1cm^?1. The investigated drugs were assayed in tablets and injections. The mean percentage recoveries were 97.65-101.75 and the relative standard deviations were found to be less than 2%.     

Measurement of gamma radiation from rocks used as building material in Tiruchirappalli district,Tamil Nadu,India

Tiruchirappalli district is naturally endowed with rich building material resources which are also used in neighboring districts. Hence, measurements of activity concentrations and absorbed dose rate of primordial radionuclides (²³⁸U, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K) in the rock samples collected from 14 sedimentary rocks and 9 igneous rocks were carried out employing gamma ray spectrometry. In sedimentary rocks the geometric mean activity concentrations of ²³⁸U, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K were found to be 7.4, 29.5 and 233.6 Bq kg^?1, respectively. On the other hand in igneous rocks geometric mean activity concentrations of ²³⁸U, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K were distinctly higher and found to be 13.1, 105.7 and 888.8 Bq kg^?1, respectively. The mean radium equivalent activity (Ra_eq) recorded in both sedimentary (20.8 Bq kg^?1) and igneous rocks (245.4 Bq kg^?1) were well within the limit prescribed for dwellings (370 Bq kg^?1) except Vilathupatti (689.3 Bq kg^?1) and Narthamalai (371.6 Bq kg^?1). The mean absorbed dose rate from igneous rock (115 nGy h^?1) exceeded the prescribed limit of 55 nGy h^?1. The mean indoor annual effective dose from the sedimentary rock (0.056 mSv y^?1) and igneous rock (0.580 mSv y^?1) did not exceed the prescribed limit (1 mSv y^?1) except the igneous rock from Vilathupatti (1.51 mSv y^?1). The study concludes that sedimentary and igneous rocks analyzed were radiologically safe when used as building materials except igneous rock from Vilathupatti and Narthamalai.     

Thiophene and diethylaminophenol-based “turn-on” fluorescence chemosensor for detection of Al3+ and F− in a near-perfect aqueous solution

A new fluorescent sensor 1, based on thiophene and diethylaminophenol moieties, has been synthesized and its binding capabilities for metal-ion and anion recognition were investigated. The sensor 1 showed ‘turn-on’ fluorescence in the presence of Al³⁺ and F^?. The sensing behaviors of 1 with Al³⁺ and F^? were studied by using photophysical experiments, ¹H NMR titration, and ESI-mass spectrometry analysis. The detection limits for the analysis of Al³⁺ and F^? were found to be 0.41 μM and 14.36 μM, respectively, which are below the WHO guidelines for drinking water (7.41 μM for Al³⁺ and 79 μM for F^?). Moreover, turn-on fluorescence of 1 toward Al³⁺ and F^? caused by intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) was well explained by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Importantly, 1 could be used to detect Al³⁺ in the living cells.     

210Pb and 137Cs geochronologies in the Cananeia-Iguape Estuary (Săo Paulo, Brazil)

Sediment cores were collected at the Cananeia-Iguape Estuary and thelevels of ²¹⁰Pb, ²²⁶Ra and ¹³⁷Cs were measuredby gamma-ray spectrometry. The total ²¹⁰Pb levels in sedimentsvaried from 13.5 to 122.5 Bq . kg ^—1 , for ²²⁶Raranged from 2.4 to 28 Bq . kg ^—1 and for ¹³⁷Csfrom 0.28 to 6.1 Bq . kg ^—1 . Sedimentation rates were calculatedfrom the slope of the excess ²¹⁰Pb profile in the core. The valuesobtained varied from 5 to 10 mm . y^—1 , depending on thesediment deposition inputs in the local of sampling.     

首次合成来源于鼠李属植物中的两个新颖的蒽环鼠李糖苷，2’, 3’-Di-O-acetylfrangulin A 和 Prinoidin

首次全合成来源于鼠李属植物中的两个天然产物2’, 3’-di-O-acetylfrangulin A (1) 和 prinoidin (2),它们对KB细胞表现出较好的细胞毒活性。通过1H NMR, 13C NMR, 1H-1H COSY, HMQC 和 HMBC确证了两个化合物的结构。