Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry of collected bioaerosol particles

A method was developed for collection and analysis of bioaerosols by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) time-of-flight mass spectrometry using a modified Andersen N6 bioaerosol collector. The overall goal of the study was to develop methods for obtaining mass spectra with minimal reagents and treatment steps for potential use in remote collection and analysis systems. Test bioaerosol particles were generated from a nebulized E. coli bacterial suspension and collected on MALDI targets placed in an Andersen N6 single-stage aerosol impactor. The bioaerosols were mixed with matrix either by deposition on a bare target with the matrix solution added later, or by deposition on a target pre-coated with matrix. The matrix compounds alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (CHCA) and sinapic acid (SA) were tested and the SA matrix was found to give the best results in number of peaks, resolution, and signal-to-noise ratio. Deposition of bioaerosol particles onto the matrix pre-coated target did not produce signal in the m/z region above 1000, but the signal could be recovered with the addition of a 1:1 (v/v) acetonitrile/water solvent. Addition of solvent by pipette to the pre-coated targets after particle deposition recovered signal comparable to the dried-droplet sample preparations, whereas solvent sprayed into the impactor recovered fewer peaks. Deposition on pre-coated targets with post-collection solvent addition was superior to deposition on bare target followed by post-collection addition of matrix solution.     

Accreditation of reference material producers: the example of IRMM's Reference Materials Unit

The potential approaches for third-party assessment of reference material producers are revisited and the activities of the Reference Materials (RM) Unit of the Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (IRMM) to obtain accreditation to ISO Guide 34 and ISO 17025 are described. Accreditation was related to the Unit as all matrix RM activities of the institute are concentrated there. A management system was established that allows sufficient flexibility to be applicable to a wide range of RMs while being precise enough to ensure compliance with ISO Guides 30, 31 and especially 34 and 35. Accreditation was achieved in 2004 with independent scopes for testing and RM production and was confirmed and extended in 2005. The key aspects of the RM Unit's management system for RM production are presented. Presented at BERM-10, April 2006, Charleston, SC, USA     

Strained Structure in Ho0.5Sr0.5MnO3

The Ho_0.5Sr_0.5MnO₃ perovskite, synthesized in air, has been studied by combining neutron powder and electron diffraction techniques. The Pnma-type structure exhibits a strong tilting of the MnO₆ octahedra. This octahedra tilting and microtwinning involve a complex strained structure. No structural transition is observed down to 1.4 K, but short-range A-type antiferromagnetism running over only a few perovskite subcells is evidenced below ≈90 K. The different behavior of this perovskite compared to other Ln_0.5Sr_0.5MnO₃ perovskites is discussed in terms of A-site cationic mismatch.     

An ESR study of some group IVB free radical adducts of diethylketomalonate

The formation of the compound RSnX(acac)₂ (acac = 2,4-pentanedionato) by reaction of bis(2,4-pentanedionato)tin(II) on a halide RX with R = CH₃, C₂H₅, C₄H₉, C₆H₅, CH₂I, (C₆H₅)₃SnCH₂, (C₂H₅)₃SnCH₂ and X = I, Br has been studied by polarography. At 25°C, it is in fact an equilibrium whose constant has been measured. The intermediate formation of the ion-pair [RSn(acac)₂⁺X^?] has allowed us to explain the experimental results.     

Peptides-XXXXVI: Studies in the synthesis of an analogue of hen egg white lysozyme

The previously synthesised (1–37), (38–75), (76–93), (94–104), (105–117) and (118–129) fragments of the analogue were combined making extensive use of the DCCI/HONSu method. The final coupling involved the (1–75) and (76–129) sub-fragments. Aggregation of the latter fragment caused problems in purification by routine gel filtration methods employing Enzacryl K2 or Sephadex LH60. The fully protected (1–129) product was partially purified by washing, then deprotectcd and purified by gel filtration and ion exchange chromatography. Satisfactory removal of the acetamidomethyl group used for cysteine protection could not be achieved.     

Zur Kenntnis von Natrium-hexafluoromanganat(III)

Sodium hexafluoromanganate(III) has been synthesized by heating equimolecular quantities of Na₂MnF₅ and NaF in argon atmosphere. The compound is monoclinic witha=5.56 (1) Å,b=5.84 (1) Å,c=8.10 (2) Å, =90.7 (2) andZ=2. It is a high spin complex with _eff and the deformation of the octahedra is evident from its IR-spectra. Two enantiotropic transitions (at 562 and 653°C) and the melting point at 800°C have been observed.

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8. Mitt.: Mh. Chem.106, 483 (1975).     

The synthesis and chemical reactions of certain pyrazolo[1,5-a]-1,3,5-triazines

3-Aminopyrazole was utilized as a starting material for the preparation of certain pyrazolo-[1,5-a]-1,3,5-triazines. 4-Chloro-2-methylthiopyrazolo[1,5-a]-1,3,5-triazine was prepared and used for studies of nucleophilic displacement reactions, and it has been found that both the chloro and methylthio groups may be displaced by nucleophiles. By modifications of these procedures we have prepared the adenine, hypoxanthine, and xanthine analogs of the pyrazolo-[1,5-a]-1,3,5-triazine ring system. Electrophilic substitution occurs in the 8-position of this ring system. The methyl group was introduced into the 4-position by a novel ring opening and ring closing of the 1,3,5-triazine ring.     

Wirkungsgrade in der Welt des Lebens und der Technik

Zusammenfassung Um der oft gehörten Meinung entgegenzutreten, die energetischen Wirkungsgrade lebender Organismen seien wesentlich höher als die technischer Verfahren, werden entsprechende Werte miteinander verglichen. Der sehr niedrige Wirkungsgrad der Photosynthese zusammen mit der kleinen Energiedichte der Sonnenstrahlung erzwang ab einer kritischen Größe die Aufspaltung in Energiesammler, die Pflanzen, und Verbraucher chemischer Energie, den Tieren. Dank den 10 mal höheren Wirkungsgraden in der Technik, lassen sich Solarmobile bauen, die von der auf sie fallenden Sonnenstrahlung angetrieben werden. Wegen des Multiplikationsgesetzes der Teilwirkungsgrade ergeben sich sowohl für die Speicherung der Sonnenenergie in den fossilen Brennstoffen wie in der Nahrungskette extrem niedrige Wirkungsgrade.

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Efficiencies in the world of life and in engineering

One often hears the opinion, that the efficiencies in the world of life are higher than in engineering. To disprove this, many values of efficiency of corresponding processes are compared. The very low efficiency of photosynthesis in living plants together with the low density of solar radiation has led the world of life to split into collectors of energy, the plants, and consumers of chemical energy, the animals. Thanks to the ten times higher efficiencies of solar cells, it is possible, to produce solar mobiles, vehicles that move driven by solar radiation.

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Herrn Prof. Dr.-Ing. U. Grigull zum 75. Geburtstag gewidmet