Uniform molecular analysis using femtosecond laser mass spectrometry

The potential of femtosecond laser time-of-flight mass spectrometry (FLMS) for uniform quantitative analysis of molecules has been investigated. Various samples of molecular gases and vapours have been studied, using ultra-fast ( approximately 50 fs) laser pulses with very high intensity (up to 1.6 x 10(16) Wcm(-2)) for non-resonant multiphoton ionisation/tunnel ionisation. Some of these molecules have high ionisation potentials, requiring up to ten photons for non-resonant ionisation. The relative sensitivity factors (RSF) have been determined as a function of the laser intensity and it has been demonstrated that for molecules with very different masses and ionisation potentials, uniform ionisation has been achieved at the highest laser intensities. Quantitative laser mass spectrometry of molecules is therefore a distinct possibility. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Plant Protein-Based Delivery Systems: An Emerging Approach for Increasing the Efficacy of Lipophilic Bioactive Compounds

The development of plant protein-based delivery systems to protect and control lipophilic bioactive compound delivery (such as vitamins, polyphenols, carotenoids, polyunsaturated fatty acids) has increased interest in food, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical fields. The quite significant ascension of plant proteins from legumes, oil/edible seeds, nuts, tuber, and cereals is motivated by their eco-friendly, sustainable, and healthy profile compared with other sources. However, many challenges need to be overcome before their widespread use as raw material for carriers. Thus, modification approaches have been used to improve their techno-functionality and address their limitations, aiming to produce a new generation of plant-based carriers (hydrogels, emulsions, self-assembled structures, films). This paper addresses the advantages and challenges of using plant proteins and the effects of modification methods on their nutritional quality, bioactivity, and techno-functionalities. Furthermore, we review the recent progress in designing plant protein-based delivery systems, their main applications as carriers for lipophilic bioactive compounds, and the contribution of protein-bioactive compound interactions to the dynamics and structure of delivery systems. Expressive advances have been made in the plant protein area; however, new extraction/purification technologies and protein sources need to be found Their functional properties must also be deeply studied for the rational development of effective delivery platforms.     

Anti-inflammatory activity of alkaloids: an update from 2000 to 2010

Many natural substances with proven anti-inflammatory activity have been isolated throughout the years. The aim of this review is to review naturally sourced alkaloids with anti-inflammatory effects reported from 2000 to 2010. The assays were conducted mostly in vivo, and carrageenan-induced pedal edema was the most used experimental model. Of the 49 alkaloids evaluated, 40 demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity. Of these the most studied type were the isoquinolines. This review was based on NAPRALERT data bank, Web of Science and Chemical Abstracts. In this review, 95 references are cited.     

Descent for Regular Epimorphisms in Barr Exact Goursat Categories

We show that the category of regular epimorphisms in a Barr exact Goursat category is almost Barr exact in the sense that (it is a regular category and) every regular epimorphism in it is an effective descent morphism.     

Ternary mutual diffusion of isoniazid in aqueous sodium chloride,sodium hydroxide,and hydrochloric acid at T = 298.15 K

Ternary mutual diffusion coefficients measured by Taylor dispersion method (D₁₁, D₂₂, D₁₂, and D₂₁) are reported for aqueous solutions containing isoniazid and different electrolytes (NaCl, NaOH, or HCl) at T = 298.15 K at different carrier concentrations. These diffusion coefficients have been measured having in mind a better understanding of the structure of these systems and the thermodynamic behaviour of isoniazid in different media. For example, it is possible to make conclusions about the influence of these electrolytes in diffusion of isoniazid, and to obtain information concerning the number of moles of each component transported per mole of the other component driven by its own concentration gradient.     

On categories with semidirect products

Necessary and sufficient conditions for a pointed category to admit semidirect products, in the sense of Bourn and Janelidze (1998) [3], are provided and interpreted in terms of protomodularity and exactness of appropriate split chains.     

Characterization of laser ablation plasmas by laser beam deflection

Laser probe beam and multiple-pass deflection techniques were used for real time and in situ monitoring of laser ablation plasma plumes in the mTorr pressure regime. Intensity and transit time of shock wave fronts were studied as functions of focal lens position, laser energy and pressure. The velocity of the shock wave was determined to be up to 30 km s⁻¹ for a pressure of 40 mTorr and to drop below 4 km s⁻¹ at 1 Torr. For transparent targets rear-side shock wave velocity was on to be slower than the corresponding front one. This method promises a reliable diagnostic tool for pulsed laser deposition processing allowing an increase in the quality of coating technologies.     

Certification of a low value electrolytic conductivity solution using traceable measurements

Reliable measurement results of electrolytic conductivity (EC), in particular for low values, must be metrologically traceable and be based on a realistic measurement uncertainty budget. The use of certified reference materials (CRMs) can help to achieve this goal. This paper presents results from all stages of the certification of an EC CRM with a conductivity of 1.5 μS cm^?1, including the preparation of the batch solution and the evaluation of the homogeneity and stability of the bottled CRM. An uncertainty budget is presented for the CRM, including the main contributions from each of these sources. The CRM batch remained stable within its certified uncertainty for more than 1 year.     

Mechanochemical synthesis,characterization and thermal study of new cocrystals of ciprofloxacin with pyrazinoic acid and p-aminobenzoic acid

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - Novel cocrystals of ciprofloxacin with pyrazinoic acid and p-aminobenzoic acid in the 1:1 stoichiometric ratio were obtained by the mechanochemical...     

BiCl3-modified perlite as an effective catalyst for selective organic transformations: a green protocol

Research on Chemical Intermediates - A new perlite supported Bismuth Chloride (BiCl3) was used as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of heterocyclic compounds viz., quinoxalines...