High-precision measurements of seawater Pb isotope compositions by double spike thermal ionization mass spectrometry

A new method for the determination of seawater Pb isotope compositions and concentrations was developed, which combines and optimizes previously published protocols for the separation and isotopic analysis of this element. For isotopic analysis, the procedure involves initial separation of Pb from 1 to 2 L of seawater by co-precipitation with Mg hydroxide and further purification by a two stage anion exchange procedure. The Pb isotope measurements are subsequently carried out by thermal ionization mass spectrometry using a ²⁰⁷Pb–²⁰⁴Pb double spike for correction of instrumental mass fractionation. These methods are associated with a total procedural Pb blank of 28 ± 21 pg (1sd) and typical Pb recoveries of 40–60%. The Pb concentrations are determined by isotope dilution (ID) on 50 mL of seawater, using a simplified version of above methods. Analyses of multiple aliquots of six seawater samples yield a reproducibility of about ±1 to ±10% (1sd) for Pb concentrations of between 7 and 50 pmol/kg, where precision was primarily limited by the uncertainty of the blank correction (12 ± 4 pg; 1sd). For the Pb isotope analyses, typical reproducibilities (±2sd) of 700–1500 ppm and 1000–2000 ppm were achieved for ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb, ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁶Pb and ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, respectively. These results are superior to literature data that were obtained using plasma source mass spectrometry and they are at least a factor of five more precise for ratios involving the minor ²⁰⁴Pb isotope. Both Pb concentration and isotope data, furthermore, show good agreement with published results for two seawater intercomparison samples of the GEOTRACES program. Finally, the new methods were applied to a seawater depth profile from the eastern South Atlantic. Both Pb contents and isotope compositions display a smooth evolution with depth, and no obvious outliers. Compared to previous Pb isotope data for seawater, the ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios are well correlated with ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb, underlining the significant improvement achieved in the measurement of the minor ²⁰⁴Pb isotope.     

Reversed‐phase liquid chromatography with electrospray mass detection and 1H and 13C NMR characterization of new process‐related impurities,including forced degradants of Efavirenz: Related substances correlated to the synthetic pathway

In this study, a stability‐indicating reversed‐phase liquid chromatographic electrospray mass spectrometric method was developed and validated for the determination of process‐related impurities and forced degradants of Efavirenz in bulk drugs. Efavirenz was subjected to acid, alkaline hydrolysis, H₂O₂ oxidation, photolysis, and thermal stress. Significant degradation was observed during alkaline hydrolysis, and the degradants were isolated on a mass‐based purification system and characterized by high‐resolution mass spectrometry, positive electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry, and ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. Accurate mass measurement and NMR spectroscopy revealed the possible structure of process‐related impurities and degradant under stress conditions. The acceptable separation was accomplished on Waters bondapak C₁₈ column (250 mm × 4.6 mm; 5 μm), using 5 mM ammonium acetate and acetonitrile as a mobile phase in a gradient elution mode at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The eluents were monitored by diode array detector at 247 nm and quantitation limits were obtained in the range of 0.1–2.5 μg/mL for Efavirenz, degradants, and process‐related impurities. The liquid chromatography method was validated with respect to accuracy, precision, linearity, robustness, and limits of detection and quantification as per International Conference on Harmonization guidelines.     

Effect of ultrasonic power on the stability of low-molecular-weight oyster peptides functional-nutrition W1/O/W2 double emulsion

Ultrasonic-assisted treatment is an eco-friendly and cost-effective emulsification method, and the acoustic cavitation effect produced by ultrasonic equipment is conducive to the formation of stable emulsion. However, its effect on the underlying stability of low-molecular-weight oyster peptides (LOPs) functional-nutrition W₁/O/W₂ double emulsion has not been reported. The effects of different ultrasonic power (50, 75, 100, 125, and 150 W) on the stability of double emulsions and the ability to mask the fishy odor of LOPs were investigated. Low ultrasonic power (50 W and 75 W) treatment failed to form a well-stabilized double emulsion, and excessive ultrasound treatment (150 W) destroyed its structure. At an ultrasonic power of 125 W, smaller particle-sized double emulsion was formed with more uniform distribution, more whiteness, and a lower viscosity coefficient. Meanwhile, the cavitation effect generated by 125 W ultrasonic power improved storage, and oxidative stabilities, emulsifying properties of double emulsion by reducing the droplet size and improved sensorial acceptability by masking the undesirable flavor of LOPs. The structure of the double emulsion was further confirmed by optical microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy. The ultrasonic-assisted treatment is of potential value for the industrial application of double emulsion in functional-nutrition foods.     

Multiple re-configurable intelligent surfaces based physical layer eavesdropper detection for V2I communications

Inspired by the promising potential of re-configurable intelligent surface (RIS)-aided transmission in achieving the vision of 6th Generation (6G) network, we analyze the security model for a vehicular-to-infrastructure (V2I) network by considering multiple RISs (M-RIS) on buildings to act as passive relays at fixed distances from a source. In addition, multiple eavesdroppers are presented in the vicinity of the intended destination. Our aim is to enhance the secrecy capacity (SC) and to minimize secrecy outage probability (SOP) in presence of multiple eavesdroppers with the help of M-RIS in V2I communications. We propose a key-less physical layer security using beam-forming by exploiting M-RIS. The proposed approach assumes the concept of detecting eavesdroppers before the information can be transmitted via beam-forming by utilizing M-RIS. The results reveal that with consideration of M-RIS and beam-forming, the achievable SC and SOP performance is significantly improved while imposing minimum power consumption and fewer RIS reflectors.     

Regulating the Oil-Water Interface to Construct Double Emulsions: Current Understanding and Their Biomedical Applications

Double emulsions have been extensively used in scientific researches and industrial applications due to their attractive unique feature of multiple phases. However, constructing droplets with such a complex structure is not a simple task for all time. The simultaneous existence of two contradictory interfaces makes it hard to prepare stable double emulsions in principle and in practice. Over the past century, tremendous efforts have been devoted by myriads of scientists to make progresses in both theory and preparation of double emulsions. In this review, the current understanding of double emulsions is systematically revealed. In addition to emphasizing the corresponding pioneer and landmark works as many as possible, the state-of-the-art achievements will also be discussed. By regulating the oil-water interface with smartly designed interface-active agents in combination with varying the phase volume fractions, the basic theory framework based on the phase inversion from simple emulsions to double emulsions is also summarized. Technical preparation strategies of emulsification are introduced to show the building process of the two contradictory interfaces in one system. Furthermore, some specific biomedical applications of double emulsions are also discussed, which is expected to stimulate further innovation and utilization of double emulsions.     

Suppression of charge imbalance via Li+-Mn4+ co-incorporated Sr2YSbO6 red phosphors for warm w-LEDs

Mn⁴⁺-activated double perovskite phosphors with composition diversity have presented excellent luminescent performances. However, the charge imbalance between Mn⁴⁺ and matrix cations would increase non-radiative recombination and reduce the structural stability. Here, novel high-efficiency stable Li⁺/Mn⁴⁺ co-incorporated Sr₂YSbO₆ red phosphors are successfully synthesized via a solid-state reaction method for warm w-LEDs, where the Li⁺ ions have the effect of charge balance for Sr₂YSbO₆:Mn⁴⁺ and reduce the non-radiative energy transfer among Mn⁴⁺ ions. It is demonstrated that the substitution of Li⁺–Mn⁴⁺ pairs for Sb⁵⁺ can enhance the bonding with low-shifted diffraction peaks and high emission intensity, and prolong the decay lifetime, compared with those of Mn⁴⁺ single-doped ones. Impressively, the thermal stability is enhanced to 89.72% from 84.61% at the original value of 303 K. Finally, a w-LED device based on the optimal phosphor Sr₂YSbO₆:0.01Mn⁴⁺/0.01Li⁺ red component exhibits a correlated color temperature of 4487 K and color rendering index of 80.2. Therefore, the incorporated Li⁺ ions serve as both charge compensator and co-activator in Mn⁴⁺-activated double perovskite phosphors with the aim of high luminescent performance and thermal stability.     

Thiophene and naphthalene-based double helix: Synthesis,structures and chirality

Both racemate and enantiomer of a novel double helix,binaphthylcyclooctaterthiophene(BN-COTh),which is a DNA-like molecule constructed by two single helices intertwined with each other via covalent bonds,have been synthesized with two building blocks,cycloocta-tetrathiophene(COTh) and cyclooctadinaphthyldithiophene(CONT) fused together via Negishi coupling reaction.Another homologue,dinaphthylcyclooctaterthiophene(DN-COTh) has been employed together as a model compound.Besides the synthetic work,BN-COTh and DN-COTh have been investigated by studying their crystal structures,spectroscopic behaviors,chiral resolution and chiral characteristics,including circular dichroism(CD) spectra and optical rotations.In addition,the novel crystal of enantiomer of(R,R,R)-BN-COTh has been explored.The enantiomer molecules packing along b-axis to form a larger and extended assembly packing due to intermolecular interactions between the enantiomer molecules and chloroform molecules in crystal.     

“双一流”高校学生国际期刊论文写作需求分析*——对化学专业的调查

以某“双一流”高校化学专业学生为研究对象,通过问卷调查和访谈,调查他们在国际学术期刊论文写作方面的需求。研究发现学生需求程度较高的是团队教学,青睐英语写作教师与化学专业教师有配合的教学,并希望对写作及时反馈,同时需要编辑、图书馆员等协助提高学术素养。值得注意的是,学生对个性化、一对一辅导的需求程度最高。该研究结果对高校,尤其是“双一流”高校国际期刊英语论文写作课程的设置和教学具有参考价值。     

Nanostructured Hexacyanoferrate Intercalated Ni/Al Layered Double Hydroxide Modified Electrode as a Sensitive Electrochemical Sensor for Paracetamol Determination

An electrochemical sensor for paracetamol (PC) based on the hexacyanoferate(III) intercalated Ni−Al layered double hydroxide (Ni−Al−HCF) was presented. The as‐prepared LDH structurally and morphologically was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and Fourier transform IR. Electrochemical studies revealed that Ni−Al−HCF film modified glassy carbon (GC) electrode exhibited remarkable electrocatalytic activity toward the oxidation of paracetamol. The electrochemical behavior of PC on the Ni−Al−HCF film was investigated in detail. Under optimum experimental conditions, the electrocatalytic response of the modified GC electrode was linear in the PC concentration range 3×10⁻⁶⁻–1.5×10⁻³ mol L⁻¹, with a detection limit of 8×10⁻⁷ mol L⁻¹ (S/N=3), using hydrodynamic amperometry. In addition, the modified electrode exhibited good reproducibility, long‐term stability and anti‐interference property. The fabricated sensor was successfully applied to determination of PC in various pharmaceutical preparations such as tablets, oral solution, and oral drops. Finally, the method was validated by the analysis of paracetamol spiked human serum samples, and good recoveries were obtained in the range of 99.2–103 %.     

结冷胶与聚乙二醇丙烯酸酯双网络凝胶的制备及生物相容性评价

针对结冷胶脆性较大的问题,将聚乙二醇丙烯酸酯(PEGDA)引入结冷胶,通过紫外交联制备了结冷胶/PEGDA双网络凝胶,并对单组分凝胶和双网络凝胶的溶胀性能、微观形貌、拉伸力学性能、动态压缩性能和流变性能等进行比较.结果表明,双网络凝胶在类生理环境中具有较小的溶胀率和较好的尺寸稳定性,PEGDA的引入能够大幅度提高结冷胶的韧性,双网络凝胶的拉断伸长率可达340%,断裂能达1.01×103J/m2,与天然关节软骨相当.将成纤维细胞种植在凝胶内部进行体外三维立体培养,结果显示,细胞在凝胶内部生存状态良好,双网络凝胶的细胞负载率高于单网络结冷胶,说明该体系在生物医用领域具有良好的应用前景.