Optimization of a Multiresidue Analysis of 65 Pesticides in Surface Water Using Solid-Phase Extraction by LC-MS/MS

An analytical method was developed and validated for simultaneous quantitation of 65 pesticides, including one single solid-phase extraction (SPE) procedure in surface water by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectroscopy. Different parameters that have an influence on extraction efficiency were evaluated in this research. Different types of cartridges, elution solvents, and sorbent drying time were investigated, and the most appropriate one was selected. Moreover, various pretreatment techniques were applied to remove sediments from water without the loss of pesticides. Centrifugation was introduced as the best option at the beginning of sample preparation to resolve the clogging of the sorbent cartridges. The recoveries of all pesticides ranged from 70% to 120%, with a relative standard deviation of less than 13.7%. The feasibility of the method was evaluated on 10 surface water samples with different concentrations of sand, sediment, and particles.     

Solvability of first order functional differential operators

By using the methods of operator theory, all boundedly solvable extensions of minimal operator generated by first order functional differential-operator expression in the Hilbert space of vector-functions on finite interval have been described. The operator framework is also applied to the study of structure of spectrums of these extensions. Applications of obtained results to the concrete models are illustrated.     

DNA adsorption onto polyethylenimine-attached poly(p-chloromethylstyrene) beads

In this study, DNA adsorption properties of polyethylenimine (PEI)-attached poly(p-chloromethylstyrene) (PCMS) beads were investigated. Spherical beads with an average size of 186 microm were obtained by the suspension polymerization of p-chloromethylstyrene conducted in an aqueous dispersion medium. Owing to the reasonably rough character of the bead surface, PCMS beads had a specific surface area of 14.1 m2/g. PEI chains could be covalently attached onto the PCMS beads with equilibrium binding capacities up to 208 mg PEI/g beads, via a direct chemical reaction between the amine and chloromethyl groups. After PEI adsorption with 10% (w/w) initial PEI concentration, free amino content of PEI-attached PCMS beads was determined as 0.91 mequiv./g. PEI-attached PCMS beads were utilized as sorbents in DNA adsorption experiments conducted at +4 degrees C in a phosphate buffer medium of pH 7.4. DNA immobilization capacities up to 290 mg DNA/g beads could be achieved with the tried sorbents. This value was approximately 50-times higher relative to the adsorption capacities of previously examined sorbents.     

Splitting tendency of cellulosic fibers – Part 1. The effect of shear force on mechanical stability of swollen lyocell fibers

A procedure for splitting of a lyocell fiber into a multitude of finer fibrils was developed. Crockmeter, usually used for rub-fastness of colored textiles, was modified and used for obtaining required shear force on swollen lyocell fiber. The shear force applied on fibers, and the concentration of NaOH, which affects swelling degree of fiber, were shown to be the leading parameters determining split number of lyocell fiber. While number of shear cycles was found to be of minor relevance for fiber splitting, the applied pressure directly influences the number of splitted fibrils. For example, at a pressure of 34.8 kPa, the average split number of lyocell fiber in 2.5 M NaOH solution was observed as 15, whereas it was observed as 30 for 47 kPa and 41 for 59.3 kPa. Splitting was not observed above 5 M of NaOH solution. Analyses of fiber splitting permit new aspects to study inner structure of lyocell.     

Synthesis,characterization and redox properties of a new vic-dioxime and its transition metal complexes

A novel vic-dioxime, 1,2 dihydroxyimino-1-p-tolyl-3-aza-6-morpholine heptane (LH₂) was prepared by reacting anti-p-tolylchloroglyoxime with 4-(3-aminopropyl)morpholine in absolute THF. Mononuclear complexes with a metal–ligand ratio of 1:2 were prepared using Co^II, Cu^II and Ni^II salts. The ligand and its complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, FT-IR, u.v.–vis., ¹H- and ¹³C-n.m.r. spectra, magnetic susceptibility measurements, thermogravimetric analyses (t.g.a.), and by cyclic voltammetry.     

The Scaled Hermite–Weber Basis Still Highly Competitive

The effectiveness of the usual harmonic oscillator basis is demonstrated on a wide class of Schrödinger Hamiltonians with various spectral properties. More specifically, it is shown numerically that an appropriately scaled Hermite–Weber basis yields extremely accurate results not only for the energy eigenvalues which differ slighly from the harmonic oscillator levels, but also for the states which reflect a purely anharmonic character.     

Alteration of the carbon and nitrogen stable isotope composition of beef by substitution of grass silage with maize silage

This study investigated the effect of substituting grass silage (C3 photosynthetic plant product) with maize silage (C4 photosynthetic plant product) on the natural abundance carbon (delta13C) and nitrogen (delta15N) stable isotope composition of bovine muscle tissue. Forty-five continental crossbred heifers were assigned to one of three diets consisting of 3 kg of a barley-based concentrate plus grass silage, maize silage or an equal mixture (dry matter basis) of grass silage and maize silage, fed ad libitum, for 167 days. Substitution resulted in less negative delta13C values (P<0.001) in lipid-free muscle and in lipid, and also a lower delta15N (P<0.001) in lipid-free muscle. Feeding of maize silage was clearly reflected in the delta13C of muscle, with each 10% difference in the dietary C4 carbon intake resulting in a 0.9 to 1.0 per thousand shift of delta13C in lipid-free muscle and a 1.0 to 1.2 per thousand in lipid. Minimum detectable mean differences (95% confidence, power 0.80, n=15) in this experiment were about 0.5 per thousand and 1.0 per thousand for delta13C of lipid-free muscle and lipid, respectively, and about 0.5 per thousand for delta15N of lipid-free muscle. The power analysis presented here is useful for estimating minimum isotopic differences that can be detected between any two groups of beef samples with a given number of replicates. It is concluded that carbon stable isotope ratio analysis of meat can be used to quantify C3/C4 dietary constituents in beef production.     

Role of interaction forces in controlling the stability and polishing performance of CMP slurries

Chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) is an essential step in metal and dielectric planarization in multilayer microelectronic device fabrication. In the CMP process it is necessary to minimize the extent of surface defect formation while maintaining good planarity and optimal material removal rates. These requirements are met through the control of chemical and mechanical interactions during the polishing process by engineering the slurry chemistry, particulate properties, and stability. In this study, the performance of surfactant-stabilized silica CMP slurries at high pH and high ionic strengths are investigated with particular emphasis on the particle-particle and particle-substrate interactions. It is shown that for the design of consistently high performing slurries, stability of abrasive particles must be achieved under the dynamic processing conditions of CMP while maintaining sufficient pad-particle-wafer interactions.     

Hydroxamic Acids as PARP-1 Inhibitors: Molecular Design and Anticancer Activity of Novel Phenanthridinones

Poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase-1 (PARP-1) is a promising target for antitumor agents. This study presents the first evidence of hydroxamic acids as efficient PARP inhibitors. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations revealed that N−O substituted phenanthridinones form a complex interplay with PARP-1. A series of cyclic aryl hydroxamic acids, N-(benzyloxy)- and N-(hydroxy)phenanthridinones, were prepared through a ligand-free methodology from N-(benzyloxy)benzamides using dual C−H/N−H bond activation. Three of the computed hit compounds exhibited significant activity in cell-based and enzymatic assays, inhibiting PARP-1 in the low-nanomolar range. The antiproliferative activity of all prepared compounds and the reference compounds PJ34 and Olaparib was evaluated in cancer cells (HepG2, BxPC3, MDA-MD-231, and HeLa) and in noncancer cell lines (NIH 3T3 and HEK 293). An N-(benzyloxy)- and an N-(hydroxy)phenanthridinone showed the most promising properties as leads for developing therapeutics with a submicromolar activity window. The study highlights the potential utility of this scaffold for PARP inhibitors and the importance of target-specific design to minimize toxicity and side effects.