Inductively coupled plasma compared with direct current arc spectrometry for analysis of minor elements in aluminium baths

A validation study was carried out in order to evaluate the efficiency of inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) for the analysis of minor elements (manganese, chromium, copper, iron, and titanium) in aluminium alloys. Aluminium casting samples were obtained by adding compressed powder compacts of each alloying element and aluminium (minitablets) to aluminum baths in a laboratory crucible furnace. Digestion of solid samples was performed using concentrated HCI and H202 35% (v/v) previous to analysis by ICP-OES without any matrix separation. This solution-based method was validated considering direct current arc spectrometry as the reference method based on direct analysis without any pretreatment of the solid samples considered. Univariate statistical procedures were carried out, for which precision <3% and trueness of the analytical results were taken into account.     

Evaluation of enzymatic digestion and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry peptide mapping of the integral membrane protein bacteriorhodopsin

A method for the complete peptide mapping of the model integral membrane protein bacteri-orhodopsin is demonstrated. Utilizing more effective enzymatic digestion, procedures with capillary liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS) and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), all predicted tryptic digestion products were detected, as well as peptides from all previously reported post-translational modifications of bacteriorhodopsin. A significant contribution of chymotryptic-like digestion products was also observed. A characterization of the behavior of hydrophobic integral membrane peptides in a reversed-phase liquid chromatographic separation is also provided. The method reported here offers improved compatibility of the solubilizing reagents with both the chromatography and mass spectrometry, rendering it suitable for high-throughput proteomic applications.     

1,3-Dipolar cycloadditions of mesitonitrile oxide with (9-fluorenylidene)-aceto- and malono-nitriles. Synthesis of mono- and bis-1,2,4-oxadiazolylmethane derivatives

Mesitonitrile oxide reacts with C ≡ N bond of (aryl)(9-fluorenylidene)acetonitriles 1 forming in very good yields the corresponding 1,2,4-oxadiazoles 2. Analogously also proceeds the reaction of mesitonitrile oxide with 9-fluorenylidenemalonodinitrile (3) with the formation of bis-1,2,4-oxadiazole derivative 4.     

Dipole moments and conformation of 1-(N,N-Diaroyl)amino-1,2,3-triazoles

Experimental dipole moments of a number of the title compounds are given and theoretical dipole moments have been calculated by vector addition for all possible conformations. The graphical method has been used to correlate experimental and calculated dipole moments. The more probable conformation in solution of the title compounds and especially of the imide group is proposed.     

A self-assembling protein template for constrained synthesis and patterning of nanoparticle arrays

Self-assembling biomolecules that form highly ordered structures have attracted interest as potential alternatives to conventional lithographic processes for patterning materials. Here, we introduce a general technique for patterning nanoparticle arrays using two-dimensional crystals of genetically modified hollow protein structures called chaperonins. Constrained chemical synthesis of transition metal nanoparticles is initiated using templates functionalized with polyhistidine sequences. These nanoparticles are ordered into arrays because the template-driven synthesis is constrained by the nanoscale structure of the crystallized protein. We anticipate that this system may be used to pattern different classes of nanoparticles based on the growing library of sequences shown to specifically bind or direct the growth of materials.     

Emulsion polymerization of styrene and methyl methacrylate using a hydrophobically modified inulin and comparison with other surfactants

The use of a new class of graft polymer surfactants, based on inulin, in emulsion polymerization of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and polystyrene (PS) particles is described. PS and PMMA were synthesized by emulsion polymerization, and stable particles with a high monomer content (50 wt %) were obtained with a very small amount of polymeric surfactant ([surfactant]/[monomer] = 0.0033). The latex dispersions were characterized by dynamic light scattering and by transmission electron microscopy to obtain the average particle size and the polydispersity index, and the stability was determined by turbidimetry measurements and expressed in terms of critical coagulation concentration. The last section gives a comparison of PMMA particles prepared by emulsion polymerization using classical surfactants from different types as emulsifiers with that obtained using the copolymer surfactant. It shows the superiority of INUTEC SP1 as it is the only one that allows stable particles at 20 wt % monomer content, with a smaller ratio [surfactant]/[monomer] = 0.002.     

Potassium Fluoride Promoted Reaction of 3-Acylsubsti-Tuted 2H-1-Benzopyran-2-Ones with Acid Anhydrides. An Improved Method for the Synthesis of 4-(2-Oxoalkyl)-2H-Chroman-2-Ones. Part III1

The reaction of 3-acylsubstituted 2H-1-benzo-pyran-2-ones 1, 5 and 11a-c with acid anhydrides in the presence of potassium fluoride (KF)/molecular sieves 4A gives the 4-(2-oxoalkyl)-2-oxochromans 2, 6 and 12a-c as the main products. Also the 3-carboxylic acid derivatives, such as esters and N,N-dialkylamides, of 2H-1-benzopyran-2-one (11d-g) react with isobutyric acid anhydride in the presence of KF/molecular sieves 4A to give the corresponding 2-oxochroman-4-acetic acid derivatives.     

Study of Blood Porphyrin Spectral Profile for Diagnosis of Chronic Renal Failure

The progression to end-stage renal failure is independent of the initial pathogenic mechanism. Metabolic acidosis is a common consequence of chronic renal failure that results from inadequate ammonium excretion and decreased tubular bicarbonate reabsorption. Protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) is the immediate metabolic precursor of the heme molecule. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the levels of erythrocytes protoporphyrin IX at an animal model during progressive renal disease. A total of 36 eight-week-old male Wistar rats were divided into six groups: Normal, 4 and 8 weeks after 5/6 nephrectomy (NX). Renal function was evaluated by creatinine clearance and plasma creatinine levels. The autofluorescence of erythrocytes porphyrin of healthy and NX rats was analyzed using fluorescence spectroscopy. Emission spectra were obtained by exciting the samples at 405 nm. Significant differences between normal and NX rats autofluorescence shape occurred in the 600–700 nm spectral region. A correlation was observed between emission band intensity at 635 nm and progression of renal disease.