Definition and detection of data-based uniqueness in evaluating bilinear (two-way) chemical measurements

Multivariate curve resolution methods, frequently used in analyzing bilinear data sets, result in ambiguous decomposition in general. Implementing the adequate constraints may lead to reduce the so-called rotational ambiguity drastically, and in the most favorable cases to the unique solution. However, in some special cases, non-negativity constraint as minimal information of the system is a sufficient condition to resolve profiles uniquely. Although, several studies on exploring the uniqueness of the bilinear non-negatively constrained multivariate curve resolution methods have been made in the literature, it has still remained a mysterious question. In 1995, Manne published his profile-based theorems giving the necessary and sufficient conditions of the unique resolution. In this study, a new term, i.e., data-based uniqueness is defined and investigated in details, and a general procedure is suggested for detection of uniquely recovered profile(s) on the basis of data set structure in the abstract space. Close inspection of Borgen plots of these data sets leads to realize the comprehensive information of local rank, and these argumentations furnish a basis for data-based uniqueness theorem. The reported phenomenon and its exploration is a new stage (it can be said fundament) in understanding and describing the bilinear (matrix-type) chemical data in general.     

Spectrophotometric study of complexation equilibria with H-point standard addition and H-point curve isolation methods

The use of H-point curve isolation (HPCIM) and H-point standard addition methods (HPSAM) for spectrophotometric studies of complex formation equilibria are proposed. One step complex formation, two successive stepwise and mononuclear complex formation systems, and competitive complexation systems are studied successfully by the proposed methods. HPCIM is used for extracting the spectrum of complex or sum of complex species and HPSAM is used for calculation of equilibrium concentrations of ligand for each sample. The outputs of these procedures are complete concentration profiles of equilibrium system, spectral profile of intermediate components, and good estimation of conditional formation constants. The reliability of the method is evaluated using model data. Spectrophotometric studies of murexide-calcium, dithizone-nickel, methyl thymol blue (MTB)-copper, and competition of murexide and sulfate ions for complexation with zinc, are used as experimental model systems with different complexation stoichiometries and spectral overlapping of involved components.     

Biologically active metabolites from fungi, 19: new isocoumarins and highly substituted benzoic acids from the endophytic fungus, Scytalidium sp

Six known metabolites, two new isocoumarins 4 and 8, and one new highly substituted benzoic acid derivative 9 were isolated from the ethyl acetate culture extract of a fungal endophyte, Scytalidium sp. In addition, another new benzoic acid 10 with an unusual 1,2-dicarbonyl side chain was indirectly identified from its methylated derivatives 10a-10d.     

Relativistic electronic structures of the Ag2 and Au2 molecules

The relativistic electronic structures of the Ag₂ and Au₂ molecules have been calculated using the recently developed self-consistent-field Xα Dirac-scattered-wave programs. Calculations have been carried out for transition energies and ionization potentials for selected molecular orbitals. The results indicate a large degree of s-d hybridization in the ground state of the Au₂ molecule. The calculations are in good agreement with other theoretical work and with existing experimental results.     

Indirect simultaneous kinetic determination of semicarbazide and hydrazine in micellar media by H-point standard addition method

H-point standard addition method (HPSAM) is suggested as a simple and selective method for the determination of semicarbazide and hydrazine. The reduction of Cu²⁺ to Cu⁺ by semicarbazide and hydrazine in the presence of neocuproine (Nc) and the subsequent complex formation between Cu⁺ and Nc produced a sensitive spectrophotometric method for indirect determination of semicarbazide and hydrazine. The difference in the rate of reduction of Cu²⁺ with semicarbazide and hydrazine in cationic micellar media is the basis of this method. Semicarbazide can be determined in the range of 0.5-3.75 μg ml⁻¹ with satisfactory accuracy and precision in the presence of excess hydrazine. The proposed method was successfully applied to the simultaneous determination of semicarbazide (0.5-3.75 μg ml⁻¹) and hydrazine (0.5-5 μg ml⁻¹) and also to the selective determination of semicarbazide in the presence of hydrazine in several synthetic mixtures containing different concentration ratios of semicarbazide and hydrazine.     

Simultaneous determination of Fe(II) and Fe(III) by kinetic spectrophotometric H-point standard addition method

The H-point standard addition method (HPSAM) for simultaneous determination of Fe(II) and Fe(III) is described. The method is based on the difference in the rate of complex formation of iron in two different oxidation states with Gallic acid (GA) at pH 5. Fe(II) and Fe(III) can be determined in the range of 0.02–4.50 μg ml⁻¹ and 0.05–5.00 μg ml⁻¹, respectively, with satisfactory accuracy and precision in the presence of other metal ions, which rapidly form complexes with GA under working conditions. The proposed method was successfully applied for simultaneous determination of Fe(II) and Fe(III) in several environmental and synthetic samples with different concentration ratios of Fe(II) and Fe(III).     

Carbon dots with strong excitation-dependent fluorescence changes towards pH. Application as nanosensors for a broad range of pH

In this study, preparation of novel pH-sensitive N-doped carbon dots (NCDs) using glucose and urea is reported. The prepared NCDs present strong excitation-dependent fluorescence changes towards the pH that is a new behavior from these nanomaterials. By taking advantage of this unique behavior, two separated ratiometric pH sensors using emission spectra of the NCDs for both acidic (pH 2.0 to 8.0) and basic (pH 7.0 to 14.0) ranges of pH are constructed. Additionally, by considering the entire Excitation–Emission Matrix (EEM) of NCDs as analytical signal and using a suitable multivariate calibration method, a broad range of pH from 2.0 to 14.0 was well calibrated. The multivariate calibration method was independent from the concentration of NCDs and resulted in a very low average prediction error of 0.067 pH units. No changes in the predicted pH under UV irradiation (for 3 h) and at high ionic strength (up to 2 M NaCl) indicated the high stability of this pH nanosensor. The practicality of this pH nanosensor for pH determination in real water samples was validated with good accuracy and repeatability.