Global variations in peak bone mass as studied by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry

In 1994, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) initiated a 5-year Co-ordinated Research Project (CRP) to determine geographical and racial differences in peak bone mineral density (BMD) in men and women aged 15-49 years. The study demonstrates that there are distinct global differences in BMD at the hip and spine in both men and women approximating to one population standard deviation between populations with the highest and lowest BMD. These differences persist following adjustments for age, sex and body size. Such information is valuable in understanding the reasons for global differences in fracture rate and predicting future trends in fracture incidence. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Chaotic-to-ordered state transition of cathode-sheath instabilities in DC glow discharge plasmas

Transition from chaotic to ordered state has been observed during the initial stage of a discharge in a cylindrical DC glow discharge plasma. Initially it shows a chaotic behavior but increasing the discharge voltage changes the characteristics of the discharge glow and shows a period subtraction of order 7 period → 5 period → 3 period → 1 period, i.e. the system goes to single mode through odd cycle subtraction. On further increasing the discharge voltage, the system goes through period doubling, like 1 period → 2 period → 4 period. On further increasing the voltage, the system goes to stable state through two period subtraction, like 4 period → 2 period → stable.     

Working group report: Flavor physics and model building

This is the report of flavor physics and model building working group at WHEPP-9. While activites in flavor physics have been mainly focused on B-physics, those in model building have been primarily devoted to neutrino physics. We present summary of working group discussions carried out during the workshop in the above fields, and also briefly review the progress made in some projects subsequently.     

Drag on an elliptic cylinder in a fluid particle suspension

An elliptic cylinder is performing oscillations parallel to either of the principal axes of the cross-sectional ellipse in a fluid particle suspension. The stream function governing the flow and the velocity components are determined in terms of Mathieu functions. The drag on the cylinder is evaluated and expressed in terms of two parametersK andK. The effects of the variation of the frequency parameter, eccentricity parameter and relaxation time parameter on the drag parametersK, K is studied numerically.     

Differentiation of Boc- alpha,beta- and beta,alpha-peptides and a pair of diastereomeric beta,alpha-dipeptides by positive and negative ion electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS)

Positive and negative ion electrospray ionization (ESI) tandem mass spectral study of a new series of hybrid peptides, viz, BocN-alpha,beta-peptides and BocN-beta,alpha-peptides, synthesized from C-linked carbo-beta3-amino acids [Caa (S)] and L-Ala has been carried out. The alpha,beta-peptides have been differentiated from beta,alpha-peptides by the collision-induced dissociation (CID) of [M + H]+ and [M - H]- ions in positive and negative ion ESI-MS respectively. The fragment ion [M + H - C(CH3)3 + H]+ formed from [M + H]+ ions by the loss of 2-methyl-prop-2-ene in alpha,beta-peptides with L-Ala at the N-terminus is insignificant or totally absent for beta,alpha-peptides which have the Caa (S) at N-terminus. The fragment ion [M - H-C(CH3)3OH - HNCO]- formed from [M - H]- of beta,alpha-peptide acids is totally absent for alpha,beta-peptide acids. This has been attributed to the absence of the beta-methylene group in alpha,beta-peptides, and the participation of the beta-methylene group in the loss of HNCO in beta,alpha-peptide acids is confirmed by the deuteration experiments. The CID of [M + H-Boc + H]+ ions of these peptides also produce characteristic fragmentation. In the CID spectra of alpha,beta-peptides, the b(n)+ ions and the resulting y(n)+ ions occur at a mass difference of 243 and 71 Da corresponding to the successive losses of Caa and L-Ala, whereas a mass difference of 71 and 243 Da is observed for beta,alpha-peptides. In contrast to the CID of protonated peptides, the CID of [M - H]- ions of the alpha,beta- and beta,alpha-peptide acids do not give b(n)- ions and show abundant z(n) (-) ions. Further, a pair of diastereomeric dipeptide esters and acids have been distinguished by the CID of [M + H]+ ions. The loss of 2-methyl-prop-2-ene is more pronounced for Boc-NH-Caa(R)-D-Ala-OCH3 (21) and Boc-NH-Caa(R)-D-Ala-OH (23) with Caa (R) at the N-terminus, whereas it is totally absent for Boc-NH-Caa (S)-D-Ala-OCH3 (22) and Boc-NH-Caa(S)-D-Ala-OH (24) peptides, which have Caa (S) at the N-terminus. Thus, on the basis of our previous and present studies, we propose that the CID of [M + H]+ ions provides a simple and useful method for distinguishing the configuration of Caa (S or R) at the N-terminus of BocN-carbo beta,alpha- and beta,beta-dipeptides.     

Global activities in the world of reference materials including the needs of developing countries

Proceedings of previous BERM meetings have been used to assess emerging trends in the development of RMs to meet AQC requirements of clinical, food, nutrition, and environmental health areas. BRM-1 reflected a strong need to initiate and expand RM activities for certifying organic nutrients in foods. BRM-2 highlighted the distinction between primary (certified) and secondary (e.g. check samples for proficiency testing) RMs¹. BRM-3 identified the need for producing different levels of an analyte in a given matrix (spiked standards) to address matrix related measurement problems in foods. BERM-4 highlighted the need for a global vision in dealing with standards, illustrated by the activities of GESREM. Also, the logistics required for setting up intercomparison programs related to food safety monitoring programs were outlined. BERM-5 presented the changing outlook of the AOAC International in recognizing the usefulness of incorporating RMs for use in conjunction with their methods validation protocol. BERM-6 brought to the forefront the concern for traceability of chemical measurements to internationally recognized standards. BERM-7 recognized the need for multidisciplinary approaches for preparing certain types of CRMs, partly in response to the measurement needs arising from governmental regulations dealing with food safety and environmental health criteria. Finally, BERM symposia have promoted a meaningful dialogue on the RM needs of African, Asian and South American countries and provided the developing countries opportunities to discuss their problems with the international analytical community. The issue of health safety is involved in movement of foodstuffs between countries, and therefore, international efforts as voiced by the World Health Organization to provide guidance and assistance in AQC matters to the needy countries deserve consideration.     

A convenient synthesis of cis and trans 4-tert-butoxycarbonyl-substituted cyclohexylglycine

A novel synthesis of cis and trans substituted 4-tert-butoxycarbonyl cyclohexylglycines via asymmetric aminohydroxylation of vinyl styrene followed by reduction of the aromatic ring and subsequent oxidation is reported.     

Application of ruthenium-induced macrocyclization for the construction of macrocyclic depsipeptides

The synthesis of a biaryl ether containing macrocyclic depsipeptide 1 was achieved in 6% overall yield. The desired macrocycle was constructed by cyclization of a phenol into eta(6)-ruthenium complex. The ruthenium metal was subsequently photolytically deprotected to obtain the macrocycle 1.