A liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole–time-of-flight–mass spectrometry (LC–QTOF–MS) method for identification analysis of saponins from Quillaja saponaria bark extracts in foot-and-mouth disease vaccines: Development,validation and applicability

Saponins from Quillaja saponaria have been commonly used as immunomodulatory adjuvants in foot-and-mouth disease vaccines (FMDVs). However, due to the lack of consensus over the possible exacerbation of local inflammatory responses in cattle and its economic impacts, their use has been discouraged by Brazilian authorities. A qualitative method intended to determine the presence of saponins from Q. saponaria bark extracts in FMDVs was developed and validated. Instrumental analysis was performed using an liquid chromatography (LC) coupled to a quadrupole–time-of-flight–mass spectrometry (TOF-MS) system. The method was validated according to the International Conference on Harmonization Harmonized Tripartite Guideline Q2 (R1) and Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply Analytical Quality Assurance Guidelines. Validation parameters were determined and considered suitable to the established criteria. The validated method has been applied in routine analysis in the National Agricultural Laboratory at Rio Grande do Sul (LANAGRO-RS). All results obtained were in agreement with the vaccine's composition described by the manufacturer. The method is easy and adequate for analysis in routine laboratories. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of a method which intends to investigate the presence of saponins from Q. saponaria bark extracts in veterinary vaccines.     

Acid/Base‐Triggered Switching of Circularly Polarized Luminescence and Electronic Circular Dichroism in Organic and Organometallic Helicenes

Electronic circular dichroism and circularly polarized luminescence acid/base switching activity has been demonstrated in helicene‐bipyridine proligand 1 a and in its “rollover” cycloplatinated derivative 2 a . Whereas proligand 1 a displays a strong bathochromic shift (>160 nm) of the nonpolarized and circularly polarized luminescence upon protonation, complex 2 a displays slightly stronger emission. This strikingly different behavior between singlet emission in the organic helicene and triplet emission in the organometallic derivative has been rationalized by using quantum‐chemical calculations. The very large bathochromic shift of the emission observed upon protonation of azahelicene‐bipyridine 1 a has been attributed to the decrease in aromaticity (promoting a charge‐transfer‐type transition rather than a π–π* transition) as well as an increase in the HOMO–LUMO character of the transition and stabilization of the LUMO level upon protonation.     

Crystalline Cyclic (Alkyl)(amino)carbene‐tetrafluoropyridyl Radical

A stable cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene (CAAC) 1 inserts into the para‐CF bond of pentafluoropyridine, and after fluoride abstraction, the iminium‐pyridyl adduct [ 3 ]⁺ was isolated. A cyclic voltammetry study shows a reversible three‐state redox system involving [ 3 ]⁺, [ 3 ] ^? , and [ 3 ] ^? . The CAAC‐pyridyl radical [ 3 ] ^? , obtained by reduction of [ 3 ]⁺ with magnesium, has been spectroscopically and crystallographically characterized. In contrast to the lack of π communication between the CAAC and the pyridine units in cation [ 3 ]⁺, the unpaired electron of [ 3 ] ^? is delocalized over an extended π system involving both heterocycles.     

Increased Water Reduction Efficiency of Polyelectrolyte‐Bound Trimetallic [Ru,Rh,Ru] Photocatalysts in Air‐Saturated Aqueous Solutions

The groundbreaking use of polyelectrolytes to increase the efficiency of supramolecular photocatalysts in solar H₂ production schemes under aqueous aerobic conditions is reported. Supramolecular photocatalysts of the architecture [{(TL)₂Ru(BL)}₂RhX₂]⁵⁺ (BL=bridging ligand, TL=terminal ligand, X=halide) demonstrate high efficiencies in deoxygenated organic solvents but do not function in air‐saturated aqueous solution because of the quenching of the metal‐to‐ligand charge‐transfer (MLCT) excited state under these conditions. The new photocatalytic system incorporates poly(4‐styrenesulfonate) (PSS) into aqueous solutions containing [{(bpy)₂Ru(dpp)}₂RhCl₂]⁵⁺ (bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine, dpp=2,3‐bis(2‐pyridyl)pyrazine). PSS has a profound impact on the photocatalyst efficiency, increasing H₂ production over three times that of deoxygenated aqueous solutions alone. H₂ photocatalysis proceeds even under aerobic conditions for PSS‐containing solutions, an exciting consequence for solar hydrogen‐production research.     

Experimental investigations into an isothermal spinning threadline: Extensional rheology of a Separan AP 30 solution in glycerol and water

Summary Experimental observations on a steady isothermally extending filament of a water/glycerol solution of Separan AP 30 are presented. Photographic records were analysed to give filament diameter (and hence filament speed) as a function of distance below the extrusion die (a glass capillary). Measurements of inline tension were also made. When effects of weight, surface tension and air drag were accounted for, the extensional stress at every point along the filament could be calculated. Results for stress versus extension rate are presented for various flow situations.Independent rheogoniometric measurements of simple shear viscosity, first and second normal stress differences, and of a crude relaxation time were also made at comparable rates of deformation.Comparison shows that apparent extensional viscosities are several orders of magnitude larger than corresponding simple shear viscosities. After discussion, no conclusion can be drawn about what constitutive equation is most suitable to describe the results.An analysis to predict air drag is given.With 18 figures     

Spatial-based iterative learning control for motion control applications

For many motion control applications spatial constraints are often more important than temporal constraints. In recent work, we have developed a spatial control strategy called the ε-controller for mobile robot applications. The control strategy is based solely on static path geometry with position (in space) feedback. Motivated by this idea, in this paper, we consider the notion of spatial-based iterative learning control (ILC). Specifically, we consider repetitive operation problems where corrections are made to the control signal from trial to trial. Unlike traditional ILC, however, which updates control signals based on the time elapsed along a trajectory, we instead make updates based on path errors and progress along the path. The idea is demonstrated via simulation for a system with bang–bang velocity control. Experimental results using a high-precision, two-axis gimbal mechanism are presented to show the effectiveness of the strategy.     

High pressure studies using two-stage diamond micro-anvils grown by chemical vapor deposition

Ultra-high static pressures have been achieved in the laboratory using a two-stage micro-ball nanodiamond anvils as well as a two-stage micro-paired diamond anvils machined using a focused ion-beam system. The two-stage diamond anvils’ designs implemented thus far suffer from a limitation of one diamond anvil sliding past another anvil at extreme conditions. We describe a new method of fabricating two-stage diamond micro-anvils using a tungsten mask on a standard diamond anvil followed by microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition (CVD) homoepitaxial diamond growth. A prototype two-stage diamond anvil with 300?µm culet and with a CVD diamond second stage of 50?µm in diameter was fabricated. We have carried out preliminary high pressure X-ray diffraction studies on a sample of rare-earth metal lutetium sample with a copper pressure standard to 86?GPa. The micro-anvil grown by CVD remained intact during indentation of gasket as well as on decompression from the highest pressure of 86?GPa.