Extraction properties of octaethyltetraamidopyrophosphate (OETAPP)

The extraction of uranium was studied in the system of 0.1 M OETAPP in CHCl₃/HCl or HNO₃. The distribution coefficients of HCl and HNO₃ were calculated as a function of OETAPP concentration. The amount of OETAPP in the aqueous phase containing HCl and HNO₃ was found from the measurements of surface tension of this phase. The distribution of HCl and HNO₃ between an organic and aqueous phase was studied as a function of the concentration in the aqueous phase of the acid in question. The solvation energy of the extracted complexes was calculated on the basis of the measured potential differences. The cohesion and adhesion energies of the studied systems are given as well.     

A simple isotherm equation for describing gas adsorption on heterogeneous microporous solids

A simple isotherm equation for describing gas adsorption on solids showing heterogeneity of microporous structure is proposed. It is shown that this equation gives a good representation of the experimental data of argon, nitrogen and benzene adsorption on different types of activated carbons. Its parameters may be used to characterize heterogeneity of microporous structure of the solids.

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Eine einfache Isotherme zur Beschreibung der Gas-Adsorption an heterogenen mikroporösen Feststoffen

Zusammenfassung Es wird eine einfache Isotherme zur Beschreibung der Gasadsorption an Feststoffen mit heterogener mikroporöser Struktur vorgeschlagen. Es wird gezeigt, daß diese Gleichung die experimentellen Daten für die Adsorption von Argon, Stickstoff und Benzol an verschiedenen Typen von Aktivkohle gut beschreibt. Die Parameter der Isotherme können zur Charakterisierung der Heterogenität der mikroporösen Struktur von Festkörpern herangezogen werden.

     

Direct asymmetric aldol-Tishchenko reaction of aliphatic ketones catalyzed by syn-aminoalcohol-Yb(III) complexes

The asymmetric direct aldol condensation of aldehydes with ethyl- and propylketones is catalyzed by syn-alpha-aminoalcohol-Yb(OTf)3 complexes, yielding the anti-1,3-diol monoesters with high diastereocontrol and good enantioselectivity. Three adjacent stereogenic centers are created in a simultaneous aldol condensation and Evans-Tishchenko reduction in an acyclic system.     

Comparison of Different Sorbents for Solid-Phase Extraction of Phenoxyalkanoic Acid Herbicides

An HPLC procedure for determination of phenoxyalkanoic acid herbicides in water samples is proposed. The analytical column Phenomenex C18(2) Luna 5 µm and UV detection at 225 nm were applied. Baseline resolution was achieved in isocratic mode with a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile/acetic acid (40/60, v/v), adjusted to pH 2.5. SPE sorbents – C₁₈ BondElut, phenyl-silica, LiChrolut SAX and polymeric sorbents – were compared for isolation and preconcentration of 6 phenoxyalkanoic acid herbicides. Higher (above 95%) and more reproducible recoveries were obtained with polymeric and phenyl-silica sorbents using pure methanol for elution. The method was tested for river water samples with the limit of detection in the range of 2–3 µg L⁻¹ (for 50 mL sample) and a reproducibility of 5% RSD.     

From workplace air measurement results toward estimates of exposure? Development of a strategy to assess exposure to manufactured nano-objects

In the past few years, an increasing number of studies on workplace air measurements on manufactured nano-materials and -objects have been published. Most of the studies had a more explorative character, so a direct interpretation to workers” exposure for a given exposure situation, activity, or process is not a straight-forward process. In general, the studies use a quite similar package of devices for near real-time monitoring of particle number- and mass concentration in size ranges <100 nm up to 10 μm, and the collection of samples for off-line characterization of air samples. Various approaches for addressing background concentrations and its use to indicate the potential for exposure to nano-objects could be observed. Within the EU-sponsored NANOSH project, a harmonized approach for measurement strategy, data analysis and reporting was developed. In addition to time/activity–concentration profiles as reported by most studies, this approach enables a first step to estimate the potential for exposure to manufactured nano-objects, more quantitatively. The NANOSH data will be collated into a base, which may form the starting point for a harmonized database facilitating overall analysis in near future, to derive estimates for exposure for several exposure situations.     

Copper(II) and nickel(II) complexes of a neutral pentadentate Schiff base

A new pentadentate Schiff base 2,6,10-triaza-1,11-bis(2′-aminophenyl)-undeca-1,10-diene, abaDPT, and its complexes of general formula M(abaDPT)X₂ where M = Cu(II), Ni(II), X = Cl, Br, I, NO₃ and ClO₄, have been prepared. The complexes have been characterized by electronic and IR spectra, EPR, magnetic moments, molar conductances, and elemental analysis. IR data show an interaction between halide anion of the outer coordination sphere and the complexed amino group. EPR and spectrophotometric data of most of the copper compounds are consistent with a distorted square pyramidal geometry. Single crystal EPR studies of Cu(abaDPT)(NO₃)₂ and Cu(abaDPT)Br₂ revealed that copper atoms in the former compound occupy two magnetically inequivalent places in the lattice while copper atoms in the latter compound take identical sites. Principal g tensor axes of the two compounds have been determined.     

Comparison of protein precipitation methods for various rat brain structures prior to proteomic analysis

Sample preparation is a fundamental step in proteomic methodologies. The quality of the results from a proteomic experiment is dependent on the nature of the sample and the properties of the proteins. In this study, various pre-treatment methods were compared by proteomic analysis; we analysed various rat brain structures after chloroform/methanol, acetone, TCA/acetone and TCA protein precipitation procedures. The protein content of the supernatant was also examined by 2-DE. We found that for four of the rat brain structures, precipitation with chloroform/methanol and acetone delivered the highest protein recovery for top-down proteomic analysis; however, TCA precipitation resulted in good protein separation and the highest number of protein spots in 2-DE. Moreover, TCA precipitation also gave high efficiency of protein recovery if prior sonication procedure was performed.     

Surface‐Plasmon‐Coupled Emission of Rhodamine 110 in a Silica Nanolayer

The first observation of strong directional surface‐plasmon‐coupled emission (SPCE) of Rhodamine 110 in silica nanofilms deposited on silver nanolayers is reported. The preparation of the material is described in detail. The intensity of SPCE exceeds 10 times that of free space fluorescence and total linear light polarization in the SPCE ring is observed. A new experimental setup and an original data collection method is presented. Our material completely preserves its fluorescence properties for at least eight months.     

Examining the possibilities of applying high pressure to preserve yoghurt supplemented with probiotic bacteria

Natural yoghurt was subject to pressures of 200 and 250 MPa/4 and 18°C/15 min, after which milk-activated inocula of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium sp. were added. The yoghurts were stored for 4 weeks at refrigeration temperature. After preparation and each week of storage, the count of bacteria, acidity, antibacterial property and an organoleptic assessment was determined. The highest survival rate was demonstrated by the bacteria of Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus, Streptococcus thermophilus and Bifidobacterium sp. in the yoghurt pressurised 200 MPa/15min at 4°C. Acidity increases in the control yoghurts were higher than in the pressurised ones. Pressurised yoghurts demonstrated weaker antibacterial effect in comparison to control yoghurts. Slight changes in the smell and taste were observed after pressurisation. Yoghurts pressurised at 18°C were characterised by more favourable organoleptic properties. Better conciseness of the curd and lower whey seep out were observed in pressurised yoghurt.     

Anomalies in neutron diffraction patterns of -Mn alloys

Neutron scattering studies of a diffuse peak at the (100) and (001) r.l. points ware performed in Mn-Fe and Mn-Cu fct single-crystal single-domain samples. Temperature dependence of integrated intensity of (001) peak in Mn-Fe follows closely the sublattice magnetization, while in Mn-Cu it shows a maximum at T_N. The origin of the scattering present at (100) — Z.B. point in Mn-Cu remains unknown.