Voltammetric Behavior of Dopamine at ct-DNA Modified Carbon Fiber Microelectrode

A sub-micrometer thin-layer DNA modified carbon fiber microcylinder electrode was prepared by electrodeposition of ct-DNA at 1.5V (vs. Ag/AgCl). The voltammetric behavior of dopamine (3-hydroxytyramine) was investigated at the modified electrode. It was found that the modified electrode exhibits a highly electrocatalytic activity toward dopamine oxidation. Differential pulse voltammetry was used for determination of dopamine in pH 7.4 phosphate buffer solution. A linear response of the peak current versus the concentration was found in the range of 4×10^–6 to 10^–4molL^–1 at 10^–4molL^–1 AA (ascorbic acid) coexistence (R=0.9959) and the range of 6×10^–5 to 10^–3molL^–1 at 10^–3molL^–1 AA (R=0.9960). The presence of a high concentration of ascorbic acid did not interfere with the determination. The proposed method exhibited good recovery and reproducibility. This method can be applied to the detection of DA in real samples.     

Determination of Nucleic Acids Based on their Resonance Light Scattering Enhancement Effect on Metalloporphyrin Derivatives

A new method for the determination of nucleic acids at nanogram per mL level is proposed based on the enhanced resonance light scattering (RLS) signal resulting from the interaction of metalloporphyrins with nucleic acids. Under optimum conditions, the weak RLS signal of metalloporphyrin is enhanced by nucleic acids, and the enhanced RLS intensity is proportional to the concentration of nucleic acids. The detection limits of calf thymus DNA were 3.5ngmL^–1, 2.9ngmL^–1 and 1.0ngmL^–1 for three metalloporphyrins, respectively. Synthetic samples were determined with satisfactory results.     

The Electrochemical Behavior of p-Aminophenol at a ω-Mercaptopropionic Acid Self-Assembled Gold Electrode

A -mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) self-assembled monolayer modified electrode (MPA/SAM/Au) on a gold electrode has been fabricated. The characterization of the MPA/SAM/Au was investigated using attenuated total reflection-fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) and A.C. impedance. The electrochemical behaviors of p-aminophenol (p-AP) were studied at the MPA/SAM/Au by cyclic voltammetry and semi-derivative voltammetry (SDV) in BR buffer solution. The modified electrode shows excellent electrocatalytic activity for the redox of p-AP and accelerates the electron transfer rate. The diffusion coefficient (D) is 4.55×10^–6cm²s^–1. The oxidative peak current increases linearly with the concentration of p-AP in the range of 4.0×10^–88×10^–6molL^–1 and 1.0×10^–52×10^–4molL^–1 by square wave voltammetry response, respectively. The detection limit (three times the signal blank/slope) is up to 1.2×10^–8molL^–1. The modified electrode is able to eliminate the interference of p-benzenediol, o-benzenediol and o-AP at a 40-, 90- or 70-fold concentration of p-AP, and it has been satisfactorily used for the determination of the real sample.     

Determination of Heavy Metal Ions in Chinese Herbal Medicine by Microwave Digestion and RP-HPLC with UV-Vis Detection

A new method for the simultaneous determination of heavy metal ions in Chinese herbal medicine by microwave digestion and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) has been developed. The Chinese herbal medicine samples were digested by microwave digestion. Lead, cadmium, mercury, nickel, copper, zinc, and tin ions in the digested samples were pre-column derivatized with tetra-(4-chlorophenyl)-porphyrin (T₄-CPP) to form the colored chelates which were then enriched by solid phase extraction with C₁₈ cartridge and eluted from the cartridge with tetrahydrofuran (THF). The chelates were separated on a Waters Xterra RP₁₈ column by gradient elution with methanol (containing 0.05molL^–1 pyrrolidine-acetic acid buffer salt, pH=10.0) and THF (containing 0.05molL^–1 pyrrolidine-acetic acid buffer salt, pH=10.0) as mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.5mLmin^–1 and detected with a photodiode array detector in the range of 350–600nm. In the original samples the detection limits of lead, cadmium, mercury, nickel, copper, zinc and tin are 4ngL^–1, 3ngL^–1, 6ngL^–1, 5ngL^–1, 2ngL^–1, 6ngL^–1, and 4ngL^–1, respectively. This method was applied to the determination of lead, cadmium, mercury, nickel, copper, zinc and tin in Chinese herbal medicine samples with good results.     

Determination of Iron in Tap and Waste Water Using Liquid–Liquid Extraction in a Flow-Injection System

A flow-injection procedure for the determination of iron(III) in water is described. The procedure is based on the formation of an ion pair between the tetraphenylarsonium (Ph₄As⁺) (TPA) or tetrabutylammonium (But₄N⁺) (TBA) cations and the tetrathiocyanatoferrate(III) complex (TTF). This ion pair is extracted with chloroform, and the absorbance of the organic phase is measured at 503nm (for Ph₄As⁺) or 475nm (for But₄N⁺). Iron concentrations higher than 0.9×10^–6molL^–1 (50µgL^–1) can be detected in the first case, with a relative standard deviation of 1.9% (n=12), a linear application rangeof between 1.34 and 54.0×10^–6molL^–1 (75–3015µgL^–1), and a sampling frequency of 30h^–1. For the ion pair with But₄N⁺, the detection limit is 0.52×10^–6molL^–1 (29µgL^–1), with a relative standard deviation of 1.6% and a linear application range between 0.73 and 54.0×10^–6molL^–1. Under the proposed working conditions, only Pd(IV), Cu(II) and Bi(III) interfere. With the application of the merging zones technique, considerable amounts of organic reagent can be saved. The TBA method was applied to the analysis of iron(III) in tap and industrial waste waters.     

Electroconductivity and Ion Transport in Protonic Solid Electrolytes BaCe0.85R0.15O3–δ, where R is a Rare-Earth Element

The total, ionic, and protonic conductivities of solid electrolytes BaCe_0.85R_0.15O_{3 –} (BC15R), where R = Sc, Y, La, and all lanthanides bar Pm, are studied at ₂ = 2.1 × 10⁴–10^–15 Pa, ₂ = 2.1 × 10³ Pa, and temperatures of 550–1000°. The samples are synthesized in air at 1450° for two hours. In oxidizing media, all the electrolytes are mixed ion–hole conductors. In reducing environment, BC15R doped with R³⁺ exhibit oxygen–proton conduction. Ionic and protonic conductivities are independent of ₂. Protonic conductivity disobeys the Arrhenius dependence: it decreases with increasing temperature. The total and ionic conductivities of BC15R are virtually independent of the nature of cations R³⁺ in the interval from Nd to Lu.     

Determination of Trace Proteins by Rayleigh Light Scattering Technique with Indophenol Blue

The interaction of indophenol blue (IPB) with proteins in aqueous solution has been studied by optical absorption and Rayleigh light scattering (RLS) spectroscopy. At pH 3.8, the weak RLS of IPB is enhanced by proteins. Based on this phenomenon, a novel method for the determination of proteins at nanogram levels using the RLS technique is developed. The method is simple, practical and sensitive. The linear range is 0.25–20.9µgmL^–1 for BSA, and 0.25–17.6µgmL^–1 for HSA. The detection limits (S/N=3) are 23ngmL^–1 for BSA and 22ngmL^–1 for HAS. The results for the determination of proteins in human serum samples are very close to those obtained by an established clinical method. There is very little interference from amino acids, metal ions or other coexisting compounds.     

Temperature dependence of apparent molar volumes and viscosity B-coefficients of amino acids in aqueous potassium thiocyanate solutions from 15 to 35°C

Precise density and viscosity data at 15, 25 and 35°C for solutions of glycine, DL-alanine, L-threonine, -alanine, -aminobutyric acid and -aminocaproic acid in water and in (1m, 3m, 5m) aqueous potassium thiocyanate were measured and the limiting apparent molar volumes V ^o and the B-coefficients calculated. The V ^o and B values were split into the contributions from the NH ₃ ⁺ ,COO^– and CH₂ groups. These data are rationalized on the basis of hydrophillic and hydrophobic interactions between the various groups present in these solutions.Abstracted from the Ph.D Thesis of R. K. Goyal, University of Delhi, 1990.     

X-ray studies of ZSM-5 zeolites with framework cations of various sizes

From a comparison of the X-ray difractograms for various ZSM-5 zeolites the isomorphous substitution of framework Si⁴⁺ by large cations (Al³⁺, Ga³⁺, Fe³⁺) is suggested to be ordered as contrasted to the statistical substitution by small ones (B³⁺).

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ZSM-5 , Si⁴⁺ (Al³⁺, Ga³⁺, Fe³⁺) , (B³⁺).

     

Determination of Total Selenium Content in Cereals and Bakery Products by Flow Injection Hydride Generation Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry Applying in-situ Trapping on Iridium-Treated Graphite Platforms

A flow injection hydride generation graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometric (FI-HG-GFAAS) method was applied to the determination of Se in Se-doped and undoped cereals and bakery products. For the purpose of doping, the soils used for the cultivation of the cereals were dosed with Se-doped foliar fertilizers. The samples were dissolved in a mixture of HNO₃ and H₂O₂ solutions using microwave-assisted digestion. The decomposition of H₂Se generated from the sample solutions and the trapping of elemental Se were performed at a temperature of 300°C on an Ir-pretreated integrated graphite platform of a transversally heated graphite atomizer (THGA). For release of the trapped Se within a fairly short atomization time (5s), an atomization temperature of 2200°C was observed to be optimal. The overall efficiency of hydride generation, transport and trapping was 86%.The upper limit of the linear dynamic range of calibration was 10µgL^–1, which corresponds to 0.5µgg^–1 for solid samples. Recovery of the samples spiked with Se^VI solutions was found to be 93±6% on average. The relative standard deviation of the determinations was less than 8%. The limit of detection was found to be 0.06µgL^–1, corresponding to 3ngg^–1 for solid samples. The accuracy of the method was verified with the use of IAEA-155 (whey powder) certified reference material. End-capped THGA tubes resulted in an extension of the linear calibration range compared to that of standard THGAs.The Se content in bakery products made of undoped cereals ranged from 7.7 to 68ngg^–1 (wet weight) in 18 samples, whereas the Se content of the corresponding cereals was found to be below 100ngg^–1 (wet weight). The Se level of cereals grown on soils treated with Se-doped fertilizers ranged from 128 to 1046ngg^–1 (wet weight), and it depended linearly on the Se concentration of the corresponding foliar fertilizer.     

Antioxidative and antitumour properties of metal(II) solid complexes with 8-acetyl-4-methyl umbelliferone

Six transition metal(II) complexes with 8-acetyl-4-methyl umbelliferone (AMUH), ML2 (L=AMU^–; M=Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn and Cd), have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, electrical conductance, i.r., 1H-n.m.r. and u.v. spectroscopic techniques. The e.s.r. spectra show that CuL2 is anisotropic, with g2.05 and g2.26. The MnL2 species is characterized by a very broad g2 centered resonance without manganese hyperfine structure. The antioxidative and other biological activities of selected complexes were also investigated, indicating that both the ligand and complexes exhibit a scavenging effect on the superoxide radical (O₂ ^–·) and a suppressing effect on the hydroxyl radical (·OH). The suppressing effect on ·OH is greater than the scavenging effect on O₂ ^–·. The Cu and Mn complexes exhibit very significant suppression ratios for both radicals. However, the inhibitory effect on lipid peroxides results show that, in the initial stage, the Cu and Mn complexes exhibit obvious inhibitory effects on lipid peroxides, but after one hour, they begin to accelerate the lipid peroxides. Lower catalytic activity and instability when the complexes react with active oxygen may be responsible for this dual nature. The ligand and four transition metal(II) complexes selectively, obviously, inhibit the growth of HCT-8 and HL-60 tumour cell lines. They also exhibit a minor influence on the proliferation of B cells in higher concentration (10^–5m), but only a weak effect on the proliferation of T cells of the BALB/C (nude rate) spleen cells.     

State of copper in massive Cu?V?Mo oxide systems

ESR data for X(CuO) V₂O₅·8.3 MoO₃ system heated at 400–550 °C indicate the occurrence of a copper state with d_Z ²-ground state. Copper ions are orbitally ordered apparently in –Cu²⁺–O–Cu¹⁺–O–Cu²⁺-chains.

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B X(CuO) V₂O₅·8,3 MoO₃ , 400–550°C d_Z ²- . , , –Cu²⁺–O–Cu¹⁺–O–Cu²⁺-.

     

Effect of Surfactants on the Immobilization of 4-(2-Pyridylazo)resorcinol on Silochroms

The effect of cationic surfactants (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, cetylpyridinium bromide, and tetrabutylammonium perchlorate) and a nonionic surfactant (OP-7) on the conditions of the immobilization of 4-(2-pyridylazo)resorcinol (PAR) on three types of silica gel (Silochrom S-120 (200–350 m), Silochrom S-120 (315–500 m), and Silochrom S-80 (200–350 m)) was studied. It was found that OP-7 does not affect the adsorption of surfactants. The effect of cationic surfactants increases in the order tetrabutylammonium perchlorate < cetyltrimethylammonium bromide < cetylpyridinium bromide. The adsorption activity of silica gels increases in the order Silochrom S-120 (315–500 m) < Silochrom S-80 (200–350 m) < Silochrom S-120 (200–350 m). Cetylpyridinium bromide provides full immobilization of PAR on silica gel Silochrom S-120 (200–350 m) in the pH range 2–9.     

Pressure-jump method in the dehydrogenation of propane over chromia-alumina-potassium oxide

The pressure-jump method was applied to the dehydrogenation of C₃H₈ over a Cr₂O₃–Al₂O₃–K₂O catalyst in a closed static reactor at 443°C. The rate equation proposed for initial kinetics was shown to apply to the dehydrogenation of C₃H₈.

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C₃H₈ Cr₂O₃–Al₂O₃–K₂O 443°C. , , , C₃H₈.

     

Adsorptive Catalytic Voltammetry of Physcion in the Presence of Dissolved Oxygen at a Carbon Paste Electrode

A novel electroanalytical method for the determination of physcion is described for the first time. Physcion yields an adsorption catalytic voltammetric peak at –0.74V (vs. SCE) in 0.4molL^–1 NH₄Cl–NH₃·H₂O buffer solution (pH 10.5) at a carbon paste electrode (CPE). The experimental results indicated that physcion is efficiently accumulated at a CPE by adsorption. In the subsequent potential scan, physcion was reduced to a homologous anthrahydroquinone compound. The compound was then immediately oxidized to physcion by the dissolved oxygen in the solution, and then physcion was again reduced at the CPE. As a result, a cyclic catalytic reaction was established. The second-order derivative peak current is proportional to the physcion concentration in the ranges of 2.0×10^–104.0×10^–9molL^–1 (accumulation 90s) and 4.0×10^–92.0×10^–8molL^–1 (accumulation 60s). The limit of detection is 8×10^–11molL^–1 (S/N=3) for a 120s accumulation time. The method was applied to the direct determination of physcion in the medicinal plant polygonum multiflorum Thumb with satisfactory results.     

Activity in CO oxidation of manganese dioxide for batteries

The low temperature oxidation of CO over MnO₂ containing samples for batteries has been investigated. It is found that the samples contain compositional and hydrate water and Mn⁴⁺, Mn³⁺, Mn²⁺ ions. The high efficiency is due to Mn⁴⁺ content.

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CO MnO₂, . , Mn⁴⁺, Mn³⁺, Mn²⁺. Mn⁴⁺.

     

Characterization of airborne particulates by laser microprobe mass analysis

Summary Laser microprobe mass analysis (LAMMA) was applied to characterize aerosol particles collected and separated from 16m to 0.06m by a low pressure cascade impactor. Positive ion LAMMA spectra showed characteristic molecular peaks such as PbCl⁺, a series of Si₂O⁺–Si₂O₄ ⁺ and NaAl₂Si₂O₂ ⁺–NaAl₂Si₂O₅ ⁺, and TiO⁺ in 0.06–0.12m, 0.5–1m and 4–8m fraction, respectively. In the negative ion LAMMA spectra, it was observed that the fragment peaks of sulfate ions were deficient above 2m and those of nitrate ions were deficient under 2m. LAMMA allows remarkable insights into the chemical nature of aerosol particles.

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Charakterisierung luftgetragener Teilchen durch Laser-Microprobe-Massenspektrometrie

Zusammenfassung Laser-Microprobe-Spektrometrie (LAMMS) wurde zur Analyse atmosphärischen Aerosols herangezogen, welches im Korngrößenbereich zwischen 16m und 0.06m mit einem Niederdruckkaskadenimpaktor fraktioniert gesammelt wurde. Positive LAMMS-Spektren zeigten charakteristische molekulare Peaks, wie etwa PbCl⁺, eine Serie von Si₂O⁺–Si₂O₄ ⁺ und NaAl₂Si₂O₂ ⁺–NaAl₂Si₂O₅ ⁺, sowie TiO⁺ in der 0,06–0,12-m,- 0,5–1–m- bzw. 4–8-m-Fraktion. In den negativen LAMMS-Spektren konnten über 2m keine Fragmentpeaks für Sulfationen, unter 2m. keine für Nitrationen beobachtet werden. LAMMS ermöglicht eine bemerkenswerte Einsicht in die chemische Natur von Aerosolteilchen.

     

Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometric Determination of Gold and Palladium Using Microcolumn On-line Preconcentration and Separation

A microcolumn on-line preconcentration and separation system was developed for the flame atomic absorption spectrometric (FAAS) determination of trace levels of gold and palladium. The analytes were selectively adsorbed onto the microcolumn packed with 2-mercaptothiazole immobilized silica gel (MBTSG) in an acidity range of 0.1 to 6.0M HCl at a sampling flow rate of 4.0mLmin^–1. The analytes adsorbed could be desorbed by a thiourea solution with a flow rate of 2.0mLmin^–1. Most of the common coexisting metal ions at a concentration of 25.0mgmL^–1 and anions at a concentration of 50.0mgmL^–1 did not interfere with the preconcentration and determination of Au and Pd. The limits of detection (LOD), defined as three times the standard deviation of the blank (3), of Au and Pd are 10ngmL^–1 and 26ngmL^–1, respectively, with a preconcentration time of 60s. The relative standard deviation (RSD) is about 2.0% for 0.20µgmL^–1 Au and 0.30µgmL^–1 Pd. With a sample loading time of 30min, 6.7ngmL^–1 Au and 10ngmL^–1 Pd can be preconcentrated quantitatively. A geological sample, an anode slime and a secondary nickel alloy were successfully determined with the proposed method, and the results obtained showed good agreement with the certified values.Received December 23, 2002; accepted May 14, 2003 Published online August 8, 2003     

Polyhydroxysteroids from the Far-Eastern starfishCtenodiscus crispatus

Four new polyhydroxysteroids, 5-cholesta-3,5,6,15,16,25,26-heptaol, 24-ethyl-5-cholesta-3,5,6,15,28,29-heptaol-29-sulfate, (22E)-24-methyl-5-cholest-22-ene-3,5,6,15,25,26-hexaol-26-sulfate, 24-propyl-5-cholesta-3,5,6,8,15,28,29-heptaol, and the known 5-cholesta-3,5,6,15,16,26-hexaol, have been isolated from the starfishCtenodiscus crispatus.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 10, pp. 1821–1825, October, 1994.     

Flow injection-mini-column technique with ICP-AES detection for the isolation and preconcentration of the fast reactive aluminium fraction in waters

A flow injection mini-column system based on short reaction times with 8-hydroxyquinoline (oxine) with ICP-AES detection is described for the isolation and preconcentration of the fast reactive or toxic aluminium fraction in water samples. Using a 3 s reaction time with oxine (5 × 10^–4 mol/l) at pH 5.0, the fast reactive aluminium fraction is shown not to include the non-toxic AlF²⁺ species at low F^–: Al³⁺ molar ratios (0.3 : 1). The complexed aluminium is isolated in a stable and recoverable form on mini-columns of Amberlite XAD-2 (0.3 cm × 5.0 cm, resin particle size range 0.08 mm–0.16 mm)). The retained aluminium is recovered by back-flushing the analytical column with 1 mol/l HCl for final element specific detection by ICP-AES. Detection limits (after preconcentration) of 2 g/l, a linear range of 0–500 g/l, and possible preconcentration factors of up to 18 times are demonstrated with the present system. Implications for the possible solution of sample stability problems encountered with labile aluminium species analysis and the development of a field sampling technique are discussed, where the desired Al fraction is quantitatively retained in a stable form on mini-columns.