Fluorescence detection in capillary arrays based on galvanometer step scanning.

A computer-controlled galvanometer scanner is adapted for scanning a focused laser beam across a 96-capillary array for laser-induced fluorescence detection. The signal at a single photomultiplier tube is temporally sorted to distinguish among the capillaries. The limit of detection for fluoresceins is 3 x 10(-11) M (S/N = 3) for 5 mW of total laser power scanned at 4 Hz. The observed cross-talk among capillaries is 0.2%. Advantages include the efficient utilization of light due to the high duty-cycle of step scan, good detection performance due to the reduction of stray light, ruggedness due to the small mass of the galvanometer mirror, low cost due to the simplicity of components, and flexibility due to the independent paths for excitation and emission.     

Theoretical study of the mechanism of proton transfer in tautomeric systems: Alloxan

Semiempirical SCF-MO studies of tautomerism in alloxan preclude the possibility of direct proton transfer in the gas phase due to the strain in the four-centred transition state, in which the proton being transferred is forced to come close to the positively charged carbon atom at the opposite corner of the four-membered ring. However, in aqueous solution, the activation barrier reduces appreciably, not only due to reduction in strain, but also due to charge separation in the transition state, which is stabilized due to ionic resonance. The N-H bond is almost broken, while the O-H bond is only partially formed in the transition state. The other stabilizing effect in aqueous solution is due to bulk solvent dielectric effects, which stabilize the transition state to a greater extent due to its higher dipole moment. Although the transition states for proton transfer to the neighbouring oxygen atoms on either side have comparable energies, as the mechanisms of proton transfer leading to the formation of the 2-hydroxy and 4-hydroxy tautomers are similar, bulk solvent effects are larger in the latter due to the higher dipole moment of the transition state. The reason is the almost complete separation of the two entities, i.e. the alloxan anion and the hydronium ion in the latter case, indicating that in this case a dissociative mechanism of the kind encountered in acid-base equilibria is operating.     

Thermodynamics of the High-Spin-Low-Spin Conversion of Nickel(II)Complexes with Tetraamine Ligands

Six tetraamine ligands, 2,5,8,11-tetraazadodecane, 2,5,9,12-tetraazatridecane, 3,7-dimethyl-3,7-diazanonane-l,9-diamine, 2,6,9,13-tetraazatetradecane, 4,7-dimethyl-4,7-diazadecane-l,10-diamine, 4-methy]-4,7-diazadecane-l,10-diamine, and their nickel(II) complexes have been synthesized. The equilibrium constants and thermodynamic parameters of the high-spin-low-spin conversion of these complexes at various temperatures in 0.10 M NaC1O⁴ have been investigated by spectrophotometric techniques. Influences of the enthalpies of these reactions are attributed to an endothermic contribution due to the breaking of the two Ni-OH² bonds, an exothermic contribution due to the strengthening of the four in-plane Ni-N bonds, an exothermic contribution due to the different ligand field stabilization energies of the square-planar and the octahedral complexes, an endothermic contribution due to the steric repulsions between the N-methyl group(s) and methylene groups as well as that between the two N-methyl groups of the tetraamine, an exothermic contribution due to the steric repulsions between the N-methyl group(s) and the coordinated water molecules, and an exothermic contribution due to the inductive effect of the N-methyl group(s). The important factors influencing the values of the entropies of these reactions are a negative term due to the reduction of spin multiplicity and a large positive term due to the release or the mobilization of the two coordinated water molecules.     

On the use of reference materials in gamma-ray spectrometric efficiency calibration for environmental samples

In order to calibrate a gamma-ray spectrometer for radioactivity measurements in environmental samples, it is essential to use standard radioactive sources in the appropriate geometrical configuration. However, the lack of standard sample due to any reason would necessitate the use of reference materials as reliable alternative. They often appear in many matrices and densities. Accordingly, special attention should be drawn towards optimizing the calibration. This work studies the errors encountered because of the attenuation process due to the density difference of the samples (including reference samples) aliquots with identical matrix contents. The highest effect was noticed in the lower energy regions. This study suggests that even for the reference samples with the same matrix, it is necessary to set a recommended density for the measurement process to avoid the errors due to the attenuation. If this is not practically possible it is recommended that attenuation correction due to matrix contents followed by another correction due to density correction would be a reliable approach to reach an optimum calibrating condition.     

Two-color excitation system for fluorescence detection in DNA sequencing by capillary array electrophoresis

Two computer-controlled galvanometer scanners are adapted for two-dimensional step scanning across a 96-capillary array for laser-induced fluorescence detection. 488 nm and 514 nm laser lines from the same Ar(+) laser were alternately coupled for two-color excitation in each capillary. The signal at a single photomultiplier tube is temporally sorted to distinguish among the capillaries and the excitation wavelengths. Based on the differences in absorption spectra for the dyes, the peak-height ratios in the 488 nm and 514 nm excitation electropherograms were used for peak identification for multiplexed capillary electrophoresis. Successful base calling for 24-capillary DNA sequencing was achieved to 450 bp with 99% accuracy. Advantages include the efficient utilization of light due to the high duty-cycle of step scan, good detection performance due to the reduction of stray light, ruggedness due to the small mass of the galvanometer mirror, low cost due to the simplicity of components and flexibility due to the independent paths for excitation and emission.     

Reversible and irreversible changes in the system PtPdH during cathodic charging

The deflection technique developed originally for the study of the reversible diffusion-elastic phenomenon has been generalized for the study of eventual irreversible changes due to cathodic charging. The total deflection may be resolved in many cases into two components which are due to irreversible and reversible changes. It was found useful to regard the ratio of these two components as a criterion for the extent of permanent structural changes due to hydrogen charging. The method was applied to the system PtPdH. Metallographic studies were used to detect conspicuous irreversible changes on the surface of the samples. Increased hydrogen solubility in the system studied (attained, for example, by further alloying with Pd) reduces irreversible changes due to hydrogen charging.     

Gel formation in free radical polymerization via chain transfer and terminal branching

Gel formation in free-radical polymerization via chain transfer to polymer, recombination termination, and terminal branching due to either chain transfer to monomer or disproportionation termination is investigated using the method of moments. It is found that no gel can possibly form in the systems consisting of initiation, propagation, and one of the above reactions. However, systems with the following combination of reactions are found to be capable of gelling. They are: chain transfer to polymer + recombination termination; chain transfer to polymer + terminal branching due to disproportionation termination; and terminal branching due to transfer to monomer + recombination termination. Systems with the following combination of reactions are incapable of gelling; transfer to polymer + terminal branching due to transfer to monomer; and terminal branching due to disproportionation termination + recombination termination. An examination of the gelation mechanisms reveals that the formation of multivinyl macromonomers during the course of polymerization is the reason that systems involving terminal branching gel. Sol/gel diagrams are generated to give critical kinetic parameters required for gelation. It is found that terminal branching does not always promote gelation due to the adverse effect on chain length through chain transfer to monomer and termination by disproportionation, reactions which generate terminal double bonds. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Some theoretical considerations in analytical chemistry : A simple method of calculating acid - base titration errors

The error in acid-basc titrations is analysed into a chemical error due to disparity between end- and equivalence points, a visual (or instrumental) discrimination error due to uncertainty in remembering or comparing colours, and an indicator error due to consumption of titrant by the indicator Simple expressions arc derived for the calculation of the chemical error, and these arc progressively refined ultimately to expressions which are rigorous and exact under all conditions.     

Evaluating the metabolic perturbations in Mangifera indica (mango) ripened with various ripening agents/practices through gas chromatography ‐ mass spectrometry based metabolomics

Mangifera indica L. (mango) is said to be the king of fruits due to its rich nutritional properties and mainly originates from the Indian sub‐continent. The consumption pattern of the mangoes has increased drastically, due to which, many ripening practices/agents were used to make it ready‐to‐eat fruit or juice for the consumers. The fruit quality and metabolic composition are said to be altered due to different ripening agents/practices. The present communication mainly deals to understand the metabolic perturbations in mango fruits due to different ripening practices/agents (room temperature ripening, ethylene, and calcium carbide) using gas chromatography ‐ mass spectrometry based metabolomics. The partial least square‐discriminant analysis has found 16 differential metabolites for different ripening agents/practices which are belong to the classes of amino acids, fatty acids, sugars, and polyols. Four metabolic pathways were found to alter in the fruit metabolome due to different ripening agents/practices. Fructose, glucose, and galactose were found to be significantly up‐regulated due to calcium carbide ripening in comparison to other ripening agents/practices. Overall findings from the present study advocates that mass spectrometry based metabolomics can be valuable tool to understand the fruit quality and safety with respect to consumer health.     

The polarographic determination of indium in zinc-base alloys : The determination of indium in zinc and in “lead-free” zinc alloys

The use of a potassium iodide base electrolyte for the separation of the polarographic steps due to indium and cadmium is discussed and theoretical data relating to the interference of the step due to lead with that due to indium are presented. An experimental study is given together with details of the attempted removal of lead interference. A method is presented for the polarographic determination of indium in zinc alloys, applicable when the lead concentration is small compared with that of indium.     

Studies on interpolymer self-organisation behaviour of protoporphyrin IX bound poly(carboxylic acid)s with complimentary polymers by means of fluorescence techniques

Covalently bound protoporphyrin IX was used as a fluorophore to investigate the interpolymer complex formation between the poly(carboxylic acid)s, PMAA/PAA and poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone), PVP, poly(ethylene oxide), PEO or poly(ethylene glycol), PEG. Absorption and emission spectral properties of protoporphyrin IX bound to PAA, PMAA and PVP have been studied. Protoporphyrin IX in poly(MAA-co-PPIX) was found to be present in the dimer or higher aggregated form at low pH due to the environmental restriction imposed by the polymer whereas in the case of poly(AA-co-PPIX) and poly(VP-co-PPIX), PPIX exists in monomeric form. The fluorescence intensity and lifetime of PPIX bound to poly(carboxylic acid)s increase on complexation through hydrogen bonding with PVP, PEO and PEG due to the displacement of water molecules in the vicinity of the PPIX. Poly(MAA-co-PPIX) shows longer fluorescence lifetime due to the more compact interpolymer complexation as compared to poly(AA-co-PPIX) due to the enhanced hydrophobicity of PMAA. Poly(VP-co-PPIX) shows a decrease in the fluorescence lifetime on complexation with PMAA or PAA due to the hydrophilic and microgel like environment of the fluorophore bound to PVP. The contrasting behaviour of the same polymer adduct with respect to the site of the fluorophore is interpreted to be due to the solvent structure which determines the environment of the fluorophore.     

The IR investigation of cyanethylated polycaproamide structures and their properties under UV radiation

The IR spectra of cyanethylated and UV irradiated polyamide fibres in a wide spectral range, and their light-resistance and tensile strength were investigated. Cyanethylation was found to proceed due to the loss of a hydrogen atom from the NH group.UV radiation was shown to be responsible for chain development which in turn is a cause of the strength and light resistance of cyanethylated PA fibre, as compared to the initial sample.The spectral changes in the investigated ranges of PA fibres due to cyanethylation as well as due to UV radiation were interpreted.     

Effect of sulfate on the surface and catalytic properties of iron-chromium mixed oxide pillared clay

Sulfate-supported iron-chromium mixed oxide pillared clay was prepared varying the sulfate loading from 1 to 5 wt% by the incipient wetness method and characterized by low-angle XRD, BET surface area, and ammonia TPD. All the samples were found to be stable up to 500 degrees C having the basal spacing 17.7 A even after sulfate impregnation. Formation of strong Lewis acid sites and decrease in the number of Br?nsted acid sites due to the sulfate loading were observed from the ammonia TPD curve. Catalytic properties of the sulfated materials were evaluated with the help of methanol conversion and aromatic alkylation reactions and correlated with the surface area and TPD results. For methanol conversion, decomposition product selectivity increases due to the sulfate addition. A negligible decrease in the surface area and a substantial increase in the catalytic activity were observed due to the sulfate loading of 1-2 wt%. However, a significant decrease in the surface area as well as catalytic activity was observed for the 3 wt% and above sulfate loaded samples which may be due to the partial blockage of pores by excess sulfate. Results shows the importance of acidity of the material due to sulfate loading (up to 2 wt%) and thus can be used as a better acid catalyst.     

Estimation of the critical micelle concentrations and the aggregation numbers of sodium alkyl sulfates by capillary-type isotachophoresis

The analytical procedure for the separation and quantification of bulk and micellar phases for sodium alkyl sulfates has been investigated by a capillary-type isotachophoresis using a potential gradient detector. Monomer solutions were distinguished from micellar solutions at pH 5.5–6.0; hydrochloric acid — L-Histidine mixture was used as the leading electrolyte and 2-(N-Morpholino) ethanesulfonic acid as the terminating electrolyte.The potential unit value (PU value) due to the monomer solutions was larger than that due to the micellar solutions. The zone length due to monomer solutions increased with increasing concentration of surfactant until a given concentration (CMC); beyond this point the values became constant. On the other hand, the zone length due to micellar solutions increased from this point. We report an applicability of capillary-type isotachophoresis to determination of the CMC's and aggregation number for various sodium alkyl sulfates.     

A calorimetric investigation of the assembly of gold nanorods to form necklaces

Interaction of gold nanorods with cysteine as well as 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) has been investigated by isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), in combination with electronic absorption spectroscopy and electron microscopy. The assembly process with MPA shows two steps, the first due to the binding of MPA to gold nanorods through the sulfur atom, and the second due to assembly of the MPA capped gold nanorods through the formation of cyclic hydrogen bonded dimers between the MPA molecules. In the case of cysteine only a single step is observed in ITC, due to the binding of the molecules to gold nanorods.     

Resonance Raman study of free-base tetraphenylporphine and its dication

Resonance Raman spectra of free-base tetraphenylporphine and its dication obtained with 441.6, 476.5, 488.0 and 514.5 nm excitation lines in the frequency region 100-1625 cm(-1) are reported. Some bands due to in-plane and out-of-plane vibrational modes, which are symmetry forbidden under ideal D(2h), are also seen in the Raman spectra of these molecules. These bands arise due to dynamic and/or static coupling of out-of-plane modes with the allowed in-plane modes. Dynamic coupling may be facilitated by the proton tunneling, while static coupling is due to out-of-plane distortion in the geometrical structure of the molecule. Shift in the positions for certain bands in the Raman spectra of dication are interpreted on the basis of electronic changes due to sharing of electrons of the B(1u) orbital by the two added protons.     

The Application of Chitosan Nanostructures in Stomatology

Chitosan (CS) is a natural polymer with a positive charge, a deacetylated derivative of chitin. Chitosan nanostructures (nano-CS) have received increasing interest due to their potential applications and remarkable properties. They offer advantages in stomatology due to their excellent biocompatibility, their antibacterial properties, and their biodegradability. Nano-CSs can be applied as drug carriers for soft tissue diseases, bone tissue engineering and dental hard tissue remineralization; furthermore, they have been used in endodontics due to their antibacterial properties; and, finally, nano-CS can improve the adhesion and mechanical properties of dental-restorative materials due to their physical blend and chemical combinations. In this review, recent developments in the application of nano-CS for stomatology are summarized, with an emphasis on nano-CS’s performance characteristics in different application fields. Moreover, the challenges posed by and the future trends in its application are assessed.     

示波极谱中和指示剂的原理(Ⅰ)——苯胺与荧光素钠

示波极谱滴定所用的中和滴定指示剂,其终点的pH值变化范围为普通中和指示剂的十分之一,可用于水溶液中极弱酸(碱)的直接滴定,非常有用.但示波中和指示剂切口变化的机理没有研究过,本文研究了示波中和指示剂荧光素钠和苯胺随pH的变化,以及其切口产生或消失的机理.     

The tropylium ion annelated with bicyclo[2.1.1]hex-2-ene: Stabilization due to σ-π conjugation versus destabilization due to mills-nixon type π-bond localization

In the tropylium ion annelated with bicyclo[2.1.1]hex-2-ene, stabilization due to the σ-π conjugation of tropylium p-orbitals with the highly strained bicyclic σ-framework was shown to be more effective than destabilization due to the Mills-Nixon type π-bond localization.     

Influence of drawing and heat treatment on surface free energies of polyethylene terephthalate fibers

The surface free energies of polyethylene terepthalate fibers with different draw ratios were experimentally determined by contact angle measurements inn-alkane/water systems. The dispersive component of the surface free energy increased with increasing draw ratio, whereas the nondispersive one remained almost constant. After heat treatment, the dispersive surface free energy increased, but was reduced above 140°C. The nondispersive component increased by heat treatment at 190°C. The increases in the density and birefringence of the fibres due to the drawing and heat treatment suggested that the increase in the dispersive surface free energy was caused by the increase in the atomic density at the fiber surface due to drawing and heat treatment. ESCA results indicated that the increment in the nondispersive surface free energy due to heat treatment was caused by the addition of functional groups to the fiber surface due to heat treatment.