Collective effects in molecular motions in liquids

The collective effects in water were studied by investigating the spatial distribution of long-living hydrogen bonds and revealing correlations in molecular motions. The existence of extended clusters, whose molecules are linked by long-living bonds, suggests the existence of correlations between the motions of its molecules. The mean scalar products of the shift vectors of two molecules were calculated using the narrow ranges (DP) of intermolecular distances in the initial configuration. The average correlation coefficients (the cosines of angles between the shift vectors of two molecules) were also calculated. The DP and cosine values were averaged over all pairs with this intermolecular distance. The DP values increased with time and formed a plateau after a few hundred picoseconds. The plateau was attributed to the existence of molecular vortices that cover large (several nanometers) volumes of the liquid. The conclusion was drawn that hydrophobic species, for example, noble gas atoms incorporated in the water net could be involved in collective motions.     

Recent Advances in in situ multi-spectroelectrochemistry

To consider the past, present and future of in situ spectroelectrochemistry, a review on the recent state of modern spectroelectrochemistry and trends in the development of spectroelectrochemcial techniques is presented for the combined application of different in situ spectroelectrochemcial methods like ESR spectroelectrochemistry, NMR spectroelectrochemistry, Raman spectroelectrochemistry or IR spectroelectrochemistry to electrode systems. Starting with a discussion of the first steps in spectroelectrochemistry in the past, the main part of this review is focused on the advantages of the combined application of spectroelectrochemical techniques in the analysis of electrode reactions. The spectroelectrochemical methods are demonstrated to be successful in electrode reactions both for solid structures like polymers or carbon nanotubes and for molecular structures like fullerenes and oligothiophenes. The final outlook is attributed to future developments in spectroelectrochemistry.     

ICP-AES测定铀污染土壤植物中铀的研究

采用电感耦合等离子体发射光谱(ICP-AES)对铀污染土壤植物中铀的测定方法进行了研究.在λU385.958 nm处,选择了仪器的最佳工作条件,考察了酸度和常见共存元素对测定的干扰情况,并且对比了干灰化消解和湿式消解对测定的影响.研究发现2%硝酸溶液为最佳介质,干扰离子对测定没有显著影响,干灰化消解比湿式消解得彻底.在选定条件下,方法检出限为0.18 mg·L-1,测定下限为0.61 mg·L-1,5.0000 mg·L-1的铀标准溶液的相对标准偏差RSD(n=10)为0.81%,方法回收率为96.2%～106.2%.该方法操作简单,快速.结果表明,用ICP-AES测定铀污染土壤植物样品中的铀是可行的.     

Radioactivity contents in building materials used in Hong Kong

The radioactivity contents in building materials used in Hong Kong were measured to determine the sources of the high indoor radon concentrations observed in local buildings. The radium contents and the radon emanation coefficients of different building materials were measured by high resolution γ-ray spectroscopy using germanium detectors. The radon exhalation rates were measured using scintillation cells by circulating the exhaled radon from building materials and obtaining the initial growth rates. The radium content and the radon exhalation rates of concrete and bricks used in Hong Kong were found to be higher than those in some other countries, resulting in high indoor radon concentrations probably due to the high radioactivity contents in the aggregates, granitic in nature, used in building materials.     

Vibronic coupling in molecules and in solids

We utilize the experience gained in our previous studies on the "chemistry of vibronic coupling" in simple homonuclear and heteronuclear molecules to begin assembling theoretical guidelines for the construction of potentially superconducting solids exhibiting large electron-phonon coupling. For this purpose we analyze similarities between vibronic coupling in isolated molecules and in extended solids. In particular, we study vibronic coupling along the antisymmetric stretch coordinate (Q(as)) in linear symmetric AAA molecules, and along the optical phonon "pairing" mode coordinate (Q(opt)) in corresponding one-dimensional [A]( infinity ) chains built of equidistant A atoms. This is done for a broad range of chemical elements (A). The following similarities between vibronic coupling in molecules and phonon coupling in solids emerge from our calculations: 1) The HOMO/LUMO electronic energy gap in an AAA molecule increases along Q(as), and the highest occupied crystal orbital/lowest unoccupied crystal orbital gap in [A]( infinity ) chain increases along Q(opt). 2) The maximum vibronic instability is invariably obtained for a half-filled, singly occupied molecular orbital in AAA molecules, and for a corresponding half-filled band in [A]( infinity ) chains. 3) The vibronic stability of an AAA molecule increases with a decrease of the AA bond length, as does the vibronic stability of [A]( infinity ) chains (external pressure may lead to a reversal of a Peierls distortion). 4) The high degree of s-p mixing and ionic/covalent forbidden curve crossing dramatically enhance the vibronic instability of both AAA molecules and [A]( infinity ) chains. We also introduce one quantitative relationship: The parameter log(R) (where R is molar refractivity, a parameter used by Herzfeld to prescribe the conditions for the metallization of the elements) correlates with a parameter f(AA) (defined as twice the electronegativity of A, divided by the equilibrium AA bond length), used by two of us previously to describe vibronic coupling in AAA molecules for a broad range of elements (A=halogen, H, or an alkali metal). We hope to illustrate that key chemical aspects of vibronic coupling in simple molecules may thus be profitably transferred to corresponding materials in the solid state.     

Use of NAA in marine environment and in archaeology in Greece

Neutron activation analysis (NAA) is a very sensitive and accurate multielement analytical method that is widely applied to the investigation of environmental and archaeological problems. The first part of this paper is a review of pollution studies of toxic trace elements in sediments, seawater and marine organisms of Saronikos Gulf, Greece by NAA. The second part of this paper is a review of provenance studies based on minor and trace element research in ancient ceramics, obsidian, flint, limestone, marble and lead by Instrumental NAA, performed at the NCSR Demokritos.     

Radium isotopes in suspended matter in an estuarine system in the southwest of Spain

The presence of²²⁶Ra and²²⁴Ra in suspended matter from an estuarine system which surrounds a phosphate fertilizer complex has been investigated. The results have confirmed an important radioactive impact from the industrial complex, since up to 2.5 Bq²²⁶Ra/g suspended matter (dry) has been measured. The influence of tides and seasonal conditions, through changes in salinity, has been found to be relevant. The distribution coefficients for²²⁶Ra between the suspended matter and the river water have been calculated. The values are in agreement by order of magnitude with those found in the literature, but they clearly depend on tidal state and seasonal conditions.     

Trends in Structural Polymer Science in Industry

Plastics production has grown rapidly in the past 30 years. The versatility of plastics which is not exceeded by any other class of materials, guarantees that polymers will continue to be very important in the future. However, at present a distinct change is taking place in polymer research and development. While in the pioneering days of plastics new polymer properties were determined by the choice of suitable monomers, today the commercialization of polymers from new monomers is restricted to a few specialities with a rather modest production volume. On the other hand, the number of new polymers derived from old monomers is increasing very rapidly. The development of highly selective catalysts and advances in reactor technology have provided the means for producing new tailor-made polymers. The same is true regarding new polymer blends and alloys based on old polymers: blending immiscible polymers yields materials with property profiles superior to the features of the individual components. Using selected examples, this paper will discuss trends, possibilities and challenges for structural polymer research in industry. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Displacement reactions in gypsum and in anhydrite

Displacement reactions between calcium sulfates (gypsum and anhydrite) and aqueous solutions of Ba⁻, Sr⁻ and Pb-salts were investigated by means of TG, DSC,microscopy and x-ray. The reactions can be followed directly by microscopy when cleavage plates of gypsum crystals are used. The first steps of crystallization are in some cases of a topotactical nature. The results presented in this paper deal mainly with the formation of barite, celestite and anglesite by displacement reactions at different temperatures.     

Conformational changes in humic acids in aqueous solutions

Conformational changes in humic acids in two different aqueous solutions (NaCl and NaOH) are studied by means of high resolution ultrasound spectrometry. The method is based on the measurement of parameters of ultrasonic waves propagating through the sample. The attenuation describes the decay of the amplitude of the ultrasonic wave with the distance travelled. The velocity is the speed of this wave and is related to the wavelength and the frequency of oscillation of the deformation. It is determined by the density and elasticity of the sample, which is strongly influenced by the molecular arrangement. The minimal velocity of ultrasound was observed at 1 g dm^?3 for lignitic humic acids and at 0.5 g dm^?3 for IHSS Leonardite standard. The values of compressibility as computed are almost constant up to humic acids?? content corresponding to the minimum velocity of ultrasound and then decrease with the increase in concentration. This shows that the organisation of particles in diluted and concentrated humic acids sols is different. The decrease in compressibility points to the formation of a more rigid structure, which could lead to the decrease in humic acids?? binding ability. It was confirmed that the method employed was very sensitive and could be utilised as an indicator of conformational changes in humic acids in solutions with varying concentrations.     

Negative ion-containing plasma in parallel-plate radio-frequency discharge in oxygen

The properties of a plasma in a parallel-plate radio frequency (rf) symmetric discharge of 13.56 MHz in oxygen have been investigated. The plasma contains negative ions. The temperature and density of the negative ions have been determined from the slope and height of the semilog-plotted second derivative of the probe characteristics. The laser photodetachment technique is applied, and data indicating the existence of negative ions are obtained. The negative ion densities deduced by both methods are comparable. The negative ion temperature is found to be from 0.1 to 0.6 eV, depending on the pressure and rf power density. The electron energy distribution f(E) deviates from Maxwellian and has a depletion of low-energy parts, which may be due to the loss of low-energy electrons in attachments. A shifted annular-shaped distribution is fitted to the measured f(E), and the data analysis is made according to this form of f(E).     

Three-phase equilibrium in solutions of polystyrene homologues in cyclohexane

The equilibrium of three liquid phases in solutions of two polystyrene homologues in cyclohexane has been studied experimentally for different values of the average molecular weights of the two polymer species. The compositions of the phases have been determined in some cases. The variation in the size of the three-phase region with change in the molecular weights is discussed, particularly in connection with the occurrence of a tricritical point. Some qualitative observations of the phase behavior in mixed solvent systems are mentioned.     

新墙河区草本植物重金属含量的测定

用HNO3∶HClO4=4∶1(V/V)混酸消解草本植物后,采用原子吸收光谱(AAS)法测定样品中铅、砷、镉、铜、锌。结果表明:方法加标回收率94.7%~100.3%,相对标准偏差0.8%~8.7%。草本植物各不同部分重金属含量有所不同;新墙河流域草本植物重金属含量相对偏高,新墙河的一条支流油港河比另一条支流沙港河重金属污染严重,是新墙河的主要污染来源。该法用于草本植物重金属含量的测定快速、灵敏、重现性好。     

Phthalates determination in pharmaceutical formulae used in parenteral nutrition by LC-ES-MS: importance in public health

A method for determining a group of phthalate esters in pharmaceutical formulae used in parenteral nutrition samples (with and without vitamins) has been developed. The phthalic acid esters (PAEs) studied were dimethyl phthalate, diethyl phthalate, butyl benzyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate, di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, and dioctyl phthalate. This group of phthalates was determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)–electrospray ionization–mass spectrometry, working in positive ion mode. The phthalates analyzed were extracted from the sample using hexane and sodium hydroxide. The hexane was then evaporated, and the compounds were redissolved in acetonitrile. The compounds were separated by HPLC working in gradient mode with acetonitrile-ultrapure water starting from 5% to 75% acetonitrile in 5 min, followed by isocratic elution for 27 min. Standard calibration curves were linear for all the analytes over the concentration range 10–250 μg L⁻¹. The method was precise (with RSD from 3.3% to 12.9%) and sensitive. The proposed analytical method has been applied to the analysis of these compounds in different pharmaceutical formulae (with different compositions) for parenteral nutrition samples in order to check the presence of phthalates and determine their concentration.     

测定血清中Na 含量不确定度的评定

对血清中Na离子含量的测量不确定度进行评定。不确定度的来源主要包括Na离子标准工作液的配制过程、血清样品的定容消化制备、标准曲线拟合、钠离子各分量不确定度的合成等引入的不确定度计算出各分量的不确定度,通过合成得到测量结果的合成不确定度、扩展不确定度及测试结果的报告形式。     

Ion transport in tumors under electrochemical treatment: in vivo, in vitro and in silico modeling

The electrochemical treatment of cancer (EChT) consists in the passage of a direct electric current through two or more electrodes inserted locally in the tumor tissue. The extreme pH changes induced have been proposed as the main tumor destruction mechanism. Here, we study ion transport during EChT through a combined modeling methodology: in vivo modeling with BALB/c mice bearing a subcutaneous tumor, in vitro modeling with agar and collagen gels, and in silico modeling using the one-dimensional Nernst-Planck and Poisson equations for ion transport in a four-ion electrolyte. This combined modeling approach reveals that, under EChT modeling, an initial condition with almost neutral pH evolves between electrodes into extreme cathodic alkaline and anodic acidic fronts moving towards each other, leaving the possible existence of a biological pH region between them; towards the periphery, the pH decays to its neutral values. pH front tracking unveils a time scaling close to t(1/2), signature of a diffusion-controlled process. These results could have significant implications in EChT optimal operative conditions and dose planning, in particular, in the way in which the evolving EChT pH region covers the active cancer cells spherical casket.     

Electron-phonon interactions in photoinduced excited electronic states in fluoroacenes

The electron-phonon coupling constants [l(B1u(HOMO-->LUMO))] in the photoinduced excited electronic states in fluoroacenes are estimated and compared with those in the monoanions (l(LUMO)) and cations (l(HOMO)). The l(B1u(HOMO-->LUMO)) values are much larger than the l(LUMO) and l(HOMO) values in fluoroacenes. Furthermore, the Coulomb pseudopotential mu* values for the excited electronic states are estimated to be smaller than those for the monoanions and cations. The complete phase patterns difference between the highest occupied molecular orbitals (HOMOs) and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals (LUMOs) is the main reason why the electron-phonon coupling constants and the mu* values are larger and smaller, respectively, in the photoinduced excited electronic states than in the monoanions and cations. The possible electron pairing and Bose-Einstein condensation in the excited electronic states of fluoroacenes are discussed. Because of larger electron-phonon coupling constants and smaller mu* values in the excited electronic states than in the charged states, the conditions under which the electron-electron interactions become attractive can be more easily realized, in principle, in the excited electronic states than in the charged states in fluoroacenes. The l(B1u(HOMO-->LUMO)) values hardly change by H-F substitution, even though the l(LUMO) and l(HOMO) values significantly increase by H-F substitution in acenes. Antibonding interactions between carbon and fluorine atoms in the HOMO and LUMO are the main reason why the l(B1u(HOMO-->LUMO)) values hardly change by H-F substitution in acenes.     

DNA-lipid interactions in vitro and in vivo

The data on lipid-nucleic interactions and their role in vitro and in vivo are presented. The results of study of DNA-lipid complexes in absence and in presence of divalent metal cations (triple complexes) are discussed. The triple complexes represent the generation of cellular structures such as pore complexes of eucaryotes and "Bayer's junctions" of procaryotes. The participation of triple complexes in the formation of structure of bacterial and eucaryotic nucleoid and nuclear matrix is analysed. A model of formation of triple complexes and cellular structures and their role in DNA-lipid interactions are discussed.     

上海市食品中铝污染情况分析

为了解上海市食品中铝污染情况,采集四个品种94件样品用国标法GB/T 5009.182-2003进行了铝含量的分析。结果表明,按照国标GB 15202-1994判断,饼干合格率达100%,糕点合格率85.7%,馒头合格率81.5%,油条合格率仅53.5%。提出了控制铝污染对策和建议。     

双头基两亲分子研究进展

本文介绍了双头基两亲分子的结构特征与性质, 概述了由双头基两亲分子在气液界面形成的单分子膜以及在体相中形成的囊泡的特征, 并介绍了这类两亲分子在催化、生物矿化、药物缓释、膜破解以及纳米材料等方面的应用研究。对其研究前景进行了展望。