Preparation of Monodisperse Polylactide Microspheres by Dispersion Polymerization Using a Polymeric Stabilizer with Hydroxy Groups

Monodisperse poly(D ,L ‐lactide) (PDLLA) microspheres have been prepared by dispersion polymerization of D ,L ‐lactide with a synthetic polymeric stabilizer. The polymerization is carried out in xylene/heptane (1:2, v/v) at 368 K for 3 h with poly[(dodecyl methacrylate)‐co‐(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate)] (P(DMA‐co‐HEMA)). P(DMA‐co‐HEMA) has hydroxy groups as an initiation group for pseudoanionic dispersion polymerization. The particle diameter and the coefficient of variation concerning the diameter distribution of the obtained PDLLA microspheres are 3.9 µm and 4.3%, respectively. In addition, from the results of dynamic light scattering measurements, it is found that P(DMA‐co‐HEMA) and the PDLLA‐grafted copolymer form a micellar structure in solution.

     

Accurate Prediction of Absorption Spectral Shifts of Proteorhodopsin Using a Fragment-Based Quantum Mechanical Method

Many experiments have been carried out to display different colors of Proteorhodopsin (PR) and its mutants, but the mechanism of color tuning of PR was not fully elucidated. In this study, we applied the Electrostatically Embedded Generalized Molecular Fractionation with Conjugate Caps (EE-GMFCC) method to the prediction of excitation energies of PRs. Excitation energies of 10 variants of Blue Proteorhodopsin (BPR-PR105Q) in residue 105GLN were calculated with the EE-GMFCC method at the TD-B3LYP/6-31G* level. The calculated results show good correlation with the experimental values of absorption wavelengths, although the experimental wavelength range among these systems is less than 50 nm. The ensemble-averaged electric fields along the polyene chain of retinal correlated well with EE-GMFCC calculated excitation energies for these 10 PRs, suggesting that electrostatic interactions from nearby residues are responsible for the color tuning. We also utilized the GMFCC method to decompose the excitation energy contribution per residue surrounding the chromophore. Our results show that residues ASP97 and ASP227 have the largest contribution to the absorption spectral shift of PR among the nearby residues of retinal. This work demonstrates that the EE-GMFCC method can be applied to accurately predict the absorption spectral shifts for biomacromolecules.     

乳化法—火焰原子吸收光谱法测定奶粉中的锌

用乳化剂ＯＰ将奶粉乳化成稳定的乳浊液，喷入空气－乙炔火焰中，以标准加入法测定锌，测定结果与灰化法一致，方法简便，准确。     

Determination of Rhodium in Biological Materials by Electrothermal Atomic Absorption Spectrometry with a Tungsten Tube Atomizer

Abstract

Electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) of rhodium with a tungsten tube atomizer has been investigated under optimum conditions (atomization temperature; 2230 C, purge gas; Ar 480 ml min^?1 + H₂ 20 ml min^?1, and pyrolysis temperature; 590 C). The absolute characteristic mass (the mass of element giving 0.0044 abs.) of rhodium by the atomizer was 86.5 pg and the detection limit was 16.5 ng ml^?1 (3S/N). The interferences caused by large amounts of interferents were evaluated. Al, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Na, Pb and Zn severely interfered in the AA signal of rhodium. Ammonium phosphate, ascorbic acid, palladium nitrate, copper nitrate, lanthanum nitrate, thiocyanate and thiourea, well known as matrix modifiers were tested to eliminate the severe interferences. However, by the addition of these compounds, the rhodium signal was not recovered. The standard addition method was adapted for the determination of rhodium in biological materials. The recovery of spiked-rhodium in biological materials was in the range of 97.4 to 107%.     

Isocyanide‐Based Multicomponent Reactions: Concise Synthesis of Spirocyclic Oxindoles with Molecular Complexity by Using a [1,5]‐Hydrogen Shift as the Key Step

A concise multicomponent reaction of isocyanide, α‐substituted allenoate, and methyleneindolinone has been disclosed. This protocol provides a fast and straightforward approach to synthesize unusual tricyclic oxindoles in an efficient and atom‐economic manner. Mechanistically, the present cycloaddition may proceed through a cascade sequence involving double Michael addition, double cyclization, double [1,5]‐hydrogen shift, and group migration. The introduction of a special alkyl group to the allenoate is believed to play a key role in the cascade reaction. This method also features a broad substrate scope, which is particularly useful for the delivery of a large number of compounds.     

Evaluation of a New Method for the Determination of Elements in Vegetable Foods and Feeds by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy with Sampling of Carbonaceous Slurry

Abstract

The new method, proposed in a preceeding paper for the determination of elements in plant material by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (FAAS) with liquid sampling of carbonaceous slurry, was tested on other kinds of organic material such as vegetable foods and feeds. Results are reported for the determination of calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, manganese, zinc and copper in these materials. Also, the analytical results relative to the determination of cadmium by graphite-tube furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy (GTFAAS) for two matrices are given. In all cases accuracy and precision of the analytical procedure were ascertained.