UV-induced changes in pigment content and light penetration in the fruticose lichen Cladonia arbuscula ssp. mitis

The response of the lichen, Cladonia arbuscula (Wallr.) Flot. ssp. mitis (Sandst.) Ruoss to enhanced UV-B (280-315 nm) radiation was investigated with respect to: (a) changes in phenolic content; (b) differential pigment accumulation under visible and UV radiation with increasing distance from thallus apices; and (c) the internal distribution of UV-B radiation within the thallus measured with quartz optical fibres. In a short-term experiment, lichens were exposed for 7 days in a growth chamber to visible light with or without additional UV-B radiation. For a longer term experiment, lichens were grown outdoors under both natural UV radiation, and supplemental UV-A (315-400 nm)+UV-B provided by lamps. Controls were placed under filters that removed the radiation below 290 nm from the natural sunlight. The concentration of total phenolic compounds was measured spectrophotometrically at the termination of the experiments, in different parts of the lichen podetia. UV-exposed lichens showed increased accumulation of phenolics compared to those not grown under UV. At the termination of the long-term experiment, fibre optic measurements of the penetration of radiation into lichen thallus reflected the influence of growth under UV radiation, whereby UV was more strongly attenuated as compared to that in lichens not exposed to enhanced levels of UV-B radiation. Results indicated that in Cladonia, UV-B radiation induces the accumulation of phenolic compounds that may have a protective role. In addition, the morphological distribution of phenolic compounds was different under visible and supplemental UV-B radiation. Internal radiation measurements served to visualise the attenuation of radiation with thallus depth for different wavelengths in the UV-B waveband.     

On the thermodynamic equilibrium between ice and electrolyte solutions in the conditions of confined geometry

For a small volume (of about 10⁻⁶ cm³) of NaCl and other electrolyte solutions (C = 0.1 and 1 M) in thin (r = 5/10 μm) single quartz capillaries, dependencies of the column length l of frozen solutions on the temperature t were measured using comparator IZA-2 in a thermostated chamber. At temperatures range t > −4 °C (for C = 0.1 M) and t > −8 °C (for C = 1 M) the l(t) dependencies are reversible and therefore correspond to establishment of an equilibrium between ice-1 and the solution.

From the constants mass condition of the dissolved salt in a frozen column, the l(t) expression was derived, which includes thermodynamic relation between solution concentration in an equilibrium with ice, C_s, and the temperature t for bulk systems. Deviations from the data known for bulk solutions were observed in thin capillaries when temperature t decreased to −3 °C (for 0.1 M NaCl) and to −6 °C for 1 M NaCl solution.

This effect may be a result of strong adhesion of the ice column to capillary walls. In this case, some internal stresses arise in frozen solution resulting in a deviation from thermodynamic equilibrium conditions for bulk systems. When approaching the temperature of ice melting, adhesion forces decrease due to formation of a thin non-freezing water interlayer on the capillary wall. In this temperature range the experimental data are in agreement with the predictions for bulk systems. It was supposed that the observed deviation in thin capillaries may be caused by formation of an amorphous ice phase with higher density as compared with the ice-1 during rapid freezing, or by an effect of ice microlenses formation. Both effects will result in a deviation from the phase diagram corresponding to a bulk solution.     

Sunna 535-nm photo-fluorescent film dosimeter response to different environmental conditions

Evaluations on the influence of environmental variabilities on the red fluorescence component of the Sunna Model γ photo-fluorescent dosimeter^TM have previously been reported. This present paper describes the environmental effects on the response of the green fluorescence component of the same dosimeter, which is manufactured using the injection molding technique. The results presented include temperature, relative humidity, and light influences both during and after irradiation. The green fluorescence signal shows a significant dependence on irradiation temperature below room temperature at 1%/°C. Above room temperature (approximately 24–60°C), the irradiation temperature effect varies from −0.1%/°C to 1.0%/°C, depending on the absorbed dose level. For facilities with irradiation temperatures between 30°C and 60°C and absorbed dose levels above 10 kGy, irradiation temperature effects are minimal. Light-effects results indicate that the dosimeter is influenced by ultraviolet and blue wavelengths during irradiation as well as during the post-irradiation stabilization period (approximately 22 h), requiring the use of light-tight packaging. Results also show that the dosimeter exhibits negligible effects from ambient moisture during and after irradiation when in the range of 33–95% relative humidity.     

Thermal stability and related thermodynamic properties of N-ethylthiourea

The enthalpy and entropy of sublimation of N-ethylthiourea were obtained from the temperature dependence of its vapour pressure measured by both the torsion–effusion and the Knudsen effusion method in the temperature range 360–380 K. The compound undergoes no solid-to-solid phase transition or decomposition below 380 K. The pressure against reciprocal temperature resulted in lg(p, kPa) = (13.40 ± 0.27) − (6067 ± 102) /T(K). The molar sublimation enthalpy and entropy at the mid interval temperature were Δ_subH_m(370 K) = (116.1 ± 2.0) kJ mol⁻¹ and Δ_subS_m(370 K) = (218.0 ± 5.2) J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹, respectively. The same quantities derived at 298.15 K were (118.8 ± 2.1) kJ mol⁻¹ and (226.1 ± 5.5) J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹, respectively.     

Synthesis, structure and oxygen nonstoichiometry of La0.4Sr0.6Co1−yFeyO3−δ

The samples of La_0.4Sr_0.6Co_1−yFe_yO_3−δ (y = 0.2 and 0.4) were prepared using both conventional ceramic technique and nitrate–citrate precursors technique. The phase identification was made by X-ray diffraction method. The refinement of structural parameters from the XRD and neutron diffraction measurements was performed by full profile Rietveld analysis. Neutron diffraction showed that both samples possess distorted perovskite-type structure. Oxygen nonstoichiometry was measured by chemical analysis and thermogravimetry (TG) analysis in the range 20 ≤ T/°C ≤ 900 and 2E-5 ≤ pO₂/atm ≤ 4E-1. TG-experiments indicate a relatively fast and reversible oxygen exchange at pO₂ > 1E-2 atm. Mass saturation occurs at T < 300 °C upon cooling. The absolute value of oxygen nonstoichiometry was determined by iodometric titration measurements. It was found that both samples have practically stoichiometric composition at 300 °C in air and δ increases with increasing temperature and decreasing oxygen partial pressure.     

Structural and theoretical studies of Xe(OChF5)2 and [XeOChF5][AsF6] (Ch = Se, Te)

The XeOSeF₅⁺ cation has been synthesized for the first time and characterized in solution by ¹⁹F, ⁷⁷Se and ¹²⁹Xe NMR spectroscopy and in the solid state by X-ray crystallography and Raman spectroscopy with AsF₆⁻ as its counter anion. The X-ray crystal structures of the tellurium analogue and of the Xe(OChF₅)₂ derivatives have also been determined: [XeOChF₅][AsF₆] crystallize in tetragonal systems, P4/n, a=6.1356(1) Å, c=13.8232(2) Å, V=520.383(14) Å³, Z=2 and R₁=0.0453 at −60°C (Te) and a=6.1195(7) Å, c=13.0315(2) Å, V=488.01(8) Å³, Z=2 and R₁=0.0730 at −113°C (Se); Xe(OTeF₅)₂ crystallizes in a monoclinic system, P2₁/c, a=10.289(2) Å, b=9.605(2) Å, c=10.478(2) Å, β=106.599(4)°, V=992.3(3) Å³, Z=4 and R₁=0.0680 at −127°C; Xe(OSeF₅)₂ crystallizes in a triclinic system, , a=8.3859(6) Å, c=12.0355(13) Å, V=732.98(11) Å³, Z=3 and R₁=0.0504 at −45°C. The energy minimized geometries and vibrational frequencies of the XeOChF₅⁺ cations and Xe(OChF₅)₂ were calculated using density functional theory, allowing for definitive assignments of their experimental vibrational spectra.     

Isothermal kinetic analysis of the thermal decomposition of magnesium hydroxide using thermogravimetric data

In the present study, the kinetics of the thermal decomposition of magnesium hydroxide is investigated, using isothermal methods of kinetic analysis. For this purpose, experiments in thermogravimetric analyser were carried out in standard values of temperature (350°, 400°, 450° and 500°C) which resulted in weight loss percent as a function of time. The data were further modified to give fraction reacted ‘' versus time to be tested in various forms of ‘' functions. In order to determine the mechanism of the magnesium hydroxide decomposition and the form of the conversion function which governs the dehydroxylation of Mg(OH)₂, four different methods of isothermal kinetic analysis were used. Applying each of these methods to the data, it was concluded that the nucleation mechanism predominates the Mg(OH)₂, decomposition for all values of temperature tested; at 350°C the kinetic model which represents the experimental data is that of reaction at phase boundaries (random nucleation), F₁: ln(1−)=kt) while for the higher temperatures 400°, 450° and 500°C the kinetic equation of nucleation and development in two dimensions, A₂: [−ln (1−)]^1/2=kt was found to fit better the experimental results. The activation energy was evaluated applying two alternative methods; the Arrhenius plot, using maximum rates of reaction, from which the activation energy was evaluated to be 20.54 kcal/mol. An alternative method based on plots of ln t versus 1/T corresponding to the same value of ‘' gave values of 10.72, 13.82 and 16.31 kcal/mol for ‘' values of 0.25, 0.50 and 0.75, respectively.     

Raman and infrared spectra, conformational stability, ab initio calculations and vibrational assignments for 2-chloroethyl silane

The infrared (3500–30 cm⁻¹) spectra of gaseous and solid and the Raman (3500–10 cm⁻¹) spectra of liquid with quantitative depolarization ratios and solid 2-chloroethyl silane, ClCH₂CH₂SiH₃, have been recorded. Similar data have been recorded for the Si–d₃ isotopomer. These data indicate that two conformers, trans and gauche, are present in the fluid states but only one conformer, trans, is present in the solid. The mid-infrared spectra of the sample dissolved in liquified xenon as a function of temperature (−55 to −100°C) has been recorded. The enthalpy difference between the conformers has been determined to be 181±12 cm⁻¹ (2.17±0.14 kJ/mol) with the trans rotamer the more stable form. From the isolated Si–H frequencies from the Si–d₂ isotopomer the r_o Si–H distances of 1.484 and 1.483 Å for the trans and 1.481 for the gauche conformers have been obtained. Ab initio calculations have been carried out with several different basis sets up to MP2/6-311+G** from which structural parameters and conformational stabilities have been determined. With all the basis sets the trans form is predicted to be the more stable conformer which is consistent with the experimental results. These results are compared to the corresponding quantities for the carbon analogue.     

Far infrared spectra, conformational equilibria, vibrational assignments, ab initio calculations and structural parameters for 2-bromoethanol

The far infrared spectrum from 370 to 50 cm⁻¹ of gaseous 2-bromoethanol, BrCH₂CH₂OH, was recorded at a resolution of 0.10 cm⁻¹. The fundamental O–H torsion of the more stable gauche (Gg′) conformer, where the capital G refers to internal rotation around the C–C bond and the lower case g to the internal rotation around the C–O bond, was observed as a series of Q-branch transitions beginning at 340 cm⁻¹. The corresponding O–H torsional modes were observed for two of the other high energy conformers, Tg (285 cm⁻¹) and Tt (234 cm⁻¹). The heavy atom asymmetric torsion (rotation around C–C bond) for the Gg′ conformer has been observed at 140 cm⁻¹. Variable temperature (−63 to −100°C) studies of the infrared spectra (4000–400 cm⁻¹) of the sample dissolved in liquid xenon have been recorded. From these data the enthalpy differences have been determined to be 411±40 cm⁻¹ (4.92±0.48 kJ/mol) for the Gg′/Tt and 315±40 cm⁻¹ (3.76±0.48 kJ/mol) for the Gg′/Tg, with the Gg′ conformer the most stable form. Additionally, the infrared spectrum of the gas, and Raman spectrum of the liquid phase are reported. The structural parameters, conformational stabilities, barriers to internal rotation and fundamental frequencies have been obtained from ab initio calculations utilizing different basis sets at the restricted Hartree–Fock or with full electron correlation by the perturbation method to second order. The theoretical results are compared to the experimental results when appropriate. Combining the ab initio calculations with the microwave rotational constants, r₀ adjusted parameters have been obtained for the three 2-haloethanols (F, Cl and Br) for the Gg′ conformers.     

Sinterability enhancement in semicokes obtained by controlled pyrolysis of a petroleum residue

Self-sintering semicokes were prepared by pyrolysis of an aromatic petroleum residue at 460–480 °C and pressures of 0.1–1.0 MPa. The evolution of gases and thermoplasticity from resultant semicokes were monitored by TGA and TMA, respectively. Sintering behaviour of the semicokes is extremely sensitive to pyrolysis conditions which determine contents of volatile matter and binder phase. Semicokes produced at 1.0 MPa have high volatile contents with excessive plasticity. Changes of temperature and soak time, used to reduce volatile matter contents induce reductions to the plasticity and sintering. A lower pyrolysis pressure has a similar effect. Although the operational window is narrow, heat-treated compacts (2500 °C) can be made with high density (1.9 g cm⁻³) and bending strengths >75 MPa. Using high-temperature pyrolysis (460 °C) with a post-treatment at 350–400 °C eliminates light components, without decreasing sintering properties. Compacts from these powders also exhibit high density (1.9 g cm⁻³) with higher bending strengths >90 MPa, comparable or superior to mesocarbon microbeads (MCMB) obtained from the same precursor.     

Structure and conformational properties of carbonylbisimidosulfuryl fluoride, O=C(N=S(O)F2)2

The molecular structure and conformational properties of O=C(N=S(O)F₂)₂ (carbonylbisimidosulfuryl fluoride) were determined by gas electron diffraction (GED) and quantumchemical calculations (HF/3-21G* and B3LYP/6-31G*). The analysis of the GED intensities resulted in a mixture of 76(12)% syn–syn and 24(12)% syn–anti conformer (ΔH⁰=H⁰(syn–anti)−H⁰(syn–syn)=1.11(32) kcal mol⁻¹) which is in agreement with the interpretation of the IR spectra (68(5)% syn–syn and 32(5)% syn–anti, ΔH⁰=0.87(11) kcal mol⁻¹). syn and anti describe the orientation of the S=N bonds relative to the C=O bond. In both conformers the S=O bonds of the two N=S(O)F₂ groups are trans to the C–N bonds. According to the theoretical calculations, structures with cis orientation of an S=O bond with respect to a C–N bond do not correspond to minima on the energy hyperface. The HF/3-21G* approximation predicts preference of the syn–anti structure (ΔE=−0.11 kcal mol⁻¹) and the B3LYP/6-31G* method results in an energy difference (ΔE=1.85 kcal mol⁻¹) which is slightly larger than the experimental values. The following geometric parameters for the O=C(N=S)₂ skeleton were derived (r_a values with 3σ uncertainties): C=O 1.193 (9) Å, C–N 1.365 (9) Å, S=N 1.466 (5) Å, O=C–N 125.1 (6)° and C–N=S 125.3 (10)°. The geometric parameters are reproduced satisfactorily by the HF/3-21G* approximation, except for the C–N=S angle which is too large by ca. 6°. The B3LYP method predicts all bonds to be too long by 0.02–0.05 Å and the C–N=S angle to be too small by ca. 4°.     

Changes in commercial wood charcoals by thermal treatments

As a continuation of a recent study of commercial wood charcoals as far as their potential production of carbon adsorbents is concerned, we have studied the influence of the final heating temperature (T) as carbonization variable in the range 250–1000 °C on the yield and on the characteristics of granular chars prepared from two very different charcoals: a holm-oak charcoal manufactured by partial combustion in a charcoal kiln and an eucalyptus charcoal industrially manufactured in a continuous furnace. Our study also includes the changes produced in both charcoals heated at 250 °C in air for 24 h, and their influences on the adsorption of water vapour at 25 °C. The samples were characterized by thermogravimetry, chemical analyses, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, densimetric measurements and mercury porosimetry. T affects the char yield, the chemical composition and the porosity of each char series differently. In particular, the total open pore volumes (to helium) of the starting charcoals, 0.475 and 1.044 cm³ g⁻¹, increase to 0.872 and 1.293 cm³ g⁻¹ heating up to 1000 and 500 °C, respectively. The changes by carbonization are mainly due to devolatilization; moreover, a moderate structural shrinkage occurs heating the eucalyptus charcoal at T > 500 °C. Concerning the air treatments, the yields do not present a significant difference; carbonyl groups are formed and the resulting pore structures depend on the starting charcoals. Water adsorption is larger for the eucalyptus carbons (approximately type V isotherms) than for the holm-oak carbons (type II isotherms).     

Hydrothermal syntheses and crystal structures of bimetallic cluster complexes [{Cd(phen)2}2V4O12]·5H2O and [Ni(phen)3]2[V4O12]·17.5H2O

The hydrothermal reactions of vanadium oxide starting materials with divalent transition metal cations in the presence of nitrogen donor chelating ligands yield the bimetallic cluster complexes with the formulae [{Cd(phen₂)₂V₄O₁₂]·5H₂O (1) and [Ni(phen)₃]₂[V₄O₁₂]·17.5H₂O (2). Crystal data: C₄₈H₅₂Cd₂N₈O₂₂V₄ (1), triclinic. a=10.3366(10), b=11.320(3), c=13.268(3) Å, =103.888(17)°, β=92.256(15)°, γ=107.444(14)°, Z=1; C₇₂H₁₃₁N₁₂Ni₂O_29.5V₄ (2), triclinic. a=12.305(3), b=13.172(6), c=15.133(4), =79.05(3)°, β=76.09(2)°, γ=74.66(3)°, Z=1. Data were collected on a Siemens P4 four-circle diffractometer at 293 K in the range 1.59° <θ<26.02° and 2.01°<θ<25.01° using the ω-scan technique, respectively. The structure of 1 consists of a [V₄O₁₂]⁴⁻ cluster covalently attached to two {Cd(phen)₂}²⁺ fragments, in which the [V₄O₁₂]⁴⁻ cluster adopts a chair-like configuration. In the structure of 2, the [V₄O₁₂]⁴⁻ cluster is isolated. And the complex formed a layer structure via hydrogen bonds between the [V₄O₁₂]⁴⁻ unit and crystallization water molecules.     

Conformational and structural studies of 1-chloropropane and 1-bromopropane from temperature-dependant FT-IR spectra of rare gas solutions and ab initio calculations

Variable temperature (−55 to −150°C) studies of the infrared spectra (3500–400 cm⁻¹) of 1-chloropropane (CH₃CH₂CH₂Cl) and 1-bromopropane (CH₃CH₂CH₂Br) dissolved in liquid krypton and xenon, respectively, have been recorded. Utilizing two conformer pairs in krypton solution for chloride and three conformer pairs in xenon solution for bromide, enthalpy differences of 52±3 cm⁻¹ (0.62±0.06 kJ/mol) and 72±7 cm⁻¹ (0.86±0.08 kJ/mol) were obtained for the chloride and bromide, respectively, with the gauche form being the more stable conformer for both molecules. From these data, it is estimated that 28 and 26% of trans form are present at ambient temperature for the chloride and bromide, respectively. The conformation stabilities, harmonic force constants, fundamental frequencies, infrared intensities and Raman activities have been obtained from RHF/6-31G(d) and/or MP2/6-31G(d) ab initio calculations for both halopropanes and these quantities have been compared to the experimental values when appropriate. The optimized geometries have also been obtained with several different ab initio basis sets with full electron correlation by the perturbation method up to MP2/6-311+G(2d,2p). The r₀ structural parameters of both halopropanes have been obtained by combining the ab initio data with the previously reported microwave rotational constants for both conformers. The quantities are compared to the corresponding results for some similar molecules.     

Sub-picomole high-performance liquid chromatographic/mass spectrometric determination of glutathione in the maize (Zea mays L.) kernels exposed to cadmium

Changes in fresh weight, total protein amounts (Bradford’s method), cadmium concentration (DPASV) and glutathione content (HPLC/MS) were studied in maize kernels cultivated for 5 days at three different cadmium concentrations (0, 10 and 100 μmol l⁻¹ CdCl₂). A highly sensitive HPLC/MS method was used for the determination of glutathione on a reversed-phase Atlantis dC₁₈ chromatographic column (150 mm×2.1 mm, 3 μm particle size). An isocratic mode with acetonitrile–0.01% TFA (5:95, flow rate 0.1 ml min⁻¹ and 30 °C) was applied. The m/z spectra and the data for the selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode were recorded at m/z for glutathione 308→179. Cadmium concentration was measured by a differential pulse adsorptive stripping voltammetry (DPASV) after deposition on a hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE) at potential −0.7 V (accumulation time 180 s, acetate buffer of pH 3.6, 22 °C). An AUTOLAB with a VA-Stand 663 and a three-electrode system consisting of the HMDE as a working electrode with area 0.4 mm², an Ag/AgCl/3 mol l⁻¹ KCl as a reference electrode and a Pt-wire as an auxiliary electrode was employed. The maize kernels exposed to the highest cadmium concentration (100 μmol l⁻¹) germinated formerly and much better. A rapid increase of the fresh weight probably relates with more intensive uptake of water in order to decrease cadmium concentration. An intensive preservation of homeostasis of Cd²⁺ ions in the germinating plants by defending mechanisms might explain differences of uptake rate of cadmium. The linear increase of GSH content with the exposure time at all studied concentration suggests the defending mechanisms might be triggered by concentrations of a heavy metal.     

Ribosome kinetics and aa-tRNA competition determine rate and fidelity of peptide synthesis

It is generally accepted that the translation rate depends on the availability of cognate aa-tRNAs. In this study it is shown that the key factor that determines translation rate is the competition between near-cognate and cognate aa-tRNAs. The transport mechanism in the cytoplasm is diffusion, thus the competition between cognate, near-cognate and non-cognate aa-tRNAs to bind to the ribosome is a stochastic process. Two competition measures are introduced; C(i) and R(i) (i = 1, 64) are quotients of the arrival frequencies of near-cognates vs. cognates and non-cognates vs. cognates, respectively. Furthermore, the reaction rates of bound cognates differ from those of bound near-cognates. If a near-cognate aa-tRNA binds to the A site of the ribosome, it may be rejected at the anti-codon recognition step or proofreading step or it may be accepted. Regardless of its fate, the near-cognates and non-cognates have caused delays of varying duration to the observed rate of translation. Rate constants have been measured at a temperature of 20 °C by (Gromadski, K.B., Rodnina, M.V., 2004. Kinetic determinants of high-fidelity tRNA discrimination on the ribosome. Mol. Cell 13, 191–200). These rate constants have been re-evaluated at 37 °C, using experimental data at 24.5 °C and 37 °C (Varenne, S., et al., 1984. Translation in a non-uniform process: effect of tRNA availability on the rate of elongation of nascent polypeptide chains. J. Mol. Biol. 180, 549–576). The key results of the study are: (i) the average time (at 37 °C) to add an amino acid, as defined by the ith codon, to the nascent peptide chain is: τ(i) = 9.06 + 1.445 × [10.48C(i) + 0.5R(i)] (in ms); (ii) the misreading frequency is directly proportional to the near-cognate competition, E(i) = 0.0009C(i); (iii) the competition from near-cognates, and not the availability of cognate aa-tRNAs, is the most important factor that determines the translation rate – the four codons with highest near-cognate competition (in the case of E. coli) are [GCC] > [CGG] > [AGG] > [GGA], which overlap only partially with the rarest codons: [AGG] < [CCA] < [GCC] < [CAC]; (iv) based on the kinetic rates at 37 °C, the average time to insert a cognate amino acid is 9.06 ms and the average delay to process a near-cognate aa-tRNA is 10.45 ms and (vii) the model also provides estimates of the vacancy times of the A site of the ribosome – an important factor in frameshifting.     

Optimisation of sample treatment for arsenic speciation in alga samples by focussed sonication and ultrafiltration

A procedure for arsenic species fractionation in alga samples (Sargassum fulvellum, Chlorella vulgaris, Hizikia fusiformis and Laminaria digitata) by extraction is described. Several parameters were tested in order to evaluate the extraction efficiency of the process: extraction medium, nature and concentration (tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane, phosphoric acid, deionised water and water/methanol mixtures), extraction time and physical treatment (magnetic stirring, ultrasonic bath and ultrasonic focussed probe). The extraction yield of arsenic under the different conditions was evaluated by determining the total arsenic content in the extracts by ICP-AES. Arsenic compounds were extracted in 5 mL of water by focussed sonication for 30 s and subsequent centrifugation at 14,000 × g for 10 min. The process was repeated three times. Extraction studies show that soluble arsenic compounds account for about 65% of total arsenic.

An ultrafiltration process was used as a clean-up method for chromatographic analysis, and also allowed us to determine the extracted arsenic fraction with a molecular weight lower than 10 kDa, which accounts for about 100% for all samples analysed.

Speciation studies were carried out by HPLC–ICP-AES. Arsenic species were separated on a Hamilton PRP-X100 column with 17 mM phosphate buffer at pH 5.5 and 1.0 mL min⁻¹ flow rate. The chromatographic method allowed us to separate the species As(III), As(V), MMA and DMA in less than 13 min, with detection limits of about 20 ng of arsenic per species, for a sample injection volume of 100 μL. The chromatographic analysis allowed us to identify As(V) in Hizikia (46 ± 2 μg g⁻¹), Sargassum (38 ± 2 μg g⁻¹) and Chlorella (9 ± 1 μg g⁻¹) samples. The species DMA was also found in Chlorella alga (13 ± 1 μg g⁻¹). However, in Laminaria alga only an unknown arsenic species was detected, which eluted in the dead volume.     

Monodentate and bidentate trifluoroacetato ligands in bis(trifluoroacetato)-(N-methyl-meso-tetraphenylporphyrinato)thallium(III)—a new dynamic 4:3 piano stool seven-coordinate geometry

The crystal structure of bis(trifluoroacetato)-(N-methyl-meso-tetraphenylporphyrinato) thallium(III), Tl(N---Me---tpp)(CF₃CO₂)₂ (2), was established and the coordination sphere around the Tl³⁺ ion is described as 4:3 tetragonal base–trigonal base piano stool seven-coordinate geometry in which the two cis CF₃CO₂ ⁻ groups occupy two apical sites. The plane of the three pyrrole nitrogen atoms [i.e. N(2), N(3) and N(4)] strongly bonded to Tl³⁺ is adopted as the reference plane 3N. The pyrrole N(1) ring bearing the methyl group [i.e. C(45)H₃] is the most deviated one from the 3N plane making a dihedral angle of 23.3° whereas smaller angles of 9.9, 2.7 and 4.7° occur with pyrroles N(2), N(3), and N(4), respectively. Because of the larger size of the thallium(III) ion, Tl is considerably out of the 3N plane; its displacement of 1.02 Å is in the same direction as that of the two apical CF₃CO₂ ⁻ ligands. The intermolecular trifluoroacetate exchange process for 2 in CD₂Cl₂ solvent is examined through ¹⁹F and ¹³C NMR temperature-dependent measurements. In the slow-exchange region, the CF₃ and carbonyl (CO) carbons of the CF₃CO₂ ⁻ groups in 2 are separately located at δ 114.3 [¹J(C–F)=290 Hz, ³J(Tl–C)=411 Hz] and 155.1 [²J(C–F)=37 Hz, ²J(Tl–C)=204 Hz], respectively, at −106 °C. In the same slow-exchange region, the fluorine atoms of 2, Tl(N---Me---tpp)(CF₃CO₂)⁺ and the free CF₃CO₂ ⁻ are located at δ −73.76 [⁴J(Tl–F)=44 Hz], −73.30 [⁴J(Tl–F)=22 Hz], and −76.15 ppm at −97 °C, respectively.     

Conformational stability of 1-pentyne from temperature dependent FT-IR spectra of liquid rare gas solutions and ab initio calculations

Variable temperature studies of the infrared spectra (3500–400 cm⁻¹) of 1-pentyne, CH₃CH₂CH₂CCH, dissolved in liquid xenon (−55 to −100°C) and liquid krypton (−105 to −150°C) have been recorded. These data indicate that the anti (methyl group trans to the acetylenic group) and gauche conformers have relative concentrations that vary with the temperature, i.e. enthalpy nonzero. Utilizing seven sets of conformer pairs for the xenon solution and ten sets of conformer pairs for the krypton solution, the enthalpy difference has been determined to be 50±6 cm⁻¹ (0.60±0.07 kJ/mol) and 45±4 cm⁻¹ (0.54±0.05 kJ/mol), respectively, with the anti conformer the more stable form. Because of two equivalent gauche forms, this conformer is estimated to be in higher abundance at 61±1% in the xenon solution and 62±1% in the krypton solution. Optimized geometries and conformational stabilities have been obtained from ab initio calculations with basis sets 6-31G(d), 6-311+G(d,p), 6-311+G(2d,2p) and 6-311+G(2df,2pd) with full electron correlation by the perturbation method to second order (MP2). All of the calculations predict the gauche rotamer to be the more stable form with a high value of 181 cm⁻¹ from the MP2/6-311+G(d,p) calculations and a low value of 107 cm⁻¹ from the MP2/6-311+G(2d,2p) calculation. The r_o adjusted structural parameters have been obtained from a combination of the microwave rotational constants and ab initio predicted parameters. The values are compared to the recently reported values from an electron diffraction study where the value for the CC bond distance appears to be too long. The results are discussed and the conformational stability is compared to those obtained for some similar molecules.