Removal of radioactive cesium, strontium, and iodine from natural waters using bentonite, zeolite, and activated carbon

Cs-134, Sr-85, and I-131 were produced by neutron irradiation of CsCl, SrCl₂, and K₂TeO₃, respectively, using the Kyoto University Reactor. These radioactive nuclides were added to river water and seawater to prepare artificially contaminated samples, and the removal of these nuclides using bentonite, zeolite, and activated carbon was then investigated. In the river water samples, Cs-134 and Sr-85 were successfully removed using bentonite and zeolite, and I-131 was removed using activated carbon. In the seawater samples, Cs-134 was removed using bentonite and zeolite, whereas Sr-85 and I-131 were hardly removed at all by these adsorbents.     

Colon tissue concentrations of copper, iron, selenium, and zinc in colorectal carcinoma patients

Concentration of four trace elements (copper, zinc, iron, and selenium) was determined in colon tissue from twenty-three patients with colorectal cancer. The tissue samples were dried and dissolved using microwave-assisted digestion technique. The content of trace elements was determined using atomic absorption spectrometry. No significant differences between Zn levels in normal and cancerous tissues were observed. However, the levels of Cu, Fe, and Se were significantly higher in cancerous tissues than in the control samples. The results obtained sing microwave-assisted technique were compared to those obtained via alkaline digestion with tetramethylammonium hydroxide. Both techniques were used for the digestion of certified reference material of pork liver. Very good agreement with the certified values of Cu, Fe, and Zn in the reference material was achieved using alkaline digestion procedure. This technique seems to be an efficient alternative to decomposition of biological samples.     

A comparative study of IC,ICP-AES,and NAA measurements on chlorine,bromine, and sodium in natural waters

A suite of shallow and deep subsurface waters from southwestern Illinois has been analyzed for chlorine (CT), bromine (Br^?), and sodium (Na⁺) using three different methods. Cl and Br were analyzed by ion chromatography (IC) and neutron activation analysis (NAA). Na was analyzed using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AESS) and NAA. In addition, five water standards were prepared with compositions over the range of Cl, Br, and Na concentrations in the natural waters were analyzed using the same methods. Analytical results for the prepared standards by the different methods were in good agreement. However, analytical results on natural waters yielded generally poor agreement between the methods. Our results suggest that solute concentrations and ratios between major solutes in subsurface waters determined by IC and ICP-AES may involve substantial laboratory error.     

Synthesis,characterization, and polymerization of propenyl ether analogues

A series of aromatic monomers bearing cationically polymerizable propenyl groups were prepared and characterized using the readily available starting materials: isoeugenol and o-allyl phenol. Monomers with both propenyl and vinyl ether functional groups were also synthesized by the reaction of these starting materials with chloroethyl vinyl ether. The reactivity of the resulting monomers in photoinitiated cationic polymerization was studied using differential scanning photocalorimetry and photogel point measurements. Their thermal properties were determined using thermogravimetric analysis. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Characterization of single-handed,coiled, carbonaceous,tubular nanoribbons

Left-handed, coiled, 4,4＇-biphenylene bridged polybissilsesquioxane, tubular nanoribbons were prepared according to the published literature. After carbonization and removal of silica using HF aqueous solution, left-handed, coiled, carbonaceous, tubular nanoribbons were obtained. The left- handed, coiled, carbonaceous, tubular nanoribbons were characterized using field-emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, Raman spectropho- tometer, diffuse reflectance circular dichroism （DRCD）, and N2 adsorptions. Micropores were formed due to the removal of silica. The nitrogen BET surface area is 1727 m2/g. A broad, positive DRCD signal, identified at 400-800 rim, indicates the carbonaceous, tubular nanoribbons exhibit optical activity. The helical pitch is proposed to play an important role in the position of the DRCD signal.     

Enzymatic, spectrophotometric determination of glucose, fructose, sucrose, and inulin/oligofructose in foods

A fast, simple, and accurate method, using only standard laboratory equipment, was developed for the quantification of glucose, fructose, sucrose, and inulin/oligofructose in different food matrixes. Samples were extracted using boiling water and hydrolyzed with sucrase and fructanase. Sugars were determined in the initial extract and in both hydrolysates using an enzymatic, spectrophotometric kit for glucose and fructose determination with hexokinase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, and phosphoglucose isomerase. Calculations of sucrose and inulin/oligofructose were based only on fructose measurement. Glucose results of the hydrolysates were not used for inulin/oligofructose calculations because of possible interference. Released glucose by the hydrolysis of maltose or by possible partial hydrolysis of other compounds like maltodextrines, starch, lactose, or maltitol could interfere in the measurement of the sucrase and the fructanase hydrolysates. To validate the method, a wide range of different food matrixes and different amounts of inulin/oligofructose (1-54%) were analyzed. Mean recovery +/- relative standard deviation (RSD) for inulin or oligofructose was 96.0 +/- 5.3%. The RSDr for inulin/oligofructose measured on 35 food samples, analyzed in duplicate, was 5.9%. Accuracy and precision of the method were less for samples with large concentrations of sucrose, maltose, maltodextrines, or starch (ratio to inulin/oligofructose >4 to 1). Precision and accuracy were comparable with those of the ion exchange chromatographic method AOAC 997.08 and the enzymatic, spectrophotometric method AOAC 999.03. In contrast to 999.03, this method allows the accurate quantification of both GFn and Fn forms.     

Hyperbranched polyesters: synthesis, characterization, and molecular simulations

New types of hyperbranched polyesters were synthesized by the reaction of 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl) propionic acid as an AB2-type monomer with pentaerythritol, trimethylol propane, or glycerol as the core moiety. The obtained globular networks were characterized by NMR and MALDI-TOF spectroscopic techniques. Molecular weights determined by MALDI-TOF were confirmed by gel permeation chromatography. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used for the quantitative evaluation of hydrogen bonding as well as to study the structure-property relationship. To investigate the changes and types of intermolecular H-bonding interactions in hyperbranched polyesters with a variation in molecular structure, the deconvolution of FTIR spectra was carried out using Origin 6.0 software through the Gaussian curve-fitting method. Molecular simulations were performed through molecular mechanics and molecular dynamics (MD) calculations using the DISCOVER module. Cohesive energy density, solubility parameters, and surface properties of the hyperbranched polyesters were calculated. Further, vibrational analysis was computed using MD simulations for all the hyperbranched polyesters developed in this work.     

Lithium-mediated zincation of pyrazine, pyridazine, pyrimidine, and quinoxaline

Deprotonation of pyrazine, pyridazine, pyrimidine, and quinoxaline using an in situ mixture of ZnCl2.TMEDA (0.5 equiv) and LiTMP (1.5 equiv) was studied. Pyrazine and pyrimidine were deprotonated in THF at room temperature, a result evidenced by trapping with I2. The competitive formation of dimer observed in net hexane was reduced by using cosolvents (TMEDA or THF). Starting from quinoxaline, the dimer formation took place in THF also, and mixtures of mono- and diiodides were obtained whatever the solvent and conditions used. A similar competitive formation of a diiodide was noted with pyridazine; the use of THF at reflux temperature nevertheless afforded the 3-iodo derivative in good yield.     

Photophysical,Electrochemical, Thermal and Morphological Properties of Polyurethanes Containing Azomethine Bonding

In this paper, three new low band gap Schiff bases were prepared by using 3-etoxy-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde and different o-phylene diamines. Then, these Schiff bases were converted to low band gap polyurethane derivatives, and their photophysical, electrochemical, thermal, mechanical and morphological properties were investigated. Photophysical properties of the compounds were investigated by using UV-Vis and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. Electrochemical properties of Schiff bases and polyurethanes containing azomethine were investigated by using cyclic voltammetry (CV). Thermal decomposition and transitions were determined by using TG-DTA, DMA and DSC techniques, respectively. Morphological properties of the compounds were also determined by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). SEM images showed that polyurethanes containing azomethine consist of semi-crystalline particles.     

Mass spectrometric separation and quantitation of overlapping isotopologues. Deuterium containing hydrides of As,Sb, Bi,Sn, and Ge

Mass spectra of fully and partially deuterated As, Sb, Bi, Ge, and Sn hydrides have been obtained using several mathematical approaches aimed at signal extraction and reconstruction. Study of such hydride mixtures is important for the elucidation of hydride generation mechanisms. In this approach, mass spectra of partially deuterated isotopomers, i.e., AsH₂D and AsHD₂, are extracted using the weighted two-band target entropy minimization method. Alternatively, these mass spectra were constructed from the mass spectra of fully deuterated and hydrogenated hydrides using the statistical approach in fragmentation pathways. Concentration profiles of all deuterated hydrides were obtained from their overlapping mixture mass spectra using least-squares deconvolution.     

Rapid residue analysis of oxathiapiprolin and its metabolites in typical Chinese soil,water, and sediments by a modified quick,easy, cheap,effective, rugged,and safe method with ultra high performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry

A sensitive and effective method for the simultaneous determination of residues from a new fungicide, oxathiapiprolin, and its metabolites (IN‐E8S72 and IN‐WR791) in soil, water, and sediment, was developed using ultra high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. Three compounds were extracted from water, soil, and sediment by using acetonitrile and different proportions of formic acid aqueous solution (1% v/v for water; 2% v/v for soil; and sediment), and were cleaned with octadecylsilane. The target compounds were determined within 5 min using an electrospray ionization source in the positive mode for oxathiapiprolin and in the negative mode for the two metabolites. The limits of quantification for all the three compounds were 0.1 μg/kg in water and 1 μg/kg in soil and sediment. Recovery studies were performed using three spiked levels (0.1, 1, and 10 μg/kg for water; 1, 10, and 50 μg/kg for soil and sediment). The overall average recoveries ranged from 64.8 to 112.7% with all intra‐ and interday relative standard deviation values below 19.4 and 19.1%, respectively. The method validation confirmed that the proposed method was convenient and reliable for determining residual oxathiapiprolin and its metabolites in soil, water, and sediments.     

Physico-chemical,thermal, and flexural characterization of Cocos nucifera fibers

Currently there is a growing interest in reinforcing polymers using natural fibers for a wide variety of applications because of their desirable properties such as biodegradability, low density, low cost, and abundant availability. In this study, the raw lignocellulosic fibers of Cocos nucifera palm were extracted, and characterization studies such as Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis were conducted and reported. Composite samples were prepared using polyester resin, and the effect of fiber loading on flexural strength is reported. Surface morphology of the fractured samples was examined using a scanning electron microscope.     

Determination of metoserpate,buquinolate, and diclofenac in pork,eggs, and milk using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

In this work, a method was developed for the simultaneous determination of residual metoserpate, buquinolate and diclofenac in pork, milk, and eggs. Samples were extracted with 0.1% formic acid in acetonitrile, defatted with n‐hexane, and filtered prior to analysis using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. The analytes were separated on a C₁₈ column using 0.1% acetic acid and methanol as the mobile phase. The matrix‐matched calibration curves showed good linearity over a concentration range of 5–50 ng/g with coefficients of determination (R²) ≥0.991. The intra‐ and inter‐day accuracies (expressed as recovery percentage values) calculated using three spiking levels (5, 10, and 20 μg/kg) were 80–108.65 and 74.06–107.15%, respectively, and the precisions (expressed as relative standard deviation) were 2.86–13.67 and 0.05–11.74%, respectively, for the tested drugs determined in various matrices. The limits of quantification (1 and 2 μg/kg) were below the uniform residual level (0.01 mg/kg) set for compounds that have no specific maximum residue limit (MRL). The developed method was tested using market samples and none of the target analytes was detected in any of the samples. The validated method proved to be practicable for detection of the tested analytes in pork, milk, and eggs.     

Cocrystals of Praziquantel with Phenolic Acids: Discovery,Characterization, and Evaluation

Solvent-assisted grinding (SAG) and solution slow evaporation (SSE) methods are generally used for the preparation of cocrystals. However, even by using the same solvent, active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), and cocrystal coformer (CCF), the cocrystals prepared using the two methods above are sometimes inconsistent. In the present study, in the cocrystal synthesis of praziquantel (PRA) with polyhydroxy phenolic acid, including protocatechuic acid (PA), gallic acid (GA), and ferulic acid (FA), five different cocrystals were prepared using SAG and SSE. Three of the cocrystals prepared using the SAG method have the structural characteristics of carboxylic acid dimer, and two cocrystals prepared using the SSE method formed cocrystal solvates with the structural characteristics of carboxylic acid monomer. For phenolic acids containing only one phenolic hydroxyl group (ferulic acid), when preparing cocrystals with PRA by using SAG and SSE, the same product was obtained. In addition, the weak molecular interactions that were observed in the cocrystal are explained at the molecular level by using theoretical calculation methods. Finally, the in vitro solubility of cocrystals without crystal solvents and in vivo bioavailability of PRA-FA were evaluated to further understand the influence on the physicochemical properties of API for the introduction of CCF.     

All-trans- and t,T,t,C,t,T,t-deca-1,3,5,7,9-Pentaenes: Ab Initio Structures,Vibrational Analyses,and Some Regularities in the Series of Related Molecules

Total geometry optimization and calculation of the force constants for all-transand t,T,t,C,t,T,tdeca-1,3,5,7,9-pentaene were carried out at the ab initio, HF/6-31G level. The HF/6-31G//HF/ 6-31G force fields were modified using empirical scale factors transferred from trans-buta-1,3-diene augmented by an additional scale factor for the central formal carbon-carbon double bond coordinates (determined previously for all-trans-hexa-1,3,5-triene). The total number of scale factors was seven. The vibrational problems for both decapentaenes were solved using the respective scaled HF/6-31G//HF/6-31G force field. Infrared intensities and Raman activities were calculated from the unscaled HF/6-31G//HF/6-31G force fields. Complete assignment of all the fundamental vibrational frequencies is given. Geometrical parameters, vibrational frequencies and force constants are compared with the corresponding values of buta-1,3-diene, hexa-1,3,5-triene and octa-1,3,5,7-tetraene. Regularities in the properties of this molecular series are discussed. Special attention is given to the possibility of using the vibrational spectra for detection of distortions from the regular trans structure of these oligoenes.     

Metal complexes of chalcone analogue: Synthesis,characterization, DNA binding,molecular docking and antimicrobial evaluation

A novel chalcone, namely 5‐(4‐(dimethylamino)phenyl)‐1‐(thiophen‐2‐yl)penta‐2,4‐dien‐1‐one, DMATP, and its complexes with nickel(II), vanadium(III), palladium(II) and platinum(II) metal ions were synthesized and characterized using a set of chemical and spectroscopic tools including elemental analysis, electrical conductance, magnetic susceptibility and spectral techniques. The interactions of the synthesized chalcone and its metal complexes with DNA were studied using steady‐state absorption and emission techniques as well as viscosity and electrochemical measurements. The obtained results confirm DNA intercalation. Additionally, theoretical studies were performed for all the investigated compounds using DFT/B3LYP calculations. The optimized geometries are found to be in good agreement with the suggested experimental structures. The bond lengths, bond angles, chemical reactivity, energy components, binding energy and dipole moment were evaluated. Also, theoretical infrared intensities and thermodynamic parameters for all compounds were calculated. Molecular docking calculations show that the Ni(II) complex exhibits the highest DNA binding activity, which agrees well with the experimental results. Finally, the compounds were screened for antimicrobial activity using several microorganisms.     

Synthesis,spectral, thermal,and flammability studies of phenolphthalein polyphosphate esters

Polyphosphate esters were synthesized from phenolphthalein and aryl phosphorodichloridates by interfacial polycondensation using a phase transfer catalyst. The polymers were characterized by IR, ¹H-, ¹³C-, and ³¹P-NMR spectroscopy. The molecular weights were calculated by end group analysis using ³¹P-NMR spectral data. The thermal stability of the polymers was studied by thermogravimetry and the flammability was investigated by measuring limiting oxygen index values.     

Comparison of two-body and three-body decomposition of ethanedial, propanal, propenal, n-butane, 1-butene, and 1,3-butadiene

We investigated two-body (binary) and three-body (triple) dissociations of ethanedial, propanal, propenal, n-butane, 1-butene, and 1,3-butadiene on the ground potential-energy surfaces using quantum-chemical and Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel-Marcus calculations; most attention is paid on the triple dissociation mechanisms. The triple dissociation includes elimination of a hydrogen molecule from a combination of two separate terminal hydrogen atoms; meanwhile, the rest part simultaneously decomposes to two stable fragments, e.g., C(2)H(4), C(2)H(2), or CO. Transition structures corresponding to the concerted triple dissociation were identified using the B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) level of theory and total energies were computed using the method CCSD(T)/6-311+G(3df, 2p). The forward barrier height of triple dissociation has a trend of ethanedial < propanal < propenal < n-butane < 1-butene < 1,3-butadiene, pertaining to the reaction enthalpy. Ratios of translational energies of three separate fragments could be estimated from the transition structure of triple dissociation. The synchronous concerted dissociation of propanal, propenal, and 1-butene leading to three different types of molecular fragments by breaking nonequivalent chemical bonds is rare. The triple dissociation of propanal, n-butane, 1-butene, and 1,3-butadiene were investigated for the first time. To outline a whole picture of dissociation mechanisms, some significant two-body dissociation channels were investigated for the calculations of product branching ratios. The triple dissociation plays an important role in the three carbonyl compounds, but plays a minor or negligible role in the three hydrocarbons.     

Liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry method for the simultaneous determination of olanzapine, risperidone, 9-hydroxyrisperidone, clozapine, haloperidol and ziprasidone in rat plasma

A simple, sensitive and rapid liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS/MS) method was developed and validated for simultaneous quantification of olanzapine, clozapine, ziprasidone, haloperidol, risperidone, and its active metabolite 9-hydroxyrisperidone, in rat plasma using midazolam as internal standard (IS). The analytes were extracted from rat plasma using a single step liquid-liquid extraction technique. The compounds were separated on a Waters Atlantis dC-18 (30 mm x 2.1 mm i.d., 3 microm) column using a mobile phase of acetonitrile/5 mM ammonium formate (pH 6.1 adjusted with formic acid) with gradient elution. All of the analytes were detected in positive ion mode using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM). The method was validated and the specificity, linearity, lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ), precision, accuracy, recoveries and stability were determined. LLOQ was 0.1 ng/mL and correlation coefficient (R(2)) values for the linear range of 0.1-100 ng/mL were 0.997 or greater for all the analytes. The intra-day and inter-day precision and accuracy were better than 8.05%. The relative and absolute recovery was above 77% and matrix effects were low for all the analytes except for ziprasidone. This validated method has been successfully used to quantify the plasma concentration of the analytes after chronic treatment with antipsychotic drugs.     

Determination of cyflumetofen residue in water,soil, and fruits by modified quick,easy, cheap,effective, rugged,and safe method coupled to gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

A new, highly sensitive, and selective method was developed for the determination of the cyflumetofen residue in water, soil, and fruits by using gas chromatography quadruple mass spectrometry. The target compound was extracted using acetonitrile and then cleaned up using dispersive solid‐phase extraction with primary and secondary amine and graphitized carbon black, and optionally by a freezing‐out cleanup step. The matrix‐matched standards gave satisfactory recoveries and relative standard deviation values in different matrices at three fortified levels (0.05, 0.5, and 1.0 mg kg^?1). The overall average recoveries for this method in water, soil, and all fruits matrix at three fortified levels ranged from 76.3 to 101.5% with relative standard deviations in the range of 1.2–11.8% (n = 5). The calculated limits of detection and quantification were typically below 0.005 and 0.015 μg kg^?1, which were much lower than the maximum residue levels established by Japanese Positive List. This study provides a theoretical basis for China to draw up maximum residue level and analytical method for cyflumetofen acaricide in different fruits.