Time-dependent density functional approach for the calculation of inelastic x-ray scattering spectra of molecules

We apply time-dependent density functional theory to study the valence electron excitations of molecules and generalize the typically used time-propagation scheme and Casida's method to calculate the full wavevector dependent response function. This allows the computational study of dipole-forbidden valence electron transitions and the dispersion of spectral weight as a function of the wavevector. The method provides a novel analysis tool for spectroscopic methods such as inelastic x-ray scattering and electron energy loss spectroscopy. We present results for benzene and CF(3)Cl and make a comparison with experimental results.     

Determination of heterocyclic amines in urine samples by capillary liquid chromatography with evaporated light-scattering detection

A rapid and simple method for separation and detection of six heterocyclic aromatic amines (2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo [4,5-b]-pyridine, 2-amino-1-methyl-imidazo [4,5-f]-quinoline, 2-amino-3,8-dimethyl-imidazo [4,5-f]-quinoxaline, 2-amino-3,7,8-trimethyl-imidazo [4,5-f]-quinoxaline, 2-amino-3,4,8-trimethyl-imidazo [4,5-f]-quinoxaline, and 2-amino-3,4-dimethyl-imidazo [4,5-f]-quinoline) in human urine samples is proposed to reflect daily intake and recent HAAs exposure. This method comprises previous clean-up and preconcentration of the analytes on Strata-X reversed phase extraction cartridges followed by capillary liquid chromatography (CLC) and evaporative light-scattering detection (ELSD). A mobile phase of acetonitrile and ammonium acetate 35 mM at pH 5.15 through a gradient of composition and a flow rate of 15 μL min⁻¹ resulted in good separations of the analytes. Temperature and gas pressure were optimized for detection. The CLC-ELSD allows the separation and quantification of HAAs with good resolution, precision, and sensitivity. The usefulness of the proposed method was demonstrated by the analysis of synthetic and natural human urine samples spiked with different concentration levels of heterocyclic amines.     

Nitrile functionalized methimazole-based ionic liquids

The alkylation reaction of 2-mercapto-1-methylimidazole 1b with 2-chloroacetonitrile and 2-chloropropionitrile produced S-alkyl methimazole chlorides 2a and 2b which were subjected to anion metathesis with lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide, LiNTf(2), to afford nitrile functionalized methimazole-based room temperature ionic liquids 3a and 3b in 94% and 89% yields, respectively. Ionic liquids 3a and 3b have reasonably wide electrochemical windows. The efficient extraction of Ag(+) from aqueous media into 3a and 3b is also reported.     

Microspheres of Mixed Proteins

This paper describes the synthesis of mixed proteinaceous microspheres (MPMs) by the sonochemical method. The current fundamental research follows the research of Suslick and co‐workers who have developed a method by which high‐intensity ultrasound is used to make aqueous suspensions of proteinaceous microcapsules filled with water‐insoluble liquids. 1 By using high‐intensity ultrasound, we have synthesized microspheres made of a few different proteins. The three proteins used in the current experiments are bovine serum albumin (BSA), green fluorescent protein (GFP), and cyan fluorescent protein–glucose binding protein–yellow fluorescent fused protein (CFP‐GBP‐YFP). The two synthesized microspheres made of mixed proteins are BSA‐GFP and BSA‐(CFP‐GBP‐YFP). This paper presents the characterization of the sonochemically produced microspheres of mixed proteins. It also provides an estimate of the efficiency of the sonochemical process in converting the native proteins to microspheres.     

PP films grafted with N-isopropylacrylamide and N-(3-aminopropyl) methacrylamide by γ radiation: synthesis and characterization

Simultaneous grafting of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) and N-(3-aminopropyl) methacrylamide hydrochloride (APMA) on polypropylene (PP) was investigated for obtaining interfaces that are stimuli-responsive under physiological conditions. A pre-irradiation method was optimized tuning the γ-irradiation dose, reaction time, temperature, and monomers concentrations. FT-IR ATR and XPS analysis of the grafted copolymers evidenced a greater content in NIPAAm than in APMA; the APMA/NIPAAm ratio increasing with the concentration of APMA in the reaction medium and when the grafting was carried out in 1 M NaNO₃. The grafted films were characterized regarding their thermal properties (DSC and TGA) swelling behavior and contact angle. Immersion of the pre-irradiated films in 1 M NIPAAm/0.5 M APMA aqueous solution rendered PP-g-(1NIPAAm-r-0.5APMA) which exhibited rapid and reversible transitions showing a LCST around the physiological temperature. By contrast, a greater content in APMA enhanced the hydrophilicity and prevented the shrinking of PP-g-(1NIPAAm-r-1APMA).     

General correlation model for some physical properties of saturated pure fluids

In this work, we use a general expression to accurately correlate the liquid density, the vaporization enthalpy, the surface tension, and the isobaric heat capacity of a saturated liquid versus temperature along the whole coexistence curve. The general expression used is the same for the four thermodynamic properties, and uses both critical and triple point values as reference. As representative examples of the use of the model, results are given for a set of 22 pure substances. We find that this general expression correlates the data with smaller or similar overall deviations when compared with other published models whose number of coefficients are the same or greater.     

Crystal structure ofcis-diaqua bis(2,2′-bipyridyl)chromium(III) nitrate, [Cr(bipy)2(H2O)2] (NO3)3

cis-Diaquabis(2,2-bipyridyl)chromium(III) nitrate crystallizes in the mono-clinic system, space groupP2₁/c, witha=16.102(6),b=10.792(5),c=15.076(6) Å,=112.90(5)°, andZ=4. The saltlike structure was determined from X-ray crystallography and refined toR=7.5% for 3342 observed reflections. The Cr atom is octahedrally surrounded by twocis water molecules and by two chelated 2,2-bypiridyl ligands forming two nearly orthogonal planes. Selected bond distances are: Cr-O, 2.00(1) and 1.98(1) Å, Cr-N, 2.04 Å (mean).     

Chaos and unpredictability in evolutionary dynamics in discrete time

A discrete-time version of the replicator equation for two-strategy games is studied. The stationary properties differ from those of continuous time for sufficiently large values of the parameters, where periodic and chaotic behavior replace the usual fixed-point population solutions. We observe the familiar period-doubling and chaotic-band-splitting attractor cascades of unimodal maps but in some cases more elaborate variations appear due to bimodality. Also unphysical stationary solutions can have unusual physical implications, such as the uncertainty of the final population caused by sensitivity to initial conditions and fractality of attractor preimage manifolds.     

Struggle for space: viral extinction through competition for cells

The design of protocols to suppress the propagation of viral infections is an enduring enterprise, especially hindered by limited knowledge of the mechanisms leading to viral extinction. Here we report on infection extinction due to intraspecific competition to infect susceptible hosts. Beneficial mutations increase the production of viral progeny, while the host cell may develop defenses against infection. For an unlimited number of host cells, a feedback runaway coevolution between host resistance and progeny production occurs. However, physical space limits the advantage that the virus obtains from increasing offspring numbers; thus, infection clearance may result from an increase in host defenses beyond a finite threshold. Our results might be relevant to devise improved control strategies in environments with mobility constraints or different geometrical properties.