Measuring a colloidal particle's interaction with a flat surface under nonequilibrium conditions

A new and general approach is proposed to analyze the dynamics of a colloidal particle interacting with a nearby wall. This analysis can be used to determine the acting forces even when the system is non-stationary. As an illustration, we use total internal reflection microscopy to investigate the forces acting on a polystyrene sulfate latex particle as it is receding from a charged glass surface. Received 10 October 2002 Published online: 16 April 2003 RID="a" ID="a"Present address: Department of Polymer Physics, BASF Aktiengesellschaft, 67056 Ludwigshafen, Germany RID="b" ID="b"Present address: Arryx. Inc., Chicago, IL 60601, USA     

Uptake and release kinetics of 22 polar organic chemicals in the Chemcatcher passive sampler

The Chemcatcher passive sampler, which uses Empore? disks as sampling phase, is frequently used to monitor polar organic chemicals in river water and effluents. Uptake kinetics need to be quantified to calculate time-weighted average concentrations from Chemcatcher field deployments. Information on release kinetics is needed if performance reference compounds (PRCs) are used to quantify the influence of environmental conditions on the uptake. In a series of uptake and elimination experiments, we used Empore? SDB disks (poly(styrenedivinylbenzene) copolymer modified with sulfonic acid groups) as a sampling phase and 22 compounds with a logK _ow (octanol–water partitioning coefficient) range from ?2.6 to 3.8. Uptake experiments were conducted in river water or tap water and lasted up to 25 days. Only 1 of 22 compounds (sulfamethoxazole) approached equilibrium in the uptake trials. Other compounds showed continuing non-linear uptake, even after 25 days. All compounds could be released from SDB disks, and desorption was proportionally higher in disks loaded for shorter periods. Desorption showed two-phase characteristics, and desorption was proportionally higher for passively sorbed compounds compared to actively loaded compounds (active loading was performed by pulling spiked river water over SDB disks using vacuum). We hypothesise that the two-phase kinetics and better retention of actively loaded compounds—and compounds loaded for a longer period—may be caused by slow diffusion of chemicals within the polymer. As sorption and desorption did not show isotropic kinetics, it is not possible to develop robust PRCs for adsorbent material like SDB disks.     

Multivalency as a Chemical Organization and Action Principle

Multivalent interactions can be applied universally for a targeted strengthening of an interaction between different interfaces or molecules. The binding partners form cooperative, multiple receptor–ligand interactions that are based on individually weak, noncovalent bonds and are thus generally reversible. Hence, multi‐ and polyvalent interactions play a decisive role in biological systems for recognition, adhesion, and signal processes. The scientific and practical realization of this principle will be demonstrated by the development of simple artificial and theoretical models, from natural systems to functional, application‐oriented systems. In a systematic review of scaffold architectures, the underlying effects and control options will be demonstrated, and suggestions will be given for designing effective multivalent binding systems, as well as for polyvalent therapeutics.     

Latest results from HERA

Highlights are presented of the latest measurements from the H1, ZEUS and HERMES experiments at HERA.     

Investigation on the Decomposition of Carboplatin in Infusion Solutions

 An integrated solid-phase spectrophotometry/flow injection analysis (FIA) method is proposed for the determination of the synthetic colorant matter Ponceau 4R (P4R) in the presence of its unsulfonated derivative 2-hydroxy-1-[(naphthalenyl)azo] naphthalene (N2N). The procedure is based on the measurement of P4R at λ = 508, followed by retention and preconcentration of the low level concentration of N2N on a C₁₈ silica gel minicolumn and subsequent measurement of the absorbance of N2N at λ = 508 nm after its elution. The applicable concentration range, the detection and the relative standard were the following: for P4R, from 0.30 to 20.0 mg/L; 0.052 mg/L 1.1%; and for N2N, between 0.020 to 3.0 mg/L 0.003 mg/L and 1.1%. The method was applied to the determination of small amounts of N2N present in P4R in food and cosmetic products. Percentages of recovery between 95 and 105% were obtained in all instances. The method was applied satisfactorily to the determination of the compounds P4R and N2N in samples of sweets and cosmetic products when compared to results offered by a HPLC reference method. Received April 5, 2001. Revision July 25, 2001.     

The synthesis and the crystal and molecular structure of the fungicide bis(4-fluorophenyl)-methyl(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl-methyl)silane (flusilazole,DPX H 6573)

Detailed procedures (based on the respective patent literature) for the preparation of the broadspectrum fungicide flusilazole (DPX H 6573) on the laboratory scale are described using as the starting material dichloro(chloromethyl)methylsilane [CH₃(ClCH₂)SiCl₂]. In addition, the crystal and molecular structure of flusilazole (determined by means of X-ray diffraction analysis) is described.