Optimization of parameters of sampling and determination of reduced sulfur compounds using cryogenic capture and gas chromatography in tropical urban atmosphere

Reduced sulfur compounds, RSCs (H₂S, COS, CH₃SH, CH₃SCH₃, CS₂ and CH₃S₂CH₃) play a role in global cycle and acid rain formation. At trace levels RSCs in air are difficult to collect, store and analyze because of their highly adsorptive and reactive properties. This work optimizes parameters of sampling and instrumental determination of RSCs for urban measurements. The method used is based on cryogenic sampling and gas chromatography provided with a cryofocusing trap and flame photometric detection.Greater sampling efficiency was obtained with liquid argon as freezing fluid and air flow rate of 150 mL min^? 1 for two hours. Best results have been obtained with preconcentration for 3 min and injection volume of 3 ml. For H₂S, CH₃SH and CH₃S₂CH₃ the method showed a precision of 89%, limit of detection of 0.10 µg m^? 3 and limit of quantification 0.3 µg m^? 3. For CH₃SCH₃ and CS₂ the corresponding values were 89%, 0.15 µg m^? 3 and 0.5 µg m^? 3 and for COS were 75%, 0.18 µg m^? 3 and 0.8 µg m^? 3 respectively. Sampling efficiency varied between 70–80% for all the RSCs. Accuracy of H₂S from field measurements obtained with parallel measurements using a continuous monitor varied between 88 and 98%. The optimized methodology proved to be suitable for field measurements in urban tropical atmospheres with different characteristics.     

Determination of the minimal erythema dose and colorimetric measurements as indicators of skin sensitivity to UV-B radiation

There is a strong relation between chronic UV-B-induced sunburns and the development of skin cancer. Therefore, it is important to obtain a method that can be reproduced easily to detect individuals with similar skin color but different sensitiveness to sun exposure. The study evaluated 193 healthy volunteers (68% women; the average age was 38 years). They were divided into six groups of at least 30 subjects, according to skin type. The minimal erythema dose (MED) was assessed in two non-sun-exposed areas (thorax-infra-axillary area and on the buttocks), using a UV-B source (0.5 mW/cm2), with openings of 1 cm2, in increasing doses. The same areas were evaluated with a Minolta CR 300 Chromameter (L*a*b* system). The MED values ranged from 13 to 156 mJ/cm2; the coordinate L* (brightness) ranged from 75.96 to 30.15. The correlation between the MED and the brightness was negative in both areas (Pearson's correlation r = -0.91, P < 0.05). Color measurements, especially brightness, can be used to quickly assess skin sensibility. Considering the MED, there is a substantial overlapping of adjacent phototypes, but they could be separated into two groups: more sensitive individuals (Types I, II, III and IV) and less sensitive ones (Types V and VI).     

Template synthesis of tungsten complexes with saturated N-heterocyclic carbene ligands

Tungsten complex with a coordinated 2-azidoethyl isocyanide ligand reacts with PMe3 at the azido function to give a complex with a coordinated iminophosphorane which upon hydrolysis of the P=N bond yields a complex with an NH,NH-stabilized N-heterocyclic carbene ligand, 7; alkylation of the carbene ring nitrogen atoms gives a complex with an N,N'-dialkylated imidazolidin-2-ylidene ligand, 8 .     

Steric factors in the gas phase elimination kinetics of ethyl N‐benzyl‐N‐cyclopropylcarbamate and ethyl diphenylcarbamate

The elimination kinetics of ethyl N‐benzyl‐N‐cyclopropylcarbamate and ethyl diphenylcarbamate were investigated over the temperature range of 349.9–440.0°C and the pressure range of 31–106 Torr. These reactions have been found to be homogeneous, unimolecular, and obey a first‐order rate law. The products are ethylene, carbon monoxide, and the corresponding secondary amine. The rate coefficient is expressed by the following Arrhenius equations: For ethyl N‐benzyl‐N‐cyclopropylcarbamate log k₁ (s^?1) = (12.94 ± 0.09) ? (198.5 ± 0.9) kJ mol^?1 (2.303RT)^?1 For ethyl diphenylcarbamate log k₁ (s^?1) = (12.91 ± 0.18) ? (208.2 ± 2.4) kJ mol^?1 (2.303RT)^?1 The presence of phenyl and bulky groups at the nitrogen atom of the ethylcarbamate showed a decrease in the rate of elimination. Steric factor may be operating during the process of decomposition of these substrates. These reactions appear to undergo a semipolar six‐membered cyclic transition type of mechanism.© 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 34: 67–71, 2002     

National External Quality Assessment Schemes for microbiology, parasitology, and virology in Europe

Quality assurance is an important aspect of laboratory management. One of the activities involved is the participation in external quality assessment (EQA) schemes by the clinical laboratory. These EQA schemes should be organised according to well-defined guidelines, such as the ESO/IEC Guide 43. The present work provides an inventory of the EQA schemes organised in Europe. The schemes are related to the fields of bacteriology, parasitology and virology. For each field various surveys have been organised. Data such as the number of participants, frequency of survey and number of samples in a survey are presented. The nature and way of manufacturing the control material is specified.     

Comparison of microprobe two-step laser desorption/laser ionization mass spectrometry and gas chromatography/ mass spectrometry studies of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in ancient terrestrial rocks

Microprobe two-step laser desorption/laser ionization mass spectrometry (μL²MS) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) were used to analyze polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in ancient terrestrial rocks. μL²MS provides an in situ analysis of very small samples, records the PAHs with no isomer information, and gives quantitative data on the degree of alkylation of a given PAH series over the complete mass range. GC/MS provides isomer separation and quantitation of PAHs in bitumen but not kerogen, and is limited by sample size. Combination of these techniques allows analysis of very small samples by μL²MS with GC/MS confirmation of isomer distributions of the solvent extractable components (bitumen). It was found that the concentration of bitumen within the rock samples affects the PAH alkylation signal for μL²MS. At low bitumen concentrations μL²MS can produce pyrolysis products from kerogen that is present; however, as bitumen concentrations increase, the PAH distribution from bitumen dominates the signal.     

The first application of titanocenes in the asymmetric oxidation of sulfides

Investigations were carried out on the oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides catalyzed by the commercial Cp₂Ti(X)₂ (X=Cl, OTf)/t-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP). The asymmetric version of prochiral sulfides oxidation was achieved using Cp₂TiCl₂, as transition metal catalyst, in the presence of (+)-(R)-BINOL, as chiral ligand and activated 4 Å molecular sieves (m.s.).     

Enzymes produced by soil fungi following microaerobic growth on lignocellulosic materials

Four fungal strains able to grow under low oxygenation conditions were selected and used in studies to determine the production of enzymes (endoglucanases, exoglucases, β-glucosidase, and peroxidases) that promote the degradation of lignocellulosic materials. The capacity of the fungi to ferment lignocellulosic materials was also investigated. Avicel, xylan, Whatman no. 1 filter paper, or agroindustrial residues were used as carbon sources in a medium containing mineral salts, vitamins, and cysteine as a reducing agent, under either microaerophilic or combined conditions (aerobic followed by microaerophilic conditions). The results obtained with strains Q10, H2, and LH5 suggest that they prefer a low oxygen concentration for growth and enzyme production. However, strain F20 seems to need higher levels of oxygenation. Lignocellulolytic activities were detected in all strains but varied with the carbon source used for growth. In general, the highest levels of these activities were produced by strain H2 under microaerophilic conditions. Ethanol and other nongaseous fermentation products were detected following high-performance liquid chromatography analysis using a Supelcogel C-610H column, demonstrating the fermentative capability of these strains.     

Theoretical studies of the gas‐phase pyrolysis kinetics of ω‐bromonitriles,ZCH2CH2Br [Z = NC,NCCH2, NCCH2CH2]

The gas‐phase elimination of several ω‐bromonitriles (ZCH₂CH₂Br, Z = NC, NCCH₂, NCCH₂CH₂) has been examined at the MP2/6‐31G(d,p), MP2/6‐31G(2d,2p), B3PW91/6‐31G(2d,2p), and MPW91PW91/6‐31(2p,2d) levels of theory. The bromonitriles yield the corresponding cyano‐olefin and HBr gas in a rate‐determining step. The MPW91PW91/6‐31G(2p,2d) results suggest a concerted mechanism, with a polar, four‐membered transition state. The calculated kinetic and thermodynamic parameters were found to be within reasonable agreement with the experimental determinations. Substituent effects are discussed in terms of electronic structure. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 41: 168–175, 2009