Problem of hidden variables

The problem of hidden variables in quantum mechanics is formalized as follows. A general or contextual (noncontextual) hidden-variables theory is defined as a mappingf: Q×M C (f: QC) whereQ is the set of projection operators in the appropriate (quantum) Hilbert space,M is the set of maximal Boolean subalgebras ofQ andC is a (classical) Boolean algebra. It is shown that contextual (noncontextual) hidden-variables always exist (do not exist).     

A new bis(3-hydroxy-4-pyridinone)-IDA derivative as a potential therapeutic chelating agent. Synthesis, metal-complexation and biological assays

A new bis(3-hydroxy-4-pyridinone) derivative of iminodiacetic acid, imino-bis(acetyl(1-(3'-aminopropyl)-3-hydroxy-2-methyl-4-pyridinone)), IDAPr(3,4-HP)(2), has been prepared and studied in its interaction with a set of hard metal ions. This tetradentate ligand presents a much higher chelating efficiency for trivalent hard metal ions (Fe, Ga, Al) than the monodentate derivative Deferriprone, namely at the diluted conditions prevailing in physiological conditions and at low clinical doses. A similar behaviour was also observed for the complexation with Zn(II) but at a significantly lower extent. This compound presents a moderate hydrophilic character at physiological pH (logD=-1.72). In vivo assays showed much more rapid clearance of (67)Ga from most tissues of metal-loaded mice than the drug Deferriprone and the radioactivity excretion occurs mostly through the kidneys. Therefore, results from in vitro and in vivo studies indicated good perspectives for this compound to be a potential decorporating agent for hard metal ions in overload situations without depletion of essential metal ions such as zinc.     

Study of a core-shell type impact modifier by inverse gas chromatography

Inverse gas chromatography (IGC) has been used to study the Lewis acid-base properties of a technologically and commercially important core-shell type elastomer (MBS rubber). The parameters determined were the dispersive component of the surface tension, the surface free energy, the enthalpy and the entropy of adsorption of polar and apolar probes, the surface Lewis acidity constant (Ka), and the surface Lewis basicity constant (Kb). The results show that the MBS rubber is amphoteric but strongly Lewis basic. It is weakly Lewis acidic. The results are in accord with the analysis of the molecular structure of PMMA, the shell component of this impact modifier (IM). The interactivity of this elastomer with the remaining materials in multicomponent polymeric systems is expected to be strongly influenced by the particular surface energetic properties of the MBS rubber. The results presented would contribute to the interpretation, forecast and optimization of the adhesion properties and phase preferences shown by this impact modifier when incorporated in such complex polymeric systems as polymer blends and composites.     

Gas chromatography/ion trap tandem mass spectrometry for the analysis of halobenzenes in soils by solid-phase microextraction

Headspace solid-phase microextraction combined with gas chromatography/ion trap tandem mass spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC/ITMS/MS) was used for the analysis of 12 halobenzenes from soil samples. For MS/MS optimisation, the experiments were performed by precursor ion selection and software controlled operations. Collision-induced dissociation (CID) can be achieved by two different approaches, resonant and non-resonant excitation modes. Different results were obtained using the two approaches, and the resonant excitation mode was chosen as the best for all halobenzenes. Parameters such as the CID excitation amplitude, excitation RF storage level and CID bandwidth frequency were optimised to maximise the formation of halobenzene product ions. A 100-microm polydimethylsiloxane fibre was used for the isolation and preconcentration of the analytes. The HS-SPME/GC/ITMS/MS method was applied to the analysis of halobenzenes in an agricultural soil sample. The halobenzenes were quantified by standard addition, which led to good reproducibility (RSD between 4.7 and 9.2%) and detection limits in the low pg/g range. The method was validated by comparing the results with those obtained in a European inter-laboratory exercise.     

Chemiluminometric determination of carvedilol in a multi-pumping flow system

In this work a simple, fast, sensitive and selective flow-based procedure for the chemiluminometric determination of carvedilol, a recent non-cardioselective β-blocker with noteworthy antioxidant activity, is proposed. The developed methodology takes advantage of the antioxidant capacity of carvedilol to inhibit the chemiluminescence response resulting from the oxidation of luminol by hypochlorite, by acting as a hypochlorite scavenger. The analytical process was implemented in a multi-pumping flow system that employs multiple solenoid actuated micro-pumps as the only active components. These acted as solution insertion, propelling and commuting units assuring an easily controlled, low cost, compact and reliable analytical system.A linear working range for carvedilol concentrations ranging from 1.2 × 10⁻⁷ to 3.0 × 10⁻⁶ mol l⁻¹ (r > 0.999, n = 6), was obtained, with a detection limit of 8.7 × 10⁻⁹ mol l⁻¹. The system handles about 65 samples per hour yielding precise results (R.S.D. < 1.3%, n = 10). Recoveries within 95 and 104% were obtained.     

Efficient approaches toward the solid-phase synthesis of new heterocyclic azoniaspiro ring systems: synthesis of tri- and tetrasubstituted 10-oxo- 3,9-diaza-6-azoniaspiro[5.5]undecanes

[Reaction: see text]. An efficient approach for the parallel solid-phase synthesis of novel heterocyclic azoniaspiro ring systems is described. The target compounds, the 1,8,9-trisubstituted 10-oxo-3,9-diaza-6-azoniaspiro[5.5]undecanes, were obtained starting from resin-bound reduced dipeptides. The azoniaspiro cation was formed by intramolecular attack of a tertiary nitrogen on pendent alpha-bromocarbonyl. N-3 acylated and N-3 alkylamino carbonyl derivatives of the 1,8,9-trisubstituted 10-oxo-3,9-diaza-6-azoniaspiro[5.5]undecanes were obtained following in solution treatment of the N-3 azoniaspiro derivatives with different carboxylic acids and isocyanates.     

Determination of Phenolic Compounds Based on Co‐Immobilization of Methylene Blue and HRP on Multi‐Wall Carbon Nanotubes

This work evaluated an amperometric biosensor based on multi‐wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT), chemically modified with methylene blue (Met) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP), for detection of phenolic compounds. The dependences of the biosensor response due to the enzyme immobilization procedure, HRP amounts, pH and working potential were investigated. The amperometric response for catechol using the proposed biosensor showed a very wide linear response range (1 to 150 μmol L^?1), good sensitivity (50 nA cm^?2 μmol^?1 L), excellent operational stability (after 300 determinations the response remained at 97%) and very good storage stability (lifetime>3 months). Based on all these characteristics, it is possible to affirm that the material is promising for phenol detection due to its good electrochemical response and enzyme stabilization. The biosensor response for various phenolic compounds was investigated.     

A molecular mechanics and semiempirical conformational analysis of the herbicide diuron inhibitor of photosystem II

The potential energy surface (PES) for the herbicide diuron (DCMU), a photosystem II inhibitor, has been extensively investigated using the quantum-mechanical semiempirical molecular orbital methods AM1 and PM3 and molecular mechanics method. A detailed conformational search has been carried out which revealed the occurrence of four genuine minimum energy structures. The relative stability of the conformers and rotational barriers to conformational interconversion were evaluated using distinct theoretical approaches. The results showed that thetrans form of the diuron molecule is more stable than thecis form in all methods, and so it may possibly be the biologically active isomer.     

Particle and surface characterization of a natural illite and study of its copper retention

Illite clays are known to have a strong affinity for metallic pollutants in the environment and can be applied as low-cost adsorbents for industrial waste treatment. A crucial factor in the development of such applications, however, is the understanding of the chemical, mineralogical, and colloidal properties of these clays. It is also important to understand the mechanisms involved in the surface adsorption of metals by these adsorbants. In order to study the retention of transition metals on illite clays, we have applied surface characterization techniques such as FPIA, SEM-EDX, XRD, N2 (77 K) adsorption, and FTIR. In addition to these experimental techniques, we have also employed a theoretical model that accounts for the chemistry of transition metal ions, and considers the global retention process to be the sum of several single retention processes. This model adequately fits the experimental data and allows for the speciation of metal retention on illite surfaces. Between pH values of 2.53 and 3.01 the only adsorption processes are the electrostatic sorption of [Cu(H2O)6]2+, and the surface complexation of [Cu(H2O)6]2+ and [Cu(OH)(H2O)5]+ ions. Surface complexation of [Cu(OH)(H2O)5]+ ions increases with pH, overcoming [Cu(H2O)6]2+ retention, and thus contributing to the surface precipitation of Cu(OH)2.     

Dual Nucleophilic Substitution Reactions of O,O‐Diethyl 2,4‐dinitrophenyl Phosphate and Thionophosphate Triesters

The reactions of the title compounds with phenoxides, secondary alicyclic (SA) amines, and pyridines, in 44 wt% ethanol–water, at 25°C and an ionic strength of 0.2 M, were subjected to kinetic and product studies. From analytical techniques (HPLC and NMR), two pathways were detected (nucleophilic attack at the phosphoryl center and at the C‐1 aromatic carbon) for the reactions of all the nucleophiles with the phosphate ( 2 ) and for the pyridinolysis of the thionophosphate ( 1 ). Only aromatic nucleophilic substitution was found for the reactions of 1 with phenoxides and SA amines. For the dual reactions, the nucleophilic rate constants (k_N) were separated in two terms: $k_{\rm N}^{\rm P}$ and $k_{\rm N}^{{\rm Ar}}$, which are the rate constants for the corresponding electrophilic centers. The absence of a break in the Brønsted‐type plots for the attack at P is consistent with concerted mechanisms. The Brønsted slopes, β_Ar 0.32–0.71, for the attack at the aromatic C‐1, are in agreement with stepwise mechanisms where formation of a Meisenheimer complex is the rate‐determining step. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 45: 202–211, 2013