A survey of pseudo (v,k, λ)-designs

This work is an attempt to give a complete survey of all known results about pseudo (v, k, )-designs. In doing this, the author hopes to bring more attention to his conjecture given in Section 6; an affirmative answer to this conjecture would settle completely the existence and construction problem for a pseudo (v, k, )-design in terms of the existence of an appropriate (v, k, )-design.     

Effect of branching and confinement on star-branched polymeric systems

The effect of confinement, number of branches (functionality), and size of the molecules on various properties as a function of temperature of star-branched polymers confined between two walls was studied using Monte Carlo simulations with the parallel tempering technique. The coil-to-globule transition and the liquidlike to solidlike transition, similar to those observed for linear chains, were characterized in all systems by changes in the heat capacity, internal energy, and radius of gyration. The transitions were also characterized by the most probable isomeric structure at a given temperature. The radius of gyration of the star polymers was smaller than the values of linear chains when the number of arms f increased. For star chains with more than f=5 arms the values of the radius of gyration, and therefore the size of the molecules, were similar for every condition of confinement studied, especially at higher temperatures. As confinement was increased, the difference in the radius of gyration of linear chains and star polymers became even larger. The coil-to-globule transition temperatures shifted to higher temperatures as the size of the chains and the number of arms in a molecule were increased. Effects of confinement were higher on the properties of the system at the smallest separations (less than twice the monomer diameter), where the coil-to-globule transition shifted to lower temperatures. The liquidlike to solidlike transition was present at almost the same temperature for different conditions of confinement, chain size, and number of arms. The behavior of the systems for separations between the walls greater than five bead diameters was similar to the behavior in the unconfined case. Hence, no considerable effect of confinement was found above this separation.     

Characterization and determination of 28 elements in fly ashes collected in a thermal power plant in Argentina using different instrumental techniques

Different techniques were selected for comprehensive characterization of seven samples of fly ashes collected from the electrostatic precipitator of the San Nicolás thermal power plant (Buenos Aires, Argentina). Particle size was measured using laser based particle size analyzer. X-ray diffraction powder (XRD) analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize the mineral phase present in the matrix consisting basically of aluminosilicates and large amounts of amorphous material. The predominant crystalline phases were mullite and quartz. Major and minors elements (Al, Ca, Cl, Fe, K, Mg, Na, S, Si and Ti) were detected by energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX). Trace elements (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, V and Zn) content was quantified by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES). Different acid mixtures and digestion procedures were compared for subsequent ICP OES measurements of the dissolved samples. The digestion procedures used were: i) a mixture of FH + HNO₃ + HClO₄ (open system digestion); ii) a mixture of FH + HNO₃ (MW-assisted digestion); iii) a mixture of HF and aqua regia (MW-assisted digestion). Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) was employed for the determination of As, Ba, Co, Cr, Ce, Cs, Eu, Fe, Gd, Hf, La, Lu, Rb, Sb, Sc, Sm, Ta, Tb, Th, U and Yb. The validation of the procedure was performed by the analysis of two certified materials namely, i) NIST 1633b, coal fly ash and ii) GBW07105, rock. Mean elements content spanned from 41870 μg g^− 1 for Fe to 1.14 μg g^− 1 for Lu. The study showed that Fe (41870 μg g^− 1) ? V (1137 μg g^− 1) > Ni (269 μg g^− 1) > Mn (169 μg g^− 1) are the main components. An enrichment, with respect to crustal average, in many elements was observed especially for As, V and Sb that deserve particular interest from the environmental and human health point of view.     

Ultrasensitive small molecule fluorogenic probe for human heparanase

Heparanase (HPA) is a critical enzyme involved in the remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM), and its elevated expression has been linked with diseases such as various types of cancer and inflammation. The detection of heparanase enzymatic activity holds tremendous value in the study of the cellular microenvironment, and search of molecular therapeutics targeting heparanase, however, no structurally defined probes are available for the detection of heparanase activity. Here we present the development of the first ultrasensitive fluorogenic small-molecule probe for heparanase enzymatic activity via tuning the electronic effect of the substrate. The probe exhibits a 756-fold fluorescence turn-on response in the presence of human heparanase, allowing one-step detection of heparanase activity in real-time with a picomolar detection limit. The high sensitivity and robustness of the probe are exemplified in a high-throughput screening assay for heparanase inhibitors.

Heparanase, a critical enzyme involved in the remodeling of the extracellular matrix, activates a disaccharide probe HADP to give a strong fluorescence signal.     

Screen-printed electrochemical hybridization biosensor for the detection of DNA sequences from the Escherichia coli pathogen

An electrochemical biosensor for the specific detection of short DNA sequences from the E. coli pathogen is described. This hybridization device relies on the immobilization of a 25-mer oligonucleotide probe, from the E. coli lacZ gene, onto a screen-printed carbon electrode. Chronopotentiometric detection of the Co(bpy)₃⁺³ indicator is used for monitoring the hybridization event. Numerous variables of the assay protocol, including those of the probe immobilization step, the hybridization event, and the indicator association/detection, are characterized and optimized. Hybridization times of 2- and 30-min are sufficient for detecting 300- and 50 ng/mL, respectively, of the E. coli DNA target. Applicability to analysis of untreated environmental water samples is illustrated. Such single-use electrochemical sensors hold great promise for decentralized environmental and food testing for the E. coli pathogen.     

Synthesis and characterization of trifluoromethyl fluoroformyl peroxycarbonate,CF3OC(O)OOC(O)F

The synthesis of CF(3)OC(O)OOC(O)F is accomplished by the photolysis of a mixture of (CF(3)CO)(2)O, FC(O)C(O)F, CO, and O(2) at -15 degrees C using a low-pressure mercury lamp. The new peroxide is obtained in pure form in low yield after repeated trap-to-trap condensation and is characterized by NMR, IR, Raman, and UV spectroscopy. Geometrical parameters were studied by ab initio methods [B3LYP/6-311+G(d)]. At room temperature, CF(3)OC(O)OOC(O)F is stable for many days in the liquid or gaseous state. The melting point is -87 degrees C, and the boiling point is extrapolated to 45 degrees C from the vapor pressure curve log p = 8.384 - 1715/T (p/mbar, T/K). A possible mechanism for the formation of CF(3)OC(O)OOC(O)F is discussed, and its properties are compared with those of related compounds.     

Trifluoromethoxycarbonyl peroxynitrate, CF3OCOOONO2

The trioxide, CF(3)OC(O)OOOC(O)OCF(3), reacts with NO(2) at 0 degrees C to yield the new peroxynitrate, CF(3)OC(O)OONO(2), which is stable for hours at room temperature. It is spectroscopically characterized and some thermal properties are reported. From the vapor pressure, ln(p/p(0)) = 14.06 - 4565/T, of the liquid above the melting point of -89 degrees C, the extrapolated boiling point is 52 degrees C. CF(3)OC(O)OONO(2) dissociates at higher temperatures and low pressures into the radicals CF(3)OC(O)OO and NO(2) as demonstrated by matrix isolation experiments. The matrix-isolated peroxy radicals consist in a rotameric mixture of trans,trans,trans-CF(3)OC(O)OO and trans,trans,cis-CF(3)OC(O)OO, where trans and cis denote dihedral angles of ca. 180 degrees and 0 degree, respectively, around beta F-C-O-C, beta C-O-C-O, and beta O-C-O-O, with an equilibrium composition dependent on the thermolysis temperature. The radical trans,trans,cis-CF(3)OC(O)OO is found to be ca. 3 kJ mol(-1) higher in enthalpy than trans,trans,trans-CF(3)OC(O)OO. DFT calculations are performed to support the vibrational assignments and to provide structural information about CF(3)OC(O)OONO(2).     

Estimation of the uncertainty of mass measurements from in-house calibrated analytical balances

The uncertainty evaluation of mass measurements when using “in-house” calibrated analytical balances is revisited according to the Guide to the expression of Uncertainty Measurement (GUM). The calibration of analytical balances is discussed according to the guidelines of several bodies such as ASTM, UKAS and DKD/PTB. The remainder components of uncertainty can be estimated from the balance data sheet specifications.     

Importance of chain-chain interactions on the band gap of trans-polyacetylene as predicted by second-order perturbation theory

We employ the Laplace-transformed second-order Moller-Plesset perturbation theory for periodic systems in its atomic orbital basis formulation to determine the geometric structure and band gap of interacting polyacetylene chains. We have studied single, double, and triple chains, and also two-dimensional crystals. We estimate from first principles the equilibrium interchain distance and setting angle, along with binding energy between trans-polyacetylene chains due to dispersion interactions. The dependence of the correlation corrected quasiparticle band gap on the intrachain and interchain geometric parameters is studied, obtaining that the gap of the compound structures is substantially reduced with respect to the single chain polymer.