Qualitative assessment of monomer ratios in putative ionic terpolymer samples by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry with collision-induced dissociation

Collision-induced dissociation in the source of an electrospray (ES) mass spectrometer was employed to characterize putative samples of the ionic terpolymer poly(styrene sulfonate-co-acrylic acid-co-2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid). Qualitative and semi-quantitative information about the monomer content was quickly obtainable from ES spectra, and indicated that some samples contained little or none of one or two expected comonomers. For two representative samples, confirmatory nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) data were acquired. The NMR experiments required sample clean-up (to remove additives) and long acquisition times (up to 720 min) for 13C NMR. Cleanup also improved the ES results, providing better agreement with the NMR data. However, qualitative and semi-quantitative information was obtainable by ES (but not by NMR) without the cleanup step. Full quantitation of monomer ratios would require suitable standards, but even without such standards the ES measurements provide a rapid (<1 min) means for differentiating these samples (e.g., for process or quality control).     

ASMS members John Fenn and Koichi Tanaka share Nobel: The world learns our “secret”

Editorial

ASMS members John Fenn and Koichi Tanaka share Nobel: The world learns our “secret”     

Production ofD,D * andD s mesons in 200 GeV/c π− K − andp-Si interactions

The NA 32 experiment at the CERN SPS has collected 38 million hadronic interactions with incident 200 GeV/c π^?,K ^? andp beam. Using a segmented silicon active target and a telescope of high resolution silicon microstrip counters we have selected fully reconstructedD ⁰→K ^?π⁺,D ⁰→K ^?π⁺π⁺π^?,D ⁺→K ^?π⁺π⁺,D _s ⁺ →K ^? K ⁺π⁺π⁺ and charge conjugate decays. The integrated cross-sections forD ^o,D ⁺ D ^*+ andD _s ⁺ meson production and the dependence of the cross-section on longitudinal and transverse momentum of theD are presented.     

Toward responsible development and effective risk management of nano-enabled products in the U.S. construction industry

The global construction sector is experiencing major improvements to building materials used in large quantities through commercial applications of nanotechnology. Nano-enabled construction products hold great promise for energy efficiency and resource conservation, but risk assessments lag as new products emerge. This paper presents results from an inventory, survey, and exposure assessment conducted by the authors and explores these findings in the broader context of evolving research trends and responsible development of nanotechnology. An inventory of 458 reportedly nano-enabled construction products provided insight into product availability, potential exposures, and deficiencies in risk communication that are barriers to adoption of proactive safety measures. Seasoned construction trainers surveyed were largely unaware of the availability of nano-enabled construction products. Exposure assessment demonstrated the effectiveness of ventilation to reduce exposures during mechanical abrasion of photocatalytic tiles containing titanium dioxide (TiO₂). Dissociated particles of TiO₂ just above the nanoscale (138 nm) were detected in the debris collected during cutting of the tiles, but measurements were below recommended exposure limits for TiO₂. Exposure assessments remain scarce, and toxicological understanding primarily pertains to unincorporated nanomaterials; less is known about the occupational risks of nano-enabled construction products across their life cycle. Further research is needed to characterize and quantify exposure to debris released from nanocomposite materials for realistic risk assessment, and to ascertain how nanocomposite matrices, fillers, and degradation forces interact to affect release dynamics. Improving risk communication strategies and implementing safe work practices will cultivate responsible development of nanotechnology in construction, as will multidisciplinary research efforts.     

Simultaneous analysis of butene isomer mixtures using process mass spectrometry

The feasibility of simultaneous analysis of mixtures containing two to four butene isomers and up to six total components using process mass spectrometry is assessed. As for typical (nonisomeric) applications of process mass spectrometry, simultaneous analysis is based on the assumption that the electron ionization mass spectra of mixtures are linear combinations of the spectra of the individual constituents. Limits of detection for binary isomer mixtures are on the order of 0.1% to 10%, limited by the ability to distinguish small differences between similar spectra. As spectral and mixture complexity increase, both accuracy and precision decrease. Not surprisingly the similarity of the spectra of stereoisomers cis- and trans-2-butene is greater than that of the other (nonstereoisomeric) isomer pairs, and mixtures containing both cis- and trans-2-butene are the most difficult to quantitate. However, even for mixtures of all four butenes, accuracy (root-mean-square ERROR = 2.43%), precision (average coefficient of VARIATION = 6.72%), and linearity (correlation coefficient of a plot of measured versus actual concentration r² = 0.985 ± 0.002) are reasonably good.     

Spirastrellolides C to G: macrolides obtained from the marine sponge Spirastrella coccinea

Five new macrolides, spirastrellolides C (3) to G (7), have been isolated from extracts of the marine sponge Spirastrella coccinea collected in Dominica. Their structures have been elucidated by a combination of spectroscopic analysis and chemical transformations.