Automated system for on-line determination of dimethylarsinic and inorganic arsenic by hydride generation–atomic fluorescence spectrometry

A multisyringe flow-injection approach has been coupled to hydride generation-atomic fluorescence spectrometry (HG-AFS) with UV photo-oxidation for dimethylarsinic (DMA), inorganic As and total As determination, depending on the pre-treatment given to the sample (extraction or digestion). The implementation of a UV lamp allows on-line photo-oxidation of DMA and the following arsenic detection, whereas a bypass leads the flow directly to the HG-AFS system, performing inorganic arsenic determination. DMA concentration is calculated by the difference of total inorganic arsenic and measurement of the photo-oxidation step. The detection limits for DMA and inorganic arsenic were 0.09 and 0.47 μg L(-1), respectively. The repeatability values accomplished were of 2.4 and 1.8%, whereas the injection frequencies were 24 and 28 injections per hour for DMA and inorganic arsenic, respectively. This method was validated by means of a solid reference material BCR-627 (muscle of tuna) with good agreement with the certified values. Satisfactory results for DMA and inorganic arsenic determination were obtained in several water matrices. The proposed method offers several advantages, such as increasing the sampling frequency, low detection limits and decreasing reagents and sample consumption, which leads to lower waste generation.     

Effects of Match Location,Quality of Opposition and Match Outcome on Match Running Performance in a Portuguese Professional Football Team

The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of match location, quality of opposition and match outcome on match running performance according to playing position in a Portuguese professional football team. Twenty-three male professional football players were monitored from eighteen Portuguese Football League matches during the 2019–2020 season. Global positioning system technology (GPS) was used to collect time-motion data. The match running performance was obtained from five playing positions: central defenders (CD), fullbacks (FB), central midfielders (CM), wide midfielders (WM) and forwards (FW). Match running performance was analyzed within specific position and contextual factors using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) for repeated measures, standardized (Cohen) differences and smallest worthwhile change. CM and WM players covered significantly greater total distance (F = 15.45, p = 0.000, η² = 0.334) and average speed (F = 12.79, p < 0.001, η² = 0.294). WM and FB players covered higher distances at high-speed running (F = 16.93, p = 0.000, η² = 0.355) and sprinting (F = 13.49; p < 0.001, η² = 0.305). WM players covered the highest number of accelerations (F = 4.69, p < 0.001, η² = 0.132) and decelerations (F = 12.21, p < 0.001, η² = 0.284). The match running performance was influenced by match location (d = 0.06–2.04; CI: −0.42–2.31; SWC = 0.01–1.10), quality of opposition (d = 0.13–2.14; CI: –0.02–2.60; SWC = 0.01–1.55) and match outcome (d = 0.01–2.49; CI: −0.01–2.31; SWC = 0.01–0.35). Contextual factors influenced the match running performance with differential effects between playing positions. This study provides the first report about the contextual influence on match running performance in a Portuguese professional football team. Future research should also integrate tactical and technical key indicators when analyzing the match-related contextual influence on match running performance.     

Ag2 and Ag3 Clusters: Synthesis,Characterization, and Interaction with DNA

Subnanometric samples, containing exclusively Ag₂ and Ag₃ clusters, were synthesized for the first time by kinetic control using an electrochemical technique without the use of surfactants or capping agents. By combination of thermodynamic and kinetic measurements and theoretical calculations, we show herein that Ag₃ clusters interact with DNA through intercalation, inducing significant structural distortion to the DNA. The lifetime of Ag₃ clusters in the intercalated position is two to three orders of magnitude longer than for classical organic intercalators, such as ethidium bromide or proflavine.     

A study of conformation-dependent friction in a dumbbell model for dilute solutions

We consider predictions of rheological behavior in a variety of shear and extensional flows for an elastic dumbbell model with a nonlinear spring, and conformation-dependent hydrodynamic properties. The latter include a conformation-dependent anisotropic bead friction coefficient, and a related conformation-dependent degree of inefficiency for rotation in straining flows. With these features, the dumbbell exhibits hydrodynamic behavior consistent with a particle of finite axis ratio over the complete set of possible polymer conformations, from random-coil to a fully extended thread-like configuration. The predicted rheological behavior in shear flow is improved, relative to data, by the inclusion of anisotropy and strain-inefficiency in the frictional properties of the model, while other desirable features such as the sudden onset of fully extended states at a critical value of the velocity gradient, the presence of a hysteresis-loop in end-to-end dimension as a function of the velocity gradient, and the correlation of end-to-end distance (or birefringence) with the eigenvalue of the velocity gradient tensor for a wide variety of two-dimensional flows, are maintained.     

Ring closure of 1-[4-(imidazol-1-yl)phenyl]-3-phenyl-2-propen-1-one derivatives to potential biologically active compounds

1-[4-(Imidazol-1-yl)phenyl]-3-phenyl-2-propen-1-one 1 reacted with acetone cyanohydrin, ethyl phenylacetate and cyanoacetamide to give the adducts 2, 8 and 10 respectively. Action of hydrazine hydrate on both the γ-ketonitrile 2 and the corresponding γ-ketoacid 4 led to pyridazine derivatives 3 and 5 . 4,5-Dihydropyridazinone 5 was dehydrogenated by the action of bromine in acetic acid to give pyridazinone 6 . Cyclization of acid 8 in acetic medium resulted in α-pyrone 9 . Cyanopentanamide 10 was converted with hydrochloric acid into δ-ketoacid 13 which led to α-pyrone 14 via an intramolecular dehydration. Refluxing 10 in the presence of acetic acid and ammonium acetate gave 3,4-dihydropyridone 11 which was dehydrogenated to produce pyridone 12 .     

Ligand fishing as a tool to screen natural products with anticancer potential

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the world and its incidence is expected to increase with the aging of the world's population and globalization of risk factors. Natural products and their derivatives have provided a significant number of approved anticancer drugs and the development of robust and selective screening assays for the identification of lead anticancer natural products are essential in the challenge of developing personalized targeted therapies tailored to the genetic and molecular characteristics of tumors. To this end, a ligand fishing assay is a remarkable tool to rapidly and rigorously screen complex matrices, such as plant extracts, for the isolation and identification of specific ligands that bind to relevant pharmacological targets. In this paper, we review the application of ligand fishing with cancer-related targets to screen natural product extracts for the isolation and identification of selective ligands. We provide critical analysis of the system configurations, targets, and key phytochemical classes related to the field of anticancer research. Based on the data collected, ligand fishing emerges as a robust and powerful screening system for the rapid discovery of new anticancer drugs from natural resources. It is currently an underexplored strategy according to its considerable potential.     

Charge-tagged ligands: useful tools for immobilising complexes and detecting reaction species during catalysis

In recent years, charge-tagged ligands (CTLs) have become valuable tools in organometallic catalysis. Insertion of an ionic side chain into the molecular skeleton of a known ligand has become a useful protocol for anchoring ligands, and consequently catalysts, in polar and ionic liquid phases. In addition, the insertion of a cationic moiety into a ligand is a powerful tool that can be used to detect reaction intermediates in organometallic catalysis through electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) experiments. The insertion of an ionic tag ensures the charge in the intermediates independently of the ESI-MS. For this reason, these ligands have been used as ionic probes in mechanistic studies for several catalytic reactions. Here, we summarise selected examples on the use of CTLs as immobilising agents in organometallic catalysis and as probes for studying mechanisms through ESI-MS.     

The maximum multiplicity of an eigenvalue in a matrix whose graph is a tree

We study the maximum possible multiplicity of an eigenvalue of a matrix whose graph is a tree, expressing that maximum multiplicity in terms of certain parameters associated with the tree.