Anharmonic force fields of naphthalene-h8 and naphthalene-d8

The cubic and the quartic semidiagonal anharmonic force fields of naphthalene-h8 and -d8 are obtained using density functional theory (DFT) with the B9-71 functional and a triple-zeta plus double polarization (TZ2P) basis set. The fundamental frequencies computed by second-order vibrational perturbation theory are in very good agreement with the experimental data, with a mean absolute deviation (MAD) of 4 cm(-1) for C(10)H(8) and 6 cm(-1) for C(10)D(8). Some of the fundamental frequencies have been reassigned on the basis of the present results. Only CH stretchings seem to be significantly affected by Fermi resonances, with two shifts larger than 10 cm(-1). Calculated infrared harmonic intensities reproduce the experimental data within 15%, with the exception of CH stretchings affected by a larger error. Scale factors from C(10)H(8) have been tested by deriving the fundamental frequencies of C(10)D(8) from the theoretical harmonic ones. These fundamentals are in nice agreement with those obtained from the C(10)D(8) anharmonic force field. These results support the use of scale factors to calculate the vibration spectra of larger polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons of great astrophysical interest.     

Quantitative evaluation of blood elements by neutron activation analysis in mice immunized with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bothrops</Emphasis> snake venoms

Mice genetically selected for high antibody responsiveness (H_III) were immunized against different Bothrops species snake venoms from distinct region of Brazil. The Neutron Activation Analysis technique was used to evaluate the whole blood concentrations of elements of clinical relevance [Ca, Cl, K, Mg and Na] in order to establish a potential correlation between antibody response and blood constituents after Bothrops venom administration for clinical screening of envenomed patients.     

Determination of germanium after extraction by methyl isobutyl ketone. II

Summary Germanium extracted by methyl isobutyl ketone from 7.5N hydrochloric acid solutions is made to react directly in the organic phase with phenylfluorone. Very stable colored solutions are obtained. The reaction is instantaneous and twice as sensitive as when carried out in aqueous medium with the same reagent. Optimum range of concentration for absorptiometric measurements was found to be 0.08 to 0.30g Ge/ml. Most of the interfering ions are separated by preliminary extraction of the cupferrates with the same ketone. W(VI) and Nb(V) are removed by previous extraction with excess thiocyanate in reducing medium making use of the same solvent. The procedure is applicable to the determination of germanium in coals.

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Zusammenfassung Germanium wird aus 7,5-n Salzsäure mit Methylisobutylketon extrahiert und unmittelbar in der organischen Phase mit Phenylfluoron umgesetzt. Die Reaktion erfolgt sofort, ist doppelt so empfindlich als in wäßriger Phase und führt zu sehr stabil gefärbten Lösungen. Die für Absorptionsmessungen am besten geeignete Konzentration liegt zwischen 0,08 und 0,30g Ge/ml. Die meisten störenden Ionen werden durch vorhergehende Extraktion ihrer Cupferonate mit demselben Keton entfernt. Wolfram(VI) und Niob(V) werden mit demselben Lösungsmittel in Gegenwart überschüssigen Rhodanids in reduzierendem Milieu abgetrennt. Das Verfahren eignet sich für die Bestimmung von Germanium in Kohle.

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Résumé On fait réagir directement le germanium avec la phénylfluorone, dans la phase organique, après son extraction par la méthylisobutylcétone de sa solution 7,5N chlorhydrique. On obtient ainsi des solutions colorées très stables. La réaction est instantanée et deux fois plus sensible que lorsqu'elle est effectuée en milieu aqueux avec le même réactif. Le domaine de concentration optimum pour les mesures absorptiométriques est situé entre 0,08 et 0,30g Ge/ml. La plupart des ions gênants sont séparés par une extraction préalable des cupferrates par la cétone. W(VI) et Nb(V) sont éliminés au cours d'une extraction préalable en présence d'un excès de thiocyanate en milieu réducteur et dans le même solvant. La technique est applicable à la détermination du germanium dans les charbons.

     

Mass spectrometric identification of toxins of biological origin

The chemical/biological (CB) threat spectrum encompasses a wide range of potential agents including chemical warfare agents, biological warfare agents and toxins of biological origin that fall between these two main agent categories. These proteinaceous and non-proteinaceous toxins, commonly referred to as mid-spectrum agents, range in molecular mass from a few hundred to more than a hundred thousand daltons. The large number of potential candidates as well as the structural diversity of possible mid-spectrum agents makes identification of these compounds a challenge. The NATO defense community has recognized these challenges and has a working group that is developing identification protocols and evaluating methods through a series of international analytical exercises. Identification strategies rely heavily on recent advances that have been made in both mass spectrometry (MS) and liquid chromatography (LC), with LC-MS typically being employed as the primary method for separation/identification. While this paper focuses on the application of these and related instrumental analytical techniques for the identification of mid-spectrum agents, the approach described could be applied in the fields of toxicology, forensic science and environmental analysis. Areas for future research have been identified and application of developed mid-spectrum identification methods to the ongoing biological and toxin weapons convention (BTWC) are anticipated.     

Electrochromatography in microchips packed with conventional reversed-phase silica particles

This paper shows the applicability of a disposable and inexpensive microfluidic chip for electrochromatographic separations. The chip, recently developed by us for chip-based LC, was fabricated from PDMS incorporating conventional chromatographic RP silica particles (C18) without the use of frits. Three cephalosporin antibiotics were used to demonstrate the applicability of the chip-based chromatographic packing for electrochromatographic determinations. The used sample injection method utilizes hydrodynamic pressure, thereby, reducing the propensity for sample bias during the injection.     

A second-order Markov process for modeling diffusive motion through spatial discretization

A new "mesoscopic" stochastic model has been developed to describe the diffusive behavior of a system of particles at equilibrium. The model is based on discretizing space into slabs by drawing equispaced parallel planes along a coordinate direction. A central role is played by the probability that a particle exits a slab via the face opposite to the one through which it entered (transmission probability), as opposed to exiting via the same face through which it entered (reflection probability). A simple second-order Markov process invoking this probability is developed, leading to an expression for the self-diffusivity, applicable for large slab widths, consistent with a continuous formulation of diffusional motion. This model is validated via molecular dynamics simulations in a bulk system of soft spheres across a wide range of densities.     

High resolution electron energy loss measurements of Na/Cu(111) and H2O/Na/Cu(111): dependence of water reactivity as a function of Na coverage

Collective electronic excitations occurring in Na layers grown on Cu(111) and in H2O/Na/Cu(111) have been investigated at room temperature by high resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy. Loss spectra taken for a coverage between 0.55 and 0.70 ML of Na are characterized by a feature at 3.0 eV assigned to a Mie resonance. Further increasing the Na coverage leads to the appearance of the Na surface plasmon at 3.9 eV. Water molecules dissociate on Na layers as shown by the appearance of the OH-Na vibration. Upon water adsorption, relevant effects on both electronic excitations and vibrational modes were observed as a function of Na coverage.     

Measurement of the neutron flux parameters <Emphasis Type="Italic">f</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">α</Emphasis> at the Pavia TRIGA Mark II reactor

In this paper, evaluation of neutron flux parameters of TRIGA Mark II reactor in Pavia was carried out. For any of the three irradiation positions investigated, this work represented the first experimental evaluation of α. Moreover, in addition to α, values of other parameters such as f, Φ _th and Φ _e were also calculated and compared with the existent literature data from other TRIGA Mark II reactors and the Pavia’s facility. Results obtained in the present study represent a mandatory step ahead for future application of k ₀-Neutron Activation Analysis method (k ₀-NAA) at Pavia’s facility.