Evaluation of the Sanita-kun coliforms, a dehydrated medium sheet for coliform detection. Performance-Tested Method 100402

The Sanita-kun Coliforms consists of a transparent cover film, an adhesive sheet, a layer of nonwoven fabric, and a water-soluble compound film, including a culture medium formula for the detection of coliforms. The medium sheet was validated with 26 food types belonging to 9 food categories (meat, poultry, fish and seafood, fruits and vegetable, dairy, chocolate or bakery, animal feeds, pasta, and miscellaneous) using violet red bile (VRB) agar method in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Bacteriological Analytical Manual as a reference according to the AOAC guideline. The medium sheet showed 100% inclusivity and exclusivity. Ruggedness study suggested allowances in the incubation temperature and time as 33-35 degrees C and 24 +/- 4 h, respectively. The performance of 3 different lots of the medium sheets was equivalent and suggested no change of the performance at least for 3 years. In the comparative recovery study, many samples (84.6%), which were inoculated with a coliform strain, showed no significant difference between the 2 methods. The linear correlation coefficient (r2) to the VRB agar was calculated as 0.94. In the repeatability study, the average relative standard deviation of total foods was 0.10 in the medium sheet. In the independent study, the medium sheet detected significantly more colonies than VRB plates in the frozen raw milk sample, while there was no significant difference between the 2 methods in raw ground beef sample. Comparative recovery study on foods, inoculated and then frozen, showed the medium sheet detected injured cells with better recovery than VRB agar. The analysts in the independent study wrote that the medium sheet was easy to use and read overall. The Sanita-kun sheet provides an alternative method to coliform count agar.     

Chemo-enzymatic production of fuel ethanol from cellulosic materials utilizing yeast expressing β-glucosidases

Ethanol was produced in a considerably high yield by fermenting hydrolyzates from cellulosic materials by means of a recombinant laboratory yeast expressing β-glucosidases. Tissue paper, cotton, and sawdust were hydrolyzed by two-step sulfuric acid hydrolysis to give mixtures containing glucose, cellobiose, and higher cello-oligosacc arides. After the cellulosic material was partially hydrolyzed with 80% sulfuric acid, the hydrolysis was continued with 5% sulfuric acid. Except for non-carbohydrate components, all constitutents in the hydrolyzates were fermented by the yeast that was preincubated in the medium that the plasmid encoded by the β-glucosidases gene was kept in the muliplicated yeast. A solution containing 4% hydrolyzates from paper was fermented to give as high as 1.9% maximum ethanol concentration and 70% ethanol conversion. Cotton also gave a similar result. Sawdust was converted into ethanol in approx 22% conversion. Accordingly, it was revealed that the β-glucosidases-expressing yeast can ferment the cello-oligosaccharides obtained by hydrolysis of cellulosic materials into ethanol. In addition, a hydrolyzate containing a high glucose proportion gave a high ethanol concentration in a short time.     

On/off spin-crossover phenomenon and control of the transition temperature in assembled Iron(II) complexes

The present study reveals the on/off of spin-crossover (SCO) phenomenon in assembled Fe(II) complexes bridged by bis(pyridyl) type ligand. Whether SCO phenomenon occurs or not in assembled Fe(II) complexes bridged by bis(pyridyl) type ligand is determined by local structure around iron atom. SCO phenomenon occurs when the coordinating pyridines facing to each other across the iron atom are propeller type, while the phenomenon does not occur when they are parallel type or distorted propeller type. DFT calculation explained that, in the shortening of Fe-pyridine bonds when changing from high-spin state to low-spin state, the pyridines of propeller type can approach the iron atom with smaller steric hindrance than those of parallel and distorted propeller type complexes. The local structure is controlled by introducing methyl substituent and introducing π-system, changing SCO phenomenon. And the transition temperature of SCO is also controlled in assembled complexes bridged by 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane by mixing anionic ligand.     

Comparison of detectability limits for elemental mapping by EF-TEM and STEM-XEDS

The analytical sensitivity in terms of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) was investigated for elemental mapping by a transmission electron microscope equipped with an energy filter (EF-TEM) and a scanning transmission electron microscope with an X-ray energy dispersive spectrometer (STEM-XEDS). To compare the detectability limits of the elemental maps by the two techniques, homogeneous Cu-0.98+/-0.34 wt% Mn and Cu-4.93+/-0.49 wt% Mn thin specimens were used. Elemental maps can be considered as either an image or a spectrum. Therefore, the detectability limits of the elemental maps were characterized by the spectral SNR. To evaluate the detectability limits of the elemental maps with statistical confidence limits such as 1 sigma, 2 sigma and 3 sigma, the SNR values were reviewed from the statistical point of view. In STEM-XEDS mapping, the spectral SNR values improve as the specimen thickness increases since the signal intensity increases. Conversely, the spectral SNR in EF-TEM mapping is maximized at a certain thickness and then reduces as the thickness increases. To compare the two mapping techniques with regard to the analytical sensitivity, a method to estimate the minimum mass fraction (MMF) from measured signal and background intensities was developed. In this experimental approach, the MMF value can be evaluated by selecting the appropriate SNR value corresponding to the statistical confidence limits. In comparing the estimated MMF values from the two mapping approaches, EF-TEM mapping can be more sensitive than STEM-XEDS mapping up to specimen thicknesses <20-30 nm in the 1 sigma confidence limit and < approximately 50 nm in the 3 sigma limits. However, as the specimen thickness increases, the XEDS maps provide better detectability limits in the Cu-Mn dilute alloy specimens.     

Short synthesis of alkyl-substituted acenes using carbonyl-directed C-h and C-o functionalization

A convenient method for the synthesis of tetraalkylanthracenes and -pentacenes by means of ruthenium-catalyzed regioselective C-H alkylation of the corresponding acenequinones was developed. Dialkyldiarylpentacene was also synthesized using chemoselective tandem C-H alkylation/C-O arylation of dimethoxypentacenequinone. It was suggested that a tetraalkylpentacene is stable under air in the dark and possesses an appropriate HOMO level as active material for p-type organic field-effect transistors (OFETs).     

Synthesis and structures of cyclic gold complexes containing diphosphine ligands and luminescent properties of the high nuclearity species

A mixture of cyclic gold(I) complexes [Au(2)(μ-cis-dppen)(2)]X(2) (X = OTf 1, PF(6)3) and [Au(cis-dppen)(2)]X (X = OTf 2, PF(6)4) is obtained from the reaction of [Au(tht)(2)]X (tht = tetrahydrothiophene) with one equivalent of cis-dppen [dppen = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethylene]. The analogous reaction with trans-dppen or dppa [dppa = bis(diphenylphosphino)acetylene] affords the cyclic trinuclear [Au(3)(μ-trans-dppen)(3)]X(3) (X = OTf 11, PF(6)12) and tetranuclear [Au(4)(μ-dppa)(4)]X(4) (X = OTf 13, PF(6)14, ClO(4)15) gold complexes, respectively. Recrystallization of 15 from CH(2)Cl(2)/MeOH yielded a crystal of the octanuclear gold cluster [Au(8)Cl(2)(μ-dppa)(4)](ClO(4))(2)16. Attempts to prepare dicationic binuclear gold(II) species from the reaction of a mixture of 3 and 4 with halogens gave a mixture of products, the components of which confirmed to be acyclic binuclear gold(I) [Au(2)X(2)(cis-dppen)] (X = I 5, Br 7) and cyclic mononuclear gold(III) [AuX(2)(cis-dppen)]PF(6) (X = I 6, Br 8) complexes. Complexes 11-14 reveal weak emission in butyronitrile glass at 77 K, but they are non-emissive at room temperature. Ab initio modelling was performed to determine the charge state of the gold atoms involved. Extensive structural comparisons were made to experimental data to benchmark these calculations and rationalize the conformations.     

Precise determination of Mg/Fe ratios applicable to terrestrial olivine samples using Raman spectroscopy

The relationship between Mg# [ = 100 Mg/(Mg + Fe) in mol] and the Raman shift was analyzed precisely for olivine [(Mg, Fe)₂SiO₄] samples with Mg# between 100 and 62.8. Two prominent peaks at 826–820 cm⁻¹ (peak 1) and 858–849 cm⁻¹ (peak 2) and three subordinate peaks at 883–881 cm⁻¹ (peak 3), 920–914 cm⁻¹ (peak 4), and 967–951 cm⁻¹ (peak 5) were observed to shift monotonously to lower wavenumbers with decreasing Mg#. The ΔMg#( = Mg#_ref − Mg#) versus Δν(= ν_ref − ν) can be linearly regressed for each peak as ΔMg# = A Δν, where ν is a peak wavenumber of olivine with Mg# ranging from 100 to 62.8, and ν_ref is that of olivine with a reference value of Mg#, namely, Mg#_ref. We set Mg#_ref as 100 (i.e.pure forsterite Mg₂SiO₄) whereas A is a regression parameter (5.789, 4.294, 12.34, 6.348, and 2.09, respectively,for peaks 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5). This equation enables us to avoid small inter‐laboratory differences of wavenumber calibration. The equation for peak 2 yields estimations of Mg# in geologically satisfactory precision, ± 1 Mg# (1σ) in the Mg# range of 100–62.8. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

M?ssbauer spectroscopic study on valence-detrapping and trapping of mixed-valence trinuclear iron(III, III, II) fluorine-substituted benzoate complexes

Magnetorheological (MR) fluids are new iron-based materials, whose applications include brakes, dampers, clutches, shock absorbers systems and polishing of optical surfaces (lens and mirrors). They are dependent on the size and shape of particles as the magnetic properties. Interested in the possibility of using iron-rich powders, commonly used in nondestructive testing, ranging in size from a few μm to about 200?μm and lower cost than those commercially used for MR fluids, a study of the structural and magnetic properties of iron-rich metallic particles by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and M?ssbauer spectroscopy (MS) at room temperature has been done. Powders, as received, were separated into particle sizes smaller than 20?μm (sample A) and in the range of 20–38?μm (sample B) because these are the sizes generally required for applications in MR fluids. The particles whose sizes exceed the above values were ground in a high energy planetary mill for 3?h, using different values of rotational speed/time: 200?rpm for one hour, a pause of 10?s, 140?rpm for one hour, pause 10?s and then 175?rpm during the last hour. These powders were sieved to obtain particles smaller than 20?μm (sample C). According XRD results, in all samples, only α-Fe (lattice parameter a = 2,867(2) ?) and Fe₂O₃ (lattice parameter a = 5,037(1) ? and c = 13,755(8) ?) were present. The M?ssbauer spectra were fitted with two sextets. The hyperfine parameters values allowed us to assign the highest relative area spectrum (sextet) corresponding to α-Fe and the second one to Fe₂O₃ in accord to the XRD results. Thus, the preparation method using mechanical milling for diminishing the size of the metallic particles allowed us to get particles with size and magnetic properties that could lead to potentially MR fluids applications.     

Characterization of inclusion complex of vitamin E compound with 2,6-di-O-methylated β-cyclodextrin as the solubility enhancer and its kinetic determination for radical scavenging ability

The structure of the inclusion complex of α-tocopherol (vitamin E compound) with 2,6-di-O-methylated β-cyclodextrin (DM-β-CD) was characterized by 2D ROESY NMR measurements, suggesting that DM-β-CD includes the side-chain moiety of α-tocopherol. The inclusion complexation of DM-β-CD showed the usefulness of water solubilizer for the radical scavenging assay of vitamin E compounds in aqueous solution. Using the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) competitive spin trapping method, we determined the oxygen radical (RO^?) scavenging abilities of seven vitamin E compounds (tocopherols and tocotrienols), which were solubilized by DM-β-CD in water. The order of the RO^? radical scavenging abilities for vitamin E compounds solubilized by DM-β-CD are α- > β- ≈ γ- > δ-, which is in agreement with the oxidation potential values of antioxidants. It is noted that the RO^? radical scavenging abilities of tocotrienols are comparable to those of tocopherols. Based on the results, the mechanism of the antioxidant reaction of vitamin E compounds with the RO^? radical is discussed.     

Chemistry of renieramycins. Part 12: An improved total synthesis of (±)-renieramycin G

An improved total synthesis of (±)-renieramycin G (1g) from readily available 2-hydroxy-3-methyl-4,5-dimethoxybenzaldehyde (7) in 21 steps (6.3% overall yield) is described. The synthesis features the concise construction of a pentacyclic framework using the stereoselective Pictet–Spengler type cyclization reaction of lactam (25) with ethyl diethoxyacetate, followed by the base-catalyzed epimerization of the C-1 stereo center of aldehyde (30a). The results of cytotoxicity studies are also presented.