Temporal variation of atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon concentrations in PM10 from the Kathmandu Valley and their gas-particle concentrations in winter

The concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in particulate matter (PM) with a diameter <10 µm (PM₁₀, 50% cut off) were investigated in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal, during 2003. In order to understand the dynamics of atmospheric PAHs in winter, the PAH concentrations in total PM and in the gaseous phase were investigated in the valley in December 2005. Total of 45 PAH compounds (∑45PAHs) were analysed by high-resolution gas chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRGC/HRMS). In 2003, the ∑45PAH concentrations in PM₁₀ ranged between 4.3 and 89 ng m^?3 (annual average; 27 ± 24 ng m^?3). The average concentrations of ∑45PAHs in December 2005 were 210 ± 33 ng m^?3 in total PM and 430 ± 90 ng m^?3 in the gaseous phase. The ∑45PAH concentration in PM accounted for more than 30% of the sum of their particulate and gaseous forms. Phenanthrene (Ph) was the most predominant compound in the gaseous phase, whereas four- to seven-ring PAHs were predominant in total PM. The highest values of ∑45PAHs occurred in the winter and spring. Estimates of emission sources based on diagnostic molecular ratios showed that atmospheric PAHs in the Kathmandu Valley mainly originated from the exhaust gas of diesel engine. In the winter and spring, PAH pollution would be accelerated by the operations of brick kilns and the frequent formation of an atmospherically stable layer in the valley.     

Characterization of humic acids in sediments from dam reservoirs by pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry using tetramethylammonium hydroxide: Influence of the structural features of humic acids on iron(II) binding capacity

The structural features of humic acids (HAs) isolated from sediments on the bottom of dam reservoirs that can affect their binding capacities for Fe(II) were investigated by pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy using tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH-py-GC/MS). The binding capacities for Fe(II) increased with increasing O/C molar ratio, suggesting that the oxygen-containing functional group content plays a role in the binding of Fe(II). However, it was not possible to identify specific binding-sites for Fe(II) by TMAH-py-GC/MS analysis. Although C_16:1ω7, iso-C_15:0 and anteiso-C_17:0 fatty acids, which serve as molecular markers of anaerobic microbial activity, were detected in all of the HA samples, the contents of these acids were not correlated with binding capacities for Fe(II). However, the ratio of C_16:0 to C_16:1ω7 fatty acids, which is used as an index of anaerobic bacterial activity, increased with increasing Fe(II) binding capacities of the HAs. It thus appears likely that the activities of anaerobic bacteria on the bottom of dam reservoirs contribute to alterations in the structural features for HAs, and that this process results in increased binding capacities for Fe(II).     

Hydrogel-Stiffening and Non-Cell Adhesive Properties of Amphiphilic Peptides with Central Alkylene Chains

Amphiphilic peptides bearing terminal alkyl tails form supramolecular nanofibers that are increasingly used as biomaterials with multiple functionalities. Insertion of alkylene chains in peptides can be designed as another type of amphiphilic peptide, yet the influence of the internal alkylene chains on self-assembly and biological properties remains poorly defined. Unlike the terminal alkyl tails, the internal alkylene chains can affect not only the hydrophobicity but also the flexibility and packing of the peptides. Herein, we demonstrate the supramolecular and biological effects of the central alkylene chain length inserted in a peptide. Insertion of the alkylene chain at the center of the peptide allowed for strengthened β-sheet hydrogen bonds and modulation of the packing order, and consequently the amphiphilic peptide bearing C2 alkylene chain formed a hydrogel with the highest stiffness. Interestingly, the amphiphilic peptides bearing internal alkylene chains longer than C2 showed a diminished cell-adhesive property. This study offers a novel molecular design to tune mechanical and biological properties of peptide materials.     

Unbiased Rotational Motions of an Ellipsoidal Guest in a Tight Yet Pliable Host

In the design of machinery such as steel bearings, a fundamental understanding of material characteristics provides an indispensable basis for the design. Although hydrocarbon cycloarylenes have started to be used for providing unique supramolecular bearings with anomalous dynamic behaviors, their fundamental understanding is immature. A unique property of the cycloarylene host is now reported: the cyclic host is so pliable that it tracks the orientational changes of the ellipsoidal guest, that is, C₇₀ fullerene. Unique structures of the complex were revealed by spectroscopic and crystallographic analyses, and additional theoretical investigations deepened our understanding by revealing the structural changes associated with unbiased rotational motions.     

Comparison between original and generic versions of ceftriaxone sodium preparation for injection: compatibility with calcium-containing product

The purpose of this study was to compare the compatibility of ROCEPHINE? Intravenous, the original manufacturer's ceftriaxone sodium preparation for injection, and seven generic versions thereof, with various calcium chloride injection 2%. The influence of calcium ion concentration, storage time and shaking strength on the appearance and quantity of insoluble microparticles in mixed solutions was examined using a light obscuration particle counter. In all products, the observed number of insoluble microparticles was proportional to the calcium ion concentration, storage time and shaking strength after the addition of calcium chloride solution. In several of the generic products, the number of insoluble microparticles was significantly higher than those of the original product, while in others it was lower. We evaluated the quality of the original and 7 generic preparations, measured the content of impurity and pH of the various ceftriaxone solutions, as impurity content and pH of solution are possible factor affecting compatibility. Three impurities were found in all products. The impurity content of several generic products, as estimated from their peak area on high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), was significantly lower than that of the original product. pH of solution was difference between products. Although it was difficult that impurity and pH of solution verify critical factor affecting compatibility. The results show that there are differences in the appearance of insoluble microparticles between the original product and seven generic products, when calcium chloride injection 2% solution is added to the product.     

Sequential functionalization of porous coordination polymer crystals

Crystal extractor: Heterostructured porous coordination polymer crystals fabricated using epitaxial growth have two contradictory porous functions, namely size selectivity and high storage. The crystals not only extract linear petroleum molecules from a mixture with its branched isomer, even at very low concentrations of linear isomer (1?wt?%), but also shows improved accumulation of the molecules in its pores.     

Photodimerization and photooxygenation of 9-vinylcarbazole catalyzed by titanium dioxide and magnesium perchlorate

<正>Photoreaction of 9-vinylcarbazole in acetonitrile in the presence of titanium dioxide and a catalytic amount of magnesium perchlorate gave 3,6-di(9-carbazolyl)-1,2-dioxane as a photooxygenated product via photodimerization of 9-vinylcarbazole.The photoreaction proceeds via an electron transfer mechanism,where magnesium perchlorate accelerated formation of the photo-oxygenated product.     

Synthesis of a Hemispherical Geodesic Phenine Framework by a Polygon Assembling Strategy

A synthetic strategy to construct large geodesic structures of phenine (1,3,5‐trisubstituted benzene) was devised. In this strategy, five pentagons were assembled on an omphalos pentagon, and bridging peripheral pentagons furnished five additional hexagons. Thirty phenine units were synthetically assembled to afford a large C₂₂₀H₁₈₀ molecule with a phenine framework isoreticular to a hemispherical, bisected segment of C₆₀. Although a hemispherical structure of the phenine framework was suggested by solution‐phase NMR spectra, crystallographic analysis revealed an oval‐like deformation of the molecular shape. In‐depth structural analyses, including theoretical calculations, showed that structural fluctuations observed as variations in the biaryl torsion angles allowed structural deformations and, at the same time, that the dynamic fluctuations resulted in the spectroscopic observation of a hemisphere as a time‐averaged structure.     

Gold and Silver Chains Supported by Linear Hexaphosphine Ligands

A new linear hexaphosphine, rac‐cis,cis,trans‐ bis{[(diphenylphosphinomethyl)phenylphosphinomethyl]phenylphosphino}methane ( P₆ ), was synthesized and isolated as a pure isomer, confirmed by transforming to the corresponding phosphine sulfide. The methylene‐bridged linear hexaphosphine readily organized flexible gold(I) and silver(I) hexanuclear chains, [M₆(μ‐ P₆ )₂]X₆ (X₆=(OTf)₆, M=Au ( 1 ), Ag ( 2 ); X₆=Cl₂(PF₆)₄, M=Au ( 3 )). The hexaphosphine also supported a tetrasilver(I) complex [Ag₄(μ‐ P₆ )₂](OTf)₄ ( 4 ), which was readily transformed by treatment with AgOTf into 3 , revealing a drastic alternation of the two P₆ arrangement. The hexagold(I) chains exhibited a considerably red‐shifted absorption (～410 nm) and emission (540–580 nm) to ¹[5d_σ*→6p_σ] and from ³[5d_σ*→6p_σ] excited states of the metal centers, respectively. The new linear hexaphosphine could be a useful tool to construct linear metal clusters as subnano building blocks.