Surface-enhanced Raman scattering in the ultraviolet spectral region: UV-SERS on rhodium and ruthenium electrodes

We report the first observation of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) excited with ultraviolet (UV) light from transition metal electrodes. Adsorbed pyridine and SCN- on rough rhodium (Rh) and ruthenium (Ru) electrodes, respectively, have been studied using 325 nm laser excitation. In contrast, the best enhancers in the visible and near infrared, silver and gold, do not produce UV-SERS. The experimental data of UV-SERS are in agreement with our preliminary theoretical calculation based on the electromagnetic enhancement mechanism. The enhancement factor is about 2 orders of magnitude for the Rh and Ru electrodes when they are excited at 325 nm.     

Three isomorphous Ln complexes: {[Ln2(bt)6(bno)(H2O)4]·bno}n (bt is but‐2‐enoate and bno is 4,4′‐bipyridyl N,N′‐dioxide), with Ln = Nd,Er and Y

The polymeric title compounds, namely catena‐poly[[[di‐μ‐but‐2‐enoato‐κ³O:O,O′;κ³O,O′:O′‐bis[diaquadibut‐2‐enoato‐κO;κ²O,O′‐neodymium(III)]]‐μ‐4,4′‐bipyridyl N,N′‐dioxide‐κ²O:O′] 4,4′‐bipyridyl N,N′‐dioxide solvate] and the erbium(III) and yttrium(III) analogues, {[Ln₂(C₄H₅O₂)₆(C₁₀H₈N₂O₂)(H₂O)₄]·C₁₀H₈N₂O₂}_n (Ln = Nd, Er and Y), form from [Ln₂(bt)₆(H₂O)₄] dimers (bt is but‐2‐enoate) bridged by 4,4′‐bipyridyl dioxide (bno) spacers into sets of parallel chains; these linear arrays are interconnected by aqua‐mediated hydrogen bonds into broad two‐dimensional structures, which in turn interact with each other though the hydrogen‐bonded bridged bno solvent units. Both independent bno units in the structures are bisected by symmetry centres.     

Supercritical fluid extraction and gas chromatography or electroanalysis of metal chelates from different sample matrices

The supercritical fluid extraction of Pb(DDC)2 and MoO2(acac)2 complexes is performed. The previously formed complexes are used in order to simplify the extraction process. In the extraction cell, 9.0 mg of Pb(DDC)2 or 30.0 mg of MoO2(acac)2 is added. With these two complexes, a study of static and dynamic extraction as a function of pressure (1000-2500 psi), temperature (40-160 degrees C), and presence of modifier (methanol) is performed. Under the best conditions, 5.6 mg of Pb(DDC)2 (2.3 mg of Pb2+) is recovered. The parameters are 2500 psi of pressure, 160 degrees C of temperature, 0.5 mL methanol (placed in a 10-mL extraction cell), 60.0 min of static extraction, and 2.0 min of dynamic extraction. It is necessary to add 3.0 mL of methanol to enhance efficiency on the MoO2(acac)2 complex recovery. Quantitative extractions of MoO2(acac)2 (9.0 mg of MoVI) are obtained when the experiments are carried out under 1000-2500 psi of pressure, 140 degrees C, and times no longer than 10.0 min. Then, the study is carried out forming the in situ complexes. For this purpose, metallic ion and ligand are added. Under these conditions, the Pb2+ recovery decreases from 2.3 to 1.9 mg, and the MoVI recovery decreases from 9.0 to 1.0 mg. When 1.9 mg of Pb2+ and 1.0 mg of MoVI or less is placed in the extraction cell, the recoveries are always 100%. The Pb2+ extracts are directly accomplished using gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID), and the MoVI extracts are analyzed using GC-FID and catalytic adsorption voltammetry. The quantitation of pure extracts is carried out by constructing calibration curves with complex solutions and sample solutions using the standard addition method. This method is applied by determination of Pb2+ in sodium alginate extracted from algae and blood, urine, and human milk from patients with diagnosed plumbunemy. MoVI is determined in irrigation water and pasture of animal intake.     

Synthesis of 5H-benzimidazo[1,2-a][1,3,4]thiadiazolo[2,3-d][1,3,5]triazin-5-one and 12H-benzimidazo[1,2-a]pyrimido[6,1-d][1,3,5]triazin-12-one,two new heterocyclic ring systems

2-(2,6-Dimethylpyrimidin-4-ylaminobenzimidazole) (VIIa) and 2-(1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-ylamino)benzimidazole (VIIb) underwent a ring-closure reaction with phosgene giving 1,3-dimethyl-12H-benzirnidazo[1,2-a]pyrirnido[6,1][-d][1,3,5]triazin-12-one (IIa) and 5H-benzimidazo[1,2-a][1,3,4]thiadiazolo[2,3-d][1,3,5]triazin-5-one (IIb) two hitherto unknown heterocyclic systems. A convenient synthesis of 2,6-dimethyl-4-aminopyrimidine is described.     

Asymptotic behavior of general M-estimates for regression and scale with random carriers

Summary Let (xini, y _i be a sequence of independent identically distributed random variables, where x _i R ^p and y _i R, and let R ^p be an unknown vector such that y _i =x _i +u _i (^*), where u _i is independent of x _i and has distribution function F(u/), where >0 is an unknown parameter. This paper deals with a general class of M-estimates of regression and scale, ( ^*,^*), defined as solutions of the system: , where r= (y _i –x _i ^1*/)^*, with R ^p ×RR and RR. This class contains estimators of (, ) proposed by Huber, Mallows and Krasker and Welsch. The consistency and asymptotic normality of the general M-estimators are proved assuming general regularity conditions on and and assuming the joint distribution of (x _i , y _i ) to fulfill the model (^*) only approximately.     

Seedling Development and Evaluation of Genetic Stability of Cryopreserved Dendrobium Hybrid Mature Seeds

Vitrification, a simple, fast, and recommended cryopreservation method for orchid germplasm conservation, was evaluated for Dendrobium hybrid “Dong Yai” mature seeds. The genetic stability of regenerated seedlings was also evaluated using flow cytometry. Mature seeds from this hybrid were submitted to plant vitrification solution (PVS2) for 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 h at 0 °C. Subsequently, they were plunged into liquid nitrogen (LN) at ?196 °C for 1 h and recovered in half-strength Murashige and Skoog culture medium (1/2 MS), and seed germination was evaluated after 30 days. Seeds directly submitted to LN did not germinate after cryopreservation. Seeds treated with PVS2 between 1 and 3 h presented the best germination (between 51 and 58 %), although longer exposure to PVS2 returned moderated germination (39 %). Germinated seeds were further subcultured in P-723 culture medium and developed whole seedlings in vitro after 180 days, with no abnormal characteristics, diseases, or nutritional deficiencies. Seedlings were successfully acclimatized under greenhouse conditions with over 80 % survival. Flow cytometry analysis revealed no chromosomal changes on vitrified seedlings, as well as seedlings germinated from the control treatment (direct exposure to LN). These findings indicate that vitrification is a feasible and safe germplasm cryopreservation method for commercial Dendrobium orchid hybrid conservation.     

An elementary proof of a converse mean-value theorem

We present a new converse mean value theorem, with a rather elementary proof.     

Development and validation of a rapid RP‐HPLC method for analysis of (−)‐copalic acid in copaíba oleoresin

The Copaifera species (Leguminoseae) are popularly known as ‘copaíba’ or ‘copaíva’ and are grown in the states of Amazonas, Pará and Ceará in northern Brazil. The oleoresins obtained from these species have been extensively used owing to their pharmacological potential and their application in cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations. In the present study, the development and validation of a novel, rapid and efficient RP‐HPLC methodology for the analysis of the diterpene (?)‐copalic acid (CA), pointed out as the only chemical marker of the Copaifera genus, are described. The regression equation (Y = 26,707x ? 29,498) was obtained with good linearity (r² = 0.9993) and the limits of quantification and detection were 9.182 and 3.032 µg/mL, respectively. The precision and the accuracy of the method were adequate (lower than 4%). Finally, the validation parameters evaluated were satisfactorily met, so the developed method represents a suitable tool for application in the quality control of such natural products. Further studies aiming to develop analytical methodologies for each Copaifera species using a more representative number of chemical markers should be performed. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.