Activity measurements in the ternary system NaBr+NaClO4+H2O at 25°C

The activity coefficients of sodium bromide in the ternary system NaBr+NaClO₄+H₂O were determined at 25°C and constant ionic strength of 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, and 3 mol-kg^?1 from emf of the cell without, liquid junction $$ISE - Na|NaBr(m_A ), NaClO_4 (m_B ), AgCl_{(s)} 1 Ag$$ The experimental activity coefficients were comparatively analyzed by using the Harned, Scatchard, Pitzer and Lim-HOLL treatments. All these methods are adequate for the analysis of the experimental data. The results have been compared with those of Lanier for the system: NaCl+NaClO₄+H₂O. The Gibbs excess energy of mixing was obtained and qualitatively interpreted in terms of ionic interactions.     

The CuII−CuI−Cu0(Hg) system in the presence of benzotriazole: Part II. A chronocoulometric investigation

Both the oxidation of Cu⁰ at dropping amalgam electrodes immersed in solutions of benzotriazole (BTA) and the reduction of Cu^II at a dropping mercury electrode from BTA solutions have been investigated by the single potential-step chronocoulometric technique. The dependence of the charge Q(t) flowing as a consequence of a given potential jump E_i→E_f upon the initial and final potentials E_i and E_f, as well as upon the time t elapsed from the instant of the potential jump provides direct evidence for the presence of a single adsorbed monolayer of a Cu^I compound on a mercury electrode immersed in a Cu^II solution containing BTA, at applied potentials positive to ≈?0.4 V/SCE. Analogous measurements carried out at dropping amalgam electrodes reveal the presence of a single adsorbed monolayer of a Cu^I compound, or else of an adsorbed multilayer, depending on the potential range investigated. The results of the chronocoulometric measurements are in agreement with those of the polarographic measurements of Part I.     

Comparison of low-energy CAD spectra of sulphonium,ammonium and phosphonium cations,propene elimination from allyl-substituted oniums

The low-energy collision-activated dissociation of symmetrical n-butyl-substituted and of allyl-substituted onium cations has been recorded using fast atom bombardment ionization and a tandem mass spectrometry quadrupole mass spectrometer. Structure of the fragments and decomposition pathways have been ascertained using a multi-quadrupole MS/MS/MS triple analyser instrument. Whereas most sulphonium cations exhibit only heterolytic cleavages, fragmentation of ammonium and phosphonium is mainly homolytic. Allylic sulphonium, and to a lesser extent allylic ammonium, easily undergo propene elimination. This reaction, which does not occur in 1-propenyl oniums, might involve a McLafferty type rearrangement.     

Plasma antioxidant capacity determination: comparative evaluation of chemiluminescent and spectrophotometric assays

All aerobic organisms have developed different mechanisms for neutralising the free radicals, mostly produced by the monoelectronic reduction of O(2), and preventing the severe damages these can provoke. The efficiency of these mechanisms can be assessed, in different matrices, by a simple and direct chemiluminescent assay (CL) based on luminol oxidation catalysed by horseradish peroxidase. Light emission is mediated by the production of free radicals and it is inhibited after a sample addition in a way that is directly proportional to the sample total content of molecules displaying antioxidant activity. The performances of this chemiluminescent assay were compared with those of two spectrophotometric methods already applied in clinical practice. First spectrophotometric method measures, like CL assay, the total antioxidant capacity, whereas the second one determines free thiol groups content. The chemiluminescent assay has a linearity interval between 0.60 and 9.46 mumol l(-1) of Trolox (y=34.91x+3.10; r=0.999; n=5) with an imprecision, expressed as CV, of 3.8% and an inaccuracy, expressed as percentage recovery, of 109%. The first spectrophotometric method, based on the same reference standard, the Trolox molecule, has a linearity interval between 0.2 and 2.5 mmol l(-1) of Trolox (y=-0.01x+4.54; r=0.95; n=5); the thiol groups assay has a linearity interval between 0.1 and 1 mmol l(-1) of l-cysteine (y=1.68x-47.09; r=0.998; n=5). Different clinical samples of plasma from healthy individuals, obese subjects and patients with liver diseases were tested. Interesting correlations were obtained among the three methods, but no significant correlations emerged between antioxidant capacity and clinical parameters. Significant differences were there only between men and women among obese subjects and between drinkers and non-drinkers among liver disease patients.     

Glycosylidene Carbenes. Part 23. Regioselective glycosidation of deoxy- and fluorodeoxy-myo-inositol derivatives

To demonstrate the relevance of the kinetic acidity of individual OH groups for the regioselectivity of glycosylation by glycosylidene carbenes, we compared the glycosylation by 1 of the known triol 2 with the glycosylation of the diol D - 3 and the fluorodiol L - 4 . Deoxygenation with Bu₃SnH of the phenoxythiocarbonyl derivative of 5 (Scheme 1) or the carbonothioate 6 gave the racemic alcohol (±)- 7 . The enantiomers were separated via the allophanates 9a and 9b , and desilylated to the deoxydiols D - and L - 3 , respectively. The assignment of their absolute configuration is based upon the CD spectra of the bis(4-bromobenzoates) D - and L - 10 . The (+)-(R)-1-phenylethylcarbamates 13a and 13b (Scheme 2) were prepared from the fluoroinositol (±)- 11 via (±)- 4 and the silyl ether (±)- 12 and separated by chromatography. The absolute configuration of 13a was established by X-ray analysis. Decarbamoylation of 13a ( → L - 12 ) and desilylation afforded the fluorodiol L - 4 . The H-bonds of D - 3 and L - 4 in chlorinated solvents and in dioxane were studied by IR and ¹H-NMR spectroscopy (Fig. 2). In both diols, HO? C(2) forms an intramolecular, bifurcated H-bond. There is an intramolecular H-bond between HO? C(6) and F in solutions of L - 4 in CH₂Cl₂, but not in 1,4-dioxane; the solubility of L - 4 in CH₂Cl₂ is too low to permit a meaningful glycosidation in this solvent. Glycosidation of D - 3 in dioxane by the carbene derived from 1 (Scheme 3) followed by acetylation gave predominantly the pseudodisaccharides 18/19 (38%), derived from glycosidation of the axial OH group besides the pseudodisaccharides 16 / 17 (13%) and the epoxides 20 / 21 (7%), derived from protonation of the carbene by the equatorial OH group. Similarly, the reaction of L - 4 with 1 (Scheme 4) led to the pseudodisaccharides 28 / 29 (46%) and 26 / 27 (14%), derived from deprotonation of the axial and equatorial OH groups, respectively. Formation of the epoxides involved deprotonation of the intramolecularly H-bonded tautomer, followed by intramolecular alkylation, elimination, and substitution (Scheme 4). The regio- and diastereoselectivities of the glycosidation correlate with the H-bonds in the starting diols.     

Agro-industrial waste enzymes: Perspectives in circular economy

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, approximately 1.3 billion tons of food is wasted each year, equivalent to approximately one-third of world production. Agri-food wastes are the source of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and other essential minerals that have been exploited for value-added products by the development of biorefineries and sustainable business as important elements of circular economies. The innovation and materialization of these types of processes, including the use of disruptive technologies on microbial bioconversion and enzyme technology, such as nanotechnology, metabolic engineering, and multi-omics platforms, increase the perspectives on the waste valorization process. Lignocellulolytic enzymes, pectinases, and proteases are mainly used as catalyzers on agri-food waste treatment, and their production in house might be the trend in near future for agro-industrial countries. Another way to transform the agri-food wastes is via aerobic or anaerobic microbial process from fungal or bacterial cultures; these processes are the key to produce waste enzymes.     

Technetium(III), Technetium(II), and Technetium(I) Complexes with Pyridine Ligands. Can Pyridine Coordination Stabilize the Low Oxidation States of Technetium?

The substitution chemistry of TcCl(3)(PPh(3))(2)(CH(3)CN) is rather facile relative to the analogous rhenium complex, since both the chloride and phosphine ligands are easily substituted for various pyridine ligands. Consequently a series of Tc(III) complexes with amine, pyridine, and polypyridyl ligands were prepared and characterized by (1)H NMR and cyclic voltammetry. In addition, the zinc reduction of TcCl(4)(py)(2) in the presence of pyridine results in TcCl(2)(py)(4). Structural and spectroscopic data indicate that this Tc(II) complex exhibits strong metal-pyridine interactions characteristic of low-valent amine complexes of Re(II) and Os(II). For example, a decrease of 0.04 and 0.06 ? is observed for the trans-Tc-N bond length in TcCl(2)(py)(4 )relative to mer-TcCl(3)(pic)(3) and [TcCl(2)(py)(3)(PPh(3))](+), respectively. This ability of pyridine to function both as a strong sigma-donor and moderate pi-acid ligand has resulted in the isolation of technetium complexes in various oxidation states with similar ligand environments. As a result, a structural comparison of [TcCl(2)(py)(3)(PPh(3))](+), TcCl(2)(py)(4), TcCl(tpy)(py)(2), and other known Tc(III) and Tc(II) pyridine complexes is presented. Crystals of [TcCl(2)(py)(3)(PPh(3))]PF(6) are triclinic, with space group P&onemacr;, Z = 2, and lattice parameters a = 12.677(4) ?, b = 13.064(4) ?, c = 13.103(5) ?, alpha = 110.14(3) degrees, beta = 101.12(3) degrees, gamma = 96.61 degrees, V = 1959 ?(3), and R = 0.0615 (R(w) = 0.1148). Crystals of TcCl(2)(py)(4) are tetragonal, with space group I4(1)/acd, Z = 8, and lattice parameters a = 15.641(4) ?, c = 16.845(6) ?, V = 4121 ?(3), and R = 0.0373 (R(w) = 0.0290). Crystals of TcCl(tpy)(py)(2) are orthorhombic, with space group C222(1), Z = 4, and lattice parameters a = 9.359(3) ?, b = 16.088(6) ?, c = 18.367(4) ?, V = 2765 ?(3), and R = 0.0499 (R(w) = 0.0599).     

Photoinduced electroreduction of chlorophyllide on alkanethiol-coated mercury

Monolayers of n-alkanethiols of chain length from C12 to C18 were self-assembled on a hanging mercury drop electrode, and a film of chlorophyllide (Chlide) was adsorbed on top of them. The reduction photocurrents following illumination of the Chlide film were measured over the potential range in which the Chlide is electroinactive in the dark, and their action spectra were determined. Plotting the derivative of the photocurrents with respect to the applied potential against potential yields bell-shaped curves that can be fitted to a Gaussian. The potential of the Gaussian maximum was used to determine the reorganization energy lambda for the Chlide electroreduction process. An increase in the thiol chain length causes lambda to decrease regularly and the photocurrent to decay exponentially with the monolayer thickness, with a decay constant beta of about 0.17 A(-1).     

Narrow band quantitative and multivariate electroencephalogram analysis of peri-adolescent period

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The peri-adolescent period is a crucial developmental moment of transition from childhood to emergent adulthood. The present report analyses the differences in Power Spectrum (PS) of the Electroencephalogram (EEG) between late childhood (24 children between 8 and 13 years old) and young adulthood (24 young adults between 18 and 23 years old). RESULTS: The narrow band analysis of the Electroencephalogram was computed in the frequency range of 0--20 Hz. The analysis of mean and variance suggested that six frequency ranges presented a different rate of maturation at these ages, namely: low delta, delta-theta, low alpha, high alpha, low beta and high beta. For most of these bands the maturation seems to occur later in anterior sites than posterior sites. Correlational analysis showed a lower pattern of correlation between different frequencies in children than in young adults, suggesting a certain asynchrony in the maturation of different rhythms. The topographical analysis revealed similar topographies of the different rhythms in children and young adults. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) demonstrated the same internal structure for the Electroencephalogram of both age groups. Principal Component Analysis allowed to separate four subcomponents in the alpha range. All these subcomponents peaked at a lower frequency in children than in young adults. CONCLUSIONS: The present approaches complement and solve some of the incertitudes when the classical brain broad rhythm analysis is applied. Children have a higher absolute power than young adults for frequency ranges between 0-20 Hz, the correlation of Power Spectrum (PS) with age and the variance age comparison showed that there are six ranges of frequencies that can distinguish the level of EEG maturation in children and adults. The establishment of maturational order of different frequencies and its possible maturational interdependence would require a complete series including all the different ages.     

Efficient assignment of the temperature set for Parallel Tempering

We propose a simple algorithm able to identify a set of temperatures for a Parallel Tempering Monte Carlo simulation, that maximizes the probability that the configurations drift across all temperature values, from the coldest to the hottest ones, and vice versa. The proposed algorithm starts from data gathered from relatively short Monte Carlo simulations and is straightforward to implement. We assess its effectiveness on a test case simulation of an Edwards–Anderson spin glass on a lattice of 12³ sites.