Development of pressurized liquid extraction and cleanup procedures for determination of organochlorine pesticides in soils

The scope of this work is the development of a rapid, reliable and sensitive method for the analysis of organochlorine pesticides from soils by pressurized liquid extraction (PLE). The effect of four parameters (temperature, pressure, static time and cell volume) on the extraction efficiency was studied. The great extracting power of the PLE causes the extraction of numerous interfering substances, so a more efficient purification of this extract was necessary. In this work several sorbents have also been assayed to carry out the purification of soil samples: Florisil, silica, alumina, carbon, as well as combinations of them. Finally, the proposed analytical method was validated using a certified reference soil material (CRM804-050) and the results were compared with those obtained by other extraction techniques (Soxhlet and microwave-assisted extraction).     

Polymerization of styrene started by free radicals,generated by external force action-chemical potential gradient of the swelling agent — on the PVC/solvent optical phase boundary

Summary There were studied the process of styrene polymerization in PVC swollen surface layer initiated by free radicals generated under the action of chemical potential gradient as an external force. It was found that conversion of styrene into the block copolymer is an diffusion controlled process.

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Zusammenfassung Die Initiation des Prozesses der Polymerization von Styrol in den Oberflächenquellungsschichten von PVC wurde untersucht.Dabei wurde festgestellt, daß die freien Radikale, welche bei Zerreißung von spannungsbeanspruchten Bindungen, wie sie durch Einfluß von äußeren Kräften auf den Gradienten des chemischen Potentials des Quellungsmittels an Oberflächenquell bildungsmittel Polymer entstehen können, Polymerizationsprozesse des olefinischen Quellungsmittels initiieren können.

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Dedicated to ProfessorV. Kellö in celebration of his 60th birthday.     

Electronic structure and spectra of tetrathiotetracene and related molecules

The electronic spectra of tetrathiotetracene (TTT) and of its mono- and dipositive ions have been calculated by the Pariser-Parr-Pople (PPP) method. Furthermore, the band polarizations of the first two bands of TTT have been measured. A reasonable band assignment is given using a new set of PPP parameters based on spectral data of a naphthalene derivative containing similar typical weak S-S bond. Other physical parameters as ionization potential, disproportionation energy, S-S bond length and net π-charges are discussed.     

Ascorbate oxidase

Ascorbate oxidase fromCucurbita sp. was isolated by ammonium sulfate precipitation and DEAE-dextran-silochrome column chromatography. The thermal and pH stabilities of the purified enzyme were investigated. TheK _M forl-ascorbic acid (1.5 mM) and chlorohydroquinone (0.37 mM) was determined. Substrate specificity of ascorbate oxidase was investigated and compared with those of laccases fromCoriolus hirsutus andCerrena maxima. Ascorbate oxidase was covalently bound to a polymeric membrane and used in an enzyme electrode for ascorbic acid.     

Flow-injection spectrofluorimetric determination of ethylenethiourea

A flow-injection configuration is proposed for the fluorimetric determination of ethylenethiourea. The procedure is based on the inhibitory effect of ethylenethiourea on the oxidation of thiamine to thiochrome by mercury(II). A linear calibration graph was obtained between 0.1 and 2.0 μg mL^–1, with a sampling rate of 40 samples per hour and a relative standard deviation of about 1.11%. The usefulness of the method was tested for the determination of ethylenethiourea residues in water, milk, potatoes, pear, grape and apple. Received: 26 January 1998 / Revised: 6 April 1998 / Accepted: 9 April 1998     

Possible Role of the Iron Coordination Sphere in Hemoprotein Electron Transfer Self-Exchange: (1)H NMR Study of the Cytochrome c-PMe(3) Complex

The rates of self-exchange electron transfer in the trimethylphosphine complex of cytochrome c have been measured by an NMR technique over a large range of ionic strengths. The rate constant is 1.56 x 10(4) M(-)(1) s(-)(1) at 23 degrees C (&mgr; = 0.34 M) at pH 6.9. Dependence on ionic strength of the rate constant is treated by van Leeuwen theory. Extrapolation of the rate constant to infinite ionic strength gives a rate constant of 3.9 x 10(5) M(-)(1) s(-)(1). This rate constant is compared with others reported for myoglobin and cytochrome b(5)(). The values for these systems range over 2 orders of magnitude with myoglobin-PMe(3) < cytochrome b(5)() < cytochrome c-PMe(3) < cytochrome c. Analysis of the data in terms of Marcus theory gives a reorganization energy, lambda, for self-exchange of 0.75 eV mol(-)(1) for cytochrome c-PMe(3). Substitution of Met-80 by PMe(3) appears to influence only weakly the rearrangement barrier to electron transfer.     

Thermal analysis of the interaction of phosphorite with condensed phosphates of calcium

The thermal reactions between Maardu (Estonia) phosphorite and acidic phosphates were investigated. TG, DTG and DTA of mixtures with H₃PO₄, Ca(H₂PO₄)₂ · H₂O, Ca₂P₂O₇ and [Ca(PO₃)₂]_n in different molar ratios showed a maximum mass loss when the CaO P₂O₅ value was 2. The main temperature ranges of the mass losses were determined. The probable reactions relating to the mass losses are given on the basis of the thermal curves and IR spectra.

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Zusammenfassung Die thermische Reaktion zwischen Phosphorit aus Maardu (Estnien) und sauren Phosphaten wurde untersucht. TG, DTG und DTA von Gemischen mit H₃PO₄, Ca(H₂PO₄)₂ · H₂O, Ca₂P₂O₇ und [Ca(PO₃)₂]_n in verschiedenen molaren VerhÄltnissen zeigten den grö\ten Massenverlust bei dem VerhÄltnis von CaO P₂O₅=2. Die wichtigsten Temperaturbereiche der Massenverluste wurden bestimmt. Die den Massenverlusten zugeordneten wahrscheinlichen Reaktionen werden aus den erhaltenen thermischen Kurven und IR Spektren ermittelt.

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Résumé Etude de l'effet thermique lié à la réaction entre la phosphorite de Maardu (Estonie) et les hydrogénophosphates. Etude par TG, TGD et ATD de mélanges de H₃PO₄ avec Ca(H₂PO₄)₂ · 2 H₂O, Ca₂P₂O₇ et [Ca(PO₃)₂]_n réalisés avec différents rapports molaires; mise en évidence d'une perte de masse maximale pour le rapport CaO P₂O₅ égal à deux. Détermination des principaux domaines de température où s'effectuent les pertes de masse. On donne les réactions probables correspondant aux pertes de masse en s'appuyant sur les courbes d'analyse thermique et spectres infrarouges.

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() . TG, DTG DTA H₃PO₄, Cc(H₂PO₄)₂. H₂O, Ca₂P₂O₇ [Ca(PO₃)₂] _n , CaOP₂O₅ 2. . , .

     

Complex study of nickel skeleton catalysts: V. Study of novel non-pyrophoric nickel skeleton catalysts by derivatograph

The structure and properties of non-pyrophoric skeleton catalysts prepared from NiSi, NiAlSi, NiMg and NiZn alloys have been studied—apart from other thermal methods—by means of the derivatograph.Our experimental results have contributed to the explanation of the non-pyrophoric behaviour of these catalysts. We demonstrated that the desorption of the hydrogen content in our catalysts is not accompanied by the oxidation of active nickel. This oxidation takes place only at higher temperatures, above 200°C, at a rate proportional to the amount of active nickel.Other constituents of the catalysts (adsorbed water, hydroxide content) were also determined from the experimental data. The outstandingly high Mg(OH)₂ content of the NiMg catalyst indicates that its structure is dissimilar: Mg(OH)₂ also acts as support for the catalyst.     

Oral <Emphasis Type="Italic">L</Emphasis>-Carnitine Supplementation and Exercise Metabolism

Summary. Oral L-carnitine supplementation is frequently reported to have beneficial effects on exercise capacity in clinical populations and has been considered as a potential ergogenic aid for endurance athletes. However, this latter view is largely unsubstantiated possibly due to many experimental studies being poorly controlled or difficult to compare. The potential for oral L-carnitine supplementation to influence skeletal muscle carnitine content has been questioned and there are several key factors identified that may explain variations between study outcomes. Recent more well controlled research suggests some potential for L-carnitine to act as a key regulator of cellular stress, possibly through an impact on the integration of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, and this work should be followed up in future by well controlled studies in both athlete and clinical subject groups.