Molecular distribution of some commercial nonylphenol ethoxylates using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs) belong to a group of nonionic surfactants that are collectively referred to as alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs). APEs find widespread use in heavy-duty commercial and household cleaning formulations, shampoos, and industrial processing, i.e. textile manufacture. Their environmental impact depends on the molecular distribution and the extent of their biodegradation in municipal sewage systems, waterways and rivers. We have established two sample preparation methods that have enabled the determination of the molecular distributions of six commercial nonylphenol ethoxylates using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometry (MS). In both methods, alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid, dissolved in acetonitrile/tetrahydrofuran, was used as the matrix. In one set of experiments, the NPEs were dissolved in an acetonitrile/tetrahydrofuran solvent system prior to mixing with the matrix solution, and the resulting MALDI-TOF mass spectra produced mostly sodiated molecules [M + Na](+). The NPEs, all having the formula 4-(C(9)H(19))-C(6)H(4)-(OCH(2)CH(2))(n)-OH, are Surfonic (R)N-95, N-100, N-102, N-120, N-150 and N-300. Surfonic N-95 and N-100 gave n values of 5-20; Surfonic N-102, N-120, N-150, and N-300 gave n values of 5-21, 5-22, 8-25 and 15-40, respectively. In order to develop a sample preparation method that could be used with less polar NPEs, we dissolved the NPEs (except N-300) in pentane prior to mixing with the matrix solution, and found that the MALDI spectral quality was unaffected by the solvent systems. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The Correlation Between the Deviation of Sun’s Shadows and the Mean Solar Magnectic Field

Using the data of the Sun's shadows for the 10 TeV cosmic ray flux, which are obtained in the period of June 1990-August 1996 by the Tibet air shower array, the correlation betWeen the deviahons of Sun's shadows and the strength of the mean solar magnectic field at the same period has been studied. One simple model used to calculate and explain this relations is also presented.     

Whole Body Branched-Chain L-Amino Acid Oxidation in Overnight Fasted Human Subjects

Abstract

Catabolism of the natural branched-chain L-amino acids in overnight fasted healthy volunteers was comparatively studied by performing oral loading tests with 1-¹³C-labelled L-leucine, L-valine, and L-isoleucine (38 μmol x kg (body weight)^?1), respectively. On the basis of the ¹³CO₂ exhalation and the ¹³C-isotope enrichment in the plasma branched-chain compounds, whole body branched-chain L-amino acid oxidation rates were estimated applying a seven compartment model and non-linear regression analysis. Mean computed in vivo oxidation rates were in the order L-leucine ? L-valine > L-isoleucine and amounted to 0.32 ± 0.06, 0.22 ± 0.04, and 0.17 ± 0.05 μmol x (kg body wt.)^?1 x min^?1 (n = 5), respectively. The data are discussed with respect to current estimates of human branched-chain L-amino acid requirements.     

The effect of pH on charge, swelling and desorption of the dispersant poly(methacrylic acid) from poly(methyl methacrylate) microcapsules

Poly(methyl methacrylate) microcapsules have been prepared using the solvent evaporation technique with poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) as dispersant. The charge, swelling and desorption of PMAA from the microcapsules after treating the suspension with base have been followed using microelectrophoresis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring on model PMMA surfaces. Basic treatment of the microcapsule suspension leads to temporary colloidal stability through the introduction of charges on the PMAA chain. However, the increase in charge causes a continuous desorption of PMAA from the microcapsule surface, eventually leading to aggregation. If instead poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) is added to the base treated microcapsule suspension, good colloidal stability is obtained.     

Covalent attachment of a peptide to the surface of gallium nitride

The properties of GaN have made it not only an ideal material for high power and high frequency electronic devices, but also a semiconductor suitable for application in biosensing devices. The utilization of GaN in electronic biosensors has increased the importance of characterizing robust and easily implemented organic functionalization methods for GaN surfaces. This work demonstrates and characterizes a route to functionalize the GaN (0001) surface with two organic molecules, hexylamine and a peptide, through olefin cross-metathesis with Grubbs first generation catalyst. The GaN (0001) surface was chlorinated, functionalized with a terminal alkene group using a Grignard reaction, and then terminated with a carboxyl group using an olefin cross-metathesis reaction. With a condensation reaction, the final step in the reaction scheme bound hexylamine or a peptide to the carboxyl terminated GaN surface. Qualitative and quantitative X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) data verified the success of each step in the reaction scheme. Surface element composition, adlayer coverages, and adlayer thicknesses were calculated based on the XPS data. At least a monolayer of surface molecules covered the GaN surface.     

Infrared Radiation Influence on Molt and Regeneration of Neohelice granulata Dana, 1851 (Grapsidae, Sesarminae)

This paper analyzes the influence of infrared radiation (IR) on regeneration, after autotomy of limb buds of Neohelice granulata and consequently the time molt. Eyestalks were ablated to synchronize the start of molt. Afterward, animals were autotomized of five pereopods and divided into control and irradiated groups. The irradiated group was treated for 30 min daily until molt. Limb buds from five animals of days 4, 16 and 20 were collected and histological sections were made from them. These sections were photographed and chitin and epithelium content measured. Another group was made, and after 15 days limb buds were extracted to analyze mitochondrial enzymatic activity from complex I and II. The irradiated group showed a significant reduction in molt time (19.38 ± 1.22 days) compared with the control group (32.69 ± 1.57 days) and also a significant increase in mitochondrial complex I (388.9 ± 27.94%) and II (175.63 ± 7.66%) in the irradiated group when compared with the control group (100 ± 17.90; 100 ± 7.82, respectively). However, these effects were not acompanied by histological alterations in relation to chitin and epithelium. This way, it was possible to demonstrate that IR increases complex I and II activity, reduces the time molt and consequently increases the appendage regeneration rate.     

The effect of an electric field on the local stoichiometry of front waves in an ionic chemical system

A model based on an autocatalytic, two-step reaction mechanismincluding two ionic components (of the same charge) and twonon-ionic components, where both reactions are of second orderoverall, is considered when an electric field is applied tothe system. The model is motivated by experimental observationson the iodate-arsenous acid system. The travelling wave equationsare examined first and conditions obtained for the existenceand form of these waves. These conditions are then used to interpretthe results obtained from numerical simulations of the fullsystem. These results display all the main features observedexperimentally, the change in the local stoichiometry and thepossible wave annihilation for sufficiently strong fields. Themodel provides a clear explanation for these features as wellas predicting new features not reported from the experiments.The main one of which is the occurrence of an internal wavepropagating in the reacted part of the system in the directioninduced by the applied field.     

Kinetics of nitric oxide reduction with pure and potassium-doped carbon

Summary The kinetics of the reduction of nitric oxide with pure and potassium-doped carbon, NO+C=1/2 N₂+CO, were investigated. For the reaction of NO with pure carbon, measurements were made in the temperature range from 1750 K to 2130 K and at initial NO pressures between 5×10^–3 Pa and 7×10^–2 Pa. The reaction was first order with respect to nitric oxide at NO pressures below 3×10^–2 Pa. The activation energy was 54 kJ/mol for temperatures below 2000 K, while at higher temperatures a second (parallel) reaction became noticeable with a definitely higher activation energy. Potassium-doped carbon was prepared by a molecular beam technique. AES studies verified that potassium was intercalated into the graphite surface and that the potassium-to-carbon ratio changed continuously with sample temperature. The reduction of NO with K-doped carbon was investigated in the temperature range from 710 K to 1080 K and at initial NO pressures between 7×10^–5 Pa and 6×10^–4 Pa while monitoring, in-situ using AES the K/C-ratio of the surface. The NO reduction rate rose linearly with K/C. Compared to pure carbon, the reaction rate for the NO reduction with K-doped carbon increased by a factor in the range of 10⁴. The activation energy for the NO reduction with K-doped carbon was found to be 82 kJ/mol.