Detection of banned meat and bone meal in feedstuffs by near-infrared microscopic analysis of the dense sediment fraction

In this paper we present an alternative method for detection of meat and bone meal (MBM) in feedstuffs by near-infrared microscopic (NIRM) analysis of the particles in the sediment fraction (dense fraction (d >1.62) from dichloroethylene) of compound feeds. To apply this method the particles of the sediment fraction are spread on a sample holder and presented to the NIR microscope. By using the pointer of the microscope the infrared beam is focussed on each particle and the NIR spectrum (1112–2500 nm) is collected. This method can be used to detect the presence of MBM at concentrations as low as 0.05% mass fraction. When results from the NIRM method were compared with the classical microscopic method, a coefficient of determination (R²) of 0.87 was obtained. The results of this study demonstrated that this method could be proposed as a complementary tool for the detection of banned MBM in feedstuffs by reinforcement of the monitoring of feeds.     

Molecularly-imprinted polypyrrole-modified stainless steel frits for selective solid phase preconcentration of ochratoxin A

A molecularly-imprinted polymer (MIP) was prepared by electropolymerization of pyrrole (Py) onto a stainless steel frit, using ochratoxin A (OTA) as the template, in order to make a micro solid phase preconcentration (SPP) device. The OTA template was removed with 1% triethylamine (TEA) in methanol. Compared to non-imprinted polypyrrole (PPy), the molecularly-imprinted polypyrrole (MIPPy) enhanced the selective binding of OTA. The percentage recovery improved from 0 to 40% when the OTA sample solution was acidified with 1 M HCl (1% by volume). At a flow rate of 0.2 mL/min, maximum OTA binding was reached in 6 min after a total loading of 3.2 ng OTA. Final elution of the OTA was analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection, using 20:80 v/v acetonitrile–ammonia buffer (NH₄Cl/NH₃, 20 mM, pH 9.2) as the mobile phase. The MIPPy-SPP-HPLC results clearly demonstrated that the MIPPy-SPP device afforded selective preconcentration of OTA from red wine samples, at OTA concentration levels as low as 0.05 ppb, prior to HPLC analysis.     

An efficient synthesis of unsymmetrical diarylmethanes from the dehydration of arenes with benzyl alcohols using InCl3·4H2O/acetylacetone catalyst system

An efficient and practical synthesis of unsymmetrical diarylmethanes has been achieved from the dehydration of arenes with benzyl alcohols in the presence of catalytic amount of InCl₃·4H₂O/acetylacetone.     

Characterization of Autocatalytic Reactions in Modified Cellulose/NMMO Solutions by Thermal Analysis and UV/VIS Spectroscopy

The thermal stability of cellulose/N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide (NMMO) solutions were investigated using UV/VIS spectrometry with a temperature programming cuvette and caloric measurements by means of the Systag calorimeter RADEX (mini-autoclave). Both analytical methods allow to characterize the influences of stabilizers and additives. With the temporal course of the optical density, temperature and pressure thermal runaway reactions with gas evolution and accumulation of chromophoric degradation products were recognized. Kinetic model calculations compared with UV/VIS measurements demonstrate the existence of autocatalytic reactions in cellulose/NMMO solutions. Varying the heating rate autocatalysis can be proved by dynamic caloric measurements as well.     

Proof of the Fukui conjecture via resolution of singularities and related methods. II $$^{\star}$$

The present article is a direct continuation of the first part of this series. We reduce a proof of the Fukui conjecture (concerning the additivity problem of the zero-point vibrational energies of hydrocarbons) to that of a proposition related to the theory of algebraic curves, so that we can focus on the key mechanism of the additivity phenomena. Namely, by establishing what is called the Basic Piecewise Monotone Theorem (BPMT), we reduce a proof of the Fukui conjecture to that of a proposition, called the Local Analyticity Proposition, Version 1 (LAP1), which admits a proof via resolution of singularities. By LAP1, the essential part of the mechanism of the asymptotic linearity phenomena is extracted and is elucidated by using tools from the mathematical theory of algebraic curves, whose language is of vital importance in analyzing the crux of the additivity mechanism. Dedicated to the memory of Prof. Kenichi Fukui (1918–1998).     

Protease sensors for bioimaging

Optical imaging of specific molecular targets and pathways in vivo has recently become possible through continued developments in imaging equipment, reconstruction algorithms, and more importantly the availability of imaging reporter molecules. These reporter molecules encompass photoproteins expressed in vivo and exogenously administered probes detectable by fluorescence and/or bioluminescence imaging. One particularly enticing aspect of optical imaging is the ability to design activatible probes with inherent amplification. This review summarizes our experience in developing novel near-infrared fluorescent (NIRF) imaging agents that report on protease activities. These agents are designed to be biocompatible, highly activatible, and able to produce bright NIRF following protease cleavage.     

Cyclization of Nitrospirobenzopyrans to Bridged Benzoxazepino[3,2-a]indoles

Condensation of 1-substituted 1,2,3,9a-tetrahydro-9H-imidazo[1,2-a]indol-2-ones with 5-nitrosalicylaldehyde afforded 1′-[(N-monosubstituted carbamoyl)methyl]indoline nitrospirobenzopyrans. Treatment of the latter with strong base led to the formation of a mixture of cis/trans-5a,13-methano-1,3-benzoxazepino[3,2-a]indoles. Results of semiempirical calculations gave evidence that such a transformation of nitrospirobenzopyrans to bicyclic indole derivatives could proceed via a single transition state, where the negatively charged carbon atom attacks the vinylic double bond of the spiropyran system.     

四溴代邻苯二甲酸根桥联的双核钴（Ⅱ）配合物的合成和表征

合成和表征了４种以四溴代邻苯二甲酸根阴离子（４Ｂｒ－ＰＨＴＨ）桥联、以１，１０－菲咯啉（ｐｈｅｎ），５－硝基－１，１０－菲咯啉（ＮＯ_２－ｐｈｅｎ），２，２′－联吡啶（ｂｐｙ）和４，４′－二甲基－２，２′－联吡啶（Ｍｅ_２ｂｐｙ）端接的双核钴（Ⅱ）配合物［Ｃｏ_２（４Ｂｒ－ＰＨＴＨ）（Ｌ）_４］（ＣｌＯ_４）（Ｌ＝ｐｈｅｎ（ｌ），ＮＯ_２－ｐｈｅｎ（２），ｂｐｙ（３），Ｍｅ_２ｂｐｙ（４））。基于ＩＲ光谱、元素分析、电导测量等方法推定配合物具有四溴代邻苯二甲酸根桥联结构和Ｃｏ（Ⅱ）离子具有畸变的八面体配位环境。进行了配合物变温磁化率（７５～３００Ｋ）的测定，其数据已用从自旋哈密顿符导出的磁方程拟合，求得交换参数Ｊ＝－０．８７ｃｍ~（－１）（１），－０．８４ｃｍ~（－１）（２），－０．８２ｃｍ~（－１）（３），－０．８５ｃｍ~（－１）（４），表明金属离子间有弱的反铁磁性自旋交换相互作用。     

新型有机锗倍半氧化物及硫化物的合成

已先后合成的倍半氧化物类及倍半硫化物类化合物的前体,即有机锗三氯化物中只含1个锗原子。为了考查从含2个锗原子的前体合成的有机锗倍半氧化物及硫化物的药物活性,我们合成了1类化合物及相应的倍半氧化物(2类)及倍半硫化物(3类),并合成了酰基苯胺化合物1_e、2_e及3_e。结果见表1。     

Design and characterization of flow-through coulometric cells with porous working electrodes made of crushed vitreous carbon

Summary Three types of flow-through, three-electrode cells with porous working electrodes made of crushed vitreous carbon were tested. The electrochemical properties of the cells were studied by hydrodynamic and cyclic voltammetry using potassium ferrocyanide test solutions. Depending on the volume of the porous working electrode, Nernstian behaviour and electrochemical yields up to 100% were observed for flow rates 1 to 7 ml/min. In the stopped-flow regime the cells exhibit thin-layer cell properties. The utility of the cells is demonstrated for on-line coulometric detection, continuous removal of impurities and dissolved oxygen and for anodic stripping coulometry of trace copper.On leave from: Department of Analytical Chemistry, Slovak Technical University, CS-812 37 Bratislava, Czechoslovakia