Qualche osservazione sui problemi totalmente reali

Riassunto Si introduce la nozione di “problema enumerativo complesso totalmente reale”: essa caratterizza problemi enumerativi le cui soluzioni, in un qualche aperto dello spazio dei parametri, sono tutte reali. Si dimostra una condizione necessaria e sufficiente affinchè un problema enumerativo complesso sia totalmente reale e vengono forniti esempi di tali problemi.

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Summary In this paper we give the definition of “totally real enumerative problem”. This notion characterises those complex enumerative problems which have, on some open set of the parameter space, all real solutions. We prove a necessary and sufficient condition, for an enumerative problem, to be a totally real one and we give some examples of problems of this kind.

     

Fast-GC-conventional quadrupole mass spectrometry in essential oil analysis

This study reports on the compatibility of a conventional quadrupole MS (qMS) as detector for Fast-GC in terms of separation, identification, and quantitation when applied to the analysis of peppermint essential oil (e.o.), adopted as representative of this field. The influence of Fast-GC carried out on a 10 mx0.1 mm id narrow bore column with temperature programmes from 20 to 60 degrees C/min on the results of a qMS in total ion chromatograms (TIC) at different speeds (from 999 and 11 111 amu/s) and SIM modes was evaluated on ten differently abundant components characterizing peppermint e.o. Separation measure (S), peak capacity (n), and half height peak width were taken as separation parameters; match quality, number of scans per peak (NP), spectral skewing, and TIC area repeatability were used for identification. Quantitation was in SIM mode and NP, dwell time, SIM area repeatability and calibration curves, LOD, and LOQ of the selected components were measured. The results show that the peppermint e.o. markers can successfully be analysed qualitatively and quantitatively by F-GC-qMS up to temperature programmes of 60 degrees /min provided that a suitable scan speed is applied. Fast-GC-qMS reduces analysis time by a factor greater than ten and gives results that are qualitatively reliable and quantitatively comparable to those obtained by conventional GC-qMS.     

Self-assembly of a high-nuclearity chloride-centered copper(II) cluster. Structure and magnetic properties of [Au(PPh3)2][trans-Cu6(micro-OH)6[micro-(3,5-CF3)2pz]6Cl

A chloride-centered hexanuclear copper(II) pyrazolate [Au(PPh3)2][trans-Cu6(micro-OH)6[micro-(3,5-CF3)2pz]6Cl] is isolated from the reaction of the trinuclear copper(I) pyrazolate [Cu3[micro-(CF3)2pz]3] with PPh3AuCl and Ph3P in moist air. The six copper atoms are bridged by pyrazolate and hydroxyl ligands, above and below the copper plane. The chloride anion exists at the center of the planar cavity formed by the copper atoms with Cu-Cl distances of 3.02-3.13 A. The magnetic susceptibility measurements show a strong antiferromagnetic coupling between the copper centers with an estimated exchange constant of J approximately 650 cm-1.     

Histological approaches for high-quality imaging of zooplanktonic organisms

The investigation of the internal organization of zooplankton communities provides important information on the plankton biology with special interest for the study of ecological processes. Zooplanktoners can play a structural function as indicators for ecosystem health or stress, but their study using histological techniques is still limited. Here we report that the internal structure of zooplanktonic organisms can be facilely observed by a histological approach that combines optimal fixation and processing with a plastic resin (glycol methacrylate) embedding, resulting in increased tissue resolution. Using copepods, organisms that can dominate zooplankton assemblages, as models, collected from a tropical ecosystem (Paraibuna river, Brazil), we showed fine histological details of their muscular, nervous and digestive systems, structure of appendages and cell features. Critical advantages of this approach are that it permits optimal preservation and adequate handling of the organisms (embedded in agar after fixation) for further histological processing and investigation. This is important because it prevents both mechanically induced artifacts and loss of these diminutive organisms during the different steps of processing. Moreover, embedding in plastic resin showed a superior imaging of copepod internal structures compared to paraffin embedding. The use of glycol methacrylate is advantageous over paraffin/paraplast embedding by avoiding heat damage, tissue retraction and allowing faster embedding procedure and better tissue resolution. The value of histological approaches in enabling high-quality imaging of the internal structure of copepods is particularly important because these organisms can be used as indicators of environmental changes.     

Electrochemical and microsomal production of free radicals from 1,2,5-oxadiazole N-oxide as potential antiprotozoal drugs

The electron spin resonance (ESR) spectra of free radicals obtained by electrolytic or microsomal reduction of several potential antiprotozoal 1,2,5-oxadiazoles were characterized and analyzed. Ab initio molecular orbital calculations were performed to obtain the optimized geometries and the theoretical hyperfine constant was carried out using ZINDO semiempirical methodology. Density functional theory was used to rationalize the reduction potentials of these compounds.     

Highly chemoselective hydrogenation of 2-ethylanthraquinone to 2-ethylanthrahydroquinone catalyzed by palladium metal dispersed inside highly lipophilic functional resins

Most hydrogen peroxide is currently produced by the selective hydrogenation of 2-ethylanthraquinone (EAQ) to 2-ethylanthrahydroquinone (EAHQ), followed by treatment with dioxygen; this produces hydrogen peroxide and regenerates 2-ethylanthraquinone. We have developed novel catalysts for this process that are based on palladium supported on very lipophilic functional resins and that are able to promote a chemoselectivity for EAHQ slightly but definitely superior to that provided by an industrial catalyst under identical conditions. This finding demonstrates the potential of variations of the lipophilic/hydrophilic character of the support as a tool for the improvement of the chemoselectivity of resin-based metal catalysts.     

Solvent coordination in gas-phase [Mn.(H(2)O)(n)](2+) and [Mn.(ROH)(n)](2+) complexes: theory and experiment

An experimental gas-phase study of the intensities and fragmentation patterns of [Mn.(H(2)O)(n)](2+) and [Mn.(ROH)(n)](2+) complexes shows the combinations [Mn.(H(2)O)(4)](2+) and [Mn.(ROH)(4)](2+) to be stable. Evidence in complexes involving the alcohols methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, and 2-propanol favors preferential fragmentation to [Mn.(ROH)(4)](2+), whereas the fragmentation data for water is less clear. Supporting density functional calculations show that both [Mn.(H(2)O)(4)](2+) and [Mn.(MeOH)(4)](2+) adopt stable tetrahedral configurations, similar to those proposed for biochemical systems where solvent availability and coordination is restricted. Calculated incremental binding energies show a gradual decline on going from one to six solvent molecules, with a step occurring between four and five molecules. The addition of further solvent molecules to the stable [Mn.(MeOH)(4)](2+) unit shows a preference for [Mn.(MeOH)(4)(MeOH)(1,2)](2+) structures, where the extra molecules occupy hydrogen-bonded sites in the form of a secondary solvation shell. Very similar behavior is seen on the part of water. As part of an analysis of the experimental data, the calculations have explored the influence different spins states of Mn(2+) have on solvent geometry. It is concluded that the experimental observations are best reproduced when the central Mn(2+) ion is in the high-spin (6)S ground state. The results are also considered in terms of the biochemical activity of Mn(2+) where the ion is capable of isomorphous substitution with Zn(2+), which itself exhibits a preference for tetrahedral coordination.     

Formulation and Preliminary in vivo Testing of Rufloxacin-Cyclodextrin Ophthalmic Solutions

Aim of the present work was to investigate the effect of somecyclodextrins (CDs) on the solubility and ocular bioavailability of rufloxacin base (RUF), with theultimate goal of developing an ophthalmic formulation. Phase solubility studies of RUF inpH 7.4 buffer were carried out in the presence of -cyclodextrin (-CD),hydroxypropyl--cyclodextrin (HP--CD) and -cyclodextrin(-CD). The effect of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) on RUF solubility was evaluated after heating the solutionscontaining HP--CD at 120 °C.A significant enhancement of RUF solubility was achieved by associatingthe drug with CDs, particularly HP--CD. This CD formed with RUF a less stablecomplex than that formed by -CD, but did not suffer the solubility limitations ofthe parent CD, and showed a higher solubilizing capacity than -CD. Addition of 0.25%(w/v) HPMC to solutions containing HP--CD increased the solubilizing effect of this CD,thus allowing reduction of the amount necessary for solubilization of 0.3% (w/v) RUF.Preliminary pharmacokinetic data in rabbits indicated that theocular bioavailability of 0.3% (w/v) RUF solubilized by HP--CD was higher when compared witha 0.3% (w/v) RUF suspension used as reference.     

Functional properties and fatty acids profile of different beans varieties

Dried seeds of four varieties of Phaseolus vulgaris, three of Vigna unguiculata ssp. unguiculata and two of Vigna angularis grown and marketed in Italy, Mexico, India, Japan, Ghana and Ivory Coast were analysed for fatty acids content. In oils from seeds of P. vulgaris, the main fatty acids were linolenic (34.7–41.5%) and linoleic (30.7–40.3%), followed by palmitic (10.7–16.8%). The first three aforementioned fatty acids in the lipid fraction of V. unguiculata varieties were 28.4, 28.7 and 26.2%, respectively; while in V. angularis varieties, main fatty acids were linoleic (36.4–39.1%) and palmitic (26.9–33.3%), followed by linolenic (17.9–22.2%). Statistical analyses indicate that botanical species play a rule in bean fatty acids distribution, while the same was not verified for geographical origin. Furthermore, the atherogenic index (AI) and the thrombogenic index (TI) were investigated for health and nutritional information. The results showed that these wide spread legumes have functional features to human health.