Toward separation of nuclear spin isomers with coherent light.

We propose an approach for separating nuclear spin isomers with coherent light and illustrate it by numerical calculations using fulvene as a model system. The scheme employs the equivalence of torsion and interchange of equivalent H-atoms in a class of molecules of which fulvene is a simple example. The exchange symmetry couples with the rotational symmetry to produce a spatial distinction between the two photo-excited nuclear spin isomers, and wavepacket interferometry is applied to separate the species.     

Optimization Strategy for Isocratic Separation of α-Aspartame and Its Breakdown Products by Reversed Phase Liquid Chromatography

α-Aspartame (L-α-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester) is increasingly being used in wide variety of commonly consumed food products. This structure contains ester and peptide bonds. The ester linkage may hydrolyze to produce L-α-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine or cyclohydrolyze to produce the corresponding diketopiperazine ring. This ring can open to form L-α-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine and ultimately this compound can hydrolyze to L-phenylalanine and L-aspartic acid. The pH, buffer type, concentration, the presence of water and temperature are other important factors affecting its stability. Because α-aspartame can lose its sweetness under these conditions determination of aspartame and its breakdown products is extremely important for diet foods quality. The optimum mobile phase for the chromatographic separation was found to be acetonitrile-water (20:80, ν/ν) with 5.10^?3 M hexanesulfonic acid and a pH of 2.6.     

An integrated coupled column liquid chromatography system for the determination of leukotriene metabolites in biological samples

Summary A fully integrated chromatographic system was developed for the determination of leukotrienes in biological samples using photodiode-array detection (PDAD), which eliminates time consuming manual sample handling steps. A special solid phase extraction, (SPE) methodology for leucotriene metabolite stability was developed which increased the recoveries and eliminates the contamination risk of biological samples. The inherent instability (autooxidation) of many of the leukotriene mediators, and the adsorption effects onto exposed surfaces in vials and in the chromatographic system were found to be very important parameters to control in order to circumvent high loss of sample analytes. By binding the cell supernatants to the functionalities of the SPE support stabilised these mediators. Cell culture samples were eluted through a disposable C₁₈ SPE column. The SPE columns were allowed to thaw and deposited in an automated sample handling unit (ASPEC XL). Desorption of the analytes was followed by a second on-line SPE step, to eliminate remaining interfering matrix compounds. Typical recoveries when stored at −70°C were in-between 55–97% except for (LTE₄) which was found to be around 40% after 72 days of storage. Seven reversed-phase packings were studied. Selectivity factors, as well as the separation efficiencies, were found to differ for the various C₁₈ bonded silica stationary phases. This integrated on-line column liquid chromatographic system was applied to the determination of leukotriene B₄, leukotriene C₄, leukotriene D₄, leukotriene and E₄ in human cell extracts using prostaglandin B₂ as the internal standard. More than 1500 biological samples were analysed. Some validation data are presented for unattended operations.     

Application of Compton scattering normalization method to the analysis of uranium ore

Compton scattering normalization method is described for the analysis of uranium bearing ore respect to the usage of K X-rays of uranium. Minimum backscatter energy is obtained at a scatter angle of 180° with fixed point source geometry and collimation in appropriate conclusions. By normalizing the intensities of uranium K-lines to the Compton profile in the measured spectra, the results do not depend on several measuring parameters such as primary radiation intensity, matrix, composition, mass of the sample and measuring time. The method presented in this study indicates the convenience of uranium K-lines analysis for thick targets with an adequate measuring geometry.     

Genes encoding enzymes responsible for biosynthesis of L-lyxose and attachment of eurekanate during avilamycin biosynthesis

The oligosaccharide antibiotic avilamycin A is composed of a polyketide-derived dichloroisoeverninic acid moiety attached to a heptasaccharide chain consisting of six hexoses and one unusual pentose moiety. We describe the generation of mutant strains of the avilamycin producer defective in different sugar biosynthetic genes. Inactivation of two genes (aviD and aviE2) resulted in the breakdown of the avilamycin biosynthesis. In contrast, avilamycin production was not influenced in an aviP mutant. Inactivation of aviGT4 resulted in a mutant that accumulated a novel avilamycin derivative lacking the terminal eurekanate residue. Finally, AviE2 was expressed in Escherichia coli and the gene product was characterized biochemically. AviE2 was shown to convert UDP-D-glucuronic acid to UDP-D-xylose, indicating that the pentose residue of avilamycin A is derived from D-glucose and not from D-ribose. Here we report a UDP-D-glucuronic acid decarboxylase in actinomycetes.     

Vibrational Spectroscopic Studies on the Hofmann Type Clathrates: M(1,6-diaminohexane)Ni(CN) 4 .G (M = Co, Ni or Cd; G = chlorobenzene, 1,2-, 1,3- or 1,4-dichlorobenzene)

New Hofmann-diaminohexane(dahxn)-type clathrates of the form M(1,6-dahxn)Ni(CN)₄.G (M = Co, Ni or Cd; G = chlorobenzene, 1,2-, 1,3 or 1,4-dichlorobenzene) were prepared inpowder form and their infrared spectra are reported. The spectral data suggest that these compounds are similar in structure to those of the Hofmann-diam-type clathrates. Their structure consists of planar polymeric layers, {M–Ni(CN)₄}, formedfrom Ni(CN)₄ anions coordinated to the bridging 1,6-diaminohexane molecules bound directly to the metal (M). The M atoms are bound to four N atoms of the CN ions and, the Ni atoms are surrounded by four C atoms of the CN groups in a square-planar layer.     

On the theoretical determination of the electron affinity of ozone

Summary Multiconfigurational electron correlation methods have been analyzed in order to theoretically compute the electron affinity (EA) of ozone. The near-degeneracy correlation effects, which are so important in O₃ and O ₃ ^– , have been described using complete active space (CAS) SCF wave functions. Remaining dynamic correlation effects are computed using second-order perturbation theory (the CASPT2 method). The best calculated adiabatic value (including zero-point energy corrections), 2.19 eV, is about 0.09 eV larger than the experimental value. Comparative studies using size-consistent coupled pair functional approaches (CPF and ACPF) have also been performed. The harmonic frequencies in O ₃ ^– have been determined to be: ₁=992, ₂=572, and ₃=879 cm^–1, which gives a zero-point energy of 0.151 eV.     

Study on labeling conditions of125I-synkavit by the iodogen method

Labeling conditions of synkavit (2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinol disodium phosphate) with iodine-125 have been studied. In this study, labeling temperature, reaction time, successive using of iodogen coated tubes, iodogen amount and synkavit concentrations have been determined to get optimum conditions for maximum labeling. Final results showed that when the labeling temperature, reaction time, synkavit concentration, and iodogen amount were, at room temperature, 15 min (in the case of successive using of three iodogen coated tubes), 2 mg ml^–1 and 5 mg, respectively; labeling yield was 90% and specific activities of the order of 555 GBq mmol^–1 (15 Ci mmol^–1) have been obtained.     

Radiometric titration based on colloidal and slow precipitate formation

Fluoride ions and, in about 0.005M concentration, tungstate ions form gelatinous precipitates, poorly soluble in water, with calcium ions. The radiometric determinations of the above ions are based on these reactions. Accurate radiometric determination can be carried out only if the gelatinous precipitate formed during titration can be properly separated from the solution. It has been found that in the case of fluoride ions the application of crystalline, easily filtrable Ca(COO)₂·H₂O or CaCO₃, and in the case of tungstate ions the application of CaWO₄ precipitate improves the filtration properties of⁴⁵CaF₂ and⁴⁵CaWO₄, respectively, formed during titration, whereby the radiometric determinations of the above ions become possible. Titrations were carried out with 0.05M and 0.005M CaCl₂ solutions, labelled with⁴⁵Ca.