A computer‐supplemented revision course

The authors have developed a computer‐supplemented course suitable for use as a revision aid in obstetrics and gynaecology. It can be used on an interactive basis using time‐sharing facilities. Additional notes are printed out for each question. It provides individualized instruction but is also suitable for small group discussion.     

Further Investigation of Grapefruit Juice Flavor Components (Citrus paradisi MACFAYDEN). Valencane- and Eudesmane-type Sesquiterpene Ketones

Fourteen sesquiterpene ketones D–Q pertaining to the valencane ( D–J ) and eudesmane ( K–Q ) groups have been identified for the first time in grapefruit juice flavor. These novel grapefruit constituents, which include the six new compounds I , J , L , M , N and O , were identified by direct comparison with synthetic samples. Organoleptically, their total contribution to grapefruit flavor is not negligible. In particular, (+)-8,9-didehydronootkatone ( E ) has a powerful flavor with good grapefruit juice character.     

Intramolecular hydrogen atom abstraction with an eight-membered cyclic transition state in open-chain aliphatic aminium radicals

Hydrogen abstraction by the nitrogen in long-chain aliphatic gas-phase aminium radicals (amine molecular ions) takes place via six-, seven-, and eight-membered cyclic transition states. The subsequent fragmentation is particularly facile after eight-membered ring hydrogen transfer.     

Ballistic imaging of liquid breakup processes in dense sprays

Ballistic imaging is the name applied to a category of optical techniques that were originally developed for medical applications. Recently, ballistic imaging was adapted to acquire instantaneous images of the liquid core inside atomizing sprays; a region that has been heretofore inaccessible to spray researchers. An important difference between spray research and the medical imaging problem is the need for high fidelity single-shot (within 10 μs) imaging in a spray whereas stationary tissue images can be averaged. Transient ballistic imaging diagnostics have been used to reveal details of the primary breakup process in a LOX injector, a turbulent water jet, a water jet in cross-flow, a transient diesel fuel spray, a rocket fuel injector, and an aerated spray. This paper briefly discusses various methods for imaging the liquid core, it introduces ballistic imaging and provides specific examples, it describes detailed studies of photon transmission through dense media, and it then discusses incorporation of those results into a model for a ballistic imaging instrument that can evaluate and optimize various concepts.     

Murine fecal proteomics: A model system for the detection of potential biomarkers for colorectal cancer

Tumor related products shed into the feces offer a potential source of biomarkers for the detection of colorectal cancer (CRC). Using SDS-PAGE followed by nanoflow reversed-phased LC–MS/MS to analyse fecal samples from Apc^Min/+ mice (that develop spontaneous multiple intestinal neoplasia with age) we have identified 336 proteins (115 proteins of murine origin, 201 from fecal bacteria, 18 associated with food intake and 2 of apparent parasitic origin). 75% of the murine proteins identified in this study are predicted to be extracellular or associated with the cell plasma membrane. Of these proteins, a number of the murine homologues of colorectal cancer associated proteins (CCAP) such as hemoglobin, haptoglobin, hemopexin, alpha-2-macroglobulin and cadherin-17 have been identified, demonstrating the potential of fecal proteomics for detecting potential biomarkers and paving the way for subsequent MS/MS based biomarker studies on similar human samples.     

A new Knoevenagel-type synthesis of fully substituted γ-hydroxybutenolides

The synthesis of fully substituted γ-hydroxybutenolides is possible by a Knoevenagel-type ring condensation of α-methyleneketones and α-ketoesters under basic conditions. This novel transformation allowed the preparation of di-aryl/heteroaryl substituted hydroxyfuranones, such as 20 and 27, which are important intermediates for pyridazine fungicides. As it turned out, a whole range of different substituents, such as alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl and ester groups could be linked to the butenolide scaffold, demonstrating the broad scope of the novel cyclization.     

Use of different rapid mixing devices for controlling the properties of magnetite nanoparticles produced by precipitation

Magnetite nanoparticles were precipitated by the classic Massart's method in a 2.5 L stirred tank reactor where the injection of reagent solutions was effectuated by different micro-mixers (T-tube and Hartridge-Roughton rapid mixing devices). The specific surface area, the average particle size and the particle size distribution were highly influenced by changing operating parameters. Laser Diffraction, BET adsorption, Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX), Raman spectroscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) were used for characterizing magnetite nanoparticles. Especially, Hartridge-Roughton micromixer appears to be the most efficient mixing device for producing magnetite nanoparticles. The average particle size of magnetite nanoparticles prepared by Hartridge-Roughton rapid mixing device was less than 10 nm and the EDX and Raman spectroscopy shows that the particle purity is quite high.     

PDMS-based microfluidics for proteomic analysis

A microfluidic poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) microdevice was realized, combining on-line protein electrophoretic separation, selection, and digestion of a protein of interest for identification by mass spectrometry. The system includes eight integrated valves and one micropump dedicated to control the flow operations. Myoglobin was successfully isolated from bovine serum albumin (BSA), then selected using integrated valves and digested in a rotary micromixer. Proteolytic peptides were recovered from the micromixer for protein identification. Total analysis from sample injection to protein identification is performed under 30 minutes, with samples of tens of nanolitres. The paper shows that PDMS technology can be successfully used for integrating complex preparation protocols of proteic samples prior to MS analysis.     

Isomerization and fragmentation of aliphatic ether radical cations: Interconversion of distonic ions and cyclopropane intermediates

The reactions of propyl ether radical cations close to threshold are initiated by (reversible) formation of γ-disitonic isomers, R$ \mathop {\rm O}\limits^ + $ (H)CH₂CH₂CH₂^·. The three methylene groups in these ions lose their positional identity by ring closure/ring opening via [cyclopropane + alcohol]^+· intermediates. Extensive hydrogen exchange occurs within the C₃-chain. When R is not methyl the γ-distonic isomer undergoes further intramolecular hydrogen atom transfer reactions that lead to formation of α- and β-distonic ions. The α-distonic isomers expel ethyl and propyl radicals by C? O bond cleavage.