Nondegenerate four-wave mixing in a birefringent optical fiber pumped by a dye laser

An efficient nondegenerate four-wave-mixing process in a highly birefringent optical fiber pumped by a dye laser is reported. The output beam from a dye laser (at ~610 nm) was found to mix with the accompanying superfluorescent light (from 575 to 600 nm) in a birefringent fiber to generate a distinct frequency-shifted beam, which could be Stokes or anti-Stokes radiation, depending on which mode of the fiber was excited. The frequency shift was comparable with that observed in the well-known pump-divided degenerate process, as confirmed by the theory.     

A convenient synthesis of 7-halo-1-indanones and 8-halo-1-tetralones

A regioselective oxidation of N-indan-4-yl-acetamide or N-(5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthalen-1-yl)acetamide with potassium permanganate followed by acidic hydrolysis gave 7-aminoindan-1-one or 8-aminotetral-1-one in good yield. The amino ketones were converted to the corresponding 7-haloindanone or the 8-halotetralone. Another method to prepare 7-haloindan-1-ones was completed by a cyclization of 3-chloro-1-(2-halophenyl)propan-1-one under Friedel-Crafts conditions to produce the product in gram quantity.     

Structural diversity of alpha-amino acid based layer-block dendrons and their layer-block sequence-dependent gelation properties

A library of G1-G3 alpha-amino acid based layer-block dendrons 1-6 containing different amino acid residues in the different concentric layers was prepared by solution-phase peptide synthesis. The structures of these dendrons were characterized by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy and, except for the G3 series of compounds, by mass spectrometry. The purities of these compounds were also determined by size-exclusion chromatography. Owing to the presence of a large number of amide groups, these dendrons exhibit unusually strong self-aggregating properties in both polar and nonpolar solvents. Some of these dendrons are found to be extremely good organogelators towards aromatic solvents with minimum gel concentrations approaching 4 mg mL(-1). Their gelation ability is found to be highly dependent on the nature of the amino acid compositions, the amino acid layer-block sequence within the dendritic architecture and the nature of the focal-point functionality. IR spectroscopic analysis indicates that gelation is induced by intermolecular hydrogen bonds. Circular dichroism studies suggest the formation of hierarchical chiral structures in the gel state, although the existence of chiral morphologies could not be observed by scanning electron microscopy.     

Laboratory and field experiments used to identify<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Canis lupus</Emphasis> var. <Emphasis Type="Italic">familiaris</Emphasis> active odor signature chemicals from drugs,explosives, and humans

This paper describes the use of headspace solid-phase microextraction (SPME) combined with gas chromatography to identify the signature odors that law enforcement-certified detector dogs alert to when searching for drugs, explosives, and humans. Background information is provided on the many types of detector dog available and specific samples highlighted in this paper are the drugs cocaine and 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine (MDMA or Ecstasy), the explosives TNT and C4, and human remains. Studies include the analysis and identification of the headspace "fingerprint" of a variety of samples, followed by completion of double-blind dog trials of the individual components in an attempt to isolate and understand the target compounds that dogs alert to. SPME–GC/MS has been demonstrated to have a unique capability for the extraction of volatiles from the headspace of forensic specimens including drugs and explosives and shows great potential to aid in the investigation and understanding of the complicated process of canine odor detection. Major variables evaluated for the headspace SPME included fiber chemistry and a variety of sampling times ranging from several hours to several seconds and the resultant effect on ratios of isolated volatile components. For the drug odor studies, the CW/DVB and PDMS SPME fibers proved to be the optimal fiber types. For explosives, the results demonstrated that the best fibers in field and laboratory applications were PDMS and CW/DVB, respectively. Gas chromatography with electron capture detector (GC/ECD) and mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was better for analysis of nitromethane and TNT odors, and C-4 odors, respectively. Field studies with detector dogs have demonstrated possible candidates for new pseudo scents as well as the potential use of controlled permeation devices as non-hazardous training aids providing consistent permeation of target odors.     

Extraction of phenols using polyurethane membrane

The extraction of various phenols from aqueous and organic solutions using polyurethane membrane has been investigated. The effects of solution concentration, extraction time, surface area, pH, salts, and temperature on extraction were studied. The phenols are extracted as neutral species and the extraction is governed by a combined effect of intra- and intermolecular hydrogen bonding and nonspecific hydrophobic interactions. The ether-type membrane showed higher extraction capability for the phenols than the ester-type polyurethane membrane.     

Design and synthesis of heterobimetallic donor-acceptor chemodosimetric ensembles for the detection of sulfhydryl-containing amino acids and peptides

A competitive indicator displacement assay has been successfully developed for the ratiometric determination of sulfhydryl-containing amino acids and peptides using heterobimetallic donor-acceptor complexes as chemodosimetric ensembles. Chromotropic cis-[ML2(CN)2](M = FeII, RuII, OsII; L = diimine) are used as signaling indicators and PtII(DMSO)Cl2 acceptor moiety is used as the receptor for the sulfhydryl-containing analytes. A series of three heterobimetallic donor-acceptor complexes: cis-FeII(bpy)2[CN-PtII(DMSO)Cl2]2 (1), cis-Ru(II)(bpy)2[CN-PtII(DMSO)Cl2]2 (2) and cis-Os(II)(bpy)2[CN-PtII(DMSO)Cl2]2 (3) are synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallography. All the three ensembles are able to produce specific colorimetric/fluorimetric responses to sulfhydryl-containing amino acids (cysteine, homocysteine and methionine) as well as the sulfhydryl-containing small peptide glutathione. The mechanism of the competitive displacement assay is evaluated by examining the thermodynamics of formation of the donor-acceptor linkage and adducts between the acceptor metal and the sulfhydryl-containing analytes as well as by systematic variation of the donor and acceptor metals in the chemodosimetric ensembles.     

Chelating polymers and related supports for separation and preconcentration of trace metals

This review is concerned mainly with the applications of chelating polymeric resins for the separation and concentration of trace metals from oceans, rivers, streams and other natural systems. Commercially available resins, specially prepared polymers and a selection of other sorbents are described and their uses outlined. Special emphasis is placed on the preconcentration of uranium from sea-water.     

Sorption of organic dyes by polyurethane foam

The sorption of fifty-nine organic dyes, indicators and stains by polyester and polyether-type polyurethane foams was investigated by use of aqueous solutions and powdered foam material. Comparisons were made with sorption from 50% methanol solutions for some dyes and also with solvent extractions done with diethyl ether or ethyl acetate for several dyes. The R(f) values for the dyes run on cellulose TLC plates in water or a mixed solvent mobile phase were compared to the distribution coefficients with polyurethane foam. The relationship between the structure of the test substances and their sorption is discussed.