Application of the Prigogine-Flory-Patterson theory part III. Mixtures of a bicyclic compound,benzene, cyclohexane,n-hexane with a cycloalkane,cyclohexene, a cycloalkadiene and benzene

The Prigogine-Flory-Patterson theory of liquid mixtures has been qpplied to the H _m ^E and V _m ^E for binary mixtures of a bicyclic compound, benzene, cyclohexane and n-hexane with a cycloalkane, cyclohexene, a cycloalkadiene and benzene. Furthermore the Prigogine-Flory theory has been used to predict activity coefficients at infinite dilution from the experimentally determined H _m ^E at 25°C for the mixtures cyclohexane, cyclohexene, 1,3-cyclohexadiene, 1,4-cyclohexadiene and benzene with a bicyclic compound. The predictions are compared to experimental results.     

Evaluation of an immunobiosensor for the on-site testing of veterinary drug residues at an abattoir. Screening for sulfamethazine in pigs

A study was conducted to determine the feasibility of performing "on-site" screening for sulfamethazine (SMT), at an abattoir, using a rapid immunobiosensor method. This involved transfer of the biosensor technology and an assay developed in the laboratory, to the cold, humid conditions of a modern pig-processing factory. A pre-determined threshold limit of 0.4 microgram ml-1 SMT in bile was used to identify the likelihood that corresponding tissue samples contained SMT concentrations in excess of the European maximum permissible residue limit of 0.1 mg kg-1. Bile samples containing SMT concentrations above the threshold limit were deemed positive and the corresponding kidney and muscle samples were sent to the laboratory for HPLC analysis. The robustness of the biosensor instrumentation in the harsh operating conditions was monitored throughout the project. The performance of the assay, on-site, was assessed by the regular inclusion of QA samples and by the submission of control 'SMT-positive' pigs to the abattoir. Sampling procedures, identification and traceability were also under scrutiny. During the project, 337 (9.35%) of the total kill were tested for SMT residues, representing 75% of all producers submitting pigs for slaughter. Twelve animals, including the ten controls, gave positive bile results. HPLC analysis confirmed SMT residues in all 12 kidneys (11 in excess of the permissible level). Ten muscle samples also contained violative SMT levels. Throughout the project, the biosensor performed reliably, with no adverse reaction of any mechanical or electrical components. The SMT assay also performed reliably. This is the first report of a biosensor being used for 'on-site' drug screening.     

Conformational analysis of 1,1,2,2-tetraaryl-disilanes

A study of the static stereochemistry of 1,1,2,2-tetraphenyldisilane (1) and 1,1,2,2-tetramesityldisilane (2) by empirical force field calculations, X-ray diffraction, and ¹H NMR reveals that the preference for the anti conformation, exhibited by the unclamped 1,1,2,2-tetraarylethanes, is sustained in the analogous disilanes, although in somewhat attenuated form. This anti preference stands in contrast to the gauche preference of 1,1,2,2-tetraalkyldisilanes. Examination of ³J_HH coupling constants for R₂HSiSiHR₂; (R = phenyl, mesityl, 2,6-dimethyl-phenyl, t-butyl, cyclohexyl) suggests the existence of a Karplus relation for H-Si-Si-H systems.     

Thermodynamic possibilities and constraints of pure hydrogen production by a chromium,nickel, and manganese-based chemical looping process at lower temperatures

The reduction of chromium, nickel, and manganese oxides by hydrogen, CO, CH₄, and model syngas (mixtures of CO + H₂ or H₂ + CO + CO₂) and oxidation by water vapor has been studied from the thermodynamic and chemical equilibrium point of view. Attention was concentrated not only on the convenient conditions for reduction of the relevant oxides to metals or lower oxides at temperatures in the range 400–1000 K, but also on the possible formation of soot, carbides, and carbonates as precursors for the carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide formation in the steam oxidation step. Reduction of very stable Cr₂O₃ to metallic Cr by hydrogen or CO at temperatures of 400–1000 K is thermodynamically excluded. Reduction of nickel oxide (NiO) and manganese oxide (Mn₃O₄) by hydrogen or CO at such temperatures is feasible. The oxidation of MnO and Ni by steam and simultaneous production of hydrogen at temperatures between 400 and 1000 K is a difficult step from the thermodynamics viewpoint. Assuming the Ni—NiO system, the formation of nickel aluminum spinel could be used to increase the equilibrium hydrogen yield, thus, enabling the hydrogen production via looping redox process. The equilibrium hydrogen yield under the conditions of steam oxidation of the Ni—NiO system is, however, substantially lower than that for the Fe—Fe₃O₄ system. The system comprising nickel ferrite seems to be unsuitable for cyclic redox processes. Under strongly reducing conditions, at high CO concentrations/partial pressures, formation of nickel carbide (Ni₃C) is thermodynamically favored. Pressurized conditions during the reduction step with CO/CO₂ containing gases enhance the formation of soot and carbon-containing compounds such as carbides and/or carbonates.     

A synthesis of conjugatively bridged bis- and tris-5-(2, 2'-Bipyridines): multitopic metal ion-binding modules for supramolecular nanoengineering

An efficient preparation of linear and curved bis- and branched tris-5-(2,2'-bipyridines) of nanoscopic dimensions possessing rigid conjugated bridges is presented. The synthesis, which avoids the need of protection/deprotection methodology, utilizes central bridge precursors which are outwardly di- and trifunctionalized with a 5-(2-chloropyridine) synthon via a chemoselective palladium-catalyzed Sonogashira or Negishi cross-coupling protocol to yield the bridged linear (5a-c, 5f,g) and curved (6, 7) bis- and branched (8) tris-5-(2-chloropyridines). Under more forcing conditions, the ethyne-bridged 5-(2-chloropyridines) undergo the Stille cross-coupling reacton with 2-trimethylstannylpyridines to afford the conjugatively bridged linear (1a,b, 1g-j) and curved (2a, b, 3a,b) bis- and branched, (4a,b) tris-5-(2,2'-bipyridines) in good overall yields. The phenyl- and biphenyl-bridged linear bis-5-(2, 2'-bipyridines) (1c-f) were best prepared from the bis-5-(2-bromopyridines) (5d,e) to ensure completion of the Stille cross-coupling reactions. The Stille cross-couplings showed a marked substituent effect in which the terminally phenylated bis- and tris-5-(2,2'-bipyridines) were formed in higher yields than the methyl-substituted analogues with the same bridge. The advantages of the methodology lie in its synthetic convenience and adaptibility for creating multitopic metal ion-binding scaffolds with a potentially very large variety of bridging units and substituents on the terminal pyridine rings. The bridged 5-(2-chloropyridines) may also serve as precursors for the fabrication of metal ion-coordinated conjugated polymers.     

Determination of uranium in marine sediment pore waters by isotope dilution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used in an isotope dilution mode to assay small-volume (0.25 ml) sediment pore waters for their uranium contents, using ²³⁶U as the spike. The only pretreatment required was a simple dilution by a factor of 20, which gave sufficient volume for three replicate analyses per sample. Rapid and accurate results were obtained for a variety of samples and standards, ranging in concentration from 0.05 to 10 ng U ml^?1. A suite of 30 samples can be analysed in less than 6 h by this method. The relative standard deviation was better than 1.9%, with a detection limit, based on 3σ background, of 2 pg U ml^?1 in solution (40 pg ml^?1 in samples). Sea water is a difficult matrix for ICP-MS and thus the method is generally suitable for uranium determinations in many other sample solutions.     

Narrow band quantitative and multivariate electroencephalogram analysis of peri-adolescent period

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The peri-adolescent period is a crucial developmental moment of transition from childhood to emergent adulthood. The present report analyses the differences in Power Spectrum (PS) of the Electroencephalogram (EEG) between late childhood (24 children between 8 and 13 years old) and young adulthood (24 young adults between 18 and 23 years old). RESULTS: The narrow band analysis of the Electroencephalogram was computed in the frequency range of 0--20 Hz. The analysis of mean and variance suggested that six frequency ranges presented a different rate of maturation at these ages, namely: low delta, delta-theta, low alpha, high alpha, low beta and high beta. For most of these bands the maturation seems to occur later in anterior sites than posterior sites. Correlational analysis showed a lower pattern of correlation between different frequencies in children than in young adults, suggesting a certain asynchrony in the maturation of different rhythms. The topographical analysis revealed similar topographies of the different rhythms in children and young adults. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) demonstrated the same internal structure for the Electroencephalogram of both age groups. Principal Component Analysis allowed to separate four subcomponents in the alpha range. All these subcomponents peaked at a lower frequency in children than in young adults. CONCLUSIONS: The present approaches complement and solve some of the incertitudes when the classical brain broad rhythm analysis is applied. Children have a higher absolute power than young adults for frequency ranges between 0-20 Hz, the correlation of Power Spectrum (PS) with age and the variance age comparison showed that there are six ranges of frequencies that can distinguish the level of EEG maturation in children and adults. The establishment of maturational order of different frequencies and its possible maturational interdependence would require a complete series including all the different ages.     

Isotopic analyses by ICP-MS in clinical samples

This critical review focuses on inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) based applications for isotope abundance ratio measurements in various clinical samples relevant to monitoring occupational or environmental exposure, human provenancing and reconstruction of migration pathways as well as metabolic research. It starts with a brief overview of recent advances in ICP-MS instrumentation, followed by selected examples that cover the fields of accurate analyte quantification using isotope dilution, tracer studies in nutrition and toxicology, and areas relying upon natural or man-made variations in isotope abundance ratios (Pb, Sr, actinides and stable heavy elements). Finally, some suggestions on future developments in the field are provided.     

Twistophane macrocyles with integrated 6,6'-connected-2,2'-bipyridine units: a new lead class of fluorescence sensors for metal ions

The new twistophane macrocycles 2 and 3 have been synthesised; these compounds are composed of a cyclically conjugated dehydrobenzoannulene framework that incorporates 6,6'-connected-2,2'-bipyridine moieties for the purpose of coordinating metal ions. The cyclophanes were characterised by spectroscopic techniques, and shown by molecular mechanics calculations to be helically twisted and chiral molecules that may exist in several possible ground state conformations. UV/vis spectroscopic studies revealed that 2, 3 and precursor 9 bind with different selectivities to particular members of the following small group of metal analytes: CuII, AgI, HgII, Tl1 and PdII. Significantly, 2, 3 and 9 signal the presence of CuII ions through fluorescence emission quenching output responses. Furthermore, cyclophane 3 exhibited a particularly sensitive protontriggered chromogenic fluorescence response. With respect to their unique structural features, high analyte selectivity coupled with their enhanced and characteristic fluorescence emission responses, these molecules are among the first examples representing a new lead class of chemosensory materials. Compounds 2, 3 and 9 and derivatives thereof may, therefore, be expected to find many future applications in the detection of metal-based environmental pollutants, biologically important trace elements and monitoring proton fluxes.     

Oriented crystalline monolayers and bilayers of 2 x 2 silver(I) grid architectures at the air-solution interface: their assembly and crystal structure elucidation

Oriented crystalline monolayers, approximately 14 A thick, of a 2 x 2 Ag+ grid complex, self-assembled at the air-solution interface starting from an water-insoluble ligand 3,6-bis[2-(6-phenylpyridine)]pyridazine spread on silver-ion-containing solutions, were examined by grazing-incidence X-ray diffraction and specular X-ray reflectivity using synchrotron radiation. The monolayer structure was refined, including a determination of the positions of the counter-ions, with the SHELX-97 computer program. The monolayers were transferred from the interface onto various solid supports and visualized by scanning force microscopy, and characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy in terms of molecular structure. On surface compression, the initial self-assembled monolayer undergoes a transition to a crystalline bilayer in which the two layers, almost retaining the original arrangement, are in registry. Such a phase transition is of relevance to the understanding of crystal nucleation.