Separation and determination of volatile compounds in synthetic wine samples by gas chromatography using UV-visible molecular absorption spectrometry as detector

This paper shows the separation and determination of eight compounds containing the OH group (ethanol, pentanol, 3-methyl-1-butanol, hexanol, phenol, benzyl-alcohol, phenylethanol and geraniol) in synthetic wine by gas chromatography using UV-Vis molecular absorption spectrometry as detection system. All the parameters affecting the separation and determination were optimised using some methods of experiment design. The analytical characteristics of each compound were calculated and detection limits ranging from 2.3 to 74 mg l(-1) have been obtained.     

Parametric Excitation of the Electron-Acoustic Wave in a Multiply Ionized Plasma

Parametric excitation of the electron-acoustic wave (EAW) has been analysed using a hydrodynamical model. The plasma has been assumed to consist of multiply charged ions. The ratio (α) of the hotter ion concentration to that of the electrons is a sensitive parameter. The condition for the occurrence of the EAW is well satisfied for the smaller values of α. The growth rate of the instability gets enhanced by increasing α and the charge state of the hotter ions. The values of α can be varied within short range only.     

The magnetic hyperfine field of bromine in iron by NMR/ON

Nuclear magnetic resonance of⁸²Br oriented at low temperature in iron has been observed with a sample prepared by ion implantation atT<0.2 K. The asymmetric resonance signal can be decomposed in a broad background signal and a narrow line of FWHM=1.8 (4) MHz which can be attributed to⁸²Br in undisturbed substitutional sites of Fe. From the center frequency of this narrow line (B _ext=0)=201.86(13) MHz we derive the magnetic hyperfine field asB _hf(BrFe)=81.38(6) T. This value is considerably larger than the result of theoretical calculations.     

On the diffusion field in the neighborhood of two identical spheres

Summary Under steady state conditions the reduction in the diffusive flux into a sphere due the presence of a neighboring, identical sphere is calculated. Taking the flux into a sphere as 1 when the particles are at infinite separation, the flux decreases to a minimum value of 0.693 when the spheres are touching.

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Zusammenfassung Unter stationären Bedingungen wird die Abnahme des Diffusionsflusses in eine Kugel, bedingt durch eine benachbarte identische Kugel, berechnet.Wird der Diffusionsfluß in eine Kugel gleich 1 gesetzt, wenn die Partikel unendlich weit voneinander entfernt sind, so nimmt der Diffusionsfluß auf einen Minimalwert von 0,693 ab, wenn sich die Kugeln berühren.

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With 2 figures     

NdFeO3 as a new electrocatalytic material for the electrochemical monitoring of dopamine

A new electrochemical sensor, based on NdFeO₃ nanoparticles as electrocatalytic material, was proposed here for the detection of dopamine (DA). NdFeO₃ nanoparticles were first synthesized by a simple thermal treatment method and subsequent annealing at high temperature (700 °C). The prepared electrocatalytic material has been characterized in detail by SEM-EDX, XRD, and Raman techniques. Characterization results display its sheet-like morphology, constituted by a porous network of very small orthorhombic NdFeO₃ nanoparticles. NdFeO₃ electrocatalytic material was then used to modify the working electrode of screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPCEs). Electrochemical tests demonstrated that NdFeO₃– modified screen-printed carbon electrode (NdFeO₃/SPCE) exhibited a remarkable enhancement of the dopamine electrooxidation, compared to the bare SPCE one. The analytical performance of the developed sensor has been evaluated for the detection of this analyte by means of the square-wave voltammetry (SWV) technique. The modified electrode showed two linear concentration ranges, from 0.5 to 100 μM and 150 to 400 μM, respectively, a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.27 μM (at S/N = 3), and good reproducibility, stability, and selectivity. Additionally, we also report an attempt made to propose the modified sensor for the simultaneous detection of dopamine and uric acid (UA). The procedure was also applied for the determination of dopamine in spiked real samples. So, this paper reports for the first time the use of a modified NdFeO₃ screen-printed electrode for developing an electrochemical sensor for the quantification of important biomolecules.

Graphical abstract

     

Variable electronegativity SCF-MO calculations on the electronic structure and spectra of some substituted benzenes I. Monosubstitutions

π-electron SCF-MO theory in its variable electronegativity formalism has been applied to some monosubstituted benzenes. Calculated charge densities and bond orders for the ground and the first excited electronic states are correlated with chemical reactivity and the changes in molecular geometry on electronic excitation. The calculated results for spectra are compared with those obtained using the PPP method and also with the available experimental data.     

Determination of lithium in human serum by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

An efficient method was developed for the determination of nanogram levels of lithium in biological samples. Serum samples from human subjects from southeastern Spain, treated or not treated with lithium carbonate, were analyzed by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. The samples were previously treated with a matrix modifier consisting of 0.1% Triton X-100 and injected through a graphite tube with L'vov platform. The Li concentrations measured by the procedure described for the 3 certified reference samples used were not significantly different (p > 0.05) than certified levels. Sample recoveries and variability during several days, with coefficients of variation from 4.00 to 14.8%, demonstrated the reliability and accuracy of this technique. Mean Li concentration determined in the serum of individuals with psychiatric disorders treated with Li (n = 117, 5.077 +/- 1.795 microg Li/mL) was significantly higher (p < 0.001) than that in individuals not treated with Li (n = 24, 1.902 +/- 2.054 ng Li/mL).     

Experimental tests of the feasibility of singlet oxygen luminescence monitoring in vivo during photodynamic therapy

Singlet oxygen (1O2) is thought to be the cytotoxic agent in photodynamic therapy (PDT) with current photosensitizers. Direct monitoring of 1O2 concentration in vivo would be a valuable tool in studying biological response. Attempts were made to measure 1O2 IR luminescence during PDT of cell suspensions and two murine tumour models using the photosensitizers Photofrin II and aluminium chlorosulphonated phthalocyanine. Instrumentation was virtually identical to that devised by Parker in the one positive report of in vivo luminescence detection in the literature. Despite the fact that our treatments caused cell killing and tissue necrosis, we were unable to observe 1O2 emission under any conditions. We attribute this negative result to a reduction in 1O2 lifetime in the cellular environment. Quantitative calibration of our system allowed us to estimate that the singlet oxygen lifetime in tissue is less than 0.5 microsecond. Some technical improvements are suggested which would improve detector performance and perhaps make such measurements feasible.     

BINDING, EXCITATION ENERGY TRANSFER AND PHOTOSENSITIZATION IN GRISEOFULVIN-DNA MIXTURES

Abstract— The weak and reversible binding of the antifungal drug, griseofulvin (GF), to calf thymus DNA has been demonstrated by difference spectroscopy and the quenching of the fluorescence of GF by DNA observed. The value of K _n was determined to be 800 M ^-1by fluorescence quenching titration. Adenosine and guanosine also exhibit difference spectra with GF and quench GF fluorescence indicating that they may be the site of both binding and energy transfer. The in vitro photosensitization of DNA by griseofulvin is shown to occur. It is proposed that the clinically observed in vivo photosensitizing action of griseofulvin may result from binding followed by excitation energy transfer and that this may also be important in the antifungal activity of the drug.