Determination of adrenolytic drugs by SPME–LC–MS

Five adrenolytic drugs have been analyzed by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS). Samples were prepared by solid-phase microextraction (SPME) using polypyrrole fibers coated on stainless steel support as an adsorbent for the drugs. Adsorption efficiencies were 95% and were close for all the drugs investigated. Relative standard deviations (RSD), calculated for samples prepared in standard solutions, were in the range 2.5–13%, however RSD values for the drugs in human plasma were 2.5–4.5%. Using LC–MS the limit of detection (LOD) and the limit of quantification (LOQ) were in the ranges 0.11–0.18 and 0.39–0.54 ng mL⁻¹, respectively, for the five drugs.     

Complexes of Mercury(II) Cyanide with Crown Ethers in Dimethylsulfoxide

The complexation of mercury(II) cyanide with macrocyclic ligands 15-crown-5,18-crown-6 and dibenzo-24-crown-8 in dimethylsulfoxide was studied using¹⁹⁹Hg NMR measurements. No significant complexation with 15-crown-5was observed. The stability constants K_s for 1 : 1 complexes with two other ligands were determined and found to be similar, in contrary to the results reported in nitrobenzene. Solvent effects on K_s values obtained are discussed in comparison with the literature data. X-ray crystal structure of Hg(CN)₂.A18-crown-6 was also determined.     

ZP8, a neuronal zinc sensor with improved dynamic range; imaging zinc in hippocampal slices with two-photon microscopy

The synthesis of a difluorofluorescein monocarboxaldehyde platform and its use for preparing ZP8, a new member of the Zinpyr family of neuronal Zn(2+) sensors, are described. By combining an aniline photoinduced electron transfer (PET) switch and an electron-withdrawing fluorescein scaffold, ZP8 displays reduced background fluorescence and improved dynamic range compared to previous ZP probes. The bright sensor undergoes an 11-fold increase in fluorescence intensity upon Zn(2+) complexation (Phi = 0.03-0.35) with high selectivity over cellular concentrations of Ca(2+) and Mg(2+). In addition, sensors in the ZP family have been utilized for optical imaging in biological samples using two-photon microscopy (TPM). The cell-permeable ZP3 probe is capable of identifying natural pools of labile Zn(2+) within the mossy fiber synapses of live hippocampal slices using TPM, establishing the application of this technique for monitoring endogenous Zn(2+) stores.     

Probability measures on [SIN] groups and some related ideals in group algebras

Given a locally compact group G, let J(G){\cal J}(G) denote the set of closed left ideals in L ¹(G), of the form J _μ = [L¹(G) * (δ _e − μ)]⁻, where μ is a probability measure on G. Let J_d(G)={\cal J}_d(G)= {J_m;m is discrete}\{J_{\mu};\mu\ {\rm is discrete}\} , J_a(G)={J_m;m is absolutely continuous}{\cal J}_a(G)=\{J_{\mu};\mu\ {\rm is absolutely continuous}\} . When G is a second countable [SIN] group, we prove that J(G)=J_d(G){\cal J}(G)={\cal J}_d(G) and that J_a(G){\cal J}_a(G) , being a proper subset of J(G){\cal J}(G) when G is nondiscrete, contains every maximal element of J(G){\cal J}(G) . Some results concerning the ideals J _μ in general locally compact second countable groups are also obtained.     

Entrance effects in the channels of the parallel plate stack in oscillatory flow conditions

This paper considers an entrance flow into the channels formed by a stack of parallel plates, placed in an acoustic resonator that provides oscillatory flow forcing. Interesting complex flow phenomena around the extremity of the stack are observed, essentially due to the introduction of cross-sectional discontinuities: vortex formation and shedding during the fluid ejection from the channels and development of an entrance flow during the suction phase, when the fluid enters the channels from outside. It is the latter that is of particular interest in this study. Particle image velocimetry (PIV) is used to investigate the flow structures in the “entrance region”. Velocity profiles are measured as a function of phase angle within an oscillation period and the distance from the stack end into the channel. Using the data obtained, an “entrance length” defined by analogy with existing fluid mechanical definitions, is estimated. The experiments are supplemented by CFD calculations to improve the understanding of such entrance flows.     

High hydrostatic pressure ESR manostats

Abstract

Two high pressure X-band ESR resonators for sensitive measurements are described. Both systems have 100 kHz internal modulation coils and can cooperate with any standard ESR spectrometer. These cavities operate in two different temperature and pressure ranges: 77–400 K, up to 0.8 GPa and liquid helium temperature range, up to 1 GPa, respectively. Additionally, the cavity operating in the 77–400 K temperature range enables Photo-ESR measurements to be carried out.     

A method of characterising performance of audio loudspeakers for linear alternator applications in low-cost thermoacoustic electricity generators

This paper investigates the feasibility of using commercially available loudspeakers as low-cost linear alternators for thermoacoustic applications, to convert acoustic power to electricity. The design of a purpose built experimental apparatus, in which a high intensity acoustic wave is induced by using a high power woofer, is described. The rig is used to excite loudspeakers (referred here as “alternators”) under test, while a pair of microphones and a laser displacement sensor are used to enable acoustic power measurements. The paper presents a case study in which characteristics of acoustic-to-electric energy conversion of a candidate loudspeaker (alternator) – selected from the viewpoint of general performance, as well as parameters such as: high force factor, low electrical resistance and low mechanical loss – are measured. The measurements of acoustic power absorbed by the alternator and the electric power extracted from it by the load resistor, which allow estimating acoustic-to-electric efficiencies, are presented. The alternator has been tested at different operating frequencies, cone displacements and load resistance values. The measurement results are discussed and compared in detail with the calculations based on the linear acoustics model.     

Influence of deformations of a polymer matrix on the characteristics of dual fluorescence of 3-hydroxyflavone

The possibility of considerably changing the conditions for the proton transfer reaction in 3-hydroxyflavone molecules in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) polymer matrices by stretching deformations is demonstrated. Samples of this kind are traditionally used to obtain ensembles of fluorophore molecules oriented along a chosen axis and for polarization measurements. The fluorescence spectrum of 3-hydroxyflavone in PVA has two characteristic bands in the violet and green spectral regions, which indicates excited-state proton transfer. Stretching leads to a strong reduction in the violet band, whose contribution in undeformed samples is comparable to the contribution of green fluorescence. Even twofold stretching of PVA films strongly decreases the violet band intensity, which is more pronounced in the case of sixfold stretching. In the latter case, the fluorescence spectrum behavior is very close to the pattern observed in nonpolar and aprotic solvents, in which the violet fluorescence intensity is very low. The data obtained indicate that mechanical stretching allows one to eliminate the main intermolecular factors that slow down the proton transfer between the active groups in PVA.