Highly sensitive and accurate profiling of carotenoids by supercritical fluid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry

We attempted to establish a high‐speed and high‐resolution profiling method for a carotenoid mixture as a highly selective and highly sensitive detection method; the analysis was carried out by supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) coupled with mass spectrometry (MS). When an octadecyl‐bonded silica (ODS) particle‐packed column was used for separation, seven carotenoids including structural isomers were successfully separated within 15 min. This result indicated not only improved separation but also improved throughput compared to the separation and throughput in RP‐HPLC. The use of a monolithic ODS column resulted in additional improvement in both the resolution and the throughput; the analysis time was reduced to 4 min by increasing the flow rate. Furthermore, carotenoids in biological samples containing the complex matrices were separated effectively by using several monolithic columns whose back pressure was very low. The mass spectrometer allowed us to perform a more sensitive analysis than UV detection; the detection limit of each carotenoid was 50 pg or below. This is the first report of carotenoid analysis carried out by SFC‐MS. The profiling method developed in this study will be a powerful tool for carrying out accurate profiling of biological samples.     

Observational constraints on the jerk parameter with the data of the Hubble parameter

We study the accelerated expansion phase of the universe by using the kinematic approach. In particular, the deceleration parameter q is parametrized in a model-independent way. Considering a generalized parametrization for q, we first obtain the jerk parameter j (a dimensionless third time derivative of the scale factor) and then confront it with cosmic observations. We use the latest observational dataset of the Hubble parameter H(z) consisting of 41 data points in the redshift range of \(0.07 \le z \le 2.36\), larger than the redshift range that covered by the Type Ia supernova. We also acquire the current values of the deceleration parameter \(q_0\), jerk parameter \(j_0\) and transition redshift \(z_t\) (at which the expansion of the universe switches from being decelerated to accelerated) with \(1\sigma \) errors (\(68.3\%\) confidence level). As a result, it is demonstrate that the universe is indeed undergoing an accelerated expansion phase following the decelerated one. This is consistent with the present observations. Moreover, we find the departure for the present model from the standard \(\Lambda \)CDM model according to the evolution of j. Furthermore, the evolution of the normalized Hubble parameter is shown for the present model and it is compared with the dataset of H(z).     

Energy conditions in modified <Emphasis Type="Italic">f</Emphasis>(<Emphasis Type="Italic">G</Emphasis>) gravity

In this paper, we have considered flat Friedmann–Lemaître–Robertson–Walker metric in the framework of perfect fluid models and modified f(G) gravity (where G is the Gauss Bonnet invariant). Particularly, we have considered particular realistic f(G) configurations that could be used to cure finite-time future singularities arising in the late-time cosmic accelerating epochs. We have then developed the viability bounds of these models induced by weak and null energy conditions, by using the recent estimated numerical figures of the deceleration, Hubble, snap and jerk parameters.     

Ru cyclooctatetraene precursors for MOCVD

A series of Ru(0) cyclooctatetraene complexes are presented with optimal properties for MOCVD (metal organic chemical vapour deposition) applications, including combinations of the two lowest melting points and lowest decomposition temperatures yet reported for such materials. The compounds are easy to handle and lead to highly conformal thin films of Ru on SiO(2) features; even within holes with aspect ratios of 40?:?1. SEM, AFM and XPS studies confirm the near ideal nature of the resulting conformal thin film.     

Large-scale magnetic fields from inflation due to a <Emphasis Type="Italic">CPT</Emphasis>-even Chern–Simons-like term with Kalb–Ramond and scalar fields

We investigate the generation of large-scale magnetic fields due to the breaking of the conformal invariance in the electromagnetic field through the CPT-even dimension-six Chern–Simons-like effective interaction with a fermion current by taking account of the dynamical Kalb–Ramond and scalar fields in inflationary cosmology. It is explicitly demonstrated that magnetic fields on 1 Mpc scale with the field strength of ∼10⁻⁹ G at the present time can be induced.     

Voltammetric evaluation of the binding between wheat germ agglutinin and thionine/glucose-modified magnetic microbeads.

The binding between glucose residues and wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) on thionine/glucose-modified magnetic microbeads was evaluated using voltammetry. Thionine is an electroactive compound and has two amino groups. Thionine was immobilized to magnetic beads via cross-linking of the amino groups on the beads with an amino group on thionine. Glucose was bound to the other amino group of thionine via the formation of a Schiff base. The beads were only several micrometers in size the same size, as cells. WGA-binding to glucose on the bead surface blankets the thionine moiety. Thus, WGA-binding could be detected as a decrease in peak current of the thionine moiety.     

A novel urocanic acid derivative from skin tissue extracts; (E)-3-[1-(1,1-dimethyl-3-oxobutyl)imidazol-4-yl]propenoic acid

A novel derivative of urocanic acid ( 1 ) had been isolated from acetone extracts of rabbit skin tissue. It proved to be (E)-3-[1-(1,1-dimethyl-3-oxobutyl)imidazol-4-yl]propenoic acid ( 3c ), potentially a much better ultraviolet screening agent than urocanic acid. Sterical effect of dimethyl groups in the side chain adjacent to the imidazole ring of 3c on its solubility is also discussed.     

Synthesis of 6- to 10-membered ring (E)-hydroxyiminohydroazaazoniabenzocycloalkenes derivative from cyclization of 2-nitromethylene-1-(ω-phenylalkyl)imidazolidine or 2-nitromethylene-1-(ω-phenylalkyl)hexahydropyrimidine in trifluoromethanesulfonic acid

In trifluoromethanesulfonic acid, 2-nitromethylene-1-(ω-phenylalkyl)imidazolidine or 2-nitromethylene-1-(ω-phenylalkyl)hexahydropyrimidine derivatives undergo an intramolecular cyclization to afford (E)-hydroxyiminohydroazaazoniabenzocycloalkenes, in their trifluoromethanesulfonate salt form. The reaction probably occurres via the formation of an electrophilic transient hydroxynitrilium ion (or O-protonated nitrile oxide). The yields are generally good, except for the higher-membered ring derivatives.     

Selective separation of flavonoids with a polyvinyl alcohol membrane

In order to develop a selective membrane separation process for flavonoids, i.e. baicalin, baicalein and flavone extracted from a crude drug, “Wogon”, we have measured the permeabilities of these flavonoids through a polyvinyl alcohol membrane, together with their aqueous solubilities. The aqueous solubilities of baicalin and baicalein increase with increasing aqueous solution pH due to the acid dissociation of the saccharic carboxyl group of baicalin or the phenolic hydroxyl group of baicalein. The mass transfer coefficients of flavonoids experimentally obtained in both systems of single and mixed constituents agreed well with the calculated values based on a solution-diffusion model together with the acid dissociation of the carboxyl or hydroxyl groups of baicalin and baicalein, respectively. The selective mutual separation of flavonoids can be achieved from mixed solution of constituents in the neutral pH region. Furthermore, a quantitative discussion of the permeation behavior of flavonoids through the PVA membrane is provided from a molecular modelling computational viewpoint.