Determination of the pesticides fenthion and fenitrothion by flow injection with amperometric detection

The response of a glassy carbon amperometric detector in a flow system was studied. The values of the hydrodynamic variables were optimized. The detector functioned as a “thin-layer” cell. Methods are proposed for the determination of 1.6 × 10^?7?1.6 × 10^?5 Fenthion and 8 × 10^?6? 8× 10^?5 M Fenitrothion in a methanolic acetate-buffered carrier stream. The detection limits were 0.15 and 0.52 μM, respectively.     

Peptide maps at picomolar levels obtained by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography and pre-column derivatization with phenyl isothiocyanate. Microsequencing of Phenylthiocarbamyl Peptides

A new reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography approach to the production of analytical peptide maps by pre-column derivatization using phenylisothiocyanate is described. Tryptic peptide digests were derivatized with phenyl isothiocyanate to form the phenylthiocarbamyl peptides followed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic analysis. The phenylthiocarbamyl peptides were separated by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with the conventional gradient elution system of water-acetonitrile containing trifluoroacetic acid. The sensitivity of detection of these peptide derivatives was within the range 5-10 pmol with a constant baseline at 254-260 nm. The isolated phenylthiocarbamyl peptides can be subjected to automatic Edman degradation. The effectiveness of this method was exemplified by microsequencing of phenylthiocarbamyl peptides isolated from tryptic digests of three different proteins: alpha-lactalbumin, beta-lactoglobulin and a lambda light-chain immunoglobulin.     

Low-temperature synthesis of phthalocyanine and its metal complexes

Conditions for synthesizing unsubstituted phthalocyanine and its metal complexes from phthalonitrile at low temperatures (0–50°C) are optimized. Phthalocyanine and phthalocyaninates are produced under these conditions using activated Rieke metals, metals on inert substrate, sources of “soluble” metals in the form of unstable metal complexes, zeolites, solid-phase electrosynthesis of phthalonitrile, and UV irradiation. The use of pyrophoric metals is found to be the most efficient due to a large number of defects in their structure favoring the initial stage of phthalonitrile cyclization on a metal matrix. The suggested mechanism of formation of phthalocyanine macrocycle assumes participation of metal agglomerates occurring in activated metals.     

Comparative analyses of the electrical properties and dispersion level of VGCNF and MWCNT: Epoxy composites

The electrical properties and dispersion of vapor‐grown carbon nanofibers (VGCNF) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT)—epoxy resin composites are studied and compared. A blender was used to disperse the nanofillers within the matrix, producing samples with concentrations of 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 wt % for both nanofillers, besides the neat sample. The dispersion of the nanofillers was qualitatively analyzed using scanning electron microscopy, transmission optical microscopy, and grayscale analysis. The electrical conductivity and the dielectric constant were evaluated. The percolation threshold of MWCNT epoxy composites is lower than 0.1 wt % while for VGCNF lies between 0.1 and 0.5 wt %. The difference on the dispersion ability of the two nanofillers is due to their intrinsic characteristics. Celzard's theory is suitable to calculate the percolation threshold bounds for the VGCNF composites but not for the MWCNT composites, indicating that intrinsic characteristics of the nanofillers beyond the aspect ratio are determinant for the MWCNT composites electrical conductivity. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2012     

Observation of the h(c)(1P) Using e+ e- collisions above the DD threshold

Using 586 pb(-1) of e+ e- collision data at E(c.m.) = 4170 MeV, produced at the Cornell Electron Storage Ring collider and collected with the CLEO-c detector, we observe the process e+ e- → π+ π- h(c)(1P). We measure its cross section to be 15.6±2.3±1.9±3.0 pb, where the third error is due to the external uncertainty on the branching fraction of ψ(2S) → π0 h(c)(1P), which we use for normalization. We also find evidence for e+ e- → ηh(c)(1P) at 4170 MeV at the 3σ level and see hints of a rise in the e+ e- → π+ π- h(c)(1P) cross section at 4260 MeV.     

Laser gain in femtosecond microstructured Nd:MgO:LiNbO3 crystals

Femtosecond laser writing has been used to create 1D and 2D diffracting microstructures in Nd³⁺:MgO co-doped LiNbO₃ crystals. The main characteristics of the diffracting device, such as its polarization dependence and diffraction efficiency have been investigated, showing that first order diffraction efficiencies in excess of 35% can be achieved. We have demonstrated that continuous wave laser oscillation from Nd³⁺ ions at 1.06 μm can be generated through the integrated diffraction gratings, thus leading to non-collinear intracavity laser propagation. The laser performance, in terms of laser thresholds and slope efficiencies, is reported and explained. The achievement of a controlled non-collinear propagation is an interesting feature in multi-frequency lasers, optical communication and optical switching. PACS 42.55.Rz; 42.70.Hj; 42.25.Fx     

Magnetoreflection studies of graphite intercalation compounds

Magnetoreflection spectra are presented for the first time for donor graphite intercalation compounds and for acceptor compounds of low stage. Analysis of these spectra yields values for the K-point effective masses for the conduction and valence bands. Shifts in Fermi level are determined and a breakdown in selection rules for K-point transitions is reported.