Inhomogeneity in Distribution and Conformation of Bovine Serum Albumin in Sol–Gel: A Closer Look with a Near-Infrared Multispectral Imaging Technique

Concentration distributions and conformations of bovine serum albumin (BSA) entrapped in sol–gels were successfully determined for the first time by use of the recently developed NIR multispectral imaging instrument. It was found that BSA molecules were inhomogeneously distributed within the sol–gel matrix, independent of its concentration. At relatively high concentration (366 mg/mL) the encapsulation process does not seem to produce any observable changes in the conformation of BSA. However, when the concentration of BSA was decreased to 220 mg/mL, pronounced changes in the spectra of the protein were observed as a function of (sol–gel reaction) time. The observed inhomogenity might be traced to both a non-uniform concentration distribution of BSA and changes in protein native conformation resulting from interactions between the charged protein and the silicate anions. Results obtained seem to suggest that the protein molecules might adapt themselves to accommodate evolving geometry and sites of the silica network.     

Synthesis of Jasminaldehyde by Solid-Liquid Phase Transfer Catalysis Without Solvent,Under Microwave Irradiation

α-n-amylcinnamaldehyde (jasminaldehyde) was obtained with 82 % yield by solid-liquid phase transfer catalysis without solvent within 3 days at room temperature. By use of domestic microwave irradiation, the same yield was obtained within 1 minute at a power of 600 W.     

On the rate of convergence for central limit theorems of sojourn times of Gaussian fields

The aim of this paper is to control the rate of convergence for central limit theorems of sojourn times of Gaussian fields in both cases: the fixed and the moving level. Our main tools are the Malliavin calculus and the Stein method, developed by Nualart, Peccati and Nourdin. We also extend some results of Berman to the multidimensional case.     

Regioselective Hydrolysis of Cocaine and A Convenient Acylation Procedure by Benzoylecgonine

Regioselective hydrolysis of cocaine led, according to the reaction conditions, either to benzoylecgonine or to ecgonine methyl ester. Acylation with benzoylecgonine was readily achieved when benzotriazolyloxytrisdimethylamino-phosphonium (BOP) was used as a coupling agent.