Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and the analytical study of works of art for purposes of diagnosis and conservation

This paper is a study of the analytical capacity of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) for any type of samples from works of art. The analytical information obtained with this technique on organic and inorganic compounds is extremely useful in the preliminary studies necessary for diagnosis and to decide on the conservation process. This paper reports the analysis and study with FT-IR on samples extracted from the microlayers in several works of art from different periods (16th to 18th century) comprising wall paintings and canvas. The most outstanding of these being the frescoes by A. Palomino from two ceilings in the Santos Juanes church. The analytical procedures for the different components of the works studied such as

1. (a) varnish applied to wood panels and canvas paintings,

2. (b) binding media and pigments used by the artists,

3. (c) inerts, mortars, stuccos and grounds have been optimized. The FT-IR technique offers a quick analysis of microsamples (less than 0.5 mg) and is able to characterise the different molecular groups which provide information on the nature of the different materials of organic and inorganic origin used by the artist and thus permits the diagnosis of pathologies requiring conservation treatment.

Ag／Al2O3选择性催化丙烯还原氮氧化物表面反应机理的原位红外光谱研究

 在富氧条件下Ag／Al2O3对以丙烯为还原剂选择性催化还原NOx的反应有很高的催化活性．本实验成功地利用原位红外光谱分析手段,在真实的催化反应条件下,探讨了丙烯选择性还原NOx的反应机理,证实了催化剂表面反应中间体Al－NCO和Ag－NCO虽在真空中稳定,但在实际反应条件下极为活泼．催化剂表面上R－ONO和R－NO2分解成NCO是整个反应的速度控制步骤．这一结论与在真空系统条件下对其反应机理的研究结果一致,证明了在这一反应体系中两种研究方法的相关性．同时本实验还从反应机理上探讨了催化剂的水蒸气中毒现象．水蒸气的存在阻碍了催化剂表面R－ONO和R－NO2的生成,并进一步阻碍了反应的速度控 制步骤,即R－ONO和R－NO2向Al－NCO和Ag－NCO的转化,但这是一种完全可逆的暂时中毒现象．结合相应的催化剂活性评价结果对表面反应机理进行了讨论．     

Quasi‐random integration in quantum chemistry: Efficiency,stability, and application to the study of small atoms and molecules constrained in spherical boxes

This project consists of two parts. In the first part, a series of test calculations is performed to verify that the integrals involved in the determination of atomic and molecular properties by standard self‐consistent field (SCF) methods can be obtained through Halton, Korobov, or Hammersley quasi‐random integration procedures. Through these calculations, we confirm that all three methods lead to results that meet the levels of precision required for their use in the calculation of properties of small atoms or molecules at least at a Hartree–Fock level. Moreover, we have ensured that the efficiency of quasi‐random integration methods that we have tested is Halton=Korobov>Hammersley?pseudo‐random. We also find that these results are comparable to those yielded by ordinary Monte Carlo (pseudo‐random) integration, with a calculation effort of two orders of smaller magnitude. The second part, which would not have been possible without the integration method previously analyzed, contains a first study of atoms constrained in spherical boxes through SCF calculations with basis functions adapted to the features of the problem: Slater‐type orbitals (STOs) trimmed by multiplying them by a function that yields 1 for 0 < r < (R‐δ), polynomial values for (R‐δ) < r < R and null for r > R, R being the radius of the box and δ a variationally determined interval. As a result, we obtain a equation of state for electrons of small systems, valid just in the limit of low temperatures, but fairly simple. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007     

水溶性金属卟啉肿瘤靶向磁共振成像造影剂的研究

利用显微荧光－阿达玛变换三维图像分析研究了Ｃｕ－ＴＳＰＰ，Ｍｎ－ＴＳＰＰ，Ｃｕ－ＴＭＡＰ，Ｍｎ－ＴＭＡＰ４种水溶性金属卟啉人细胞间质进入肿瘤细胞内的富集过程，对金属卟啉的自旋－晶格驰豫性能（Ｒ１）的天空结果表明，Ｍｎ（Ⅱ）卟啉配合物的Ｒ１、值结Ｇｄ－ＤＴＰＡ提高１．５－２倍。     

Application of Discrete Wavelet Transform in the Analysis of Nonlinear Chemical System

Oscillations of species concentration are phenomena accompanying several types of electrochemical and purely chemical processes. Importance of analyzing of such processes results from both scientific and practical reasons. In the paper the authors deal with investigation of time dependent spectra of various stages of Belousov-Zhabotinsky type chemical oscillations. As the analytical tool the discrete wavelet transform is proposed.     

Quantitative determination of Malathion in pesticide by modified attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectrometry applying genetic algorithm wavelength selection method

A simple and environment friendly method was developed for determination of Malathion content of analytical and commercial insecticide samples with no special preparation. Attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectra were characterized and 1000-2000 cm⁻¹ region was selected for quantitative analysis utilizing partial least square (PLS) and two wavelength selection methods: (a) principal component regression (PCR) and (b) genetic algorithm (GA). Relative error of prediction (REP) was calculated in PLS, PCR-PLS and GA-PLS methods and was 3.536, 1.656 and 0.188, respectively. Proposed method is successfully applicable for quantification of Malathion in commercial grade samples and reliable results in comparison with known methods, confirms this idea.     

Accurate mass measurements by Fourier transform mass spectrometry in the study of advanced glycation end products/peptides

The Maillard reaction occurring between sugars and amino groups is important in living systems. When amino groups belonging to protein chains are involved, the Maillard reaction has been invoked as responsible for protein cross-linking and the production of 'toxic' compounds. The reaction leads to the production of a heterogeneous group of substances, usually called advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Classical analytical approaches, such as spectroscopic (ultraviolet, fluorescence) and mass spectrometric (matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization, liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry) methods, have shown that the digestion mixture is highly complex. However, there are clear differences between the digestion mixtures of glycated and unglycated human serum albumin (HSA). In the former case, possible glycated peptides belonging to the AGE peptide class may be identified. Tandem mass spectrometric experiments on selected species seemed to be promising as regards structural information, but it was thought of interest to undertake the present investigation, based on liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization Fourier transform mass spectrometry, in order to obtain definitive results on their elemental composition. Using this approach, about 20 glycated peptides were detected and their possible structures were postulated by examining the known sequence of HSA.     

Intramolecular co-operative hydrogen bond in calix[<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>]arenes (<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis> = 4, 6, 8) bearing bulky substituents

Based on the Fourier transform IR spectroscopy together with the published NMR and X-ray data, it was shown that cyclic co-operative intramolecular hydrogen bond in calix[n]arene (n = 4, 6, 8) molecules is mainly responsible for their conformational state irrespective of the presence or absence of bulky substituents at the upper rim of the molecules. In accordance with the size of a macrocycle (n = 4, 6, 8), the stable conformation, secured by such a hydrogen bond, constitutes a cone, a pinched cone, and a pleated loop, respectively. The new, potentially competing system of hydrogen bonds in calix[6]arenes with 3-carboxymethyl-1-adamantyl substituents does not affect the conformational state of the macrocycle and its H-bonding. Six carboxy groups at the upper rim form in pairs three cyclic dimers, which does not disturb the hydrogen bonds of the hydroxy groups and the conformation of the macrocycle. In addition, the cavity of the molecule is considerably enlarged. The removal or rearrangement of the guest molecules in the solid calixarene by heating up to 180 °C only slightly affects the conformational state of macrocycles bearing bulky substituents, whereas in calixarenes devoid of such substituents, the similar procedure leads to somewhat of a distortion of the macrocycles (judging from the IR spectral indications of hydrogen bonding). Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 6, pp. 1062–1068, June, 2007.     

Ionic liquid–modified cellulosic hydrogels for loading and sustained release of selenourea: an ensuing inhibition of tyrosinase activity

Cellulose-based hydrogel materials were prepared and modified with tannic acid and l-methionine using ionic liquid as the solvent. The gels were prepared to develop a sustained release medium for selenourea (SeU). The drug delivery characteristics of selenourea-loaded cellulose (CSeU), selenourea-loaded tannic acid-modified cellulose (CTSeU), and selenourea-loaded L-methionine-modified cellulose (CMSeU) were investigated in aqueous media and simulated gastric fluid (SGF) media. This modified gel beads have been characterized using field emission scanning electron microscope, X-ray energy-dispersive spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetry–differential thermal analysis and swelling properties and compared with those of the unmodified ones. We also investigated the inhibitory effects of SeU released from these gels on the activity of mushroom tyrosinase. Out of all the gel materials, CTSeU showed maximum SeU release both in water and SGF media. However, tyrosinase inhibitory action in PBS medium was comparable for all the three gel materials.     

Flow analysis-hydride generation-Fourier transform infrared spectrometric determination of antimony in pharmaceuticals

In this work, a flow analysis system with hydride generation and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometric detection has been developed for the determination of antimony in pharmaceuticals. The method is based on the on-line mineralization/oxidation of the organic antimonials present in the sample and pre-reduction of Sb(V) to Sb(III) with K₂S₂O₈ and KI, respectively; prior to the stibine generation. The gaseous SbH₃ is separated from the solution in a gas phase separator, and transported by means of a nitrogen carrier into a short pathway (10 cm) IR gas cell, where the corresponding FTIR spectrum is acquired by accumulating 3 scans in a continuous mode. The 1893 cm⁻¹ band was used for the quantification of the antimony. The procedure is carried out in a closed system, which reduces sample handling and makes possible the complete automation of the antimony determination. The figures of merit of the proposed method (linear range: 0-600 mg l⁻¹, limit of detection (3σ)=0.9 mg l⁻¹, limit of quantification (10σ)=3 mg Sb l⁻¹, precision (R.S.D.) less than 1% and sample frequency=28 h⁻¹), are appropriate for the designed application. Furthermore, precise and accurate results were found for the analysis of different antimonial pharmaceutical samples, indicating that the methodology developed represents a valid alternative for the determination of antimony in pharmaceuticals, which could be suitable for the routine control analysis.