Multiple image encryption using an aperture-modulated optical system

A multiple image cryptosystem based on different apertures in an optical set-up under a holographic arrangement is proposed. The system is a security architecture that uses different pupil aperture mask in the encoding lens to encrypt different images. Based on this approach multiple encryption is achieved by changing the pupil aperture arrangement of the optical system among exposures. In addition to the classical speckle phase mask, the geometrical parameters characterizing the apertures are introduced to increase the system security. Even when an illegal user steals the speckle phase mask, the system cannot be broken into without the correct pupil geometrical parameters. The experimental set-up is based on a volume photorefractive BSO crystal as storing device. Information retrieval is done via a phase conjugation operation. We also have to stress that the multiple storage under this scheme, is only possible with the help of the aperture mask. Simulation and experimental results are further introduced to verify the proposed method.     

Developing an on-line derivatization of FAs by microwave irradiation coupled to HPLC separation with UV detection

The development of analytical methods for routine simultaneous identification and quantification of carboxylic fatty acids (CFAs) are required in different fields, such as, pharmaceutical cosmetics, food products and formulations of water–microemulsion–oil systems. Determination of CFAs has been developed mainly by gas chromatography (GC). As an alternative to GC, liquid chromatography (LC) has better sensitivity and selectivity. However, most CFAs show no useful absorption in ultraviolet–violet (UV–Vis) region, one of the more used detection technique in high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In order to allow the use of UV–Vis detection, the use of pre-column derivatization has been reported to increase sensitivity and selectivity. Therefore, establishment of a simpler and faster on-line method with complete separation is needed for the screening of large numbers of samples. 2,4-Dinitrophenylhydrazine (2,4-DNPH.), benzoil chloride (BC), and phenylhydrazine (PH) were used for derivatization of different FAs by microwaves radiation (MW). After the on-line derivatization, products were separated and quantified by HPLC. Reactor coil was placed inside of microwaves oven at 450 W. Parameters as flow, amount of reagents, irradiation time, and chromatographic conditions were optimized. The continuous analysis using the MW–HPLC–UV system provided high sensitivity and reduced both the amount of reagent used and the analysis times. This proposed method can be used for the routine analysis of FAs contained in water–microemulsion–oil systems, to quantify the total acid fraction in each phase.     

Synthesis of anticonvulsant sulfamides. Theoretical study of the related mechanism

A theoretical study of the mechanisms associated with the synthesis of anticonvulsant symmetric N,N-substituted sulfamides is presented. Two possible synthetic routes are compared, which mainly differ in the use of pyridine as a nucleophilic agent in the reaction mechanism. Geometry optimization techniques and transition-state detection at the B3LYP/6-31G** level, modeling the solvent by means of an isodensity polarizable continuum approach, allow the most suitable method for the experimental process to be discerned.From the Proceedings of the 28th Congreso de Químicos Teóricos de Expresión Latina (QUITEL 2002)     

Parallel iterative reaction path optimization in ab initio quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical modeling of enzyme reactions

The determination of reaction paths for enzyme systems remains a great challenge for current computational methods. In this paper we present an efficient method for the determination of minimum energy reaction paths with the ab initio quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical approach. Our method is based on an adaptation of the path optimization procedure by Ayala and Schlegel for small molecules in gas phase, the iterative quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical (QM/MM) optimization method developed earlier in our laboratory and the introduction of a new metric defining the distance between different structures in the configuration space. In this method we represent the reaction path by a discrete set of structures. For each structure we partition the atoms into a core set that usually includes the QM subsystem and an environment set that usually includes the MM subsystem. These two sets are optimized iteratively: the core set is optimized to approximate the reaction path while the environment set is optimized to the corresponding energy minimum. In the optimization of the core set of atoms for the reaction path, we introduce a new metric to define the distances between the points on the reaction path, which excludes the soft degrees of freedom from the environment set and includes extra weights on coordinates describing chemical changes. Because the reaction path is represented by discrete structures and the optimization for each can be performed individually with very limited coupling, our method can be executed in a natural and efficient parallelization, with each processor handling one of the structures. We demonstrate the applicability and efficiency of our method by testing it on two systems previously studied by our group, triosephosphate isomerase and 4-oxalocrotonate tautomerase. In both cases the minimum energy paths for both enzymes agree with the previously reported paths.     

Plutonium(IV) mononitrate and dinitrate complex formation in acid solutions as a function of ionic strength

Titrations of Pu(IV) with HNO₃ in a series of aqueous HClO₄ solutions ranging in ionic strength from 2 to 19 molal were followed using visible and near-infrared absorption spectrophotometry. The Pu 5f-5f spectra in the visible and near IR range change with complex formation. At each ionic strength, a series of spectra were obtained by varying nitrate concentration. Each series was deconvoluted into spectra of Pu⁴⁺ (aq), Pu(NO₃)³⁻ and Pu(NO₃)₂ ²⁺ complexes, and simultaneously their formation constants were determined. When corrected for the incomplete dissociation of nitric acid, the ionic strength dependence of each formation constant can be described by two parameters, β⁰ and Δε using the formulae of specific ion interaction theory.     

Recent advances in graphite powder-based electrodes

Graphite powder-based electrodes have the electrochemical performance of quasi-noble metal electrodes with intrinsic advantages related to the possibility of modification to enhance selectivity and their easily renewable surface, with no need for hazardous acids or bases for their cleaning. In contrast with commercial electrodes, for example screen-printed or sputtered-chip electrodes, graphite powder-based electrodes can also be fabricated in any laboratory with the form and characteristics desired. They are also readily modified with advanced materials, with relatively high reproducibility. All these characteristics make them a very interesting option for obtaining a large variety of electrodes to resolve different kinds of analytical problems. This review summarizes the state-of-the-art, advantages, and disadvantages of graphite powder-based electrodes in electrochemical analysis in the 21st century. It includes recent trends in carbon paste electrodes, devoting special attention to the use of emergent materials as new binders and to the development of other composite electrodes. The most recent advances in the use of graphite powder-modified sol–gel electrodes are also described. The development of sonogel–carbon electrodes and their use in electrochemical sensors and biosensors is included. These materials extend the possibilities of applications, especially for industrial technology-transfer purposes, and their development could affect not only electroanalytical green chemistry but other interesting areas also, for example catalysis and energy conversion and storage.     

Complete NMR assignment of 3, 4‐seco‐lup‐20(29)‐en‐3‐oic acid from Decatropis bicolor

Complete ¹H and ¹³C NMR chemical shift assignments for 3,4‐seco‐lup‐20(29)‐en‐3‐oic acid ( 1 ) have been established by means of two‐dimensional COSY, HSQC, HMBC and NOESY spectroscopic experiments as well as by analysis of MS data. Compound 1 was isolated from Decatropis bicolor (Zucc.) Radlk. (Rutaceae) in addition to six coumarins and one alkaloid of known structure. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

金催化剂上脂肪族硝基化合物与醛在氢气中选择还原耦合

采用TiO2上高度分散的金纳米粒子做催化剂，从脂肪族硝基化合物、醛和氢气可高选择性合成硝酮。与碳负载Pt催化剂相比，该催化体系上硝酮的选择性从50%增加到90%。其催化性能可有活性位结构、载体特性和反应条件精确调节。     

Kinetic energy release for the collision-induced dissociation of CO<Superscript>+</Superscript>

The kinetic energy release distributions (KERDs) of C⁺ and O⁺ fragments arising from 5 keV collision-induced dissociation (CID) of CO⁺ ions with helium have been measured. The KERDs of C⁺ and O⁺ exhibit different features corresponding to the states that participate in CID processes. We have identified groups of dissociative and predissociative states, and compare them with theoretical and experimental values.