A Pilot Survey of Vocal Health in Young Singers

The objective of this study was to determine the incidence of vocal problems in young choir singers and to correlate vocal problems with demographic and behavioral information. A questionnaire addressing vocal habits and hygiene was offered to 571 young choir singers, up to 25 years of age, who sing at least weekly; 129 (22.6%) responded. More than one-half of the respondents had experienced vocal difficulty, particularly older adolescents. Detrimental behaviors and circumstances surveyed were not reflective of the incidence of vocal difficulty, except for morning hoarseness, chronic fatigue, insomnia, and female gender after puberty. Voice care professionals should be aware that self-reported voice difficulties are common among young choral singers, especially postpubescent girls, and children with symptoms consistent with reflux (morning hoarseness) and emotional stress (insomnia). Laryngologists should communicate with choral conductors and singing teachers to enhance early identification and treatment of children with voice complaints, and to develop choral educational strategies that help decrease their incidence.     

Water-assisted self-assembly of harmonic single and triple helices in a polymeric coordination complex

A novel two-dimensional coordination polymer containing infinite, coherently pitched single and triple helical motifs is formed by the self-assembly of Cd2+, succinate, water and a bipyridyl ligand.     

Acrylamide analysis: assessment of results from six rounds of Food Analysis Performance Assessment Scheme (FAPAS) proficiency testing

Six proficiency tests have now been completed in an ongoing program of the UK Food Analysis Performance Assessment Scheme (FAPAS) for the analysis of acrylamide in a range of food matrixes. Homogeneous test material samples were requested by laboratories throughout the world, with 29 to 45 submitting results for each test. Results were analyzed by appropriate statistical procedures, and z-scores were awarded for reported values. In the absence of both legislation and collaborative trial data, the target standard deviation was derived from the Horwitz equation, although it is acknowledged that there is a need to establish a "fit for purpose" target standard deviation specifically for acrylamide analysis. Participants were encouraged to use the analytical method routinely used in their own laboratory and to provide details of their procedure. Close examination of the data submitted indicates that performance is generally acceptable in terms of accuracy. There is no significant difference between results submitted by gas chromatography and liquid chromatography (GC and LC) methods, and no method dependency on the use of internal standards or sample size. However, choice of extraction solvent may be important, with indications that plain water is an acceptable extraction method. There is evidence from the most recent test that direct (underivatized) GC methodology may present problems, but more data are required and this aspect will be monitored in the continuing proficiency testing program.     

Electron-impact fragmentation of aliphatic polynitro compounds

The mass spectra of two series of aliphatic polynitro compounds are reported and discussed. The fragmentation patterns of aliphatic nitro and polynitro compounds are similar in that no appreciable molecular ion current is observed; however, there are several other features in the fragmentation of aliphatic polynitro compounds which differ from that of nitroalkane spectra. Both series of compounds studied-C(NO₂)_x(CH₃)_4?x, where x = 4 to 0 and C₂(NO₂)_x(CH₃)_6?x, where x = 6,4,2-show a decrease in the number and intensity of alkylions with an increase in the NO⁺ and NO₂⁺ ion current as x increases. The main ions resulting from the more nitrated compounds are [NO]⁺, [NO₂]⁺, [CO₂]^+. and [CH₃CO]⁺, whose noncharged counterparts are the principal species produced in the detonation of these compounds. This similarity of the products of the two processes suggests the use of mass spectroscopy for the investigation of the initial explosive processes. The principal fragmentation pathways of the polynitroalkanes have been elucidated by exact mass measurements and the observation of metastable ion transitions.     

Magnetic circular dichroism studies—XLVI: Structure and the magnetic circular dichroism of trans-2-decalones and bicyclo[2.2.2]octan-2-ones

The magnetic CD spectra of a number of Me substituted trans-2-decalones and bicyelo[2.2.2]octan-2-ones were measured. The results showed a large, and sometimes dominant, contribution to the MCD intensity which could be correlated with the presence of α-substituents lying outside of the plane of the carbonyl chromophore.     

Synthesis of fused ring heterocycles from aromatic amines with hydroximoyl chlorides

Substituted 2-arylbenzimidazoles, 2-arylbenzoxazoles and 2-arylbenzothiazoles were obtained in good yield by the reaction of hydroximoyl chlorides with ortho-substituted aromatic amines. The benzo moiety of the benzimidazoles was shown by nmr to be symmetrical, indicating that the N-H group proton of the imidazole ring is exchanging with the water protons in the DMSO-d₆ solvent.