Measurement of apex angle of the prism using total internal reflection

Total internal reflection technique is examined critically for the measurement of apex angle of the prism. Recognition of the critical boundary completely specifies the apex angle ‘A’ of the prism by keeping constant the ratio of refractive index of sample fluid (n₁=1.4) to that of glass (n₂=1.7). Recording of observations in the laboratory is dependent upon whether the apex angle ‘A’ of prism is greater than or less than or equal to critical angle ‘r_c’. The minimum value of error function ‘χ’ in the proximity of Abbe angle explain the choice of Abbe type instruments and shown invariant by relating positive ‘₊’ and the negative angle of emergence ‘₋’. Using ray-tracing technique, an expression for the length of the critical boundary ‘l’ is derived and is shown as a measure of the apex angle ‘A’ of the prism.

The choice of the realistic grazing condition leads us to two turning points for which error function ‘χ’ is minimal and yields appropriate option of the measurement of apex angle ‘A’ of the prism. It is further shown that the small error ‘ζ’ crept in the apex angle ‘A’ of the prism can lead to a significant error in the design of Pulfrich type instruments.

Experimental measurements are in-line with the predictions made.     

Thiosalicylic acid-immobilized Amberlite XAD-2: metal sorption behaviour and applications in estimation of metal ions by flame atomic absorption spectrometry

Thiosalicylic acid (TSA)-modified Amberlite XAD-2 (AXAD-2) was synthesized by coupling TSA with the support matrix AXAD-2 through an azo spacer. The resulting chelating resin was characterized by elemental analyses, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and infrared spectra. The newly designed resin quantitatively sorbs CdII, CoII, CuII, FeIII, NiII and ZnII at pH 3.5-7.0 when the flow rate is maintained between 2 and 4 ml min-1. The HCl or HNO3 (2 mol l-1) instantaneously elutes all the metal ions. The sorption capacity is 197.5, 106.9, 214.0, 66.2, 309.9 and 47.4 mumol g-1 of the resin for cadmium, cobalt, copper, iron, nickel and zinc, respectively, whereas their preconcentration factor is between 180-400. The breakthrough volume of HCl or HNO3 for elution of these metal ions was found to be 4-8 ml. The limit of detection (LOD) for CdII, CoII, CuII, FeIII, NiII and ZnII was 0.48, 0.20, 4.05, 0.98, 1.28 and 3.94 micrograms l-1, respectively, and the limit of quantification (LOQ) was found to be 0.51, 0.29, 4.49, 1.43, 1.58 and 4.46 micrograms l-1, respectively. The loading half time, t1/2, for the cations was found to be less than 2.0 min, except for nickel for which the value was 13.1 min. The determination of each of these six cations is possible in the presence of other five, if their concentration is up to 4 times. All six metals were determined in river water (RSD approximately 0.7-7.7%) and tap water samples (RSD approximately 0.3-5.7%). The estimation of Co was made in the samples of multivitamin tablets (RSD < 2.3%). The results agree with those quoted by manufacturers.     

Über die Eigenschaften hydratisierten Chromoxydes. Teil V

Ohne ZusammenfassungÜbersetzt von Dr. K. Jäckel, Marburg/L.Wir danken Herrn Prof. N. R. Dhar D.Sc. (London und Paris), F.R.I.C., F.N.I., I.E.S. (Eetd) Direktor Shila Dhar Institut für Bodenkunde und Vorstand der Chemischen Abteilung, Universität Allahabad, für sein lebhaftes Interesse und seine Ratschläge für die Arbeit.     

An equilibrium and calorimetric investigation of the hydrolysis of L-tryptophan to (indole + pyruvate + ammonia)

Apparent equilibrium constants and calorimetric enthalpies of reaction have been measured for the reaction L-tryptophan(aq) + H₂O(l) = indole(aq) + pyruvate(aq) + ammonia(aq) which is catalyzed by L-tryptophanase. High-pressure liquid-chromatography and microcalorimetery were used to perform these measurements. The equilibrium measurements were performed as a function of pH, temperature, and ionic strength. The results have been interpreted with a chemical equilibrium model to obtain thermodynamic quantities for the reference reaction: L-tryptophan(aq) + H₂O(l) = indole(aq) + pyruvate^–(aq) + NH ₄ ⁺ (aq). At T=25°C and I_m=O the results for this reaction are: K^o=(1.05±0.13)×10^–4, G°=(22.71±0.33) kJ-mol^–1, H°=(62.0±2.3) kJ-mol^–1, and S°=(132±8) J-K^–1-mol^–1. These results have been used together with thermodynamic results from the literature to calculate standard Gibbs energies of formation, standard enthalpies of formation, standard molar entropies, standard molar heat capacities, and standard transformed formation properties for the substances participating in this reaction.Presented at the Symposium, 76^th CSC Congress, Sherbrooke, Quebec, May 30–June 3, 1993, honoring Professor Donald Patterson on the occasion of his 65^th birthday.     

New paper chromatographic separation of microquantities of opium alkaloids

Summary A paper Chromatographic technique on salt-buffered papers for separating the alkaloids of opium has been devised. The method has been used for determining the origin of opium samples by studying the pattern of theR _f values of the alkaloids present and the effect on it produced by the presence of various adulterants.

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Zusammenfassung Die chromatographische Trennung der Opiumalkaloide auf gepuffertem Papier wurde beschrieben. Das Verfahren wurde zur Herkunftsbestimmung von Opiumproben auf Grund desR _f -Musters der anwesenden Alkaloide benützt. Der Einfluß verschiedener Fälschungszusätze wurde untersucht.

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Résumé Mise au point d'une technique de Chromatographie sur papier pour la séparation des alcaloïdes de l'opium, oú les papiers sont imprégnés des sels tampons. Utilisation de la méthode pour déterminer l'origine des échantillons d'opium en étudiant les valeurs duR _f des alcaloïdes présents et l'effet produits sur celles-ci par la présence d'adultérants divers.

     

A Simple and Environmentally Benign Nitration of Pyrazoles by Impregnated Bismuth Nitrate

We report herein a facile, rapid, and environmentally friendly synthesis of nitropyrazoles in good yields using silica‐bismuth nitrate and silica‐sulfuric acid‐bismuth nitrate at room temperature for the first time. The relatively non‐toxic nature, ease of handling, easy availability, and low cost make the present procedure attractive for the nitration of a wide variety of diazoles in the drug and pharmaceutical industries.     

Identification of Druggable Targets for Acinetobacter baumannii Via Subtractive Genomics and Plausible Inhibitors for MurA and MurB

Emergence of the multidrug-resistant pathogens has rendered the current therapies ineffective thereby, resulting in the need for new drugs and drug targets. The accumulating protein sequence data has initiated a drift from classical drug discovery protocols to structure-based drug designing. In the present study, in silico subtractive genomics approach was implemented to find a set of potential drug targets present in an opportunist bacterial pathogen, Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii). Out of the 43 targets identified, further studies for protein model building and lead-inhibitor identification were carried out on two cell-essential targets, MurA and MurB enzymes (of A. baumannii designated as MurA_Ab and MurB_Ab) involved in the peptidoglycan biosynthesis pathway of bacteria. The homology model built for each of them was further refined and validated using various available programs like PROCHECK, Errat, ProSA energy plots, etc. Compounds showing activity against MurA and MurB enzymes of other organisms were collected from the literature and were docked into the active site of MurA_Ab and MurB_Ab enzymes. Three inhibitors namely, T6361, carbidopa, and aesculin, showed maximum Glide score, hydrogen bonding interactions with the key amino acid residues of both the enzymes and acceptable ADME properties. Furthermore, molecular dynamics simulation studies on MurA_Ab–T6361 and MurB_Ab–T6361 complexes suggested that the ligand has a high binding affinity with both the enzymes and the hydrogen bonding with the key residues were stable in the dynamic condition also. Therefore, these ligands have been propsed as dual inhibitors and promising lead compounds for the drug design against MurA_Ab and MurB_Ab enzymes.     

Polyhydroxamic Acid Sorbents for Uranium Recovery

Crosslinked polyacrylamides were synthesized by solution polymerization using benzoyl peroxide as the radical initiator. The water–insoluble polymer obtained was functionalized by reacting with hydroxylamine to convert the amide group into hydroxamic acid group. The resultant functionalized polymer was characterized in terms of moisture uptake, elemental composition, IR spectra, thermal stability, exchange capacity and heavy metal sorption. The sorbent, obtained in particulate form, was investigated for its sorption properties with respect to uranium from uranyl nitrate solutions under unstirred batch conditions. This paper will concentrate on preparation, characterization and performance evaluation with respect to uranium sorption as a function of concentration, time, solution pH and temperature. The potential of this sorbent for uranium and other heavy metal ion recovery from sea water is ascertained.