Automatic continuity and representation of group homomorphisms defined between groups of continuous functions

Let C(X,G) be the group of continuous functions from a topological space X into a topological group G with pointwise multiplication as the composition law, endowed with the uniform convergence topology. To what extent does the group structure of C(X,G) determine the topology of X? More generally, when does the existence of a group homomorphism H between the groups C(X,G) and C(Y,G) implies that there is a continuous map h of Y into X such that H is canonically represented by h? We prove that, for any topological group G and compact spaces X and Y, every non-vanishing C-isomorphism (defined below) H of C(X,G) into C(Y,G) is automatically continuous and can be canonically represented by a continuous map h of Y into X. Some applications to specific groups and examples are given in the paper.     

MgO films grown on yttria-stabilized zirconia by molecular beam epitaxy

MgO films were grown on (0 0 1) yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) substrates by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). The crystalline structures of these films were investigated using X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Growth temperature was varied from 350 to 550 °C, with crystalline quality being improved at higher temperatures. The MgO films had a domain structure: (1 1 1)[1 1 2¯]_MgO(0 0 1)[1 0 0]_YSZ with four twin variants related by a 90° in-plane rotation about the [1 1 1]_MgO axis. The observed epitaxial orientation was compared to previous reports of films grown by pulsed laser deposition and sputtering and explained as resulting in the lowest interface energy.     

Solid sampling Fourier transform infrared determination of Mancozeb in pesticide formulations

A series of approaches have been assayed for FTIR determination of Mancozeb in several solid commercial fungicides using different calibration strategies. The simplest procedure was based on the use of the ratio between the absorbance of a characteristic band of Mancozeb and that of a KSCN internal standard measured in the FTIR spectra obtained from KBr pellets. It was employed the quotient between peak height absorbance values at 1525 cm⁻¹ for Mancozeb and 2070 cm⁻¹ for KSCN. In these conditions a precision as relative standard deviation (RSD) of 0.6% and a relative accuracy error of 0.8% (w/w) were found. For complex formulations, containing other compounds with characteristic absorption bands at different wavenumbers than Mancozeb, one of them was used as internal reference being employed the standard addition approach. In this case, the Mancozeb bands at 1525 cm⁻¹ or at 1289 cm⁻¹ were employed, being used the ferrocyanide band at 2075 cm⁻¹ as internal reference. RSD values between 0.7-1.4% and a relative accuracy error of 3% (w/w) were found. A third strategy was based on the use of partial least squares (PLS) calibration. A reference set was prepared mixing Mancozeb, Kaolin, Cymoxanil and KBr, being predicted the Mancozeb concentration in pesticide formulations by using the quotient between absorbance bands of Mancozeb and those of Cymoxanil. In these conditions a relative accuracy error of 0.6% (w/w) and a relative standard deviation of 1.3% were found.     

A mew method of synthesis of 1,2,3,4-telrahydro-5H-5-oxo-1,4-benzodiazepines

A new one-step facile method for the synthesis of 1,12,3,4-tetrahydro5H-5-oxo-1,4-benzo-diuzepines is described. The method involves the addition of methyl anlhranilates to elhyl-enimine followed by intramolecular cyclizalion of the resulting intermediate compounds. Another attempted method starting from β-anilinoethylisocyanales is also described.     

Simultaneous LC-MS-MS Analysis of Capecitabine and its Metabolites (5′-deoxy-5-fluorocytidine, 5′-deoxy-5-fluorouridine, 5-fluorouracil) After Off-Line SPE from Human Plasma

A new single extraction procedure was developed to isolate capecitabine and its major metabolites (5′-deoxy-5-fluorocytidine, 5′-deoxy-5-fluorouridine, and 5-fluorouracil) from human plasma. The simultaneous extraction of the four analytes was performed on an Atoll XWP solid phase support. Separation and detection were by liquid chromatography (5 µm Atlantis C₁₈, 150 × 2.1 mm) and Turbospray Mass spectrometry in negative mode. To our knowledge, this report is the first to use these conditions for the simultaneous analysis of capecitabine and its metabolites.     

Controlled-Rate Thermal Desorptton

A new way of conducting thermal desorption experiments is described. The method consists in maintaining the desorption rate constant by a rigorous control of temperature. The equations for two models of constant rate desorption are described: from a surface with only one type of adsorption site, and with two different types. The technique is applied to two real systems and the kinetic parameters are determined. The results are compared with those obtained by using TPD. The main advantages are discussed and the methodology and modifications required for a TPD set-up to work at a constant desorption rate are described.     

Efficient flow injection and sequential injection methods for spectrophotometric determination of oxybenzone in sunscreens based on reaction with Ni(II)

Spectrophotometric determination of a widely used UV-filter, such as oxybenzone, is proposed. The method is based on the complexation reaction between oxybenzone and Ni(II) in ammoniacal medium. The stoichiometry of the reaction, established by the Job method, was 1:1. Reaction conditions were studied and the experimental parameters were optimized, for both flow injection (FI) and sequential injection (SI) determinations, with comparative purposes. Sunscreen formulations containing oxybenzone were analyzed by the proposed methods and results compared with those obtained by HPLC. Data show that both FI and SI procedures provide accurate and precise results. The ruggedness, sensitivity and LOD are adequate to the analysis requirements. The sample frequency obtained by FI is three-fold higher than that of SI analysis. SI is less reagent-consuming than FI.     

Surface passivation of luminescent colloidal quantum dots with poly(dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) through a ligand exchange process

Polydimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (PDMAEMA) was used as a multidentate ligand to modify the surface of CdSe/ZnS core-shell colloidal quantum dots in toluene with trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO) as the surface ligand. Adsorption of PDMAEMA was accompanied by release of TOPO. The process is free of agglomeration, and the modified nanocrystals become soluble in methanol. The photoluminescence properties are well-preserved in either toluene or methanol.     

Cooperativity, partially bound states, and enthalpy-entropy compensation

Efforts to develop a quantitative understanding of molecular recognition rely on the additivity of individual intermolecular interactions, and cooperativity represents one of the major potential stumbling blocks. A chemical double-mutant cycle has been used to experimentally measure cooperativity between functional group interactions within a complex framework. The interaction between two aromatic groups varies by 0.2 +/- 0.4 kJ mol(-1) in synthetic H-bonded complexes that differ by 8-13 kJ mol(-1) in overall stability. In these systems, the free energies associated with individual intermolecular interactions can therefore be reliably treated in an additive fashion. The results suggest that alternative explanations should be considered for cooperative phenomena observed in other systems, and a rationale based on the population of partially bound states in flexible molecules is proposed to account for the enthalpic chelate effect and enthalpy-entropy compensation.