Quantum-networks: master equation and local measurements

Based on the SU(n)-algebra the Markoff master equation in discrete product space is reformulated to explicitly deal with composite systems. The resulting local (single node) and nonlocal (multi-node) state parameters allow a systematic approach to non-classical features of the state, like variance and covariance tensors. For local optical driving forces, inter-node interactions, and local damping channels the solution of the master equation is unraveled into stochastic quantum trajectories. Sampling leads to a joint distribution function in terms of those state parameters. Its linear moments define the ensemble-density matrix. The average variance and covariance are in terms of non-linear moments, which should be distinguished from their entirely statistical counterpairs. Non-classicality of the network dynamics is shown to reflect itself in the luminescence-photonstatistics.     

Influence of boric acid on the determination of iron in reactor coolant water by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

Summary The matric effect of boric acid was investigated in the determination of iron in the primary circuit coolant water of nuclear power plants by furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. The effect of boric acid was of particular interest. The method was applied during refuelling and maintenance periods and the results were used to interpret the chemical changes in the water.

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Einfluß von Borsäure auf die Bestimmung von Eisen in Reaktorkühlwasser durch GF-AAS

     

Simultaneous determination of alkylphenol ethoxylates and their biotransformation products by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry

Reversed-phase LC-MS/MS is used to determine major estrogenic alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEOs) and their biotransformation products. It allows the simultaneous analysis of eight APEOs, alkylphenoxy carboxylates (APECs) and alkylphenols (APs) in sewage treatment plant (STP) effluents in the same extract after solid-phase enrichment on polymeric Oasis HLB. As precursor ions, [APEO + NH4]+, [APEC - H]- and [AP - H]- were monitored. Instrumental limits of detection (LOD) were 2-600 pg, corresponding to sample concentrations of 0.04-12 ng l(-1), without correction for overall method recoveries. Matrix-induced signal suppression during electrospray ionisation (ESI) and extraction as well as overall method recoveries were assessed and the suitability of deuterated surrogates as internal standards was evaluated.     

Mass spectrometric studies of organophosphorus compounds: III—Remarkable migration of chalcogen on electron impact of organophosphorus compounds

The mass spectra of several dibenzo (d.f)-1,3,2,-dioxaphosphorepines of the type where X=0, S, Se and R=2,2′-biphenylylene, have been studied. Dibenzochalcogen ions [RX]⁺˙ stemming directly from [M]⁺˙ were observed with high intensities, indicating specific migration of X from phosphorus to carbon with simultaneous destruction of the dioxaphosphorepine ring. Simple cleavage of P? Y as usually observed in similar organophosphorus compounds is not a common process here.     

Synthesis of 2•,3•-Dideoxy-3•-<Emphasis Type="Italic">C</Emphasis>-hydroxymethylcytidine Phosphonomethyl Derivatives

Phosphonomethyl substituted 2?,3?-Dideoxy-3?-C-hydroxymethylcytidines have been synthesized and evaluated for their anti HIV-1 activities. The sugar moiety was synthesized starting from (S)-5-hydroxymethylfuran-2-(5H)-one using photocatalyzed addition of methanol. Reduction of the lactone, condensation with silylated 4-methoxy-2(1H)pyrimidinone, followed by phosphonomethylation and deprotection gave the title compounds. The compounds were tested for inhibition of HIV-1 activity but did not show any significant antiviral activity.     

Trace determination of volatile sulfur compounds by solid-phase microextraction and GC-MS

A method was developed for the simultaneous determination of the following nine volatile sulfur compounds in gas samples: carbon disulfide, carbonyl sulfide, ethyl sulfide, ethyl methyl sulfide, hydrogen sulfide, isopropanethiol, methanethiol, methyl disulfide and methyl sulfide. The target compounds were preconcentrated by solid-phase microextraction (SPME) and determined by gas chromatography combined with mass spectrometry. Experimental design was employed to optimize the extraction time and temperature and concurrent detection of the nine compounds was achieved by using an SPME fiber coated with Carboxen-polydimethylsiloxane (75 microns). Detection limits ranged from 1 ppt (v/v) for carbon disulfide to 350 ppt (v/v) for hydrogen sulfide and calibration functions were linear up to 20 ppb (v/v) for all the compounds investigated.     

2-Mercaptomethyl-thiazolidines use conserved aromatic–S interactions to achieve broad-range inhibition of metallo-β-lactamases

Infections caused by multidrug resistant (MDR) bacteria are a major public health threat. Carbapenems are among the most potent antimicrobial agents that are commercially available to treat MDR bacteria. Bacterial production of carbapenem-hydrolysing metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs) challenges their safety and efficacy, with subclass B1 MBLs hydrolysing almost all β-lactam antibiotics. MBL inhibitors would fulfil an urgent clinical need by prolonging the lifetime of these life-saving drugs. Here we report the synthesis and activity of a series of 2-mercaptomethyl-thiazolidines (MMTZs), designed to replicate MBL interactions with reaction intermediates or hydrolysis products. MMTZs are potent competitive inhibitors of B1 MBLs in vitro (e.g., K_i = 0.44 μM vs. NDM-1). Crystal structures of MMTZ complexes reveal similar binding patterns to the most clinically important B1 MBLs (NDM-1, VIM-2 and IMP-1), contrasting with previously studied thiol-based MBL inhibitors, such as bisthiazolidines (BTZs) or captopril stereoisomers, which exhibit lower, more variable potencies and multiple binding modes. MMTZ binding involves thiol coordination to the Zn(ii) site and extensive hydrophobic interactions, burying the inhibitor more deeply within the active site than d/l-captopril. Unexpectedly, MMTZ binding features a thioether–π interaction with a conserved active-site aromatic residue, consistent with their equipotent inhibition and similar binding to multiple MBLs. MMTZs penetrate multiple Enterobacterales, inhibit NDM-1 in situ, and restore carbapenem potency against clinical isolates expressing B1 MBLs. Based on their inhibitory profile and lack of eukaryotic cell toxicity, MMTZs represent a promising scaffold for MBL inhibitor development. These results also suggest sulphur–π interactions can be exploited for general ligand design in medicinal chemistry.

Metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs) are major culprits of resistance to carbapenems in bacteria. A series of thiazolidines are potent MBL inhibitors, restoring the activity of carbapenems. Metal binding and sulphur–π interactions are key to inhibition.