Characterization of laser-treated paper

Paper is one of the most important materials in cultural heritage given its extensive use as the data carrier for religious, artistic and scientific records. For both aesthetic and conservation reasons, cleaning of these materials is often needed. Current paper cleaning methods using conventional means are not always sufficient, e.g. for the local cleaning of paper in the vicinity of sensitive media. In this respect a ns-pulse laser provides a valuable tool for solving difficult cleaning problems. The influence of various laser wavelengths (355 nm, 532 nm, and 1064 nm) and the ageing status of modern paper test systems were studied. Colorimetric measurements, the determination of the average molecular mass of cellulose, and chemiluminescence analysis proved to be useful for the characterization of the laser-treated paper. Treatment with green laser light at =532 nm below the paper ablation threshold fluence gave the most promising results on pure papers, with no discolouration and no other visible alteration, nor detectable chemical changes. PACS 06.60.J; 78.60.Ps; 81.65.Cf     

Determination of oxytetracycline in bovine kidney and medicated milk replacer by liquid chromatography

Improvements and optimization of AOAC INTERNATIONAL Official Method 995.09 for the detection of oxytetracycline in bovine kidney at the new U.S. tolerance of 12 ppm are reported. Recoveries from kidney fortified at 4 concentrations over the range of 3-40 ppm averaged 84-98%. Results from the kidney of a calf fed medicated milk replacer containing oxytetracycline are also reported. Additionally, adaptation of this method to the detection of oxytetracycline in medicated milk replacer is discussed.     

(1)H and (13)C NMR spectral data for a tricyclic derivative of a Diels-Alder adduct

A complete NMR analysis with full assignment for (1)H and (13)C NMR spectral data for 5-(acetyloxy)-3-hydroxy-9,10-dimethoxy-6-oxo-11-oxatricyclo[6.2.1.0(2,7)]undec-2-yl acetate is described. This compound was prepared by rapid hydrogenation of the unstable Diels-Alder adduct obtained from the reaction between 3,4-dimethoxyfuran and 2,5-diacetoxy-1,4-benzoquinone. Full homonuclear hydrogen coupling constants measurements and molecular mechanics calculations were performed for the determination of the relative stereochemistry.     

Detailed 1H and 13C NMR structural assignment of three biologically active lignan lactones

In this paper we present a complete 1H and 13C NMR spectral analysis of three lignan lactones (methylpluviatolide, dimethylmatairesinol and hinokinin) by the use of techniques such as COSY, HMQC, HMBC and J-resolved. Complete assignment and all homonuclear hydrogen coupling constant measurements were performed, providing enough data also to the confirmation of the relative stereochemistry.     

Broken Ergodicity in Classically Chaotic Spin Systems

A one dimensional classically chaotic spin chain with asymmetric coupling and two different inter-spin interactions, nearest neighbors and all-to-all, has been considered. Depending on the interaction range, dynamical properties such as ergodicity and chaoticity are very different. Indeed, even in the presence of chaoticity, the model displays a lack of ergodicity only in presence of all to all interaction and below an energy threshold, that persists in the thermodynamical limit. The energy threshold can be found analytically and results can be generalized for a generic XY model with asymmetric coupling.     

Laser-induced alteration of contaminated papers

Cleaning of paper objects represents one of the most complex cases of laser ablation, since low volumes of dispersed material phases are evaporated while a sensitive and fragile fibrous organic matrix has to be preserved. Conventional chemical and mechanical cleaning methods suffer from the common phenomenon that the foreign matter is diluted into the substrate rather than removed. The application of a laser beam allows highly localized and optically specific interaction. However, the occurrence of extreme temperatures and light intensities may cause irreversible alteration of the paper matrix. Further, incomplete removal and/or chemical conversion of contaminations may result in insufficient cleaning or affect the ageing behaviour. Laser treatments were performed by Q-switched Nd:YAG lasers at three wavelengths (355 nm, 532 nm, and 1064 nm). Papers contaminated with inks and adhesive-tape remnants served as model samples. Multispectral imaging and colorimetric results served to quantify and systematize the results. PACS 81.05.Lg; 81.65.Cf; 81.70.Fy     

Assignments of 1H and 13C NMR Spectral Data for Benzoylecgonine,a Cocaine Metabolite

The complete assignment of the ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra of benzoylecgonine, a cocaine metabolite, was performed, with the aid of some 2D experiments such as gCOSY and gHSQC.     

On the role of athermal electrons in non-linear photoemission from Ag(100)

The non-linear photoelectron spectra obtained by short laser pulses from a Ag(100) surface show a high-energy electron emission due to an athermal electron distribution created by the laser pulse. By comparing the photoemission at normal and non-normal emission geometry it is possible to evidence the independence of the hot electron photoemission on the parallel momentum and on different final-state configurations. A photoemission correlation measurement evidences that non-photoelectric effects, as tunneling or thermally assisted photoemission, do not contribute to the electron yield. Various theoretical models are discussed on the basis of the present data.     

Synthesis of Substituted γ-Butyrolactones: β-Hydroxymethyl-, β-Methylene and Cyclopropane Derivatives

A β-hydroxymethyl-γ-butyrolactone, which is a useful intermediate for the synthesis of several natural products with biological activity, was synthesized with good yield and a reduced number of steps from simple commercially available starting materials. Model compounds of natural products containing the unsaturated γ-butyrolactone unit, such as butenolides and β-methylene-γ-butyrolactones, were also conveniently synthesized from this hydroxymethyl-lactone.     

Complete assignments of 1H and 13C NMR spectral data for benzylidenebenzyl butyrolactone lignans

The structures of three benzylidenebenzyl butyrolactone lignans (gossypifan, carthamogenin, and savinin) have been established on basis of 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectroscopic data. The 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectra of these lignans have been fully assigned by the use of techniques such as gCOSY, non-edited gHSQC, and gHMBC. Complete assignment and most homonuclear hydrogen coupling constant measurements were performed, also providing enough data for the determination of the relative stereochemistry.