Chemometric approaches in environmental problems concerning PCDD and PCDF. Data interpretation and source correlation. Mechanisms of formation and destruction in MSW combustion process

Summary The role of multivariate analysis methods in evaluating, rationalizing, and working out complex environmental problems is discussed. The discussion is organized in two sections; a literature analysis of the application of chemometric methods to PCDD/PCDF data interpretation and source correlation and a review of the role of chemometric methods in analysing the results obtained by the Authors studying PCDD/PCDF formation and destruction mechanisms in MSW combustion processes.     

A shape model for the twisting power of chiral solutes in nematics

The twisting power of chiral probes in nematics is interpreted in terms of a shape model, in which the surface elements of the solute molecules tend to align with the local director. The theoretical treatment is based on a previous approach, suitable for relating order parameters in nematics to molecular shape, and leads to the definition of a molecular pseudo-tensor whose orientational average determines the pitch and handedness of the helical macrostructures. Results of numerical calculations performed for distorted biphenyl and binaphthyl molecules are in agreement with the experimental results.     

New pi-extended water-soluble squaraines as singlet oxygen generators

[graph: see text] Condensation of squaric acid with a number of differently substituted 2-pyrrolyl derivatives afforded three new classes of squaraines. Their sharp and intense absorption bands in the biological window (700-900 nm), inherent singlet oxygen generation capabilities, together with proper functionalization allowing good water solubility make them suitable candidates as new non-porphyrinic singlet oxygen photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy (PDT).     

Fast atom bombardment mass spectrometric analysis of the partial ozonolysis products of poly(isoprene) and poly(chloroprene)

The low molecular weight compounds formed by partial ozonolysis of poly(isoprene) and poly(chloroprene) were analyzed by fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry (FABMS). In the poly(chloroprene) case, the ozonized mixtures were treated with piperidine before the MS analysis to transform in amide end groups the reactive acyl chlorides formed by the cleavage of double bonds along the main chain. Only one family of compounds having carboxyl and ketone or carboxyl and amide end groups were obtained from the ozonolysis of poly(isoprene) and poly(chloroprene), respectively. The assigned structures were confirmed by FAB-MS analysis of the GPC separation fractions [poly(chloroprene)] or by FAB-MS of the KOH-doped ozonolysis mixtures [poly(isoprene)]. It has been also ascertained, by GPC experiments, that poly(chloroprene) decomposes more rapidly than poly(isoprene) and poly(butadiene).     

Biochemical markers of bone metabolism in the assessment of osteoporosis.

Several biochemical markers are available for the study of bone metabolism. The characteristics of these markers are reviewed and their potential application in osteoporosis is examined. It is concluded that biochemical markers are potentially useful in identifying those at risk of developing osteoporosis, selecting appropriate treatment, monitoring therapy, and studying the pathogenesis of osteoporosis.     

Structural and Transport Properties of Mg1−xMnxMn2O4±δ Spinels

The synthesis and structural properties of Mg_1−xMn_2+xO₄, for 0≤x≤1 are described. Complete miscibility in the solid state exists for this system. For the material with the correct stoichiometry, i.e. MgMn₂O₄, the effect of temperature on the cation distribution was investigated= above 600°C the inversion degree (m) starts increasing. The electrical conductivity shows a small dependence on P(O₂) which is consistent with the small oxygen non-stoichiometry determined by means of thermogravimetry. The main contribution to the transport properties arises from the inversion equilibrium. Two distinct conductivity regimes, below and above the inversion threshold, can be assumed to explain the electrical conductivity and thermoelectric power results.     

12H-naphtho[1′,2′:5,6]pyrano[2,3-d]pyrimidine derivatives

Reaction of 1-oxo-2-formyl-3-dimethylamino-1H-naphtho[2,1-b]pyran with amidines, guanidine, O-methylisourea, S-methylisothiourea afforded 9-substituted 12-oxo-12H-naphtho[1′,2′:5,6]pyrano[2,3-d]pyrimidines. When the reaction with O-methylisourea was carried out in anhydrous pyridine, 10,20-dioxo-10H,20H-dinaphtho[1,2-e:1′,2′-e′][1,5]diazocino[2,3-b:6,7-b′]dipyran was formed.     

Accurate redetermination of the X-ray structure and electronic bonding in adenosylcobalamin

The electronic structure of adenosylcobalamin (B12 coenzyme, AdoCbl) has been calculated by a density functional method, using the orthogonalized linear combination of the atomic orbital method (OLCAO). Since a fixed accurately determined geometry was needed in such calculations, the crystal structure of adenosylcobalamin has been redone and refined to R = 0.065, using synchrotron diffraction data. Comparison with the recently reported electronic structures of cyano- (CNCbl) and methylcobalamin (MeCbl) shows that the net charges and bond orders vary only on the axial donors. The values in the three cobalamins suggest that the Co-C bond in MeCbl has a strength similar to that in AdoCbl, but it is significantly weaker that that in CNCbl. Present results are compared with those previously reported for the analogous corrin derivatives; i.e., simplified cobalamins with the side chains a-f replaced by H atoms. Despite a qualitative agreement, a discrepancy in the calculated HOMO-LUMO gap is found.     

Nonlinear forecasting and iterated function systems

The theory of dynamical forecasting can be extended to iterated function systems. An unordered set of iterates may be sufficient to construct a simulation of the unknown dynamics. The underlying dynamical system may be nondeterministic: A random element may be allowed in the dynamics, and retrieved by our proposed procedures. A first application of these extensions pertains to the reconstruction of fractal attractors, and allows us to solve the so-called inverse problem in Iterated Functions Systems.