Theory versus Practice in the Twentieth-Century Search for the Ideal Anaesthetic Gas.

At the beginning of the twentieth century, an anaesthetist could choose between nitrous oxide, chloroform, and ether (diethyl ether) for the induction of painrelieving unconsciousness. By the end of century, the choice was between a small number of fluorinated aliphatic ethers such as Enflurane, Desflurane, and Sevoflurane, and (in some jurisdictions) the rare gas, xenon. Between these endpoints researchers had identified a surprisingly broad range of hydrocarbons, noble gases, organohalogens, and aliphatic ethers that possessed anaesthetic properties.

Direct detection of brominated flame retardants from plastic e-waste using liquid extraction surface analysis mass spectrometry.

Rationale: The worldwide generation of plastic electronic waste (e-waste) is reaching epic proportions. The presence of toxic brominated flame retardants (BFRs) within these materials limits their ability to be recycled, resulting in large amounts of e-waste reaching landfills.

Methods: Liquid extraction surface analysis mass spectrometry (LESA-MS) employing a chip-based nanoelectrospray coupled to a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer represents a novel control technology for directing e-waste streams for recycling.

Ozonised oils as disinfectants.

In the ozone fervour of the mid-nineteenth century, the ability of ether, turpentine, and other unsaturated oils to take up oxygen was construed in terms of ozone, and the products were styled "ozonised ether" and "ozonised oils." Their undoubted oxidising power led to their use as disinfectants, notably by Dr. John Day in Australia, and Charles Kingzett in England and later America.

Seed dispersal by ants: behaviour-releasing compounds in elaiosomes.

In a study of the biochemical basis of seed dispersal by ants, elaiosomes of Acacia myrtifolia and Tetratheca stenocarpa induced seed collection: intact diaspores and elaiosomes were taken rapidly by ants while most seeds remained on the forest floor. Extracts of elaiosomes (non-polar lipids, polar lipids, and aqueous fractions) were differentially collected by ants. Small pieces of pith impregnated with the polar lipid fraction from elaiosomes of either species elicited a removal rate by ants equivalent to that of intact elaiosomes and significantly higher than that of untreated pith.