Sandwich Techniques in flow injection analysis : Part 1. Continuous recalibration techniques for process control

Flow injection methodology based on sample insertion between two different standard solutions used as carrier streams is described. This approach provides a simple system for continuous recalibration in process control; spectrophotometric and ion-selective electrode procedures are outlined.     

Observation of hydrogen induced intermediate borides in PrFeB based alloys by Mössbauer effect spectroscopy

In the present work, a quantitative analysis of the phase compositions by Mössbauer effect spectroscopy of solid and conventional hydrogen disproportionated Pr_13.7Fe_80.3B_6.0 and Pr_13.7Fe_63.5Co_16.7Zr_0.1B_6.0 alloys was carried out. Significant amounts of intermediate borides t-Fe₃B and Pr(Fe, Co)₁₂B₆ were detected after solid hydrogen disproportionation treatment in Pr_13.7Fe_80.3B_6.0 and Pr_13.7Fe_63.5Co_16.7Zr_0.1B_6.0 alloys, respectively. After conventional hydrogenation–disproportionation–desorption–recombination treatment these phases were not detected and in no case residual Pr₂Fe₁₄B-phase was found. It was observed that the amount of intermediate borides after disproportionation can be correlated with the degree of texture after recombination at various temperatures.     

On a recursive method for the estimation of unknown parameters of partially observed chaotic systems

We investigate a recently proposed method for on-line parameter estimation and synchronization in chaotic systems. This novel technique has been shown effective to estimate a single unknown parameter of a primary chaotic system with known functional form that is only partially observed through a scalar time series. It works by periodically updating the parameter of interest in a secondary system, with the same functional form as the primary one but no explicit coupling between their dynamic variables, in order to minimize a suitably defined cost function. In this paper, we review the basics of the method, and investigate its robustness and new extensions. In particular, we study the performance of the novel technique in the presence of noise (either observational, i.e., an additive contamination of the observed time series, or dynamical, i.e., a random perturbation of the system dynamics) and when there is a mismatch between the primary and secondary systems. Numerical results, including comparisons with other techniques, are presented. Finally, we investigate the extension of the original method to perform the estimation of two unknown parameters and illustrate its effectiveness by means of computer simulations.     

Teaching analytical properties

A new way of expounding analytical properties based on their mutual dependence (complementary and contradictory relationships) and their unequivocal connection with analytical quality facets is presented. To this end, the paper provides answers to the obvious questions that arise in dealing with the subject: why?, how?, when? and where to teach analytical properties in the Analytical Chemistry curriculum?     

Book reviews

Ohne Zusammenfassung

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Book reviews

     

Application of thermal analysis to study the causes of disintegration in insulating systems

In the procduction of high-voltage insulating systems, disintegration and non-homogeneity occur in some cases and these factors can lead to the deterioration and even the breakdown such systems. In research into the causes of these phenomena DTA and TG were applied to study the course of hardening of the systems and to quantify the leaking substances. The results demonstrate the great value of thermal analysis in this field.     

Influence of solute mobility on dislocation motion I. Basic model

Dislocation motion in the real lattice of alloys is highly complex. In a certain temperature range the dynamic strain ageing phenomena have been reported. In this paper the influence of mobile solute atoms (as obstacles) on the motion of dislocation is analysed. Both processes are assumed to be thermally activated. A new model based on this assumption is proposed. The dislocation velocity and the friction stress (due to solute-dislocation interactions) are calculated. A change in the friction stress caused by solute mobility is discussed.     

Effect of pH and gaseous ammonia flow rate on the composition and structure of ammonium uranate

Ammonium uranate was precipitated from uranyl nitrate solution using gaseous ammonia, then filtered, washed with demineralized water and dried. The influence of pH and ammonia flow rate on their composition and structure were examined by X-ray diffraction analysis, making use of additional information obtained from infrared analysis.     

A Characterization of Cosmological Time Functions

A characterization of time functions on a spacetime is made by using theMöbius equation. It is shown that a time function characterized in this wayyields past timelike geodesic incompleteness and local Lorentzian warpedproduct decomposition of spacetime, provided that the stress-energy tensoris a fluid. Also, by imposing additional assumptions on the stress-energytensor and global analytic structure of the spacetime, more restrictivedecompositions closer to Robertson–Walker spacetimes are obtained.