A posteriori error analysis for nonconforming approximations of an anisotropic elliptic problem

We develop in this article an a posteriori error estimator for the P₁‐nonconforming finite element approximation, for a diffusion‐reaction equation. We adopt the error in a constitutive law approach in two and three dimensional space, for not necessary piecewise constant data of problems. The efficiency and the reliability of our estimators are proved, neither Helmholtz decomposition of the error nor saturation assumption. The constants are explicitly given, which prove the robustness of these estimators. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 31: 950–976, 2015     

Synergistic Effect of Lithium Perchlorate and Sodium Hydroxide in the Preparation of Electrochemically Treated Pencil Graphite Electrodes for Selective and Sensitive Bisphenol A Detection in Water Samples

In this study, pencil graphite electrodes were activated electrochemically in the presence of different supporting electrolytes and used for the selective and sensitive determination of bisphenol A (BPA) in water samples. Synergistic effects of both LiClO₄ and NaOH supporting electrolytes on the performance of the electrochemically treated pencil graphite electrode (ETPGE) were demonstrated in the oxidation of BPA. The electrochemical behavior of BPA on the ETPGE showed two irreversible oxidation peaks at 0.744 V and 0.877 V (vs. SCE). The detection limit was determined to be 3.1 nM. This single‐use electrode is a very promising candidate to overcome the passivation problems arising from the oxidation of BPA. The analytical application of the ETPGE was performed in tap and river water samples.     

Electrochemical Determination of Dextromethorphan on Reduced Graphene Oxide Modified Screen‐Printed Electrode after Electromembrane Extraction

In this paper, electromembrane extraction coupled with differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) on a reduced graphene oxide modified screen‐printed carbon electrode (RGO‐SPCE) for the determination of dextromethorphan (DXM) in urine and plasma has been described. DXM migrated from 4 mL of a donor phase across a thin layer of 2‐nitrophenyl octyl ether (NPOE) immobilized in the pores of a porous hollow fiber, into a 20 µL acceptor phase (HCl) present inside the lumen of the fiber. Then, 15 µL of a 0.1 M NaOH solution was added to the acceptor phase and the mixture was analyzed using DPV.     

Gradual Growth of Gold Nanoseeds on Silica for Silica@Gold Core–Shell Nano Applications by Two Different Methods: A Comparison on Structural Properties

This paper describes the homogeneous growth of gold shells on the surfaces of spherical dielectric silica nanoparticle cores by two different approaches: common two-step method (the name) and deposition–precipitation process. The methods basically are different in forming the precursor gold seed particles on silica. The structural and optical properties and morphology of the nanoparticles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV–Vis spectrophotometery, and photo luminescence spectroscopy (PL). The results showed that, although in both the methods the core–shell nanoparticles can be reliably prepared in a controlled fashion with a favorable uniformity, but deposition–precipitation method indicated a better mechanical stability while it was more cost and time effective too. A regular red shift, from 488 to 662 nm, and peak broadening was also risen for the striking plasmon absorption peak as gold nanoseeds created by each of the two methods grew in size on silica cores.     

Electrochemical reduction of ciprofloxacin at the mercury electrode and its voltammetric determination in tablet and urine

In this study a reduction square wave voltammetric method was developed and validated for the direct determination of ciprofloxacin (CIP) in pharmaceutical formulation and biological fluid using hanging mercury dropping electrode (HMDE) surface. Best results were obtained for the quantitative determination of CIP in 0.02 M Britton-Robinson buffer at pH 2.5 and at a potential of ?1300 mV vs. Ag/AgCl reference electrode. Various experimental and instrumental parameters affecting the peak current and potential of CIP electrochemical reduction were investigated and optimized. The monitored peak current was directly proportional to the concentration of CIP, where it exhibited a linear response in the range 3.0 × 10^?7–2 × 10^?6 M (r = 0.99). The accuracy of the proposed method was concluded based on the value of mean recovery of 98 ± 0.72 % with RSD of 0.181 % at a detection limit of 7 × 10^?9 M. Possible interferences by various substances usually present in pharmaceutical formulations have been also evaluated. After validating the proposed method, the applicability of this voltammetric method was demonstrated by estimating CIP in its pharmaceutical formulation and spiked human urine, where values of mean recoveries of 97 ± 1.0% and 108.0 ± 2.0% were obtained, respectively.     

Influence of Natural and Accelerated Weathering on the Mechanical Properties of Low-Density Polyethylene Films

Natural and accelerated weathering tests were performed to inspect the effect of antioxidants on low-density polyethylene (LDPE) films used as greenhouse covering materials. The LDPE pellets were extruded and blown into a film using a twin-screw extruder and film blowing machine, respectively. The film with 0.2 wt.% Alkanox-240 (AN-0.2) stabilizer showed the highest tensile strength (11 MPa) among all samples during 90 days of natural as well as accelerated weathering. The elastic modulus of the film with 0.5 wt.% of Good-rite (GR-0.5) increased after weathering from approximately 91.8 to 138.9 MPa, and showed the best performance. Morphological images of the neat LDPE film during weathering showed some cracks and grooves, while those of stabilized films showed fewer cracks. Moreover, the estimation of the rapidity of the accelerated method compared to the natural one was approximately nine times faster in Riyadh during the summer season (June–August). The present study suggests that the addition of antioxidants can improve the tensile strength, stability, and, hence, the effectiveness of these films. The best antioxidants were found to be 0.2 wt.% Alkanox and 0.5 wt.% Good-rite antioxidants.     

A highly sensitive spectrophotometric determination of ultra trace amounts of azide ion in water and biological samples after preconcentration using dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction technique

A simple and highly sensitive method developed for preconcentration and spectrophotometric determination of ultra trace amounts of azide ion (N ₃ ^? ) in water and biological samples using dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) technique. The method is based on ion association formation of azide ion with malachite green and extraction of the ion pairing product using DLLME technique. Some important parameters, such as reaction conditions and the kind and volume of extraction solvent and disperser solvent were studied and optimized. The calibration curve was linear in the range of 0.5–50 μg/L of azide ion. Also, the enrichment factor and extraction recovery obtained were 24.7 and 98.7%, respectively. The method was applied to the determination of azide ion in water and biological samples.