Random threshold growth dynamics

A site in Z becomes occupied with a certain probability as soon as it sees at least a threshold number of already occupied sites in its neighborhood. Such randomly growing sets have the following regularity property: a large fully occupied set exists within a fixed distance (which does not increase with time) of every occupied point. This property suffices to prove convergence to an asymptotic shape. ©1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 15: 93–111, 1999     

Optimising calibration and measurement capabilities in terms of economics in conformity assessment

Calibration measurement capabilities (CMC) are key factors in declaring the metrological performance of national metrology institutes (NMIs). Different countries have different CMC capabilities, reflecting both the existing measurement science competence as well as the perceived national needs for traceable calibration. This paper deals with increasing interest in decision-making in conformity assessment in terms of effective costs associated with measurement, testing and incorrect decision-making. The work examines the CMCs of calibration laboratories and NMIs with economic decision theory, in particular, in terms of customer satisfaction and with respect to conformity assessment issues. Optimal strategies for calibration costs, maintenance of national measurement standards, testing and production costs are illustrated in practical examples. CMCs are an essential instrument to enable conformity assessment both for product safety, legal metrology, quality requirements as well as scientific research. The newly defined term “target measurement uncertainty”, introduced in the latest international metrology vocabulary (VIM), should be therefore always related to appropriate CMCs and related dissemination paths in the whole conformity assessment procedure. These requirements are clear and transparent justification for the development of required national metrological infrastructures, in order to fulfil the requirements of target measurement uncertainty for intended use or application in the particular conformity assessment procedure.     

N NQR in the tetrazole family

¹⁴N NQR frequencies and spin–lattice relaxation times were measured in technologically important 5-aminotetrazole and 5-aminotetrazole monohydrate at different temperatures between 77 K and 300 K. Five NQR triplets ν₊, ν₋ and ν₀ were found for the five inequivalent nitrogen atoms in each compound between 0.7 MHz and 4 MHz. Carr-Purcell based multipulse sequences were used to accumulate quadrupole echo signals before the FFT analysis. Assignment of the frequencies to atomic positions was made and the results are analysed in relation to the molecular chemical bonds and possible H-bonds in the crystal structures. The new NQR frequencies are reasonably related to the previously published NQR spectrum of the third family member, 1H-tetrazole.     

The mass normalization of the displacement and strain mode shapes in a strain experimental modal analysis using the mass-change strategy

The classic experimental modal analysis (EMA) is a well-known procedure for determining the modal parameters. The less frequently used strain EMA is based on a response measurement using strain sensors. The results of a strain EMA are the modal parameters, where in addition to the displacement mode shapes the strain mode shapes are also identified. The strain EMA can be used for an experimental investigation of a stress–strain distribution without the need to build a dynamical model. It can also be used to determine the modal parameters when, during modal testing, a motion sensor cannot be used and so a strain sensor is used instead. The displacement and strain mode shapes that are determined with the strain EMA are not mass normalized (scaled with respect to the orthogonality properties of the mass-normalized modal matrix), and therefore some dynamical properties of the system cannot be obtained. The mass normalization can be made with the classic EMA, which requires the use of a motion sensor. In this research a new approach to the mass normalization in the strain EMA, without using a motion sensor, is presented. It is based on the recently introduced mass-change structural modification method, which is used for the mass normalization in an operational modal analysis. This method was modified in such a way that it can be used for the mass normalization in the strain EMA. The mass-normalized displacement and strain mode shapes were obtained using a combination of the proposed approach and the strain EMA. The proposed approach was validated on real structures (beam and plate).     

Extraction,complex formation and spectrophotometric determination of iron(III) with 2-carbethoxy-5-hydroxy-1-(4-tolyl)-4-pyridone

Summary The extraction of iron(III) from aqueous HCl, H₂SO₄, HClO₄, HNO₃ solutions by 2-carbethoxy-5-hydroxy-1-(4-tolyl)-4-pyridone (HA) dissolved in CHCl₃ has been studied. Quantitative extraction of iron(III) is achieved if the concentration of the acids does not exceed 1N. The composition of the iron (III)—HA complex formed in the organic phase was investigated spectrophotometrically, radiometrically and by analysis of the isolated species. In the aqueous phase iron (III) and HA form three different complexes, depending on the initial iron: HA concentration ratio and the pH of the solution. They are the violet FeA²⁺, the orange-red FeA₂ ⁺ and the orange-yellow FeA₃. The latter is identical with the complex found in the organic phase, which was isolated as a solid crystalline material and characterized by elemental analysis and infrared spectroscopy. A spectrophotometric method for the determination of iron(III) in the aqueous phase and in the chloroform solution, by extraction with HA, is described.

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Zusammenfassung Die Extraktion von Fe(III) aus wäßrigen Lösungen von HCl, H₂SO₄, HClO₄ oder HNO₃ mit 2-Carbäthoxy-5-hydroxy-1-(4-tolyl)-4-pyridon (HA) in chloroformischer Lösung wurde untersucht. Sie verläuft quantitativ, wenn die Konzentration der Säure nicht größer ist als 1-n. Die Zusammensetzung des Fe(III)-HA-Komplexes in der organischen Phase wurde spektrophotometrisch, radiometrisch und durch Analyse der isolierten Substanz untersucht. In wäßrigem Milieu bilden Eisen(III) und HA drei verschiedene Komplexe je nach dem anfänglichen Konzentrationsverhältnis Fe(III): HA und je nach dem pH der Lösung. FeA²⁺ ist violett, FeA₂ ⁺ ist orange-rot und FeA₃ orangegelb. Diese Verbindung ist mit dem in der organischen Phase gefundenen Komplex identisch, der in kristallisierter Form isoliert und durch Elementaranalyse und IR-Spektrometrie charakterisiert wurde. Eine spektrophotometrische Methode zur Eisen(III)-Bestimmung in wäßriger Phase und in chloroformischer Lösung durch Extraktion mit HA wurde beschrieben.

     

Solvent extraction and separation of zirconium,niobium and tantalum by 2-carbethoxy-5-hydroxy-1-(4-tolyl)-4-pyridone

Summary Extraction of zirconium, niobium and tantalum from oxalic and hydrofluoric acid solutions, by 2-carbethoxy-5-hydroxy-1-(4-tolyl)-4-pyridone (HA) dissolved in chloroform was studied. Extraction mechanism for the extraction of zirconium from oxalate solutions and of niobium from fluoride solutions is proposed. Separation of zirconium and niobium from oxalate solution as well as from fluoride solution and tantalum and niobium from fluoride solution is described. Back-extraction of these metals is possible by hydrofluoric and oxalic acid. Results obtained show that the efficiency of extraction by HA decreases in the sequence tantalum > niobium > zirconium.

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Zusammenfassung Die Extraktion von Zirkonium, Niob und Tantal aus oxalsauren und fluorwasserstoffsauren Lösungen mit Hilfe einer chloroformischen Lösung von 2-Carbäthoxy-5-hydroxy-(4-tolyl)-4-pyridon wurde untersucht. Ein Extraktionsmechanismus für Zirkonium aus Oxalatlösungen und für Niob aus Fluoridlösungen wurde vorgeschlagen. Die Trennung von Zirkonium und Niob aus einer Oxalatlösung oder aus einer Fluoridlösung sowie von Tantal und Niob aus einer Fluoridlösung wurde beschrieben. Die Rückextraktion dieser Metalle mit Flußsäure und Oxalsäure ist möglich. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, daß die Effizienz der Extraktion in der Reihenfolge Tantal > Niob > Zirkonium abfällt.