Some proximity and sensitivity results in quadratic integer programming

We show that for any optimal solution for a given separable quadratic integer programming problem there exist an optimal solution for its continuous relaxation such that wheren is the number of variables and(A) is the largest absolute subdeterminant of the integer constraint matrixA. Also for any feasible solutionz, which is not optimal for the separable quadratic integer programming problem, there exists a feasible solution having greater objective function value and with . We further prove, under some additional assumptions, that the distance between a pair of optimal solutions to an integer quadratic programming problem with right hand side vectorsb andb, respectively, depends linearly on b–b₁. Finally the validity of all the results for nonseparable mixed-integer quadratic programs is established. The proximity results obtained in this paper are extensions of some of the results described in Cook et al. (1986) for linear integer programming.This research was partially supported by Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Grant 5-83998.     

Comparison of the Temperature Effect on the π∗←n and π∗←π Electronic Transition Bands of NO<Subscript>3</Subscript><Superscript>−</Superscript>(aq)

The effect of temperature on the π∗←π transition band in the UV absorption spectrum of NO₃⁻(aq) centered at ≈200 nm was studied in the temperature range 10–70 ^∘C. The observed temperature independence of this band was in contrast to the significant influence of temperature on the nitrate π∗←n transition reported recently by us. However, taking into account the electronic states involved in both the transitions, it was concluded that this finding was in accordance with our previous assumption that interconversion between spectrally distinct (with respect to π∗←n band) nitrate species included the rupture/formation of hydrogen bond(s) in the hydration shell of the nitrate ion.     

Development and prevalidation of a method for phenol determination by solid-phase spectrophotometry

A simple, sensitive and rapid solid-phase spectrophotometric procedure was developed for the determination of traces of phenol with 4-aminoantipyrine as a reagent (AAP-SPS), and the optimal experimental conditions were established. This method was performed by sorption and direct absorbance measurements of the product phenol-AAP sorbed on the anion-exchanger Dowex 1-X4 (0.2 g) at 495 nm (absorption maximum) and 700 nm (non-absorption wavelength). The sensitivity offered by the AAP-SPS procedure was higher by a factor of 40 compared with the respective conventional spectrophotometric method. Metrological characteristics were established using a prevalidation strategy. The AAP-SPS procedure is characterized by a linear calibration function in the working range of 0.05–0.50 μmol, low standard deviation of procedure (±0.012), low limit of determination (0.021 μmol), and favorable random (±0.85 to ±11.27%) and systematic deviations (−4.55 to +11.50%). Moreover, the accuracy of the system investigated by the recovery test is acceptable (99–102%). Favorable working and performance characteristics make the new SPS method ideal for phenol monitoring in pharmaceutical preparations as well as other matrices.     

Effect of ionic liquid on polyaniline chemically synthesised under falling-pH conditions

This study investigates the effect of the ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methyl imidazolium chloride ([bmim]Cl) on the morphological, structural, and electronic properties of polyaniline (PANI) products synthesised by the falling-pH method. Products were characterised by SEM, FT-IR, UVVIS, N₂-physisorption, and conductivity measurements. The [bmim]Cl addition strongly influenced the PANI morphology, specific surface area, porosity, and conductivity. Depending on the [bmim]Cl: ANI ratio and the synthesis pH, a wide range of PANI nanostructures could be prepared, with rod-like, and fibre-like elongated structures being the dominant morphology under most experimental conditions. Samples prepared in the presence of [bmim]Cl exhibit specific areas of ca 22–35 m² g^?1. The conductivity of the final products depends on the [bmim]Cl: ANI ratio. Temperature dependence of conductivity in the temperature range from 77 K to 300 K was also studied.     

Porphyrin‐based,light‐activated antimicrobial materials

New light‐activated antimicrobial materials with a potentially wide range of possible uses in civilian settings were synthesized by the grafting of protoporphyrin IX and zinc protoporphyrin IX to nylon fibers. These fibers were shown to be active against Staphylococcus aureus at light exposures of 10,000 lux and greater and against Escherichia coli at 60,000 lux. They were ineffective against both strains in the absence of light. At 40,000 lux, these fibers showed increased antimicrobial activity against S. aureus with increasing exposure time. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 2297–2303, 2003     

Synthesis of Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) Hollow Spheres in CTAB/DBS — Mixed Surfactant Solutions

Summary: Hollow microspheres of PEDOT (poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) ranging from 0.5 to 10 µm have been synthesized by chemically oxidative polymerization of EDOT(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) using ammonium persulfate in a catanionic surfactant solution obtained by mixing cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (SDBS). The effect of the molar ratio of CTAB to SDBS on the morphology of the PEDOT oxidation products has been investigated using SEM and TEM and by an analysis of the structural properties using UV-visible, FTIR and Raman spectroscopies, elemental analysis and conductivity measurements. The electro-catalytic activity of PEDOT hollow microspheres for the oxidation of ascorbic acid was investigated by cyclic voltammetry in a pH 6 citrate/phosphate buffer solution and compared to the activity of granular PEDOT particles formed in the absence of the catanionic surfactant.     

A survey of isotopic composition (2H, 3H, 18O) of groundwater from Vojvodina

Isotopes of hydrogen (³H, ²H) and oxygen (¹⁸O) are perfect candidates for groundwater tracers. A survey of isotopic composition of 34 groundwater samples and one Lake from Vojvodina region (Serbia) is presented here. Tritium activity concentration and stable isotope composition (δ²H, δ¹⁸O), as well as deuterium excess, were determined. The groundwater samples lie on the groundwater regression line. Minor deviations and a few lower deuterium excess values indicate waters recharged in a different climate regime and subjected to evaporation, respectively. According to the obtained results, most of the analyzed groundwater can be characterized as modern waters, recharged mostly from precipitation.