Sorption behavior of Co(II) on γ-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> in the presence of humic acid

The fate and transport of toxic metal ions and radionuclides in the environment is generally controlled by sorption reactions. The extent of sorption of divalent metal cations is controlled by a number of factors including cosorbing or complexing. In this work, the effects of pH, humic acid HA/Co(II) addition orders, ionic strength, concentration of HA, and foreign cations on the Co(II) sorption on γ-Al₂O₃ in the presence of HA were investigated. The sorption isotherms of Co(II) on γ-Al₂O₃ in the absence and presence HA were also studied and described by using S-type sorption model. The experimental results showed that the Co(II) sorption is strongly dependent on the pH values, concentration of HA, but independent of HA/Co(II) addition orders, ionic strength, and foreign cations in the presence of HA under our experimental conditions. The results also indicated that HA enhanced the Co(II) sorption at low pH, but reduced the Co(II) sorption at high pH. It was hypothesized that the significantly positive influence of HA at low pH on the Co(II) sorption on γ-Al₂O₃ was attributed to strong surface binding of HA on γ-Al₂O₃ and subsequently the formation of ternary surface complexes such as ≡S-OOC-R-(COO⁻) _x Co^2−x . Chemi-complexation may be the main mechanism of the Co(II) sorption on γ-Al₂O₃ in the presence of HA.     

Musical variations from a chaotic mapping

A chaotic mapping provides a technique for generating musical variations of an original work. This technique, based on the sensitivity of chaotic trajectories to initial conditions, produces changes in the pitch sequence of a piece. A sequence of musical pitches {p(i)}, i.e., any piece ranging from Bach (or earlier) to contemporary music, is paired with the x-components {x(i)} of a Lorenz chaotic trajectory. Each p(i) is marked on the x axis at the point designated by its x(i). In this way, the x axis becomes a pitch axis configured according to the notes of the original composition. Then, a second chaotic trajectory, whose initial condition differs from the first, is launched. Its x-components trigger pitches on the pitch axis (via the mapping) that vary in sequence from the original work, thus creating a variation. There are virtually an unlimited number of variations possible, many appealing to expert and nonexpert alike. (c) 1996 American Institute of Physics.     

Surface ablation by excimer laser irradiation of Ti and Ti6Al4V alloy

This paper presents the surface microstructure of Ti and Ti6Al4V alloy irradiated with a high output energy XeCl ( = 308 nm) excimer laser. The treatments are carried out on both materials at two beam fluences and the effects of single- and multiple-pulse irradiation are compared. The results of the scanning electron microscopy and of the X-ray diffraction techniques suggest the possible influence of both time-behaviour and energy fluence of the laser pulse on the relative weight of the ablation rate and of the reaction product deposition rate at the sample surface.     

A smooth method for the finite minimax problem

We consider unconstrained minimax problems where the objective function is the maximum of a finite number of smooth functions. We prove that, under usual assumptions, it is possible to construct a continuously differentiable function, whose minimizers yield the minimizers of the max function and the corresponding minimum values. On this basis, we can define implementable algorithms for the solution of the minimax problem, which are globally convergent at a superlinear convergence rate. Preliminary numerical results are reported.This research was partially supported by the National Research Program on Metodi di ottimizzazione per le decisioni, Ministero dell'Università e della Ricerca Scientifica e Tecnologica, Italy.