Invariance results for definable extensions of groups

We show that in an o-minimal expansion of an ordered group finite definable extensions of a definable group which is defined in a reduct are already defined in the reduct. A similar result is proved for finite topological extensions of definable groups defined in o-minimal expansions of the ordered set of real numbers.     

Synthesis and application of imprinted polyvinylimidazole-silica hybrid copolymer for Pb determination by flow-injection thermospray flame furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

A novel ion imprinted polyvinylimidazole-silica hybrid copolymer (IIHC) was synthesized and used as a selective solid sorbent for Pb²⁺ ions preconcentration using an on-line solid phase extraction (SPE) system coupled to TS-FF-AAS. The ionic hybrid sorbent was prepared using 1-vinylimidazole and 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propylmethacrylate as monomers, Pb²⁺ ions as template, tetraethoxysilane as reticulating agent and 2,2′-azobis-isobutyronitrile as initiator. The best on-line SPE conditions concerning sorption behavior, including sample pH (6.46), buffer concentration (9.0 mmol L⁻¹), eluent (HNO₃) concentration (0.5 mol L⁻¹) and preconcentration flow rate (4.0 mL min⁻¹), were optimized by means of full factorial design and Doehlert matrix. The analytical curve ranged from 2.5 to 65.0 μg L⁻¹ (r = 0.999) with limit of detection of 0.75 μg L⁻¹; the precision (repeatability) calculated as relative standard deviation (n = 10) was 5.0 and 3.6% for Pb²⁺ concentration of 10.0 and 60.0 μg L⁻¹, respectively. From on-line breakthrough curve, column capacity was 3.5 mg g⁻¹. Preconcentration factor (PF), consumptive index (CI) and concentration efficiency (CE) were 128.0, 0.16 mL and 25.6 min⁻¹, respectively. The selective performance of the sorbent, based on relative selectivity coefficient, was compared to NIC (non imprinted copolymer) for the binary mixture Pb²⁺/Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺/Cu²⁺ and Pb²⁺/Zn²⁺. The results showed that ion imprinted polyvinylimidazole-silica hybrid polymer had higher selectivity for Pb²⁺ than NIC at 64.9, 16.0 and 8.8 folds. The developed method was successfully applied for highly sensitive and selective Pb²⁺ determination in different kinds of water samples, parenteral solutions and urine. Accuracy was also assessed by analyzing certified reference fish protein (DORM-3) and marine sediment (MESS-3 and PACS-2) with satisfactory results.     

Preparation and characterization of poly(l,l-lactide)-b-poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(l,l-lactide) (PLLA-PEG-PLLA) microspheres having encapsulated tetracycline

Amphiphilic triblock copolymers, based on hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) blocks and hydrophobic poly(l,l-lactide) (PLLA) blocks, were used as the matrix material for the preparation of tetracycline-loaded microspheres. The morphology and thermal properties of the biodegradable microspheres were evaluated. SEM showed the predominance of the spherical shape, however, it was possible to distinguish three patterns: rough or smooth surface or uneven collapsed volume. The FTIR analysis indicated good mechanical stability and structural integrity of the PLLA-PEG-PLLA copolymer??s microspheres enclosing tetracycline. By thermal analysis it was possible to see the marginal influence of tetracycline on the glass transition and melting temperatures of the PLLA-PEG-PLLA triblock copolymer, while the results by TG indicated the presence of tetracycline in the inner structure of the microspheres, which thermal decomposition leading to char formation was triggered by the drug??s presence.     

Crystallization and characterization of an inflammatory lectin purified from the seeds of Dioclea wilsonii

DwL, a lectin extracted from the seeds of Dioclea wilsonii, is a metalloprotein with strong agglutinating activity against rabbit and ABO erythrocytes, inhibited by glucose and mannose. DwL was purified by affinity chromatography on a Sephadex G-50 column and ion exchange chromatography on a HiTrap SP XL column. SDS-PAGE revealed three electrophoretic bands corresponding to the α (25,634 ± 2 Da), β (12,873 ± 2 Da) and γ (12,779 ± 2 Da) chains. Protein sequencing was done by Tandem Mass Spectrometry. The primary sequence featured 237 amino acids and was highly homologous to other reported Diocleinae lectins. A complete X-ray dataset was collected at 2.0 ? for X-Man-complexed DWL crystals produced by the vapor diffusion method. The crystals were orthorhombic and belonged to the space group I222, with the unit-cell parameters a = 59.6, b = 67.9 and c = 109.0 ?. DWL differed in potency from other ConA-like lectins and was found to induce neutrophil migration in rats, making it particularly useful in structural/functional studies of this class of proteins.     

On the existence and stability for noninstantaneous impulsive fractional integrodifferential equation

In this paper, by means of Banach fixed point theorem, we investigate the existence and Ulam–Hyers–Rassias stability of the noninstantaneous impulsive integrodifferential equation by means of ψ‐Hilfer fractional derivative. In this sense, some examples are presented, in order to consolidate the results obtained.     

Effects of mean flow convection,quadrupole sources and vortex shedding on airfoil overall sound pressure level

This paper presents a further analysis of results of airfoil self-noise prediction obtained in the previous work using large eddy simulation and acoustic analogy. The physical mechanisms responsible for airfoil noise generation in the aerodynamic flows analyzed are a combination of turbulent and laminar boundary layers, as well as vortex shedding (VS) originated due to trailing edge bluntness. The primary interest here consists of evaluating the effects of mean flow convection, quadrupole sources and vortex shedding tonal noise on the overall sound pressure level (OASPL) of a NACA0012 airfoil at low and moderate freestream Mach numbers. The overall sound pressure level is the measured quantity which eventually would be the main concern in terms of noise generation for aircraft and wind energy companies, and regulating agencies. The Reynolds number based on the airfoil chord is fixed at _Rec=408,000${\mathit{Re}}_c=408,000$ for all flow configurations studied. The results demonstrate that, for moderate Mach numbers, mean flow effects and quadrupole sources considerably increase OASPL and, therefore, should be taken into account in the acoustic prediction. For a low Mach number flow with vortex shedding, it is observed that OASPL is higher when laminar boundary layer separation is the VS driving mechanism compared to trailing edge bluntness.     

Determination of copper in water samples by atomic absorption spectrometry after cloud point extraction

Cloud point extraction employing the new reagent 6-[2′-(6′-methyl-benzothiazolylazo)]-1,2-dihydroxy-3,5-benzenedisulfonic acid as complexing agent and Triton X-114 as the surfactant is proposed for copper determination. A sample volume of 10 mL was used. Dilution of the surfactant-rich phase with acidified methanol was performed after phase separation, and the copper contents were measured by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Variables affecting the system were optimized using factorial design and Doehlert matrix. Signals were measured as peak height using an instrument software. Using the experimental conditions defined in the optimization, the method allowed copper determination with a detection limit of 1.5 μg L⁻¹. The calculated enrichment factor is 14. The effects of foreign ions are reported. The accuracy of the procedure was tested by analyzing certified reference material. The method was successfully applied to copper determination in natural and drinking water samples.     

Thermodynamics of the xenon + methyl chloride system

The total vapour pressure of the xenon + methyl chloride system has been measured as a function of composition at 175.44 and 182.32 K. The resulting data have been used to evaluate the excess Gibbs functions G^E at the same temperatures. The excess enthalpy and excess molar volume have also been measured at 182.32 K. The system shows large positive deviations from Raoult's law but negative volumes on mixing. These results are compared with theoretical predictions of a recent molecular theory and of standard engineering methods. The calculations show the superiority of the molecular theory over more empirical procedures such as those based on the Redlich-Kwong equation of state or the regular-solution model.     

The upper critical field of superconducting polysulfur nitride, (SN)x

A measurement of the temperature and angular dependence of the upper critical magnetic field H_c² in crystals of polymeric (SN)_x is reported. A large anisotropy is observed at all temperatures with H_c²6 = 8.1 ± 0.4 kOe parallel to, and H_c²⊥ = 870 ± 80 Oe perpendicular to, the polymer axis at 0°K. The results are explained in terms of the polymeric crystal structure and fibrous morphology of (SN)_x.