Correction of nonlinear orthogonal regression estimator

For any nonlinear regression function, it is shown that the orthogonal regression procedure delivers an inconsistent estimator. A new technical approach to the proof of inconsistency based on the implicit-function theorem is presented. For small measurement errors, the leading term of the asymptotic expansion of the estimator is derived. We construct a corrected estimator, which has a smaller asymptotic deviation for small measurement errors.Published in Ukrainskyi Matematychnyi Zhurnal, Vol. 56, No. 8, pp. 1101–1118, August, 2004.     

Atmospheric photodissociation lifetimes for nitromethane,methyl nitrite,and methyl nitrate

Atmospheric photodissociation rate coefficients and photodissociation lifetimes for nitromethane, methyl nitrite, and methyl nitrate were calculated as a function of altitude from their measured visible and near ultraviolet photoabsorption cross sections at 298 K. The lifetime of methyl nitrite is nearly independent of altitude and is approximately 2 min. From 0 to 50 km the lifetime of nitromethane varies from 10 to 0.5 hr, while that of methyl nitrate changes from 5.3 to 0.09 days, respectively.     

The new prompt gamma-activation analysis facility at Budapest

Prompt gamma-activation analysis (PGAA) is an important complementary technique to conventional instrumental activation analysis that can be successfully used in a number of cases when INAA is not applicable. Therefore, a PGAA facility has been constructed at the recently refurbished and upgraded Budapest Research Reactor. It occupies the end position of a new curved themal guide of 30 m length and 2.5×10 cm² cross section which provides a clean beam of low energy neutrons. The sophisticated HPGe-BGO -ray spectrometer system can be operated in Compton-suppression and pair-spectrometer modes simultaneously. The octal splitting of the main BGO improves efficient pair mode operation when coincidences between pairs of opposite segments and the HPGe detector are required separately. Gamma-gamma coincidence measurements will also be possible when the new multiparameter data acquisition system is completed. One of the main tasks at the new facility will be the accumulation of new spectroscopic data for detector calibration and standardisation, as well as for the construction of a more accurate prompt -ray library for the chemical elements. Various applications are planned, such as the determination of hydrogen in fullerenes and of toxic trace elements in environmental samples.     

The effect of storage on the behaviour of Eudragit NE free film

Eudragit NE 30 D aqueous dispersion is a commonly used coating material, which contains methacrylate copolymers as film-forming agent and nonoxynol 100 as an endogenous emulsifier. The dissolution of the active ingredient from Eudragit NE-coated samples during storage is known to undergo a change. The crystallization of the emulsifier agent can play an important role in this. This polymer is not soluble in the gastrointestinal tract, but is permeable. Various parameters can influence the permeability of this film, e.g. via the tensile properties of the film. Change in the film thickness can cause the stretching of the film on a solid surface. Alterations in this physical parameter of the film were measured and the effects of different storage conditions were evaluated. The free film was prepared by spraying onto teflon. The crystallization of nonoxynol was followed via the changes in the DSC curve of the free film. A relationship was found between the film thickness and the crystallization of nonoxynol. It was established that the different storage conditions influence these changes. The temperature and the air humidity are important in this phenomenon. Lengthening of the storage time increased the difference in film thickness and crystallisation of emulsifier. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

On convergence of multiparameter strong submartingales in Banach lattices

- , ., B - — , B- {M _n ,nN ^d } n. .     

Thermal Plasma Decomposition of Tetrachloroethylene

Tetrachloroethylene (C₂Cl₄) has been used widely as a solvent and dry cleaning agent, but was later specified as possible human carcinogen. As a result, its safe treatment became a priority. In this paper, we report on its decomposition in an atmospheric radiofrequency thermal plasma reactor. Main components of the exhaust gases were determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. We found that complete decomposition can be achieved in either oxidative or reductive conditions but not in neutral one. The solid soot product was characterised by transmission electron microscopy and specific surface area measurement. Organic compounds adsorbed on the surface of the soot were extracted by toluene and comprised, based on gas chromatography mass spectrometry, of various perchlorinated aliphatic (for example hexachlorocyclopentadiene) and aromatic compounds (like hexachlorobenzene, octachloronaphthalene or octachloroacenaphthylene). Several nitrogen containing molecules were also identified whose presence are rare during thermal plasma treatments. Further investigation of the extract by mass spectrometry revealed various higher molar mass chlorinated carbon clusters and two types of fullerenes (C₆₀ and C₇₀).     

The Synthesis of N,N‐Bis(dialkoxyphosphinoylmethyl)‐ and N,N‐Bis(diphenylphosphinoylmethyl)glycine Esters by the Microwave‐Assisted Double Kabachnik–Fields Reaction

The condensation of a glycine ester, two equivalents of paraformaldehyde, and the same quantity of a dialkyl phosphite or diphenylphosphine oxide afforded the title compounds as new bis(phospha‐Mannich) products under microwave (MW) conditions at 100°C. The dialkoxyphosphinoylmethyl derivatives were synthesized under solvent‐free conditions, whereas the diphenylphosphinoylmethyl derivatives were synthesized in acetonitrile solution. Comparative thermal experiments showed the beneficial role of MW in respect of efficiency.     

A single-parameter trial wave function for the mixed valence ground state

The mixed valence trial ground state suggested by Stevens and Brandow is reconsidered in the case of two electrons per atom. The wellknown difficulties due to nonorthogonality are resolved by expanding the trial state in an orthonormal basis. The expansion coefficients are determinants composed of Bloch phase factors, as in the Gutzwiller method. Studying first the limiting case of the Kaplan-Mahanti strongly localized ground state in the Brandow formalism, we derive rules for a simplified handling of the determinants; this opens the way to the more complicated weakly localized ground state. This is handled by expressing theN variational parameters of the Brandow formalism through a single one, the hybridization temperature . The ground state energy is a well-behaved function of the hybridization matrix elementV. The valence and the shift of the Fermi level are calculated to lowest order inV. The band occupation numbers follow a Fermi distribution at temperature V. We argue that the ground state is insulating, with thed-electrons localized into large Wannier-type orbitals centered on the respectivef-holes, as envisaged by Stevens.