On fuzzy multi-valued functions Part 1: Introduction and general properties

In this paper a concept of fuzzy multi-valued function is introduced and other related objects are defined. Next their properties, that assume no topological structure, are presented.     

Radiation effects on Marangoni convection boundary layer over a permeable surface

The problem of Marangoni convection boundary layer flow that can be formed along the interface of two immiscible fluids when the wall is permeable, where there is suction or injection effect, is considered. Similarity equations are obtained through the application of similarity transformation techniques. The effects of suction/injection and radiation parameters on the heat transfer characteristics are numerically studied using the shooting method for a fixed value of the Prandtl number (Pr=0.7). Numerical results are obtained for the surface temperature gradient or the heat transfer rate as well as the temperature profiles for some values of the governing parameters. Comparisons with known results from the open literature show very good agreements. The results indicate that the heat transfer rate at the surface decreases as the radiation parameter increases. Further, results show that multiple (dual) solutions exist for a certain range of the governing parameters.     

Intercalates of Vanadyl Phosphate with Dinitriles

Intercalates of vanadyl phosphate with aliphatic dinitriles (malononitrile, succinonitrile, glutaronitrile, adiponitrile, pimelonitrile and suberonitrile) were prepared and characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, IR and Raman spectroscopies. The basal spacings of all the intercalates prepared are practically identical. The dinitrile content in the intercalates decreases with increasing chain length. The dinitrile molecules are anchored to the host layers by an N–V donor–acceptor bond and their aliphatic chains are parallel to the host layers. The dinitrile intercalates are generally more stable in air (at relative humidity 40–50%) than nitrile intercalates and the guest molecules are slowly replaced by the water molecules.     

Thermal decomposition of crystalline Ni(II)-Cr(III) layered double hydroxide: a structural study of the segregation process

A structural study of the thermal evolution of Ni(0.69)Cr(0.31)(OH)(2)(CO(3))(0.155) x nH(2)O into NiO and tetragonal NiCr(2)O(4) is reported. The characteristic structural parameters of the two coexisting crystalline phases, as well as their relative abundance, were determined by Rietveld refinement of powder x-ray diffraction (PXRD) patterns. The results of the simulations allowed us to elucidate the mechanism of the demixing process of the oxides. It is demonstrated that nucleation of a metastable nickel chromite within the common oxygen framework of the parent Cr(III)-doped bunsenite is the initial step of the cationic redistribution. The role that trivalent cations play in the segregation of crystalline spinels is also discussed.     

Determination of trace amounts of gold in acid-attacked environmental samples by atomic absorption spectrometry with electrothermal atomization after preconcentration

A method for determination of trace amounts of gold in environmental samples (rocks, soils, sediments, and waters) by atomic absorption spectrometry with electrothermal atomization (ETAAS) after preconcentration using a chelating sorbent Spheron Thiol 1000 is described. The method accurately determines gold between 0.001 and several tens of grams per ton in samples having complex variations in mineralogy. Pulverized samples are roasted at 650°C to oxidize any sulfide and/or carbonaceous material. Samples are then subjected to a series of acid treatments to eliminate any silica matrix and to dissolve the sample. The Spheron Thiol 1000 is added to the sample solution, and then with sorbed gold is filtered out, washed, and ignited at 550°C. The residue is dissolved in aqua regia, evaporated, dissolved in distilled water, transferred to a volumetric flask, and analyzed by ETAAS.The limits of detection of gold, based on the 3 definition, were 0.5 ng g^–1 for 10-g samples (rocks, sediments, soils) and 0.05 ng mL^–1 for 1-L water samples. Precision of determination expressed by the relative standard deviation varied from 2.9% to 16.4%. The accuracy of the method is verified by analysis of certified reference materials. The obtained analytical results are in good agreement with attested values. The developed method was applied for gold determination in environmental samples affected by the acidification (acid mine drainage which is mainly a product of pyrite oxidation) from an open quartzite mine in the obov region situated NE of the city of Banská tiavnica (Slovakia).     

Maleic anhydride and acetylene plasma copolymer surfaces for SPR immunosensing

We report on the successful application of carboxyl-rich plasma polymerized (PP) films as a matrix layer for bioreceptor immobilization in surface plasmon resonance (SPR) immunosensing. Composition and chemical properties of the carboxyl-rich PP films deposited from a mixture of maleic anhydride and acetylene were investigated. Changes in the films stored in air, water, and buffer were studied and the involved chemical changes were described. Performance in SPR immunosensing was evaluated on interactions of human serum albumin (HSA) with a specific monoclonal antibody. The comparison with the mixed self-assembled monolayer of mercaptoundecanoic acid and mercaptohexanol (MUA/MCH) and one of the most widely used surfaces for SPR, the 2D and 3D carboxymethylated dextran (CMD), was presented to show the efficacy of plasma polymerized matrix layers for biosensing. The PP film-based SPR immunosensor provided a similar detection limit of HSA (100 ng/mL) as MUA/MCH- (100 ng/mL) and 3D CMD (50 ng/mL)-based sensors. However, the response levels were about twice higher in case of the PP film-based immunosensor than in case of MUA/MCH-based alternative. The PP film surfaces had similar binding capacity towards antibody as the 3D CMD layers. The response of PP film-based sensor towards HSA was comparable to 3D CMD-based sensor up to 2.5 μg/mL. For the higher concentrations (> 10 μg/mL), the response of PP film-based immunosensor was lower due to inaccessibility of active sites of the immobilized antibody inside the flat PP film surface. We have demonstrated that due to its high stability and cost-effective straightforward preparation, the carboxyl-rich PP films represent an efficient alternative to self-assembled monolayers (SAM) and dextran-based layers in label-free immunosensing.

Graphical abstract

     

Amperometric determination of formaldehyde via the hexacyanoferrate(III) -coupled dehydrogenase reaction

An enzymatic method with amperometric detection was developed for the determination of formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is first oxidized by reaction with NAD⁺ in the presence of formaldehyde dehydrogenase. The resulting NADH is then oxidized by hexacyanoferrate(III) in the presence of diaphorase to produce hexacyanoferrate(II). The anodic current generated by oxidation of the hexacyanoferrate(II) at the surface of a glassy carbon working electrode, held at a potential of 0.40 V vs. an Ag/AgCl reference electrode, is measured. The effects of solution conditions are examined and a linear relationship between rate of current change and formaldehyde concentration is obtained from 0.01 to 0.5 μg ml^?1 with a correlation coefficient of 0.9998. The relative standard deviation for the proposed method is 6.4% at 0.01 μg ml^?1 formaldehyde and 0.88% at 0.5 μg ml^?1.     

Determination of Trace Manganese (Ⅱ) by Its Catalytic De-colourizing Reaction On the Aerial Oxidation of 1.5-his (2-hydroxy-5-chlorophenyl)-3-cyanoformazan and Its Kinetic Reaction Mechanism

l"trodnotionManganese(II)haswell-knowncatalyticactivityinoxidationreactionoforganiccompounds.Manyprocedureshavebeendescribedtodeterminethisionbyusingitscatalyticaction.l-8Allproceduresdescribedrequireanoxidizingagent(excepttwo17,8])andanactivator,andallrequireheating.Thussimplemethodsareneededforthedeterminationoftraceamountsofmanganese(II)basedonitscatalyticeffect.l.5-his(2-hydroxy-5-chlorophenyl)-3-cya(HCPCF)isareagentfordeterminationofmetalions'>basedonequilibriummethod.Theauthorsfoundt…     

Energy deposition by fission fragments in nuclear-pumped lasers: I. A general method of calculation

A general method of calculating the energy deposition by fission fragments in nuclear-pumped lasers is presented. A specific case of a cylindrical cell is considered.