On the lower Markov spectrum

C. Hightower found two infinite sequences of gaps in the Markov spectrum, ( _n , _n ) and ( _n , _n ) with _n and _n both Markov elements, converging to . This paper exhibits Markov elements _n ^* and _n ^* such that, for alln 1, ( _n ^* , _n ) and ( _{n n} ^* ) are gaps in the Markov spectrum. Other results include showing that, for alln 1, _n is completely isolated, while the other endpoints of the gaps are limit points in the Markov spectrum.     

Assay of Kanamycin A by HPLC with Direct UV Detection

The development of a simple reversed phase ion pair liquid chromatographic method for the assay of kanamycin A has been described. Because of the lack of a UV chromophore in the structure of kanamycin A, borate complexation was used to allow direct UV detection at 205 nm. Three columns were evaluated in this study: Zorbax Extend C18 (4.6 mm × 250 mm; 5 μm), XBridge C18 (4.6 mm × 250 mm; 5 μm) and apHera C18 (4.6 mm × 250 mm; 5 μm). The mobile phase was a mixture of 0.1 M disodium tetraborate (pH 9.0) and water (20:80, v/v) supplemented with 0.5 g L^?1 sodium octanesulphonate. Final chromatographic conditions were achieved on the XBridge column at 50 °C. The method was validated according to ICH guidelines and applied to a commercially available sample. It is much faster and more specific than the current microbiological assay prescribed in the European Pharmacopoeia. No expensive equipment is necessary to perform this assay making it a viable replacement.     

Attrition patterns in a high ability programme for precollege students

Completion and performance data from 92 high ability seventh and eighth grade students in an eight‐week summer programme conducted in 1989 and sponsored by the GTE Service Corporation are examined.     

An investigation of preservice teachers’ use of guess and check in solving a semi open-ended mathematics problem

Open-ended problems have been regarded as powerful tools for teaching mathematics. This study examined the problem solving of eight mathematics/science middle-school teachers. A semi-structured interview was conducted with (PTs) after completing an open-ended triangle task with four unique solutions. Of particular emphasis was how the PTs used a specific heuristic strategy. The results showed that the primary strategy PTs employed in attempting to solve the triangle problem task was guess and check; however, from the PTs’ reflections, we found there existed misapplications of guess and check as a systematic problem-solving strategy. In order to prepare prospective teachers to effectively teach, teacher educators should pay more attention to the mathematical proficiency of PTs, particularly their abilities to systematically and efficiently use guess and check while solving problems and explain their solutions and reasoning to middle-school students.     

Controlled Variable Oxidative Doping of Individual Organometallic Nanoparticles

The charging and controlled oxidative doping of single organometallic ferrocene nanoparticles is reported in aqueous sodium tetrafluoroborate using the nano‐impacts method. It is shown that ferrocene nanoparticles of approximately 105 nm diameter are essentially quantitatively oxidatively doped with the uptake of one tetrafluoroborate anion per ferrocene molecule at suitably high overpotentials. By using lower potentials, it is possible to achieve low doping levels of single nanoparticles in a controlled manner.