Determination of acid volatile sulphur in river sediments by ICP-OES coupled with purge and trap method

The developed and tested method is based on the acid volatile sulphur (AVS) releasing from a sample of sediment by acidification with hydrochloric acid and sequential absorption of released hydrogen sulphide into the absorption solution of sodium hydroxide. Total sulphur absorbed in the absorption solution is subsequently determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) technique. The method was tested using both model and real samples of the river sediment. Obtained results were compared with the results of iodometric determination as the method routinely used for the AVS determination. In case of using ICP-OES with purge and trap, there is no spectral interference of calcium; therefore for the determination of sulphur, it is possible to use atomic emission line of sulphur S I 180.7 nm. The tested method provides the results comparable with the iodometric method within the range of tested concentrations. The detection limit (LOD) of this method is 0.09 mg· S^2? ? L^?1 in the absorption solution which corresponds to 0.23 mg S^2?·kg^?1 in a sediment. Value of LOD is comparable with the iodometric determination.     

Nitrogen heteroaromatic cations by [2+2+2] cycloaddition

A modular approach to the construction of monocationic quaternary N-heteroaromatic frameworks was developed capitalizing on a direct pyridine-type nitrogen quaternization followed by metal-catalyzed [2+2+2] cycloaddition with gaseous acetylene. The flexibility of the route is demonstrated on 12 diverse scaffolds based on pyridinium, quinolinium, thiazolium, benzothiazolium, imidazolium, and pyrimidinium. Electrochemical study revealed a quinolinium redox system with two electrochemically distinct forms that are interconverted by a homogeneous chemical reaction triggered by fast electron transfers (reduction at -0.7 V and oxidation at -0.05 V).     

Compact operators and Toeplitz algebras on multiply-connected domains

If Ω is a smoothly bounded multiply-connected domain in the complex plane and S belongs to the Toeplitz algebra τ of the Bergman space of Ω, we show that S is compact if and only if its Berezin transform vanishes at the boundary of Ω. We also show that every element S in T, the C^?-subalgebra of τ generated by Toeplitz operators with symbols in H^∞(Ω), has a canonical decomposition for some R in the commutator ideal CT; and S is in CT iff the Berezin transform vanishes identically on the set M₁ of trivial Gleason parts.     

A semiclassical model of the interior of Uranus

Abstract

Using the mass and radius of Uranus, as determined by Voyager, and a particular semiclassical theory of dense matter, a model of its interior has been developed. Details of the model, the underlying theory and possible sources of discrepancies with recent work on this topic are briefly presented.     

Phenethyl Ester of Gallic Acid Ameliorates Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

Gallic acid is a phenolic acid present in various plants, nuts, and fruits. It is well known for its anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. The phenethyl ester of gallic acid (PEGA) was synthesized with the aim of increasing the bioavailability of gallic acid, and thus its pharmacological potential. Here, the effects of PEGA on encephalitogenic cells were examined, and PEGA was found to modulate the inflammatory activities of T cells and macrophages/microglia. Specifically, PEGA reduced the release of interleukin (IL)-17 and interferon (IFN)-γ from T cells, as well as NO, and IL-6 from macrophages/microglia. Importantly, PEGA ameliorated experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, an animal model of chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS)—multiple sclerosis. Thus, PEGA is a potent anti-inflammatory compound with a perspective to be further explored in the context of CNS autoimmunity and other chronic inflammatory disorders.     

Exploratory study of insurance companies in selected post-transition countries: non-hierarchical cluster analysis

Central European Journal of Operations Research - This paper focuses on the analysis of business practice of insurance companies in selected post-transition European countries. Specifically, it...     

On-line preconcentration of trace copper for flame atomic absorption spectrometry using a spherical cellulose sorbent with chemically bound quinolin-8-ol

Preconcentration was effected using a 50 mm × 2 mm i.d. minicolumn packed with a spherical cellulose sorbent with chemically bound quinolin-8-ol function groups (Ostorb Oxin). The column was connected to the nebulizer of the atomic absorption spectrometer and the sample solution and eluent (2 M hydrochloric acid) were sucked through it at a flow-rate of 2–3 ml min^?1 by utilizing the negative pressure of the nebulizer. The experimental design was tested with the determination of traces of copper. Peak-area and peak-height measurements were compared. Owing to the simple calibration, the former method was used for quantification. The dynamic range was from 0.3 ng ml^?1 (detection limit) to 5 μg ml^?1 (breakthrough). The reproducibility in the concentration range 25 ng ml^?1-5 μg ml^?1 was better than 5%. Water-soluble inorganic salts, ammonia and sodium hydroxide were analysed. The accuracy of the results was checked by anodic-stripping voltammetry and by electrothermal AAS.     

Determination of accuracy in measuring the parameters of tetragonal and hexagonal lattices

The procedure for determining the accuracy when measuring the parameters of tetragonal and hexagonal lattices is described. The accuracy can easily be calculated for all common methods by means of graphically represented functions. The relations derived can be used as quantitative criteria for the suitability of the combination of lines from which the lattice parameters are to be determined.

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