A neutron polarization analysis study of Ce2Fe17 in its paramagnetic phase

Spin-flip (paramagnetic) scattering and neutron depolarization studies were performed on Ce₂Fe₁₇ in its paramagnetic phase on the Dhruva neutron polarization analysis spectrometer. The absence of normalQ dependence of the scattered spin flip intensity shows that Ce₂Fe₁₇ is not a normal paramagnetic and there exist superparamagnetic clusters of sufficiently large dimensions (～100Å). The observed neutron depolarization gives an indication of the dynamics of these Ce₂Fe₁₇ superparamagnetic clusters.     

Growth of InP/InGaAs multiple quantum well structures by chemical beam epitaxy

InP/InGaAs multiple quantum well structures with up to 200 periods have been grown by CBE. These structures exhibit exceptional lateral uniformity, measured as ±1 Å in period, ±13 ppm in lattice mismatch and ±0.5 nm in wavelength across a 2 inch wafer. Good surface morphology, sharp interfaces and excellent growth control have all been demonstrated.     

Novel monohydrogenphosphate sensor based on vanadyl salophen

A novel PVC-based membrane sensor based on vanadyl salophen (VNSP) for determination of trace amounts of monohydrogenphosphate (MHP) ions is introduced. The electrode revealed Nernstian response towards monohydrogenphosphate over the wide concentration range from 1.0×10⁻¹ to 1.0×10⁻⁶ M at the pH of 8.2. The effect of solvent mediator, cationic additives and amount of ion-carrier on the behavior of the sensor was investigated. The sensor shows a short response time (<20 s) in the whole concentration ranges. The selectivity of the electrode is very high, and it can be used for detection of trace amounts of monohydrogenphosphate in the presence of large amounts of other anions. The detection limit of the electrode was 5.0×10⁻⁷ M (48 ng/ml) and it could be used for 14 weeks without any measurable changes in the slope. The potentiometric selectivity coefficients data revealed negligible interference from 16 common anions. It was successfully applied for the direct determination of monohydrogenphosphate in fertilizer samples and, as an indicator electrode, in potentiometric titration of HPO₄²⁻ ion with barium nitrate.     

Solid-liquid extraction and preconcentration of trace nickel using 2-nitroso-1-naphthol-4-sulfonic acid (Nitroso-S) and TDBA onto benzophenone and determination by atomic absorption spectrometry.

Nickel was quantitatively retained by 2-nitroso-1-naphthol-4-sulfonic acid (Nitroso-S) and tetradecyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride (TDBA Cl) onto benzophenone in the pH range 5.0-6.0 from large volumes of aqueous solutions of various samples. After filtration, each solid mass consisting of a nickel complex and benzophenone was dissolved with 5 ml of dimethylformamide (DMF) and the metal was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). About 0.6 microg of nickel could be concentrated from 200 ml of an aqueous sample, where its concentration was as low as 3.0 ng/ml. Eight replicate determinations of 2.5 microg/ml of nickel in the final DMF solution gave a mean absorbance of 0.112 with a relative standard deviation of 1.9%. The sensitivity for 1% absorption was 98 ng/ml. The interference of a number of anions and cations was studied and the developed optimized conditions were utilized for the trace determination of nickel in various alloys and biological samples.     

Isolating the most recent entry in a random recursive tree by random cuts

A recursive tree is constructed by starting with a root node and repeatedly adjoining new nodes to one node of the tree already constructed. Such a tree can represent, for example, the heirarchy of a workforce of a company that grows via recruiting. At times of economic depression, the company may decide to lay off participants, and in some cases it is a fair policy to relieve the last senior worker (most recent entry in the tree). If we remove an edge from such a tree then it falls into two subtrees one of which contains the most recent entry. If we continue to remove edges from the successively smaller subtrees that contain the most recent entry, we eventually isolate the most recent entry. We consider how many randomly selected edges must be removed in average before isolating the most recent entry by this procedure.     

Identification and Separation of Some Anions on Plain and Mixed Adsorbent Layers Using Water as Eluent

The analytical potential of water as an eluent in thin layer chromatographic separation of various anions on plain adsorbent layers (silica gel "G" alumina, and cellulose) as well as on beds containing different combinations of silica gel, alumina, or cellulose has been investigated. In addition to some important separation of anions, microgram separation of IO⁻₄ from milligram quantities of IO⁻₃, Bro⁻₃, MoO²⁻₄, and Fe (CN)³⁻₆ has been realized. The effect on pH of the sample in the separation of IO⁻₄ from accompanying ions has also been studied. The limits of detection and dilution limits of anions on alumina thin layers have been determined. NO⁻₂ in artificial seawater has been detected. The effect of CaCl₂, MgCl₂, and NaHCO₃ on some ternary separations of analytical importance has been examined.     

Bis(2-hydroxyacetophenone)ethylenediimine as a neutral carrier in a coated-wire membrane electrode for lead(II).

A coated-wire ion-selective electrode (CWISE), based on a Schiff base as a neutral carrier, was successfully developed for the detection of Pb(II) in aqueous solution. CWISE exhibited a linear response with a Nernstian slope of 29.4 +/- 0.5 mV/decade within the concentration range of 1.0 x 10(-5) - 1.0 x 10(-1) M lead ion. CWISE has shown detection limits of 5.0 x 10(-6) M. The electrode exhibited good selectivity over a number of alkali, alkaline earth, transition and heavy metal ions. This sensor yielded a steady potential within 10 to 20 s at a linear dynamic range. The electrode was suitable for use in aqueous solutions in a pH range of 2.0 to 5.0. Applications of this electrode for the determination of lead in real samples and as indicator electrode for potentiometric titration of Pb2+ ion using K2CrO4 are reported.     

Symmetrical and Asymmetrical Bisphosphonate Esters. Synthesis, Selective Hydrolysis, and Isomerization

Two simple and efficient one-pot procedures for the synthesis of a series of α-branched N-heterocycle-substituted methane-1,1-bisphosphonates are outlined. In the first method, the parent halosubstrates were reacted with cyanomethylphosphonate followed by reaction with dialkyl phosphonates to give asymmetrical or symmetrical bisphosphonates (BPs). In the second approach, the same halocompounds were reacted with tetraethyl methyl-1,1-bisphosphonate to give the requisite BPs. Partial and complete hydrolysis of the prepared BPs were also investigated. The products contain functional groups advantageous for further synthetic modification as structural units for coupling with the drug.