Development and implementation of the k0-standardization and other parametric methods of INAA in Cuba. Part I

This paper explains chronologically the implementation of thek ₀-standardization and other parametric methods in Cuba. Fundamental and applied results in the determination of the most important parameters are obtained, using the IBR-2 at Dubna and Triga Mark III at Mexico reactor facilities. Some modifications in the Stoughton-Halpering convention, and its comparison with the modified Westcott and Høgdahl method are presented. The application of the described methods at the CS-ISCTN low flux facility, using the big samples techniques, is presented.     

Lichen based biomonitoring of air quality in Havana City west side

Summary An epiphytic lichen (Physcia alba sp.) grown over Roystonea regia tree was used as biomonitor of air quality in the Havana City west side. During the survey, 81 sampling sites were selected according to traffic and industry conditions. The concentration for 14 elements (Mg, Al, Ca, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Sr, Cd and Pb) was determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) and anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV). Contents of Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb obtained by both techniques were compared. Several biological reference materials (RM's) were analyzed in order to assure the quality of analytical results. Some pollution sources were identified using principal component analysis. A total of 5 factors were achieved, of which 4 could be interpreted in terms of anthropogenic pollution sources. However, the expected correlation between traffic influence and lead concentration in lichen could not be demonstrated. The factor values patterns are presented.     

Magnetic moment oscillation in ammonium perchlorate in a DC SQUID-based magnetic resonance experiment

In this work we describe experimental results in which a DC SQUID (superconducting quantum interference device) is used as free induction decay detector. Measurements of a solid ammonium perchlorate (NH₄ClO₄) sample were performed, in zero field, at 4.2 K. Unexpected magnetic moment oscillations were detected at 1.5 kHz. The computation of the magnetic fields suggests that the proton nuclear magnetic resonance may explain the measured resonance, considering reorientation of the ammonium group by quantum tunneling of protons and a magnetic proton dipole–dipole intermolecular interaction model.     

The CTRW in finance: Direct and inverse problems with some generalizations and extensions

We study financial distributions within the framework of the continuous time random walk (CTRW). We review earlier approaches and present new results related to overnight effects as well as the generalization of the formalism which embodies a non-Markovian formulation of the CTRW aimed to account for correlated increments of the return.     

Sub‐ppm determination of Hg and Cr in water: Cr speciation

A sensitive and alternative analytical procedure for the determination of chromium and mercury content in natural waters by coprecipitation with APDC and determination using an absolute thin layer EDXRF method is described. The use of ¹⁰⁹Cd and ²³⁸Pu annular radioisotope sources, the influence of the chromium oxidation states and the elemental concentration were studied. At pH 4, 100% recovery was found for mercury. The coprecipitation of Cr(VI) was not quantitative (75%) but constant for the selected concentration range (5–100 µg/l). On the other hand, Cr(III) did not precipitate at the same pH. The relative standard deviations (RSD) were lower than 9.0% for mercury (10 µg/l) and 5.0% for chromium (50 µg/l). The detection limits (DLs) for mercury and chromium were 0.4 and 0.6 µg/l when the ²³⁸Pu source was employed. Nevertheless, higher DL values were achieved using ¹⁰⁹Cd (0.6 and 3.3 µg/l). The proposed method was applied to the analysis of surface water samples. An alternative and simple chromium speciation procedure without chemical separation of Cr species is recommended. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Activity autocorrelation in financial markets

We study the activity of financial markets, i.e., the number of transactions per unit of time. Using the diffusion entropy technique we show that the autocorrelation of the activity is caused by the presence of peaks whose time distances are distributed following an asymptotic power-law which ultimately recovers an exponential behavior. We discuss these results in comparison with ARCH models, stochastic volatility models and multi-agent models showing that ARCH and stochastic volatility models better describe the observed experimental evidences.Received: 15 March 2004, Published online: 8 June 2004PACS: 89.65.Gh Economics; econophysics, financial markets, business and management - 05.45.Tp Time series analysis - 05.40.-a Fluctuation phenomena, random processes, noise, and Brownian motion     

Molecular beam electric resonance without A- and B-fields

We report on a novel phenomenon observed during the passage of a pulsed NO beam seeded in He through a combined homogeneous, static electric and RF field, denoted as C-field in a standard molecular beam electric resonance (MBER) experiment. Although we refrain from the state selective A- and B-fields, which are considered crucial for a MBER experiment, the transmitted intensity exhibits as a function of the RF frequency conspicuous dips at resonance frequencies that depend strictly linearly on the static field strength E ₀. Their spectral width is by a factor of 4 smaller than the time of flight broadening. Both, the resonance frequencies and their linear field dependence can be precisely predicted applying a simple expression for the Stark effect to a transition of a single rotational state (J = 3/2) of the electronic ground state . However, this formula is valid only in the high field limit (E ₀ > 1000 kV/m) while the employed field (E ₀ = 1.47 kV/m) was in the extreme low field domain where the large type doubling and hyperfine coupling lead to a purely quadratic Stark effect. We assume that the phenomenon is due to a yet unknown collective rather than to an isolated particle process.Received: 9 May 2003, Published online: 12 August 2003PACS: 33.20.Bx Radio-frequency and microwave spectra - 32.60. + i Zeeman and Stark effects Author for correspondence: A. González Ureña     

Two-dimensional modelling of multifrequency piezocomposites

The multifrequency composites of 2-2 connectivity modelled in this work are made with groups of piezoelectric elements of different lateral dimensions, periodically reproduced in the structure. These composites have potential to improve the performances of standard piezoelectric composites with the same materials and ceramic fraction, on account that they have different resonators coupled mechanically along the structure. A one-dimensional model was developed to study their performances in a first approximation. In order to obtain a design model, a two-dimensional model, previously used to describe multielement array transducers, has been extended to the case of 2-2 polymer-piezoceramic composites. Several composite samples, having piezoceramic strips with different width-to-thickness ratios, have been built, and their resonance behaviour compared with the model prediction. Finally, the model has been extended to the case of 2-2 multifrequency composites. For multifrequency composites having in the same composite structure two or three piezoceramic strips with different lateral dimensions, the comparison between experimental and predicted results shows good agreement. The model has been used to optimise a double composite in comparison with a standard one with the same volume fraction and constituents.     

Theoretical model of internal rotation in monosubstituted derivatives of furfural

The present work explores the effect of substitution in all free positions of furfural on conformational preferences of formyl group by using ab-initio calculations at the MP2/6-31G(p,d) level of theory. Theoretical modeling was made in vacuo. The selected substituents were -CH(3), NH(2), NO(2) and F groups in 3, 4, 5 and ipso carbonyl positions. Geometries of all derivatives were analyzed and it is ascertained that substitution has not important consequences on furan ring geometry. Differences of energy between OO-cis and trans conformers and energy barriers between them are described and extreme cases are explained. Interesting features appear in the cases of -NH(2) and -NO(2) groups, and particularly when the 3 and ipso carbonyl positions are substituted. Variations in energy barriers are correlated with variations in C2-C6 distances for the transition states and planar forms. Substitution effect on Mülliken charges are analyzed and related with internal rotation energy barriers and differences between conformers.     

64 elements two-dimensional piezoelectric array for 3D imaging

Ultrasound has a large potential on non-invasive inspection with main applications in medical imaging and non-destructive testing (NDT). The increasing interest in 3D imaging applications leads to investigate new solutions for two-dimensional (2D) ultrasonic arrays with an affordable number of electronic channels without resolution degradation. 2D segmented annular arrays (SAAs) are a good compromise between resolution--image quality--and number of electronically active channels. A 1-3 piezoelectric composites are used as basis material to manufacture the array transducers due to their low planar coupling and high electromechanical coupling coefficients. A 1.5 MHz SAA of 64 elements and 20 mm of diameter was designed, manufactured and tested. The design key point is the use of a flexible circuit with electrodes and tracks that define the array geometry. The piezocomposite was used as a monolithic support. Soft backing and one matching layer were used. The array elements have been tested electrically and acoustically showing good agreement with a KLM-based simulation model. Acoustical field measurements in water at different steering angles were made and compared with simulations performed with a model that uses an exact solution of the impulse response approach. Side lobes are important because the array geometry used was designed to work in metals for NDT purposes. Smaller array elements should be made for medical applications.