Nickel as a chemical modifier for sensitivity enhancement and fast atomization processes in electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometric determination of cadmium in biological and environmental samples.

A systematic study of the efficiency of protons, Ni, Pd and Th as chemical modifiers for the determination of cadmium by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) using fast temperature programs was made for platform atomization. A comparison was made in terms of the salt type, absorbance-time profiles and elimination of the sodium chloride interference. The results were adapted to develop a method for the ETAAS determination of cadmium in biological and environmental samples. The highest sensitivity to determine cadmium in biological and environmental samples was obtained using nickel (together with protons) as a chemical modifier. The accuracy of the method was tested by the determination of cadmium in different certified reference materials. The best detection limit and the characteristic mass of Cd were found to be 0.03 ng mL(-1) and 0.35 pg, respectively.     

High order linear initial-value problems and Schauder bases

In this paper we approximate the solution of a linear initial-value problem, making use of a Schauder basis for certain Banach space associated with such a differential problem. In addition, we apply that results in order to calculate numerically the response from a structure modelled by a three degree-of-freedom mass–damper–spring system.     

Hidden structure in the randomness of the prime number sequence?

We report a rigorous theory to show the origin of the unexpected periodic behavior seen in the consecutive differences between prime numbers. We also check numerically our findings to ensure that they hold for finite sequences of primes, that would eventually appear in applications. Finally, our theory allows us to link with three different but important topics: the Hardy–Littlewood conjecture, the statistical mechanics of spin systems, and the celebrated Sierpinski fractal.     

Stationary axisymmetric solutions in the vacuum Jordan-Brans-Dicke theory

It is shown that any stationary axisymmetric solution to the vacuum field equations of the Jordan-Brans-Dicke (JBD) theory may be obtained from a composition of any stationary axisymmetric vacuum Einstein spacetime with the Weyl class of metrics. Thus, generating solution techniques can be used to obtain any stationary axisymmetric JBD vacuum solution. In this manner, C. B. G. McIntosh's results concerning this topic are improved upon.     

Study of the reactione + e −→K + K − in the energy range1350 \leqq \sqrt s \leqq 2400 MeV

Thee ⁺ e ^?→K ⁺ K ^? cross section has been measured from about 750 events in the energy interval \(1350 \leqq \sqrt s \leqq 2400 MeV\) with the DM2 detector at DCI. TheK ^± form factor |F _F ^±| cannot be explained by the ρ, ω, ? and ρ′(1600). An additional resonant amplitude at 1650 MeV has to be added as suggested by a previous experiment.     

Continuous automatic determination of ammonia by using an integrated separation/detection unit

An automatic continuous-flow photometric method for the determination of ammonia is proposed. It is based on the Berthelot reaction, the product of which is temporarily immobilized on a suitable support (Sephadex QAE) located in the flow-cell. The retained product is eluted after measurement by a cationic surfactant contained in the carrier solution. The method allows the determination of the analyte between 0.4 and 20.0 gmg/ml, with an RSD of 0.8%, at a sampling frequency of 13/hr. The determination limit can be reduced by a factor of ten by using a flow-cell with a two-fold longer path length, but the sampling frequency is also reduced as a result. The method was applied to the determination of this analyte in agricultural samples (plants and soils) and compared with standard methods for these types of samples.     

Carbon deposition on a Ni/α-Al2O3 catalyst

The kinetics of carbon deposition over a Ni/α-Al₂O₃ commercial catalyst, has been studied using CH₄−H₂ gas mixtures in the range of 748–873 K. A Hougen-Watson type model gives good agreement with the experimental rates.     

Topological properties of the electronic density of CO-MgF2 and OC-MgF2 adducts

By means of Bader's approach on topological properties of the electronic density, the major stability of the O-bonded adduct over the C-bonded one between MgF₂ and CO is reinforced.