Separation of V(V)-4-(2-pyridylazo)resorcinolato complex from a large excess reagent using an ODS cartridge for high-performance liquid chromatography.

A selective off-line preconcentration technique for the V(V) complex with 4-(2-pyridylazo)resorcinol has been developed and successfully applied to the determination of V(V) in an air-borne sample. The target complex was separated from excess reagent using an ODS cartridge and water as the eluent. The complex was then concentrated on another ODS cartridge using tetrabutylammonium bromide and eluted with methanol; the eluate was applied to a one-drop concentration/HPLC. A detection limit as low as (6.05 +/- 0.82)x 10(-11) M (5 ppt) was achieved.     

Preparation of flexible and transparent polylactic acids films by crystallization manipulation

Highly flexible and transparent polylactic acids (PLAs) films were successfully prepared by manipulating their crystallization. The semicrystalline poly(L ‐lactic acid) (L) was blended with a noncrystalline poly(DL ‐lactic acid) (DL) together with diglycerol tetraacetate (DGTA). Optimal DGTA content to plasticize PLAs was about 17%. Addition of DL hindered the crystallization of the films. Tensile strengths of the films having DL content more than 5% were about 10 MPa while the elongations at break were boosted as DL content increased. Films having L/DL ratio of 50/50 showed elongations at break of 270%. Stretch ability and clarity of films containing 15–50% DL were fair although they were subjected to annealing at 60 °C for 1 h. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 6489–6495, 2008     

A reduction theorem for the linear complementarity problem with a certain patterned matrix

Matrices with a certain pattern are defined and their properties are studied. A reduction theorem is stated and proved which can be used to reduce the size of the linear complementarity problem defined by a matrix with the pattern. The identification of the pattern and the reduction theorem provide a mathematical model for a problem in structural mechanics when a certain symmetry prevails in the structural problem to be analyzed.     

Note on transferable utility

We provide a condition for an individual preference ordering to be represented by a function measured in terms of a commodity, i.e., for the commodity to be transferable utility. We also consider the relationships between conditions of the preference ordering and the utility function.     

Properties of titanium solid solutions prepared by reactive sputtering

Films of titanium solid solutions Ti-X_x (X = C, N, or O) of the hexagonal phase were prepared on glass substrates heated at 350°C in a mixture of argon and the reactive gas with controlled partial pressures from 2×10^?6 to 8×10^?3 Torr. The maximum solubilities of C, N, and O in Ti were estimated to be 0.05, 0.46, and 0.28, respectively. The observed values of the maximum solubilities are discussed in connection with the structural and electrical properties.     

Ultraviolet photoemission and 4d core reflectance spectra of SmSe(100)

Ultraviolet photoemission (UPS) and inner core reflectance spectra have been measured on SmSe(100) surface with synchrotron radiation. Besides the multiplet structures observed in UPS spectra for the Sm 4f, 5p and 5s excitations, the reflectance spectrum has revealed a multiplet structure associated with the Sm 4d→4f excitation. Each band of the UPS spectra has shown remarkably different hν dependence and the resonant behavior of the cross section. Sm 4f- and Se 4p-derived valence band features are unambiguously identified by the angle resolved UPS.