Intersections of maximal staircase sets

A compact set is staircase connected if every two points a, b ∈ S can be connected by an x-monotone and y-monotone polygonal path with sides parallel to the coordinate axes. In [5] we have introduced the concepts of staircase k-stars and kernels. In this paper we prove that if the staircase k-kernel is not empty, then it can be expressed as the intersection of a covering family of maximal subsets of staircase diameter k of S.      

A kinetic study on the bioremediation of sodium cyanide and acetonitrile by free and immobilized cells ofPseudomonas putida

Pseudomonas putida capable of utilizing organic nitrile (acetonitrile) and inorganic cyanide (sodium cyanide) as the sole source of carbon and nitrogen was isolated from contaminated industrial sites and waste water. The bacterium possesses nitrile aminohydrolase (EC 3.5.5.1) and amidase (EC 3.5.1.4), which are involved in the transformation of cyanides and nitriles into ammonia and CO₂ through the formation of amide as an intermediate. Both of the enzymes have a high selectivity and affinity toward the⁻Cn group. The rate of degradation of aceotnitrile and sodium cyanide to ammonia and CO₂ by the calcium-alginate immobilized cells ofP. putida was studied. The rate of reaction during the biodegradation of acetonitrile and sodium cyanide, and the substrate- and product-dependent kinetics of these toxic compounds were studied using free and immobilized cells ofP. putida and modeled using a simple Michaelis-Menten equation.     

Automated screening of reversed‐phase stationary phases for small‐molecule separations using liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry

There are various reversed‐phase stationary phases that offer significant differences in selectivity and retention. To investigate different reversed‐phase stationary phases (aqueous stable C₁₈, biphenyl, pentafluorophenyl propyl, and polar‐embedded alkyl) in an automated fashion, commercial software and associated hardware for mobile phase and column selection were used in conjunction with liquid chromatography and a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer detector. A model analyte mixture was prepared using a combination of standards from varying classes of analytes (including drugs, drugs of abuse, amino acids, nicotine, and nicotine‐like compounds). Chromatographic results revealed diverse variations in selectivity and peak shape. Differences in the elution order of analytes on the polar‐embedded alkyl phase for several analytes showed distinct selectivity differences compared to the aqueous C₁₈ phase. The electron‐rich pentafluorophenyl propyl phase showed unique selectivity toward protonated amines. The biphenyl phase provided further changes in selectivity relative to C₁₈ with a methanolic phase, but it behaved very similarly to a C₁₈ when an acetonitrile‐based mobile phase was evaluated. This study shows the value of rapid column screening as an alternative to excessive mobile phase variation to obtain suitable chromatographic settings for analyte separation.     

Designed Single‐Step Synthesis,Structure, and Derivative Textural Properties of Well‐Ordered Layered Penta‐coordinate Silicon Alcoholate Complexes

The controllable synthesis of well‐ordered layered materials with specific nanoarchitecture poses a grand challenge in materials chemistry. Here the solvothermal synthesis of two structurally analogous 5‐coordinate organosilicate complexes through a novel transesterification mechanism is reported. Since the polycrystalline nature of the intrinsic hypervalent Si complex thwarts the endeavor in determining its structure, a novel strategy concerning the elegant addition of a small fraction of B species as an effective crystal growth mediator and a sacrificial agent is proposed to directly prepare diffraction‐quality single crystals without disrupting the intrinsic elemental type. In the determined crystal structure, two monomeric primary building units (PBUs) self‐assemble into a dimeric asymmetric secondary BU via strong Na⁺?O^2? ionic bonds. The designed one‐pot synthesis is straightforward, robust, and efficient, leading to a well‐ordered (10ī)‐parallel layered Si complex with its principal interlayers intercalated with extensive van der Waals gaps in spite of the presence of substantial Na⁺ counter‐ions as a result of unique atomic arrangement in its structure. However, upon fast pyrolysis, followed by acid leaching, both complexes are converted into two SiO₂ composites bearing BET surface areas of 163.3 and 254.7 m² g^?1 for the pyrolyzed intrinsic and B‐assisted Si complexes, respectively. The transesterification methodology merely involving alcoholysis but without any hydrolysis side reaction is designed to have generalized applicability for use in synthesizing new layered metal–organic compounds with tailored PBUs and corresponding metal oxide particles with hierarchical porosity.     

Facet-Dependent Formation and Adhesion of Au Oxide and Nanoporous Au on Poly-Oriented Au Single Crystals**

Nanoporous Au (NPG) has different properties compared to bulk Au, making it an interesting material for numerous applications. To modify the structure of NPG films for specific applications, e. g., the porosity, thickness, and homogeneity of the films, a fundamental understanding of the structure formation is essential. Here, we focus on NPG prepared via electrochemical reduction from Au oxide formed during high voltage (HV) electrolysis on poly-oriented Au single crystal (Au POSC) electrodes. These POSCs consist of a metal bead, with faces with different crystallographic orientations and allow screening of the influence of crystallographic orientation on the structure formation for different facets in one experiment. The HV electrolysis is performed between 100 ms and 30 s at 300 V and 540 V. The amount of Au oxide formed is determined by electrochemical measurements and the structural properties are investigated by scanning electron and optical microscopy. We show that the formation of Au oxide is mostly independent of the crystallographic orientation, except for thick layers, while the macroscopic structure of the NPG films depends on experimental parameters such as the Au oxide precursor thickness and the crystallographic orientation of the substrate. Possible reasons for the frequently observed exfoliation of the NPG films are discussed.     

Comparing Spectroscopic Techniques for the Measurement of Phosphorus in Wastewater

Animal and plant wastes contain recoverable phosphorus that can be repurposed as fertilizer. Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy are compared for the measurement of phosphorus in salt solutions, then wastes. There is no impact of nitrate or chloride on phosphate measurements by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, but high concentrations interfere with phosphorus measurement by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy. Greenhouse and swine waste can be analyzed by either technique, but more dilution is required for analysis by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy and for swine waste. Swine waste has ～8 times more phosphorus than greenhouse waste and is the more viable waste source for phosphorus recovery.     

Identification of hydrolytic metabolites of dyfonate in alkaline aqueous solutions by using high performance liquid chromatography – UV detection and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Organophosphorus compounds, becoming the most commonly used pesticides in agriculture, are garnering more interest to be environment and health issues associated with their usage. These compounds run-off into surface water and leach into groundwater supplies where they have been detected. Dyfonate is commonly applied to the soil as an insecticide for the control of variety of insects. However, critical information on the transformation of dyfonate into its hydrolytic byproducts during water treatment is lacking, even though they have been used in the field for a long time. In this study, dyfonate hydrolysis at elevated pH levels, simulating a water treatment operation or similar process, was investigated. Dyfonate, an organophosphorus insecticide used to treat infestations primarily on corn, was investigated due to its greater rate of hydrolysis observed during our screening studies. The hydrolysis of dyfonate was investigated at pH 10, 11, and 12 in phosphate buffered water over the course of 7 days. Two hydrolysis products, thiophenol and phenyl disulfide, were detected. Dyfonate and thiophenol were analysed using high pressure liquid chromatography/UV detection (HPLC/UV), while phenyl disulfide was detected using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The relative concentration profiles of dyfonate and its hydrolysis products, as well as their transformation pathways, were also reported. The data from this study will help environmental researchers understanding the hydrolytic pathways of dyfonate and its metabolites at different pHs in a water treatment system.