On conservative approximation by linear polynomial operators an extension of the Bernstein's operator

In this work we study linear polynomial operators preserving some consecutive i-convexities and leaving invariant the polynomials up to a certain degree. First, we study the existence of an incom patibility between the conservation of certain i-convexities and the invariance of a space of polynomials. Interpolation properties are obtained and a theorem by Berens and DeVore about the Bernstein's operator is extended. Finally, from these results a generalized Bernstein's operator is obtained. This work was supported by Junta de Andalucia. Grupo de investigación: Matemática Aplicada. Código: 1107     

New extraction method for the analysis of linear alkylbenzene sulfonates in marine organisms. Pressurized liquid extraction versus Soxhlet extraction

A new method has been developed for the determination of linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS) from various marine organisms, and compared with Soxhlet extraction. The technique applied includes the use of pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) for the extraction stage, preconcentration of the samples, purification by solid-phase extraction (SPE) and analysis by liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. The spiked concentrations were added to the samples (wet mass of the organisms: Solea senegalensis and Ruditapes semidecussatus), which were homogenized and agitated continuously for 25 h. The samples were extracted by pressurized hot solvent extraction using two different extraction temperatures (100 and 150 degrees C) and by traditional Soxhlet extraction. The best recoveries were obtained employing pressurized hot solvent extraction at 100 degrees C and varied in the range from 66.1 to 101.3% with a standard deviation of between 2 and 13. Detection limit was between 5 and 15 microg kg(-1) wet mass using HPLC-fluorescence detection. The analytical method developed in this paper has been applied for LAS determination in samples from a Flow-through exposure system with the objective of measuring the bioconcentration of this surfactant.     

Synthesis and properties of perchlorobi-9-fluorenylidene,An exceptionally twisted ethylene

The synthesis and properties of perchlorobi-9-fluorenylidene, a highly twisted ethylene, are reported. It is a diamagnetic chlorocarbon.     

Comparison of different fibers for the solid-phase microextraction of phthalate esters from water

Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) has been applied to determine six phthalate esters and one adipate ester in water. The SPME parameters were optimized for several commercially available fibers. A 65-microm polydimethylsiloxane-divinylbenzene (PDMS-DVB) was the fiber selected and was applied to analysis of water from the Ebro river and the industrial port of Tarragona. The studied compounds were found at concentrations ranging from 0.4 microg l(-1) for di-n-butyl phthalate ester (DnBP) to 3.2 microg l(-1) for bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate ester (DEHP). The linear range for real samples was from 0.1 to 10 microg l(-1) for most phthalates, and the limits of detection of the method were between 3 and 30 ng l(-1). Repeatability and reproducibility between days (n = 5) for 1 microg l(-1) samples were below 13 and 18%, respectively.     

左炔诺孕酮的荧光光谱分析法

用荧光光谱法研究了硫酸介质中左炔诺孕酮与 β_环糊精主客体包络反应的条件及机理 ,以及溴化十六烷基三甲铵的增敏作用 ,提出了在水溶液中测定左炔诺孕酮的荧光光谱分析法;该法灵敏度高 ,检出限低(3.20×10 -8mol/L) ,荧光强度与左炔诺孕酮浓度在6.40×10 -8～3.20×10 -6mol/L范围内呈良好线性关系 ,方法的相对标准偏差为0.9 %(n=5)。     

Concentration and clean-up of trace hydrocarbons from atmospheric particulate matter

Summary The aim of this work is to establish the best conditions for concentration and purification steps in the trace analysis of aliphatic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) from atmospheric particulate matter by gas chromatography-flame ionisation detection (GC-FID) and high performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet and fluorescence detection (HPLC-UV-FL). The best results for the more volatile compound were obtained with a combination of rotary evaporation and a stream of nitrogen (near to 100% for aliphatic hydrocarbons and from 70 to 105% for PAH). Two types of solid phase extraction (SPE)cartridges (Supelclean ^tm LC-Silica SPE tubes and Sep-Pak^? Plus silica cartridges) and glass column were examined for the purification and fractionation step. Blank chromatograms of both types of cartridges analysed by GC-FID made this study difficult, because a PSS (programmed split-splitless) injector was employed thereby increasing the sensitivity. This problem was not observed in the HPLC-UV-FL blank chromatograms of these cartridges. Glass columns filled with silica and alumina were chosen because no interference was found in the GC-FID blank chromatograms and the best recoveries in the fractionation of both aliphatic hydrocarbons and PAH were achieved. This is especially important when aliphatic hydrocarbons concentrations are lower than 1 μg mL⁻¹. Finally, the selected conditions were applied to the analysis of hydrocarbons in real atmospheric particulate samples.     

Structural study of copper-nickel aluminate (CuxNi1−xAl2O4) spinels

CuAl₂O₄, NiAl₂O₄, and three ternary spinels Cu_xNi_1?xAl₂O₃ have been prepared, in polycrystalline form, by solid-state reaction of mixtures of CuO, NiO, and Al₂O₃ at 1223 K. X-Ray powder diffractometry, coupled with adequate computational methods, allowed determination of the unit-cell length, oxygen positional parameter, and cation distribution for each compound. Interdependence of these structural parameters is closely analyzed on the ternary oxide spinels. The one-electron difference between the Cu²⁺ and Ni²⁺ ions was found to be enough to render them distinguishable by X-ray powder diffraction.     

Application of a mercuric iodide detector for the exploration and exploitation of niobium deposits in remote areas

The comparison of an ambient temperature mercuric iodide spectrometer (HgI₂) with a conventional cooled Si(Li) spectrometer is presented for the determination of niobium in Venezuelan laterites in the laboratory. The energy resolution of the HgI₂ spectrometer was only about 590 eV (FWHM) at 5.9 keV compared to about 150 eV for the conventional Si(Li) spectrometer. The efficiency was about 5 times lower in the region of the Nb_K peak as compared to the Si(Li) detector. Even though its energy resolution and efficiency is much poorer than the conventional Si(Li), the results it produced for the determination of niobium were acceptable for use in the exploration and exploitation of a niobium-rich deposit such as Cerro Impacto, Estado Bolívar, Venezuela.