Crystal structures of the novel hydrated borates Ba2B5O9(OH), Sr2B5O9(OH) and Li2Sr8B22O41(OH)2

Three novel hydrated borates Ba₂B₅O₉(OH) (1), Sr₂B₅O₉(OH) (2) and Li₂Sr₈B₂₂O₄₁(OH)₂ (3) have been synthesized hydrothermally and their structures determined. Compounds (1) and (2) are isostructural, crystallizing in space group P2₁/c and having lattice parameters of a=6.6330(13) Å, b=8.6250(17) Å, c=14.680(3) Å, β=93.46(3)° and a=6.4970(13) Å, b=8.4180(17) Å, c=14.177(3) Å, β=94.35(3)°, respectively. Compound (3) crystallizes in P-1 with lattice parameters of a=6.4684(13) Å, b=8.4513(17) Å, c=14.881(3) Å, α=101.21(3)°, β=93.96(3)°, γ=90.67(3)°. While similar in their axis lengths, (3) differs greatly in structure and formulation from (1) and (2). The structure of (1) and (2) is contrasted to that of the well-known mineral hilgardite (Ca₂B₅O₉Cl·H₂O).     

Lithium germanates: Synthesis,crystal-chemical analysis and their structural invariants

Abstract

The crystal-chemical classification of Li-germanates was performed. Depending on the types of Ge-polyhedra and their interconnections, the Li-gennanates ace divided into 3 groups: the framework MT-structures; the MT condensed structures and T-structures. The structure invariant M₂T₄ is established in the framework germanates and in Li₄Ge₃ ^VI Ge₃ ^VIO₁₂ germanate with M, T condensed structure. The crystals synthesized is in hydrothermal GeO₂—LiOH—H₂O system are analyzed on the basis of crystal-chemical classification suggested. The representatives of all groups mentioned above are formed in aqua solutions at high temperatures and pressures. The most stable germanate is characterized b the direct condensation of the dimmers M₂T₄. Germanates with a prevalence of Ge in the structure (M₃T₂ and MT₃) exist in a very small region at low kmperatures and low LiOH concentration, then they are replaced by the framework germanate MT₂.     

Highly sensitive non‐isotopic restriction endonuclease fingerprinting of nucleotide variability in the gp60 gene within Cryptosporidium species,genotypes and subgenotypes infective to humans,and its implications

The high‐resolution analysis of genetic variation has major implications for the identification of parasites and micro‐organisms to species and subspecies as well as for population genetic and epidemiological studies. In this study, we critically assessed the effectiveness of a PCR‐based restriction endonuclease fingerprinting (REF) method for the detection of mutations in the 60 kDa glycoprotein gene (gp60) of Cryptosporidium, a genus of parasitic protists of major human and animal health importance globally. This gene displays substantial intraspecific variability in sequence, particularly in a TCA (perfect and imperfect) microsatellite region, is present as a single copy in the nuclear genome and is used widely as a marker in molecular epidemiological studies of Cryptosporidium hominis and C. parvum, the two predominant species that infect humans. The results of this study demonstrated an exquisite capacity of REF to detect nucleotide variability in the gp60 gene within each of the two species. The differentiation of genotypes/subgenotypes based on REF analysis was supported by targeted sequencing, allowing the detection of levels of variation as low as a single‐nucleotide transversion for amplicons of ∼1 kb in size. The high‐throughput potential and relatively low‐cost of REF make it a particularly useful tool for large‐scale genetic analyses of C. hominis and C. parvum. REF could also be utilized for comparative surveys of genetic variability across large nuclear genomic regions. Such analyses of Cryptosporidium in clinical and environmental samples by REF have important implications for identifying sources of infection, modes of transmission and/or possible infectivity to humans, thus assisting in the surveillance and control of cryptosporidiosis. Given its excellent mutation detection capacity, REF should find broad applicability to various single‐copy genes as well as a wide range of other protozoan and metazoan parasites. (The nucleotide sequences reported in this article are available in the GenBank database under accession numbers GU214343–GU214371).     

Single machine scheduling with family setups to minimize total earliness and tardiness

This paper considers the problem of scheduling a given number of jobs on a single machine to minimize total earliness and tardiness when family setup times exist. The paper proposes optimal branch-and-bound algorithms for both the group technology assumption and if the group technology assumption is removed. A heuristic algorithm is proposed to solve larger problems with the group technology assumption removed. The proposed algorithms were empirically evaluated on problems of various sizes and parameters. The paper also explores how the choice of procedure affects total earliness and tardiness if an implementation of lean production methods has resulted in a reduction in setup times. An important finding of these empirical investigations is that scheduling jobs by removing the group technology assumption can significantly reduce total earliness and tardiness.     

Plasma focus based flash hard X-ray source in the 100 keV region with reproducible spectrum

A pulsed hard X-ray source with shot to shot reproducible spectrum, based on a 4.7 kJ small-chamber Mather-type plasma focus device, is presented. The hard X-ray output spectrum was measured in a single shot basis by differential absorption on metallic plates. The measured spectra have a single dominant peak around 75 keV and a spectral bandwidth covering the 40-150 keV range. A hard X-ray dose of (53±3) μGy per shot was measured on axis at 53 cm from the source, and found to be uniform within a half aperture angle of 6°.     

Construction and development of a new single-column simulated moving bed system on the laboratory scale

Simulated moving bed (SMB) chromatography combines high productivity and high purities with reduced buffer consumption. We have developed a laboratory scale single column SMB (SC-SMB) unit with all four separation zones in one column. Distributors embedded within the chromatographic medium allow introduction and withdrawal of liquid between the zones. This single column unit exhibits homogenous packing in all zones, reduced headspace, less complex tubing, fewer valves, and almost undisturbed plug flow between the separation zones. The separation performance of the column was investigated with two different binary model mixtures. Furthermore, the SC-SMB unit is operated with a modified AKTA Explorer workstation, which has been specifically developed for the handling of biological fluids.     

The real-time analysis of gases by direct sampling–mass spectrometry: elemental and molecular applications

Real-time analysis of gases for volatile organic compounds or elements is required for a number of applications. Direct sampling-mass spectrometry (DS-MS) is one approach to solve these analytical problems. This article reviews various instrumental configurations and applications of DS-MS. Inlet systems employed for DS-MS include membranes, microtrap interfaces, atmospheric sampling glow discharge ionization, atmospheric pressure ionization, microwave plasma ionization, and capillary restrictors. The use of laser-based ionization methods for DS-MS is described, including resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization and single photon ionization.     

A general model for cyclic machine scheduling problems

A general framework for modeling and solving cyclic scheduling problems is presented. The objective is to minimize the cycle time. The model covers different cyclic versions of the job-shop problem found in the literature, robotic cell problems, the single hoist scheduling problem and tool transportation between the machines.It is shown that all these problems can be formulated as mixed integer linear programs which have a common structure. Small instances are solved with CPLEX. For larger instances tabu search procedures have been developed. The main ideas of these methods are indicated.     

Molecular damage in bi-isonicotinic acid adsorbed on rutile TiO2(1 1 0)

Here we present the characteristic signatures in X-ray absorption and photoemission spectroscopy for molecular damage in adsorbed monolayers of bi-isonicotinic acid on a rutile TiO₂(1 1 0) surface. Bi-isonicotinic acid is the anchor ligand through which many important inorganic complexes are bound to the surface of TiO₂ in dye-sensitized solar cells. The nature of the damage caused by excessive heating of the adsorbed monolayer is consistent with splitting the molecule into two adsorbed isonicotinic acid molecular fragments. The effect on the lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals (involved in electron transfer in the molecule) can be understood in terms of the adsorption geometry of the reaction products and their nearest neighbor interactions.