Determination of total copper in haemodialysis water by differential-pulse anodic stripping voltammetry

An anodic stripping voltammetric method was developed in order to determine copper in the water used to prepare haemodialysis solutions. The interference from organic matter was overcome by high-pressure bomb mineralization. The electrochemical results were compared with those obtained by using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry and the correlation was excellent (r = 0.983, p < 0.001). The detection limit was 0.2 μg l^?1 copper.     

Methane Conversion Over Sr2+/La2O3 Catalyst Modified with Nickel and Copper

Methane transformation over Ni and Cu modified Sr²⁺/La₂O₃ catalysts has been studied. These species favor formation of reducible mixed oxides and change the surface reactivity of the Sr²⁺/La₂O₃ system, modifying the reaction mechanism, since Sr²⁺/La₂O₃ favors methane oxidative coupling but with copper methane combustion is favored and nickel favors partial oxidation.     

Optimal strategies for mitigating the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the Philippines

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) impairs a person's immune system against many infections and some types of cancer, leading to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), which is characterized by severe illnesses. The number of HIV infections in the Philippines has increased, more than doubled, within the last decade. This alarming HIV crisis in the country requires urgent actions. In this study, a mathematical model is developed to describe the disease transmission in the Philippines. Disease-free and endemic equilibria are obtained, stability analysis is performed, and the basic reproduction number is computed. Sensitivity analyses and subset selection are performed to identify influential parameters and to determine an identifiable parameter set given measurements, respectively. Available data on the number of asymptomatic aware infectious, those who are in the AIDS stage, and those under treatment are utilized to estimate key epidemiological parameters such as transmission, treatment, and screening rates. Uncertainty of these parameter estimates is quantified through bootstrapping method. Furthermore, intervention strategies are investigated in the framework of optimal control theory. Control measures include precaution, HIV screening, antiretroviral treatment, and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) treatment. These various control efforts are compared with regard to cost efficiency and effectiveness in reducing the number of infected individuals. Given limited available control measures, the PrEP-only scenario is shown to be the most cost-effective, followed by other scenarios that combine PrEP with other controls.     

Dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene to styrene using Pt, Mo, and Pt-Mo catalysts supported on clay nanocomposites

A synthetic clay (TS-1) was modified with a nonionic surfactant (IGEPAL CO-720) and magnesium oxide. The resulting solid was used as a support of Pt, Mo, and Pt-Mo catalysts. The catalysts were prepared by wet impregnation with aqueous solutions of H(2)PtCl(6)6H(2)O and (NH(4))(6)-Mo(7)O(24)4H(2)O. In both monometallic and bimetallic catalysts, the molybdenum content was 3 wt% and the platinum content was 0.5 or 1 wt%. The surface area of the starting material was 454 m(2)/g and after the modification treatment with IGEPAL it increased up to 649 m(2)/g, while platinum and molybdenum catalysts showed surface areas between 495 and 550 m(2)/g. The reduction profiles showed different Pt and Mo species and the existence of metal-support interactions. The reduced catalysts were more active than those in the unreduced form. The most active catalysts for the ethylbenzene dehydrogenation were those of monometallic Pt (0.5 and 1 wt%) with a maximum styrene conversion around 50%. The presence of Mo species masked Pt atoms and reduced the activity.