A sequential injection system for the spectrophotometric determination of calcium, magnesium and alkalinity in water samples.

A sequential injection methodology for the spectrophotometric determination of calcium, magnesium and alkalinity in water samples is proposed. A single manifold is used for the determination of the three analytes, and the same protocol sequence allows the sequential determination of calcium and magnesium (the sum corresponds to the water hardness). The determination of both metals is based on their reaction with cresolphtalein complexone; mutual interference is minimized by using 8-hydroxyquinoline for the determination of calcium and ethylene glycol-bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) for the determination of magnesium. Alkalinity determination is based on a reaction with acetic acid, and corresponding color change of Bromcresol Green. Working ranges of 0.5 - 5 mg dm(-3) for Ca, 0.5 - 10 mg dm(-3) for Mg, and 10 - 100 mg HCO3- dm(-3), for alkalinity have been achieved. The results for water samples were comparable to those of the reference methods and to a certified reference water sample. RSDs lower than 5% were obtained, a low reagent consumption and a reduced volume of effluent have been accomplished. The determination rate for calcium and magnesium is 80 h(-1), corresponding to 40 h(-1) per element, while 65 determinations of alkalinity per hour could be carried out.     

A non-linear version of Hunt-Lion's theorem from the point of view of T-accretivity

In the classical topological context, Dellacherie [10] has given a non-linear version of Hunt's theorem characterizing the proper kernels verifying the complete maximum principle as those closing a submarkovian resolvent. In this paper we study the relation between this non-linear version of Hunt's theorem and T-accretivity.     

Hydrogenated amorphous silicon films obtained by a low pressure dc glow discharge

Films of a-Si: H have been deposited by means of a dc hot cathode discharge of SiH₄ with electrostatic confinement at a pressure as low as 0.4 Pa. The plasma used is quite quiescent as has been observed by means of reproducible Langmuir probe measurements. Substrates have been placed at different locations in between the electrodes, some of them facing the anode and the others facing the cathode.Films deposited on substrates facing the cathode present a granular, non-columnar, structure, an IR spectrum with only SiH absorption peaks, and a very low photoresponse. Films deposited on substrates facing the anode have a similar IR spectrum but are homogeneous, have lower hydrogen content, and present a high photoresponse. The optical absorption coefficient shows in all samples thenE=C(E–E₀) ^x behaviour, but with exponentx=3 and notx=2 as is usually considered in a-SiH.     

Structural changes in data communication in wireless sensor networks

Wireless sensor networks are an important technology for making distributed autonomous measures in hostile or inaccessible environments. Among the challenges they pose, the way data travel among them is a relevant issue since their structure is quite dynamic. The operational topology of such devices can often be described by complex networks. In this work, we assess the variation of measures commonly employed in the complex networks literature applied to wireless sensor networks. Four data communication strategies were considered: geometric, random, small-world, and scale-free models, along with the shortest path length measure. The sensitivity of this measure was analyzed with respect to the following perturbations: insertion and removal of nodes in the geometric strategy; and insertion, removal and rewiring of links in the other models. The assessment was performed using the normalized Kullback-Leibler divergence and Hellinger distance quantifiers, both deriving from the Information Theory framework. The results reveal that the shortest path length is sensitive to perturbations.     

Möglichkeiten einer Reaktion von Kobalt(II)-Ionen mit Cyanidionen und Polysulfid

Ohne ZusammenfassungHerrn Prof. Dr. Ing. Fritz Feigl zum 70. Geburtstag gewidmet.     

Diheterocyclic compounds from dithiocarbamates and derivatives thereof. VI. unsymmetrical N1,N4-Bis(2-benzazolyl)sulphanilamides

The title compounds 9 are readily synthesized from dithiocarbamic acid derivative 5 by stepwise formation of the heterocyclic rings. Differences in reactivity of dithiocarbamates and dithiocarbonimidates make group protection unnecessary.     

Differentiation and electron ionization-induced isomerization of 4,5-Bis(alkylthio)-1,3-dithiole-2-thiones and 1,2-dithiole-3-thiones

The electron impact ionization mass spectra of 4,5-bis(alkylthio)-1,3-dithiole-2-thiones and their 1,2-dithiole-3-thione isomers were studied by accurate mass measurements and linked scans. The relative abundance of ions formed following the extrusion of S₂, CS or CS₂ allows an unambiguous isomer differentiation. Isomerization of molecular ions was studied by means of metastable ion analysis and collision-induced dissociation. The order of reactivity was analogous to that observed in isomerization under photochemical conditions.     

Determination of lead in the urine of exposed and unexposed adults by extraction and flow-injection/atomic absorption spectrometry

Lead is extracted from urine with ammonium pyrrolidien dithiocrbamate into methyl isobutyl ketone, and 20 μl of the extract is injected into a water carrier stream in a flow-injection/atomic absorption system. The procedure is simple, quick, accurate and reproducible. Recoveries are 96–105%. The mean urine lead contents of 20 unexposed and 20 printing-press lead exposed workers was found to be 39.0 ± 8.3 and 71.7 ± 26.3 μg Pb l^?1, respectively.     

Degradation of ²-O-4 lignin model and related compounds by the ascomyceteChrysonilia sitophila (TFB 27441 strain)

Growth of the ascomyceteChrysonilia sitophila during degradation of lignin model dimers and monomers was compared to a glucose control. An inhibition of growth by Cα-carbonyl monomers and stimulation by β-O-4 lignin model and vanillyl alcohol were observed. A comparison of the degradation by this ascomycete with the basidiomycetePhanerochaete chrysosoporium showed similarities in relation to the type of degradation caused.