Electronic properties of model quantum-dot structures in zero and finite magnetic fields

We have computed electronic structures and total energies of circularly confined two-dimensional quantum dots and their lateral dimers in zero and finite uniform external magnetic fields using different theoretical schemes: the spin-density-functional theory (SDFT), the current-and-spin-density-functional theory (CSDFT), and the variational quantum Monte Carlo (VMC) method. The SDFT and CSDFT calculations employ a recently-developed, symmetry-unrestricted real-space algorithm allowing solutions which break the spin symmetry. Results obtained for a six-electron dot in the weak confinement limit and in zero magnetic field as well as in a moderate confinement and in finite magnetic fields enable us to draw conclusions about the reliability of the more approximative SDFT and CSDFT schemes in comparison with the VMC method. The same is true for results obtained for the two-electron quantum dot dimer as a function of inter-dot distance. The structure and role of the symmetry-breaking solutions appearing in the SDFT and CSDFT calculations for the above systems are discussed. Received 16 October 2001 and Received in final form 17 January 2002     

Capillary zone electrophoresis of cationic and anionic drugs in methanol

The actual mobilities and dissociation constants of acidic and basic pharmaceuticals were determined in methanol. Actual mobilities were derived from the dependence of the effective mobilities of the analytes on the pH of the methanolic background electrolyte solution (pH(MeOH)). The pKa values of the pharmaceuticals in methanol (pK(a,MeOH)) were calculated by non-linear curve fitting to the measured mobility values. It was found that the shift in pKa value (when compounds were transferred from water to methanol) increased with the acidity of the analyte. The average pKa shift for compounds exhibiting acidic properties in water was ca. 5.5 units, and the shift for basic compounds about 2 units. As was shown for a mixture of beta-blockers, the calculated actual mobilities and pKa values can be utilised in the optimisation of pH conditions for separation. The practical value of the method was illustrated by the analysis of urine samples.     

Determination of equilibrium constants of alkaline earth metal ion chelates with Dowex A-1 chelating resin

A complexation chemistry model is applied to chelating ion-exchange systems and a method is presented for the determination of equilibrium constants for metal ion chelates with these resins. Protonation constants for the iminodiacetic based chelating resin Dowex A-1 were determined from potentiometric pH-data. Equilibrium constants were determined for 1:1 beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium and barium chelates with the resin in a wide pH range by measuring the concentrations of respective metal ions in the aqueous phase with direct current plasma atomic emission spectrometry (DCP-AES). A batch technique was used for the equilibrium experiments. At pH below 7 protonated 1:1 species were also found to be formed with the resin. From the obtained equilibrium constants, theoretical distribution coefficients were calculated as function of pH for respective metal ion resin system.     

Thick-target PIGE analysis of plant materials preconcentrated by dry ashing

An analytical methodology has been developed for the UV-spectrophotometric determination of carbaryl in waters after its preconcentration onto a polyether type polyurethane foam followed by on-line elution. The aforementioned strategy offers an easy way for in-field sampling and to improve the analytical sensitivity. Several chemical and flow variables (mass of sorbent, sample flow rate, sample volume and carrier flow rate) were studied to ensure the best performance of the system. Recovery studies, carried out on natural water samples spiked with known amounts of carbaryl at concentration levels between 250 and 500 mug l(-1), provided recovery percentages between 94 and 105%. A detection limit of 12 mug l(-1) was achieved and a variation coefficient of 3.4% was obtained at 0.50 mug ml(-1).     

A monomeric selenium(IV) diimide and a dimeric seleninylamine

The selenium(IV) diimide AdN=Se=NAd (Ad = 1-adamantyl) adopts a monomeric structure with a Z,E configuration in the solid state whereas the seleninylamine OSe(mu-NBut)2SeO crystallizes as the cis-dimer.     

Determination of total iron in standard rocks by spectrophotometric titration with EDTA

A method for the determination of total iron in silicate rocks is described. It is based on spectrophotometric titration of iron(III) with EDTA after decomposition in a PTFE bomb. No prior separation of interfering elements is needed. The method was tested by analysis of the U.S. Geological Survey reference rocks G-2, AGV-1, GSP-1, BCR-1 and PCC-1. The same sample solutions were also analysed by atomic-absorption spectrophotometry. The agreement with published and recommended values was good.     

Determination of stability constants of chelate complexes: Part II. Applications

The proposed simplified method for calculating the stability constants of chelate complexes from pH and pM measurements (Part I) is applied to two systems. On the basis of data reported by Österberg, the stability constants of copper o-phosphorylserylglutamic acid are calculated and good agreement is achieved. In addition, the stability constants of the mononuclear, binuclear and trinuclear silver complexes of TTHA (triethylenetetraminehexaacetic acid) were calculated from potentiometric pAg data. These calculations yielded the following values of the cumulative constants: log β_AgL=8.7, log β_AgHL= 17.6, log β_AgH2L= 23.8, log β_Ag2L= 14.0, log β_Ag2HL = 20.5, log β_Ag2H2L = 25.6, log β_Ag2L =17.0.     

The formation of mixed ligand complexes by metal chelates and some buffer components

A method for the determination of the stability constants of mixed ligand Complexes of metals is described. The influence of the buffer components ammonia (NH₃), imidazole (Im)and hexamethylenetetramine (U) on the murcury (II)-TTHA system was investigated. The binuclear mercury (II)-TTHA chelate has a strong tendancy to coordinate two additional ligands. The following stability constants of mixed ligand chelates were determined:

. Potentiometric titrations were performed to check the effects of the buffers on compleximetric titrations.     

Applicability of microwave induced plasma optical emission spectrometry (MIP-OES) for continuous monitoring of mercury in flue gases

The applicability of microwave-induced plasma optical emission spectrometry (MIP-OES) for continuous monitoring of the environmentally hazardous element mercury in flue gases has been studied. Microwave induced plasmas have been sustained using both a TM₀₁₀ cavity (Beenakker resonator) and a so-called Surfatron. The analytical figures of merit for mercury in argon and helium discharges with both types of low-power micro-wave discharges have been examined. To determine mercury in artificial stack gases non-mixed argon/nitrogen discharges have been tested using a tangential flow torch design which allows to introduce a metal-loaded nitrogen gas flow as external gas and argon as internal gas. The addition of main flue gas components such as water vapour (concentration <6 g/m³), oxygen (<4% v/v) and carbon dioxide (<15% v/v) decrease the mercury line intensities to a considerable extent. Trace gases (CO, HCl, SO₂, NO) in concentrations typical to waste incineration processes have been found to have no effect on the mercury and the argon line intensities. The detection limit of mercury in nitrogen is 8 g/m³ using the TM₀₁₀ MIP and 10 g/m³ using the Surfatron. As such low detection limits are below the emission limit values of present-day environmental legislation MIP-OES is useful for on-line monitoring of mercury.Dedicated to Professor Dr. Dieter Klockow on the occasion of his 60th birthday     

Evaluation of epifluorescence image analysis of biofilm growth on stainless steel surfaces

Biofilm growth of Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas fragi, Pediococcus inopinatus and Listeria monocytogenes was studied on stainless steel surfaces at room and low temperatures to evaluate the results of traditional hygiene measures. The results were compared with those of image analysis of stainless steel surfaces in an epifluorescence microscope. Statistical analyses were carried out to determine the variations between the conventional cultivation swab method, the glycocalyx amount obtained using swabbing, and the values of the areas of the biofilm, slime and cells. As a general rule, old biofilms showed total counts at approximately the same levels as the young biofilm. The results showed that temperature affected the results for all strains except B. subtilis. The strains of Pe. inopinatus and Ps. fragi showed increased attachment at 6°C and L. monocytogenes at 25°C. The biofilm slime was more easily detached than the cells. The results indicated that the traditional swab method is not reliable for the measurement of biofilm formation on surfaces.