Multidomain direct method and its applicability to the local time-step concept

A new multidomain direct (noniterative) method for solving boundary-value problems is presented. Using this method, the solution is expressed by a linear combination of auxiliary functions and unknowns which pertain to the boundaries of a subdomain. This approach enables us to solve problems independently and exactly, without any iterations between subdomains. As a consequence, different types of equations and coordinate systems may be considered in different subdomains. Moreover, different boundary conditions and variable (in space) time steps may be imposed on the subdomains as well. Applications are given for initial boundary-value problems with known analytical solutions, including a highly nonlinear porosity equation. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

An invariance of geometric mean with respect to Lagrangian means

The invariance of the geometric mean G with respect to the Lagrangian mean-type mapping (Lf,Lg), i.e. the equation G○(Lf,Lg)=G, is considered. We show that the functions f and g must be of high class regularity. This fact allows to reduce the problem to a differential equation and determine the second derivatives of the generators f and g.     

Equilibrated thermodesorption studies of adsorption of n-hexane and n-heptane on zeolites Y, ZSM-5 and ZSM-11

Gravimetric measurements of thermodesorption of n-hexane and n-heptane were performed under quasi-equilibrium conditions. Differential thermodesorption profiles for ZSM-5 and ZSM-11 showed two peaks, but for Y zeolites, only one thermodesorption peak was observed. A model function, derived from the Langmiur adsorption model, was fitted to the experimental data, and the model parameters (the adsorption entropy and enthalpy) were estimated. The two-step desorption profiles observed for ZSM-5 and ZSM-11 were attributed to the commensurate freezing effect, i.e. a transition in the adsorbed phase resulting in ordering of the adsorbed molecules in the zeolite channels. The results observed for ZSM-11 indicate that the zigzag channels typical for ZSM-5 micropore system are not necessary for this transition to occur.     

Densitometric Determination of Embelin in Lysimachia punctata

JPC – Journal of Planar Chromatography – Modern TLC - Athin layer chromatographic method with densitometric UV detection at λ = 285 nm has been developed for quantification of...     

The Effect of Cyclodextrins on the Photochemical Stability of 7-Amino-4-methylcoumarin in Aqueous Solution

The effect of -, - and -cyclodextrin onthe photochemical stability of 7-amino-4-methylcoumarin (C120)was studied. Using spectroscopic techniques (UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence, fluorescence anisotropy and circular dichroism) combined with HPLC/MS and MS analysis it was demonstrated that addition of -cyclodextrin to the aqueoussolution of C120 markedly inhibits the photodegradation of that dye. This results from theformation of an inclusion complex between C120 and -cyclodextrin.     

Effect of the fibre-forming material structure and silica nanoparticles

The paper discusses the thermal properties of alginate fibres made from alginic acid or sodium alginate and from alginates substituted with divalent metal ions during the fibre-forming stage. Alginate fibres with an addition of silica nanoparticles have also been examined. The selection of fibre-forming parameters was intended to obtain the best either sorption or strength properties depending on the specific fibre application. Thermal curves of the fibres under investigations obtained by under air atmosphere and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) under neutral gas atmosphere have been interpreted from the view of physical and chemical changes in the fibre-forming material. Based on thermogravimetric curves, the fibre thermal stability indices have been determined. It has been found that the addition of silica nanoparticles exerts a positive influence on the thermal properties of the examined fibres.     

Application of the DFT Theory to Study Cobalamin Complexes

The aim of present study is to select the best methodology in the frame of the Density Functional Theory (DFT), which may be employed to study the cobalamin complexes. Our discussion is limited to two approaches, one in which hybrid B3LYP and UB3LYP functionals are used, and the second in which geometry parameters are calculated within LDA-VWN functional, and energies of the investigated systems are computed within RPBE functional. Results of performed calculations show that both methodologies can be successfully applied to study cobalamin derivatives. Probably because of the small ligand binding energies in the studied complexes, the B3LYP and UB3LYP functionals may be used only to predict the pattern of changes in the binding energies. The use of the RPBE functional, originally parameterized to reproduce in a proper way the chemisorption energies of the small molecules on the metallic surfaces, allows to improve their values so as they fit into experimental data. Geometry parameters of the investigated complexes computed within both approaches are in good agreement with the experimental values. Interatomic distances are a little overestimated while calculated within both hybrid functionals, what is in contrast to VWN functional results. The latter, in general, gives shorter distances as observed experimentally.     

Factors Influencing the Course of the Macrocyclization of α,ω‐Diamines with Esters of α,ω‐Dicarboxylic Acids

The efficient synthesis of eight new macrocyclic amides (lactams) via reaction of diesters with diamines under normal dilution conditions is described. The role of intermolecular H‐bond formation and steric hindrance is discussed based on ¹H‐ and ¹⁵N‐NMR studies of appropriate model compounds. Principles for the optimal choice of esters that can be efficiently transformed into diamides have been developed.     

Square-wave voltammetric determination of cefoperazone in a bacterial culture,pharmaceutical drug,milk, and urine

Use of square-wave voltammetry (SWV) for determination of cefoperazone (CFPZ) in some buffers, bacterial culture, urine, and milk is described. CFPZ provides a specific voltammetric signal which is affected by pH and solution components. Determination of CFPZ in Britton–Robinson buffer, pH 4.4, is sensitive with a low detection limit (about 0.5 nmol L^–1). In a more complex medium (bacterial 2YT medium, pH 7.2) the detection limit was approximately 1.5 mol L^–1. We provide evidence that SWV is a suitable and quick method for CFPZ determination in a culture of living bacteria without separation of biomass. We have found big differences between methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) in cultivation in the presence of CFPZ, depending on time. When CFPZ is cleaved by penicillinase, a new SWV peak b appears at more positive potentials. This peak rises both with increasing concentration of enzyme and with cleavage time while the original CFPZ peak is simultaneously decreasing. We determined the concentration of CFPZ in the drug Pathozone by the standard addition method and achieved good agreement with the declared value of CFPZ in the drug. With a simple pretreatment procedure it is possible to determine CFPZ in milk; for urine no pretreatment was required. Using SWV we could detect CFPZ concentrations as low as 500 nmol L^–1 in bovine milk and human urine.     

An analysis of avidin, biotin and their interaction at attomole levels by voltammetric and chromatographic techniques

The electroanalytical determination of avidin in solution, in a carbon paste, and in a transgenic maize extract was performed in acidic medium at a carbon paste electrode (CPE). The oxidative voltammetric signal resulting from the presence of tyrosine and tryptophan in avidin was observed using square-wave voltammetry. The process could be used to determine avidin concentrations up to 3 fM (100 amol in 3 l drop) in solution, 700 fM (174 fmol in 250 l solution) in an avidin-modified electrode, and 174 nM in a maize seed extract. In the case of the avidin-modified CPE, several parameters were studied in order to optimize the measurements, such as electrode accumulation time, composition of the avidin-modified CPE, and the elution time of avidin. In addition, the avidin-modified electrode was used to detect biotin in solution (the detection limit was 7.6 pmol in a 6 l drop) and to detect biotin in a pharmaceutical drug after various solvent extraction procedures. Comparable studies for the detection of biotin were developed using HPLC with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) and flow injection analysis with electrochemical detection, which allowed biotin to be detected at levels as low as 614 pM and 6.6 nM, respectively. The effects of applied potential, acetonitrile content, and flow rate of the mobile phase on the FIA-ED signal were also studied.