Sequencing games without initial order

In this note we study uncertainty sequencing situations, i.e., one-machine sequencing situations in which no initial order is specified. We associate cooperative games with these sequencing situations, study their core, and provide links with the classic sequencing games introduced by Curiel et al. (Eur J Oper Res 40:344–351, 1989). Moreover, we propose and characterize two simple cost allocation rules for uncertainty sequencing situations with equal processing times.     

Coupling Cloud Point Extraction to Instrumental Detection Systems for Metal Analysis

The purpose of this article is to review and evaluate cloud point extraction of metals and its coupling to different contemporary instrumental methods of analysis. This review covers a selection of the literature published on this topic over the period mainly between 1997 and September 2005 (consisting of 50 publications). The current state of the art for CPE concerning metals and metal chelates is presented with special emphasis on the hyphenation of this interesting extraction/preconcentration approach mediated by surfactants to spectrophotometry, atomic spectroscopy and separation techniques. We present contemporary CPE developments concerning metal speciation and determination and their application to different environmental, clinical, geological and food samples. Strategies for method development as well as future perspectives are also covered.     

Automatic kinetic determination of Hg(II) by anodic stripping potentiometry with constant current oxidation

A new kinetic method for the determination of Hg(II) is proposed. It is based on the kinetic evolution of the anodic stripping potentiometric curves yielded by a gold electrode previously coated with mercury upon passage of constant electrical currents. The method features a linear determination range between 40 and 800 ppb of Hg(II) and a relative standard deviation of 5% (n = 9) for a mercury concentration of 200 ppb. The experiments were conducted on a customized automatic set-up, and instrumentation, data acquisition and processing were all governed by means of a QBASIC program (PSAKINEL) written by the authors.     

Flow-through optical fiber sensor for automatic sulfide determination in waters by multisyringe flow injection analysis using solid-phase reflectometry

A software-controlled flow-through optical fiber diffuse reflectance sensor capitalized on the implementation of disk-based solid-phase pre-concentration schemes in a multisyringe flow injection analysis (MSFIA) set-up is proposed for the trace determination of sulfide in environmental waters and wastewaters. The fully automated flowing methodology is based on Fischer's coupling reaction of sulfide with N,N-dimethyl-p-phenylenediamine (DMPD) in the presence of Fe(iii) as oxidizing reagent in a 0.5 M HCl medium. The on-line generated methylene blue dye is subsequently delivered downstream to a dedicated optode cell furnished with an octadecyl-chemically modified (C(18)) disk, while continuously recording the diffuse reflectance spectrum of the pre-concentrated compound. A double regeneration protocol is finally executed to warrant minimum background noise and negligible baseline. Under the optimized chemical and hydrodynamic conditions, the optosensing MSFIA method features coefficients of variation better than 0.7%(n= 10) at 50 microg l(-1) concentration, a linear working range of 20-200 microg l(-1) sulfide, a 3sigma(blank) detection limit of 2.9 microg l(-1) sulfide and an injection throughput of 8 h(-1) for a pre-concentration sample volume of 2.9 ml. The interfacing of the robust and versatile multisyringe flow injection-based optode with a plug-in spectrophotometer furnished with a light emitting diode assures the miniaturization of the overall flow analyzer, which is, thus, readily adaptable to real-time monitoring schemes. The potential of the multisyringe flow method was assessed via the determination of sulfide traces in water samples of different complexity (namely, freshwater, seawater and wastewater).     

Synthesis of different chiral amino gamma-butyrolactones and amino gamma-butenolides

Different transformations of chiral epoxy esters 1 afford two different amino gamma-butyrolactones 2 and 6, and amino gamma-butenolides 8, by different nucleophilic opening-closing processes. [reaction: see text]     

Valgran, a program for potentiometric titrations with a versatile automatic modular system

A very flexible modular system for use with a portable IBM PC for potentiometric titrations is described. The appropriate software has been developed in order to obtain automatic end-points, and conventional, first-derivative, second-derivative and Gran curves, as well as a listing of the potentiometric points expressed in different ways. All these alternatives are selectable on menu presentations. The potentiometric system has been applied both the research and routine problems.     

Spectrophotometric determination of silicate with Rhodamine B by flow-injection analysis

A spectrophotometric flow-injection method for the determination of silicate based on the formation of an ion pair between molybdosilicic acid and Rhodamine B is proposed. It allows silicate to be determined over the concentration range 0.17–2.0 mg 1^?1 at a sampling rate of 40 h^?1, is reasonably precise and is highly tolerant to ions that commonly occur in waters. It has been applied with satisfactory results to the determination of silicate in various types of water.     

Existence of generic homoclinic tangencies for henon mappings

It is an open question whether there is a strange attractor for the Henon mapping. We show that for certain maps close to the Henon map there are strange attractors.     

Chemometric Strategies to Develop a Nanocomposite Electrode for Simultaneous Determination of Ascorbic Acid,Dopamine, and Uric Acid

A simple and sensitive method for simultaneously measuring dopamine (DA), ascorbic acid (AA), and uric acid (UA) using a poly(1‐aminoanthracene) and carbon nanotubes nanocomposite electrode is presented. The experimental parameters for composite film synthesis as well as the variables related to simultaneous determination of DA, AA, and UA were optimized at the same time using fractional factorial and Doehlert designs. The use of carbon nanotubes and poly(1‐aminoanthracene) in association with a cathodic pretreatment led to three well‐defined oxidation peaks at potentials around ?0.039, 0.180 and 0.351 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) for AA, DA, and UA, respectively. Using differential pulse voltammetry, calibration curves for AA, DA, and UA were obtained over the range of 0.16–3.12×10^?3 mol L^?1, 3.54–136×10^?6 mol L^?1, and 0.76–2.92×10^?3 mol L^?1, with detection limits of 3.95×10^?5 mol L^?1, 2.90×10^?7 mol L^?1, and 4.22×10^?5 mol L^?1, respectively. The proposed method was successfully applied to determine DA, AA, and UA in biological samples with good results.     

UVB radiation induces changes in the ultra-structure of Iridaea cordata

Iridaea cordata cultivated in the presence of UVB radiation (UVBR) was studied using transmission electron microscopy. Apical segments were cultivated in 0.97 Wm^?2 of UVBR for 40 days, 3 h a day, and compared to a negative control (UVBR absent). UVBR caused modifications, mainly in the cortical cells, including an increased number of cell wall-producing vesicles, in addition to thicker and denser cellular walls, compared to the control. Additionally, cells were observed with an irregular contour and without defined organelles. The increase of cell-wall thickness could be interpreted as an acclimation to UVBR, which could lead to protection from this radiation.