Indirect atomic absorption spectroscopic determination of SiO2 in copper composite coatings

A fast, sensitive and reliable method for the indirect atomic absorption determination of SiO₂ in copper composite coatings after extraction of silicomolybdic acid in a mixture of isobutyl methyl ketone and butanol (volume ratio 5?:?1) and measurement of the molybdenum absorbance in an air/acetylene flame is described. The experimental conditions are optimized for (i) prevention of the silicon polymerization during sample preparation and storage; (ii) for overcoming of the Cu(SiF₆) – complex formation and (iii) for quantitative extraction of the yellow complex into the organic phase for a wide silicon concentration range. The method permits the determination of 0.5–10 mg/g Si in copper. The analytical performance of the proposed method is compared with direct Si determination using ICP-AES.     

Log-gamma motion as flexible model for generalized interest rates

Negative, oscillating, and near zero interest rates are changing financial modeling completely. To address this situation, we introduce novel, flexible, and estimable model of interest rate. This model is based on recent developments of so-called Inv-Log-Gamma process. This model is much easier to be estimated as the continuous time models for interest rates with dampings, where interest rate r_t possesses a martingale property. Even though the estimation of continuous time interest rates is a difficult task. Therefore, more flexible and estimable model for interest rate is needed, which motivates our developments. Simulation and real data examples illustrate usefulness of our development.     

A comparative study of exogenous surfactant preparations and tracheal aspirate: interfacial tensiometry and properties of foam films

Surfactant replacement therapy has a vital role in the management of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Several techniques and models have been largely used to investigate interfacial physico-chemical properties in vitro and to assist clinical efficiency of exogenous surfactant preparations (ESPs) in vivo. Among them are interfacial tensiometry (Langmuir balance coupled with Wilhelmy plate method for surface tension measurement) and black foam film (BFF) method for measuring the capability of ESPs for bilayer foam film formation.

Here, we report some freshly established data from a comparative study of Exosurf, Survanta, Curosurf, Alveofact and clinical samples of tracheal aspirate (TA) of newborns with RDS treated with Curosurf. New observations concerning the properties of foam films of ESPs are also reported and discussed.

Measured interfacial physico-chemical parameters prove “better” properties in vitro of the SP-B and -C containing preparations Curosurf and Alveofact. Their properties are similar, Alveofact showing a higher surface tension lowering capacity under dynamic conditions.

A comparison with measured interfacial parameters of clinical samples shows that after treatment with Curosurf the phospholipid concentration in tracheal aspirates (367 μg/ml) is higher than the minimum phospholipid concentration for stable black film formation (C_t) of all four ESPs studied, while before treatment this concentration (63 μg/ml) is lower than C_t.

Values of measured “dynamic” parameters of clinical samples after treatment with Curosurf approach those of the exogenous surfactant preparation itself.     

On multivariate modifications of Cramer–Lundberg risk model with constant intensities

ABSTRACT

The paper considers very general multivariate modifications of Cramer–Lundberg risk model. The claims can be of different types and can arrive in groups. The groups arrival processes have constant intensities. The counting groups processes are dependent multivariate compound Poisson processes of Type I. We allow empty groups and show that in that case we can find stochastically equivalent Cramer–Lundberg model with non-empty groups. The investigated model generalizes the risk model with common shocks, the Poisson risk process of order k, the Poisson negative binomial, the Polya-Aeppli, the Polya-Aeppli of order k among others. All of them with one or more types of policies. The numerical characteristics, Cramer–Lundberg approximations, and probabilities of ruin are derived. During the paper, we show that the theory of these risk models intrinsically relates to the special types of integro differential equations. The probability solutions to such differential equations provide new insights, typically overseen from the standard point of view.     

Anisotropy factors for determination of neutron yield from the D(d,n)3He and T(d,n)4He reactions

Anisotropy correction coefficients for determination of both the total neutron yield and neutron flux at a given angle have been calculated employing the most accurate cross section data available at present. Comparisons with earlier calculations showed discrepancies of as much as 4.5% in the anisotropy factors for determination of the DD neutron flux.     

Electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometric determination of trace elements in high-purity silver after total and partial reductive separation of the matrix

A sensitive and reliable ETAAS determination of metal traces in high purity silver after total (Bi, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb) and partial (As, Hg, Sb, Se) separation of the matrix with ascorbic acid is described. The temperature program is optimized for analyte determination in ascorbic acid media and in 1% silver solution.     

Electrooxidation of phenol by catalase immobilized on graphite electrodes

Electrocatalytic properties of catalase (CAT) immobilized on graphite and soot to mediate electrooxidation of phenol have been investigated. The kinetic parameters--Km, k(s), deltaG*Ar and Z0 of the process studied were calculated. Conclusions on a probable mechanism of the biocatalytic and electrochemical process observed were drawn from the calculated values of activation and kinetic parameters. A quantitative UV-spectrophotometrical approach was used as an analytical tool. The electrochemical oxidation of phenol was examined with potentiodynamic and polarization curves' method.     

Indirect atomic absorption spectroscopic determination of SiO2 in copper composite coatings

A fast, sensitive and reliable method for the indirect atomic absorption determination of SiO₂ in copper composite coatings after extraction of silicomolybdic acid in a mixture of isobutyl methyl ketone and butanol (volume ratio 5 : 1) and measurement of the molybdenum absorbance in an air/acetylene flame is described. The experimental conditions are optimized for (i) prevention of the silicon polymerization during sample preparation and storage; (ii) for overcoming of the Cu(SiF₆) – complex formation and (iii) for quantitative extraction of the yellow complex into the organic phase for a wide silicon concentration range. The method permits the determination of 0.5–10 mg/g Si in copper. The analytical performance of the proposed method is compared with direct Si determination using ICP-AES. Received: 15 May 1997 / Revised: 19 September 1997 / Accepted: 25 September 1997