TrainMiC®: a programme for life-long learning in metrology in chemistry

This article gives an overview of the programme TrainMiC^®, a European programme for Life-Long Learning in metrology in chemistry. It explains its raison d’être and puts it into perspective to other European and EU member states initiatives. The TrainMiC^® system (http://www.trainmic.org) is described in detail. It is explained how it has developed into a truly unique system which is operational across many parts of Europe (19 countries) via national teams. These teams use shareware pedagogic tools. The learning content has been harmonised at the European level by a joint effort of many experts across Europe working via an Editorial Board. The material has been translated in ten different languages. Possible future evolution of this Life Long Learning programme is discussed.     

Proficiency testing in analytical chemistry, microbiology and laboratory medicine: working discussions on current practice and future directions

A summary of the working group (WG) discussions on proficiency testing (PT) and external quality assessment (EQA) held at the Eurachem Workshop, Rome, 5–7 October 2008 is provided. The eight WG’s covered a range of issues concerned with current practice and future directions; how frequently should laboratories participate in PT/EQA? (WG1); developments in PT/EQA within the EU—what is required in future? (WG2); what issues do developing countries face with regards to PT/EQA? (WG3), what issues are specific to microbiology PT/EQA? (WG4); what new fields are emerging for PT/EQA? (WG5); what will be the impact of the new ISO/IEC 17043 standard? (WG6); do current PT/EQA schemes meet the needs of participants? (WG7); and what are the issues that affect the quality of proficiency test items? (WG8). Delegates with different backgrounds were on each WG in order to capture a range of views and experience from a number of different sectors. Working group representatives included PT/EQA providers, participants in PT/EQA schemes and end users of PT results such as accreditation bodies and regulatory authorities, from countries around the world.     

Determination of Fe,Nb and Si in titanium (IV) oxide white pigments by AAS using multivariate linear calibration methods

Models for the quantitative determination of Fe, Nb and Si in titanium (IV) oxide white pigments by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) are described. For the models two multivariate linear calibration techniques have been used: principal component regression (PCR) and partial least squares (PLS1). Absorbances measured at wavelengths for elements present in solution have been considered as independent (x) variables, while the concentrations of elements (or their oxide) to be determined have been taken as dependent (y) variables. The results obtained by the models do not differ significantly (alpha=0.05) from those achieved by the XRF method checked in advance by another independent method, the neutron activation analysis (NAA).     

Closed holomorphic 1-forms without zeros on Stein manifolds

We prove that a stein mainfold admits a closed holomorphic 1-form without zeros in every class of the first cohomology group. We also prove an approximation result for closed holomorphic 1-forms without zeros defined in a neighborhood of a compact subset.     

From α‐carbamoyl‐α‐cyano­oxiranes to 3‐halogenopyruv­amides

The crystal structures of the first stable α‐diol from the α‐halogenopyruv­amide series, 3‐chloro‐2,2‐di­hydroxy‐3‐phenyl­propan­amide, C₉H₁₀­ClNO₃, and three products [3‐(4‐chloro­phenyl)‐2‐cyano‐2,3‐epoxy­propan­amide, C₁₀H₇­ClN₂O₂, 3‐bromo‐2‐cyano‐2‐hydroxy‐3‐p‐tolyl­propan­amide, C₁₁H₁₁Br­N₂O₂, 3‐bromo‐2‐oxo‐3‐p‐tolyl­propan­amide, C₁₀H₁₀­BrNO₂] obtained during the systematic synthesis of α‐halogenopyruv­amides are reported. The crystal structures are dominated by hydrogen bonds involving an amide group. The stability of the geminal diol could be ascribed to hydrogen bonds which involve both hydroxyl groups.     

Novel N-chlorinated derivatives of 2H-1-benzopyran-2-imines

A series of new N-chlorobenzopyran-2-imines were prepared in moderate to good yields, by reacting sodium hypochlorite in an acidic medium with benzopyran-2-imines obtained via the Knoevenagel condensation. Some of the N-chlorobenzopyran-2-imines obtained are potential antiproliferating agents.     

Proper holomorphic embeddings of finitely connected planar domains into ℂ n

In this paper we consider proper holomorphic embeddings of finitely connected planar domains into ? ⁿ that approximate given proper embeddings on smooth curves. As a side result we obtain a tool for approximating a $\mathcal{C}^{\infty}$ diffeomorphism on a polynomially convex set in ? ⁿ by an automorphism of ? ⁿ that satisfies some additional properties along a real embedded curve.