Constructing a new optical sensor for monitoring ammonia in water samples using bis(acetylacetoneethylendiamine)-tributylphosphin cobalt(III) tetraphenylborate complex-coated triacetylcellulose.

A new ammonia optical sensor was designed using bis(acetylacetoneethylendiamine)tributylphosphin cobalt(III) tetraphenylborate complex, coated on transparent triacetylcellulose film as membrane. The change in the absorbance of the optode at the maximum wavelength of 408 nm was related to ammonia concentration in aqueous samples. A buffer solution with a pH of 9 (sodium borate-HCl) was used. The optode was fully regenerated in pH 2. The linear dynamic range for determination of ammonia was 3.3 x 10(-4) to 6.9 x 10(-3) mol l(-1) with a detection limit of 5.0 x 10(-5) mol l(-1) and a response time range of 4 - 6 min. This membrane was successfully applied for determination of ammonia in drinking water.     

A rate-dependent algebraic stress model for turbulence

Based on the stress transport model, a rate-dependent algebraic expression for the Reynolds stress tensor is developed. It is shown that the new model includes the normal stress effects and exhibits viscoelastic behavior. Furthermore, it is compatible with recently developed improved models of turbulence. The model is also consistent with the limiting behavior of turbulence in the inertial sublayer and is capable of predicting secondary flows in noncircular ducts. The TEACH code is modified according to the requirements of the rate-dependent model and is used to predict turbulent flow fields in a channel and behind a backward-facing step. The predicted results are compared with the available experimental data and those obtained from the standard k-ε and algebraic stress models. It is shown that the predictions of the new model are in better agreements with the experimental data.     

Adsorptive Stripping Voltammetric Determination of Ultra Trace of Zinc and Lead with Carbidopa as Complexing Agent in Food and Water Samples

In the present work, the cathodic stripping voltammetric methodology using a hanging mercury drop electrode was described for simultaneous determination of lead and zinc in different real samples. The method is based on adsorption of metal ions on mercury electrode using carbidopa as a suitable complexing agent. The potential was scanned to the negative direction and the differential pulse stripping voltammograms were recorded. Optimal conditions were found to be: accumulation time; 70 s, accumulation potential; 50 mV versus Ag/AgCl, scan rate; 40 mV s^?1, supporting electrolyte; 0.01 M ammonia buffer at pH 8.5, and concentration of carbidopa; 8.0 μM. The relationship between the peak current versus concentration was linear over the range of 0.1–210 and 0.2–170 nM for lead and zinc, respectively. The detection limits are 0.09 and 0.15 nM for lead and zinc ions respectively. The relative standard deviations at a concentration level of 70 nM of both metal ions are found 1.08 and 1.24% for lead and zinc ions respectively.     

New computer program to calculate the symmetry of molecules

In this paper we, present some MATLAB and GAP programs and use them to find the automorphism group of the Euclidean graph of the C₈₀ fullerence with connectivity and geometry of I _h symmetry point group. It is proved that this group has order 120 and is isomorphic to I _h ≊Z₂×A₅, where Z₂ is, a cyclic group of order 2 and A₅ is the alternating group on five symbols.     

Bioaccumulation and biosorption of stable strontium and <Superscript>90</Superscript>Sr by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oscillatoria homogenea</Emphasis> cyanobacterium

The ability of living filamentous cells of the cyanobacterium Oscillatoria homogenea to separate stable strontium and ⁹⁰Sr from aqueous solution is demonstrated in this study. On a basis of filamentous cell biovolume, the removal were 43.78 nM·ml·(mm³)⁻¹ and 3129.48 mBq·ml·(mm³)⁻¹ after 240 hour incubation. The optimum pH for strontium uptake is 9±0.3. The increasing biovolume of the blue-green alga elevates sorption. In the liquid culture containing 21.2 mm³·ml⁻¹ filamentous cells and 1000 nM·ml⁻¹ initial strontium concentration, the maximum strontium removal was 455.34 nM·ml·(mm³)⁻¹. At 1200 Lux illumination, the maximum removal value was 58.62 nM·ml·(mm³)⁻¹, and at the initial strontium concentration of 6590 nM·ml⁻¹, 235.40 nM·ml·(mm³)⁻¹ removal was observed. The experimental data fitted to Langmuir isotherm and the model parameters and correlation coefficient (R ²) were q _max = 7.143 μg·(mm³)⁻¹, b = 0.003 and 0.99, respectively.     

Formation of PdNiZn thin film at oil‐water interface: XPS study and application as Suzuki‐Miyaura catalyst

Nanosheet of PdNiZn and nanosphere of PdNiZn/reduced‐graphene oxide (RGO) with sub‐3 nm spheres have been successfully synthesized through a facile oil‐water interfacial strategy. The morphology and composition of the films were determined by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive analysis of X‐ray (EDAX) and elemental mapping. In the present study, we have developed a method to minimize the usage of precious Pd element. Due to the special structure and intermetallic synergies, the PdNiZn and PdNiZn/RGO nanoalloys exhibited enhanced catalytic activity and durability relative to Pd nanoparticles in Suzuki‐Miyaura C‐C cross‐coupling reaction. Compared to classical cross‐coupling reactions, this method has the advantages of a green solvent, short reaction times, low catalyst loading, high yields and reusability of the catalysts.     

Picosecond wavelength conversion using semiconductor optical amplifier integrated with microring resonator notch filter

Optical and Quantum Electronics - In this paper, we analyse the picosecond wavelength conversion using semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) with a novel technique. For an accurate and precise...     

Functionalization of BN nanosheet with N2H4 may be feasible in the presence of Stone–Wales defect

Following recent experimental works, herein we investigated chemical functionalization of a BN graphene-like sheet with hydrazine (N₂H₄) molecule based on the density functional theory. We found that the functionalization of the pristine sheet is not possible; while the presence of some structural defects such as Stone–Wales is essential to make it feasible. Functionalization energy of the defected sheet is calculated to be in the range of ?6.1 to ?7.4 kcal/mol at B3LYP/6-31G (d) level. Based on the obtained results, the functionalized BN sheet is found to be more soluble in water in comparison with the pristine sheet which is in good agreement with previous experimental reports. Also, it was found that the electronic properties of the defected sheet are slightly changed upon the chemical functionalization.