Direct Spectroscopic Determination of Europium(Ⅱ) Concentration During Europium(Ⅲ) Electro-Reduction in Hydrochloric Acid Medium

UV-Vis spectroscopy was used to directly determine the concentration of Eu(Ⅱ) during electroreduction of Eu(Ⅲ) in hydrochloric acid medium. Electroreduction was carried out in a flow type electrolyzer with glassy carbon cathode at the constant potential of -800 mV vs. Ag/AgCl. The effects of oxygen and concentration of hydrochloric acid on the system were investigated. For 0.01 mol·L-1 hydrochloric acid, calibration curves for Eu(Ⅱ) absorption bands at 248 and 320 nm were constructed. Molar absorption coefficients were estimated to be 2016 and 648 L·mol-1·cm-1, respectively. The absorbance strongly decreased with decrease in pH of the solution, whereas concentration of chloride had only a negligible effect.     

Toxicity increases in ice containing monochlorophenols upon photolysis: environmental consequences

The toxic effects of photoproducts formed upon the photolysis of 2- and 4-chlorophenol (CP) frozen solutions in polycrystalline ice phase were determined with a bacterial luminescence test (Vibrio fisheri), and in vitro biomarker assay for dioxin-like effects (inductions of AhR-dependent luciferase in H4IIE-luc cells) and compared to the toxic effects of products of the same photoreaction in aquatic phase. Coupling photoproducts formed in ice samples (3'-chlorobiphenyl-2,4'-diol and 3-chlorobiphenyl-2,2'-diol from 2-CP photolysis and 5-chlorobiphenyl-2,4'-diol from 4-CP photolysis) were found to be more toxic to V. fisheri than parent CPs and elicited significant inductions of dioxin-like effects (the effective concentrations EC50 approximately 3 x 10(-5) mol L(-1) corresponded to known weaker ligands of AhR, such as nonplanar polychlorinated biphenyls or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons). To complete the picture, a photoproduct formed from 4-CP (5-chlorobiphenyl-2,4'-diol) was synthesized, and a detailed toxicity assessment with purified compound confirmed the results obtained with irradiated samples. Our findings support a recently proposed model according to which solar radiation can trigger the formation of new types of organic pollutants in polar ice or tropospheric ice cloud particles, presenting possibly greater risk to the environment than the parent compounds.     

Effect of hybrid polymer coating of Bioglass® foams on mechanical response during tensile loading

A simplified two-dimensional finite elements model was created for a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) coated Bioglass^® strut undergoing tensile stresses (loading mode I). The strengthening contributions due to the infiltration of coating into surface cracks and coating's stiffness were evaluated in terms of stress intensity factor K_I and tensile stresses σ_yy in the proximity of the crack tip. The infiltration of the coating until the crack tip resulted as the most effective criterion for the struts strengthening. Bioglass^® based scaffolds were dip coated into PVA and PVA/microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) aqueous solutions and tested in tensile load. Coated samples exhibited remarkably higher tensile strength than non-coated ones, which further raised with the increased amount of MFC. Contact angle θ and linear viscosity η measurements of PVA/MFC solutions showed that MFC caused a reduction in θ and a drastic increase in η, indicating that a balance between these two effects must be achieved.     

Noise in secondary electron emission: the low yield case

Studies concerning assessment of the image quality in scanning electron microscopes and studies evaluating the detective efficiency of the secondary electron (SE) detectors in these microscopes must be based on statistics of SE emission. The vast majority of previous studies have applied Poisson statistics, although their prerequisites have not been satisfied in most cases. This paper is concerned with the limits to the applicability of Poisson statistics to SE emission. Adequate definition of a non-Poisson factor in the variance of the number of SEs emitted is discussed, and a simple formula for this factor is derived for the low yield case in which both the primary and the backscattered electron are assumed not to release more than one SE. These conditions are met with conductive specimens composed of light elements at primary electron (PE) energies of tens of keV. For the lightest specimens, such as carbon, the non-Poisson factor can even be neglected for PEs >10 keV.     

Problem of the reference height of the projectile trajectory as a reduced meteo-ballistic weighting factor

This paper deals with the issue of preparation of the aiming angles with the use of tabular firing tables and needed determination of the ballistic elements μB （ballistic wind wB Wxm WzB, ballistic （virtual） temperature τB, ballistic density ρB） from the standardized met messages. The weighting factors are used for the calculation of ballistic elementsμB that are incorporated into the trajectory calculations characteristics of weapon and ammunition. Two different methodologies practically used in the praxis are analysed and compared. For the comparison of the two methodologies the reference height of trajectory determined from the weighting factor functions is employed. On the basis of the analyses conducted, the potential for further increase in accuracy of these aiming angles preparation methods is pointed out.     

Comparison of microstructural properties and Charpy impact behaviour between different plates of the Eurofer97 steel and effect of isothermal ageing

The microstructure and fracture properties of the Eurofer97 steel plates of thickness 14 mm and 25 mm were investigated in as-received state and in state after long-term thermal ageing (550 °C/5000 h). Detailed microstructure studies were carried out by means of optical light, electron and quantitative electron microscopy. Mechanical properties were evaluated by means of Charpy impact testing and hardness testing and fracture surfaces were fractographically analysed in macro and microscales. The microstructure of the Eurofer97 consisted of tempered martensite with M₂₃C₆ and MX precipitates. Microstructure of 14 mm plate was more homogenous and fine grained than 25 mm plate. Due to different microstructure the t_DBTT of thicker plate was on +10 °C higher than for 14 mm plate for which reached −60 °C. Slight microstructural changes on the level of subgrain consisting of their partial recrystallization and slight carbide coarsening were observed after applied ageing. The isothermal ageing caused evident shift in t_DBTT about +5 °C, which was most likely caused by recrystallization of subgrains.     

Diversity and antibiotic resistance of enterococci associated with stored-product insects collected from feed mills

Diversity and antibiotic resistance of enterococci associated with stored-product insects were assessed by screening 298 live adults from nine insect species collected from six feed mills in the midwestern United States. The eight antibiotics tested were tetracycline, ampicillin, erythromycin, vancomycin, chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, streptomycin, and neomycin. Enterococci were isolated from seven out of nine insect species collected. A majority of enterococci and aerococci were isolated from the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst). Approximately 18% of the insects tested positive for bacteria on mEnterococcus agar, and the mean colony forming units ranged from 2×10¹ to 1.3×10⁵ per insect. Bacteria isolated on mEnterococcus agar included Enterococcus faecium, Enterococcus gallinarum, and Aerococcus viridans 3. Isolates of E. faecium displayed complete or intermediate resistance, most frequently to neomycin, tetracycline, and erythromycin. In addition, many E. faecium isolates exhibited intermediate resistance to vancomycin. The majority of A. viridans 3 isolates were susceptible to all antibiotics, while isolates of E. gallinarum displayed resistance to neomycin. Enterococci and aerococci are nosocomial human pathogens and are implicated in secondary infections, mainly in immuno-compromised individuals. Additionally, enterococci are considered an important reservoir of antibiotic resistance genes that can be horizontally transferred to other bacteria, including serious human pathogens. Our data reinforce the need for pest management to reduce the availability of vectors (insects) for dissemination of microorganisms carrying antibiotic resistance genes in the feed mill environment.     

Corrosion behaviour of titanium after short-term exposure to an acidic environment containing fluoride ions

The negative effect of fluoride ions on titanium has been known in dentistry for a long time. The presented work was aimed at the interaction between titanium and model saliva following a short-term exposure of a specimen to a model medical preparation rich in fluoride ions. The experimental work was carried out using titanium grade 2 in a physiological solution (pH non-adjusted, 5.8, 4.2; 5000 ppm F⁻) and in model saliva. Electrochemical measurement techniques were supplemented with XPS analysis. The presence of fluoride ions resulted in partial degradation of the passive layer even in a slightly acidic environment. The decrease of pH to the value of 4.2 and the presence of 5000 ppm F⁻ caused titanium activation followed by a slow repassivation in model saliva. Formation of low soluble compound rich in fluorine explains experimental data. Short medical treatment can result in relatively long period of increased titanium corrosion.     

Enhanced C?O Functionality on Carbon Papers Ensures Lowering Nucleation Delay of ALD for Ru towards Unprecedented Alkaline HER Activity

The success in lowering the nucleation delay for Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) of Ru on carbon surfaces is mitigated by constructive pretreatments resulting enhancement of C O functionality. Treatment of the carbon papers (CP) allowed Ru species deposition for minimum number of ALD cycles (25 cycles) with good conformality. The development of electrocatalysts from single atoms to nanoparticles (NPs) on conductive supports with low metal loadings, thus improving performance, is essential in electrocatalysis. For alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction, ALD decorated CPs with Ru exhibit low onset potentials of ≈4.7 mV versus reversable hydrogen electrode (RHE) (at 10 mA cm⁻²) and a high turnover frequency of 1.92 H₂ s⁻¹ at 30 mV versus RHE. The Ru decorated CPs show comparable to higher catalytic activity than of Platinum (Pt) decorated CP also developed by ALD. The current representation of unfamiliar catalytic activities of Ru active centers developed by ALD, pave a bright and sustainable path for energy conversion reactions.     

Selective Eu(III) Electro‐Reduction and Subsequent Separation of Eu(II) from Rare Earths(III) via HDEHP Impregnated Resin

Abstract

Eu(III) was selectively reduced to Eu(II) at three‐dimensional glassy carbon cathode in 0.01 mol · dm^?3 hydrochloric acid medium. Eu(III) reduction took place after all the dissolved oxygen was reduced and then proceeded steadily. Separation of Eu(II) from trivalent rare earths (La, Ce, Sm, Gd, Er, Yb) was carried out using a novel impregnated resin based on bis(2‐ethylhexy1)phosphoric acid. Eu(II) showed much lower affinity towards the resin than the trivalent rare earths and broke through the column readily. Eu of purity higher than 99.8% was yielded. The back‐oxidation of Eu(II) was observed during the sorption and Eu(III) was absorbed onto the resin. Adsorbed light and middle rare earths could be stripped from the loaded resin by 3M hydrochloric acid. Stripping of heavy rare earths (Er, Yb) was problematic.