Effects of metal cations on betanin stability in aqueous-organic solutions

An effect of metal cations on betanin stability was investigated in aqueous and organic-aqueous solutions. The presence of organic solvents (methanol, ethanol, and acetonitrile) affects substantially the pigments decomposition in acidic media induced by metal cations whose degrading action in such media is significantly higher than in aqueous solutions. The influence of Cu²⁺ on the stability was studied by spectrophotometry in more detailed manner, because of its ability to form complexes with betanin. The possibility of a complex formation between betanin and Ni²⁺ was also stated at pH 7–8; its relatively high stability in aqueous samples was observed. A presence of numerous products of betanin decomposition was detected in the wavelength range 380–500 nm in spectra obtained for most of metal cations investigated, especially for higher concentrations of the organic solvents.     

Levels of 13 multi-class pesticide residues in Polish honeys determined by LC-ESI-MS/MS

Levels of 13 pesticides in 40 honey samples form Poland are reported. A rapid and sensitive method was developed for the LC-ESI-MS/MS determination of multi-class pesticide residues in honey samples. Liquid–liquid extraction (LLE) on a diatomaceous earth support (requiring the use of small amounts of organic solvent), followed by chromatographic separation on a C₁₈ column and gradient elution were employed. The method quantifies over a dynamic linear range from respective MQLs (0.06–1.3 ng/g) to 5 ng/g. Matrix effects were evaluated by comparing the slopes of matrix-matched and solvent-based calibration curves. The mean recoveries obtained for three fortification levels (0.5, 1.0 and 4.0 ng/g) were 63–117% for most compounds, with an expanded uncertainty of <10%. The results for real honey samples collected from five regions of Poland (Pomerania, Wielkopolska, Lublin Region, Lower and Upper Silesia), showed that residue concentrations were <5 ng/g and did not pose a threat to human health.     

Influence of the lubricant on temperature distribution in the forging dies

Experimental and theoretical analysis of the influence of the lubricant on the temperature distribution in the tool during forging is presented. Finite element solution of the general diffusion equation is used to calculate the heat transfer contact between the die and the hot workpiece and during the interpass times. The results of calculations are compared with the results of measurements carried out using thermocouples inserted in the die. Two ways of modelling heat transfer through the contact surface are considered. The first treats a lubricant as a separate layer with the relevant thermal properties. The second assumes a temperature discontinuity at the interface and introduces the heat transfer coefficient. Insulating properties of various lubricants are compared. White-water lubricant shows the best insulating properties. The values of the heat transfer coefficient obtained from the inverse analysis vary from 2600 (without lubrication) to 1500 W/m²K (white lubricant).     

Removal of arsenic(III) and arsenic(V) from sulfuric acid solution by liquid–liquid extraction

Extraction of arsenic(III) and arsenic(V) from sulfuric acid solution was studied. Cyanex^® 923, Cyanex^® 925, dialkyldithiophosphinic acids (Cyanex^® 301), hydrophobic glycol (2‐ethylhexane‐1,3‐diol), and hydroxamic acids were used as extractants. The efficiency of extraction depended on extractant, diluent, valency of arsenic, and sulfuric acid concentration. Acidic reagents extracted As(III) better than As(V), while the opposite order of extraction efficiency was observed for the solvating extractants. The use of an aromatic diluent (toluene) was preferred. Toluene was found to be a better diluent for the Cyanex^® 923 and Cyanex^® 925 than Exxsol D 220/230 and octane. In the case of neo‐decanohydroxamic acids, the type of diluent had no significant effect on extraction of arsenic. The extraction of both As(III) and As(V) increased when the concentration of the sulfuric acid in the feed increased. The co‐extraction of sulfuric acid was observed. The extraction with hydroxamic acids was significantly slower in comparison to the extraction with other reagents. Extractant: arsenic species: sulfuric acid molar ratios were determined and they confirmed the composition of extracted species. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

Small Alterations in Cobinamide Structure Considerably Influence sGC Activation

Specially designed B‐ring‐modified cobalamin derivatives were synthesized and tested as potential activators of soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC). Herein, we disclose the influence of substituents at the c‐ and d‐positions in hydrophilic and hydrophobic cobyrinic acid derivatives on their capacities to activate sGC. The presence of the amide group at c‐/d‐position in cobyrinic acid derivatives strongly influence the level of sGC activation. Removal of the d‐position altogether has a profound effect for hydrophobic compounds. In contrast, little differences were observed in hydrophilic ones.     

Variable Fractional Delay Filter Design Using a Symmetric Window

In this paper a numerically efficient method for designing a nearly optimal variable fractional delay (VFD) filter based on a simple and well-known window method is presented. In the proposed method a single window extracted from the optimal filter with fixed fractional delay (FD) is divided into even and odd part. Subsequently, the odd part is discarded and symmetric even part of the extracted window is used to design a family of nearly optimal filters with varying FD. In addition to window extraction, the proposed approach requires filter gain correction which is dependent on the desired FD. Optimum values of the gain correction factor as well as the extracted window can be computed beforehand, which allows us to design a nearly optimal FD filter with arbitrary FD at low numerical costs during runtime. On the basis of the proposed filter design method, the universal structure of VFD filter allowing for change of filter type and length has been proposed. In the paper, three FD filter optimality criteria are considered, which are maximal flatness, Chebyshev (minimax), and least squares.     

Improvement of damage detection methods based on experimental modal parameters

The objective of this paper is to introduce a new method for structural damage detection based on experimentally obtained modal parameters. The new method is suitable for detection of fatigue damage occurring in an aluminium cantilever beam. The damage has been practically realised as saw cuts of different sizes and at different locations. The first step of analysis included an attempt of damage identification with the most often used damage indicators based on measured modal parameters. For that purpose special signal processing technique has been proposed improving the effectiveness of indicators tested. However the results obtained have not been satisfactory. That was the motivation for defining new damage indicators (frequency change based damage indicator, Hybrid Damage Detection method), utilising the change of natural frequencies and any mode shape (measured or modelled) as the measurement of frequencies is much less time consuming in comparison to total mode shape measurement. It has been shown that the proposed technique is suitable for damage localisation in beam-like structures.