Determination of the Fe2+/Fe3+ Ratio in Nuclear Waste Glasses

The Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺ ratios of 47 simulated nuclear waste glass samples with ratios varying from 0.01 (oxidized) to 1.6 (reduced) were determined by wet-chemical and Mössbauer spectral analyses. The wet-chemical method involved the spectrophotometric determination of Fe²⁺ and total iron using remote spectroscopy with fiber optic chemical sensing. Interferences from other species present in these glasses were examined and alternative analytical techniques were investigated. Results of wet-chemical and Mössbauer spectral analysis were comparable; however, the wet-chemical method is probably preferable for the analysis of highly radioactive glasses until such glasses have been shown to have satisfactory Mössbauer spectra.     

Low dielectric constant materials for advanced interconnects

Materials with low dielectric constants are being developed to replace silicon dioxide as interlevel dielectrics. This paper discusses material issues and the characterization of low-k materials for integration into advanced interconnects. Measurement techniques for the characterization of low-k films are discussed, and the results for several classes of low-k materials are presented. The properties of these materials are discussed in relation to structure-property relationships. For more information, contact P. Ho, University of Texas, Institute for Materials Science, Austin, Texas 78712; (512) 471-8961; fax (512) 471-8969; e-mail paulho@mail.utexas.edu.     

Determination of preservative and antimicrobial compounds in fish from Manila Bay, Philippines using ultra high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, and assessment of human dietary exposure

Ultra high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) determination of four paraben preservatives (methyl, ethyl, propyl and butyl) and two antimicrobial agents (triclosan and triclocarban) belonging to personal care products (PCPs) in 20 species of fish from Manila Bay (Philippines) was performed. Detection of PCPs with greater frequency indicates the ubiquitous contamination of Manila Bay. Concentrations of total paraben were one order of magnitude higher than the antimicrobials in almost all fish, except in Stolephorus indicus and Leiognathus equulus. A positive correlation was observed between parabens concentration and fish length (r = 0.31-0.49; p<0.05 to <0.001) and fish weight (r = 0.28-0.49; p<0.05 to <0.001), but not for the antimicrobials. The estimated dietary exposure values of the four parabens in the Philippines through fish is four orders of magnitude lower than the acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 10mg/kg/day, but the values of antimicrobials are just half of the ADI of TCS. To our knowledge, this is the first report of PCPs contamination in fish from Philippines.     

PARAFAC modeling of three-way hyperspectral images: Endogenous fluorophores as health biomarkers in aquatic species

Demand for a renewable liquid-phase fuel has reinvigorated interest in the development of novel biofuels from algae. The effects of fluctuating nutrients, temperature, and predation which arise in algal aquaculture necessitate novel analytical methods to assess and optimize the health of these cultures. In this article we describe the use of trilinear modeling to these ends, using imaging data of endogenous fluorescence from the marine diatom, Thalassiosira pseudonana, collected on a hyperspectral fluorescence confocal microscope (HSF-CM). By combining the spatial and spectral data with the additional physical parameter introduced by the varying photobleach rates of endogenous fluorophores, we obtain a means for employing trilinear analysis in this system. In this case, analysis was implemented using the method of parallel factors analysis (PARAFAC) which alleviates the rotational ambiguities involved in multivariate analysis of 2-way data. By imposing a nutrient limitation in our diatom culture, and collecting single cell microscopy data at various time points during the nutritional stress, PARAFAC results reveal evolution of the spectral emission characteristics of six components and a background as a result of incremental photobleaching. Although the underlying mechanisms for these observations are not addressed, the differences observed between nutritively normal and nutritively stressed cells provide signatures for early detection of health deterioration in the algal culture. Finally, the combination of hyperspectral fluorescence microscopy with PARAFAC is generally applicable for the study of complex biological systems with endogenous fluorescence.     

Continuous soapstock acidulation

A newly developed process is described for the continuous acidulation of soapstocks derived from alkali refining of vegetable oils. Results are presented for cottonseed, soybean, coconut and corn oil based soapstocks. The acidulation is accomplished by continuously reacting hot soapstock with H₂SO₄ and separating and countercurrently water washing in a Podbielniak centrifugal contactor. This process offers savings in labor, H₂SO₄ and steam over conventional batch acidulations, with improved recovery of fat. Typical performance data indicate around 98% recovery of the available TFA, acidulated greases containing less than 0.01% mineral acid, and acid water containing ca. 1% mineral acid. Presented at the AOCS Meeting, New Orleans, 1964.     

A comparison of the effectiveness of predator odor and plant antifeedant in deterring small mammal feeding damage on lodgepole pine seedlings

The influence of mustelid (weasel) anal-gland compounds (semiochemicals) and a plant antifeedant (pinosylvin) on snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus) and meadow vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus) feeding damage was investigated. This study has shown conclusively that when applied to spring-planted lodgepole pine seedlings, pinosylvin is effective in significantly reducing feeding damage. Seedlings treated with pinosylvin suffered damage levels of 2.3% and 21.2% compared to the controls with damage levels of 24.5% and 41.0%. Weasel scent was found to reduce damage levels, but the reduction was not statistically significant in all blocks.     

Selective electrodeposition of metals from simulated waste solutions

Most industrial waste streams contain a number of different heavy metals. The feasibility of selective electrodeposition of cadmium, cobalt and nickel as their pure metals (99%) from binary mixtures has been investigated. Single cation linear sweep voltamograms and nucleation potential measurements have been made and used to predict the optimum potentials and conditions for selective electro-deposition from the mixed-cation solutions. The anions used in this work are SO₄ ^2–, Cl^– and BF₄ . The optimum potential for removal by electrodeposition of Cd from a solution containing Cd(ii) and Co(ii) or Ni(ii) without codepositing Co or Ni has been evaluated from a simple diagram constructed from nucleation potential measurements. It is shown that the [Cd(ii)] remaining in the solution after exhaustive electrolysis at a fixed potential is determined by the Nernst equation, and not by the electrolysis time provided that a critical minimum time has been exceeded.