Determination of trace level microcystins in water using solid-phase extraction and high performance liquid chromatography

This paper presents a method for trace level analysis of microcystins in water using solid-phase extraction and high performance liquid chromatography. The optimized condition enabled the determination of common microcystins at levels as low as 0.02 similar to 0.05 mug/L, and the liner range is from 0.1 mug/L to 50 mug/L. The method has been applied to the analysis of field sample from Dianchi lake.

Capacitance-voltage characteristic as a trace of the exciton evolvement from spatially direct to indirect in quantum wells

We have investigated the photo-excited capacitance-voltage (C-V) characteristics as well as the photoluminescence spectra under different biases of a wide quantum well (QW) embedded in an n(+)-i-n(+) double-barrier structure. The pronounced peak feature at zero bias in the C-V spectrum observed upon illumination is regarded as a kind of quantum capacitance related to the quantum confined Stark effect, originating from the spatial separation of the photo-generated electron and hole gas in the QW. This fact is further demonstrated through the comparison between the C-V curve with the PL intensity versus applied voltage relationship under the same excitation. The results may provide us with a more direct and sensitive means in the detection of the separation and accumulation of both types of free carriers-electrons and holes-in low-dimensional semiconductor structures, especially in a new type of optical memory cell.

Trace theory

The concept of traces has been introduced for describing non-sequential behaviour of concurrent systems via its sequential observations. Traces represent concurrent processes in the same way as strings represent sequential ones. The theory of traces can be used as a tool for reasoning about nets and it is hoped that applying this theory one can get a calculus of the concurrent processes anologous to that available for sequential systems. The following topics will be discussed: algebraic properties of traces, trace models of some concurrency phenomena, fixed-point calculus for finding the behaviour of nets, modularity, and some applications of the presented theory.

Species transformation of trace elements and their distribution prediction in dyestuff residue incineration

The release of heavy metals from the combustion of hazardous wastes is an environmental issue of increasing concern. The species transformation characteristics of toxic heavy metals and their distribution are considered to be a complex problem of mechanism. The behavior of hazardous dyestuff residue is investigated in a tubular furnace under the general condition of hazardous waste pyrolysis and gasfication. Data interpretation has been aided by parallel theoretical study based on a thermodynamic equilibrium model based on the principle of Gibbs free energy minimization. The results show that Ni, Zn, Mn, and Cr are more enriched in dyestuff residue incineration than other heavy metals (Hg, As, and Se) subjected to volatilization. The thermodynamic model calculation is used for explaining the experiment data at 800 degrees C and analyzing species transformation of heavy metals. These results of species transformation are used to predict the distribution and emission characteristics of trace elements. Although most trace element predictions are validated by the measurements, cautions are in order due to the complexity of incineration systems.

Measurement of trace phosphorus in dichlorosilane by high-temperature hydrogen reduction gas chromatography

Dichlorosilane, a gas at normal temperature with a boiling point of 8.3 degrees C, is very difficult to sample and detect using conventional methods. We reduced phosphorus in dichlorosilane to PH3 by hydrogen at high temperature, then PH3 was separated from chlorosilanes by NaOH solution and from other hydrides by chromatographic absorption. Thus the problem of interference of chlorosilanes and other hydrides was overcome and PH, was measured by a double flame photometric detector at 526 nm. This method was sensitive, reliable and convenient and the sensitivity reached as low as 0.04 mu g/l.