This paper considers how decisions on internationally recommended datasets are made and implemented and, further, how the ownership of these decisions comes about. Examples are given of conventionally agreed data and values where the responsibility is clear and comes about through official designation or by common usage and practice over long time periods. The example of the dataset describing the mass concentration of mercury in air at saturation is discussed in detail. This is a case where there are now several competing datasets that are in disagreement with each other, some with historical authority and some more recent but, arguably, with more robust metrological traceability to the SI. Further, it is elaborated that there is no body charged with the responsibility to make a decision on an international recommendation for such a dataset. This has led to the situation where several competing datasets are in use simultaneously. It is noted that in the case of the ozone cross section there is already a committee appointed to deliberate over any change. We make the proposal that a similar committee, under the auspices of IUPAC or the CIPM’s CCQM (if it adopted a reference data function) could be formed to perform a similar role for the mass concentration of mercury in air at saturation.
COBISS.SI-ID: 28816935
The new model that we have constructed, can be used to improve the sensors, as it allows the optimisation of genetic constructs in silico (i.e. theoretically), particularly determination of initiation of transcription. Before the constructs are actually prepared in the laboratory, we can first check what the optimal steps to take, would be.
COBISS.SI-ID: 37766405
Mercaptopropyl-coated cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) magnetic nanoparticles synthesized using the co-precipitation method and surface modified using the Stöber method were investigated as a convenient and effective adsorbent for aqueous Hg2+ ions. The surfaces of the colloidal-CoFe2O4 nanoparticles were functionalized with tetraethoxysilane and 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane via the co-condensation process. The characteristics of these particles were assessed at different stages of the production process using X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and vibrating-sample magnetometry. The adsorption capacity of the mercaptopropyl-coated CoFe2O4 nanoparticles with respect to the aqueous Hg2+ ions was evaluated using atomic absorption spectrometer. It was found that the pH value of the model solution, the mass of the adsorbent, the temperature and the time of the adsorption significantly influence the sorption of Hg2+ ions on the mercaptopropyl-coated cobalt ferrite nanoparticles. The maximum removal efficiency of the aqueous Hg2+ ions was 97 % at room temperature and neutral pH value.
COBISS.SI-ID: 18375958