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Research into the chemical and physical properties of a new class of lithium conducting polymer electrolytes formed from the dispersal of ceramic powders into a poly(ethylenoxide) (PEO)-lithium salt, LiX complexes, is reported.

The free fatty acid (FFA) content together with the lipase activity control can be considered as useful indexes of good quality and correct storage of food, especially for milk. The quantitative analysis of FFA in different kinds of milk has been performed by a potentiometric method, using a new extractive methodology outlined herein. The lipase activity has been controlled by a sensitive calorimetric method, previously validated by us, based on the direct measure of the heat quantity involved in the enzymatic reaction. In order to verify the milk quality after the healing treatments and/or during the shelf life, the behaviours of FFA content and of lipase activity have been outlined in function of storage time and pH variations on different typologies of milk. The FFA content in sample of fresh pasteurised milk was found to be quite high after the 5th/6th day of storage at +4 °C, meanwhile the pH values were always constant and only after the 9th day begun to decrease. At the same time the lipase activity, directly measured, was found to be appreciable after the 6th day of storage, giving an exothermic answer at the calorimeter, similar to that of a milk sample where only three international units of standard lipase were added. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The coordination chemistry of dioxouranium(VI) with organic ligands may represent an useful model to describe the migration of radionuclides in natural fluids. A new dioxouranium(VI) ternary complex of formula Na4(UO2)2(OH)4(C2O4)2 was precipitated at pH≅8. It was characterized by elemental analysis, ICP and IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetry (TG) and coupled TG–IR evolved gas analysis. Potentiometric measurements in the solution suggest that the equilibrium shifts from the prevalence of the (UO2)2(OH)2(C2O4)46− complex to the [(UO2)2(OH)4(C2O4)2]4− complex before the formation of a solid phase. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Examines various applications of hyphenated thermogravimetry mass spectrometry (TG-MS) techniques from 1997 to 2000. Use of the TG-MS technique for monitoring annealing processes for high performance materials; Characterization of geological materials through the TG-MS combined technique; Procedure for evaluation of a TG-MS system.

Reports on applications of thermogravimetry hyphenated technique, TG-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (TG-FTIR), for the period of 1997-2000. Areas of the application of TG-FTIR technique in 1997; Usefulness of TG-FTIR technique shown by different applications in 1998; Fields investigated by the TG-FTIR technique in 1999.

The presence of humic and fulvic acids in the Anticolana Valley (Fiuggi) water has been established. On the basis of this evidence we investigated the capacity of Anticolana Valley (Fiuggi) water to dissolve renal calculi in vitro. Crystals of calcium oxalate monohydrate to simulate a kidney stone were prepared. Human renal stones of calcium oxalate monohydrate were obtained by courtesy of the Division of Urology of ‘La Sapienza’ University (Rome), the Division of Urology of the University of Havana (Cuba) and the ASTIF of Fiuggi. The study was performed using the Anticolana Valley (Fiuggi) water, distilled water and tap water (ACEA, Rome), in a specially designed Perspex apparatus. Each calculus was subjected to a water flow of 2 liters/24 h. The capacity of the Anticolana Valley (Fiuggi) water to dissolve human and synthetic calculi was found to be much higher than that of distilled water which in turn was significantly more effective than tap (ACEA) water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]