Raman Spectroscopic Studies of Methane Gas Hydrates

Abstract

A brief review of the Raman spectroscopic studies of methane gas hydrates is given, supported by some new measurements done in our laboratory.     

Computing (Un)stable Manifolds with Validated Error Bounds: Non-resonant and Resonant Spectra

We develop techniques for computing the (un)stable manifold at a hyperbolic equilibrium of an analytic vector field. Our approach is based on the so-called parametrization method for invariant manifolds. A feature of this approach is that it leads to a posteriori analysis of truncation errors which, when combined with careful management of round off errors, yields a mathematically rigorous enclosure of the manifold. The main novelty of the present work is that, by conjugating the dynamics on the manifold to a polynomial rather than a linear vector field, the computer-assisted analysis is successful even in the case when the eigenvalues fail to satisfy non-resonance conditions. This generically occurs in parametrized families of vector fields. As an example, we use the method as a crucial ingredient in a computational existence proof of a connecting orbit in an amplitude equation related to a pattern formation model that features eigenvalue resonances.     

Raman detection of hydrohalite formation: Avoiding accidents on icy roads by deicing where salt will not work

The common substance Hydrohalite has a role to play in as diverse areas as Geology, Earth Climatology, Universe Cosmology, and Cryobiology. In this review, the occurrences under very different occasions are described. These relations are not commonly appreciated. During the work, we realized that there is yet an aspect that has been overlooked. Hydrohalite formed sometimes on icy roads resists common salt deicing procedures. Also, hydrohalite can be detected by rather simple Raman spectroscopy instrumentation. It means that it is possible to avoid accidents on icy roads in the following way: Common salt deicing trucks may be equipped with “artificial intelligence” based on a duel deicing system that switches between normal NaCl deicing and non-NaCl deicing based on Raman spectroscopy. The advantages are first of all less traffic accidents and lower environmental impact and corrosion from NaCl, but disadvantages are increased costs of investments and consumption of non-NaCl deicing agents.     

Mediated action in teachers’ discussions about mathematics tasks

This paper presents analyses of teachers?? discussions within mathematics teaching developmental research projects, taking mediation as the central construct. The relations in the so-called ??didactic triangle?? form the basic framework for the analysis of two episodes in which upper secondary school teachers discuss and prepare tasks for classroom use. The analysis leads to the suggestion that the focus on tasks places an emphasis on the task as object and its resolution as goal; mathematics has the role of a mediating artefact. Subject content in the didactic triangle is thus displaced by the task and learning mathematics may be relegated to a subordinate position.     

Trifluoromethylsulfenylation of Masked Carbonyl Compounds

Incorporation of fluorine and fluorine containing groups such as trifluoromethyl and trifluoromethylthio moieties considerably enhances the biopharmacological properties of the parent precursors. Trifluoromethylsulfenylation of masked carbonyl functions, such as the enamines using N-(trifluoromethylthio)phthalimide is described in this communication.     

Complexity of solution structures in nonlinear pricing

This paper characterizes and enumerates the possible solution structures in nonlinear pricing problem when the number of buyer types is given. It is shown that the single-crossing property, which is a standard assumption in the literature, reduces the complexity of solving the problem dramatically. The number of possible solution structures is important when the pricing problem is solved under limited information.     

Splitting families of sets in ZFC

Miller's 1937 splitting theorem was proved for every finite n>0$n>0$ for all ρ-uniform families of sets in which ρ is infinite. A simple method for proving Miller-type splitting theorems is presented here and an extension of Miller's theorem is proved in ZFC for every cardinal ν for all ρ  -uniform families in which ρ≥_?ω(ν)$\rho \ge {\mathrm{?}}_{\omega }(\nu )$. The main ingredient in the method is an asymptotic infinitary Löwenheim–Skolem theorem for anti-monotone set functions.     

The Effect of α-, β- and γ-Cyclodextrin on Wheat Dough and Bread Properties

Cyclodextrins (CDs) are cyclic oligosaccharides that have found widespread application in numerous fields. CDs have revealed a number of various health benefits, making them potentially useful food supplements and nutraceuticals. In this study, the impact of α-, β-, and γ-CD at different concentrations (up to 8% of the flour weight) on the wheat dough and bread properties were investigated. The impact on dough properties was assessed by alveograph analysis, and it was found that especially β-CD affected the viscoelastic properties. This behavior correlates well with a direct interaction of the CDs with the proteins of the gluten network. The impact on bread volume and bread staling was also assessed. The bread volume was in general not significantly affected by the addition of up to 4% CD, except for 4% α-CD, which slightly increased the bread volume. Larger concentrations of CDs lead to decreasing bread volumes. Bread staling was investigated by texture analysis and low field nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (LF-NMR) measurements, and no effect of the addition of CDs on the staling was observed. Up to 4% CD can, therefore, be added to wheat bread with only minor effects on the dough and bread properties.