The Toda rarefaction problem

In the Toda shock problem (see [7], [11], [8], and also [3]) one considers a driving particle moving with a fixed velocity 2a and impinging on a one-dimensional semi-infinite lattice of particles, initially equally spaced and at rest, and interacting with exponential forces. In this paper we consider the related Toda rarefaction problem in which the driving particle now moves away from the lattice at fixed speed, in analogy with a piston being withdrawn, as it were, from a container filled with gas. We make use of the Riemann-Hilbert factorization formulation of the related inverse scattering problem. In the case where the speed 2 |a| of the driving particle is sufficiently large (|a| > 1), we show that the particle escapes from the lattice, which then executes a free motion of the type studied, for example, in [5]. In other words, in analogy with a piston being withdrawn too rapidly from a container filled with gas, cavitation develops. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Harmonisation of coupled calibration curves to reduce correlated effects in the analysis of natural gas by gas chromatography

Quantitative analysis of natural gas depends on the calibration of a gas chromatograph with certified gas mixtures and the determination of a response relationship for each species by regression analysis. The uncertainty in this calibration is dominated by variations in the amount of the sample used for each analysis that are strongly correlated for all species measured in the same run. The "harmonisation" method described here minimises the influence of these correlations on the calculated calibration curves and leads to a reduction in the root-mean-square residual deviations from the fitted curve of a factor between 2 and 5. Consequently, it removes the requirement for each run in the calibration procedure to be carried out under the same external conditions, and opens the possibility that new data, measured under different environmental or instrumental conditions, can be appended to an existing calibration database.     

On the long time behavior of the doubly infinite toda lattice under initial data decaying at infinity

We provide rigorous analysis of the long time behavior of the (doubly infinite) Toda lattice under initial data that decay at infinity, in the absence of solitions. We solve (approximately and for large times) the Riemann-Hilbert matrix factorization problem equivalent to the related inverse scattering problem with the help of the Beals-Coifman formula, by reducing it to a simpler one through a series of contour deformations in the spirit of the Deift-Zhou method.     

Long time behavior for the focusing nonlinear schroedinger equation with real spectral singularities

We consider the effect of real spectral singularities on the long time behavior of the solutions of the focusing Nonlinear Schroedinger equation. We find that for each spectral singularity , such an effect is limited to the region of the (x,t)-plane in which is close to the point of stationary phase (the phase here being defined in a standard way by, say, the evolution of the Jost functions). In that region, the solution performs decaying oscillations of the same form as in the other regions, but with different parameters. The order of decay is .We prove our result by using the Riemann-Hilbert factorization formulation of the inverse scattering problem. We recover our asymptotics by transforming our problem to one which is equivalent for large time, and which can be interpreted as the one corresponding to the genus 0 algebro-geometric solution of the equation.     

Long time behavior for semiclassical NLS

In a recent paper, Jin, Levermore and McLaughlin analyze the semiclassical behavior of solutions to the defocusing, completely integrable nonlinear Schrödinger equation. We complete their analysis, by providing the long time behavior of the semiclassical solutions.     

Quantifying uncertainty in the measurement of arsenic in suspended particulate matter by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry with hydride generator

Arsenic is the toxic element, which creates several problems in human being specially when inhaled through air. So the accurate and precise measurement of arsenic in suspended particulate matter (SPM) is of prime importance as it gives information about the level of toxicity in the environment, and preventive measures could be taken in the effective areas. Quality assurance is equally important in the measurement of arsenic in SPM samples before making any decision. The quality and reliability of the data of such volatile elements depends upon the measurement of uncertainty of each step involved from sampling to analysis. The analytical results quantifying uncertainty gives a measure of the confidence level of the concerned laboratory. So the main objective of this study was to determine arsenic content in SPM samples with uncertainty budget and to find out various potential sources of uncertainty, which affects the results. Keeping these facts, we have selected seven diverse sites of Delhi (National Capital of India) for quantification of arsenic content in SPM samples with uncertainty budget following sampling by HVS to analysis by Atomic Absorption Spectrometer-Hydride Generator (AAS-HG). In the measurement of arsenic in SPM samples so many steps are involved from sampling to final result and we have considered various potential sources of uncertainties. The calculation of uncertainty is based on ISO/IEC17025: 2005 document and EURACHEM guideline. It has been found that the final results mostly depend on the uncertainty in measurement mainly due to repeatability, final volume prepared for analysis, weighing balance and sampling by HVS. After the analysis of data of seven diverse sites of Delhi, it has been concluded that during the period from 31^st Jan. 2008 to 7^th Feb. 2008 the arsenic concentration varies from 1.44 ± 0.25 to 5.58 ± 0.55 ng/m³ with 95% confidence level (k = 2).     

Robin boundary condition and shock problem for the focusing nonlinear Schrödinger equation

We consider the initial boundary value (IBV) problem for the focusing nonlinear Schrödinger equation in the quarter plane x>0, t >0 in the case of periodic initial data, u(x,0) = α exp(?2iβx) (or asymptotically periodic, u(x, 0) =α exp(?2iβx)→0 as x→∞), and a Robin boundary condition at x = 0: u_x(0, t)+qu(0, t) = 0, q ≠ 0. Our approach is based on the unified transform (the Fokas method) combined with symmetry considerations for the corresponding Riemann-Hilbert (RH) problems. We present the representation of the solution of the IBV problem in terms of the solution of an associated RH problem. This representation also allows us to determine an initial value (IV) problem, of a shock type, a solution of which being restricted to the half-line x > 0 is the solution of the original IBV problem. In the case β < 0, the large-time asymptotics of the solution of the IBV problem is presented in the “rarefaction” sector, demonstrating, in particular, an oscillatory behavior of the boundary values in the case q > 0, contrary to the decay to 0 in the case q < 0.     

Structural characteristics of different types of nanoparticles synthesised in mesomorphic metal alkanoates

The class of thermotropic ionic liquid crystals (LCs) of the metal alkanoates possesses a number of unique properties, such as intrinsic ionic conductivity, high dissolving ability and ability to form time-stable mesomorphic glasses. These ionic LCs can be used as nanoreactors for the synthesis and stabilisation of different types of nanoparticles (NPs). Thus, some semiconductors, metals and core/shell NPs were chemically synthesised in the thermotropic ionic liquid crystalline phase (smectic A) of the cadmium octanoate (CdC₈) and of the cobalt octanoate (CoC₈). By applying the scanning electron microscopy, the cadmium and cobalt octanoate composites containing CdS, Au, Ag and core/shell Au/CdS NPs have been studied. NPs’ sizes and dispersion distribution of the NPs’ size in the nanocomposites have been obtained.     

A novel photometric method for evaluation of the oxidative stability of virgin olive oils

The Oxitester method, a novel, simple, and fast photometric method for the evaluation of the antioxidant capacity of olive oils, was validated and compared to the official oil stability index (Rancimat) method. The Oxitester method appeared to be a good alternative to the Rancimat method with adequate correlation for a wide range of virgin olive oil samples, including extrissima virgin olive oils (correlation coefficient 0.88), and extra virgin olive oils of increased acidity (free fatty acids >0.45%, correlation coefficient 0.89). Other quality factors (flavor, free fatty acids content, specific absorbance at 270 and 232 nm, peroxide value, and content of oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acids) were also measured and correlated to the antioxidant capacity values of the Oxitester and Rancimat methods. The Oxitester method, in contrast to the Rancimat method, was indicative of the flavor characteristics of the olive oils and the content of linolenic acid.