A comparison of two algorithms for the assignment problem

State-of-the-art computational results have shown that the shortest augmenting path (SAP) methods are more efficient than other primal-dual and primal-simplex based methods for solving the linear assignment problem on uniprocessor computers. There is, however, some controversy concerning their merits when compared with Bertsekas' auction algorithm on multiprocessor computers. In this study we investigate the performance of these competing methods on the Alliant FX/8. For each method, theoretical motivation, sources of parallelism and computational results are presented.     

Periodic unfolding and Robin problems in perforated domains

The periodic unfolding method was introduced in 2002 by D. Cioranescu et al. for the study of classical periodic homogenization. In this Note, we extend this method to perforated domains introducing also a boundary unfolding operator. As an application, we study the homogenization of some elliptic problems with Robin condition on the boundary of the holes. To cite this article: D. Cioranescu et al., C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris, Ser. I 342 (2006).     

Metal chelates of phosphonate-containing ligands-II: stability constants of some beta-styrylphosphonic acid metal chelates

The synthesis and properties of beta-styrylphosphonic acid (SPA) are reported. The values of the protonation constants of the ligand were determined potentiometrically at different ionic strengths and in the temperature range 0-65 degrees. The enthalpy and entropy of protonation have been calculated by using the van't Hoff isochore. The protonation process is endothermic and is stabilized by a relatively large positive entropy change. The stability constants of the complexes formed between SPA and the bivalent Mg, Ca, Ba, Co, Ni and Pd ions at 25 degrees and ionic strength of 0.12M KNO(3) were also determined. All measurements were carried out in 18% dimethylformamide-water mixture.     

Microdetermination of phenols, carboxylic acids and phenolic acids by potentiometric and visual titrations in dimethylformamide

Potentiometric titration of phenols with sodium methoxide in dimethylformamide, with a glass-calomel electrode system, is limited to monohydric phenols substituted with electron-attracting groups and dihydric phenols in which the two -OH groups are substituted in isolated benzene rings. Brilliant Orange has proved to be a suitable indicator in the titration of all types of mono- and dihydric phenols. Titan Yellow is recommended as indicator for the titration of carboxylic acids. Simultaneous visual titration of -OH and -COOH groups is also described. A detailed study with 62 structurally different compounds covering the various groups is reported, and a suitable procedure for the microdetermination of each class of these compounds with an error of +/- 0.2% absolute or less is presented.     

Intramolecular energy-transfer in a europium(III) chelate with salicylidene-valinate schiff base

Summary An intense fluorescence,⁵D⁷F, of the europium(III) ion was observed at room temperature in DMSO and DMF solutions of the europium(III) chelate with salicylidene-valinate Schiff base, as a result of an intramolecular energy-transfer from the ligand to the metal ion. The metal chelate has been characterized and appears to possess an octahedral configuration. These results offer an interesting opportunity to probe the active sites of pyridoxal enzymes.     

A thermogravimetric study of the solid-state reaction between alumina and strontium carbonate

The kinetics of the solid-state reaction between alumina and strontium carbonate were studied by thermogravimetry. The effects of the structure ( or) and/or doping (with Li⁺ or Cd²⁺) of the alumina on the kinetics of the reaction were examined. The results obtained were correlated with the phase composition and structural changes, followed by a number of physicochemical analyses (DTA, XRA and IRA) throughout the course of the reaction.

---

Zusammenfassung Die Kinetik der Festkörperreaktion zwischen Aluminiumoxid und Strontium-carbonat wurde thermogravimetrisch untersucht. Die Effekte der Struktur ( und) und/oder des Dopens des Aluminiumoxids (mit Li⁺ oder Cd²⁺) auf die Kinetik der Reaktion wurde untersucht. Die erhaltenen Ergebnisse wurden mit der Phasenzusammensetzung und mit durch physikalisch-chemische Analysenverfahren (DTA, XRA und IRA) während des Reaktionsverlaufs verfolgten strukturellen Veränderungen in Beziehung gebracht.

---

. ( ) Li⁺ Cd²⁺ . , , - .

     

Microemulsion-based synthesis of CeO(2) powders with high surface area and high-temperature stabilities

Pure ceria powders, CeO(2), were synthesized in heptane-microemulsified aqueous solutions of CeCl(3) or Ce(NO(3))(3) stabilized by AOT (sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate), DDAB (di-n-didodecyldimethylammonium bromide), or DDAB + Brij 35 surfactant mixtures. Micellar DTAB (n-dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide) and vesicular DDAB systems were also used as media for generating CeO(2). Characterization of the powders by X-ray powder diffractometry, laser-Raman spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed that in the presence of surfactants almost-agglomerate-free nanosized crystallites (6-13 nm) of anionic vacancy-free cubic CeO(2) were produced. In the absence of surfactants 21-nm-sized crystallites were formed, comparing with the 85-nm-sized crystallites when cubic CeO(2) was created via thermal decomposition of cerium oxalate. Surface characterization, by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, N(2) sorptiometry, and high-resolution electron microscopy showed AOT- or (DDAB + Brij 35)-stabilized microemulsions to assist in formation of crystallites exposing surfaces of large specific areas (up to ca. 250 m(2)/g) but of low stability to high-temperature calcination (28-13 m(2)/g at 800 degrees C). In contrast, the double-chained DDAB was found to generate cubic CeO(2) crystallites of lower initial surface areas (144 (microemulsion) to 125 (vesicles) m(2)/g)) but of higher thermal stability (55-45 m(2)/g at 800 degrees C). Hence, the latter cerias could be considered as appropriate components for total oxidation (combustion) catalysts.     

Soot deep oxidation catalyzed by molybdena and molybdates: a thermogravimetric investigation

Molybdena (MoO₃) and molybdates of bismuth (Bi₂Mo₃O₁₂), chromium (Cr₂Mo₃O₁₂), barium (BaMoO₄), manganese (MnMoO₄) and copper (Cu₃Mo₂O₉) were synthesized and characterized by X-ray powder diffractometry and infrared spectroscopy. They were then assessed as ‘loose contact' catalysts for soot deep oxidation (combustion) in air by thermogravimetry. A similar assessment was carried out on commercial chromia (Cr₂O₃) and tungsta (WO₃). Observed high oxidation activity of MoO₃, as compared to both Cr₂O₃ and WO₃, is attributed to the higher volatility (mobility) of MoO_x species. On similar grounds, observed high activity of MoO₃ and Cu₃Mo₂O₉, as compared to the other test molybdates, is explained. Relatively speaking, however, a higher activity was observed for Cu₃Mo₂O₉ than MoO₃, whereby soot ignition temperature decreased from 571°C (uncatalyzed oxidation) to 430°C, to occur within the temperature range of diesel exhaust (200–450°C). This observation is ascribed to copper-promoted redox conduct of Mo(VI) in the oxidation reaction of soot. Kinetics of the reaction was studied non-isothermally, and the kinetic parameters (A, k, ΔE and the reaction order) were calculated.     

Kinetics of heterogeneous decomposition of hydrogen peroxide

The kinetics of the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide was studied in aqueous medium in the temperature range 25–40°C in the presence of Wofatit KPS-resin in the form of Cu(II)-ammine complex ions. The rate constant was deduced at various degrees of resin cross-linkage and different concentrations of hydrogen peroxide. The order of the decomposition reaction varied from first order to half order, i.e., the order of the reaction decreased with increasing the concentration of H₂O₂. The decomposition process was found to be a catalytic reaction which was controlled by the chemical reaction of H₂O₂ molecules with the active species inside the resin particles. The mechanism of the reaction can be summarized by the equation in which the subsequent reactions of the probable active complex are discussed.     

Die Oxydationswirkung von Natrium-1,2-naphthochinon-4-sulfonat

Zusammenfassung Die Reaktionen von Natrium-1,2-naphthochino-4-sulfonat mit -Aminosäuren, primären aliphatischen Aminen, Dicarbonsäuren, aliphatischen -Hydroxysäuren und primären Alkoholen werden beschrieben. In allen diesen Fällen reagiert Natrium-1,2-naphtochinon-4-sulfonat als Oxydationsmittel und wird zu dem entsprechenden Diphenol reduziert.