A Genetic Search for Exploiting a Fuzzy Preference Model of Portfolio Problems with Public Projects

When an organization solves a portfolio problem with public projects evaluated by multiple criteria, in which the economic dimension is not essential or not well characterized, the classical methods are not useful. We propose a non-linear preference model developed from normative Value Theory and using fuzzy sets to model some sources of imprecision. This model can be considered as a generalization of the classical approaches. However, the optimization problem is very complex in order to be solved with non-linear programming techniques. Therefore, the model is exploited by an evolutionary algorithm, able to achieve a strong improvement of the quality of solution.     

Minimum Distance Between the Faces of Two Convex Polyhedra: A Sufficient Condition

The problem of finding the Euclidean distance between two convex polyhedra can be reduced to the combinatorial optimization problem of finding the minimum distance between their faces. This paper presents a global optimality criterion for this problem. An algorithm (QLDPA) for the fast computation of the distance between convex and bounded polyhedra is proposed as an application of it. Computer experiments show its fast performance, especially when the total number of vertices is large.     

Isotopic production cross sections of residues in reactions induced by relativistic heavy ions with protons and deuterons

The isotopic production cross sections of heavy residues in relativistic heavy-ion collisions have been investigated in inverse kinematics. The primary reaction products were fully identified in mass and atomic number prior to beta decay using the fragment separator FRS. The huge collection of data obtained helps in the understanding of the two main reaction mechanisms involved: fragmentation and fission. These data provide basic information for future radioactive ion beam facilities and for technical applications like intense neutron sources by means of spallation targets.     

A rheological analysis of interactions in phenoxy/organoclay nanocomposites

Novel oscillatory flow results of phenoxy/organoclay nanocomposites are analysed considering the blocking effect of nanostructure on polymer chain mobility. The modification provoked by this hindering effect on loss tangent spectrum is investigated. The study of three different systems, involving a pristine montmorillonite and two montmorillonites modified with one alkyl tail and two alkyl tails, respectively, leads to conclude that polymer-alkyl repulsive interactions play the most important role in the chain mobility obstruction process. Our results suggest that polymer-alkyl interactions increase with temperature.     

Excess enthalpies of (methyl propanoate or methyl pentanoate + 1-alkanol) at 298.15 K

The excess molar enthalpies H_m^E of methyl propanoate or methyl pentanoate + 1-butanol, + 1-hexanol, + 1-octanol, and + 1-decanol have been determined experimentally at 298.15 K using a Calvet microcalorimeter. For all these mixtures H_m^E > 0; the values increase with the chain length of the alkanol but decrease as the ester chain lengthens.     

The use of the consecutive adsorption of pyridine bases and carbon monoxide in the IR spectroscopic study of the accessibility of acid sites in microporous/mesoporous materials

A new approach to the evaluation of the accessibility of acid sites in microporous/mesoporous materials is developed and tested using a series of dealuminated mordenites. This approach is based on an IR-spectroscopic study of the consecutive adsorption of substituted alkylpyridines (pyridine, 2,4,6-trimethylpyridine, and 2,4,6-triethylpyridine) and carbon monoxide. This method allowed us to determine the strength and number of acid sites with various degrees of accessibility. The adsorption of 2,4,6-triethylpyridine on various types of materials is studied. The extinction coefficients of alkylpyridines are determined using a McBain balance placed in a cell for IR-spectroscopic measurements. Original Russian Text N.S. Nesterenko, F. Thibault-Starzyk, V. Montouilliout, V.V. Yushchenko, C. Fernandez, J.-P. Gilson, F. Fajula, I.I. Ivanova, 2006, published in Kinetika i Kataliz, 2006, Vol. 47, No. 1, pp. 45–53.     

Vapor-particle partitioning of hydrocarbons in Western Mediterranean urban and marine atmospheres

An analytical procedure is described for a comprehensive determination of the composition of hydrocarbons in the atmosphere, based on: (a) aerosol filtration and subsequent adsorption of the vapor phase onto active charcoal and polyurethane foam; (b) GPC and HPLC fractionation of the extracts, and (c) analysis of the fractions by GC-MS under EI and NICI modes. Special emphasis is placed onn-alkanes, PAHs and their oxygenated derivatives.The characterization of samples collected in a coastal urban area (Barcelona city), and far away over the Western Mediterranean, at sea level and at 1100 m of altitude, revealed significant changes in the aerosol composition, mainly attributed to initial vapor-particle partitioning processes, influenced by ambient temperature variations, and to others taking place during long-range atmospheric transport, related with the different compound photoreactivities and with an unexplained source-decoupling phenomenon.     

Studies on the metal-nuclotide (Co-5′IMP,Co-5′GMP) interaction via mössbauer emission spectroscopy and magnetic susceptibility measurements

By means of⁵⁷Co Mössbauer emission spectroscopy and magnetic susceptibility measurements, the local symmetries and electronic structure of the Co(II) ions in the Co-5IMO and Co-5GMP complexes in the hydrated and dehydrated forms have been determined.