Dynamic algorithm selection for pareto optimal set approximation

This paper presents a meta-algorithm for approximating the Pareto optimal set of costly black-box multiobjective optimization problems given a limited number of objective function evaluations. The key idea is to switch among different algorithms during the optimization search based on the predicted performance of each algorithm at the time. Algorithm performance is modeled using a machine learning technique based on the available information. The predicted best algorithm is then selected to run for a limited number of evaluations. The proposed approach is tested on several benchmark problems and the results are compared against those obtained using any one of the candidate algorithms alone.     

The influence of process conditions on the formation of thallium sulfide layers on polyethylene by the use of higher polythionic acid H2S33O6

Thallium sulfide layers of varying composition form on the surface of low-density polyethylene (PE) when the PE films have been sulfurized in a solution of higher polythionic acid H₂S₃₃O₆, and then immersed in the alkaline solution of thallium (I) sulfate. The concentration of sulfur sorbed-diffused into PE surface increases with the increase of the sulfurization time and concentration of higher polythionic acid solution. The concentration of thallium in the Tl _x S _y layers depends on the sulfur concentration sorbed-diffused into PE, the concentration, and temperature of thallium (I) sulfate solutions. By chemical analysis of the obtained sulfide layers it was determined that the values of x and y in the Tl_xS_y layers varies in the intervals: 1<x<3, 1<y<6. Two phases TlS, Tl₂S₂ were identified by X-ray diffraction analysis in thallium sulfide layers. Scanning Electron (SEM) and Atomic Force (AFM) microscopies were used to characterize surface morphology of thallium sulfide layers. The films deposited on the PE surface have a non-homogeneous structure, and consist of separated islands.      

Bioelectrochemical application of some PQQ-dependent enzymes.

This paper focuses on the use of PQQ-dependent enzymes (PQQ enzymes) in amperometrical biosensors and gives emphasis on their innovative designs and applications. The study covers some aspects in the evolution of biosensors based on PQQ enzymes. Main attention is focused on the electrochemical properties of PQQ enzymes as very promising materials for the formation of electrochemical biosensors. Immobilization approaches and redox mediators recently used in PQQ enzymes based biosensors are reviewed. The acceptance of polypyrrole as a very promising immobilization matrix for some PQQ enzymes is discussed.     

Comparison of the efficacy of sulfurization agents in decreasing the sheet resistance of polyamide and polyethylene with copper sulfide layers and influence of their compositions

The process of obtaining semiconductive and electrical conductive layers of copper sulfides by the sorption — diffusion method on polymers (polyamide 6 and low density polyethylene) using solutions of potassium pentathionate, K₂S₅O₆, and higher polythionic acids, H₂S _n O₆ (n = 21, 33), was investigated. The layers were characterized for compositional and electrical properties by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and sheet resistance measurements. The thickness of copper sulfides layers on polyamide and polyethylene increased with increasing time of polymer sulfurization and varied from 10 to 43 μm. The variations of the sheet resistance of copper sulfides layers formed on the surface of polymers on sulfurization agent used, the conditions of sulfurization, chemical and phase composition of the obtained layers were established. Sheet resistance of copper sulfides layers decreases with increasing time of the duration of sulfurization and the number of sulfur atoms in the polythionate anion. The sheet resistance values for copper sulfide layers formed on the polyamide surface are much lower than those of Cu _x S formed on the polyethylene surface. XRD showed the predomination of Cu _x S phases with low x values.      

Formation and characterization of Cu<Subscript>x</Subscript>S layers on polyethylene film using the solutions of sulfur in carbon disulfide

Results of the formation of copper sulfide layers using the solutions of elemental sulfur in carbon disulfide as precursor for sulfurization are presented. Low density polyethylene film can be effectively sulfurized in the solutions of rhombic (α) sulfur in carbon disulfide. The concentration of sulfur in polyethylene increases with the increase of the temperature and concentration of sulfur solution in carbon disulfide and it little depends on the duration of sulfurization. Electrically conductive copper sulfide layers on polyethylene film were formed when sulfurized polyethylene was treated with the solution of copper (II/I) salts. Cu_xS layer with the lowest sheet resistance (11.2 Ω cm⁻²) was formed when sulfurized polyethylene was treated with copper salts solution at 80°C. All samples with formed Cu_xS layers were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. XPS analysis of obtained layers showed that on the layer’s surface and in the etched surface various compounds of copper, sulfur and oxygen are present: Cu₂S, CuS, CuO, S₈, CuSO₄, Cu(OH)₂ and water. The biggest amounts of CuSO₄ and Cu(OH)₂ are present on the layer’s surface. Significantly more copper sulfides are found in the etched layers.     

Synthesis of azoles from 3,3′-[(4-alkoxyphenyl)imino]bis(propanoic acid hydrazides)

Abstract  

Reaction of 3,3′-[(4-alkoxyphenyl)imino]bis(propanoic acid hydrazides) with CS₂ in alkaline solution and subsequent acidification gave 5,5′-[[(4-alkoxyphenyl)imino]diethane-2,1-diyl]bis(1,3,4-oxadiazole-2(3H)-thiones). The same dihydrazides on reaction with phenyl isocyanates or phenyl isothiocyanates were converted to bis[N′-(phenylaminocarbonyl)propanoic acid hydrazides] and bis[N′-(phenylaminocarbonothioyl)propanoic acid hydrazides], which underwent cyclization in alkaline medium to produce 5,5′-[[(4-alkoxyphenyl)imino]diethane-2,1-diyl]bis(4-phenyl-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazol-3-ones) and their 3-thio analogues, whereas in sulfuric acid or POCl₃ 5,5′-[[(4-alkoxyphenyl)imino]diethane-2,1-diyl]bis(N-phenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-amines) and 5,5′-[[(4-alkoxyphenyl)imino]diethane-2,1-diyl]bis(N-phenyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-amines) were obtained.     

Solving methods of combinatorial geometric problems

There is considerable experience of organization and management of mathematical contests and interest groups in Latvia. It is necessary to analyse solutions of different mathematical challenges in out-door activities for to develop students' skills of solving non-standard problems. For this reason collections of thematically related problems with references to applicable methods are useful as valuable manuals for teachers and also as a source of original ideas for the students' independent work. Frequently students' attention is attracted by problems which do not require complicated mathematical formulae. For instance the combinatorial geometric problems deal with systems of geometric objects requiring to estimate dimensional quantities, or to investigate the features of decomposition as well as covering or colouring of geometric figures. Although these problems seem rather simple, various methods are used in their solutions, where general geometric regularities are supplemented with results from different fields of mathematics in combination with general thinking methods such as mathematical induction, the method of invariants and the mean value method. An effective auxiliary in problem solution is the mean value method, which allows making qualitative estimates of given objects by dealing with their quantitative properties.     

Chemical deposition of copper sulfide films in the surface of polyamide by the use of higher polythionic acids

Films of copper sulfides of varying composition are formed in a surface matrix of polyamide by a sorption-diffusion method using solutions of higher polythionic acids, H₂S_nO₆ (n>6), as sulfuring agents. A film of nonstoichiometric Cu_xS (x=1.06-1.95) is obtained when the sulfured polyamide is treated with a solution of Cu(I-II) salt. The value of x in Cu_xS decreases with the prolongation of the period of polyamide sulfuration in the H₂S_nO₆ solution and increases with the prolongation of the period of sulfured polyamide interaction with the copper salt solution. The films obtained are formed from two main phases: yarrowite (Cu_1.12S) and anilite (Cu_1.75S). Depending on the polyamide sulfuration and the sulfured polyamide interaction with a solution of Cu(I-II) salt conditions, Cu_xS films on polyamide of different electrical conductivity were obtained. The sulfide with a composition close to CuS has the highest electrical conductivity.