Cost-allocation problems for fuzzy agents in a fixed-tree network

Fuzzy Optimization and Decision Making - Cost-allocation problems in a fixed network are concerned with distributing the costs for use by a group of clients who cooperate in order to reduce such...     

Gauge Modules for the Lie Algebras of Vector Fields on Affine Varieties

Algebras and Representation Theory - For a smooth irreducible affine algebraic variety we study a class of gauge modules admitting compatible actions of both the algebra $\mathcal {A}$ of functions...     

On-line Method for Montelukast Determination in Bile Salt Medium with Multivariate Optimization and Fluorescent Detection

Journal of Analytical Chemistry - The present development involved a flow injection strategy using a mini-column of multiwalled carbon nanotubes and fluorescent detection (λex of 283 nm,...     

An enriched damage-frictional cohesive-zone model incorporating stress multi-axiality

The paper presents an interphase cohesive zone model (CZM) incorporating stress multi-axiality devised to capture, by simplified micro-modeling, the influence of the in-plane strain and stress state in the mechanical response of the CZM. Moreover, the model is able to account for the Poisson-related effect in the interphase, which can play an important role in the modeling of heterogeneous masonry elements. From the constitutive point of view, the proposed formulation couples damage and friction by addressing a smooth transition from a quasi-brittle response to a residual frictional behavior described by a Coulomb law with unilateral contact. As in-plane stresses are accounted for, damage activation and evolution are governed by a Drucker–Prager law with linear softening. A predictor-corrector procedure based on a backward Euler scheme is detailed for integrating the nonlinear evolutive problem together with the related tangent operator which consistently linearizes the algorithmic strategy. This framework is embedded into a kinematically-enriched finite element interphase formulation incorporating stress multi-axiality. The modeling features of the resulting numerical tool are tested both at the local level, for the typical interphase point, and in meso-structural tests consisting of brick-mortar triplets, investigating the capability of the proposed model and numerical procedure to simulate the brick-mortar decohesion mechanism during confined slip tests.     

Freeze–Thaw-Promoted Fabrication of Clean and Hierarchically Structured Noble-Metal Aerogels for Electrocatalysis and Photoelectrocatalysis

Noble-metal aerogels (NMAs) have drawn increasing attention because of their self-supported conductive networks, high surface areas, and numerous optically/catalytically active sites, enabling their impressive performance in diverse fields. However, the fabrication methods suffer from tedious procedures, long preparation times, unavoidable impurities, and uncontrolled multiscale structures, discouraging their developments. By utilizing the self-healing properties of noble-metal aggregates, the freezing-promoted salting-out behavior, and the ice-templating effect, a freeze–thaw method is crafted that is capable of preparing various hierarchically structured noble-metal gels within one day without extra additives. In light of their cleanliness, the multi-scale structures, and combined catalytic/optical properties, the electrocatalytic and photoelectrocatalytic performance of NMAs are demonstrated, which surpasses that of commercial noble-metal catalysts.     

On the domain of fractional Laplacians and related generators of Feller processes

In this paper we study the domain of the generator of stable processes, stable-like processes and more general pseudo- and integro-differential operators which naturally arise both in analysis and as infinitesimal generators of Lévy- and Lévy-type (Feller) processes. In particular we obtain conditions on the symbol of the operator ensuring that certain (variable order) Hölder and Hölder–Zygmund spaces are in the domain. We use tools from probability theory to investigate the small-time asymptotics of the generalized moments of a Lévy or Lévy-type process ${(X_t)}_{t\ge 0}$,

$\underset{t\to 0}{\lim }?\frac{1}{t}({\mathbb{E}}^{x}f(X_t)?f(x)),x\in {\mathbb{R}}^d,$

for functions f which are not necessarily bounded or differentiable. The pointwise limit exists for fixed $x\in {\mathbb{R}}^d$ if f satisfies a Hölder condition at x. Moreover, we give sufficient conditions which ensure that the limit exists uniformly in the space of continuous functions vanishing at infinity. As an application we prove that the domain of the generator of ${(X_t)}_{t\ge 0}$ contains certain Hölder spaces of variable order. Our results apply, in particular, to stable-like processes, relativistic stable-like processes, solutions of Lévy-driven SDEs and Lévy processes.     

Synthesis of 1-aryl-3H-[1,2,5]triazepino[5,4-a]benzimidazol-4(5H)-ones and quantum chemical investigation of the rotamers of the Boc-protected hydrazide key intermediate

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Multivariate calibration for the improvement of the quantification of cadmium in the presence of potassium as interferent by total reflection X-ray fluorescence

A multivariate calibration method was applied to improve the accuracy of the determination of cadmium in the presence of potassium by total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF). Due to TXRF's relatively low resolution, a particular interference caused by potassium at line Kα 3.31 keV as interference can compromise the cadmium determination at line Lα 3.13 keV, respectively. The method is based on the hypothesis that the application of a multivariate calibration method, for example, partial least squares, could reduce variations due to interference and, consequently, improve the selectivity and accuracy in Cd determination. In this work, this strategy was evaluated on the X-ray fluorescence emission signals between 2.50 and 3.90 keV for a set of 26 different synthetic calibration mixtures and eight different mixtures for external calibration. Based on a certified reference material (Clay 2—CRM051) with high potassium levels, a significant improvement of accuracy for cadmium determination was observed, overcoming the problems associated with spectral interferences by potassium.