Critical angles between two convex cones II. Special cases

The concept of critical angle between two linear subspaces has applications in statistics, numerical linear algebra and other areas. Such concept has been abundantly studied in the literature. Part I of this work is an attempt to build up a theory of critical angles for a pair of closed convex cones. The need of such theory is motivated, among other reasons, by some specific problems arising in regression analysis of cone-constrained data, see Tenenhaus in (Psychometrika 53:503–524, 1988). Angle maximization and/or angle minimization problems involving a pair of convex cones are at the core of our discussion. Such optimization problems are nonconvex in general and their numerical resolution offers a number of challenges. Part II of this work focusses on the practical computation of the maximal angle between specially structured cones.     

Quantum Information of the Aharanov–Bohm Ring with Yukawa Interaction in the Presence of Disclination

We investigate quantum information by a theoretical measurement approach of an Aharanov–Bohm (AB) ring with Yukawa interaction in curved space with disclination. We obtained the so-called Shannon entropy through the eigenfunctions of the system. The quantum states considered come from Schrödinger theory with the AB field in the background of curved space. With this entropy, we can explore the quantum information at the position space and reciprocal space. Furthermore, we discussed how the magnetic field, the AB flux, and the topological defect influence the quantum states and the information entropy.     

Increasing risk aversion and life-cycle investing

Mathematics and Financial Economics - We derive the optimal portfolio for an investor with increasing relative risk aversion in a complete continuous-time securities market. The IRRA assumption...     

Extremal problems involving isotropic sets and functions on spaces of rectangular matrices

Let \(\mathbb{M}_{m,n}\) be the linear space of real matrices of dimension m × n. A variational problem that arises quite often in applications is that of minimizing a real-valued function f on some feasible set \(\Upomega\subseteq \mathbb{M}_{m,n}.\) Matrix optimization problems of such a degree of generality are not always easy to deal with, especially if the decision variable is a high-dimensional rectangular matrix. Sometimes, it is possible to reduce the size and complexity of the matrix optimization problem in the presence of symmetry assumptions (isotropy, orthogonal invariance, etc.). This work establishes a localization result for the solutions to a class of extremal problems involving isotropic sets and functions.     

Trace level vanadium determination using thermal lens spectrophotometry

Trace level vanadium determination is reported using a dual beam thermal lens spectrometer. The thermal lens was generated using an argon ion beam laser (pump beam) which was focused into a sample cuvette. The thermal lens signal (TLs) was monitored with a He-Ne laser beam and a photodiode detector. Multichannel averager software was developed for processing the transient TLs. The optimal set up, ensuring maximum sensitivity and linear calibration graphs was obtained using experimental design techniques. Under optimized conditions, the detection limits for aqueous and ethanol-water (2+3 v/v) and (4+1 v/v) vanadium complex solutions were, respectively, 0.0071 mg/l, 0.0065 and 0.0039 mg/l.     

Mechanically Interlocked Single‐Wall Carbon Nanotubes

Extensive research has been devoted to the chemical manipulation of carbon nanotubes. The attachment of molecular fragments through covalent‐bond formation produces kinetically stable products, but implies the saturation of some of the C? C double bonds of the nanotubes. Supramolecular modification maintains the structure of the SWNTs but yields labile species. Herein, we present a strategy for the synthesis of mechanically interlocked derivatives of SWNTs (MINTs). In the key rotaxane‐forming step, we employed macrocycle precursors equipped with two π‐extended tetrathiafulvalene SWNT recognition units and terminated with bisalkenes that were closed around the nanotubes through ring‐closing metathesis (RCM). The mechanically interlocked nature of the derivatives was probed by analytical, spectroscopic, and microscopic techniques, as well as by appropriate control experiments. Individual macrocycles were observed by HR STEM to circumscribe the nanotubes.     

Electrochemically controlled formation/dissociation of phosphonate-cavitand/methylpyridinium complexes

The phosphorus-bridged cavitand 1 self-assembles very efficiently in CH2Cl2 with either the monopyridinium guest 2+ or the bispyridinium guest 3(2+). In the first case a 1:1 complex is obtained, whereas in the second case both 1:1 and 2:1 host-guest complexes are observed. The association between 1 and either one of the guests causes the quenching of the cavitand fluorescence; in the case of the adduct between 1 and 3(2+), the fluorescence of the latter is also quenched. Cavitand complexation is found to affect the reduction potential values of the electroactive guests. Voltammetric and spectroelectrochemical measurements show that upon one-electron reduction both guests are released from the cavity of 1. Owing to the chemical reversibility of such redox processes, the supramolecular complexes can be re-assembled upon removal of the extra electron from the guest. Systems of this kind are promising for the construction of switchable nanoscale devices and self-assembling supramolecular materials, the structure and properties of which can be reversibly controlled by electrochemical stimuli.