Rigorous Generalization of Young's Law for Heterogeneous and Rough Substrates

We consider a SOS type model of interfaces on a substrate which is both heterogeneous and rough. We first show that, for appropriate values of the parameters, the differential wall tension that governs wetting on such a substrate satisfies a generalized law which combines both Cassie and Wenzel laws. Then in the case of an homogeneous substrate, we show that this differential wall tension satisfies either the Wenzel's law or the Cassie's law, according to the values of the parameters.     

High order linear initial-value problems and Schauder bases

In this paper we approximate the solution of a linear initial-value problem, making use of a Schauder basis for certain Banach space associated with such a differential problem. In addition, we apply that results in order to calculate numerically the response from a structure modelled by a three degree-of-freedom mass–damper–spring system.     

A SAXS study of the nanostructural characteristics of TEOS-derived sonogels upon heat treatment up to 1100 °C

Xerogels obtained from the acid-catalyzed and ultrasound stimulated hydrolysis of TEOS were submitted to heat treatment at temperatures ranging from 60 to 1100 °C and studied by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). The SAXS intensity as a function of the modulus of the scattering vector q was obtained in the range from q₀=0.19 to q_m=4.4 nm⁻¹. At 60 °C the xerogels exhibit an apparent surface fractal structure with a fractal dimension D_S∼2.5 in a length scale ranging from 1/q₁∼1 to 1/q_m∼0.22 nm. This structure becomes extremely rough at 120 °C (D_S∼3) and at 150 °C, it apparently converts to a mass fractal with a fractal dimension D∼2.4. This may mean an emptying of the pores with preservation of a share of the original mass fractal structure of the wet aged gel, for it had presented a mass fractal dimension D∼2.2. A well characterized porous structure formed by 2.0 nm mean size pores with smooth surface of about 380 m²/g is formed at 300 °C and remains stable until approximately 800 °C. At 900 °C the SAXS intensity vanishes indicating the disappearance of the pores in the probed length scale. The elimination of the nanopores occurs by a mechanism in which the number of pores diminishes keeping constant their mean size. The xerogels exhibit a foaming phenomenon above 900 °C and scatter following Porod's law as does a surface formed by a coarse structure.     

利用低能质子束产生高强度放射性束流

加拿大TRIUMF实验室利用¹¹C成功验证了一种产生高强度(～10⁸ions/s)放射性束流的方法. 该方法不同于普通在线同位素分离方法, 它利用了13MeV的低能强流质子束, 可以产生一系列核天体物理实验感兴趣的高强度放射性束流.     

Generating well-behaved utility functions for compromise programming

The purpose of this paper is to seek utility functions satisfying a weak condition which guarantees that the utility optimum always belongs to the compromise set. This set is a special subset of the attainable or feasible set, which is generated through the application of the well-known operational research approach called compromise programming. It is shown that there are large families of utility functions satisfying this condition, thus reinforcing the value of compromise programming as a good surrogate of the traditional utility optimum.Thanks are due to the reviewers for their helpful suggestions. The English editing by Ms. Christine Méndez is appreciated. The authors have been supported by the Comisión Interministerial de Ciencia y Tecnología (CICYT), Madrid, Spain.     

Structural Study of Silica Xerogel Composites Containing Pd Aggregates

Composites containing Pd aggregates dispersed in amorphous silica are of interest from both a fundamental and applied point of view because of their attractive catalytic properties. The silica powders added with palladium, prepared by the sol-gel method, were studied using X-ray diffraction, and IR- and UV-Vis-spectrophotometry. Silica xerogel samples were prepared using a ethanol/H₂O/TEOS molar ratio of 4:11.6:1 and loaded with sodium tetrachloropalladate. The silica xerogel microstructure of the powders was studied as a function of annealing temperature. Attention was paid to the evolution of the glass matrix as well as the palladium aggregates in the SiO₂ matrix. We found in our samples partial crystallization of the glass matrix in form of quartz and cristobalite phases with palladium oxide and metallic palladium phase at 1000^∘C. The Rietveld refinement method was used in order to determine the percentage of the phase contents.     

A comparative study of several HPLC methods for determining free amino acid profiles in honey

A study of the viability of three derivatizing reagents for obtaining amino acid profiles in honey through high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is presented. A method using diode array detection based on a reaction with diethyl ethoxymethylene malonate (DEMM) and two other methods using fluorescence detection based on derivatization with fluorenylmethyl chloroformate (FMOC-Cl) and 6-aminoquinolyl-N-hydroxysuccinimidyl carbamate (AQC) have been developed. The three methods yield detection limits close to the ppb level, but vary in relation to other analytical characteristics. The use of methyl chloroformate derivatives allows the profile to be obtained with the greatest sensitivity within a short time frame. On applying such methods to honey samples of diverse botanical origin, we observe that the proline values obtained are always lower than those found using the official spectrophotometric method, thereby underlining the advisability of using HPLC methods to reduce uncertainty in these results.