Mathematical and numerical analysis of a simplified time-dependent viscoelastic flow

A time-dependent model corresponding to an Oldroyd-B viscoelastic fluid is considered, the convective terms being disregarded. Global existence in time is proved in Banach spaces provided the data are small enough, using the implicit function theorem and a maximum regularity property for a three fields Stokes problem. A finite element discretization in space is then proposed. Existence of the numerical solution is proved for small data, so as a priori error estimates, using again an implicit function theorem. Supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation. Fellowship PBEL2–114311.     

An alternative approach for non-linear optimal control problems based on the method of moments

We propose an alternative method for computing effectively the solution of non-linear, fixed-terminal-time, optimal control problems when they are given in Lagrange, Bolza or Mayer forms. This method works well when the nonlinearities in the control variable can be expressed as polynomials. The essential of this proposal is the transformation of a non-linear, non-convex optimal control problem into an equivalent optimal control problem with linear and convex structure. The method is based on global optimization of polynomials by the method of moments. With this method we can determine either the existence or lacking of minimizers. In addition, we can calculate generalized solutions when the original problem lacks of minimizers. We also present the numerical schemes to solve several examples arising in science and technology.     

Anodic stripping coulometry with collection for absolute trace analysis of lead, using flow-through electrochemical cells with porous working electrodes

Summary Flow-through electrochemical cells with porous working electrodes made of crushed reticulated vitreous carbon and plated with mercury were used for absolute analysis of trace amounts of lead by anodic stripping coulometry with collection (ASCWC) in a flow system. The role of mercury coating, flow rate and pH were investigated. The coulombic content of the collection peak corresponded to the theoretical values calculated by Faraday's law in a concentration range from about 10^–9 to 10^–6 mol/l. The relative error and the relative standard deviation was +0.15% and 0.8%, respectively for 2×10^–6 mol/l analyte concentration. The absolute detection limit (3 s) was 0.1 ng of Pb, the linear response range 7×10⁴. One leave from: Department of Analytical Chemistry, Slovak Technical University, CS-812 37 Bratislava, Czechoslovakia     

Left, right, and inner socles of associative systems

We investigate the basic properties of the different socles that can be considered in not necessarily semiprime associative systems. Among other things, we show that the socle defined as the sum of minimal (or minimal and trivial) inner ideals is always an ideal. When trivial inner ideals are included, this inner socle contains the socles defined in terms of minimal left or right ideals. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Stable determination of an inhomogeneous inclusion by local boundary measurements

We deal with the problem of determining an inclusion within an electrostatic conductor from boundary measurements. Under mild a priori assumptions we establish optimal stability estimates. Measurements are performed on a portion of the boundary of the conductor.     

Some properties of multi-degree-of-freedom potential systems and application to statistical equivalent non-linearization

This paper presents some properties of two restricted classes of multi-degree-of-freedom potential systems subjected to Gaussian white-noise excitations. Specifically, potential systems which exhibit damping terms with energy-dependent polynomial form are referred to. In this context, first systems with coupled stiffness terms and damping terms depending on the total energy are investigated. Then, systems with uncoupled stiffness terms and damping terms depending on the total energy in each degree-of-freedom are considered. For these two classes, it is found that algebraic relations among the stationary statistical moments of the energy functions can be derived by applying standard tools of Itô calculus. Further, it is noted that these relations are very useful within the framework of an equivalent statistical non-linearization technique to build approximate solutions for arbitrary non-linear systems.     

Higher order bad loci

Zero-schemes on smooth complex projective varieties, forcing all elements of ample and free linear systems to be reducible, are studied. Relationships among the minimal length of such zero-schemes, the positivity of the line bundle associated with the linear system, and the dimension of the variety are established. Bad linear spaces are also investigated.     

Interpretation of the polyelectrolyte and antipolyelectrolyte effects of poly(N‐vinylimidazole‐co‐sodium styrenesulfonate) hydrogels

Hydrogels of N‐vinylimidazole (VI) and sodium styrenesulfonate (SSS) were synthesized in aqueous solution by radical crosslinking copolymerization with N,N′‐methylene‐bis(acrylamide) as crosslinker. Swelling in several saline solutions was measured for hydrogel samples synthesized with different comonomer concentrations (C_T = 10, 25, or 40%) and with SSS mole fractions covering a broad range (f_SSS = 0–0.7), while the crosslinker ratio was 2 wt % in all cases. The degree of swelling in aqueous solution with a specific ionic strength (μ), plotted versus the SSS composition of the feed, shows a minimum for any set of samples synthesized with a fixed C_T. The dependence of swelling on μ shows both polyelectrolyte (f_SSS beyond the minimum) and antipolyelectrolyte behaviors (in the low f_SSS limit). It was found that the nonGaussian factor of the crosslinking density and the polymer‐solvent interaction parameter increase with f_SSS for any C_T. Moreover, in the low f_SSS limit, the osmotic swelling pressure is governed not only by the ionic contribution, but also by the polymer‐solvent mixing and, the concentration of mobile counterions inside the gel is not proportional to the net fixed charge but to the addition of cationic and anionic side groups, what discards the formation of ionic pairs. The antipolyelectrolyte effect is interpreted as due to the increasing protonation of VI as μ goes up. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 45: 1683–1693, 2007     

Synthesis of polysiltrimethylenes with trimethylsilyl groups in the branch of the main chain

The thermally initiated and platinum-catalyzed polymerization of 1-silacyclobutanes with substitutents containing a trimethylsilyl group was carried out. Soluble, high-molecular-weight, heterochain siltrimethylene polymers were obtained, containing trimethylsilyl groups removed from the main chain by various bridges.A. V. Topchiev Institute of Petrochemical Synthesis, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117912 Moscow. Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 1, pp. 223–225, January, 1992.     

On the ordering in [(C2H5)4N]2CuCl4 crystal: an X-ray study and theoretical considerations

The crystal structure [(C₂H₅)₄N]₂CuCl₄ has been determined by X-ray diffraction at 243K. The room temperature phase (phase I) belongs to the space group P4₂/nm [1] whereas the low temperature phase (phase II) is orthorhombic and belongs to the space group Pnna. The phase transition at T_c=258K is of improper ferroelastic type and it is associated with the ordering of the CuCl₄ ^2? and a partial ordering of the [(C₂H₅)₄N]⁺ ions which are disordered in the high temperature tetragonal phase. At lower temperature, there occurs another instability which could correspond to a complete ordering in the crystal.