Experiments in Solving Mixed Integer Programming Problems on a Small Array of Transputers

The time-consuming process of solving large-scale Mixed Integer Programming problems using the branch-and-bound technique can be speeded up by introducing a degree of parallelism into the basic algorithm. This paper describes the development and implementation of a parallel branch-and-bound algorithm created by adapting a commercial MIP solver. Inherent in the design of this software are certain ad hoc methods, the use of which are necessary in the effective solution of real problems. The extent to which these ad hoc methods can successfully be transferred to a parallel environment, in this case an array of at most nine transputers, is discussed. Computational results on a variety of real integer programming problems are reported.     

Improved results on the robustness of stochastic approximation algorithms

This paper is a continuation of the research carried out in [1]–[2], where the robustness analysis for stochastic approximation algorithms is given for two cases: 1. The regression function and the Liapunov function are not zero at the sought-forx ⁰; 2. lim sup _n a131_{n i=1} ⁿ _i+1 is not zero, where { _i } are the measurement errors and {a _n} are the weighting coefficients in the algorithm. Allowing these deviations from zero to occur simultaneously but to remain small, this paper shows that the estimation error is still small even for a class of measurement errors more general than that considered in [2].This project is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China.     

Effect of film thickness on the electro-reduction of molecular oxygen on electropolymerized cobalt tetra-aminophthalocyanine films

We studied the electrocatalytic activity of cobalt tetra-aminophthalocyanine (CoTAPc) for the reduction of molecular oxygen (O₂) on adsorbed monomeric and on electropolymerized films of different thicknesses on glassy carbon (GC) electrode. The polymeric films, denoted poly-CoTAPc, were first characterized by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and it appears that the types of phenomena revealed to be occurring depend less on the film thickness in basic than in acid media. For O₂ reduction, the results showed that poly-CoTAPc is more active than the monomeric CoTAPc adsorbed on GC. Indeed, rotating ring-disk electrode data showed that polymeric CoTAPc promotes the four-electron reduction of O₂ to water in parallel to a two-electron reduction to give peroxide. On monomeric and thin films of poly-CoTAPc, a two-electron reduction mechanism predominates. In basic media the activity increases very slightly with thickness, whereas in acid media this increase is more pronounced. This parallels the observed behavior revealed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.     

Sorption of uranium by non-living water hyacinth roots

Summary Many studies have shown that water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) roots can be used to accumulate high concentrations of organic as well as inorganic pollutants. They are currently used to remediate aquatic environments and aqueous solutions. In the present study, sorption of uranium from aqueous solutions by using dried roots of water hyacinth has been investigated. The sorption of uranium was examined as a function of initial concentration, pH, weight of roots and contact time. Five different concentrations 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 μg ^. ml^-1 were used. Sorption proves to be very rapid and depend on pH, weight of roots and concentration of uranium. Maximum sorption capacity of water hyacinth roots was 64,000 U⁶⁺ μg/g. The sorption of uranium by water hyacinth roots follows a Langmuir isotherm.     

Laser action of C,N, O,F, Cl,and Br in hollow cathode discharges

C, N, O, F, Cl, and Br red and infrared laser emission was investigated using hollow cathode discharges in gas mixtures of helium and molecules containing the corresponding atoms. A total of 33 laser lines with wavelengths from 0.7 to 2.0m was observed. Three laser lines of atomic C, five laser lines of atomic N, two laser lines of atomic Cl and five laser lines of atomic Br were observed for the first time. Dissociation charge transfer and dissociative excitation transfer are suggested as being responsible for populating the upper laser levels.     

Stabilization of γ‘ phase in Bi<Subscript>4</Subscript>V<Subscript>2-x</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>x</Subscript><Superscript>II</Superscript>O<Subscript>11-1.5x</Subscript> series

Summary This work reports the room-temperature stabilization of the Bi₄V_2-xFe_x^IIO_11-1.5x γ ‘ phase, a promising ionic conductive material that finds application in solid oxide fuel cell and oxygen sensor devices. The Fe(II) cation proved to be a better stabilizer than Fe(III), which was previously used, since a lower substitution degree of V⁵⁺ is needed for the former. Powder X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry were used in these experiments.     

Synthesis of meso-tetra-(3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxylphenyl)-porphyrin and its application to second-derivative spectrophotometric determination of lead in clinical samples

A new very sensitive and selective chromogenic reagent, meso-tetra-(3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxylphenyl)porphyrin [T(DBHP)P], was synthesized and studied for the determination of trace lead in detail. In 0.10 mol l-1 NaOH medium, lead reacts with T(DBHP)P to form a 1:2 yellow complex, which gives a maximum absorption at 479 nm; 0-0.48 microgram ml-1 Pb(II) obeyed Beer's law. The molar absorptivity of the complex and Sandell's sensitivity are 2.5 x 10(5) 1 mol-1 cm-1 and 0.000812 microgram cm-2, respectively. Second-derivative spectrophotometry is better than conventional spectrophotometry in sensitivity and selectivity, and its limit of quantification, limit of detection and relative standard deviation are 0.70 ng ml-1, 0.21 ng ml-1 and 1.0%, respectively. Ca (3250-fold), Mg (2000-fold), Sr (1000-fold), Ba (750-fold), Al (1000-fold), Bi (500-fold), Fe (2000-fold), Co (750-fold), Ni (1000-fold), Cu (750-fold), Zn (1250-fold), Cd (2500-fold) and Ag (550-fold) do not interfere with the determination of lead. The chromogenic system is remarkably superior to other reagents, especially porphyrin compounds. The influence caused by oxygen in air or in solution can be easily eliminated by adding Na2SO3. The reaction is very stable, the stability constant of the complex being 1.2 x 10(45). The chromogenic reaction is completed within 1 min at room temperature when 8-hydroxylquinoline is used as catalyst. The proposed method has been applied to the direct determination of trace lead in clinical samples. The accuracy and precision are both very satisfactory.     

Trennung,Identifizierung und Bestimmung von Bactericiden auf der Basis von halogenierten Aromaten mittels Gas-Chromatographie

The separation of a mixture of 22 bactericides has been achieved by gas chromatography on columns with silicone rubber W-982 as stationary phase with temperatures between 100° and 300°C. The unchanged compounds as well as their silylation products have been used. The latter are more conveniently used especially for the quantitative determination. To be able to calculate the retention indices after Kovats gas chromatography has been performed isothermally at 180°C for the more volatile compounds and at 250°C for all other bactericides.The retention indices obtained under these conditions are tabulated together with the limits of detection.