Quasi-contraction on a cone metric space

In this work we define and study quasi-contraction on a cone metric space. For such a mapping we prove a fixed point theorem. Among other things, we generalize a recent result of H. L. Guang and Z. Xian, and the main result of ?iri? is also recovered.     

The effect of polyethylene addition on the morphology of polystyrene/polyamide blends

The effect of a small admixture of high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) with a high or low viscosity to polystyrene/polyamide (PS/PA) blends of various compositions was studied. PS/PA blends with composition near 50/50 form sheet‐like or fiber‐like morphology at mixing that passes to the cocontinuous structure during compression molding. Ternary PS/PA/HDPE blends with PS/PA ratio about 50/50 show similar behavior. Generally, neither continuity nor shape of PS and PA phases was changed qualitatively by the addition of a small amount of HDPE. In agreement with existing rules for ternary blends, HDPE particles prefer a contact with PS phase to PA phase. On the other hand, none of these rules explains why a number of small HDPE subinclusions were dispersed into PS particles instead of HDPE‐PS core‐shell structure with a lower Gibbs free energy. Quantitative evaluation of the size of PA particles in blends with PS matrix showed that the previously proposed rule stating, that the addition of a small amount of a third immiscible component leads to a strong decrease in the size of dispersed particles, was not valid for the blends studied in this work. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 47: 2158–2170, 2009     

Monomer/polymer Schiff base copper(II) complexes for catalytic oxidative polymerization of 2,2′‐dihydroxybiphenyl

Catalytic oxidative polymerization of 2,2′‐dihydroxybiphenyl (DHBP) was performed by using both the Schiff base monomer‐Cu(II) complex and Schiff base polymer‐Cu(II) complex compounds as catalysts and hydrogen peroxide as oxidant, respectively. The dependence of monomer conversion and molecular weight distribution on various reaction parameters, including time, temperature, solvent as well as the amount of catalyst and oxidant were investigated. The structure of the poly‐2,2′‐dihydroxybiphenyl (PDHBP) was confirmed by UV‐vis, IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy techniques. The electrochemical and thermal properties of PDHBP were also studied. DSC data revealed that PDHBP was amorphous. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 2977–2984, 2009     

Certain Liouville series

Abstract The main results of this paper give two criteria for certain infinite series of rational numbers to be Liouville. Some examples are also included. Keywords: Liouville numbers, Infinite series Mathematics Subject Classification (2000): 11J82     

Reinstallation of the COMPASS-D tokamak in IPP ASCR

The COMPASS-D tokamak, originally operated by UKAEA at Culham, UK, will be reinstalled at the Institute of Plasma Physics (IPP) AS CR. The COMPASS device was designed as a flexible tokamak in the 1980s mainly to explore the MHD physics. Its operation (with D-shaped vessel) began at the Culham Laboratory of the Association EURATOM/ UKAEA in 1992.The COMPASS-D tokamak will have the following unique features after putting in operation on IPP Prague. It will be the smallest tokamak with a clear H-mode and ITER-relevant geometry. ITER-relevant plasma conditions will be achieved by installation of two neutral beam injection systems (2 × 300 kW), enabling co-and counter-injections. Redeployment of the existing LH system (400 kW) is also envisaged. A comprehensive set of diagnostics focused mainly on the edge plasma will be installed.The scientific programme proposed for the COMPASS-D tokamak installed in IPP Prague will benefit from these unique features of COMPASS-D and consist of two main scientific projects, both highly relevant to ITER-Edge plasma physics (H-mode studies) and Wave-plasma interaction studies.The COMPASS-D tokamak will offer an important research potential as a small, flexible and low-cost facility with ITER-relevant geometry.     

Planar waveguide lasers and structures created by laser ablation — an overview

The parameters of planar and channel waveguide lasers fabricated by different techniques are reviewed. Materials and properties of thin films used for creation of planar waveguide lasers are summarized. The parameters of active and passive planar waveguides created by the method of pulsed laser deposition and problems of laser deposition are described. The aspects of laser generation of planar waveguide lasers, resonators and channel waveguides are presented. The results of our experiments of laser deposition of thin Ti:sapphire layers and thin layers of Nd:YAG and Nd:YAP are briefly discussed. This work was supported by the grant of Czech Grant Agency No. 102/96/0429.