A Characterization of π-Complemented Algebras

π-complemented algebras are defined as those algebras (not necessarily associative or unital) such that each annihilator ideal is complemented by other annihilator ideal. Let A be a semiprime algebra. We prove that A is π-complemented if, and only if, every idempotent in the extended centroid of A lies in the centroid of A. We also show the existence of a smallest π-complemented subalgebra of the central closure of A containing A. In the case that A is a C*-algebra, this subalgebra turns out to be a norm dense *-subalgebra of the bounded central closure of A. It follows that a C*-algebra is boundedly centrally closed if, and only if, it is π-complemented.     

The Long Homology Sequence for Quasi-Banach Spaces,with Applications

We establish the existence of long homology sequences in the category of quasi-Banach spaces, with values in a certain category of topological vector spaces. We derive from that new results about the structure of twisted sums of quasi-Banach and Banach spaces. Sample result: let A and B be subspaces of Lp, with 0 < p < 1. If Lp/A and Lp/B are isomorphic then so are A* and B*. In particular, if A and B are finite dimensional, then Lp/A and Lp/B are isomorphic if and only if dim(A) = dim(B).     

A local monotonicity formula for an inhomogenous singular perturbation problem and applications

In this paper we prove a local monotonicity formula for solutions to an inhomogeneous singularly perturbed diffusion problem of interest in combustion. This type of monotonicity formula has proved to be very useful for the study of the regularity of limits u of solutions of the singular perturbation problem and of ∂{u > 0}, in the global homogeneous case. As a consequence of this formula we prove that u has an asymptotic development at every point in ∂{u > 0} where there is a nonhorizontal tangent ball. These kind of developments have been essential for the proof of the regularity of ∂{u > 0} for Bernoulli and Stefan free boundary problems. We also present applications of our results to the study of the regularity of ∂{u > 0} in the stationary case including, in particular, its regularity in the case of energy minimizers. We present as well a regularity result for traveling waves of a combustion model that relies on our monotonicity formula and its consequences.The fact that our results hold for the inhomogeneous problem allows a very wide applicability. Indeed, they may be applied to problems with nonlocal diffusion and/or transport. The research of the authors was partially supported by Fundación Antorchas Project 13900-5, Universidad de Buenos Aires grant X052, ANPCyT PICT No 03-13719, CONICET PIP 5478. The authors are members of CONICET.     

A classification of the weighting schemes in reference point procedures for multiobjective programming

The reference point-based methods form one of the most widely used class of interactive procedures for multiobjective programming problems. The achievement scalarizing functions used to determine the solutions at each iteration usually include weights. In this paper, we have analysed nine weighting schemes from the preferential point of view, that is, examining their performance in terms of which reference values are given more importance and why. As a result, we have carried out a systematic classification of the schemes attending to their preferential meaning. This way, we distinguish pure normalizing schemes from others where the weights have a preferential interpretation. This preferential behaviour can be either designed (thus, predetermined) by the method, or decided by the decision maker. Besides, several figures have been used to illustrate the way each scheme works. This paper enables the potential users to choose the most appropriate scheme for each case.     

Structure and optical characterization of photochemically prepared ZrO2 thin films doped with erbium and europium

Zirconium oxide thin films loaded with 10, 30 and 50 mol% lanthanide ions (Er or Eu) have been successfully prepared by direct UV (254 nm) irradiation of amorphous films of β-diketonate complexes on Si(1 0 0) substrates, followed by a post annealing treatment process. The resultant films were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy. The results showed that the stoichiometry of the resulting films were in relative agreement with the composition of the precursor films. The effects of annealing as well as the lanthanide ion loading on the photoluminescence (PL) emission intensity were investigated, finding that thermal treatment decreases surface roughness as well as PL emission intensity.     

Antihypertensive Activity of the Alkaloid Aspidocarpine in Normotensive Wistar Rats

The alkaloid Aspidocarpine was isolated from the bark of Aspidosperma desmanthum. Its structure was elucidated by the spectral data of ¹H and ¹³C-NMR (1D and 2D) and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRESIMS). The antihypertensive activity was investigated by intravenous infusion in Wistar rats. This alkaloid significantly reduced (p < 0.05) the systolic, median, and diastolic blood pressures of rodents, without causing motor incoordination and imbalance in the rotarod test. The results indicate that the alkaloid Aspidocarpine exerts its antihypertensive activity without causing sedation or the impairment of motor functions.     

A Note on Multiplicative Primeness of Prime Degenerate Jordan Algebras

We show the primeness of the multiplication algebra of the two prime degenerate Jordan algebras constructed by Skosyrskiĭ.     

The Energetics of Surfactant‐Templating of Zeolites

Mesoporosity can be conveniently introduced into zeolites by treating them in basic surfactant solutions. The apparent activation energy involved in the formation of mesopores in USY by surfactant‐templating was determined using a combination of in situ synchrotron X‐ray diffraction and ex situ gas adsorption. Additionally, techniques such as pH measurement and thermogravimetry/differential thermal analysis were employed to determine OH^? evolution and cetyltrimethylammonium ion (CTA⁺) uptake during the development of mesoporosity, thereby providing information about the different steps involved. The combination of both in situ and ex situ techniques has allowed determination of the apparent activation energies of the different processes involved in the mesostructuring of USY zeolites for the first time. Apparent activation energies are of the same order of magnitude (30–65 kJ mol^?1) as those involved in the crystallization of zeolites. Hence, important mechanistic insight into the surfactant‐templating method was obtained.     

Surface‐initiated nitroxide‐mediated polymerization of sodium 4‐styrene sulfonate from latex particles

In this study, we report the use of a double‐headed dialkoxyamine trithiocarbonate ( I ) capable of acting as chain transfer agent via reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer polymerization or as initiator via nitroxide‐mediated polymerization. It is worth mentioning that I was revealed as an effective dual chain transfer agent in the synthesis of multiblock copolymers via bulk and emulsion processes. In this article, we report the employing of I in dispersed systems to obtain amphiphilic multiblock copolymers and latexes. In this case, a water soluble macroagent of PAA previously synthetized was used in disperse media using a mixture of methanol/water (70:30, w/w). Stable latexes were obtained via polymerization‐induced self‐assembly and surface‐initiated polymerization of SSNa from alkoxyamine‐functionalized latex PAA‐b‐PS‐b‐PAA was also obtained © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55, 437–444     

Analysis of the CO vibrational distribution obtained from formaldehyde laser photodecomposition

Summary A simple analysis of the overall CO vibrational distribution obtained from formaldehyde laser photodecomposition has been carried out. Extrapolation to zero vibrational energy transfer to CO gives an energy value of (27770±80) cm⁻¹ for the intermediate assumed in the formaldehyde predissociation. The result obtained turns out to be very reasonable and consistent with several mechanisms suggested in previous studies To speed up publication, the authors of this paper have agreed to not receive the proofs for correction.