SR XRF and micro-PIXE studies on ancient metallurgy of thirteen Dacian gold bracelets

A thorough microscopic investigation by SR XRF and micro-PIXE brings insight into the probable techniques used in the manufacture of thirteen Dacian gold bracelets, one of the most spectacular archaeological finds ever on the territory of Romania.     

A Validated RP–LC Method for Simultaneous Determination of Losartan Potassium and Amlodipine Besilate in Pharmaceutical Preparations

A simple RP–LC method for simultaneous quantification of losartan and amlodipine and separation of their degradation products has been developed. For this purpose we tested appropriated mobile phase pH range, flow rate, temperature and different columns. The method was validated with an ODS column. A gradient of acetonitrile and phosphate pH 3.0 buffer was utilized as mobile phase. The linearity was determined at 50–150% level. Individual recoveries at 70–130% level ranged from 98.8 to 100.5% for losartan and 96.4–101.2% for amlodipine. The robustness was also evaluated. Although losartan has much higher quantities than amlodipine in commercial tablets, this method allowed simultaneous quantification for both drugs.     

An adaptive wavelet viscosity method for hyperbolic conservation laws

We extend the multiscale finite element viscosity method for hyperbolic conservation laws developed in terms of hierarchical finite element bases to a (pre‐orthogonal spline‐)wavelet basis. Depending on an appropriate error criterion, the multiscale framework allows for a controlled adaptive resolution of discontinuities of the solution. The nonlinearity in the weak form is treated by solving a least‐squares data fitting problem. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 2008     

A novel and efficient method for the catalytic direct oxidative carbonylation of 1,2- and 1,3-diols to 5-membered and 6-membered cyclic carbonates

In the presence of a PdI₂-based catalytic system, 1,2-diols undergo an oxidative carbonylation process to afford 5-membered cyclic carbonates in good to excellent yields (84-94%) and with unprecedented catalytic efficiencies for this kind of reaction (up to ca. 190 mol of product per mol of PdI₂). Under similar conditions, 6-membered cyclic carbonates are obtained for the first time through a direct catalytic oxidative carbonylation of 1,3-diols (66-74% yields).     

Multipeak solutions to the Bahri-Coron problem in domains with a shrinking hole

We construct positive and sign changing multipeak solutions to the pure critical exponent problem in a bounded domain with a shrinking hole, having a peak which concentrates at some point inside the shrinking hole (i.e. outside the domain) and one or more peaks which concentrate at interior points of the domain. These are, to our knowledge, the first multipeak solutions in a domain with a single small hole.     

Nonlinear optical properties of C<Subscript>60</Subscript> with explicit time-dependent electron dynamics

An explicit electron dynamics approach has been used to calculate the nonlinear optical properties of C₆₀ and its radical anion. An external perturbation, in the form of an oscillating electric field, induces the time-evolution of the molecular wavefunction. The time-averaged instantaneous dipole moment of the systems gives the molecular response to perturbations of varying field intensities and frequency of oscillation. The polarizabilities and the second-order hyperpolarizabilties have been calculated and are in good qualitative agreement with experimentally available data. In line with previous theoretical and experimental studies, the nonlinear effect is enhanced for the radical species. Contribution to the Fernando Bernardi Memorial Issue.