An improved error bound for a finite element approximation of a model for phase separation of a multi-component alloy

Using the approach of Rulla (1996 SIAM J. Numer. Anal. 33, 68-87)for analysing the time discretization error and assuming moreregularity on the initial data, we improve on the error boundderived by Barrett and Blowey (1996 IMA J. Numer. Anal. 16,257-287) for a fully practical piecewise linear finite elementapproximation with a backward Euler time discretization of amodel for phase separation of a multi-component alloy.     

Giant oscillations of electron temperature during steady-state operation on Tore Supra

During fully noninductively driven discharges in the Tore Supra tokamak, large spontaneous oscillations of the core electron temperature (DeltaTe/Te>50%) have been observed for the first time. They occurred during the standard O regime, which is itself characterized by periodic oscillations of much smaller amplitude. The "giant" oscillations appear to involve distinct mechanisms with respect to the O regime and provide a spectacular example of the complex nonlinear interactions between energy confinement, noninductive current sources, and MHD that may occur in a tokamak plasma during steady-state operation.     

Inverting Ray-Knight identity

We provide a short proof of the Ray-Knight second generalized Theorem, using a martingale which can be seen (on the positive quadrant) as the Radon–Nikodym derivative of the reversed vertex-reinforced jump process measure with respect to the Markov jump process with the same conductances. Next we show that a variant of this process provides an inversion of that Ray-Knight identity. We give a similar result for the Ray-Knight first generalized Theorem.     

Triazabicyclodecene: an effective isotope exchange catalyst in CDCl(3)

We describe the first effective H/D exchange reaction with acidic substrates in CDCl(3) at room temperature. The particularly mild reaction conditions involved (solvent, base, and temperature) allow the chemoselective deuteration of ketones over esters. An NMR study was conducted with the aim of rationalizing the results obtained in the presence of TBD as catalyst.     

Determination of plasma testosterone by mass fragmentography using [3,4-13C]testosterone as an internal standard

The combination of glass capillary gas chromatography--mass spectrometry is especially suitable for the recognition of compounds. The use of [3,4-13C]testosterone as internal standard, mass fragmentography and isotope ratio measurement have been applied to the quantitative determination of testosterone in plasma. This paper describes the method, using tert.-butyldimethylsilylmethoxime and di-heptafluorobutyrate derivatives. The calibration graph in isotopic dilution is examined. The results obtained are compared with the results obtained by radioimmunoassay. The sensitivity of the method is judged from the lower limit of detection: 4.5 pg. The precision, and inter- and intra-assay are calculated.