Extending a class of continuous estimation of distribution algorithms to dynamic problems

In this paper, a class of continuous Estimation of Distribution Algorithms (EDAs) based on Gaussian models is analyzed to investigate their potential for solving dynamic optimization problems where the global optima may change dramatically during time. Experimental results on a number of dynamic problems show that the proposed strategy for dynamic optimization can significantly improve the performance of the original EDAs and the optimal solutions can be consistently located.     

Metachronal propulsion of non-Newtonian viscoelastic mucus in an axisymmetric tube with ciliated walls

Cilia-induced flow of viscoelastic mucus through an idealized two-dimensional model of the human trachea is presented.The cilia motion is simulated by a metachronal wave pattern which enables the mobilization of highly viscous mucus even at nonzero Reynolds numbers.The viscoelastic mucus is analyzed with the upper convected Maxwell viscoelastic formulation which features a relaxation time and accurately captures normal stress generation in shear flows.The governing equations are transformed from fixed to wave(laboratory)frame with appropriate variables and resulting differential equations are perturbed about wave number.The trachea is treated as an axisymmetric ciliated tube.Radial and axial distributions in axial velocity are calculated via the regular perturbation method and pressure rise is computed with numerical integration using symbolic software MATHEMATICA^‘TM’.The influence of selected parameters which is cilia length,and Maxwell viscoelastic material parameter i.e.relaxation time for prescribed values of wave number are visualized graphically.Pressure rise is observed to increase considerably with elevation in both cilia length and relaxation time whereas the axial velocity is markedly decelerated.The simulations provide some insight into viscous-dominated cilia propulsion of rheological mucus and also serve as a benchmark for more advanced modeling.     

Pt/ZrO2:An Efficient Catalyst for Aerobic Oxidation of Toluene in Aqueous Solution

The heterogeneous oxidation of toluene in aqueous medium has been investigated. Artificially contaminated water with aromatic compound (toluene) was exposed to a simple platinized zirconia (1% Pt/ZrO₂) catalyst in the presence of molecular oxygen. This selective oxidation of toluene to benzyl alcohol, benzaldehyde and benzoic acid provides a step for removing toluene from wastewater or converting it into less harmful substances. Different parameters, e.g. the reaction time, temperature, pressure, the amount of catalyst and agitation, etc influenced the toluene conversion and selectivity. Typical batch reactor kinetic data were obtained and fitted to the classical Langmuir‐Hinshelwood model, Mars‐van Krevelen model as well as to the Eley‐Rideal model of heterogeneously catalyzed reactions. The Eley‐Rideal model was found to give a better fit. 1% Pt/ZrO₂ was observed to be the most active for oxidation of toluene at 333 K in oxygenated atmosphere [p(O₂) ca. 101 kPa] with a nominal stirring speed ≧900 r/min. It was found that catalytic oxidation may be an effective method for the removal of volatile organic compounds from aqueous solutions and comparable to other advanced oxidation processes.     

Improved electrical parameters of vacuum annealed Ni/4H-SiC (0 0 0 1) Schottky barrier diode

The reported work has been focused on the improvement of electrical parameters of Schottky diode using vacuum annealing at mild temperature in Ar gas ambient. Nickel Schottky barrier diodes were fabricated on 50 μm epitaxial layer of n-type 4H-SiC (0 0 0 1) substrate. The values of leakage current, Schottky barrier height (?_B), ideality factor (η) and density of interface states (N_SS) were obtained from experimentally measured current–voltage (I–V) and capacitance–voltage (C–V) characteristics before and after vacuum annealing treatment. The data revealed that ?_B, η and reverse leakage current for the as-processed diodes are 1.25 eV, 1.6 and 1.2 nA (at ?100 V), respectively, while for vacuum annealed diodes these parameters are 1.36 eV, 1.3 and 900 pA (at same reverse voltage). Improved characteristics have been resulted under the influence of vacuum annealing because of lesser number of minority carrier generation due to incessant reduction of number of available discrete energy levels in the bandgap of 4H-SiC substrate and lesser number of interface states density at Ni/4H-SiC (0 0 0 1) interface.     

Organotin(IV) Carboxylates of Substituted α‐Cinnamic Acid,RnSn(OCOC(R2)=CHR1)4 – n: Synthesis,Spectroscopic Characterization and Biological Evaluation

Di‐ and triorganotin(IV) carboxylates, R_nSn(OCOC(R²)=CHR¹)_4–n (n = 2 and 3; R = Me, Et, n‐Bu, Ph; R¹ = 3‐CH₃O‐4‐OHC₆H₃, R² = C₆H₅) were prepared by reacting the corresponding organotin(IV) chloride with the silver salt of the (E)‐3‐(4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxyphenyl)‐2‐phenylpropenoic acid. The title compounds were investigated and characterized by elemental analysis, infrared (FT‐IR), multinuclear (¹H, ¹³C, ¹¹⁹Sn) NMR, and mass spectrometry, and possible structures were proposed. The complexes and ligand acid ( HL ) have been evaluated in vitro against various bacteria and fungi. The results noticed during the biocidal activity screenings proved their in vitro biological potential. They were also tested for cytotoxicity.     

Crystallographic report: Chlorodiphenyltin(IV) piperidine‐1‐carbodithioate

A trigonal bipyramidal C₂ClS₂ coordination geometry for tin is found in Ph₂Sn(S₂CN(CH₂)₅)Cl. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Sulfonyl Ketenimines as Key Intermediates in One‐Pot Synthesis of N‐Sulfonyl‐2‐alkaneimidoyl Selenocyanates

Sulfonyl‐ketenimine intermediates, generated by the addition of Cu acetylides to sulfonyl azides, are trapped by KSeCN to afford N‐sulfonyl‐2‐alkaneimidoyl selenocyanates in moderate‐to‐good yields.     

Stochastic upscaling of random microstructures

In this work we present an upscaling technique for multi-scale computations based on random microstructures modelled as realisations of lognormally distributed random fields, or described by randomly distributed inclusions in a homogeneous matrix. Their corresponding coarse-scale model parameters are considered as uncertain, and are approximated by random variables, the distributions of which are obtained via polynomial chaos based Bayesian procedures in which the fine-scale energy is used as an observation. (© 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Best Proximity Points: Optimal Solutions

This article elicits a best proximity point theorem for non-self-proximal contractions. As a consequence, it ascertains the existence of an optimal approximate solution to some equations for which it is plausible that there is no solution. Moreover, an algorithm is exhibited to determine such an optimal approximate solution designated as a best proximity point. It is interesting to observe that the preceding best proximity point theorem includes the famous Banach contraction principle.