Aggregating preferences rankings with variable weights

One of the most important issues for aggregating preferences rankings is the determination of the weights associated with the different ranking places. To avoid the subjectivity in determining the weights, Cook and Kress (1990) [5] suggested evaluating each candidate with the most favorable scoring vector for him/her. With this purpose, various models based on Data Envelopment Analysis have appeared in the literature. Although these methods do not require predetermine the weights subjectively, some of them have a serious drawback: the relative order between two candidates may be altered when the number of first, second, …, kth ranks obtained by other candidates changes, although there is not any variation in the number of first, second, …, kth ranks obtained by both candidates. In this paper we propose a model that allows each candidate to be evaluated with the most favorable weighting vector for him/her and avoids the previous drawback. Moreover, in some cases, we give a closed expression for the score assigned with our model to each candidate.     

Microstructural and magnetic characterization of Nd2Fe17 ball milled alloys

Microstructural and magnetic changes induced by ball milling in Nd₂Fe₁₇ alloy have been investigated. X-ray and neutron powder diffraction studies have shown that the main crystalline phase present in the as-cast Nd₂Fe₁₇ compound is the rhombohedral Th₂Zn₁₇-type crystal structure. Contrary to other materials, the crystal structure does not change after milling, and the crystal lattice parameters slightly increases while the induced strain is less than 0.1%. It has been observed from SEM and TEM images that the microstructure consists of agglomerates of nanoparticles with a mean size around 20 nm, and from magnetic measurements a broadening of the temperature range in which ferromagnetic to paramagnetic transition takes place.     

Voltammetric and surface-enhanced resonance Raman spectroscopic characterization of cytochrome C adsorbed on a 4-mercaptopyridine monolayer on silver electrodes

To combine voltammetric techniques with surface-enhanced resonance Raman scattering (SERRS), cytochrome c (cyt c) was immobilized on a roughened silver electrode chemically modified with a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of 4-mercaptopyridine (PySH). All measurements were performed on the same electrode in a homemade spectroelectrochemical cell suitable for such applications. Cyt c on a PySH-SAM shows a quasi-reversible, monoelectronic, adsorption-controlled CV response with a formal reduction potential of -0.061 V (vs SCE), which is comparable to the values found for native cyt c adsorbed on different SAMs. SERRS spectra proved that cyt c adsorbed on a PySH monolayer is present in the native conformer (the B1 state). Voltammetric and SERRS experiments at high ionic strength revealed that the interaction between the SAM and the protein is electrostatic in nature. In conclusion, PySH was found to be suitable for adsorption of cyt c at SERRS-active silver surfaces. In comparison with other SAMs, PySH requires less time (10 min vs 12-18 h) to form a long-time durable and reproducible coating on the roughened electrode surface.     

Carbon dioxide solubility in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate

In this work, we present new solubility results for carbon dioxide in the ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate for temperatures ranging from (303.2 to 343.2) K and pressures up to 5.9 MPa using a thermogravimetric microbalance. Carbon dioxide solubilities were determined from absorption saturation (equilibrium) results at each fixed temperature and pressure. The buoyancy effect was accounted for in the evaluation of the carbon dioxide solubility. A highly accurate equation of state and a group contribution predictive method for carbon dioxide and for ionic liquids, respectively, were employed to determine the effect of buoyancy on carbon dioxide solubility. The solubility measurements are presented as a function of temperature and pressure. An extended Henry’s law equation was used to correlate the present experimental solubility values and the result was satisfactory.     

FePd melt-spun ribbons and nanowires: Fabrication and magneto-structural properties

Fe-30%Pd alloys in ribbon and nanowire geometry have been prepared. Ribbon samples were produced by the melt-spinning technique in the Ar environment. FePd nanowires, having about 35 nm in diameter, 105 nm inter-nanowires distance and around 4 μm in length, were synthesized into nanoporous anodic alumina membranes as templates. Energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis of ribbons shows an average atomic composition of Fe (73.2%) and Pd (26.8%). The X-ray diffraction at RT analysis was performed on both surfaces, free and wheel side, of the melt-spun ribbon. It shows the coexistence of two phases: fct and bct FePd, but with differences between both surfaces consisting the existence of Fe oxides (Fe₂O₃ and Fe₃O₄) and a textured 200 reflection in the free side. Heating and cooling thermomagnetic curves exhibit a reversible behaviour from RT to 720 K, but around 770 K a clear irreversible transformation takes place.     

Synthesis, structure and hydrogenation catalytic activity of [Ru3(μ3,η-ampy)(μ,η:η-PhC=CHPh)(CO)6(PPh3) (Hampy = 2-amino-6-methylpyridine)

The compound [RU₃(μ₃,η²- -ampy)(μ₃η¹:η²-PhC=CHPh)(CO)₆(PPh₃)₂] (1) (ampy = 2-amino-6-methylpyridinate) has been prepared by reaction of [RU₃(η-H)(μ₃,η²- ampy) (μ,η¹:η²-PhC=CHPh)(CO)₇(PPh₃)] with triphenylphosphine at room temperature. However, the reaction of [RU₃(μ-H)(μ₃, η² -ampy)(CO)₇(PPh₃)₂] with diphenylacetylene requires a higher temperature (110°C) and does not give complex 1 but the phenyl derivative [RU₃(μ₃,η²-ampy)(μ,η ¹:η² -PhC=CHPh)(μ,-PPh₂)(Ph)(CO)₅(PPh₃)] (2). The thermolysis of complex 1 (110°C) also gives complex 2 quantitatively. Both 1 and 2 have been characterized by0 X-ray diffraction methods. Complex 1 is a catalyst precursor for the homogeneous hydrogenation of diphenylacetylene to a mixture of cis- and trans -stilbene under mild conditions (80°C, 1 atm. of H₂), although progressive deactivation of the catalytic species is observed. The dihydride [RU₃(μ-H)₂(μ ₃,η²-ampy)(μ,η¹:η²- PhC=CHPh)(CO)₅(PPh₃)₂] (3), which has been characterized spectroscopically, is an intermediate in the catalytic hydrogenation reaction.