The Problem of Capacity Addition in Multi-user Elastic Demand Communication Networks

In this paper we consider some properties on prices under flow control in a network that is to be shared by noncooperative users. Each user is faced with an optimization problem which is formulated as the minimization of its own criterion subject to constraint on the flows of the other users. The operating points of the network are the Nash equilibria of the underlying routing game. Our objective is to study the behavior of prices of all users when the network designer needs to allocate capacities to network links. For parallel links topologies, we show that degradation of the performances such as prices will not take place, as well as the users may find it beneficial to improve their requests     

Deformations of arithmetically Cohen-Macaulay subvarieties of pn

We show that every arithmetically Cohen-Macaulay two-codimensional subscheme ofP ⁿ can be deformed to a reduced union of two-codimensional linear subvarieties. This problem (classical for curves with the name of Zeuthen problem) was solved for curves by F.Gaeta.     

Approximating Clarke’s subgradients of semismooth functions by divided differences

We show that the algorithm presented in an earlier paper by Studniarski (Numer. Math., 55:685–693, 1989) can be applied, after only a small modification, to approximate numerically Clarke’s subgradients of semismooth functions of two variables. Results of computational testing of this modified algorithm are also reported.      

Structural and lithium intercalation studies of Mn(0.5−x)CaxTi2(PO4)3 phases (0≤x≤0.50)

Materials from the Mn_(0.5−x)Ca_xTi₂(PO₄)₃ (0≤x≤0.50) solid solution were obtained by solid-state reaction in air at 1000 °C. Selected compositions were investigated by powder X-ray diffraction analysis, ³¹P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and electrochemical lithium intercalation. The structure of all samples determined by Rietveld analysis is of the Nasicon type with the R space group. Mn²⁺/Ca²⁺ ions occupy only the M1 sites in the Ti₂(PO₄)₃ framework. The divalent cations are ordered in one of two M1 sites, except for the Mn_0.50Ti₂(PO₄)₃ phase, where a small departure from the ideal order is observed by XRD and ³¹P MAS NMR. The electrochemical behaviour of Mn_0.50Ti₂(PO₄)₃ and Mn_(0.5−x)Ca_xTi₂(PO₄)₃ phases was characterised in Li cells. Two Li ions can be inserted without altering the Ti₂(PO₄)₃ framework. In the 0≤y≤2 range, the OCV curves of Li//Li_yMn_0.50Ti₂(PO₄)₃ cells show two main potential plateaus at 2.90 and 2.50–2.30 V. Comparison between the OCV curves of Li//Li_(1+y)Ti₂(PO₄)₃ and Li//Li_yMn_0.50Ti₂(PO₄)₃ shows that the intercalation occurs first in the unoccupied M1 site of Mn_0.50Ti₂(PO₄)₃ at 2.90 V and then, for compositions y>0.50, at the M2 site (2.50–2.30 V voltage range). The effect of calcium substitution in Mn_0.50Ti₂(PO₄)₃ on the lithium intercalation is also discussed from a structural and kinetic viewpoint. In all systems, the lithium intercalation is associated with a redistribution of the divalent cation over all M1 sites. In the case of Mn_0.50Ti₂(PO₄)₃, the stability of Mn²⁺ either in an octahedral or tetrahedral environment facilitates cationic migration.     

Polarization inscription in ferroelectric (111) PZT and (100) SBT films

Ferroelectric thin films form an equilibrium domain structure compatible with their respective crystallographic symmetry. In tetragonal (111) PZT, 90° domains prevail; in (pseudo-tetragonal) (100) SBT both 90° and 180° domains are present. The size of 90° domains has been measured for e.g., PZT as slabs of 15 nm width. Domain size is a result of stress minimization in the film during the paraelectric (PE) → ferroelectric (FE) transition. A precise and regular domain pattern for (111) PZT and (100) SBT films has been investigated in detail by TMSFM. Single domains can be addressed mechanically with the tip of an AFM. Such single domain switching corresponds to a data storage density of 200 Gbit/inch². Applications of ferroelectric and high- paraelectric materials for e.g., non-volatile data storage replacing DRAM devices or as sensors in infrared cameras are increasingly becoming popular.     

Kinetic study of the oxidation of ethanol by 3,4-lutidine chromium(VI) peroxide in dichloromethane solution

The oxidation kinetics of ethanol with 3,4-lutindine chromium(VI) peroxide (LCP) were investigated by monitoring the absorbance change at 565 nm in dichloromethane solution. The reaction had a first-order dependence on oxidant and a fractional (one half) dependence on reactant. The stoichiometric ratio between LCP and ethanol was 1 : 2. The activation parameters were determined from temperature dependence of the reaction rate. It was found that the cleavage of the peroxide groups of LCP is primarily responsible for the oxidant of ethanol to acetaldehyde. Based on the kinetic results obtained (including deuterium isotope effect) a plausible mechanism is proposed. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Reactivity of a Ti–45.9Al–8Nb alloy in air at 700–900°C

A Ti–45.9Al–8Nb (at%) alloy with a lamellar structure (γ+α₂) was oxidised in air at 700, 800, 850 and 900°C in isothermal and thermal cycling conditions. The reaction progress was followed by thermogravimetric measurements. In isothermal conditions the oxidation kinetics followed approximately a parabolic rate law and the rate constants ranged from about 10^–12 kg² m^–4 s^–1 at 700°C to 10^–10 kg² m^–4 s^–1 at 900°C. The oxide scales were built of Al₂O₃ and TiO₂, the former being the main component of the outermost layer. The oxidation behaviour of Ti–45.9Al–8Nb was referred to a commercial titanium alloy, WT4 (Ti–6Al–1Mn), and selected oxidation-resistant alloys.     

Convergent Algorithm Based on Progressive Regularization for Solving Pseudomonotone Variational Inequalities

In this paper, we extend the Moreau-Yosida regularization of monotone variational inequalities to the case of weakly monotone and pseudomonotone operators. With these properties, the regularized operator satisfies the pseudo-Dunn property with respect to any solution of the variational inequality problem. As a consequence, the regularized version of the auxiliary problem algorithm converges. In this case, when the operator involved in the variational inequality problem is Lipschitz continuous (a property stronger than weak monotonicity) and pseudomonotone, we prove the convergence of the progressive regularization introduced in Refs. 1, 2.     

Headspace SPME–GC Method for Acetone Analysis and its Biomedical Application

A new method for extraction and analysis of acetone in human urine based on headspace solid phase microextraction using a mixture of activated carbon and zeolite as sorbents in a PVC matrix coated on a silver wire and its application to the determination of ketone bodies is described. Unlike commercial fibers, which are coated on fused silica, the coating adheres strongly to the silver wire and is thermally stable up to 250 °C. After optimization of coating composition and microextraction conditions the fiber was used for the analysis of acetone in human urine.     

Robust H∞ control for linear Markovian jump systems with unknown nonlinearities

This paper studies the problem of stochastic stability and disturbance attenuation for a class of linear continuous-time uncertain systems with Markovian jumping parameters. The uncertainties are assumed to be nonlinear and state, control and external disturbance dependent. A sufficient condition is provided to solve the above problem. An H_∞ controller is designed such that the resulting closed-loop system is stochastically stable and has a disturbance attenuation γ for all admissible uncertainties. It is shown that the control law is in terms of the solutions of a set of coupled Riccati inequalities. A numerical example is included to demonstrate the potential of the proposed technique.