A cone programming approach to the bilinear matrix inequality problem and its geometry

We discuss an approach for solving the Bilinear Matrix Inequality (BMI) based on its connections with certain problems defined over matrix cones. These problems are, among others, the cone generalization of the linear programming (LP) and the linear complementarity problem (LCP) (referred to as the Cone-LP and the Cone-LCP, respectively). Specifically, we show that solving a given BMI is equivalent to examining the solution set of a suitably constructed Cone-LP or Cone-LCP. This approach facilitates our understanding of the geometry of the BMI and opens up new avenues for the development of the computational procedures for its solution. Research supported in part by the National Science Foundation under Grant CCR-9222734.     

Direct and indirect radiolytic effects in highly concentrated aqueous solutions of bromide

Highly concentrated aqueous solutions of bromide were used to examine the total radical yield in the direct decomposition of water by γ-rays. Bromide concentrations were varied up to 6 M at which almost all OH(?) radicals, H(?) atoms, and hydrated electrons produced in the picosecond range oxidize bromide to ultimately form Br(3)(-), a stable species that can easily be measured with a spectrometer. Considering only the decomposition of water in the presence of air and in acidic conditions, the apparent yield of oxidizing species is found to be around (10 ± 0.05) × 10(-7) mol J(-1). The absorption of irradiation dose by the solute at high concentration is discussed and quantitatively evaluated. At 6 M Br(-) solutions, 38% of the dose is absorbed by solutes and Br(-) is directly ionized. The optimal value for the initial yield of the radicals produced by direct radiolytic Br(-) ionization is found to be (9.6 ± 0.5) × 10(-7) mol J(-1).     

MgO纳米晶负载镍催化剂用于甲烷蒸汽重整反应(英文)

Nanocrystalline MgO with a relatively high surface area and mesoporous structure was synthesized by a surfactant assisted precipitation method for use as the support of nickel catalysts for steam reforming of methane. The samples were characterized by X‐ray diffraction, N2 adsorption, temperature‐programmed reduction, temperature‐programmed oxidation, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The catalysts showed high catalytic activity and good stability in the steam reforming of methane. Increasing the nickel loading up to 10 wt% gave increased activity. Catalysts with higher nickel loadings showed more deposited carbon after reaction. The excellent anti‐coking performance of the catalysts was attributed to the formation of a nickel‐magnesia solid solution, basicity of the support surface, and nickel‐support interaction.     

Room Temperature Ionic Liquids (RTILs) and Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs) as Modifiers for Improvement of Carbon Paste Ion Selective Electrode Response; A Comparison Study with PVC Membrane

Room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs), 1‐n‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, [bmim]BF₄, and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were used for improvement of a praseodymium carbon paste ion selective sensor response. [bmim]BF₄ can be a better binder than mineral oils. MWCNTs have a good conductivity which helps the transduction of the signal in carbon paste electrode. The characteristics of these electrodes as potentiometric sensors were evaluated and compared with PVC membrane sensor. The results indicate that potentiometric sensor constructed with ionic liquid shows an increase in performance in terms of Nernstian slope, selectivity, response time, and response stability compared to Pr(III) PVC membrane sensor.     

Effect of Ni loadings on the activity and coke formation of MgO-modified Ni/Al_2O_3 nanocatalyst in dry reforming of methane

MgO-modified Ni/Al2O3 catalysts with different Ni loadings were prepared and employed in dry reforming of methane （DRM）. The effect of Ni loadings on the activity and coke formation of Ni/MgO-A1203 catalysts were investigated. The synthesized catalysts were characterized by XRD, N2 adsorption-desorption, SEM, TPO and TPR techniques. The obtained results showed that increasing nickel loading decreased the BET surface area and increased the catalytic activity and amount of deposited carbon. In addition, the effect of gas hourly space velocity （GHSV） and feed ratio were studied.     

Molecularly imprinted polymer based potentiometric sensor for the determination of hydroxyzine in tablets and biological fluids

Molecular imprinting is a useful technique for the preparation of functional materials with molecular recognition properties. In this work, a biomimetic potentiometric sensor, based on a non-covalent imprinted polymer, was fabricated for the recognition and determination of hydroxyzine in tablets and biological fluids. The molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) was synthesized by precipitation polymerization, using hydroxyzine dihydrochloride as a template molecule, methacrylic acid (MAA) as a functional monomer and ethylene glycol dimethacrylat (EGDMA) as a cross-linking agent. The sensor showed a high selectivity and a sensitive response to the template in aqueous system. The MIP-modified electrode exhibited a Nernstian response (29.4 ± 1.0 mV decade⁻¹) in a wide concentration range of 1.0 × 10⁻⁶ to 1.0 × 10⁻¹ M with a lower detection limit of 7.0 × 10⁻⁷ M. The electrode demonstrated a response time of ∼15 s, a high performance and a satisfactory long-term stability (more than 5 months). The method has the requisite accuracy, sensitivity and precision to assay hydroxyzine in tablets and biological fluids.     

Organic–inorganic hybrid of anchored dicationic ionic liquid on Al‐MCM‐41‐phosphovanadomolybdate toward selective oxidation of benzene to phenol

A phosphovanadomolybdate hybridized with an anchored dicationic ionic liquid on Al‐MCM‐41 was prepared through the anion exchange and characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR, FTIR, UV–Vis, XRD, XPS, TGA, TEM, FESEM, ICP‐OES and BET techniques. The obtained data demonstrated that the composite is a porous material with the high surface area and also having a large pore volume which are 405 m² g^?1 and 0.616 cm³ g^?1 respectively. The prepared composite has shown an acceptable catalytic activity for converting benzene selectively to phenol with hydrogen peroxide as eco‐friendly oxidant. Under the optimized reaction conditions, the hybrid catalyst resulted in phenol yield of 14.8% with 100% selectivity and a TOF value of 20.0 h^?1. The catalyst also revealed a desired recovery and reusability. The efficient performance of the composite is related to the textural and polyoxometalate properties.