On The Finite Element Approximation of Variational Inequalities with Noncoercive Operators

In this article, we introduce a new method to analyze the convergence of the standard finite element method for variational inequalities with noncoercive operators. We derive an optimal L ^∞ error estimate by combining the Bensoussan-Lions algorithm with the concept of subsolutions.     

A policy iteration algorithm for fixed point problems with nonexpansive operators

The aim of this paper is to solve the fixed point problems:

Glass formation in the Sb2O3-ZnBr2 binary system

Glass formation has been investigated in the Sb₂O₃-ZnBr₂ binary system. Vitreous samples have been obtained for batches containing 20-90 mol% Sb₂O₃. Chemical analysis shows that bromine concentration is smaller than expected and real compositions belong to the Sb₂O₃-ZnBr₂-ZnO ternary system. However, the discrepancy between nominal and analyzed compositions is fair for Sb₂O₃ content larger than 50 mol%. Optical transmission lies between 400 nm and 7 μm and refractive index ranges from 2.0 to 2.1. Glass transition occurs around 300 °C, and crystallization exotherm does not appear in the differential scanning calorimetry scan at 10 K s⁻¹ for samples containing 50-60 mol% Sb₂O₃. Thermal expansion varies between 120 and 220×10⁻⁷ K⁻¹ as antimony content decreases. Microhardness is close to 200 kg/mm². These glasses have low phonon energy and make potential materials for infrared transmission and active fibers.     

Benzoylation of 2(3H)-benzothiazolones in the Presence of 8 Equivalents of Zinc Chloride in N,N-dimethylformamide

The use of the mixture of aluminum chloride-N,N-dimethylformamide 1,2 (AlCl 3 -DMF, 11:1) reagent in the Friedl-Crafts C acylation reaction of 2(3H)-benzothiazolones was previously reported. 3 These acylations reactions were found to proceed with high regioselectivity. The precise position of acylation was uniquivocally assigned by x-ray single-crystal defraction in the case of 6-benzoyl-2(3H)-benzothiazolone. 4 The assignment of the position of acylation was extended to other compounds by the use of high-field 1 H-NMR . 3     

Cesium Fluoride on Calcium Oxide as a Strongly Basic Catalyst. Synthesis of Flavones and Tobacco Alkaloids

Niobium containing aluminophosphate materials with AEL structure were prepared by the hydrothermal method. The chemical composition of the hydrogel was: 1 DIPA: 1 Al₂O₃: (1-x) P₂O₅: x Nb₂O₅: 80 H₂O, with x=0.025, 0.050, 0.075 and 0.100. The crystallization was carried out at temperature of 170°C for 72 h. The materials obtained were characterized by XRF, DRX, FTIR, TG and measurements of acidity. The characterization of the catalytic active sites were carried out in the isopropanol dehydration at temperature of 400°C, and WHSV of 1.6, 3.2, 4.8, 6.4 and 8.0 h^-1 . The samples showed good catalytic activity with selectivity to propene. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

An online identification algorithm of unknown time-varying delay and internal multimodel control for discrete non-linear systems

In this paper, an online algorithm is proposed for the identification of unknown time-varying input delay in the case of discrete non-linear systems described by decoupled multimodel. This method relies on the minimization of a performance index based on the error between the real system and the partial internal models outputs. In addition, a decoupled internal multimodel control is proposed for the compensation of discrete non-linear systems with time-varying delay. This control scheme incorporates partial internal model controls. Each partial controller is associated to a specified operating zone of the non-linear system. The switching between these controllers is ensured by a supervisor that contains a set of local predictors. A simulation example is carried out to illustrate the significance of the proposed time-varying delay identification algorithm and the proposed internal multimodel control scheme.     

Global minimum and orthogonality in C1-classes

In this paper we characterize the global minimum of an arbitrary function defined on a Banach space, in terms of a new concept of derivatives adapted for our case from a recent work due to D.J. Keckic (J. Operator Theory, submitted for publication). Using these results we establish several new characterizations of the global minimum of the map defined by F_ψ(X)=‖ψ(X)‖₁, where is a map defined by ψ(X)=S+φ(X) and φ:B(H)→B(H) is a linear map, S∈C₁, and . Further, we apply these results to characterize the operators which are orthogonal to the range of elementary operators.     

Phytochemicals,antioxidant, anti-acetyl-cholinesterase,and antimicrobial activities of decoction and infusion of Pelargonium graveolens

Abstract

In Tunisia, Pelargonium graveolens is widely consumed as a food aromatizing hydrosol. Recent studies have shown the potential of plant solvent-free extracts as food and pharmaceutical natural additives. Accordingly, in this study, we investigate the phenolic content, the volatile fractions of green P. graveolens extracts such as infusion and decoction, and we evaluate their biological activities. The total phenolic content of the infusion (27.05?mg GAE/gDM) is significantly different from that of decoction (31.2?mg GAE/gDM). The GC-MS analysis identified about twenty volatile components in both extracts. The DPPH inhibition and the β-carotene bleaching tests of the infusion and the decoction had considerable results. Besides, infusion and decoction exhibited a relatively high anti-acetyl-cholinesterase activity and a considerable antimicrobial activity against S. aureus, among three tested pathogenic bacteria.     

Growth Parameters,Photosynthetic Performance,and Biochemical Characterization of Newly Isolated Green Microalgae in Response to Culture Condition Variations

This work aimed to characterize two native microalgal strains newly isolated from South Mediterranean areas and identified as Chlorella sorokiniana ES3 and Neochloris sp. AM2. The growth properties and biochemical composition of these microalgae were evaluated in different culture media (Algal, BG-11, f/2, and Conway). Among the tested media, nitrate- and phosphate-rich Algal medium provided the maximum biomass productivities (85.5 and 111.5 mg l^?1 day^?1 for C. sorokiniana and Neochloris sp., respectively), while the nitrate- and phosphate-deficient f/2 medium resulted in the highest lipid productivities (24.1 and 35.8 mg l^?1 day^?1 for C. sorokiniana and Neochloris sp., respectively). The physiological state of both microalgae was investigated under different light and temperature levels using the pulse amplitude-modulated fluorometry. The better photosynthetic efficiency of C. sorokiniana was obtained at 23 °C with a light saturation of 156 μE m^?2 s^?1, while that of Neochloris sp. was achieved at 15 °C with a light saturation of 151 μE m^?2 s^?1. The analysis of fatty acid profile and biodiesel parameters revealed that C. sorokiniana, cultivated in Algal and f/2 media, can be considered as a suitable candidate for high-quality biodiesel production.