Nonlinear systems with unbounded controls and state constraints: a problem of proper extension

We study a space-time extension of the notion of solution to a nonlinear control system with unbounded controls (in the form of derivatives) and state constraints. A natural motivation is provided by minimum problems, where the presence of unbounded controls together with the lack of any coercivity assumption may give rise to minimizing sequences of trajectories which converge to discontinuous maps. The main problem focused on in this paper can be summarized as follows: is the proposed extension a proper extension? Which means: is one able to approximate an extended trajectory with ordinary ones? When the system is subject to a state constraint the answer is generally negative. On the other hand, we prove that under suitable conditions on the vectogram at the boundary points of the constraint set the extension turns out to be proper.     

EXAFS measurements on FeB metallic glasses: Asymmetry of the radial distribution function

The EXAFS structure measured above the K-edge of Fe in the disordered Fe₈₀B₂₀ alloy is reported. Complete agreement is obtained with X-ray diffraction results in the position of the first neighbours coordination shell when the asymmetry of the Radial Distribution Function (R.D.F.) into the EXAFS formula is included. A Finney-like R.D.F. is used to describe the pair distribution of these metallic glasses. The weak temperature dependence of the spectra is discussed in terms of the structural properties of these amorphous alloys.     

Fluorescence enhancement by hydroperoxides based on a change in the intramolecular charge transfer character of benzofurazan

Strong fluorescence signals were observed after the reaction of novel reagents with hydroperoxides.     

Generalized ring-opening mechanism in cycloolefin polymerizations

Ring-opening polymerizations of cycloolefins under low strain induced by tungsten based Ziegler-Natta catalysts were previously shown to proceed via metathesis. Now, these investigations have been extended to highly strained four-membered rings and to molybdenum-, titanium-, and ruthenium-based ring-opening catalysts. Ozonolysis of 1[¹⁴C] cyclobutene-3-methylcyclobutene copolymers confirmed the general validity of the metathesis mechanism.     

Long-term integrated surgery room optimization and recovery ward planning,with a case study in the Brazilian National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics (INTO)

This paper proposes an integrated approach for the long-term planning and surgery allocation problem with downstream constraints. It is motivated by a case study in the Brazilian National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics, which provides elective high complexity surgeries for patients from the Brazilian public health system. We introduce an optimization problem that designs a periodic surgery allocation schedule as well as a recovery ward utilization plan, with a view at balancing patient arrivals and releases in the long term, in such a way that all surgeries are performed in a timely manner.     

Synthesis and properties of a new fluorescent bicyclic 4-N-carbamoyldeoxycytidine derivative

[reaction: see text] A bicyclic 4-N-carbamoyldeoxycytidine derivative (1, dC(hpp)) geometrically locked was synthesized as a new fluorescent nucleobase. The hybridization properties of oligodeoxynucleotides containing dC(hpp) were investigated by use of T(m) analysis. It was found that dC(hpp) forms stable base pairs not only with the complementary guanine base, but also with the adenine base. Interestingly, the fluorescence of dC(hpp) was suppressed only when a dC(hpp)-dG base pair was formed.     

Hamiltonian Formulation of FRW Equations of Cosmology

We give a general Hamiltonian formulation of the Friedmann-Robertson-Walker (FRW) fundamental equations of a homogeneous and isotropic universe in the Standard Cosmological model. It gives some interesting insight on the 3-curvature of the universe, which is found to be obtained in terms of the scale factor (also termed radius of the universe) and its first derivative. It also leads to an easy determination of the Schrödinger equation for the (R) wave function of the universe, in the radiative era.     

Dielectric properties and structural features of barium-iron phosphate glasses

The dielectric constant of barium-iron phosphate glasses with the general composition (40−x)BaO · xFe₂O₃ · (60−x)P₂O₅ has been investigated at two fixed frequencies (100 kHz and 9.0 GHz). The dielectric constant measured using microwave technique, and the ratio O/P of these glasses increase with increasing Fe₂O₃ content. The structure and valence states of the iron ions in these glasses were investigated using Mössbauer spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy and differential thermal analysis. Both Fe(II) and Fe(III) ions present in these glasses in octahedral coordination act as permanent dipoles, and the increase of the iron concentration increase these permanent dipoles, contributing to the dielectric constant.     

Fluorescence determination of N-acetylaspartic acid in the rat cerebrum homogenate using high-performance liquid chromatography with pre-column fluorescence derivatization

N-acetyl-L-aspartic acid (NAA) is an endogenous compound, and its brain concentration is suggested to be altered in neurological disorders. In the present study, a fluorescence determination method for NAA was developed by employing reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with pre-column fluorescence derivatization using 4-N,N-dimethylaminosulfonyl-7-N-(2-aminoethyl)amino-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole (DBD-ED). Using methylsuccinic acid as the internal standard, a linear calibration curve for NAA was constructed in the range 125-1000 microM (n=3). The detection limit on the column was approximately 5.0 fmol (signal-to-noise ratio 3). The proposed HPLC method was applied to determine NAA in the rat cerebrum homogenate. Cerebrum NAA was successfully determined using 10 microL of the homogenate, and the validation data for the proposed HPLC method demonstrated satisfactory results. Intra- and inter-day precision and accuracy were within 1.1-7.0 and -8.1-6.3%, respectively. The concentration of NAA in the male rat cerebrum (13 weeks old) was 84+/-4.6 micromol/mg protein (n=3).     

Crystal structure and DFT calculations of Cp2NbH(SiIMe2)(SiFMe2): an asymmetric bis(silyl) niobocene hydride complex

An asymmetric bis(silyl) niobocene hydride complex, namely, bis(η⁵-cyclopentadienyl)(fluorodimethylsilyl)hydrido(iododimethylsilyl)niobium, [Nb(C₅H₅)₂(C₂H₆FSi)(C₂H₆ISi)H] or Cp₂NbH(SiIMe₂)(SiFMe₂), has been studied to determine the effect of the silyl ligand on the position of the hydride attached to the Nb atom. It has been shown that when a Group 17 atom is substituted onto one of the silyl ligands, there is a greater interaction between the hydride and this ligand, as demonstrated by a shorter Si…H distance. In the present work, we have investigated the effect when the silyl ligands are substituted by different Group 17 atoms. We present here the structure and DFT calculations of Cp₂NbH(SiIMe₂)(SiFMe₂), showing that the position of the hydride is located between the two silyl ligands. The results from our investigation show that the hydride is closer to the silyl ligand that is substituted by fluorine.