Structure and conductivity characterization of new type ionic conductor stabilized bismuth oxide ternary systems

In this study, the new type electrolyte (Yb₂O₃)_x(Dy₂O₃)_y(Bi₂O₃)_1-x-y ternary compounds were synthesized with different stoichiometric ratios by the solid-state reaction method at different annealing treatment and also their microstructural and electrical properties were analysed. X-ray powder diffraction results showed that the high temperature δ-phase of pure monoclinic Bi₂O₃ has been synthesized by doping of Yb₂O₃. Grain size and grain form of pellet formed samples was compared from their surface images taken by the scanning electron microscopy. The grain size has been varying between ～17–37 µm, and degrading with the increasing dopant concentrations. The relationships between the structural parameters (e.g. lattice parameters, crystallite size and the lattice microstrain) and structural properties (e.g. ionic radii of dopant cations and heat treatment procedure) were particularly discussed. Total conductivity values were calculated by Nyquistic complex impedance plot. Impedance measurement revelaed that total conductivity values of the samples increase with the increasing Yb dopant ratio. The activation energies calculated by the Arrhenius approach are measured at around 1?eV. In addition, activation energies and pre-exponential terms decrease with the increasing Yb cation dopant rate for the same ambient temperature.     

Exponential decay for a viscoelastic problem with a singular kernel

In this paper we consider a problem which arises in viscoelasticity. We prove exponential decay of solutions for the problem with a memory term involving a kernel which is singular at zero. This is established by introducing an appropriate Lyapunov type functional and using the energy method. This work extends earlier results.     

Synthesis and characterization of transition metal complexes of thiophene‐2‐methylamine: X‐ray crystal structure of palladium (II) and platinum (II) complexes and use of palladium(II) complexes as pre‐catalyst in Heck and Suzuki cross‐coupling reactions

The reactions of thiophene‐2‐(N‐diphenylphosphino)methylamine, Ph₂PNHCH₂‐C₄H₃S, 1 and thiophene‐2‐[N,N‐bis(diphenylphosphino)methylamine], (Ph₂P)₂NCH₂‐C₄H₃S, 2, with MCl₂(cod) (M = Pd, Pt; cod = 1,5‐cyclooctadiene) or [Cu(CH₃CN)₄]PF₆ yields the new complexes [M(Ph₂PNHCH₂‐C₄H₃S)₂Cl₂], M = Pd 1a, Pt 1b, [Cu(Ph₂PNHCH₂‐C₄H₃S)₄]PF₆, 1c, and [M(Ph₂P)₂NCH₂‐C₄H₃S)Cl₂], M = Pd 2a, Pt 2b, {Cu[(Ph₂P)₂NCH₂‐C₄H₃S]₂}PF₆, 2c, respectively. The new compounds were isolated as analytically pure crystalline solids and characterized by ³¹P‐, ¹³C‐, ¹H‐NMR and IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Furthermore, the solid‐state molecular structures of representative palladium and platinum complexes of bis(phosphine)amine, 2a and 2b, respectively, were determined using single crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. The palladium complexes were tested as potential catalysts in the Heck and Suzuki cross‐coupling reactions. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Absence of local and global solutions to an elliptic system with time-fractional dynamical boundary conditions

This paper presents extensions of some nonexistence results for elliptic systems with dynamical boundary conditions involving the time-derivatives of integer orders to the case of noninteger order. In particular, we consider a system of Poisson’s equations with time-fractional derivatives of order less than one in the boundary conditions and specify the thresholds of the nonlinearities which lead to the absence of global solutions. The fractional derivatives here are meant in the Riemann-Liouville sense (or in the Caputo sense). We also present necessary conditions for the existence of local solutions.     

Using dynamic software in mathematics: the case of reflection symmetry

This study was carried out to examine the effects of computer-assisted instruction (CAI) using dynamic software on the achievement of students in mathematics in the topic of reflection symmetry. The study also aimed to ascertain the pre-service mathematics teachers’ opinions on the use of CAI in mathematics lessons. In the study, a mixed research method was used. The study group of this research consists of 30 pre-service mathematics teachers. The data collection tools used include a reflection knowledge test, a survey and observations. Based on the analysis of the data obtained from the study, the use of CAI had a positive effect on achievement in the topic of reflection symmetry of the pre-service mathematics teachers. The pre-service mathematics teachers were found to largely consider that a mathematics education which is carried out utilizing CAI will be more beneficial in terms of ‘visualization’, ‘saving of time’ and ‘increasing interest/attention in the lesson’. In addition, it was found that the vast majority of them considered using computers in their teaching on the condition that the learning environment in which they would be operating has the appropriate technological equipment.     

Exponential decay for a neutral wave equation

A strongly damped wave equation involving a delay of neutral type in its second order derivative is considered. It is proved that solutions decay to zero exponentially despite the fact that delays are, in general, sources of instability.     

On a large class of kernels yielding exponential stability in viscoelasticity

In this paper we prove exponential decay of solutions for a problem which appears in viscoelasticity. The conditions on the admissible kernels are relaxed so as to allow for more kernels to be treated. Namely, the smallness of the kernels is replaced by the smallness of the set where the kernel is flat. This work extends previous works and improves in particular a recent result by Pata [16]. This is established by introducing two lemmas, an idea due to Pata and using the energy method.     

The smart meter and a smarter consumer: quantifying the benefits of smart meter implementation in the United States

The electric grid in the United States has been suffering from underinvestment for years, and now faces pressing challenges from rising demand and deteriorating infrastructure. High congestion levels in transmission lines are greatly reducing the efficiency of electricity generation and distribution. In this paper, we assess the faults of the current electric grid and quantify the costs of maintaining the current system into the future. While the proposed "smart grid" contains many proposals to upgrade the ailing infrastructure of the electric grid, we argue that smart meter installation in each U.S. household will offer a significant reduction in peak demand on the current system. A smart meter is a device which monitors a household's electricity consumption in real-time, and has the ability to display real-time pricing in each household. We conclude that these devices will provide short-term and long-term benefits to utilities and consumers. The smart meter will enable utilities to closely monitor electricity consumption in real-time, while also allowing households to adjust electricity consumption in response to real-time price adjustments.     

On the continuity of functions

In this paper, results of a questionnaire about continuity of functions are analysed. The tested students attend Novi Sad grammar school. The aim of this test was to check the student's theoretical and visual knowledge of continuous functions at the end of their high school education. The questions were given with and without the graphs of functions. The main conclusion is that the graph of a function has a significant influence on the students opinion about continuity. Looking at the graphs of functions mostly led to correct answers, but sometimes it causes problems, if it has a break. The idea came from a 1981 paper by Tall and Vinner, where the “concept image” of a continuous functions was examined.     

A facile method for regioselective synthesis of new N-acetyl/thioacetyl-(E)-stilbene benzenesulfonamide derivatives via N-acetyl/thioacetyl sulfonamide formation

A series of new N-acetyl/thioacetyl-(E)-stilbene benzenesulfonamide derivatives were synthesized regioselectively in moderate to high yields by following a convenient, three-step procedure. The procedure consists of the direct oxidative conversion of a thiol compound to the corresponding sulfonyl chloride using TMSCl/KNO₃, followed by a room temperature reaction in a one-pot transformation of the resultant sulfonyl chloride into N-acetyl/thioacetyl sulfonamide, which undergoes a further Pd-catalyzed coupling reaction, giving rise to the stilbene compounds reported for the first time.