Equilibrated thermodesorption studies of adsorption of n-hexane and n-heptane on zeolites Y, ZSM-5 and ZSM-11

Gravimetric measurements of thermodesorption of n-hexane and n-heptane were performed under quasi-equilibrium conditions. Differential thermodesorption profiles for ZSM-5 and ZSM-11 showed two peaks, but for Y zeolites, only one thermodesorption peak was observed. A model function, derived from the Langmiur adsorption model, was fitted to the experimental data, and the model parameters (the adsorption entropy and enthalpy) were estimated. The two-step desorption profiles observed for ZSM-5 and ZSM-11 were attributed to the commensurate freezing effect, i.e. a transition in the adsorbed phase resulting in ordering of the adsorbed molecules in the zeolite channels. The results observed for ZSM-11 indicate that the zigzag channels typical for ZSM-5 micropore system are not necessary for this transition to occur.     

Bending loss measurement using a fiber cavity ringdown scheme

A novel sensitive technique for the determination of losses in fiber cavities is presented. The method is based on the cavity ringdown scheme implemented in silica-based single-mode fibers. Bending losses of fiber cavities of different lengths have been measured showing all an oscillating behavior with respect to the curvature radius of the fiber as predicted by a theoretical model. The best minimum detectable absorbance per cavity pass achieved by this new method is 1.72×10⁻³ dB within a 10 m-long cavity. This limit suffices well for an accurate determination of optical bending losses even in bend-insensitive fibers. Furthermore, the comparison of the measured bending losses with a theoretical model allows the extraction of different fiber parameters. Good agreement has been found between the experimentally derived parameters and literature data.     

Characterization of Cds clusters in zeolite-A grown in alkaline solution

CdS clusters were synthesized in A type zeolite by reaction in alkaline aqueous solution at temperatures from 30 to 70 °C. The optical properties of the samples were studied by diffuse reflectance and photoluminescence spectroscopy. Their crystalline structure and morphology were studied by X-ray diffraction and by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. We found that at lower temperatures the CdS clusters are encapsulated in the zeolite cages. We compared the properties of these clusters with those encapsulated in the cages of zeolites X and Y, prepared by similar methods. CdS clusters smaller than the CdS exciton diameter are also formed outside the cages in the zeolite matrix. The size of these clusters increases with temperature producing a red-shift of the absorption edge in the optical absorption spectra.     

Limits of tangents and minimality of complex links

We show that the complex link of a large class of space germs (X,x₀) is characterized by its “simplicity”, among the Milnor fibres of functions with isolated singularity on X. This amounts to the minimality of the Milnor number, whenever this number is defined. Such a phenomenon has been first pointed out in case (X,x₀) is an isolated hypersurface singularity, by Teissier (Cycles évanescents, sections planes et conditions de Whitney, in: Singularités à Cargèse 1972, Asterisque, Nos. 7 et 8, Soc. Math. France, Paris, 1973, pp. 285-362).     

A study on the applications of the acoustic design sensitivity analysis of vibrating bodies

The determination of the sensitivity of the acoustical characteristics of vibrating systems with respect to the variation of the design parameters predicting these characteristics is a necessary and important step of the acoustic design and optimization process. Acoustic design sensitivity analysis includes the computation and evaluation of the sensitivity information required for this procedure. In this study, a boundary element code performing the sensitivity analysis of the acoustic pressure by using the matrix sensitivities with respect to different design variables has been developed. The effect of the precision of boundary element discretization on the acoustic pressure sensitivity is examined via this code. The formulation is applied to a multi-source system and the dimension sensitivity analysis of near field pressures of two-dilating-spherical source is performed. The last application is devoted to a real sound source: a washing machine sitting on the floor. Sensitivity of the field pressures to the machine’s dimensions (size), surface velocity and frequency is examined on the bases of the boundary element model of the machine and half-space condition. The impacts of these variables are compared; and a limiting speed for the machine responding both the acoustical and operational requirements is determined.     

On existence and asymptotic stability of solutions of a nonlinear integral equation

We prove an existence theorem for a nonlinear integral equation being a Volterra counterpart of an integral equation arising in the traffic theory. The method used in the proof allows us to obtain additional characterization in terms of asymptotic stability of solutions of an equation in question.     

Optimization for pattern classification using biased random search techniques

We demonstrate how optimization problems arise in the field of pattern classification, in particular in using piecewise-linear classification and classification based on an optimal linear separator. We motivate the need in this area for a general purpose optimization approach. We discuss ALOPEX, a biased random search approach, from the point of view of this need. While ALOPEX itself failed to fulfil our need, a newly-introduced generalization of it (iterated ALOPEX) was found to be appropriate for the optimization problems of our particular concern. We conclude the paper with a brief critical evaluation of this approach as compared to our original aims.     

Un théorème de type Beurling–Lax dans la boule unitéA Beurling–Lax type theorem in the unit ball

We prove a Beurling–Lax theorem for a family of reproducing kernel Hilbert spaces of functions analytic in an open subset of the unit ball containing the origin. The spaces under consideration are characterized by functions called Schur multipliers. Using the theory of linear relations in Pontryagin spaces we also give coisometric realizations of Schur multipliers. To cite this article: D. Alpay et al., C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris, Ser. I 334 (2002) 349–354.     

The binding of manganese(II) and zinc(II) to the synthetic oligonucleotide d(C-G-C-G-A-A-T-T-C-G-C-G)2. A 1H NMR study

The interaction of the synthetic oligonucleotide d(C-G-C-G-A-A-T-T-C-G-C-G)2 with two different transition-metal ions has been investigated in aqueous solution by means of 1H NMR spectroscopy. The effects on the DNA due to the presence of manganese(II) or zinc(II) have been monitored by observing the paramagnetic broadening and diamagnetic shifts of the non-exchangeable proton resonance lines, respectively. The 1H NMR spectra acquired during the course of the manganese(II) titration show very distinct broadening effects on certain DNA resonance lines. Primarily, the H8 resonance of G4 is affected, but also the H5 and H6 resonances of C3 are clearly affected by the metal. The results imply that the binding of manganese(II) to DNA is sequence specific. The 1H spectra obtained during the zinc(II) titration reveal diamagnetic shift effects which largely conform with the paramagnetic broadening effects due to the presence of manganese(II), although this picture is somewhat more complex. The H8 resonance of G4 displays a clearly visible high-field shift, while for the other guanosine H8 protons this effect is absent. The H1' and H2' protons of C3 show an effect of similar strength, although in the opposite direction, while H5 and H6 of C3 are only slightly affected. Local differences in the structure of the DNA and the basicities of potential binding sites on different base steps in the sequence might account for the observed sequence selectivity.