Numerical solutions of the shallow water equations with discontinuous bed topography

A simple scheme is developed for treatment of vertical bed topography in shallow water flows. The effect of the vertical step on flows is modelled with the shallow water equations including local energy loss terms. The bed elevation is denoted with z_b^‐ for the left and z_b⁺ for the right values at each grid point, hence exactly representing a discontinuity in the bed topography. The surface gradient method (SGM) is generalized to reconstruct water depths at cell interfaces involving a vertical step so that the fluxes at the cell interfaces can accurately be calculated with a Riemann solver. The scheme is verified by predicting a surge crossing a step, a tidal flow over a step and dam‐break flows on wet/dry beds. The results have shown good agreements compared with analytical solutions and available experimental data. The scheme is efficient, robust, and may be used for practical flow calculations. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Solving the problem of contact equilibrium of a punch and an elastic body

The variational problem of contact equilibrium of a punch and an elastic body is considered. An equivalent formulation of the problem is given in variational inequality form. Existence and uniqueness of the solution is investigated in a particular case. A penalty method is proposed for approximate solution of the problem.Translated from Vychislitel'naya i Prikladnaya Matematika, No. 56, pp. 97–103, 1985.     

Reaction of methyl bromopropiolate with diamines as a method of synthesis of imidazolidine derivatives

A convenient method of synthesis of 2-(methoxycarbonylmethylene)-substituted imidazolidines and imidazolidinium bromides, and also of bicyclic diazo compounds has been developed starting from methyl bromopropiolate and ethylenediamine and its derivatives.Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 9, pp. 1205–1208, September, 1991.     

Numerical analysis of near electromagnetic fields of a parabolic cylinder and a paraboloid of revolution

Translated from Chislennye Metody Resheniya Obratnykh Zadach Matematicheskoi Fiziki, pp. 119–127.     

A Recursive Algorithm for Order Cycle-time that Minimizes Logistics Cost

A firm's logistics cost, including shipping and inventory-carrying, is a substantial percentage of its sales. Nevertheless, typical inventory-control methods ignore or insufficiently represent the shipping cost. This paper describes a recursive algorithm that determines the reorder cycle-time that minimizes total logistics cost. It allows for a realistic accounting of shipping cost, which is modelled here as a function of shipping distance and weight. The algorithm uses a relaxation procedure to identify a suitable initial approximation to the optimal order cycle-time and then, through a series of recursive steps, moves to the optimal result. We demonstrate the algorithm with a single item, with a group of items that share a common order cycle, and with multi-items when item demands are random variables. Experience with this algorithm indicates that it converges to the optimal result in a very few steps.     

Error analysis: a tool for selecting travel demand models

In developing travel demand models it is generally assumed that the base-year data used in developing the parameters, as well as the forecasted data to be used as independent variables for the design year, are of acceptable quality. The purpose of this paper is to present the application of error propagation theory in assesing the predictive quality of one type of travel demand forecasting model (multinomial logit models) and to demonstrate how error considerations can be used as a tool for identifying the optimal model. The general conclusions of this study are that: (1) it is indeed possible to quantify errors in dependent variables in logit models as a consequence of errors in independent variables; and (2) error consideration can be used as a tool for identifying the optimal model from a set of candidate models. Further research is recommended to develop better insights into the phenomenon of error propagation so that the consideration of errors can be a factor in decisions on model selection.     

On the variational representation of solutions to some quasilinear equations and systems of hyperbolic type on the basis of potential theory

We demonstrate a method that permits to obtain generalized solutions for some quasilinear equations and systems of hyperbolic type. The corresponding variational principle is constructed using the theory of equilibrium of a potential in an external field. Dedicated to the memory of B. M. Levitan Supported by RFBR grants Nos. 05-01-00522 and NSh-1551.2003.1, by Program No. 1 of the Branch of Mathematics, Russian Academy of Sciences, and by INTAS project No. 03-51-6637.     

General strategy for a short and efficient synthesis of 3-hydroxy-4-methylprolines (HMP)

The non-proteinogenic amino acid 3-hydroxy-4-methylproline (HMP) is an active constituent of some potent antimicrobials including echinocandins, nostopeptins, pneumocandins, sporiofungin and mulundocandins. A synthesis has been achieved in 10 steps with 29% overall yield; the Evans’ aldol reaction using Crimmins’ modified method was pivotal to the success of the strategy.     

Direct C–H arylation of 3-methoxythiophene catalyzed by Pd. Application to a more efficient synthesis of π-alkoxy-oligothiophene derivatives

The direct regioselective C–H arylation of 3-methoxythiophene and 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) was performed successfully under ‘Heck-type’ experimental conditions. This novel synthetic methodology has been used to prepare in a more simple way a series of oligothiophenes interesting for the electronic industry to build new synthetic organic materials.