The α-arylation of α-bromo- and α-chloroenones using palladium-catalysed cross-coupling

The palladium-catalysed cross-coupling reaction of various arylboronic acids with α-bromoenones and α-chloroenones offers an operationally simple approach to the synthesis of both cyclic and acyclic α-arylenones.     

On a zero equation model of turbulence

In this paper we study a widely used zero equation model of turbulence. The governing equations are derived by applying to the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations the Reynolds time averaging procedure. We achieve closure by employing the eddy viscosity concept. Using the Implicit Function Theorem we obtain an existence and uniquencess result. We also discuss the existence of nonsingular solutions. Finally, we present an algorithm for solving the modeled equations.     

Effect of Finite Spectral Width on the Modulational Instability of Langmuir Waves described by a Nonlinear Schrödinger Equation

By using the two-point space correlation function an equation for the power spectral density for a random Langmuir field has been derived. The dispersion relation for a monochromatic wave is regained for a delta spectrum. For a Gaussian spectrum, the maximum growth rate is less than that for a monochromatic wave. For a “meander spectrum”, the growth rate is increased with the width of the spectrum in the first stage then decreased for further increase of the width.     

A composite methodology for multistage degradation of polymers

Five different analytical schemes for examining isothermal and nonisothermal degradation of polymers were reviewed and found inadequate for describing multistage decomposition. The different schemes were experimentally tested using thermogravimetric analysis data for an ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer, which exhibited a well-behaved two-step decomposition process in a nitrogen environment. Based on these experimental and analytical findings, a generalized methodology was developed capable of describing the exhibited complex decomposition behavior of polymers by combining two or more kinetic mechanisms in a series or parallel arrangement. This composite of combinational methodology thus extends established analytical schemes for describing complex decomposition of polymers in a rational manner, incorporating both experimental and theoretical considerations.     

Pit your wits against young minds!

This column is a place for those bits of contagious mathematics that travel from person to person in the community, because they are so elegant, suprising, or appealing that one has an urge to pass them on. Contributions are most welcome.     

The complexification and degree of a semi-algebraic set

The complexification of a semi-algebraic set is the smallest complex algebraic set containing S. Let S be defined by s polynomials of degrees less than d. We prove that the geometric degree of the complexification is less than . Received: 9 January 1997; in final form: 11 August 2000 / Published online: 17 May 2001     

Laboratory simulation of atmospheric turbulence-induced optical wavefront distortion

Real-time liquid crystal television-based technique for simulating optical wavefront distortion due to atmospheric turbulence is presented and demonstrated. A liquid crystal television (LCTV) operating in the “phase mostly” mode was used as an array of spatially correlated phase delays. A movie of the arrays in motion was then generated and displayed on the LCTV. The turbulence simulation system was verified by passing a collimated and doubled diode pumped Nd:YVO₄ laser beam (532 nm) through the transparent LCTV screen. The beam was then passed through a lens and the power spectra of the turbulence information carrying beam was detected as a measure of the far-field distribution. The same collimated laser beam, without the LCTV, was also transmitted down an open-air range and the power spectra detected as a measure of a real far-field distribution. Accepted turbulence parameters were measured for both arrangements and then compared.     

Consistency of a myopic Bayesian algorithm for one-dimensional global optimization

A sequential Bayesian method for finding the maximum of a function based on myopically minimizing the expected dispersion of conditional probabilities is described. It is shown by example that an algorithm that generates a dense set of observations need not converge to the correct answer for some priors on continuous functions on the unit interval. For the Brownian motion prior the myopic algorithm is consistent; for any continuous function, the conditional probabilities converge weakly to a point mass at the true maximum.