The complexity of the word-problem for finite matrix rings

We analyze the so-called word-problem for , the ring of matrices over . We prove that the term-equivalence problem for the semigroup (and so for the ring) is coNP-complete.

     

Parameter optimization of pulse compression in ultrasound imaging systems with coded excitation

A linear array imaging system with coded excitation is considered, where the proposed excitation/compression scheme maximizes the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and minimizes sidelobes at the output of the compression filter. A pulse with linear frequency modulation (LFM) is used for coded excitation. The excitation/compression scheme is based on the fast digital mismatched filtering. The parameter optimization of the excitation/compression scheme includes (i) choice of an optimal filtering function for the mismatched filtering; (ii) choice of an optimal window function for tapering of the chirp amplitude; (iii) optimization of a chirp-to-transducer bandwidth ratio; (iv) choice of an appropriate n-bit quantizer. The simulation results show that the excitation/compression scheme can be implemented as a Dolph–Chebyshev filter including amplitude tapering of the chirp with a Lanczos window. An example of such an optimized system is given where the chirp bandwidth is chosen to be 2.5 times the transducer bandwidth and equals 6 MHz: The sidelobes are suppressed to −80 dB, for a central frequency of 4 MHz, and to −94 dB, for a central frequency of 8 MHz. The corresponding improvement of the SNR is 18 and 21 dB, respectively, when compared to a conventional short pulse imaging system. Simulation of B-mode images demonstrates the advantage of coded excitation systems of detecting regions with low contrast.     

Lysozyme Adsorption onto Different Supports: A Comparative Study

The interaction between proteins and solid surfaces has been investigated. The aim of this work is to compare three different materials (hydroxyapatite, polystyrene with core-shell structure (PE-CS) and a functionalized styrene divinylbenzene copolymer) to be used as adsorbents for lysozyme, known as a “hard” protein. Tests were performed according to an experimental design in order to compare the effects of pH, lysozyme and phosphate buffer concentration onto the adsorbed amount of protein. A 2³ factorial design and a cross design, which was performed in triplicate, were used to distinguish the most important variables and to infer about the interaction between them. Hydroxyapatite showed the best performance—higher adsorbed amount of lysozyme and smaller dispersion (72.2 ± 0.9 mg/g). However, PE-CS can be regarded as a promising support as high amounts of lysozyme are adsorbed onto this material with relatively small dispersion.     

Initial velocity distributions of ions generated by in-flight laser desorption/ionization of individual polystyrene latex microparticles as studied by the delayed ion extraction method

The delayed ion extraction method has been used to study characteristics of the initial velocity distributions of positive and negative ions produced simultaneously by laser desorption/ionization (LDI) from non-impacted single aerosol polymeric particles, using a bipolar time-of-flight (TOF) instrument (LAMPAS 2). Due to the geometry of the setup and the characteristics of the ablation process, only the projections of the velocities on the axis of the mass spectrometer can be directly studied. Additionally, since the mean initial velocity under these conditions should be close to zero, it was necessary to extend the method by taking into account higher order contributions of the velocity distribution. Theoretical expressions for these higher order terms are presented and discussed. The bipolar characteristics of the instrument permit evaluation and treatment of a possible instrumental artifact caused by small inclinations of the ionizing laser with respect to the ideal incidence direction. Results of a number of experiments are presented and discussed in relation to the theoretical expressions presented, and to possible ablation scenarios. Evidence pointing out that, under our experimental conditions, only partial ablation of the latex particles occurs was obtained. The variance of the distribution of the projection of the initial velocities can be directly estimated from these results. By assuming that the total initial velocities of the ions are developed completely according to a single-temperature adiabatic expansion mechanism, temperatures of approximately 50 K/Da can be assigned to the ion clouds from the variance estimations. If a two-temperature model is used, a radial temperature of about 100 K/Da results. These values are in reasonable agreement with results for polymer ablation from the literature.     

On the Stability of the Boundary of the Feasible Set in Linear Optimization

This paper analizes the relationship between the stability properties of the closed convex sets in finite dimensions and the stability properties of their corresponding boundaries. We consider a given closed convex set represented by a certain linear inequality system whose coefficients can be arbitrarily perturbed, and we measure the size of these perturbations by means of the pseudometric of the uniform convergence. It is shown that the feasible set mapping is Berge lower semicontinuous at if and only if the boundary mapping satisfies the same property. Moreover, if the boundary mapping is semicontinuous in any sense (lower or upper; Berge or Hausdorff) at , then it is also closed at . All the mentioned stability properties are equivalent when the feasible set is a convex body.     

Bonding energetics in alkaline metal alkoxides and phenoxides

The bonding energetics in a variety of alkaline metal, alkoxides and phenoxides, MOR, was investigated based on the corresponding enthalpies of formation in the crystalline state determined by reaction-solution calorimetry. The results obtained at 298.15 K were as follows: Delta(f)H(m)(o)(MOR, cr)/kJ mol(-1) = 382.7+/-1.4 (LiOC(6)H(5)), 513.6+/-2.5 (NaO-nC(6)H(13)), 326.4+/-1.4 (NaOC(6)H(5)), 375.2+/-3.4 (KOCH(3)), 434.5+/-2.7 (KOC(2)H(5)), 467.1+/-5.2 (KO-nC(3)H(7)), 459.3+/-2.1 (KO-nC(4)H(9)), 464.6+/-5.7 (KO-tC(4)H(9)), 464.3+/-2.5 (KO-nC(6)H(13)), 333.3+/-3.1 (KOC(6)H(5)), 380.6+/-2.9 (RbOCH(3)), 434.1+/-2.9 (RbOC(2)H(5)), 345.3+/-2.9 (LiOC(6)H(5)), 379.1+/-3.0 (CsOCH(3)), 432.3+/-3.1 (CsOC(2)H(5)), 466.9+/-5.0 (CsO-nC(3)H(7)), 461.3+/-3.5 (CsO-nC(4)H(9)), 461.9+/-2.5 (CsO-tC(4)H(9)), 349.2+/-1.4 (CsOC(6)H(5)). These results together with revised Delta(f)H(m)(o)(MOR, cr) values from the literature, were used to derive a consistent set of lattice energies for the MOR compounds and discuss general trends in the structure-energetics relationship based on the Kapustinskii equation.     

More results on Ramsey—Turán type problems

The paper deals with common generalizations of classical results of Ramsey and Turán. The following is one of the main results. Assumek≧2, ε>0,G _n is a sequence of graphs ofn-vertices and at least 1/2((3k?5) / (3k?2)+ε)n ² edges, and the size of the largest independent set inG _n iso(n). LetH be any graph of arboricity at mostk. Then there exists ann ₀ such that allG _n withn>n ₀ contain a copy ofH. This result is best possible in caseH=K _2k .     

Simultaneous determination of acetaminophen and tyrosine using a glassy carbon electrode modified with a tetraruthenated cobalt(II) porphyrin intercalated into a smectite clay

A new hybrid material has been prepared by intercalating the supramolecular cationic complex [μ-meso-tetra(4-pyridyl)porphyrinatecobalt(II) tetrakis[bis(bipyridine)(chlorido)ruthenium(II)], referred to as [CoTPyP{Ru(bipy)₂Cl}₄]⁴⁺ into a Cameroonian smectite clay (from Bagba hill, denoted Ba). The intercalated material (named CoTPyPRu(bipy)₂–Ba) was used to modify glassy carbon electrodes (GCE), which were successfully applied to the simultaneous determination of acetaminophen (AC) and tyrosine (Tyr). The CoTPyPRu(bipy)₂–Ba material was characterized by UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry and FT-IR spectroscopy. The intercalation of [CoTPyP{Ru(bipy)₂Cl}₄]⁴⁺ into the Ba interlayer endowed large surface area to the material. Electrodes modified with CoTPyPRu(bipy)₂–Ba display good compatibility and stability, high selectivity and sensitivity, even with real samples. Working at pH?7.0, AC was oxidized at +0.42 V and Tyr at 0.72 V (vs Ag/AgCl). Linear calibration plots for AC and Tyr were obtained in the 1 to 50 μM and 1 to 24 μM range, with detection limits of 0.1 μM and 0.5 μM, respectively. The modified electrode was successfully applied to the determination of tyrosine in urine, and of acetaminophen in a pharmaceutical product.

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Graphical Abstract Flask 1: Porphyrin solution. (a) Respective spectrum. Flask 2: Same porphyrin solution, after clay addition. (b): Spectrum obtained with a suspension of clay-porphyrin. (c): Spectrum of flask 2 supernatant. A cationic tetra-ruthenated cobalt porphyrin was intercalated into natural Cameroon smectite clay. Further, a sensitive electrochemical sensor was developed by depositing the prepared nanohybrid clay porphyrin onto glassy carbon electrode as thin film. This new modified electrode presented a very favorable response for simultaneous determination of acetaminophen and tyrosine.