Comparison Principle for Elliptic Equations with Mixed Singular Nonlinearities

Potential Analysis - We deal with existence and uniqueness of positive solutions of an elliptic boundary value problem modeled by $$ \left \{\begin {array}{ll} \displaystyle -{\Delta }_{p} u= \frac...     

Finite and infinite energy solutions of singular elliptic problems: Existence and uniqueness

We establish existence and uniqueness of solution for the homogeneous Dirichlet problem associated to a fairly general class of elliptic equations modeled by

$?\mathrm{\Delta }u=h(u)f\text{in}\mathrm{\Omega },$

where f is an irregular datum, possibly a measure, and h is a continuous function that may blow up at zero. We also provide regularity results on both the solution and the lower order term depending on the regularity of the data, and we discuss their optimality.     

Proof interpretations with truth

This article systematically investigates so‐called “truth variants” of several functional interpretations. We start by showing a close relation between two variants of modified realizability, namely modified realizability with truth and q‐modified realizability. Both variants are shown tobe derived from a single “functional interpretation with truth” of intuitionistic linear logic. This analysis suggests that several functional interpretations have truth and q‐variants. These variants, however, require a more involved modification than the ones previously considered. Following this lead we present truth and q‐variants of the Diller‐Nahm interpretation, the bounded modified realizability and the bounded functional interpretation (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Raman scattering by folded acoustic phonons in InGaN/GaN superlattices

We use Raman scattering to investigate the folded longitudinal acoustic (LA) phonons in a series of In_xGa_1−xN/GaN superlattices (SLs) grown by molecular beam epitaxy with different compositions (15% < x < 38%) and SL periods (from 8 to 20 nm). A novel, ultralow wavenumber filtering module, which provides access to ultralow wavenumber Raman modes on single‐grating spectrometers, has been used to perform the Raman measurements. Zone‐folding effects are observed, and the wavenumber behavior of the folded LA modes is well reproduced with a linear dispersion for the folded LA modes as predicted by elastic continuum theory. We employ the wavenumber of the doublets to evaluate the period of the SLs. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

High performance diffraction gratings made by e-beam lithography

Gratings are essential components in different high performance optical set-ups such as spectrometers in space missions or ultrashort-pulse laser compression arrangements. Often such kinds of applications require gratings operating close to the technological accessible limits of today??s fabrication technology. Typical critical parameters are the diffraction efficiency and its polarization dependency, the wave-front error introduced by the grating, and the stray-light performance. Additionally, space applications have specific environmental requirements and laser application typically demand a high damage threshold. All these properties need to be controlled precisely on rather large grating areas. Grating sizes of 200?mm or even above are not unusual anymore. The paper provides a review on how such high performance gratings can be realized by electron-beam lithography and accompanying technologies. The approaches are demonstrated by different examples. The first example is the design and fabrication of the grating for the Radial-Velocity-Spectrometer of the GAIA-mission of the ESA. The second grating is a reflective pulse compression element with no wavelength resonances due to an optimized design. The last example shows a three level blazed grating in resonance domain with a diffraction efficiency of approximately 86?%.     

Magnetic behavior of Mg–Al–Zn–Fe mixed oxides from precursors layered double hydroxide

Mixed oxides of Mg–Al–Zn–Fe were obtained by calcination of layered double hydroxides (LDH) prepared by coprecipitation reaction with hydrothermal treatment. The structural characterization of precursors and oxides was carried out by X rays diffraction, showing increases of ZnO phase with the increase of the zinc content. Magnetic behavior was studied by vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and by a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) showing both paramagnetic and super paramagnetic behavior depending on both particles size and composition.     

Determination of natural pesticides in fresh fruits using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry

An analytical procedure was developed for the determination of some natural pesticides (piperonyl butoxide, nicotine, rotenone, spinosad, and abamectin B1a) in fruit matrixes. The quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) method was used for extraction. Analysis of the extract was performed by LC-electrospray ionization (ESI)-MS/MS. The ions prominent in the ESI spectra were [M+Na]+ for abamectin B1a, [M+NH4]+ for piperonyl butoxide, and [M+H]+ for the rest of the compounds. A Zorbax SB-C18 column was used with a programmed gradient mobile phase consisting of (A) water containing 0.1% formic acid and 5 mM ammonium formate, and (B) acetonitrile containing 2 mM sodium acetate. The method was linear within the investigated concentration range, displaying a calibration curve correlation factor of 0.99. The CVs obtained were below 20%, and recoveries were in the 70-110% range.     

Development and characterization of an immobilized enzyme reactor (IMER) based on human glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase for on-line enzymatic studies

Immobilized enzyme reactors (IMERs) for on-line enzymatic studies are useful tool to select specific inhibitors and may be used for direct determination of drug-receptor binding interactions and for the rapid on-line screening to identify specific inhibitors. This technique has been shown to increase the stability of enzymes. The enzyme glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) plays an important role in the life cycle of the Trypanosoma cruzi and it has become a key target in the drug discovery program for Chagas' disease. Crystallographic studies have indicated that there are significant inter-species differences in GAPDH activity and sensitivity. For example the active sites of GAPDH in T. cruzi and humans differ by a substitution of ASP(210) (T. cruzi) by Leu(194) in human. Based on this information we initiated the study to develop optimal conditions for the covalent immobilization of the human GAPDH enzyme on a modified capillary support (400 mm x 0.10 mm). The chromatographic separation of NAD from NADH was achieved using a RP-Spherex-diol-OH (10 cm x 0.46 cm, 10 microm, 100 A) column. By using multidimensional HPLC chromatography system it was possible to investigate the activity and kinetic parameters of the GAPDH-IMER. The values obtained for D-GA3P and NAD were K(m)=3.5+/-0.2 mM and 0.75+/-0.04 mM, respectively, and were compared with values obtained with the free enzyme. The activity of the immobilized GAPDH has been preserved for over 120 days.