On the density of the space of continuous and uniformly continuous functions

For X a metrizable space and (Y,ρ) a metric space, with Y pathwise connected, we compute the density of (C(X,(Y,ρ)),σ)—the space of all continuous functions from X to (Y,ρ), endowed with the supremum metric σ. Also, for (X,d) a metric space and (Y,‖⋅‖) a normed space, we compute the density of (UC((X,d),(Y,ρ)),σ) (the space of all uniformly continuous functions from (X,d) to (Y,ρ), where ρ is the metric induced on Y by ‖⋅‖). We also prove that the latter result extends only partially to the case where (Y,ρ) is an arbitrary pathwise connected metric space.To carry such an investigation out, the notions of generalized compact and generalized totally bounded metric space, introduced by the author and A. Barbati in a former paper, turn out to play a crucial rôle. Moreover, we show that the first-mentioned concept provides a precise characterization of those metrizable spaces which attain their extent.     

IFS attractors and Cantor sets

We build a metric space which is homeomorphic to a Cantor set but cannot be realized as the attractor of an iterated function system. We give also an example of a Cantor set K in R³ such that every homeomorphism f of R³ which preserves K coincides with the identity on K.     

Compatible relations on filters and stability of local topological properties under supremum and product

An abstract scheme using particular types of relations on filters leads to general unifying results on stability under supremum and product of local topological properties. We present applications for Fréchetness, strong Fréchetness, countable tightness and countable fan-tightness, some of which recover or refine classical results, some of which are new. The reader may find other applications as well.     

Remote stereocontrol by the sulfinyl group: Mukaiyama aldol reactions of (S)-2-[2-(p-tolylsulfinyl)phenyl]acetaldehyde in the asymmetric synthesis of β-hydroxyacids and 1,3-diols

(S)-2-[2-(p-Tolylsulfinyl)phenyl]acetaldehyde reacts with different O-silylated ketenethioacetals in the presence of Yb(OTf)₃ yielding β-hydroxythioesters in high yields and diastereoselectivities. The obtained compounds were readily transformed into β-hydroxyacids and their corresponding diols. These Mukaiyama aldol reactions are a direct evidence of the ability of the sulfinyl group to control 1,5- and 1,6-asymmetric induction processes.     

A study of structural, compositional and optical properties of spray-deposited non-stoichiometric (Zn,Fe)S thin films

Non-stoichiometric ternary chalcogenides (Zn,Fe)S were prepared in the film form by pyrolytic spray deposition technique, using air/nitrogen as the carrier gas. The precursor solution comprised of ZnCl₂, FeCl₂ and thiourea. The depositions were carried out under optimum conditions of experimental parameters viz. carrier gas (air/nitrogen) flow rate, concentration of precursor constituents, nozzle substrate distance and temperature of quartz substrate. The deposited thin films were later sintered in argon at 1073 K for 120 min.The structural, compositional and optical properties of the sintered thin films were studied. X-ray diffraction studies of the thin films indicated the presence of (Zn,Fe)S solid solution with prominent cubic sphalerite phase while surface morphology as determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed a granular structure.The chemical composition of the resulting thin films as analyzed by energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX) reflected the composition of the precursor solutions from which the depositions were carried out with Fe at% values ranging from 0.4 up to 33.SEM micrographs of thin films reveal that the grain sizes of the thin films prepared using air as carrier gas and N₂ as carrier gas are in the vicinity of 300 and 150 nm, respectively.The diffuse transmittance measurements for thin films, as a function of wavelength reveal the dependence of direct optical band gap on Fe content and type of phase.     

Study of thermal currents in powder β-spodumene ceramics doped with Cuo, FeO and TiO2

Ternary-phase ceramic system of Li₂O Al₂O₃ 4SiO₂ doped with CuO, FeO and TiO₂ has been prepared and subjected to dc electrical conductivity and thermally stimulated depolarization current (TSDC) measurements as a function of temperature (30-250 °C) and field strength. The electrical conductivity results are explained by assuming both ionic and electronic conduction mechanisms coexist with different contributions over the whole temperature range of experiments. TSDC spectra have been found to be characterized by a broad intense relaxation peak, which can be attributed to an ionic charge polarization. The broad relaxation transitions are apparently a result of the nonuniform nature of this process. Activation energies are calculated for both dc electrical conductivity and TSDC according to Arrhenius equation and initial rise method, respectively.     

Effective magnetic properties of a composite material with circular conductive elements

Effective magnetic properties of a composite meta-material consisting of periodically arranged circular conductive elements are studied theoretically. A general expression for the effective bulk permeability is obtained with mutual effects and lattice ordering being taken into account. The resonance frequency of the permeability is found to be strongly dependent on the size and shape of the unit cell. Frequency dispersion of the permeability is studied with special attention paid to the frequency range, where negative values of the permeability are possible. Corresponding recommendations for optimisation of the meta-materials with negative permeability are made. The results are confirmed by numerical simulations of the finite structure behaviour in an external magnetic field. Received 19 April 2002 Published online 31 July 2002     

Structures and stability of Al<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Bold">7</Emphasis></Subscript>C and Al<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Bold">7</Emphasis></Subscript>N clusters

We report results of the atomic and electronic structures of Al₇C cluster using ab initio molecular dynamics with ultrasoft pseudopotentials and generalized gradient approximation. The lowest energy structure is found to be the one in which carbon atom occupies an interstitial position in Al₇ cluster. The electronic structure shows that the recent observation [Chem. Phys. Lett. 316, 31 (2000)] of magic behavior of Al₇C^- cluster is due to a large highest occupied and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (HOMO-LUMO) gap which makes Al₇C^- chemically inert. These results have further led us to the finding of a new neutral magic cluster Al₇N which has the same number of valence electrons as in Al₇C^- and a large HOMO-LUMO gap of 1.99 eV. Further, calculations have been carried out on (Al₇N)₂ to study interaction between magic clusters. Received 28 July 2001     

Momentum transport and torque scaling in Taylor-Couette flow from an analogy with turbulent convection

We generalize an analogy between rotating and stratified shear flows. This analogy is summarized in Table 1. We use this analogy in the unstable case (centrifugally unstable flow vs. convection) to compute the torque in Taylor-Couette configuration, as a function of the Reynolds number. At low Reynolds numbers, when most of the dissipation comes from the mean flow, we predict that the non-dimensional torque G = T/ν² L, where L is the cylinder length, scales with Reynolds number R and gap width η, G = 1.46η^3/2(1 - η)^-7/4 R ^3/2. At larger Reynolds number, velocity fluctuations become non-negligible in the dissipation. In these regimes, there is no exact power law dependence the torque versus Reynolds. Instead, we obtain logarithmic corrections to the classical ultra-hard (exponent 2) regimes: G = 0.50 . These predictions are found to be in excellent agreement with avail-able experimental data. Predictions for scaling of velocity fluctuations are also provided. Received 7 June 2001 and Received in final form 7 December 2001