Antibacterial and Antifungal Activities—Surface Active Properties Relation of Novel Dischiff Base Cationic Gemini Amphiphiles Bearing Homogeneous Hydrophobes

A novel series of cationic Gemini amphiphiles containing Dischiff base species were synthesized and their chemical structures were determined using different analytical tools. Their surface properties were determined using surface tension measurements. The adsorption and micellization thermodynamic parameters were calculated using Gibb's equations at 25°C. The surface parameters were also determined including critical micelle concentration, effectiveness, efficiency, maximum surface excess, minimum surface area, interfacial tension, and emulsification power. The synthesized cationic Gemini surfactants were evaluated as bactericides for gram negative and gram positive bacteria and also against sulfur reducing bacteria (SRB). The results of the cytotoxicity of the synthesized compounds against the targeted bacterial strains were promising and completely dependent on the surface activity of these compounds.     

Resonant equations with the Neumann p-Laplacian plus an indefinite potential

We consider a nonlinear Neumann problem driven by the p  -Laplacian plus an indefinite potential and a Carathéodory reaction which at ±∞ is resonant with respect to any nonprincipal variational eigenvalue of the differential operator. Using critical point theory and Morse theory (critical groups), we show that the problem has at least three nontrivial smooth solutions, two of which have constant sign. In the process we prove some results of independent interest concerning the unique continuation property of eigenfunctions and the critical groups at infinity of a C¹$C^1$-functionals.     

Positive numerical splitting method for the Hull and White 2D Black–Scholes equation

We consider the locally one‐dimensional backward Euler splitting method to solve numerically the Hull and White problem for pricing European options with stochastic volatility in the presence of a mixed derivative term. We prove the first‐order convergence of the time‐splitting. The parabolic equation degenerates on the boundary x = 0 and we apply a fitted finite volume scheme to the equation to resolve the degeneracy and derive the fully discrete problem as we also investigate the discrete maximum principle. Numerical experiments illustrate the efficiency of our difference scheme. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 31: 822–846, 2015     

医疗保险索赔数据的广义Pareto分布拟合

How to choose an optimal threshold is a key problemin the generalized Pareto distribution (GPD) model.This paper attains the exactthreshold by testing for GPD,and shows that GPD model allows the actuary to easily estimate high quantiles and the probable maximum loss from the medical insurance claims data.     

Geometry Optimization of Thermoelectric Modules: Deviation of Optimum Power Output and Conversion Efficiency

Besides the material research in the field of thermoelectrics, the way from a material to a functional thermoelectric (TE) module comes alongside additional challenges. Thus, comprehension and optimization of the properties and the design of a TE module are important tasks. In this work, different geometry optimization strategies to reach maximum power output or maximum conversion efficiency are applied and the resulting performances of various modules and respective materials are analyzed. A Bi₂Te₃-based module, a half-Heusler-based module, and an oxide-based module are characterized via FEM simulations. By this, a deviation of optimum power output and optimum conversion efficiency in dependence of the diversity of thermoelectric materials is found. Additionally, for all modules, the respective fluxes of entropy and charge as well as the corresponding fluxes of thermal and electrical energy within the thermolegs are shown. The full understanding and enhancement of the performance of a TE module may be further improved.     

一类改进最大熵方法的可调参数分析

在结构可靠性分析中,引入含可调参数的转换函数能对传统的最大熵方法进行改进,获得更高的失效概率预测精度。但是,此可调参数的最佳取值很难确定。针对这一问题,引入概率守恒方程,从功能函数转换前后所得概率密度函数出发,建立其最大熵值的变化关系,给出转换前后最大熵值之差的理论形式。通过对三种典型单调非线性转换函数开展算例研究,发现功能函数转换前后的最大熵值之差与转换函数的最佳可调参数值有关。改变可调参数值驱使最大熵值之差变化的同时,改进最大熵方法能遍历到更好的失效概率估计值。     

ENTROPIC CONTRIBUTION TO THE INTERACTION PARAMETER xIN THE POLYMER／OLIGOMER SYSTEM： A LATTICE CLUSTER THEORY CONSIDERATION

Entropic contribution to the interaction parameter xeff in the model incompressible polymer/oligomer system is calculated by the lattice cluster theory (LCT). It is found that in the oligomer solvent, there exists a wide concentration range that the non-combinatorial “entropic interaction” term xeff φ1φ2 perceptibly counteracts the mean field combinary entropy ΔSMF. With the increase of the solvent size, both xeff and the ratio xefc φ1φ2/ΔSMF first reach their maximum and finally become trivially to zero. It is worth noting that no any demixing was found in the current calculation. This makes the controversial idea “entropically driven demixing” even elusive. However, we propose that further work on compressible polymer solution with structured monomer will witness the demixing owning to an increased configurational correlation.     

SYNTHESIS OF CROSS-CONJUGATED （p-PHENYLENE）S-POLY（p- PHENYLENEVINYLENE）S HYBRIDS WITH LOW CONTENT OF STRUCTURAL DEFECTS

The novel shish-kebab-type liquid crystalline cross-conjugated （p-phenylene）s-poly（p-phenylenevinylene）s hybrid was synthesized through Gilch polymerization. Their structures and properties were characterized by NMR, GPC, DSC, X-ray diffraction and polarizing optical microscope （POM）. ^1H-NMR investigation of the polymers indicates that the shish-kebab-structure has a strong ability to suppress the structural defects in the polymers. The polymers are enantiotropic liquid crystals. The melting point （Tm） of the polymers decreases when the length of the alkoxy tails of the mesogenic units increases. The mesophase was identified by X-ray diffraction method. They showed not only a smectic LC phase, but also a strong green fluorescence in chloroform. The maximum absorption band of the ＂kebabs＂ of the two, 5-bis（4＇- alkoxyphenyl）benzene at 280 nm did not appear in absorption spectra of the polymers. The same phenomena were also observed in the fluorescence spectra. These results imply that the polymers have formed a cross-conjugated uniform structure and achieved an extended n-conjugation polymer.     

STUDY ON THE PROPERTIES OF BLEND OF NATURAL RUBBER LATEX/METHYL METHACRYLATE GRAFTED RUBBER LATEX BY GAMMA RADIATION

Natural rubber latex(NRL)and methyl methacrylate(MMA)grafted rubber latex were blended in different ratios and irradiated at various absorbed doses by gamma rays from Co-60 source at room temperature.The tensile properties, swelling ratio and permanent set were measured.The maximum tensile strength and modulus at 500% elongation were obtained at an absorbed dose of 8 kGy.Modulus increases from 6.99 MPa to 9.87 MPa for an increase in proportion of MMA grafted rubber from 40% to 60% in the blend at similar absorbed dose.Elongation at break and swelling ratio decrease with increasing absorbed dose as well as the MMA grafted rubber content in the blends.The decreasing trend of permanent set is high up to 5 kGy absorbed dose,and beyond that dose,it becomes almost flat.     

煤浆浓度和颗粒分布对煤浆黏度预测的影响

采用神华煤制备煤浆,分析了颗粒粒径比λ和小颗粒体积分数ξ对双峰分布浆体黏度的影响,根据浆体黏度的关联式预测了煤浆的黏度并且与实验结果进行了比较。结果表明,采用双峰分布的颗粒制浆可以有效地降低浆体的黏度,同时可以获得较大的浆体体积分数 。在相同体积分数下,随着颗粒粒径比λ的增加,浆体的黏度迅速下降。当小颗粒体积分数ξ_dp1为35%时,浆体的黏度最小。采用Ouchiyama模型计算浆体的最大体积分数Φ_m与实验值较为吻合,而浆体的本质黏度[μ]基本保持不变。考虑λ和小颗粒体积分数ξ对双峰分布浆体的最大体积分数Φ_m的影响,可以采用单峰分布浆体的黏度关联式预测双峰分布浆体的黏度。