The problem of Dirichlet for anisotropic quasilinear degenerate elliptic equations

We consider the Dirichlet problem for a class of anisotropic degenerate elliptic equations. New a priori estimates for solutions and for the gradient of solutions are established. Based on these estimates sufficient conditions guaranteeing the solvability of the problem are formulated. The results are new even in the semilinear case when the principal part is the Laplace operator.     

Comparison of small metal clusters: Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Ag, Au

Structures of small clusters of Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Ag, and Au with n=2–34 and n=55 atoms are calculated as functions of number of atoms and temperature by the simulated annealing Monte Carlo method using an embedded atom potential.     

Coordination complexes of l-azetidine-2-carboxylic acid with platinum(II) and palladium(II)

Summary The complexes K[Pt(l-aze)Cl₂, [Pt(l-aze)₂] and [Pd(l-aze)₂] (l-aze = l-azetidine-2-carboxylate) were prepared. X-ray structures show that [Pt(l-aze)₂] and [Pd(l-aze)₂] are isomorphous, having a planar tetragonal geometry with a trans configuration around the Pt and Pd atoms. Slight puckerings of the MN(1)N(11)O(11) chelate ring (M = Pt or Pd) and the azetidine ring were observed. The circular dichroism (c.d.) spectra of the complexes in aqueous solution agree with the structures found in the solid state as far as the hexadecant rule is concerned, giving, for the trans configuration of [M(l-ia)₂] (where ia = imino acid), the profile of the c.d. signs for the three predominant d-d transitions as: +,-,-. I.r., conductivity and n.m.r. measurements are also reported and are in accord with the proposed structures.     

Synthesis of a Novel Chitosan/Basil Oil Blend and Development of Novel Low Density Poly Ethylene/Chitosan/Basil Oil Active Packaging Films Following a Melt-Extrusion Process for Enhancing Chicken Breast Fillets Shelf-Life

An innovative process for the adsorption of the hydrophobic Basil-Oil (BO) into the hydrophilic food byproduct chitosan (CS) and the development of an advanced low-density polyethylene/chitosan/basil-oil (LDPE/CS_BO) active packaging film was investigated in this work. The idea of this study was the use of the BO as both a bioactive agent and a compatibilizer. The CS was modified to a CS_BO hydrophobic blend via a green evaporation/adsorption process. This blend was incorporated directly in the LDPE to produce films with advanced properties. All the obtained composite films exhibited improved packaging properties. The film with 10% CS_BO content exhibited the best packaging properties, i.e., 33.0% higher tensile stress, 31.0% higher water barrier, 54.3% higher oxygen barrier, and 12.3% higher antioxidant activity values compared to the corresponding values of the LDPE films. The lipid oxidation values of chicken breast fillets which were packaged under vacuum using this film were measured after seven and after fourteen days of storage. These values were found to be lower by around 41% and 45%, respectively, compared with the corresponding lipid oxidation values of pure LDPE film.     

Ag and Cu loaded on TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/graphite as a catalyst for <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis>-contaminated water disinfection

TiO₂ film was synthesized by means of the chemical bath deposition (CBD) method from TiCl₄ as a precursor and surfactant cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) as a linking and assembling agent of the titanium hydroxide network on a graphite substrate. Ag and Cu were loaded on the TiO₂ film by means of electrodeposition at various applied currents. Photoelectrochemical testing on the composite of Ag-TiO₂/G and Cu-TiO₂/G was used to define the composite for Escherichia coli-contaminated water disinfection. Disinfection efficiency and the rate of disinfection of E. coli-contaminated water with Ag-TiO₂/G as a catalyst was higher than that observed for Cu-TiO₂/G in all disinfection methods including photocatalysis (PC), electrocatalysis (EC), and photoelectrocatalysis (PEC). The highest rate constant was achieved by the PEC method using Ag-TiO₂/G, k was 6.49 × 10⁻² CFU mL⁻¹ min⁻¹. Effective disinfection times of 24 h (EDT₂₄) and 48 h (EDT₄₈) were achieved in all methods except the EC method using Cu-TiO₂/G.     

Labeling of organic biomolecules with ethynylferrocene

The Sonogashira coupling reaction of ethynylferrocene with adenine, uracil, tyrosine and steroid derivatives was studied; with the exception of tyrosine it was proved to be a good route for the attachment of ferrocene to these representative biomolecules. In addition the transformation of alkynyl uracil to furanopyrimidone derivatives was investigated and the formation of the furanopyrimidone ring was confirmed by an X-ray crystallographic analysis carried out on product 16.     

Learning to align organizational design and data

The relationship between organizational learning and organizational design is explored. In particular, we examine the information processing aspects of organizational learning as they apply to a two-valued decision making task and the relation of such aspects to organizational structure. Our primary contribution is to extend Carley's (1992) model of this process. The original model assumes that all data input into the decision making processes are of equal importance or weight in determining the correct overall organizational decision. The extension described here allows for the more natural situation of non-uniform weights of evidence. Further extensions to the model are also discussed. Such organizational learning performance measures provide an interesting framework for analyzing the recent trend towards flatter organizational structures. This research suggests that flatter structures are not always better, but rather that data environment, ultimate performance goals, and relative need for speed in learning can be used to form a contingency model for choosing organizational structure.