On the 2 and the 3-connectedness of ample divisors on a surface

Let X be a nonsingular complex projective surface and let D be an ample divisor on X such that the associated invertible sheaf is spanned by its global sections. We prove that D is 2-connected apart from a few cases we explicitly describe. We also provide a corresponding result for the 3-connectedness when D²10 and for the 4-connectedness when D²17 and D is very ample.     

Characterizing projective bundles by means of ample divisors

Let X be a complex projective manifold and AX a non-singular hypersurface which is an ample divisor having characteristic cycles A_i non-singular in every dimension i0. The pairs (X,A) such that g(A₁)=h^1,0 (X) are characterized.     

Characterization of surfactant complex mixtures using Raman spectroscopy and signal extraction methods: Application to laundry detergent deformulation

This paper presents the analysis of surfactants in complex mixtures using Raman spectroscopy combined with signal extraction (SE) methods. Surfactants are the most important component in laundry detergents. Both their identification and quantification are required for quality control and regulation purposes. Several synthetic mixtures of four surfactants contained in an Ecolabel laundry detergent were prepared and analyzed by Raman spectroscopy. SE methods, Independent Component Analysis and Multivariate Curve Resolution, were then applied to spectral data for surfactant identification and quantification. The influence of several pre-processing treatments (normalization, baseline correction, scatter correction and smoothing) on SE performances were evaluated by experimental design. By using optimal pre-processing strategy, SE methods allowed satisfactorily both identifying and quantifying the four surfactants. When applied to the pre-processed Raman spectrum of the Ecolabel laundry detergent sample, SE models remained robust enough to predict the surfactant concentrations with sufficient precision for deformulation purpose. Comparatively, a supervised modeling technique (PLS regression) was very efficient to quantify the four surfactants in synthetic mixtures but appeared less effective than SE methods when applied to the Raman spectrum of the detergent sample. PLS seemed too sensitive to the other components contained in the laundry detergent while SE methods were more robust. The results obtained demonstrated the interest of SE methods in the context of deformulation.     

Characterisation of PDO olive oil Chianti Classico by non-selective (UV–visible,NIR and MIR spectroscopy) and selective (fatty acid composition) analytical techniques

An authentication study of the Italian PDO (protected designation of origin) extra virgin olive oil Chianti Classico was performed; UV–visible (UV–vis), Near-Infrared (NIR) and Mid-Infrared (MIR) spectroscopies were applied to a set of samples representative of the whole Chianti Classico production area.     

NIR and UV-vis spectroscopy, artificial nose and tongue: Comparison of four fingerprinting techniques for the characterisation of Italian red wines

Four rapid and low-cost vanguard analytical systems (NIR and UV-vis spectroscopy, a headspace-mass based artificial nose and a voltammetric artificial tongue), together with chemometric pattern recognition techniques, were applied and compared in addressing a food authentication problem: the distinction between wine samples from the same Italian oenological region, according to the grape variety.Specifically, 59 certified samples belonging to the Barbera d’Alba and Dolcetto d’Alba appellations and collected from the same vintage (2007) were analysed.The instrumental responses, after proper data pre-processing, were used as fingerprints of the characteristics of the samples: the results from principal component analysis and linear discriminant analysis were discussed, comparing the capability of the four analytical strategies in addressing the problem studied.     

Complex surfaces polarized by an ample and spanned line bundle of genus three

Let X be a complex connected projective nonsingular algebraic surface endowed with an ample line bundle L, which is spanned by its global sections. Pairs (X, L) as above, with sectional genus g(X, L)=1+(L·(K _X L))/2=3 are classified by means of the main techniques of adjunction theory.     

Varieties with small discriminant variety

Let be a smooth complex projective variety, let be an ample and spanned line bundle on , defining a morphism and let be its discriminant locus, the variety parameterizing the singular elements of . We present two bounds on the dimension of and its main component relying on the geometry of . Classification results for triplets reaching the bounds as well as significant examples are provided.

     

THERMODYNAMIC AND PARTICLE-DYNAMIC STUDIES ON SYNTHESIS OF SILICA NANOPARTICLES USING MICROWAVE-INDUCED PLASMA CVD

1. Introduction1.1 Silica nanoparticles and synthesis methods Silica (SiO2) nanoparticles are widely used in industry asan active filler for polymer reinforcement, a rheologicaladditive in fluids, a free flow agent in powders, and anagent for chemical mechanical polishing during IC (inte-grated circuit) fabrication (Sniegowski & de Boer, 2000).Silica powder is also used for producing silicon carbide(Koc & Cattamanchi, 1998) or opaque silica aerosols (Leeet al., 1995). Many methods can …     

Deconvolution of UV-VIS spectroelectrochemical thin-layer data for an EE electrochemical process

A deconvolution method, based on Fixed Size Window Evolving Factor Analysis (FSWEFA) has been developed to analyse the spectroelectrochemical sequence of spectra obtained in OTTLE electrodes for EE electrochemical processes. The analysis of the data permits to reconstruct the concentration profiles, the spectra of the intermediates and an optical analogue of the i vs E curve.