The symmetric eigenvalue complementarity problem

In this paper the Eigenvalue Complementarity Problem (EiCP) with real symmetric matrices is addressed. It is shown that the symmetric (EiCP) is equivalent to finding an equilibrium solution of a differentiable optimization problem in a compact set. A necessary and sufficient condition for solvability is obtained which, when verified, gives a convenient starting point for any gradient-ascent local optimization method to converge to a solution of the (EiCP). It is further shown that similar results apply to the Symmetric Generalized Eigenvalue Complementarity Problem (GEiCP). Computational tests show that these reformulations improve the speed and robustness of the solution methods.

     

Effect of the particle size distribution on the low shear viscosity of high‐solid‐content latexes

The production of high‐solid‐content, low‐viscosity latexes is an active field in both industry and academia. The viscosity of polymer dispersions has a clear dependence on the particle size distribution (PSD). An example is the rule of thumb that a bimodal PSD enables the reduction of the viscosity with respect to monomodal systems. Despite important progress in theoretical work, not much has been done to quantitatively predict the low shear viscosity of aqueous polymer dispersions as a function of the complex PSD. In this work, the capability of a low‐shear‐viscosity equation to quantitatively account for the influence of both the PSD and the physicochemical characteristics of the dispersions is experimentally assessed. An analysis, consistent with theoretical concepts, of the data with semiempirical correlations is proposed. Next, with values of the parameters of the viscosity equation obtained experimentally, the effect of a latex with a 70% solid content on the low shear viscosity is examined. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 3936–3946, 2004     

Large number hypothesis

Dirac's large number hypothesis (LNH) and the Whitrow-Randall-Sciama relation are related to some cosmological models. The LNH and Whitrow-Randall-Sciama relations are neither equivalent nor consistent in general relativity, but they may both be valid in the Brans-Dicke theory and in another theory considered in this paper.     

A tentative approach to the direct simulation of drag reduction by polymers

An efficient technique for drag reduction uses dilute solutions of a few p.p.m. of polymers. A possible reduction in drag of up to 80% is achieved. Several experimental observations have been made which tend to indicate that the polymers modify the turbulence structures within the buffer layer. Flow visualisations have shown that the changes consist of a weakening of the strength of the streamwise vortices. Existing literature reveals no attempts of numerical simulation of this phenomenon. In this paper an approach is pursued by using a constitutive equation which relates the elongation viscosity to the local properties of the flow. According to this model this viscosity is large in zones where the amount of strain rate is greater than the amount of vorticity, and is zero when the vorticity exceeds the strain rate. Simulations have been performed in a “minimal channel” to give good resolution with a limited number of grid points. The accuracy of the method is tested by comparison with the results of other techniques. For simulations with polymers, quantitative comparisons cannot be made, but the results reproduce the qualitative outputs of the experiments. The mean streamwise velocity is modified in the buffer layer; the peak of the streamwise turbulent intensity, in wall units, increases and its maximum moves far from the wall; and the vertical turbulent intensity is largely reduced in the wall region. An interesting outcome from both the simulation and the experiments is that the strength of the longitudinal vortices is reduced when the polymers are present.     

A special anisotropic model of the universe (II)

By means of exponential laws we show a Bianchi Type I model of the universe where we define overall deceleration and Hubble's parameters that have constant values. We employ a convenient relation for defining the radius of the universe. Pressure and density have constant values, too.     

Simultaneous determination of N-butylscopolamine and oxazepam in pharmaceutical formulations by first-order digital derivative spectrophotometry

A simple method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of N-butylscopolamine bromide and oxazepam in pharmaceutical formulations using first-order digital derivative spectrophotometry. Acetonitrile was selected as the solvent in which both compounds showed well-defined bands. Both analytes showed good stability in this solvent when solutions of the analytes were exposed to light and temperatures between 20 degrees and 80 degrees C. The simultaneous determination of both drugs was performed by the zero-crossing method at 226.0 and 257.0 nm for N-butylscopolamine and oxazepam, respectively. The linear range of determination was found to be 2.5 x 10(-7) to 8.0 x 10(-5) mol/L for N-butylscopolamine and 7.1 x 10(-8) to 8.0 x 10(-5) mol/L for oxazepam. A very good level of repeatability (relative standard deviation) of 0.2% was observed for N-butylscopolamine and oxazepam. The ingredients commonly found in pharmaceutical formulations do not interfere. The proposed method was applied to the determination of these drugs in pharmaceutical formulations (capsules).     

Preparation of β-hydroxyesters from isoxazolines. A selective Nibpy-catalyzed electrochemical method

An electrocatalytic method for the reductive N-O cleavage of isoxazolines is described. Ni⁰bpy, generated in situ, was used to promote selective ring opening of 3-methoxy-5-phenylisoxazoline (1a) and 3-methoxy-[4,5]cyclohexylisoxazoline (1b). DMF and NaI were used as solvent and supporting electrolyte, and β-hydroxyesters 2a and 2b were obtained in high yields respectively, after acid hydrolysis. β-Hydroxynitriles 3a and 3b were also identified as side products.     

Electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization tandem time-of-flight mass spectrometric analyses to solve micro-heterogeneity in post-translationally modified peptides from Phoneutria nigriventer (Aranea, Ctenidae) venom

Previous studies of the fractionated venom of the Brazilian armed spider Phoneutria nigriventer, obtained by gel filtration, have demonstrated the presence of a fraction PhM, a pool of small peptides (up to 2000 Da) that provoke contractions in smooth muscle of guinea pig ileum. Initial attempts to sequence these peptides were largely unsuccessful because of the low purification yield and the fact that the majority seemed to be blocked at their N-termini. In the present work, analysis of this venom fraction by mass spectrometry has revealed the existence of a highly complex mixture of peptides with molecular weights corresponding to those observed for the muscle-active peptides previously described (800-1800 Da). These peptides appear to be a family of isoforms with some particular features. The amino acid sequences of 15 isoforms have been determined by tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) using both electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (ESI-Q/ToFMS) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization tandem time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-ToF/ToFMS). These molecules contain post-translational modifications such as proteolysis and C-terminal amidation, which combine to generate additional isoforms. All the isoforms sequenced in this study possess an N-terminal pyroglutamic acid residue. A search for sequence similarities with other peptides in databanks revealed that these peptides are structurally related to the tachykinins, a family of neuro-hormone peptides. The data obtained in this study will be essential for the subsequent steps of this research, the synthesis of these peptides and pharmacological characterization of their biological activity.