On many‐sorted algebraic closure operators

A theorem of Birkhoff‐Frink asserts that every algebraic closure operator on an ordinary set arises, from some algebraic structure on the set, as the corresponding generated subalgebra operator. However, for many‐sorted sets, i.e., indexed families of sets, such a theorem is not longer true without qualification. We characterize the corresponding many‐sorted closure operators as precisely the uniform algebraic operators. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

New understanding of the nature of OH adsorption on Pt(1 1 1) electrodes

The adsorption of hydroxyl on Pt(1 1 1) single crystal electrodes from aqueous acidic solutions is carefully reinvestigated. The effect of small additions (10⁻⁸–10⁻⁵ M) of chloride and bisulphate anions on the OH adsorption region in perchloric acid solution has been studied. Two regions can be differentiated in the voltammetric profile, that behave differently after the addition of the foreign anion. The initial broad adsorption process is unaffected until the highest concentration is attained. However, the sharper peak at higher potentials is affected even at the lower anion concentration. Since mass transport limitations allow to discard the anion adsorption as the main process giving this peak, we propose that the two processes are due to the dissociative adsorption of two different kinds of water, that are affected by the anion in a different way. From this idea, a new model, based on the Frumkin adsorption isotherm, is proposed, which gives an excellent fit of the experimental results.     

Potential of zero total charge of platinum single crystals: A local approach to stepped surfaces vicinal to Pt(111)

The electrochemical behavior of platinum single-crystal electrodes is revisited, with special emphasis on the determination of the potential of zero charge. We show that the measure of the charge displaced during CO adsorption allows the determination of the potential of zero total charge (PZTC). The estimation of the potential of zero free charge (PZFC) is discussed, with different degrees of approximation. The application of this methodology to the study of the PZTC of platinum stepped surfaces vicinal to Pt(111) reveals a marked decrease of the PZTC due to the introduction of surface steps. This effect is interpreted as the result of the existence of markedly smaller surface potentials localized on step sites. The importance of considering local aspects of the interface is emphasized with the use of N₂O reduction as a sensitive probe to the local structure of the surface. It is proposed that the different local maxima observed in the absolute value of the reduction current correspond to the local values of PZTC. It is shown that there is, in general, good agreement between the overall PZTC, obtained from the CO displacement, and that calculated from the local values inferred from the N₂O reduction. Further insight is obtained with the application of the laser-induced temperature jump method. This technique is useful to calculate the potential of maximum entropy of the double-layer formation. The resulting value of this potential for Pt(111) is discussed in the light of the PZFC value obtained from different approaches. For stepped surfaces vicinal to Pt(111), two local maxima in the entropy of the double layer are observed that are close to the local PZTC values estimated from the N₂O reduction. This result suggests the existence of cooperative effects in the organization of the water dipoles close to the electrode surface. Published in Russian in Elektrokhimiya, 2006, Vol. 42, No. 11, pp. 1275–1292. Based on the report delivered at the 8th International Frumkin Symposium “Kinetics of the Electrode Processes,” October 18–22, 2005, Moscow. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Dynamics of self-assembled chaining in magnetorheological fluids

The aggregation dynamics of paramagnetic spherical particles embedded in a viscous fluid is investigated via numerical simulations using a fully coupled three-dimensional model. Particles experience simultaneously Brownian motion, dipolar magnetic attraction, and multibody hydrodynamic interactions. When the dipole strength characterizing the ratio of magnetic attraction to random diffusion exceeds a critical value, particles join together forming supraparticle structures. As time evolves, particle/chain and chain/ chain interactions lead to a continuous increase of the cluster size. The mean length of particle chains has a power-law dependence with respect to time, as predicted by the theory of diffusion-limited aggregation. Both the exponent and the characteristic time scale agree very well with the experimental results of Promislow et al.     

Michael addition of nitromethane to 3-buten-2-one catalyzed by potassium fluoride supported on Al2O3, ZnO, SnO2, sepiolite, AlPO4, AlPO4?Al2O3 and AlPO4?ZnO

The Michael addition of nitromethane to 3-buten-2-one has been carried out in the absence of solvent, using potassium fluoride supported on Al₂O₃, ZnO, SnO₂, sepiolite, AlPO₄, AlPO₄–Al₂O₃ and AlPO₄–ZnO catalysts. We found that KF/ZnO easily performed the Michael addition and thus, ZnO is a better support for the basic reagent than Al₂O₃. Besides, the Michael addition was not successful with AlPO₄ or AlPO₄-metal oxide acidic supports.

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3--2- , , Al₂O₃, ZnO, SnO₂, , AlPO₄, AlPO₄–Al₂O₃ AlPO₄–ZnO. , KF/ZnO .. ZnO, , , Al₂O₃. , , AlPO₄ AlPO₄- .

     

Oxidizing supported reagents, III. Oxidation of alcohols by new supported K2Cr2O7 reagents

Several new supported K₂Cr₂O₇ reagents are used in the oxidation of secondary alcohols. The influence of the number of active sites and the nature of solid support on the yield is discussed. The influence of the structure of alcohol on the yield of ketone is analyzed.

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K₂Cr₂O₇ . . .

     

Ideological Complex Systems: Mathematical Theory

The goal of this article is to build an abstract mathematical theory rather than a computational one of the process of transmission of ideology. The basis of much of the argument is Patten's Environment Theory that characterizes a system with its double environment (input or stimulus and output or response) and the existing interactions among them. Ideological processes are semiotic processes, and if in Patten's theory, the two environments are physical, in this theory ideological processes are physical and semiotic, as are stimulus and response. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity 21: 47–65, 2015     

New Interfaces and Approaches to Machine Learning When Classifying Gestures within Music

Interactive music uses wearable sensors (i.e., gestural interfaces—GIs) and biometric datasets to reinvent traditional human–computer interaction and enhance music composition. In recent years, machine learning (ML) has been important for the artform. This is because ML helps process complex biometric datasets from GIs when predicting musical actions (termed performance gestures). ML allows musicians to create novel interactions with digital media. Wekinator is a popular ML software amongst artists, allowing users to train models through demonstration. It is built on the Waikato Environment for Knowledge Analysis (WEKA) framework, which is used to build supervised predictive models. Previous research has used biometric data from GIs to train specific ML models. However, previous research does not inform optimum ML model choice, within music, or compare model performance. Wekinator offers several ML models. Thus, we used Wekinator and the Myo armband GI and study three performance gestures for piano practice to solve this problem. Using these, we trained all models in Wekinator and investigated their accuracy, how gesture representation affects model accuracy and if optimisation can arise. Results show that neural networks are the strongest continuous classifiers, mapping behaviour differs amongst continuous models, optimisation can occur and gesture representation disparately affects model mapping behaviour; impacting music practice.     

Thirty years of platinum single crystal electrochemistry

The electrochemistry of platinum single crystals is historically reviewed. After a brief revision of historical results dating before the publication of the landmark experiment by J. Clavilier of the flame annealing in 1980, the controversy introduced by this experiment into the surface electrochemistry community is described. Questions about the structure and composition of the platinum surface after the flame annealing and their implications on the characteristic voltammetry of platinum single crystal electrodes were slowly answered in the years that followed the first introduction of this methodology. One of the last questions to be solved was that about the nature of the chemical species responsible for the charge transfer process that leads to the so-called unusual features in the voltammogram. This was solved with the charge displacement experiment. Nowadays, a great deal of knowledge has been gathered about the structure of the interphase between platinum electrodes and electrolytic solutions and also about the electrocatalytic behaviour of platinum surfaces. State-of-the-art information about platinum electrochemistry is provided, with emphasis on results from our group, especially those obtained with a thermodynamic analysis, involving either constant or variable temperatures and with the laser-induced temperature jump method.