A mixed hp FEM for the approximation of fourth‐order singularly perturbed problems on smooth domains

We consider fourth‐order singularly perturbed problems posed on smooth domains and the approximation of their solution by a mixed Finite Element Method on the so‐called Spectral Boundary Layer Mesh. We show that the method converges uniformly, with respect to the singular perturbation parameter, at an exponential rate when the error is measured in the energy norm. Numerical examples illustrate our theoretical findings.     

Two classes of conformally flat contact metric 3-manifolds

We give a classification of 3—dimensional conformally flat contact metric manifolds satisfying: =0(=L g) orR(Y, Z)=k[(Z)Y–(Y)Z]+[(Z)hY]–(Y)hZ] wherek and are functions. It is proved that they are flat (the non-Sasakian case) or of constant curvature 1 (the Sasakian case).     

Spectrum planning and performance evaluation between heterogeneous satellite networks

A new network has been recently proposed for the provision of fixed broadband services via high altitude platform stations (HAPS) in the 48/47 GHz band. One of the critical issues of this technology is spectrum sharing with the fixed satellite service. This paper examines the effect of Earth-to-stratosphere co-channel interference produced by ground stations of HAPS network to geostationary orbit (GEO) satellite receivers and proposes an interference-to-noise (I/N) calculation model for the evaluation of the current HAPS ground stations power characteristics set by ITU-R. Analytical and simulation results for archetypal systems in realistic scenarios indicate that efficient use of the spectrum shared between heterogeneous HAPS and Fixed Satellite Networks is feasible. Certain consideration is needed prior to the HAPS network development in suburban areas for latitudes from 55° to 65°, and in rural areas for latitudes from 60° to 75°.     

Path-integral analysis of propagation in a waveguide with random inhomogeneities

The method of path integration is applied to the analysis of wave propagation in both a graded-index optical waveguide and in an otherwise homogeneous infinite medium whose refractive indices have random statistical inhomogeneities superposed upon a regular variation of refractive index with suitable averaged properties. The authors use techniques originally employed in the context of electron propagation in a set of random scatterers to calculate the averaged Green function describing paraxial wave propagation in a medium whose refractive index has statistical inhomogeneities. The concept of an averaged density of modes is introduced, and the paper presents detailed calculations of this quality for two limiting case. In the first, the correlation length associated with the distribution of inhomogeneities is zero along the direction of propagation. In the second, the Feynman variational technique is used to describe the propagator in a medium whose statistical inhomogeneities have an infinite correlation length along the direction of propagation. Comments are made about the intermediate case which is of greater relevance to real waveguides.     

Pesticide residues analysis in honey using ethyl acetate extraction method: validation and pilot survey in real samples

This paper presents a cost-effective and validated multi residue confirmatory method for the determination of 167 chemically different pesticides and a survey study on Cyprus honey samples. This method uses ethyl acetate for the extraction of pesticides from honey and the determination is performed with liquid chromatography (LC) coupled to mass spectrometry (MS) operating in tandem mode (MS/MS) and with GC–ECD (gas chromatography with electron capture detector) analysis. The LC-MS/MS analytical system is especially important in the analysis of polar and non-volatile pesticides. For the validation of the method, blank honey samples were spiked with 146 pesticides (organophosphorous, carbamates, triazoles, amides, neonicodinoids, strobilurines, phenylureas, bendimidazoles and others) for the LC-MS/MS analysis at three levels: 0.01, 0.05 and 0.1 mg kg^?1 and with 21 pesticides for the GC-ECD analysis at two levels: 0.01 and 0.05 mg kg^?1for organochlorines and 0.05 and 0.2 mg kg^?1for the pyrethroids. As blank sample, a sample of honey which did not contain detectable levels of the analytes sought was used. The validation study was in accordance to the DG SANCO guidelines. The scope of validation included recovery, linearity, limits of quantification and precision. Linearity is demonstrated all along the range of concentration that was investigated with correlation coefficients ≥0.98. Recoveries of the majority of compounds were in the 70%–120% range and were characterised by precision lower or equal to 20%. The validated method was used for a survey of 36 samples of honey produced in different areas of Cyprus and this is the first work on Cypriot honey samples investigating a broad range of pesticides. Only coumaphos was detected at concentrations higher than 0.01 mg kg^?1 in the 58.6% of the honey samples analysed for Coumaphos. The results were evaluated in accordance to the provisions of the Commission Regulation (EU) No 37/2010 on pharmacologically active substances and their classification regarding maximum residue limits (MRLs) in foodstuffs of animal origin. The concentrations of coumaphos in all positive samples were at levels much lower than the MRL.     

A generalized expression for the ratio of the critical temperature to the critical pressure with the van der Waals surface area

Using an extensive database of experimental critical properties for heavy compounds, which have been compiled mostly from recent literature sources, it is shown that the ratio T_c: P_c (critical temperature over critical pressure) can be expressed in terms of the van der Waals surface area (Q_w), which is readily available for any compound from the group contributions of Bondi (given also in UNIFAC tables). The proposed correlation is based on the hole theory of Kurata and Isida for n-paraffin liquids, which is mathematically equivalent to Flory's theory of polymer solutions. The method is suitable for medium to high molecular weight compounds with unknown critical constants. For example, if only one of the two critical constants is available, then the proposed generalized equation offers a useful rapid procedure for the estimation of the other critical property for use in corresponding states, and other relevant applications where knowledge of the critical properties is required. Furthermore, the T_c: P_c method can be used in many cases for identifying the most suitable among the existing group contribution methods for estimating the critical properties of heavy and complex compounds for which experimental values are, very often, not available.     

The study of decomposition reactions through the exchange of thermal energy

In many decomposition reactions, the reaction velocity can be described as a product of two functions: a temperature dependent part K(T) and the kinetic function f(1 – α), where T designates the temperature and α the fraction of reactant that has decomposed. The physical interpretation of these functions is discussed for both solid and homogeneous systems. A method is described by which f(1 – α) and K(T) can be determined from kinetic data. The mechanism of decomposition can subsequently be identified which should be consistent with the derived kinetic parameters. The method has been applied to analyze the kinetics of the thermal decomposition of nitromethane. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Non-compact quadratics-manifolds

The aim of the present paper is the classification of the non — compact quadratics-manifolds.     

Pore anisotropy and microporosity in nanostructured mesoporous solids

In this study, we carried out an investigation related to the determination of the anisotropy (b) of pores as well as the extent of microporosity (mic%) in various groups of nanostructured mesoporous materials. The mesoporous materials examined were fifteen samples belonging to the following groups of solids: MCM-48s, SBA-15s, SBA-16s, and mesoporous TiO(2) anatases. The porosities of those materials were modified either during preparation or afterward by the addition of Cu(II) species and/or 3(5)-(2-pyridinyl) pyrazole (PyPzH) into the pores. The modification of porosity in each group took place to make possible the internal comparison of the b and mic% values within each group. The estimation of both the b and mic% parameters took place from the corresponding nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms. The new proposed method is able to detect a percentage of microporosity as low as a few percent, which is impossible by any of the methods used currently, without the use of any reference sample or standard isotherms. A meaningful inverse relationship is apparent between the b and mic% values, indicating that large values of b correspond to small values of mic%.