Special Session “Set-Valued Numerics and Reliable Computing” - Sozopol,Bulgaria, June 4–8, 2003

Reliable Computing -     

Effect of water on the reduction of NOx with propane on Fe‐ZSM‐5. An FTIR mechanistic study

Adsorption of NO on Fe‐ZSM‐5 leads to formation of Feⁿ⁺–NO (n = 2 or 3) species (1880 cm^-1), Fe²⁺(NO)₂ complexes (1920 and 1835 cm^-1) and NO⁺ (2133 cm^-1). Water strongly suppresses the formation of NO⁺ and Feⁿ⁺(NO)₂ and more slightly the formation of Feⁿ⁺ –NO. Introduction of oxygen to NO converts the nitrosyls into surface nitrates (1620 and 1575 cm^-1) and this process is almost unaffected by water. The nitrates are thermally stable up to ca. 300^°C, but readily interact with propane at 200^°C, thus forming surface C–H–N–O deposit (bands in the 1700–1300 cm^-1 region). Here again, water does not hinder the process. The C–H–N–O deposit is relatively inert (it does not interact with NO or NO + O₂ at ambient temperature) but, at temperatures higher than 250 °C, it is decomposed to NCO^- species (bands at 2215 (Fe–NCO) and 2256 cm^-1 (Al–NCO)). In the presence of water, however, the Fe–NCO species only are formed. At ambient temperature the NCO^- species are inert towards NO and O₂, but easily react with a NO + O₂ mixture. The mechanism of the selective catalytic reduction of nitrogen oxides on Fe‐ZSM‐5 and the effect of water on the process are discussed. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Silver Recovery from Dilute Aqueous Solutions Using Semi‐Batch RF‐Pertraction

Silver recovery from dilute nitrate solution was studied by using a rotating film‐pertraction technique in a semi‐continuous mode. Tri‐isobutylphosphine sulphide (TIBPS) dissolved in kerosene was used as a carrier and an aqueous ammonia solution as a stripping phase. A high transfer flux of silver ions during the pertraction process was observed. It was shown that the selectivity of silver transport through the TIBPS‐containing liquid membrane provides an excellent separation of silver from other metals such as copper, nickel, and iron presented in the treated solutions.     

将555定时器转换为脉宽调制器的模拟开关

本设计实例描述一种新方法,用一只基于555定时器的自激振荡器产生一个占空比可变波形.该电路有宽的调制范围,可在很宽的占空比值范围内作高度线性化控制,出色的线性使它最适合基于PWM(脉冲宽度调制)的控制应用.     

Nonstandard finite-difference methods for predator–prey models with general functional response

Predator–prey systems with linear and logistic intrinsic growth rate of the prey are analyzed. The models incorporate the mutual interference between predators into the functional response which stabilizes predator–prey interactions in the system. Positive and elementary stable nonstandard (PESN) finite-difference methods, having the same qualitative features as the corresponding continuous predator–prey models, are formulated and analyzed. The proposed numerical techniques are based on a nonlocal modeling of the growth-rate function and a nonstandard discretization of the time derivative. This discretization approach leads to significant qualitative improvements in the behavior of the numerical solution. In addition, it allows for the use of an essentially implicit method for the cost of an explicit method. Applications of the PESN methods to specific predator–prey systems are also presented.     

Effect of SEM electron beam on the hydrogen desorption of pre-charged amorphous Cu33Ti67 alloys

The crystallization and hydrogen desorption of pre-charged amorphous Cu₃₃Ti₆₇ alloy have been studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry (TG) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The effect of the SEM electron beam on the desorption process was analyzed. It was found that small amounts of absorbed hydrogen do not influence on the thermal stability of the glass, but significantly reduce its crystallization enthalpy. At higher hydrogen concentrations the thermal stability of the glass was strongly reduced (with about 250 K), as the low-temperature crystallization product was mainly extremely fine nanocrystalline Cu₂Ti, formed as a result of the Cu enrichment of the amorphous phase after hydriding. Combining DSC, TG and SEM it was proved that during the electron beam exposure the weaker bonded hydrogen, which desorbs thermally at 430–500 K, releases. Annealing at higher temperatures (> 500 K) showed clearly the existence of nanocrystalline Cu₂Ti and TiH₂ phases. Only after the TiH₂ decomposition (at ~ 680 K) the equilibrium crystalline phase (Ti₂Cu) was formed, but with finer microstructure.     

Adjuvant 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin with or without interferon alfa-2a in colon carcinoma: National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project protocol C-05

BACKGROUND: National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP) protocol C-03 showed a benefit from leucovorin (LV)-modulated 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) adjuvant therapy (5-FU + LV) in patients with Dukes' stage B or C carcinoma of the colon. Preclinical and clinical phase I/II data suggested that interferon alfa-2a (IFN) enhanced the efficacy of 5-FU therapy. Accordingly, in NSABP protocol C-05, the addition of recombinant IFN to 5-FU + LV adjuvant therapy was evaluated. METHODS: Data are presented for 2176 patients with Dukes' stage B or C cancer entered onto protocol C-05 during the period from October 1991 through February 1994. Individuals with an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0-2 (ranges from fully active to ambulatory and capable of self-care but unable to work), a life expectancy of at least 10 years, and curative resection were stratified by sex, disease stage, and number of involved lymph nodes and were randomly assigned to receive either 5-FU + LV or 5-FU + LV + IFN; the mean time on the study as of June 30, 1997, was 54 months. All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in either disease-free survival (5-FU + LV, 69%; 5-FU + LV + IFN, 70%) or overall survival (5-FU + LV, 80%; 5-FU + LV + IFN, 81%) at 4 years of follow-up. Toxic effects of grade 3 or higher were observed in 61.8% of subjects in the group treated with 5-FU + LV and in 72.1% of subjects in the group treated with 5-FU + LV + IFN; fewer patients in the latter group completed protocol-mandated 5-FU + LV therapy than in the former group (77.1% versus 88.5%). CONCLUSION: The addition of IFN to 5-FU + LV adjuvant therapy confers no statistically significant benefit, but it does increase toxicity.     

UML-based performance engineering possibilities and techniques

An information system's performance in relation to time and resources is largely determined by the design selected in software development. Performance engineering's core concept accounts for a software system's performance from the earliest development phases. Unfortunately, these measures are not performed explicitly during software development, primarily because of deadline pressure, the information system's complexity, or lack of knowledge of what PE means. The authors overview UML-based PE, analyze corresponding approaches, and examine the advantages of the tools available