Simple Coupling Research Articles

Preparation and characterisation of poly(p‐phenylene vinylene)/semiconductor nanofibres

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to study the preparation and characterisation of poly(p‐phenylene vinylene), PPV/TiO2 photoluminescent (PL) nanofibres, and the causes of the blue‐shift in PL spectrum of the as‐prepared composite nanofibres.Design/methodology/approachA simple method coupling sol‐gel method and electrospinning technology was used to prepare PPV/TiO2 nanofibres from precursory PPV solution.FindingsSmall‐angle X‐ray diffractometer showed that the nano‐TiO2 was mainly amorphous in composite nanofibres. The PL spectrum of the composite nanofibres confirmed the conclusion that there was a slight blue‐shift in the PL spectrum owing to the existence of TiO2 nanoparticles.Research limitations/implicationsThe nanofibres collected aligned in random orientation, if parallel nanofibres were obtained. Practical applications will be effected.Practical implicationsThe electrospinning method provides an effective strategy for preparing polymer composite nanomaterials.Originality/valueComposite nanofibres will have potential applications for green optical/electric devices such as LEDs, sensors, transducers and flat panel displays.

Inhomogeneous baryogenesis, cosmic antimatter, and dark matter

A model of inhomogeneous baryogenesis based on the Affleck and Dine mechanism is described. A simple coupling of the scalar baryon field to the inflaton allows for formation of astronomically significant bubbles with a large baryon (or antibaryon) asymmetry. During the farther evolution these domains form compact stellar-like objects, or lower density clouds, or primordial black holes of different size. According to the scenario, such high baryonic number objects occupy relatively small fraction of space but despite that they may significantly contribute to the cosmological mass density. For some values of parameters the model allows the possibility the whole dark matter in the universe to be baryonic. Furthermore, the model allows the existence of the antibaryonic B-bubbles, i.e. a significant fraction of the mass density in the universe can be in the form of the compact antimatter objects (e.g. antistars).

Synchronization in small-world networks

In this paper we consider complete synchronization in small-world networks of identical Rössler oscillators. By applying a simple but effective dynamical optimization coupling scheme, we realize complete synchronization in networks with undelayed or delayed couplings, as well as ensuring that all oscillators have uniform intensities during the transition to synchronization. Further, we obtain the coupling matrix with much better synchronizability in a certain range of the probability p for adding long-range connections. Direct numerical simulations fully verify the efficiency of our mechanism.

High‐purity nano particles ZnS production by a simple coupling reaction process of biological reduction and chemical precipitation mediated with EDTA

High-purity nanoparticles ZnS has been successfully synthesized using a simple coupling reaction process of biological reduction and chemical precipitation mediated with EDTA referred to as the CRBRCP-EDTA process. This research investigated the optimum conditions of the transformation of SO(4) (2-) into S(2-) by SRB, and the production of ZnS in the CRBRCP-EDTA process. The results showed that the molar ratio of Zn(2+) to EDTA = 1:1 was crucial for SRB growth and ZnS synthesis. At the ratio(n) (Zn2+)/n) (EDTA) = 1:1, lower Zn(2+) concentration enhanced both the growth of SRB and the reduction of SO(4) (2-), leading to higher ZnS production. Although increase in Na(2)SO(4) concentration resulted in decrease in both SRB growth and SO(4) (2-) reduction, it improved the S(2-) and ZnS production. Under the optimum conditions (0.05 mol L(-1) ZnCl(2), 0.05 mol L(-1) EDTA, and 0.1 mol L(-1) Na(2)SO(4)), the synthesized ZnS was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The analysis showed that the obtained ZnS were high-purity and well-distributed solid spheres with diameters of about 15 nm for primary particles and around 400 nm for secondary particles. When polyacrylamide (PAM) was incorporated in the CRBRCP-EDTA process, the secondary particle's diameters were reduced to less than 100 nm. The photoluminescence (PL) spectra of produced ZnS centered at 396 nm, the spectrum with PAM added showed the gradual increase in absorption and stronger intensity in PL property. The present simple, low-cost, and safe method may be extended to prepare other metal-sulfide nanocomposites.

Fate Modelling of DEHP in Roskilde Fjord, Denmark

The fate of di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) is modeled in Roskilde fjord, Denmark. The fjord is situated near Roskilde, which comprises 80,000 PE, various industries, a central wastewater treatment plant, and adjacent agricultural fields. Roskilde fjord is thus a suitable recipient for studying the transport and fate of DEHP, which is used in a variety of different industries and consumer products. Wastewater from households and industries is led to the local wastewater treatment plant, which leads the effluent to the fjord. The sludge is partly stored and partly amended on an adjacent field. The model applied in the present study is a simple box model coupling water and sediment compartments of the fjord with wastewater treatment plant effluent, streams leading to the fjord, and atmospheric deposition. The fjord model comprises first-order degradation, adsorption, sedimentation, vertical diffusion in the sediment, dispersive mixing in the water, and water exchange with the surrounding sea. Experimental measurements of DEHP were made in the fjord water and sediment, in the wastewater treatment plant inlet and effluent, and in streams and atmospheric deposition. The experimental data are used to calibrate the model. The model results show that freshwater from streams is the predominant DEHP source to the fjord, followed by atmospheric deposition and effluents from wastewater treatment plants. Sedimentation is the predominant removal mechanism followed by water exchange with the sea and degradation.

AN INTEGRATED MATHEMATICAL MODELLING FRAMEWORK FOR THE STUDY OF BONE FRACTURE HEALING

Both mechanical and biological factors play an important role in normal as well as impaired fracture healing. This study aims to provide a mathematical framework in which both regulatory mechanisms are included. To illustrate the added value of such a framework, a coupled mechanoregulatory model was proposed (Figure 12). This model was based on the bioregulatory model of [Geris, 2007], using a simple coupling between mechanics and biology whereby certain parameters of the bioregulatory model were made dependent on local mechanical stimuli. As a first example, in this study, the proliferation of osteoblasts and endothelial cells were made dependent on the local fluid flow [Owan, 1997].

Compact TEM00 Nd:YVO4 slab laser end pumped by an LD bar

In this paper, we present a laser-diode (LD) bar end-pumped Nd:YVO4 slab laser, which uses a simple coupling system and a compact quasi-concentric resonator (QCR). A TEM00 output was obtained with a pump width varied from 2.57 to 9.44 mm and the slope efficiency is kept at about 48%. Under 40-W pumping, a maximum TEM00 output of 15.84 W was achieved and the optical-to-optical efficiency was 39.6% correspondingly.

Orai, STIM1 and iPLA2β: a view from a different perspective

The mechanism of store-operated Ca(2+) entry (SOCE) remains one of the intriguing mysteries in the field of Ca(2+) signalling. Recent discoveries have resulted in the molecular identification of STIM1 as a Ca(2+) sensor in endoplasmic reticulum, Orai1 (CRACM1) as a plasma membrane channel that is activated by the store-operated pathway, and iPLA(2)beta as an essential component of signal transduction from the stores to the plasma membrane channels. Numerous studies have confirmed that molecular knock-down of any one of these three molecules impair SOCE in a wide variety of cell types, but their mutual relations are far from being understood. This report will focus on the functional roles of Orai1, STIM1 and iPLA(2)beta, and will address some specific questions about Orai1 and TRPC1, and their relation to SOC channels in excitable and non-excitable cells. Also, it will analyse the novel role of STIM1 as a trigger for CIF production, and the complex relationship between STIM1 and Orai1 expression, puncta formation and SOCE activation. It will highlight some of the most recent findings that may challenge simple conformational coupling models of SOCE, and will offer some new perspectives on the complex relationships between Orai1, STIM1 and iPLA(2)beta in the SOCE pathway.

Dark-state polaritons for multicomponent and stationary light fields

We present a general scheme to determine the loss-free adiabatic eigensolutions (dark-state polaritons) of the interaction of multiple probe laser beams with a coherently driven atomic ensemble under conditions of electromagnetically induced transparency. To this end we generalize the Morris-Shore transformation to linearized Heisenberg-Langevin equations describing the coupled light-matter system in the weak excitation limit. For the simple lambda-type coupling scheme the generalized Morris-Shore transformation reproduces the dark-state polariton solutions of slow light. Here we treat a closed-loop dual-$V$ scheme wherein two counterpropagating control fields generate a quasistationary pattern of two counterpropagating probe fields---so-called stationary light. We show that contrary to previous predictions, there exists a single unique dark-state polariton; it obeys a simple propagation equation.

Effects of Inlet Flow Distortion on the Performance of Aircraft Gas Turbines

This paper describes how the fundamental effects of inlet flow distortion on the performance of gas turbines can be evaluated with any engine performance program that employs an integrated parallel compressor model. In this simulation method, both pressure and temperature distortions are quantified with coefficients, which relate the pressure (respectively temperature) in the spoiled sector to the value in the clean sector. In single spool compressor engines, the static pressure at the exit of the clean sector equals that of the distorted sector. This hypothesis does not hold true with multispool compressor engines because the short intercompressor ducts, which often contain struts or vanes, do not allow the mass flow transfer over the sector borders, which would be required for balancing the static pressures. The degree of aerodynamic coupling of compressors in series can be described in the performance simulation program by the simple coupling factor introduced in this paper. There are two fundamentally different reasons for the change in engine performance: First, there is the impact of the flow distortion on the component efficiencies and thus the thermodynamic cycle and second there are performance changes due to the actions of the control system. From the engine system simulation results, it becomes clear why inlet flow distortion has only a minor impact on the thermodynamic cycle if the comparison of the two operating conditions (with clean and distorted inlet flow) is made at the properly averaged engine inlet conditions. For each compressor, the parallel compressor theory yields two operating points in the map, one for the clean sector and one for the spoiled sector. The performance loss due to the distortion is small since the efficiency values in the two sectors are only a bit lower than the efficiency at a comparable operating point with clean inlet flow. However, the control system of the engine can react to the inlet flow distortion in such a way that the thrust delivered changes significantly. This is particularly true if a compressor bleed valve or a variable area nozzle is opened to counteract compressor stability problems. Especially, using recirculating bleed air for increasing the surge margin of a compressor affects the performance of the engine negatively. Two examples show clearly that the pros and cons of recirculating bleed can only be judged with a full system simulation; looking at the surge line improvement alone can be misleading.

Three characteristic reactions of alkynes with metal compounds in organic synthesis

AbstractAlkynes have two sets of mutually orthogonal π‐bonds that are different from the π‐bonds of alkenes. These π‐bonds are able to bond with transition metal compounds. Alkynes easily bond with the various kinds of compounds having a π‐bond such as carbon monoxide, alkenes, other alkynes and nitriles in the presence of the transition metal compounds. The most representative reaction of alkynes is called the Pauson–Khand reaction. The Pauson–Khand reactions include the cyclization of alkynes with alkenes and carbon monoxide in the presence of cobalt carbonyls. Similar Pauson–Khand reactions also proceed in the presence of other transition metal compounds. These reactions are the first type of characteristic reaction of alkynes. Other various kinds of cyclizations with alkynes also proceed in the presence of the transition metal compounds. These reactions are the second type of characteristic reaction of alkynes. These include cyclooligomerizations and cycloadditions. The cyclooligomerizations include mainly cyclotrimerizations and cyclotetramerizations, and the cycloadditions are [2 + 2], [2 + 2 + 1], [2 + 2 + 2], [3 + 2], [4 + 2], etc., type cycloadditions. Alkynes are fairly reactive because of the high s character of their σ‐bonds. Therefore, simple coupling reactions with alkynes also proceed besides the cyclizations. The coupling reactions are the third type of characteristic reactions of alkynes in the presence of, mainly, the transition metal compounds. These reactions include carbonylations, dioxycarbonylations, Sonogashira reactions, coupling reactions with aldehydes, ketones, alkynes, alkenes and allyl compounds. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Boundary Conditions in the Diffusion of Fluids in Swelling Polymers

Diffusion of fluids in polymers may lead to swelling, which induces stress-diffusion coupling. A simple coupling model is considered, where boundary conditions only are altered, and it leads to a sigmoidal water-uptake curve for a plate in water. Several other models are studied, which are able to induce similar sorption curves by using various boundary conditions, but comparisons between other predictions of the models reveal significant differences. Eventually, none of the models considered is able to reproduce all features of the coupling model.

Solvent Extraction of Divalent Metal Ions with Azacrown Ether Substituted Acylpyrazolones

Novel 4-acyl-5-pyrazolones having aza-15-crown-5 (HPMP-A15C5) and aza-18-crown-6 (HPMP-A18C6) moieties as an intramolecular synergist have been synthesized by simple coupling reactions between 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-chloroacetyl-5-pyrazolone and the corresponding azacrown ethers. The solvent extraction of the divalent metal ions (Mn(2+), Co(2+), Ni(2+), Cu(2+), Zn(2+), Cd(2+) and Pb(2+)) were examined. Synergistic extractions with 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-benzoyl-5-pyrazolone (HPMBP) and benzocrown ethers were also examined for a comparison. Extractions with the novel acylpyrazolones were unique and quite different from those with HPMBP and benzocrown ethers. The synergistic effect with benzocrown ethers was low, and an obvious difference brought by the ring size was not observed. The extractions of the divalent metal ions with HPMP-A18C6 were generally enhanced, as compared to those alone with HPMBP; on the contrary, the extractions with HPMP-A15C5 were relatively poor.

Couplings and spectra in modular inflation

We analyze how the spectrum of perturbations produced in a multicomponent modular inflation model proposed by Kadota and Stewart depends on couplings between the two moduli. Although some simple direct couplings give essentially the same results as the original model, $dn/d\mathrm{ln}k\ensuremath{\propto}n\ensuremath{-}1$, simple indirect couplings produce a power law spectrum, $n\ensuremath{-}1=\mathrm{\text{constant}}$, which can naturally be close to scale invariant.

Compact Biocompatible Quantum Dots Functionalized for Cellular Imaging

We present a family of water-soluble quantum dots (QDs) that exhibit low nonspecific binding to cells, small hydrodynamic diameter, tunable surface charge, high quantum yield, and good solution stability across a wide pH range. These QDs are amenable to covalent modification via simple carbodiimide coupling chemistry, which is achieved by functionalizing the surface of QDs with a new class of heterobifunctional ligands incorporating dihydrolipoic acid, a short poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) spacer, and an amine or carboxylate terminus. The covalent attachment of molecules is demonstrated by appending a rhodamine dye to form a QD-dye conjugate exhibiting fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). High-affinity labeling is demonstrated by covalent attachment of streptavidin, thus enabling the tracking of biotinylated epidermal growth factor (EGF) bound to EGF receptor on live cells. In addition, QDs solubilized with the heterobifunctional ligands retain their metal-affinity driven conjugation chemistry with polyhistidine-tagged proteins. This dual functionality is demonstrated by simultaneous covalent attachment of a rhodamine FRET acceptor and binding of polyhistidine-tagged streptavidin on the same nanocrystal to create a targeted QD, which exhibits dual-wavelength emission. Such emission properties could serve as the basis for ratiometric sensing of the cellular receptor's local chemical environment.

Modeling and Optimization of Compact Microwave Bandpass Filters

This paper presents the modeling and optimization of compact microwave bandpass filters whose compactness leads to complex and strong stray coupling paths, thereby making the identification of a simple and sparse coupling topology difficult and even impossible. The strong coupling coefficients needed for a broadband response can also cause an ambiguity in identifying the spatial extent of local resonances. An equivalent circuit, which is extracted directly from Maxwell's equations, is used in optimizing these filters. The filter is represented by its global resonances instead of individual resonators. The extraction of the parameters of the equivalent circuit is carried out in the physical frequency and not in the normalized frequency in order to preserve the physicality of the equivalent circuit, especially for asymmetric responses. The technique is successfully applied to the optimization of second-order suspended stripline bandpass filters with one transmission zero either below or above the passband, as well as fourth-order filters with three transmission zeros. A fourth-order filter with three transmission zeros is fabricated and measured.

Novel FRET-Based Assay to Detect Reverse Transcriptase Activity Using Modified dUTP Analogues

We have developed a novel continuous assay to measure reverse transcriptase (RT) polymerase activity. The assay uses fluorescence energy transfer measurements to detect the incorporation of complementary pairs of fluorescently labeled deoxyuridine into cDNA product. The fluorescently labeled dUTP substrates were prepared using commercially available reagents with a simple coupling reaction. The fluorescent dye pairs have significant spectral overlap which allows FRET interaction between dyes incorporated into the cDNA. Using a polyA/oligo dT primer/template, the assay can readily detect DNA polymerase activity from any viral reverse transcriptase enzyme. The reaction proceeds linearly over time, and the rate is proportional to the enzyme concentration. We used the assay to compare the thermostability of a number of wild-type and mutant viral RT enzymes. Our results indicate that the wild-type AMV (avian myeloblastosis virus) enzyme is slightly more stable at 43 degrees C than the HIV-1 (human immunodeficiency virus) or MMLV (Moloney murine leukemia virus) enzymes. The thermostability of the RT enzyme was dramatically increased by the presence of primer/template with the enzyme. We also used the assay to study the effects of inhibitors on HIV-1 RT polymerase activity. This assay may be highly useful for the identification and characterization of potent RT inhibitors which could be candidates for development as therapeutic antiviral agents.

Local normal-mode coupling and energy band splitting in elliptically birefringent one-dimensional magnetophotonic crystals

An analysis is presented of wave-vector dispersion in elliptically birefringent stratified magneto-optic media having one-dimensional periodicity. It is found that local normal-mode polarization-state differences between adjacent layers lead to mode coupling and affect the wave-vector dispersion and the character of the Bloch states of the system. This coupling produces extra terms in the dispersion relation not present in uniform circularly birefringent magneto-optic stratified media. Normal-mode coupling lifts the degeneracy at frequency band crossover points under certain conditions and induces a magnetization-dependent optical bandgap. This study examines the conditions for bandgap formation in the system. It shows that such a frequency split can be characterized by a simple coupling parameter that depends on the relation between polarization states of local normal modes in adjacent layers. The character of the Bloch states and conditions for maximizing the strength of the band splitting in these systems are analyzed.

GENERAL COUPLING FOR MUTUAL SYNCHRONIZATION OF THREE IDENTICAL OSCILLATORS

A general coupling between three arbitrary identical oscillators is proposed and the synchronization is analytically proved. Numerical results are given for a system that needs the simplest coupling.

A Simple Mutual Coupling Compensation Technique in Array of Single-Mode Elements by a Weighted Mutual Coupling Matrix Based on the Impedance Matrix

High-resolution Direction-of-Arrival (DOA) estimation techniques for antenna arrays have been widely desired in many applications such as smart antennas, RF position location, and RFID system. To realize high-resolution capability of the techniques, precise array calibration is necessary. For an array of single-mode elements, a calibration matrix derived by the open-circuit method is the simplest one. Unfortunately, calibration performance of the method is not enough for the high-reslution DOA estimation techniques. In this paper, we consider problems of the calibration matrix derived by the method, and show that errors in the matrix can be effectively removed by an optimal diagonal weight coefficient. In the proposed compensation technique, the number of newly introduced parameters, or unknowns, is only one for an array of the identical elements. Performance of the simple compensation technique is verified numerically and experimentally.