Optical background measurement in a potential site for the NEMO KM undersea neutrino telescope

We describe the measurement of the deep sea optical background in some sites south of Capo Passero, Sicily. A continuous flux of about 440 photons cm ^-2 s ^-1 in the wavelength interval 440-550 nm is estimated due to the decays of the ⁴⁰K contained in the sea water. Bioluminescence light bursts are also observed and an example of time evolution is reported. All the measurements were accomplished using a deep sea module also described in this article. Received: 20 April 2002 / Published online: 26 July 2002     

The first ruthenium-alkyne-dihydride reported is now recognized as an intermediate in the homogeneous hydrogenation of diphenylacetylene: Crystal structure of (μ-H)2Ru3(CO)9(μ3-η2-∥-C2Ph2)

The title complex (complex1) was the first alkyne-substituted triruthenium dihydrido cluster to be reported and was characterized by spectroscopy as a triangular cluster with the alkyne parallel to a Ru-Ru edge. Recently, we have found that1 is a key intermediate in the homogeneous hydrogenation of diphenylacetylene catalyzed by tetrahedral Ru₄ and FeRu₃ clusters. Since the discovery of1, a great number of complexes with alkynes parallel to a cluster edge have been reported; at present this is the more common bonding mode for alkynes on trinuclear clusters. The structural features of1 allow a comparison with those of other ruthenium-containing derivatives and help to draw suggestions of the role of1 in hydrogenation catalysis.     

Obtaining 4-vinylphenols by decarboxylation of natural 4-hydroxycinnamic acids under microwave irradiation

4-Vinylphenols, useful compounds for industrial applications, were obtained by decarboxylation of 4-hydroxycinnamic acids under microwave irradiation in the presence of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) as base and basic aluminum oxide as solid support. The reactions were fast (15-30 min). The selective extraction of the final products with ethyl acetate avoids chromatographic purifications. The conversions are quantitative and the yields are satisfactory. Only the unstable 4-vinylcatechol was obtained in moderate yield. This procedure was successfully extended to a natural sample of ferulic acid extracted from wheat bran to get the corresponding 4-vinylguaiacol, a FEMA GRAS (Flavor and Extract Manufacturer's Association; General Regarded as Safe) approved flavoring agent.     

Normalization and Fermi–Coulomb and Coulomb hole sum rules for approximate wave functions

For approximate wave functions, we prove the theorem that there is a one‐to‐one correspondence between the constraints of normalization and of the Fermi–Coulomb and Coulomb hole charge sum rules at each electron position. This correspondence is surprising in light of the fact that normalization depends on the probability of finding an electron at some position. In contrast, the Fermi–Coulomb hole sum rule depends on the probability of two electrons staying apart because of correlations due to the Pauli exclusion principle and Coulomb repulsion, while the Coulomb hole sum rule depends on Coulomb repulsion. We demonstrate the theorem for the ground state of the He atom by the use of two different approximate wave functions that are functionals rather than functions. The first of these wave function functionals is constructed to satisfy the constraint of normalization, and the second that of the Coulomb hole sum rule for each electron position. Each is then shown to satisfy the other corresponding sum rule. The significance of the theorem for the construction of approximate “exchange‐correlation” and “correlation” energy functionals of density functional theory is also discussed. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007     

Twist points of planar domains

We establish a potential theoretic approach to the study of twist points in the boundary of simply connected planar domains.

     

Looking at Fokker-Planck dynamics with a noisy instrument

We consider the class of experiments which can be characterized by a Fokker-PIanck dynamics corresponding to the overdamped motion of a state point in a suitable stochastic potential. We assume that the general form of the potential is known (or can be guessed with reasonable accuracy), but that its parameters are to be determined experimentally by measurements made with a noisy instrument. This possible method for determining the potential parameters, which exploits the system's own internal stochastic motion in order to explore rapidly its available parameter space, is substantially more efficient than traditional methods involving time averages of single point measurements, and yet does not appear to have been previously considered. The method could be important when, for example, the experiment must be completed in a limited time owing either to the expense of the experimental materials or to the temporary stationarity of the preparation, situations which are commonly encountered in experimental biochemistry and biology.     

Harmonic and intermodulation distortion modeling in IM-DD multi-band radio over fiber links exploiting injection locked lasers

A comprehensive numerical tool has been developed for the evaluation of the performances of Radio over Fiber (RoF) links intended for wireless signal distribution.At the transmitter end an appropriate set of rate equations allows to model the optical source as a solitary laser or as an appropriately injection locked laser. The optical channel is modeled putting into account the combined effect of fiber dispersion, laser source non ideal performances (e.g. non-linear effects, frequency chirp), and quadratic detection of the receiving photodiode. The simulation model developed can be a useful tool at the design stage allowing a preliminary evaluation of the characteristics of real RoF links.