Asymptotic results for weighted means of linear combinations of independent Poisson random variables

ABSTRACT

In this paper we prove the large deviation principle for a class of weighted means of linear combinations of independent Poisson distributed random variables, which converge weakly to a normal distribution. The interest in these linear combinations is motivated by the diffusion approximation in Lansky [On approximations of Stein's neuronal model, J. Theoret. Biol. 107 (1984), pp. 631–647] of the Stein's neuronal model (see Stein [A theoretical analysis of neuronal variability, Biophys. J. 5 (1965), pp. 173–194]). We also prove an analogue result for sequences of multivariate random variables based on the diffusion approximation in Tamborrino, Sacerdote, and Jacobsen [Weak convergence of marked point processes generated by crossings of multivariate jump processes. Applications to neural network modeling, Phys. D 288 (2014), pp. 45–52]. The weighted means studied in this paper generalize the logarithmic means. We also investigate moderate deviations.     

Amphiphilic pentablock copolymers and their blends with PDMS for antibiofouling coatings

Well‐defined amphiphilic pentablock copolymers Siy‐(EGx‐FAz)₂ composed of polysiloxane (Si), polyethylene glycol (EG), and perfluorohexylethyl polyacrylate (FA) blocks are synthesized by ATRP of FA monomer starting from a difunctional bromo‐terminated macroinitiator. Diblock copolymers EGx‐FAz are also synthesized as model systems. The block copolymers are used, either alone or blended with a PDMS matrix in varied loadings, to prepare antibiofouling coatings. Angle‐resolved XPS and contact angle measurements show that the coating surface is highly enriched in fluorine content but undergoes reconstruction after contact with water. Protein adsorption experiments with human serum albumin and calf serum highlight that diblock copolymers resist protein adhesion better than do pentablock copolymers. Blending of the pentablock copolymer with PDMS results in increased protein adsorption. By contrast, the PDMS‐matrix coatings show high removal percentages of sporelings of the green fouling alga Ulva linza. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 2015 , 53, 1213–1225     

Electrostatic-thermodynamic-kinetic (ELTHEKI) modeling of the coupled $$\text {Ni}$$ / $$\text {Ni}\text {O}$$ /water system,under physico-chemical conditions of pressurized water reactors

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - In the present paper, we develop an electrostatic-thermodynamic-kinetic (ELTHEKI) model for studying the behavior of the specific $$\text {Ni}$$ / $$\text...     

Nanostructure-Driven Indocyanine Green Dimerization Generates Ultra-Stable Phototheranostics Nanoparticles

Indocyanine green (ICG) is the only near-infrared (NIR) dye approved for clinical use. Despite its versatility in photonic applications and potential for photothermal therapy, its photobleaching hinders its application. Here we discovered a nanostructure of dimeric ICG (Nano-dICG) generated by using ICG to stabilize nanoemulsions, after which ICG enabled complete dimerization on the nanoemulsion shell, followed by J-aggregation of ICG-dimer, resulting in a narrow, red-shifted (780 nm→894 nm) and intense (≈2-fold) absorbance. Compared to ICG, Nano-dICG demonstrated superior photothermal conversion (2-fold higher), significantly reduced photodegradation (−9.6 % vs. −46.3 %), and undiminished photothermal effect (7 vs. 2 cycles) under repeated irradiations, in addition to excellent colloidal and structural stabilities. Following intravenous injection, Nano-dICG enabled real-time tracking of its delivery to mouse tumors within 24 h by photoacoustic imaging at NIR wavelength (890 nm) distinct from the endogenous signal to guide effective photothermal therapy. The unprecedented finding of nanostructure-driven ICG dimerization leads to an ultra-stable phototheranostic platform.     

Azido‐Substituted BODIPY Dyes for the Production of Fluorescent Carbon Nanotubes

A series of azido‐dyes were synthesized through Knoevenagel reactions of an azido‐BODIPY with aromatic aldehydes. The nature of the substituents allowed the fine tuning of their spectroscopic properties. The dyes were used to decorate oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (ox‐MWCNTs), bearing terminal triple bond groups, by CuAAC reactions, affording fluorescent materials. This decoration allowed the efficient determination of the internalization of the ox‐MWCNT derivatives by different model cancer cells, such as MCF7.     

Screening Clouds and Majorana Fermions

Ken Wilson developed the Numerical Renormalization Group technique which greatly enhanced our understanding of the Kondo effect and other quantum impurity problems. Wilson’s NRG also inspired Philippe Nozières to propose the idea of a large “Kondo screening cloud”. While much theoretical evidence has accumulated for this idea it has remained somewhat controversial and has not yet been confirmed experimentally. Recently a new possibility for observing an analogous crossover length scale has emerged, involving a Majorana fermion localized at the interface between a topological superconductor quantum wire and a normal wire. We give an overview of this topic both with and without interactions included in the normal wire.