A note concerning the connectivity of social networks

A simple modification of a method presented by Doreian (1974) adapts it for finding, in a network or “valued graph”, the maximum level paths which do not have cycles or repeated points and which have a specified maximum length.     

Determination of Volatile Halogenated Compounds in Tap and Surface Waters from the Gdańsk District

Abstract

The present method is based on preconcentration of organic contaminants on XAD-4 as sorbent, thermal desorption, mineralization and coulometric argentometric titration for the final determination of halides. The results were calculated as the total parameter VOX (volatile organic halogen) expressed as chlorine. The method has been used for the VOX determination in tap water, Vistula river water and Baltic Sea water. Sampling of the Baltic Sea water has been carried out during the research cruise of the r/v ‘Oceania’. The relatively high anthropogenic pollution of the river Vistula (c _vox = 11–45 μg Cl/cd³), Gulf of Gdańsk (c _vox = 0.6–4.5 μg Cl/dm³) and the Pomerania Bay (c _vox = 2 μg Cl/dm³) has been determined. The VOX concentration in the tap water varied between 13 and 56 μg/dm³; that is, this water is seriously polluted by volatile organic halogen compounds.     

A 3D-CMOS compatible silicon photo-sensor with a large vertical photosensitive area

This paper introduces design and simulation of a three-dimensional complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor CMOS compatible photo-sensor based on a silicon substrate. In the structure of photo-sensor, a vertical n+/p junction as a photosensitive area is formed on one side of a U-groove, and perpendicular to a lateral n-i-p structure on top-side of the silicon surface. This configuration enables a direct butt-coupling of a fiber-optic to the photosensitive area, which is a privilege for many remote monitoring applications. The device analysis is carried out by a two-dimensional simulation using SILVACO TCAD simulator. The thickness of the photo-sensitive area is investigated by considering the figures of merit for the two different thicknesses of 30 and 50 µm. The simulated results (according to the parameters defined for the Si substrate) show a very low dark current of 70 and 100 (fA/μm) for the 30 and 50 µm thicknesses, respectively. In addition, a high photo-current to dark current ratio of ~3000 is achieved under an intensity of 2 mW/cm² at 633 nm wavelength, according to the wavelength of red He–Ne laser. The sensor demonstrates a responsivity of 0.33 A/W corresponding to 65% external quantum efficiency and a ?3 dB frequency response of 0.2 GHz under a small signal of 2 mW/cm² at 633 nm wavelength for 10 V reverse bias.     

Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Agonists: A Milestone for Modern Crop Protection

The destruction of crops by invertebrate pests is a major threat against a background of a continuously rising demand in food supply for a growing world population. Therefore, efficient crop protection measures in a vast range of agricultural settings are of utmost importance to guarantee sustainable yields. The discovery of synthetic agonists selectively addressing the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), located in the central nervous system of insects, for use as insecticides was a major milestone in applied crop protection research. These compounds, as a result of their high target specificity and versatility in application methods, opened a new innovative era in the control of some of the world′s most devastating insect pests. These insecticides also contributed massively to extending our knowledge of the biochemistry of insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. The global economic success of synthetic nAChR agonists as insecticides renders the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor still one of the most attractive target sites for exploration in insecticide discovery.