Preference of sensory neural coding for 1/f signals

We investigated the influences of different types of temporal correlations in the input signal on the functions and coding properties of neurons in the primary visual cortex (V1). We found that the temporal transfer functions of V1 neurons exhibit higher gain, and the spike responses exhibit higher coding efficiency and information transmission rates, for the 1/f (natural long-term correlation) signals than for 1/f(0) (no correlation) and 1/f(2) (stronger long-term correlation) signals. These results suggest that the intermediate long-term correlation ubiquitous to natural signals may play an important role in shaping and optimizing the machinery of neurons in their adaptation to the natural environment.     

Synthesis of MFI zeolite films on optical fibers for detection of chemical vapors

We report the development of a novel zeolite-incorporated optical fiber sensor and demonstrate its capability for in situ detection of chemical vapors. The sensor comprises a polycrystalline silicalite thin film grown upon the cleaved end face of a standard single-mode optical fiber. The sensor device operates by measuring the optical reflectivity of the zeolite crystals, which changes reversibly in response to the amount of chemical vapor adsorbed in its crystalline microporous structure. The sensor has been successfully demonstrated for measuring the concentration of isopropanol vapor in mixtures with nitrogen gas.     

Thermoluminescent a-CN thin films properties as a function of plasma parameters

Amorphous carbon nitride (a-CN) thin films show luminescent properties that are of interest for many applications. Particularly interesting are their previously reported thermoluminescent characteristics. In order to optimize these properties, the plasma parameters (ion energy, plasma density and type of excited species) were studied in the present work as a function of the laser fluence and the working pressure. The plasma was produced using the fundamental line of a Nd:YAG laser with 28 ns pulse duration focused on a high purity graphite target. The laser fluences used in this work could be varied between 9 and 40 J/cm². Measurements and deposition of a-CN films were carried out in a nitrogen atmosphere at pressures from 3×10^-3 to 7.5×10^-2 Torr. We observed an optimum value of pressure, close to 7.5×10^-2 Torr, in which the nitrogen incorporation into the film achieved its maximum value close to 29 at.% and the thermoluminescent response of the material, after irradiation with UV becomes evident. PACS 81.15.Fg; 78.60.Kn; 81.05.Uw     

Naphthalene analogues of lignans

The methodology for the synthesis of podophyllotoxin and thuriferic acid-type lignans has been applied to derivatives carrying a naphthalene moiety. Starting from the 1,3-dithiane of 2-naphthaldehyde afforded the expected analogues in the 2,1-naphthalene series. The preferred conformations of these compounds are influenced by the bulky naphthalene system. By contrast, 1,8-bridged products were obtained from the 1,3-dithiane of 1-naphthaldehyde. In this series, polycyclic naphthalene lignan analogues were isolated after deprotection and/or desulfurization reactions. The cyclizations produced in this process are due to the proximity between the 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl moiety and the reacting C-2 of the 1,3-dithiane ring.     

Stereoselection in the Prins-pinacol synthesis of acyltetrahydrofurans

[reaction: see text]. Depending upon the nature of the alkene and allylic substituents, acid-promoted rearrangements of acetals derived from anti allylic diols give 12 or stereoisomeric acyltetrahydrofurans 13. Stereoelectronic effects of the allylic substituents and the extent of bonding in the Prins cyclization transition state are central features of a proposed new model for predicting stereoselection in the Prins-pinacol synthesis of acyltetrahydrofurans.     

Directed flow of lambda hyperons in (2-6 )A GeV Au+Au collisions

Directed flow measurements for Lambda hyperons are presented and compared to those for protons produced in the same Au+Au collisions (2A, 4A, and 6A GeV; b<5-6 fm). The measurements indicate that Lambda hyperons flow consistently in the same direction but with smaller magnitudes. A strong positive flow [for Lambdas] has been predicted in calculations which include the influence of the Lambda-nucleon potential. The experimental flow ratio Lambda/p is in qualitative agreement with expectations (approximately 2/3) from the quark counting rule at 2A GeV but is found to decrease with increasing beam energy.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of hexakis(N-methylimidazole) iron(II) pyridine-2-sulfonate

The compound [Fe(C₄H₆N₂)₆][C₅H₄NSO₃]₂ crystallized in the monoclinic space group, P2₁/n with unit cell parameters: a = 13.676(3), b = 8.345(2), c = 18.663(4) Å, = 106.40(3)° and Z = 2. The title compound consists of a [Fe(C₄H₆N₂)₆]⁺² hexacoordinated iron(II) cation and two C₅H₄NSO^– ₃ anions. In the cation the iron atom is coordinated to six N-methylimidazole imine nitrogen atoms in a distorted octahedral arrangement. The N1,N5,N1ⁱ,N5ⁱ atoms are coplanar and the iron lies in this plane.