Spectral derivative based image reconstruction provides inherent insensitivity to coupling and geometric errors

A reconstruction algorithm for multiwavelength diffuse optical tomography is presented, where instead of using data at each wavelength separately or even simultaneously, the difference in data for multiple wavelength pairs is used to reconstruct absolute concentration maps of chromophores. The results indicate a dramatic improvement in image reconstruction and the elimination of image artifacts, which are often associated with unknown measurement errors such as coupling coefficients and external boundary variations, because these errors are often less dependent on wavelength, and are effectively removed from the data set of the first derivative of intensity with respect to wavelength.     

From nickel oxalate dihydrate microcubes to NiS<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanocubes for high performance supercapacitors

In this study, NiS₂ nanocubes were successfully synthesized by a novel facile solvothermal method using NiC₂O₄·2H₂O microstructures and used as an electrode for high-performance supercapacitors. The electrochemical properties of the prepared NiS₂ electrode were studied using galvanostatic charge–discharge analysis, cyclic voltammetry (CV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) studies. Its maximum specific capacitance was 2077 F g^?1 at a constant current density of about 0.65 A g^?1. Further, the EIS results confirmed the pseudocapacitive nature of the NiS₂ electrode. The experimental results suggested that the NiS₂ electro-active material demonstrates excellent electrochemical performance with high specific capacitance, low resistance, and excellent cycling stability.     

Determination of RDX and Keto-RDX in High-Explosive Mixtures by High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography

JPC – Journal of Planar Chromatography – Modern TLC - High-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) has been used for separation and quantitation of components of high explosives...     

Spectrophotometric studies of the thermodynamics of sitting-atop complexation between free base meso-tetraarylporphyrins and titanium(IV) chloride

Titanium(IV) chloride reacts with free base meso-tetraarylporphyrin and its ortho, meta and para-substituted derivatives (H₂T(X)PP; X: OCH₃, CH₃ and Cl) for formation of sitting-atop (SAT) complexes, [TiCl₄(H₂T(X)PP)]. The computer fitting of the variation of the absorbance versus mole ratio by KINFIT program was used for calculation of the formation constants of these complexes in chloroform. Thermodynamic parameters, ΔG°, ΔH°, ΔS°, have been determined and the influence of the temperature and the substituted aryl groups (electronic and steric effects) in the free base porphyrins on the stability of the SAT complexes was studied.     

Electrocrystallization of palladium from Pd(NH3)4Cl2 bath on stainless steel 316L

Electrochemical deposition of palladium from 0.04 M Pd(NH₃)₄Cl₂, NH₄Cl, and NH₄OH bath (pH = 10) on stainless steel electrode was studied by voltammetry, chronopotentiometry, and chronoamperometry. Crossovers in cyclic voltammograms demonstrate that the deposition of palladium proceed via a nucleation/growth mechanism. Chronopotentiograms indicate that palladium reduction is not controlled by diffusion and Sand’s law is not obeyed. In the early stage of the deposition, two-dimensional (2D) nucleation and growth proceeding through instantaneous and a multitude of progressive steps followed the initial double layer charging. The processes are manifested as broad maxima in chronoamperogram and after which the current transient terminates to a plateau. Non-linear fitting methods were applied to obtain the kinetic parameters in the light of Bewick, Fleischmann, and Thirsk theory for 2D and Armstrong, Fleischmann, and Thirsk model for 3D nucleation and growth process.     

Multiple-gate time domain diffuse fluorescence tomography allows more sparse tissue sampling without compromising image quality

Diffuse fluorescence tomography systems that employ highly sensitive photo-multiplier tubes for single-photon detection are pushing the sensitivity limits of the field. However, each of these detectors only offers a single data projection to be collected, implying these imaging systems either require many detectors or long scan times to collect full data sets for image reconstruction. This study presents a method of utilizing the time-resolved collection capabilities of time-correlated single-photon counting techniques to increase spatial resolution and to reduce the number of data projections to produce reliable fluorescence reconstructions. Experimental tissue phantom results demonstrate that using data at 10 time gates in the fluorescence reconstructions for only 40 data projections provided superior image accuracy when compared to reconstructions on 320 continuous-wave data projections.     

Diffraction patterns and nonlinear optical properties of gold nanoparticles

Stable gold nanoparticles have been prepared by using soluble starch as both the reducing and stabilizing agents; this reaction was carried out at 40 °C for 5 h. The obtained gold nanoparticles were characterized by UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and z-scan technique. The size of these nanoparticles was found to be in the range of 12–22 nm as analyzed using transmission electron micrographs. The optical properties of gold nanoparticles have been measured showing the surface plasmon resonance. The second-order nonlinear optical (NLO) properties were investigated by using a continuous-wave (CW) He–Ne laser beam with a wavelength of 632.8 nm at three different incident intensities by means of single beam techniques. The nonlinear refractive indices of gold nanoparticles were obtained from close aperture z-scan in order of 10^?7 cm²/W. Then, they were compared with diffraction patterns observed in far-field. The nonlinear absorption of these nanoparticles was obtained from open aperture z-scan technique. The values of nonlinear absorption coefficient are obtained in order of 10^?1 cm/W.     

Corrected Hawking Tunneling Radiation in the Higher Dimensional Reissner-Nordström Black Hole

Based on the generalized uncertainty principle, in which the quantum gravitational effects are properly taken in to account, the corrected Bekenstein-Hawking entropy of the higher dimensional Reissner-Nordström black hole, up to the square order of Planck length, has been calculated. Using the corrected entropy, the black hole radiation probability has been calculated in the tunneling formalism, which is corrected up to the same order of the Planck length and a generalized quantum tunneling through the event horizon of the black hole is obtained.