Spectral beam combining of 2 μm Tm fiber laser systems

Output beams from three independently frequency-stabilized thulium master-oscillator power-amplifier fiber laser systems were spectrally combined using a plane-ruled metal diffraction grating. Two laser channels were frequency-stabilized with guided mode resonance filters and the third was stabilized using a plane-ruled metal diffraction grating. The systems had output wavelengths between 1984 and 2015 nm, each with a spectral width of 100-450 pm and output powers between 40-120 W. The combined beam had powers up to 49 W and was 32% efficient with respect to the launched pump power.     

Variable angle NMR spectroscopy and its application to the measurement of residual chemical shift anisotropy

The successful measurement of anisotropic NMR parameters like residual dipolar couplings (RDCs), residual quadrupolar couplings (RQCs), or residual chemical shift anisotropy (RCSA) involves the partial alignment of solute molecules in an alignment medium. To avoid any influence of the change of environment from the isotropic to the anisotropic sample, the measurement of both datasets with a single sample is highly desirable. Here, we introduce the scaling of alignment for mechanically stretched polymer gels by varying the angle of the director of alignment relative to the static magnetic field, which we call variable angle NMR spectroscopy (VA-NMR). The technique is closely related to variable angle sample spinning NMR spectroscopy (VASS-NMR) of liquid crystalline samples, but due to the mechanical fixation of the director of alignment no sample spinning is necessary. Also, in contrast to VASS-NMR, VA-NMR works for the full range of sample inclinations between 0° and 90°. Isotropic spectra are obtained at the magic angle. As a demonstration of the approach we measure 13C-RCSA values for strychnine in a stretched PDMS/CDCl? gel and show their usefulness for assignment purposes. In this context special care has been taken with respect to the exact calibration of chemical shift data, for which three approaches have been derived and tested.     

Irreversible Structural Changes of Copper Hexacyanoferrate Used as a Cathode in Zn-Ion Batteries

The structural changes of copper hexacyanoferrate (CuHCF), a Prussian blue analogue, which occur when used as a cathode in an aqueous Zn-ion battery, are investigated using electron microscopy techniques. The evolution of Zn_xCu_1−xHCF phases possessing wire and cubic morphologies from initial CuHCF nanoparticles are monitored after hundreds of cycles. Irreversible introduction of Zn ions to CuHCF is revealed locally using scanning transmission electron microscopy. A substitution mechanism is proposed to explain the increasing Zn content within the cathode material while simultaneously the Cu content is lowered during Zn-ion battery cycling. The present study demonstrates that the irreversible introduction of Zn ions is responsible for the decreasing Zn ion capacity of the CuHCF cathode in high electrolyte concentration.     

Interacting neural networks and the emergence of social structure

The article describes a computational model for the simulation of the emergence of social structure or social order, respectively. The model is theoretically based on the theory of social typifying by Berger and Luckmann. It consists of interacting artificial actors (agents), which are represented by two neural networks, an action net, and a perception net. By mutually adjusting of their actions, the agents are able to constitute a self‐organized social order in dependency of their personal characteristics and certain features of their environment. A fictitious example demonstrates the applicability of the model to problems of extra‐terrestrial robotics. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity 12: 41–52, 2007     

Influence of the annealing atmosphere on the properties of LiCoPO4–graphitic carbon foams composites

The investigation on the properties of LiCoPO₄–graphitic carbon foams (LCP-GCF) composites is reported in this work. The diffraction analysis (XRD) on powders confirmed the presence of LiCoPO₄ as major crystalline phase and Li₄P₂O₇ and Co₂P as secondary phases. The morphological investigation of the composites shows a layer of crystalline spongy-like material on the surface of the GCF for t?=?0 h and of acicular crystallites with different dimensions (5–50 μm) for t?≥?0.1 h. The voltammetric curves (cyclic voltammogramms) show mean values of reduction potential above 5.0 V independently of the annealing time. The LCP-GCF composites deliver a discharge-specific capacity of 76mAh g^?1 (t?=?0 h) and of 102mAh g^?1 (t?=?0.1 h) at a discharge rate of C/10 and room temperature. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy data reveal a decrease of the electrical resistance and the improvement of the Li-ion conductivity as a function of the annealing time.     

CHILDREN'S PROPORTIONAL REASONING AND TENDENCY FOR AN ADDITIVE STRATEGY: THE ROLE OF MODELS

In this paper we report on 10 –14 year old children's strategies while solving two versions of ratio and proportion tasks: one ‘with models’ thought to facilitate proportional reasoning and one ‘without’. Rasch methodology was used to develop ‘with’ and ‘without models’ test versions which were given to a linked sample involving 673 children. We examine the pupils’ additive errors, their effect on ratio reasoning and how contingent on ‘model’ presentation this is. First, we provide a single scale on which pupils, item-difficulty and additive errors can be located. We then provide a new scale constructed from the error prone items, which we name the ‘tendency for additive strategy’. The measurement data is supported by qualitative data showing that the presence of ‘models’ can sometimes affect children's strategies, both positively and negatively but rarely makes a significant measurement difference on this, untutored, sample.     

Ultraviolet B Wavelength Dependence for the Regulation of Two Major Matrix-Metalloproteinases and Their Inhibitor TIMP-1 in Human Dermal Fibroblasts

Abstract— The wavelength dependence for the regulation of two major matrix-metalloproteinases, interstitial collagenase (MMP-1) and stromelysin-1 (MMP-3), and their major inhibitor, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP-1), was studied in human dermal fibroblasts in vitro. Monochromatic irradiation at 302, 307, 312 and 317 nm with intensities ranging from 20 to 300 J/m² increased MMP-1 and MMP-3 mRNA steady-state levels and the secretion of the corresponding proteins up to 4.4-fold, whereas almost no increase was observed at wavelengths <290 nm. In contrast, the synthesis of TIMP-1 increased only marginally. This unbalance may contribute to the severe connective tissue damage related to photoaging of the skin. The wavelengths responsible for MMP-1 and MMP-3 induction reported here are distinct from the absorption spectrum of DNA and are different from results previously reported in the literature. Importantly, they overlap with wavelengths whose intensity is predicted to increase on the earth's surface upon ozone depletion. Intensities and particular wavelengths used in our studies in vitro can be absorbed readily by fibroblasts within the skin in vivo and, thus, are relevant for risk assessment and development of protective agents.     

Tetrahalidometallate(II) Ionic Liquids with More than One Metal: The Effect of Bromide versus Chloride

Fifteen N-butylpyridinium salts – five monometallic [C₄Py]₂[MBr₄] and ten bimetallic [C₄Py]₂[M_0.5^aM_0.5^bBr₄] (M=Co, Cu, Mn, Ni, Zn) – were synthesized, and their structures and thermal and electrochemical properties were studied. All the compounds are ionic liquids (ILs) with melting points between 64 and 101 °C. Powder and single-crystal X-ray diffraction show that all ILs are isostructural. The electrochemical stability windows of the ILs are between 2 and 3 V. The conductivities at room temperature are between 10⁻⁵ and 10⁻⁶ S cm⁻¹. At elevated temperatures, the conductivities reach up to 10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹ at 70 °C. The structures and properties of the current bromide-based ILs were also compared with those of previous examples using chloride ligands, which illustrated differences and similarities between the two groups of ILs.     

Unprecedented Strong Lewis Bases—Synthesis and Methyl Cation Affinities of Dimethylamino‐Substituted Terpyridines

A versatile method for the synthesis of functionalized 2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridines by assembly of the terminal pyridine rings is presented. The cyclization precursors—bis‐β‐ketoenamides—are prepared from 4‐substituted 2,6‐pyridinedicarboxylic acids and acetylacetone or its corresponding enamino ketone. Treatment with trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate induces a twofold intramolecular condensation providing an efficient access to 4,4′′‐di‐ and 4,4′,4′′‐trifunctionalized 6,6′′‐dimethyl‐2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridines. Using this method, hitherto unknown 4,4′′‐bis(dimethylamino)‐ and 4,4′,4′′‐tris(dimethylamino)terpyridines have been prepared that show remarkably high calculated Lewis basicities.