Optimized spacer layer thickness for plasmonic-induced enhancement of photocurrent in a-Si:H

Journal of Nanoparticle Research - Plasmonic interfaces consisting of silver nanoparticles of different sizes (50–100&;nbsp;nm) have been processed by the self-assembled dewetting...     

Near-optimal design of Global Positioning System (GPS) networks using the Tabu Search technique

This paper describes an optimization technique based on an heuristic procedure which is applied to analyse and improve the efficiency of the design of Global Positioning System (GPS) surveying networks. GPS is a valuable survey tool because of its ability to increase the accuracy, speed and flexibility of a survey. A GPS network can be defined as a number of stations, which are co-ordinated by a series of sessions, formed by placing receivers on stations. The goal is to select the best order in which these sessions can be organised to give the best possible schedule. Generally, solving large networks to optimality requires impractical computational time. This paper proposes a Tabu Search technique which provides optimal or near-optimal solutions for large networks with an acceptable amount of computational effort. Computational results for several case studies with known and unknown optimal schedules have been presented to assess the performance of the proposed technique.     

Coexisting antiferromagnetism and ferromagnetism in mechanically alloyed Fe-rich Fe–Ni alloys: implications regarding the Fe–Ni phase diagram below 400°C

Fe–Ni alloys below the Invar region with compositions Fe_100−xNi_x (x=21, 24, and 27 at%) were prepared by high-energy ball milling technique (mechanical alloying). The as-milled samples, characterized by X-ray diffraction and Mössbauer spectroscopy, contain a mixture of (BCC) and γ (FCC) phases, whereas the samples annealed at 650°C for 0.5 h show a single γ (FCC) phase displaying a single line Mössbauer spectrum at room temperature (RT). At low temperature, the Mössbauer spectra of annealed Fe₇₆Ni₂₄ and Fe₇₃Ni₂₇ alloys show the existence of a magnetically split pattern together with a broad singlet, which are ascribed to a high-moment ferromagnetic Ni-rich phase and a low-moment Fe-rich phase, respectively. The Fe-rich phase in annealed Fe₇₆Ni₂₄ alloy, which is paramagnetic at RT, undergoes antiferromagnetic ordering at 40 K, estimated from the dramatic line broadening of its spectrum, giving rise to a small hyperfine field (e.g. 2 T at 6 K). The coexistence of these phases is attributed to phase segregation occurring in these alloys as a result of enhanced atomic diffusion. The stability of these alloys towards martensitic (FCC→BCC) transformation at low temperatures is discussed in connection with the Fe–Ni phase diagram below 400°C.     

Thermal synthesis and characterisation of N,N'-di(chlorobenzyl) ureas

The thermal stability of the Schiff base ethylacetoacetate-o-chlorobenzylamine (bdII), N-o-chlorobenzyl-C-benzoyl acetamide (bdIII), and N-p-chlorobenzyl-C-benzoyl acetamide (bdIV) were studied by thermogravimetric analysis. II Gave N,N'-di(o-chlorobenzyl) urea (bdIa) at 60° C, whereas the thermogravimetric curves of III and IV indicate that reactions other than formation of I may occur. The urea derivatives (I) have also been prepared from benzylamines and the corresponding β-ketoester and identified.     

Utility of certain pi-acceptors for the spectrophotometric determination of some penicillins

Two simple and sensitive spectrophotometric methods are described for the determination of six penicillin derivatives. The methods are based on the reaction of these drugs as n-electron donors with either 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-p-benzoquinone (DDQ) or 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) as pi-acceptors, to give a highly coloured radical anion. The coloured products are quantified spectrophotometrically at 460 and 842 nm for DDQ and TCNQ, respectively. The optimization of the different experimental conditions is described. The interference from streptomycin sulphate and common degradation products was also studied. The proposed methods were applied successfully to the determination of the different penicillins investigated, either in pure or dosage forms, with good accuracy and precision. The results were compared with those given by the official United States Pharmacopeial XXI method.     

Estimation of Multinomial Probabilities under a Model Constraint

In this paper estimation of the probabilities of a multinomial distribution has been studied. The five estimators considered are: unrestricted estimator (UE), restricted estimator (RE) (under model ), preliminary test estimator (PTE) based on a test of the model , shrinkage estimator (SE) and the positive-rule shrinkage estimator (PRSE). Asymptotic distributions of these estimators are given under Pitman alternatives and the asymptotic risk under a quadratic loss has been evaluated. The relative performance of the five estimators is then studied with respect to their asymptotic distributional risks (ADR). It is seen that neither of the preliminary test and shrinkage estimators dominates the other, though each fares well relative to the other estimators. However, the positive rule estimator is recommended for use for dimension 3 or more while the PTE is recommended for dimension less than 3.     

SSZ-53 and SSZ-59: two novel extra-large pore zeolites

The syntheses, structure solutions, and physicochemical and catalytic characterizations of the novel zeolites SSZ-53 and SSZ-59 are described. SSZ-53 and SSZ-59 were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions with the [1-(4-fluorophenyl)cyclopentylmethyl]trimethyl ammonium cation and 1-[1-(4-chlorophenyl)cyclopentylmethyl]-1-methyl azocanium cation, respectively, as structure-directing agents. The framework topology of SSZ-53 was solved with the FOCUS method, and the structure of SSZ-59 was determined by model building. Rietveld refinement of synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction data confirms each proposed model. SSZ-53 and SSZ-59 each possess a one-dimensional channel system delimited by 14-membered rings. Results from transmission electron microscopy, electron diffraction, catalytic experiments (spaciousness index and constraint index tests), and argon and hydrocarbon adsorption experiments are consistent with the proposed structures.     

Efficient and stereoselective synthesis of bicyclo[3.2.1]octan-8-ones: synthesis and palladium-catalyzed isomerization of functionalized 2-vinyl-2,3,3a,4,5,6-hexahydro-2,3-benzofurans

A new C,O-cyclodialkylation of dilithiated cyclic beta-keto esters and beta-keto sulfones with 1,4-dibromo-2-butene is reported which results in regio- and diastereoselective formation of 2-vinyl-2,3,3a,4,5,6-hexahydro-2,3-benzofurans. The products could be efficiently transformed into functionalized bicyclo[3.2.1]octan-8-ones by a palladium-catalyzed rearrangement reaction. In case of sulfone derivatives, this rearrangement proceeds with high stereospecifity to give exclusively the endo-configured diastereomers. The bicyclo[3.2.1]octane skeleton is present in a large number of pharmacologically important natural products.     

Enaminones in heterocyclic synthesis: Synthesis and chemical reactivity of 3‐anilino‐1‐substituted‐2‐propene‐1‐ one

The 3‐anilinoenones 3a,b were prepared from the corresponding 3‐dimemyl‐aminopropenones. The reactivity of 3a,b towards a variety of carbon and nitrogen nucleophiles as well as naphthoquinones is reported.