Directed assembly of single-walled carbon nanotubes via drop-casting onto a UV-patterned photosensitive monolayer

We report the use of a novel UV-sensitive self-assembled monolayer to selectively deposit single-walled carbon nanotubes from solution using heterogeneous surface wettability. This process combines ubiquitous photopatterning techniques with simple solution processing to yield highly selective and densely packed carbon nanotube patterns. The essential concept behind this process is the change in surface chemistry caused by the UV-induced monolayer reaction. Selective deposition of carbon nanotubes was achieved by drop-casting, and the resulting films show local ordering, indicating that further development of this process will lead to simple technique for large-scale integration.     

Acidified Nitrite Accelerates Wound Healing in Type 2 Diabetic Male Rats: A Histological and Stereological Evaluation

Impaired skin nitric oxide production contributes to delayed wound healing in type 2 diabetes (T2D). This study aims to determine improved wound healing mechanisms by acidified nitrite (AN) in rats with T2D. Wistar rats were assigned to four subgroups: Untreated control, AN-treated control, untreated diabetes, and AN-treated diabetes. AN was applied daily from day 3 to day 28 after wounding. On days 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28, the wound levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were measured, and histological and stereological evaluations were performed. AN in diabetic rats increased the numerical density of basal cells (1070 ± 15.2 vs. 936.6 ± 37.5/mm³) and epidermal thickness (58.5 ± 3.5 vs. 44.3 ± 3.4 μm) (all p < 0.05); The dermis total volume and numerical density of fibroblasts at days 14, 21, and 28 were also higher (all p < 0.05). The VEGF levels were increased in the treated diabetic wounds at days 7 and 14, as was the total volume of fibrous tissue and hydroxyproline content at days 14 and 21 (all p < 0.05). AN improved diabetic wound healing by accelerating the dermis reconstruction, neovascularization, and collagen deposition.     

Set amenability for semigroups

In this paper a concept of amenability for an arbitrary subset A of discrete semigroup S called A-amenable is introduced and studied. This concept is characterized by several equivalent statements which are analogues of properties characterizing left amenable semigroups. We also obtain the relationship between this version of amenability and Følner’s condition.     

Parameterization of 241Am and 230Th alpha particle energy in dependence on distance traveled in air

A new method is introduced in this paper for calculating alpha particle energy versus traveled distance (APETD) in air as emitted from ²⁴¹Am and ²³⁰Th sources as well as the alpha range versus its energy and its energy versus distance. This method is to derive the stated relevant equations and in particular to speed up the calculation of E(x) by a Monte-Carlo simulation. By a fitting procedure, an analytical formula E(x) was determined in terms of a series of powers of distance x. Then a randomly sampled x can be quickly transformed into a corresponding energy E. The APETD calculations were run on a Microsoft Windows 7 32?bit operating system with a maximum usable memory of 3?GB. The results of calculations for alphas of the above two radionuclides in air compared to those of others using a different method are in good agreement. The above stated equations as derived in this paper are presented and the process time for applying the new method has been greatly improved.     

Efficient one-pot synthesis of polyhydroquinoline derivatives using Cs2.5H0.5PW12O40 as a heterogeneous and reusable catalyst in molten salt media

Polyhydroquinoline derivatives have been prepared efficiently in a one-pot synthesis via Hantzsch condensation using Cs_2.5H_0.5PW₁₂O₄₀ as a heterogeneous and reusable catalyst. The present method uses molten salt media instead of hazardous organic solvents. The present methodology offers several advantages such as simple procedure, excellent yields, and a short reaction time.     

Application of Boltzmann Equation on Spin Diffusion of Ferromagnetic Superfluid <Superscript>3</Superscript>He: Near Critical Temperature

Different scattering processes of quasiparticles containing a binary process, a coalescence process and a decay process in transition probabilities are taken into account. In the meantime, interaction between Bogoliubov quasiparticles as well as that between normal and superfluid components (spin up-spin down quasiparticles) of ferromagnetic superfluid ³He-A ₁ are considered. Pfitzner procedure is used in the calculation of triplet and singlet quasiparticle scattering amplitude existing in transition probabilities of the collision integral of standard Boltzmann equation at melting pressure. Pfitzner procedure is extended beyond s-p approximation by adding higher angular momentum components. Then, using the results of Boltzmann equation and considering smallness of the gap close to T _c↑, the change of the spin diffusion coefficients tensor of the A ₁-phase of superfluid ³He close to critical temperature and melting pressure is calculated. Temperature dependence of the spin diffusion coefficient change, i.e., δD _xyxy /D⌈=(3/2)(δD _xzxz /D)⌉, is −0.71(1−(T/T _c↑))^1/2. It is also shown that interaction between normal and Bogoliubov quasiparticles (normal-superfluid components interaction) is very important to transport properties such as spin diffusion close to critical temperature. Furthermore, using s-p approximation, the prefactor of δD _xyxy /D is plotted in terms of pressure; hence, the pressure dependence of δD _xyxy /D is also determined.     

Polyvinylpolypyrrolidone-supported boron trifluoride: a high-loaded,polymer-supported Lewis acid for the Ritter reaction

Abstract  A Mild and efficient method for preparing amides by reaction of nitriles with benzhydrol and tertiary alcohols is described using polyvinylpolypyrrolidone-supported boron trifluoride. Selective amidation of benzhydrol in the presence of primary benzyl alcohols was also achieved. Graphical abstract        

On the instability of electrostatic waves in a nonuniform electron–positron magnetoplasma

The dispersion properties of three-dimensional electrostatic waves in a nonuniform electron–positron (EP) magnetoplasma are analyzed. A new dispersion relation is derived by use of the electron and positron density responses arising from the electron and positron continuity and Poisson equations. In the local approximation, the dispersion relation admits two wave modes with different velocities. The growth rates of various modes are illustrated both analytically and numerically. Considering the temperature gradients produces a linearly stable transverse mode. The growth rate of the slow mode instability due to the density inhomogeneity only is the highest one, though it appears at higher thermal energy. The angle of the wave propagation affects drastically on the instability features in each case. The applications of the present analysis are briefly discussed.     

An Integrated Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) Model for Studying Significant Factors Associated with Frequent Lane Changing

Frequent lane changes cause serious traffic safety concerns, which involve fatalities and serious injuries. This phenomenon is affected by several significant factors related to road safety. The detection and classification of significant factors affecting lane changing could help reduce frequent lane changing risk. The principal objective of this research is to estimate and prioritize the nominated crucial criteria and sub-criteria based on participants’ answers on a designated questionnaire survey. In doing so, this paper constructs a hierarchical lane-change model based on the concept of the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) with two levels of the most concerning attributes. Accordingly, the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) procedure was applied utilizing fuzzy scale to evaluate precisely the most influential factors affecting lane changing, which will decrease uncertainty in the evaluation process. Based on the final measured weights for level 1, FAHP model estimation results revealed that the most influential variable affecting lane-changing is ‘traffic characteristics’. In contrast, compared to other specified factors, ‘light conditions’ was found to be the least critical factor related to driver lane-change maneuvers. For level 2, the FAHP model results showed ‘traffic volume’ as the most critical factor influencing the lane changes operations, followed by ‘speed’. The objectivity of the model was supported by sensitivity analyses that examined a range for weights’ values and those corresponding to alternative values. Based on the evaluated results, stakeholders can determine strategic policy by considering and placing more emphasis on the highlighted risk factors associated with lane changing to improve road safety. In conclusion, the finding provides the usefulness of the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process to review lane-changing risks for road safety.     

Transformation of β-Nitrostyrenes to Carboxylic Acids Using Amberlyst A-26 Supported Hydroperoxide

Summary.  Nitrostyrenes are conveniently converted to the corresponding carboxylic acids in high yields at room temperature with Amberlyst A-26 supported hydroperoxide which is prepared in situ from 35% hydrogen peroxide and amberlyst A-26 (OH⁻). Corresponding authors. E-mail: mlakouraj@yahoo.com Received October 5, 2001. Accepted November 28, 2001