A finite element-spherical harmonics radiation transport model for photon migration in turbid media

In this paper, we solve the steady-state form of the Boltzmann transport equation in homogeneous and heterogeneous tissue-like media with a finite element-spherical harmonics (FE-P_N) radiation transport method. We compare FE-transport and diffusion solutions in terms of the ratio of absorption to reduced scattering coefficient, (μ_a/μ_s′) and the anisotropy factor g. Two different scattering phase function formulas are employed to model anisotropic scattering in the slab media with high g-value. Influence of void-like heterogeneities, and of their boundaries with the surrounding medium on the transport of photons are also examined.     

Experimental and theoretical analysis of bias ionization by?α-particles in a nitrogen laser

Nitrogen laser performance with TE configuration and wedge electrodes is analyzed with background ionization in the laser discharge channel by α particles at a low exposition rate. With the bias ionization, the laser power presents two peaks as a function of gas pressure, with one at the normal low pressure, without bias ionization, and the other at high pressure generated by bias ionization. A simple theoretical model has been developed in a trial to understand this behavior. This model was first tested in later results for a TE configuration nitrogen laser, with flat electrodes, without and with bias ionization. It has been observed that due to the competition between electrode shielding by positively charged α particles and bulk ionization by impact, the laser energy is suppressed with pressure below 50 Torr and enhanced above it.     

Mössbauer investigation of maghemite-based glycolic acid nanocomposite

Transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and Mössbauer spectroscopy were used in the characterization of a nanocomposite containing magnetic nanoparticles dispersed in a glycolic acid-based template. Maghemite nanoparticles were identified as the iron oxide phase dispersed in the polymeric template. From the low-temperature Mössbauer data the amount of the iron-based, non-magnetic material at the nanoparticle surface was estimated as roughly one monolayer in thickness.     

Electromagnetic Propagation in a Relativistic Electron Gas at Finite Temperatures

The electromagnetic propagation in a relativistic electron gas at finite temperatures and carrier densities is described. Using quantum electrodynamics at finite temperatures, electric and magnetic responses and general constitutive relations are obtained. Rewriting the propagator for the electromagnetic field in terms of the electric and magnetic responses, the modes that propagate in the gas are identified. As expected, the usual collective excitations are obtained, i.e., a longitudinal electric and two transverse magnetic plasmonic modes. In addition, a purely photonic mode is found, which satisfies the wave equation in vacuum, for which the electron gas is transparent. Dispersion relations for the plasmon modes at zero and finite temperatures are presented and the intervals of frequency and wavelength where both electric and magnetic responses are simultaneously negative are identified, a behavior previously thought not to occur in natural systems. The investigation of the electromagnetic responses of a relativistic electron gas shows that, apart from the usual longitudinal electric plasmon mode and the two transverse magnetic plasmon modes, there is also a pure photonic mode that propagates with the speed of light, as if the medium were transparent. Furthermore, there is a region of frequencies and wavenumbers of the external fields where both the longitudinal electric permittivity and magnetic permeability are simultaneously negative, a property found in artificially constructed metamaterials.     

Boundary crisis and suppression of Fermi acceleration in a dissipative two-dimensional non-integrable time-dependent billiard

Some dynamical properties for a dissipative time-dependent oval-shaped billiard are studied. The system is described in terms of a four-dimensional nonlinear mapping. Dissipation is introduced via inelastic collisions of the particle with the boundary, thus implying that the particle has a fractional loss of energy upon collision. The dissipation causes profound modifications in the dynamics of the particle as well as in the phase space of the non-dissipative system. In particular, inelastic collisions can be assumed as an efficient mechanism to suppress Fermi acceleration of the particle. The dissipation also creates attractors in the system, including chaotic. We show that a slightly modification of the intensity of the damping coefficient yields a drastic and sudden destruction of the chaotic attractor, thus leading the system to experience a boundary crisis. We have characterized such a boundary crisis via a collision of the chaotic attractor with its own basin of attraction and confirmed that inelastic collisions do indeed suppress Fermi acceleration in two-dimensional time-dependent billiards.     

Electro-oxidation of ethanol using PtSnRh/C electrocatalysts prepared by an alcohol-reduction process

PtRh/C (90:10), PtRh/C (50:50), PtSn/C (50:50), and PtSnRh/C (50:40:10) electrocatalysts were prepared by an alcohol-reduction process using ethylene glycol as solvent and reduction agent and Vulcan Carbon XC72 as supports. The electrocatalysts were characterized by energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, X-ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy. The electro-oxidation of ethanol was studied by cyclic voltammetry chronoamperometry at room temperature and on a single cell of a direct ethanol fuel cell at 100 °C. Cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry experiments showed that PtSnRh/C and PtSn/C electrocatalysts have similar performance for ethanol oxidation at room temperature, while the activity of PtRh/C electrocatalysts was very low. At 100 °C on a single cell, PtSnRh/C showed superior performance compared to PtSn/C and PtRh/C electrocatalysts.     

Dihydroquinoline derivative as a potential anticancer agent: synthesis,crystal structure,and molecular modeling studies

Molecular Diversity - Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide and requires intense and growing research investments from the public and private sectors. This is expected to lead to...