Analysis of the elliptic-profile cylindrical reflector with a non-uniform resistivity using the complex source and dual-series approach: H-polarization case

An elliptic-profile reflector with varying resistivity is analyzed under the illumination by an H-polarized beam generated by a complex-source-point (CSP) feed. The emphasis is done on the focusing ability that is potentially important in the applications in the optical range related to the partially transparent mirrors. We formulate the corresponding electromagnetic boundary-value problem and derive a singular integral equation from the resistive-surface boundary conditions. This equation is treated with the aid of the regularization technique called Riemann Hilbert Problem approach, which inverts the stronger singular part analytically, and converted to an infinite-matrix equation of the Fredholm 2nd kind. The resulting numerical algorithm has guaranteed convergence. This type of solution provides more accurate and faster results compared to the known method of moments. In the computations, a CSP feed is placed into a more distant geometrical focus of the elliptic reflector, and the near-field values at the closer focus are plotted and discussed. Various far-field radiation patterns including those for the non-uniform resistive variation on the reflector are also presented.     

Unusual symmetries in the Kugel-Khomskii Hamiltonian

The Kugel-Khomskii Hamiltonian for cubic titanates describes spin and orbital superexchange interactions between d(1) ions having threefold degenerate t(2g) orbitals. Since orbitals do not couple along "inactive" axes, perpendicular to the orbital planes, the total number of electrons in |alpha> orbitals in any such plane and the corresponding total spin are both conserved. A Mermin-Wagner construction shows that there is no long-range spin ordering at nonzero temperatures. Inclusion of spin-orbit coupling allows such ordering, but even then the excitation spectrum is gapless due to a continuous symmetry. Thus, the observed order and gap require more symmetry breaking terms.     

On coordinating an assembly system under random yield and random demand

We consider a decentralized assembly system in which the customer demand and the yield of the suppliers are random. We establish the concavity of expected supply chain profit for arbitrary number of suppliers. We propose two contracts and show that they coordinate the chain under forced compliance. The contracts are mixed type of contracts that include payments from different contract schemes. Particularly, a payment or a penalty to the worst performing supplier seems inevitable. Apart from providing a coordinating contract, we also provide qualitative insights based on a numerical illustration of centralized and decentralized solutions.     

The Essential Oil of Pistacia vera L. at Various Temperatures of Direct Thermal Desorption Using Comprehensive Gas Chromatography Coupled with Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry

The essential oil obtained from the hulls of Pistacia vera fruits using direct thermal desorption was resolved using comprehensive gas chromatography (GC×GC) coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOF-MS). A range of temperatures (100, 150, 200, 250 °C) for thermal desorption were applied to extract volatile organic compounds from around 10mg of raw sample. Although different species profiles were produced at each temperature (notably browning products above 200 °C), -pinene and (Z)--terpineol were found to be the major components at all temperatures studied. The number of compounds observed increased with increasing temperature. A temperature of 150 °C is recommended as optimum for the direct thermal desorption of volatiles from matrices such as fruit hulls. The GC×GC separation chromatographically resolved several hundred components which when coupled for detection with TOF-MS gave high probability identifications for around 100 compounds. The comprehensive separation also separated a number of components which remained unresolved on a single GC column, such as camphene with butyrolactone and dodecane with p-cymene.     

Quantitative phase-contrast imaging of cells with phase-sensitive optical coherence microscopy

We describe a method for en face phase-contrast imaging of cells with a fiber-based differential phase-contrast optical coherence microscopy system. Recorded en face images are quantitative phase-contrast maps of cells due to spatial variation of the refractive index and (or) thickness of various cellular components. Quantitative phase-contrast images of human epithelial cheek cells obtained with the fiber-based differential phase-contrast optical coherence microscopy system are presented.     

Production of Viscosity Improvers for PVC

Some oil-based samples having oxygen, ester, amide, acid and/or hydroxyl structure were prepared for using as lubricants in PVC extrusion. After characterization studies, all samples were tested in PVC formulation using Brabender W50 EHT Lab-Station mixer and extruder. The results were compared with that of a commercial product. From the mixer results, it can be noted that energy consumption was lowered for samples containing acid and amide structures. Surface roughness and opacity of the products were improved when the extruder screw speed was increased from 20 rpm to 60 rpm.     

Modification of glassy carbon electrode by the electrochemical oxidation of 3‐aminophenylcalix[4]pyrrole in nonaqueous media

3‐Aminophenylcalix[4]pyrrole (3APCP) was grafted to a glassy carbon (GC) surface during the electrochemical oxidation process in 0.1 M tetrabutylammoniumtetra‐fluoroborate (TBATFB) containing acetonitrile solution. The presence of a surface film was confirmed electrochemically by comparing voltammograms of dopamine and ferricyanide redox probes at the bare and modified electrodes. Reflection‐absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIRS), XPS, atomic force microscopy (AFM), ellipsometry and the contact angle measurements were also employed to characterize 3APCP film on GC electrode. RAIRS analysis revealed that calix[4]pyrrole was bonded to the glassy carbon surface via the etheric linkage. The stability of the modified GC electrode was also studied. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The role of repair strategy in warranty cost minimization: An investigation via quasi-renewal processes

Most companies seek efficient rectification strategies to keep their warranty related costs under control. This study develops and investigates different repair strategies for one- and two-dimensional warranties with the objective of minimizing manufacturer’s expected warranty cost. Static, improved and dynamic repair strategies are proposed and analyzed under different warranty structures. Numerical experimentation with representative cost functions indicates that performance of the policies depend on various factors such as product reliability, structure of the cost function and type of the warranty contract.