Construction of restricted field of view holographic screens

Two different configurations employed in the recording of restricted field of view holographic screens are analyzed. The characteristics of the screens, including focal lengths, sizes and diffraction efficiencies, are characterized. Screens of size of up to 420 cm² and with diffraction efficiencies of up to 34% are produced.     

Analytical results for 2‐D non‐rectilinear waveguides based on a Green's function

We consider the problem of wave propagation for a 2‐D rectilinear optical waveguide which presents some perturbation. We construct a mathematical framework to study such a problem and prove the existence of a solution for the case of small imperfections. Our results are based on the knowledge of a Green's function for the rectilinear case. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An Artificial Disc: Chemical and Biomechanical Analysis

Summary: Degeneration of intervertebral discs is the most common cause of back pain. The first phase of this degenerative process involves the nucleus pulposus. A rapid recovery of this structure can prevent further degradation of the annulus fibrosus. Guar Gum is an hydrophilic polysaccharide extracted from the seed endosperm of a plant. Through a cross-linking procedure a Guar hydrogel was synthesized. The Guar hydrogel could be injected by a syringe and it is a good candidate as a nucleus pulposus substitute. For the preparation of the artificial fibrosus annulus, commercially available polymer materials are tuned to achieve suitable mechanical properties. To achieve this peculiar behaviour, the main strategy investigated is the dispersion of hollow polymer micro spheres in a thermoplastic polymer matrix. Processing conditions and particle content are finely tuned to get the target mechanical behaviour.     

Selfdual spin 2 theory in a 2+1 dimensional (A)dS space–time

The lagrangian constraint analysis of the selfdual massive spin 2 theory in a 2+1 dimensional flat space–time and its extension to a curved one were performed. Demanding consistency of the degrees of freedom and causality in the model with gravitational interaction, gives rise to physical restrictions on non minimal coupling terms and background. Finally, a constant curvature scenario was explored, showing the existence of classes of forbidden mass values. Notorious aspects related with the construction of the reduced action and the one-particle exchange amplitude were mentioned.     

DNA-Targeted NO Release Photoregulated by Green Light

A novel molecular hybrid has been designed and synthesized in which acridine orange (AO) is covalently linked to an N-nitrosoaniline derivative through an alkyl spacer. Photoexcitation of the AO antenna with the highly biocompatible green light results in intense fluorescence emission and triggers NO detachment from the N-nitroso appendage via an intramolecular electron transfer. The presence of the AO moiety encourages the binding with DNA through both external and partially intercalative fashions, depending on the DNA:molecular hybrid molar ratio. Importantly, this dual-mode binding interaction with the biopolymer does not preclude the NO photoreleasing performances of the molecular hybrid, permitting NO to be photogenerated nearby DNA with an efficiency similar to that of the free molecule. These properties make the presented compound an intriguing candidate for fundamental and potential applicative research studies where NO delivery in the DNA proximity precisely regulated by harmless green light is required.     

Structural relationship between a host included chain of spirocyclic water hexamers and bulk water--the role of water clusters in self assembly and crystallization processes

Infinite chains of spirocyclic water hexamers are included in the crystal lattice of a tin complex with a curved, hydrophobic surface and only weak intermolecular bonding interactions between the host molecules, so that the enclosed water clusters might be reminiscent of the solvation sphere in solution.     

Positronium interactions with Cu(II) Ions in water

Summary Positronium reactions with Cu(II) ions in aqueous solution were investigated by measuring the concentration dependence of lifetime spectra and of 1D-ACAR curves for the following Cu (II) complexes: [Cu(H₂O)₆[²⁺, [Cu(NH₃)₄ (H₂O)₂]²⁺ and [Cu(EDTA)(H₂O)]²⁻. The combined analysis of lifetime and ACAR data shows that Cu(II) ions:a) reduce the formation of positronium (inhibition effect),b) promote both ortho ⇌ para conversion and redox reactions. It was also found that inhibition and reaction rate constants are affected by the ligand type.     

On heat conductors with a stationary hot spot

We consider a heat conductor having initial constant temperature and zero boundary temperature at every time.The hot spot is the point at which temperature attains its maximum at each given time. For convex conductors, if the hot spot does not move in time, we prove symmetry results for planar triangular and quadrangular conductors.Then, we examine the case of a general conductor and, by an asymptotic formula, we prove that, if there is a stationary critical point, not necessarily the hot spot, then the conductor must satisfy a geometric condition. In particular, we show that there is no stationary critical point inside planar non-convex quadrangular conductors. Mathematics Subject Classification (2000) Primary 35K05, 35K20, 35J05; Secondary 35J25, 35B38, 35B40