On monotone extensions of boundary data

Summary A functionf C (), is called monotone on if for anyx, y the relation x – y ₊ ^s impliesf(x)f(y). Given a domain with a continuous boundary and given any monotone functionf on we are concerned with the existence and regularity ofmonotone extensions i.e., of functionsF which are monotone on all of and agree withf on . In particular, we show that there is no linear mapping that is capable of producing a monotone extension to arbitrarily given monotone boundary data. Three nonlinear methods for constructing monotone extensions are then presented. Two of these constructions, however, have the common drawback that regardless of how smooth the boundary data may be, the resulting extensions will, in general, only be Lipschitz continuous. This leads us to consider a third and more involved monotonicity preserving extension scheme to prove that, when is the unit square [0, 1]² in ², strictly monotone analytic boundary data admit a monotone analytic extension.Research supported by NSF Grant 8922154Research supported by DARPA: AFOSR #90-0323     

Hierarchy of Order in Liquid Crystalline Polycaps

When outfitted with long alkyl chains , polycaps, capsules along a polymer chain, spontaneously organize themselves into a two-dimensional liquid crystalline phase. Further organization results from shearing or pulling the liquid crystalline samples, producing three-dimensional assemblies of micrometer-wide, infinitely long fibers (see schematic representation).     

In vitro study on the competitive reactions between arsenite and selenite with glutathione

Exposure to arsenic can cause various biological effects by increasing the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Selenium acts as a beneficial element by regulating ROS and limiting heavy metal uptake and translocation. There are studies on the interactive effects of As and Se in plants, but the antagonistic and synergistic effects of these elements based on their binding to glutathione (GSH) molecules have not been studied yet. In this study, we aimed to investigate the antagonistic or synergistic effects of As and Se on the binding mechanism of Se and As with GSH at pH 3.0, 5.0, or 6.5. The interaction of As and Se in Se(SG)₂ + As(III) or As(SG)₃ + Se(IV) binary systems and As(III) + Se(IV) + GSH ternary system were examined depending on their ratios via liquid chromatography diode array detector/electrospray mass spectrometry (LC-DAD/MS) and liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS). The results showed that the formation of As(GS)₃ was not detected in the As(III) + Se(SG)₂ binary system, indicating that As(III) did not affect the stability of Se(SG)₂ complex antagonistically. However, in the Se(IV) + As(SG)₃ binary system, the addition of Se(IV) to As(SG)₃ affected the stability of As(SG)₃ antagonistically. Se(IV) reacted with GSH, disrupting the As(SG)₃ complex, and consequently, Se(SG)₂ formation was measured using LC-MS/DAD. In the Se(IV) + GSH + As(III) ternary system, Se(SG)₂ formation was detected upon mixing As(III), Se(IV), and GSH. The increase in the concentration of As(III) did not influence the stability of the Se(SG)₂ complex. Additionally, Se(IV) has a higher affinity than As(III) to the GSH, regardless of the pH of the solution. In both binary and ternary systems, the formation of the by-product glutathione trisulfide (GSSSG) was detected using LC-ESI-MS/MS.     

Cavity-enhanced absorption spectroscopy for shocktubes: Design and optimization

Cavity-enhanced absorption spectroscopy (CEAS) has generated much interest in shocktube kinetics studies because of its recent success in achieving improved sensitivity and high time resolution with robust optical alignment. While recent progress demonstrated experimental schemes including off-axis scanned-wavelength approach and on-axis ps-pulsed laser approach, that both successfully suppressed the laser-cavity coupling noise, this paper develops a theoretical model to predict the CEAS sensor performance that can be used as a design tool applicable to more generalized cases. The method models the optical field in the cavity based on the decentered Gaussian beam model, from which the cavity transmission spectrum and the laser-cavity coupling noise can be numerically calculated. The simulation results predict sensor performance for different cavity configurations and laser characteristics, including various degrees of laser-cavity mode-matching, laser linewidths, scanning rates, and cavity filling conditions. Simulation with example wavelengths in the ultraviolet, near-infrared, and mid-infrared showed increasing mode-matched beam waist size for increasing wavelengths. An off-axis alignment scheme was found to be capable of suppressing the coupling noise by two orders-of-magnitude at a moderate laser linewidth of 1?GHz. Coupling noise level on the order of 1e-5 for scanned-wavelength off-axis alignment case with a narrowband mid-infrared laser was obtained by model calculation and agreed with experimental results within acceptable uncertainty range. The developed method can serve to guide future design and optimization of CEAS system in shocktube studies.     

Chemical bond formation during laser bonding of Teflon FEP and titanium

Teflon^® FEP (fluorinated ethylene propylene) is resistant to most chemical solvents, is heat sealable and has low moisture uptake, which make this polymer attractive as a packaging materials for electronics and implantable devices. Teflon^® FEP/Ti microjoints were fabricated by using focused infrared laser irradiation. Teflon^® FEP/Ti interfaces were studied by using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). The XPS results give evidence for the formation of Ti-F bonds in the interfacial region. The AES and SEM-EDS results show that the chemical bond formation occurs only in the actual bond area. No evidence for chemical bond formation was found in the heat affected zone surrounding the laser bonds.     

The materials science X‐ray beamline BL8 at the DELTA storage ring

The hard X‐ray beamline BL8 at the superconducting asymmetric wiggler at the 1.5 GeV Dortmund Electron Accelerator DELTA is described. This beamline is dedicated to X‐ray studies in the spectral range from ～1 keV to ～25 keV photon energy. The monochromator as well as the other optical components of the beamline are optimized accordingly. The endstation comprises a six‐axis diffractometer that is capable of carrying heavy loads related to non‐ambient sample environments such as, for example, ultrahigh‐vacuum systems, high‐pressure cells or liquid‐helium cryostats. X‐ray absorption spectra from several reference compounds illustrate the performance. Besides transmission measurements, fluorescence detection for dilute sample systems as well as surface‐sensitive reflection‐mode experiments have been performed. The results show that high‐quality EXAFS data can be obtained in the quick‐scanning EXAFS mode within a few seconds of acquisition time, enabling time‐resolved in situ experiments using standard beamline equipment that is permanently available. The performance of the new beamline, especially in terms of the photon flux and energy resolution, is competitive with other insertion‐device beamlines worldwide, and several sophisticated experiments including surface‐sensitive EXAFS experiments are feasible.     

Respiratory protection against airborne nanoparticles: a review

As a precautionary measure, it is often recommended that workers take steps to reduce their exposure to airborne nanoparticles through the use of respiratory protective devices. The purpose of this study was to provide a review and analysis of the research literature and current recommendations on respirators used for protection against nanoparticles. Key research findings were that studies with particles as small as 4 nm have shown that conventional single-fiber filtration theory can be used to describe the filtration performance of respirators and that the most penetrating particle size for respirators equipped with commonly used electrostatic filter media is in the range of 30–100 nm. Future research needs include human laboratory and workplace protection factor studies to measure the respirator total inward leakage of nanoparticles. Industrial hygienists and safety professionals should continue to use traditional respirator selection guidance for workers exposed to nanoparticles.