General model for a multimode Nd-doped fiber laser. I: Construction of the model

We present a general modeling of a multi-longi-tudinal-mode bipolarized Nd-doped fiber laser which keeps both vectorial (polarization) and longitudinal properties in the dynamical equations. We use an approach based on random orientation of the microscopic dipoles and demonstrate that it is isomorphic to the model derived assuming a transverse two-site distribution function for the ions. This result is also true under the mean-field approximation. At steady-state, the model is the generalization of Rigrod's theory to the case of a bipolarized laser.     

Study of solvent effects by means of averaged solvent electrostatic potentials obtained from molecular dynamics data

We present the theory and implementation of a new approach for studying solvent effects. The electronic structure of the solute, calculated at the ab initio level, is obtained in the presence of the surrounding medium. We employ a mean field theory in which the solvent response is described by means of point charges chosen in such a way that they reproduce the average value of the solvent electrostatic potential calculated from molecular dynamics data. In this way, the complete solvent potential can be introduced into the solute Hamiltonian without making use of a one-center multiple expansion of the solute-solvent potential. In the proposed method, only one quantum calculation has to be performed and a great number of configurations can easily be included making the calculation statistically significant. We show that, despite the large fluctuations in the solute charge distribution induced by the solvent, the proposed mean field theory adequately reproduces the energetics and properties of formamide and water molecules in aqueous solution. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Synthesis of poly(oxypropylene)-lithium bis(trifluoromethyl-sulfonylimide) polymer electrolytes. Diffusion study by NMR techniques

High molecular weight polymers have been prepared by ring-opening polymerization of propylene oxide PO using a Vandenberg initiator. Polymer electrolytes based on this polymer and an imide salt LiTFSI have been investigated. We present the results concerning the synthesis of the polymer and the glass transition temperatures evolution of the complexes with respect to salt composition. Diffusion constants of ¹⁹F and ⁷Li nuclei are determined by NMR techniques and a value of the cationic transport number t⁺ = 0.1 is obtained.     

Comparison of collisionally activated dissociation mass spectra for the identification of cyclopeptides and cyclodepsipeptides

Collisionally activated dissociation (CAD) spectra of protonated molecules of cyclopeptides and cyclodepsipeptides obtained with two different mass spectrometry systems were compared. Fragmentations were obtained either from collisions induced in the ion source of an electrospray mass spectrometer fitted with a single quadrupole by increasing the extracting cone voltage or from collisions with an inert gas in a free-field area of a fast-atom bombardment (FAB) mass spectrometer. Similar fragmentation pathways were produced with the two configurations even though actual tandem mass spectrometry experiments with magnetic and electric sectors provided more information than cone-induced dissociations. However, only the latter mode allowed us to perform mass spectrometric analyses coupled to liquid chromatography (LC/ESI-MS) at low cost on commercially widespread instruments. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Spacecraft motion around artificial equilibrium points

The main goal of this paper is to describe the motion of a spacecraft around an artificial equilibrium point in the circular restricted three-body problem. The spacecraft is under the gravitational influence of the Sun and the Earth, as primary and secondary bodies, subjected to the force due to the solar radiation pressure and some extra perturbations. Analytical solutions for the equations of motion of the spacecraft are found using several methods and for different extra perturbations. These solutions are strictly valid at the artificial equilibrium point, but they are used as approximations to describe the motion around this artificial equilibrium point. As an application of the method, the perturbation due to the gravitational influence of Jupiter and Venus is added to a spacecraft located at a chosen artificial equilibrium point, near the \(L_3\) Lagrangian point of the Sun–Earth system. The system is propagated starting from this point using analytical and numerical solutions. Comparisons between analytical–analytical and analytical–numerical solutions for several kinds of perturbations are made to guide the choice of the best analytical solution, with the best accuracy.     

Ultraviolet resonance Raman spectroscopy of a β‐sheet peptide: a model for membrane protein folding

The partitioning of a hydrophobic hexapeptide, N‐acetyl‐tryptophan‐pentaleucine (AcWL5), into self‐associated β‐sheets within a vesicle membrane was studied as a model for integral membrane protein folding and insertion via vibrational and electronic spectroscopy. Ultraviolet resonance Raman spectroscopy allows selective examination of the structures of amino acid side chains and the peptide backbone and provides information about local environment and molecular conformation. The secondary structure of AcWL5 within a vesicle membrane was investigated using 207.5‐nm excitation and found to consist of β‐sheets, in agreement with previous studies. The β‐sheet peptide shows enhanced Raman scattering cross‐sections for all amide modes as well as extensive hydrogen‐bonding networks. Tryptophan vibrational structure was probed using 230‐nm excitation. Increases in Raman cross‐sections of tryptophan modes W1, W3, W7, W10, W16, W17, and W18 of membrane‐incorporated AcWL5 are primarily attributed to greater resonance enhancement with the B_b electronic transition. The W17 mode, however, undergoes a much greater enhancement than is expected for a simple resonance effect, and this observation is discussed in terms of hydrogen bonding of the indole ring in a hydrophobic environment. The observed tryptophan mode frequencies and intensities overall support a hydrophobic environment for the indole ring within a vesicle, and these results have implications for the location of tryptophan in membrane protein systems. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Ultra-low background measurements of decayed aerosol filters

Aerosol samples collected on filter media were analyzed using HPGe detectors employing varying background-reduction techniques in order to experimentally evaluate the opportunity to apply ultra-low background measurement methods to samples collected, for instance, by the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty International Monitoring System (IMS). In this way, realistic estimates of the impact of low-background methodology on the sensitivity obtained in systems such as the IMS were assessed. The current detectability requirement of stations in the IMS is 30 μBq/m³ of air for ¹⁴⁰Ba, which would imply ~10⁶ fissions per daily sample. Importantly, this is for a fresh aerosol filter. One week of decay reduces the intrinsic background from radon daughters in the sample allowing much higher sensitivity measurement of relevant isotopes, including ¹³¹I. An experiment was conducted in which decayed filter samples were measured at a variety of underground locations using Ultra-Low Background (ULB) gamma spectroscopy technology. The impacts of the decay and ULB are discussed.