On the image of the Burau representation of the IA-automorphism group of a free group

In this paper we study the graded quotients of the lower central series of the image of the IA-automorphism group of a free group by the Burau representation. In particular, we determine their structures for degrees 1 and 2.     

On Weierstrass semigroups and sets: a review with new results

In this work we present a survey of the main results in the theory of Weierstrass semigroups at several points, with special attention to the determination of bounds for the cardinality of its set of gaps. We also review results on applications to the theory of error correcting codes. We then recall a generalization of the concept of Weierstrass semigroup, which is the Weierstrass set associated to a linear system and several points. We finish by presenting new results on this Weierstrass set, including some on the cardinality of its set of gaps.      

Recent developments of optical fiber sensors for automotive use

Optical fiber sensing technologies are expected to apply for many future electronic control systems in automobiles, because of their inherent outstanding features, such as high noise immunity, high heat resistance, and flexible light propagation paths which can be applied to measure the movements and directions of the mobiles. In this paper, two typical applications of fiber sensing technologies in automobiles are described in detail. The combustion flame detector is one of the typical applications of a fiber spectroscopic technology which utilizes the feature of high noise and heat resistibility and remote sensibility. Measurement of engine combustion conditions, such as the detonation, the combustion initiation, and the air-fuel ratio, have been demonstrated in an experimental fiber sensing method. Fiber interferometers, such as a fiber gyroscope, have great possibilities in future mobile applications because they are applicable to many kinds of measurements for movements and physical variables. An optical fiber gyroscope utilizing the single polarized optical fiber and other optical devices has been developed. Quite an accurate measurement of vehicle position was displayed on a prototype navigation system which installed the fiber gyroscope as a rotational speed sensor.     

Emulsion Combustion and Flame Spray Synthesis of Zinc Oxide/Silica Particles

Two flame spray methods, emulsion combustion method (ECM) and flame spray pyrolysis (FSP), were compared for synthesis of pure and mixed SiO₂ and ZnO nanoparticles. The effect of silicon precursor was investigated using liquid hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO) or SiO₂ sol, while for ZnO zinc acetate (ZA) was used. Gas phase reaction took place when using HMDSO as Si precursor, forming nanoparticles, whereas the SiO₂ sol used as Si source was not evaporated in the flame, creating large aggregates of the sol particles (e.g. 1 m). The FSP of ZA produced ZnO homogeneous nanoparticles. Lower flame temperatures in ECM than in FSP resulted in mixed gas and liquid phase reaction, forming ZnO particles with inhomogeneous sizes. The FSP of HMDSO and ZA led to intimate gas-phase mixing of Zn and Si, suppressing each other's particle growth, forming nanoparticles of 19 nm in BET-equivalent average primary particle diameter. Nucleation of ZnO and SiO₂ occurred independently by ECM of HMDSO and ZA as well as by FSP of the SiO₂ sol and ZA, creating a ZnO and SiO₂ mixture. The reaction of ZnO with SiO₂ was likely to be enhanced by ECM of the SiO₂ sol and ZA where both Zn and Si species were not evaporated completely, resulting in ZnO, -willemite and Zn_1.7SiO₄ mixed phase.     

Relationship between apparent diffusion coefficient and signal intensity in endometrial and other pelvic cysts

We evaluated whether apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value is more useful than signal intensity for differentiating endometrial cysts from other pelvic cysts. In an in vitro study, signal intensity and diffusion coefficients were measured in whole blood phantoms in which blood oxidation was gradually increased and concentration subsequently diluted. Although both signal intensity and diffusion value were largely affected by blood concentration, diffusion value was almost independent of blood oxidation and red blood cell lysis-related diminution of magnetic nonhomogeneity, both factors greatly affecting signal intensity on T1- and T2-weighted images. In an in vivo study, differentiation between endometrial and other pelvic cysts was attempted by means of ADC values and signal ratios of cysts to muscles on T1- and T2-weighted images (T1- and T2-ratios). Endometrial cysts tended to show lower T2-ratios, higher T1-ratios, and lower ADC values than other pelvic cysts (p < 0.001). However, ADC values were not correlated with T1- and T2-ratios (p < /0.15/). The ability of ADC value to discriminate between these two groups (discriminant rate, 91.4%) was higher than that of T2-ratio (71.4%) or T1-ratio (88.6%). If combined, ADC and T1-ratio (or T2-ratio) showed higher discriminant rate (94.3%) than the combination of T1- and T2 ratios (88.6%). ADC value might be useful for evaluating the blood concentration of a cystic lesion, because diffusion value is more closely related to blood concentration and almost independent of blood oxidation and red blood cell lysis that largely affect signal intensity.     

On the residue classes of integer sequences satisfying a linear three term recurrence formula

In this paper we investigate linear three-term recurrence formulae with sequences of integers (T(n))_n?0 and (U(n))_n?0, which are ultimately periodic modulo m, e.g.

     

Near-IR Luminescent YbIII Coordination Polymers Composed of Pyrene Derivatives for Thermostable Oxygen Sensors

Oxygen-sensitive and near-infrared (NIR) luminescent Yb^III coordination polymers incorporating ligands based on pyrene derivatives were synthesized: Yb^III–TBAPy and Yb^III–TIAPy (TBAPy: 1,3,6,8-tetrakis(p-benzoate)pyrene; TIAPy: 1,3,6,8-tetrakis(3,5-isophthalic acid)pyrene). The coordination structures of these materials have been characterized by means of electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, X-ray diffraction analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis. Moreover, the porous structure of Yb^III–TIAPy has been evaluated by measuring its N₂ adsorption isotherm. The NIR luminescence properties of Yb^III–TBAPy and Yb^III–TIAPy have been examined by acquiring emission spectra and determining emission lifetimes under air or argon and in vacuo. Yb^III–TIAPy exhibited high thermal stability (with a decomposition temperature of 400 °C), intense luminescence (with an emission quantum yield under argon of 6.6 %), and effective oxygen-sensing characteristics. These results suggest that NIR luminescent Yb^III coordination polymers prepared using pyrene derivatives could have applications in novel thermo-stable oxygen sensors.     

Nonlocal magnetic field-tuned quantum criticality in cubic CeIn(3-x)Sn(x) (x = 0.25)

We show that antiferromagnetism in lightly (approximately 8%) Sn-doped CeIn3 terminates at a critical field mu0H(c) = 42 +/- 2 T. Electrical transport and thermodynamic measurements reveal the effective mass m* not to diverge, suggesting that cubic CeIn3 is representative of a critical spin-density wave (SDW) scenario, unlike the local quantum critical points reported in anisotropic systems such as CeCu(6-x)Au(x) and YbRh2Si(2-x)Ge(x). The existence of a maximum in m* at a lower field mu0H(x) = 30 +/- 1 T may be interpreted as a field-induced crossover from local moment to SDW behavior as the Néel temperature falls below the Fermi temperature.     

Synthesis and light‐emitting properties of carbazole‐based copolymers bearing cyano‐substituted arylenevinylene chromophore

Two arylenevinylene compounds bearing the cyano group at α‐position ( 6 ) and β‐position ( 9 ) from the dialkoxylphenylene unit were synthesized, in which the molecular termini were functionalized with 3‐bromocarbazole. The Suzuki coupling copolymerization of these compounds with 1,4‐bis[(3′‐bromocarbazole‐9′‐yl)methylene]‐2,5‐didecyloxybenzene and 9,9‐dihexylfluorene‐2,7‐bis(boronic acid) was carried out to obtain copolymers ( cp67 and cp97 ) containing the cyano‐substituted arylenevinylene fluorophore of 7 mol %. Model compounds ( 6 ′ and 9 ′) corresponding to the arylenevinylene fluorophore were also prepared. The UV spectra of copolymers resembled that of homopolymer hp with no arylenevinylene segment in both CHCl₃ solution and thin film. The emission maxima of copolymers in CHCl₃ (394 nm) agreed with that of homopolymer indicating that the emission bands originated from the carbazole‐fluorene‐carbazole segment. The emission maximum wavelength of copolymer cp67 in thin film (477 nm) indicated fluorescence from the cyano‐substituted arylenevinylene fluorophore because of the occurrence of fluorescence resonance electron transfer. In contrast, copolymer cp97 showed fluorescence at 528 nm to suggest the formation of a new emissive species such as a charge‐transfer complex (exciplex). © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 91–98, 2010