Modal analysis of a super-elliptical Bragg waveguide with a small number of periodic cladding layers based on a very simple analytical technology

Using a simple matrix method and replacing the boundary condition by a matrix equation, the characteristic equation of an unconventional Bragg waveguide, namely a super-elliptical Bragg waveguide, has been obtained analytically. Computed results are shown in the form of dispersion curves and are compared with the dispersion curves of a standard step index fiber and a standard Bragg fiber having circular core [V. Singh, B. Prasad, S.P. Ojha. Analysis of the modal characteristics of a Bragg fiber with a small number of claddings using a very simple analytical approach, Microw. Opt. Technol. Lett. 46 (2005) 271-275 [1]]. It is seen that the correspondence between the cutoff values for the standard step index fiber and the new super-elliptical Bragg fiber is quite close for the lowest mode under the weak guidance condition.     

Hepatic metastases: rat models for imaging research

Improved rat liver tumor models with solitary or multiple metastatic tumors were developed for radiological imaging research. Unlike previous studies which employed trocar inoculation of tumor fragments, an enzymatically disaggregated cell suspension of mammary cancer was injected by fine needle either directly into the liver to produce solitary cancer nodules, or indirectly via the spleen or mesenteric vein to produce multiple liver metastases. Tumor size was proportional to the time elapsed after implantation. The operative mortality of direct liver, splenic parenchymal, and mesenteric inoculations were 8%, 4%, and 27%, respectively. MR tissue characteristics, image contrast, and pharmaceutical enhancement of these tumors closely resembles human hepatic metastases. The availability of reproducible, inexpensive animal models of metastatic cancer allows efficient evaluation of new liver imaging techniques.     

Rheograms for engineering thermoplastics from melt flow index

A method proposed earlier has been extended to estimate complete flow curves or rheograms of engineering plastics. Master curves that are independent of the grade and temperature have been generated and presented for acrylics, polyacetal, nylons, polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate and polysulfone. The influence of the various molecular parameters on the viscosity behaviour of polymer melts have been explained rationally. More specifically, the effects of chain branching and of chain rigidity on the master curve of a resin type have been elucidated with reference to polyacetal and polysulfone, respectively. The method presented here can be used effectively by processors of engineering plastics.     

Comparison of non-compound neutron and proton emission in 16O induced reactions on 238U at 310 MeV

The emission of energetic neutrons and protons in coincidence with fission fragments was measured for the reactions ²³⁸U(¹⁶O, nf) and ²³⁸U(¹⁶O, pf). Larger cross sections were observed for the emission of high-energy protons than for the emission of high-energy neutrons. The differences in spectral shapes and the implications for the coalescence model are discussed.     

Kinetics of the oxidation of U (IV) by hydrogen peroxide in sulfuric acid medium

The kinetics of the reaction have been investigated in H₂SO₄ medium under different conditions. The observed bimolecular rate constant k_obs, has been found to depend on [H⁺]^?0.55 and to increase with the initial concentration ratio of the reactants R₀ = [H₂O₂]₀/[U (IV)]₀ above 0.49. The activation energy of the overall reaction has been determined as 13.79 and 14.3 kcal/mol at R₀ = 1 and 0.35, respectively. Consistent with experimental data, a detailed reaction mechanism has been proposed where the hydrolytic reaction (4) followed by the rate-controlling reaction (10) and subsequent fast reactions of U (V) and OH radicals are involved: A kinetic expression has been derived from which a graphical evaluation of (kK₄)^?1 and k^?1 has been made at R₀ = 1 as (12.30 ± 0.09) × 10^?3 M min, (6.23 ± 2.19) × 10^?4 M min; and at R₀ = 0.35 as (12.63 ± 2.13) × 10^?3 M min, (8.32 ± 6.62) × 10^?4 M min, respectively. Indications of some participation of a chain reactionat R₀ = 1 have been obtained without affecting thesecond-order kinetics as observed.     

Ion-acoustic solitons and double-layers in a plasma consisting of positive and negative ions with non-thermal electrons

In this research paper, the authors have studied the properties of ion-acoustic solitons and double-layers in a plasma consisting of warm positive and negative ions with different concentration of masses, charged states and non-thermal electrons using small amplitude approximation. Reductive perturbation method is used to derive KdV and m-KdV equations. Existence of ion-acoustic solitons and double-layer is explored over a wide range of parameter space. The role of non-thermal electrons characterized by finite is investigated. It is observed that for a particular value of , there is a transition from compressive to rarefactive solitons. However, when is increased beyond a critical value, no double-layers are obtained. The significance of relative ion masses is also investigated.Received: 9 July 2004, Published online: 21 September 2004PACS: 52.35.-g Waves, oscillations, and instabilities in plasmas and intense beams     

Statefinder—A new geometrical diagnostic of dark energy

We introduce a new cosmological diagnostic pair {r, s} called the Statefinder. The Statefinder is a geometrical diagnostic and allows us to characterize the properties of dark energy in a model-independent manner. The Statefinder is dimensionless and is constructed from the scale factor of the Universe and its time derivatives only. The parameter r forms the next step in the hierarchy of geometrical cosmological parameters after the Hubble parameter H and the deceleration parameter q, while a is a linear combination of q and r chosen in such a way that it does not depend upon the dark energy density. The Statefinder pair {r, s} is algebraically related to the equation of state of dark energy and its first time derivative. The Statefinder pair is calculated for a number of existing models of dark energy having both constant and variable w. For the case of a cosmological constant, the Statefinder acquires a particularly simple form. We demonstrate that the Statefinder diagnostic can effectively differentiate between different forms of dark energy. We also show that the mean Statefinder pair can be determined to very high accuracy from a SNAP-type experiment.     

Layer-by-layer assembly of cationic guar gum,cellulose nanocrystals and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose based multilayered composite films

Eco-friendly sustainable materials provide an appealing template to replace contemporary synthetic-nonrenewable resource-based materials while maintaining the acceptable material properties to meet the performance requirements. Here, a layer-by-layer (LBL) self-assembly technique was used for fabricating multilayer composite films using all bio-based polymers/polysaccharides, i.e. cationic guar gum (CGg), carboxylated cellulose nanocrystals (cCNCs) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC). A five layered composite film was fabricated by depositing polymeric layers as follows: CGg→cCNCs→HPMC→cCNCs→CGg. The structural analysis of (CGg/cCNCs/HPMC)_5 L multilayered composite films indicated the existence of electrostatic interaction as well as H-bonding between polymeric layers that resulted in homogenous, dense and compact film surface with improved smoothness and strength properties. As compared to pure CGg film, the (CGg/cCNCs/HPMC)_5 L multilayered composite films showed improved tensile strength (84.8?% increment) and modulus (29.19?% improvement). Importantly, the deposition of HPMC layer contributed in achieving multilayer composite films with more flexible behavior (46.55?% improvement in elongation at break). Furthermore, owing to the high transparency (89.5?% transmittance), appreciable gas and oil barrier performance and resistance to various solvents (e.g. acetone, THF and DMAc), these multilayer films are promising candidates for various applications including renewable/sustainable packaging materials.

     

Influence of impurities on the x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Raman spectra of single-wall carbon nanotubes

The effect of impurities on the properties of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) was investigated with multiple analytical techniques. Charge transfer is believed to occur between the impurities and the SWNTs as observed by combining the Raman scattering and x-ray photoelectron measurements. The impurity condition (type and level) was found to strongly affect the electronic and vibrational properties of the SWNT. The metal catalysts in the impurity usually behave as electron donors, which can downshift the graphitic (G) band as well as the radial breathing mode frequencies. The low temperature air oxidation of as-prepared SWNT material usually upshifts the radial breathing mode Raman peaks to higher frequencies.