Nonnormality and stochastic differential equations

A highly nonnormal Jacobian may give rise to large transients. This behaviour has been shown to have implications for (a) the relevance of linearising a nonlinear system and (b) the timestep restrictions required to keep a numerical method stable. Here, we show that nonnormality also manifests itself for stochastic differential equations. We give an example of a family of systems that is stable without noise, but can be made exponentially unstable in mean-square by a noise perturbation that shrinks to zero as the nonnormality increases. We then show via finite-time convergence theory that an Euler approximation shares the same property, giving a discrete analogue of the result. In memory of Germund Dahlquist (1925–2005).AMS subject classification (2000) 65C30, 34F05     

Interpenetrating polymer networks from polyurethanes and methacrylate polymers. I. Effect of molecular weight of polyols and NCO/OH ratio of urethane prepolymers on properties and morphology of IPNs

Two types of reinforced elastomeric interpentrating polymer network (IPN) were prepared by simultaneous polymerization and crosslinking in solution. The first type consisted of polyurethane-poly(methyl methacrylate) (PU/PMMA), and the second, of polyurethane-poly(methyl methacrylate-methacrylic acid) PU/P(MMA–MAA) of constant composition (90/10) and (80/20) by weight, respectively. The members of each type differed in the NCO/OH ratio of the PU prepolymer and the molecular weight (MW) of the polyol in the PU component because we wished to investigate systematically the effect of changing the NCO/OH ratio and MW of the polyol on the mechanical properties and morphology of the resulting IPNs. The mechanical properties, particularly the modulus of both tyes of IPN, increased with increasing NCO/OH ratio and decreased with increasing MW of the polyol in the PU. The morphology of the IPNs was studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Improved phase compatibility and decreasing extent of phase separation was observed in both types of IPN with increasing NCO/OH ratio and decreasing MW of the polyol used in the PU. These results may imply that improved interpenetration results from increasing the NCO/OH ratio and decreasing the MW of the polyol in the PU component. The fact that the effect is more pronounced with the type of PU-P(MMA–MAA) IPN can be rationalized as due to the additional hydrogen bonding between the carbonyl in the carboxyl groups and the urethane or urea groups in the PU component.     

Ultra-Broadband Infrared Metamaterial Absorber for Passive Radiative Cooling

Infrared metamaterial absorber(MMA) based on metal-insulator-metal(MIM) configuration with flexible design,perfect and selective absorption,has attracted much attention recently for passive radiative cooling applications.To cool objects passively,broadband infrared absorption(i.e.8-14 μm) is desirable to emit thermal energy through atmosphere window.We present a novel MMA composed of multilayer MIM resonators periodically arranged on a PbTe/MgF_2 bilayer substrate.Verified by the rigorous coup led-wave analysis method,the proposed MMA shows a relative bandwidth of about 45%(from 8.3 to 13.1 μm with the absorption intensity over 0.8).The broadband absorption performs stably over a wide incident angle range(below 50°) and predicts 12 K cooling below ambient temperature at nighttime.Compared with the previous passive radiative coolers,our design gets rid of the continuous metal substrate and provides an almost ideal transparency window(close to 100%)for millimeter waves over 1 mm.The structure is expected to have potential applications in thermal control of integrated devices,where millimeter wave signal compatibility is also required.     

Off-center Li defects in KCl: Parameters for isolated Li+ as a function of hydrostatic pressure and evidence for other Li centers

Abstract

We have measured all three tunneling parameters for the KCl:Li system as a function of hydrostatic pressure; all increase with pressure. Our measurements show that the off-center tunneling model works exceedingly well for this system. Surprisingly, the pressure dependence of the electric dipole moment shows a sharp break near 900 bar. In some samples, additional lines indicate other Li centers are present, possibly Li pairs.     

Visible light-induced hydroxyalkylation of 2H-benzothiazoles with alcohols via selectfluor oxidation

A visible-light induced metal-free approach was described for the hydroxyalkylation of 2H-benzothiazoles with alcohols by using selectfluor as the oxidant. A variety of 2H-benzothiazoles and alcohols could be tolerated, providing a mild and simple method for the synthesis of C2-hydroxyalkylated 2H-benzothiazoles in moderate to good yields. Besides, ethers were also compatible in this reaction, leading to corresponding C2 ether-substituted 2H-benzothiazoles with high regioselectivity.     

Effect of dispersion degree of orientation on dielectric properties of (100)-oriented PST thin film

(100) Oriented (Pb_xSr_1−x)TiO₃ (PST) thin films were prepared on indium tin oxide coated glass substrates by sol–gel technique with rapid thermal processing. The dielectric permittivity and tunability of the thin films with different dispersion degrees of orientation were investigated in detail by characterizing the full width at half maximum of their (100) peak based on rocking curves at different annealing temperatures. Influence of orientation dispersion on dielectric properties was exhibited in the tunable dielectric thin films. It shows that the dielectric constant and hence the tunability of the sol–gel derived PST thin films are improved with the decrease in the dispersion degree of orientation of the perovskite phase other than the increase in the content of crystalline phase in the thin films. The dielectric constant (capacitance) and figure of merit of the oriented thin films are 3–6 times and 1 times higher than that of randomly oriented thin film respectively.     

Differentiating keloids from normal and hypertrophic scar based on multiophoton microscopy

We use a novel nonlinear optical technique, multiphoton microscopy, to differentiate keloids from hypertrophic and normal scars through the morphological and quantitative analysis of collagen and elastin in superficial dermis of scar tissues and boundary between normal skin and scar tissue.     

Effect of blue light radiation on curcumin-induced cell death of breast cancer cells

In the present study, we have successfully set up a novel blue light source with the power density of 9 mW/cm² and the wavelength of 435.8 nm and then the novel light source was used to investigate the effect of light radiation on curcumin-induced cell death. The cytotoxicity was investigated 24 h after the treatment of curcumin and blue light radiation together using MTT reduction assay. Nuclear chromatin was observed using a fluorescent microscopy with Hoechst33258 staining. The results showed blue light radiation could significantly enhance the cytotoxicity of curcumin on the MCF-7 cells and apoptosis induction. These findings demonstrated that blue light radiation could enhance curcumin-induced cell death of breast cancer cells, suggesting light radiation may be an efficient enhancer of curcumin in the management of breast cancer.     

Diode-end-pumped CW and actively Q-switched Tm,Ho:YLF ring laser

This paper presents CW and acoustic-optical Q-switched Tm,Ho:YLF laser performance in a laser-diode end-pumping figure-eight ring resonator structure at 77 K. Under CW operation, different transmission of output couplers and different cavity length were used to achieve best characteristics of the laser. The maximum power of 1.85 W is achieved with the threshold of 2.09 W, slope efficiency of 28.14% and optical-to-optical efficiency of 20.3% on the condition of 1 m cavity length and 18% transmission. Under pump power of 4 W, laser characteristics under Q-switched operation with different pulse repeat frequency was investigated. Maximum energy of 5.86 mJ is achieved with pulse width of 171.2 ns, peak power of 34.2 kW and dynamic-static ratio about Q-switch laser of 0.62 at pulse repeat frequency 70 Hz.