Opinion dynamics in networks with heterogeneous confidence and influence

We propose a discrete-time model of opinion dynamics. The neighborhood relationship is decided by confidence radius and influence radius of each agent. We investigate the influence of heterogeneity in confidence/influence distribution on the behavior of the network. The simulations suggest that the heterogeneity of single confidence or influence networks can promote the opinions to achieve consensus. It is shown that the heterogeneous influence radius systems converge in fewer time steps and more often in finite time than the heterogeneous confidence radius systems. We find that heterogeneity does not always promote consensus, and there is an optimal heterogeneity so that the relative size of the largest consensus cluster reaches maximum in heterogeneous confidence and influence networks.     

An order-by-disorder process in the cyclic phase of spin-2 condensate with a weak magnetic field

We present in this paper a model study on the “order-by-disorder” process in the cyclic phase of spin-2 condensate, which forms a family of incommensurable, spiral degenerate ground states. On the basis of the ordering mechanism of entropic splitting, it is demonstrated that the energy corrections resulting from quantum fluctuations of disorder lift the accidental degeneracy of the cyclic configurations and thus lead to an eventual spiral order called the cyclic order. The order-by-disorder phenomenon is then realized even if the magnetic field exists. Finally, we show that our theoretic observations can be verified experimentally by direct detection of the cyclic order in the ⁸⁷Rb condensate of a spin-2 manifold with a weak magnetic field.     

TiO2 Nanotube Array/Monolayer Graphene Film Schottky Junction Ultraviolet Light Photodetectors

Schottky junctions made from a titanium dioxide nanotube (TiO₂NT) array in contact with a monolayer graphene (MLG) film are fabricated and utilized for UV light detection. The TiO₂NT array is synthesized by the anodization and the MLG through a simple chemical vapor deposition process. Photoconductive analysis shows that the fabricated Schottky junction photodetector (PD) is sensitive to UV light illumination with good stability and reproducibility. The corresponding responsivity (R), photoconductive gain (G), and detectivity (D*) are calculated to be 15 A W^?1, 51, and 1.5 × 10¹² cm Hz^1/2 W^?1, respectively. It is observed that the fabricated PD exhibits spectral sensitivity and a simple power‐law dependence on light intensity. Moreover, the height of the Schottky junction diode is derived to be 0.59 V by using a low temperature I–V measurement. Finally, the working mechanism of the TiO₂NT array/MLG film Schottky junction PD is elucidated.     

Interaction between isoamyl adenine and rice cytokinin oxidase

Cytokinin (CTK) dehydrogenase is responsible for regulating the endogenous CTK content by oxidative removal of the side chain. Herein, we have applied fluorescence method to study the interaction between CTK dehydrogenase and CTK in vitro and obtain some parameters of their interaction. We found that addition of isopentenyl adenine can quench the fluorescence of CTK dehydrogenase, and the quenching mechanism was to be a static quenching procedure. We have measured the number of binding sites n and the apparent binding constant K and have calculated the thermodynamics parameter ΔH, ΔG, and ΔS by fluorescence quenching method. Based on thermodynamics parameter’s results, we concluded that their binding reaction was both entropy driven and the enthalpy driven, and the Van der Waals force and hydrogen bond force played a major role in the interaction. Based on the synchronous fluorescence spectrometry results, we demonstrated that the binding site between isopentenyl adenine and CTK dehydrogenase is in the microenvironment of both tryptophan and tyrosine. The fluorescence signal of coenzyme, flavin adenine dinucleotide, decreases gradually with the addition of isopentenyl adenine. And this method can be used for isopentenyl adenine routine assay. Under optimized experimental parameters, the linear segment increases from 0.6 µM to 100 µM with a regression equation of ΔF = 0.04 + 0.15c_ip (r = 0.999, c_ip in µM) with the detection limit of 0.15 µM iP.     

Ftir Studies on LB Film of Amphiphile with Schiff Base as Headgroup and Its Copper Complex

Two different ways to form monolayers and LB films (surface film and subphase film) of the complex have been used, where a novel amphiphile containing Schiff base as a headgroup was used as a ligand. the monolayer behavior at the air/water interface was characterized by π-A isotherms and two-dimensional molecular orientation of alkyl chains in LB films and thermal stability were measured by polarized and variable temperature FTIR transmission spectra, indicating that the LB film of the novel amphiphile and its copper(II) complex are very stable as well as stearic acid. Because incorporating the metal ion into the monolayer makes it more condensed, thermal stability of the LB film was enhanced. as can be compared from their structure and properties, subphase films are superior to surface films.     

Optimization of Pretreatment Method for Alkylmercuries Speciation in Coal by High‐Performance Liquid Chromatography Coupled with UV‐Digestion Cold Vapor Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometry

Abstract

Exhaustive extraction of analytes in their original chemical forms from samples with complex matrices is a pivotal step for speciation analysis. Herein we propose a pretreatment method for extracting and preconcentrating methylmercury and ethylmercury from coal samples by using KBr–H₂SO₄/CuSO₄–C₆H₅CH₃–Na₂S₂O₃ system. The extraction conditions, including the volume of the organic phase and the extraction time, were optimized in detail. Speciation analysis of alkylmercuries was carried out by high‐performance liquid chromatography online coupled with UV‐digestion and cold vapor atomic fluorescence spectrometry. The detection limits were 0.6 ng mL^?1 for methylmercury and 1 ng mL^?1 for ethylmercury, respectively. The recoveries of methylmercury and ethylmercury spiked in a sample were 84% and 82%, respectively. The method was applied successfully to analysis of alkylmercuries in four coal samples collected from northeast China.     

Single-crystal elasticity of the rhodochrosite at high pressure by Brillouin scattering spectroscopy

ABSTRACT

The sound velocity properties of single-crystal rhodochrosite (MnCO₃) were determined up to 9.7?GPa at ambient temperature by Brillouin scattering spectroscopy. Six elastic constants were calculated by a genetic algorithm method using the Christoffel's equations at each pressure. The elastic constants increased linearly as a function of pressure and its pressure derivatives ?Cij/?P for C₁₁, C₃₃, C₄₄, C₁₂, C₁₃, C₁₄ were 5.86 (±0.36), 3.82 (±0.44), 2.06 (±0.39), 5.07 (±0.27), 5.34 (±0.44), 1.52 (±0.24), respectively. Based on the derived elastic constants of rhodochrosite, the aggregate adiabatic bulk and shear moduli (K_s and G) were calculated using the Voigt-Reuss-Hill averages and the linear fitting coefficients (?K_s/?P)_T and (?G/?P)_T were 5.05(±0.26) and 0.73(±0.05), respectively. The aggregate V_p of rhodochrosite increased clearly as a function of pressure and its pressure derivative ?V_p/?P was 7.99(±0.53)?×?10^?2?km/(s?GPa), while the aggregate V_s increased slowly and ?V_s/?P was only 1.19(±0.12)?×?10^?2?km/(s?GPa). The anisotropy factor for As of rhodochrosite increased from ～40% at 0.8?GPa to ～48% at 9.7?GPa, while A_p decreased from ～19% to ～16% at the corresponding pressure.     

Investigation of formation mechanism of Ti3SiC2 by high pressure and high-temperature synthesis

ABSTRACT

In this paper, synthesis of titanium silicon carbide (Ti₃SiC₂) under high pressure and high-temperature condition has been investigated by using the reactant systems Ti/Si/C, Ti/SiC/TiC, Ti/SiC/C and Ti/TiC/Si. Results reveal that Ti/TiC/Si is unsuited to the synthesis of Ti₃SiC₂ under a high pressure of 2.0?GPa, while an elemental mixture of Ti/Si/C is applicable. By the addition of Al, Ti₃SiC₂ with 95.8?wt% purity was obtained from elemental mixture with a large excess of silicon. The optimum experimental parameters were determined as Ti/Si/Al/C having the molar ratio of 3:1.5:0.5:1.9, holding at 2.0?GPa and 1300?°C for 60?min.     

Improvement of all-optical switching performance based on azo dye-doped polymer film using two cross-linearly polarized pump beams

We propose a method for improving the characteristics of all-optical switching based on azo dye-doped polymers. Using alternately two cross-linearly polarized beams (532 nm, continuous light wave (CW)) to pump azo dye–ethyl red (ER) doped polymer methyl methacrylate (PMMA) film, the modulation depth of the all-optical switching reached 96% at the pump powers of 4.8 mW and 1.6 mW and the modulation frequency of 1000 Hz. For comparison, we used respectively the single linearly polarized beam (4.8 mW) and the alternately linear–circular polarized beams (4.8 mW and 1.6 mW) to pump the film at the modulation frequency of 1000 Hz, the obtained modulation depths of the all-optical switching were 36% and 45.8%, respectively. Furthermore, the experimental measurement and analysis showed that the turn off speed of the all-optical switching could be obviously increased by use of our pump method.     

Optimisation of ultrasound assisted extraction of phenolic compounds from Sparganii rhizoma with response surface methodology

The present study reports on the extraction of phenolic compounds from sparganii rhizome. Box–Behnken Design (BBD), a widely used form of response surface methodology (RSM), was used to investigate the effect of process variables on the ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE). Three independent variables including ethanol concentration (%), extraction time (min) and solvent-to-material ratio (mL/g) were studied. The results showed that the optimal UAE condition was obtained with an ethanol concentration of 75.3%, an extraction time of 40 min and a solvent-to-material ratio of 19.21 mL/g for total phenols, and an ethanol concentration of 80%, an extraction time of 33.54 min and solvent-to-material ratio of 22.72 mL/g for combination of ρ-hydroxybenzaldehyde, ρ-coumaric acid, vanillic acid, ferulic acid, rutin and kaempferol. The experimental values under optimal conditions were in good consistent with the predicted values, which suggested UAE is more efficient process as compared to solvent extraction.