Increase and decrease of tunneling by variation of the barrier height

We show, based on some results from classical analysis, that time-dependent perturbations can either increase or decrease the tunneling probability. The results depend on the form of the function T(√V), where T is the transmission coefficient and V the potential. If T(√V) is convex, the perturbation will always result in a decrease of the tunneling; if T(√V) is concave, both increase as well as decrease occur.     

Probability measures on [SIN] groups and some related ideals in group algebras

Given a locally compact group G, let J(G){\cal J}(G) denote the set of closed left ideals in L ¹(G), of the form J _μ = [L¹(G) * (δ _e − μ)]⁻, where μ is a probability measure on G. Let J_d(G)={\cal J}_d(G)= {J_m;m is discrete}\{J_{\mu};\mu\ {\rm is discrete}\} , J_a(G)={J_m;m is absolutely continuous}{\cal J}_a(G)=\{J_{\mu};\mu\ {\rm is absolutely continuous}\} . When G is a second countable [SIN] group, we prove that J(G)=J_d(G){\cal J}(G)={\cal J}_d(G) and that J_a(G){\cal J}_a(G) , being a proper subset of J(G){\cal J}(G) when G is nondiscrete, contains every maximal element of J(G){\cal J}(G) . Some results concerning the ideals J _μ in general locally compact second countable groups are also obtained.     

Entrance effects in the channels of the parallel plate stack in oscillatory flow conditions

This paper considers an entrance flow into the channels formed by a stack of parallel plates, placed in an acoustic resonator that provides oscillatory flow forcing. Interesting complex flow phenomena around the extremity of the stack are observed, essentially due to the introduction of cross-sectional discontinuities: vortex formation and shedding during the fluid ejection from the channels and development of an entrance flow during the suction phase, when the fluid enters the channels from outside. It is the latter that is of particular interest in this study. Particle image velocimetry (PIV) is used to investigate the flow structures in the “entrance region”. Velocity profiles are measured as a function of phase angle within an oscillation period and the distance from the stack end into the channel. Using the data obtained, an “entrance length” defined by analogy with existing fluid mechanical definitions, is estimated. The experiments are supplemented by CFD calculations to improve the understanding of such entrance flows.     

CNDO/2 molecular orbital calculations of dewar structures of pyridine

CNDO/2 molecular orbital calculations have been carried out on the Dewar structures of pyridine to determine the configurations of minimum energy.     

Crystal structure of a B-form DNA duplex containing (L)-alpha-threofuranosyl (3'-->2') nucleosides: a four-carbon sugar is easily accommodated into the backbone of DNA

(L)-alpha-Threofuranosyl-(3'-->2')-oligonucleotides (TNA) containing vicinally connected phosphodiester linkages undergo informational base pairing in an antiparallel strand orientation and are capable of cross-pairing with RNA and DNA. TNA is derived from a sugar containing only four carbon atoms and is one of the simplest potentially natural nucleic acid alternatives investigated thus far in the context of a chemical etiology of nucleic acid structure. Compared to DNA and RNA that contain six covalent bonds per repeating nucleotide unit, TNA contains only five. We have determined the atomic-resolution crystal structure of the B-form DNA duplex [d(CGCGAA)Td(TCGCG)](2) containing a single (L)-alpha-threofuranosyl thymine (T) per strand. In the modified duplex base stacking interactions are practically unchanged relative to the reference DNA structure. The orientations of the backbone at the TNA incorporation sites are slightly altered in order to accommodate fewer atoms and covalent bonds. The conformation of the threose is C4'-exo with the 2'- and 3'-substituents assuming quasi-diaxial orientation.     

High hydrostatic pressure ESR manostats

Abstract

Two high pressure X-band ESR resonators for sensitive measurements are described. Both systems have 100 kHz internal modulation coils and can cooperate with any standard ESR spectrometer. These cavities operate in two different temperature and pressure ranges: 77–400 K, up to 0.8 GPa and liquid helium temperature range, up to 1 GPa, respectively. Additionally, the cavity operating in the 77–400 K temperature range enables Photo-ESR measurements to be carried out.     

A method of characterising performance of audio loudspeakers for linear alternator applications in low-cost thermoacoustic electricity generators

This paper investigates the feasibility of using commercially available loudspeakers as low-cost linear alternators for thermoacoustic applications, to convert acoustic power to electricity. The design of a purpose built experimental apparatus, in which a high intensity acoustic wave is induced by using a high power woofer, is described. The rig is used to excite loudspeakers (referred here as “alternators”) under test, while a pair of microphones and a laser displacement sensor are used to enable acoustic power measurements. The paper presents a case study in which characteristics of acoustic-to-electric energy conversion of a candidate loudspeaker (alternator) – selected from the viewpoint of general performance, as well as parameters such as: high force factor, low electrical resistance and low mechanical loss – are measured. The measurements of acoustic power absorbed by the alternator and the electric power extracted from it by the load resistor, which allow estimating acoustic-to-electric efficiencies, are presented. The alternator has been tested at different operating frequencies, cone displacements and load resistance values. The measurement results are discussed and compared in detail with the calculations based on the linear acoustics model.     

Influence of deformations of a polymer matrix on the characteristics of dual fluorescence of 3-hydroxyflavone

The possibility of considerably changing the conditions for the proton transfer reaction in 3-hydroxyflavone molecules in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) polymer matrices by stretching deformations is demonstrated. Samples of this kind are traditionally used to obtain ensembles of fluorophore molecules oriented along a chosen axis and for polarization measurements. The fluorescence spectrum of 3-hydroxyflavone in PVA has two characteristic bands in the violet and green spectral regions, which indicates excited-state proton transfer. Stretching leads to a strong reduction in the violet band, whose contribution in undeformed samples is comparable to the contribution of green fluorescence. Even twofold stretching of PVA films strongly decreases the violet band intensity, which is more pronounced in the case of sixfold stretching. In the latter case, the fluorescence spectrum behavior is very close to the pattern observed in nonpolar and aprotic solvents, in which the violet fluorescence intensity is very low. The data obtained indicate that mechanical stretching allows one to eliminate the main intermolecular factors that slow down the proton transfer between the active groups in PVA.