Electrochromic blueshift in polymer-dispersed liquid-crystal cells

Electrochromic blueshift in the absorption band of polymer-dispersed liquid-crystal cells is reported as a function of applied electric field. The changes in the peak absorption wavelength, absorption broadening, and their possible relationships with the nonlinear optical properties of polymer-dispersed liquid-crystal cells are discussed.     

Novel interface-mediated metastable oxide phases: vanadium oxides on Pd(111)

In the growth process of ultrathin films of vanadium oxides on Pd(111), a sequence of novel oxide phases with layer-dependent structures and oscillating oxidation states has been detected experimentally and understood theoretically. These phases are interface mediated and metastable with respect to further oxide growth. Transformation into the stable oxide configuration occurs beyond a critical thickness, where energetics combined with kinetic limitations determine the oxide multilayer structure.     

Tripyrrolidinophosphoric acid triamide as an activator in samarium diiodide reductions

The electrochemical and spectrophotometric characterization of the complex formed from samarium diiodide and 4 equiv of tripyrrolidinophosphoric acid triamide (TPPA) is presented. Kinetic studies indicate that the SmI(2)/TPPA complex possesses reactivity greater than the complex formed between samarium diiodide and 4 equiv of HMPA. Examples of the use of SmI(2)/TPPA in synthesis are presented.     

The electronic structure of pentacene revisited

Recently, there have been reports of the valence band photoemission of pentacene films grown on various substrates with particular emphasis on the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and its dispersion. In various works, evidence for HOMO band dispersion as high as 0.5 eV, even for polycrystalline films, has been presented. In apparent contradiction to these results, we have previously reported a band dispersion of only 50 meV, measured on a well characterised film with a single polymorph and single crystalline orientation, 5A(0 2 2). Here, we first present the two-dimensional momentum distribution of the HOMO of a 5A(0 2 2) film. Then the development of the valence band spectra for films grown at room temperature and low temperature are compared, and we show that morphological aspects can lead to the apparent observation of high HOMO dispersion. Finally, with the aid of the two-dimensional momentum distribution of the HOMO, we show that a reasonably large dispersion (0.25 eV) does indeed exist in 5A(0 2 2).     

Early History of Magnetic Resonance

The early history of magnetic resonance to around 1950 is discussed from the point of view of a participant in it. I. I. Rabi's theory of space quantization in a gyrating magnetic field and his molecular beam experiments in the 1930s laid the foundation of the magnetic resonance method, which he and his associates subsequently pursued and developed further at Columbia University, leading eventually to the development of NMR after World War II and the invention of the separated oscillatory fields method in 1950.     

Effects of vagal nerve stimulation on laryngeal function

Functional electrical stimulation is a developing methodology that shows significant potential in the management of peripheral neuromuscular deficits. Potential applications in the head and neck area, including control of bilateral vocal fold paralysis and spasmodic dysphonia, have recently been explored. Despite promising early results, very little is known about the mechanisms of action or the long-term effects of electrical stimulation on human laryngeal function. Recent development of implantable vagal nerve stimulators as a method to control intractable seizures in individuals who have not responded to medication provides a unique opportunity to study its effect on the normal human larynx. Laryngeal and vocal function testing was studied on five individuals who had undergone vagal nerve stimulator implants for intractable seizures. Consistent abduction/adduction of the left vocal fold was achieved at 20 and 40 Hz, respectively. Higher levels of electrical stimulation produced hemispasm of the larynx. Results were consistent with studies in the literature of recurrent laryngeal nerve stimulation in animal and human models. The vagus nerve provides relatively easy access for implantation of electrodes to provide electrical stimulation to the muscles of the larynx. Vagal nerve stimulation may prove efficacious in the treatment of movement disorders of the larynx; further study is needed.     

Temperature distribution in a thin rotating disk

The problem of heat conduction in a thin rotating disk with heat input at a fixed point is considered. The disk is cooled by forced convection from its lateral surfaces. By defining a complex temperature, the temperature throughout the disk is presented as a series of Bessel functions of complex argument. Results are given for a range of rotational speeds.Nomenclature R radial coordinate - angular coordinate - a radius of disk - b thickness of disk - T temperature - T ambient temperature - rotational speed of disk - q heat flux into disk - k thermal conductivity of disk - density of disk - c specific heat of disk - h coefficient of convective heat transfer - r dimensionless radial coordinate, R/a - T* characteristic temperature, q ₀ a/ k - t dimensionless temperature, (T–T )/T* - C ₁, C ₂ dimensionless parameters defined in (3)