Structure of hadron matter: Hierarchy,democracy, or potentiality?

An attempt is made to give a methodological and physical characterization to the concept of the structure of matter. The methodological status of theories describing the structure of hadrons is discussed. A parallelism is drawn between the quark model as a theory of the mathematical composite structure of hadrons and Plato's theory of matter. The merger of the bootstrap idea with a quark substructure of hadrons is discussed. A third approach to the structure of hadron matter is presented. It resembles the Aristotelian conception of primary matter on which form is imprinted potentially.     

Argon matrix absorption spectra of ClO, BrO, and IO and emission spectra of IO

Absorption spectra of ClO, BrO, and IO and the emission spectrum of IO have been observed from argon matrix samples prepared by microwave discharging the reagent mixture before condensation. Vibronic progressions were observed for each system. The spectroscopic scopic constants T_e, ω′_e, ω_ex′_e, ω″_e, and ω_ex″_e were evaluated from the absorption and emission data for comparison with gas-phase constants. Very good agreement is found for ClO. The argon matrix observations dictate a revision of the gas-phase vibronic assignments for BrO. The ground-state vibrational fundamental and T_e for argon matrix isolated IO are similar to the gas-phase values, but a lower excited-state spacing is found in the matrix.     

Microwave–assisted synthesis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">submicrometer</Emphasis> GaO(OH) and Ga<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> rods

Submicrometer sized gallium oxide hydroxide (GaO(OH)) and gallium oxide (Ga₂O₃) rods have been successfully fabricated on a large scale by refluxing an aqueous solution of Ga(NO₃)₃ and NH₄OH in a simple domestic microwave oven (DMO). The structures, morphologies, compositions and physical properties of the as–synthesized and calcined products have been characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), selected area energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SAEDS), thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. TEM images show that submicrometer sized as–synthesized Ga O(OH) rods have diameters of 0.3–0.5 m and lengths of 3.2–3.5 m. The calcined product consists of submicrometer rods with diameters of 0.4–0.5 m and lengths of 5–5.5 m. XRD, EDX and SAED analysis together indicate that the as–synthesized product has an orthorhombic gallium oxide hydroxide (GaO(OH)) crystal structure, and that the calcined product is rhombohedral Ga₂O₃. A possible mechanism for the formation of submicrometer sized GaO(OH) rods is discussed briefly.     

Soliton-based Y-branch in photorefractive crystals induced through dispersion-shifted optical fiber

We experimentally demonstrate for what is believed to be the first time that a dispersion-shifted fiber can be used to electro-optically induce a soliton Y-branch structure in a photorefractive centrosymmetric paraelectric crystal (potassium lithium tantalate niobate). The application of a nonstationary external bias field enables us to stabilize the spatially partially coherent behavior of the optical beam at the fiber output. Furthermore, we show the switching capabilities of this soliton-based device in the optical communication field guiding a probe beam at a nonphotorefractive wavelength (1557 nm).     

Duality in robust optimization: Primal worst equals dual best

We study the dual problems associated with the robust counterparts of uncertain convex programs. We show that while the primal robust problem corresponds to a decision maker operating under the worst possible data, the dual problem corresponds to a decision maker operating under the best possible data.     

Sonochemical immobilization of silver nanoparticles on porous polypropylene

Silver nanoparticles were immobilized on the surface of polypropylene (PP) porous beads by an ultrasound‐assisted reduction method. The structure and properties of the silver–PP composite were characterized with XRD, TEM, HRSEM, EDX, XPS, and Raman spectroscopy. Water‐soluble polymers such as PEG, PVA, and PVP were used as stabilizing agents for preventing the agglomeration of the silver nanoparticles. With PVP, a homogeneous distribution of silver nanocrystals, 50 nm in size, on the PP surface was achieved. The mechanism proposed for the silver anchoring to the inert polymer accounts for a localized melting of the PP. The beads of the silver PP composite demonstrated good stability and high antibacterial activity. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 1719–1729, 2008     

Microspheres of Mixed Proteins

This paper describes the synthesis of mixed proteinaceous microspheres (MPMs) by the sonochemical method. The current fundamental research follows the research of Suslick and co‐workers who have developed a method by which high‐intensity ultrasound is used to make aqueous suspensions of proteinaceous microcapsules filled with water‐insoluble liquids. 1 By using high‐intensity ultrasound, we have synthesized microspheres made of a few different proteins. The three proteins used in the current experiments are bovine serum albumin (BSA), green fluorescent protein (GFP), and cyan fluorescent protein–glucose binding protein–yellow fluorescent fused protein (CFP‐GBP‐YFP). The two synthesized microspheres made of mixed proteins are BSA‐GFP and BSA‐(CFP‐GBP‐YFP). This paper presents the characterization of the sonochemically produced microspheres of mixed proteins. It also provides an estimate of the efficiency of the sonochemical process in converting the native proteins to microspheres.     

Hidden conic quadratic representation of some nonconvex quadratic optimization problems

The problem of minimizing a quadratic objective function subject to one or two quadratic constraints is known to have a hidden convexity property, even when the quadratic forms are indefinite. The equivalent convex problem is a semidefinite one, and the equivalence is based on the celebrated S-lemma. In this paper, we show that when the quadratic forms are simultaneously diagonalizable (SD), it is possible to derive an equivalent convex problem, which is a conic quadratic (CQ) one, and as such is significantly more tractable than a semidefinite problem. The SD condition holds for free for many problems arising in applications, in particular, when deriving robust counterparts of quadratic, or conic quadratic, constraints affected by implementation error. The proof of the hidden CQ property is constructive and does not rely on the S-lemma. This fact may be significant in discovering hidden convexity in some nonquadratic problems.     

Characterization and activity of sonochemically-prepared BSA microspheres containing Taxol--an anticancer drug

Proteinaceous microspheres of BSA (Bovine Serum Albumin) containing an anticancer drug, Taxol (paclitaxel) were fabricated using a sonochemical procedure and then assayed for chemical and biological activity. The sonochemical reaction did not compromise the drug, which became encapsulated in the BSA microspheres. The amount of the anticancer drug in the microspheres was determined by HPLC. Anticancer activity of the proteinaceous microspheres encapsulating the Taxol was tested on Mouse Multiple Myeloma cell line MPC-11. The influence of the Taxol microspheres on the cancer cells was different from pristine Taxol. It was found that Taxol in combination with the organic solvent causes the death of cancer cells.     

Heat and mass transfer in unsaturated porous media at a hot boundary: I. One-dimensional analytical model

We present a model of heat and mass transfer in an unsaturated zone of sand and silty clay soils, taking into account the effects of temperature gradients on the advective flux, and of the enhancement of thermal conduction by the process of latent heat transfer through vapor flow. The motivation for this study is to supply information for the planned storage of thermal energy in unsaturated soils and for hot waste storage. Information is required on the possibility of significant drying at a hot boundary, as this would reduce the thermal conductivity of a layer adjacent to the boundary and, thus, prevent effective heat transfer to the soil. This study indicates the possibility that the considered system may be unstable, with respect to the drying conditions, with the occurrence of drying depending on the initial and the boundary conditions. An analysis performed for certain boundary conditions of heat transfer and for given soil properties, disregarding the advective flux of energy, indicated that there are initial conditions of water content for which heating will not cause significant drying. Under these conditions, fine soils may be better suited for heat transfer at the hot boundary, due to their higher field capacity, although their heat conduction coefficients at saturation are lower than those of sandy soils. At present, these conclusions are limited to the range of 50–80°C. Potential effects of solute concentration at the hot boundary are indicated.