Full current statistics of incoherent "cold electrons"

We evaluate the full current statistics (FCS) in the low-dimensional (1D and 2D) diffusive conductors in the incoherent regime eV>E(Th)=D/L(2), E(Th) being the Thouless energy. It is shown that the Coulomb interaction substantially enhances the probability of big current fluctuations for short conductors with E(Th)>1/tau(E), tau(E) being the energy relaxation time, leading to the exponential tails in the current distribution. The current fluctuations are most strong for low temperatures, provided E(Th) approximately [(eV)(2)/Dnu(2)(1)](1/3) for 1D and E(Th) approximately (eV/g)ln(g for 2D, where g is a dimensionless conductance and nu(1) is a 1D density of states. The FCS in the "hot electron" regime is also discussed.     

Unbounded Energy Growth in Hamiltonian Systems with a Slowly Varying Parameter

We study Hamiltonian systems which depend slowly on time. We show that if the corresponding frozen system has a uniformly hyperbolic invariant set with chaotic behaviour, then the full system has orbits with unbounded energy growth (under very mild genericity assumptions). We also provide formulas for the calculation of the rate of the fastest energy growth. We apply our general theory to non-autonomous perturbations of geodesic flows and Hamiltonian systems with billiard-like and homogeneous potentials. In these examples, we show the existence of orbits with the rates of energy growth that range, depending on the type of perturbation, from linear to exponential in time. Our theory also applies to non-Hamiltonian systems with a first integral.     

Strain mapping analysis of textile composites

The focus of the work is meso-scale analysis (scale level of the fabric unit cell) of textile composite deformation and failure. The surface strain measurement is used for: (1) experimental investigation, which includes study of strain distribution at various stages of deformation, plasticity detection, damage initiation; (2) numerical validation of the correspondent finite element (FE) models. Two examples are considered: carbon-epoxy triaxial-braided and glass polypropylene-woven composite. The surface strain measurement (by digital image correlation technique) accompanies the tensile tests, aiming at: (1) elastic anisotropic constants characterisation, (2) study of non-linear material behaviour (for the thermoplastic composite), (3) control of homogeneity of the macro-strain distribution, and (4) analysis of damage initiation in brittle composites. Validation of meso-FE models by strain measurements encounters difficulties arising from (1) resolution of the strain measurements, (2) irregularities of the initial structure such as random layer nesting, ply interaction, and deviation of yarns from their theoretical position, which affects the measured strain fields. The paper discusses these difficulties and demonstrates a qualitative agreement with the FE analysis of idealised composite configurations.     

Secretory immunoglobulin a from health y human mothers' milk catalyzes nucleic acid hydrolysis

The human milk secretory immune system is known to be the first line of protection for the newborn infant against various pathogens. Secretory IgA (sIgA), the typical immunoglobulin found in secretions, can fight infections through many mechanisms. Using different methods, we have shown that sIgA from the milk of healthy women possesses DNAse and RNAse activities. The catalytic center is localized in the light chain of catalytic sIgA, while the DNA-binding center is predominantly formed by its heavy chain. The enzymic properties and substrate specificity of catalytic sIgA distinguish it from other known DNases and RNases. It is reasonable to assume, that the milk DNA- and RNA-hydrolyzing antibodies are capable not only of neutralizing viral and bacterial nucleic acids by binding these antigens as well as by hydrolyzing them. The DNA-hydrolyzing activity of Abs raises the possibility that these catalytic Abs may provide protective functions for the newborn through the hydrolysis of viral and bacterial nucleic acids.     

Side Reactions in the Liquid-Phase Cyclohexanone Ammoximation

Influence of metal ions on hydrogen peroxide decomposition on the liquid-phase ammoximation of cyclohexanone was studied in homogeneous and heterogeneous (over titanium silicalite) conditions. The latter reaction is accompanied by side reactions, which deactivate the catalyst. Deactivation behavior is discussed.     

Exact steady state solutions in symmetrical Nernst–Planck–Poisson electrodiffusive models

We compare three one-dimensional Nernst–Planck–Poisson systems that describe ion distribution near the electrode surfaces with planar, cylindrical and spherical symmetry respectively. These three models take into account ion diffusion and migration. In particular they describe the diffusive layers formed by Li+ ions in the vicinity of the graphite electrode particles. The three types of symmetry appear due to three different ways of particle ordering inside the electrode. In this paper we construct the exact steady state solutions to these systems and approximate solutions in form of power series. Then we solve the systems numerically and compare the results. We discuss the influence of symmetry in electrode particle ordering on the steady state distribution of ions in the diffusive layer.