A convergent star product for linear Poisson structures

An explicit star product ⋆ _α ^Γ on the dual of a general Lie algebra equipped with the linear Poisson bracket is constructed. An equivalence operator between this star product and the Kontsevich star product in [K₁] is given and diverse properties of the star product ⋆ _α ^Γ are studied. It is also proved that the star product ⋆ _α ^Γ provides a convergent deformation quantization in the sense of Rieffel [R₁].     

Microporated PEG Spheres for Fluorescent Analyte Detection

Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogels have been used to encapsulate fluorescently labeled molecules in order to detect a variety of analytes. The hydrogels are designed with a mesh size that will retain the sensing elements while allowing for efficient diffusion of small analytes. Some sensing assays, however, require a conformational change or binding of large macromolecules, which may be sterically prohibited in a dense polymer matrix. A process of hydrogel microporation has been developed to create cavities within PEG microspheres to contain the assay components in solution. This arrangement provides improved motility for large sensing elements, while limiting leaching and increasing sensor lifetime. Three hydrogel compositions, 100% PEG, 50% PEG, and microporated 100% PEG, were used to create pH-sensitive microspheres that were tested for response time and stability. In order to assess motility, a second, more complex sensor, namely a FITC-dextran/TRITC-Con A glucose-specific assay was encapsulated within the microspheres.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">FCC/BCC</Emphasis> competition and enhancement of saturation magnetization in nanocrystalline Co-Ni-Fe films

The structure, chemical composition, and magnetic properties of electrochemically deposited nanocrystalline Co-Ni-Fe films were investigated using a number of techniques. A high saturation magnetic induction up to B _s = 21 kG was attained. An enhancement of the saturation magnetization compared to the ideal anticipated one was revealed, which correlated with the nonlinear behavior of the structural phase composition and lattice parameters with the change of the composition. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Extended Hydrodynamics from Enskog’s Equation for a Two-Dimensional System General Formalism

Balance equations are derived from Enskog’s kinetic equation for a two-dimensional system of hard disks using Grad’s moment expansion method. This set of equations constitute an extended hydrodynamics for moderately dense bi-dimensional fluids. The set of independent hydrodynamic fields in the present formulations are: density, velocity, temperature and also—following Grad’s original idea—the symmetric and traceless pressure tensor p _ij and the heat flux vector q ^k . An approximation scheme similar in spirit to one made by Grad in his original work is made. Once the hydrodynamics is derived it is used to discuss the nature of a simple one-dimensional heat conduction problem. It is shown that, not too far from equilibrium, the nonequilibrium pressure in this case only depends on the density, temperature and heat flux vector. PACS: 51.10.+y, 05.20.Jj, 44.10.+i, 05.70.Ln     

Optical Characterization of Iridescent Wings of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Morpho</Emphasis> Butterflies using a High Accuracy Nonstandard Finite-Difference Time-Domain Algorithm

In certain species of moths and butterflies iridescent colors arise from subwavelength diffractive surface corrugation of the wing-scales. The optical properties of such structures depend strongly on wavelength, incidence angle, and state of polarization of illuminating radiation, and the viewing angle. In this paper, we study the reflection spectra of the wings of the Morpho didius butterfly by simulating a double-layered model of a transverse cross-section comprised of the ground scale and the cover scale. Each layer contains a certain quasi-periodic arrangement of tree-like subwavelength microstructures. The simulation is done using a high accuracy nonstandard finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method in two dimensions. We assume that the structure is made of a slightly lossy dielectric material. The wavelength dependence of the complex refractive index for the ground scale of Morpho didius is assumed to be similar to that of Morpho sulkowskyi. The complex refractive index in the latter case was obtained by comparing the computed reflection/transmission spectra with corresponding experimental measurements at normal incidence.     

Quantitative measurements of micro- and macromixing in a stirred vessel using Planar Laser-Induced Fluorescence

The Planar Laser-Induced Fluorescence (PLIF) technique enables measurement of the local degree of deviation in an arbitrary plane inside the mixing vessel. This is achieved by injecting a mixture of an inert dye and a reacting fluorescent into the vessel. The inert dye serves as a tracer for the macromixing. The fluorescent characteristics of the reacting dye change while undergoing a fast chemical reaction with the vessel content and it therefore shows the micromixing indirectly. The concentration fields of the dyes are measured simultaneously. For that a laser beam is expanded into a thin light sheet which illuminates an arbitrary plane in the mixing vessel, exciting the fluorescent dye in this area. The emitted light is detected by a CCD-camera which is positioned vertical to the measurement plane. The fluorescent light passes through two optical filters which are suitable for separating the fluorescent light of the two dyes. The light is then projected on half of the camera chip each so that the same display window is detected twice, and thus the local concentration of the two dyes can be measured simultaneously. Low Reynolds number measurements are performed in a mixing vessel equipped with a Rushton turbine. The lamellar structure is clearly resolved. Areas of micromixing are detected by calculating the local degree of deviation from the concentration fields. These areas are mainly found in the boundary layer of the lamellas.