Crystal Structure of the Radical-Cation Salt (<Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-Me<Subscript>2</Subscript>TTF)I<Subscript>3</Subscript> with Close Intermolecular Sulfur Contacts

Abstract  The synthesis and crystal structure of the organic radical-cation salt (o-Me₂TTF)I₃ is described. The salt crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2 ₁ /n with a = 10.927(2) ?, b = 11.904(2) ?, c = 12.660(2) ?, β = 115.174(5)°. The bond length of the central C=C bond in o-Me₂TTF is 1.401(1) ?, indicating an approximate oxidation state of +1 for the o-Me₂TTF radical cation. Graphical Abstract  The X-ray crystallographic structure of the radical cation salt (o-Me₂TTF)I₃ has been determined and its structural properties and synthetic preparation are discussed.      

Synthesis and characterization of a biphenyl perfluorocyclobutyl (BP‐PFCB) polyethylene glycol (PEG) blend compatibilizer

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) end‐capped trifluorovinyl ether (TFVE) telechelomer was synthesized in one step via esterification of 4‐(trifluorovinyloxy) benzoic acid. The new telechelomer was characterized by attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR‐FTIR), elemental analysis, and by ¹⁹F and ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The telechelomer and 4,4′‐bis(4‐trifluorovinyloxy)biphenyl (BPVE) were thermally copolymerized via step‐growth [2 + 2] cycloaddition at 160°C. The polymerization afforded PEG enchained biphenyl perfluorocyclobutyl (BP‐PFCB) copolymers that are solution processable and film forming. These copolymers were characterized by ATR‐FTIR, ¹⁹F NMR, and ¹H NMR. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) gave number‐average molecular weight (M_n) ranging 11,000 to 12,000. Compatibilization of PEG and a commercial polymer BP‐PFCB was achieved utilizing the new PEG BP‐PFCB copolymer, 3‐co2‐4 . It was found that 5 wt% of 3 ‐ co2 ‐ 4 was ideal to reduce interfacial tension by scanning electron microscope (SEM). In addition, phase homogeneity was studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Supply networks: Instabilities without overload

Supply and transport networks support much of our technical infrastructure as well as many biological processes. Their reliable function is thus essential for all aspects of life. Transport processes involving quantities beyond the pure loads exhibit alternative collective dynamical options compared to processes exclusively characterized by loads. Here we analyze the stability and bifurcations in oscillator models describing electric power grids and demonstrate that these networks exhibit instabilities without overloads. This phenomenon may well emerge also in other sufficiently complex supply or transport networks, including biological transport processes.     

Prediction of displacement and stress fields of a notched panel with geometric nonlinearity by reduced order modeling

The focus of this investigation is on a first assessment of the predictive capabilities of nonlinear geometric reduced order models for the prediction of the large displacement and stress fields of panels with localized geometric defects, the case of a notch serving to exemplify the analysis. It is first demonstrated that the reduced order model of the notched panel does indeed provide a close match of the displacement and stress fields obtained from full finite element analyses for moderately large static and dynamic responses (peak displacement of 2 and 4 thicknesses). As might be expected, the reduced order model of the virgin panel would also yield a close approximation of the displacement field but not of the stress one. These observations then lead to two “enrichment” techniques seeking to superpose the notch effects on the virgin panel stress field so that a reduced order model of the latter can be used. A very good prediction of the full finite element stresses, for both static and dynamic analyses, is achieved with both enrichments.     

Experimental evidence of simultaneous multi-resonance noise reduction using an absorber with essential nonlinearity under two excitation frequencies

The addition of an essentially nonlinear membrane absorber to a linear vibroacoustic system with multiple resonances is studied experimentally, using quasiperiodic excitation. An extended experimental dataset of the system response is analyzed under steady-state excitation at two frequencies. Thresholds between low and high damping states within the system and associated noise reduction are observed and quantified thanks to frequency conversion and RMS efficiency indicators. Following previous numerical results, it is shown that the membrane NES (Nonlinear Energy Sink) acts simultaneously and efficiently on two acoustic resonances. In all cases, the introduction of energy at a second excitation frequency appears favorable to lower the frequency conversion threshold and to lower the noise within the system. In particular, a simultaneous control of two one-to-one resonances by the NES is observed. Exploration of energy conversion in the two excitation amplitudes plane advocates for a linear dependence of the frequency conversion thresholds on the two excitation amplitudes.     

Fast wavefront sensing using a hardware parallel classifier chip

In most applications of laser technology and optics the beam quality, the ability to focus a laser beam and the achievement of a good optical resolution play an important role. The compensation of distortions using adaptive optics requires fast wavefront measurement. Classical wavefront analysis schemes use matrix operations, which show a nonlinear computation time dependence with matrix size, making it difficult to achieve high-speed control loops at a high resolution. A novel wavefront sensor system is presented using a massively parallel k-nearest neighbor classifier chip in an embedded hardware setup. Our miniaturized sensor is able to detect one optical distortion within about 80 μs allowing its use for high-speed adaptive optics applications.     

Temperature dependence of Raman scattering and anharmonic properties in LiNbO_3

The temperature dependence of the Raman spectrum in LiNbO \(_3\) is investigated from 100 to 700 K. The various sources of asymmetry of Raman bands and artefacts are discussed before analyzing the temperature dependence of A \(_1\) and E first-order phonon lines. The phonon frequency downshift and damping increase on heating are interpreted in terms of normal volume expansion and third- and fourth-order anharmonic potentials. Anharmonic contributions are highly anisotropic and mainly explain the temperature dependences of both frequency and damping of A \(_1\) optical vibrational modes along the ferroelectric axis. Results are consistent with Caciuc et al. (Phys Rev B 61:8806, 2000) predictions.     

Outcome of laryngeal and velopharyngeal biofeedback treatment in children and young adults: A pilot study

A relatively new management strategy for the treatment of voice disorders is the use of laryngeal (LB) and velopharyngeal biofeedback (VB). The main purpose of the present pilot study is to document the outcome of vocal and velopharyngeal performances after a well-defined LB and VB treatment. Four subjects were studied pretreatment (1 week before LB or VB treatment) and posttreatment (1 week after the LB or VB treatment). To measure and compare the effect of LB and VB, objective and subjective assessment techniques were used. Perceptual voice assessment included a perceptual rating of the voice using the GRBAS scale. Furthermore, the vocal quality in this population is modeled by means of the Dysphonia Severity Index. For the objective assessment of nasal resonance, the Nasometer and the Glatzel test were used. A perceptual evaluation of speech, the Gutzmann test, and the tests from Bzoch were used as subjective assessment techniques. Both patients selected for LB and VB treatment showed improvement of their performances. The resulting improvement, as measured by means of an objective approach, is in agreement with the perceived (auditory) improvement of voice and resonance. The use of LB and VB treatment in patients, especially in some subjects who are not responding to traditional voice or velopharyngeal therapy, must be encouraged.