Multi-band phase shifter design using modified slotline configuration

In this paper, an analog multiband phase shifter using slotline configuration is proposed. To implement the design, a pair of modified Split Ring Resonator (SRR) is employed. The periodic property of SRR provides multiband characteristics, whether the coupling slot gives the phase variations over the bands. The operation is well explained with an equivalent circuit model and its characteristics have been studied both in simulation and measurement. The prototype operates in 1.77–2.16, 3.5–3.97, 5.08–5.33, 6.43–6.93, and 8.01–8.59 GHz frequency bands which can be utilized for GSM, GPS, WLAN, C-band, and X-band applications, respectively.     

Preparation and characterization of some unusually transparent poly(dimethylsiloxane) nanocomposites

A technique was developed for preparing poly(dimethylsiloxane) nanocomposites having unusually high transparencies as quantitatively judged by ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy. The method was the in situ generation of silica particles by a two‐step sol–gel procedure in which the required water of hydrolysis was simply absorbed from the air, and the catalyst was generated in situ from a tin salt. Electron microscopy showed that the phase‐separated silica domains were very small (30–50 nm in diameter) and well dispersed, as expected from the transparency of the composites. Stress‐strain measurements in tension indicated that the particles provide very good reinforcement. Ultra‐small‐angle X‐ray scattering data showed that the domain morphology depends strongly on catalyst, but weakly on loading level. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 41: 1897–1901, 2003     

Identification of regions of fastest mixing in a system of point vortices

This paper describes a numerical method for efficiently identifying the regions of fastest mixing of a passive dye in a flow due to a system of point vortices. Results obtained from computations are presented for systems of three and four point vortices, both in the unbounded domain and inside a circular cylinder. The flow is two‐dimensional and the fluid is incompressible. The regions where mixing is possible are found by studying the largest Lagrangian Lyapunov exponent distribution with respect to various initial positions of tracer particles. The regions of fastest mixing are then identified from the Lyapunov exponent distribution at small times. The results of the method are verified by quantifying the mixing by using a traditional box counting technique. The technique is then applied to several different initial configurations of vortices and some interesting results are obtained. Some numerical findings about the nature of the exponents computed are also discussed. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.     

Ultrasound assisted phase-transfer catalytic epoxidation of 1,7-octadiene - a kinetic study

An ultrasound assisted phase-transfer catalyzed epoxidation of 1,7-octadiene is greatly enhanced by using a cocatalyst of phosphotungstic acid in the presence of hydrogen peroxide in an organic solvent/aqueous solution two-phase medium. An active intermediate of the catalyst (Q3PW12(O)nO40, where Q = R4N+) produced from the reaction of phosphotungstic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and Aliquat 336. A rational mechanism of epoxidation is proposed to account for the reaction from the experimental evidence. The organic-phase reactions, including two series reactions, are the rate-controlling steps to produce two products, viz., 1,2-epoxy-7-octene and 1,2,7,8-diepoxyoctane. The kinetics of epoxidation, including the characteristics of the catalyst and the effect of the amount of cocatalyst, agitation speed, quaternary ammonium salts, amount of Aliquat 336, amount of hydrogen peroxide, amount of chloroform, pH value, organic solvents, and temperature on the conversion of 1,7-octadiene were investigated in detail. A kinetic model was built, from which a pseudo-first-order rate law is sufficient to describe the behavior of the reaction.     

Smartphone based bacterial detection using biofunctionalized fluorescent nanoparticles

We are describing immunochromatographic test strips with smart phone-based fluorescence readout. They are intended for use in the detection of the foodborne bacterial pathogens Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli O157. Silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) were doped with FITC and Ru(bpy), conjugated to the respective antibodies, and then used in a conventional lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA). Fluorescence was recorded by inserting the nitrocellulose strip into a smart phone-based fluorimeter consisting of a light weight (40 g) optical module containing an LED light source, a fluorescence filter set and a lens attached to the integrated camera of the cell phone in order to acquire high-resolution fluorescence images. The images were analysed by exploiting the quick image processing application of the cell phone and enable the detection of pathogens within few minutes. This LFIA is capable of detecting pathogens in concentrations as low as 10⁵ cfu mL^?1 directly from test samples without pre-enrichment. The detection is one order of magnitude better compared to gold nanoparticle-based LFIAs under similar condition. The successful combination of fluorescent nanoparticle-based pathogen detection by LFIAs with a smart phone-based detection platform has resulted in a portable device with improved diagnosis features and having potential application in diagnostics and environmental monitoring. Figure

The successful combination of fluorescent nanoparticle-based pathogen detection by lateral flow immunoassay with a smart phone-based detection platform has resulted in a portable device that enables rapid and reliable bacterial detection holding large potential in diagnostics and environmental monitoring     

Alum-Catalyzed Domino Synthesis of 12-Substituted-8,9,10,12-tetrahydrobenzoxanthen-11-ones Under Solvent-Free Conditions

Alum is found to catalyze efficiently the one-pot, three-component condensation of aldehydes, α/β-naphthol, and dimedone to afford various 12-substituted-8,9,10,12-tetrahydrobenzoxanthen-11-ones in excellent yields. The use of alum catalyst and the solvent-free conditions make this method simple, convenient, eco-friendly, and cost-effective.     

Total synthesis of the Bacteroides fragilis zwitterionic polysaccharide A1 repeating unit

Nearly all bacteria capsular polysaccharides are T-cell-independent antigens that do not promote immunoglobulin class switching from IgM to IgG nor memory responses. In contrast, zwitterionic polysaccharides activate T-cell-dependent immune responses by major histocompatability complex class II presentation, a mechanism previously believed to be reserved for peptidic antigens. The best studied zwitterionic polysaccharide, polysaccharide A1 (PS A1) is found on the capsule of the commensal bacteria Bacteroides fragilis . Its potent immunomodulatory properties have been linked to postoperative intra-abdominal abscess formation. Here, we report the synthesis of the PS A1 tetrasaccharide repeating unit (2) as a tool to investigate the biological role of this polysaccharide. A modular synthetic strategy originating from the reducing end of the PS A1 repeating unit was unsuccessful and illustrated the limitations of glycosylation reactions between highly armed glycosylating agents and poor nucleophiles. Thus, a [3 + 1] glycosylation relying on trisaccharide 5 and pyruvalated galactose 6 was used to complete the first total synthesis of the PS A1 repeating unit (2).     

Mathematical modeling of cyclic voltammetry for EC<Subscript>2</Subscript> reaction

The non-steady-state concentration for an EC reaction at planar electrode is derived. The analytical expression for the concentration for EC reaction is reported for small and large value of reaction rate. The asymptotic expression for the non-steady-state current for EC reaction is also derived. The analytical solutions for normalized current response were formulated using the method of Laplace transformation. The concentration and current are compared with available limiting case results, and are found to be in good agreement.     

New approximate analytical expressions for transient concentration profiles and current pertaining to a homogeneous chemical reaction at hemispherical microelectrodes

A mathematical model corresponding to homogeneous chemical reactions under transient chronoamperometry conditions at hemispherical microelectrodes has been developed. The analytical solutions for the concentration of species and current were obtained using Duhamel's theorem. This closed-form theoretical expression pertains to the transient concentration profiles and fluxes of chemical species involved in chemical and electrochemical reactions at hemispherical microelectrodes. As t → ∞, the analytical expressions corresponding to the concentration and current approach steady-state values. The solutions obtained are explicit only under limiting current conditions. The approximate expressions for concentrations and current as functions of time corresponding to the EC' and CE mechanisms at hemispherical microelectrodes are also reported.