Experimental transition probabilities in the Ar III and Ar IV UV spectra

We present transition probabilities (Einstein's A values) for 38 Ar III (doubly ionized argon) and 14 Ar IV (triply ionized argon) spectral lines from the wavelength interval 240–308 nm. Considered spectral lines are recorded in laboratory pulsed discharge. The relative line intensity ratio procedure has been applied in evaluation of transition probabilities. As a reference for transition probability evaluation we have chosen A value of 241.884 nm spectral line in Ar III spectrum and A value of 280.947 nm in Ar IV spectrum, both obtained theoretically. Careful analysis of experimental and existing theoretical data is conducted in order to deduce uncertainties. Presented Ar III and Ar IV A values are for the first time obtained relying on experimental data.     

Phase behaviors of binary mixtures composed of banana-shaped and calamitic mesogens

In this work, five mixtures with different concentrations of banana-shaped and calamitic compounds have been prepared and subsequently studied by polarizing optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and X-ray diffraction on non-oriented samples. The phase sequences and molecular parameters of the binary systems are presented.     

Wave Equation Driven by Fractional Generalized Stochastic Processes

Fractional derivatives of generalized stochastic processes have the global properties and keep the memory of their own. They are applicable for processes with memory. We employ them in solving equations driven by fractional derivatives of singular noises and singular initial data. We work on the perturbation of the wave equation by fractional time and space derivatives of generalized processes, in particular with Wiener process and a nonlinear term. The Wiener process is used to represent the integral of a Gaussian white noise process, and so is useful as a model of noise in electronics engineering, instrument errors in filtering theory and unknown forces in control theory.     

Quantum mechanical criteria for choosing appropriate voltage stabilization additives for polyethylene

One of the major application fields for solid dielectric polymers is their use as insulating materials for power cables. Since the electrical aging of the insulating polymeric materials is one of the most important factors affecting the service lifetime of power cables, developing a model which can be used to design materials with an improved resistance to electrical degradation would be highly beneficial. We developed a model for the electrical field within the polymer material contaminated with a sharp conducting defect (a metallic needle) and defined a parameter characterizing the resistance of polymer to electrical treeing. The model was used to analyse data for the electrical degradation of polyethylene stabilized with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Based on quantum mechanically calculated electron affinities and ionisation potentials of the stabilizer molecules, we discovered that if a molecule is to be considered for voltage stabilization use it has to have a specific combination of the ionisation potential and adiabatic electron affinity. The model allows for a choice of appropriate voltage stabilizers based on theoretical calculations only and can help to facilitate any experimental study for choosing appropriate voltage stabilizer additives.     

Injection of ideal fluid from two slots into a stream

A cold gas is injected from two slots into a stream of hot gas. In a simple model this leads to a three-phase two-free-boundary problem. We prove, using the variational theory of Alt, Caffarelli and Friedman, the existence of the classical solution.     

Oriented binding of the His6-tagged carboxyl-tail of the L-type Ca2+ channel alpha1-subunit to a new NTA-functionalized self-assembled monolayer

Oriented stable binding of functional proteins on surfaces is of fundamental interest for receptor/ligand studies in atomic force microscopy (AFM) and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) experiments. Here we have chosen the His6-tagged carboxyl-tail (C-tail) of the alpha1c-subunit of the L-type Ca2+ channel and calmodulin (CaM) as its cognitive partner as a model system to develop a new functional surface. Covalently attached self-assembled monolayers on ultraflat gold containing NTA-thiols to which the His6-tagged C-tail was bound and thiols with triethylene-glycol groups as matrix-thiols represented the system of choice. The topography of this surface was characterized using AFM; its ability to bind C-tail proteins oriented and stable was confirmed by SPR measurements and by complementary force spectroscopy experiments with a CaM4-construct covalently attached to the tip. The developed anchoring strategy can now be used to study receptor/ligand interactions in general applying force spectroscopy and SPR on His6-tagged proteins oriented immobilized onto this new NTA-functionalized self-assembled monolayer.     

Aptamer-based colorimetric probe for cocaine

Complex of an anti-cocaine aptamer and the dye diethylthiotricarbocyanine behaves as a colorimetric sensor with attenuation in absorbance at 760 nm for cocaine in the concentration range of 2-600 muM. Mechanistic studies indicate an intermolecular displacement of the dye as the mechanism of action of the sensor. As the dye is insoluble in buffer, cocaine binding can be followed with the unaided eye as displaced dye precipitates and supernatant decolorizes.     

Robust identification for fault detection in the presence of non-Gaussian noises: application to hydraulic servo drives

Nonlinear Dynamics - Intensive research in the field of mathematical modeling of hydraulic servo systems has shown that their mathematical models have many important details which cannot be...     

Study of thiazole orange in aptamer-based dye-displacement assays

We screened a series of RNA and DNA aptamers for their ability to serve in the dye displacement assays in which analytes compete with TO dye. We conclude that, while the performance of the TO dye displacement approach is not always predictable, it is still a simple and sensitive assay to detect binding between RNA aptamers and small molecules. In particular, we describe efficient assays for tobramycin and theophylline, with up to 90% displacement of TO observed, and we describe the first aptameric assay for cAMP. Figure An RNA or DNA aptamer against a molecule (circle) binds TO dye, resulting in a fluorescent complex. Presence of free molecule in solution results in the displacement of TO from the complex and a reduction in fluorescence Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.