Analysis of the elliptic-profile cylindrical reflector with a non-uniform resistivity using the complex source and dual-series approach: H-polarization case

An elliptic-profile reflector with varying resistivity is analyzed under the illumination by an H-polarized beam generated by a complex-source-point (CSP) feed. The emphasis is done on the focusing ability that is potentially important in the applications in the optical range related to the partially transparent mirrors. We formulate the corresponding electromagnetic boundary-value problem and derive a singular integral equation from the resistive-surface boundary conditions. This equation is treated with the aid of the regularization technique called Riemann Hilbert Problem approach, which inverts the stronger singular part analytically, and converted to an infinite-matrix equation of the Fredholm 2nd kind. The resulting numerical algorithm has guaranteed convergence. This type of solution provides more accurate and faster results compared to the known method of moments. In the computations, a CSP feed is placed into a more distant geometrical focus of the elliptic reflector, and the near-field values at the closer focus are plotted and discussed. Various far-field radiation patterns including those for the non-uniform resistive variation on the reflector are also presented.     

Flow topology in an L-shaped cavity with lids moving in the same directions

Flow development and eddy structure in an L-shaped cavity with lids moving in the same directions have been investigated using both tools from topological and numerical methods. In particular, structural bifurcation near a nonsimple degenerate point is investigated by making a local analysis of the velocity field based on a Taylor series expansion. The streamlines of a Hamiltonian vector field system are simplified by using the homotopy invariance of the index theory. A series of bifurcation curves are constructed to determine the sequence of flow structures by which eddies are generated in the L-shaped cavity.     

On coordinating an assembly system under random yield and random demand

We consider a decentralized assembly system in which the customer demand and the yield of the suppliers are random. We establish the concavity of expected supply chain profit for arbitrary number of suppliers. We propose two contracts and show that they coordinate the chain under forced compliance. The contracts are mixed type of contracts that include payments from different contract schemes. Particularly, a payment or a penalty to the worst performing supplier seems inevitable. Apart from providing a coordinating contract, we also provide qualitative insights based on a numerical illustration of centralized and decentralized solutions.     

The role of repair strategy in warranty cost minimization: An investigation via quasi-renewal processes

Most companies seek efficient rectification strategies to keep their warranty related costs under control. This study develops and investigates different repair strategies for one- and two-dimensional warranties with the objective of minimizing manufacturer’s expected warranty cost. Static, improved and dynamic repair strategies are proposed and analyzed under different warranty structures. Numerical experimentation with representative cost functions indicates that performance of the policies depend on various factors such as product reliability, structure of the cost function and type of the warranty contract.     

Bis(3‐phenyl‐1,2,4‐thia­diazole‐5‐thiol­ato)mercury(II)

The title compound, [Hg(C₈H₅N₂S₂)₂], has crystallographic C₂ symmetry. The Hg—S distance is 2.353 (2) Å and the coordination geometry is linear, with an S—Hg—S angle of 179.77 (18)°. The exocyclic C—S single‐bond distance is 1.749 (6) Å, and intra­molecular Hg⋯N distances of 2.857 (4) Å exist, as well as secondary Hg⋯C and S⋯S contacts.     

Investigation of Solvent Effects on Photophysical Properties of New Aminophthalimide Derivatives-Based on Methanesulfonate

Novel aminophthalimide derivatives were synthesized starting from (3aR,7aS)-2-(2-hydroxypropyl)-3a,4,7,7a–tetrahydro-1H-isoindole-1,3(2H)-dione (9) , and solvent effects on the photo-physical properties of these newly synthesized aminophthalimide derivatives (compounds 14 and 15) were investigated using UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence measurements. Both absorption and fluorescence spectra exhibited bathochromic shift with the increased polarity of the solvents for both molecules. Solute-solvent interactions were analyzed using the Lippert-Mataga and Bakhshiev polarity functions, and Kamlet-Taft and Catalan multiple linear regression approaches. The results revealed that these two molecules experienced specific interactions. Furthermore, photo-physical parameters were calculated for both molecules in all of the solvents, such as the fluorescence quantum yield, fluorescence lifetime, radiative (k_r) and non-radiative (k_nr) rate constant values. It was observed that the fluorescence quantum yield values decreased linearly with increasing solvent polarity. This study proved the new dyes including isopropyl methanesulfonate group displayed different behavior from previous studies of aminophthalimide derivatives in water. It was recommended that these new dyes having interesting properties by changing solvent can be used various applications such as environmentally sensitive fluorescent probes, labels in biology, laser industry.     

Novel conducting polymer electrolyte biosensor based on poly(1-vinyl imidazole) and poly(acrylic acid) networks

Biosensor construction and characterization studies of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and poly(1-vinyl imidazole) (PVI) complex systems have been carried out. The biosensors were prepared by mixing PAA with PVI at several stoichiometric ratios, x (molar ratio of the monomer repeat units). The enzyme, invertase, was entrapped in the PAA/PVA interpenetrating polymer networks during complexation. Modifications were made on the PAA/PVI conducting polymer electrolyte matrixes to improve the stability and performance of the polymer electrolyte-based enzyme biosensor. The maximum reaction rate (V(max)) and Michaelis-Menten constant (K(m)) were investigated for the immobilized invertase. The temperature and pH optimization, operational stability, and shelf life of the polymer electrolyte biosensor were also examined.     

A novel triazine‒bearing calix[4]arene: Design,synthesis and gas sensing affinity for volatile organic compounds

A novel triazine-calix[4]arene conjugate was designed and synthesized with the aim to study gas sensing against volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as dichloromethane, chloroform and carbon tetrachloride. This novel compound was fully characterized by spectroscopic techniques such as FTIR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR along with HRMS and BET analysis. The triazine based calix[4]arene organic materials were fabricated onto quartz glasses and quartz crystal substrates to form a thin film chemical sensor element by using Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) technique. Quartz Crystal Microbalance, UV–Visible Spectroscopy, Atomic Force Microscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy techniques were employed to characterize all these LB thin film layers. Fick's Equations were used for analyzing the swelling process of LB thin film sensor and diffusion coefficient values of organic vapours for swelling were obtained. The initial experiments have revealed that new triazine appended calix[4]arene derivative exhibited an effective chemical gas sensor characteristic with a large response to dichloromethane vapour.     

Intrinsic and Mn doped InAs quantum dots studied at the atomic scale by cross-sectional scanning tunneling microscopy

Cross-sectional Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (X-STM) is an ideal tool to study the structural properties of semiconductor nanostructures, such as InAs self-assembled quantum dots (QDs) and the properties of individual doping atoms at the atomic scale. The technique allows for a precise determination of the size, shape and composition of overgrown semiconductor nanostructures which can be part of a (complex) multilayer structure. In this paper we discuss our recent results on InAs QD structures that were capped by various methods in order to control their size and shape. We will show that the capping process does strongly affect the final QD structure and thus forms a very important step in the dot formation process. Recently people have started to investigate magnetically doped QDs. We have used our X-STM technique to study the incorporation of single Mn-impurities in InAs/GaAs QDs.     

A novel intrinsically proton conducting star-shaped imidazole terminated oligomers

In this paper, intrinsically proton conducting imidazole-terminated oligomers were synthesized by tethering imidazole units via flexible ethylene oxides (EO) chain onto 1,3,5-benzenetricarbonyl chloride (TMA). The structure of the resulting material was confirmed by FT-IR; ¹H-NMR spectrometer and compositions were obtained by elemental analysis. Thermogravimetry results showed that the materials are thermally stable up to approximately 160 °C. Differential scanning calorimeter studies were performed to study the influence of the length of EO units on the glass transition temperatures of the materials. The conductivity isotherms exhibit Vogel–Tamman–Fulcher behavior with a maximum proton conductivity of at 110 °C for TMA-(Peg₆₀₀-Imi)₃.