Metal complexes of mercaptoamines—III. Different behaviour of β- and γ-(N,N-dimethyl)-mercaptoamines

The complexes Ni₆(MPDMA)₁₂, [Ni₆(MPDMAH)₁₂]X₁₂ X = (I, ClO₄) and Pd₂(MPDMA)₂Cl₂ (MPDMA = ^t-S(CH₂)₃N(CH₃)₂) have been prepared and characterized. An X-ray diffraction study shows that the structure of [Ni₆(MPDMAH)₁₂] (ClO₄)₁₂ consists of a cyclic hexanuclear array of nickel atoms linked by sulphur bridging ligands. Infrared and electronic spectra show that there is no chelation in any of the nickel complexes. However, coordination through the nitrogen atoms occurs in the palladium complex. This behaviour differs from that of the homologous β-mercaptoamine, which forms monomeric chelate complexes with both nickel and palladium.     

Multiple-encoding retrieval for optical security

We propose a method for image encryption by multiple-step random phase encoding with an undercover multiplexing operation. The true image is stored in a multiple record we call encodegram; and then we can reconstruct it by the use of the appropriate random phase masks and a retrieval protocol. To increase the security of the true hidden image and confuse unauthorized receivers, we add to the encodegram an encoded fake image with different content. This fake image has only a small effect on the retrieval of the true hidden image, owing to the specific property of this protocol. In the decryption step, we can reveal the true image by applying the inverse protocol to two cyphertexts, one the encodegram containing the true image along with the fake image; and the other helping to get the random phase key to achieve the true image. Computer simulations verify the validity of this method for image encryption. Digital implementation of the method makes it particularly suitable for the remote transmission of information.     

Discussion on Fresnel's mirrors and Young's double-slit interferometers

In this work, Fresnel's mirror and Young's double-slit experiments are compared. Numerical calculations show that Fresnel's experiment and Young's experiment present significant differences between their interference patterns when the optical source is extended rather than point-like. Those differences agree with the analogous between the overlapping of two quasi-monochromatic beams on the temporal domain (the analogous of Young's experiment) and these same beams superimposed previous modulation with sawtooth-wave (the analogous of Fresnel's interferometer). The implemented algorithms allow evaluating the cases of fully spatially coherence, fully spatially incoherence and spatially partially coherence. Computer simulations are presented to show the validity of our proposal.     

Quasi-steady state model determination for systems with singular perturbations modelled by bond graphs

A bond graph model for a singularly perturbed system is presented. This system is characterized by fast and slow dynamics. In addition, the bond graph can have storage elements with derivative and integral causality assignments for both dynamics. When the singular perturbation method is applied, the fast dynamic differential equation degenerates to an algebraic equation; the real roots of this equation can be determined by using another bond graph called singularly perturbed bond graph (SPBG). This SPBG has the characteristic that storage elements of the fast state and slow state have a derivative and integral causality assignment, respectively. Thus, a quasi-steady state model by using SPBG is obtained. A Lemma to get the junction structure from SPBG is proposed. Finally, the proposed methodology is applied to two examples.     

Existence and Blow-up for a Parabolic System from?Combustion Theory

We study the stability of the Solid Fuel Model, which represents a thermal reaction of a solid material. This model corresponds to a nonlinear eigenvalue problem of two strongly coupled nonlinear reaction–diffusion equations, with different boundary conditions on each unknown. We obtain a strong bifurcation criterion for the steady problem and estimates for the blow-up time in the unsteady case. In addition, numerical solutions of both the steady and unsteady problem are presented to illustrate the results.     

Photodegradation of 2,4-D over PdO/Al2O3-Nd2O3 photocatalysts prepared by the sol-gel method

The photocatalytic activity of 1.0 wt% PdO supported on Al₂O₃-Nd₂O₃ binary oxides prepared by the sol-gel method was studied in the photodegradation of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). The photocatalysts were characterized by N₂ physisorption, XRD and UV-vis spectroscopy. PdO supported on γ-Al₂O₃ photo-degrades the 2,4-D, however the addition of Nd₂O₃ to γ-Al₂O₃ notably improves the photocatalytic activity. As the concentration of Nd₂O₃ in the binary oxide increases from 2 to 10 wt%, the photodegradation of 2,4-D is highly enhanced. The catalytic test for PdO supported on pure Nd₂O₃ showed scarce photocatalytic activity. Total organic carbon (TOC) analysis showed that the 2,4-D has been completely destroyed on the PdO/Al₂O₃-Nd₂O₃ photocatalysts after 6 h under irradiation.     

Multiplexing of encrypted data using fractal masks

In this Letter, we present to the best of our knowledge a new all-optical technique for multiple-image encryption and multiplexing, based on fractal encrypting masks. The optical architecture is a joint transform correlator. The multiplexed encrypted data are stored in a photorefractive crystal. The fractal parameters of the key can be easily tuned to lead to a multiplexing operation without cross talk effects. Experimental results that support the potential of the method are presented.     

Electroanalytical performance of a Bismuth/Antimony composite glassy carbon electrode in detecting lead and cadmium

This work reports on the electroanalytical performance of a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with antimony and bismuth (Sb/Bi-GCE) in detecting heavy metal ions using lead and cadmium as model analytes. The electroanalytical performance of the Sb/Bi-GCE surface was compared to the bismuth modified glassy carbon electrode (Bi-GCE) as well as the antimony modified glassy carbon electrode (Sb-GCE). The Sb/Bi-GCE exhibited excellent figures of merit compared to Bi-GCE and Sb-GCE surfaces. For example, the limit of detection for lead was 0.01 ppb using Sb/Bi-GCE and 0.1 and 1 ppb on Bi-GCE and Sb-GCE, respectively.     

Spline quasi-interpolation in the Bernstein basis and its application to digital elevation models

A nonstandard low-cost spline approximation method for approximating bivariate functions is constructed. It is applied for Digital Elevation approximation and then its accuracy in the downscaling process is studied.