Conservative boundary control systems

We study continuous time linear dynamical systems of boundary control/observation type, satisfying a Green-Lagrange identity. Particular attention is paid to systems which have a well-defined dynamics both in the forward and the backward time directions. As we change the direction of time we also interchange inputs and outputs. We show that such a boundary control/observation system gives rise to a continuous time Livšic-Brodski? (system) node with strictly unbounded control and observation operators. The converse is also true. We illustrate the theory by a classical example, namely, the wave equation describing the reflecting mirror.     

Study of exclusive charmless semileptonic B decays and |Vub|

We study semileptonic B decay to the exclusive charmless states pi, rho/omega, eta, and eta;{'} using the 16 fb(-1) CLEO Upsilon(4S) data sample. We find B(B0-->pi-l+nu)=(1.37+/-0.15stat+/-0.11sys)x10(-4) and B(B0-->rho-l+nu)=(2.93+/-0.37stat+/-0.37sys)x10(-4) and find evidence for B+-->eta'l+nu, with B(B+-->eta'l+nu)=(2.66+/-0.80stat+/-0.56sys)x10(-4). From our B-->pilnu rate for q2>16 GeV2 and lattice QCD, we find |Vub|=(3.6+/0.4stat+/0.2syst-0.4thy+0.6)x10(-3) [corrected]     

Precision determination of the D0 mass

A precision measurement of the D0 meson mass has been made using approximately 281 pb(-1) of e+e- annihilation data taken with the CLEO-c detector at the psi(3770) resonance. The exclusive decay D0-->K_{S}phi has been used to obtain M(D0)=1864.847+/-0.150(stat)+/-0.095(syst) MeV. This corresponds to M(D0D*0)=3871.81+/-0.36 MeV, and leads to a well-constrained determination of the binding energy of the proposed D0D*0 molecule X(3872), as Eb=0.6+/-0.6 MeV.     

Observation of Upsilon(3S)-->tau+tau- and tests of lepton universality in Upsilon decays

Using data collected with the CLEO III detector at the CESR e+e- collider, we report on a first observation of the decay Upsilon(3S)-->tau+tau-, and precisely measure the ratio of branching fractions of Upsilon(nS), n=1, 2, 3, to tau+tau- and mu+mu- final states, finding agreement with expectations from lepton universality. We derive absolute branching fractions for these decays, and also set a limit on the influence of a low mass CP-odd Higgs boson in the decay of the Upsilon(1S).     

Solution properties of dendronized poly(hydroxy ethyl methacrylate) polymers

Four generations of dendronized polymers with a methacrylate backbone and hydroxy‐functionalized aliphatic polyester dendrons based on 2,2‐bis(methylol)propionic acid were studied in solutions by rheological measurements, dynamic light scattering, turbidimetry, and ¹H NMR self‐diffusion measurements to reveal the effect of increasing hydrophilicity and molecular size on their solution properties. The studied polymers were interesting new amphiphiles with a hydrophobic main chain and a hydrophilic shell. Evidence of aggregation upon the heating of the first‐generation polymer in an aqueous solution was obtained by dynamic light scattering and turbidimetry, reflecting the effect of the hydrophobic polymer backbone, whereas the higher generation polymers did not show aggregation upon heating. Although the dimensions of the polymers were observed to increase with increasing generation, all the polymers exhibited low viscosities and Newtonian flow behavior in both aqueous and dimethyl sulfoxide solutions. The relative viscosities of the polymers in water and dimethyl sulfoxide showed that the conformation of the polymers was somewhat more open in dimethyl sulfoxide, and this led to higher viscosities than those in water, in agreement with the ¹H NMR diffusion measurements, by which the dimensions were found to be larger for the polymers dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 3674–3683, 2006     

Mesoporous silica particles grafted with poly(ethyleneoxide‐block‐N‐vinylcaprolactam)

Mesoporous silica particles were grafted with thermoresponsive poly(ethyleneoxide‐b‐N‐vinylcaprolactam), PEO‐b‐PVCL. N‐vinylcaprolactam was first polymerized on particle surfaces using surface initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI‐ATRP) and then, the poly(ethyleneoxide) blocks were attached to the PVCL chain ends with click chemistry. The sizes, thermoresponsiviness, and colloidal stability of SiO₂‐PVCL and SiO₂‐PVCL‐b‐PEO particles and their aqueous dispersions were studied by scanning electron microscopy, turbidimetry, dynamic light scattering, zeta sizer, and microcalorimetry. The phase separation temperature of the PEO‐b‐PVCL grafted particles did not considerably differ from that of the SiO₂‐PVCL particles. The zeta potential of the grafted particles was close to zero at room temperature but decreased strongly upon heating. The decrease is related to the collapse of the PVCL blocks and correspondingly, the exposure of the silica surface toward the aqueous phase. The colloidal stability of the particles could be enhanced by adding PEO blocks to the chain ends of the PVCL grafts. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013 , 51, 5012–5020     

Characterization of the sulfhydryl-sensitive site in the enzyme responsible for hydrolysis of 2-arachidonoyl-glycerol in rat cerebellar membranes

We have previously reported that the endocannabinoid, 2-arachidonoyl-glycerol (2-AG), is hydrolyzed in rat cerebellar membranes by monoglyceride lipase (MGL)-like enzymatic activity. The present study shows that, like MGL, 2-AG-degrading enzymatic activity is sensitive to inhibition by sulfhydryl-specific reagents. Inhibition studies of this enzymatic activity by N-ethylmaleimide analogs revealed that analogs with bulky hydrophobic N-substitution were more potent inhibitors than hydrophilic or less bulky agents. Interestingly, the substrate analog N-arachidonylmaleimide was found to be the most potent inhibitor. A comparison model of MGL was constructed to get a view on the cysteine residues located near the binding site. These findings support our previous conclusion that the 2-AG-degrading enzymatic activity in rat cerebellar membranes corresponds to MGL or MGL-like enzyme and should facilitate further efforts to develop potent and more selective MGL inhibitors.     

Precision measurements of the timelike electromagnetic form factors of pion, kaon, and proton

Using 20.7 pb(-1) of e(+)e(-) annihilation data taken at sq.rt(r) = 3.671 GeV with the CLEO-c detector, precision measurements of the electromagnetic form factors of the charged pion, charged kaon, and proton have been made for timelike momentum transfer of |Q(2)| = 13.48 GeV(2) by the reaction e(+)e(-) --> h(+)h(-). The measurements are the first ever with identified pions and kaons of |Q(2)| > 4 GeV(2), with the results F(13.48 GeV(2)) = 0.075 +/- 0.008(stat) +/- 0.005(syst) and F(K)(13.48 GeV(2)) = 0.063 +/- 0.004(stat) +/- 0.001(syst). The result for the proton, assuming G(p)(E) = G(p)(M), is G(p)(M)(13.48 GeV(2)) = 0.014 +/- 0.002(stat) +/- 0.001(syst), which is in agreement with earlier results.     

Intracerebroventricular antisense knockdown of Gα<Subscript>i2</Subscript> results in ciliary stasis and ventricular dilatation in the rat

Background  

In the CNS, the heterotrimeric G protein Gα_i2 is a minor Gα subunit with restricted localization in the ventricular regions including the ependymal cilia. The localization of Gα_i2 is conserved in cilia of different tissues, suggesting a particular role in ciliary function. Although studies with Gα_i2-knockout mice have provided information on the role of this Gα subunit in peripheral tissues, its role in the CNS is largely unknown. We used intracerebroventricular (icv) antisense administration to clarify the physiological role of Gα_i2 in the ventricular system.     

Thermoplastic Cellulose-Based Compound for Additive Manufacturing

The increasing environmental awareness is driving towards novel sustainable high-performance materials applicable for future manufacturing technologies like additive manufacturing (AM). Cellulose is abundantly available renewable and sustainable raw material. This work focused on studying the properties of thermoplastic cellulose-based composites and their properties using injection molding and 3D printing of granules. The aim was to maximize the cellulose content in composites. Different compounds were prepared using cellulose acetate propionate (CAP) and commercial cellulose acetate propionate with plasticizer (CP) as polymer matrices, microcellulose (mc) and novel cellulose-ester additives; cellulose octanoate (C8) and cellulose palmitate (C16). The performance of compounds was compared to a commercial poly(lactic acid)-based cellulose fiber containing composite. As a result, CP-based compounds had tensile and Charpy impact strength properties comparable to commercial reference, but lower modulus. CP-compounds showed glass transition temperature (Tg) over 58% and heat distortion temperature (HDT) 12% higher compared to reference. CAP with C16 had HDT 82.1 °C. All the compounds were 3D printable using granular printing, but CAP compounds had challenges with printed layer adhesion. This study shows the potential to tailor thermoplastic cellulose-based composite materials, although more research is needed before obtaining all-cellulose 3D printable composite material with high-performance.