Charge transfer dynamics of 3,4,9,10-perylene-tetracarboxylic-dianhydride molecules on Au(111) probed by resonant photoemission spectroscopy

Charge transfer dynamics across the lying-down 3,4,9,10-perylene-tetracarboxylic-dianhydride (PTCDA) organic semiconductor molecules on Au(111) interface has been investigated using the core-hole clock implementation of resonant photoemission spectroscopy. It is found that the charge transfer time scale at the PTCDA∕Au(111) interface is much larger than the C 1s core-hole lifetime of 6 fs, indicating weak electronic coupling between PTCDA and the gold substrate due to the absence of chemical reaction and∕or bonding.     

Optimal deteriorating items production inventory models with random machine breakdown and stochastic repair time

This study develops deteriorating items production inventory models with random machine breakdown and stochastic repair time. The model assumes the machine repair time is independent of the machine breakdown rate. The classical optimization technique is used to derive an optimal solution. A numerical example and sensitivity analysis are shown to illustrate the models. The stochastic repair models with uniformly distributed repair time tends to have a larger optimal total cost than the fixed repair time model, however the production up time is less than the fixed repair time model. Production and demand rate are the most sensitive parameters for the optimal production up time, and demand rate is the most sensitive parameter to the optimal total cost for the stochastic model with exponential distribution repair time.     

Solving the vendor–buyer integrated inventory system with arithmetic–geometric inequality

In the past, economic order quantity (EOQ) and economic production quantity (EPQ) were treated independently from the viewpoints of the buyer or the vendor. In most cases, the optimal solution for one player was non-optimal to the other player. In today’s competitive markets, close cooperation between the vendor and the buyer is necessary to reduce the joint inventory cost and the response time of the vendor–buyer system. The successful experiences of National Semiconductor, Wal-Mart, and Procter and Gamble have demonstrated that integrating the supply chain has significantly influenced the company’s performance and market share (Simchi-Levi et al. (2000) [1]). Recently, Yang et al. (2007) [2] presented an inventory model to determine the economic lot size for both the vendor and buyer, and the number of deliveries in an integrated two stage supply chain. In this paper, we present an alternative approach to determine the global optimal inventory policy for the vendor–buyer integrated system using arithmetic–geometric inequality.     

Synthesis of fullerene@gold core-shell nanostructures

A "direct encapsulation" method was developed for the synthesis of highly stable water-soluble fullerene@gold core-shell nanostructures, with gold nanoshells showing either closed or porous morphology. This gold nano-shell coating formed a "nano-oven", capable of decomposing encapsulated fullerene molecules rapidly when irradiated by laser. We envisaged this being a useful tool for chemical reactions as well as a novel scaffold for nano-material synthesis.     

Fully integrated lab-on-a-disc for simultaneous analysis of biochemistry and immunoassay from whole blood

We report a fully integrated device that can perform both multiple biochemical analysis and sandwich type immunoassay simultaneously on a disc. The whole blood is applied directly to the disposable "lab-on-a-disc" containing different kinds of freeze-dried reagents for the blood chemistry analysis as well as reagents required for the immunoassay. The concentrations of different kinds of analytes are reported within 22 min by simply inserting a disc to a portable device. Using the innovative laser irradiated ferrowax microvalves together with the centrifugal microfluidics, the total process of plasma separation, metering, mixing, incubation, washing, and detection is fully automated. The analyzer is equipped with an optical detection module to measure absorbances at 10 different wavelengths to accommodate the various kinds of reaction protocols. Compared to the conventional blood analysis done in clinical laboratories, it is advantageous for point-of-care applications because it requires a smaller amount of blood (350 μL vs. 3 mL), takes less time (22 min vs. several days), does not require specially trained operators or expensive instruments to run biochemical analysis and immunoassay separately.     

Determination of neutron flux parameters in PUSPATI TRIGA Mark II Research Reactor, Malaysia

In standardization NAA, it is necessary to characterize the neutron spectrum parameters such as epithermal neutron flux shape factor (α), thermal to epithermal neutron flux ratio (f), thermal neutron flux (φ _th) and epithermal neutron flux (φ _epi) in the irradiation facility to determine the concentration of an element in the sample using absolute and k ₀ standardization methods. The α and f were determined using Cd-ratio multi monitor method using experimental data obtained in PUSPATI TRIGA Mark II research reactor at four irradiation positions (10, 20, 30 and 40) of the rotary rack. The calculated values of α and f ranged from 0.006 to 0.0281 and 18.56 to 19.12 respectively. The average values of φ _th and φ _epi were found as 2.33 × 10¹² and 1.23 × 10¹¹ n cm^?2 s^?1 respectively. Moreover, a comparison of the neutron flux parameters in the present study shows an acceptable level of consistency with those of previous studies.     

Reflection functors and symplectic reflection algebras for wreath products

We construct reflection functors on categories of modules over deformed wreath products of the preprojective algebra of a quiver. These functors give equivalences of categories associated to generic parameters which are in the same orbit under the Weyl group action. We give applications to the representation theory of symplectic reflection algebras of wreath product groups.     

Optical travelator: transport and dynamic sorting of colloidal microspheres with an asymmetrical line optical tweezers

We report the transport, funnelling and dynamic sorting of colloidal microspheres in an aqueous suspension using line optical tweezers with asymmetrical intensity profiles. The line tweezers readily trapped and propelled the microspheres along the length of the line tweezers. Using this simple technique, transporting and funnelling of microspheres within a microscopic region were demonstrated. To illustrate the dynamic particle-sorting capability of the line tweezers, a binary colloidal system comprising of microspheres with diameters of 1.1 μm and 3.2 μm were driven past the line tweezers by electrophoresis. As the optical trapping force is dependent on the size of the microspheres, the line tweezers was able to change the path of the larger spheres while exerting little influence on the smaller spheres thus sorting the two types of microspheres. At optimized laser power and flow rate of microspheres, sorting efficiency greater than 90% has been achieved. PACS 42.15.Eq; 87.80.Cc; 87.80.Fe; 82.70.Dd     

Application of NAA to air particulate matter collected at thirteen sampling sites in eight Asian countries: A collaborative study

Air particulate matter (APM) samples (PM_2.5 and PM_10–2.5) were collected at 13 sampling points in 8 Asian countries and their chemical compositions were determined by using neutron activation analysis (NAA) with the k ₀-standardization method in addition to conventional comparative method of NAA. Analytical data showed that mass concentration and elemental composition of the APM collected are variable in terms of time and space, and are related to the characteristics of the sampling sites concerned. NAA was proved to be highly effective for the regional characterization of APM in chemical composition.     

Rational design of platinum(IV) compounds to overcome glutathione-S-transferase mediated drug resistance

A rationally designed Pt(IV) anticancer compound is described, employing the novel concept of tethering an inhibitor of glutathione-S-transferase, an enzyme associated with Pt-based drug-resistance, to cisplatin. Its enzyme inhibition activity, investigated using spectrophotometric and mass spectrometry-based techniques, and cytotoxic profile in resistant cancer cells are described.