Analysis of influence of nonlinearities and noise correlation time in a single-DOF energy-harvesting system via power balance description

Nonlinear Dynamics - We discuss the role played by the time correlation properties of stochastic sources and by model nonlinearities in single-degree of freedom energy-harvesting systems. After...     

Chaotic phase synchronization in small-world networks of bursting neurons

We investigate the chaotic phase synchronization in a system of coupled bursting neurons in small-world networks. A transition to mutual phase synchronization takes place on the bursting time scale of coupled oscillators, while on the spiking time scale, they behave asynchronously. It is shown that phase synchronization is largely facilitated by a large fraction of shortcuts, but saturates when it exceeds a critical value. We also study the external chaotic phase synchronization of bursting oscillators in the small-world network by a periodic driving signal applied to a single neuron. It is demonstrated that there exists an optimal small-world topology, resulting in the largest peak value of frequency locking interval in the parameter plane, where bursting synchronization is maintained, even with the external driving. The width of this interval increases with the driving amplitude, but decrease rapidly with the network size. We infer that the externally applied driving parameters outside the frequency locking region can effectively suppress pathologically synchronized rhythms of bursting neurons in the brain.     

Variable radio frequency proton-electron double-resonance imaging: application to pH mapping of aqueous samples

Proton-electron double-resonance imaging (PEDRI) offers rapid image data collection and high resolution for spatial distribution of paramagnetic probes. Recently we developed the concept of variable field (VF) PEDRI which enables extracting a functional map from a limited number of images acquired at pre-selected EPR excitation fields using specific paramagnetic probes (Khramtsov et al., J. Magn. Reson. 202 (2010) 267-273). In this work, we propose and evaluate a new modality of PEDRI-based functional imaging with enhanced temporal resolution which we term variable radio frequency (VRF) PEDRI. The approach allows for functional mapping (e.g., pH mapping) using specifically designed paramagnetic probes with high quality spatial resolution and short acquisition times. This approach uses a stationary magnetic field but different EPR RFs. The ratio of Overhauser enhancements measured at each pixel at two different excitation frequencies corresponding to the resonances of protonated and deprotonated forms of a pH-sensitive nitroxide is converted to a pH map using a corresponding calibration curve. Elimination of field cycling decreased the acquisition time by exclusion periods of ramping and stabilization of the magnetic field. Improved magnetic field homogeneity and stability allowed for the fast MRI acquisition modalities such as fast spin echo. In total, about 30-fold decrease in EPR irradiation time was achieved for VRF PEDRI (2.4s) compared with VF PEDRI (70s). This is particularly important for in vivo applications enabling one to overcome the limiting stability of paramagnetic probes and sample overheating by reducing RF power deposition.     

用于同步辐射的压电变形镜控制策略数值模拟北大核心CSCD

为了提高同步辐射中压电变形镜的控制自由度和面形精度,解决压电致动单元数量过多引起的解算电压受噪声影响异常波动(过拟合)问题,建立了变形镜模型并进行仿真控制。通过有限元仿真获得36组压电响应方程,构建面形与电压的数学模型;为补偿重力造成的镜面畸变,以获得的椭圆面形分析并比较了使用最小二乘法和Tikhonov正则化两种电压解算方案的控制效果。结果表明:采用Tikhonov正则化算法反演后,面形控制误差相比最小二乘法降低了21.7%,相邻极板间电压波动极大值从1.019 kV下降为0.174 kV,反演结果符合工程实际要求;系统对测试噪声具有鲁棒性,相比最小二乘法有更加优越的应用价值。     

Disentangling Multiple Effects on Excited-State Intramolecular Charge Transfer among Asymmetrical Tripartite PPI-TPA/PCz Triads

By utilizing the bipolarity of 1,2-diphenylphenanthroimidazole (PPI), two types of asymmetrical tripartite triads (PPI-TPA and PPI-PCz) were designed with triphenylamine (TPA) and 9-phenylcarbazole (PCz). These triads are deep-blue luminescent materials with a high fluorescence quantum yield of nearly 100 %. To trace the photophysical behaviors of these triads, their excited-state evolution channels and interchromophoric interactions were investigated by ultrafast time-resolved transient absorption and excited-state theoretical calculations. The results suggest that the electronic nature, asymmetrical tripartite structure, and electron–hole distance of these triads, as well as solvent polarity, determine the lifetime of intramolecular charge transfer (ICT). Interestingly, PPI-PCz triads show anti-Kasha ICT, and the charge-transfer direction among the triads is adjustable. For the PPI-TPA triad, the electron is transferred from TPA to PPI, whereas for the PPI-PCz triad the electron is pushed from PPI to PCz. Exploration of the excited-state ICT in these triads may pave the way to design better luminescent materials in the future.     

Sonochemical reactions of dissolved organic matter

Property changes of Aldrich and Pahokee peat dissolved organic matter (DOM) at different ultrasonic frequencies and energy densities were systematically investigated. Exposure of DOM to ultrasound resulted in decreases in TOC, Color₄₆₅, specific UV absorbance (SUVA), aromaticity and molecular weight, while DOM acidity increased. Compared to 20 kHz ultrasound, greater sonochemical transformation of DOM occurred at 354 kHz and at higher energy density, due to greater ^·OH radical production. The changes to DOM properties suggest that ultrasound may significantly affect DOM-pollutant interactions (e.g.facilitate desorption of hydrophobic organics from DOM or promote complexation between metallic cations and DOM).     

A stereographic projection based phase field model for ferromagnetics

By using the stereographic projection to satisfy the constant magnetization magnitude, a constraint-free phase field model is developed for ferromagnetic materials. Implemented by finite element method, the model is shown to be capable of simulating magnetic domain, vortex, and hysteresis curves. (© 2016 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Visible‐Light Photocatalytic Radical Alkenylation of α‐Carbonyl Alkyl Bromides and Benzyl Bromides

Through the use of [Ru(bpy)₃Cl₂] (bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine) and [Ir(ppy)₃] (ppy=phenylpyridine) as photocatalysts, we have achieved the first example of visible‐light photocatalytic radical alkenylation of various α‐carbonyl alkyl bromides and benzyl bromides to furnish α‐vinyl carbonyls and allylbenzene derivatives, prominent structural elements of many bioactive molecules. Specifically, this transformation is regiospecific and can tolerate primary, secondary, and even tertiary alkyl halides that bear β‐hydrides, which can be challenging with traditional palladium‐catalyzed approaches. The key initiation step of this transformation is visible‐light‐induced single‐electron reduction of C? Br bonds to generate alkyl radical species promoted by photocatalysts. The following carbon? carbon bond‐forming step involves a radical addition step rather than a metal‐mediated process, thereby avoiding the undesired β‐hydride elimination side reaction. Moreover, we propose that the Ru and Ir photocatalysts play a dual role in the catalytic system: they absorb energy from the visible light to facilitate the reaction process and act as a medium of electron transfer to activate the alkyl halides more effectively. Overall, this photoredox catalysis method opens new synthetic opportunities for the efficient alkenylation of alkyl halides that contain β‐hydrides under mild conditions.     

Synthesis of Mesoporous TiO2/SiO2 Hybrid Films as an Efficient Photocatalyst by Polymeric Micelle Assembly

Thermally stable mesoporous TiO₂/SiO₂ hybrid films with pore size of 50 nm have been synthesized by adopting the polymeric micelle‐assembly method. A triblock copolymer, poly(styrene‐b‐2‐vinyl pyridine‐b‐ethylene oxide), which serves as a template for the mesopores, was utilized to form polymeric micelles. The effective interaction of titanium tetraisopropoxide (TTIP) and tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) with the polymeric micelles enabled us to fabricate stable mesoporous films. By changing the molar ratio of TEOS and TTIP, several mesoporous TiO₂/SiO₂ hybrid films with different compositions can be synthesized. The presence of amorphous SiO₂ phase effectively retards the growth of anatase TiO₂ crystal in the pore walls and retains the original mesoporous structure, even at higher temperature (650 °C). These TiO₂/SiO₂ hybrid films are of very high quality, without any cracks or voids. The addition of SiO₂ phase to mesoporous TiO₂ films not only adsorbs more organic dyes, but also significantly enhances the photocatalytic activity compared to mesoporous pure TiO₂ film without SiO₂ phase.