UV filter 2‐ethylhexyl 4‐methoxycinnamate: a structure,energetic and UV–vis spectral analysis based on density functional theory

2‐Ethylhexyl 4‐methoxycinnamate (EHMC) is a very commonly used UVB filter that is known to isomerize from the (E) to the (Z) isomer in the presence of light. In this study, we have performed high level quantum chemical calculations using density functional theory (DFT) with the B3LYP density functional and extended basis sets to study the gas‐phase molecular structure of EHMC and its energetic stability. Calculations were also performed for related smaller molecules cinnamic acid and 4‐methoxycinnamic acid. Charge delocalization has been analyzed using natural charges and Wiberg bond indexes within the natural bond orbital analysis and using nucleus independent chemical shifts. Density functional theory calculations reveal that the (E) isomer of EHMC is more stable than the (Z) by about 20 kJ mol^?1 in both the gas and aqueous phases. The enthalpy of formation in the gas phase of (E)‐EHMC was derived from an isodesmic bond separation reaction. Long‐range corrected DFT calculations in implicit water were made in order to understand the excited state properties of the (E) and (Z) isomers of EHMC. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Orthonormal bases generated by Cuntz algebras

We show how some orthonormal bases can be generated by representations of the Cuntz algebra; these include Fourier bases on fractal measures, generalized Walsh bases on the unit interval and piecewise exponential bases on the middle third Cantor set.     

Selectivity of seismic electric signal (SES) of the 2000 Izu earthquake swarm: a 3D FEM numerical simulation model

Although seismic electric signal (SES) has been used for short-term prediction of earthquakes, selectivity of SES still remains as one of the mysterious features. As a case study, we made a numerical simulation based on a 3D finite element method (FEM) on the selectivity of SES observed in the case of the 2000 Izu earthquake swarm. Our numerical results indicated that the existence of conductive channel under Niijima island could explain the reported SES selectivity.     

地球静止轨道远程交会过程导航性能评估

远程交会是静止轨道共位卫星自主定点置入的关键途径。针对远程交会过程中大距离跨度下相对运动模型的误差信号特性,理论推导了误差的传递机理,给出了相对导航EKF算法期望及噪声特性的定量分析模型。研究表明,确定距离区间存在最优过程噪声量级及其对应的最优滤波性能,且滤波误差与交会距离正相关,可作为全局最优滤波器的定量设计依据,解决了静止轨道远程交会过程EKF导航算法性能的量化评估问题。仿真表明,分析结论正确,相对速度滤波误差全程优于0.005 m/s(1σ),满足交会任务需求。     

A strategy for multivariate calibration based on modified single-index signal regression: Capturing explicit non-linearity and improving prediction accuracy

In this paper, a modified single-index signal regression (mSISR) method is proposed to construct a nonlinear and practical model with high-accuracy. The mSISR method defines the optimal penalty tuning parameter in P-spline signal regression (PSR) as initial tuning parameter and chooses the number of cycles based on minimizing root mean squared error of cross-validation (RMSECV). mSISR is superior to single-index signal regression (SISR) in terms of accuracy, computation time and convergency. And it can provide the character of the non-linearity between spectra and responses in a more precise manner than SISR. Two spectra data sets from basic research experiments, including plant chlorophyll nondestructive measurement and human blood glucose noninvasive measurement, are employed to illustrate the advantages of mSISR. The results indicate that the mSISR method (i) obtains the smooth and helpful regression coefficient vector, (ii) explicitly exhibits the type and amount of the non-linearity, (iii) can take advantage of nonlinear features of the signals to improve prediction performance and (iv) has distinct adaptability for the complex spectra model by comparing with other calibration methods. It is validated that mSISR is a promising nonlinear modeling strategy for multivariate calibration.     

Gaussian pre-filtering for uncertainty minimization in digital image correlation using numerically-designed speckle patterns

This paper discusses the effect of pre-processing image blurring on the uncertainty of two-dimensional digital image correlation (DIC) measurements for the specific case of numerically-designed speckle patterns having particles with well-defined and consistent shape, size and spacing. Such patterns are more suitable for large measurement surfaces on large-scale specimens than traditional spray-painted random patterns without well-defined particles. The methodology consists of numerical simulations where Gaussian digital filters with varying standard deviation are applied to a reference speckle pattern. To simplify the pattern application process for large areas and increase contrast to reduce measurement uncertainty, the speckle shape, mean size and on-center spacing were selected to be representative of numerically-designed patterns that can be applied on large surfaces through different techniques (e.g., spray-painting through stencils). Such “designer patterns” are characterized by well-defined regions of non-zero frequency content and non-zero peaks, and are fundamentally different from typical spray-painted patterns whose frequency content exhibits near-zero peaks. The effect of blurring filters is examined for constant, linear, quadratic and cubic displacement fields. Maximum strains between ±250 and ±20,000 µε are simulated, thus covering a relevant range for structural materials subjected to service and ultimate stresses. The robustness of the simulation procedure is verified experimentally using a physical speckle pattern subjected to constant displacements. The stability of the relation between standard deviation of the Gaussian filter and measurement uncertainty is assessed for linear displacement fields at varying image noise levels, subset size, and frequency content of the speckle pattern. It is shown that bias error as well as measurement uncertainty are minimized through Gaussian pre-filtering. This finding does not apply to typical spray-painted patterns without well-defined particles, for which image blurring is only beneficial in reducing bias errors.     

PERI-INTERACTIONS IN NAPHTHALENES, 21. SUBSTITUENT EFFECTS IN (8-DIMETHYLAMINO-NAPHTH-1-YL)- AND [2-DIMETHYLAMINO-METHYL)PHENYL] - PHOSPHINES ON THE 31P-NMR SIGNAL POSITIONS

Abstract

Contrary to claims in the literature, the ³¹P NMR signal positions of ortho-dimethylaminomethyl-substituted triarylphosphines do not provide evidence for hypercoordination at phosphorus; the observed highfield shifts relative to triphenylphosphine are rather due to the ortho-effect. In (8-dimethylamino-naphth-1-yl)phosphines, the signal positions similar to that of triphenylphosphine are the result of the highfield ortho-effect and a lowfield peri-substituent effect of about the same magnitude whose nature remains to be explored.     

Handling uncertainties in toxicity modelling using a fuzzy filter

A fundamental concern in the Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship approach to toxicity evaluation is the generalization of the model over a wide range of compounds. The data driven modelling of toxicity, due to the complex and ill-defined nature of eco-toxicological systems, is an uncertain process. The development of a toxicity predicting model without considering uncertainties may produce a model with a low generalization performance. This study presents a novel approach to toxicity modelling that handles the involved uncertainties using a fuzzy filter, and thus improves the generalization capability of the model. The method is illustrated by considering a data set dealing with the fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) toxicity of 568 organic compounds.     

Quadrupole mass filter operation under the influence of magnetic field

This work demonstrates resolution enhancement of a quadrupole mass filter (QMF) under the influence of a static magnetic field. Generally, QMF resolution can be improved by increasing the number of rf cycles an ion experiences when passing through the mass filter. In order to improve the resolution, the dimensions of the QMF or the operating parameters need to be changed. However, geometric modifications to improve performance increase the manufacturing cost and usually the size of the instrument. By applying a magnetic field, a low‐cost, small footprint instrument with reduced power requirements can be realized. Significant improvement in QMF resolution was observed experimentally for certain magnetic field conditions, and these have been explained in terms of our theoretical model developed at the University of Liverpool. This model is capable of accurate simulation of spectra allowing the user to specify different values of mass spectrometer dimensions and applied input signals. The model predicts enhanced instrument resolution R>26 000 for a CO₂ and N₂ mixture with a 200‐mm long mass filter operating in stability zone 3 via application of an axial magnetic field. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Autophagic failure promotes the exocytosis and intercellular transfer of α-synuclein

The accumulation of abnormal protein aggregates is a major characteristic of many neurodegenerative disorders, including Parkinson''s disease (PD). The intracytoplasmic deposition of α-synuclein aggregates and Lewy bodies, often found in PD and other α-synucleinopathies, is thought to be linked to inefficient cellular clearance mechanisms, such as the proteasome and autophagy/lysosome pathways. The accumulation of α-synuclein aggregates in neuronal cytoplasm causes numerous autonomous changes in neurons. However, it can also affect the neighboring cells through transcellular transmission of the aggregates. Indeed, a progressive spreading of Lewy pathology among brain regions has been hypothesized from autopsy studies. We tested whether inhibition of the autophagy/lysosome pathway in α-synuclein-expressing cells would increase the secretion of α-synuclein, subsequently affecting the α-synuclein deposition in and viability of neighboring cells. Our results demonstrated that autophagic inhibition, via both pharmacological and genetic methods, led to increased exocytosis of α-synuclein. In a mixed culture of α-synuclein-expressing donor cells with recipient cells, autophagic inhibition resulted in elevated transcellular α-synuclein transmission. This increase in protein transmission coincided with elevated apoptotic cell death in the recipient cells. These results suggest that the inefficient clearance of α-synuclein aggregates, which can be caused by reduced autophagic activity, leads to elevated α-synuclein exocytosis, thereby promoting α-synuclein deposition and cell death in neighboring neurons. This finding provides a potential link between autophagic dysfunction and the progressive spread of Lewy pathology.