Bending loss measurement using a fiber cavity ringdown scheme

A novel sensitive technique for the determination of losses in fiber cavities is presented. The method is based on the cavity ringdown scheme implemented in silica-based single-mode fibers. Bending losses of fiber cavities of different lengths have been measured showing all an oscillating behavior with respect to the curvature radius of the fiber as predicted by a theoretical model. The best minimum detectable absorbance per cavity pass achieved by this new method is 1.72×10⁻³ dB within a 10 m-long cavity. This limit suffices well for an accurate determination of optical bending losses even in bend-insensitive fibers. Furthermore, the comparison of the measured bending losses with a theoretical model allows the extraction of different fiber parameters. Good agreement has been found between the experimentally derived parameters and literature data.     

Alternating copolymerization of carbon dioxide and epoxide by manganese porphyrin: The first example of polycarbonate synthesis from 1-atm carbon dioxide

The first successful example of the formation of polycarbonate from 1-atm carbon dioxide and epoxide was demonstrated by the alternating copolymerization of carbon dioxide and epoxide with manganese porphyrin as a catalyst. The copolymerization of carbon dioxide and cyclohexene oxide with (porphinato)manganese acetate proceeded under the 1-atm pressure of carbon dioxide to give a copolymer with an alternating sequence. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 3549–3555, 2003     

CO_2 Reforming of CH_4 over Ni/CeO_2-ZrO_2-Al_2O_3 Prepared by Hydrothermal Synthesis Method

The Ni/CeO2-ZrO2-Al2O3 catalyst with different Al2O3 and NiO contents were prepared by hydrothermal synthesis method. The catalytic performance for CO2 reforming of CH4 reaction, the interaction among components and the relation between Ni content and catalyst surface basicity were investigated. Results show that the interaction between NiO and Al2O3 is stronger than that between NiO and CeO2-ZrO2.The addition of Al2O3 can prevent the formation of large metallic Ni ensembles, increase the dispersion of Ni, and improve catalytic activity, but excess Al2O3 causes the catalyst to deactivate easily. The interaction between NiO and CeO2 results in more facile reduction of surface CeO2. The existence of a small amount of metallic Ni can increase the number of basic sites. As metallic Ni may preferentially reside on the strong basic sites, increasing Ni content can weaken the catalyst basicity.     

A bio-mechanical model for coupling cell contractility with focal adhesion formation

Focal adhesions (FAs) are large, multi-protein complexes that provide a mechanical link between the cytoskeletal contractile machinery and the extracellular matrix. They exhibit mechanosensitive properties; they self-assemble upon application of pulling forces and dissociate when these forces are decreased. We rationalize this mechano-sensitivity from thermodynamic considerations and develop a continuum framework in which the cytoskeletal contractile forces generated by stress fibers drive the assembly of the FA multi-protein complexes. The FA model has three essential features: (i) the low and high affinity integrins co-exist in thermodynamic equilibrium, (ii) the low affinity integrins within the plasma membrane are mobile, and (iii) the contractile forces generated by the stress fibers are in mechanical equilibrium and change the free energies of the integrins. A general two-dimensional framework is presented and the essential features of the model illustrated using one-dimensional examples. Consistent with observations, the coupled stress fiber and FA model predict that (a) the FAs concentrate around the periphery of the cell; (b) the fraction of the cell covered by FAs increases with decreasing cell size while the total FA intensity increases with increasing cell size; and (c) the FA intensity decreases substantially when cell contractility is curtailed.     

Modification of multiwalled carbon nanotubes by carboxy groups and determination of the degree of functionalization

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes were modified by carboxy groups. Four independent methods for the determination of the degree of functionalization of the surface were proposed: ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, titrimetry, and fluorimetry. The first two methods show the total content of carboxy groups in the sample, and the latter two methods give information about the content of the surface groups only. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 2, pp. 291–295, February, 2008.     

The design of molecules containing planar tetracoordinate carbon

A novel preference for planar tetracoordination was observed over the conventional tetrahedral arrangement in a new series of C₅H₂, C₅H₄, C₅H₄^1+/2+ and related compounds. The stability of these molecules is assessed with the ring-opening barriers, HOMO-LUMO gap, singlet-triplet energy differences and nucleus independent chemical shift values.     

Cellulose-based fibers from liquid–crystalline solutions. II. Processing and morphology of acetate/butyrate esters

Fibers were spun from isotropic and anisotropic dimethylacetamide solutions of cellulose esters. Take-up speeds of the dry jet/wet spinning process varied. Water served as the coagulant. The mechanical properties of the fibers increased as spinning progressed from the isotropic to the anisotropic state of the solution. A trade-off in solubility and fiber properties was noted as the butyryl acetyl ratio decreased. Whereas high butyryl content enhances both overall solubility and the formation of liquid–crystalline solutions at lower concentration, it results in lower fiber modulus and strength. Morphology of the fibers depended on the coagulation rate which was influenced by the concentration of the sppinning solution. The level of orientation and crystallinity of the fibers increased somewhat when they were spun from liquid-crystalline solutions. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Electrooxidation of carbo/thiocarbohydrazide and their hydrazone derivatives at a glassy carbon electrode

Electrochemical oxidation of thio/carbohydrazide and their hydrazone derivatives Benzaldehyde thiocarbohydrazone [BTCH] diacetylene thiocarbohydrazone [DATCH] have been studied in Brit-ton Robinson buffer in aqueous and nonaqueous media at a glassy carbon electrode. The effects of pH, sweep rate, concentration, temperature and surfactants have been studied. The complex bis (carbo/thiocabohydrazide) Zn(II) chloride was also subjected to voltammetric analysis in order to understand the reactivity both in free and metal bound states. The reaction conditions were optimized for the determination of above compounds in micrograms quantities by differential pulse voltammetry, analytical utility of this investigation is also highlighted.