Rational strategy for characterization of nanoscale particles by asymmetric-flow field flow fractionation: A tutorial

This tutorial proposes a comprehensive and rational measurement strategy that provides specific guidance for the application of asymmetric-flow field flow fractionation (A4F) to the size-dependent separation and characterization of nanoscale particles (NPs) dispersed in aqueous media. A range of fractionation conditions are considered, and challenging applications, including industrially relevant materials (e.g., metal NPs, asymmetric NPs), are utilized in order to validate and illustrate this approach. We demonstrate that optimization is material dependent and that polystyrene NPs, widely used as a reference standard for retention calibration in A4F, in fact represent a class of materials with unique selectivity, recovery and optimal conditions for fractionation; thus use of these standards to calibrate retention for other materials must be validated a posteriori. We discuss the use and relevance of different detection modalities that can potentially yield multi-dimensional and complementary information on NP systems. We illustrate the fractionation of atomically precise nanoclusters, which are the lower limit of the nanoscale regime. Conversely, we address the upper size limit for normal mode elution in A4F. The protocol for A4F fractionation, including the methods described in the present work is proposed as a standardized strategy to realize interlaboratory comparability and to facilitate the selection and validation of material-specific measurement parameters and conditions. It is intended for both novice and advanced users of this measurement technology.     

Field-amplified online sample stacking capillary electrophoresis UV detection for plasma malondialdehyde measurement

Malondialdehyde (MDA) determination is the most widely used method for monitoring lipid peroxidation. Here, we describe an easy field-amplified sample injection (FASI) CE method with UV detection for the detection of free plasma MDA. MDA was detected within 8 min by using 200 mmol/L Tris phosphate pH 5.0 as running buffer. Plasma samples treated with ACN for protein elimination were directly injected on capillary without complex cleanup and/or sample derivatization procedures. Using electrokinetic injection, the detection limit in real sample was 3 nmol/L, thus improving of about 100-fold the LOD of the previous described methods based on CE. Precision tests indicate a good repeatability of our method both for migration times (CV = 1.11%) and for areas (CV = 2.05%). Moreover, a good reproducibility of intra- and inter-assay tests was obtained (CV = 2.55% and CV = 5.14%, respectively). Suitability of the method was tested by measuring MDA levels in 44 healthy volunteers.     

Finiteness of circulant weighing matrices of fixed weight

Let n be a fixed positive integer. Every circulant weighing matrix of weight n arises from what we call an irreducible orthogonal family of weight n. We show that the number of irreducible orthogonal families of weight n is finite and thus obtain a finite algorithm for classifying all circulant weighing matrices of weight n. We also show that, for every odd prime power q, there are at most finitely many proper circulant weighing matrices of weight q.     

Multiple limit cycle bifurcations of the FitzHugh–Nagumo neuronal model

In this paper, we complete the global qualitative analysis of the well-known FitzHugh–Nagumo neuronal model. In particular, studying global limit cycle bifurcations and applying the Wintner–Perko termination principle for multiple limit cycles, we prove that the corresponding dynamical system has at most two limit cycles.     

Energy density and release rate study of an elliptic-arc interface crack in piezoelectric solid under anti-plane shear

The anti-plane problem of an elliptical inhomogeneity with an interfacial crack in piezoelectric materials is investigated. The system is subjected to arbitrary singularity loads (point charge and anti-plane concentrated force) and remote anti-plane mechanical and in-plane electrical loads. Using the complex variable method, the explicit series form solutions for the complex potentials in the matrix and the inclusion regions are derived. The electroelastic field intensity factors, the corresponding energy release rates and the generalized strain energy density at the cracks tips are then provided. The influence of the aspect ratio of the ellipse, the crack geometry and the electromechanical coupling coefficient on the energy release rate and the strain energy density is discussed and shown in graphs. The results indicate that the energy release rate increases with increment of the aspect ratio of the ellipse and the influence of electromechanical coupling coefficient on the energy release rate is significant. The strain energy density decreases with increment of the aspect radio of the ellipse and it is always positive for the cases discussed. The energy release rate, however, can be negative when both mechanical and fields are applied.     

Optimal estimates of the field enhancement in presence of a bow-tie structure of perfectly conducting inclusions in two dimensions

This paper deals with the field enhancement due to insertion of a bow-tie structure of perfectly conducting inclusions into the two-dimensional space with a given field. The field enhancement is represented by the gradient blow-up of a solution to the conductivity problem. The bow-tie structure consists of two disjoint bounded domains which have corners with possibly different aperture angles. The domains are parts of cones near the vertices which are nearly touching to each other. We construct functions explicitly which characterize the field enhancement. As consequences, we derive optimal estimates of the gradient in terms of the distance between two inclusions and aperture angles of the corners. The estimates show in quantitatively precise way that the field is enhanced beyond the corner singularities due to the interaction between two inclusions, and the blow-up rate is much higher than the one for the case of inclusions with smooth boundaries.     

Singular Functions and Characterizations of Field Concentrations: a Survey

In the presence of closely located inclusions of the extreme material property, the physical fields, such as the electric field and the stress tensor, may be concentrated and arbitrarily large in the narrow region between two inclusions. Recently there has been significant progress on the quantitative characterization of the field concentration in the contexts of electrostatics(Laplace equation), linear elasticity(Lamé system), and viscous flow(Stokes system). This paper is to review such progress in a coherent way.     

基于LMS自适应时延估计和FPGA的超声波测风系统研究

利用超声波传感器进行风速测量时,温度对超声波传播有很大影响,时延估计对超声波测风系统的精度起到很大的作用。本超声波测风系统为避免温度对风速测量中的影响,采用了基于时差法的测量原理,为了提高时延估计值的精度,提出了基于最小均方(LMS)自适应时延估计的测量方法,研制了以单片机Atmega128和现场可编程门阵列(FPGA)为核心的硬件系统。仿真和实际测试的结果表明,该超声波测风系统的时延估计值精确度较高,具有很高的应用价值。     

On the influence of local fluctuations in volume fraction of constituents on the effective properties of nonlinear composites. Application to porous materials

Composite materials often exhibit local fluctuations in the volume fraction of their individual constituents. This paper studies the influence of such small fluctuations on the effective properties of composites. A general asymptotic expansion of these properties in terms of powers of the amplitude of the fluctuations is given first. Then, this general result is applied to porous materials.As is well-known, the effective yield surface of ductile voided materials is accurately described by Gurson's criterion. Suitable extensions for viscoplastic solids have also been proposed. The question addressed in the present study pertains to nonuniform distributions of voids in a typical volume element or in other words to the presence of matrix-rich and pore-rich zones in the material. It is shown numerically and analytically that such deviations from a uniform distribution result in a weakening of the macroscopic carrying capacity of the material.     

Partial Orderings in the Category of Matrices over the Quaternion Field

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