Optimal deterministic algorithms for some variants of Online Quota Traveling Salesman Problem

This paper is concerned with the Online Quota Traveling Salesman Problem. Depending on the symmetry of the metric and the requirement for the salesman to return to the origin, four variants are analyzed. We present optimal deterministic algorithms for each variant defined on a general space, a real line, or a half-line. As a byproduct, an improved lower bound for a variant of Online TSP on a half-line is also obtained.     

(C5H6N)4[Be6(HPO3)8]·H2O: A low-density open-framework beryllium phosphite with multidirectional 12-ring channels

Employing the common pyridine (=py) solvent as the source of structure-directing agents (SDAs), a novel three-dimensional open-framework beryllium phosphite (Hpy)₄[Be₆(HPO₃)₈]·H₂O (1), has been solvothermally synthesized and structurally characterized by IR, elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, powder and single-crystal X-ray diffractions. It crystallizes in the orthorhombic system, space group Pbca (No. 61), a = 20.0034(4) Å, b = 20.2188(4) Å, c = 20.9731(3) Å, V = 8482.5(3) Å³, and Z = 8. The alternating connection of BeO₄ tetrahedra and HPO₃ pseudopyramids give rise to a (3, 4)-connected network with multidirectional intersecting 12-ring channels. The compound possesses a low density and a new {4.8.10}{4².6.8.10.12}{4².6}₃{4².8.10².12}{4³.6².8} topology.     

Titanium promoted reduction of imines with Grignards,silanes, and zinc: identification of a new mechanism with silanes

Aldimines react with reducing agents, such as Grignards, phenylsilane or zinc in the presence of titanium(IV) isopropoxide to form amines and reductively coupled imines (diamines). Using deuterium labeled reagents, the mechanism of reduction to form amines is described. Reducing agents, such as the Grignard and zinc result in the formation of low valent titanium (LVT), which in turn reduces the imine. On the other hand, phenylsilane reacts by a distinctly different mechanism and where a hydrogen atom from silicon is directly transferred to the titanium coordinated imine.     

Strong and stable red photoluminescence from porous silicon prepared by Fe-contaminated silicon

Strong red photoluminescence (PL) spectra appeared at porous silicon (PS) samples prepared by a chemical anodization of Fe-contaminated Si substrates. The Fe1000 sample with Fe contamination of 1000 ppb showed a ten times stronger red PL than that of the reference PS sample without any Fe contamination, and this sample also showed the higher thermal stability for PL spectra as compared with the reference PS sample. Furthermore, the PL intensity from the PS with Fe contamination is linearly proportional to the Fe-related trap concentrations of Si substrates obtained from DLTS. Especially, all the PS samples exhibit the same PL peak position regardless of Fe contamination concentrations, as compared with that of the reference PS. This means that there is no significant effect such as the variation of size distribution of nanocrystalline Si in PS layer formed on Fe-contaminated Si substrate. Based on the results of PL and DLTS, we found that the PL efficiency depends strongly on the Fe-related trap concentration in Si substrates.     

Novel thioxanthone host material with thermally activated delayed fluorescence for reduced efficiency roll-off of phosphorescent OLEDs

A symmetrical host material, 2,7-di(9,9-dimethyl-9H-fluoren-1-yl)-9H-thioxanthen-9-one (DMBFTX), with TADF property was firstly developed. The red phosphorescent OLED based on this TADF host displays a lower EQEs rolloff of 38.8% at a luminance of 10 000 cd/m² as compared to 71.2% of commercial mCP host, which is resulted from the upconversion of DMBFTX from triplet to singlet.     

Enhancement of flexoelectric ratio of nematic liquid crystal by doping calamitic ferroelectric liquid crystal

We measured the flexoelectric ratio e* of a nematic liquid crystal (NLC) doped with a calamitic ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC). We doped two kinds of commercial FLC into the pure NLC at a weight concentration of 5 wt%. The absolute value of the flexoelectric ratio was increased up to 49% compared to the pure NLC. The greater transverse dipole moment and the elastic constant of FLC are thought to be related to the increase of the flexoelectric ratio.     

Liquid crystals alignment with PbS nanosculptured thin films

Lead sulphide (PbS) nano-sculptured thin films (nSTFs) are prepared for the first time using glancing angle deposition technique by physical vapour deposition process. An anisotropic morphology is obtained, which provides an orientational effect. Due to this anisotropic nature of PbS nSTF an attempt has been made to check its effect on the alignment of nematic liquid crystals (LCs). Two different LC devices were fabricated, that is, anti-parallel aligned or electrically-controlled birefringence and hybrid twisted nematic. It is noticed that in both types of devices, good alignment is obtained with high extinction and contrast. A significant effect of these alignments on the electro-optic properties of the LC is reported such as the threshold voltage, response time and contrast ratio.