Two-dimensional model of elastically coupled molecular motors

A flashing ratchet model of a two-headed molecular motor in a two-dimensional potential is proposed to simulate the hand-over-hand motion of kinesins.Extensive Langevin simulations of the model are performed.We discuss the dependences of motion and efficiency on the model parameters,including the external force and the temperature.A good qualitative agreement with the expected behavior is observed.     

Classical Backfitting for Smooth-Backfitting Additive Models

Smooth backfitting has been shown to have better theoretical properties than classical backfitting for fitting additive models based on local linear regression. In this article, we show that the smooth backfitting procedure in the local linear case can be alternatively performed as a classical backfitting procedure with a different type of smoother matrices. These smoother matrices are symmetric and shrinking and some established results in the literature are readily applicable. The connections allow the smooth backfitting algorithm to be implemented in a much simplified way, give new insights on the differences between the two approaches in the literature, and provide an extension to local polynomial regression. The connections also give rise to a new estimator at data points. Asymptotic properties of general local polynomial smooth backfitting estimates are investigated, allowing for different orders of local polynomials and different bandwidths. Cases of oracle efficiency are discussed. Computer-generated simulations are conducted to demonstrate finite sample behaviors of the methodology and a real data example is given for illustration. Supplementary materials for this article are available online.     

Beiträge der Radiotracertechnik zur Rationalisierung einer großtechnischen Anlage zur Caprolactamproduktion

This paper reviews ways in which radioactive tracer techniques can he used to improve the efficiency of a caprolactam production plant, Residence time spectra and material distributions in different parts of the plant were measured by application of sodium 24, bromine 82 and technetium 99m. The investigations led to improved cumeneoxidators and gave useful informations on the catalytic decomposition of the phenolic tar and the hydrogenation process of phenol. It could he shown that the construction of the lactam extractor must he varied and the results of the tracerexperiments made in the distillation unit contributed to a higher quality of the final product.     

Characterization and Bioavailability of Vitamin C Nanoliposomes Prepared by Film Evaporation-Dynamic High Pressure Microfluidization

Vitamin C nanoliposomes were prepared by combining a conventional method (film evaporation) with dynamic high pressure microfluidization. Their physicochemical characterizations (antioxidant activity, particle size, entrapment efficiency, morphology, in vitro drug release, and storage stability) and skin permeation behavior were investigated. The results showed that vitamin C nanoliposomes, having equivalent DPPH (2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) free radical scavenging capacity of pure vitamin C solution without loss of their biological activity, exhibited better storage stability at 37°C for 24 hours and at 4°C for 60 days, a more excellent sustained drug release as well as higher skin penetration rate than vitamin C liposomes.     

Viscosity Mixing Rules for Binary Systems Containing One Ionic Liquid

In this work the applicability of four of the most commonly used viscosity mixing rules to [ionic liquid (IL)+molecular solvent (MS)] systems is assessed. More than one hundred (IL+MS) binary mixtures were selected from the literature to test the viscosity mixing rules proposed by 1) Hind (Hi), 2) Grunberg and Nissan (G–N), 3) Herric (He) and 4) Katti and Chaudhri (K–C). The analyses were performed by estimating the average (absolute or relative) deviations, AADs and ARDs, between the available experimental data and the predicted ideal mixture viscosity values obtained by means of each rule. The interaction terms corresponding to the adjustable parameters inherent to each rule were also calculated and their trends discussed.     

Effect of the Cu co-activator on the charge-carrier trapping efficiency in CaSO4:Tm,Cu

Rare earth doped CaSO₄ materials are well known thermoluminescent dosimeters with friendly properties. They are used in the practice for a long while. New phosphors based on CaSO₄:Tm were synthesized using a modified preparation method for adding Cu as co-dopant. The produced materials have several favorable new characteristics. Larger linear dose response range, simpler glow-curve structure and a small diminution in the sensitivity are the consequences of the copper addition. Trapping efficiency of samples containing different amounts of Tm and Cu was investigated as the function of the composition using a consecutive RL/TL measuring technique. It was cleared up that the Cu addition, depending on its amount, reduced this value. This plays the main role in the sensitivity loss and forms one of the factors in the explanation of the linear dose range widening.     

Real‐Time Measurement of the Size Distribution of Diesel Exhaust Particles using a Portable 4‐stage Electrical Low Pressure Impactor

For this study, a 4 stage electrical low pressure impactor was designed to measure the real‐time size distribution of diesel particulate matter (DPM). For the performance evaluation, sodium chloride (NaCl) particles and dioctyl sebacate (DOS) particles were used. After evaluating the collection efficiency of each stage of the impactor, the size distributions of test particles were estimated using electrical current data and their inversion algorithm, and this was found to agree with the results obtained by a scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS). For measurement of DPM, a common‐rail direct injection (CRDI) diesel engine, for engine speeds of 1,200 rpm and 1,500 rpm at 2.7 kgf·m, was used. Therefore, it was found that the size distribution of the DPM could be easily obtained, with the currents measured by the impactor and the data inversion algorithm, in less than 5 seconds. Furthermore, the effective density of the DPM could be obtained using the calculated results and the SMPS data.     

Photovoltaic Cells Involving the Nonconjugated Conductive Polymer Iodine-Doped Styrene-Butadiene-Rubber (SBR)

Novel photovoltaic cells involving a nonconjugated conductive polymer have been fabricated using titanium dioxide/doped styrene-butadiene-rubber/carbon on ITO coated PET substrates. Photocurrents and photo-voltages for different intensities of light (emission at 300–700 nm) have been measured. These cells have shown significantly higher photocurrents and photo-voltages compared to previous reports. A photocurrent density of about 0.25 mA/cm² and a photo-voltage of 0.74 V have been measured for a light intensity of ～4 mW/cm².     

骨架结构多孔TiO2薄膜增强染料敏化太阳能电池性能

以空心球状TiO₂为基体、以片状TiO₂为骨架,采用刮刀法制备了染料敏化太阳能电池的多孔TiO₂光阳极薄膜。光电转化效率测试结果表明,当作为骨架支撑材料的片状TiO₂含量为20wt%时,光阳极薄膜组装成太阳能电池的光电转化效率达到最高值4.53%,比商业P25制备的无孔无骨架TiO₂薄膜电池(4.06%)及无骨架结构的多孔TiO₂薄膜电池(4.17%)的性能均有显著提高。当片状TiO₂的最佳含量为20wt%电池薄膜厚度为33 μm时,太阳能电池光电转化效率进一步提升为7.06%。光电性能增强的原因是骨架结构有利于快速传输电子并增大染料吸附量。本研究通过设计制备具有骨架结构的多孔TiO₂薄膜为提高染料敏化太阳能电池性能提供了新的思路。