Dielectric properties of plasma polymerized PVCa and composite PVCa:Au films

Dielectric properties of plasma polymerized PVCa and composite PVCa:Au films had been analyzed in the frequency range from 10 to 10⁵ Hz. In order to explain experimental data obtained the modification of Maxwell-Garnett and Bruggeman self-consistent models for the case of three-component composite has been done. The theoretical analysis performed allows to determine peculiarities of dielectric behavior of a three-component system, as well as to disclose the procedure of evaluation of third-component parameters. Results of this analysis are in agreement with experimental ones.     

On the Interaction of Two Finite-Dimensional Quantum Systems

Interaction of quantum system S ^a described by the generalised × eigenvalue equation A| _s =E _s S ^a | _s (s=1,...,) with quantum system S ^b described by the generalised n×n eigenvalue equation B| _i = _i S ^b | _i (i=1,...,n) is considered. With the system S ^a is associated -dimensional space X ^a and with the system S ^b is associated an n-dimensional space X _n ^b that is orthogonal to X ^a . Combined system S is described by the generalised (+n)×(+n) eigenvalue equation [A+B+V]| _k = _k [S ^a +S ^b +P]| _k (k=1,...,n+) where operators V and P represent interaction between those two systems. All operators are Hermitian, while operators S ^a ,S ^b and S=S ^a +S ^b +P are, in addition, positive definite. It is shown that each eigenvalue _{k i} of the combined system is the eigenvalue of the × eigenvalue equation . Operator in this equation is expressed in terms of the eigenvalues _i of the system S ^b and in terms of matrix elements _s |V| _i and _s |P| _i where vectors | _s form a base in X ^a . Eigenstate | _k ^a of this equation is the projection of the eigenstate | _k of the combined system on the space X ^a . Projection | _k ^b of | _k on the space X _n ^b is given by | _k ^b =( _k S ^b –B)^–1(V– _k P})| _k ^a where ( _k S ^b –B)^–1 is inverse of ( _k S ^b –B) in X _n ^b . Hence, if the solution to the system S ^b is known, one can obtain all eigenvalues _{k i} } and all the corresponding eigenstates | _k of the combined system as a solution of the above × eigenvalue equation that refers to the system S ^a alone. Slightly more complicated expressions are obtained for the eigenvalues _{k i} } and the corresponding eigenstates, provided such eigenvalues and eigenstates exist.     

Oligothienylenevinylenes incorporating 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) units

A new series of π-conjugated oligomers based on various combinations of thiophene and EDOT units and double bonds has been synthesized by Wittig-Horner reactions from phosphonate anions carrying EDOT or bis-EDOT units. Optical and electrochemical results evidence the crucial role of the EDOT moiety for modulating the electronic properties of the oligomers. The insertion of bis-EDOT unit in the middle of the molecule leads to a self-rigidification of the conjugated system due to non covalent S?O intramolecular interactions. The strong electron donor effect of the EDOT units explains the determining role of the relative position of the EDOT units on the localization and stabilization of the positive charges in the radical cation or dication states.     

The third law of thermodynamics and the degeneracy of the ground state for lattice systems

The third law of thermodynamics, in the sense that the entropy per unit volume goes to zero as the temperature goes to zero, is investigated within the framework of statistical mechanics for quantum and classical lattice models. We present two main results: (i) For all models the question of whether the third law is satisfied can be decided completely in terms of ground-state degeneracies alone, provided these are computed for all possible boundary conditions. In principle, there is no need to investigate possible entropy contributions from low-lying excited states, (ii) The third law is shown to hold for ferromagnetic models by an analysis of the ground states.Dedicated to Pierre Résibois. Work supported in part by NSF grant PHY-7825390 A01.     

Within the Ischemic Penumbra,Sub-Cellular Compartmentalization of Heat Shock Protein 70 Overlaps with Autophagy Proteins and Fails to Merge with Lysosomes

The brain area which surrounds the frankly ischemic region is named the area penumbra. In this area, most cells are spared although their oxidative metabolism is impaired. area penumbra is routinely detected by immunostaining of a molecule named Heat Shock Protein 70 (HSP70). Within the area penumbra, autophagy-related proteins also increase. Therefore, in the present study, the autophagy-related microtubule-associated protein I/II-Light Chain 3 (LC3) was investigated within the area penumbra along with HSP70. In C57 black mice, ischemia was induced by permanent occlusion of the distal part of the middle cerebral artery. Immunofluorescence and electron microscopy show that LC3 and HSP70 are overexpressed and co-localize within the area penumbra in the same cells and within similar subcellular compartments. In the area penumbra, marked loss of co-localization of HSP70 and LC3-positive autophagy vacuoles, with lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1 (LAMP1) or cathepsin-D-positive lysosome vacuoles occurs. This study indicates that, within the area penumbra, a failure of autophagolysosomes depends on defective compartmentalization of LC3, LAMP1 and cathepsin-D and a defect in merging between autophagosomes and lysosomes. Such a deleterious effect is likely to induce a depletion of autophagolysosomes and cell clearing systems, which needs to be rescued in the process of improving neuronal survival.     

Assessment of Chemical Composition and Anti-Penicillium Activity of Vapours of Essential Oils from Abies Alba and Two Melaleuca Species in Food Model Systems

The possibilities of the practical utilization of essential oils (EOs) from various plant species in the food industry have attracted the attention of the scientific community. Following our previous studies, the antifungal activities of three further commercial EOs, Melaleuca armillaris subsp. armillaris (rosalina; REO), Melaleuca quinquenervia (niaouli; NEO), and Abies alba (fir; FEO), were evaluated in the present research in respect to their chemical profiles, over four different concentrations, 62.5 μL/L, 125 μL/L, 250 μL/L, and 500 μL/L. The findings revealed that the major compounds of REO, NEO, and FEO were linalool (47.5%), 1,8-cineole (40.8%), and α-pinene (25.2%), respectively. In vitro antifungal determinations showed that the inhibition zones of a Penicillium spp. mycelial growth ranged from no inhibitory effectiveness (00.00 ± 00.00 mm) to 16.00 ± 1.00 mm, indicating a very strong antifungal activity which was detected against P. citrinum after the highest REO concentration exposure. Furthermore, the in situ antifungal efficacy of all EOs investigated was shown to be dose-dependent. In this sense, we have found that the highest concentration (500 µL/L) of REO, NEO, and FEO significantly reduced (p < 0.05) the growth of all Penicillium strains inoculated on the bread, carrot, and potato models. These results indicate that the investigated EOs may be promising innovative agents in order to extend the shelf life of different types of food products, such as bread, carrot and potato.     

山区弱电系统的接地设计与降阻措施探讨

通过对山区弱电系统在接地上普遍存在的土壤电阻率高,可用场地小,地势险峻、地形复杂等因难因素的分析;讨论了山区弱电系统在接地设计和降阻改造的措施。提出了综合地利用自然接地体,在适当地区设置外延接地及沿道路外延降阻方法。通过分析、讨论认为只要充分采取合理、有效的降阻措施,是能够有效降低山区弱电系统的接地电阻,保证弱电系统安全运行。     

A Delay-Dependent Approach to Robust H ∞ Control for Uncertain Stochastic Systems with State and Input Delays

In this paper, the problem of delay-dependent robust H _∞ control for uncertain stochastic systems with state and input delays is investigated. The time delays are assumed to be bounded and time varying and the uncertainties are assumed to be norm bounded. By using the Lyapunov functional method, a new delay-dependent robust H _∞ control scheme is presented in terms of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). Some numerical examples are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach. This work is partially supported by the Natural Science Foundation of China (60674055, 60774047), and the Taishan Scholar Programme of Shandong Province. An erratum to this article can be found at     

Optimal availability design of maintainable systems: illustrated with example of power systems

The theory of reliability optimum link allocation (ROLA) is a theory through which the ROLA in a system can be achieved in accordance with the reliability size relations of the system's links. This paper deals with its theory and application in maintainable systems after the reliability index has been extended into the availability index. In conclution its feasibility has been proved with the illustration of a pratical power system.     

Low-latency and low-overhead encoder ASIC in the ATLAS LAr calorimeter trigger upgrade

In this article, an encoder Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) for high-speed serial data transmission is presented. The ASIC implements a low-latency and low-overhead line code and is fabricated with a commercial 0.25-µm Silicon-on-Sapphire CMOS technology. The ASIC operates at 640 MHz with a latency of no greater than 6.25 ns and the overhead of 14.3%. The encoder will be integrated with a serialiser and will be used in the A Toroidal LHC ApparatuS Liquid Argon (LAr) calorimeter Phase-I trigger upgrade.