Towards molecular-scale electronics and biomolecular self-assembly

This paper provides an overview of recent research developments in the field of nanoelectronics with organic materials such as carbon nanotubes and DNA-templated nanowires. Carbon nanotubes and gold electrodes are chemically functionalized in order to contact carbon nanotubes by self-assembly. The transport properties of these nanotubes are dominated by charging effects and display clear Coulomb blockade behaviour. A different approach towards nanoscale electronics is based on the molecular recognition properties of biomolecules such as DNA. As an example, DNA is stretched between electrodes using a molecular combing technique. A two-step metallization procedure leads to the formation of highly conductive gold nanowires.     

Stable Ergodicity and Frame Flows

In this note we show that all diffeomorphisms close enough to the time-one map of the frame flow on certain negatively curved manifolds are ergodic. As a simple corollary we deduce that the frame flows are ergodic for all compact manifolds with curvature pinched sufficiently close to –1, thus providing results in the case of manifolds of dimension 7 or 8 which were missing from the results of Brin and Karcher.     

Quasi-wavelet calculations of sound scattering behind barriers

Quasi-wavelets (QWs) are a representation of turbulence consisting of self-similar, eddy-like structures with random orientations and positions in space. They are used in this paper to calculate the scattering, due to turbulent velocity fluctuations, of sound behind noise barriers as a function of the size and spatial location of the eddies. The sound scattering cross-section for QWs of an individual size class (eddy size) is derived and shown to reproduce results for the von Kármán spectrum when the scattered energies from a continuous distribution of QW sizes are combined. A Bragg resonance condition is derived for the eddy size that scatters most strongly for a given acoustic wavenumber and scattering angle. Results for scattering over barriers show that, for typical barrier conditions, most of the scattered energy originates from eddies in the size range of approximately one-half to twice the size of the eddies responsible for maximum scattering. The results also suggest that scattering over the barrier due to eddies with a line of sight to both the source and receiver is generally significant only for frequencies above several kilohertz, for sources and receivers no more than a few meters below the top of the barrier, and for very turbulent atmospheric conditions.     

A parametric representation of linguistic hedges in Zadeh’s fuzzy logic

This paper proposes a model for the parametric representation of linguistic hedges in Zadeh’s fuzzy logic. In this model each linguistic truth-value, which is generated from a primary term of the linguistic truth variable, is identified by a real number r depending on the primary term. It is shown that the model yields a method of efficiently computing linguistic truth expressions accompanied with a rich algebraic structure of the linguistic truth domain, namely De Morgan algebra. Also, a fuzzy logic based on the parametric representation of linguistic truth-values is introduced.     

Reactivity of 3-alkyl-4-arylazomethylene-3,4-dihydro-1,2,3-benzotriazines in protic solvents: 1,4-Addition reactions and dimroth rearrangement

3-Alkyl-4-arylazomethylene-3,4-dihydro-1,2,3-benzotriazines 5a and 5b undergo facile 1,4-addition of methanol or ethanol to afford stable crystalline hydrazones, 6 and 8 which have been characterised by spectroscopic analysis. In particular, the nmr spectrum of 8 shows novel features due to the diastereotopic nature of the CH₂ protons in the two O-ethyl groups. Compound 5b shows a property unique to the compounds in this series; refluxing this arylazomethylenetriazine in ethanol affords a rearranged product, characterised as the 1-aryl-2-cinnolinylhydrazine ( 9 ). The formation of 9 is rationalised as a ring opening-ring closure process analogous to the Dimroth rearrangement. The cinnoline 9 displays some novel chemistry arising from the facility of the arylhydrazino substituent to react with acid to give a fragmentation product, 3-methylindazole ( 7 ).     

Steady-state electrolysis at a grooved or ridged plane

This study concerns an infinite plane whose smoothness is marred by a single defect: either a groove or a ridge. The blemished plane serves as an electrode supporting a diffusion-controlled steady-state process. By using a convenient coordinate transformation, the local current density at all points on the surface is determined exactly. The results are found to confirm intuitive expectations. Thus, compared with normal values on the plane remote from a groove, the electron transfer rate is diminished within the groove but enhanced along its margins. Similarly, an abnormally large transfer rate is encountered high on the ridge but the rate is subnormal on its lower flanks. The total current is demonstrated to be unchanged by the presence of the blemish. Received: 27 September 1996 / Accepted: 11 March 1997     

The potential of pyrolysis/gas chromatography/mass spectrometry for determining the progress of lignification: An investigation of maturing asparagus sclerenchyma tissue

Sclerenchyma tissues from semi-mature and mature asparagus spears were analysed by pyrolysis/gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and by conventional chemical methods in order to determine the degree of lignification and compare analytical techniques. The pyrolysis data are similar to those obtained by a chemical method involving alkaline extraction at 70°C followed by spectrophotometric determination of phenolic content. The pyrolysis method was more rapid, sensitive and informative than the chemical technique and shows considerable potential for studying the chemical basis of the textural development of plant foods.     

The use of combined LC-GC for the analysis of fuel products: A review

A review of the analysis of petroleum fuels, oils, tars and engine exhaust particulate extracts by on-line coupled LC-GC is presented.