Dielectric relaxation analysis of starch oligomers and polymers with respect to their chain length

Starch belongs to the polyglucan group. This type of polysaccharide shows a broad β-relaxation process in dielectric spectra at low temperatures, which has its molecular origin in orientational motions of sugar rings via glucosidic linkages. This chain dynamic was investigated for α(1,4)-linked starch oligomers with well-defined chain lengths of 2, 3, 4, 6, and 7 anhydroglucose units (AGUs) and for α(1,4)-polyglucans with average degrees of polymerization of 5, 10, 56, 70, and so forth (up to 3000; calculated from the mean molecular weight). The activation energy (E_a) of the segmental chain motion was lowest for dimeric maltose (E_a = 49.4 ± 1.3 kJ/mol), and this was followed by passage through a maximum at a degree of polymerization of 6 (E_a = 60.8 ± 1.8 kJ/mol). Subsequently, E_a leveled off at a value of about 52 ± 1.5 kJ/mol for chains containing more than 100 repeating units. The results were compared with the values of cellulose-like oligomers and polymers bearing a β(1,4)-linkage. Interestingly, the shape of the E_a dependency on the chain length of the molecules was qualitatively the same for both systems, whereas quantitatively the starch-like substances generally showed higher E_a values. Additionally, and for comparison, three cyclodextrins were measured by dielectric relaxation spectroscopy. The ringlike molecules, with 6, 7, and 8 α(1,4)-linked AGUs, showed moderately different types of dielectric spectra. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 188–197, 2004     

On the computation of scaling coefficients of Daubechies' wavelets

In the present paper, Daubechies' wavelets and the computation of their scaling coefficients are briefly reviewed. Then a new method of computation is proposed. This method is based on the work [7] concerning a new orthonormality condition and relations among scaling moments, respectively. For filter lengths up to 16, the arising system can be explicitly solved with algebraic methods like Gröbner bases. Its simple structure allows one to find quickly all possible solutions.     

Architectural issues related to the optical implementation of an EGS network based on embedded control

Free-space optical implementations of switching networks have been proposed to circumvent many of the system-level problems that may be encountered in systems that require many high-density, high-bandwidth connections. The details of a new class of switching network (the EGS network), that is well-suited to free-space implementations, is described. The common control injection problem that plagues most free-space photonic networks, i.e. how can control information from an electronic source be injected into the network for applications that require relatively high network reconfiguration rates, is examined. A new technique for control injection, called embedded control, which permits network operation even with relatively high network reconfiguration rates is also proposed.     

Total Positivity Properties of Generalized Hypergeometric Functions of Matrix Argument

In multivariate statistical analysis, several authors have studied the total positivity properties of the generalized (₀ F ₁) hypergeometric function of two real symmetric matrix arguments. In this paper, we make use of zonal polynomial expansions to obtain a new proof of a result that these ₀ F ₁functions fail to satisfy certain pairwise total positivity properties; this proof extends both to arbitrary generalized ( _r F _s ) functions of two matrix arguments and to the generalized hypergeometric functions of Hermitian matrix arguments. In the case of the generalized hypergeometric functions of two Hermitian matrix arguments, we prove that these functions satisfy certain modified pairwise TP₂properties; the proofs of these results are based on Sylvester's formula for compound determinants and the condensation formula of C. L. Dodgson [Lewis Carroll] (1866).     

Structural and electrical characterization of PZT on gold for micromachined piezoelectric membranes

Piezoelectric membranes have been fabricated that incorporate a gold bottom electrode with an adhesion layer of titanium–tungsten (10:90 wt. %). For solution-deposited acetic acid based lead zirconate titanate (HoAc-PZT) with a Zr:Ti ratio of 40:60, the film’s average piezoelectric coefficient, e₃₁, is -5.31 C/m², with a dielectric constant of 814 at 200 Hz, which is similar to values for platinum bottom electrodes. The PZT structure remains columnar on both types of bottom electrodes. Initial fabrication attempts resulted in cracking that initiated in the PZT layer of the structure. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was utilized to establish how processing affects diffusion throughout the composite membrane structure. Crack-free membranes were fabricated and tested. This paper discusses the performance properties and piezoelectric fatigue results for these membranes. PACS 77.84.-s; 77.84.Lf     

Preparation of bisdiazoalkane and related complexes from the reactions of diazo compounds with the dinitrogen complexestrans-[M(N2)2(Ph 2PCH2CH2PPh 2)2] (M=Mo or W)

Summary Reactions oftrans-[M(N₂)₂(dppe)₂] (A;M=Mo, W;dppe=Ph ₂PCH₂CH₂PPh ₂) with ethyldiazoacetate, N₂CHCOOEt, yield the bisdiazoalkane speciestrans-[M(N₂CHCOOEt)₂(dppe)₂], upon simple replacement of the dinitrogen ligand by ethyldiazoacetate. However, diazomethane, N₂CH₂, reacts withA with loss of N₂ to give products which we tentatively formulate as containing methylene ligands,trans-[M(CH₂)₂(dppe)₂].

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Herstellung von Bisdiazoalkan- und ähnlichen Komplexen aus den Reaktionen von Diazoverbindungen mit Distickstoffkomplexen des Typstrans-[M(N₂)₂(Ph ₂PCH₂CH₂PPh ₂)₂] mitM=Mo oder W

Zusammenfassung Die Reaktion vontrans-[M(N₂)₂(dppe)₂] (A:dppe=Ph ₂PCH₂CH₂PPh ₂ undM=Mo oder W) mit Ethyldiazoacetat, N₂CHCOOEt, ergab nach einfachem Austausch des Distickstoffliganden mit Ethyldiazoacetat die Bisdiazoalkanetrans-[M(N₂CHCOOEt)₂(dppe)₂]. Diazomethan (N₂CH₂) hingegen reagierte mitA unter Verlust von N₂ zu Produkten, die tentativ alstrans-[M(CH₂)₂(dppe)₂] mit Methylenliganden formuliert wurden.