Novel carbazole/anthracene hybrids for efficient blue organic light-emitting diodes

Two novel carbazole/anthracene hybrided molecules, namely 2-(anthracen-9-yl)-9-ethyl-9H-carbazole (AnCz) and 2,7-di(anthracen-9-yl)-9-ethyl-9H-carbazole (2AnCz), were designed and synthesized via palladium catalyzed coupling reaction. The anthracene was attached either at the 2-site (AnCz) or at both 2,7-sites (2AnCz) of the central carbazole core to tune the conjugation state and the optoelectronic properties of the resultant molecules. Both of them show good solubility in common organic solvents. They also possess relatively high HOMO levels (−5.39 eV, −5.40 eV) that would facilitate efficient hole injection and be favorable for high power efficiencies when used in organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs). AnCz and 2AnCz were used as non-doped emitter to fabricate OLEDs by vacuum evaporation. Good performance was achieved with maximum luminance efficiency of 2.61 cd A⁻¹ and CIE coordinates of (0.15, 0.12) for AnCz, and 9.52 cd A⁻¹ and (0.22, 0.37) for 2AnCz.     

A simple band ratio technique to quantify the colored dissolved and detrital organic material from ocean color remotely sensed data

Spectral reflectances of the ocean, R, as derived from ocean color remote sensing data at four wavelengths (412, 443, 490, and 555 nm), can be used to form two ratios of spectral reflectance, namely R(412)/R(443), and R(490)/R(555), thereafter denoted R₄₄₃⁴¹² and R₅₅₅⁴⁹⁰. The former is mainly sensitive to the colored dissolved organic material (CDOM), albeit influenced by the algal content as depicted by the chlorophyll concentration, ([Chl]); in contrast, the latter is essentially depending on [Chl], although it is also influenced by CDOM. Therefore the signatures of CDOM and [Chl] which are not truly separable, can nevertheless be identified by considering simultaneously the two ratios. The concomitant variations in these ratios can be established via a bio-optical model developed for Case 1 waters. This model implicitly includes a “mean” relationship between CDOM and [Chl], and thus produces a unique curve relating R₄₄₃⁴¹² to R₅₅₅⁴⁹⁰. Deviations with respect to this mean relationship can be introduced through a factor Φ, with Φ > 1 (excess) or < 1 (deficit), applied to the CDOM-[Chl] ratio. A family of R₄₄₃⁴¹²-R₅₅₅⁴⁹⁰ curves is thus generated, in correspondence with the discrete values given to Φ; this “grid” (or numerically, a 2-D lookup table) allows the Φ-[Chl] couple to be unambiguously derived for any R₄₄₃⁴¹²-R₅₅₅⁴⁹⁰ couple. By applying this straightforward algorithm to actual reflectance ratios derived from ocean color imagery, the relative anomalies in CDOM with respect to its standard (Chl-related) values can be efficiently assessed. Within the global ocean (discarding the coastal zones), the Φ factor is widely varying, between at least ? and 3, and is roughly log-normally distributed around ~ 1 (no anomaly). The spatial distributions of the Φ factor in the whole ocean are strongly featured according to latitude, season, and hydrographic regimes, and these features are regularly reproducible, from year to year (2002-2007). This simple method is also validated against available in situ data, and its results compare favorably, for instance, to those of the GSM (Garver-Siegel-Maritorena) inversion method, in terms of retrieved CDOM concentrations and distribution patterns.     

Imine-functionalized, turn-on fluorophore for DCP

A monopyrene-imine derivative 1 is a highly selective and sensitive “turn-on” fluorogenic probe for diethyl chlorophosphate (DCP), a stimulant for organophosphorus nerve agents. Upon addition of DCP to a solution of 1, a phosphoramidate was formed which exhibited an enhanced fluorescence emission at 425 nm. When exposed to DCP in the vapor phase, 1 impregnated on silica gel showed a sky-blue fluorescence.     

Connected sum of digital closed surfaces

During the past 20 years the research of digital surfaces has proceeded to find their properties in the digital space Zⁿ, such as a topological number, a simple k-point, the 3D-Jordan theorem, a k-separating set, a boundary detecting algorithm and so on. Actually, unlike surfaces in a continuous space, the features of digital surfaces have different characteristics. The aim of this paper is to introduce the notion of a digital closed k-surface in Zⁿ, n ? 3, with the general k-adjacency relations as a generalization of Malgouyres’ and Morgenthaler’s k-surfaces in Z³, to establish some minimal simple closed k-surfaces in Z³ and to find their digital topological properties in relation with the k-fundamental group and k-contractibility. Moreover, a connected sum of two digital closed surfaces is introduced and its digital topological properties are investigated.     

A fluorescent chemosensor for cysteine based on naphthalimide derivative in aqueous solution

Naphthalimide derivative (compound 1) containing hydrophilic hexanoic acid group was synthesized and used to recognize cysteine (Cys) in aqueous solution. The fluorescence enhancement of 1 was attributed to the cyclization reaction of 1 with Cys by 1:1 binding stoichiometry, which has been utilized as the basis of fabrication of the Cys-sensitive fluorescent chemosensor. The comparison of this method with some other fluorescence methods for the determination of Cys indicated that the methods can be applied in aqueous solution rather than organic solution. The analytical performance characteristics of the proposed Cys-sensitive chemosensor were investigated. The chemosensor can be applied to the quantification of Cys with a linear range covering from 3.9 × 10⁻⁸ to 1.4 × 10⁻⁵ M and a detection limit of 7.8 × 10⁻⁹ M. And the chemosensor shows excellent selectivity for Cys over other amino acids. Moreover, the response of the chemosensor toward Cys is fast (response time less than 3 min). In addition, the chemosensor has been used for determination of Cys in serum samples with satisfactory results.     

Rotation-minimizing osculating frames

An orthonormal frame (_f1,_f2,_f3)$({\mathbf{f}}_1,{\mathbf{f}}_2,{\mathbf{f}}_3)$ is rotation-minimizing   with respect to _fi${\mathbf{f}}_i$ if its angular velocity ω   satisfies ω⋅_fi≡0$\mathit{\omega }\cdot {\mathbf{f}}_i\equiv 0$ — or, equivalently, the derivatives of _fj${\mathbf{f}}_j$ and _fk${\mathbf{f}}_k$ are both parallel to _fi${\mathbf{f}}_i$. The Frenet frame (t,p,b)$(\mathbf{t},\mathbf{p},\mathbf{b})$ along a space curve is rotation-minimizing with respect to the principal normal p, and in recent years adapted frames that are rotation-minimizing with respect to the tangent t have attracted much interest. This study is concerned with rotation-minimizing osculating   frames (f,g,b)$(\mathbf{f},\mathbf{g},\mathbf{b})$ incorporating the binormal b, and osculating-plane vectors f, g that have no rotation about b. These frame vectors may be defined through a rotation of t, p by an angle equal to minus the integral of curvature with respect to arc length. In aeronautical terms, the rotation-minimizing osculating frame (RMOF) specifies yaw-free rigid-body motion along a curved path. For polynomial space curves possessing rational Frenet frames, the existence of rational RMOFs is investigated, and it is found that they must be of degree 7 at least. The RMOF is also employed to construct a novel type of ruled surface, with the property that its tangent planes coincide with the osculating planes of a given space curve, and its rulings exhibit the least possible rate of rotation consistent with this constraint.     

A dual K-Na selective Prussian blue nanotubes sensor

A strategy for dual sensing of Na⁺ and K⁺ ions using Prussian blue nanotubes via selective inter/deintercalation of K⁺ ion and competitive inhibition by Na⁺ ion, is reported. The analytical signal is derived from the cyclic voltammetry cathodic peak position E_pc of Prussian blue nanotubes. Na⁺ and K⁺ levels in a sample solution can be determined conveniently using one Prussian blue nanotubes sensor. In addition, this versatile method can be applied for the analysis of single type of either Na⁺ or K⁺ ions. The dual-ion sensor response towards Na⁺ and K⁺ can be described using a model based on the competitive inhibition effects of Na⁺ on K⁺ inter/deintercalation in Prussian blue nanotubes. Successful application of the Prussian blue nanotubes sensor for Na⁺ and K⁺ determination is demonstrated in artificial saliva.     

pocrm: An R-package for Phase I trials of combinations of agents

This paper presents the R package pocrm for implementing and simulating the partial order continual reassessment method (PO-CRM; 0005 and 0010) in Phase I trials of combinations of agents. The aim of this article is to illustrate, through examples of the pocrm package, how the PO-CRM works and how its operating characteristics can inform clinical trial investigators. This should promote the use of the PO-CRM in designing and conducting dose-finding Phase I trials of combinations of agents.     

A highly selective triphenylamine-based indolylmethane derivatives as colorimetric and turn-off fluorimetric sensor toward Cu detection by deprotonation of secondary amines

A new triphenylamine-based fluorogenic probe bearing an indolylmethane unit (R1) was developed as a fluorescent chemosensor with high selectivity toward Cu²⁺ over other cations tested. The new probe R1 only sensed Cu²⁺ among heavy and transition metal (HTM) ions in CH₃CN/H₂O (70/30, v/v) solution. The capture of Cu²⁺ by the receptor resulted in deprotonation of the secondary amine conjugated to the triphenylamine, so that the electron-donation ability of the “N” atom would be greatly enhanced; thus sensor showed a 250 nm change in the new absorption band (from 291 nm to 541 nm) and a large colorimetric response, it also exhibited the large decrease in fluorescence intensity at 378 nm and affinity to Cu²⁺ over other cations such as Hg²⁺, Fe³⁺, Pb²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, Ni²⁺, Co²⁺ and Mn²⁺ make this compound a useful chemosensor for Cu²⁺ detection in CH₃CN/H₂O (70/30, v/v) mixture. The probe R1 (c = 1.0 × 10⁻⁶ M) displayed significant fluorescence change and colorimetric change upon addition of Cu²⁺ among the metal ions examined.     

Four-arc approximation to ellipses: The best in general

So far, the four-arc approximations to an ellipse E are made under the condition that the major and minor axes keep strictly unchanged. In general, however, this condition is unnecessary. Then the fitting can be further improved. Considering a representative quadrant of E, we first draw two auxiliary circular arcs tangent to E at the axes but having a gap ε at their boundary, such that the small arc S lies outside the large arc L. Meanwhile the extreme errors of S and L w.r.t. E are ε and −ε respectively. Giving the radii of S and L a decrement −ε/2 and an increment ε/2 brings them to join smoothly. Thus, reducing the overall error to minimum, an analytic solution in implicit form is derived.     

New complexity results for the k-covers problem

The k-covers problem (kCP) asks us to compute a minimum cardinality set of strings of given length k > 1 that covers a given string. It was shown in a recent paper, by reduction to 3-SAT, that the k-covers problem is NP-complete. In this paper we introduce a new problem, that we call the k-bounded relaxed vertex cover problem (RVCP_k), which we show is equivalent to k-bounded set cover (SCP_k). We show further that kCP is a special case of RVCP_k restricted to certain classes G_x,k of graphs that represent all strings x. Thus a minimum k-cover can be approximated to within a factor k in polynomial time. We discuss approximate solutions of kCP, and we state a number of conjectures and open problems related to kCP and G_x,k.     

Salicylaldehyde based colorimetric and “turn on” fluorescent sensors for fluoride anion sensing employing hydrogen bonding

Two salicylaldehyde based colorimetric and fluorescent chemosensors 1 and 2 were developed. Both receptors 1 and 2 showed unique selectivity for the fluoride anions over other anions in DMSO solution. [TBA] OH and ¹H NMR titration experiments revealed that the F⁻-induced colorimetric and “turn on” fluorescence response were driven by hydrogen bonding interaction between the OH protons and F⁻.     

The complexity of achievement and maintenance problems in agent-based systems

We completely classify the computational complexity of the basic achievement and maintenance agent design problems in bounded environments when these problems are parameterized by the number of environment states and the number of agent actions. The different problems are P-complete, NP-complete, co-NP-complete or PSPACE-complete (when they are not trivial). We also consider alternative achievement and maintenance agent design problems by allowing longer runs in environments (that is, our environments are bounded but the bounds are more liberal than was the case previously). Again, we obtain a complete classification but so that the different problems are DEXPTIME-complete, NEXPTIME-complete, co-NEXPTIME-complete or NEXPSPACE-complete (when they are not trivial).     

Absolute calibration of an ABB IRB 1600 robot using a laser tracker

The absolute accuracy of an ABB IRB 1600 industrial robot is improved using a 29-parameter calibration model, developed after extensive experimentation. The error model takes into account all possible geometric errors (25 geometric error parameters to be identified through optimization, in addition to the pose parameters for the base and tool frames and four error parameters related to the compliance in joints 2, 3, 4 and 5). The least squares optimization technique is used to find the 29 error parameters that best fit the measures acquired with a laser tracker. Contrary to most other similar works, the validation of the robot's accuracy is performed with a very large number of measures (1,000) throughout the complete robot's joint space. After calibration, the mean/maximum position errors at any of eight different measurement points on the end-effector (all offset from axis 6 by approximately 120 mm) are reduced from 0.968 mm/2.158 mm respectively, to 0.364 mm/0.696 mm.     

A constrained optimization approach for an adaptive generalized subspace tracking algorithm

In this paper, we present an orthonormal version of the generalized signal subspace tracking. It is based on an interpretation of the generalized signal subspace as the solution of a constrained minimization task. This algorithm, referred to as the CGST algorithm, guarantees the C_x-orthonormality of the estimated generalized signal subspace basis at each iteration which C_x denotes the correlation matrix of the sequence x(t). An efficient implementation of the proposed algorithm enhances applicability of it in real time applications.     

Fe-selective fluorescent probe based on rhodamine B and its application in bioimaging

A Rhodamine-based fluorescent and colorimetric chemosensor for Fe³⁺ ion, acetyl rhodamine-hydroxamate (ARH), was designed and synthesized. Upon mixed with Fe³⁺ in CH₃CN-H₂O (1:1, v/v), the spirolactam of ARH was opened, which resulted in the dramatic enhancement of both fluorescence and absorbance intensity as well as the color change of the solution. Background metal ions showed small or no interference with the detection of Fe³⁺. The Job's plot indicated the formation of 1:1 complex between ARH and Fe³⁺. Confocal laser scanning microscopy experiments showed that ARH could be used to detect Fe³⁺ in living cells.     

Efficient bluish-green phosphorescent iridium complex for both solution-processed and vacuum-deposited organic light-emitting diodes

Iridium(III)bis(4,6-(difluorophenyl)pyridinato-N,C^2′)picolinate (Firpic) is one typical bluish-green phosphor widely used in phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes (PhOLEDs). In order to optimize its electroluminescent performance, 3,6-(di-tert-butyl)carbazolyl was introduced into the pyridine ring of the 2,4-difluorophenyl-pyridine ligand via a non-conjugated CH₂ linkage. The generated 3,6-di-tert-butyl-9-((6-(2,4-difluorophenyl)pridine-3-yl)methyl)-9H-carbazole (Cz-CH₂-dfppy) was used as cyclometalating ligand to prepare iridium complex 1, (Cz-CH₂-dfppy)₂Ir(pic). In comparison with the case to attach carbazole directly on pyridine, this non-conjugated CH₂ linking strategy avoids the unwanted bathochromic shift of the phosphorescence and improves the solubility of the iridium complex. (Cz-CH₂-dfppy)₂Ir(pic) (1) was used as doped emitter to fabricate OLEDs by both spin-coating and vacuum evaporation methods. Efficient bluish-green electrophosphorescence was obtained with maximum luminance efficiency of 22 cd/A (14 lm/W, 8.7%) and 26 cd/A (12 lm/W, 9.5%) for the solution-processed and vacuum-deposited devices, respectively, which far exceed those of the parent Firpic based device. The improved performance for (Cz-CH₂-dfppy)₂Ir(pic) was interpreted in terms of improved charge balance brought by the presence of the carbazole groups in the ligands.     

On polymorphic types of untyped terms

Let S be a finite set of β normal closed terms and M and N a pair of β normal, η   distinct, closed terms. Then there exist polymorphic types a,b$a,b$ such that every member of S can be typed as a, and M and N have η expansions which can be typed as b; where, in the resulting typings, the members of S can be simultaneously consistently identified, and the η expansions of M and N are βη inconsistent (no model with more than one element of any type). A similar result holds in the presence of surjective pairing.     

The values of college students in business simulation game: A means-end chain approach

Business simulation games (BSGs) enable students to practice making decisions in a virtual environment, accumulate experience in application of strategies, and train themselves in modes of decision-making. This study examines the value sought by players of BSG. In this study, a means-end chain (MEC) model was adopted as the basis, and ladder method soft laddering was used to conduct in-depth interviews with students who had experience in using BSGs. The chain concept of “attribute-consequence-value” was used to understand students’ value cognition structures. Content analysis was used to analyze the attributes-consequences-values for BSGs players, then converted into a Hierarchical Value Map (HVM). The results showed that students consider teamwork and market diversity as the most important attributes, and the consequences of a cooperative approach and market diversity are emotional exchange and multi-thinking, with the ultimate value brought to users by exchanges between teams and constant thinking being interpersonal relationships and a sense of accomplishment.