Thermosensitive networks based on high molecular weight polyoxyethylene and N-isopropylacrylamide

Summary γ- and UV-irradiation was successfully used for the preparation of mixed networks on the basis of high molecular weight polyoxyethylene (POE) and/or N-isopropylacrylamide and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm). These gels preserve the swelling transition temperature of the pure PNIPAAm and shrink faster above this temperature due to the hydrophilic POE chains. It was found that in a collapsed state these gels retain alkaline organic salts from aqueous solutions. Received: 12 February 1999/Revised version: 18 May 1999/Accepted: 18 May 1999     

Temporal sequence detection with spiking neurons: towards recognizing robot language instructions

We present an approach for recognition and clustering of spatio temporal patterns based on networks of spiking neurons with active dendrites and dynamic synapses. We introduce a new model of an integrate-and-fire neuron with active dendrites and dynamic synapses (ADDS) and its synaptic plasticity rule. The neuron employs the dynamics of the synapses and the active properties of the dendrites as an adaptive mechanism for maximizing its response to a specific spatio-temporal distribution of incoming action potentials. The learning algorithm follows recent biological evidence on synaptic plasticity. It goes beyond the current computational approaches which are based only on the relative timing between single pre- and post-synaptic spikes and implements a functional dependence based on the state of the dendritic and somatic membrane potentials around the pre- and post-synaptic action potentials. The learning algorithm is demonstrated to effectively train the neuron towards a selective response determined by the spatio-temporal pattern of the onsets of input spike trains. The model is used in the implementation of a part of a robotic system for natural language instructions. We test the model with a robot whose goal is to recognize and execute language instructions. The research in this article demonstrates the potential of spiking neurons for processing spatio-temporal patterns and the experiments present spiking neural networks as a paradigm which can be applied for modelling sequence detectors at word level for robot instructions.     

A numerical method for calculation of transients in electric circuits

 The present paper describes a numerical method for calculation of transients in electric circuits,using a step by step approach.For a small interval of time △t=const,for each branch j of circuit one calculates α_j=R_j+L_j/△t+△t/C_j,β_j=R_j+△t/C_j and θ=△t/C_j.After that,for each interval △t the current increments △i_(jk),the currents i_(jk)=i_(jk-1)+△i_(jk)and the capacitor\'s voltage u_(cjk)=u_(cjk-1)+Au_(cjk)are calculated. The values of △i_(jk)are the roots of a system of simultaneous linear equations.The results of numerical calculation of transients by the proposed method do not differ from those obtained by analytical ones.The proposed method can be applied to a large number of problems in electrical engineering.A similar approach can be used for the calculation of transients in non-linear electric circuits and in other engineering disciplines(mechanics,thermodynamics,hydraulics etc.).Several numerical examples show how the pro- posed method can be applied.     

Synthesis and properties of 1,5- and 1,8-dichloro-substituted poly(9,10-dihydroanthracene-9,10-diylidene)s

Two new dichloro-substituted poly(9,10-dihydroanthracene-9,10-diylidene)s were prepared by self-condensation of 1,5-dichloroanthrone and 1,8-dichloroanthrone. The bromination and thermal and semiconductive properties were investigated.     

Effect of metal cyanourates on some properties of PVC

The effects of barium, lead and calcium cyanourate on the properties of poly(vinyl chloride) and its compositions were investigated. In concentrations up to 2 vol. % they decreased the T_g and T_m of the polymer. Physical and mechanical properties (tensile strength, impact strength, and hardness) are improved. The thermostability (dynamic and static) increases with increasing concentration.     

Adaptive CFAR PI Processor for Radar Target Detection in Pulse Jamming

A new parallel algorithm for signal processing and a parallel systolic architecture of a CFAR processor with adaptive post detection integration (API) are presented in this paper. The processor proposed is used for effective target detection in a single range resolution cell of a radar when echoes from small airborne targets are performed in conditions of pulse jamming. The main property of the algorithm proposed is its ability automatically to determine and censor the unwanted samples corrupted by pulse jamming in both the two-dimensional reference window and the test cell before noise level estimation. In such a way the influence of pulse jamming environment over adaptive thresholding is reduced to minimum. Statistical analysis of the algorithm for target detection shows that the signal-to-noise ratio losses are insignificant even if the power and the frequency of pulse jamming are extremely high. The systolic architecture of the CFAR API is designed. Basic measures of the systolic architecture are the number of processor elements, the computational time and the speed-up needed for real-time implementation.     

Catalytic activity of Co/MCM-41 and Co/SBA-15 materials in toluene oxidation

Cobalt-containing MCM-41 and SBA-15 mesoporous materials were prepared by the pH-adjusting of the impregnation solution. The modified materials were investigated by X-ray diffraction, N₂ physisorption, temperature-programmed reduction, DR UV–Vis diffuse reflectance, and FT-IR spectroscopy of adsorbed pyridine. The pH of the impregnation solution influences the surface charge of the mesoporous support and therefore determines the strength of interaction between the cobalt precursor and the mesoporous support. The formation of different cobalt oxide species in different ratios, depending on the pH of the impregnation solution, was established for both materials. The modified Co/MCM-41 and Co/SBA-15 materials were active in toluene oxidation. Their catalytic activity is predetermined by the nature, the reducibility, and the dispersion of the obtained cobalt oxide species.     

Protein Crystals Nucleated and Grown by Means of Porous Materials Display Improved X-ray Diffraction Quality

Well-diffracting protein crystals are indispensable for X-ray diffraction analysis, which is still the most powerful method for structure-function studies of biomolecules. A promising approach to growing such crystals is the use of porous nucleation-inducing materials. However, while protein crystal nucleation in pores has been thoroughly considered, little attention has been paid to the subsequent growth of crystals. Although the nucleation stage is decisive, it is the subsequent growth of crystals outside the pore that determines their diffraction quality. The molecular-scale mechanism of growth of protein crystals in and outside pores is theoretically considered. Due to the low degree of metastability, the crystals that emerge from the pores grow slowly, which is a prerequisite for better diffraction. This expectation has been corroborated by experiments carried out with several types of porous material, such as bioglass (“Naomi’s Nucleant”), buckypaper, porous gold and porous silicon. Protein crystals grown with the aid of bioglass and buckypaper yield significantly better diffraction quality compared with crystals grown conventionally. In all cases, visually superior crystals are usually obtained. Our theoretical conclusion is that heterogeneous nucleation of a crystal outside the pore is an exceptional case. Rather, the protein crystals nucleating inside the pores continue growing outside them.     

Study of As‐Spun Poly(ethylene terephthalate) Fibers Subjected to Thermal and Mechanical Treatments

As‐spun poly(ethylene terephthalate) filaments, subjected to mechanical and thermal treatments have been studied. Structural peculiarities investigated by the methods of thermo‐mechanical analysis (TMA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and wide‐angle X‐ray scattering (WAXS) are presented. The influence of simultaneously applied thermal and mechanical treatments on the structural changes of the studied samples is discussed. It was shown that the structures obtained could be semicrystalline or entirely amorphous depending on the mechanical treatment.