Nominal Monoids

We develop an algebraic theory for languages of data words. We prove that, under certain conditions, a language of data words is definable in first-order logic if and only if its syntactic monoid is aperiodic.     

Local controllability of quantum systems

We give a criterion that is sufficient for controllability of multipartite quantum systems. We generalize the graph infection criterion to the quantum systems that cannot be described with the use of a graph theory. We introduce the notation of hypergraphs and reformulate the infection property in this setting. The introduced criterion has a topological nature and therefore it is not connected to any particular experimental realization of quantum information processing.     

Effect of processing on the content of glucobrassicin and its degradation products in broccoli and cauliflower

The influence of thermal treatment, pickling and fermentation on the content of glucobrassicin and its selected breakdown products in broccoli and cauliflower was investigated. The highest content of glucobrassicin and the lowest content of its breakdown products were found in vegetables which underwent thermal treatment such as boiling and steam cooking. The lowest content of glucobrassicin and the highest content of its breakdown products were present in raw, pickled and fermented vegetables in which the myrosinase remained active. Ascrobigen was the major glucobrassicin breakdown product and its content was negatively correlated with glucobrassicin content in broccoli and cauliflower. After heating of vegetables in 60 °C for 20 min (causing thermal deactivation of epithiospecific protein) no presence of indole-3-acetonitrile was found.     

Development and characterisation of nanowire-based FETs

Development of Si nanowire-based FETs, suitable for sensor applications is reported. Process sequences for SOI and bulk p-channel FinFETs are described. SEM observations of the fabricated devices (180 nm wide, 87 nm or 175 nm high) are presented and discussed. Electrical characteristics measurements and basic characterisation results obtained for these devices are described. A procedure for serial resistance extraction has been mentioned in more detail, due to its high value inherent in the process used. Several aspects of the device sensitivity to front- and back-gate control have been discussed from the point of view of its application in biochemical detectors.     

Nano-Mechanical Properties of Modified Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) Films Studied by Atomic Force Microscopy

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) has been used to study the effect of various photoinitiators doped into poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) on the mechanical properties of PMMA films at the nanometer scale. Pure and modified PMMA films (containing four different photoinitiators) were exposed to a mercury vapor lamp in air atmosphere. Force–distance curves for hardness, Young modulus, and adhesion forces were obtained using different AFM modes (tapping or contact-mode) and different tips (diamond or silicon nitride). The results revealed that the added photoinitiators slightly changed the nanomechanical properties of PMMA as a result of alterations in the photochemical reactions and physical processes occurring in the studied systems. tert-Butyl peroxybenzoate had the most efficient effect on the measured parameters in UV-irradiated PMMA, whereas benzoyl peroxide was less active. The mechanism of the observed processes is discussed.     

Modification of Fe and Al elemental powders’ sintering with addition of magnesium and magnesium hydride

An attempt to modify sintering of iron and aluminium elemental powders with use of small additions of Mg and MgH₂ was presented in this paper. The kinetics of such modified sintering was investigated using DSC technique, XRD analysis and SEM observations. Significant changes in the mechanism of exothermal formation reaction of Fe–Al intermetallic phases in compositions doped with magnesium and its hydride was observed. Initiation temperature of Self-propagating High-temperature Synthesis (SHS) reaction was pronouncedly shifted to lower value as compared with undoped composition. Influence of additions on the SHS reaction kinetics parameters was also calculated with use of the JMA model and changes of the Avrami exponent value of specific phase formation was noticed. Positive effect of MgH₂ addition on partial homogeneity of final product was also studied.     

Self-centeredness and selflessness: A theory of self-based psychological functioning and its consequences for happiness.

The theoretical model presented in this paper emerged from several different disciplines. This model proposes that the attainment of happiness is linked to the self, and more particularly to the structure of the self. We support the idea that the perception of a structured self, which takes the form of a permanent, independent and solid entity leads to self-centered psychological functioning, and this seems to be a significant source of both affliction and fluctuating happiness. Contrary to this, a selfless psychological functioning emerges when perception of the self is flexible (i.e., a dynamic network of transitory relations), and this seems to be a source of authentic-durable happiness. In this paper, these two aspects of psychological functioning and their underlying processes will be presented. We will also explore the potential mechanisms that shape them. We will conclude with an examination of possible applications of our theory. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Thermodynamic and Acoustic Properties of Mixtures of Dibromomethane + Heptane

Densities and speeds of ultrasound in binary mixtures of dibromomethane with heptane have been measured within the temperature range from 288.15 K to 318.15 K. From the experimental data, the thermodynamic excess volume, molar isobaric expansion, molar isentropic compression, and ultrasonic speed were calculated. The excess volume and excess isentropic compression have opposite signs, whereas the excess isobaric expansion is an S-shaped function of the mole fraction. An explanation was suggested to account for the excesses in terms of intermolecular interactions. It involved energetic and steric factors. Moreover, it was shown that the positive excess sound speed results almost entirely from the negative excess compression.     

Investigations on printed elastic resistors containing carbon nanotubes

This paper presents the results of authors investigations on elaboration of a new thick film composition filled with carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The polymer composition consists of polymer vehicle, which is the solution of organic resin in certain combination of solvents, and functional phase—carbon nanotubes well dispersed in the vehicle. The pastes were applied with screen-printing on several substrates and temperature cured. The properties of obtained layers were characterized. Series of samples were prepared with different amount of CNTs to evaluate electrical properties. Changes in resistance were investigated during periodic mechanical and temperature stresses, realized through cyclical bending and rapid temperature change. Tensometric effect was also investigated. Investigations have proved that polymer composites based on carbon nanotubes exhibit high resilience to stress factors. Resistance change in function of temperature was also investigated to evaluate temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR). All this aspects are important for elastic resistors fabrication in printed electronics microcircuits. Resistance and noise measurements in cryostats have also been involved. 1/f type noise has been observed. Noise intensity, calculated in decade frequency bands, rises significantly with increasing temperature. Activation energies of thermally activated noise sources (TANS) have been revealed using low-frequency noise spectroscopy. Relatively large value of negative TCR has been obtained from resistance versus temperature curve. Calculated dimensionless sensitivity is similar to that observed in cryogenic temperature sensors. However, bulk noise intensity of resistive layer is larger than obtained for lead containing RuO₂ based resistive layers.