Tunnelling spectra of individual magnetic endofullerene molecules

The manipulation of single magnetic molecules may enable new strategies for high-density information storage and quantum-state control. However, progress in these areas depends on developing techniques for addressing individual molecules and controlling their spin. Here, we report success in making electrical contact to individual magnetic N@C(60) molecules and measuring spin excitations in their electron tunnelling spectra. We verify that the molecules remain magnetic by observing a transition as a function of magnetic field that changes the spin quantum number and also the existence of non-equilibrium tunnelling originating from low-energy excited states. From the tunnelling spectra, we identify the charge and spin states of the molecule. The measured spectra can be reproduced theoretically by accounting for the exchange interaction between the nitrogen spin and electron(s) on the C(60) cage.     

A generalized model for Kalman filtering of motion information in video compression

In this paper, we tackle the problem of motion estimation in video compression. Since Full Search Algorithms (FSA) present the disadvantage of adding a high computational burden to the encoder, fast search techniques have been used in conjunction with predictive filtering, in such a way to guarantee an acceptable quality with an affordable complexity. The aim of this work is to propose a novel framework for Kalman filtering of motion information in compressed video sequences. The merits of our new framework are twofold: First, using an appropriate formulation of the system equations, several shortcomings inherent with former models in the literature are greatly counteracted. Secondly, it is constructed using a generalized structure in such a way to enclose a large variety of prediction models. Therefore, it can adapt to different types of motion activities in video sequences, without the need for a different formulation in each prediction model, as was the case in previous studies. Furthermore, we propose an adaptive motion compensation technique that permits an additional improvement to the decoded video quality. Our framework permits a considerable gain in the average performance compared to previous models and even to the FSA technique.     

Color constancy from invariant wavelength ratios: An algorithm to simplify the chromatic adaptation model

In a recent article on color constancy, the chromatic adaptation model was of a novel type comprising three components separately calculated—hue, chromaticness, and lightness. The constant hue component was a simple calculation of predicted wavelength but the other two components were less direct. This article provides an algorithm to simplify the model's calculation. Calculation is far simpler and more intuitive than conventional models using complex 3 × 3 matrix transforms with their various and contentious adaptation primaries and potential disadvantages (e.g., in brightness and color gamut). The model is shown to be at least as accurate as six other (conventional) models and does not require high math skill. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 41, 468–476, 2016     

Dynamic Mechanical Analysis of Amorphous-Phase Organization in Acrylic Polymers

Factors affecting polymer network organization were studied in highly crosslinked acrylics of the type used in dental adhesive resins. The variables tested were comonomer content and processing conditions. BisEMA (2,2,-bis[4-(2-methacryloyloxyethoxy)-phenyl]-propane) and BisEMA + TEGDMA (triethyleneglycol dimethacrylate) were cured with and without 25% comonomer. Comonomers had characteristics that are expected to influence intrachain organization in amorphous phases: TEGDMA, crosslinking; methyl methacrylate (MMA), monomer conversion; isobornyl methacrylate (IBM), low cure shrinkage; tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate (THFM), antiplasticization. Dynamic mechanical analysis temperature scans were run at 0.1 Hz 2h or 24h after ambient cure, or 24h postcure after heating at 75° or 125°C. After 24h, tan δ maxima occurred in ranges centering on approximately -30°, 75° and 150°C (T_g). Heating at 125°C nearly eliminated all peaks except T_g, reduced tan δ peaks and increased T_g by 0–14°. T_g increased in the order: TEGDMA>125°C>IBM>MMA>75°C>2h>24h>THFM. The ability to crosslink, and postcure heating at 125°C, were the more important factors found to increase intrachain organization in amine-promoted, unfilled BisEMA resins of the type used in dental sealants, luting cements and bulk-filling resin composite materials.