Hydrogen-bonded diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) pigments as organic semiconductors

Diketopyrrolopyrroles (DPPs) have recently gained attention as building-blocks for organic semiconducting polymers and small molecules, however the semiconducting properties of their hydrogen-bonded (H-bonded) pigment forms have not been explored. Herein we report on the performance of three archetypical H-bonded DPP pigments, which show ambipolar carrier mobilities in the range 0.01–0.06 cm²/V s in organic field-effect transistors. Their semiconducting properties are correlated with crystal structure, where an H-bonded crystal lattice supports close and relatively cofacial π–π stacking. To better understand transport in these systems, density functional theory calculations were carried out, indicating theoretical maximum ambipolar mobility values of ∼0.3 cm²/V s. Based on these experimental and theoretical results, H-bonded DPPs represent a viable alternative to more established DPP-containing polymers and small molecules where H-bonding is blocked by N-alkylation.     

Preventing wind turbine overspeed in highly turbulent wind events using disturbance accommodating control and light detection and ranging

Light detection and ranging (LIDAR) systems can be used to provide wind inflow information to a wind turbine controller before the wind reaches the turbine. Both fatigue and extreme load reduction are possible as a result; in this research, we propose a LIDAR‐based controller designed to prevent emergency shutdowns caused by rotor overspeed. This switching controller consists of a disturbance accommodating control (DAC)‐based baseline controller and a different DAC linearized about a reduced generator speed for extreme events, also referred to as an extreme event controller. Switching between the controllers was performed using linear interpolation over various transition times, depending on how early the extreme event could be detected. If a gust of wind is detected using LIDAR measurements evaluated by a one‐sided cumulative summation algorithm, a relatively long transition time can be used. Switching can also be based on a large output estimation error, ε_y, in which case the transition time is shorter. Once the extreme event passed, control is switched from the extreme event controller back to the baseline DAC. This switching controller resulted in fewer overspeeds when compared with the modified baseline controller, which is a gain scheduled DAC. By preventing overspeeds, the switching controller increased the mean power the wind turbine generated over a simulated 10 min period. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Entities,identities, identifiers and credentials — what does it all mean?

This paper looks at the concepts of entities, identities, identifiers and credentials, their definitions, and how they combine to authenticate an identity to an account, or function, within a service. Credentials can be divided into several different types on the basis of their use, origin and characteristics. In particular, types such as composite, dynamic and derived credentials will be considered, and their applicability within an identity management system. Each credential must be managed through its entire life cycle from initial registration, general use and suspension, to deletion. The notion of public (i.e. freely distributable) and private (i.e. known only to you) aspects of a credential is explored. The bindings, by trusted third parties, of identifiers and public credentials into permits and instruments of proof is explained along with the convenience, but greater exposure, of local information. Several scenarios are analysed in terms of how different types of credentials are employed during the authentication process.     

Measuring curvature and velocity vector fields for waves of cardiac excitation in 2-D media

Excitable media theory predicts the effect of electrical wavefront morphology on the dynamics of propagation in cardiac tissue. It specifies that a convex wavefront propagates slower and a concave wavefront propagates faster than a planar wavefront. Because of this, wavefront curvature is thought to be an important functional mechanism of cardiac arrhythmias. However, the curvature of wavefronts during an arrhythmia are generally unknown. We introduce a robust, automated method to measure the curvature vector field of discretely characterized, arbitrarily shaped, two-dimensional (2-D) wavefronts. The method relies on generating a smooth, continuous parameterization of the shape of a wave using cubic smoothing splines fitted to an isopotential at a specified level, which we choose to be -30 mV. Twice differentiating the parametric form provides local curvature vectors along the wavefront and waveback. Local conduction velocities are computed as the wave speed along lines normal to the parametric form. In this way, the curvature and velocity vector field for wavefronts and wavebacks can be measured. We applied the method to data sampled from a 2-D numerical model and several examples are provided to illustrate its usefulness for studying the dynamics of cardiac propagation in 2-D media.     

Thermoplastic Elastomer Hydrogels via Self‐Assembly of an Elastin‐Mimetic Triblock Polypeptide

Protein‐based analogues of conventional thermoplastic elastomers can be designed with enhanced properties as a consequence of the precise control of primary structure. Protein 1 undergoes a reversible sol–gel transition, which results in the formation of a well‐defined elastomeric network above a lower critical solution temperature. The morphology of the network is consistent with selective microscopic phase separation of the endblock domains. This genetic engineering approach provides a method for specification of the critical architectural parameters, such as block length and sequence, which define macromolecular properties that are important for downstream applications.     

宽带连接：一天并不总是一天，但一个字节就是一个字节

我去了德国慕尼黑一年两次的Electronica贸易展,最近才从这次欧洲之行返回.我很高兴地告诉大家:高速互联网接入目前在整个西欧得到了广泛使用.     

Alkalinity generation and metals retention in a successive alkalinity producing system

Alkalinity generation and metals retention were evaluated during the initial year of operation of a treatment wetland, consisting of four 185 m² inseries cells comprised of alternating vertical-flow anaerobic substrate wetlands (VFs) and surface-flow aerobic settling ponds (SFs). The substrate in the VFs consists of spent mushroom substrate (SMS) and limestone gravel, supplemented with hydrated fly ash in a 20∶10∶1 ratio by volume. Approximately 15±4 L/min of acid mine drainage (AMD) from an abandoned underground coal mine in southeastern Oklahoma, USA, was directed to the system in October 1998 (mean influent water quality: 660 mg L⁻¹ net acidity as CaCO₃ eq., pH 3.4, 215 mg L⁻¹ total Fe, 36 mg L⁻¹ Al, 14 mg L⁻¹ Mn, and 1000 mg L⁻¹ SO₄ ⁻²). Flow through the first VF resulted in substantial increases in alkalinity, decreased metal concentrations and circumneutral pH. 258±84 mg L⁻¹ of alkalinity was produced in the first VF by a combination of processes. Final discharge waters were net alkaline on all sampling dates (mean net alkalinity=136 mg L⁻¹). Total Fe and Al concentrations decreased significantly from 216±45 to 44±28 mg L⁻¹ and 36±6.9 to 1.29±4.4 mg L⁻¹, respectively. Manganese concentrations did not change significantly in the first two cells, but decreased significantly in the second two cells. Mean acidity removal rates in the first VF (51 g m⁻² day⁻¹) were similar to those previously reported.     

Scalar network analysers operating at Ka- and W-bands

Scalar network analysers measuring the amplitude of the reflection/transmission coefficients of waveguide structures have been realised at Ka- and W-bands. Their accuracy derived by using standard mismatches is excellent at Ka- band and fairly good at W-band. To our knowledge this is the first instance where the accuracy of measurements obtained from a scalar network analyser was checked over full waveguide bands with the aid of standard mismatches. The reported reflectometers are precursors of vector network analysers based on six-port reflectometers. Methods aimed at increasing the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the measurements have been developed, while proposals for improving the dynamic range of these network analysers are put forward.     

A programmable data acquisition and control system for magneticresonance imaging: application to mutually coupled surface coil arraysand temperature monitoring

A programmable data acquisition and control system was developed for use in conjunction with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The controller consists of two functional blocks: a host system and a remote system. The remote system resides inside the shielded room housing the magnet. The host, an IBM compatible personal computer, is located at the technician's console. Communication between these devices is implemented over a fiber optic RS-232 data link. This configuration allows experiments to be performed remotely by using a series of keyboard typed commands, by programming the host to send a series of commands, or by directly programming the remote system. As an example of its capabilities, the controller was used to tune and match arrays of receiver coils for localized imaging and to record the rectal temperature of a sedated rat during image acquisition.