Tunable Spectrum Selectivity for Multiphoton Absorption with Enhanced Visible Light Trapping in ZnO Nanorods

Observation of visible light trapping in zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods (NRs) correlated to the optical and photoelectrochemical properties is reported. In this study, ZnO NR diameter and c‐axis length respond primarily at two different regions, UV and visible light, respectively. ZnO NR diameter exhibits UV absorption where large ZnO NR diameter area increases light absorption ability leading to high efficient electron–hole pair separation. On the other hand, ZnO NR c‐axis length has a dominant effect in visible light resulting from a multiphoton absorption mechanism due to light reflection and trapping behavior in the free space between adjacent ZnO NRs. Furthermore, oxygen vacancies and defects in ZnO NRs are associated with the broad visible emission band of different energy levels also highlighting the possibility of the multiphoton absorption mechanism. It is demonstrated that the minimum average of ZnO NR c‐axis length must satisfy the linear regression model of Z _p,min = 6.31d to initiate the multiphoton absorption mechanism under visible light. This work indicates the broadening of absorption spectrum from UV to visible light region by incorporating a controllable diameter and c‐axis length on vertically aligned ZnO NRs, which is important in optimizing the design and functionality of electronic devices based on light absorption mechanism.     

Isomerization of 9c11t/10t12c CLA in Triacylglycerols

Isomers of conjugated linoleic acid from 7t9c through 12t14t can be induced by thermal treatment of triacylglycerol samples of 9c11t or 10t12c fatty acids in glass tubes. The formation of conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs) has been observed during thermal induction of the above-mentioned triacylglycerols at 250, 280 and 320°C. The concentrations of isomers formed in the mixture varied depending on the temperature and duration of the heating experiments. The objective of this study was to find a suitable thermal induction temperature and time that can produce most of the isomers of CLAs from the above-mentioned triacylglycerols. Such a mixture would give researchers a reference standard that can be used in the identification of CLAs in GC analyses of relevant samples. Fifteen-microlitre portions of the triacylglycerol samples containing 9c11t/10t12c fatty acid were placed in micro-glass ampoules, sealed under nitrogen and then subjected to thermal treatment. The glass ampoules were removed at regular time intervals, cut open, and part of the samples was analysed by infrared spectroscopy using attenuated internal reflectance technique. The remainder of the samples was subjected to derivatisation into their methyl esters. The methyl esters of the isomerised fatty acids were then analysed by gas chromatography after appropriate dilution in heptane. The results show that the thermally induced glyceride samples of 9c11t/10t12c fatty acids gave CLA profiles containing isomers ranging from 7t9c to 12t14t. However, the concentrations of the isomers are different depending on the duration of the thermal induction. It appears that [1,5] sigmatropic rearrangements and positional isomerisations take place in the heated mixtures. The rearrangements and positional isomerisations are accelerated by increasing temperature. The glyceride samples heated to 325°C form isomers within 30 min and provide a mixture of CLA isomers that can be used as reference sample containing the methyl esters of CLAs.     

Direct numerical inversion method for kinetic ellipsometric data. I. Presentation of the method and numerical evaluation

A direct numerical inversion method for the determination of the refractive index and the thickness of the outermost layer of a thin transparent film on top of a multilayer has been developed. This method is based on a second-order Taylor decomposition of the coefficients of the Abelès matrices of the newly grown layer. The variations of the real-time spectroscopic ellipsometry data are expressed as polynomial fuctions depending on the dielectric constant and the thickness of the newly grown layer. The method is fast, capable of single-wavelength and multiwavelength inversion of continuous as well as discontinuous-index profiles, and can be adapted to many different polarimetric instruments.     

Near-infrared diode laser based spectroscopic detection of ammonia: a comparative study of photoacoustic and direct optical absorption methods

A photoacoustic spectroscopic (PAS) and a direct optical absorption spectroscopic (OAS) gas sensor, both using continuous-wave room-temperature diode lasers operating at 1531.8 nm, were compared on the basis of ammonia detection. Excellent linear correlation between the detector signals of the two systems was found. Although the physical properties and the mode of operation of both sensors were significantly different, their performances were found to be remarkably similar, with a sub-ppm level minimum detectable concentration of ammonia and a fast response time in the range of a few minutes.     

Identifying clinical syndromes in a community sample of elderly persons.

By a strategy suggested by E. H. Uhlenhuth et al (1983), Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III) referenced syndrome classifications were derived on the basis of the Hopkins Symptoms Checklist—42 scores of 1,131 elderly community residents. Overall syndrome prevalence rates were consistent with other epidemiologic data: 3.9% for depression, 1.0% for agoraphobia-panic, 2.6% for other phobia, and 6.9% for anxiety. Prevalence rates reflected expected sex differences and showed an age trend for other phobias. Considerable comorbidity among syndromes was observed. The association of the syndromes with patterns of psychosocial risk factors, prior diagnoses, and medication suggests that some but not all of the identified syndromes reflect clinically relevant classifications. If further developed, syndrome classifications based on self-report scales can provide inexpensive and clinically relevant measures of caseness. Required refinements of this approach are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Multi-agent cooperation for particle accelerator control

Quite exhaustive theoretical studies exist in DAI, but it seems that there is not enough feedback from practice. In this paper we present practical investigations for applying and justifying the theoretical DAI results in a real industrial controls environment, and, conversely, we discuss the theoretical aspects of practical findings in these applied investigations made for accelerator control and operation. The results presented here are partly based on the research carried out at CERN during the ESPRIT-II Project ARCHON™. A generalized hypothesis is introduced, based on a unified view of control, monitoring, diagnosis, maintenance and repair tasks leading to a general method of cooperation for expert systems by exchanging hypotheses and leads to a mapping of different tasks in accelerator control to cooperating agents. This has been tested for task and result-sharing cooperation scenarios and we also report on studies carried out in relation to accelerator timings and their diagnosis as well as the transformation of these systems into a multi-agent community. Generalized hypotheses also allow us to treat the repetitive diagnosis-recovery cycle as a task-sharing cooperation. Problems with such a loop or even recursive calls between the different agents are discussed.     

Computability,complexity and economics

Herbert Simon advocates that economists should study procedureal rationality instead of substantive rationality. One approach for studying procedural rationality is to consider algorithmic representations of procedures, which can then be studied using the concepts of computability and complexity. For some time, game theorists have considered the issue of computability and have employed automata to study bounded rationality. Outside game theory very little research has been performed. Very simple examples of the traditional economic optimization models can require transfinite computations. The impact of procedural rationality on economics depends on the computational resources available to economic agents.     

Barriers to the adoption of an energy efficient technology

Solid state electronic ballasts promise significant energy savings in the lighting systems of large buildings. However, organizational factors and standard operating procedures may inhibit the adoption of this technology in the large, bureaucratic public and private sector organizations which represent the major potential users of this technology.