Evaluation of layer properties of effective parameters of metallic rod metamaterials in GHz frequencies

In this paper, analytical modeling and numerical simulation of the complex effective dielectric, magnetic constants and refractive index of a metallic rod metamaterial in microwave frequency range are presented. Analytical modeling has been done using modified mathematical models of the complex dielectric and magnetic constants obtained for rod metamaterial structure. Numerical simulation of the above-mentioned parameters has been made using S-parameters obtained with the help of finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) calculations. The numerical simulation has been carried out for different thickness of rods. Remarkable coincidence between analytical and numerical results was found. The effective dielectric constant enhancement of the considered composite has been obtained. Recommendations for the practical application of considered metamaterial structure for designing patch antennas have been discussed.     

Accurate Analysis of Tumor Margins Using a Fluorescent pH Low Insertion Peptide (pHLIP)

The recurrence of certain cancers remains quite high due to either incomplete surgical removal of the primary tumor or the presence of small metastases that are invisible to the surgeon. Near infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging might improve surgical outcomes by providing sensitive, specific, and real-time visualization of normal and diseased tissues if agents can be found that discriminate between normal and diseased tissue and define tumor margins. We have developed a new approach for revealing tumor borders by using NIR fluorescently labeled pH Low Insertion Peptide (pHLIP) and have created a computational program for the quantitative assessment of tumor boundaries. The approach is tested in vivo by co-localization of GFP-tumors and NIR emission from the fluorescently labeled pHLIP, and it is found that boundaries are accurately reported and that sub-millimeter masses can be detected.     

Characterization of phases formed in the iron carbide process by X-ray diffraction, mossbauer, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and raman spectroscopy analyses

Iron carbide was prepared by iron ore reduction and iron cementation using Ar-H₂-CH₄ gas mixture with and without sulfur. Phases formed in the reduction/cementation process were examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Mossbauer, and Raman spectroscopy. The sample surface was also analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). XRD and Mossbauer analyses showed that iron oxide was first reduced to metallic iron, and then, metallic iron was carburized to cementite. Addition of a small amount of H₂S to the reaction gas retarded the cementite formation but made the cementite more stable. XPS analysis showed that the surface of samples converted to iron carbide using sulfurcontaining gas consisted of mainly Fe₃C and a small amount of graphitic carbon. Raman spectra of a sample produced in the iron carbide process showed the G and D bands, which are characteristic for carbon-carbon bonds. The intensity ratio of G/D bands depended on the sulfur content in the reducing/carburizing gas.     

A formal procedure and invariants of a transition from conventional finite elements to the absolute nodal coordinate formulation

In this paper, finite elements based on the absolute nodal coordinate formulation (ANCF) are studied. The formulation has been developed by various authors for the dynamical simulation of large-displacement and large-rotation problems in flexible multibody dynamics. This study introduces a procedure to track the general geometrical properties of ANCF elements back to their prototypes in the conventional finite-element method (FEM), which deals with small-displacement problems. In this study, it is shown that each known ANCF element can be derived from a conventional FEM using a universal transform. Moreover, some important static and dynamic properties of the elements in small-displacement problems are automatically preserved. In the past, the authors of each newly proposed ANCF element have made unnecessary efforts to show the consistency of the above mentioned properties.     

Substrate‐free cholesteric liquid‐crystal displays

Abstract— This paper demonstrates the first substrate‐free cholesteric liquid‐crystal displays. The encapsulated cholesteric displays are ultra‐thin (with a total thickness around 20 μm) and ultra‐lightweight (0.002 g/cm²). The displays exhibit unprecedented conformability, flexibility, and drapability while maintaining electro‐optical performance and mechanical integrity. All functional display layers are sequentially coated on a preparation substrate and then lifted‐off from the preparation substrate to form a free‐standing display. The display fabrication process, electro‐optical performance, and display flexibility are discussed.     

Thresholding algorithms, maxisets and well-concentrated bases

The aim of this paper is to synthetically analyse the performances of thresholding and wavelet estimation methods. In this connection, it is useful to describe the maximal sets where these methods attain a special rate of convergence. We relate these “maxisets” to other problems naturally arising in the context of non parametric estimation, as approximation theory or information reduction. A second part of the paper is devoted to isolate two very special properties especially shared by wavelet bases, which allow them to behave almost as in an Hilbertian context even for L _p risks.     

Microbial degradation of the detoxification products of mustard from the Russian chemical weapons stockpile

This work was undertaken to examine the possibility of biodegradation of the organic components of the ‘reaction masses’ (detoxification products) generated by destruction of the chemical warfare agent mustard. The composition of these components was analysed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. The major components formed during chemical detoxification were identified as 1,4‐perhydrothiazine derivatives. N‐(2‐Hydroxyethyl)‐2‐methyl‐1,4‐perhydrothiazine hydrochloride and N‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)‐3‐methyl‐1,4‐perhydrothiazine hydrochloride were predominant (about 70% of total 1,4‐perhydrothiazine derivatives). Pseudomonas putida strains that used some organic components of the mustard reaction masses as carbon sources for growth were isolated and selected. Growth cessation in this medium (with organic carbon still available) was due to the depletion of bioutilisable substrates, primarily monoethanolamine and ethylene glycol (the residual components of the detoxifying mixture). 1,4‐Perhydrothiazine derivatives were not used as carbon sources for growth of P putida strain SH1, but their concentration decreased during bacterial growth with monoethanolamine and ethylene glycol as the carbon substrates. It is suggested that 1,4‐perhydrothiazines undergo transformation by the microbial cells under these conditions. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Nonisothermal Synthesis of Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia Nanopowder through Oxalate Processing: II, Morphology Manipulation

A novel, nontraditional route for controlling the morphology of yttria-stabilized zirconia nanopowders is explained. For understanding the real nature of yttrium zirconium oxalate nonisothermal decomposition and for the development of nanosize 3 mol% Y₂O₃·97mol% ZrO₂, mass spectrometry, X-ray, and TEM investigation were used. Characteristics of zirconia crystallization under nonisothermal heating conditions were studied. Morphology evolution during Y-Zr oxalate nonisothermal decomposition was investigated to optimize the heating schedule of calcination. The nonlinear heating regime has been used to produce nanosized Y₂O₃-stabilized tetragonal ZrO₂ powder with the finest primary crystallites and narrowest secondary aggregate size distribution.