Control of Molecular Weight and Polydispersity of Hyperbranched Polymers Using a Reactive B(3) Core: A Single-Step Route to Orthogonally Functionalizable Hyperbranched Polymers

Molecular weight and polydispersity are two structural features of hyperbranched polymers that are difficult to control because of the statistical nature of the step-growth polycondensation of AB(2) type monomers; the statistical growth also causes the polydispersity index to increase with percent conversion (or molecular weight). We demonstrate that using controlled amounts of a specifically designed B(3) core, containing B-type functionality that are more reactive than those present in the AB(2) monomer, both the molecular weight and the polydispersity can be readily controlled; the PDI was shown to improve with increasing mole-fraction of the B(3) core while the polymer molecular weight showed an expected decrease. Incorporation of a ``clickable'' propargyl group in the B(3) core unit permitted the generation of a core-functionalizable hyperbranched polymer. Importantly, this clickable core, in combination with a recently developed AB(2) monomer, wherein the B-type groups are allyl ethers and A is an hydroxyl group, led to the generation of a hyperbranched polymer carrying orthogonally functionalizable core and peripheral groups, via a single-step melt polycondensation. Selective functionalization of the core and periphery using two different types of chromophores was achieved, and the occurrence of fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between the donor and acceptor chromophores was demonstrated.

Control of Molecular Weight and Polydispersity of Hyperbranched Polymers Using a Reactive B(3) Core: A Single-Step Route to Orthogonally Functionalizable Hyperbranched Polymers

Molecular weight and polydispersity are two structural features of hyperbranched polymers that are difficult to control because of the statistical nature of the step-growth polycondensation of AB(2) type monomers; the statistical growth also causes the polydispersity index to increase with percent conversion (or molecular weight). We demonstrate that using controlled amounts of a specifically designed B(3) core, containing B-type functionality that are more reactive than those present in the AB(2) monomer, both the molecular weight and the polydispersity can be readily controlled; the PDI was shown to improve with increasing mole-fraction of the B(3) core while the polymer molecular weight showed an expected decrease. Incorporation of a ``clickable'' propargyl group in the B(3) core unit permitted the generation of a core-functionalizable hyperbranched polymer. Importantly, this clickable core, in combination with a recently developed AB(2) monomer, wherein the B-type groups are allyl ethers and A is an hydroxyl group, led to the generation of a hyperbranched polymer carrying orthogonally functionalizable core and peripheral groups, via a single-step melt polycondensation. Selective functionalization of the core and periphery using two different types of chromophores was achieved, and the occurrence of fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between the donor and acceptor chromophores was demonstrated.

Constant weight codes based on ideals of commutative rings

We present a construction of constant weight codes based on the prime ideals of a Noetherian commutative ring. The coding scheme is based on the uniqueness of the primary decomposition of ideals in Noetherian rings. The source alphabet consists of a set of radical ideals constructed from a chosen subset of the prime spectrum of the ring. The distance function between two radical ideals is taken to be the Hamming metric based on the symmetric distance between sets. As an application we construct codes for random networks employing SAF routing.

Evaluation of 2D image reconstruction using fan-beam FBP algorithm with no backprojection weight from WLP completed truncated projection data

This paper presents the image reconstruction using the fan-beam filtered backprojection (FBP) algorithm with no backprojection weight from windowed linear prediction (WLP) completed truncated projection data. The image reconstruction from truncated projections aims to reconstruct the object accurately from the available limited projection data. Due to the incomplete projection data, the reconstructed image contains truncation artifacts which extends into the region of interest (ROI) making the reconstructed image unsuitable for further use. Data completion techniques have been shown to be effective in such situations. We use windowed linear prediction technique for projection completion and then use the fan-beam FBP algorithm with no backprojection weight for the 2-D image reconstruction. We evaluate the quality of the reconstructed image using fan-beam FBP algorithm with no backprojection weight after WLP completion.

Maximum rate of 3- and 4-real-symbol ML decodable unitary weight STBCs

It has been shown recently that the maximum rate of a 2-real-symbol (single-complex-symbol) maximum likelihood (ML) decodable, square space-time block codes (STBCs) with unitary weight matrices is 2a/2a complex symbols per channel use (cspcu) for 2a number of transmit antennas [1]. These STBCs are obtained from Unitary Weight Designs (UWDs). In this paper, we show that the maximum rates for 3- and 4-real-symbol (2-complex-symbol) ML decodable square STBCs from UWDs, for 2a transmit antennas, are 3(a-1)/2a and 4(a-1)/2a cspcu, respectively. STBCs achieving this maximum rate are constructed. A set of sufficient conditions on the signal set, required for these codes to achieve full-diversity are derived along with expressions for their coding gain.

Maximum Rate of Unitary-Weight, Single-Symbol Decodable STBCs

It is well known that the space-time block codes (STBCs) from complex orthogonal designs (CODs) are single-symbol decodable/symbol-by-symbol decodable (SSD). The weight matrices of the square CODs are all unitary and obtainable from the unitary matrix representations of Clifford Algebras when the number of transmit antennas n is a power of 2. The rate of the square CODs for n = 2(a) has been shown to be a+1/2(a) complex symbols per channel use. However, SSD codes having unitary-weight matrices need not be CODs, an example being the minimum-decoding-complexity STBCs from quasi-orthogonal designs. In this paper, an achievable upper bound on the rate of any unitary-weight SSD code is derived to be a/2(a)-1 complex symbols per channel use for 2(a) antennas, and this upper bound is larger than that of the CODs. By way of code construction, the interrelationship between the weight matrices of unitary-weight SSD codes is studied. Also, the coding gain of all unitary-weight SSD codes is proved to be the same for QAM constellations and conditions that are necessary for unitary-weight SSD codes to achieve full transmit diversity and optimum coding gain are presented.

Synthesis and characterization of high molecular weight polyaniline for organic electronic applications

High molecular weight polyaniline (PANI) was synthesized by a combined procedure incorporating various synthesis methods. Temperature and open circuit potential of the reaction mixture were collected to monitor the reaction progress. The polymer is characterized by various techniques including gel permeation chromatography, dynamic light scattering, infrared spectroscopy, solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance, and differential scanning calorimetry for elucidating the molecular architecture obtained by this method. As-synthesized PANI was found to possess high molecular weight, reduced branching, reduced cross-linking, and to predominantly consist of linear polymer chains. This polymer was also found to be more stable in solution form. JV characteristics of as-synthesized PANI films indicate a high current density which is due to increased free pathways and less traps for the charge transport to occur in PANI films. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2012. (C) 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers

Maximum weight independent sets in hole- and dart-free graphs

The Maximum Weight Independent Set (MWIS) problem on graphs with vertex weights asks for a set of pairwise nonadjacent vertices of maximum total weight. The complexity of the MWIS problem for hole-free graphs is unknown. In this paper, we first prove that the MWIS problem for (hole, dart, gem)-free graphs can be solved in O(n(3))-time. By using this result, we prove that the MWIS problem for (hole, dart)-free graphs can be solved in O(n(4))-time. Though the MWIS problem for (hole, dart, gem)-free graphs is used as a subroutine, we also give the best known time bound for the solvability of the MWIS problem in (hole, dart, gem)-free graphs. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Transcription factor erect wing (EWG) is involved in indirect flight muscle patterning, development and maintenance in Drosophila

Muscle development is a multistep process which includes myoblast diversification, proliferation, migration, fusion, differentiation and growth. A hierarchical exhibition of myogenic factors is important for dexterous execution of progressive events in muscle formation. EWG (erect wing) is a transcription factor known to have a role in indirect flight muscle development (IFM) in Drosophila. We marked out the precise spatio-temporal expression profile of EWG in the myoblasts, and in the developing muscles. Mutant adult flies null for EWG in myoblasts show variable number of IFM, suggesting that EWG is required for patterning of the IFM. The remnant muscle found in the EWG null flies show proper assembly of the structural proteins, which implies that some myoblasts manage to fuse, develop and differentiate normally indicating that EWG is not required for differentiation program per se. However, when EWG expression is extended beyond its expression window in a wild type background, muscle thinning is observed implying EWG function in protein synthesis inhibition. Mis-expression studies in wing disc myoblasts hinted at its role in myoblast proliferation. We thus conclude that EWG is important for regulating fusion events which in turn decides the IFM pattern. Also IFM in EWG null mutants show clumps containing broken fibres and an altered mitochondrial morphology. The vertebrate homolog of EWG is nuclear respiratory factor1 (NRF1) which is known to have a function in mitochondrial biogenesis and protection against oxidative stress. Gene expression for inner mitochondrial membrane protein, Opa1-like was found to be absent in these mutants. Also, these flies were more sensitive to oxidative stress, indicating a compromised mitochondrial functioning. Our results therefore demonstrate that EWG functions in maintaining muscles’ structural integrity by ensuing proper mitochondrial activity.

A weight based context analysis system to provide a required UMM service

Ubiquitous Computing is an emerging paradigm which facilitates user to access preferred services, wherever they are, whenever they want, and the way they need, with zero administration. While moving from one place to another the user does not need to specify and configure their surrounding environment, the system initiates necessary adaptation by itself to cope up with the changing environment. In this paper we propose a system to provide context-aware ubiquitous multimedia services, without user’s intervention. We analyze the context of the user based on weights, identify the UMMS (Ubiquitous Multimedia Service) based on the collected context information and user profile, search for the optimal server to provide the required service, then adapts the service according to user’s local environment and preferences, etc. The experiment conducted several times with different context parameters, their weights and various preferences for a user. The results are quite encouraging.

A practical approach for cross-functional vehicle body weight optimization

The goal of optimization in vehicle design is often blurred by the myriads of requirements belonging to attributes that may not be quite related. If solutions are sought by optimizing attribute performance-related objectives separately starting with a common baseline design configuration as in a traditional design environment, it becomes an arduous task to integrate the potentially conflicting solutions into one satisfactory design. It may be thus more desirable to carry out a combined multi-disciplinary design optimization (MDO) with vehicle weight as an objective function and cross-functional attribute performance targets as constraints. For the particular case of vehicle body structure design, the initial design is likely to be arrived at taking into account styling, packaging and market-driven requirements. The problem with performing a combined cross-functional optimization is the time associated with running such CAE algorithms that can provide a single optimal solution for heterogeneous areas such as NVH and crash safety. In the present paper, a practical MDO methodology is suggested that can be applied to weight optimization of automotive body structures by specifying constraints on frequency and crash performance. Because of the reduced number of cases to be analyzed for crash safety in comparison with other MDO approaches, the present methodology can generate a single size-optimized solution without having to take recourse to empirical techniques such as response surface-based prediction of crash performance and associated successive response surface updating for convergence. An example of weight optimization of spaceframe-based BIW of an aluminum-intensive vehicle is given to illustrate the steps involved in the current optimization process.

Hybrid organogels and aerogels from co-assembly of structurally different low molecular weight gelators

The blending of perfluorinated bile ester derivatives with the gelator 2,3-didecyloxyanthracene (DDOA) yields a new class of hybrid organo- and aerogels displaying a combination of optical and mechanical properties that differ from those of pure gels. Indeed, the nanofibers constituting the hybrid organogels emit polarized blue light and display dichroic near-UV absorption via the achiral DDOA molecules, thanks to their association with a chiral bile ester. Moreover, the thermal stability and the mechanical yield stress of the mixed organogels in DMSO are enhanced for blends of DDOA with the deoxycholic gelator (DC11) having a C-11 chain, as compared to the pure components' gels. When the chain length of the ester is increased to C-13 (DC13) a novel compound for aerogel formation directly in scCO(2) is obtained under the studied conditions. A mixture of this compound with DDOA is also able to gelate scCO(2) leading to novel composite aerogel materials. As revealed by SAXS measurements, the hybrid and the pure DDOA and DC13 aerogels display cell parameters that are very similar. These SAXS experiments suggest that crystallographic conditions are very favorable for the growth of hybrid molecular arrangements in which DDOA and DC13 units could be interchanged. Specific molecular interactions between two components are not always a pre-requisite condition for the formation of a hybrid nanostructured material in which the components mutually induce properties.

Topology optimization-based design of a compliant aircraft compliant aircraft wing for morphing leading and trailing edges

In this paper, we present a methodology for designing a compliant aircraft wing, which can morph from a given airfoil shape to another given shape under the actuation of internal forces and can offer sufficient stiffness in both configurations under the respective aerodynamic loads. The least square error in displacements, Fourier descriptors, geometric moments, and moment invariants are studied to compare candidate shapes and to pose the optimization problem. Their relative merits and demerits are discussed in this paper. The `frame finite element ground structure' approach is used for topology optimization and the resulting solutions are converted to continuum solutions. The introduction of a notch-like feature is the key to the success of the design. It not only gives a good match for the target morphed shape for the leading and trailing edges but also minimizes the extension of the flexible skin that is to be put on the airfoil frame. Even though linear small-displacement elastic analysis is used in optimization, the obtained designs are analysed for large displacement behavior. The methodology developed here is not restricted to aircraft wings; it can be used to solve any shape-morphing requirement in flexible structures and compliant mechanisms.

Synthesis and application of weight function for edge cracked semicircular disk (ECSD)

We analyze the utility of edge cracked semicircular disk (ECSD) for rapid assessment of fracture toughness using compressive loading. Continuing our earlier work on ECSD, a theoretical examination here leads to a novel way for synthesizing weight functions using two distinct form factors. The efficacy of ECSD mode-I weight function synthesized using displacement and form factor methods is demonstrated by comparing with finite element results. Theory of elasticity in conjunction with finite element method is utilized to analyze crack opening potency of ECSD under eccentric compression to explore newer configurations of ECSD for fracture testing.

Drosophila Erect wing (Ewg) controls mitochondrial fusion during muscle growth and maintenance by regulation of the Opa1-like gene

Mitochondrial biogenesis and morphological changes are associated with tissue-specific functional demand, but the factors and pathways that regulate these processes have not been completely identified. A lack of mitochondrial fusion has been implicated in various developmental and pathological defects. The spatiotemporal regulation of mitochondrial fusion in a tissue such as muscle is not well understood. Here, we show in Drosophila indirect flight muscles (IFMs) that the nuclear-encoded mitochondrial inner membrane fusion gene, Opa1-like, is regulated in a spatiotemporal fashion by the transcription factor/co-activator Erect wing (Ewg). In IFMs null for Ewg, mitochondria undergo mitophagy and/or autophagy accompanied by reduced mitochondrial functioning and muscle degeneration. By following the dynamics of mitochondrial growth and shape in IFMs, we found that mitochondria grow extensively and fuse during late pupal development to form the large tubular mitochondria. Our evidence shows that Ewg expression during early IFM development is sufficient to upregulate Opa1-like, which itself is a requisite for both late pupal mitochondrial fusion and muscle maintenance. Concomitantly, by knocking down Opa1-like during early muscle development, we show that it is important for mitochondrial fusion, muscle differentiation and muscle organization. However, knocking down Opa1-like, after the expression window of Ewg did not cause mitochondrial or muscle defects. This study identifies a mechanism by which mitochondrial fusion is regulated spatiotemporally by Ewg through Opa1-like during IFM differentiation and growth.