A Popov criterion for networked systems

We consider robustness analysis of heterogeneous and homogeneous networked systems based on integral quadratic constraints (IQCs). First, we show how the analysis decomposes into lower dimensional problems if the interconnection structure is exploited. This generally leads to a significant reduction of the computational complexity. Secondly, by considering a set of IQCs that characterizes the eigenvalues of the interconnection matrices of symmetrically networked systems, we derive a Popov-like criterion for such systems. In particular, when the nodes of the networked system are single-input–single-output linear time-invariant operators, the criterion can be illustrated using a generalized Popov plot. In such cases, the Popov criterion is also a necessary condition in the sense that if the criterion is violated then a destabilizing network with the specified eigenvalue distribution can be constructed.     

Poly(4-diphenylaminostyrene) with a well-defined polymer chain structure: Controllable optical and electrical properties

The effect of polymer chain structure on the optical and electrical properties are reported for poly(4-diphenylaminostyrene) (PDAS), which was prepared by the living anionic polymerization of 4-diphenylaminostyrene (DAS) with the benzyllithium (BzLi)/N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA) system. The optical properties of PDAS are strongly affected by the stereoregularity of the PDAS polymer chain; intramolecular excimer-forming fluorescence was observed from PDAS with a syndiotactic-rich configuration. The highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy levels of PDAS were approximately −5.4 and −2.0 eV, respectively, regardless of the polymer chain structure. The hole and electron drift mobilities for PDAS were in the order of 10⁻⁴ to 10⁻⁵ (cm²/V s) and 10⁻⁵ (cm²/V s), respectively, with negative slopes. The distance of each triphenylamino (TPA) group in the polymer chain was a major factor influencing the drift mobility of PDAS. The current-voltage (I-V) characteristics of PDAS were controllable according to the polymer chain structure of PDAS.     

Reactivity of quinones for the dehydrogenation of poly(1,3‐cyclohexadiene)

The reactivity of three types of quinones (3,4,5,6‐tetrachloro‐1,2‐(o‐)‐benzoquinone (TOQ), 2,3‐dichloro‐5,6‐dicyano‐1,4‐benzoquinone (DDQ), and 2,3,5,6,‐tetrachloro‐1,4‐(p‐)‐benzoquinone (TCQ)) was examined for the dehydrogenation of poly(1,3‐cycohexadiene) (PCHD) composed of 1,2‐cyclohexadiene and 1,4‐cyclohexadiene units. The order of reactivity was TOQ > DDQ > TCQ. The steric hindrance of C?O groups in the quinones appeared to be an important factor in determining their reactivity. DDQ was found to be an appropriate dehydrogenation reagent for PCHD. The reactivity of TCQ was considerably low for PCHD containing 1,2‐cyclohexadiene units. The reactivity of TOQ was too high and side reactions occurred, causing the formation of structural defects. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Determination of sequence length distribution in SBR by ozonolysis-g.p.c. method

Sequence distribution of styrene-butadiene copolymer (SBR) was investigated by ozonolysis-g.p.c. All the double bonds of butadiene units in SBR were cleaved by ozonolysis in methylene chloride at ?30°C, followed by reduction degradation to alcohol with lithium aluminium hydride. The g.p.c. of the ozonolysis products observed with a u.v.-detector showed the peaks corresponding to styrene sequences and styrene-1,2 sequences. Hot- and cold-emulsion SBR samples contained short sequences consisting of 1 to 4 styrene units and 1,2 styrene units respectively. The average sequence length of cold-emulsion SBR was slightly longer than that of hot-emulsion SBR. A partial block SBR prepared by solution polymerization contained short styrene sequences of 1 to 5 units and long sequences having a broad distribution of $\text{M}{}_{\mathrm{w}}\text{M}{}_{\mathrm{n}}\text{= 1.6}$ with the maximum around 35 units. The styrene sequences containing the 1,2 unit was scarcely observed in this sample.     

Sequence distribution of cis-1,4- and trans-1,4-units in polyisoprenes

The ¹³C n.m.r. spectra of chicle polyisoprene and cis-trans isomerized 1, 4-polyisoprenes were studied. The splittings of signals were observed in the C₁, C₂, and C₄ carbon signals of the isomerized polyisoprenes. The newly appearing signals were assigned to the carbon atoms in cis-trans linkages. The fractions of the diad sequences (trans-trans, trans-cis, cis-trans, and cis-cis) were determined by using the four signals of C₁ carbon. It was found that the cis-1, 4- and trans-1, 4-units were randomly distributed in the isomerized polyisoprenes and it was confirmed that the chicle polyisoprene was a mixture of cis-1, 4- and trans-1, 4-polyisoprenes.     

Conformational analysis of ethylene oxide and ethylene imine oligomers by quantum chemical calculations: solvent effects

Summary  Conformational analyses using quantum chemical calculations were carried out for 1- to 4-mers of ethylene oxide (EO) and ethylene imine (EI) oligomer models (EO-x and EI-x, x = 1 - 4) in the liquid phase using four solvents (permittivity: ε = 2.0 ~80.1). The results were compared against those obtained in the gaseous phase. The calculations involved either RHF/6-31+G(d,p) or B3LYP/6-31G(d) // SCRF/IPCM, based on the observed and calculated results for the energy difference between trans- and cis-dichloroethane. The conformations repeated for a unit of X-C, C-C and C-X bonds (X: O or N) were examined. For both oligomers, the energies of every conformer decreased with increasing ε values, and were linear against the Kirkwood function (K_f = (ε-1)/(2ε+1)). For the EO oligomers, the (ttt)_x conformer was most stable in the gaseous phase. In liquid phases, however, the preference for the gauche-conformation (gauche preference) of the C-C bonds increased with higher values of ε. In the case of EO-3, the (tg⁺t)_x conformer was most stable above an ε value of 8.9, which were in good agreement with those observed for triglyme solutions using NMR analysis. For the EI oligomers, the (tg⁺t)_x conformer was most stable in either gaseous or liquid phase, and the gauche preference of the C-C bonds in both phases were comparable. These results were in good agreement with those observed for di-MEDA solutions using NMR analysis. It was estimated that such small solvent effects on gauche preferences of the EI oligomers result in weakening for hydrogen bonds (NH-N) of neighboring imino groups by solvents.     

Determination and confirmation of five phenolic antioxidants in foods by LC/MS and GC/MS

Identification and determination of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), propyl gallate (PG) and tert-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) by means of LC/MS and GC/MS were examined. These five phenolic antioxidants were detected as their pseudo-molecular ions [M-H]- by LC/MS using a Shim-pack FC-ODS column with drying gas. Moreover, BHA, BHT and TBHQ were detected based on their mass fragment ions by GC/MS. Decomposition of TBHQ, NDGA and PG during analysis could be prevented by the addition of L-ascorbic acid (AsA) to the extraction solvent. All five antioxidants were extracted from nikuman, olive oils, peanut butter, pasta sauce and chewing gum with a mixture of acetonitrile-2-propanol-ethanol (2:1:1) containing 0.1% AsA (AsA mixture), which had been cooled in a freezer and filtered. One part filtrate and 5 parts water were mixed and placed on a Mega-Bond Elut C18 cartridge, except in the case of chewing gum. Lipids in foods were removed on a C18 cartridge by washing with 5 mL of 5% acetic acid, and antioxidants were eluted with 5 mL of AsA mixture. The antioxidants spiked into nikuman, olive oil, peanut butter, pasta sauce and chewing gum were successfully identified and their concentrations determined by LC/MS, and GC/MS with good recoveries.     

Divergent consequences of success and failure in Japan and North America: An investigation of self-improving motivations and malleable selves.

Self-enhancing and self-improving motivations were investigated across cultures. Replicating past research, North Americans who failed on a task persisted less on a follow-up task than those who succeeded. In contrast, Japanese who failed persisted more than those who succeeded. The Japanese pattern is evidence for a self-improving orientation: Failures highlight where corrective efforts are needed. Japanese who failed also enhanced the importance and the diagnosticity of the task compared with those who succeeded, whereas North Americans did the opposite. Study 2 revealed that self-improving motivations are specific to the tasks on which one receives feedback. Study 3 unpackaged the cultural differences by demonstrating that they are due, at least in part, to divergent lay theories regarding the utility of effort. Study 4 addressed the problem of comparing cultures on subjective Likert scales and replicated the findings with a different measure. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Implementation of self-healing function in ATM networks

This paper proposes an implementation scheme for the self-healing function in ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) networks and assesses its performance in a developed experimental system. First, our proposed ATM self-healing scheme is described. This scheme realizes more rapid restoration of failed Virtual Paths than other self-healing algorithms, supports the node failure case, and minimizes the spare resources required. Next, an implementation scheme is proposed. We propose that the self-healing function can be implemented as a software process, and that OAM (Operation, Administration, and Maintenance) cells be utilized for fast message transmission. Next, results of a prototype system that we implemented on an ATM cross-connect system are discussed. The fundamental characteristics of restoration performance are measured using the experimental system. Based on these results, restoration characteristics of real world scale networks are estimated by computer simulations. The simulation results indicate that any-one link failure is completely restored within 2 seconds.     

Sequence distribution of polyisoprenes

The ¹³C n.m.r. spectra of hydrogenated polyisoprenes were investigated. Polyisoprenes were prepared with n-BuLiEt₂O, Ti(OBu)₄AlEt₃, Col₂ROHPhMgBr, Alfin, and radical catalysts. These polymer were hydrogenated with p-toluenesulphonylhydrazide. ¹³C n.m.r. signals were assigned for triad sequences of

arising respectively from 1,4- and 3,4-units. Signals due to head-to-head and tail-to-tail linkages of 1,4- and 3,4-units were also assigned. It is disclosed that 1,4- and 3,4-units were randomly distributed in n-BuLiEt₂O, Col₂ROHPhMgBr, and radical catalysed polyisoprenes, rather alternating in Ti(OBu)₄AlEt₃ catalysed polyisoprene, and slightly in blocks in Alfin polyisoprene. It is also confirmed that Alfin, radical, and cobalt catalysed polyisoprenes contained significant amounts of head-to-head and tail-to-tail linkages of 1,4- and 3,4- units. Signals due to the tacticity of the polyads of 3,4-units were also discussed.