Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Diffusion And Fractional Diffusion Based Models For Multiple Light Scattering And Image Analysis, Jonathan Blackledge

Articles

This paper considers a fractional light diffusion model as an approach to characterizing the case when intermediate scattering processes are present, i.e. the scattering regime is neither strong nor weak. In order to introduce the basis for this approach, we revisit the elements of formal scattering theory and the classical diffusion problem in terms of solutions to the inhomogeneous wave and diffusion equations respectively. We then address the significance of these equations in terms of a random walk model for multiple scattering. This leads to the proposition of a fractional diffusion equation for modelling intermediate strength scattering that is based …

A Novel Processing Route For The Production Of Nanoparticulate Zinc Oxide Using An Isophthalate Precursor, Grainne Duffy, Declan Mccormack, Suresh Pillai

Articles

Zinc oxide nanoparticles have been processed from a novel isophthalate precursor. In contrast to those processed from an oxalate precursor, this material exhibits three-dimensional, non-directional aggregation behaviour.

Such non-directional aggregation of uniaxial crystallites may allow for the production of structures with a higher proportion of catalytically active surfaces than can be prepared through conventional sol–gel methods. XRD,

FTIR, TEM and SEM were used to characterize the synthesized materials.

Zinc oxide particles synthesized by using isophthalic acid (C6H4-1,3-(COOH)2) are found to be slightly smaller than the previously reported materials prepared through chelation with oxalic acid (H2C2O2・2H2O).

Silver Doped Titanium Dioxide Nanomaterials For Enhanced Visible Light Photocatalysis, Michael Seery, Reena George, Suresh Pillai, Patrick Floris

Articles

This paper presents a systematic study on two different preparation methods for titanium dioxide with silver. The silver can be incorporated by irradiating the reaction mixture during preparation to reduce silver ion to silver metal or by direct calcination of the sol–gel material to decompose silver nitrate to silver. Of the two methods, we found the latter produces a more effective photocatalytic material (6–50% improvement in catalytic efficiency), which is attributed to the fact that the silver is homogeneously dispersed throughout the material. The efficiency of the materials were examined using a Q-Sun solar simulator (visible light) and in Dublin …

Reissner–Nordstrom Expansion, Emil Prodanov, Rossen Ivanov, Vesselin Gueorguiev

Articles

We propose a classical mechanism for the cosmic expansion during the radiation-dominated era, assuming the Universe as a two-component gas. The first component is the ultra-relativistic “standard” fraction described by an equation of state of an ideal quantum gas of massless particles. The second component consist of superheavy charged particles and their interaction with the “standard” fraction drives the expansion. This interaction is described by the Reissner–Nordstr¨om metric purely geometrically — the superheavy charged particles are modeled as zero-dimensional naked singularities which exhibit gravitational repulsion. The radius of a repulsive sphere, surrounding a naked singularity of charge Q, is inversely …

On Cosmall Abelian Groups, Brendan Goldsmith, O. Kolman

Articles

It is a well-known homological fact that every Abelian groupGhas the property that Hom(G,−)com-mutes with direct products. Here we investigate the ‘dual’ property: an Abelian groupGis said to be cosmallif Hom(−,G)commutes with direct products. We show that cosmall groups are cotorsion-free and that nogroup of cardinality less than a strongly compact cardinal can be cosmall. In particular, if there is a properclass of strongly compact cardinals, then there are no cosmall group

Use Of The Mitsunobu Reaction In The Synthesis Of Orthogonally Protected A,B-Diaminopropionic Acids, Fintan Kelleher, Keith Ó Proinsias

Articles

Orthogonally protected a,b-diaminopropionic acids have been synthesised in good yields by the reaction of N-trityl L-serine esters with N-substituted sulfonamides under Mitsunobu reaction conditions (DEAD, PPh₃, THF). The best isolated yields were obtained when N-Boc p-toluenesulfonamide was used as the nitrogen nucleophile precursor in the Mitsunobu reaction. Subsequently, the N-trityl group was efficiently replaced with the more stable allyloxycarbonyl (alloc) group.

Thermal Effectiveness Characteristics Of Low Approach Indirect Evaporative Cooling Systems In Buildings, Ben Costelloe, Donal Finn

Articles

Meteorological enthalpy analysis of temperate and maritime climates above latitude 45°N suggests that the water-side evaporative cooling technique has considerable unrealised potential with contemporary “high temperature” building cooling systems—such as chilled ceilings and displacement ventilation. As low approach conditions are the key to exploiting the cooling potential of the ambient air, thermal performance at such conditions needs to be investigated. To address the research issues, an industrial scale test rig, based on a low approach open cooling tower and plate heat exchanger and designed to maximise evaporative cooling potential, has been constructed. The thermal effectiveness of such systems (as a …

An Experiment Using A Simple Photoassisted Fuel Cell Designed To Remediate Simulated Wastewater, John Cassidy, Faisa Touati, Kevin Mcguigan

Articles

Work in photochemistry work peaked in the 1980’s where there was the prospect of using sunlight shining on suspensions of titanium dioxide in order to catalytically cleave water into hydrogen and oxygen [1-5]. In this way a clean and efficient method of producing hydrogen as a fuel was envisaged. However, there was a requirement to use a rather high energy light to achieve the splitting and it was not as efficient with visible light[5]. Doped TiO2 layers have been used in a three electrode system for formic acid degradation[6]. In this work, the system uses an electrode coated with TiO2 …

Conformal And Geometric Properties Of The Camassa-Holm Hierarchy, Rossen Ivanov

Articles

Integrable equations with second order Lax pair like KdV and Camassa-Holm (CH) exhibit interesting conformal properties and can be written in terms of the so-called conformal invariants (Schwarz form). These properties for the CH hierarchy are discussed in this ontribution. The squared eigenfunctions of the spectral problem, associated to the Camassa-Holm equation represent a complete basis of functions, which helps to describe the Inverse Scattering Transform (IST) for the Camassa-Holm hierarchy as a Generalised Fourier Transform (GFT). Using GFT we describe explicitly some members of the CH hierarchy, including integrable deformations for the CH equation. Also we show that solutions …

On Cosmall Abelian Groups, Brendan Goldsmith, O. Kolman

Articles

It is a well-known homological fact that every Abelian group G has the property that Hom(G,−) commutes with direct products. Here we investigate the ‘dual’ property: an Abelian group G is said to be cosmall if Hom(−,G) commutes with direct products. We show that cosmall groups are cotorsion-free and that no group of cardinality less than a strongly compact cardinal can be cosmall. In particular, if there is a proper class of strongly compact cardinals, then there are no cosmall groups.

Hamiltonian Formulation, Nonintegrability And Local Bifurcations For The Ostrovsky Equation, S. Roy Choudhury, Rossen Ivanov, Yue Liu

Articles

The Ostrovsky equation is a model for gravity waves propagating down a channel under the influence of Coriolis force. This equation is a modification of the famous Korteweg-de Vries equation and is also Hamiltonian. However the Ostrovsky equation is not integrable and in this contribution we prove its nonintegrability. We also study local bifurcations of its solitary waves.

An Approach To Unification Using A Linear Systems Model For The Propagation Of Broad-Band Signals, Jonathan Blackledge

Articles

We review the inhomogeneous scalar Helmholtz equation in three-dimensions and the scattering of scalar wavefields from a scatterer of compact support. An asymptotic solution is then considered representing the effect of the frequency approaching zero when a ‘wavefield’ reduces to a ‘field’. The characteristics of ultra-low frequency Helmholtz scattering are then considered and the physical significance discussed of a model that is based on the scattering of Helmholtz wavefields over a broad frequency spectrum. This is equivalent to using a linear systems approach for modelling the propagation, interaction and detection of broad-band signals and provides an approach to the classification …

Slow Flow Between Concentric Cones, O. Hall, C. P. Hills, A. D. Gilbert

Articles

This paper considers the low-Reynolds-number flow of an incompressible fluid contained in the gap between two coaxial cones with coincident apices and bounded by a spherical lid. The two cones and the lid are allowed to rotate independently about their common axis, generating a swirling motion. The swirl induces a secondary, meridional circulation through inertial effects. For specific configurations complex eigenmodes representing an infinite sequence of eddies, analogous to those found in two-dimensional corner flows and some three-dimensional geometries, form a component of this secondary circulation. When the cones rotate these eigenmodes, arising from the geometry, compete with the forced …

Krylov Subspaces From Bilinear Representations Of Nonlinear Systems, Marissa Condon, Rossen Ivanov

Articles

For efficient simulation of state-of-the-art dynamical systems as arise in all aspects of engineering, the development of reduced-order models is of paramount importance. While linear reduction techniques have received considerable study, increasingly nonlinear model reduction is becoming a significant field of interest. From a circuits and systems viewpoint, systems involving micromachined devices or systems involving mixed technologies necessitate the development of reduced-order nonlinear models. From a control systems viewpoint, the design of controllers for nonlinear systems is greatly facilitated by nonlinear model reduction strategies. To this end, the paper proposes two novel model-reduction strategies for nonlinear systems. The first involves …

Optimising The Ratio Of Horseradish Peroxidase And Glucose Oxidase On A Bienzyme Electrode: Comparison Of A Theoretical And Experimental Approach, Dana Mackey, Anthony Killard, Adriano Ambrosi, Malcolm Smyth

Articles

This study compares the behaviour of an electrochemical enzyme biosensor with a theoretical analysis based on a mathematical model and numerical simulation. The biosensor is based on a bi-enzyme channelling configuration, employing the enzymes glucose oxidase and horseradish peroxidase, with direct electron transfer of horseradish peroxidase at a conducting polymer electrode. This was modelled by a system of partial differential equations and boundary conditions representing convective and diffusive transport of the substrates glucose and hydrogen peroxide, as well as reaction kinetics of the bienzyme electrode. The main parameter investigated was the ratio of the two immobilised enzymes, with the aim …

Water Waves And Integrability, Rossen Ivanov

Articles

The Euler’s equations describe the motion of inviscid fluid. In the case of shallow water, when a perturbative asymtotic expansion of the Euler’s equations is taken (to a certain order of smallness of the scale parameters), relations to certain integrable equations emerge. Some recent results concerning the use of integrable equation in modeling the motion of shallow water waves are reviewed in this contribution.

Generalised Fourier Transform For The Camassa-Holm Hierarchy, Adrian Constantin, Vladimir Gerdjikov, Rossen Ivanov

Articles

The squared eigenfunctions of the spectral problem associated to the Camassa-Holm equation represent a complete basis of functions, which helps to describe the Inverse Scattering Transform for the Camassa-Holm hierarchy as a Generalised Fourier transform. The main result of this work is the derivation of the completeness relation for the squared solutions of the Camassa-Holm spectral problem. We show that all the fundamental properties of the Camassa-Holm equation such as the integrals of motion, the description of the equations of the whole hierarchy and their Hamiltonian structures can be naturally expressed making use of the completeness relation and the recursion …

Some Transitivity Results For Torsion Abelian Groups, Brendan Goldsmith, Lutz Strungmann

Articles

We introduce a new class of fully transitive and transitive Abelian p-groups and study the new concept of weak transitivity which is the missing link between full transitivity and transitivity.

Phenomenographic Study Of Students’ Problem Solving Approaches In Physics, Laura Walsh, Robert Howard, Brian Bowe

Articles

This paper describes ongoing research investigating student approaches to quantitative and qualitative problem solving in physics. This empirical study was conducted using a phenomenographic approach to analyze data from individual semistructured problem solving interviews with 22 introductory college physics students. The main result of the study is a hierarchical set of categories that describe the students’ problem solving approaches in the context of introductory physics.

A Systematic Study Of The Effects Of Naphthalene And Anthracene Substitution On The Properties Of Ppv Derivative Conjugated Systems, Patrick Lynch, Luke O'Neill, David Bradley, Hugh Byrne, Mary Mcnamara

Articles

The systematic synthesis of poly(phenylvinylene) (PPV) derivatives by the Wittig-Horner reaction is reported. The phenyl units of the PPV structure are methodically substituted by naphthyl and anthryl units to form a homologous series of structures. The 2,6 attachment of the vinylene linkage on the anthryl ring provides novel structures that have not been reported before due to their synthetic inaccessibility. The introduction of naphthyl units results in a hypsochromatic shift in the absorption and emission spectra, while the introduction of anthryl units leads to a bathochromatic shift relative to the naphthalene structures. The observed structural variation of the spectroscopic properties …

Spectroscopic Characterisation Of Novel Polycyclic Aromatic Polymers, Luke O'Neill, Patrick Lynch, Mary Mcnamara, Hugh Byrne

Articles

A series of novel polyphenylenevinylene (PPV) derivative polymers were studied by absorption and photoluminescence spectroscopies. The effect of the sequential introduction of polycyclic aromatic ring substituents into the delocalized backbone was examined with relation to hypsochromatic and bathochromatic shifting. While the replacement of the phenyl units by naphthyl units results in a substantial hypsochromic shift of both the absorption and emission spectra, their subsequent substitution by anthryl units results in a bathochromic shift. The system is modeled according to, and is found to be consistent with, a previous study of donor-acceptor polyenes of varying length. The electronic structure of the …

Vibrational Characterisation And Fluorescence Optimisation Of Polycyclic Polymers, Luke O'Neill, Patrick Lynch, Mary Mcnamara, Hugh Byrne

Articles

A systematic series of polycyclic novel polymers was studied by Raman spectroscopy. The effect of the sequential introduction of polycyclic aromatic ring substituents into the delocalized backbone was examined in relation to the variation of the relative ring breathing and stretching as well as the vinyl stretch frequencies. Replacement of the phenyl units by higher order acene moieties such as naphthyl and anthryl results in a shift of the characteristic stretching frequencies, and analysis of the vinyl stretch leads to the confirmation that higher order acene substitution into the delocalized backbone substantially weakens the vinyl bond. Semiquantitative integrated Raman analysis …

Improved Nitrate Sensing Using Ion Selective Electrodes Based On Urea–Calixarene Ionophores, Benjamin Schazmann, Dermot Diamond

Articles

Urea–calix[4]arenes 1 and 2 were synthesised and incorporated into ISE membranes for assessment as sensors for inorganic anions in water. 1 revealed a strong response to all anions following the Hofmeister selectivity order. For ISEs of 2, the response to a portion of the anion series was suppressed, increasing the margin of selectivity of nitrate over chloride, a common interferant of nitrate in fresh and marine water samples. The performance of ISEs containing 2 was compared to commercially available alkylammonium nitrate ion-exchange salts used for nitrate sensing. Our ISEs performed favourably in terms of sensitivity, linear range and LOD performing …

A Novel Tio2 / Pvc Layer For Use In A Photoelectrochemical Cell, Faiza Touati, John Cassidy, Kevin Mcguigan

Articles

A novel method of coating titanium dioxide on a glassy carbon electrode as a polyvinylchloride composite , is described. On illumination , there is an enhanced voltammetric current at this TiO2/PVC composite in aqueous formic acid solution. This electrode is used as the basis of a formic acid fuel cell where oxygen is reduced at a platinum cathode. The system yields 100 cm-2 for 0.01 mol dm-3 HCOOH in 0.1 mol dm-3 NaOH under illumination from a 150 W xenon lamp. The current without illumination is 0.5 cm-2.

Colour Doppler Spatial Resolution Performance Testing, Jacinta Browne, Ian Brown, Peter Hoskins, Amanda Watson, Alex Elliott

Articles

No abstract available

A New Approach To The Toxicity Testing Of Carbon-Based Nanomaterials: The Clonogenic Assay, Eva Herzog, Alan Casey, Fiona Lyng, Gordon Chambers, Hugh Byrne, Maria Davoren

Articles

The cellular toxicity of three types of carbon nanoparticles, namely HiPco® single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT), arc dischargeSWCNTand Printex 90 carbon black nanoparticles,was studied on three different cell models including the human alveolar carcinoma epithelial cell line (A549), the normal human bronchial epithelial cell line (BEAS-2B) and the human keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT) using the clonogenic assay. Carbon nanomaterials are known to interact with colorimetric indicator dyes frequently used in cytotoxicity assays. By employing the clonogenic assay, any such interactions could be avoided, allowing a more reliable method for the in vitro toxicity assessment of carbon-based nanoparticles. It could be shown …

Icing Location Client, Seamus Rooney, Keith Gardiner, James Carswell

Articles

The ICiNG (Innovative Cities for Next Generation) project is researching a multi-modal, multi-access model of e-Government. It develops the concept of a “thin-skinned City” that will be sensitive to both the citizen and the environment through the use of mobile devices, universal access gateways, social software and environmental sensors. Intelligent infrastructure will enable a Public Administration Services layer and a Communities layer. Communities will interact with the infrastructure to avail of ICiNG services created by the administration, and will also create their own information-based services.

Newly Identified Vitamin K-Producing Bacteria Isolated From The Neonatal Faecal Flora, Gordon Cooke, John Behan, Mary Costello

Articles

Fat-soluble vitamin K is an essential component of the blood clotting process. Menaquinones are the naturally occurring form of vitamin K identified in bacteria. Lipid extracts were made from three bacteria originally isolated from the human neonatal gut and identified as Enterobacter agglomerans, Serratia marcescens and Enterococcus faecium. Following preparative thin layer chromatography (TLC), the lipid extracts were subjected to liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis. Peak analysis of the LC-MS data showed that the three bacteria produce various forms of menaquinone.

Implications Of Mass Education On Chemistry Higher Education, Christine O'Connor

Articles

The following paper discusses the implications of government policy for widening access and participation in third level institutes. The increase in ‘non-traditional’ students has been widely recognised on an international scale; however, some issues of inequality still exist. The ‘struggles’ associated with widening participation and the creation of a ‘new’ student type are discussed, with particular reference to chemistry education. A change is needed with regard to the pedagogical approach taken by staff in order to cater for a diverse student body comprising a broad range of learner types, and this must be supported both at departmental and institutional levels. …

Classifying E-Algebras Over Dedekind Domains, Brendan Goldsmith, R. Gobel

Articles

An R-algebra A is said to be a generalized E-algebra if A is isomorphic to the algebra EndR(A). Generalized E-algebras have been extensively investigated. In this work they are classified ‘modulo cotorsion-free modules’ when the underlying ring R is a Dedekind domain.