Informational Branching Universe

This paper suggests an epistemic interpretation of Belnap’s branching space-times theory based on Everett’s relative state formulation of the measurement operation in quantum mechanics. The informational branching models of the universe are evolving structures defined from a partial ordering relation on the set of memory states of the impersonal observer. The totally ordered set of their information contents defines a linear “time” scale to which the decoherent alternative histories of the informational universe can be referred—which is quite necessary for assigning them a probability distribution. The “historical” state of a physical system is represented in an appropriate extended Hilbert space and an algebra of multi-branch operators is developed. An age operator computes the informational depth of historical states and its standard deviation can be used to provide a universal information/energy uncertainty relation. An information operator computes the encoding complexity of historical states, the rate of change of its average value accounting for the process of correlation destruction inherent to the branching dynamics. In the informational branching models of the universe, the asymmetry of phenomena in nature appears as a mere consequence of the subject’s activity of measuring, which defines the flow of time-information.     

Ultrafast polarization optical switch constructed from one-dimensional photonic crystal and its performance analysis

All-optical switch with the ultrafast optical switching rate is a key device in the next generation optical network. In this article, we propose a polarization switch with ps switching time, which is constructed from one-dimensional resonant photonic crystal （1D RPC）. The model of switch operating at 1.5 μm is established based on the optical stark effect （OSE）. We calculate the performance indices of the switch and the influences of errors of periods and refractive index on the performance characteristics.     

Concentration level and distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soil and grass around Mt. Qomolangma, China

High mountains may serve as a condenser for persistent organic pollutants. In the present study, soil and grass samples from Mt. Qomolangma region, China were collected from 4600 to 5620 m a.s.I and were analyzed for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons （PAHs） to determine if they are concentrated at colder, more elevated sites and to evaluate their possible resources and fractionation. The total PAHs concentration in soil samples was 〈 600 ng g^-1, the critical value to differentiate PAHs levels in remote and urban regions. This implied the PAHs levels at Mt. Qomolangma are relatively low and what one might expect in such a remote region of the world. These low values may represent a soil background for mid-latitude Northern Hemisphere soils away from the direct influence of an anthropogenic source. As for the distribution pattern, the low molecular weight PAHs were prone to accumulate at higher altitude, while the high molecular weight PAHs inversely related or unrelated with elevation. Based on high concentration of phenanthrene at elevated sample site and the ratios of individual PAHs, we deduced that home-heating combustion and vehicle emission may result in the constitution trait of PAHs in this mountain region. Monsoon traveling over India, Pakistan and other countries with dense population may carry contaminant to Mt. Qomolangma region.     

Control of the morphology of micro/nanostructures of polycarbonate via electrospinning

Many of the applications proposed for bioassays, scaffolds for tissue engineering, filtrations, and supports for catalysts require polymeric membranes with large specific surface areas. Polycarbonate （PC） is a possible candidate for these applications because of its excellent mechanical performance and good biocompatibility. Electrospinning is a simple and effective method for large-scale fabrication of micro-/nanofibrous membranes with large specific surface areas. How to control the morphology of electrospun PC fibers, however, has not been systematically investigated. We describe the controllable fabrication of continuous and uniform PC fibers. We electrospin PC/chloroform solutions doped with different types of surfactants including anionic, zwitterionic, nonionic and cationic surfactants. Only cationic surfactants can lead to the successful fabrication of uniform PC fibers. After the analysis of the correlation between solution properties such as viscosity, surface tension, and conductivity and the morphology of electrospun fibers, we conclude that the addition of cationic surfactants such as cetane trimethyl ammonium bromide （CTAB） that leads to a decrease in viscosity is the main factor responsible for the formation of PC fibers. The demonstration of the fabrication of uniform PC fibers will lend experience to processing other polymers into fibers via electrospinning.     

Synthesis of a novel multi-SO3H functionalized strong Brønsted acidic ionic liquid and its catalytic activities for acetalization

The novel multi-SO3H functionalized strong Bronsted acidic ionic liquid has been prepared and its catalytic activities were investigated through the acetalization. The results showed that the novel catalyst was very efficient for the reaction with the average yield over 90% under solvent-free condition at room temperature. Operational simplicity, without need of any solvent, a small amount of usage, low cost of the catalyst used, high yields, applicability to large-scale reactions and reusability are the key features of this methodology. The novel catalyst also has great potential for the green process.     

Research on catalysis of sodium-metallochlorophylls in Ni/MH battery

The effects of sodium-metallochlorophylls including sodium-iron chlorophyllin, sodium-copper chlorophyllin and sodium-magnesium chlorophyllin on performance of Ni/MH battery were investigated. The results show that sodium-iron chlorophyllin can effectively activate the gases produced during charge in Ni/MH battery, therefore reducing the reduction potential of oxygen and the oxidation potential of hydrogen, and the increased speed of inner pressure of battery is decreased significantly. With the aid of DMol3 software, the activation process of oxygen and hydrogen by sodiummetallochlorophylls was simulated and analyzed. It was found that the catalysis behavior is in agreement with the experimental results, and the activation process also gets a reasonable explanation from the calculated results.     

A model of calcium signaling and degranulation dynamics induced by laser irradiation in mast cells

Recent experiments show that calcium signaling and degranulation dynamics induced by low power laser irradiation in mast cells must rely on extracellular Ca^2＋ influx. An analytical expression of Ca^2＋ flux through TRPV4 cation channel in response to interaction of laser photon energy and extracellular Ca^2＋ is deduced, and a model characterizing dynamics of calcium signaling and degranulation activated by laser irradiation in mast cells is established. The model indicates that the characteristics of calcium signaling and degranulation dynamics are determined by interaction between laser photon energy and Ca^2＋ influx. Extracellular Ca^2＋ concentration is so high that even small photon energy can activate mast cells, thus avoiding the possible injury caused by laser irradiation with shorter wavelengths. The model predicts that there exists a narrow parameter domain of photon energy and extracellular Ca^2＋ concentration of which results in cytosolic Ca^2＋ limit cycle oscillations, and shows that PKC activity is in direct proportion to the frequency of Ca^2＋ oscillations. With the model it is found that sustained and stable maximum plateau of cytosolic Ca^2＋ concentration can get optimal degranulation rate. Furthermore, the idea of introducing the realistic physical energy into model is applicable to modeling other physical signal transduction systems.     

New crystal structure of molecular complex 1-piperidine carboxylate-piperidinium-H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O studied by X-ray single crystal diffraction

Piperidine absorbs CO2 and H2O in air to form a molecular complex： piperidium-l-piperidinecarboxylate-H2O. The structure of the complex was characterized by X-ray single crystal diffraction. The crystal structure was determined to be triclinic, space group P1^-with a=0.648 6（8） nm, b=0.809 200） nm, c= 1.357 1（16） nm, a=96.96706）°, β =102.506（15）°,γ=104.202 05）°, Z=2. The complex is stabilized via five hydrogen bonds between the three components, N-O electrostatic interaction and O-O interaction （electron transfer） betweenl-piperidinecarboxylate and H2O. Due to electron transference of carbamate ion, the oxygen atom in water molecule is strongly negatively charged and the O-H bond is considerably shorter than that of the free molecule of water. The formation of the molecular complex is a reversible process and will decompose upon heating. The mechanism of formation and stabilization is further investigated herein.