Scalar curvature of a Levi-Civita connection on the Cuntz algebra with three generators

Letters in Mathematical Physics - A differential calculus on the Cuntz algebra with three generators coming from the action of rotation group in three dimensions is introduced. The differential...     

Solution‐Based Synthesis of Layered Intergrowth Compounds of the Homologous PbmBi2nTe3n+m Series as Nanosheets

Layered intergrowth compounds in the homologous Pb_mBi_2nTe_3n+m family are interesting because they are examples of natural heterostructures. We present a simple solution‐based synthesis of two‐dimensional nanosheets of PbBi₂Te₄, Pb₂Bi₂Te₅, and PbBi₆Te₁₀ layered intergrowth compounds, which are members of the Pb_mBi_2nTe_3n+m [that is, (PbTe)_m(Bi₂Te₃)_n] homologous series. Few‐layer nanosheets exhibit narrow optical band gaps (0.25–0.7 eV) with semiconducting electronic‐transport properties.     

Dynamic dip testing as a method to assess the condensate drainage behavior from the air-side surface of compact heat exchangers

A new method to assess the condensate drainage behavior of the air-side surface of compact heat exchangers—dynamic dip testing—is introduced. The new method is shown to provide highly repeatable data for real-time drainage. Results from experiments with more than 20 flat-tube and round-tube-and-fin heat exchangers are presented, and the data clearly show geometrical effects such as the impact of the tube type on condensate drainage. By comparing the results from dip testing to wind-tunnel experiments for the same heat exchangers, we find dip testing can serve as a powerful tool for assessing the condensate retention behavior. The coils retaining the most and the least condensate in a steady-state wind-tunnel test, likewise held the most and the least in a dip test. However, different amounts of water are retained on the air-side surface during dip tests and wind-tunnel tests. A model based on gravity, surface tension and drag effects is developed to help understand and predict the drainage behavior of heat exchangers. The new model and experimental approach are useful in screening heat exchangers for condensate retention and for assessing off-cycle drainage behavior.     

Modified Kudryashov method via new exact solutions for some conformable fractional differential equations arising in mathematical biology

In this study, the modified Kudryashov method is used to construct new exact solutions for some conformable fractional differential equations. By implementing the conformable fractional derivative and compatible fractional complex transforms, the fractional generalized reaction duffing (RD) model equation, the fractional biological population model and the fractional diffusion reaction (DR) equation with quadratic and cubic nonlinearity are discussed. As an outcome, some new exact solutions are formally established. All solutions have been verified back into its corresponding equation with the aid of maple package program. We assure that the employed method is simple and robust for the estimation of the new exact solutions, and practically capable for reducing the size of computational work for solving a various class of fractional differential equations arising in applied mathematics, mathematical physics and biology.     

Nanofluidic channels by anodic bonding of amorphous silicon to glass to study ion-accumulation and ion-depletion effect

A unique phenomenon, ion-enrichment and ion-depletion effect, exists in nanofluidic channels and is observed in amorphous silicon (α-Si) nanochannels as shallow as 50 nm. As a voltage is applied across a nanochannel, ions are rapidly enriched at one end and depleted at the other end of the nanochannel. α-Si is deposited on glass by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition and is selectively etched to form nanochannels. The depth of nanochannels is defined by the thickness of the α-Si layer. Low temperature anodic bonding of α-Si to glass was used to seal the channel with a second glass wafer. The strength of the anodic bond was optimized by the introduction of a silicon nitride adhesion promoting layer and double-sided bonding resulting from the electric field reversal. Completed channels, 50 nm in depth, 5 micron wide, and 1 mm long were completely and reliably sealed. Structures based on nanochannels 50-300 nm deep were successfully incorporated into nanofluidic devices to investigate ionic accumulation and depletion effect due to overlapping of electric double layer.     

Self-assembling dipeptide-based nontoxic vesicles as carriers for drugs and other biologically important molecules

Self-assembling short peptides can offer an opportunity to make useful nano-/microstructures that find potential application in drug delivery. We report here the formation of multivesicular structures from self-assembling water-soluble synthetic amphiphilic dipeptides containing a glutamic acid residue at the C-terminus. These vesicular structures are stable over a wide range of pH (pH 2-12). However, they are sensitive towards calcium ions. This causes the rupturing of these vesicles. Interestingly, these vesicles can not only encapsulate an anticancer drug and a fluorescent dye, but also can release them in the presence of calcium ions. Moreover, these multivesicular structures have the potential to carry biologically important molecules like cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) within the cells keeping their biological functions intact. A MTT cell-survival assay suggests the almost nontoxic nature of these vesicles. Thus, these peptide vesicles can be used as biocompatible delivery vehicles for carrying drugs and other bioactive molecules.     

Design and synthesis of azaindole heterocycle decorated new scaffold in fluorometric sensing of F− and H2PO4−

7-Azaindole has been used in designing new molecular structure 1 on enediyne spacer for its application in anion sensing. New structure 1 has been established as efficient fluorescent sensor of H₂PO₄⁻ and F⁻ ions in CH₃CN containing 1% DMSO. While in presence of H₂PO₄⁻ the emission at 418 nm is decreased to the significant extent in nonratiometric fashion, a ratiometric response in presence of F⁻ is noted with a sharp isoemissive point and two anions are effectively distinguished over a series of other anions tested. A similar study on model compound 2 with indole motifs is done to prove the pivotal role of extra ring nitrogen in azaindole of 1 in the binding process.     

Structures and absolute stereochemistry of (-)-echitoveniline, (-)-11-methoxyechitoveniline and (-)-11-methoxyechitovenedine—new indole alkaloids of

Structures and absolute stereochemistry of (-)-echitoveniline, (-)-11-methoxyechitoveniline and (-)-11-methoxyechitovenedine, three new indole alkaloids of the vincadifformine type, isolated from the fruits and leaves of Alstonia venenata R.Br., have been established as 3b, 3c and 3d, respectively, on the basis of spectral and chemical evidence. A plausible mechanism of the LAH reduction of the δ-lactones8b and8c to the corresponding diols 9b and 9c has been discussed.