Advantage of Quantum Theory over Nonclassical Models of Communication

Quantum correlations provide dramatic advantage over the corresponding classical resources in several communication tasks. However, a broad class of probabilistic theories exists that attributes greater success than quantum theory in many of these tasks by allowing supra-quantum correlations in “space-like” and/or “time-like” paradigms. In this letter, a communication task involving three spatially separated parties is proposed where one party (verifier) aims to verify whether the bit strings possessed by the other two parties (terminals) are equal or not. This task is called authentication with limited communication, the restrictions on communication being: i) the terminals cannot communicate with each other, but (ii) each of them can communicate with the verifier through single use of channels with limited capacity. Manifestly, classical resources are not sufficient for perfect success of this task. Moreover, it is also not possible to perform this task with certainty in several nonclassical theories although they might possess stronger “space-like” and/or “time-like” correlations. Surprisingly, quantum resources can achieve the perfect winning strategy. The proposed task thus stands apart from all previously known communication tasks as it exhibits quantum advantage over other nonclassical strategies.     

Hydrophilic interaction LC–MS/MS method to avoid endogenous interference in the analysis of 4-hydroxy isoleucine from dietary supplementation of fenugreek

4-Hydroxy isoleucine is one of the potent hypoglycemic active constituents of fenugreek seeds. A method capable of reducing biological interferences is required for bioavailability studies. An isocratic separation of 4-hydroxy isoleucine from endogenous interferences was achieved in ZIC-cHILIC column using 0.1% formic acid in water and acetonitrile (20:80, % v/v) pumped at 0.5 ml/min. Quantification was performed in multiple reaction monitoring mode using the transitions of m/z 148.1→102.1 and m/z 276.1→142.2 for 4-hydroxy isoleucine and homatropine (as internal standard), respectively. After full method validation, 4-hydroxy isoleucine levels in human plasma and commercial fenugreek formulations were determined. This method showed good linearity in the range of 50–2000 ng/mL. Intra- and interday accuracies were in the range of 90.64–109.0% and precision was <4.82% CV. The mean (SD) plasma concentration of 4-hydroxy isoleucine in healthy individuals at 2 h after oral administration of fenugreek tablet was found to be 1590 (260) ng/mL. Half of marketed formulations were found to contain <0.05% of 4-hydroxy isoleucine content. We developed a rapid hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method for analysis of 4-hydroxy isoleucine in human plasma. This method can be applied directly to conduct the clinical pharmacokinetics studies of 4-hydroxy isoleucine in human population.     

MWCNTs-ZrO2 as a reusable heterogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of N-heterocyclic scaffolds under green reaction medium

A simple, efficient, and facile heterogeneous multi-walled carbon nanotubes-zirconia nanocomposite (MWCNTs-ZrO₂) has been synthesized using natural feedstock coconut juice (água-de-coco do Ceará). The synthesized catalyst was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis. The heterogeneous nanocomposite has been used for one-pot synthesis of various N-heterocyclic compounds like pyrazoles, 1,2-disubstituted benzimidazoles, 2-arylbenzazoles, and 2,3-dihydroquinazolin-4(1H)-ones under green reaction medium at room temperature. This novel method has several advantages, such as short reaction time, simple work-up, excellent yield, and green reaction conditions. The catalyst was recycled up to four times without significant loss in catalytic activity.     

Coumarinyl azoimidazolyl complexes of osmium(II) hydridocarbonyls: spectroscopic and structural characterization,oxidation catalysis,photovoltaic effect and density functional theory computation

Os(II) hydridocarbonyl complexes of coumarinyl azoimidazoles, [Osh(CO)(PPh₃)₂(CZ‐4R‐R′)]^0/+ ( 3 , 4 ) (CZ‐R‐H = 2‐(coumarinyl‐6‐azo)‐4‐substituted imidazole or 1‐alkyl‐2‐(coumarinyl‐6‐azo)‐4‐substituted imidazole), were characterized from spectroscopic data and the single‐crystal X‐ray data for one of the complexes, [Osh(CO)(PPh₃)₂(CZ‐4‐Ph)] ( 3c ) (CZ‐4‐Ph = 2‐(coumarinyl‐6‐azo)‐4‐phenylimidazolate), confirmed the structure. The complexes show higher emission (quantum yield ? = 0.0163–0.16) and longer lifetime (τ = 1.4–10.3 ns) than free ligands (? = 0.0012–0.0185 and τ = 0.685–1.306 ns). Cyclic voltammetry shows quasi‐reversible metal oxidation at 0.67–0.94 V for [Os(III)/Os(II)] and 1.21–1.36 V for [Os(IV)/Os(III)] and subsequent azo reductions (?0.68 to ?0.95 V for [? N?N? ]/[? N N? ]^? and irreversible < ?1.2 V for [? N N? ]^?/[? N? N? ]^2?) of the chelated coumarinyl azoimidazole. The complexes are photostable and show better photovoltaic power conversion efficiency than free ligands. Also, the complexes were used as catalysts for the oxidation of primary/secondary alcohols to aldehydes/ketones using oxidizing agents like N‐methylmorpholine N‐oxide, t‐BuOOH and H₂O₂. Density functional theory computation was carried out from the optimized structures and the data obtained were used to interpret the electronic and photovoltaic properties. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Porosity Switching in Polymorphic Porous Organic Cages with Exceptional Chemical Stability

Porous solids that can be switched between different forms with distinct physical properties are appealing candidates for separation, catalysis, and host–guest chemistry. In this regard, porous organic cages (POCs) are of profound interest because of their solution‐state accessibility. However, the application of POCs is limited by poor chemical stability. Synthesis of an exceptionally stable imine‐linked (4+6) porous organic cage ( TpOMe‐CDA ) is reported using 2,4,6‐trimethoxy‐1,3,5‐triformyl benzene (TpOMe) as a precursor aldehyde. Introduction of the ‐OMe functional group to the aldehyde creates significant steric and hydrophobic characteristics in the environment around the imine bonds that protects the cage molecules from hydrolysis in the presence of acids or bases. The electronic effect of the ‐OMe group also plays an important role in enhancing the stability of the reported POCs. As a consequence, TpOMe‐CDA reveals exceptional chemical stability in neutral, acidic and basic conditions, even in 12 m NaOH. Interestingly, TpOMe‐CDA exists in three different porous and non‐porous polymorphic forms (α, β, and γ) with respect to differences in crystallographic packing and the orientation of the flexible methoxy groups. All of the polymorphs retain their crystallinity even after treatment with acids and bases. All the polymorphs of TpOMe‐CDA differ significantly in their properties as well as morphology and could be reversibly switched in the presence of an external stimulus.     

On fuzzy semi δ-<Emphasis Type="Italic">V</Emphasis> continuity in fuzzy δ-<Emphasis Type="Italic">V</Emphasis> topological space

New concepts of fuzzy semi δ-V and fuzzy semi δ-Λ sets were introduced in our work “On fuzzy semi δ-Λ sets and fuzzy semi δ-V sets V-6,” J. Trip. Math. Soc., 6, 81–88 (2004). It was shown that the family of all fuzzy semi δ-V sets forms a fuzzy supra topological space on X denoted by (X, FS ^δV ). The aim of this paper is to introduce the concept of fuzzy semi δ-V continuity in a fuzzy δ-V topological space. Finally, some properties, preservation theorems, etc., are studied. Published in Ukrains’kyi Matematychnyi Zhurnal, Vol. 60, No. 5, pp. 712–717, May, 2008.     

Fabrication and electrical characterisation of Zr-substituted BaTiO3 thin films

Thin films of zirconium-substituted barium titanate were deposited by chemical solution deposition on platinum-coated silicon substrates at a temperature of 700 °C. The films showed a polycrystalline perovskite structure. The grain size was found to decrease with increase of Zr substitution. The effect of Zr substitution on the dielectric constant and the leakage was studied. It was found that with increasing Zr content the phase transition becomes diffuse and relaxor-like. The dielectric constant was also found to decrease with increasing amounts of Zr after an initial increase. The hysteresis loops became thinner and the remanent polarisation was found to decrease. The leakage behaviour was explained by Schottky theory. The barrier heights of the different films were calculated and found to vary between 1.12 eV and 1.19 eV. PACS 68.55.-a; 81.20.Fw; 77.84.Dy