Exact solution for in-plane static problems of circular beams made of functionally graded materials

Exact analytical solutions of in-plane static problems of circular beams with uniform cross-section made of functionally graded material (FGM) are obtained. Material properties are assumed to be varying arbitrarily through the thickness. The effects of axial extension and shear deformations are considered. The differential equation system is solved exactly using the initial values method. The circumferential stress distribution on the cross-section is also obtained. The results are compared with those of rather complex approaches in the literature, such as elasticity approach, and the comparison shows an excellent agreement. Effects of power law exponent and radius-to-height ratio of the beam on circumferential stress distribution and displacements are investigated.     

Probing chromosome structure with dynamic force relaxation

We report measurements of the dynamics of force relaxation in single mitotic chromosomes, following step strains applied with micropipettes of force constant approximately 1 nN/microm. The force relaxes exponentially after an elongation (l/l(0)) to less than 3x native length, with a relaxation time approximately 2 sec. This relaxation time corresponds to an effective viscosity approximately 10(5) times that of water. We experimentally rule out solvent flow into the chromosome as the mechanism for the relaxation time. Instead, the relaxation can be explained in terms of the disentanglement dynamics of approximately 80 kb chromatin loop domains.     

Correction to: On inner constraints in plane circular arches

Archive of Applied Mechanics - The series expansions in Eq. (16) of [1] for trigonometric functions depending on a small evolution parameter shall be corrected.     

LC-MS analysis of daidzein in the Turkish Genista species

In this research, total and free daidzein content in Genista species growing in Turkey were investigated using the LC-MS method. The highest amount of total and free daidzein in these species was found in Genista sessilifolia and G. lydia var. antiochia as 0.0056 and 0.0009%, respectively. Total and free daidzein content of the aerial parts of other Genista species varied from 0.0003 to 0.0044%, and from 0.0001 to 0.0008%, respectively. Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 5, pp. 417–418, September–October, 2006.     

Language‐like behavior of protein length distribution in proteomes

In this study, to demonstrate the language‐like behavior of protein length distribution in proteomes, a quantitative linguistic distribution model, Menzerath–Altmann model, was adopted. A total of 10 proteomes from completely sequenced representative organisms (archaea, bacteria, and eukarya domains) were examined. The results showed that the protein length distribution in the complete set of proteomic proteins, or at least in a wide range for each proteome, can be described reasonably well using the distribution model without considering any complex underlying mechanisms. The deliberation of the model parameters confirmed the evolutionary trend and the model parameters were observed to be related to organismal complexity. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity 20: 12–21, 2014     

QSAR of genotoxic active benzazoles

Previously synthesized 2,5-disubstituted benzoxazole and benzimidazole derivatives, were tested for their genotoxic activity in the Bacillus subtilis rec- assay. The results revealed that 5-methyl-2-(p-aminobenzyl)benzoxazole exhibited the highest genotoxic response, which was comparable to 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide (4-NQO), the reference agent of classical positive mutagen. Among the other tested compounds, four showed a genotoxic activity. A QSAR study revealed that structural parameters IY(C(2)H(4)) and IY(CH(2)O), indicating the bridge elements between the phenyl moiety and the fused ring system at position 2 and the quantum chemical parameter (DeltaE ), showing the difference between HOMO and LUMO energies, were found significant for enhancing the genotoxic activity in these compounds. In addition, the substituent effects on positions R and R(1) were found important for the activity as well as holding a substituent possessing a maximum length with a minimum width property on position R(1) like alkyl groups. On the other hand, substituting position R with an electron donating group instead of electron withdrawing group increased the genotoxic activity.     

Selective syntheses of vinylenedithiathiophenes (VDTTs) and dithieno[2,3-b;2′,3′-d]thiophenes (DTTs); building blocks for π-conjugated systems

Selective syntheses of 3,4-vinylenedithiathiophenes (VDTTs) and dithieno[2,3-b;2′,3′-d]thiophenes (DTTs), having Ph, 4-CH₃OC₆H₄, 4-BrC₆H₄, 4-NO₂C₆H₄ and 4-(CH₃)₂NC₆H₄ groups, were achieved through the reaction of 1,8-diketone with phosphorus decasulfide (P₄S₁₀). The reaction could be shifted between VDTT and DTT by adding base (sodium bicarbonate) or acid (para-toluenesulfonic acid), respectively, to the reaction mixture. While the VDTTs were obtained in moderate yields, an important achievement has been made with the syntheses of the DTTs, obtaining them in higher yields compared with the previous report. Polymers of the VDTTs, which are the analogues of ethylenedioxythiophene, EDOT, were prepared using FeCl₃. Unfortunately, all attempts for their electropolymerization failed. Spin density calculations revealed that none of the VDTTs had a significant positive spin density at the ‘α’ carbon atoms of the thiophene ring. Considering their solubility and functional groups, which could be further derivatized, they are useful building blocks for the preparation of new organic materials.     

A novel sorbent tube for ambient hydrogen sulfide determination

A novel tubular device has been developed for hydrogen sulfide determination in air. Several substrates such as commercial silica gel and alumina TLC plates, silica gel powder, alumina, CaSO(4), CaCO(3), BaSO(4), MgO, chalk, alpha-cellulose and ethyl cellulose were tested as solid substrates. 30-70-mesh silica gel was finally employed in glass tubes of 4.0 mm internal diameter. Silica gel is treated with 0.5 M aqueous CdCl(2) solution, dried, filled into the glass tube and sample gas is passed through the device using nitrogen as the carrier gas where 70% relative humidity is employed. The analyte reacts with the solid substrate to form a luminescent spot whose length in the tube is measured and correlated to concentration. The flow rate was 68 ml min(-1). The analytical system is linear in the range of 0.2-1.3 ppm H(2)S for the specified conditions. The prepared devices are stable at least for 3 months prior to sampling; and after sampling, the luminescing spot is stable also at least for 3 months.     

Synchronisation of chaos and its applications

Dynamical networks are important models for the behaviour of complex systems, modelling physical, biological and societal systems, including the brain, food webs, epidemic disease in populations, power grids and many other. Such dynamical networks can exhibit behaviour in which deterministic chaos, exhibiting unpredictability and disorder, coexists with synchronisation, a classical paradigm of order. We survey the main theory behind complete, generalised and phase synchronisation phenomena in simple as well as complex networks and discuss applications to secure communications, parameter estimation and the anticipation of chaos.