Breather-like director reorientations in a nematic liquid crystal with nonlocal nonlinearity

The nature of nonlinear molecular deformations in a homeotropically aligned nematic liquid crystal (NLC) is presented. We start from the basic dynamical equation for the director axis of a NLC with elastic deformations and adopt space curve mapping procedure to analyze the dynamics. The NLC is governed by an integro-differential perturbed nonlocal nonlinear Schrödinger equation and we solve the same using Jacobi elliptic function method aided with symbolic computation and construct an exact solitary wave solution. In order to better understand the effect of nonlocality on the director reorientations of nematic liquid crystal, we have constructed the component forms of director axis using Darboux vector transformation. This intriguing property as a result of the relation between the coherence of the breather-like solitary deformation and the nonlocality reveals a strong need for a deeper understanding in the theory of self-localization in NLC systems.     

Rheo-dielectric behavior of low molecular weight liquid crystal 2. Behavior of 8CB in nematic and smectic states

Rheo-dielectric behavior was examined for 4−4^′−n-octyl-cyanobiphenyl (8CB) having large dipoles parallel to its principal axis (in the direction of the C≡N bond). In the quiescent state at all temperatures (T) examined, orientational fluctuation of the 8CB molecules was observed as dielectric dispersions at characteristic frequencies ω_c>10⁶ s⁻¹. In the isotropic state at high T, no detectable changes of the complex dielectric constant ɛ^*(ω) were found under slow flow at shear rates ˙γ≫ω_c. In the nematic state at intermediate T, the terminal relaxation intensity of ɛ^*(ω) was decreased under such slow flow. In the smectic state at lower T, the flow effect became much less significant. These results were related to the flow-induced changes of the liquid crystalline textures in the nematic and smectic states, and the differences of the rheo-dielectric behavior in these states are discussed in relation to a difference of the symmetry of molecular arrangements in the nematic and smectic textures. Received: 1 October 1998 Accepted: 13 January 1999     

Comments on 'Finite Element Analysis of Convection Flow Through a Porous Medium in a Horizontal Channel' by D. V. Krishna,D. R. V. Prasada Rao and V. Sugunamma

Transport in Porous Media -     

Comments on the Paper 'Local and Global Transitions to Chaos and Hysteresis in a Porous Layer Heated from Below', by P. Vadasz

Transport in Porous Media -     

Comments on “Explicit transient solutions for a mode III crack subjected to dynamic concentrated loading in a piezoelectric material” by Yi-Shyong Ing, Mau-Jung Wang [Int. J. Solids Struct. 41 (2004) 3849–3864]

In this comment it is pointed out that the analysis of the dynamic stress intensity factor, dynamic electric displacement intensity factor and dynamic energy release rate conducted by Ing and Wang [Ing, Y.S., Wang, M.J., 2004. Explicit transient solutions for a mode III crack subjected to dynamic concentrated loading in a piezoelectric material. International Journal of Solids and Structures 41, 3849–3864] is incorrect. The correct analysis and corresponding correct plots are presented.     

Book Review: Self-Organization and the City. By Juval Portugali. With 120 figures and a Foreword by Hermann Haken; includes chapters in collaboration with I. Benenson,I. Omer and N. Alfasi; two special chapters on ‘Synergetic Cities’ with Hermann Haken. Springer-Verlag,New York, 2000, 352 pages. ISBN: 354-065 4836

Nonlinear Dynamics, Psychology, and Life Sciences -     

Response to Comment on “Combined Forced and Free Convective Flow in a Vertical Porous Channel: The Effects of Viscous Dissipation and Pressure Work” by A. Barletta and D. A. Nield,Transport in Porous Media,DOI 10.1007/s11242-008-9320-y, 2009

This short note is a response to the comment on our recently published paper cited in the title. All points raised by the author of the comment are discussed. It is shown that one of the remarks, concerning eigenflow solutions in the limiting case of forced convection, does not have a sound physical basis. In fact, it refers to a circumstance, a fluid with a thermal expansion coefficient greater than that of a perfect gas, of marginal or no interest in the framework of convection in porous media.