Computing Integrated Information (Φ) in Discrete Dynamical Systems with Multi-Valued Elements

Integrated information theory (IIT) provides a mathematical framework to characterize the cause-effect structure of a physical system and its amount of integrated information (Φ). An accompanying Python software package (“PyPhi”) was recently introduced to implement this framework for the causal analysis of discrete dynamical systems of binary elements. Here, we present an update to PyPhi that extends its applicability to systems constituted of discrete, but multi-valued elements. This allows us to analyze and compare general causal properties of random networks made up of binary, ternary, quaternary, and mixed nodes. Moreover, we apply the developed tools for causal analysis to a simple non-binary regulatory network model (p53-Mdm2) and discuss commonly used binarization methods in light of their capacity to preserve the causal structure of the original system with multi-valued elements.     

Application of thermal analysis to the rhenium recovery process from copper and molybdenum sulphides minerals

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - Rhenium production from copper and molybdenum sulphides involves the use of a pyrometallurgical process. In traditional pyrometallurgy processes, gases...     

1-[Ferrocenyl(hydroxy)methyl]-1,7-dicarba<Emphasis Type="Italic">-closo</Emphasis>-dodecaborane: Synthesis and X-ray crystal structure

The synthesis and molecular structure of the novel 1-[ferrocenyl(hydroxy)methyl]-1,7-dicarba-closo-dodecaborane (1) is described. Compound 1 was synthesized from reaction of m-carborane and ferrocene carboxaldehyde using n-butyllithium (n-BuLi) or tetrabutylammonium fluoride (TBAF) in THF in 45% and 36% yield, respectively. Compound 1 consists of a ferrocene molecule tethered to m-carborane through a methylhydroxy bridge. The crystal structure of 1 was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Crystal data: 1 [Fe(C₅H₅)(C₅H₄-CH₂O-1,7-C₂B₁₀H₁₂)], formula weight = 359.17, crystallized in orthorhombic system, space group Pna2 ₁ with a=19.698(4) ?, b=10.709(2) ?, c=8.520(2) ?, and V=1797.3(7) ?³ and Z=4. Refined to R ₁=0.043 for 4124 observed reflections with I/σ>2σ(I). The compound was crystallized as racemic twins in a ratio of 73(2)/27(2). The unsubstituted Cp ring was disordered and modeled as two conformations in a 53(3)/47(3) ratio. Intermolecular hydrogen bonding was observed from the hydrogen of the meta-carbon on the carborane cluster towards the hydroxyl oxygen.     

Chemometric experimental design based optimization techniques in capillary electrophoresis: a critical review of modern applications

A critical review of recent developments in the use of chemometric experimental design based optimization techniques in capillary electrophoresis applications is presented. Current advances have led to enhanced separation capabilities of a wide range of analytes in such areas as biological, environmental, food technology, pharmaceutical, and medical analysis. Significant developments in design, detection methodology and applications from the last 5 years (2002–2007) are reported. Furthermore, future perspectives in the use of chemometric methodology in capillary electrophoresis are considered.     

Solid-phase synthesis of tetrasubstituted 2-imino-1,3-thiazolines using a functionalizing cleavage strategy

A novel solid-phase synthesis of tetrasubstituted 2-imino-1,3-thiazolines using a functionalizing cleavage strategy is described. The synthetic route utilized the ambident reactivity of a dithiocarbamate functionality to synthesize the key resin-bound electrophilic thiazolium intermediate. The desired products were efficiently obtained in high purity by the reaction of various amines with the thiazolium salt.     

Three-dimensional concentration mapping of gases using a portable mass spectrometer system

The visualization of hazardous gaseous emissions at volcanoes using in-situ mass spectrometry (MS) is a key step towards a better comprehension of the geophysical phenomena surrounding eruptive activity. In-situ data consisting of helium, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and other gas species, were acquired with a quadrupole based MS system. Global position systems (GPS) and MS data were plotted on ground imagery, topography, and remote sensing data collected by a host of instruments during the second Costa Rica Airborne Research and Technology Applications (CARTA) mission. This combination of gas and imaging data allowed three-dimensional (3D) visualization of the volcanic plume and the mapping of gas concentration at several volcanic structures and urban areas. This combined set of data has demonstrated a better tool to assess hazardous conditions by visualizing and modeling of possible scenarios of volcanic activity. The MS system is used for in-situ measurement of 3D gas concentrations at different volcanic locations with three different transportation platforms: aircraft, auto, and hand-carried. The demonstration for urban contamination mapping is also presented as another possible use for the MS system.     

Homogenization of a variational inequality for the <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-Laplacian in perforated media with nonlinear restrictions for the flux on the boundary of isoperimetric perforations: <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis> equal to the dimension of the space

We address the homogenization of a variational inequality posed in perforated media issue from a unilateral problem for the p-Laplacian. We consider the n-Laplace operator in a perforated domain of ?ⁿ, n ≥ 3, with restrictions for the solution and its flux (the flux associated with the n-Laplacian) on the boundary of the perforations which are assumed to be isoperimetric. The solution is assumed to be positive on the boundary of the holes and the flux is bounded from above by a negative, nonlinear monotone function multiplied by a large parameter. A certain non periodical distribution of the perforations is allowed while the assumption that their size is much smaller than the periodicity scale is performed. We make it clear that in the average constants of the problem, the perimeter of the perforations appears for any shape.