Halogen Bonding in Two-Dimensional Crystal Engineering

Halogen bonds, which provide an intermolecular interaction with moderate strength and high directionality, have emerged as a promising tool in the repertoire of non-covalent interactions. In this review, we provide a survey of the literature where halogen bonding was used for the fabrication of supramolecular networks on solid surfaces. The definitions of, and the distinction between halogen bonding and halogen-halogen interactions are provided. Self-assembled networks formed at the solution/solid interface and at the vacuum-solid interface, stabilized in part by halogen bonding, are discussed. Besides the broad classification based on the interface at which the systems are studied, the systems are categorized further as those sustained by halogen-halogen and halogen-heteroatom contacts.     

Optimal control of effort of a stage structured prey–predator fishery model with harvesting

This paper describes a prey–predator fishery model with stage structure for prey. The adult prey and predator populations are harvested in the proposed system. The dynamic behavior of the model system is discussed. It is observed that singularity induced bifurcation phenomenon is appeared when variation of the economic interest of harvesting is taken into account. We have incorporated state feedback controller to stabilize the model system in the case of positive economic interest. Fishing effort used to harvest the adult prey and predator populations is used as a control to develop a dynamic framework to investigate the optimal utilization of the resource, sustainability properties of the stock and the resource rent earned from the resource. Pontryagin’s maximum principle is used to characterize the optimal control. The optimal system is derived and then solved numerically using an iterative method with Runge–Kutta fourth-order scheme. Simulation results show that the optimal control scheme can achieve sustainable ecosystem.     

Modelling and analysis of a multiple delayed exploited ecosystem towards coexistence perspective

This paper describes a multiple delayed modified Leslie–Gower type predator–prey system with a strong Allee effect in prey population growth. Non-selective effort is used to harvest the population. The dynamical characteristics of the delay induced system are rigorously studied using mathematical tools. The existence of coexistence equilibria is ensured, and the dynamic behavior of the system is investigated around coexistence equilibria. Uniform strong persistence and permanence of the system are discussed in order to ensure long-term survival of the species. The stability of the delay preserved system is investigated. Sufficient conditions are derived for local and global stability of the system. The existence of Hopf bifurcation phenomenon is examined around interior equilibria of the system. Subsequently, we use normal form method and center manifold theorem to examine the nature of the Hopf bifurcation. Finally, numerical simulations are carried out to validate the analytical findings.     

Effort dynamics of a delay-induced prey–predator system with reserve

This paper describes a prey?Cpredator fishery system with prey dispersal in a two-patch environment, one of which is a free fishing zone and the other a protected zone. The proposed system reflects the dynamic interaction between the net economic revenue and the fishing effort used to harvest the population in presence of a suitable tax. Local as well as global stability of the system is analyzed. The optimal taxation policy is formulated and solved with the help of Pontryagin??s maximal principle. The objective of the paper is to achieve the sustainability of the fishery, keeping the ecological balance, and maximize the monetary social benefit. The dynamical behavior of the delay system is further analyzed through incorporating discrete type gestational delay of predators, and the existence of Hopf bifurcation phenomenon is checked at the interior equilibrium point. Moreover, we use normal form method and center manifold theorem to examine the nature of the Hopf bifurcation. Theoretical results are verified with the help of numerical examples and graphical illustrations.     

Influence of graphene reinforcement in conductive polymer: Synthesis and characterization

Lightweight conductive polymers are considered for lightning strike mitigation in composites by synthesizing intrinsically conductive polymers (ICPs) and by the inclusion of conductive fillers in insulating matrices. Conductive films based on polyaniline (PANI) and graphene have been developed to improve through‐thickness conductivity of polymer composites. The result shows that the conductivity of PANI enhanced by blending polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and PANI in 3:1 ratio. Conductive composite thin films are prepared by dispersing graphene in PANI. The conductivity of composite films was found to increase by 40× at 20 wt% of graphene inclusion compared with PVP and PANI blend. Fourier‐transform‐infrared (FTIR) spectra confirmed in situ polymerization of the polymer blend. The inclusion of graphene also exhibits an increase in Tg by 21°C. Graphene additions also showed an increase in thermal stability by approximately 148°C in the composite films. The mechanical result obtained from DMA shows that inclusion of graphene increases the tensile strength by 48% at 20 wt% of graphene reinforcement. A thin, highly conductive surface that is compatible with a composite resin system can enhance the surface conductivity of composites, improving its lightning strike mitigation capabilities.     

Molecular structural analysis of noncarious cervical sclerotic dentin using Raman spectroscopy

Molecular structure of the sclerotic dentin in noncarious cervical lesions (NCCLs) including both the inorganic phase and organic phase was investigated using Raman spectroscopy. It was found that NCCL sclerotic dentin was hypermineralized with the mineral/matrix ratios 2–3 times higher than those of normal dentin, which was caused by both the increase of mineral content and decrease of organic matrix (collagen) content in the sclerotic dentin. For the inorganic phase, the phosphate band (PO₄³⁻, ν₁, symmetric stretching vibrational mode) in NCCL sclerotic dentin was shifted from 960 to 963 cm⁻¹, and the width of this band was decreased from 16.4 to 10.4 cm⁻¹, indicating that the degree of mineral crystallinity in NCCL sclerotic dentin was higher than that of normal dentin. In addition, the carbonate content in the mineral of NCCL sclerotic dentin was less than that of normal dentin. As compared to the inorganic phase, the changes within the organic phase were not dramatic. However, the changes in collagen cross‐link density along with other spectral changes were still detectable. There was a noteworthy reduction in the ratio of nonreducible to reducible cross‐links in the NCCL sclerotic dentin, indicating that cross‐link breaks occurred in the collagen matrix of the lesions. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.