Under what kind of parametric fluctuations is spatiotemporal regularity the most robust?

It was observed that the spatiotemporal chaos in lattices of coupled chaotic maps was suppressed to a spatiotemporal fixed point when some fractions of the regular coupling connections were replaced by random links. Here we investigate the effects of different kinds of parametric fluctuations on the robustness of this spatiotemporal fixed point regime. In particular we study the spatiotemporal dynamics of the network with noisy interaction parameters, namely fluctuating fraction of random links and fluctuating coupling strengths. We consider three types of fluctuations: (i) noisy in time, but homogeneous in space; (ii) noisy in space, but fixed in time; (iii) noisy in both space and time. We find that the effect of different kinds of parametric noise on the dynamics is quite distinct: quenched spatial fluctuations are the most detrimental to spatiotemporal regularity; spatiotemporal fluctuations yield phenomena similar to that observed when parameters are held constant at the mean value, and interestingly, spatiotemporal regularity is most robust under spatially uniform temporal fluctuations, which in fact yields a larger fixed point range than that obtained under constant mean-value parameters.     

Certain fractional calculus and integral transform results of incomplete ℵ-functions with applications

In this paper, we study certain interesting and useful properties of incomplete $\aleph$-functions. The incomplete $\aleph$-function is an extension of the $\aleph$-function. We find several useful classical integral transforms of these functions. Further, we examine the fractional calculus with the incomplete $\aleph$-functions and point out several special cases. Finally, we give the applications of incomplete $\aleph$-functions in detecting glucose supply in human blood.     

Microwave-assisted solvent free synthesis of hydroxy derivatives of 4-methyl coumarin using nano-crystalline sulfated-zirconia catalyst

Nano-crystalline sulfated-zirconia solid acid catalyst has been studied for microwave-assisted solvent free synthesis of hydroxy derivatives of 4-methyl coumarin by Pechmann reaction. The catalyst showed good activity for activated m-hydroxy phenol substrates, viz., phloroglucinol and pyrrogallol with ethyl acetoacetate for the synthesis of 5,7-dihydroxy 4-methyl coumarin and 7,8-dihydroxy 4-methyl coumarin, respectively, showing significant yields ranging from 78 to 85% within 5–20 min at 130 °C. However, the less activated phenol and m-methyl phenol was observed to be inactive for the synthesis of 4-methyl coumarin and 4,7-dimethyl coumarin, respectively, under the studied experimental conditions.     

Sulfur-Containing Foldamer-Based Artificial Lithium Channels

Unlike many other biologically relevant ions (Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Cl⁻, etc) and protons, whose cellular concentrations are closely regulated by highly selective channel proteins, Li⁺ ion is unusual in that its concentration is well tolerated over many orders of magnitude and that no lithium-specific channel proteins have so far been identified. While one naturally evolved primary pathway for Li⁺ ions to traverse across the cell membrane is through sodium channels by competing with Na⁺ ions, highly sought-after artificial lithium-transporting channels remain a major challenge to develop. Here we show that sulfur-containing organic nanotubes derived from intramolecularly H-bonded helically folded aromatic foldamers of 3.6 Å in hollow cavity diameter could facilitate highly selective and efficient transmembrane transport of Li⁺ ions, with high transport selectivity factors of 15.3 and 19.9 over Na⁺ and K⁺ ions, respectively.     

Anomalous particle rotation and resulting microstructure of colloids in AC electric fields

We study the transition of ordered structures to disordered bands and vortices in colloidal suspensions subjected to AC electric fields. We map the critical frequencies and field biases at which particles form disordered bands and vortices. These results are interpreted based on the trajectory dynamics of particle pairs using blinking optical tweezers. Under conditions that vortices are observed, individual particle pairs rotate out of alignment with the field. The direction and magnitude of these interactions determine the orientation and average angular velocity of the band revolution. Increasing the frequency of the electric field reduces the anomalous rotation of the particles pairs, consistent with the frequency dependence of the suspension order-to-disorder transition. This anomalous rotation is consistent with a torque on doublets generated by the mutual polarization of particles and phase lag of the induced dipoles.     

Determination of peptide backbone torsion angles using double-quantum dipolar recoupling solid-state NMR spectroscopy

Several approaches for utilizing dipolar recoupling solid-state NMR (ssNMR) techniques to determine local structure at high resolution in peptides and proteins have been developed. However, many of these techniques measure only one torsion angle or are accurate for only certain classes of secondary structure. Additionally, the efficiency with which these dipolar recoupling experiments suppress the deleterious effects of chemical shift anisotropy (CSA) at high magnetic field strengths varies. Dipolar recoupling with a windowless sequence (DRAWS) has proven to be an effective pulse sequence for exciting double-quantum (DQ) coherences between adjacent carbonyl carbons along the peptide backbone. By allowing this DQ coherence to evolve, it is possible to measure the relative orientations of the CSA tensors and subsequently use this information to determine the Ramachandran torsion angles phi and psi. Here, we explore the accuracies of the assumptions made in interpreting DQ-DRAWS data and demonstrate their fidelity in measuring torsion angles corresponding to a variety of secondary structures irrespective of hydrogen-bonding patterns. It is shown how a simple choice of isotopic labels and experimental conditions allows accurate measurement of backbone secondary structures without any prior knowledge. This approach is considerably more sensitive for determining structure in helices and has comparable accuracy for beta-sheet and extended conformations relative to other methods. We also illustrate the ability of DQ-DRAWS to distinguish between structures in heterogeneous samples.     

Conversion of viscous liquid malathion into free flowing solids through co-inclusion in urea for multiple benefits

In current investigation, malathion—a thick viscous liquid insecticide was successfully converted into free flowing solids through co-inclusion in urea for multiple benefits. Resulting fertilizer—insecticide amalgamation offer steep reduction in toxicity/odor and improved handling/formulation characteristics. Malathion (MA), a widely used organophosphate insecticide was accommodated in urea host lattice in presence of long chain rapidly complexing agent (RCA). MA is entrapped in cavities of hexagonal urea and is accordingly not accessible either to the surface/environment for inhalation or for dermal contact. Therefore, personnel engaged in handling of hazardous insecticide will not be exposed after its containment in urea lattice. Insects will be exposed to insecticide only after malathion urea co-inclusion complex (MAUCIC) comes in contact with water in soil/crops following switching on of water distribution/sprinkling system in the fields. Since, MA is engulfed in urea channels, steep reduction in petroleum like skunk odor of MA was observed. Rheological studies revealed better flow properties of MAUCIC in comparison to viscous liquid malathion. This also results in reduced cost of transportation/packaging. Minimum amount of RCA required for co-inclusion of MA in urea was determined calorimetrically. Formation of MAUCIC was characterized by FTIR, DSC, XRD and ¹H-NMR studies. Thermal studies revealed increase in heat of decomposition with corresponding increase in proportion of RCA in MAUCICs. MAUCIC complex revealed uniform formulation composition and improved dissolution profile of MA. Studies reveal fertilizer–insecticide amalgamation to be a useful technique for formulation of viscous insecticide into free flowing products with improved handling characteristics.