Dynamics of milling processes with variable time delays

A milling-process model with a variable time delay associated with each cutting tooth is presented in this article. The source of this variable time delay is the feed rate. The effect of the feed motion on the entry cutting angle, the exit cutting angle, and the amplitude of feed mark is also discussed. Loss-of-contact effects are also considered. The system dynamics is described by a set of delay differential equations with periodic coefficients and variable time delays. A semi-discretization scheme is presented for analyzing the stability of periodic orbits of this system. The analysis provides evidence of period-doubling bifurcations and secondary Hopf bifurcations. Good agreement is found between the numerical results obtained from this work and the results of related experimental studies.     

Multivalent binding motifs for the noncovalent functionalization of graphene

Single-layer graphene is a newly available conductive material ideally suited for forming well-defined interfaces with electroactive compounds. Aromatic moieties typically interact with the graphene surface to maximize van der Waals interactions, predisposing most compounds to lie flat on its basal plane. Here we describe a tripodal motif that binds multivalently to graphene through three pyrene moieties and projects easily varied functionality away from the surface. The thermodynamic and kinetic binding parameters of a tripod bearing a redox-active Co(II) bis-terpyridyl complex were investigated electrochemically. The complex binds strongly to graphene and forms monolayers with a molecular footprint of 2.3 nm(2) and a ΔG(ads) = -38.8 ± 0.2 kJ mol(-1). Its monolayers are stable in fresh electrolyte for more than 12 h and desorb from graphene 1000 times more slowly than model compounds bearing a single aromatic binding group. Differences in the heterogeneous rate constants of electron transfer between the two compounds suggest that the tripod projects its redox couple away from the graphene surface.     

A re-investigation of [Fe(L-cysteinate)2(CO)2]2-: an example of non-heme CO coordination of possible relevance to CO binding to ion channel receptors

[Fe(L-cysteinate)(2)(CO)(2)](2-) is a CO releasing molecule which has low cytotoxicity to RAW264.7 macrophages. It provides an example of CO binding using ligands available to ion channels which use CO as a signalling molecule in the absence of heme. Previous work has shown that this compound consists of five isomers and it was proposed that the two isomers with trans-dicarbonyls are dominant. In this work the isomers are re-assigned and shown to be capable of releasing CO, albeit too slowly to act as a signalling receptor. It is shown that by linking the two L-cysteines together to form [Fe(SCH(2)CH{CO(2)H}NHCH(2))(2)(CO)(2)], only one isomer is isolated.     

Iterative process for G-multi degree reduction of Bézier curves

In this paper, the issue of multi-degree reduction of Bézier curves with C¹ and G²-continuity at the end points of the curve is considered. An iterative method, which is the first of this type, is derived. It is shown that this algorithm converges and can be applied iteratively to get the required accuracy. Some examples and figures are given to demonstrate the efficiency of this method.     

Study of Nb2O(y) (y = 2-5) anion and neutral clusters using anion photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations

A study combining anion photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations on the transition metal suboxide series, Nb(2)O(y)(-) (y = 2-5), is described. Photoelectron spectra of the clusters are obtained, and Franck-Condon simulations using calculated anion and neutral structures and frequencies are used to evaluate the calculations and assign transitions observed in the spectra. The spectra, several of which exhibit partially resolved vibrational structure, show an increase in electron affinity with increasing cluster oxidation state. Hole-burning experiments suggest that the photoelectron spectra of both Nb(2)O(2)(-) and Nb(2)O(3)(-) have contributions from more than one structural isomer. Reasonable agreement between experiment and computational results is found among all oxides.     

Hydrothermal descriptive chemistry and single crystal structure determination of cesium and rubidium thorium fluorides

Two new cesium thorium fluorides and three new rubidium thorium fluorides have been synthesized hydrothermally and structurally characterized. The structures of two polymorphs of CsTh(3)F(13) are described in space group P6/mmm with a = 8.2608(14) and c = 8.6519(17) and space group Pmc2(1) with a = 8.1830(16), b = 7.5780(15), and c = 8.6244(17). The analogous orthorhombic compound RbTh(3)F(13), with a = 8.1805(16), b = 7.4378(15), and c = 8.6594(17) in space group Pmc2(1), is also reported. Two other rubidium thorium fluorides are also described: RbTh(2)F(9) crystallizes in the space group Pnma where a = 8.9101(18), b = 11.829(2), and c = 7.4048(15), and Rb(7)Th(6)F(31) crystallizes in the space group R3 where a = 15.609(2) and c = 10.823(2). Comparison of these materials was made on the basis of their structures and synthesis conditions. The formation of these species in hydrothermal fluids appears to be dependent upon the concentration of the alkali fluoride mineralizer solution and, thus, the ratio of alkali ions to thorium in the system.     

The relationship between redox enzyme activity and electrochemical potential-cellular and mechanistic implications from protein film electrochemistry

In protein film electrochemistry a redox protein of interest is studied as an electroactive film adsorbed on an electrode surface. For redox enzymes this configuration allows quantification of the relationship between catalytic activity and electrochemical potential. Considered as a function of enzyme environment, i.e., pH, substrate concentration etc., the activity-potential relationship provides a fingerprint of activity unique to a given enzyme. Here we consider the nature of the activity-potential relationship in terms of both its cellular impact and its origin in the structure and catalytic mechanism of the enzyme. We propose that the activity-potential relationship of a redox enzyme is tuned to facilitate cellular function and highlight opportunities to test this hypothesis through computational, structural, biochemical and cellular studies.     

Comparison of Eucalyptus cinerea essential oils produced by hydrodistillation and supercritical carbon dioxide extraction

The essential oil of Eucalyptus cinerea is reported to possess a higher 1,8-cineole content than other Eucalyptus species. Variations in the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of E. cinerea oil produced by hydrodistillation (HD) and supercritical carbon dioxide extraction (SCE) techniques and a comparison between glycoside-bound and free volatile constituents produced by HD have been studied. It was found that HD produced higher oil (free volatiles) content (3.1%) as compared with SCE (1.1%), whereas bound volatiles constituted only about 0.4%. Gas chromatographic (GC) analysis of the oil samples revealed significant difference in their chemical composition. The essential oil (free volatiles) produced by HD contained 1,8-cineole (85.1%) as the major constituent, followed by a-terpineol (7.2%) and limonene (4.4%). In the bound volatile fraction produced by HD, 1,8 cineole (20.6%), alpha-terpineol (7.6%), p-cymene (6.3%), and limonene (4.5%) were found as major constituents. The extract produced by SCE was dominated by 1,8-cineole (70.4%), a-terpineol (8.6%), globulol (3.1%), aromadendrene (2%), citronellal (1.7%), viridiflorol (1.3%), phytol (1.1%) and terpinen-4-ol (1%). Although HD produced higher oil yields, SCE produced better extract in terms of the number of components detected.     

Liquid crystal elastomers: Synthesis and characterization

The synthesis is described of some acrylate based polymers containing both a mesogenic group (4-cyanophenyl benzoate) connected to the polymer backbone by a flexible spacer, and varying degrees of crosslinking, introduced by copolymerization. Optical and calorimetric techniques are used to determine the phase behavior, which is found to depend strongly on the crosslink density (and the flexible spacer length); though (nominally) a relatively high degree of crosslinking is possible without completely destroying the liquid crystal phase. Mechanical measurements in conjunction with supplementary analytical data, where available, are used to determine the efficiency of copolymerization at introducing intermolecular crosslinking. Some possible explanations for the unexpectedly low efficiency of this process are discussed. The properties of materials prepared in this fashion are compared briefly with some examples where crosslinking is introduced after polymerization; this latter process is seen to be rather more efficient.