On numerical realizability of thermal convection

Astounded at the regularity of convective structures observed in simulations of mesoscale flow past realistic topography, we investigate the computational aspects of a classical problem of flow over a heated plane. We find that the numerical solutions are sensitive to viscosity, either incorporated a priori or effectively realized in computational models. In particular, anisotropic viscosity can lead to regular convective structures that mimic naturally realizable Rayleigh–Bénard cells, which are unphysical for the specified external parameter range. Details of the viscosity appear to play a secondary role; that is, similar structures can occur for prescribed constant viscosities, explicit subgrid-scale turbulence models, ad-hoc numerical filters, or implicit dissipation of numerical schemes. This implies the need for a careful selection of numerical tools suitable for convection-resolving simulations of atmospheric circulations. The implicit large-eddy-simulation (ILES) approach using non-oscillatory schemes is especially attractive, as for under-resolved calculations it reproduces well the coarsened results of finely-resolved boundary layer convection.     

Arbiter as the Third Man in Classical and Quantum Games

We study the possible influence of a not necessarily sincere arbiter on the course of classical and quantum 2×2 games and we show that this influence in the quantum case is much bigger than in the classical case. Extreme sensitivity of quantum games on initial states of quantum objects used as carriers of information in a game shows that a quantum game, contrary to a classical game, is not defined by a payoff matrix alone but also by an initial state of objects used to play a game. Therefore, two quantum games that have the same payoff matrices but begin with different initial states should be considered as different games.     

Vortex fluctuations in underdoped Bi(2)Sr(2)CaCu(2)O(8+delta) crystals

Vortex thermal fluctuations in heavily underdoped Bi(2)Sr(2)CaCu(2)O(8+delta) (T(c)=69.4 K) are studied using Josephson plasma resonance. From the zero-field data, we obtain the c-axis penetration depth lambda(L,c)(0)=230+/-10 micrometer and the anisotropy ratio gamma(T). The low plasma frequency allows us to study phase correlations over the whole vortex solid state and to extract a wandering length r(w) of vortex pancakes. The temperature dependence of r(w) as well as its increase with dc magnetic field is explained by the renormalization of the vortex line tension by the fluctuations, suggesting that this softening is responsible for the dissociation of the vortices at the first order transition.     

Effect of temperature on spectroscopic features relevant to laser performance of YVO4:Tm3+, GdVO4:Tm3+, and LuVO4:Tm3+ crystals

Optical spectra and luminescence decay curves were measured for thulium-doped YVO(4), GdVO(4), and LuVO(4) single crystals as a function of temperature in the 300-670 K temperature region. In spite of structural similarity, the three systems studied display significantly different transition intensities and nonradiative relaxation rates. It was found, in particular, that the peak value of the pump band absorption intensity diminishes by about 30% for Tm:YVO(4) and Tm:GdVO(4), and the effective emission cross section for the laser transition of Tm(3+) diminishes by a factor of 2 roughly when temperature increases from 300 to 500 K. An unusually small quantum efficiency of the upper laser level in Tm:LuVO(4) has been derived from the analysis of luminescence decay curves.     

KINETIC STUDY OF ALKOXIDE PROMOTED DECOMPOSITION OF ORGANIC PHOSPHONIUM COMPOUNDS Evidence for Hexacovalent Intermediate

Abstract

This study reports rate data of the alkoxide promoted decomposition of triphenyl 3-hydroxypropyl phosphonium chloride, diphenyl di(3-hydroxypropyl)phosphonium chloride, and tetraphenyl phosphonium bromide. Comparison of kinetics, rate constants, and activation parameters of the alkoxide promoted decompositions points to different mechanism as compared to the hydroxyl promoted reaction. The alkoxide reaction is believed to proceed via a hexacovalent intermediate. Reasons for the hexacovalent route are discussed.     

UHPLC: The Greening Face of Liquid Chromatography

Pharmaceutical analysis based on chromatographic separation is an important part of studies aimed at developing routine quality analysis of drugs. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is one of the main analytical techniques recommended for drug analysis. Although it meets many criteria vital for analysis, it is time-consuming and uses a relatively high amount of organic solvents compared to other analytical techniques. Recently, Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) has been frequently proposed as an alternative to HPLC, which means introducing an environment-friendly approach to drug analysis achieved by reducing the consumption of solvents. It also offers greater chromatographic resolution and higher sensitivity as well as requiring less time due to faster analysis. This review focuses on the basics of UHPLC, compares that technique with HPLC and discusses the possibilities of applying UHPLC for the analysis of different pharmaceuticals and biopharmaceuticals.     

A Modified Synthesis of 9-(1,2-Dichlorovinyl)carbazole by Using Crown Ethers and Cryptands in a Non-aqueous System

The 9-[(E)-1,2-dichloroviny1]carbazole is a starting material for synthesis of 9-ethynyl-carbazole [1], which in term is monomer for preparation of photoconductive polymers [2]. Dichlorovinylation of carbazole in a solid-liquid two phase system in the presence of crown and cryptand catalysts has been studied. Application of the Phase Transfer Catalysis in the nonaqueous system increases yield of 9-[(E)-1,2-dichloroviny1]carbazole in comparison to the methods based on liquid-liquid system with benzyltriethylammonium chloride (TEBA) or dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) as catalysts.     

Biosorption of toxic metals using freely suspended Microcystis aeruginosa biomass

This paper describes the potential application of a freely suspended cyanobacterial biomass of Microcystis aeruginosa as a sorption material for toxic metals, cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) from aqueous solutions. In order to identify the most suitable conditions for removal of these elements (concentration range: 1–20 mg L^?1), the laboratory experiments were carried out during different incubation times (1–48 h) and under various temperatures (10–40°C), pH (5–9) and with or without light irradiance. Competitive biosorption of Cd and Pb was also investigated. We found that M. aeruginosa demonstrates high efficiency in removing both of the studied metals from aqueous solutions. Sorption of Pb occurred, however, more rapidly and effectively, and was less disturbed by changes in physico-chemical conditions. Under pH=7, 25°C and light, the removal rates after 3 h and 6 h of incubation, were 90–100% for Pb and 79.5–100% for Cd, respectively. The co-occurrence of the metals decreased the rate of metal biosorption. Pb was sequestered preferentially over Cd. From the results we conclude that freely suspended M. aeruginosa can constitute a promising low-cost, easy-producible biosorbent material for toxic metals in contaminated wastewater.