Raman spectra of magnetic field induced cholesteric → nematic phase transition in doped p-octoxybenzoic acid

Raman spectroscopy is employed to investigate helical twist formation in nematic and smectic C phases of p-n-octoxybenzoic acid (OBA) doped with a small amount of Cholesteric Nonanoate (CN). A cholesteric→ nematic phase transition in OBA/CN is induced by an external magnetic field in the temperature range 135–148°C. The threshold field (H_c) is equal to 8.0 kGauss for 0.33 % by weight CN/OBA, and no hysteresis is observed.     

Design parameters for rotating cylindrical filtration

Rotating cylindrical filtration displays significantly reduced plugging of filter pores and build-up of a cake layer, but the number and range of parameters that can be adjusted complicates the design of these devices. Twelve individual parameters were investigated experimentally by measuring the build-up of particles on the rotating cylindrical filter after a fixed time of operation. The build-up of particles on the filter depends on the rotational speed, the radial filtrate flow, the particle size and the gap width. Other parameters, such as suspension concentration and total flow rate are less important. Of the four mechanisms present in rotating filters to reduce pore plugging and cake build-up, axial shear, rotational shear, centrifugal sedimentation and vortical motion, the evidence suggests rotational shear is the dominant mechanism, although the other mechanisms still play minor roles. The ratio of the shear force acting parallel to the filter surface on a particle to the Stokes drag acting normal to the filter surface on the particle due to the difference between particle motion and filtrate flow can be used as a non-dimensional parameter that predicts the degree of particle build-up on the filter surface for a wide variety of filtration conditions.     

On the calculation of Rys polynomials and quadratures

A discretized Stieltjes procedure is used to generate Rys polynomials from a three-term recurrence relationship. We show that this process is numerically stable in contrast to the evaluation from the moments of the system and polynomial coefficients, i.e., the Stieltjes procedure, where numerical instabilities arise. Rys quadratures may thus be calculated in an accurate manner from the Rys polynomials generated via this discretized Stieltjes procedure.     

Chemically Delaminated Free‐Standing Ultrathin Covalent Organic Nanosheets

Covalent organic nanosheets (CONs) are a new class of porous thin two‐dimensional (2D) nanostructures that can be easily designed and functionalized and could be useful for separation applications. Poor dispersion, layer restacking, and difficult postsynthetic modifications are the major hurdles that need to be overcome to fabricate scalable CON thin films. Herein, we present a unique approach for the chemical exfoliation of an anthracene‐based covalent organic framework (COF) to N‐hexylmaleimide‐functionalized CONs, to yield centimeter‐sized free‐standing thin films through layer‐by‐layer CON assembly at the air–water interface. The thin‐layer fabrication technique presented here is simple, scalable, and does not require any surfactants or stabilizing agents.     

Distributions of singular values for some random matrices

The singular value decomposition is a matrix decomposition technique widely used in the analysis of multivariate data, such as complex space-time images obtained in both physical and biological systems. In this paper, we examine the distribution of singular values of low-rank matrices corrupted by additive noise. Past studies have been limited to uniform uncorrelated noise. Using diagrammatic and saddle point integration techniques, we extend these results to heterogeneous and correlated noise sources. We also provide perturbative estimates of error bars on the reconstructed low-rank matrix obtained by truncating a singular value decomposition.     

A potential role for protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibition by a RuIII-edta complex (edta = ethylenediaminetetraacetate) in its biological activity

[RuIII(edta)(OH2/OH)]1-/2- (edta = ethylenediaminetetraacetate) inhibits protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) at physiological pH values in a mechanism that involves binding of the Cys residue of the catalytic domain of the enzyme and similar interactions may be important in the anti-cancer properties of the active forms of many Ru pro-drugs.     

Quantum control mechanism analysis through field based Hamiltonian encoding: a laboratory implementable algorithm

While closed-loop control of quantum dynamics in the laboratory is proving to be broadly successful, the control mechanisms induced by the fields are often left obscure. Hamiltonian encoding (HE) was originally introduced as a method for understanding mechanisms in quantum dynamics in the context of computational simulations, based on access to the system wavefunction. As a step towards laboratory implementation of HE, this paper addresses the issues raised by the use of observables rather than the wavefunction in HE. The goal of laboratory based HE is to obtain an understanding of control mechanism through a sequence of systematic control experiments, whose collective information can identify the underlying control mechanism defined as the set of significant amplitudes connecting the initial and final states. Mechanism is determined by means of observing the dynamics of special sequences of system Hamiltonians encoded through the control field. The proposed algorithm can handle complex systems, operates with no recourse to dynamical simulations, and functions with limited understanding of the system Hamiltonian. As with the closed-loop control experiments, the HE control mechanism identification algorithm performs a new experiment each time the dynamical outcome from an encoded Hamiltonian is called for. This paper presents the basic HE algorithm in the context of physical systems described by a finite dimensional Hilbert space. The method is simulated with simple models, and the extension to more complex systems is discussed.     

Standardization of the ayurvedic formulation Haridra Khanda using high-performance thin-layer chromatography-densitometry

The present study aimed to standardize the Ayurvedic preparation Haridra Khanda containing Curcuma longa as a major ingredient. Various physicochemical parameters such as alcohol-soluble extractive, water-soluble extractive, total ash, and acid-insoluble ash were determined according to the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Microscopic evaluation of the formulation revealed the presence of various diagnostic cell structures of C. longa. Trace metal analysis indicated the absence of toxic metals such as As, Cd, Hg, and Pb. High-performance thin-layer chromatographic (HPTLC) fingerprint patterns at multiple wavelengths (254, 366, and 430 nm) identified the number of components present at each wavelength. The bioactive markers curcumin (C1), demethoxycurcumin (C2), and bisdemethoxycurcumin (C3) were quantified by using a simple, rapid, and efficient HPTLC method using plates precoated with silica gel 60F254 stationary phase. The instrumental precision [coefficient of variation (CV)] was 0.51, 0.64, and 0.79% and the repeatability of the method (CV) was 0.89, 1.11, and 0.95%, respectively, for C1 to C3. Limits of detection and quantitation for compounds C1 to C3 were 20, 20, and 15 ng and 50, 40, and 50 ng, respectively. Response was a linear function in the ranges of 50-350, 40-240, and 50-300 ng with correlation coefficient (r) = 0.9998, 0.9995, and 0.9992, respectively, for C1 to C3. The mean recovery values of 99.63 (C1), 98.65 (C2), and 98.97% (C3) indicated the excellent accuracy of the method. It is shown that HPTLC can be applied successfully for the marker evaluation of the formulation containing C. longa.     

Anisotropic charge transport properties of chrysene derivatives as organic semiconductor: A computational study

We used density functional theory to calculate the angular resolution anisotropic charge mobility of the substituted chrysene molecules, viz, 4,10‐diphenoxychrysene (DPC), 4,10‐bis(phenylsulfanyl)chrysene (BPSC), and ethyl 8,9,12‐trimethoxychrysene‐6‐carboxylate (ETCC). The highest occupied molecular orbital–lowest unoccupied molecular orbital gap for DPC, BPSC, and ETCC was calculated to be 3.92, 3.83, and 3.81 eV, respectively, which inferred the compounds to be wide‐band‐gap semiconductors indicating that the compounds should have high stability in atmospheric conditions. The fact is also supported by electronic band‐structure calculation. In addition, higher electron affinity of studied compounds as compared with the bare chrysene molecule imparts enhancement of n‐type character in the compounds. The maximum hole ( ) and electron mobilities ( ) for DPC compound were found to be 0.739 cm²V^?1s^?1 and 0.319 cm²V^?1s^?1, respectively, at Φ = 0°. On the other hand, in the case of BPSC crystal, comparatively larger anisotropic electron mobility (0.709 cm²V^?1s^?1 at Φ = 0° and Φ = 179.90°) than the hole mobility (0.208 cm²V^?1s^?1 at Φ = 127.19° and Φ = 307.10°) was noted. Similarly, in ETCC, the parallel dimers were found to contribute maximum and of 0.052 and 0.102 cm²V^?1s^?1, respectively, at Φ = 0°. The substitution of ‐SPh in BPSC and ‐OCH₃ and ‐CO₂CH₂CH₃ in ETCC have relatively more impact on band reduction than ‐OPh in DPC, thus facilitating electron transport in BPSC and ETCC.     

Assessment of recovery and recrystallisation behaviours of cold rolled IF steel through non-destructive electromagnetic characterisation

The recovery and recrystallisation behaviours of cold rolled IF steel have been investigated by destructive (optical microscopy and hardness) and non-destructive electromagnetic sensor, (which allows direct measurement of strip samples with no surface preparation) techniques. The onset and completion of recrystallisation are clearly monitored through destructive techniques of optical microscopy and hardness measurements. The nucleation of new recrystallised grains is observed in the sample annealed at 600 °C/15 min, while completion of recrystallisation takes place at 700 °C/15 min. The destructive techniques are not very accurate in monitoring recovery, for example, changes in hardness of <20% are seen. In contrast, the magnetic properties of annealed steel show the onsets of both recovery and recrystallisation, with recovery accounting for ≈60% change in the coercivity value. Therefore, the measurement of magnetic softening through an electromagnetic sensor acts a crucial role for understanding recovery and recrystallisation behaviours of steels during industrial processing. The present investigation is aimed not only for controlling product quality but also saving characterisation time through off line monitoring during steel processing at industry.