Minimal-speed selection of traveling waves to the Lotka–Volterra competition model

In this paper the minimal-speed determinacy of traveling wave fronts of a two-species competition model of diffusive Lotka–Volterra type is investigated. First, a cooperative system is obtained from the classical Lotka–Volterra competition model. Then, we apply the upper-lower solution technique on the cooperative system to study the traveling waves as well as its minimal-speed selection mechanisms: linear or nonlinear. New types of upper and lower solutions are established. Previous results for the linear speed selection are extended, and novel results on both linear and nonlinear selections are derived.     

On virtual pathwidth of virtual graphs of a virtual link

The geometric representation of a knot is not too dissimilar from a graph and this interaction has helped mathematicians to solve many problems. In this paper, we apply graph theory tools to study the classification of virtual knots and links. We define virtual planar graphs and compute virtual path width of an associated graph of a virtual link. We show that the virtual path width of an associated graph is equal to the virtual bridge number of a pseudo prime knot.     

Boundary element method for wave trapping by a multi-layered trapezoidal breakwater near a sloping rigid wall

This study examines the multiple layers in a rubble mound breakwater and their effect on reflection and dissipation of incoming ocean waves. The numerical model is developed using multi-domain boundary element method for oblique water wave trapping near a sloping wall by a multi-layered trapezoidal porous structure, which is utilized to model armour, filter and core layers while examining the hydrodynamics in different configurations. Both, the constant element and linear element approaches to boundary element method are discussed. The cases of bottom-standing porous structures as being submerged and fully extended are considered. The wave hydrodynamics over the structure is described by the reflection and dissipation coefficients along with the forces acting on the sloping wall, and is influenced by wave and structural parametrics of the system. The influence of armour layer in different configurations is highlighted for various structural and wave parameters.

     

An analytical approach for calculating natural frequencies of finite one-dimensional acoustic metamaterials

In this paper, an analytical matrix method is presented to drive closed-form characteristic equations for natural frequencies of finite monoatomic and diatomic metamaterials with various boundary conditions. Here, we extend the matrix method introduced by Louck for monoatomic lattice chains. The proposed method is used to calculate the vibration frequencies of the monoatomic metamaterials with fixed–fixed, fixed-free and free-free boundary conditions. In addition, the natural frequencies of fixed–fixed diatomic metamaterials are calculated. The existence of band gaps in the frequencies of the metamaterials is numerically shown.

     

Dynamical behavior of a stochastic Nicholson’s blowflies model with distributed delay and degenerate diffusion

Nonlinear Dynamics - The mathematical model with time delay is often more practical because it is subject to current and past state. What remains unclear are the details, such as how time delay and...     

Dietary Flavonoids: Cardioprotective Potential with Antioxidant Effects and Their Pharmacokinetic,Toxicological and Therapeutic Concerns

Flavonoids comprise a large group of structurally diverse polyphenolic compounds of plant origin and are abundantly found in human diet such as fruits, vegetables, grains, tea, dairy products, red wine, etc. Major classes of flavonoids include flavonols, flavones, flavanones, flavanols, anthocyanidins, isoflavones, and chalcones. Owing to their potential health benefits and medicinal significance, flavonoids are now considered as an indispensable component in a variety of medicinal, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and cosmetic preparations. Moreover, flavonoids play a significant role in preventing cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), which could be mainly due to their antioxidant, antiatherogenic, and antithrombotic effects. Epidemiological and in vitro/in vivo evidence of antioxidant effects supports the cardioprotective function of dietary flavonoids. Further, the inhibition of LDL oxidation and platelet aggregation following regular consumption of food containing flavonoids and moderate consumption of red wine might protect against atherosclerosis and thrombosis. One study suggests that daily intake of 100 mg of flavonoids through the diet may reduce the risk of developing morbidity and mortality due to coronary heart disease (CHD) by approximately 10%. This review summarizes dietary flavonoids with their sources and potential health implications in CVDs including various redox-active cardioprotective (molecular) mechanisms with antioxidant effects. Pharmacokinetic (oral bioavailability, drug metabolism), toxicological, and therapeutic aspects of dietary flavonoids are also addressed herein with future directions for the discovery and development of useful drug candidates/therapeutic molecules.     

Crystal structures and vibrational spectra of triphenylphosphonium hexahalogenodigallates(II), (Ph3PH)2Ga2X6 (X=Cl,Br, or I)

The crystal structures of the gallium(II) complexes (Ph₃PH)₂Ga₂X₆ (X=Cl, Br, I) have been determined. The anions are Ga-Ga bonded species, with staggered ethane conformations; the length of the Ga-Ga bond increases only slightly along the series I>Br>Cl, although there are significant changes in the Ga-Ga stretching force constant in the order Cl>Br>I. The vibrational spectra and derived force constants are discussed, as is the splitting of thev(P-H) [andv(P-D)] mode of the cation which is related to disorder in the structure of the neighboring Ga₂X₆ ^2– anions.     

Optical and energy-loss spectra of ZnS from ab initio molecular dynamics simulation: Temperature effect

First-principles molecular dynamics simulation has been performed so as to investigate the optical and energy-loss spectra of ZnS. Features such as dielectric function, density of states, reflectivity, refractive index and energy-loss function have been studied. Furthermore, the influence of temperature on the optical properties of interest is reported and discussed.     

Effect of NH4I and I2 concentration on agar gel polymer electrolyte properties for a dye-sensitized solar cell

Gel polymer electrolytes were prepared using agar polymer host, NH₄I, and I₂ salts. The sample of agar paste with 1.0 M of NH₄I and 0.2 μM of I₂ exhibits the highest conductivity and lowest viscosity values at room temperature of (2.64?±?0.19)?×?10^?3?S?cm^?1 and 1.17?±?0.29 Pa?s, respectively. All of the gel polymer electrolytes display Arrhenian behavior, and the optimum agar paste gave the lowest activation energy of 0.25 eV. It also had a good physical appearance compared with the other samples. This gel polymer electrolyte had a good potential and was applicable to a role as electrolyte in ITO-ZnO (N719 dye)/agar paste?+?1.0 M NH₄I?+?0.2 μM I₂/Au-Pd-ITO dye-sensitized solar cell.