Is there a causal relation between mathematical creativity and mathematical problem-solving performance?

The relationship between mathematical creativity (MC) and mathematical problem-solving performance (MP) has often been studied but the causal relation between these two constructs has yet to be clearly reported. The main purpose of this study was to define the causal relationship between MC and MP. Data from a representative sample of 480 eighth-grade students were analysed using a cross-lagged panel correlation (CLPC) design. CLPC attempts to rule out plausible alternative explanation of a causal effect. The result suggests that significant predominant causal relationship was found between MC and MP. It indicates that MP was found to be a cause of MC than the converse.     

Molecular complexity from aromatics. Studies on synthesis of polycyclic system related to crotogoudin

Synthesis of tricyclic systems related to crotogoudin from a simple aromatic precursor has been described. Oxidative dearomatization, tandem retro-Diels–Alder/Diels–Alder reaction and ring-closing metathesis are the key features of our approach.     

A Simple Alkylative 1,2-Carbonyl Transposition of Cyclohexenones

Acid catalysed dehydration of the diols 5 , derived from the cyclohexenone 3 affords mixtures of 8 and 11 . The product ratio 8/11 , although strongly dependent on both the reaction conditions and the substituent R, is independent of the diol configuration; this indicates a cationic intermediate 6 . Conditions were found, which allow the sequence A → B → C → D (Scheme 2) to be applied to the syntheses of the enones 8, 21 and 25 in fair to good yields from the corresponding cyclohexenones 3, 18 and 22 .     

Synthesis of spongy gold nanocrystals with pronounced catalytic activities

A simple and easier chemical method for preparing spongy gold nanocrystals has been developed on the basis of a modified-citrate reduction technique of the corresponding gold salt at 25 degrees C in the absence of template. These nanocrystals possessed autocatalytic behavior and exhibited pronounced catalytic activity in the borohydride reduction of 4-nitrophenol due to their unique spongy morphology.     

Zur Existenz von k-Kurven in endlichen Ebenen

We prove the existence of k-arcs in finite planes of order q with a lower bound b=b(q) for k.     

On properties of <Emphasis Type="Italic">G</Emphasis>-expansive homeomorphisms

We show that LUB of the set of G-expansive constants for a G-expansive homeomorphism h on a compact metric G-space, G compact, is not a G-expansive constant for h. We obtain a result regarding projecting and lifting of G-expansive homeomorphisms having interesting applications. We also prove that the G-expansiveness is a dynamical property for homeomorphisms on compact metric G-spaces and study G-periodic points.     

On fuzzy semi δ-<Emphasis Type=Italic>V</Emphasis> continuity in fuzzy δ-<Emphasis Type=Italic>V</Emphasis> topological space

New concepts of fuzzy semi δ-V and fuzzy semi δ-Λ sets were introduced in our work “On fuzzy semi δ-Λ sets and fuzzy semi δ-V sets V-6,” J. Trip. Math. Soc., 6, 81–88 (2004). It was shown that the family of all fuzzy semi δ-V sets forms a fuzzy supra topological space on X denoted by (X, FS ^δV ). The aim of this paper is to introduce the concept of fuzzy semi δ-V continuity in a fuzzy δ-V topological space. Finally, some properties, preservation theorems, etc., are studied. Published in Ukrains’kyi Matematychnyi Zhurnal, Vol. 60, No. 5, pp. 712–717, May, 2008.     

Cytotoxic Oligomers and Fibrils Trapped in a Gel‐like State of α‐Synuclein Assemblies

α‐Synuclein (α‐Syn) aggregation is associated with Parkinson's disease (PD) pathogenesis. In PD, the role of oligomers versus fibrils in neuronal cell death is debatable, but recent studies suggest oligomers are a proximate neurotoxin. Herein, we show that soluble α‐Syn monomers undergo a transformation from a solution to a gel state on incubation at high concentration. Detailed characterization of the gel showed the coexistence of monomers, oligomers, and short fibrils. In vitro, the gel was highly cytotoxic to human neuroblastoma cells. The individual constituents of the gel are short‐lived species but toxic to the cells. They comprise a structurally heterogeneous population of α‐helical and β‐sheet‐rich oligomers and short fibrils with the cross‐β motif. Given the recent evidence of the gel‐like state of the protein associated with neurodegenerative diseases, the gel state of α‐Syn in this study represents a mechanistic and structural model for the in vivo toxicity of α‐Syn in PD.     

Bimetallic Ag‐Pt Sub‐nanometer Supported Clusters as Highly Efficient and Robust Oxidation Catalysts

A combined experimental and theoretical investigation of Ag‐Pt sub‐nanometer clusters as heterogeneous catalysts in the CO→CO₂ reaction (COox) is presented. Ag₉Pt₂ and Ag₉Pt₃ clusters are size‐selected in the gas phase, deposited on an ultrathin amorphous alumina support, and tested as catalysts experimentally under realistic conditions and by first‐principles simulations at realistic coverage. In situ GISAXS/TPRx demonstrates that the clusters do not sinter or deactivate even after prolonged exposure to reactants at high temperature, and present comparable, extremely high COox catalytic efficiency. Such high activity and stability are ascribed to a synergic role of Ag and Pt in ultranano‐aggregates, in which Pt anchors the clusters to the support and binds and activates two CO molecules, while Ag binds and activates O₂, and Ag/Pt surface proximity disfavors poisoning by CO or oxidized species.     

Removal of VOCs from air by membrane-based absorption and stripping

Atmospheric emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as toluene, xylene, acetone etc. from industrial facilities causes serious environmental problems and financial losses. Existing technologies for VOC emission abatement have many strengths as well as considerable limitations. A regenerative absorption-based process for removal of VOCs from N₂ in an inert, nonvolatile, organic liquid flowing in compact hollow fiber devices has been studied here. These devices eliminate flooding, loading and entrainment encountered in conventional absorption units. Detailed experimental results and theoretical analyses for absorption studies were communicated elsewhere. The overall performance of the combined absorption-stripping process is described here; it appears to be controlled by stripping due to the low temperature and the lower membrane surface area in the stripper. The difference between only absorption and combined absorption-stripping results was more pronounced for VOC-absorbent systems having higher Henry's law constant and diffusivity. A theoretical model has been developed from first principles to simulate the behavior of the membrane stripper; this has been combined with the model for the membrane absorber to determine the overall process performance. Simulated results obtained from the mathematical models agree well with the experimental results for combined absorption-stripping. Simulation results suggest that higher stripping temperature and larger stripper area enhance the performance considerably.