Orientation dependent far-infrared terahertz absorptions in single crystal pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) using terahertz time-domain spectroscopy

Terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THZ-TDS) has been used to measure the absorption spectra in the range 7-100 cm(-1) (0.2-3 THz) of single crystal pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN). Absorption was measured in transmission mode as a function of incident polarization with the incident and transmitted wave vectors oriented along the crystallographic directions [100], <10(a/c)(2)>, and <110>. Samples were rotated with respect to the incident polarization while absorption was measured at both 300 and 20 K. Comparatively minor differences were observed among the three orientations. Two broad absorptions at 72 and >90 cm(-1), and several weaker absorptions at 36, 55, 80, and 82 cm(-1), have been observed at cryogenic temperatures.     

Identification of potential complementary serum biomarkers to differentiate prostate cancer from benign prostatic hyperplasia using gel- and lectin-based proteomics analyses

Diagnosis of prostate cancer (PCa) is currently much reliant on the invasive and time-consuming transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy of the prostate gland, particularly in light of the inefficient use of prostate-specific antigen as its biomarker. In the present study, we have profiled the sera of patients with PCa and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) using the gel- and lectin-based proteomics methods and demonstrated the significant differential expression of apolipoprotein AII, complement C3 beta chain fragment, inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain 4 fragment, transthyretin, alpha-1-antitrypsin, and high molecular weight kininogen (light chain) between the two groups of patients' samples. Our data are suggestive of the potential use of the serum proteins as complementary biomarkers to effectively discriminate PCa from BPH, although this requires further extensive validation on clinically representative populations.     

Nanoparticulate cathode thin films with high electrochemical activity for low temperature SOFC applications

Nanocrystalline La_0.6Sr_0.4Co_0.2Fe_0.8O_3 − δ (LSCF) and La_0.25Ba_0.25Sr_0.5Co_0.2Fe_0.8O_3 − δ (LBSCF) with a high specific surface area (~ 40 m²/g) were synthesized by spray pyrolysis. The as prepared powder was characterized by X-ray diffraction, nitrogen adsorption, and high-resolution electron microscopy. Water-based dispersions of pure LSCF, LBSCF and mixtures containing gadolinium doped ceria (GDC) with agglomerate sizes of approx. 50 nm were prepared by application of ultrasonic energy. Spin coating was employed to prepare porous thin films. The thickness of the films (≤1 μm) was more than 10–20 times lower than conventional cathode layers. The interfacial polarization resistances of LBSCF cathodes are 19, 38, and 101 mΩ cm² at 650, 600, and 550 °C, respectively. The high performance is attributed to the nanometer-sized grain dimensions, the nanoporosity, and the large specific surface area within the cathode layer. The novel approach of preparing nanoparticulate thin film cathodes suggests strong benefit for Micro Solid Oxide Fuel Cells operating below 500 °C.     

One-pot solvent-free synthesis of 2,3-dihydro-2-substituted-1H-naphtho[1,2-e][1,3]oxazine derivatives using Fe3O4@nano-cellulose/TiCl as a bio-based and recyclable magnetic nano-catalyst

Molecular Diversity - The present study describes an efficient and environmentally benign protocol for the synthesis of 2,3-dihydro-2-substituted-1H-naphtho[1,2-e][1,3]oxazine derivatives....     

Approximate solutions of singular two-point BVPs by modified homotopy analysis method

In this Letter, approximate solutions of singular two-point boundary value problems (BVPs) are obtained by the modified homotopy analysis methods (MHAM). MHAM provides a convenient way of controlling the convergence region and rate of the series solution. The numerical tests show the capability of MHAM for singular BVPs.     

Modified Baptista type chaotic cryptosystem via matrix secret key

In 1998, M.S. Baptista proposed a chaotic cryptosystem using the ergodicity property of the simple low-dimensional and chaotic logistic equation. Since then, many cryptosystems based on Baptista's work have been proposed. However, over the years research has shown that this cryptosystem is predictable and vulnerable to attacks and is widely discussed. Among the weaknesses are the non-uniform distribution of ciphertexts and succumbing to the one-time pad attack (a type of chosen plaintext attack). In this Letter, our objective is to modify the chaotic cryptographic scheme proposed previously. We use a matrix secret key such that the cryptosystem would no longer succumb to the one-time pad attack.     

Age-group-targeted testing for COVID-19 as a new prevention strategy

Nonlinear Dynamics - Robust testing and tracing are key to fighting the menace of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This outbreak has progressed with tremendous impact on human life, society and...     

Correction for polarization effects in proton-proton scattering in a perturbation quantum-chromodhnamics framework

The differential effective cross sections of proton-proton scattering and the Drell-Jahn process are calculated using perturbation quantum chromodynamics in a Fermi-Feynmann gauge, and the spin asymmetry of the hadrons is found. M. é. Rasulzade Baku State University. Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 7, pp. 105–110, July, 1996.     

Formation of a cubic Sr2MnWO6 phase at elevated temperature; a neutron powder diffraction study

In a temperature dependent neutron powder diffraction (NPD) study we observed the high temperature cubic phase at 973 K in the polycrystalline double perovskite Sr₂MnWO₆. Rietveld analysis of the NPD data shows that the room temperature tetragonal phase exists up to 573 K (space group P4₂/n, a=8.0119 (4) Å, c=8.0141(8) Å). At 773 K, the primitive tetragonal symmetry change to body-centred tetragonal (space group I4/m, a=5.6935(5) Å, c=8.077(1) Å) and finally at 973 K it becomes face-centred cubic (space group Fm-3m, a=8.0864(8) Å). The changes in the structural symmetry are connected to the small distortion of the B-site octahedra, which are insensitive to the Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA) signal.