A Niche Width Model of Optimal Specialization

Niche width theory, a part of organizational ecology, predicts whether specialist or generalist forms of organizations have higher fitness, in a continually changing environment. To this end, niche width theory uses a mathematical model borrowed from biology. In this paper, we first loosen the specialist-generalist dichotomy, so that we can predict the optimal degree of specialization. Second, we generalize the model to a larger class of environmental conditions, on the basis of the model's underlying assumptions. Third, we criticize the way the biological model is treated in sociological theory. Two of the model's dimensions seem to be confused, i.e., that of trait and environment; the predicted optimal specialization is a property of individual organizations, not of populations; and, the distinction between fine and coarse grained environments is superfluous.     

The Logic of Organizational Markets: Thinking Through Resource Partitioning Theory

Resource partitioning theory claims that Increasing concentration enhances the life chances of specialist organizations. We systematically think through this theory, specify implicit background assumptions, sharpen concepts, and rigorously check the theory's logic. As a result, we increase the theory's explanatory power, and claim—contrary to received opinion'that under certain general conditions, resource partitioning and the proliferation of specialists can take place independently of organizational mass and relative size effects, size localized competition, diversifying consumer tastes, increasing number of dimensions of the resource space, and changing niche widths. Our analysis makes furthermore clear that specialist and generalist strategies are asymmetric, and shows that not concentration enhances the life chances of specialists but economies of scale instead. Under the conditions explicated, we argue that if scale economies come to dominate, the number of organizations in the population increases, regardless of the incumbents' sizes.     

Amplification of chirality in helical supramolecular polymers beyond the long-chain limit

The optical activity of helical homopolymers devoid of chiral centers increases drastically when a small amount of homochiral monomers is incorporated into them. We study this so-called sergeants-and-soldiers effect of chirality amplification in solutions of helical supramolecular polymers with a theoretical model that bears a strong resemblance to a one-dimensional, two-component Ising model. In the limit of very long self-assembled helical polymers, the strength of the sergeants-and-soldiers effect depends strongly on the free energy of a helix reversal and less so on the concentration of aggregating material. Outside the long-chain limit, we find the reverse--that is, a strong concentration dependence and a weak dependence on the helix-reversal energy. Our treatment gives an excellent agreement with recently published circular-dichroism measurements on mixed aggregates of discotic molecules in the solvents water and n-butanol, at two different overall concentrations.     

The simple geometry of perfect information games

Perfect information games have a particularly simple structure of equilibria in the associated normal form. For generic such games each of the finitely many connected components of Nash equilibria is contractible. For every perfect information game there is a unique connected and contractible component of subgame perfect equilibria. Finally, the graph of the subgame perfect equilibrium correspondence, after a very mild deformation, looks like the space of perfect information extensive form games.     

Structure-performance relations in homogeneous Pd catalysis by in situ EXAFS spectroscopy

X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy is used to unravel the structure of homogeneous catalysts in their catalytically active phase (solution), for which other characterization techniques failed in providing detailed structural information. Application of in situ EXAFS shows that the conformation of the allylic fragment of (P-P)Pd(1,1-dimethylallyl) catalytic intermediate complexes in solution (i.e., reaction medium) differs from that in the solid state, dependent on the bidentate ligand. The change in orientation directly explains differences in regioselectivity in the allylic alkylation reaction, displayed by the distinct complexes.     

Influence of fullerene photodimerization on the PCBM crystallization in polymer: Fullerene bulk heterojunctions under thermal stress

For an increased lifetime of polymer:fullerene bulk heterojunction (BHJ) solar cells, an understanding of the chemical and morphological degradation phenomena taking place under operational conditions is crucial. Phase separation between polymer and fullerene induced by thermal stress has been pointed out as a major issue to overcome. While often the effect of thermal stress on the morphology of polymer:fullerene BHJ is investigated in the darkness, here we observe that light exposure slows down fullerene crystallization and phase separation induced at elevated temperatures. The observed photo‐stabilizing effect on active layer morphology is quite independent on the polymer and is attributed to light‐induced dimerization of the fullerene. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2013 , 51, 1209–1214     

Fast screening of Depolymerized Lignin Samples Through 2D-Liquid Chromatography Mapping

Lignin valorization and particularly its depolymerization into bio-aromatics, has emerged as an important research topic within green chemistry. However, screening of catalysts and reaction conditions within this field is strongly constrained by the lack of analytical techniques that allow for fast and detailed mapping of the product pools. This analytical gap results from the inherent product pool complexity and the focus of the state-of-the-art on monomers and dimers, overlooking the larger oligomers. In this work, this gap is bridged through the development of a quasi-orthogonal GPC-HPLC-UV/VIS method that is able to separate the bio-aromatics according to molecular weight (hydrodynamic volume) and polarity. The method is evaluated using model compounds and real lignin depolymerization samples. The resulting color plots provide a powerful graphical tool to rapidly assess differences in reaction selectivity towards monomers and dimers as well as to identify differences in the oligomers.     

A novel method to automate FGM progress variable with application to igniting combustion systems

This paper introduces a new method to formulate reaction progress variables for the application of FGM in combustion systems. The method involves a multiobjective optimisation to find a reaction progress variable that accurately reproduces complex reactive phenomenon of interest. In our current research, the method is applied to igniting non-premixed flames. The optimised progress variable combinations are evaluated for their accuracy in reproducing detailed chemistry results for the ignition of hydrocarbon fuels. Comparisons are made against conventional progress variable formulations used in the literature. The current approach takes into consideration the table resolution and error reduction for the application of FGM in combustion problems. Methods that rely on maximising the smoothness of the manifold or ensuring monotonic increase in progress variables alone are shown to be insufficient to capture ignition. The possibility of optimising the progress variable with emphasis on accurately resolving a particular zone or phase of combustion, such as ignition, while maintaining minimum data loss is demonstrated. Through its application in a number of igniting counterflow flames, the effectiveness of the current method is verified. Progress variables optimised using specific flame databases are shown to accurately reproduce the ignition delays even with moderate variations in boundary conditions of the respective flames.     

Measurement uncertainties of size, shape, and surface measurements using transmission electron microscopy of near-monodisperse, near-spherical nanoparticles

Carbon nanotubes are currently one of the most important materials due to their strong mechanical resistance, light weight, and transport properties. Since the publication of Ijima’s paper on tubular carbon structures (Iijima, Nature 354:56–58, 1991), approximately 80,000 research articles have been published according to the ISI web of science (WOS) database, using “carbon nanotube*” as the search criterion in the search by topic option. In this work, the development and impact of nanoscience and nanotechnology (N&N) and carbon nanotubes on several research areas, journals, specific papers, and emerging research areas are analyzed and discussed. Considering the production of papers in these areas from 1997 to 2012, quantitatively speaking, the People’s Republic of China is emerging as the leading country in N&N and carbon nanotube research, passing the United States of America. WOS data analysis of nanoscience, nanotechnology, and carbon nanotube research in developed and developing countries is discussed, and some ideas for accelerating the progress in these important research areas are proposed.