Joint Randomized Decisions in Chance-Constrained Programming

Mukherjee has considered the problem (P) of minimizing E[X₁ + X₂] subject to

Open image in new window

where b₁ is uniform over (0,2), and b₂ is uniform over (0,4), assuming b₁ and b₂ to be independent. It is shown in this paper that his solution is incorrect, and a correct solution is presented under the less restrictive assumption that X₁ and X₂ have any joint distribution.     

Correlated layer structures: a novel type of liquid crystalline phase with 2D-lattice

A novel liquid crystalline quaternary five-block molecule is reported which is composed of four incompatible molecular parts, a rigid biphenyl core, two polar 2,3-dihydroxypropoxy groups in the terminal 4- and 4'-positions, and a branched semiperfluorinated chain in the lateral 3-position, consisting of a perfluorinated and a lipophilic hydrocarbon wing. The self-organization of this compound was studied by polarized light optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and X-ray diffraction of aligned samples. These investigations confirm a novel liquid crystalline phase with two-dimensional (2D) lattice (columnar mesophase), which results from the positional correlation of smectic layers. The layer structure results from the segregation of the bolaamphiphilic parts from the side chains. Within the aromatic sublayers the biphenyl cores are arranged parallel to the layer planes, and the hydrogen-bonding networks of the terminal diol groups are segregated from the biphenyl cores, forming separate columns. The correlation between adjacent layers is due to the (partial) segregation of the fluorinated and hydrogenated parts of the lateral chains in the nonpolar sublayers.     

Liquid crystalline bolaamphiphiles with semiperfluorinated lateral chains: competition between layerlike and honeycomb-like organization

Novel bolaamphiphilic triblockmolecules consisting of a rigid biphenyl unit, with a polar 2,3-dihydroxypropyloxy group and a phenolic OH group at opposite ends, as well as a semiperfluorinated chain in a lateral position have been synthesized via palladium catalyzed cross coupling reactions as the key steps. The thermotropic liquid crystalline behavior of these compounds was investigated by polarized light microscopy, DSC and X-ray scattering, and the influence of the length of the lateral chain on the mesomorphic properties was studied. The compound with the shortest chain as well as the long chain derivatives form lamellar mesophases composed of segregated layers of the bolaamphiphilic moieties and sublayers comprising the fluid lateral chains. The layers within the lamellar phases of the short chain compound adopt a positional correlation, leading to a 2D lattice (Col(r)/p2mm), whereas the layers of the lamellar phases of the long chain derivatives are noncorrelated (Lam). Compounds with a medium chain length organize into columnar phases, where the nonpolar lateral chains segregate into columns, which are embedded in networks of regular (Col(h)) or stretched (Col(r)/c2mm) hexagonal cylinder shells consisting of the bolaamphiphilic units. In total, an unusual phase sequence was found, where, with respect to the chain length, columnar mesophases occur between two mesophases with layer organization.     

Decoherence control mechanisms of a charged magneto-oscillator in contact with different environments

In this work, we consider two different techniques based on reservoir engineering process and quantum Zeno control method to analyze the decoherence control mechanism of a charged magneto-oscillator in contact with different type of environment. Our analysis reveals that both the control mechanisms are very much sensitive on the details of different environmental spectrum (J?(ω)), and also on different system and reservoir parameters, e.g., external magnetic field (r _c ), confinement length (r ₀), temperature (T), cut-off frequency of reservoir spectrum (ω _cut ), and measurement interval (τ). We also demonstrate the manipulation scheme of the continuous passage from decay suppression to decay acceleration by tuning the above mentioned system or reservoir parameters, e.g., r _c , r ₀, T and τ.     

Prediction of track forces in skid-steering of military tracked vehicles

Track forces for outer and inner tracks have been calculated for a military tracked vehicle in a skid-steer situation. The present work is an attempt to improve the understanding of track force variation with turning radius. Furthermore, a reasonable estimate of transmission loads is required for the design of steering transmission for turning a tracked vehicle. This may also be obtained from the track forces. The understanding of track force variation with turning radius has been rather poor. In literature, the reason for lower track force at larger turning radius has been explained in terms of the deflection of the various suspension components like the track shoes, bushings, etc., which are associated with steer action. Deflection of the suspension components does not seem to be an adequate explanation for the variation of track forces with turning radius. In the present work, track forces have been obtained from the dynamics of the moving vehicle. The variation of tractive coefficient (coefficient of friction) due to lateral track slippage has also been considered. This is where the present work differs from the conventional track force estimation where a constant value of coefficient of lateral friction has been used. The estimation of tractive coefficient is made by using pull-slip equation found in literature. The explanation of decreasing track force with increasing radius is given in terms of variation of slip with speed and turning radius. It is found from the study that the concept of variation of coefficient of friction (tractive coefficient) is very important and probably a realistic one in the prediction of track forces. The results of the calculations compare reasonably well with the trends of test result plots obtained in the literature.     

A delayed predator–prey model with strong Allee effect in prey population growth

In this paper, we consider a delayed predator-prey system with intraspecific competition among predator and a strong Allee effect in prey population growth. Using the delay as bifurcation parameter, we investigate the stability of coexisting equilibrium point and show that Hopf-bifurcation can occur when the discrete delay crosses some critical magnitude. The direction of the Hopf-bifurcating periodic solution and its stability are determined by applying the normal form method and the centre manifold theory. In addition, special attention is paid to the global continuation of local Hopf bifurcations. Using the global Hopf-bifurcation result of Wu ({Trans. Am. Math. Soc.} 350:4799?C4838, 1998) for functional differential equations, we establish the global existence of periodic solutions. Numerical simulations are carried out to validate the analytical findings.     

A “Thermodynamically Stable” 2D Nickel Metal–Organic Framework over a Wide pH Range with Scalable Preparation for Efficient C2s over C1 Hydrocarbon Separations

The design and construction of “thermodynamically stable” metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) that can survive in liquid water, boiling water, and acidic/basic solutions over a wide pH range is highly desirable for many practical applications, especially adsorption-based gas separations with obvious scalable preparations. Herein, a new thermodynamically stable Ni MOF, {[Ni(L)(1,4-NDC)(H₂O)₂]}_n (IITKGP-20; L=4,4′-azobispyridine; 1,4-NDC=1,4-naphthalene dicarboxylic acid; IITKGP stands for the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur), has been designed that displays moderate porosity with a BET surface area of 218 m² g⁻¹ and micropores along the [10−1] direction. As an alternative to a cost-intensive, cryogenic, high-pressure distillation process for the separation of hydrocarbons, MOFs have recently shown promise for such separations. Thus, towards an application standpoint, this MOF exhibits a higher uptake of C₂ hydrocarbons over that of C₁ hydrocarbon under ambient conditions, with one of the highest selectivities based on the ideal adsorbed solution theory (IAST) method. A combination of two strategies (the presence of stronger metal–N coordination of the spacer and the hydrophobicity of the aromatic moiety of the organic ligand) possibly makes the framework highly robust, even stable in boiling water and over a wide range of pH 2–10, and represents the first example of a thermodynamically stable MOF displaying a 2D structural network. Moreover, this material is easily scalable by heating the reaction mixture at reflux overnight. Because such separations are performed in the presence of water vapor and acidic gases, there is a great need to explore thermodynamically stable MOFs that retain not only structural integrity, but also the porosity of the frameworks.     

Cobalt(III)‐Catalyzed Dehydrative [4+2] Annulation of Oxime with Alkyne by CH and NOH Activation

Efficient, scalable cobalt‐catalyzed redox‐neutral [4+2] annulation of readily available oximes and alkyne is reported. The developed synthetic methodology is widely applicable and tolerates various functional groups including heterocycles. A stable Cp*Co^III neutral complex is employed as the catalyst for this redox‐neutral [4+2] annulation reaction, which progresses smoothly by way of a reversible cyclometallation without any external oxidizing agent, and produces only water as the side product.     

Controlled Synthesis of Highly Crystallized Mesoporous Mn2O3 and Mn3O4 by Using Anionic Surfactants

Mesostructured manganese oxide (Mn₃O₄) is prepared by a soft‐templating method employing sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) as a structure‐directing agent. By removing the template from the as‐prepared mesostructured Mn₃O₄ by extraction or calcination, we successfully synthesized highly crystallized mesoporous Mn₃O₄ or Mn₂O₃, respectively, with different crystalline structures.