Low temperature heat capacity of LaRu2 by a.c. technique

The low temperature heat capacity data of a small bulk sample of LaRu₂ show that the structural transformation occurring at T_m ～ 29.5K is rather spread out. The electronic heat capacity coefficient, γ, and Debye temperature, θ_D, are found to be respectively $\text{8.5}\text{mJ}\text{g}$. atom K² and 164 K. The multiple anomalies below T_m and T_c (4.45 K) are discussed.     

Polygonal invariant curves for a planar piecewise isometry

We investigate a remarkable new planar piecewise isometry whose generating map is a permutation of four cones. For this system we prove the coexistence of an infinite number of periodic components and an uncountable number of transitive components. The union of all periodic components is an invariant pentagon with unequal sides. Transitive components are invariant curves on which the dynamics are conjugate to a transitive interval exchange. The restriction of the map to the invariant pentagonal region is the first known piecewise isometric system for which there exist an infinite number of periodic components but the only aperiodic points are on the boundary of the region. The proofs are based on exact calculations in a rational cyclotomic field. We use the system to shed some light on a conjecture that PWIs can possess transitive invariant curves that are not smooth.

     

Extreme sensitivity to detuning for globally coupled phase oscillators

We discuss the sensitivity of a population of coupled oscillators to differences in their natural frequencies, i.e., to detuning. We argue that for three or more oscillators, one can get great sensitivity even if the coupling is strong. For N globally coupled phase oscillators we find there can be bifurcation to extreme sensitivity, where frequency locking can be destroyed by arbitrarily small detuning. This extreme sensitivity is absent for N = 2, appears at isolated parameter values for N = 3 and N = 4, and can appear robustly for open sets of parameter values for N > or = 5 oscillators.     

A low-dimensional model of binocular rivalry using winnerless competition

We discuss a novel minimal model for binocular rivalry (and more generally perceptual dominance) effects. The model has only three state variables, but nonetheless exhibits a wide range of input and noise-dependent switching. The model has two reciprocally inhibiting input variables that represent perceptual processes active during the recognition of one of the two possible states and a third variable that represents the perceived output. Sensory inputs only affect the input variables.We observe, for rivalry-inducing inputs, the appearance of winnerless competition in the perceptual system. This gives rise to a behaviour that conforms to well-known principles describing binocular rivalry (the Levelt propositions, in particular proposition IV: monotonic response of residence time as a function of image contrast) down to very low levels of stimulus intensity.     

Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Using A Molecular Antimony Complex under Aqueous Conditions: An Experimental and Computational Study on Main-Group Element Catalysis

Electrocatalytic hydrogen gas production is considered a potential pathway towards carbon-neutral energy sources. However, the development of this technology is hindered by the lack of efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally benign catalysts. In this study, a main-group-element-based electrocatalyst, SbSalen , is reported to catalyze the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in an aqueous medium. The heterogenized molecular system achieved a Faradaic efficiency of 100 % at −1.4 V vs. NHE with a maximum current density of −30.7 mA/cm². X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of the catalyst-bound working electrode before and after electrolysis confirmed the molecular stability during catalysis. The turnover frequency was calculated as 43.4 s⁻¹ using redox-peak integration. The kinetic and mechanistic aspects of the electrocatalytic reaction were further examined by computational methods. This study provides mechanistic insights into main-group-element electrocatalysts for heterogeneous small-molecule conversion.     

Spectral,electrochemical and computational investigations on the host–guest interaction of Coumarin-460 with <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-sulfonatocalix[4]arene

The supramolecular host–guest investigation of Coumarin 460 (C460), a salient coumarin family dye molecule is studied with a noteworthy host molecule, p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene (p-SC4). The investigation is carried out by both experimental and theoretical approach. The binding affinity of C460 with p-SC4 is experimentally studied using absorption, emission, excited state lifetime and Cyclic Voltammetry methods. The binding constant is around 10³ M^??1, which shows potent binding. The binding stoichiometry is 1:1. The binding orientations and binding energies are studied using computational simulations. The mode of binding is also established using NMR spectral techniques.     

Species and density of implant surface chemistry affect the extent of foreign body reactions

Implant-associated fibrotic capsule formation presents a major challenge for the development of long-term drug release microspheres and implantable sensors. Since material properties have been shown to affect in vitro cellular responses and also to influence short-term in vivo tissue responses, we have thus assumed that the type and density of surface chemical groups would affect the degree of tissue responses to microsphere implants. To test this hypothesis, polypropylene particles with different surface densities of -OH and -COOH groups, along with the polypropylene control (-CH2 groups) were utilized. The influence of functional groups and their surface densities on fibrotic reactions were analyzed using a mice subcutaneous implantation model. Our comparative studies included determination and correlation of the extents of fibrotic capsule formation, cell infiltration into the particles, and recruitment of CD11b+ inflammatory cells for all of the substrates employed. We have observed major differences among microspheres coated with different surface functionalities. Surfaces with -OH surface groups trigger the strongest responses, while -COOH-rich surfaces prompt the least tissue reactions. However, variation of the surface density of either functional group has a relatively minor influence on the extent of fibrotic tissue reactions. The present results show that surface functionality can be used as a powerful tool to alter implant-associated fibrotic reactions and, potentially, to improve the efficacy and function of drug-delivery microspheres, implantable sensors, and tissue-engineering scaffolds.     

Controlled interparticle spacing for surface-modified gold nanoparticle aggregates

Aggregation of gold nanoparticles of increasing size has been studied as a consequence of adsorption of 2-aminothiophenol (ATP) on gold nanoparticle surfaces. The capping property of ATP in the acidic pH range has been accounted from UV-vis absorption spectroscopy and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) studies. The effect of nanoparticle size (8-55 nm) on the nature of aggregation as well as the variation in the optical response due to variable degree of interparticle coupling effects among the gold particles have been critically examined. Various techniques such as transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, zeta-potential, and average particle size measurement were undertaken to characterize the nanoparticle aggregates. The aggregate size, interparticle distances, and absorption band wavelengths were found to be highly dependent on the pH of the medium and the concentration of the capping agent, ATP. The acquired SERS spectra of ATP relate the interparticle spacing. It has been observed that the SERS signal intensities are different for different sized gold nanoparticles.     

Gram level synthesis of lead-free solder in the nanometer length scale obtained from tin and silver compounds using silicone oil

A straightforward route to gram level synthesis of a pure phase of the Sn-Ag nanoalloy in an eutectic composition (Sn/Ag 96.5:3.5) in silicone oil is reported. The composition, morphology, and microstructure of the alloy were fully characterized. In a mixture of ethylene glycol and silicone oil, direct reduction of Sn(II) acetate and Ag(I) nitrate gave the Sn-Ag nanoalloy. The nanoalloy disintegrates by sonication and reforms by heating, leading to smaller particles with a melting point as low as 128 degrees C.