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.     

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.     

Critical behaviour of optical birefringence in the vicinity of nematic–isotropic and smectic A–isotropic phase transitions of the eight members of alkyloxy-cyanobiphenyls

We report the measurements of birefringence (Δn) as a function of the temperature of a homologous series of alkyloxy-cyanobiphenyls (nOCB) liquid crystalline compounds by means of high-resolution optical transmission method. The temperature dependence of the birefringence has been determined from the transmitted intensity data for two different wavelengths. The order parameter critical exponent β, obtained by using a four-parameter fitting procedure consistent with the mean-field theory for a weakly first order transition, is found to be in good agreement with the theoretically predicted tricritical value. A weak birefringence has been found to develop on approaching the clearing temperature, which is tentatively attributed to the formation of a small mesophase domain within the isotropic phase. This striking behaviour leads to a further quantification of the critical fluctuation close to the transition. Finally, the order character of the nematic–isotropic (N–I) and smectic A–isotropic (SmA–I) phase transitions have been assessed by using the birefringence data. The critical exponent α (usually assigned to the heat capacity) extracted from Δn data describes the critical nature of N–I and SmA–I transitions and strongly supports the tricritical nature of the same.     

Global regulation of individual decision making

Collective behavior of a group of individuals is studied. Each individual adopts one of two alternative decisions on the basis of a neural network bistable dynamical system. The parameters of this system are regulated by collective behavior of the group with the purpose to control the number of individuals with certain decision. It is shown how behavior of the group depends on the distribution of initial states of individuals before they begin the process of decision making. If this distribution is narrow, then it can be impossible to achieve a stable coexistence of two decisions, and oscillations in the number of individuals with given decisions are observed. Various implications of this theory are discussed. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

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.     

Phase transition and some physical properties of binary mixtures of two nematogenic compounds showing induced smectic phase

The binary mixtures of nematogenic compounds 4-n-pentyl phenyl 4-n′-hexyloxy benzoate (ME6O.5) and 4-cyanophenyl 4-pentyl benzoate (CPPB) show the presence of induced smectic phase. In this article, we report the phase diagram and the results of refractive index, density, static dielectric permittivity and X-ray diffraction measurements of different binary mixtures of (ME6O.5?+?CPPB) throughout the entire composition range. The density and refractive index values have been analysed to obtain orientational order parameters. The various physical properties of the system have been discussed on the basis of the phase diagram.     

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.