LMG model: Markovian evolution of classical and quantum correlations under decoherence

We have investigated the quantum phase transition in the ground state of collective Lipkin-Meshkov-Glick model (LMG model) subjected to decoherence due to its interaction, represented by a quantum channel, with an environment. We discuss the behavior of quantum and classical pair wise correlations in the system, with the quantumness of correlations measured by quantum discord (QD), entanglement of formation (EOF), measurement-induced disturbance (MID) and the Clauser-Horne-Shimony-Holt-Bell function (CHSH-Bell function). The time evolution established by system-environment interactions is assumed to be Markovian in nature and the quantum channels studied include the amplitude damping (AD), phase damping (PD), bit-flip (BF), phase-flip (PF), and bit-phase-flip (BPF) channels. One can identify appropriate quantities associated with the dynamics of quantum correlations signifying quantum phase transition in the model. Surprisingly, the CHSH-Bell function is found to detect all the phase transitions, even when quantum and classical correlations are zero for the relevant ground state.     

Determination of elements in SRM soil 2709a by neutron activation analysis

A combination of instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) and prompt gamma-ray activation analysis (PGAA) was used to value assign 35 elements in SRM soil 2709a (San Joaquin Soil). INAA with counting of short-lived radioisotopes was used for determination of Al, Au, Ca, Dy, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ti, and V. Elements determined by INAA with counting of intermediate and long-lived radioisotopes included As, Ba, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Eu, Fe, Hf, La, Lu, Nd, Rb, Sb, Sc, Sm, Sr, Ta, Tb, Yb, Zn, and Zr. Thermal neutron PGAA was used for the determination of H, B, Si, K, Ti, Mn, Fe, Cd and Gd. Expanded uncertainties were determined for all values reported.     

Bioactivity-guided isolation of ethyl-p-methoxycinnamate, an anti-inflammatory constituent, from Kaempferia galanga L. extracts

This study evaluated the anti-inflammatory effect of Kaempferia galanga (KG) using an activity-guided approach. KG rhizomes were serially extracted with petroleum ether, chloroform, methanol and water. These extracts (2 g/kg each) were tested for their ability to inhibit carrageenan-induced rat paw edema. The chloroform extract was found to exert the highest inhibition (42.9%) compared to control (p < 0.001), hence it was further fractionated by washing serially with hexane, hexane-chloroform (1:1) and chloroform. The chloroform fraction (1 g/kg) showed the highest inhibitory effect (51.9%, (p < 0.001), on carrageenan-induced edema. This chloroform fraction was further fractionated with hexane-chloroform (1:3) and chloroform, and of the two fractions, the hexane-chloroform sub-fraction was the most effective in inhibiting edema (53.7%, p < 0.001). GC-MS analysis of the active sub-fraction identified ethyl-p-methoxycinnamate (EPMC) as the major component, which was re-crystallized. EPMC dose-dependently inhibited carrageenan-induced edema with an MIC of 100 mg/kg. Moreover, in an in vitro study, EPMC non-selectively inhibited the activities of cyclooxygenases 1 and 2, with IC?? values of 1.12 μM and 0.83 μM respectively. These results validate the anti-inflammatory activity of KG which may be exerted by the inhibition of cyclooxygenases 1 and 2. EPMC isolated from this plant may be the active anti-inflammatory agent.     

Electrochemical Investigation of Metal-Free and Nickel-Containing Porphyrazines Carrying Eight Tosylaminoethylthia Groups

 In this study, the electrochemical properties of metal-free and nickel-containing porphyrazines with eight tosylaminoethylthia groups were investigated using cyclic voltammetry, double potential step chronoamperometry, double potential step chronocoulometry, and controlled potential coulometry. Cyclic voltammetry measurements showed that both compounds exhibit two quasi-reversible and an irreversible reduction waves. The first electron transfer reaction was followed by an irreversible chemical reaction, the second one by a reversible chemical reaction for both species. The electrode processes of metal-free and nickel-containing porphyrazines are diffusion controlled, but the double potential step chronocoulometry measurements indicated that the nickel porphyrazine is adsorbed at the electrode. However, a small adsorption current has no significant effect on the mass transport mechanism of the system. Diffusion coefficients of both compounds were determined by both cyclic voltammetric and chronocoulometric measurements. The diffusion coefficients of the reduced forms of the porphyrazines were found to be smaller than those of the neutral forms.     

Reflection of plane waves in thermoelastic microstructured materials under the influence of gravitation

This paper presents an analysis of wave propagation in a microstretch elastic medium in the context of the Green–Naghdi (GN) theory. Moreover, the dissipation and the influence of gravity on reflected waves have also been investigated. In the present article, five reflected waves propagate into the medium for any incident wave. The problem is solved numerically, and the amplitude ratios are graphically represented allowing for a comparison between the simple GN theory and the case in which one considers the effect of gravity on waves.     

Thermodynamics of New Modified Chaplygin Gas in Magnetic FRW Universe

We study the generalized second law of thermodynamics in the presence of non-interacting magnetic field and new modified Chaplygin gas with FRW universe. In this scenario, we investigate the validity of this law on Hubble, apparent, particle and event horizons. It is found that this law is respected on all horizons for specific values of the model parameters except on the event horizon where it does not hold for short time but remains valid otherwise. Finally, we explore the statefinders and Om diagnostic to check the viability of the present cosmological model.     

Existence of solutions for nonlinear inequalities in locally convex separated space

An existence result for abstract nonlinear inequalities. As a consequence of our result, we obtain some further generalizations of recent known results. According to this result, we show the existence of g-saddle point and Aumann strong equilibrium for a constrained noncooperative game.     

Gas Chromatographic Determination of Guanidino Compounds Using Hexafluoroacetylacetone and Ethyl Chloroformate as Derivatizing Reagents

Guanidino compounds guanidine, methylguanidine, guanidinoacetic acid, guanidinobutyric acid, guanidinopropionic acid, and guanidinosuccinic acid after derivatization with hexafluoroacetylacetone and ethyl chloroformate at pH 9 in aqueous phase, eluted, and separated from gas chromatographic column HP-5 (30 m × 0.32 mm id) with film thickness of 0.25 μm at an initial column temperature 90 °C for 2 min, followed by heating rate of 10 °C min^?1 up to 220 °C with nitrogen flow rate of 1 mL min^?1. The detection was by flame ionization detector. The linear calibration ranges of each of guanidino compounds were obtained within 1–10 μg mL^?1, and the limit of detection was within 0.014–0.19 μg mL^?1. The derivatization and gas chromatography elution and separation were repeatable in terms of retention time and peak height/peak area with relative standard deviation (RSD) (n = 4) within 1.7–2.9 % and 1.4–2.8 %, respectively. The method was applied for the determination of guanidino compounds from deproteinized serum of uremic patients and healthy volunteers, and was found in the range below the limit of quantitation (BLOQ) to 1.25 μg mL^?1 with RSD within 1.4–3.6 %, and BLOQ to 0.4 μg mL^?1 with RSD 1.3–3.4 %, respectively. A number of pharmaceutical additives did not effect the determination with RSD within ±3.1 %.     

Thermal degradation pathways of nickel(II) bipyridine complexes to size-controlled nickel nanoparticles

Tris(bipyridine)nickel(II) chloride (1) and bis(bipyridine)nickel(II) chloride (2) pyrolize at heating rate of 50 °C/min to a maximum of 450 °C for 24 h under an inert atmosphere of flowing argon gas, to yield size-controlled nickel nanoparticles. Thermogravimetric studies of the complexes (1) and (2) and GC–MS analysis of the trapped volatile matter evolved during thermal degradation of the complexes indicate their clean decomposition pathway to zero-valent nickel. Both heating rate and argon gas flow rate affect purity, particle size, and shape of the particles. X-ray powder diffractometry and atomic force microscopy showed the formation of face-centered cubic (fcc) structured nickel particles having particle size in the range of 3.5–5.0 nm. Magnetic susceptibility measurements suggest nickel nanoparticles to be ferromagnetic in nature characterized by particle size–dependent Curie temperature and high coercivity that is comparable to the bulk iron.     

Voltammetric determination of antibacterial drug gemifloxacin in solubilized systems at multi-walled carbon nanotubes modified glassy carbon electrode

A sensitive electroanalytical method for determination of gemifloxacin in pharmaceutical formulation has been investigated on the basis of the enhanced electrochemical response at multi-walled carbon nanotubes modified glassy carbon electrode in the presence of CTAB. Solubilized system of different surfactants including SDS, Tween-20 and CTAB were taken for the study of electrochemical behaviour of gemifloxacin at modified electrode. The reduction peak current increases in the presence of CTAB while other surfactants show opposite effect. The modified electrode exhibits catalytic activity, high sensitivity, stability and is applicable over wide range of concentration for the determination of gemifloxacin. The mechanism of electrochemical reduction of gemifloxacin has been proposed on the basis of CV, SWV, DPV and coulometeric techniques. The proposed squarewave voltammetric method shows linearity over the concentration range 2.47-15.5 μg/mL. The achieved limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) are 0.90 ng/mL and 3.0 ng/mL respectively.