Competing structural phase transition scenarios in the giant tetragonality ferroelectric BiFeO3-PbTiO3: Isostructural vs multiphase transition

A systematic x-ray and neutron powder diffraction study of the giant tetragonality multiferroic (1-x) BiFeO3-(x) PbTiO3 have revealed that the compositions close to the morphotropic phase boundary present two different structural phase transition scenarios on cooling from the cubic phase: (i) cubic -> tetragonal (T-2) + tetragonal (T-1) -> tetragonal (T-1) and (ii) cubic -> tetragonal (T-2) + tetragonal (T-1) + rhombohedral (R3c) -> tetragonal (T-1) + rhombohedral (R3c). The comparatively larger tetragonality (c/a - 1) of the T-1 phase as compared to the coexisting isostructural T-2 phase is shown to be a result of significantly greater degree of overlap of the Pb/Bi-6s and Ti/Fe-3d with the O-2p orbitals as compared to that in the T-2 phase. The formation/suppression of the minor metastable rhombohedral phase seems to be governed by subtle play of local kinetic factors. In the scenario when the minor rhombohedral (R) phase is formed along with the tetragonal phases it is able to accommodate the large transformation stress in the system due to formation of the tetragonal phases, and prevent the solid from disintegration into powder after sintering. When the metastable rhombohedral phase is not formed, the large transformation strain ruptures the grain boundaries leading to fragmentation of the dense solid to powder. (C) 2013 American Institute of Physics. http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4792215]

Morphology dependent oxygen reduction activity of titanium carbide: bulk vs. nanowires

Titanium carbide (TiC) possesses fascinating properties like high electrical conductivity and high mechanical strength coupled with high corrosion resistance and stability in acidic and alkaline environments. The present study demonstrates the tunability of mechanistic aspects of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) using TiC nanostructures. One dimensional TiC nanostructures (TiC-NW) have been synthesized using a simple, hydrothermal method and used as a catalyst for ORR. Shape dependent electroactivity is demonstrated by comparing the activity of TiC-NW with its bulk counterparts. Comparative studies reveal higher ORR activities in the case of 1D TiC-NW involving similar to 4 electrons showing efficient reduction of molecular oxygen. Excellent stability and high methanol tolerance with good selectivity for ORR is reported.

Stabilizing effect of electrostatic vs. aromatic interactions in diproline nucleated peptide beta-hairpins

The contribution of Tyr-His vs. Cys-His interacting pairs to the scaffold stability of (D)Pro-(L)Pro nucleated peptide beta-hairpins has been examined. We present direct evidence for the superiority of the Cys-His pairs, mediated by sulphur-imidazole interactions, as added stabilizing agents of the beta-hairpin scaffold.

Diversity order vs rate in an AWGN channel

We study the diversity order vs rate of an additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) channel in the whole capacity region. We show that for discrete input as well as for continuous input, Gallager's upper bounds on error probability have exponential diversity in low and high rate region but only subexponential in the mid-rate region. For the best available lower bounds and for the practical codes one observes exponential diversity throughout the capacity region. However we also show that performance of practical codes is close to Gallager's upper bounds and the mid-rate subexponential diversity has a bearing on the performance of the practical codes. Finally we show that the upper bounds with Gaussian input provide good approximation throughout the capacity region even for finite constellation.

Enhanced Field Emission Properties from CNT Arrays Synthesized on Inconel Superalloy

One of the most promising materials for fabricating cold cathodes for next generation high-performance flat panel devices is carbon nanotubes (CNTs). For this purpose, CNTs grown on metallic substrates are used to minimize contact resistance. In this report, we compare properties and field emission performance of CNTs grown via water assisted chemical vapor deposition using Inconel vs silicon (Si) substrates. Carbon nanotube forests grown on Inconel substrates are superior to the ones grown on silicon; low turn-on fields (similar to 1.5 V/mu m), high current operation (similar to 100 mA/cm(2)) and very high local field amplification factors (up to similar to 7300) were demonstrated, and these parameters are most beneficial for use in vacuum microelectronic applications.

DEFINING alpha-HELIX GEOMETRY BY C-alpha ATOM TRACE vs (phi-psi) TORSION ANGLES: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

A regular secondary structure is described by a well defined set of values for the backbone dihedral angles (phi,psi and omega) in a polypeptide chain. However in real protein structures small local variations give rise to distortions from the ideal structures, which can lead to considerable variation in higher order organization. Protein structure analysis and accurate assignment of various structural elements, especially their terminii, are important first step in protein structure prediction and design. Various algorithms are available for assigning secondary structure elements in proteins but some lacunae still exist. In this study, results of a recently developed in-house program ASSP have been compared with those from STRIDE, in identification of alpha-helical regions in both globular and membrane proteins. It is found that, while a combination of hydrogen bond patterns and backbone torsional angles (phi-psi) are generally used to define secondary structure elements, the geometry of the C-alpha atom trace by itself is sufficient to define the parameters of helical structures in proteins. It is also possible to differentiate the various helical structures by their C-alpha trace and identify the deviations occurring both at mid-positions as well as at the terminii of alpha-helices, which often lead to occurrence of 3(10) and pi-helical fragments in both globular and membrane proteins.

New insights of superoxide dismutase inhibition of pyrogallol autoxidation

Autoxidation of pyrogallol in alkaline medium is characterized by increases in oxygen consumption, absorbance at 440 nm, and absorbance at 600 nm. The primary products are H2O2 by reduction of O-2 and pyrogallol-ortho-quinone by oxidation of pyrogallol. About 20 % of the consumed oxygen was used for ring opening leading to the bicyclic product, purpurogallin-quinone (PPQ). The absorbance peak at 440 nm representing the quinone end-products increased throughout at a constant rate. Prolonged incubation of pyrogallol in alkali yielded a product with ESR signal. In contrast the absorbance peak at 600 nm increased to a maximum and then declined after oxygen consumption ceased. This represents quinhydrone charge-transfer complexes as similar peak instantly appeared on mixing pyrogallol with benzoquinones, and these were ESR-silent. Superoxide dismutase inhibition of pyrogallol autoxidation spared the substrates, pyrogallol, and oxygen, indicating that an early step is the target. The SOD concentration-dependent extent of decrease in the autoxidation rate remained the same regardless of higher control rates at pyrogallol concentrations above 0.2 mM. This gave the clue that SOD is catalyzing a reaction that annuls the forward electron transfer step that produces superoxide and pyrogallol-semiquinone, both oxygen radicals. By dismutating these oxygen radicals, an action it is known for, SOD can reverse autoxidation, echoing the reported proposal of superoxide:semiquinone oxidoreductase activity for SOD. The following insights emerged out of these studies. The end-product of pyrogallol autoxidation is PPQ, and not purpurogallin. The quinone products instantly form quinhydrone complexes. These decompose into undefined humic acid-like complexes as late products after cessation of oxygen consumption. SOD catalyzes reversal of autoxidation manifesting as its inhibition. SOD saves catechols from autoxidation and extends their bioavailability.

Strings vs. spins on the null orbifold

We study the null orbifold singularity in 2+1 d flat space higher spin theory as well as string theory. Using the Chern-Simons formulation of 2+1 d Einstein gravity, we first observe that despite the singular nature of this geometry, the eigenvalues of its Chern-Simons holonomy are trivial. Next, we construct a resolution of the singularity in higher spin theory: a Kundt spacetime with vanishing scalar curvature invariants. We also point out that the UV divergences previously observed in the 2-to-2 tachyon tree level string amplitude on the null orbifold do not arise in the at alpha' -> infinity limit. We find all the divergences of the amplitude and demonstrate that the ones remaining in the tensionless limit are physical IR-type divergences. We conclude with a discussion on the meaning and limitations of higher spin (cosmological) singularity resolution and its potential connection to string theory.

Coherent (photon) vs incoherent (current) detection of multidimensional optical signals from single molecules in open junctions

The nonlinear optical response of a current-carrying single molecule coupled to two metal leads and driven by a sequence of impulsive optical pulses with controllable phases and time delays is calculated. Coherent (stimulated, heterodyne) detection of photons and incoherent detection of the optically induced current are compared. Using a diagrammatic Liouville space superoperator formalism, the signals are recast in terms of molecular correlation functions which are then expanded in the many-body molecular states. Two dimensional signals in benzene-1,4-dithiol molecule show cross peaks involving charged states. The correlation between optical and charge current signal is also observed. (C) 2015 AIP Publishing LLC.

In-plane modulated smectic (A)over-tilde vs smectic `A' lamellar structures in poly(ethyl or propyl ether imine) dendrimers

A pair of first and second generation poly(alkyl ether imine) dendrimers is prepared, having covalently attached cholesteryl moieties at their peripheries. The pairs in each generation differ in the alkyl-linker which constitute the dendritic core moieties, even when the number of cholesteryl moieties remains uniform in each pair. The dendrimer pairs are two first and second generation poly(ethyl ether imine) and poly(propyl ether imine) dendrimers, modified with 4 and 8 cholesteryl esters at the peripheries in each pair, respectively. The dendrimer pairs exhibit differing thermotropic mesophase properties. Microscopic, thermal and X-ray diffraction studies reveal a lamellar mesophase for the first generation ethyl-, first and second generation propyl-linker dendrimers. Whereas, the second generation ethyl-linker dendrimer exhibits a layered structure with a superimposed in-plane modulation, the length of which corresponds to a rectangular column width. The role of the dendrimer core moieties with differing linkers in modifying the mesophase properties is studied. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Evaluación de la mortalidad del síndrome de la muerte súbita en condiciones comerciales de la linea genética arbor acres vs. hubbard

La actividad avícola ha alcanzado un gran desarrollo en estos últimos años, pero como toda actividad está sujeta a riesgos o factores que inciden en su labor, en este caso nos referimos al síndrome de muerte súbita (SMS) que desde su aparición se han realizados diversos estudios para encontrar los factores que influyen en la presentación de este síndrome por tal razón en este estudio se evalúa la incidencia del síndrome de muerte súbita en condiciones comerciales en dos líneas como son: Arbor Acres y Hubbard . Con el objetivo de determinar la línea más susceptible en presentar este síndrome como también evaluar las pérdidas económicas que causo este factor en la granja donde se realizó el experimento, tomando en cuenta los parámetros productivos de ambas líneas para lo cual se utilizaron tres galeras de pollos de engorde con una cantidad de 14406,14406 y14295 respectivamente , evaluando las siguientes galeras galera 3, galera 4, y galera 6 equivalente a la suma de 43107 pollos de un día de nacido de la línea arbor acres la galera 3 y 4 representando el tratamiento 1 y de la línea Hubbard la galera 6 representando el tratamiento 2 ,ambos tratamientos con el mismo manejo implementado en les granjas de la empresa TIPTOP . Planteando como variable las siguientes: mortalidad, peso vivo, consumo, conversión alimenticia y ganancia media diaria. Dichos valores obtenidos fueron analizados a través de un diseño estadístico de bloques completos al azar, en el caso de la variable que resultara con significancia estadística se sometió a una prueba de rangos múltiples tukey para encontrar la mejor línea para la actividad de engorde. En el cual el análisis estadístico arrojó los siguientes resultados: Para la variable la mortalidad no se encontró diferencia significativa (p<0.05) entre ambos tratamientos. Al igual que la variable consumo, conversión alimenticia y ganancia media diaria no mostró diferencia significativa (p<0.05) en tanto la variable peso mostró diferencia significativa (p> 0.05) entre ambas líneas , la que fue sometida a la prueba de rango múltiples Tukey en donde se obtuvo que la línea hubbard está más predispuesta a obtener un peso mayor que la línea Arbor Acres. En cuanto a las pérdidas por síndrome de muerte súbita se refiere que la raza hubbard presentó mayor mortalidad por síndrome por muerte súbita , que la raza Arbor Acres, por lo cual la línea hubbard presenta mayores pérdidas económicas aunque cabe mencionar que la línea hubbard presentó una menor mortalidad en general que la línea Arbor Acres y también esta línea ( hubbard) obtuvo un mayor peso vivo que la línea Arbor Acres , indicando que es más viable económicamente explotar esta línea ya que muestra una diferencia de 3.8% entre ambos tratamiento, teniendo un mayor ingreso , el tratamiento 2 (hubbard ). En grandes cantidades este porcentaje es realmente significativo. Como conclusión del presente estudio podemos afirmar lo siguiente la línea más susceptible en presentar el síndrome por muerte súbita es la línea hubbard aunque estadísticamente no muestre diferencia significativa (p< 0.05). Entre los parámetros productivo (variables) como , mortalidad , consumo, conversión alimenticia y ganancia media diaria no existe diferencia estadística , por lo cual ambas líneas poseen similares índice productivo. , Mientras la variable peso muestra diferencia de donde deducimos que la raza hubbard posee un peso mayor que la línea Arbor Acres. En tanto las pérdidas económicas son mayores en el tratamiento 2 (hubbard) y obteniendo en este un mayor rendimiento en producción y en rentabilidad.

Comparación de zeranol tixotrópico1% vs zeranol 1% más ivermectina 3.15%, y sus efectos sobre la ganancia media diaria y carga parasitaria en terneros de la raza Reyna, finca Santa Rosa, Managua

El propósito del presente trabajo fue comparar el efecto de Zeranol tixotrópico 1% y Zeranol + ivermectina 3.15% sobre la ganancia de peso y carga parasitaria en terneros de la raza Reyna. Se utilizaron 21 terneros con peso de 86.3 ± 0.8 kg y edad de 12.24 ± 2.0 m, agrupados en un diseño completamente al azar (DCA), distribuidos en tres tratamientos T1: Ivermectina, T2: Zeranol tixotrópico 1%, T3: Zeranol + ivermectina 3.15% con 7 repeticiones por tratamiento. Las variables productivas estudiadas fueron: Ganancia media diaria (GMD), Peso final (PF), Ganancia total de peso (GTP); y medidas zoométricas: Perímetro toráxico (PT), Perímetro abdominal (PA), altura a la cruz (AC) y longitud corporal (LC). Los datos fueron analizados por PROC: GLM del paquete estadístico SAS® Ver. 9.1.2. y la comparación de medias por la prueba de Tuckey. Los resultados demuestran que el T1 obtuvo una GMD de 277.95 g, superando a T2 y T3 (222.83g y 265.53g, respectivamente); el T1 obtuvo mayor peso final que el T2 (112.7 kg vs 104.80 kg), pero fue ligeramente superior al T3 (112.7 kg vs 112.00 kg); para GTP el T1 (25.57 kg) y T3 (24.43 kg) fueron superiores al T2 (20.50 kg). Respecto a las medidas zoométricas PT, PA, AC, LC, los mayores valores fueron para el T1 seguido del T3 y T2. Para control de cargas parasitarias, el T3 fue efectivo para Trichuris y Strongylus, el T1 ejerció mejor control para Trichuris, en cambio el T2 fue el de menor control. El análisis financiero favorece al tratamiento T1 por ser de menor costo, sin embargo el T3 manifestó mejor comportamiento en la ganancia de peso a lo largo del estudio, por lo cual este puede ser utilizado a pesar de tener un mayor costo en relación al T1.

Seismic Responses of a Hemispherical Alluvial Valley to SV Waves: A Three-Dimensional Analytical Approximation

An analytical solution to the three-dimensional scattering and diffraction of plane SV-waves by a saturated hemispherical alluvial valley in elastic half-space is obtained by using Fourier-Bessel series expansion technique. The hemispherical alluvial valley with saturated soil deposits is simulated with Biot's dynamic theory for saturated porous media. The following conclusions based on numerical results can be drawn: (1) there are a significant differences in the seismic response simulation between the previous single-phase models and the present two-phase model; (2) the normalized displacements on the free surface of the alluvial valley depend mainly on the incident wave angles, the dimensionless frequency of the incident SV waves and the porosity of sediments; (3) with the increase of the incident angle, the displacement distributions become more complicated; and the displacements on the free surface of the alluvial valley increase as the porosity of sediments increases.

Ancient Chinese algorithm: The Ying Buzu Shu (method of surplus and deficiency) vs Newton iteration method

Air exploratory discussion of an ancient Chinese algorithm, the Ying Buzu Shu, in about 2nd century BC, known as the rule of double false position in the West is given. In addition to pointing out that the rule of double false position is actually a translation version of the ancient Chinese algorithm, a comparison with well-known Newton iteration method is also made. If derivative is introduced, the ancient Chinese algorithm reduces to the Newton method. A modification of the ancient Chinese algorithm is also proposed, and some of applications to nonlinear oscillators are illustrated.

El caso Artavia Murillo y otros vs. Costa Rica (fecundación in vitro) : la redefinición del derecho a la vida desde la concepción, reconocido en la Convención Americana

Resumen: El Artículo 4(1) de la Convención Americana protege la vida de la persona por nacer desde el momento de la concepción. Esta nota analiza críticamente la interpretación restrictiva de este artículo realizada por la Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos en el caso Artavia Murillo y otros vs. Costa Rica, sobre la prohibición de la fecundación in vitro en ese país. La nota describe cómo la Corte revirtió parcialmente el reconocimiento del derecho a la vida del niño no nacido, qué hicieron los Estados latinoamericanos, al adoptar la Convención Americana, a través de una aplicación distorsionada de sus propias técnicas de interpretación y de las normas internacionales de interpretación de los tratados.