New set of measures to analyze non-equilibrium structures

We introduce a set of statistical measures that can be used to quantify non-equilibrium surface growth. They are used to deduce new information about spatiotemporal dynamics of model systems for spinodal decomposition and surface deposition. Patterns growth in the Cahn-Hilliard Equation (used to model spinodal decomposition) are shown to exhibit three distinct stages. Two models of surface growth, namely the continuous Kardar-Parisi-Zhang (KPZ) model and the discrete Restricted-Solid-On-Solid (RSOS) model are shown to have different saturation exponents

Strength Reduction in Electrical and Elastic Networks

Particular aspects of problems ranging from dielectric breakdown to metal insu- lator transition can be studied using electrical o elastic networks. We present an expression for the mean breakdown strength of such networks.First, we intro- duce a method to evaluate the redistribution of current due to the removal of a finite number of elements from a hyper-cubic network of conducatances.It is used to determine the reduction of breakdown strength due to a fracture of size $\kappa$.Numerical analysis is used to show that the analogous reduction due to random removal of elements from electrical and elastic networks follow a similar form.One possible application, namely the use of bone density as a diagnostic tools for osteorosporosis,is discussed.Comment: one compressed file includes: 9 PostScrpt figures and a text fil

Potential of cultivation of Gliricidia (Gliricidia sepium) in coconut triangle for bioenergy generation

Evaluation ofleast cost and environmentally friendly energy alternatives is essential to overcome theprevailing energy crisis. Dendro thermal energy generation has been identified as one of the bestoptions due to its potential as a low cost and locally available environmentally sound energy source.However. this potential has not been exploited by the people in most of the potential areas whichhinder the further expansion of establishing bio-energy plants. With this background, a study wasundertaken to evaluate the present status and the potential of gl iricidia (Gliricidia sepium) cultivationin coconut triangle for bio-energy generation. Gliricidia sepium is a multipurpose crop used forwood, fuel wood, fodder and nitrogenous organic fertilizer. The wood is presently used for thermalenergy i.e., electricity generation for the national grid (Walapane); electricity generation for off-gridrural electrification (Kakkapalliya, Thanamalwi la);industrial heat application (Madarnpe, Kottawa etc.)and household cooking. The study further attempted to determine the factors associated with thesupply of gliricidia for bio-energy generation and attitudes of the coconut growers towards the gliricidiaintercropping. Finally, it examined the strengths and weaknesses of the supply as well as demand inorder to make sound recommendations to promote gliricidia cultivation in coconut lands for bio-energygeneration.Two field surveys were simultaneously conducted to gather the necessary data. The first survey dealtwith the existing suppliers in Anarnaduwa area, while the second survey was carried out in Kuliyapitiyaarea with the potential growers. In addition, a case study was conducted with successful growers.Logit modeling was used to analyze the data.The study found that the opportunity costs ofland and labour of the both sites of study were fairly low.Moreover, the investment on agriculture related activities in marginal coconut lands were extremelylow. Further the study revealed that even though there was a positive attitude and high demand forgl iricid ia cultivation, there is an inadequate supply to the thermal plants for bio-energy generation. Thetechnical information on growing gliricidia for bioenergy generation had not disseminated into thepeople of the area mainly due to lack of awareness programmes. The results of the logit analysisrevealed that income from coconut, total highland availability and willingness to become a contractfanner are significant variables that influence the willingness to cultivate gliricidia. The case studyrevealed that the cultivation of gliricidia appear to be economically profitable and technically feasibleoption given that its low input nature, availability of marginal coconut lands, low opportunity cost oflabour and less income opportunities avai lable in these areas, Government involvement and having areasonable price with stable market for gliricidia will encourage the public to enter into this businesswhereas effective extension service is a must for making people aware.

Using Nonlinear Response to Estimate the Strength of an Elastic Network

Disordered networks of fragile elastic elements have been proposed as a model of inner porous regions of large bones [Gunaratne et.al., cond-mat/0009221, http://xyz.lanl.gov]. It is shown that the ratio $\Gamma$ of responses of such a network to static and periodic strain can be used to estimate its ultimate (or breaking) stress. Since bone fracture in older adults results from the weakening of porous bone, we discuss the possibility of using $\Gamma$ as a non-invasive diagnostic of osteoporotic bone.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Emergence of Order in Textured Patterns

A characterization of textured patterns, referred to as the disorder function \bar\delta(\beta), is used to study properties of patterns generated in the Swift-Hohenberg equation (SHE). It is shown to be an intensive, configuration-independent measure. The evolution of random initial states under the SHE exhibits two stages of relaxation. The initial phase, where local striped domains emerge from a noisy background, is quantified by a power law decay \bar\delta(\beta) \sim t^{-{1/2} \beta}. Beyond a sharp transition a slower power law decay of \bar\delta(\beta), which corresponds to the coarsening of striped domains, is observed. The transition between the phases advances as the system is driven further from the onset of patterns, and suitable scaling of time and \bar\delta(\beta) leads to the collapse of distinct curves. The decay of $\bar\delta(\beta)$ during the initial phase remains unchanged when nonvariational terms are added to the underlying equations, suggesting the possibility of observing it in experimental systems. In contrast, the rate of relaxation during domain coarsening increases with the coefficient of the nonvariational term.Comment: 9 Pages, 8 Postscript Figures, 3 gif Figure

Influence of Fluorination on the Solubilities of Carbon Dioxide, Ethane, and Nitrogen in 1‑n‑Fluoro-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium Bis(n‑fluoroalkylsulfonyl)amide Ionic Liquids

International audienceThe effect on gas solubilities of adding partially fluorinated alkyl side chains either on imidazolium-based cations or on bis(perfluoroalkylsulfonyl)amide anions was studied. The aim was to gain knowledge of the mechanisms of dissolution of gases in fluorinated ionic liquids and, if possible, to improve physical absorption of carbon dioxide in ionic liquids. We have determined experimentally, in the temperature range of 298–343 K and at pressures close to atmospheric pressure, the solubility and thermodynamics of solvation of carbon dioxide, ethane, and nitrogen in the ionic liquids 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium bis[trifluoromethylsulfonyl]amide ([C8mim][NTf2]), 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium bis[pentafluoroethylsulfonyl]amide ([C8mim][BETI]), 1-(3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,8-tridecafluorooctyl)-3-methylimidazolium bis[trifluoromethylsulfonyl]amide ([C8H4F13mim][NTf2]), and 1-(3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,8-tridecafluorooctyl)-3-methylimidazolium bis[pentafluoroethylsulfonyl]amide ([C8H4F13mim][BETI]). Ionic liquids with partial fluorination on the cation were found to exhibit higher carbon dioxide and nitrogen mole fraction solubilities but lower ethane solubilities, compared to those of their hydrogenated counterparts. Molecular simulation provided insights about the mechanisms of solvation of the different gases in the ionic liquids

Variable Step Random Walks and Self-Similar Distributions

We study a scenario under which variable step random walks give anomalous statistics. We begin by analyzing the Martingale Central Limit Theorem to find a sufficient condition for the limit distribution to be non-Gaussian. We note that the theorem implies that the scaling index $\zeta$ is 1/2. For corresponding continuous time processes, it is shown that the probability density function $W(x;t)$ satisfies the Fokker-Planck equation. Possible forms for the diffusion coefficient are given, and related to $W(x,t)$. Finally, we show how a time-series can be used to distinguish between these variable diffusion processes and L\'evy dynamics.Comment: 13pages, 2 figure

Hexagonal patterns in a model for rotating convection

We study a model equation that mimics convection under rotation in a fluid with temperature- dependent properties (non-Boussinesq (NB)), high Prandtl number and idealized boundary conditions. It is based on a model equation proposed by Segel [1965] by adding rotation terms that lead to a Kuppers-Lortz instability [Kuppers & Lortz, 1969] and can develop into oscillating hexagons. We perform a weakly nonlinear analysis to find out explicitly the coefficients in the amplitude equation as functions of the rotation rate. These equations describe hexagons and os- cillating hexagons quite well, and include the Busse?Heikes (BH) model [Busse & Heikes, 1980] as a particular case. The sideband instabilities as well as short wavelength instabilities of such hexagonal patterns are discussed and the threshold for oscillating hexagons is determined

Renormalization group approach to multiscale modelling in materials science

Dendritic growth, and the formation of material microstructure in general, necessarily involves a wide range of length scales from the atomic up to sample dimensions. The phase field approach of Langer, enhanced by optimal asymptotic methods and adaptive mesh refinement, copes with this range of scales, and provides an effective way to move phase boundaries. However, it fails to preserve memory of the underlying crystallographic anisotropy, and thus is ill-suited for problems involving defects or elasticity. The phase field crystal (PFC) equation-- a conserving analogue of the Hohenberg-Swift equation --is a phase field equation with periodic solutions that represent the atomic density. It can natively model elasticity, the formation of solid phases, and accurately reproduces the nonequilibrium dynamics of phase transitions in real materials. However, the PFC models matter at the atomic scale, rendering it unsuitable for coping with the range of length scales in problems of serious interest. Here, we show that a computationally-efficient multiscale approach to the PFC can be developed systematically by using the renormalization group or equivalent techniques to derive appropriate coarse-grained coupled phase and amplitude equations, which are suitable for solution by adaptive mesh refinement algorithms

Molecules incorporating a benzothiazole core scaffold inhibit the N-myristoyltransferase of Plasmodium falciparum.

Recombinant N-myristoyltransferase of Plasmodium falciparum (termed PfNMT) has been used in the development of a SPA (scintillation proximity assay) suitable for automation and high-throughput screening of inhibitors against this enzyme. The ability to use the SPA has been facilitated by development of an expression and purification system which yields considerably improved quantities of soluble active recombinant PfNMT compared with previous studies. Specifically, yields of pure protein have been increased from 12 microg x l(-1) to >400 microg x l(-1) by use of a synthetic gene with codon usage optimized for expression in an Escherichia coli host. Preliminary small-scale 'piggyback' inhibitor studies using the SPA have identified a family of related molecules containing a core benzothiazole scaffold with IC50 values 80% at a concentration of 10 microM