Transient Uncoupling Induces Synchronization

Finding conditions that support synchronization is a fertile and active area of research with applications across multiple disciplines. Here we present and analyze a scheme for synchronizing chaotic dynamical systems by transiently uncoupling them. Specifically, systems coupled only in a fraction of their state space may synchronize even if fully coupled they do not. Although, for many standard systems, coupling strengths need to be bounded to ensure synchrony, transient uncoupling removes this bound and thus enables synchronization in an infinite range of effective coupling strengths. The presented coupling scheme thus opens up the possibility to induce synchrony in (biological or technical) systems whose parameters are fixed and cannot be modified continuously.Comment: 5 pages, 6 figure

Utilization of blast furnace slag as a raw material for the manufacture of portland cement clinker

Presently, there is an increased emphasis on the use of blended cement like slag cement, fly ash cement etc. This reduces the energy requirement for cement production or reduces the CO2 release in the environment as the portland cement clinker is produced utilizing calcium carbonate based raw material. The replacement of calcium carbonate by alternative raw material like slag may again reduce the energy consumption. In the present investigation, blast furnace slag has been utilized as a cement raw material for the production of portland cement clinker. Clinker thus produced has been characterized to see the effect of slag utilization. A normal portland cement clinker has also been prepared to compare the properties. The clinkerisation process was quicker in case of slag containing raw mix. The free lime content of that clinker was also low compared to normal clinker. The amount of C3S phase formation was higher in slag containing clinker. Similarly, the hydration rate and compressive strength of cement produced utilizing slag clinker was higher compared to normal portland cement. All these results indicate that slag could be utilize to reduce the calcium carbonate content of cement raw mix efficiently to produce better, cheap and environmental friendly cement

Comparative Study on the Performance of Blended and Nonblended Fly Ash Geopolymer Composites as Durable Construction Materials

This article represents that the mechanical and microstructural properties and durability of fly ash-based geopolymers blended with silica fume and borax are better than those of conventional fly ash-based geopolymers. Fly ash itself contains the sources of silica and alumina which are required for geopolymerisation. But a sufficient amount of high-reactive silica is able to rapidly initiate geopolymerisation with activation. Pure potassium hydroxide pellets and sodium silicate solution were used for preparation of alkaline activator solution. Fly ash geopolymer paste exhibited better mechanical properties in the presence of silica fume with slight portion of borax. The effect of silica fume-blended geopolymer paste on temperature fluctuation (heating and cooling cycle at certain temperatures) showed better performance than nonblended fly ash-based specimens. Durability property was evaluated by immersion of geopolymer specimens in 10% magnesium sulfate solution for a period of one year. The change in weight, strength, and microstructure was studied and compared. In the magnesium sulfate solution, a significant drop of strength to around 37.26% occurred after one year for nonblended fly ash-based specimens. It is evident that specimens prepared incorporating silica fume had the best performance in terms of their properties

Kinetics & Mechanism of Substitution of Aquo Ligands from cis-Diaquo-bis(ethylenediamine)cobalt(III) Ion by Glycine in Water-Ethanol Mixture

350-35

An Optimization-Based Decision Support System for Strategic Planning in a Process Industry: The Case of a Pharmaceutical Company in India

We describe how a generic multi-period optimization-based decision support system (DSS) can be used for strategic planning in process industries. Built on five fundamental elements – materials, facilities, activities, time periods and storage areas – this DSS requires little direct knowledge of optimization techniques to be used effectively. It is user friendly and requires little knowledge of optimization. Results based on real data from a pharmaceuticals company in India demonstrate significant potential for improvements in revenues and profits.

Public Firm in Mixed Oligopolistic Structure: A Theoretical Exposition

The logic for state monopoly of public utilities arises from increasing returns to scale and the concern that private business in these areas results in monopolistic exploitation of consumers. The state monopoly however is fraught with the danger of production inefficiency. In this backdrop, the market form of mixed oligopoly is contemplated in markets like health, education, electricity, gas, telecommunications etc, where public and private sector coexists. The private firms maximize profit but the public firm maximizes social welfare. Despite this theoretical exposition, it is often observed that public firms fail to make contributions according to their potentiality. The public firm in an industry with rapid change in technology can perform inefficiently due to decision making delay, adherence to social obligation. The policy makers must rise to these occasions then survival of public firms will be smooth. The option of public private partnership also derives affirmative results for the society and the particular industry per se