Chaos and complexity in mine grade distribution series detected by nonlinear approaches

In this article, the underlying dynamics of treating grade distribution is interpreted as a chaotic system instead of a stochastic system for a better understanding. Here, we study the behavior of grade distribution spatial series acquired at the Chadormalu mine in Bafgh city of Iran to distinguish the possible existence of low‐dimensional deterministic chaos. This work applies a variety of nonlinear techniques for detecting the chaotic nature of the grade distribution spatial series and adopts a nonlinear prediction method for predicting the future of the grade distributions. First, the delay time dimension is computed using auto mutual information function to reconstruct the strange attractors. Then, the dimensionality of the trajectories is obtained using Cao's method and, correspondingly, the correlation dimension method is adopted to quantify the embedding dimension. The low embedding dimensions achieved from these methods show the existence of low dimensional chaos in the mining data. Next, the high sensitivity to initial conditions is evaluated using the maximal Lyapunov exponent criterion. Positive Lyapunov exponents obtained demonstrate the exponential divergence of the trajectories and hence the unpredictability of the data. Afterward, the nonlinear surrogate data test is done to further verify the nonlinear structure of the grade distribution series. This analysis provides considerable evidence for the being of low‐dimensional chaotic dynamics underlying the mining spatial series. Lastly, a nonlinear prediction scheme is carried out to predict the grade distribution series. Some computer simulations are presented to illustrate the efficiency of the applied nonlinear tools. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity 21: 355–369, 2016     

Lanthanide complexes with pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid: synthesis,crystal structure,thermal and magnetic properties of [LnPDA)2(PDAH2)] · (DMAH2)2(DMAH0.5)2

Mild solvothermal synthesis, structures, thermal and magnetic properties of coordination complexes [Ln(PDA)₂(PDAH₂)] · (DMAH₂)₂(DMAH_0.5)₂(I–IV) (PDA = pyrdine-2,6-dicarboxylate anion, DMAH = dimethylamine, Ln = Ce, Nd, Sm, and Ho) are described. The DMAH molecules in I–IV, generated in situ from hydrolysis of N,N-dimethylformamide, are responsible to assemble three dimensional coordination polymers through N–H···O and C–H···O hydrogen bonds. Distorted tricapped trigonal prismatic LnO₆N₃ geometry having 14 triangular faces is attributed to mean deviation of dihedral angles while nitrogen shows fairly triangular faces having dihedral angle close to 60°C (CIF files CCDC nos. 872065 (I), 872070 (II), 872069 (III), and 872066 (IV)). Curie–Weiss law and the overall magnetic behavior are typical for the presence of antiferromagnetic exchange coupling interactions between lanthanide. Thermal decomposition analyses reveal removal of ammonia and resultant complexes showthermal stability. Complexes have been further characterized by using elemental analyzer and FT-IR spectroscopy.     

Prebiotic Impacts of Soybean Residue (Okara) on Eubiosis/Dysbiosis Condition of the Gut and the Possible Effects on Liver and Kidney Functions

Okara is a white-yellow fibrous residue consisting of the insoluble fraction of the soybean seeds remaining after extraction of the aqueous fraction during the production of tofu and soymilk, and is generally considered a waste product. It is packed with a significant number of proteins, isoflavones, soluble and insoluble fibers, soyasaponins, and other mineral elements, which are all attributed with health merits. With the increasing production of soy beverages, huge quantities of this by-product are produced annually, which poses significant disposal problems and financial issues for producers. Extensive studies have been done on the biological activities, nutritional values, and chemical composition of okara as well as its potential utilization. Owing to its peculiar rich fiber composition and low cost of production, okara might be potentially useful in the food industry as a functional ingredient or good raw material and could be used as a dietary supplement to prevent varied ailments such as prevention of diabetes, hyperlipidemia, obesity, as well as to stimulate the growth of intestinal microbes and production of microbe-derived metabolites (xenometabolites), since gut dysbiosis (imbalanced microbiota) has been implicated in the progression of several complex diseases. This review seeks to compile scientific research on the bioactive compounds in soybean residue (okara) and discuss the possible prebiotic impact of this fiber-rich residue as a functional diet on eubiosis/dysbiosis condition of the gut, as well as the consequential influence on liver and kidney functions, to facilitate a detailed knowledge base for further exploration, implementation, and development.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Poly(1‐Naphthylamine)‐Montmorillonite Nanocomposites Intercalated by Emulsion Polymerization

Nanocomposites of montmorillonite (MMT) with poly(1‐naphthylamine) (PNA) is investigated for the first time by emulsion polymerization using three different oxidants. Polymerization of PNA was confirmed by Fourier transformation infrared (FT‐IR) as well as UV‐visible spectra. The in situ intercalative polymerization of PNA within MMT layers was confirmed by FT‐IR, X‐ray diffraction, conductivity; scanning electron microscopy (SEM) as well as transmission electron microscopy studies. X‐ray diffraction revealed intercalated as well as exfoliated structures of PNA/MMT nanocomposites, which were compared with the reported polyaniline‐MMT nanocomposites. It was found that the increase in the concentration of PNA in the interlayer galleries of MMT led to destruction of the layered clay structure resulting in exfoliation of the nanocomposite. Conductivity of the nanocomposites was found to be in the range of 10^?3 to 10^?2 S cm^?1 which was found to be higher than the ones reported for polyaniline‐clay nanocomposites as well as PEOA‐OMMT nanocomposites at similar concentrations of intercalated species. The morphology of PNA/MMT nanocomposites was found to be governed by the nature of the oxidant used.     

The effect of NaCl and Na2SO4 concentration in aqueous phase on the phase inversion temperature O/W nanoemulsions

The effect of NaCl and Na₂SO₄ concentrations in aqueous phase on the phase inversion temperature (PIT) in nanoemulsions of water/Brij30/n-hexadecane system has been studied separately, and then compared. The variation of conductivity with temperature was measured by Cyber Scan PC510 conductivity meter for emulsions with 20 wt% hexadecane and 8 wt% Brij30 concentration and different concentrations of NaCl and Na₂SO₄ in aqueous phase. The results showed that with increasing concentrations of NaCl and Na₂SO₄ in aqueous phase, the PIT of nanoemulsions decreases. The effect of the elevation of concentration on the decrease of PIT was more for Na₂SO₄ in aqueous phase than NaCl with equal concentrations.     

Solvable k-essence cosmologies and modified Chaplygin gas unified models of dark energy and dark matter

This paper is devoted to the investigation of the modified Chaplygin gas model in the context of solvable k-essence cosmologies. For this purpose, we construct equations of state parameter of this model for some particular values of the parameter n. The graphical behavior of these equations are also discussed by using power law form of scalar field. The relationship between k-essence and the modified Chaplygin gas model shows viable results in the dark energy scenario. We conclude that the universe behaves as a cosmological constant, quintessence phase or phantom phase depending upon n.     

Dark Energy Models and Cosmic Acceleration with Anisotropic Universe in f（T） Gravity

This paper is devoted to studing the accelerated expansion of the universe in context of f（T） theory of gravity. For this purpose, we construct different f（T） models and investigate their cosmological behavior through equation of state parameter by using holographic, new agegraphic and their power-law entropy corrected dark energy models. We discuss the graphical behavior of this parameter versus redshif~ for particular values of constant parameters in Bianchi type I universe model. It is shown that the universe lies in different forms of dark energy, namely quintessence, phantom, and quintom corresponding to the chosen scale factors, which depend upon the constant parameters of the models.     

Mn–AlInN: a new diluted magnetic semiconductor

Mn ions have been incorporated into MOCVD grown Al_1−x In _x N/GaN thin films by ion implantation to achieve the room temperature ferromagnetism in the samples. Magnetic characterizations revealed the presence of two ferromagnetic transitions: one has Curie points at ∼260 K and the other above room temperature. In-diffusion of indium caused by the Mn implantation leads to the partition of AlInN epilayer into two diluted magnetic semiconductor sub-layers depending on the Mn concentration. The Curie temperature of 260 K is assigned to the layer having lower concentration, whereas T _c above room temperature is assumed to be associated to the layer having higher Mn concentration.     

Potential‐Responsive Surfaces for Manipulation of Cell Adhesion,Release, and Differentiation

In living systems, interfacial molecular interactions control many biological processes. New stimuli‐responsive strategies are desired to provide versatile model systems that can regulate cell behavior in vitro. Described here are potential‐responsive surfaces that control cell adhesion and release as well as stem cell differentiation. Cell adhesion can be modulated dynamically by applying negative and positive potentials to surfaces functionalized with tailored monolayers. This process alters cell morphology and ultimately controls behavior and the fate of the cells. Cells can be detached from the electrode surface as intact clusters with different geometries using electrochemical potentials. Importantly, morphological changes during adhesion guide stem cell differentiation. The higher accessibility of the peptide under a positive applied potential causes phenotypic changes in the cells that are hallmarks of osteogenesis, whereas lower accessibility of the peptide promoted by negative potentials leads to adipogenesis.