Super-diffusion

In sharp contrast to the large number of experimental and computer simulation studies reported in literature, there have been relatively few analytical or model dependent studies on the dynamics of protein hydration layer. A simple phenomenological model, proposed earlier by Nandi and Bagchi [4] explains the observed slow relaxation in the hydration layer in terms of a dynamic equilibrium between the bound and the free states of water molecules within the layer. The slow time scale is the inverse of the rate of bound to free transition. In this model, the transition between the free and bound states occurs by rotation. Recently Mukherjee and Bagchi [14] have numerically solved the space dependent reaction-diffusion model to obtain the probability distribution and the time dependent mean-square displacement (MSD). The model predicts a transition from sub-diffusive to super-diffusive translational behaviour, before it attains a diffusive nature in the long time. However, a microscopic theory of hydration layer dynamics is yet to be fully developed. 

In contrast to surface aggregation, changes in the molar area of adsorbed molecules can lead to an apparent enhancement of the adsorption rate. Thus, observed super-diffusion phenomena can be understood by considering changes in the molar surface area with changing surface coverage (cf. Fig. 4.6). Again, these systems are then quantitatively understood by a purely diffusion controlled model. 

A. Mukhegee and B. Bagchi, Origin of the sub-diffusive behavior and crossover from sub-diffusive to super-diffusive dynamics near a biological surface. Phys. Chem. Commun., 6 (2003), 28. 

The mesopores make some contribution to the adsorptive capacity, but thek main role is as conduits to provide access to the smaller micropores. Diffusion ia the mesopores may occur by several different mechanisms, as discussed below. The macropores make very Htde contribution to the adsorptive capacity, but they commonly provide a major contribution to the kinetics. Thek role is thus analogous to that of a super highway, aHowkig the adsorbate molecules to diffuse far kito a particle with a minimum of diffusional resistance. 

The general theoretical treatment of ion-selective membranes assumes a homogeneous membrane phase and thermodynamic equilibrium at the phase boundaries. Obvious deviations from a Nemstian behavior are explained by an additional diffusion potential inside the membrane. However, allowing stationary state conditions in which the thermodynamic equilibrium is not established some hitherto difficult to explain facts (e.g., super-Nemstian slope, dependence of the selectivity of ion-transport upon the availability of co-ions, etc.) can be understood more easily. 

FIGURE 9.4 Quick ampoule sampling of volatiles. Ninety-five percent ampoule filling time as a function of capillary diameter for 3 compounds. Calculation for filling through consecutive Knudsen diffusion into a vacuum, super sonic flow, and laminar flow. 

One of the most convincing tests of the AG relationship appeared in the work of Scala et al.92 for the SPC/E model of water,57 which is known to reproduce many of water s distinctive properties in its super-cooled liquid state qualitatively. In this study, the dynamical quantity used to correlate with the configurational entropy was the self-diffusivity D. Scala et al. computed D via molecular dynamics simulations. The authors calculated the various contributions to the liquid entropy using the methods described above for a wide range of temperature and density [shown in Figure 12(a-c)]. 

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