Novel heterocyclic construction via dipolar cycloadditions to 1,2‐dicarbonyl compounds

The reactivity of o‐quinones and other 1,2‐diones towards a variety of dipolar species viz‐, nitrile oxides, carbonyl ylides, betaines and mesoionic compounds has been investigated. In most cases, these reactions occur with the participation of C=O group as the dipolarophile leading to the synthesis of novel heterocyclic compounds.     

VLSN search algorithms for partitioning problems using matching neighbourhoods

In this paper, we propose a general paradigm to design very large-scale neighbourhood search algorithms for generic partitioning-type problems. We identify neighbourhoods of exponential size, called matching neighbourhoods, comprised of the union of a class of exponential neighbourhoods. It is shown that these individual components of the matching neighbourhood can be searched in polynomial time, whereas searching the matching neighbourhood is NP-hard. Matching neighbourhood subsumes a well-known class of exponential neighbourhoods called cyclic-exchange neighbourhoods. Our VLSN algorithm is implemented for two special cases of the partitioning problem; the covering assignment problem and the single source transportation problem. Encouraging experimental results are also reported.     

Some results on lower variance bounds useful in reliability modeling and estimation

In the present paper a general theorem that links characterizations of discrete life distributions based on relationship between failure rate and conditional expectations with those in terms of Chernoff-type inequalities is proposed. Exact expression for lower bounds to the variance is calculated for distributions belonging to the modified power series family, Ord family and mixture geometric models. It is shown that the bounds obtained here contain the Cramer–Rao and Chapman–Robbins inequalities as special cases. An application of the results to real data is also provided.     

Characterizations of multivariate life distributions

Characterizations of multivariate distributions has been a topic of great interest in applied statistics literature for the last three decades. In this paper, we develop characterizations of multivariate lifetime distributions by relationship between multivariate failure rates (reversed failure rates) and the left (right) truncated expectations of functions of random variables. We, then, discuss the application of the results to derive a multivariate Stein type identity.     

Optimization in Control and Learning in Coupled Map Lattice Systems

In this paper, we analyze various control algorithms that have been proposed for controlling spatiotemporal chaos in a globally coupled map lattice (CML) system. We reformulate the choice of feedback parameters in such systems as a constrained optimization problem and provide numerical and experimental results on the choice of optimal parameters for controlling the mean global Lyapunov exponent of a lattice. Finally, we propose a scheme to use this optimization technique to solve a learning problem in which such a CML system can be used to emulate the dynamics of an epileptic brain. This work was supported by NIH-NIBIB and CRDF grants.     

A survey for the quadratic assignment problem

The quadratic assignment problem (QAP), one of the most difficult problems in the NP-hard class, models many real-life problems in several areas such as facilities location, parallel and distributed computing, and combinatorial data analysis. Combinatorial optimization problems, such as the traveling salesman problem, maximal clique and graph partitioning can be formulated as a QAP. In this paper, we present some of the most important QAP formulations and classify them according to their mathematical sources. We also present a discussion on the theoretical resources used to define lower bounds for exact and heuristic algorithms. We then give a detailed discussion of the progress made in both exact and heuristic solution methods, including those formulated according to metaheuristic strategies. Finally, we analyze the contributions brought about by the study of different approaches.     

Stereoselective synthesis of highly substituted tetrahydrofuran derivatives via Huisgen 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of acyclic carbonyl ylides to activated styrenes

Stereoselective synthesis of highly functionalized tetrahydrofurans via the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of acyclic carbonyl ylides to activated alkenes is described.     

Epitaxial SiC formation induced by medium energy ions on Si(1 1 1) at room temperature

In the search for silicon technology compatible substrate for III-nitride epitaxy, we present a proof-of-concept for forming epitaxial SiC layer on Si(1 1 1). A C/Si interface formed by ion sputtering is exposed to 100-1500 eV Ar⁺ ions, inducing a chemical reaction to form SiC, as observed by core-level X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Angle dependent XPS studies shows forward scattering feature that manifest the epitaxial SiC layer formation, while the valence band depicts the metal to insulator phase change.     

Shear Layer Dynamics in a Reacting Jet in Crossflow

This study explores the effect of heat release on the growth of the shear layer vortical structures in a reacting jet in crossflow. Jets composed of mixtures of hydrogen, helium and nitrogen were used to independently vary the momentum flux ratio (J), jet to crossflow density ratio (S) and heat release. Velocity fields were obtained from 10?kHz high-speed stereoscopic particle image velocimetry (SPIV) and regions of elevated temperature/combustion products from simultaneous OH planar laser induced fluorescence (OH-PLIF). The shear layer vortices (SLV) originating from instabilities in the windward and leeward shear layers were identified using vortex identification indicator functions in order to track their spatial location and strength. The results show that the asymmetries in shear layer strength between the windward and leeward shear layers are dependent primarily on J, for both reacting and non-reacting flow-fields. The SLV growth rate dependencies on J and S is found to match trends noted by previous studies for non-reacting jets, where SLV growth rates increase with degree of global instability of the JICF. Heat release is also shown to suppress the SLV growth rates relative to non-reacting cases with the same jet parameters. Related to this point, the degree of lifting of the flame also has a significant impact on SLV growth. As flame lifting is directly related to autoignition times, this point shows strong coupling between kinetic rates and jet hydrodynamic stability.