Optical low-coherence reflectometry with resolution beyond the Fourier transform limit

We demonstrate experimentally and theoretically a method for enhancing the axial resolution of optical low-coherence reflectometry (OLCR) beyond the Fourier transform limit of light source spectrum. The resolution enhancement originates from the superposition of multiple OLCR scans with different offsets of the center-wavelength light-ray with respect to the rotation axis of the mirror mounted on the galvanometer optical scanner in the used optical phase delay line. After certain software process of the multiple scan fringe patterns of different offsets, the superposition leads to an OLCR axial resolution beyond the transform limit. Experimentally, by using four different offsets for superposition, about 1.5 times enhancement of the transform-limit resolution is obtained.     

Amino acid overproduction by analog resistant mutants of the nitrogen fixing cyanobacteriumAnabaena sp 287

Two amino acid analog resistant mutants of the cyanobacteriumAnabaena sp 287 were isolated after MNNG mutagenesis.Anabaena ST 16, a mutant resistant to the alanine analog D-α-aminobutyric acid andAnabaena ST 25, another mutant resistant to the histidine analog l,2,4-triazole-3-alanine, released alanine and histidine, respectively, into the medium upon immobilization in alginic acid during diazotrophic growth in fluidized bed reactors. The rates of amino acid production by the mutants were 4.3 μmol mg chl^-1 h^-1 of D-alanine byAnabaena ST 16 and 16.6 μnol mg chl^-1 h^-1 of L-histidine byAnabaena ST 25. Nitrogen fixation by the mutants was not affected by the extracellular amino acid concentration. While the radioactive carbon flow was followed, the parent strain retained 93% of fixed¹⁴C and released only 7% into the medium. On the other hand,Anabaena ST 16 released 13% andAnabaena ST 25 released 29% into the medium. These mutants are beneficial in the production of radioactive amino acids using diazotrophic photobiotechnology.     

Microwave-assisted solid-phase Dötz benzannulation reaction: a facile synthesis of 2,3-disubstituted-1,4-naphthoquinones

A microwave-assisted solid-supported Dötz benzannulation of chromium carbene complexes with various alkynes has been developed. The oxidative cleavage of the resulting resin-bound 1,4-naphthols affords 2,3-disubstituted-1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives in good to moderate yields with high purities.     

Highly chemoselective coupling of allenylstannanes with organic iodides promoted by Pd(PPh3)4/LiCl: an efficient method for the synthesis of substituted allenes

An efficient method for the preparation of various monosubstituted arylallenes, disubstituted allenes and alkenylallenes via palladium-catalyzed coupling of allenylstannanes with aryl iodides or alkenyl iodides is described. The coupling reaction was carried out in the presence of Pd(PPh₃)₄ and LiCl using DMF as solvent. The possible role of LiCl in this coupling process is discussed based on the ¹¹⁹Sn NMR studies.     

Experimental and theoretical studies of rate coefficients for the reaction O(3P)+CH3OH at high temperatures

Rate coefficients of the reaction O((3)P) + CH(3)OH in the temperature range of 835-1777 K were determined using a diaphragmless shock tube. O atoms were generated by photolysis of SO(2) with a KrF excimer laser at 248 nm or an ArF excimer laser at 193 nm; their concentrations were monitored via atomic resonance absorption excited by emission from a microwave-discharged mixture of O(2) and He. The rate coefficients determined for the temperature range can be represented by the Arrhenius equation, k(T) = (2.29 +/- 0.18) x 10(-10) exp[-(4210 +/- 100)T] cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1); unless otherwise noted, all the listed errors represent one standard deviation in fitting. Combination of these and previous data at lower temperature shows a non-Arrhenius behavior described as the three-parameter equation, k(T) = (2.74 +/- 0.07) x 10(-18)T(2.25 +/- 0.13) exp[-(1500 +/- 90)T] cm(3)molecule(-1) s(-1). Theoretical calculations at the Becke-3-Lee-Yang-Parr (B3LYP)6-311 + G(3df,2p) level locate three transition states. Based on the energies computed with coupled clusters singles, doubles (triples) [CCSD(T)]/6-311 + G(3df,2p)B3LYP6-311 + G(3df,2p), the rate coefficients predicted with canonical variational transition state theory with small curvature tunneling corrections agree satisfactorily with the experimental observations. The branching ratios of two accessible reaction channels forming OH + CH(2)OH (1a) and OH + CH(3)O (1b) are predicted to vary strongly with temperature. At 300 K, reaction (1a) dominates, whereas reaction (1b) becomes more important than reaction (1a) above 1700 K.     

Highly chemoselective palladium-catalyzed Sonogashira coupling of 5-iodouridine-5′-triphosphates with propargylamine: a new efficient method for the synthesis of 5-aminopropargyl-uridine-5′-triphosphates

An efficient palladium-catalyzed Sonogashira coupling of 5-iodouridine-5′-triphosphates with propargylamine is described. The catalytic reaction is highly chemoselective that affords exclusively 5-aminopropargyl-uridine-5′-triphosphates in good yields with high purities (>99.8%).     

Immobilization of Ru(III) complex on silica: a heterogenized catalyst for selective oxidation of alcohols in water at room temperature

We have developed a heterogenized catalyst (‘SiO₂’–NH₂–Ru^III) by the immobilization of [Ru(acac)₂(CH₃CN)₂]PF₆ on SiO₂. The catalyst was characterized by SEM, solid state NMR, EPR, FT-IR, ICP, and BET surface area analyses. ‘SiO₂’–NH₂–Ru^III catalyzed the selective oxidation of alcohols with periodic acid in water at room temperature. This protocol was applicable to the controlled oxidation of structurally diverse primary and secondary alcohols. The catalyst could be quantitatively recovered and reused up to six cycles without significant loss of catalytic activity.     

Optimal design of loudspeaker arrays for robust cross-talk cancellation using the Taguchi method and the genetic algorithm

An optimal design technique of loudspeaker arrays for cross-talk cancellation with application in three-dimensional audio is presented. An array focusing scheme is presented on the basis of the inverse propagation that relates the transducers to a set of chosen control points. Tikhonov regularization is employed in designing the inverse cancellation filters. An extensive analysis is conducted to explore the cancellation performance and robustness issues. To best compromise the performance and robustness of the cross-talk cancellation system, optimal configurations are obtained with the aid of the Taguchi method and the genetic algorithm (GA). The proposed systems are further justified by physical as well as subjective experiments. The results reveal that large number of loudspeakers, closely spaced configuration, and optimal control point design all contribute to the robustness of cross-talk cancellation systems (CCS) against head misalignment.     

Highly regio- and chemoselective palladium-catalyzed three-component assembly of arylethylidene malononitriles,allylic chlorides,and allenylstannanes: a novel route to 1,7-enyne derivatives

[reaction: see text] An efficient method for the synthesis of 1,7-enyne derivatives via a palladium-catalyzed three-component assembly of arylethylidene malononitriles, allylic chlorides, and allenylstannanes is described.