Quantum game approach for capacity allocation decisions under strategic reasoning

From a common point of view, quantum mechanics, psychology, and decision science disciplines try to predict how unruly systems (atomic particles, human behaviors, and decision makers’ choices) might behave in the future. Effective predicting outcome of a capacity allocation game under various allocation policies requires a profound understanding as how strategic reasoning of decision makers contributes to the financial gain of players. A quantum game framework is employed in the current study to investigate how performance of allocation policies is affected when buyers strategize over order quantities. The results show that the degree of being manipulative for allocation mechanisms is not identical and adopting adaptive quantum method is the most effective approach to secure the highest fill rate and profit when it is practiced under a reasonable range of entanglement levels.

     

DC-Pulsed Plasma for Dry Reforming of Methane to Synthesis Gas

The carbon dioxide reforming of methane to synthesis gas under DC-pulsed plasma was investigated. The effects of specific input energy and feed ratio on the product distribution and also feed conversion was studied. At the input energy of about 11 eV/molecule per methane and/or carbon dioxide the feed conversion of 38% for CH₄ and 28% for CO₂ and product selectivity of 74% has been attained for H₂ and CO at feed flow rate of 90 ml/min. The energy consumption in this work displays potential to further study and optimization of the process. The importance of the electron impact reactions in the process was discussed. The results show that by prudent tuning of system variables, the process be able to run in the way of synthesis gas, instead of hydrocarbon production.     

One-pot synthesis of YF3@silica core/shell nanoparticles

A new one-pot synthetic method for preparing core/shell YF3@SiO2 nanoparticles with different morphologies, from spherical to elongated structures ("pearl necklace"), is described; absorbance and photoluminescence spectroscopy reveals intrinsic but no extrinsic defects in the YF3.     

Blocked-micropores,surface functionalized,bio-compatible and silica-coated iron oxide nanocomposites as advanced MRI contrast agent

Quasi-critical fluctuations occur close to critical points or close to continuous phase transitions. In three-dimensional systems, precision tuning is required to access the fluctuation regime. Lowering the dimensionality enhances the parameter space for quasi-critical fluctuations considerably. This enables one to make use of novel properties emerging in fluctuating systems, such as giant susceptibilities, Casimir forces or novel quasi-particle interactions. Examples are discussed ranging from simple metal–adsorbate systems to unconventional superconductivity in iron-based superconductors.     

Au-silica nanoparticles by "reverse" synthesis of cores in hollow silica shells

Core-silica shell nanoparticles were prepared in a "reverse" manner by nucleation and growth of Au cores within hollow silica nanospheres.     

Solubility of H2S in ionic liquids [hmim][PF6], [hmim][BF4], and [hmim][Tf2N]

The solubility of hydrogen sulphide in three ionic liquids, viz. 1-hexyl-3-methylilmidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([hmim][PF₆]), 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([hmim][BF₄]), and 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide ([hmim][Tf₂N]), at temperatures ranging from 303.15 K to 343.15 K and pressures up to 1.1 MPa were determined. The solubility values were correlated using the Krichevsky–Kasarnovsky equation and Henry’s constants were obtained at different temperatures. Partial molar thermodynamic functions of solvation such as standard Gibbs free energy, enthalpy, and entropy were calculated from the solubility results. Comparison of the values obtained show that the solubility of H₂S in these three ionic liquids was in the sequence: [hmim][BF₄] > [hmim][PF₆] ≈ [hmim][Tf₂N].     

Schiff base tantalum(V) complexes

Summary Complexes of pentachlorotantalum with the Schiff bases: bis(vanillin)benzidine, bis(vanillin)-o-dianisidine, bis(acetylacetone)benzidine, bis(p-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde)-o-dianisidine, bis(anisaldehyde)-1, 3-propanediamine and bis(p-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde)-o-phenylenediamine have been prepared and characterized by molar conductance, decomposition temperature, elemental and t.g. analyses and i.r. spectral measurements. The conductances reveal that pentachlorotantalum (1 mole) interacts with all the ligands (1 mole), all five chloride ions thus forming simple adducts. A comparative study of the i.r. spectra of the parent ligands and their complexes allows the coordination sites to be ascertained. The studies show that tantalum(V) chloride prefers to form complexes of high coordination number.     

Green and Rapid Strategy for Synthesis of Novel and Known Pyrroles by the Use of Molybdate Sulfuric Acid

Molybdate sulfuric acid as a highly efficient catalyst has been employed for the modified Paal–Knorr synthesis of some novel and known pyrroles under solvent‐free conditions. Catalyst loads as low as 1 mol% could be used leading to high yields of pure pyrrole derivatives at an oil bath temperature of 60 °C. This method has advantages such as the use of very low amounts of a recyclable catalyst, avoidance of organic solvents, and high product yields.     

Isolation and identification of bioactive compounds from chloroform fraction of methanolic extract of Carissa opaca roots

Carissa opaca is a shrub known for its variety of medicinal applications. This study reports isolation and identification of four chemical compounds from its roots for the first time. The methanolic extract of the roots was fractionated into various solvents with increasing polarity. Chloroform fraction was subjected to column and thin layer chromatography to ultimately yield 2H-cyclopropanaphthalene-2-one, 7-hydroxy-6-methoxy-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one, 3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2,6-dimethylbenzofuran and 5(1H)-azulenone, 2,4,6,7,8,8a-hexahydro-3,8-dimethyl-4-(1-methylethylidene)-,(8S-cis). They were identified by GC–MS analysis. The compounds exhibited considerable antimicrobial activities against Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger with zones of inhibition ranging from 10 to 13 mm as compared to the standard drug amoxicillin with zones of inhibition 13–17 mm under the similar conditions. In conclusion, the roots of C. opaca can provide new leads for future antimicrobial drugs.