Simulation model for shapiro time delay and light deflection experiments

The time delay experiment proposed by I.I. Shapiro in 1964 and conducted in the seventies was the most precise experiment of general relativity until that time. Further experimentation has improved the accuracy level of both the time delay and the light deflection experiments. A simulation model is proposed that involves only a simple mass and time transformation factor involving velocity of light. The light deflection and the time delay experiments are numerically simulated using this model that does not use the general relativistic equations. The computed values presented in this paper compare well with recent levels of accuracy of their respective experimental results.     

Nonlinear control of systems with multiple equilibria and unknown sinusoidal disturbance

In this paper, nonlinear systems having multiple equilibrium points and low order dynamics are investigated. Roll motions of ships are studied by means of modern nonlinear techniques to exemplify the behavior of such nonlinear systems in the case when they are under the influence of external sinusoidal disturbances with unknown amplitudes. The main objective is to analyze the performance of this system at different operating conditions, including those giving rise to chaos, and to design a controller with an overparameterized structure to stabilize the system at the origin. A nonlinear recursive backstepping controller is proposed and the transient performance is investigated. Lyapunov-based techniques are used to force systematic following of a reference model while introducing a nonlinear parameter estimator to guarantee adaptivity. Robustness problems as well as ways to tune the controller parameters are examined. Simulation results are submitted for the uncontrolled and controlled cases, verifying the effectiveness of the proposed controller. Finally, a discussion and conclusions are given with possible future extensions.     

On Commutativity of Rings With Derivations

Let R be a ring and d : R → R a derivation of R. In the present paper we investigate commutativity of R satisfying any one of the properties (i)d([x,y]) = [x,y], (ii)d(x o y) = xoy, (iii)d(x) o d(y) = 0, or (iv)d(x) o d(y) = x o y, for all x, y in some apropriate subset of R.     

Pyranoxanthones from Calophyllum Inophyllum

Phytochemical investigation of the stem bark of Calophyllum inophyllum resulted in the isolation of a new dipyrenoxanthone, calophinone ( 1 ), together with four related xanthones ( 2–5 ). Identification of the isolated compounds was achieved through intensive studies of their spectral data, especially 2D NMR.     

Sensory, physicochemical and microbiological quality of irradiated minimally processed cauliflower

Minimally processed cauliflower samples were irradiated, stored at 5 °C for 2 weeks and analyzed for sensory, physicochemical and microbiological qualities at 0th, 7th and 14th days. The data showed highest mean values of 7.93 and 7.57 for appearance and flavor, respectively, for 1.0 kGy treated samples. The D₁₀ values of contaminating microorganisms on cauliflower were 0.20 (Escherischia coli) and 0.24 kGy (Salmonella paratyphae A.) and the resulting 5D₁₀ value was 1.2 kGy. The study revealed that a dose of 1.5 kGy is enough for retention of quality and reduction of microbial load to 5D₁₀ values in cauliflower during 2 weeks storage at refrigerated temperature.     

Antiplatelet and anti-HIV constituents from Euchresta formosana

Phytochemical investigation of the methanol extract of Euchresta formosana resulted in the isolation of thirty-four compounds. Compounds 1, 3-12, 15, 27, 29 and 32-24 were isolated from this species for the first time. These compounds were identified by spectral analyses and tested for antiplatelet aggregation and anti-HIV activities. Among these compounds, tectorigenin (1), 3',4',5-trihydroxyisoflavone (3), and euchretin F (19) were the most effective antiplatelet aggregation compounds; they inhibited both AA- (arachidonic acid) and collagen-induced platelet aggregation. Meanwhile, flemiphyllin (B), quercetin (13), euchretin M (23), and formosanatin C (26) inhibited HIV replication in H9 lymphocyte cells.     

Intramolecular energy-transfer in a europium(III) chelate with salicylidene-valinate schiff base

Summary An intense fluorescence,⁵D⁷F, of the europium(III) ion was observed at room temperature in DMSO and DMF solutions of the europium(III) chelate with salicylidene-valinate Schiff base, as a result of an intramolecular energy-transfer from the ligand to the metal ion. The metal chelate has been characterized and appears to possess an octahedral configuration. These results offer an interesting opportunity to probe the active sites of pyridoxal enzymes.     

N-picolinamido-N′-benzoylthiocarbamide transition metal complexes

A new series of CoII, NiII and CuII complexes derived from N-picolinamido-N-benzoylthiocarbamide has been prepared in which the Schiff base ligand is tridentate and/or bidentate, containing a potential ONS donor. The complexes have been characterized by elemental analyses, 1H-n.m.r., magnetic susceptibility, i.r., u.v., e.p.r. and thermal analyses. Stereochemistries are proposed for the complexes on the basis of the spectral and magnetic studies. The i.r. data indicate that the carbonyl oxygen of the benzoyl moiety constituents chelating backbone in most complexes.     

Tasumatrols P – T,Five New Taxoids from Taxus sumatrana

The phytochemical investigation of the more polar fractions from the leaves and twigs of Taxus sumatrana (Taxaceae) afforded five new taxane diterpene esters, tasumatrols P–T ( 1 – 5 ) possessing an 11(15→1),11(10→9)‐diabeotaxane skeleton. Compounds 1, 4 , and 5 contain an α‐hydroxy group at C(14), while 3 has no OH group at either C(13) or C(14). Compound 2 is a natural 4,5‐acetonide derivative, while 4 has an unusual spiro‐connected 2‐hydroxy‐2‐phenyl‐1,3‐dioxolane ring. Ten known taxoids, were also isolated in the course of the chromatographic fractionation. Five additional new O‐acetyl derivatives 3a, 4a, 4b, 5a , and 5b were prepared from the taxanes 3 – 5 . The structures of all new compounds were established on the basis of their spectroscopic analyses. Compound 1 showed mild cytotoxic activity against human Hela and Daoy tumor cells.