Simultaneous kinetic determination of sulfite and sulfide using artificial neural networks

Artificial neural networks (ANNs) are proposed for the determination of sulfite and sulfide simultaneously. The method is based on the reaction between Brilliant Green (BG) as a colored reagent and sulfite and/or sulfide in buffered solution (pH 7.0) and monitoring the changes of absorbance at maximum wavelength of 628 nm. Experimental conditions such as pH, reagents concentrations, and temperature were optimized and training the network was performed using principal components (PCs) of the original data. The network architecture (number of input, hidden and output nodes), and some parameters such as learning rate (η) and momentum (α) were also optimized for getting satisfactory results with minimum errors. The measuring range was 0.05-3.6 μg ml⁻¹ for both analytes. The proposed method has been successfully applied to the quantification of the sulfite and sulfide in different water samples.     

A new genetic approach to construct near-optimal binary search trees

Many definitive and approximate methods have been so far proposed for the construction of an optimal binary search tree. One such method is the use of evolutionary algorithms with satisfactorily improved cost efficiencies. This paper will propose a new genetic algorithm for making a near-optimal binary search tree. In this algorithm, a new greedy method is used for the crossover of chromosomes while a new way is also developed for inducing mutation in them. Practical results show a rapid and desirable convergence towards the near-optimal solution. The use of a heuristic to create not so costly chromosomes as the first offspring, the greediness of the crossover, and the application of elitism in the selection of future generation chromosomes are the most important factors leading to near-optimal solutions by the algorithm at desirably high speeds. Due to the practical results, increasing problem size does not cause any considerable difference between the solution obtained from the algorithm and exact solution.     

All-optical half adder based on photonic crystals for BPSK signals

Optical and Quantum Electronics - This paper aims at first deriving the general forms of the electromagnetic vector and scalar potentials inside a cylindrical wave-guide by placing a 3D-charged...     

Palladium Paste Nanocomposite Electrode as a New Metallic Electrocatalyst for Ethanol Oxidation and Nonenzymatic Amperometric Sensor in Alkaline Medium

Palladium paste nanocomposite electrode was employed as an efficient electrocatalyst for ethanol oxidation and nonenzymatic amperometric ethanol sensor, in alkaline media. The combined application of unique properties of nanomaterials and ionic liquids results in electrodes with interesting advantages compared to the conventional Pd disk electrodes. High tolerance towards accumulation of carbonaceous species (CO‐like intermediates) and poisoning by strongly adsorbed species suggests this electrode suitable for many applications. The sensor has the advantages of high sensitivity, low detection limit (20.0 µM), wide linear range (30.0 µM–1.6 M), ease of renewing the electrode surface, good long‐term stability and reproducibility for ethanol determination.     

Applications of Danishefsky’s dienes in asymmetric Oxo-Diels-Alder reactions

Applications of Danishefsky’s dienes in catalytic asymmetric hetero-Diels-Alder (AHDA) reactions or specifically, their asymmetric Oxo-Diels-Alder (AOxo-DA) reactions with appropriate dienophiles are highlighted in detail, including the preparation of catalysts with discussion from a mechanistic points of view. Danishefsky’s dienes are effective and useful compounds for the synthesis of optically active six-membered rings such as dihydropyrones, dihydropyridones and dihydropyrans. Due to the broad range of the overall subject, we have limited ourselves, to the recent developments in the utility of Danishefsky’s dienes in the reaction with carbonyl compounds (aldehydes, ketones and 1,2-dicarbonyl compounds) in asymmetric Oxo-Diels-Alder (AOxo-DA) reactions.     

Current Applications of Suzuki–Miyaura Coupling Reaction in The Total Synthesis of Natural Products: An update

Suzuki‐Miyaura Coupling Reaction (SMCR) has been extensively used in the total synthesis of natural products. We underscored these achievements in a report published in Tetrahedron up to 2012. Since then, there has been tremendous growth in this field and numerous articles have been published after 2012. In this review, we tried to go insight and highlight the current developments in the applications of SMCR as a key and strategic step (steps) in the total synthesis of biologically active natural products accomplished and reported from 2012 till date.     

Dodecatungstocobaltate heteropolyanion encapsulation into MIL‐101(Cr) metal–organic framework scaffold provides a highly efficient heterogeneous catalyst for methanolysis of epoxides

A heterogeneous catalyst was synthesized by encapsulation of a Keggin‐type heteropolytungstate, potassium dodecatungstocobaltate trihydrate, K₅[CoW₁₂O₄₀]·(Co‐POM), into chromium(III) terephthalate (MIL‐101). Encapsulation was achieved via a ‘build bottle around ship’ strategy in aqueous media, following a hydrothermal method. The structure of the resulting crystalline solid was characterized using X‐ray diffraction, correlated with Fourier transform infrared and UV–visible spectroscopy. The metal content was analysed using optical emission spectroscopy. Transmission electron microscopy was used to measure particle size and N₂ adsorption in a Brunauer–Emmett–Teller instrument to characterize the specific surface area. The catalytic activity was investigated using methanolysis of epoxides under mild conditions as a test reaction. The turnover frequency of the heterogeneous Co‐POM@MIL‐101 catalyst was more than 20 times higher than that of the homogeneous Co‐POM catalyst. The Co‐POM@MIL‐101 catalyst was reused several times with negligible leaching of Co‐POM and with no considerable loss of its initial efficiency. The simplicity of preparation, extraordinary stability and high reactivity make Co‐POM@MIL‐101 an exceptional catalytic matrix that is easily separable from reaction media.