Finding minimum energy configurations for constrained beam buckling problems using the Viterbi algorithm

In this work, we present a novel technique to find approximate minimum energy configurations for thin elastic bodies using an instance of dynamic programming called the Viterbi algorithm. This method can be used to find approximate solutions for large deformation constrained buckling problems as well as problems where the strain energy function is non-convex. The approach does not require any gradient computations and could be considered a direct search method. The key idea is to consider a discretized version of the set of all possible configurations and use a computationally efficient search technique to find the minimum energy configuration. We illustrate the application of this method to a laterally constrained beam buckling problem where the presence of unilateral constraints together with the non-convexity of the energy function poses challenges for conventional schemes. The method can also be used as a means for generating “very good” starting points for other conventional gradient search algorithms. These uses, along with comparisons with a direct application of a gradient search and simulated annealing, are demonstrated in this work.     

Pre-equilibrium effects in (n, 2n) reactions at 14.2 MeV+

With a view to study the pre-equilibrium effects in neutron-induced reactions, the activation cross-sections for (n, 2n) reactions at 14.2±0.2 MeV in the heavy mass region have been measured using the versatile mixed powder technique and high resolution Ge(Li) detection. The experimental cross-sections are found to be consistently smaller than the predictions based on the statistical theory and this is attributed to the effect of pre-equilibrium decay in these reactions. The cross-sections due to pre-equilibrium decay were estimated using exciton, hybrid and unified models. When this cross-section was included in comparing the experimental cross-sections with theory, we obtained better agreement, within the limitations of the present-day preequilibrium theories. Preliminary results of this work were reported at the Nuclear Physics and Solid State Physics Symposium, Pune (1978).     

DBU-catalyzed transprotection of N-Fmoc-cysteine di- and tripeptides into S-Fm-cysteine di- and tripeptides

The transprotection of N-Fmoc-cysteine containing di- and tripeptides possessing a free SH group to produce the corresponding S-Fm-cysteine di- and tripeptides bearing a free amino group is accomplished efficiently with DBU in dry THF. The N-Fmoc to S-Fm transformation mechanism is discussed. S-Fm-Cysteine di- and tripeptides readily form amide bonds on coupling with N-(Pg-α-aminoacyl)benzotriazoles and N-(Pg-α-dipeptidoyl)benzotriazoles to give larger peptides.     

Gold-catalyzed cycloisomerizations of 1-(2-(tosylamino)phenyl)prop-2-yn-1-ols to 1H-indole-2-carbaldehydes and (E)-2-(iodomethylene)indolin-3-ols

A method to prepare 1H-indole-2-carbaldehydes and (E)-2-(iodomethylene)indolin-3-ols by gold(I)-catalyzed cycloisomerization of 1-(2-(tosylamino)phenyl)prop-2-yn-1-ols with N-iodosuccinimide (NIS) is reported. The reactions were shown to be operationally simplistic and proceed efficiently for a wide variety of substrates, affording the corresponding products in good to excellent yields (70-99%). The mechanism is suggested to involve activation of the alkyne moiety of the substrate by the gold(I) catalyst. This triggers intramolecular addition of the tethered aniline moiety to give a vinyl gold intermediate, which undergoes iododeauration with NIS to give the (E)-2-(iodomethylene)indolin-3-ol adduct. Subsequent 1,3-allylic alcohol isomerization (1,3-AAI) followed by formylation of this vinyl iodide intermediate then gives the 1H-indole-2-carbaldehyde.     

EDTA-catalyzed synthesis of 3,4-dihydroquinoxalin-2-amine derivatives by a three-component coupling of one-pot condensation reactions in an aqueous medium

This paper describes a simple and efficient one-pot synthetic approach for the preparation of biologically interesting 3,4-dihydroquinoxalin-2-amine derivatives using EDTA-catalyzed three-component reactions of o-phenylenediamines, carbonyl compounds, and isocyanides in an aqueous medium. This method is of great value because of its environmentally benign character, high yields, and ease of handling.     

Stabilization of β-hairpin structures via inter-strand π-π and hydrogen bond interactions in α-, β-, γ-hybrid peptides

Synthesis and conformational studies of α-, β-, γ-hybrid peptides containing a pyrrole amino acid (Paa, 1) and a furan amino acid (Faa, 2), namely Boc-β-Phe-Faa-d-Pro-Gly-Paa-β-HGly-Faa-OMe (3) and Boc-Paa-β-Phe-Faa-d-Pro-Gly-Paa-β-HGly-Faa-OMe (4), were carried out and they adopt β-hairpin structures stabilized via inter-strand π-π and hydrogen bonding interactions.     

Iodine as a versatile catalyst for the hydroalkylation of vinyl arenes with 1,3-diketones

The vinyl arenes undergo smooth hydroalkylation with 1,3-diketones in the presence of 10 mol % of iodine to afford phenethyl diketones and ketoesters in good yields in short reaction times. The use of inexpensive and readily available molecular iodine makes this method quite simple, more convenient and practical.     

Transition metal complexes of pyrazole head 24-membered polyazamacrocyclic bimetal cores: synthesis, characterization, electrochemistry and spectral study

A series of new 24-membered macrocyclic Co^II, Ni^II, Cu^II and Zn^II complexes of the ligands L¹H₂ and L²H₂ were prepared by the non-template and template methods respectively. The ligand L¹H₂ was formed by the condensation of pyrazole-3,5-dicarbohydrazide and glyoxal and all attempts to isolate the ligand L²H₂ were unsuccessful. These, ligand and transition metal complexes were characterized on the basis of elemental analysis, IR, ¹HNMR, UV–Visible, magnetic susceptibility measurements, ESR, conductivity measurements, FAB-mass and thermal analysis. The redox behavior of metal ions in the polyazamacrocyclic ligand field is also studied. Electroreduction of carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide is mainly focused on using polydentate azamacrocyclic ligands with amine and imine functionalities, based on the electrochemical behavior of nickel (II) ion in the macrocyclic territory.     

Shedding light on helical microtubules: real-time observations of microtubule self-assembly by light microscopy

Helical tubules are a fascinating and an intriguing class of self-assemblies. They occur frequently in biology and are believed to be intermediates in formation of gallstones. The pathway by which amphiphiles transform from an initial state of vesicles or micelles into such tubules has puzzled soft matter physicists, and it has raised important questions about the interplay between molecular chirality and self-assembly. Here, for the first time, we demonstrate direct, real-time observations by light microscopy of the pathway to helical microtubules from an initial solution of nanoscale vesicles. The tubules are formed in aqueous mixtures of the single-tailed diacetylenic surfactant, 10,12-pentacosadiynoic acid (PCDA), and a short-chain alcohol. The stepwise process involves nucleation of thin helical microribbons from the vesicle solution. These ribbons then thicken, rearrange, and fold into closed tubules. Subsequently, most tubules further rearrange into plate-like structures, and once again, we are able to visualize this process in real time. A notable aspect of the above system is that the precursors are achiral; yet, the tubules are formed from helical ribbons. Our study provides new insights into tubule formation that will be valuable in clarifying and refining theoretical models for these fascinating structures.     

Montmorillonite KSF-catalyzed one-pot synthesis of hexahydro-1H-pyrrolo[3,2-c]quinoline derivatives

Aryl amines react with endocyclic ene-carbamates such as tert-butyl 2,3-dihydro-1H-1-pyrrolecarboxylate and tert-butyl 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-pyridinecarboxylate, on the surface of montmorillonite KSF clay under mild conditions to afford the corresponding 3-aminopropylhexahydropyrrolo[3,2-c]quinoline or 4-aminobutyloctahydrobenzo[h][1,6]naphthyridine derivatives in excellent yields with moderate diastereoselectivity.