The investigation of 0<Superscript>+</Superscript> ↔ 0<Superscript>−</Superscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">β</Emphasis> decay in some spherical nuclei

The 0⁺ ↔ 0⁻ first-forbidden β decay transitions have been investigated for some spherical nuclei. The theoretical framework is based on a proton-neutron quasiparticle random phase approximation (pnQRPA). The Woods-Saxon potential basis has been used in our calculations. The transition probabilities have been calculated within the ξ approximation. The relativistic β moment matrix element has been calculated both directly without any assumption and assuming that it is proportional to the non-relativistic one.     

Soft set theory and uni–int decision making

We firstly redefine the operations of Molodtsov’s soft sets to make them more functional for improving several new results. We also define products of soft sets and uni–int decision function. By using these new definitions we then construct an uni–int decision making method which selects a set of optimum elements from the alternatives. We finally present an example which shows that the method can be successfully applied to many problems that contain uncertainties.     

Optimal ship navigation with safety distance and realistic turn constraints

We consider the optimal ship navigation problem wherein the goal is to find the shortest path between two given coordinates in the presence of obstacles subject to safety distance and turn-radius constraints. These obstacles can be debris, rock formations, small islands, ice blocks, other ships, or even an entire coastline. We present a graph-theoretic solution on an appropriately-weighted directed graph representation of the navigation area obtained via 8-adjacency integer lattice discretization and utilization of the A^∗ algorithm. We explicitly account for the following three conditions as part of the turn-radius constraints: (1) the ship’s left and right turn radii are different, (2) ship’s speed reduces while turning, and (3) the ship needs to navigate a certain minimum number of lattice edges along a straight line before making any turns. The last constraint ensures that the navigation area can be discretized at any desired resolution. Once the optimal (discrete) path is determined, we smoothen it to emulate the actual navigation of the ship. We illustrate our methodology on an ice navigation example involving a 100,000 DWT merchant ship and present a proof-of-concept by simulating the ship’s path in a full-mission ship handling simulator.     

Potential of mean force calculations of ligand binding to ion channels from Jarzynski's equality and umbrella sampling

Potential of mean force (PMF) calculations provide a reliable method for determination of the absolute binding free energies for protein-ligand systems. The common method used for this purpose -- umbrella sampling with weighted histogram analysis -- is computationally very laborious, which limits its applications. Recently, a much simpler alternative for PMF calculations has become available, namely, using Jarzynski's equality in steered molecular dynamics simulations. So far, there have been a few comparisons of the two methods and mostly in simple systems that do not reflect the complexities of protein-ligand systems. Here, we use both methods to calculate the PMF for ion permeation and ligand binding to ion channels. Comparison of results indicate that Jarzynski's method suffers from relaxation problems in complex systems and would require much longer simulation times to yield reliable PMFs for protein-ligand systems.     

Di- and tetranuclear copper(II) complexes of a novel binucleating tetrathioether-tetrathiol ligand

A novel bi-tetradentate polythioether ligand, 6,6-methylene-bis(5- mercapto-3-thiahexyl)-4,8-dithiaundecane-1, 11-dithiol (H4L) was synthesized, and its di- and tetranuclear copper(II) complexes were prepared, and characterized by elemental analyses, magnetic moments, 1H-n.m.r., i.r., and Uv/vis spectra. The i.r. data show that the ligand acts in a tetradentate manner and coordinates via one S atom of the thioether and thiol groups. The geometry of the metal chelates is discussed with the help of magnetic and spectroscopic measurements. The elemental analyses, stoichiometry, and spectroscopic data of the complexes indicate that the copper(II) ions are coordinated to the bi-dianion of the ligand. The function of the thiol ligand is to release protons to form copper(II) complexes, (Cu2L).     

Investigation of DNA cleavage activities of new oxime-type ligand complexes and molecular modeling of complex-DNA interactions

Nucleolytic activities of some new oxime-type ligand complexes were investigated by neutral agarose gel electrophoresis. Analysis of the cleavage products in agarose gel indicated that all complexes used converted supercoiled pUC18 plasmid DNA to its nicked or linear form. It was found that nucleolytic activities of the complexes depend on the complex concentration, reaction time and the presence of a cooxidant (magnesium monoperoxyphthalate, MMPP) in the reaction mixture. However, the complexes cleaved pUC18 plasmid DNA at all investigated pH values. Nucleolytic activities of complexes were investigated for different complex concentrations (0.1–100 μmol L⁻¹), pH values (6.0–10.0) and reaction times (0–60 min). Molecular modeling studies performed by the Hyperchem Software together with DNA-binding studies showed that planar sites of the complexes intercalated into double stranded DNA. It can be concluded that all oxime-type ligand complexes used can be evaluated as nuclease mimics.     

Current versus gate voltage hysteresis in organic field effect transistors

Abstract  

Research into organic field effect transistors (OFETs) has made significant advances—both scientifically and technologically—during the last decade, and the first products will soon enter the market. Printed electronic circuits using organic resistors, diodes and transistors may become cheap alternatives to silicon-based systems, especially in large-area applications. A key parameter for device operation, besides long term stability, is the reproducibility of the current–voltage behavior, which may be affected by hysteresis phenomena. Hysteresis effects are often observed in organic transistors during sweeps of the gate voltage (V _GS). This hysteresis can originate in various ways, but comparative scientific investigations are rare and a comprehensive picture of “hysteresis phenomena” in OFETs is still missing. This review provides an overview of the physical effects that cause hysteresis and discusses the importance of such effects in OFETs in a comparative manner.     

Poly(vinylferrocenium) coated disposable pencil graphite electrode for DNA hybridization

Poly(vinylferrocenium) (PVF⁺) modified electrode was developed in this study for the electrochemical sensing of DNA based on the oxidation signals of polymer, adenine and guanine. Experimental parameters, such as; polymeric film thickness, DNA immobilization time and DNA concentration were examined in order to obtain more sensitive and selective electrochemical signals. After optimization studies, DNA hybridization was investigated.     

A Novel Method for the Synthesis of Newfangled Asymmetric Schiff Bases from α‐amino Acids under Ultrasonic Conditions and in Aqueous Medium

Chiral Schiff bases were obtained at high yields via a novel technique. Aryl aldehydes and chiral α‐amino acids were treated (1) in the presence of H₃PO₄ in ethanol at 80°C for 24 h, and (2) in the presence of K₂CO₃ under ultrasonic conditions in an aqueous ethanol medium within 5 min with yields reaching up to 96%. The results showed that the presented methodology under ultrasonic conditions was effective, practical, and eco‐friendly compared to that using an acidic medium. The corresponding asymmetric Schiff bases were synthesized for the first time, and were characterized by ¹H and ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance and infrared spectroscopy and high‐resolution mass spectrometry.