Type 2 intramolecular N-acylazo Diels-Alder reaction: regio- and stereoselective synthesis of bridgehead bicyclic 1,2-diazines

The type 2 intramolecular N-acylazo Diels-Alder reaction provides a regio- and stereoselective synthesis of bicyclic 1,2-diazine systems. A new method for the generation of N-acylazo dienophiles with tetra-n-butylammonium periodate is reported. X-ray crystallographic analysis allowed the quantification of structural distortions of the nonplanar bridgehead olefin and lactam functionalities in 1,2-diazine cycloadducts 11 and 15. Caprolactams and enantholactams were formed by stereoselective bridgehead alkene reduction, a process that transfers stereochemistry from the bridgehead lactam nitrogen to the bridgehead carbon. The sequence of transformations offers a convenient route for the diastereoselective synthesis of medium-ring nitrogen heterocycles and 1,4-diamines.     

DFT and ab initio calculations on two reactions between hydrogen atoms and the fire suppressants 2-H heptafluoropropane and CF3Br

Reaction enthalpies and barrier heights of the reactions CF3Br+H-->CF3+HBr {reaction (1)} and CF3CHFCF3+H-->CF3CFCF3+H2 {reaction (2)} have been calculated at the near state-of-the-art ab initio level, and also by employing the B3LYP, BH&HLYP, BB1K, MPW1K, MPWB1K and TPSS1KCIS functionals. In addition, the integrated molecular orbital+molecular orbital (IMOMO) method has been used to study reaction (2). The ab initio benchmark values of the reaction enthalpy (298 K) and barrier height (0 K) of reaction (2) are reported for the first time {-(0.7+/-0.7) and 13.3+/-0.5 kcal/mole respectively}. When density functional theory (DFT) results are compared with ab initio benchmarks for both reactions (1) and (2), the MPWB1K functional is found to have the best performance of the six functionals used. The IMOMO method with the RCCSD/aug-cc-pVTZ and/or RCCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVTZ levels, as the high levels of calculation on the model system, gives reaction enthalpies and barrier heights of reaction (2), which agree with ab initio benchmark values to within 1 kcal/mole. Computed key geometrical parameters and imaginary vibrational frequencies of the transition state structures of reactions (1) and (2) obtained at different levels of calculation are compared. The magnitudes of the computed imaginary vibrational frequencies of the transition states of both reactions considered are found to be very sensitive to the levels of calculation used to obtain them. The heat of formation (298 K) of CF3CFCF3 calculated at the near state-of-the-art level has a value of -(318+/-3) kcal/mole.     

Impact of information technology on the performance of logistics industry: the case of Hong Kong and Pearl Delta region

Over the last decade, a number of research studies have advocated the use of information technology (IT) in different aspects of logistics and distribution operations. This study examines the current state of the use of IT and its impact on logistics service performance through a survey of 210 logistics companies in Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta region. A hypothetical model is also proposed in which the theories of the market-based view and the resource-based view are applied to link up the implications of IT capabilities with logistic performance. The model was tested using structural equation modelling. The findings suggested that (i) IT implementation directly enhances the service quality of the logistics companies; (ii) the impact of IT implementation improves service quality thereby creating competitiveness.     

Challenges and Solutions in Fabrication of Silica-Based Photonic Crystal Fibers: An Experimental Study

Abstract

The fabrication process of photonic crystal fibers based on a stack-and-draw method is presented in full detail in this article. In addition, improved techniques of photonic crystal fiber preform preparation and fabrication are highlighted. A new method of connecting a handle to a preform using only a fiber drawing tower is demonstrated, which eliminates the need for a high-temperature glass working lathe. Also, a new technique of modifying the photonic crystal fiber structural pattern by sealing air holes of the photonic crystal fiber cane is presented. Using the proposed methods, several types of photonic crystal fibers are fabricated, which suggests potential for rapid photonic crystal fibers fabrication in laboratories equipped with and limited to only a fiber drawing tower.     

Positive vibrational entropy of chemical ordering in FeV

Inelastic neutron scattering and nuclear resonant inelastic x-ray scattering were used to measure phonon spectra of FeV as a B2 ordered compound and as a bcc solid solution. The two data sets were combined to give an accurate phonon density of states, and the phonon partial densities of states for V and Fe atoms. Contrary to the behavior of ordering alloys studied to date, the phonons in the B2 ordered phase are softer than in the solid solution. Ordering increases the vibrational entropy by +0.22±0.03 kB/atom, which stabilizes the ordered phase to higher temperatures. First-principles calculations show that the number of electronic states at the Fermi level increases upon ordering, enhancing the screening between ions, and reducing the interatomic force constants. The effect of screening is larger at the V atomic sites than at the Fe atomic sites.     

Laser frequency noise immunity in multiplexed displacement sensing

Digitally enhanced interferometry (DI) can be used to distinguish between interferometric signals and simultaneously monitor in-line object displacements with subnanometer sensitivity. In contrast to conventional interferometry-where these signals interfere with each other and degrade performance-we experimentally show that by using DI, each of these signals can be isolated and measured at the same time. We present what we believe to be the first demonstration of DI's signal multiplexing capabilities, showing simultaneous length sensing of three sections of an optical fiber. The cross talk between length measurements was less than 2.6×10(-3) with a displacement noise floor of 200 pm/√Hz, which corresponds to a strain sensitivity of less than 80 picostrain(p?) in each sensor. We also enhance our system's displacement sensitivity at low frequencies by combining information from multiple lengths to suppress errors due to laser frequency noise.     

Investigation of chemical bath deposition of CdO thin films using three different complexing agents

Chemical bath deposition of CdO thin films using three different complexing agents, namely ammonia, ethanolamine, and methylamine is investigated. CdSO₄ is used as Cd precursor, while H₂O₂ is used as an oxidation agent. As-grown films are mainly cubic CdO₂, with some Cd(OH)₂ as well as CdO phases being detected. Annealing at 400 °C in air for 1 h transforms films into cubic CdO. The calculated optical band gap of as-grown films is in the range of 3.37-4.64 eV. Annealed films have a band gap of about 2.53 eV. Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy of as-grown films reveals cadmium to oxygen ratio of 1.00:1.74 ± 0.01 while much better stoichiometry is obtained after annealing, in accordance with the X-ray diffraction results. A carrier density as high as 1.89 × 10²⁰ cm⁻³ and a resistivity as low as 1.04 × 10⁻² Ω-cm are obtained.     

A free energy based mathematical study for molecular motors

We present a Parrondo’s paradox for free energy in a classical flashing ratchet model and use it as an alternative way to interpret the working mechanism of molecular motors. We also study the efficiency of molecular motors measured by their free energies. Our example demonstrates that a molecular motor can gain up to 20% in its free energy during the process. In addition, we report a noise induced free energy increasing phenomenon, which is similar to the stochastic resonance, in flashing ratchet models.     

Quality assurance and quality control for thermal/optical analysis of aerosol samples for organic and elemental carbon

Accurate, precise, and valid organic and elemental carbon (OC and EC, respectively) measurements require more effort than the routine analysis of ambient aerosol and source samples. This paper documents the quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) procedures that should be implemented to ensure consistency of OC and EC measurements. Prior to field sampling, the appropriate filter substrate must be selected and tested for sampling effectiveness. Unexposed filters are pre-fired to remove contaminants and acceptance tested. After sampling, filters must be stored in the laboratory in clean, labeled containers under refrigeration (<4 °C) to minimize loss of semi-volatile OC. QA activities include participation in laboratory accreditation programs, external system audits, and interlaboratory comparisons. For thermal/optical carbon analyses, periodic QC tests include calibration of the flame ionization detector with different types of carbon standards, thermogram inspection, replicate analyses, quantification of trace oxygen concentrations (<100 ppmv) in the helium atmosphere, and calibration of the sample temperature sensor. These established QA/QC procedures are applicable to aerosol sampling and analysis for carbon and other chemical components.     

Selection of peptides targeting helix 31 of bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA by screening M13 phage-display libraries

Ribosomal RNA is the catalytic portion of ribosomes, and undergoes a variety of conformational changes during translation. Structural changes in ribosomal RNA can be facilitated by the presence of modified nucleotides. Helix 31 of bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA harbors two modified nucleotides, m2G966 and m?C967, that are highly conserved among bacteria, though the degree and nature of the modifications in this region are different in eukaryotes. Contacts between helix 31 and the P-site tRNA, initiation factors, and ribosomal proteins highlight the importance of this region in translation. In this work, a heptapeptide M13 phage-display library was screened for ligands that target the wild-type, naturally modified bacterial helix 31. Several peptides, including TYLPWPA, CVRPFAL, TLWDLIP, FVRPFPL, ATPLWLK, and DIRTQRE, were found to be prevalent after several rounds of screening. Several of the peptides exhibited moderate affinity (in the high nM to low μM range) to modified helix 31 in biophysical assays, including surface plasmon resonance (SPR), and were also shown to bind 30S ribosomal subunits. These peptides also inhibited protein synthesis in cell-free translation assays.