Sensing of semi-rough targets embedded in atmospheric turbulence by means of stochastic electromagnetic beams

An active bistatic LIDAR system operating through atmospheric turbulence is considered. Illumination field is assumed to be an electromagnetic Gaussian-Schell model beam. Target surface is modeled as a combination of isotropic phase screen governed by Gaussian statistics, to account for its roughness, and a Gaussian lens to account for its size and radius of curvature. With the help of a recently developed tensor method for propagation of stochastic electromagnetic beams through ABCD systems and random media we examine the evolution of states of coherence and polarization of the beam. In the case of unresolved flat (planar) target we show that by comparing coherence and polarization properties of the illumination beam and of the return beam it is possible to predict the typical roughness of the target surface.     

The synthesis of two new isonitrosoacetophenone derivatives and investigation of their Ni(II), Co(II), Cu(II), and Zr(IV) complexes

In the present study, two new ligands, 4-chlorobenzal-azino-isonitrosoacetophenone (L₁), 4-methylbenzal-azino-isonitrosoacetophenone (L₂) and their metal complexes were synthesized using acetophenone as a starting material. The coloured complexes were prepared by the addition of chloride salts of Ni(II), Co(II), Cu(II) and Zr(IV) ions to a solution of ligands. In conclusion, the structures of the obtained ligands and their complexes were characterized by FT-IR, and ¹H NMR spectra, AAS (atomic absorption spectrum) analysis, magnetic susceptibilities as well as elemental analysis.     

Novel and enantioselective syntheses of (R)- and (S)-3-hydroxy-4-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)butanoic acid: a synthon for sitagliptin and its derivatives

A new synthetic strategy for (R)- and (S)-3-hydroxy-4-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)butanoic acid, a building block in the preparation of sitagliptin and its derivatives, was developed. Pd(OAc)₂ catalyzed coupling of 2,4,5-trifluoro-1-iodobenzene with allyl alcohol gave 3-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)propanal in a yield of 95%. l-Proline catalyzed reaction of the 3-phenylpropanal (in only 1.2 molar equiv) with nitrosobenzene followed by reduction with NaBH₄ and Pd/C catalyzed hydrogenation gave (R)-3-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)propane-1,2-diol with >99% ee and 65% yield. Selective tosylation of primary hydroxyl group of the 1,2-propandiol unit followed by cyanide displacement afforded (R)-3-hydroxy-4-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)butanenitrile (80%). The nitrile was converted to the title β-hydroxy acid under basic hydrolysis in a yield of 90%. Thus, (R)-3-hydroxy-4-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)butanoic acid was prepared enantioselectively from the starting material in four steps and 45% overall yield. The reaction sequence was repeated with d-proline as the catalyst to give (S)-3-hydroxy-4-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)butanoic acid in 45% overall yield and >99% enantiomeric excess.     

Frictional figures of merit for single layered nanostructures

We determine the frictional figures of merit for a pair of layered honeycomb nanostructures, such as graphane, fluorographene, MoS2 and WO2 moving over each other, by carrying out ab initio calculations of interlayer interaction under constant loading force. Using the Prandtl-Tomlinson model we derive the critical stiffness required to avoid stick-slip behavior. We show that these layered structures have low critical stiffness even under high loading forces due to their charged surfaces repelling each other. The intrinsic stiffness of these materials exceeds critical stiffness and thereby the materials avoid the stick-slip regime and attain nearly dissipationless continuous sliding. Remarkably, tungsten dioxide displays a much better performance relative to others and heralds a potential superlubricant. The absence of mechanical instabilities leading to conservative lateral forces is also confirmed directly by the simulations of sliding layers.     

Optimality conditions for regenerative inventory systems under batch demands

We consider a single-item, continuous-review, (s, S) inventory system, under complete backlogging and a constant procurement lead time. Demands occur in independent, identically distributed batches, separated by independent identically distributed intervals. The model also includes a class of periodic review systems as a special case. Of interest are the optimal control policies with respect to a stationary cost rate function, constructed to include ordering, holding and shortage costs. We study the structural properties of the cost rate function and report some new bounds and optimality conditions. An application of these to the computation and approximation of optimal policies is also discussed.     

RAFT‐mediated synthesis and temperature‐induced responsive properties of poly(2‐(2‐methoxyethoxy)ethyl methacrylate) brushes

Well‐defined, high‐density poly(2‐(2‐methoxyethoxy)ethyl methacrylate) [poly(MEO₂MA)] brushes were fabricated through a reliable strategy by the combination of self‐assembly of a monolayer of 3‐aminopropyltrimethoxy silane on silicon surface to immobilize 4‐cyano‐4‐(dodecylsulfanylthiocarbonyl)sulfanyl pentanoic acid chain transfer agent and reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer‐mediated polymerization of MEO₂MA. The whole fabrication process of the poly(MEO₂MA) brushes was followed by water contact angle, grazing angle‐Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy. Characterization of the poly(MEO₂MA) brushes, such as molecular weight and thickness determination, were measured by gel permeation chromatography and ellipsometry, and the grafting density was estimated. The temperature‐responsive property of the poly(MEO₂MA) brushes was further investigated and the result verified the brush‐to‐mushroom phase transition of the poly(MEO₂MA) chains from low to high temperature. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013     

Quantum chemical and experimental studies on the mechanism of alkylation of beta-dicarbonyl compounds. The synthesis of five and six membered heterocyclic spiro derivatives

The alkylation of beta-dicarbonyl compounds in a K2CO3/DMSO system was found to afford O- and C-alkylated derivatives, depending on the type of the beta-dicarbonyl compound involved. The alkyl derivatives obtained were used in the synthesis of some new spiro barbituric acid derivatives. Quantum chemical calculations were carried out to elucidate the reaction mechanisms for some typical synthesis.     

Synthesis,spectroscopic and electrochemical studies of bis(<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-aryl-3,5-di-<Emphasis Type="Italic">t</Emphasis>-butyl-salicylaldiminato)cobalt(II) complexes

The synthesis and characterization (elemental analysis, i.r., u.v., magnetic measurements and cyclic voltammetry) of some new Co^II complexes with bidentate bulky salicylaldimines derived from 3,5-di-t-butylsalicylaldehyde and o- or p-substituted (X = Cl, Me, OMe, Bu^t) aniline derivatives are reported in this paper. The presented ligands show very low complexation ability in respect of Ni^II, VO^II, Mn^II, Zn^II and Cd^II metal ions. Electrochemical studies on the complexes, though revealing a dependence of the metal centered redox potentials on electronic and steric effects of the aniline substituents X, the potentials of the ligand-centered oxidation do not correlate with the electronic effects of X.