Synchronization of the minimal models of bursting neurons coupled by delayed chemical or electrical synapses

The minimal two-dimensional model of bursting neuronal dynamics is used to study the influence of time-delay on the properties of synchronization of bursting neurons. Generic properties of bursting and dependence of the stability of synchronization on the time-lag and the strength of coupling are described, and compared with the two common types of synaptical coupling, i.e., time-delayed chemical and electrical synapses.     

MIC(0) preconditioning of 3D FEM problems on unstructured grids: Conforming and non-conforming elements

In this study, the topics of grid generation and FEM applications are studied together following their natural synergy. We consider the following three tetrahedral grid generators: NETGEN, TetGen, and Gmsh. After that, the performance of the MIC(0) preconditioned conjugate gradient (PCG) solver is analyzed for both conforming and non-conforming linear FEM problems. If positive off-diagonal entries appear in the corresponding matrix, a diagonal compensation is applied to get an auxiliary M$M$-matrix allowing a stable MIC(0) factorization. The presented numerical experiments for elliptic and parabolic problems well illustrate the similar PCG convergence rate of the MIC(0) preconditioner for both, structured and unstructured grids.     

Graph layering by promotion of nodes

This work contributes to the wide research area of visualization of hierarchical graphs. We present a new polynomial-time heuristic which can be integrated into the Sugiyama method for drawing hierarchical graphs. Our heuristic, which we call Promote Layering (PL), is applied to the output of the layering phase of the Sugiyama method. PL is a simple and easy to implement algorithm which decreases the number of so-called dummy (or virtual) nodes in a layered directed acyclic graph. In particular, we propose applying PL after the longest-path layering algorithm and we present an extensive empirical evaluation of this layering technique.     

Mass spectrometry of some 2-styryl- and 2,5-distyrylfuran and -thiophene derivatives

Mass spectra of fourteen 2-styryl- and 2,5-distyrylfuran and -thiophene derivatives are reported. Each styryl substituent has an α-carboxylic acid or methyl carboxylate substituent. Although the parent ion is the base peak for the styryl and distyryl derivatives, the distyryl species showed less fragmentation than the styryl species. In addition to simple bond cleavages, loss of formic acid or methyl formate was important in many of the species, presumably forming acetylenic fragments.     

Preparation of thioamide building blocks via microwave-promoted three-component kindler reactions

A microwave-enhanced variation of the Kindler thioamide synthesis is introduced. Taking advantage of the sealed vessel capabilities of a dedicated single-mode microwave reacto,r a diverse selection of 13 aldehyde and 12 amine precursors was utilized in the construction of a representative 34-member library of substituted thioamides. The three-component condensations of aldehydes, amines, and elemental sulfur were carried out using 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) as solvent employing microwave flash heating at 110-180 degrees C for 2-20 min. A simple workup protocol allows the isolation of synthetically valuable primary, secondary, and tertiary thioamide building blocks in 83% average yield and >90% purity.     

alpha-phenylpropionic acid derivatives. Synthesis and dethiation of 5-benzoylbenzo[b]thiophene-3-carboxylic acid

The total synthesis of the title compound 8 started with p-thiocresol which was acylated with oxalyl chloride to give compound 1 . This product underwent a condensation reaction with chloroacetic acid under basic conditions yielding compound 2 . Two different synthetic pathways were used to convert compound 2 into the title compound 8 . The first consisted in decarboxylation of 2 to 3 , which was then converted to the ester 4 , which was brominated and the product 5 was subjected to a Friedel-Craft's reaction with benzene. The resulting benzyl derivative 6 was oxidized to the benzoyl stage i.e. compound 7 , which was finally hydrolyzed to 8 . The second pathway was similar to the first one so that the steps of esterification, bromination, Friedel-Craft's alkylation and oxidation started with the dicarboxylic acid 2 . Thus compounds 12–16 were obtained, and the last product was decarboxylated to 8 . The yields in both procedures were similar. Finally, the dethiation of compound 8 with Raney nickel afforded compounds 18, 19 and 20 .     

CARBOXYLATION OF FORMIC ACID IN AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF U.V.-LIGHT

Abstract— Carboxylation of various organic substances by dissolved carbon dioxide or bicarbonate is achieved by the action of U.V. -Light of 184.9 and 253.1 mμ on water. The transformation of formic acid to oxalic acid was investigated in more detail as a function of u.v.-dose, pH-values and the formate concentration. For an irradiation period of 12 hr of 0.1 M formate, a yield of about 2 m mol.1^--¹ oxalic acid was obtained. A reaction mechanism for the photochemical carboxylation process is presented. The results are of some interest in respect of the synthesis of organic compounds under the primitive earth conditions.