A procedure for analyzing hypergames

A general methodology is presented for characterizing and analyzing hypergames which are conflicts where mistaken information is present. Hypergames are important for describing many real world disputes because often the participants or players do not share the same perception of the conflicts and, furthermore, players may have misperceptions which are based upon other players' misunderstandings. Since a comprehensive structure is provided for defining any type of hypergame, the improved metagame analysis algorithm can be employed to systematically model any hypergame and predict the possible resolutions or equilibria. The Allied invasion of Normandy in 1945 is utilized for demonstrating how an actual hypergame can be studied in practice.     

High trans selectivity in the copper bis(oxazoline)-catalyzed asymmetric cyclopropanation of olefins by (trimethylsilyl)diazomethane

Copper(I) bis(oxazoline) species are among the most enantioselective cyclopropanation catalysts that have been reported, although these catalysts generally give low diastereoselectivities. We have observed greatly improved diastereoselectivities using (trimethylsilyl)diazomethane as the carbon source. We have also identified several bis(oxazoline) species that also give comparable or higher enantioselectivities with (trimethylsilyl)diazomethane compared to the more readily available ethyl diazoacetate. The application of this methodology to several olefins has been explored.     

From unavoidable food waste to advanced biomaterials: microfibrilated lignocellulose production by microwave-assisted hydrothermal treatment of cassava peel and almond hull

Cellulose - Lignocellulose based nanomaterials are emerging green biosolids commonly obtained from wood pulp. Alternative feedstocks, such as as unavoidable food waste, are interesting resources...     

WIN55212-2 docking to the CB1 cannabinoid receptor and multiple pathways for conformational induction

Key pharmacophoric elements for the (aminoalkyl)indole (AAI) CB1 cannabinoid receptor agonists are the aminoalkyl moiety, the lipophilic aroyl group, and the heterocyclic indole ring. In the present study, the docking space allowed for (R)-[2,3-dihydro-5-methyl-3-[(4-morpholinyl)methyl]pyrrolo[1,2,3-de]-1,4-benzoxazin-6-yl](1-naphthalenyl)methanone (WIN55212-2; 1) within the CB1 receptor was extensively explored by a docking approach that combines Monte Carlo (MC) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The goals were to understand the key binding interactions of AAIs within the CB1 receptor and to examine the role of the ligand in inducing a receptor conformational change. From the findings of extensive SAR studies on the cannabinoid compounds and correlation between AAI binding affinity data and calculated binding energies, we proposed two alternative binding conformations, aroyl-up1 and aroyl-up2. These denote the directionality of the ligand naphthyl ring within the receptor upward with respect to the extracellular side. A comprehensive structural analysis of 1 demonstrated that the aroyl ring moiety could be important as the steric trigger for inducing CB1 receptor conformational change. Thus, it appears that aromatic-aromatic interactions are important not only for the binding of 1 but also for inducing receptor conformational change. It is possible that differences in the nature of the ligand binding could contribute to ligand-specific conformational changes in the receptor.     

A hydromechanical biomimetic cochlea: experiments and models

The construction, measurement, and modeling of an artificial cochlea (ACochlea) are presented in this paper. An artificial basilar membrane (ABM) was made by depositing discrete Cu beams on a piezomembrane substrate. Rather than two fluid channels, as in the mammalian cochlea, a single fluid channel was implemented on one side of the ABM, facilitating the use of a laser to detect the ABM vibration on the other side. Measurements were performed on both the ABM and the ACochlea. The measurement results on the ABM show that the longitudinal coupling on the ABM is very strong. Reduced longitudinal coupling was achieved by cutting the membrane between adjacent beams using a laser. The measured results from the ACochlea with a laser-cut ABM demonstrate cochlear-like features, including traveling waves, sharp high-frequency rolloffs, and place-specific frequency selectivity. Companion computational models of the mechanical devices were formulated and implemented using a circuit simulator. Experimental data were compared with simulation results. The simulation results from the computational models of the ABM and the ACochlea are similar to their experimental counterparts.     

Embedded options in commercial banking and their impact on asset liability management

Commercial bankers sell—more often give away—options to their clients like the prepayment facility attached to a mortgage or the right to obtain a credit at a prespecified interest rate which is associated in France with specific term deposits. This paper aims to present the financial consequences of these options from a microeconomic point of view and on the scale of the French banking system. We first example our valuation techniques and then analyse the impact on the balance sheet of a typical commercial bank, both in terms of value and sensitivity. Securitization is presented in this context as a way to monitor risk exposure. Finally the global impact of these embedded options in the French banking system is estimated and briefly discussed.     

Mild addition of nucleophiles to pyridine-N-oxides

A general and facile one-pot procedure for the synthesis of 2-substituted pyridines from the corresponding pyridine-N-oxides and nucleophiles is presented as a mild alternative to S(N)Ar chemistry. A variety of nucleophiles and heterocyclic-N-oxides participate effectively in this transformation, which uses the phosphonium salt, PyBroP, as a means of substrate activation.     

General and mild preparation of 2-aminopyridines

A general and facile one-pot amination procedure for the synthesis of 2-aminopyridines from the corresponding pyridine-N-oxides is presented as a mild alternative to S(N)Ar chemistry. A variety of amines and heterocyclic-N-oxides participate effectively in this transformation which uses the phosphonium salt, PyBroP, as a means of substrate activation.     

Analyzing the robustness of the MM/PBSA free energy calculation method: application to DNA conformational transitions

The ability to predict and characterize free energy differences associated with conformational equilibria or the binding of biomolecules is vital to understanding the molecular basis of many important biological functions. As biological studies focus on larger molecular complexes and properties of the genome, proteome, and interactome, the development and characterization of efficient methods for calculating free energy becomes increasingly essential. The aim of this study is to examine the robustness of the end-point free energy method termed the molecular mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann solvent accessible surface area (MM/PBSA) method. Specifically, applications of MM/PBSA to the conformational equilibria of nucleic acid (NA) systems are explored. This is achieved by comparing A to B form DNA conformational free energy differences calculated using MM/PBSA with corresponding free energy differences determined with a more rigorous and time-consuming umbrella sampling algorithm. In addition, the robustness of NA MM/PBSA calculations is also evaluated in terms of the sensitivity towards the choice of force field and the choice of solvent model used during conformational sampling. MM/PBSA calculations of the free energy difference between A-form and B-form DNA are shown to be in very close agreement with the PMF result determined using an umbrella sampling approach. Further, it is found that the MM/PBSA conformational free energy differences were also in agreement using either the CHARMM or AMBER force field. The influence of ionic strength on conformational stability was particularly insensitive to the choice of force field. Finally, it is also shown that the use of a generalized Born implicit solvent during conformational sampling results in free energy estimates that deviate slightly from those obtained using explicitly solvated MD simulations in these NA systems.     

An improved amide coupling procedure for the synthesis of N-(pyridin-2-yl)amides

Dehydrative amide couplings with 2-pyridylamines suffer from variable yields. A mild and high-yielding synthesis of N-(pyridin-2-yl)amides employing 2-aminopyridine-N-oxides is presented as a solution.