Capacity expansion and forward contracting in a duopolistic power sector

The surge in demand for electricity in recent years requires that power companies expand generation capacity sufficiently. Yet, at the same time, energy demand is subject to seasonal variations and peak-hour factors that cause it to be extremely volatile and unpredictable, thereby complicating the decision-making process. We investigate how power companies can optimise their capacity-expansion decisions while facing uncertainty and examine how expansion and forward contracts can be used as suitable tools for hedging against risk under market power. The problem is solved through a mixed-complementarity approach. Scenario-specific numerical results are analysed, and conclusions are drawn on how risk aversion, competition, and uncertainty interact in hedging, generation, and expansion decisions of a power company. We find that forward markets not only provide an effective means of risk hedging but also improve market efficiency with higher power output and lower prices. Power producers with higher levels of risk aversion tend to engage less in capacity expansion with the result that together with the option to sell in forward markets, very risk-averse producers generate at a level that hardly varies with scenarios.     

Efficacy of Polyaniline (PANI) nanofibres for capturing Diclofenac (DC) drug from its aqueous solutions

Pharmaceutical drug contamination in water nowadays is deteriorating the ecological components. A remedial approach is therefore a necessity. This study focuses on the synthesis of PANI nanofibres employing the oxidative polymerization method using ammonium persulphate (APS) as oxidant. The synthesized nanofibres were characterized using HR-TEM, FT-IR and XRD. The HRTEM image exhibited the nano-range structure of PANI with a rough surface. The FT-IR spectra inferred about the role of surface capping groups involved in the uptake mechanism. The crystallinity of PANI was well assessed by the X-Ray Diffraction analysis. The interaction between the studied drug diclofenac (DC) and polyaniline (PANI) showed a rapid equilibrium time 120 min favored at pH 5.0 achieving maximum adsorptive capacity (q_e) of 471.08 mg g ^?1. The uptake process followed the pseudo-second order kinetic model (R² = 1) with intra-particle diffusivity model (R² = 0.9810) as the governing step and best fitting values into Langmuir isotherm model (R² = 0.9822) inferred about the favourable adsorption of DC forming monolayer over PANI having q_m to be 943.83 mg g^?1. The drug DC was easily desorbed up to 85.31% by using 0.1 M aq ethanol and was exhausted after five cycles of reusability. The whole adsorptive mechanism involved electrostatic interactions along with hydrogen bonding.     

Molecular iodine catalyzed coupling reactions of indole with 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds

The molecular iodine-catalyzed direct coupling of indoles with 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds is described. This new method for C–C bond formation allows high functional group tolerance, regioselectivity, and scope under mild conditions.     

One-step,template-free hydrothermal synthesis of CuO tetrapods

The present investigation reports one-step template-free hydrothermal synthesis of CuO tetrapods (CuO-T) and its characterization. The CuO tetrapods have been prepared in moderate condition without using any surfactant. The prepared sample was characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, UV–vis–NIR (DRS) spectroscopy and Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectrum analysis confirm clearly the formation of a pure phase high-quality CuO with monoclinic crystal structure. X-ray peak broadening analysis was used to evaluate the average crystallite size (∼30 nm) and lattice strain by the Williamson–Hall (W–H) method. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) result reveals that the particles are tetrapods in shape with an average length ∼50 nm. Additionally the optical properties were investigated by using UV–vis reflectance spectra with considerable blue-shift in the optical band gap (Eg = 1.45 eV) due to quantum confinement effect. Photoluminescence (PL) spectrum showed both UV as well as visible emission peaks indicating their good optical properties.     

A new calix[4]arene based nucleobase for cation recognition

A novel calix[4]arene linked nucleobase molecular receptor bearing two adenine moieties has been synthesized and characterized by UV, IR, NMR and ESI–MS analyses. The synthesized receptor can recognize biologically important Zn²⁺ and Mn²⁺ ions through 1:1 binding stoichiometry. The evaluation of binding constants suggests that adenine alone, in an appropriate supramolecular network, can exhibit efficient binding for Zn²⁺ ions without the presence of any phosphate or sugar unit.     

Interpretation of predissociation in the V′=3 level ofB 3Π0+ state of I35Cl and I37Cl

The observed oscillatory linewidths of theV′=3 level ofB ³Π₀₊ state of I³⁵Cl and I³⁷Cl are explained as due to heterogeneous predissociation caused by the crossing of an unstableZ ¹Π state. The crossing point and the slopes of the curves have been fixed to predict the observed linewidths.     

Synthesis of steroidal extranucleo 1,3,4-oxadiazoles

Cholest-5en-3β-ol 1 , 3,3-ethylenedioxy-androst-4-en-17β-ol 2 and 17,17-ethylenedioxy-1,3,5(10)-estratrien-3β-ol 3 were converted into ethyl ester 1a, 2a and 3a by reaction with ethyl chloroacetate in the presence of potassium. The ethyl esters 1a, 2a and 3a on reaction with hydrazine gave hydrazides 1b, 2b and 3b , which on reaction with cyanogen bromide afforded 1,3,4-oxadiazoles 1c, 2c and 3c .     

Two New Insecticidal Amides and a New Alcoholic Amide from Piper nigrum Linn.

Three new amides, pipgulzarine ( 1 ), pipzorine ( 2 ), and piptahsine ( 3 ), have been isolated from the dried seeds of Piper nigrum Linn. along with nine known constituents: (2E,4E,8Z)‐N‐(isobutyl)eicosatrienamide, pellitorine, pipercide, piperine, stigmastanol, stigmasterol, decurrenal, stigmasterol 3‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside, and 5,10(15)‐cadinen‐4‐ol. The structures of the new constituents have been established as (2E,11E)‐12‐(benzo[1,3]dioxol‐5‐yl)‐N‐(2‐methylpropyl)dodeca‐2,11‐dienamide ( 1 ), (2E,12Z)‐N‐(4‐methylpentyl)octadeca‐2,12‐dienamide ( 2 ), and (2E,4S)‐4‐hydroxy‐N‐(2‐methylpropyl)hex‐2‐enamide ( 3 ). The structures of 1 – 3 were derived by spectral studies and chemical reactions, and by comparison of spectral data in the case of known constituents. Compounds 1 and 2 , and most of the already known compounds, exhibited toxicity against fourth instar larvae of Aedes aegypti Liston. The isolated (Z) double bond in 2 was assigned on the basis of its EI‐MS fragmentation pattern and its reaction with OsO₄. The (S) configuration at C(4) of 3 was determined by Horeau's method. This is the first report of the isolation of a 4‐methylpentylamide from P. nigrum, while shorter branched amides have been reported from this genus [1].     

Ab initio investigation of 2,2′‐bis(4‐trifluoromethylphenyl)‐5,5′‐bithiazole for the design of efficient organic field‐effect transistors

The initial molecular structure of 2,2′‐bis(4‐trifluoromethylphenyl)‐ 5,5′‐bithiazole has been optimized in the ground state using density functional theory (DFT). The distribution patterns of highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) have also been evaluated. To shed light on the charge transfer properties, we have calculated the reorganization energy of electron λ_e, the reorganization energy of hole λ_h, adiabatic electron affinity (EA_a), vertical electron affinity (EA_v), adiabatic ionization potential (IP_a), and vertical ionization potential (IP_v) using DFT. Based on the evaluation of hole reorganization energy, λ_h, and electron reorganization energy, λ_e, it has been predicted that 2,2′‐bis(4‐trifluoromethylphenyl)‐5,5′‐bithiazole would be a better electron transport material. Finally, the effect of electric field on the HOMO, LUMO, and HOMO–LUMO gap were observed to check its suitability for the use as a conducting channel in organic field‐effect transistors. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.