Synthetic studies toward nortriterpenoids of schisandraceae family. Approach to the construction of functionalized C/D and A/B ring units of micrandilactone C and rubrifloradilactone B

Construction of 6/7 fused bicycles featuring C/D rings of micrandilactone C and rubrifloradilactone B is reported through IMDA reaction of properly designed substrates. Also a route to the construction of a tricycle having A/B ring of nortriterpenoids of schisandra family is reported using RCM and a bromonium ion initiated cycloetherification reaction as the key steps.     

An iterative calculation to derive extinction-to-backscatter ratio based on lidar measurements

The aerosol optical thickness (AOT) is an important parameter for understanding the radiative impact of aerosols. AOT based on lidar measurements is often limited by its finite detection range. In this paper, we have reported a method of fitting and iterative calculation to derive the extinction profile of background aerosols from 0 to 30 km at 532 nm, which is virtually the AOT of the entire atmosphere. The mean extinction derived from this method at the ground level tallies with visibility measurement and it is also consistent with the sun-photometer data, within experimental error. These data have been further treated to study the dust cases. For most of the cases, transmission losses were determined to estimate the extinction as well as lidar ratio. The result of the analysis shows that for background aerosols, a mean lidar ratio of 47±15 sr was found. For dust layers, a mean lidar ratio of 44±19 sr and an optical thickness of 0.53±0.49 were determined at 532 nm.     

An optical study of phase transitions of poly (ethylene terephthalate-co-p-hydroxybenzoic acid) liquid crystal

The copolyester containing 40 mol % ethylene terephthalate (PET) and 60 mol % p-hydroxybenzoate (HB) units has been reported by several investigators to be biphasic in the solid and the liquid states. The reported thermal transitions in the two phases, however, are in part contradictory, perhaps partly due to different polymerization conditions. The present work is a study of the transitions in each of the two phases of this copolyester by polarized light microscopy and by light transmission measurements. By light transmission measurements, the two phases were found to have two different glass transition temperatures for the onset of segmental motion, consistent with two assignable temperatures (T.). Cold crystallization and melting in each of the two different phases was also detected. The results help clarify the nature of transitions and agree with the results of dynamic mechanical analysis on the same thermotropic liquid crystalline copolyester.     

Comparison of CALIPSO and ground-based lidar profiles over Chung-Li, Taiwan

We report the first inter-comparison of vertical profiles of aerosols and clouds derived from space (CALIPSO) and ground based lidar over Chung-Li, Taiwan. Results show that inter-comparison is closer in case of aerosols than clouds. The strength/shortcoming of the comparison has been also discussed. An iterative calculation to retrieve extinction-to-backscatter ratio (lidar ratio) by using sun-photometer and CALIPSO data is also documented. By using the mentioned method, a mean lidar ratio of 23.5±8.2 sr was found. The derived lidar ratios are lower than former studies. The possible reasons for the difference have been discussed in this paper. The discussed methodology will be helpful to reduce the uncertainty of optical parameters derived from lidar data especially near the surface where the atmosphere is inhomogeneous.     

Azimuthal correlation and fractal study of compound hadrons (pions and protons) at Dubna and SPS energy

This paper presents an investigation of compound hadrons (pions and protons) distribution emitted from ²⁴Mg-AgBr and ¹²C-AgBr interactions both at 4.5 AGeV and ³²S-AgBr interactions at 200 AGeV. The study includes azimuthal correlations (two particle and three particle), azimuthal asymmetry and fractal behaviour. This paper reveals some interesting results.     

Applicability and effectiveness of classifications models for achieving the twin objectives of growth and outreach of microfinance institutions

Measuring performance of microfinance institutions (MFIs) is challenging as MFIs must achieve the twin objectives of outreach and sustainability. We propose a new measure to capture the performance of MFIs by placing their twin achievements in a 2 × 2 grid of a classification matrix. To make a dichotomous classification, MFIs that meet both their twin objectives are classified as ‘1’ and MFIs who could not meet their dual objectives simultaneously are designated as ‘0’. Six classifiers are applied to analyze the operating and financial characteristics of MFIs that can offer a predictive modeling solution in achieving their objectives and the results of the classifiers are comprehended using technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution to identify an appropriate classifier based on ranking of measures of performance. Out of six classifiers applied in the study, kernel lab-support vector machines achieved highest accuracy and lowest classification error rate that discriminates the best achievement of the MFIs’ twin objective. MFIs can use both these steps to identify whether they are on the right path to attaining their multiple objectives from their operating characteristics.     

Mechanistic studies on the oxidation of ascorbic acid and hydroquinone by a {Mn4O6}4+ core in aqueous media

Described in this work is the kinetics of oxidation of ascorbic acid and hydroquinone by a tetranuclear Mn(IV) oxidant, [Mn(4)(μ-O)(6)(bipy)(6)](4+) (1(4+), bipy =2,2(/)-bipyridine), in aqueous solution over a wide pH range 1.5-6.0. In particular, below pH 3.0, protonation on the oxo-bridge of 1(4+) results in the formation of [Mn(4)(μ-O)(5)(μ-OH)(bipy)(6)](5+) (1H(5+)) as an additional oxidant over 1(4+). Both ascorbic acid and ascorbate whereas only hydroquinone and none of its protolytic species were found to be reactive reducing agents in these reactions. Analysis of the rate data clearly established that the oxo-bridge protonated oxidant 1H(5+) is kinetically far more superior to 1(4+) in oxidizing ascorbic acid and hydroquinone. Rates of these reactions are substantially lowered in D(2)O-enriched media in comparison to that in H(2)O media. An initial one electron one proton transfer electroprotic rate step could be mechanistically conceived. DFT studies established that among the two sets of terminal and central Mn(IV) atoms in the tetranuclear oxidant, one of the two terminal Mn(IV) is reduced to Mn(III) at the rate step that we can intuitively predict considering the probable positive charge distribution on the Mn(IV) atoms.     

An autocatalytic chromogenic and fluorogenic photochemical reaction controlled by nucleic acids

The autocatalytic photochemical reaction, which is potentially controlled by any selected nucleic acid, is highly sequence specific and not inhibited by its products, was developed. This reaction generates colored and fluorescent products, which can be monitored by the naked eye.     

Studies on the cure parameters of cyanate ester–epoxy blend system through rheological property measurements

Thermosetting blend system of co-cured cyanate ester with epoxy resin is receiving importance for high technological applications because of its wide range of thermo-mechanical, rheological, and electrical properties. However, processing of these system warrant proper knowledge of the rheological behavior of the blend during the curing process. This article discusses the rheological behavior of the blend systems with respect to the pot life, gel time, gelation temperature and also evaluated fitting parameters for the prediction of gelation time and viscosity during the entire curing process from the isothermal rheological measurements.