Resonance analysis of a 2D alluvial valley subjected to seismic waves

The T-matrix formalism and an ultrasonic experiment are developed to study the scattering of in-plane waves for an alluvial valley embedded in a two-dimensional half-space. The solution of the in-plane scattering problem can be determined by the T-matrix method, where the basis functions are defined by the singular solutions of Lamb's problems with surface loading in both horizontal and vertical directions. In the experiment, a thin steel plate with a semicircular aluminum plate attached on the edge is used to simulate the two-dimensional alluvial valley in the state of plane stress. Based on the spectra of displacement signals measured at the free edge of the scatterer, the resonance frequencies where the peaks appear can be identified. It can be shown that the nondimensional resonance frequency is one of the characteristic properties of the scattering system. Furthermore, it is noted that the nondimensional resonance frequencies measured experimentally are in good agreement with those calculated theoretically.     

Whirling of a forced cantilevered beam with static deflection. II: Superharmonic and subharmonic resonances

Secondary resonances of a slender, elastic, cantilevered beam subjected to a transverse harmonic load are investigated. The effects of nonlinear curvature, nonlinear inertia, viscous damping and static load are included. Cubic terms in the governing equations lead to subharmonic and superharmonic resonances of order three. The static displacement produced by the weight of the beam introduces quadratic terms in the governing equations, which cause subharmonic and superharmonic resonances of order two. Out-of-plane motion is possible in all of these secondary resonances when the principal moments of inertia of the beam cross section are approximately equal.     

Theoretical study of salicylaldehyde conformal isomers and their intramolecular oxygen and hydrogen relations

To verify the semiempirical‐type localized hydrogen bonding analysis methods introduced by us several years ago, the intramolecular oxygen and hydrogen relations within salicylaldehyde are selected as the major topic in this theoretical study. The B3LYP/6‐31G** density functional method is chosen for both the full‐optimization and frequency‐type calculations. Four ortho‐type planar conformal isomers are proven to be local minima, and four internal rotation transition states are found by QST3‐type calculation. The special interpretations of  CHO and  OH characteristic frequencies, energy barriers, and thermal chemical results are discussed. In the semiempirical scheme, both local hydrogen bonding population analysis and localized hydrogen bond energy breaking procedures are applied to five pairs of related oxygen and hydrogen atoms in each isomer. The explanations for the strong or weak hydrogen bonds and intra‐CHO repulsion relationships are discussed. ©1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quant Chem 74: 395–404, 1999     

Novel Antifungal Dimers from the Roots of Taiwania cryptomerioides

Five new dimer compounds, namely Taiwaniacryptodimers A–E (1–5), were isolated from the methanol extract of the roots of Taiwania cryptomerioides. Their structures were established by mean of spectroscopic analysis and comparison of NMR data with those of known analogues. Their antifungal activities were also evaluated. Our results indicated that metabolites 1, 2, 4, and 5 displayed moderate antifungal activities against Aspergillus niger, Penicillium italicum, Candida albicans, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae.     

Secondary Metabolites with Anti-Inflammatory Activities from an Actinobacteria Herbidospora daliensis

Bioassay-guided fractionation of extracts derived from solid cultures of a Herbidospora daliensis originating from Taiwan led to the isolation of five new compounds, for which we propose the name herbidosporadalins A–E (1–5), one isolated for the first time, herbidosporadalin F (6), together with two known compounds (7 & 8). Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses, including 1D- and 2D-NMR experiments with those of known analogues, and on the basis of HR-EI-MS mass spectrometry, their anti-inflammatory activities were also evaluated. Of these isolates, herbidosporadalin A (1), B (2), F (6) and G (8) showed NO inhibitory activity, with IC₅₀ values of 11.8 ± 0.9, 7.1 ± 2.9, 17.8 ± 1.7, and 13.3 ± 6.5 μM, stronger than the positive control quercetin (IC₅₀ = 36.8 ± 1.3 μM). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on 3,4-seco-friedelane metabolites (5, 6 & 8) from the genus Herbidospora.     

Undescribed Metabolites from an Actinobacteria Acrocarpospora punica and Their Anti-Inflammatory Activity

In an effort to explore bioactive anti-inflammatory compounds from natural Actinobacteria resources from all over Taiwan and various ecological environments, an active strain of Acrocarpospora punica was collected at Taitung County in Taiwan, prepared from soil origin. A bioassay-guided fractionation of the BuOH extract of a culture broth of a new strain of the actinomycete Acrocarpospora punica led to the isolation of five previously undescribed compounds: acrocarpunicains A–F (1–6). The structures were elucidated by 1D and 2D Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Furthermore, the isolated compounds were subjected to in vitro testing to evaluate their anti-inflammatory activity. Of these isolates, acrocarpunicains A (1), B (2), C (3) and F (6) showed NO inhibitory activity with IC₅₀ values of 9.36 ± 0.25, 10.11 ± 0.47, 5.15 ± 0.18, and 27.17 ± 1.87 μM, stronger than the positive control, quercetin (IC₅₀ = 35.95 ± 2.34 μM). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on azaphilone and phenanthrene-type metabolites from the genus Acrocarpospora.     

Metabolites from the Actinobacterium Saccharomonospora piscinae Isolated from a Fishpond Sediment

Chemistry of Natural Compounds -     

A new 3,4-dihydronaphthalen-1(2H)-one from the leaves of Cinnamomum philippinense

Investigation of the leaves extract of Cinnamomum philippinense (Merr.) Chang (Lauraceae) led to the isolation of one novel compound, cinnamophilin D. Its structure was determined through in-depth spectroscopic and mass-spectrometric analyses.