Nanoscale ripples in self-assembled lipid tubules

Self-assembled cylindrical tubules of 1,2-bis(tricosa-10,12-diynoyl)-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DC(8,9)PC) have been studied by atomic force microscopy in both the height and amplitude modes. Nanoscale ripple structures in the cylindrical lipid tubules are clearly resolved in amplitude mode images. The periodicity of the ripples is found to be 200 +/- 30 nm for tubules with diameters in the range from 200 to 650 nm. The angle of the ripples with respect to the equator of the tubules shows a bimodal distribution with centers at approximately 28 degrees and approximately 5 degrees.     

The preparation of 3‐substituted 1,2‐benzisothiazole‐1,1‐dioxides from the condensation‐cyclization of dilithiated β‐ketoesters with methyl 2‐(aminosulfonyl)benzoate or 1,2‐benzisothiazol‐3(2H)‐one‐1,1‐dioxide

Several β‐ketoesters were dilithiated with an excess of lithium diisopropylamide, followed by condensation with methyl 2‐(aminosulfonyl)benzoate to give intermediates that were not isolated but cyclized to 3‐substituted 1,2‐benzisothiazole‐1,1‐dioxides. In most instances involving the ester‐sulfonamide, a single β‐ketoester tautomer is usually formed after recrystallization from ethanol. The same dilithiated β‐ketoesters generally condense less well with 1,2‐benzisothiazol‐3(2H)‐one‐1,1‐dioxide (saccharin) under the same conditions to afford the same products usually in the same or lower yields. The use of N,N,N',N'‐tetramethylethylenediamine during these syntheses has sometimes resulted in improved yields of products.     

Novel copper(II) homobinuclear macrocyclic complexes: cyclic voltammetry, biological properties and spectral studies

A series of five new copper(II) macrocyclic complexes have been synthesized by template condensation. The bonding and stereochemistry of the complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductance, magnetic susceptibility, IR, UV-visible, EPR spectral studies and electrochemical properties. g-Values are calculated for all of the complexes in polycrystalline form as well as in DMSO solution. The magnetic and spectral data indicate square planar geometry for all the complexes. Cyclic voltammograms for all the complexes are similar and involve two quasi-reversible redox processes. Cu(II)Cu(II)<=>Cu(II)Cu(I)<=>Cu(I)Cu(I). Their biological properties have also been studied. The macrocyclic complexes show more anti-bacterial than controlled one. The anti-bacterial activities of the compounds were tested against Streptococcus fecalis and Escherichia coli with different concentrations.     

On the discrepancy between two Zagreb indices

We examine the quantity

$S\left(G\right)=\sum _{uv\in E\left(G\right)}min(degu,degv)$

over sets of graphs with a fixed number of edges. The main result shows the maximum possible value of $S\left(G\right)$ is achieved by three different classes of constructions, depending on the distance between the number of edges and the nearest triangular number. Furthermore we determine the maximum possible value when the set of graphs is restricted to be bipartite, a forest, or to be planar given sufficiently many edges. The quantity $S\left(G\right)$ corresponds to the difference between two well studied indices, the irregularity of a graph and the sum of the squares of the degrees in a graph. These are known as the first and third Zagreb indices in the area of mathematical chemistry.     

Nanocrystalline SnO2–TiO2 thin film deposited on base of equilateral prism as an opto-electronic humidity sensor

Present paper reports the synthesis of SnO₂–TiO₂ nanocomposite, its characterization and performance as opto-electronic humidity sensor. Nanocrystalline SnO₂–TiO₂ film was deposited on the base of an equilateral prism using a photo resist spinner and the as prepared film was annealed at 200 °C for 2 h. The crystal structure of the prepared film was investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD). Minimum crystallite size of the material was found 7 nm. Surface morphology of the film was investigated by Scanning electron microscope (SEM LEO-0430, Cambridge). SEM image shows that the film is porous. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) of as synthesized material shows two exothermic peaks at about 40 and 110 °C, respectively which are due to the evaporation of chemical impurities and water. Further the prepared film was investigated through the exposure of humidity and relative humidity (%RH) was measured directly in terms of modulation in the intensity of light recorded on a digital power meter. The maximum sensitivity of sensor was found 4.14 μW/%RH, which is quite significant for sensor fabrication purposes.     

Application of kinoform lens for X‐ray reflectivity analysis

In this paper the first practical application of kinoform lenses for the X‐ray reflectivity characterization of thin layered materials is demonstrated. The focused X‐ray beam generated from a kinoform lens, a line of nominal size ～50 µm × 2 µm, provides a unique possibility to measure the X‐ray reflectivities of thin layered materials in sample scanning mode. Moreover, the small footprint of the X‐ray beam, generated on the sample surface at grazing incidence angles, enables one to measure the absolute X‐ray reflectivities. This approach has been tested by analyzing a few thin multilayer structures. The advantages achieved over the conventional X‐ray reflectivity technique are discussed and demonstrated by measurements.     

Mössbauer study of back co-ordination in some iron complexes of 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol and 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-phenanthrol

Mössbauer studies have been made on low-spin octahedral complexes of iron(II) and iron(III) formed with two terdentate ligands, viz., 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol and 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-phenanthrol. The data are suggestive of π-back bonding in the two iron(II) complexes.     

Reinforcement learning for joint pricing,lead-time and scheduling decisions in make-to-order systems

The paper investigates a problem faced by a make-to-order (MTO) firm that has the ability to reject or accept orders, and set prices and lead-times to influence demands. Inventory holding costs for early completed orders, tardiness costs for late delivery orders, order rejection costs, manufacturing variable costs, and fixed costs are considered. In order to maximize the expected profits in an infinite planning horizon with stochastic demands, the firm needs to make decisions from the following aspects: which orders to accept or reject, the trade-off between price and lead-time, and the potential for increased demand against capacity constraints. We model the problem as a Semi-Markov Decision Problem (SMDP) and develop a reinforcement learning (RL) based Q-learning algorithm (QLA) for the problem. In addition, we build a discrete-event simulation model to validate the performance of the QLA, and compare the experimental results with two benchmark policies, the First-Come-First-Serve (FCFS) policy and a threshold heuristic policy. It is shown that the QLA outperforms the existing policies.