Di­methyl 6‐methoxy‐4aβ‐methyl‐9‐oxo‐1,2,3,4,4a,9,10,10aβ‐octa­hydro­phenanthrene‐1,1‐di­carboxyl­ate

In the title tricyclic keto‐diester, C₂₀H₂₄O₆, a potential intermediate in the synthesis of bioactive podocarpic acid, the outer cyclo­hexane ring (in a chair conformation) is cis fused to the central cyclo­hexanone ring (in a half‐chair conformation). The conformational analysis of the compound, investigated by semi‐empirical quantum mechanical AM1 calculations, shows a good agreement with the X‐ray structure, except for the orientation of the methyl, methoxy­phenyl and methoxy­carbonyl substituents.     

Use of Solar Power for Heat Generation for Household Application

The requirement of getting continuous electricity at low cost is essential but challenging. Especially in the undeveloped countries there is no sufficient electricity for the people to do their daily regular works. In order to overcome this problem different renewable energy sources are sought and being explored. One of the approaches is to have a cooking system that is energized from the solar power, not directly using a solar cooker but by storing the energy in the form of heat that can be utilized as per requirement. This paper reports the design and fabrication of an alternative system to generate heat using solar radiation. This chulha is helpful in effective heating with the help of solar radiations at lower costs. A cooking technology is presented consisting of a solar panel directly connected to an electric heater inside of a well-insulated chamber. An insulated container with fixed amount of oil is heated up. The heat is found to be retained in the chamber even after sun set which is sufficient for heating water for making tea. The possible causes of temperature drop and possible remedy has been pointed out and discussed in this paper.     

A Halogen-Bond-Driven Artificial Chloride-Selective Channel Constructed from 5-Iodoisophthalamide-based Molecules

Despite considerable emphasis on advancing artificial ion channels, progress is constrained by the limited availability of small molecules with the necessary attributes of self-assembly and ion selectivity. In this study, a library of small molecules based on 5-haloisophthalamide and a non-halogenated isophthalamide were examined for their ion transport properties across the lipid bilayer membranes, and the finding demonstrates that the di-hexyl-substituted 5-iodoisophthalamide derivative exhibits the highest level of activity. Furthermore, it was established that the highest active compound facilitates the selective chloride transport that occurs via an antiport-mediated mechanism. The crystal structure of the compound unveils a distinctive self-assembly of molecules, forming a zig-zag channel pore that is well-suited for the permeation of anions. Planar bilayer conductance measurements proved the formation of chloride selective channels. A molecular dynamics simulation study, relying on the self-assembled component derived from the crystal structure, affirmed the paramount significance of intermolecular hydrogen bonding in the formation of supramolecular barrel-rosette structures that span the bilayer. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that the transport of chloride across the lipid bilayer membrane is facilitated by the synergistic effects of halogen bonding and hydrogen bonding within the channel.     

Lanthanide‐Based Layer‐Type Two‐Dimensional Coordination Polymers Featuring Slow Magnetic Relaxation,Magnetocaloric Effect and Proton Conductivity

Three lanthanide‐based two‐dimensional (2D) coordination polymers (CPs), [Ln(L)(H₂O)₂]_n, {H₃L=(HO)₂P(O)CH₂CO₂H; Ln=Dy³⁺ (CP 1 ), Er³⁺ (CP 2 )} and [{Gd₂(L)₂(H₂O)₃}^.H₂O]_n, (CP 3 ) were hydrothermally synthesized using phosphonoacetic acid as a linker. Structural features revealed that the dinuclear Ln³⁺ nodes were present in the 2D sheet of CP 1 and CP 2 while in the case of CP 3 , nodes were further connected to each other forming a chain‐type arrangement throughout the network. The magnetic studies show field‐induced slow magnetic relaxation property in CP 1 and CP 2 with U_eff values of 72 K (relaxation time, τ₀=3.05×10^?7 s) and 38.42 K (relaxation time, τ₀=4.60×10^?8 s) respectively. Ab‐initio calculations suggest that the g tensor of Kramers doublet of the lanthanide ion (Dy³⁺ and Er³⁺) is strongly axial in nature which reflects in the slow magnetic relaxation behavior of both CPs. CP 3 exhibits a significant magnetocaloric effect with ?ΔS_m=49.29 J kg^?1 K^?1, one of the highest value among the reported 2D CPs. Moreover, impedance analysis of all the CPs show high proton conductivity with values of 1.13×10^?6 S cm^?1, 2.73×10^?3 S cm^?1 and 2, 6.27×10^?6 S cm^?1 for CPs 1 – 3 , respectively, at high temperature (>75 °C) and maximum 95 % relative humidity (RH).     

R-functions theory applied to investigation of nonlinear free vibrations of functionally graded shallow shells

Nonlinear free vibration of functionally graded shallow shells with complex planform is investigated using the R-functions method and variational Ritz method. The proposed method is developed in the framework of the first-order shear deformation shallow shell theory. Effect of transverse shear strains and rotary inertia is taken into account. The properties of functionally graded materials are assumed to be varying continuously through the thickness according to a power law distribution. The Rayleigh–Ritz procedure is applied to obtain the frequency equation. Admissible functions are constructed by the R-functions theory. To implement the proposed approach, the corresponding software has been developed. Comprehensive numerical results for three types of shallow shells with positive, zero and negative curvature with complex planform are presented in tabular and graphical forms. The convergence of the natural frequencies with increasing number of admissible functions has been checked out. Effect of volume fraction exponent, geometry of a shape and boundary conditions on the natural and nonlinear frequencies is brought out. For simply supported rectangular FG shallow shells, the results obtained are compared with those available in the literature. Comparison demonstrates a good accuracy of the approach proposed.     

Micropatterned Fiber Scaffolds for Spatially Controlled Cell Adhesion

Because the local microstructure plays a pivotal role for many biological functions, a wide range of methods have been developed to design precisely engineered substrates for both fundamental biological studies and biotechnological applications. However, these techniques have been by‐and‐large limited to flat surfaces. Herein, we use electrohydrodynamic co‐spinning to prepare biodegradable three‐dimensional fiber scaffolds with precisely engineered, micrometre‐scale patterns, wherein each fiber is comprised of two distinguishable compartments. When bicompartmental fiber scaffolds are modified via spatially controlled peptide immobilization, highly selective cell guidance at spatial resolutions (<10 µm), so far exclusively reserved for flat substrates, is achieved. Microstructured fiber scaffolds may have utility for a range of biotechnological applications including tissue engineering or cell‐based assays.

     

Polymer assisted assembling of the semiconductor particles: Structural and electrical studies

CdS and Si semiconductor nanopraticles were embedded in a polymer matrix and characterized using various techniques. The surface properties and size distribution of the nanoparticles were monitored by POM and SEM and found to be uniform but around the crystalline frameworks of the polymer. XRD and FTIR analysis have been used to ensure the composite nature and particle size of the semiconductor loaded films. The electrical conductivity of these films were evaluated and found to increase with semiconductor dispersion and attains a percolation threshold at optimum composition. This composition and the distribution of the clusters is shown to vary with the type of the semiconductor, i.e., CdS or Si.     

Synthesis of novel benzoxazocino quinoliniums and quinolones under PTC conditions and their application in Suzuki cross coupling reaction for the construction of polynuclear heteroaromatics

A general and highly efficient synthetic protocol under phase transfer catalytic condition has been established for the synthesis of fused tetracyclic oxazocinoquinolone analogues which served as the precursors for novel biaryl quinolones using microwave assisted Suzuki cross coupling reaction.     

Field emission investigation of single Fe-doped SnO2 wire

Tin oxide submicronwires doped with Fe element were prepared by the thermal evaporation method. Morphological and structural characterizations revealed wires with sub micron size and crystalline in nature. The field electron emission from the single Fe:SnO₂ wire was carried out in conventional field emission microscope. The Fowler–Nordheim plot obtained from I–V characteristics of the wire showed a linear behavior typical that of metal. The field enhancement factor estimated from the slope of the F–N plot is 7455 cm^?1, indicating that the field emission is from nanometric features of the emitter. A current density of 10 A/cm² has been obtained at an applied field of 4.845 × 10³ V/μm. The field emission current–time record at a current level of 1 μA for more than 3 h duration is promising for various field emissions based applications.     

Inventory models for defective items incorporating marketing decisions with variable production cost

This paper investigates the finite replenishment inventory models of a single product with imperfect production process. In this process, a certain fraction or a random number of produced items are defective. These non-conforming items are rejected or reworked or if they reached to the customer, refunded. Here, a generalised unit cost function is formulated incorporating the several factors like raw material, labour, replenishment rate and others factors of the manufacturing system. The rate of replenishment is considered to be a variable. The selling price of an unit is determined by a mark-up over the production cost. Optimum production of the product is suggested to have maximum profit using a gradient based mathematical programming technique for optimization. Finally, numerical examples are given to illustrate the results and the significant features of the production system. As a particular case, the result of the perfect system (without defective items) are obtained. Also, the effect of changes in the selling rate, defectiveness, production cost and other parameters on the optimal average profit are graphically presented. Some interesting decisions regarding production policy are established.