Validated high-performance liquid chromatographic enantioseparation of selenomethionine using isothiocyanate based chiral derivatizing reagents

A high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method for enantioseparation of selenomethionine (SeMet) was developed using two isothiocyanate-based chiral derivatizing reagents [(R)-methyl benzyl isothiocyanate (MBIC) and (S)-1-(1-naphthyl) ethyl isothiocyanate (NEIC)] and UV detection. Diastereomers of selenomethionine were synthesized either via stirring (using MBIC) or by microwave irradiation (using NEIC). Derivatization conditions were optimized and the synthesized diastereomers were successfully resolved using triethyl ammonium phosphate buffer and acetonitrile on a reversed-phase column. The method was validated for accuracy, precision and limit of detection. The mechanism of separation is also discussed.     

Simultaneous optimization of multiple quality characteristics in laser cutting of titanium alloy sheet

Titanium and its alloys have high demand in different industries due to their superior properties. The conventional cutting methods face difficulties for cutting these alloys due to their poor thermal conductivity, low elastic modulus and high chemical affinity at elevated temperatures. Laser cutting may be used for quality cuts by proper control of different process parameters. The aim of present research is to simultaneously optimize kerf taper and surface roughness in the laser cutting of Titanium alloy sheet (grade 5). The developed regression models for kerf taper and surface roughness have been taken as objective functions for the genetic algorithm based multi-objective optimization. The paper presents optimal solutions and improvements in different quality characteristics thereof. The significant control factors have been found with further discussion of their effect on two important quality characteristics kerf taper and surface roughness.     

Application of Atanassov’s I-fuzzy set theory to matrix games with fuzzy goals and fuzzy payoffs

We aim to extend some results in [6, 7, 8, 2] on two person zero sum matrix games (TPZSMG) with fuzzy goals and fuzzy payoffs to I-fuzzy scenario. Because the payoffs of the matrix game are fuzzy numbers, the aspiration levels of the players are fuzzy as well. It is reasonable to believe that there is some indeterminacy in estimating the aspiration levels of both players from their respective expected pay offs. This situation is modeled in the game using Atanassov??s I-fuzzy set theory. A new solution concept is proposed for such games and a procedure is outlined to obtain the degrees of suitability of the aspiration levels for each of the two players.     

A Hybrid Experimental/Numerical Investigation of the Response of Multilayered MEMS Devices to Dynamic Loading

In order to probe the mechanical response of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) subjected to dynamic loading, a modified split Hopkinson pressure bar was used to load MEMS devices at accelerations ranging from 10³–10⁵  g. Multilayer beams consisting of a PZT film sandwiched between two metal electrodes atop an elastic layer of silicon dioxide were studied because of their relevance to active MEMS devices. Experiments were conducted using the modified split Hopkinson pressure bar to quantify the effects of dynamic loading amplitude, duration, and temporal profile on the failure of the multilayered cantilever beams. Companion finite element simulations of these beams, informed by experimental measurements, were conducted to shed light into the deformation of the multilayered beams. Results of the numerical simulations were then coupled with independent experimental measurements of failure stress in order to predict the material layer at which failure initiation occurred, and the associated time to failure. High-speed imaging was also used to capture the first real-time images of MEMS structures responding to dynamic loading and successfully compare the recorded failure event with those predicted numerically.     

17‐Oxo‐16‐(2‐pyridyl­methyl­ene)­androst‐5‐en‐3β‐ol monohydrate

The title compound, C₂₅H₃₁NO₂·H₂O, has the outer two six‐membered rings in chair conformations, while the central ring is in an 8β,9α‐half‐chair conformation. The five‐membered ring adopts a 13,14‐half‐chair conformation. The pyridyl­methyl­ene moiety has an E configuration with respect to the carbonyl group at position 17. The structure is stabilized by intermolecular O—H?N and O—H?O hydrogen bonds.     

Coherent states of a damped harmonic oscillator

We construct here the coherent states (annihilation operator eigenstates) of a damped harmonic oscillator. These coherent states, which are normalizable, have the desired behaviour in the classical limit (ℏ→0).     

Dielectric properties of a strongly polar nematic liquid crystal compound doped with gold nanoparticles

This study focuses on the electrical characteristics of a strongly polar nematic liquid crystal, Hexyloxy-cyanobiphenyl (6OCB), doped with a low concentration (2% by weight) of citrate buffer stabilised gold nanoparticles (GNPs) at low frequencies between 20 Hz and 35 MHz. The doped samples have lower values of nematic–isotropic transition temperature, permittivity (both parallel and perpendicular to the field direction) and dielectric anisotropy; however, relaxation time and activation energy were increased. The observed results could be explained on the basis of weakly anisotropic nature of GNPs and a local rearrangement of liquid crystal molecules surrounding the nanoparticles. Moreover, a complimentary suggestion on a possible change in the dipole–dipole correlation is made to explain the difference in changes (qualitative and quantitative) observed for permittivity of the host nematic liquid crystal doped with GNP. Temperature dependent dielectric relaxation studies indicate an increase in viscosity and potential barrier; and hence a change in strength of inter-molecular and intra-molecular interactions is suggested.     

Underwater adhesive using solid–liquid polymer mixes

Instantaneous adhesion between different materials is a requirement for several applications ranging from electronics to biomedicine. Approaches such as surface patterning, chemical cross-linking, surface modification, and chemical synthesis have been adopted to generate temporary adhesion between various materials and surfaces. Because of the lack of curing times, temporary adhesives are instantaneous, a useful property for specific applications that need quick bonding. However, to this day, temporary adhesives have been mainly demonstrated under dry conditions and do not work well in submerged or humid environments. Furthermore, most rely on chemical bonds resulting from strong interactions with the substrate such as acrylate based. This work demonstrates the synthesis of a universal amphibious adhesive solely by combining solid polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and liquid polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) polymers. While the dipole-dipole interactions are induced by a large electronegativity difference between fluorine atoms in PTFE and hydrogen atoms in PDMS, strong surface wetting allows the proposed adhesive to fully coat both substrates and PTFE particles, thereby maximizing the interfacial chemistry. The two-phase solid–liquid polymer system displays adhesive characteristics applicable both in air and water, and enables joining of a wide range of similar and dissimilar materials (glasses, metals, ceramics, papers, and biomaterials). The adhesive exhibits excellent mechanical properties for the joints between various surfaces as observed in lap shear testing, T-peel testing, and tensile testing. The proposed biocompatible adhesive can also be reused multiple times in different dry and wet environments. Additionally, we have developed a new reactive force field parameterization and used it in our molecular dynamics simulations to validate the adhesive nature of the mixed polymer system with different surfaces. This simple amphibious adhesive could meet the need for a universal glue that performs well with a number of materials for a wide range of conditions.     

Social media and sensemaking patterns in new product development: demystifying the customer sentiment

Artificial intelligence by principle is developed to assist but also support decision making processes. In our study, we explore how information retrieved from social media can assist decision-making processes for new product development (NPD). We focus on consumers’ emotions that are expressed through social media and analyse the variations of their sentiments in all the stages of NPD. We collect data from Twitter that reveal consumers’ appreciation of aspects of the design of a newly launched model of an innovative automotive company. We adopt the sensemaking approach coupled with the use of fuzzy logic for text mining. This combinatory methodological approach enables us to retrieve consensus from the data and to explore the variations of sentiments of the customers about the product and define the polarity of these emotions for each of the NPD stages. The analysis identifies sensemaking patterns in Twitter data and explains the NPD process and the associated steps where the social interactions from customers can have an iterative role. We conclude the paper by outlining an agenda for future research in the NPD process and the role of the customer opinion through sensemaking mechanisms.

     

Analysis of thermodynamic parameters of glass forming metallic melts

The temperature dependence of the Gibbs free energy difference (G) between the undercooled liquid and the corresponding equilibrium solid has been analysed for metallic glass forming systems in the frame of the expression obtained by expanding free energies of the undercooled liquid and solid phases in the form of Taylor's series expansion. The enthalpy difference (H) and the entropy difference (H) between the undercooled liquid and solid phases have also been analysed. The study is made for five different metallic glass forming materials, Au₇₇Ge_13.6Si_9.4, Au_53.2Pb_27.5Sb_19.3, Au_81.4Si_18.6, Mg_85.5Cu_14.5 and Mg_81.6Ga_18.4 and a very good agreement is found between calculated and experimental values of G. The ideal glass transition temperature (T _k) and the residual entropy (S _R) of these materials have also been studied due to their important role in assigning the glass formation ability of materials.The authors are grateful to Prof. P. Ramachandrarao, N. M. L. Jamshedpur and Prof. S. Lele, Department of Metallurgical Engineering, B. H. U. for their interest in the present work. The part of work was done under C. S. I. R. project and we are also thankful to C. S. I. R., New Delhi for financial support.