A Study of the Constituents of the Bark of Chamaecyparis Formosensis Matsum

Sixteen compounds were isolated from the bark of Chamaecyparis formosensis Matsum. These compounds include four categories: (a) long-chain alcohols, acids and esters, (b) sterols and their glucosides, (c) o-methoxyphenol and related compounds, (d) diterpenes of abietane, pimarane, secoabietane and totarane.     

H-Bonded metallomesogens: preparation, characterization, and mesomorphic studies of (3-hydroxypropylimino)propan-1,2-diols

Two series of new Schiff bases 2 (n=8, 12, 16) derived from (3-hydroxypropyl imino)propan-1, 2-diol with a hydroxyl group at C₁₉/C₂₀-position and their palladium complexes 1 were prepared and their mesomorphic properties investigated by DSC, POM, and XRD. The presence of both hydroxyl groups was found to be crucial in forming the liquid crystalline behavior. All compounds 2a exhibited smectic A or and C phases, in contrast, all compounds 2b formed hexagonal columnar phases. The formation of mesophases in both compounds 1-2 was probably induced by inter-molecular H-bonds. Single crystallographic data in mesogenic compound 2a (n=8) indicated that a dimeric structure with a better linear or rod-like molecular shape was formed by an inter-molecular H-bond (O4-O1′, ∼1.854 Å). Another inter-molecular H-bond (∼1.903 Å) between two dimeric structures was also observed. It crystallizes in a monoclinic space group P2(1)/c. On the other hand, all palladium complexes 1 formed enantiotropic smectic A phases. Single crystallographic data in mesogenic compound 1a (n=8) indicated that the geometry at Pd²⁺ center was coordinated as slightly twisted square planar. It crystallizes in a monoclinic space group P2(1)/n. An inter-molecular H-bond (∼1.799 Å) between neighboring molecules were observed, which might have facilitated the formation of mesophases. Variable-temperature powder XRD experiments confirmed their mesophase structures.     

Micro fabrication of microlens arrays by micro dispensing

In this study, master of the microlens arrays is fabricated using micro dispensing technology, and then electroforming technology is employed to replicate the Ni mold insert of the microlens arrays. Finally, micro hot embossing is performed to replicate the molded microlens arrays from the Ni mold insert. The resin material is used as the dispensing material, which is dropped on a glass substrate. The resin is exposed to a 380 W halogen light. It becomes convex under surface tension on the glass substrate. A master for the microlens arrays is then obtained. A 150‐nm‐thick copper layer is sputtered on the master as an electrically conducting layer. The electroforming method replicates the Ni mold insert from the master of the microlens arrays. Finally, micro hot embossing is adopted to replicate the molded microlens arrays. The micro hot embossing experiment employs optical films of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and polycarbonate (PC). The processing parameters of micro hot embossing are processing temperature, embossing pressure, embossing time, and de‐molding temperature. Taguchi's method is applied to optimize the processing parameters of micro hot embossing for molded microlens arrays. An optical microscope and a surface profiler are utilized to measure the surface profile of the master, the Ni mold insert and the molded microlens arrays. AFM is employed to measure the surface roughness of the master, the Ni mold insert and the molded microlens arrays. The sag height and focal length are determined to elucidate the optical characteristics of the molded microlens arrays. Copyright © 2009 John & Sons, Ltd.     

A comparison study on multivariant and univariant finite elements for three-dimensional incompressible viscous flows

In this paper, four quadratic hexahedron elements are considered and assessed for analysis of an incompressible viscous flow underlying the mixed finite element method. We classify the investigated elements as multivariant and univariant finite elements. With the same number of pressure unknowns, multivariant elements are more constrained when the number of elements per side is larger than 10, as compared with that of continuous pressure elements. In multivariant eléments, the coding is complicated by the appearance of restricted degrees of freedom at mid-face and mid-edge nodes. The comparison consequently should be made via numerical example against the analytical problem.     

On the Convergence of a Population-Based Global Optimization Algorithm

In global optimization, a typical population-based stochastic search method works on a set of sample points from the feasible region. In this paper, we study a recently proposed method of this sort. The method utilizes an attraction-repulsion mechanism to move sample points toward optimality and is thus referred to as electromagnetism-like method (EM). The computational results showed that EM is robust in practice, so we further investigate the theoretical structure. After reviewing the original method, we present some necessary modifications for the convergence proof. We show that in the limit, the modified method converges to the vicinity of global optimum with probability one.     

Characterization of Novel Aminobenzylcantharidinimides and Related Imides by Proton NMR Spectra and Their Effects on NO Induction

Various acidic anhydrides including cantharidin were converted into corresponding aminobenzylcantharidinimide 3a and analogous imides 3b～k (at the ortho, meta, and para positions) with 35%～87% yields by reacting with aminobenzylamines and triethylamine. The two methyl side chains of cantharidinimides 3ao , 3am , and 3ap, and related imides had more than two chiral centers; the lone pair of electrons of nitrogen displayed a different chemical shift and coupling constant in H‐NMR spectra when the amino group of benzylamine was in the ortho position. These cantharidinimides had parent aniline, pyridine, and naphthalene plane structures, and the primary amine nucleophilicity and basicity might reflect the inductive electron’s negative effect on chemical shifts. We prepared cantharidinimides by heating the reactants cantharidin 1a , aliphatic and aromatic acid anhydrides, primary benzylic amines, and aniline derivatives to ca. 200 °C with 3 mL of dry toluene, and 1～2 mL of triethylamine in high‐pressure sealed tubes (Buchi glasuster 0032) to produce cantharidinimides and their analogues in good yields. The para‐aminobenzylic imides showed greater inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) synthesis by NO synthase (NOS) than did ortho‐ and meta‐aminobenzylic imides. Compound 3fp , para‐aminobenzylic norbonane‐imide, had the most potent effect on inducible NOS among the tested compounds and showed 35% inhibition.     

Measurements of turbulent inclined plane dual jets

Measurements of mean velocities, flow direction, velocity fluctuations and Reynolds shear stress were made with a split film probe of hot wire anemometer to investigate the interactions created by two air jets issuing from two identical plane inclined nozzles. The reverse flow was detected by using the split film probe and observed by flow visualization. Experimental results with an inclined angle of 9° are presented in the paper. Some experimental results with an inclined angle of 27° are presented to investigate the effect of inclination on the flow field.Mean velocities approach self-preservation in both the converging region and the combining region. Velocity fluctuations and Reynolds shear stress approach self-preservation in the combining region only. The spreads of jet and the square of the decay of maximum mean velocity increase linearly as the distance from the nozzle exit increases.List of symbols D nozzle width - h nozzle height - J momentum of jet - J ₀ momentum of jet at nozzle exit - M mass flow rate - M ₀ mass flow rate at nozzle exit - S nozzle spacing - U, V mean velocities in the X and Y axis respectively - U _m maximum axial velocity - U ₀ axial velocity at nozzle exit - u, v velocity fluctuations in the X and Y axis respectively - u, v r.m.s. of u and v - Reynolds shear stress - X, Y Cartesian coordinates - X _m , Y _m coordinates at the location of maximum axial velocity - y _0.5 distance from the location of maximum axial velocity to the location where the velocity is half of maximum axial velocity - inclined angle - yY/S - Reynolds stress correlation coefficient - C.P combining point - max maximum value - M.P merging point - o nozzle exit plane - V.C vortex center     

Columnar/smectic metallomesogens derived from heterocyclic benzoxazoles

The synthesis, mesomorphic behavior, and optical properties of two new series of metal complexes 1a,b-M (M=Pd, Cu, Zn) derived from benzoxazoles 2a,b are reported. The crystal and molecular structures of mesogenic 5-decyloxy-2-(6-decyloxybenzooxazol-2-yl)phenol and nonmesogenic bis[5-octyloxy-2-(6-octyloxybenzooxazol-2-yl) phenol]Pd(II) were determined by means of X-ray structural analysis. Two benzoxazoles 2a exhibited monotropic SmA phases, and all benzoxazoles 2b were nonmesogenic. On the other hand, metal complexes 1a-M exhibited distinctly different mesomorphism from complexes 1b-M. Complexes 1a-Pd formed SmC phases; complexes 1a-Cu and 1a-Zn formed crystal phases. In contrast, complexes 1b-Zn exhibited columnar phases, and complexes 1b-Cu and 1b-Pd were nonmesogenic. The difference of the mesomorphism in 1a-M and 1b-M was probably attributed to the geometry and/or the overall molecular shape created by 2a and 2b. The electronic configuration of metal ion might play an important role in forming the mesophases. The fluorescent properties of these compounds were also examined.     

A computational study of cycloaddition reactions of d8 metal tetroxide (iron, ruthenium, osmium) complexes with C60

The potential energy surfaces of the cycloaddition reactions MO(4)(NC(5)H(5))(2) + C(60)→ MO(4)(NC(5)H(5))(2)(C(60)) (M = Fe, Ru, and Os) have been studied at the B3LYP/LANL2DZ level of theory. It has been found that there should be two competing pathways in these reactions, which can be classified as a [6,5]-attack (path A) and a [6,6]-attack (path B). Our theoretical calculations indicate that, given the same reaction conditions, the cycloaddition reaction of C(60)via [6,6]-attack is more favorable than that via [6,5]-attack both kinetically and thermodynamically. This is in good agreement with the available experimental observations. A qualitative model, which is based on the theory of Pross and Shaik, has been used to develop an explanation for the barrier heights. As a result, our theoretical findings suggest that the singlet-triplet splitting ΔE(st) (= E(triplet)- E(singlet)) of the d(8) MO(4)(NC(5)H(5))(2) and C(60) species can be a guide to predict their reactivity towards cycloaddition. Our model results demonstrate that the reactivity of d(8) metal tetroxide cycloaddition to C(60) decreases in the order FeO(4)(NC(5)H(5))(2) > RuO(4)(NC(5)H(5))(2) > OsO(4)(NC(5)H(5))(2). In consequence, we show that both electronic and geometric effects play a decisive role in determining the energy barriers as well as the reaction enthalpy.