Path integral quantization corresponding to the deformed Heisenberg algebra

In this paper, the deformation of the Heisenberg algebra, consistent with both the generalized uncertainty principle and doubly special relativity, has been analyzed. It has been observed that, though this algebra can give rise to fractional derivative terms in the corresponding quantum mechanical Hamiltonian, a formal meaning can be given to them by using the theory of harmonic extensions of function. Depending on this argument, the expression of the propagator of the path integral corresponding to the deformed Heisenberg algebra, has been obtained. In particular, the consistent expression of the one dimensional free particle propagator has been evaluated explicitly. With this propagator in hand, it has been shown that, even in free particle case, normal generalized uncertainty principle and doubly special relativity show very much different result.     

Detection of kissing bonds by Lamb waves

Closed cracks under compressive normal stresses are difficult to detect by the conventional ultrasonic techniques. When the crack surfaces stay in very close contact with each other then the bond between the two surfaces of the crack is called a ‘kissing bond’. This is a very dangerous bond. Catastrophic failures can result if the system is subjected to crack opening normal stresses or shear stresses. When the crack surfaces are smooth then kissing bonds cannot transmit shear stress very well but can carry compressive normal stress, these bonds are called ‘slip bonds’. Conventional P-wave scans (C-scan or A-scan) are based on the assumptions that P-waves are reflected by the defective interface. However, an interface subjected to a large compressive stress cannot reflect P-waves effectively, hence these bonds remain invisible to the conventional P-wave based C-scan or A-scan techniques. In this paper it is shown that the kissing bonds can be effectively detected by some leaky Lamb mode. Theoretical and experimental results are presented to show that using the Lamb waves is an effective way of detecting kissing bonds.     

Unusual Surface Latent Heat Flux Variations and Their Critical Dynamics Revealed before Strong Earthquakes

We focus on the possible thermal channel of the well-known Lithosphere–Atmosphere–Ionosphere Coupling (LAIC) mechanism to identify the behavior of thermal anomalies during and prior to strong seismic events. For this, we investigate the variation of Surface Latent Heat Flux (SLHF) as resulting from satellite observables. We demonstrate a spatio-temporal variation in the SLHF before and after a set of strong seismic events occurred in Kathmandu, Nepal, and Kumamoto, Japan, having magnitudes of 7.8, 7.3, and 7.0, respectively. Before the studied earthquake cases, significant enhancements in the SLHF were identified near the epicenters. Additionally, in order to check whether critical dynamics, as the signature of a complex phenomenon such as earthquake preparation, are reflected in the SLHF data, we performed a criticality analysis using the natural time analysis method. The approach to criticality was detected within one week before each mainshock.     

Total syntheses of naturally occurring antiviral indolosesquiterpene alkaloids,xiamycins C–F via Csp3–H functionalization

Concise total syntheses of naturally occurring antiviral indolosesquiterpene alkaloids, xiamycin C (2a), D (2b), E (2c) and F (2d), have been achieved via a late-stage oxidative δ-Csp³–H functionalization of an advanced pentacyclic enone intermediate 8. This strategy takes advantage of ipso-nitration of naturally occurring abietane diterpenoids to synthesize o-bromo nitroarene derivative 11. A Suzuki–Miyaura coupling of 11 with phenylboronic acid followed by Cadogan''s ring closure provided a modular approach to a carbazole ring required for a functionalized pentacyclic core of indolosesquiterpene alkaloids.

Enantioenriched enone 8 was synthesized via three key transformations: ipso-nitration of abietane diterpenoids to furnish o-bromo nitroarene 11, Suzuki coupling with phenylboronic acid, and Cadogan''s reductive ring closure to craft a carbazole ring.     

Nitrite and Nitric Oxide Interconversion at Mononuclear Copper(II): Insight into the Role of the Red Copper Site in Denitrification

Nitrite (NO₂⁻) and nitric oxide (NO) interconversion is crucial for maintaining optimum NO flux in mammalian physiology. Herein we demonstrate that [ L ₂Cu^II(nitrite)]⁺ moieties (in 2 a and 2 b ; where, L = Me₂PzPy and Me₂PzQu ) with distorted octahedral geometry undergo facile reduction to provide tetrahedral [ L ₂Cu^I]⁺ (in 3 a and 3 b ) and NO in the presence of biologically relevant reductants, such as 4-methoxy-2,6-di-tert-butylphenol (4-MeO-2,6-DTBP, a tyrosine model) and N-benzyl-1,4-dihydronicotinamide (BNAH, a NAD(P)H model). Interestingly, the reaction of excess NO gas with [ L ₂Cu^II(MeCN)₂]²⁺ (in 1 a ) provides a putative {CuNO}¹⁰ species, which is effective in mediating the nitrosation of various nucleophiles, such as thiol and amine. Generation of the transient {CuNO}¹⁰ species in wet acetonitrile leads to NO₂⁻ as assessed by Griess assay and ¹⁴N/¹⁵N-FTIR analyses. A detailed study reveals that the bidirectional NO_x-reactivity, namely, nitrite reductase (NIR) and NO oxidase (NOO), at a common Cu^II site, is governed by the geometric-preference-driven facile Cu^II/Cu^I redox process. Of broader interest, this study not only highlights potential strategies for the design of copper-based catalysts for nitrite reduction, but also strengthens the previous postulates regarding the involvement of red copper proteins in denitrification.     

Mass spectral study of substituted allyl aryl and allyl alkyl selenides and some analogous sulfides

The electron impact (EI) mass spectra of allyl aryl selenides showed abundant molecular ions and many fragment ions containing the selenium atom. alpha-Cleavage is the dominant process in the fragmentation of selenides, and cleavage product ions are characteristic of the substituents. In the case of 3-methyl allyl and related aryl selenides, characteristic delta-hydrogen migration to the selenium atom is observed. A McLafferty-type rearrangement is found in benzyl allyl selenides and substituted alkyl allyl selenides. The charge on the rearrangement products preferably remains on the fragments containing the phenyl group. The [M - SeH](+), [M - CH(3)](+) and [M - C(2)H(4)](+) ions are found only in the EI mass spectrum of allyl phenyl selenide, and are attributed to a Claisen rearrangement in the source of the mass spectrometer. All structurally informative fragmentation processes are supported by collision induced dissociation spectra of molecular ions. The fragmentation patterns found in methane chemical ionization (CI) spectra of the selenides were significantly different from those observed in EI. The EI and CI mass spectra of analogous sulfides showed similar behaviour to that observed in the corresponding selenides. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Chinese Oak Tasar Silkworm Antheraea pernyi Silk Proteins: Current Strategies and Future Perspectives for Biomedical Applications

Chinese nonmulberry temperate oak tasar/tussah, Antheraea pernyi (Ap) silk is a natural biopolymer that has attracted considerable attention as a biomaterial. The proteinaceous components of Ap silk proteins, namely fibroin and sericin may represent an alternative over mulberry Bombyx mori silk proteins. In fact, the silk fibroin (SF) of Ap is rich in Arginyl‐Glycyl‐Aspartic acid (RGD) peptides, which facilitate the adhesion and proliferation of various cell types. The possibility of processing Ap silk proteins into different distinct 2D‐ and 3D‐based matrices is described in earlier studies, such as membranes, nanofibers, scaffolds, and micro/nanoparticles, contributing to a different rate of degradation, mechanical properties, and biological performance useful for various biomedical applications. This review summarizes the current advances and developments on nonmulberry Chinese oak tasar silk protein (fibroin and sericin)‐based biomaterials and their potential uses in tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and therapeutic delivery strategies.