Magnesium ion conducting, room temperature molten electrolytes

Room temperature, magnesium ion conducting binary molten electrolyte consisting of acetamide and magnesium perchlorate has been prepared and characterized. The molten liquid is very stable and shows high ionic conductivity, of the order of several mS cm⁻¹ at 25 °C with other favourable physicochemical properties. Vibrational spectroscopic studies reveal that the free ion concentration is higher than that of ion pairs and aggregates in the melt. The electrochemical reversibility of magnesium deposition and dissolution is demonstrated using voltammetry and impedance studies. Preliminary studies on rechargeable batteries assembled using γ-MnO₂ and Mg metal as the electrodes together with the molten electrolyte show high discharge capacity.     

Two New Pseudoguaianolides from the Flowers of Parthenium hysterophorus

Chemical investigation on two samples of the flowers of Parthenium hysterophorus afforded two new pseudoguaianolides (one from each sample) together with several known constituents. The structures of the new compounds were established by extensive spectroscopic (1D‐ and 2D‐NMR) studies. The X‐ray crystallographic analysis of one of these compounds was also accomplished.     

Hybrid Chameleon Search and Remora Optimization Algorithm-based Dynamic Heterogeneous load balancing clustering protocol for extending the lifetime of wireless sensor networks

Clustering is an indispensable strategy that helps towards the extension of lifetime of each sensor nodes with energy stability in wireless sensor networks (WSNs). This clustering process aids in sustaining energy efficiency and extended network lifetime in sensitive and critical real-life applications that include landslide monitoring and military applications. The dynamic characteristics of WSNs and several cluster configurations introduce challenge in the process of searching an ideal network structure, a herculean challenge. In this paper, Hybrid Chameleon Search and Remora Optimization Algorithm-based Dynamic Clustering Method (HCSROA) is proposed for dynamic optimization of wireless sensor node clusters. It utilized the global searching process of Chameleon Search Algorithm for selecting potential cluster head (CH) selection with balanced trade-off between intensification and extensification. It determines an ideal dynamic network structure based on factors that include quantity of nodes in the neighborhood, distance to sink, predictable energy utilization rate, and residual energy into account during the formulation of fitness function. It specifically achieved sink node mobility through the integration of the local searching capability of Improved Remora Optimization Algorithm for determining the optimal points of deployment over which the packets can be forwarded from the CH of the cluster to the sink node. This proposed HCSROA scheme compared in contrast to standard methods is identified to greatly prolong network lifetime by 29.21% and maintain energy stability by 25.64% in contrast to baseline protocols taken for investigation.     

A method for reconstruction of residual stress fields from measurements made in an incompatible region

A method is introduced by which the complete state of residual stress in an elastic body may be inferred from a limited set of experimental measurements. Two techniques for carrying out this reconstruction using finite element analysis are compared and it is shown that for exact reconstruction of the stress field via this method, the stress field must be measured over all eigenstrain-containing regions of the object. The effects of error and incompleteness in the measured part of the stress field on the subsequent analysis are investigated in a series of numerical experiments using synthetic measurement data based on the NeT TG1 round-robin weld specimen. It is hence shown that accurate residual stress field reconstruction is possible using measurement data of a quality achievable using current experimental techniques.     

Understanding guest and pressure‐induced porosity through structural transition in flexible interpenetrated MOF by Raman spectroscopy

Interpenetrating metal organic frameworks are interesting functional materials exhibiting exceptional framework properties. Uptake or exclusion of guest molecules can induce sliding in the framework making it porous or non‐porous. To understand this dynamic nature and how framework interaction changes during sliding, metal organic framework (MOF) 508 {Zn(BDC)( 4,4′‐Bipy)_0.5 · DMF(H₂O)_0.5} was selected for study. We have investigated structural transformation in MOF‐508 under variable conditions of temperature, pressure and gas loading using Raman spectroscopy and substantiated it with IR studies and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Conformational changes in the organic linkers leading to the sliding of the framework result in changes in Raman spectra. These changes in the organic linkers are measured as a function of high pressure and low temperature, suggesting that the dynamism in MOF‐508 framework is driven by ligand conformation change and inter‐linker interactions. The presence of Raman signatures of adsorbed CO₂ and its librational mode at 149 cm⁻¹ suggests cooperative adsorption of CO₂ in the MOF‐508 framework, which is also confirmed from DFT calculations that give a binding energy of 34 kJ/mol. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of heterocyclic ring system on formation of dimeric quinolones under catalyst-free conditions: a green approach

The intermediate-dependent green and efficient synthesis of dimeric quinolones 4a–l and 7a–l by the Knoevenagel condensation followed by Michael-type addition of 4-hydroxy-1-methylquinolin-2(1H)-one 1a, b to indole-3-aldehydes 2a–f and aromatic aldehydes 5a–l in water through the condensed compound 3a–l under catalyst-free conditions is described. This reaction was found to be environmentally friendly, has easy-workup and shorter reaction times giving good yields of the product without the need for its isolation using column chromatography.     

Assessment of Physical Process Conditions for Enhanced Production of Novel Glutaminase-Free L-Asparaginase from <Emphasis Type="BoldItalic">Pectobacterium carotovorum</Emphasis> MTCC 1428

Statistically based experimental design was applied to maximize the production of glutaminase-free L-asparaginase from Pectobacterium carotovorum MTCC 1428. The effect of physical process parameters (initial pH of the medium, temperature, rpm of the shaking incubator, and inoculum size) on the production of L-asparaginase from P. carotovorum MTCC 1428 was studied using central composite design technique. The individual optimum levels of initial pH of the medium, temperature, rpm of shaking incubator, and inoculum size were found to be 6.90, 29.8 °C, 157 rpm, and 2.61% (v/v), respectively, for the production of L-asparaginase. After physical process parameters optimization, the production and productivity of L-asparaginase was enhanced by 26.39% (specific activity) and 10.19%, respectively. Maximization of L-asparaginase production was achieved at 12 h under optimal levels of physical process parameters in shake flask level.     

Diterpene glycosides from Stevia rebaudiana

Three novel diterpene glycosides were isolated for the first time from the commercial extract of the leaves of Stevia rebaudiana, along with several known steviol glycosides, namely stevioside, rebaudiosides A-F, rubusoside and dulcoside A. The new compounds were identified as 13-[(2-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-β-D-glucopyranosyl)oxy] ent-kaur-15-en-19-oic acid, 13-[(2-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-β-D-glucopyranosyl)oxy]-16β-hydroxy-ent-kauran-19-oic acid and 13-methyl-16-oxo-17-nor-ent-kauran-19-oic acid-β-D-glucopyranosyl ester on the basis of extensive 2D NMR and MS spectroscopic data as well as chemical studies.     

Reduction of amine N-oxides by diboron reagents

Facile reduction of alkylamino-, anilino-, and pyridyl-N-oxides can be achieved via the use of diboron reagents, predominantly bis(pinacolato)- and in some cases bis(catecholato)diboron [(pinB)(2) and (catB)(2), respectively]. Reductions occur upon simply mixing the amine N-oxide and the diboron reagent in a suitable solvent, at a suitable temperature. Extremely fast reductions of alkylamino- and anilino-N-oxides occur, whereas pyridyl-N-oxides undergo slower reduction. The reaction is tolerant of a variety of functionalities such as hydroxyl, thiol, and cyano groups, as well as halogens. Notably, a sensitive nucleoside N-oxide has also been reduced efficiently. The different rates with which alkylamino- and pyridyl-N-oxides are reduced has been used to perform stepwise reduction of the N,N'-dioxide of (S)-(-)-nicotine. Because it was observed that (pinB)(2) was unaffected by the water of hydration in amine oxides, the feasibility of using water as solvent was evaluated. These reactions also proceeded exceptionally well, giving high product yields. In constrast to the reactions with (pinB)(2), triethylborane reduced alkylamino-N-oxides, but pyridine N-oxide did not undergo efficient reduction even at elevated temperature. Finally, the mechanism of the reductive process by (pinB)(2) has been probed by (1)H and (11)B NMR.     

An Adaptive Learning Scheme for Medium Access with Channel Reservation in Wireless Networks

Providing effective medium access for wireless networks is a challenging task. Most of the existing protocols of IEEE 802.11 Medium Access Control (MAC) work towards the goal of achieving effective channel access by developing various backoff procedures. In this paper, we make an attempt to develop a new medium access protocol named Learning Automata (LA) based Wireless Channel Reservation (LAWCR). We use an LA approach to implement reservation for channel access for single hop wireless networks. Also, sequence procedure is used to improve the reservation mechanism. The performance of the proposed LAWCR scheme show significant improvements over the legacy DCF protocol with respect to important criteria such as the average time spent in the buffer and the throughput.