Efficient microwave induced direct α-halogenation of carbonyl compounds

A novel and direct method for the synthesis of α-halocarbonyl compounds using sequential treatment of carbonyl compounds with [hydroxy(tosyloxy)iodo]benzene followed by magnesium halides under solvent-free microwave irradiation conditions is described.     

On upper and lower D*-supercontinuous multifunctions

We define a multifunction F: X ⇝ Y to be upper (lower) D*-supercontinuous if F ⁺(V) (F ⁻(V)) is d*-open in X for every open set V of Y. We obtain some characterizations and several properties concerning upper (lower) D*-supercontinuous multifunctions.      

Nonlocality of Reaction-Diffusion Equations Induced by Delay: Biological Modeling and Nonlinear Dynamics

We present a short survey on the biological modeling, dynamics analysis, and numerical simulation of nonlocal spatial effects, induced by time delays, in diffusion models for a single species confined to either a finite or an infinite domain. The nonlocality, a weighted average in space, arises when account is taken of the fact that individuals have been at different points in space at previous times. We discuss and compare two existing approaches to correctly derive the spatial averaging kernels, and we summarize some of the recent developments in both qualitative and numerical analysis of the nonlinear dynamics, including the existence, uniqueness (up to a translation), and stability of traveling wave fronts and periodic spatio-temporal patterns of the model equations in unbounded domains and the linear stability, boundedness, global convergence of solutions and bifurcations of the model equations in finite domains.     

Some Further Properties of the Accelerated Kerr-Schild Metrics

We extend the previously found accelerated Kerr-Schild metrics for Einstein-Maxwell-null dust and Einstein-Born-Infeld-null dust equations to the cases including the cosmological constant. This way we obtain the generalization of the charged de Sitter metrics in static space-times. We also give a generalization of the zero acceleration limit of our previous Einstein-Maxwell and Einstein-Born-Infeld solutions.     

Large Scale Linear Programs and Heuristics for the Design of Survivable Telecommunication Networks

We consider the problem of providing a minimum cost multi-service network subject to one link failure scenarios. We assume our network is fully meshed and demand is satisfied by using direct or two hop-paths. We provide a large scale linear programming formulation and propose and test two effective heuristics.     

Grid‐free surface vorticity method applied to flow induced vibration of flexible cylinders

In order to study cross flow induced vibration of heat exchanger tube bundles, a new fluid–structure interaction model based on surface vorticity method is proposed. With this model, the vibration of a flexible cylinder is simulated at Re=2.67 × 10⁴, the computational results of the cylinder response, the fluid force, the vibration frequency, and the vorticity map are presented. The numerical results reproduce the amplitude‐limiting and non‐linear (lock‐in) characteristics of flow‐induced vibration. The maximum vibration amplitude as well as its corresponding lock‐in frequency is in good agreement with experimental results. The amplitude of vibration can be as high as 0.88D for the case investigated. As vibration amplitude increases, the amplitude of the lift force also increases. With enhancement of vibration amplitude, the vortex pattern in the near wake changes significantly. This fluid–structure interaction model is further applied to simulate flow‐induced vibration of two tandem cylinders and two side‐by‐side cylinders at similar Reynolds number. Promising and reasonable results and predictions are obtained. It is hopeful that with this relatively simple and computer time saving method, flow induced vibration of a large number of flexible tube bundles can be successfully simulated. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Divinylsiloxane‐bisbenzocyclobutene‐based polymer modified with polystyrene–polybutadiene–polystyrene triblock copolymers

Divinylsiloxane‐bisbenzocyclobutene (DVS‐bisBCB) polymer has very low dielectric constant and dissipation factor, good thermal stability, and high chemical resistance. The fracture toughness of the thermoset polymer is moderate due to its high crosslink density. A thermoplastic elastomer, polystyrene–polybutadiene–polystyrene triblock copolymer, was incorporated into the matrix to enhance its toughness. The cured thermoset matrix showed different morphology when the elastomer was added to the B‐staged prepolymer or when the elastomer was B‐staged with the DVS‐bisBCB monomer. Small and uniformly distributed elastomer domains were detected by transmission electron micrographs (TEM) in the former case, but TEM did not detect a separate domain in the latter case. A high percentage of the polystyrene–polybutadiene–polystyrene triblock copolymer could be incorporated into the DVS‐bisBCB thermoset matrix by B‐staging the triblock copolymer with the BCB monomer. The elastomer increased the fracture toughness of DVS‐bisBCB polymer as indicated by enhanced elongation at break and increased K1c values obtained by the modified edge‐lift‐off test. Elastomer modified DVS‐bisBCB maintained excellent electrical properties, high T_g and good thermal stability, but showed higher coefficient of linear thermal expansion values. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 1591–1599, 2006     

Extendible elements of the alternating groups

An element σ of A_n, the Alternating group of degree n, is extendible in S_n, the Symmetric group of degree n, if there exists a subgroup H of S_n but not A_n whose intersection with A_n is the cyclic group generated by σ. A simple number-theoretic criterion, in terms of the cycle-decomposition, for an element of A_n to be extendible in S_n is given here.     

Complex II from a structural perspective

The super-macromolecular complex, succinate:quinone oxidoreductase (SQR, Complex II, succinate dehydrogenase) couples the oxidation of succinate in the matrix / cytoplasm to the reduction of quinone in the membrane. This function directly connects the Krebs cycle and the aerobic respiratory chain. Until the recent first report of the structure of SQR from Escherichia coli (E. coli) the structure-function relationships in SQR have been inferred from the structures of the homologous QFR, which catalyses the same reaction in the opposite direction. The structure of SQR from E. coli, analogous to the mitochondrial respiratory Complex II, has provided new insight into SQR's molecular design and mechanism, revealing the electron transport pathway through the enzyme. Comparison of the structures of SQR, QFR and other related flavoproteins shows how common amino acid residues at the interface of two domains facilitate the inter-conversion of succinate and fumarate. Additionally, the structure has provided a possible explanation as to why certain organisms utilise both SQR and QFR despite the fact that both can catalyse the inter-conversion of succinate and fumarate, in vitro and in vivo. Here we review how this structure has advanced our knowledge of this important enzyme and compare the structural information to other members of the Complex II superfamily and related flavoproteins.