Analysis of novel imidazoles from isolated perfused rabbit heart by two high-performance liquid chromatographic methods.

The paper reports two analytical high-performance liquid chromatographic methods to detect and quantify cardiac-derived histidyl derivatives. Method A relies on relative hydrophobicities as a basis of separation. Method B is an ion-pairing method in which the compounds are eluted in an entirely different order. Fractions collected from method A have been co-eluted in admixture in method B with authentic reference compounds. Thus the existence of the following imidazole ring-containing compounds derived from heart have been confirmed: N-acetylhistidine, N-acetyl-1-methylhistidine, N-acetylcarnosine, N-acetylhomocarnosine, homocarnosine, anserine, carnosine, balenine. Compounds were found in both tissue samples and perfusates.     

Numerical study of sliding wear caused by a loaded pin on a rotating disc

A computational approach is proposed to predict the sliding wear caused by a loaded spherical pin contacting a rotating disc, a condition typical of the so-called pin-on-disc test widely used in tribological studies. The proposed framework relies on the understanding that, when the pin contacts and slides on the disc, a predominantly plane strain region exists at the centre of the disc wear track. The wear rate in this plane strain region can therefore be determined from a two dimensional idealisation of the contact problem, reducing the need for computationally expensive three dimensional contact analyses. Periodic unit cell techniques are used in conjunction with a ratchetting-based failure criterion to predict the wear rate in the central plane strain region. The overall three dimensional wear rate of the disc is then determined by scaling the plane strain wear rate with a conversion factor related to the predicted shape of the wear track. The approach is used to predict pin-on-disc test data from an Al-Si coating using a tungsten carbide pin. The predicted results are found to be consistent with measured data.     

Enantioselective synthesis of N1999A2

An enantioselective synthetic route to the enediyne antibiotic N1999A2 (1) is described, proceeding in 21 steps (0.4% yield, 77% average yield per step) from (R)-(+)-glycidol. The route involves the convergent assembly of three components: a (1-iodovinyl) stannane (2), a 1,5-hexadiyne-3,4-diol derivative (3), and a substituted naphthoic acid (4). Important transformations in the synthetic sequence include the palladium-catalyzed coupling of 2 and 3, an intramolecular oxidative cyclization of a terminal bisacetylene, and a transannular anionic (bi)cyclization of a cyclic bromoenetriyne. The careful selection and manipulation of protective groups throughout the sequence proved to be critical to the development of the synthetic route, where all late-stage intermediates were unstable and could not be concentrated. In the final step of the sequence, three protective groups were removed in a single operation, providing synthetic N1999A2 (1) in 76% yield. Conditions were found that, for the first time, led to the precipitation of 1 as a solid.     

Chemoenzymatic synthesis of the trans-dihydrodiol isomers of monosubstituted benzenes via anti-benzene dioxides

Enantiopure cis-2,3-dihydrodiols, available from dioxygenase-catalysed cis-dihydroxylation of monosubstituted benzene substrates, have been used as synthetic precursors of the corresponding trans-3,4-dihydrodiols. The six-step chemoenzymatic route from cis-dihydrodiol precursors, involving acetonide, tetraol, dibromodiacetate and diepoxide intermediates, and substitution of vinyl bromide and iodide atoms, has been used in the synthesis of ten trans-dihydrododiol derivatives of substituted benzenes. The general applicability of the method has been demonstrated by its use in the synthesis of both enantiomers of the trans-1,2-and 3,4-dihydrodiol derivatives of toluene.     

Fast intra-modal and inter-modal wavelength switching of a high-speed SG-DBR laser for dynamic wavelength routing

As the SG-DBR laser is among the most attractive sources for WDM and DWDM systems, it is important and necessary to investigate its wavelength switching characteristics. This behaviour will affect wavelength routing and the capability limits for channel re-allocation in future optical networks. This paper presents detailed experimental studies on a high-speed SG-DBR laser by using a Fabry–Perot Interferometer technique adapted for the non-continuous wave case. Measurements of fast intra-modal (i.e. cavity mode) and inter-modal (i.e. super-mode) wavelength switching and insights into the device's dynamic behaviour are obtained. Implications are given for transmitter design in dynamic wavelength routing and channel re-allocation.     

Characterization of time-resolved laser differential phase using 3D complementary cumulative distribution functions

An experimental method for characterizing the time-resolved phase noise of a fast switching tunable laser is discussed. The method experimentally determines a complementary cumulative distribution function of the laser's differential phase as a function of time after a switching event. A time resolved bit error rate of differential quadrature phase shift keying formatted data, calculated using the phase noise measurements, was fitted to an experimental time-resolved bit error rate measurement using a field programmable gate array, finding a good agreement between the time-resolved bit error rates.     

Theoretical study of a two-section single-cavity semiconductor laser for use as a wavelength-tunable source

This paper reports on a theoretical investigation of a novel scheme devised for a two-section single-cavity (TSSC) laser. The results of the investigation are used to demonstrate its potential as a frequency-tunable laser source. By the implementation of an appropriate electrical drive scheme the TSSC laser can be shown to exhibit a reduction in frequency chirping under direct modulation. Alternatively, by employing a different drive scheme, the device can be shown to behave as a wavelength-tunable laser. Control of the tuning range by antireflection (AR) coating of laser facets is also predicted.     

On the evolution of lattice deformation in austenitic stainless steels—The role of work hardening at finite strains

In this work, a three dimensional crystal plasticity-based finite element model is presented to examine the micromechanical behaviour of austenitic stainless steels. The model accounts for realistic polycrystal micromorphology, the kinematics of crystallographic slip, lattice rotation, slip interaction (latent hardening) and geometric distortion at finite deformation. We utilise the model to predict the microscopic lattice strain evolution of austenitic stainless steels during uniaxial tension at ambient temperature with validation through in situ neutron diffraction measurements. Overall, the predicted lattice strains are in very good agreement with those measured in both longitudinal and transverse directions (parallel and perpendicular to the tensile loading axis, respectively). The information provided by the model suggests that the observed nonlinear response in the transverse {200} grain family is associated with a competitive bimodal evolution of strain during inelastic deformation. The results associated with latent hardening effects at the microscale also indicate that in situ neutron diffraction measurements in conjunction with macroscopic uniaxial tensile data may be used to calibrate crystal plasticity models for the prediction of the inelastic material deformation response.