Synthesis and structures of O-anthrylmethyl-substituted hexahomotrioxacalix[3]arenes

O-Alkylation of 7,15,23-tri-tert-butyl-25,26,27-trihydroxy-2,3,10,11,18,19-hexahomo-3,11,19-trioxacalix[3]arene (1H₃) with 9-chloromethylanthracene 5 was carried out under different reaction conditions. Variation of the number of anthrylmethyl group introduced at the phenolic rim of hexahomotrioxacalix[3]arene 1H₃ was achieved through selective O-alkylation using stoichiometric amounts of 9-chloromethylanthracene 5 in acetone to afford the mono-O-alkylated product 2H₂An, the di-O-alkylated product 3HAn₂ and the tri-O-alkylated product partial-cone-4An₃, respectively. Interestingly, by using an acetone/benzene (1:1 v/v) mixed solvent system, the cone-4An₃ was successfully synthesized. These results suggest that the solvent can also control the conformation of the O-alkylation products. The possible reaction routes of the cone-4An₃ and partial-cone-4An₃ are also discussed

Analysis of renewable-friendly smart grid technologies for the distributed energy investment projects using a hybrid picture fuzzy rough decision-making approach

Smart grid systems help increase RWJ projects (RWJ) so that environmentally friendly energy production can be generated. However, efficient technologies should be implemented to ensure the sustainability of smart grid systems. This study aims to evaluate renewable-friendly smart grid technologies regarding distributed energy investment projects by using a hybrid picture fuzzy rough decision-making approach. Firstly, selected criteria are weighted using the multi stepwise weight assessment ratio analysis (M-SWARA) method based on picture fuzzy rough sets (PFRSs). Subsequently, different renewable-friendly smart grid technologies are ranked with the complex proportional assessment (COPRAS) technique by using PFRSs. It is determined that research and development play the most critical role with respect to the renewable-friendly smart grid technologies for distributed energy investment projects. On the other side, cost is another essential factor for this issue. It is also identified that direct current links are the most important renewable-friendly smart grid technology alternative. Priorities should be given to the development of research and development studies on renewable energies to increase the efficiency of smart grid systems. In this context, private sector companies have a very important role. Similarly, incentives provided by governments to RWJ research and development studies should be increased. Within the scope of these studies, new technologies for RWJ types should be emphasized. In this context, new technologies for all RWJ alternatives should be followed comprehensively. Increasing research and development for such investments will also make smart grid systems more successful.Nemzeti Kutatási, Fejlesztési és Innovaciós Ala

Evanescently-coupled hybrid III-V/silicon laser based on DVS-BCB bonding

© 2014 IEEE. Controllable electrical breakdown of multiwall nanotubes (MWNTs) is studied utilizing the atomic force microscopy (AFM). Electrical breakdown has been known as the way to fundamentally understand the electrical properties of nanotubes and an approach to develop MWNT based transistors and sensors. Normally, electrical breakdown was known to be happened in the center of MWNT because of the thermal accumulation. However, considering the effect of thermal dissipation, the electrical breakdown could be mechanically controlled by an additional heat sink, which could be the substrate of MWNT device. Therefore, the electrical breakdown process is controllable through controlling Joule heating and thermal dissipation. In this research, we study the crucial factors that affect the electrical breakdown. The AFM based nano robot is used to measure the conductance distribution, and manipulate the three dimensional structure of MWNT in order to change the position of heat sink to control the location where electrical breakdown happened. The controllable electrical breakdown is an alternative approach for conducting bandgap engineering in nanodevice and fabricating high performance nano sensors and transistors.Link_to_subscribed_fulltex

The domestication of the probiotic bacterium Lactobacillus acidophilus

Lactobacillus acidophilus is a Gram-positive lactic acid bacterium that has had widespread historical use in the dairy industry and more recently as a probiotic. Although L. acidophilus has been designated as safe for human consumption, increasing commercial regulation and clinical demands for probiotic validation has resulted in a need to understand its genetic diversity. By drawing on large, well-characterised collections of lactic acid bacteria, we examined L. acidophilus isolates spanning 92 years and including multiple strains in current commercial use. Analysis of the whole genome sequence data set (34 isolate genomes) demonstrated L. acidophilus was a low diversity, monophyletic species with commercial isolates essentially identical at the sequence level. Our results indicate that commercial use has domesticated L. acidophilus with genetically stable, invariant strains being consumed globally by the human population