Head Wave Simulation of a KCS Model Using OpenFOAM for the Assessment of Sea-Margin

The paper presents calm water and head wave simulation results for a KRISO Container Ship (KCS) model. All simulations have been performed using the open source CFD toolkit, OpenFOAM. Initially, a systematic verification study is presented using the ITTC guideline to assess the simulation associated uncertainties. After that, a validation study is performed to assess the accuracy of the results. Next, calm water simulations are performed with sinkage and trim free condition at varying speeds. Later, head wave simulations are performed with heave and pitch free motion. Simulations are repeated for varying wave lengths to assess the encountered added resistance by the ship in design speed. The results are validated against available experimental data. Finally, power predictions are made for both calm water and head wave cases to assess the required propulsion power. The paper tries to assess the validity of using 25% addition as sea margin over calm water prediction to consider wave encounters

PREPARATION, CHARACTERIZATION AND UTILIZATION OF A NOVEL TRIFLUOROACETIC ACID SUPPORTED STARCH/GRAPHENE OXIDE GREEN NANOCOMPOSITE FOR EFFICIENT SYNTHESIS OF 2,4,5-TRISUBSTITUTED IMIDAZOLES

This study reports on the production, characterization, and application of a novel starch/graphene oxide nanocomposite for rapid synthesis of 2,4,5-trisubstituted imidazoles. To this end, graphene oxide was first functionalized by 1,8-diamino-3,5-dioxaoctane under appropriate conditions. Starch, functionalized graphene oxide, and 3-aminopyridine nanocomposite were then prepared from the reaction of starch with graphene oxide functionalized with 1,8-diamino-3,5-dioxaoctane in the presence of hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDMI) as a binding agent and 3-aminopyridine. Then, trifluoroacetic acid was added, giving rise to an acid-supported starch and graphene oxide nanocomposite. To examine the efficiency of the nanocomposite, 2,4,5-trisubstituted imidazoles were efficiently synthesized in the presence of the nanocomposite using benzil, aryl aldehyde, and ammonium acetate under solvent-free condition within a short reaction time. The moderate conditions, fast reaction rates, ease of purification, solvent-free condition, use of a green catalyst (nanocomposite), and environmental friendliness are among the advantages of the proposed synthesis method. The recoverability and durability of the catalyst were confirmed after five runs with no significant loss of activity. Thus, this research presents a novel nanocomposite based on starch and graphene oxide with superior properties.

Chemoselectivity-independent Cu-mediated coupling to construct the hydroquinoline skeleton of symbioimine

Construction of the hydroquinoline skeleton of symbioimine by Cu-mediated N-alkenylation or O-alkenylation of an allyl aminoalcohol, in which either chemoselectivity could lead to the target compound, was investigated. O-alkenylation followed by Claisen rearrangement was favored with high selectivity under a ligand-free condition. Subsequent intramolecular condensation furnished the hydroquinoline skeleton of symbioimine.

Microwave assisted Acetylation of Amines using Imidazole Hydrochloride under solvent-free condition

A simple and novel microwave irradiation method has been developed for N-acetylation of both aliphatic and aromatic amines with N,N-dimethylacetamide via Nacetyl imidazole by using Imidazole hydrochloride under solvent-free condition. The method proved more eco-friendly and economic.

Solvent free synthesis of active 5-benzylidine-1, 3-thiazolidine-2,4-dione derivatives

Present communication describes the attempts made to improve the yields of thiazolidinedione group of derivatives keeping in view of their anti-cancer activity. 5-benzylidine-1,3-thiazolidine-2,4-dione derivatives were the active substrates belonging to α-glucosidase inhibitor classification. These were prepared by the reaction of 4-((Z)-(2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidene) methyl) benzaldehyde with aromatic/hetero aromatic ketones in the presence of potassium hydroxide and ethanol as solvent. Synthesis of 5-benzylidine-1, 3-thiazolidine-2,4-dione derivatives has been optimized under solvent free condition by screening with different bases in order to achieve the required target (of improving the yields). The solvent free condition has resulted in excellent improvement in yields and reduced the manufacturing cost significantly.

Does the cowl make the monk? The effect of military and Red Cross uniforms on empathy for pain, sense of agency and moral behaviors

The present study investigated to what extent the clothes we wear influence prosocial behaviors and two related neuro-cognitive processes, namely the sense of agency and empathy for pain. We tested forty participants wearing civilian, military and Red Cross uniforms across three consecutive days. Participants were tested by pairs and were assigned either to the role of the agent or to the role of the ‘victim’. Agents could deliver real electric shocks to the ‘victim’ in exchange for +€0.05, either following their own decision or following the experimenter’s instructions. Our results indicated that wearing a Red Cross uniform increased the amplitude of the neural response to pain when participants witnessed shocks in comparison with wearing civilian or military clothing. Results also revealed that the sense of agency increased when participants wore a military uniform compared to wearing their own civilian clothing in the Free condition. Finally, participants gave less shocks when wearing the Red Cross uniform compared to wearing their civilian clothing. This study highlights the effect of wearing symbolic uniforms on the sense of agency, on the neural empathic response and on prosocial behavior, thus broadening our knowledge on the impact of ‘enclothed cognition’ on cognitive and psychological processes.

Persistence of Plasmodium cynomolgi hypnozoites in cynomolgus monkey iPS-derived hepatocytes

Plasmodium cynomolgi (Pc) is one of the few parasite species that forms quiescent liver stage parasites known as hypnozoites and is therefore a suitable model for Plasmodium vivax. Very little is known about liver stage dormancy, which hampers the search for compounds with anti-hypnozoite activity. Here, we present the development of a Pc in vitro infection model using stem cell-derived hepatocytes from Macaca fascicularis. IPS cells were established on feeder free condition and differentiated into hepatocytes via inducible overexpression of key transcription factors. The generated hepatocytes were infected with Pc sporozoites and hypnozoite formation as well as schizont development were confirmed by immunofluorescence. This system is a promising tool to study the mechanisms underlying liver stage dormancy and facilitate drug discovery against hypnozoites.