RhII-Catalyzed De-symmetrization of Ethane-1,2-dithiol and Propane-1,3-dithiol Yields Metallo-β-lactamase Inhibitors

Diversity-oriented synthesis (DOS) is a rich source for novel lead structures in Medicinal Chemistry. In this study, we present a DOS-compatible method for synthesis of compounds bearing a free thiol moiety. The procedure relies on Rh(II)-catalyzed coupling of dithiols to diazo building blocks. The synthetized library was probed against metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs) NDM-1 and VIM-1. Biochemical and biological evaluation led to identification of novel potent MBL inhibitors with antibiotic adjuvant activity.     

Computations of Granular Flow and Pressures in a Flat-Bottomed Silo

The most demanding design situations for silo structures usually occur at the onset of discharge, when the silo is still almost full of granular solid. In this condition, the pattern of solids flow affects the wall pressures, and both are currently difficult to predict even using the best numerical models. This paper describes part of an international collaborative study in which finite element and discrete element models were used by many leading research groups around the world to model a single well-defined problem of discharge from a flat-bottomed silo using many different programs. The results show that discrete element models give good qualitative predictions of flow patterns, and the finite-element models give good quantitative predictions of pressure regimes, but there is little agreement on the details either within each modeling paradigm or between them. Further extensive research is needed to reach a scientific consensus on the requirements for a reliable formulation.     

RC beams shear-strengthened with FRP: Stress distributions in the FRP reinforcement

Reinforced concrete (RC) beams may be strengthened for shear with externally bonded fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) composites through complete wrapping, U-jacketing or bonding on their sides only. The two main shear failure modes of such strengthened beams are FRP rupture and debonding. In both modes of failure, the contribution of the bonded FRP reinforcement to the shear capacity of the beam depends strongly on the stress (or strain) distribution in the FRP at the ultimate limit state. This paper presents a numerical study of the FRP stress distribution at debonding failure in U-jacketed or side-bonded beams using a rigorous FRP-to-concrete bond–slip model and assuming several different crack width distributions. Numerical results indicate that Chen and Teng’s early simple assumption [Chen JF, Teng JG. Shear capacity of FRP-strengthened RC beams: FRP debonding. Constr Build Mater 2003;17:27–41] for the stress distribution in the FRP results in satisfactory predictions for the effective FRP stress in most cases for both U-jacketed and side-bonded beams. However, it may become unconservative for side-bonded beams that have only light flexural steel reinforcement.     

Building trust in virtual teams

This paper presents a study of trust development in online courses. It reviews the concept of swift trust and examines changes in faculty roles as professors go online. An exploratory content analysis looks at indicators of the development of swift trust in the highest rated of a large number of online courses studied over a three year period, and contrasts these results with one of the poorest rated online courses. Establishing swift trust at the beginning of an online course appears to be related to subsequent course success. Strategies for trust formation are also suggested.     

Ni–YSZ(111) solid–solid interfacial energy

Solid-state dewetting of continuous Ni films deposited on the (111) surface of yttrium stabilized zirconia (YSZ) was used to produce equilibrated Ni particles, and the solid–solid interface energy was determined using Winterbottom analysis. The ~150 nm thick Ni films were dewetted (annealed) at 1350 °C in Ar + H₂ (99.9999 %) at an oxygen partial pressure of 10^?20 atm for 6 h. Transmission electron microscopy of equilibrated particles was conducted, and two low-energy low-index orientation relationships were found: $ {\text{Ni[1}}\overline{ 1} 0 ] ( 1 1 1 )\left\| {{\text{YSZ[1}}\overline{ 1} 0 ]} \right. ( 1 1 1 ) $ and $ {\text{Ni[}}\overline{ 1} 1 0 ] ( 1 1 1 )\left\| {{\text{YSZ[1}}\overline{ 1} 0 ]} \right. ( 1 1 1 ) $ , and the interface energies were measured to be 1.8 ± 0.1 and 2.1 ± 0.1 J/m², respectively. A model including grain growth concurrent with dewetting is used to explain the formation of the higher energy orientation relationship.     

GaSb Thermophotovoltaic Cells Grown on GaAs Substrate Using the Interfacial Misfit Array Method

We present gallium antimonide (GaSb) p–i–n photodiodes for use as thermophotovoltaic (TPV) cells grown on gallium arsenide (100) substrates using the interfacial misfit array method. Devices were grown using molecular beam epitaxy and fabricated using standard microfabrication processes. X-ray diffraction was used to measure the strain, and current–voltage (I–V) tests were performed to determine the photovoltaic properties of the TPV cells. Energy generation at low efficiencies was achieved, and device performance was critically analyzed.