An overview of today’s high-level synthesis tools

High-level synthesis (HLS) is an increasingly popular approach in electronic design automation (EDA) that raises the abstraction level for designing digital circuits. With the increasing complexity of embedded systems, these tools are particularly relevant in embedded systems design. In this paper, we present our evaluation of a broad selection of recent HLS tools in terms of capabilities, usability and quality of results. Even though HLS tools are still lacking some maturity, they are constantly improving and the industry is now starting to adopt them into their design flows.     

Progress in Indium Gallium Nitride Materials for Solar Photovoltaic Energy Conversion

The world requires inexpensive, reliable, and sustainable energy sources. Solar photovoltaic (PV) technology, which converts sunlight directly into electricity, is an enormously promising solution to our energy challenges. This promise increases as the efficiencies are improved. One straightforward method of increasing PV device efficiency is to utilize multi-junction cells, each of which is responsible for absorbing a different range of wavelengths in the solar spectrum. Indium gallium nitride (In _x Ga_1?x N) has a variable band gap from 0.7 to 3.4 eV that covers nearly the whole solar spectrum. In addition, In _x Ga_1?x N can be viewed as an ideal candidate PV material for both this potential band gap engineering and microstructural engineering in nanocolumns that offer optical enhancement. It is clear that In _x Ga_1?x N is an extremely versatile potential PV material that enables several known photovoltaic device configurations and multi-junctions with theoretic efficiencies over 50 pct. This potential is driving immense scientific interest in the material system. This paper reviews the solar PV technology field and the basic properties of In _x Ga_1?x N materials and PV devices. The challenges that remain in realizing a high-efficiency In _x Ga_1?x N PV device are summarized along with paths for future work. Finally, conclusions are drawn about the potential for In _x Ga_1?x N photovoltaic technology in the future.     

Synthesis of high molecular weight polybenzimidazole using a highly pure monomer under mild conditions

An isophthalaldehyde bisulfite adduct (IBA) was synthesized using a reaction between sodium sulfite and isophthalaldehyde. Isophthalaldehyde monosulfite adduct (IMA) was inevitably synthesized during the reaction. Because IBA and IMA have similar solubility in water, it is difficult to separate them through a recrystallization process. In order to obtain pure IBA, an excess of sodium sulfite was used. Highly pure IBA was subsequently obtained without the need for recrystallization. The IBA was then used as the starting monomer for the synthesis of poly[2,2′‐(m‐phenylene)‐5,5′‐bisbenzimidazole] (PBI). Previous isolation methods for IBA hindered the synthesis of high molecular weight PBI. This new synthetic procedure produces high‐purity IBA, which can be used to synthesize high molecular weight PBI. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry     

Design,Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Highly Potent Simplified Archazolids

The archazolids are potent antiproliferative compounds that have recently emerged as a novel class of promising anticancer agents. Their complex macrolide structures and scarce natural supply make the development of more readily available analogues highly important. Herein, we report the design, synthesis and biological evaluation of four simplified and partially saturated archazolid derivatives. We also reveal important structure-activity relationship data as well as insights into the pharmacophore of these complex polyketides.     

Generation and selected reactions of chlorinated thiocarbonyl S-imides*

N-Aryl-1,1,1-trichloromethanesulfenamides ArNH-SCCl₃ easily undergo dehydrochlorination upon treatment with potassium hydroxide in ethanolic solution. The intermediate thiocarbonyl S-imides formed thereby behave differently depending on the type of the N-aryl group. The sterically crowded N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)- and -N-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-1,1,1-trichloromethanesulfenamides yield the corresponding sulfur N,N′-diaryldiimides via a multi-step reaction, whereas the less crowded 2-methylphenyl and 4-methylphenyl derivatives undergo a regioselective ‘head-to-head’ dimerization leading to 5,5,6,6-tetrachloro-1,4,2,3-dithiadiazinanes in high yields. An identical reaction course is observed in the case of the 4-methoxy- and 4-bromoaniline derivatives. A diradical mechanism is postulated to explain the ‘head-to-head’ dimerization pathway.     

Polyurethanes for coatings and adhesives – chemistry and applications

This review summarizes the past present, and future developments of isocyanate chemistry for polyurethane coatings and adhesives. Over the past 60 years, this field was driven by numerous breakthrough innovations that helped improve coating applications with respect to customer's needs—cementing the features of this outstanding material class. We provide a short introduction on the early beginnings of industrial isocyanate chemistry and then a detailed overview on the building blocks as well as the rich chemistry of the isocyanate group. The synthesis of various derivatives is described. An outlook on the latest developments—new building blocks and new chemistries—is given in the field of isocyanate coating and adhesive chemistry. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry     

The Delphi Method as a Useful Tool to Study Governance and Protected Areas?

The Delphi method is a systematic, interactive, written method, which relies on a panel of experts. This paper seeks to discuss whether the Delphi method is an appropriate method for obtaining information about governance. In this study we used the Delphi method to assemble information from 10 professionals with vast experience in nature conservation, protected areas and governance. The purpose of this study was to get a better understanding of the scientific governance debate. Three rounds of questionnaires were sent to the selected experts. The results of this Delphi Questionnaire reveal that there is a broad common understanding of protected area governance. They also reveal insights into how individual categories of protected areas will develop in the future. However, the study also shows that specialists are not fully agreed on this point.