Non-peptidic HIV protease inhibitors: C2-symmetry-based design of bis-sulfonamide dihydropyrones

Potent, non-peptidic, dihydropyrone sulfonamide HIV protease inhibitors have been previously described. Crystallographic analysis of dihydropyrone sulfonamide inhibitor/HIV protease complexes suggested incorporation of a second, C2 symmetry-related sulfonamide group. Selected bis-sulfonamide dihydropyrone analogues display high HIV protease inhibitory activity.     

Optimization of Physiological Growth Conditions for Maximal Gamma-linolenic Acid Production by Cunninghamella blakesleeana-JSK2

Effects of various cultural conditions on biomass, lipid and Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) production were investigated in the oleaginous fungus Cunninghamella blakesleeana-JSK2 isolated from soil. The GLA production was influenced by various factors such as growth condition (static and shaken), incubation time, pH, temperature, carbon and nitrogen sources. The results indicated that optimum GLA production (21 %) was obtained when the fungus was grown under shaken condition at 120 rpm for 6 days with optimum pH and temperature of 6 and 28 °C ,respectively. Glucose and potassium nitrate enhanced the GLA production. Urea and sucrose were poor substances for biomass, lipid and GLA production.     

Status of dietary fiber contents in pigmented and non-pigmented rice varieties before and after parboiling

Five different varieties of paddy (four pigmented and one non-pigmented) were shelled and milled in pre and post parboiled form, their dietary fiber contents were estimated. Under similar conditions of milling, raw rice showed a high degree of polish (DOP), 9–12 g/100 g and parboiled rice showed low DOP, 4.6–6.6 g/100 g. Dietary fiber content was high in pigmented rice, 9–10 g/100 g compared to non-pigmented, ∼6 g/100 g. Soluble fiber content in pigmented head rice (dehusked) varied from 1 to 1.5 g/100 g and in its brokens varied from 0.45 to 1.45 g/100 g. Dietary fiber content was low by about 1% in parboiled rice. In the parboiled rice of pigmented varieties, the total fiber content varied from 7.95 ± 0.15 to 9.05 ± 0.25 g/100 g and the soluble fiber content varied from 0.7 to 0.9 g/100 g. In milled parboiled rice the respective values were 5 ± 0.4 to 6 ± 0.1 g/100 g and 0.85 ± 0.05 to 1.25 ± 0.05 g/100 g. However, the soluble fiber content in the non-pigmented brown rice, IR-64 remained same after parboiling, 0.75 ± 0.5 g/100 g. Milled parboiled rice showed higher soluble dietary fiber compared to milled raw rice. In conclusion, dietary fiber was high in pigmented rice varieties when compared with non-pigmented rice.     

Fabrication and characterization of fully dense Si–C–N ceramics from a poly(ureamethylvinyl)silazane precursor

Characterization of the intrinsic physical and mechanical properties of precursor-derived ceramics (PDC) is hitherto hindered by the unavailability of suitable specimens with the representative material structure, homogeneity and of sufficient dimensions amenable to the characterization method. The experimental response is often significantly modified by the included porosity and possible pseudo-microstructures, introduced through the sample fabrication. This paper describes the fabrication of fully dense homogeneous precursor-derived Si–C–N ceramic specimens with material structures covering amorphous to nano-crystalline state using a casting technique, from a liquid polysilazane precursor. The three critical problems involved in the dense PDC processing, viz., (i) bubble formation, (ii) gas evolution induced bloating and cracking and (iii) transformation induced cracking are addressed through controlled cross-linking and thermolysis techniques. Structural characterization of the specimens is carried out using FT-IR, Raman, XRD and HRTEM. The changes in the material structure in the amorphous and phase segregated state are correlated to the material properties, through preliminary physical and mechanical characterization.     

Transmission of block turbo coded digital audio over FM-SCA

In this paper, an efficient coded scheme for transmitting digital audio over the existing FM channel, by multiplexing it with the baseband FM signal, is described. Transmission of multiplexed signals in the FM baseband called FM-SCA (subsidiary communications authorization) has been previously used for low quality analog content and some low rate digital content. The investigated scheme opens up the possibility of achieving CD quality audio over FM-SCA by enabling high bitrate transmission using MPEG-I layer 3 and MPEG-AAC audio coding for the digital audio. These schemes provide CD quality audio at or below 128 kbps, MPEG-AAC being able to do so at rates as low as 96 kbps. Block turbo codes (BTC), which offer near Shannon's limit performance with relatively low hardware complexity requirements, provide the error protection. Block turbo codes have been shown to be particularly effective for high coding rates. The system uses OFDM in conjunction with 8PSK/16PSK to modulate the digital bitstream and fit it in the 44 kHz (54 to 98 kHz) band available in the FM baseband. Simulation results show an optimal system configuration for digital audio transmission in FM-SCA.     

Copolymers of aniline with o‐ and m‐toluidine: synthesis and characterization

Copolymers of aniline and toluidine were synthesized by oxidative chemical polymerization using different ratios of the monomers in the feed, and characterized by a number of techniques including UV–visible, IR, Raman, ¹H NMR and EPR spectroscopies, as well as by thermogravimetric analysis and conductivity measurements. The properties of the copolymers are influenced by the amount of toluidine in the copolymer. Poly(o‐toluidine) and poly(m‐toluidine) are noticeably different in their solubility and conductivity. The copolymers show better solubilities than polyaniline but have lower conductivities. Differences in the properties of the salt and base forms of the copolymers are pointed out. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

Characterization of fluctuation statistics of radar clutter forIndian terrain

Characterization of the fluctuation statistics of radar clutter using Weibull and lognormal distribution models, is presented. Both farmland and sea clutter data measured using a noncoherent, airborne S-band radar are used in the analysis. The clutter data represent the first measurements from an airborne platform over Indian terrain. The values of the distribution parameters estimated using two different techniques have also been presented along with the different criteria used to classify the clutter     

Web-log-driven business activity monitoring

Business process transformation defines a new level of business optimization that manifests as a range of industry-specific initiatives that bring processes, people, and information together to optimize efficiency. This new optimization level is possible because the Web has assumed the role of a common infrastructure. To examine how BPT can optimize an organization's processes, we describe a corporate initiative that was developed within IBM's supply chain organization to transform the import compliance process that supports the company's global logistics. The initiative sought to give IBM greater awareness of regulatory compliance exceptions - information critical to the corporation and its importing partners.     

Thermal Stability, Phase Evolution, and Crystallization in Si-B-C-N Ceramics Derived from a Polyborosilazane Precursor

Amorphous Si-B-C-N ceramic powder samples obtained by thermolysis of boron-modified polysilazane, {B[C₂H₄Si(H)NH]₃} _n , were isothermally annealed at different temperatures (1400–1800°C) and hold times (3, 10, 30, and 100 h). A qualitative and semiquantitative analysis of the crystallization behavior of the materials was performed using X-ray diffraction (XRD). The phase evolution was additionally followed by ¹¹B and ²⁹Si MAS NMR as well as by FT-IR spectroscopy in transmission and diffuse reflection (DRIFTS) modes. Bulk chemical analyses of selected samples were performed to determine changes in the chemistry/phase composition of the materials. It was observed that silicon carbide is the first phase to nucleate around 1400–1500°C, whereas silicon nitride nucleates at and above 1700°C. Crystallization accelerates with increasing annealing temperature and proceeds with increasing annealing time. Furthermore, the surface area of the powders strongly influences the thermal stability of silicon nitride and thus controls overall chemical and phase composition of the materials on thermal treatment.     

Delay Versus TASI Advantage in a Packet Voice Multiplexer

In this correspondence we complement, by means of an analytical model, an earlier simulation study on tradeoff between delay and TASI advantage in a packetized speech multiplexer.