Evidence of mechanically activated processes in slow granular flows

We study how a shear band in a granular medium dramatically changes the mechanical behavior of the material further in the non sheared region. To this end, we carry out a microrheology experiment, where a constant force F is applied to a small rod immersed outside the shear band. In the absence of a shear band, a critical force F(c) is necessary to move the intruder. When a shear band exists, the intruder moves even for a force F less than the critical force F(c). We systematically study how the creep velocity V(creep) of the rod varies with F(c) - F and with the distance to the shear band, and show that the behavior can be described by an Eyring-like activated process.     

黑索金的电子结构和热解机理的从头算研究

利用从头算梯度修正密度泛函理论,我们在B3LYP/6-31G(d,p)水平上,计算了高能炸药黑索金(RDX)及其热解中间产物C3H6N5O4和NO2等的电子结构、能量、键级和一些热力学性质,并在此基础上,计算了键离解能和反应速率常数.此外,我们还分别从键级和键离解能角度,讨论了RDX的热解机理,所得结果与实验一致.     

CHF3 Dual-Frequency Capacitively Coupled Plasma by Optical Emission Spectroscopy

We investigate the intermediate gas phase in the CHFs 13.56 MHz/2 MHz dual-frequency capacitively couple plasma （CCP） for the SiCOH low dielectric constant （low-k） film etching, and the effect of 2MHz power on radicals concentration. The major dissociation reactions of CHF3 in 13.56MHz CCP are the low dissociation bond energy reactions, which lead to the low F and high CF2 concentrations. The addition of 2MHz power can raise the probability of high dissociation bond energy reactions and lead to the increase of F concentration while keeping the CF2 concentration almost a constant, which is of advantage to the SiCOH low-k films etching. The radical spatial uniformity is dependent on the power coupling of two sources. The increase of 2 MHz power leads to a poor uniformity, however, the uniformity can be improved by increasing 13.56 MHz power.     

Probing the impact of loading rate on the mechanical properties of viral nanoparticles

The effects of changes in the loading rate during the forced dissociation of single bonds have been studied for a wide variety of interactions. Less is known on the loading rate dependent behaviour of more complex systems that consist of multiple bonds. Here we focus on viral nanoparticles, in particular the protein shell (capsid) that protects the viral genome. As model systems we use the well-studied capsids of the plant virus Cowpea Chlorotic Mottle Virus (CCMV) and of the bacteriophages φ29 and HK97. By applying an atomic force microscopy (AFM) nanoindentation approach we study the loading rate dependency of their mechanical properties. Our AFM results show very diverse behaviour for the different systems. In particular, we find that not only the breaking force, but also the spring constant of some capsids depend on the loading rate. We describe and compare the measured data with simulation results from the literature. The unexpected complex loading rate dependencies that we report present a challenge for the current theoretical considerations aimed at understanding the molecular level interactions of highly ordered protein assemblies.     

Microwave Spectrum, Structure, and Hyperfine Constants of Kr-AgCl: Formation of a Weak Kr-Ag Covalent Bond

The pure rotational spectrum of the complex Kr-AgCl has been measured between 8-15 GHz using a cavity pulsed-jet Fourier transform microwave spectrometer. The complex was found to be linear and relatively rigid, with a Kr-Ag bond length of approximately 2.641 ?. The Kr-Ag stretching frequency was estimated to be 117 cm(-1). Ab initio calculations performed at the MP2 level of theory gave the geometry, vibration frequencies, Kr-Ag bond dissociation energy, and orbital populations. The Kr-Ag bond dissociation energy was estimated to be approximately 28 kJ mol(-1). The Kr-Ag force constant and dissociation energy are greater than those of Ar-Ag in Ar-AgCl. The chlorine nuclear quadrupole coupling constants show slight changes on complex formation. Ab initio orbital population analysis shows a small shift in sigma-electron density from Kr to Ag on complex formation. The combined experimental and ab initio results are consistent with the presence of a weak Kr-Ag covalent bond. Copyright 2001 Academic Press.     

SeOx(x=1,2)的从头算势能曲线和光谱常数

采用从头算的多种方法和基组优化计算SeO_x(x=1,2)自由基的基态结构、谐振频率及离解能,优选出QCISD(T)/6-311+G(2df)、B3LYP/6-311G(3d2f)方法分别对SeO、SeO₂自由基进行计算,计算结果与实验结果吻合很好.对SeO自由基拟合出Murrell-Sorbie势能函数参数,计算出SeO自由基的光谱常数和力常数.计算出SeO₂自由基力常数,导出SeO₂自由基的多体展式势能函数,发现SeO₂自由基对称伸缩振动势能图中在对称的O+SeO→SeO₂反应通道上有一鞍点,其活化能约为48.24 kJ·mol^-1,O原子需要越过0.5 eV的能垒才能生成SeO₂的稳定结构.     

Self-regulation in self-propelled nematic fluids

Monte Carlo simulation of the rupture of multiple receptor-ligand bonds between two PMN cells suspended in a Newtonian fluid is performed. In the presence of a hydrodynamic drag force acting on two PMN cells the interplay of multiple receptor-ligand bonds between these cells leads to a bimodal distribution of the bond rupture force at certain loading rates. Specifically, it is found that the interplay of multiple bonds between two PMN cells in the presence of hydrodynamic drag force acting on these cells modifies the bond energy landscape in such a way as to lead to a bimodal distribution of the bond rupture force where a low force peak switches to a high force peak as the loading rate is increased progressively, characteristics of two-state systems.      

Denaturation transition of stretched DNA

We generalize the Poland-Scheraga model to consider DNA denaturation in the presence of an external stretching force. We demonstrate the existence of a force-induced DNA denaturation transition and obtain the temperature-force phase diagram. The transition is determined by the loop exponent c, for which we find the new value c = 4 nu-1/2 such that the transition is second order with c = 1.85 < 2 in d = 3. We show that a finite stretching force F destabilizes DNA, corresponding to a lower melting temperature T(F), in agreement with single-molecule DNA stretching experiments.     

Dissociation of a product of a surface reaction in the gas phase: XeF2 reaction with Si

Xenon difluoride interacts with Si(100)2 x 1 by atom abstraction, whereby a dangling bond abstracts a F atom from XeF2, scattering the complementary XeF. Partitioning of the reaction exothermicity produces sufficient XeF rovibrational excitation for dissociation to occur. The resulting F and Xe atoms are shown to arise from dissociation of XeF in the gas phase by demonstrating that the angle-resolved velocity distributions of F, Xe, and XeF conserve momentum, energy, and mass. This experiment documents the first observation of dissociation of a surface reaction product in the gas phase.     

基于反应力场的分子动力学方法研究氢在钯表面的分解

基于二阶矩近似反应力场方法构建的全维度势能面研究了氢分子及其同位素分子在钯表面的分解过程.在构建势能面的过程中数据库中只包含了氢分子与钯（111）表面相互作用的相关信息,该势能面在研究氢分子在钯（100）表面上的分解过程中表现出了非常好的可转移性.结果表明,氢分子及其同位素分子在钯（111）与钯（100）表面上的分解系数S₀均随着入射能量的增加呈现非单调变化,并且通过固定分子取向的方法发现同核分子（H₂、D₂和T₂）最有利分解取向角为90°,而异核分子（HD、HT和DT）受质心偏移的影响,其最有利分解取向角向大角度偏移.     

Relations between Varshni and Morse potential energy parameters

A set of relationships between the Morse and Varshni potential functions for describing covalent bondstretching energy has been developed by imposing equal force constant and equal energy integral. In view of the extensive adoption of Morse function in molecular force fields, this paper suggests two sets of parameter conversions from Varshni to Morse. The parameter conversion based on equal force constant is applicable for small change in bond length, while the parameter conversion based on equal energy integral is more applicable for significant bond-stretching. Plotted results reveal that the Varshni potential function is more suitable for describing hard bonds rather than soft bonds.      

Phonons of graphene and graphitic materials derived from the empirical potential LCBOPII

We present the interatomic force constants and phonon dispersions of graphite and graphene from the LCBOPII empirical bond order potential. We find a good agreement with experimental results, particularly in comparison to other bond order potentials. From the flexural mode we determine the bending rigidity of graphene to be 0.69 eV at zero temperature. We discuss the large increase of this constant with temperature and argue that derivation of force constants from experimental values should take this feature into account. We examine also other graphitic systems, including multilayer graphene for which we show that the splitting of the flexural mode can provide a tool for characterization.     

Theoretical studies on structure and performance of [1,2,5]‐oxadiazolo‐[3,4‐d]‐pyridazine‐based derivatives

Based on energetic compound [1,2,5]‐oxadiazolo‐[3,4‐d]‐pyridazine, a series of functionalized derivatives were designed and first reported. Afterwards, the relationship between their structure and performance was systematically explored by density functional theory at B3LYP/6‐311 g (d, p) level. Results show that the bond dissociation energies of the weakest bond (N–O bond) vary from 157.530 to 189.411 kJ · mol^?1. The bond dissociation energies of these compounds are superior to that of HMX (N–NO_2, 154.905 kJ · mol^?1). In addition, H1, H2, H4, I2, I3, C1, C2, and D1 possess high density (1.818–1.997 g · cm^?3) and good detonation performance (detonation velocities, 8.29–9.46 km · s^?1; detonation pressures, 30.87–42.12 GPa), which may be potential explosives compared with RDX (8.81 km · s^?1, 34.47 GPa ) and HMX (9.19 km · s^?1, 38.45 GPa). Finally, allowing for the explosive performance and molecular stability, three compounds may be suggested as good potential candidates for high‐energy density materials. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

SiX2(X=H，F)分子的结构与势能函数

应用QCISD/6-311++G(3df,3pd)和B3P86/6-311++G(3d2f)对SiH₂,SiF₂的结构进行了优化,优化出SiH₂分子的稳定构型为C_2v,电子态为¹A₁,其平衡核间距R_e=0.15149nm、键角∠HSiH=92.5025°、离解能为3.7098eV. SiF _{关键词： 2}')" href="#">SiH₂ 2')" href="#">SiF₂ 多体项展式理论 势能函数     

Improved measurement of /V(cb)/ using B-->D*l nu decays

We determine the weak coupling /V(cb)/ between the b and c quarks using a sample of 3 x 10(6) BB; events in the CLEO detector at the Cornell Electron Storage Ring. We determine the yield of reconstructed B-->D*l nu; decays as a function of w, the boost of the D* in the B rest frame, and from this we obtain the differential decay rate d Gamma/dw. By extrapolating d Gamma/dw to w=1, the kinematic end point at which the D* is at rest relative to the B, we extract the product /V(cb)/F(1), where F(1) is the form factor at w=1. Combined with theoretical results for F(1) we determine /V(cb)/=0.0469+/-0.0014(stat)+/-0.0020(syst)+/-0.0018(theor).     

Effective Field Theory for Few Particles in a Trap

In this contribution we show applications of effective field theory (EFT) to few-particle systems trapped in a harmonic oscillator potential. The principles of EFT allows to construct interactions among the particles in a systematic and improvable manner. We first consider systems of two-component fermions and show excellent agreements with the exact solution at unitarity (for the two- and three-body problem) and results obtained by other methods (in the four-body case). We then consider trapped systems of three nucleons and extract neutron–deuteron phase shifts, and show that the quartet scattering length is in good agreement with experimental data. We also show the collapse of the system in the J ^π  = 1/2⁺, T = 1/2 (triton) channel at Leading-Order when no three-nucleon force is included.     

The vibrational spectrum of H2O on Si(100)

Recent EELS measurements for H₂O adsorbed on the Si(100) reconstructed surface have been interpreted on the basis of dissociation of H₂O into OH plus H. We attempt to construct a valence force potential which yields harmonic vibrational frequencies in agreement with the EELS experiments. There is some consideration of experimental intensities in the achievement of this agreement. The experimental data cannot be fitted without introducing interaction force constants into the potential energy expression, such as the force constant coupling the silicon-oxygen stretching motion and the silicon-oxygen-hydrogen bending motion.     

Cross-correlated (19)F relaxation measurements for the study of fluorinated ligand-receptor interactions.

Fluorine is often used in drug-design efforts to enhance the pharmacokinetic properties of biologically active compounds. Additionally fluorine nuclei ((19)F) have properties that are well suited to current pharmaceutical NMR screening programs. Together, these considerations have motivated our interest in the utility of fluorine relaxation parameters to study ligand-receptor interactions. Here, we investigate the potential for cross-correlated relaxation effects between the (19)F anisotropic chemical-shift and (19)F-(1)H dipole-dipole relaxation mechanisms to help pinpoint and quantify exchange processes. Methods are proposed and demonstrated in which the magnitude ratio of the transverse cross-correlation rate constant eta(xy) and the fluorine transverse relaxation rate constant, R(2), help estimate the exchange rate constant for ligand-binding equilibria. These exchange rate constants provide estimates of the ligand dissociation rate constants k(off) and can thus provide a means for rank-ordering the binding affinities of ligands identified in pharmaceutical screens.     

丙烯醛在外电场中的解离性质

利用密度泛函理论（DFT）计算方法,在6-31G+（d,p）基组上,讨论C₃H₄O气体分子在受到外加电场（-10.28 V·nm^-1~10.28 V·nm^-1）作用时的结构特征和解离特性。计算发现,沿分子共轭单键的方向电场增强时,总能量增大,碳碳双键和碳碳单键的键长减小,碳氧双键键长增大,偶极矩减小;能隙E_G增加,红外吸收峰在不同的频率分别发生红移和蓝移,同时IR强度发生变化。分子解离性能表现为：势能壁垒随着外电场增大而降低,达到25.71 V·nm^-1时势能壁垒几乎消失,解离能随着电场增加而逐渐降低,说明在电场作用下解离难度逐渐减小。研究结果为C₃H₄O气体分子或含有该成分的混合物在外电场下的解离特性研究提供参考。