Visual angle model for car-following theory

The vast majority of car-following models are lack of the consideration of human drivers’ characteristics. Based on the fact that each driver of a following vehicle perceives closing-in or shying-away a leading vehicle in front of him/her, primarily due to changes in the apparent size of the leading vehicle, we improved the full velocity difference (FVD) model and presented a visual angle car-following model. This model is in view of the stimulus-response framework and uses the visual angle and the change rate of the visual angle as stimulus. Results from linear analysis showed that the neutral stability line is asymmetry and the width of the leading vehicle has a great impact on the stability of traffic flow. Numerical simulations obtained the same results as theoretical analysis clearly such as density wave, shrinking hysteresis, asymmetry and wide scattering. Thus, the introducing of the visual angle can explain some complex nature of traffic flow and contribute to the design of more realistic car-following models.     

Biocatalytic promiscuity: lipase-catalyzed asymmetric aldol reaction of heterocyclic ketones with aldehydes

The new promiscuous activity of lipase from porcine pancreas, type II (PPL II), has been observed to catalyze the direct asymmetric aldol reaction of heterocyclic ketones with aromatic aldehydes. PPL II showed favorable catalytic activity and had a good adaptability to different substrates in the reaction. The enantioselectivities of up to 87% ee and diastereoselectivities of up to 83:17 (anti/syn) were achieved. It is interesting that PPL II possesses the function of aldolase in organic solvents.     

对催化不对称合成的重大贡献——2001年诺贝尔化学奖

本年度诺贝尔化学奖授予了美国化学家诺尔斯博士与日本化学家野依良治教授（合占1/2）和美国化学家沙普利斯教授（占1/2）,以表彰他们在发展催化手性/不对称合成的新方法技术及其应用于工业生产研究领域中的开创性贡献。在20世纪有机化学的发展中,最重要的突破之一是催化手性/不对称合成的研究成功。本文对催化手性/不对称合成的基本原理、应用与进展及3位杰出科学家的贡献做了简明扼要介绍。