A Direct NMR Method To Measure Self-Diffusion Coefficients in Liquids by Monitoring Diffusing Molecules through One-Dimensional Imaging

Diffusion processes can be followed directly by recording one-dimensional images of a selected slice at variable intervals after selective inversion of the magnetization. The resulting diffusion coefficients of H₂O and DMSO are consistent with earlier studies at different temperatures, obtained by monitoring the attenuation of NMR signals as a function of the gradient amplitude in gradient echo sequences.     

Escape of a forced-damped particle from weakly nonlinear truncated potential well

Nonlinear Dynamics - Escape from a potential well is an extreme example of transient behavior. We consider the escape of the harmonically forced particle under viscous damping from the benchmark...     

Isolated resonances and nonlinear damping

We analyze isolated resonance curves (IRCs) in single-degree-of-freedom systems possessing nonlinear damping. Through the combination of singularity theory and the averaging method, the onset and merging of IRCs, which coincide to isola and simple bifurcation singularities, respectively, can be analytically predicted. Numerical simulations confirm the accuracy of the analytical developments. Another important finding of this paper is that we unveil a geometrical connection between the topology of the damping force and IRCs. Specifically, we demonstrate that extremas and zeros of the damping force correspond to the appearance and merging of IRCs. Considering a damping force possessing several minima and maxima confirms the general validity of the analytical result. It also evidences a very complex scenario for which different IRCs are created, co-exist and then merge together to form a super IRC which eventually merges with the main resonance peak.     

Rational Development of Remote C−H Functionalization of Biphenyl: Experimental and Computational Studies

A simple and efficient nitrile-directed meta-C−H olefination, acetoxylation, and iodination of biaryl compounds is reported. Compared to the previous approach of installing a complex U-shaped template to achieve a molecular U-turn and assemble the large-sized cyclophane transition state for the remote C−H activation, a synthetically useful phenyl nitrile functional group could also direct remote meta-C−H activation. This reaction provides a useful method for the modification of biaryl compounds because the nitrile group can be readily converted to amines, acids, amides, or other heterocycles. Notably, the remote meta-selectivity of biphenylnitriles could not be expected from previous results with a macrocyclophane nitrile template. DFT computational studies show that a ligand-containing Pd–Ag heterodimeric transition state (TS) favors the desired remote meta-selectivity. Control experiments demonstrate the directing effect of the nitrile group and exclude the possibility of non-directed meta-C−H activation. Substituted 2-pyridone ligands were found to be key in assisting the cleavage of the meta-C−H bond in the concerted metalation–deprotonation (CMD) process.     

Local linear convergence analysis of Primal–Dual splitting methods

In this paper, we study the local linear convergence properties of a versatile class of Primal–Dual splitting methods for minimizing composite non-smooth convex optimization problems. Under the assumption that the non-smooth components of the problem are partly smooth relative to smooth manifolds, we present a unified local convergence analysis framework for these methods. More precisely, in our framework, we first show that (i) the sequences generated by Primal–Dual splitting methods identify a pair of primal and dual smooth manifolds in a finite number of iterations, and then (ii) enter a local linear convergence regime, which is characterized based on the structure of the underlying active smooth manifolds. We also show how our results for Primal–Dual splitting can be specialized to cover existing ones on Forward–Backward splitting and Douglas–Rachford splitting/ADMM (alternating direction methods of multipliers). Moreover, based on these obtained local convergence analysis result, several practical acceleration techniques are discussed. To exemplify the usefulness of the obtained result, we consider several concrete numerical experiments arising from fields including signal/image processing, inverse problems and machine learning. The demonstration not only verifies the local linear convergence behaviour of Primal–Dual splitting methods, but also the insights on how to accelerate them in practice.     

Strategic arrivals to queues offering priority service

Queueing Systems - We consider strategic arrivals to a FCFS service system that starts service at a fixed time and has to serve a fixed number of customers, for example, an airplane boarding...     

Faster Sickling Kinetics and Sickle Cell Shape Evolution during Repeated Deoxygenation and Oxygenation Cycles

Experimental Mechanics - Kinetics of cell sickling and morphological change have been recognized as important parameters that are correlated closely with altered blood rheology and vasoocclusion in...     

Graphene oxide: a surfactant or particle?

Graphene oxide is a two-dimensional carbon nanomaterial that has risen to prominence over the last decade as graphenes water-dispersible counterpart. This key feature offers tremendous potential in the formation of waterborne hybrid materials, coatings, membranes and adsorbents that make use of its diverse surface chemistry and extraordinary surface area. However, the fundamental colloidal properties of graphene oxide remain incompletely understood, with conflicting reports on how the material's amphiphilic nature and adsorption at interfaces render it surfactant-like or particle-like in nature. In the present work, recent developments in understanding the bulk and interfacial colloidal properties of graphene oxide are explored in the context of its chemistry and system thermodynamics, giving insight into the fundamental question of whether its aqueous behaviour is most accurately described as particle-like, surfactant-like or indeed something entirely different.