An improved algorithm for satellite-derived UV radiations

The improved algorithm surface irradiance derived from a range of satellite-based sensors (SIDES) is presented in this article. It calculates various types of surface UV intensities, such as biologically weighted or unweighted UV spectra, integrated doses or irradiance at specific wavelengths, using data from satellite instruments. These surface UV data are mainly useful for environmental impact or process studies where high accuracy or a high temporal resolution is required. In contrast to several previous studies, SIDES has been validated with spectral measurements. By this method an averaging of positive or negative deviations over the complete wavelength range is avoided. This is especially important for UV wavelengths around 300 nm where biological effectiveness is highest. The results of SIDES deviate less than 7% from ground-based observations for wavelengths between 295 and 400 nm. In contrast, the corresponding deviations of the joint research center algorithm escalate for shorter wavelengths, reaching 35% at 295 nm. This large deviation is due to an inaccurate interpolation procedure that has been detected by spectral analysis. Thus, spectral validation is demonstrated to be an appropriate tool to detect weaknesses in such an algorithm and provides information essential for improvement.     

Mixed valence—Rydberg states

A survey of recent calculations involving the mixing of Rydberg and valence states in the spectra of molecular systems is undertaken. It is pointed out that when such states undergo curve crossings with one another, minimal energy splittings of 1.0–2.0 eV can occur at the respective 50-50 composition points. The significance of such large interactions between valence and low-lying Rydberg states is considered in terms of the properties of the resulting mixed CI states, particularly with reference to the oscillator strengths for the pertinent ground state transitions and also the spatial extension of the corresponding upper orbitals. It is thereupon argued that such mixings have important consequences in the spectra of a wide variety of systems, including those of O₂, ethylene and ethane.     

Non-empirical calculations on the rydberg states of ethylene

Different methods for representing the upper orbitals in Rydberg transitions are tested by means of a series of ab initio SCF and CI calculations for ethylene and various properties for such diffuse united-atom species are reported. Calculated transition energies indicates the maximum separation between individual components of the (π,3d) Rydberg species to be in the 0.1-0.2 range, with similarly small energy separations being obtained for the corresponding (π, 3p) states     

Theoretical study of hydrogen-bonded formaldehyde complexes

The hydrogen-bonded complexes involving formaldehyde and a series of proton donors of varying strengths, have been investigated at different levels of ab initio MO theory. The structures of the studied complexes were SCF optimized at the 6-31G basis set level. The binding energy was estimated employing basis set superposition correction, zero-point vibrations and MP2 correlation contribution at the different basis set: STO-3G; 6-31G; MP2/6-31G; 6-31G**; MP2/6-31G**; 6-311G(2d, 2p) and MP2/6-311G(2d, 2p). Linear relationships were found of the calculated binding energy with: the calculated shift in the carbonyl stretching frequency, the changes in carbonyl bond length and the optimum value of hydrogen-bond distance; furthermore the calculations confirm a parallel trend between the proton-donor ability and the strength of the hydrogen bond.     

CI method for the study of general molecular potentials

A method of configuration interaction designed for general molecular potentials is outlined. The technique employed to arrive at a symmetrized multideterminantal basis for such calculations relies heavily on certain properties of Abelian groups; in particular the M _L quantum number commonly employed in atomic structure calculations is replaced in the general molecular case by the index p which labels irreducible representations of some appropriate Abelian group. Formation of the desired symmetrized linear combinations of determinants is thereupon accomplished solely by means of a series of simple diagonalizations, a procedure which insures both the linear independence and the orthonormality of the resultant basis set. CI treatments involving the C₄H₄ isomer tetrahedrane (T _d point group) and the linear nitrous oxide NNO molecule are considered in some detail with a view toward illustrating the use of the techniques described herein. Finally, a survey of a series of recent calculations utilizing the CI method is made and it is concluded from these results that the effects of such treatment vary strongly from one system to another, depending in a very specific manner upon the individual characteristics of a given molecule.     

Molecular composites in thermosets

The synthesis of molecular composites where rigid polymer molecules are reinforcing elements in a thermoset bisimide matrix has been investigated. The approach has been designed to avoid phase separation by selecting systems where reaction of amine-terminated rigid and semiflexible oligomers with maleimide unsaturation occurs prior to crosslinking of the thermoset. This objective has been met for some compositions. The concentration and molecular weight of the rigid oligomers have been varied. The structure of the reinforcing polymer, the reactivity of the maleimide and the conditions for composite synthesis are variables of critical importance, and further work must determine the promise and limitations of this approach.     

A novel RNA motif based on the structure of unusually stable 2',5'-linked r(UUCG) loops

We have recently shown that hairpins containing 2',5'-linked RNA loops exhibit superior thermodynamic stability compared to native hairpins comprised of 3',5'-RNA loops [Hannoush, R. N.; Damha, M. J. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2001, 123, 12368-12374]. A remarkable feature of the 2',5'-r(UUCG) tetraloop is that, unlike the corresponding 3',5'-linked tetraloop, its stability is virtually independent of the hairpin stem composition. Here, we determine the solution structure of unusually stable hairpins of the sequence 5'-G(1)G(2)A(3)C(4)-(U(5)U(6)C(7)G(8))-G(9)(U/T(10))C(11)C(12)-3' containing a 2',5'-linked RNA (UUCG) loop and either an RNA or a DNA stem. The 2',5'-linked RNA loop adopts a new fold that is completely different from that previously observed for the native 3',5'-linked RNA loop. The 2',5'-RNA loop is stabilized by (a). U5.G8 wobble base pairing, with both nucleotide residues in the anti-conformation, (b). extensive base stacking, and (c). sugar-base and sugar-sugar contacts, all of which contribute to the extra stability of this hairpin structure. The U5:G8 base pair stacks on top of the C4:G9 loop-closing base pair and thus appears as a continuation of the stem. The loop uracil U6 base stacks above U5 base, while the cytosine C7 base protrudes out into the solvent and does not participate in any of the stabilizing interactions. The different sugar pucker and intrinsic bonding interactions within the 2',5'-linked ribonucleotides help explain the unusual stability and conformational properties displayed by 2',5'-RNA tetraloops. These findings are relevant for the design of more effective RNA-based aptamers, ribozymes, and antisense agents and identify the 2',5'-RNA loop as a novel structural motif.     

Comparison of cartesian and lobe function Gaussian basis sets

The lobe function and cartesian (spherical harmonic) gaussian are compared with reference to calculations for second-row atoms. Single and grouped gaussian basis sets which have been reported for cartesian functions are taken over directly to construct corresponding lobe function bases with identical sets of exponents and with lobe separations chosen by a scaling procedure. Total and orbital energies and SCF coefficients resulting from calculations on the second-row atoms using the two types of functions for both primitive and grouped gaussian basis sets are seen to be in excellent agreement, thereby emphasizing the essential equivalence of lobe functions and cartesian gaussians, at the very least with respect to calculation of energy surfaces.

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Zusammenfassung Die Lobe-Funktionen und kartesischen (Kugelfunktions-) Gaußfunktionen werden in Berechnungen von Atomen der zweiten Reihe des periodischen Systems verglichen. Schon bekannte einfache und gruppierte Gaußfunktionsbasissätze für kartesische Funktionen werden direkt übernommen, um entsprechende Lobe-Funktionsbasen mit identischen Exponenten zu konstruieren, wobei die zugehörigen Lobe-Abstände nach einer Koordinatenstreckungs-(scaling) Methode berechnet werden. Gesamt- und Orbitalenergien sowie SCF-Koeffizienten für die Atome der zweiten Reihe stimmen bei Benutzung der beiden verschiedenen Funktionstypen, sowohl bei einfacher als auch bei gruppierter Gaußfunktionsbasis, außerordentlich gut überein, wodurch die wesentliche Gleichwertigkeit von Lobe-Funktionen und kartesischen Gaußfunktionen betont wird, zum allermindesten hinsichtlich der Berechnung von Energieflächen.

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Résumé La fonction de lobe et la gaussienne cartésienne (harmonique sphérique) sont comparées sur des calculs d'atomes de la seconde ligne. Des bases de gaussiennes simples et groupées utilisées pour les fonctions cartésiennes sont directement employées pour construire les bases correspondantes de fonctions à lobes avec des ensembles d'exposants identiques et des séparations de lobes choisis par calibrage. L'emploi de ces deux types de fonctions donne des résultats concordants pour l'énergie totale, les énergies orbitales et les coefficients SCF, mettant l'accent sur l'équivalence essentielle des fonctions à lobe et des gaussiennes cartésiennes, tout au moins pour le calcul des surfaces d'énergie.

     

Theoretical study of the electronic spectrum of diimide by AB initio methods

A series of ab initio calculations is reported for the ground and low-lying valence and Rydberg states of diimide N₂H₂. Symmetric bending potential curves for both the cis and trans forms of this system have been obtained at the SCF level of treatment. In addition Cl calculations have been carried out for the trans-diimide ground state equilibrium nuclear conformation, using a configuration selection procedure described elsewhere; an associated energy extrapolation scheme is also employed which enables the effective solution of secular equations with orders of up to 40000. The ensuing Cl wavefunctions are interpreted in the discussion and the corresponding calculated energy differences between the various electronic states are compared with experimental transition energy results for both diimide and for related systems such as trans-azomethane. A more detailed analysis of the observed absorption bands in the ¹B_g-X¹A_g transition in N₂H₂ is also given, making use of calculated potential curve data as well as the pertinent Cl vertical energy difference. The dipole-forbiddenness of the excitation process is thereupon concluded to result in a distinct non-verticality for this electronic band system, causing its absorption maximum to occur at a position some 0.6 eV to the blue of the so-called vertical transition, i.e., that for which maximum vibrational overlap is obtained.