Monte Carlo versus molecular dynamics simulations in heterogeneous systems: an application to the n-pentane liquid-vapor interface

The Monte Carlo (MC) and molecular dynamics (MD) methodologies are now well established for computing equilibrium properties in homogeneous fluids. This is not yet the case for the direct simulation of two-phase systems, which exhibit nonuniformity of the density distribution across the interface. We have performed direct MC and MD simulations of the liquid-gas interface of n-pentane using a standard force-field model. We obtained density and pressure components profiles along the direction normal to the interface that can be very different, depending on the truncation and long range correction strategies. We discuss the influence on predicted properties of different potential truncation schemes implemented in both MC and MD simulations. We show that the MD and MC profiles can be made in agreement by using a Lennard-Jones potential truncated via a polynomial function that makes the first and second derivatives of the potential continuous at the cutoff distance. In this case however, the predicted thermodynamic properties (phase envelope, surface tension) deviate from experiments, because of the changes made in the potential. A further readjustment of the potential parameters is needed if one wants to use this method. We conclude that a straightforward use of bulk phase force fields in MD simulations may lead to some physical inconsistencies when computing interfacial properties.     

Application of a chemical equilibrium model to thermodynamic functions of transfer of alcohols from water to aqueous surfactants

In ternary aqueous solutions, hydrophobic solutes such as alcohols tend to aggregate with surfactants to form mixed micelles. These systems can be studied by meas of the functions of transfer of hydrophobic solutes from water to aqueous solutions of surfactant. These thermodynamic functions often go through extrema in the critical micellar concentration (CMC) region of the surfactant. A simple model based on interactions between surfactant and hydrophobic solute monomers, on the distribution of the hydrophobic solute between water and the micelles and on the shift in the CMC induced by the hydrophobic solute, can simulate the magnitude and trends of the transfer functions using parameters which are mostly derived from the binary systems. In order to check the model more quantitatively, volumes and heat capacities of transfer of alcohols from water to aqueous solutions of a nonionic surfactant, octyldimethylamine oxide, were measured. A quantitative agreement was achieved with three adjustable parameters. Good fits are also obtained for the transfers to the ionic surfactants, octylamine hydrobromide and sodium dodecylsulfate. When the equilibrium displacement contribution is small, the distribution constants and the partial molar properties of the alcohols in the micellar phase agree well with the parameters obtained with similar models.     

Antibody catalysis based on functional mimicry

Approaches aiming at eliciting antibodies (Abs) that catalyze specific chemical transformations are numerous. Most of the developed methods are based on the chemical steps of the reaction catalyzed rather than on the structure of known enzyme active sites. The authors have developed an approach that rests on the mimicry properties of the idiotypic network of immune regulation. Recent results, together with the existence of natural catalytic Abs in autoimmune diseases, indicate the need to better understand the regulation properties of immune response, in order to improve the efficiency of tailor-made catalytic Abs.     

Volumetric properties of the water + ethylenediamine mixture at atmospheric pressure from 288.15 to 353.15 K

Densities of the water + ethylenediamine binary system were measured at atmospheric pressure over the whole range of compositions at temperatures from 288.15 to 353.15 K using an Anton Paar digital vibrating glass tube densimeter. Density increases with water content. The experimental excess molar volume data have been correlated with the Redlich-Kister equation, and partial molar volumes calculated at infinite dilution for each component.     

Temperature and enantioseparation by macrocyclic glycopeptide chiral stationary phases

Seventy-one chiral compounds were separated on four macrocyclic glycopeptide chiral selectors: teicoplanin, its aglycone, ristocetin A and vancomycin, using three possible separation modes: reversed phase with methanol/buffer mobile phases, normal phase with hexane/ethanol mobile phases and polar ionic mode (PIM) with 100% methanol mobile phase with trace amounts of acid and/or base. These 148 separations were studied in a 5-45 degrees C temperature range. Peak efficiencies always increased with temperature, but in only 17% of the separations studied a small increase of the enantioresolution factor was observed. In the majority (83%) of the cases, the enantioresolution decreased or even vanished when temperature increased. All 148 Van't Hoff plots were linear showing that the selector did not change in the temperature range studied. The calculated enthalpy and entropy variations showed that the interaction of the solute with the stationary phase was always enthalpy driven with normal and reversed mobile phases. It could be enthalpy as well as entropy driven with PIM mobile phases strongly dependent on the solute. The plots of delta(deltaH) versus delta(deltaS) were linear in most cases (enthalpy entropy compensation). This observation cannot be used to give clear information on chiral recognition mechanisms, but it allowed identifying specific stationary phase-solute interactions because the points corresponding to the respective thermodynamic parameters were clearly delineated from the general compensation lines.     

Transcendence order over Qp in Cp

Let (K, ∥ · ∥) be a valued transcendence degree 1 extension of $\text{Q}$_p. An element x ∈ K transcendental over $\text{Q}$_p is said to have order ≤a (a > 0) if there exists C_x > 0 such that every polynomial P(X) ∈ $\text{Q}$_p [X] satisfies

$\text{?}\text{log;}\text{(P(x))? ?}\text{log}\text{∥P∥+c}{}_{\mathrm{x}}\text{(}\text{deg}\text{P)}{}^{\mathrm{a}}$

when ∥ · ∥ is the Gauss norm on $\text{Q}$_p[X]. No x ∈ $\text{C}$_p can have order ≤α if α < 1 but we construct some x ∈ $\text{C}$_p with order ≤ 1. Furthermore, we prove order ≤α is stable by algebraic extension.     

Does charge carrier dimensionality increase in mixed-valence salts of tetrathiafulvalene-terminated dendrimers?

[structure: see text] In four new dendrimers terminated by 12 electroactive tetrathiafulvalenyl substituents, the tridimensional character of the inter- and intradendrimeric charge and electron transfer, and hence of the electroconductivity, is evidenced by examination of the electronic spectra of their corresponding neutral state and cation radical, dication, and mixed-valence salts, including a closed-shell anion.     

Aromastoffe der roten Passionsfrucht. Zwei neue Edulanderivate

Aroma Constituents of the Purple Passion Fruit. Two New Edulan Derivatives The isolation of (2R*, 4S*, 4aS*, 8aS*)-4,4a-epoxy-4,4a-dihydroedulan ( 1 ), and (2R*, 3S*, 8aS*)-3-hydroxyedulan ( 2 ), two new constituents of the purple passion-fruit (Passiflora edulis SIMS ), is reported. Racemic epoxide 1 was synthesized by oxidation of edulan 6 with peracidic acid, and racemate of alcohol 2 was obtained by reduction of ketone 7 , one of the chromic acid oxidation-products of edulan 6 .     

LUMINESCENCE AND PHOTOCHEMISTRY OF 4-THIOURIDINE IN AQUEOUS SOLUTION

Abstract— In bidistilled water, 4-thiouridine (4TU) exhibits a weak unusual luminescence, the quantum yield of which is 3 × 10^-4 at 25°C. The excitation spectrum corresponds well to the 4TU absorption spectrum. The emission lies at longer wavelengths (Λ_max 550 nm) than the 4TU phosphorescence observed at 77 K (Λ_max, 470–480 nm). From the emission signal obtained after an excitation flash of 3 ns half-width, an "apparent" rate constant for the radiative deactivation process, shorter than 5 × 10⁶ s, can be inferred. The 300 K emission is efficiently quenched by halides and by oxygen: quenching involves a long-lived intermediate (⋍ 200 ns).
Clearly the emissive state X is populated through the S₀-S₁ electronic transition π→π* of 4TU. The nature of X cannot be unambiguously determined: it cannot be an excimer but can be either the 4TU triplet state or another chemical state distinct from the 4TU excited singlet or triplet states.
An interesting finding is that the 300 K emission and the ability of 4TU to photoreact are related: they are quenched with the same efficiency by halide anions. This indicates that quenching occurs at the same long-lived intermediate species , which is either a precursor of the emitter or the emitter itself.