Quasiparticle relaxation mechanisms in superconductor/ferromagnet bilayers

In this paper we review some recent results obtained on superconducting/ferromagnetic (S/F) structures when measuring the dynamic instabilities of the vortex lattice at high driving currents. The role played on the non-equilibrium properties of the hybrids by both the ferromagnetic and the superconducting materials has been analyzed with a special focus on the values and the temperature dependence of the quasiparticle relaxation times, τ(E). Knowledge of the relaxation mechanisms in these systems is extremely important in view of possible applications since it can drive the optimal choice of both materials to realize, in particular, ultrafast superconducting single photon detectors based on S/F hybrid structures.     

Enantioselective Desymmetrization of 1,4-Dihydropyridines by Oxidative NHC Catalysis

The unprecedented desymmetrization of prochiral dialdehydes catalyzed by N-heterocyclic carbenes under oxidative conditions was applied to the highly enantioselective synthesis of 1,4-dihydropyridines (DHPs) starting from 3,5-dicarbaldehyde substrates. Synthetic elaboration of the resulting 5-formyl-1,4-DHP-3-carboxylates allowed for access to the class of pharmaceutically relevant 1,4-DHP-3,5-dicarboxylates (Hantzsch esters). DFT calculations suggested that the enantioselectivity of the process is determined by the transition state involving the oxidation of the Breslow intermediate by the external quinone oxidant.     

Elementary scales and the lack of Fourier paradox for Fourier fluids

Focusing on the Fourier fluids in the liquid state, which are characterized by linear thermal constitutive equation and low compressibility, this short note proposes a discrete approach based on the elementary scales, which allows removing the so-called Fourier paradox in classical continuum thermomechanics. As a corollary, the adopted line of reasoning allows highlighting some features on the elementary scales.

     

Matrix algebras in Quasi-Newton methods for unconstrained minimization

Summary.  In this paper a new class of quasi-Newton methods, named ℒQN, is introduced in order to solve unconstrained minimization problems. The novel approach, which generalizes classical BFGS methods, is based on a Hessian updating formula involving an algebra ℒ of matrices simultaneously diagonalized by a fast unitary transform. The complexity per step of ℒQN methods is O(n log n), thereby improving considerably BFGS computational efficiency. Moreover, since ℒQN's iterative scheme utilizes single-indexed arrays, only O(n) memory allocations are required. Global convergence properties are investigated. In particular a global convergence result is obtained under suitable assumptions on f. Numerical experiences [7] confirm that ℒQN methods are particularly recommended for large scale problems. Received December 30, 2001 / Revised version received December 20, 2001 / Published online November 27, 2002 Mathematics Subject Classification (1991): 65K10 Correspondence to: P. Zellini     

Computational evaluation of ship manoeuvring performance based on scale model tests

Summary A brief review of the most important existing mathematical models for predicting the manoeuvring performance of a ship at the design stage is presented. A model based on the derivation of the hydrodynamic coefficients from force measurements on scale models is used to develop a computer program for the evaluation of the ship performance in some standard manoeuvres such as turning circle and zig-zag manoeuvres.

---

Sommario Viene presentata una breve descrizione delle metodologie attuali più seguite per la identificazione di un modello matematico atto alla previsione delle caratteristiche di manovrabilità di una nave. Utilizzando coefficienti idrodinamici ricavati da prove su modelli in scala si è sviluppato un codice di calcolo che consente di ottenere la risposta della nave in alcune manovre standard quali quelle di evoluzione e zig-zag.

---

Symbols G Center of gravity - g Acceleration due to gravity - I _ZZ Moment of inertia aboutz-axis - i _EP Effective moment of inertia about propeller axis - L Length between perpendiculars - m Ship mass - N Hydrodynamic moment aboutz-axis - n Rate of revolutions of propeller - O Origin of shipbound coordinate system - Q Propeller torque - Q _E Engine torque - q _F Engine fuel rate - R _T Total hull resistance - r Rate of turn aboutz-axis (yaw rate) - U Along-track velocity of0 - u, v Components ofU alongx, y-axes - X, Y Hydrodynamic forces alongx, y-axes - x,y,z Shipbound coordinate axes - x _G ,y _G ,z _G Coordinate of center of gravity in the shipbound system - x _o,y ₀,z ₀ Coordinate of 0 in the earthbound system, Fig. 1 - Drift angle - Rudder angle - Characteristic time - Heading angle Presented at the II Convegno AIMETA di Meccanica Computazionale, Rome, June 2–5, 1987.     

Fourfold [2]rotaxanes based on calix[4]arenes

Tetraurea calix[4]arenes with four loops form exclusively heterodimers with open-chain urea calix[4]arenes when they are dissolved in aprotic solvents. These assemblies can be considered as pseudorotaxanes. If open-chain tetraureas ending with maleic imide functions are used, their Diels-Alder reaction with 1,4,5,8-tetrapentoxyanthracene leads to tetra[2]rotaxanes which cannot be split into the single calixarene parts by hydrogen bond breaking solvents.     

Conformational studies by dynamic NMR. 100. Enantiomerization process of stereolabile atropisomers in pyridine-substituted adamantane derivatives

The barriers for interconverting the conformational enantiomers (stereolabile atropisomers) of pyridine-substituted adamantane derivatives have been determined by dynamic 13C NMR spectroscopy. The trend of these values parallels that anticipated by MM calculations. In at least one case, the computed structure was found to agree with that obtained by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In addition, it has been possible to achieve a physical separation of a pair of these stereolabile atropisomers at -60 degrees C by means of the enantioselective cryogenic HPLC technique.