Double photoionization of C2+

The time-dependent close-coupling method is used to study the single photon double ionization of C²⁺ in support of possible experiments at FLASH/DESY using an EBIT. Energy and angle differential cross sections are calculated to fully investigate the correlated motion of the two photoelectrons. Single energy differential as well as total cross sections are calculated for different incident photon energies in the range of 125–225 eV. Good agreement is found between our results and available R-matrix results for the double ionization of C²⁺. The study is also extended to the double photoionization along the Be-like isoelectronic sequence (Be-F⁵⁺), where good agreement is found when compared with available theoretical calculations and experimental measurements.     

Hub-and-spoke network design and fleet deployment for string planning of liner shipping

All shipping liner companies divide their service regions into several rotations (strings) in order to operate their container vessels. A string is the ordered set of ports at which a container vessel will call. Each port is usually called at no more than twice along one string, although a single port may be called at several times on different strings. The size of string dictates the number of vessels required to offer a given frequency of service. In order to better use their shipping capacity, groups of Liner Service Providers sometimes make a short term agreement to merge some of their service routes (in a certain region) into one main ocean going rotation and p feeder rotations. In order to minimize the weighted sum of transit time, and fixed deployment costs, this paper proposes a mixed integer linear programming model of the network design, and an allocation of proper capacity size and frequency setting for every rotation. Given that none of the existing general-purpose MIP solvers is able to solve even very small problem instances in a reasonable time, we propose a Lagrangian decomposition approach which uses a heuristic procedure and is capable of obtaining practical and high quality solutions in reasonable times. The model will be applied on a real example, and we shall present some of the results obtained by our model which show how it facilitates a better use of assets and a significant reduction in the use of fuel, therefore allowing a more environmentally friendly service.     

3-D thermo-elastic solution for continuously graded isotropic and fiber-reinforced cylindrical shells resting on two-parameter elastic foundations

This paper investigates the three-dimensional thermo-elastic deformation of cylindrical shells on two-parameter elastic foundations with continuously graded of volume fraction, subjected to thermal load. Suitable temperature and displacement functions that identically satisfy boundary conditions at the edges are used to reduce the equilibrium equations to a set of coupled ordinary differential equations with variable coefficients, which are solved by Generalized Differential Quadrature (GDQ) method. Results are presented for two-constituent isotropic and fiber-reinforced functionally graded cylindrical shells that have a smooth variation of volume fractions through the radial direction. Symmetric and asymmetric volume fraction profiles are presented in this paper. The fast rate of convergence of the method is demonstrated and comparison studies are carried out to establish its very high accuracy and versatility. Effects of stiffness of the foundation and variations of different parameters of generalized power-law distribution on steady-state responses of the functionally graded cylindrical shell resting on elastic foundation are discussed. In addition, the effects of the FGM configuration are studied by considering the mechanical entities of different FGM fiber-reinforced cylindrical shells resting on elastic foundation. Some results are presented for the first time and some important conclusions are drawn.     

Glass transition phenomena in two-component plastic crystals: study of hexasubstituted benzenes

We have critically examined the relaxation that is known to occur in the crystalline phase of pentachloronitrobenzene (PCNB) and 2,3,4,5,6-pentabromotoluene using dielectric spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Within the resolution of our experimental setup, a relaxation process similar to that of the primary (or alpha-) relaxation is found. A slight deviation from Arrhenius behavior is noticed only in the vicinity of the glass transition temperature (T(g)). This deviation and a small steplike change found in the DSC scans at T(g) indicates that the "fragility" of these plastic crystals is rather low. However, in PCNB, the dielectric strength (Deltaepsilon) of the above said alpha-process did not change appreciably with temperature, and, interestingly, a small addition of an impurity such as pentachlorobenzene (PCB) to the molten state of PCNB drastically lowered the dielectric strength and the calorimetric signature of glass transition phenomena in the DSC data at T(g). The room-temperature powder X-ray diffraction measurements in combination with the DSC data in the melting temperature region did not indicate any observable change in the crystalline structure. A residual alpha-process with no significant change in the shape of the dielectric spectrum indicates that the hindrance to the rotational motion of PCNB molecules is caused by the presence of a small number of PCB molecules in the crystalline lattice of PCNB over a certain region. Outside of this region, the original PCNB disordered phase is preserved, which is the origin of the residual alpha-process. With a further increase in PCB concentration, the alpha-process, characteristic of pure PCNB, vanishes, and instead another relaxation develops. This process is explained with the help of a solid-liquid phase diagram of the alpha-process of the plastic phase of 2:1 and 1:2 compound formations, which are stable below 386 +/- 1 and 366 +/- 1 K, respectively.     

Crater geometry characterization of Al targets irradiated by single pulse and pulse trains of Nd:YAG laser in ambient air and water

High intensities laser pulses are capable to generate a crater when irradiating metal targets. In such condition, after each irradiation significant ablation occurs on the target surface and as a result a crater is formed. The crater characterization is very important specifically for some applications such as micromachining. In this paper, the crater formation in metal targets was studied experimentally. The planar aluminum 5052 targets were irradiated by frequency doubled (532 nm), Q-switched Nd:YAG (∼6 ns) laser beam in ambient air and distilled water. A crater was produced after each irradiation and it was characterized by an optical microscope. Different laser intensities as well as pulse trains were applied for crater formation. The effects of laser characteristics in crater geometry were examined. The depth of the craters was measured by optical microscope and the diameter (width) was characterized by processing of the crater image. The results were explained in terms of ablation threshold and plasma shielding. The results show that the crater geometry extremely depends on the laser pulse intensity, the number of laser pulses, and ambient.     

The stereoselective synthesis of tetrahydrothiopyrano[2,3-b]indole skeletons via tandem reaction of indoline-2-thiones to Baylis–Hillman adduct acetates

Indoline-2-thiones (5) were applied as 1,3-dinucleophiles in a tandem reaction with Baylis–Hillman adduct acetates (4) to give novel tetrahydrothiopyrano[2,3-b]indole skeletons (6). The effect of different solvents, bases, and catalysts on the yields and stereochemical outcome was studied in detail. The results indicated that acetonitrile as solvent and K₂CO₃ as base, under reflux conditions, were the optimum conditions. Products 6a–6l were obtained in high diastereoselectivity and yield (up to 94%).     

Efficient Oxidation of Hantzsch 1,4-Dihydropyridines with Nicotinium Dichromate

A convenient method for the oxidation of various 4-substituted Hantzsch 1,4-dihydropyridines with nicotinium dichromate (NDC) in refluxing acetonitrile is reported. The yields obtained are excellent.     

2-Hydroxyethylammonium acetate: A reusable task-specific ionic liquid promoting one-pot,three-component synthesis of 2-amino-3,5-dicarbonitrile-6-thio-pyridines

2-Hydroxyethylammonium acetate (2-HEAA) as a task-specific ionic liquid, efficiently promotes one-pot three-component reaction of aryl/heteroaryl/alkyl aldehydes with aryl/alkyl thiols and malononitrile at room temperature. This protocol offers several advantages such as using a reusable and cost-effective ionic liquid, being amenable to scale-up and produces the corresponding 2-amino-3,5-dicarbonitrile-6-thio-pyridines in a short reaction time (5 min) and in good to high yields.