Minimal Legendrian submanifolds of S and absolutely area-minimizing cones

We use minimal Legendrian submanifolds in spheres to construct examples of absolutely area-minimizing cones and we prove a result about Legendrian 2-tori in S⁵.     

A geometric approach to the separability of the Neumann-Rosochatius system

We study the separability of the Neumann-Rosochatius system on the n-dimensional sphere using the geometry of bi-Hamiltonian manifolds. Its well-known separation variables are recovered by means of a separability condition relating the Hamiltonian with a suitable (1,1) tensor field on the sphere. This also allows us to iteratively construct the integrals of motion of the system.     

Scaling and universality in proportional elections

A most debated topic of the last years is whether simple statistical physics models can explain collective features of social dynamics. A necessary step in this line of endeavor is to find regularities in data referring to large-scale social phenomena, such as scaling and universality. We show that, in proportional elections, the distribution of the number of votes received by candidates is a universal scaling function, identical in different countries and years. This finding reveals the existence in the voting process of a general microscopic dynamics that does not depend on the historical, political, and/or economical context where voters operate. A simple dynamical model for the behavior of voters, similar to a branching process, reproduces the universal distribution.     

Simultaneous bidirectional message transmission in a chaos-based communication scheme

We introduce a chaos-based communication scheme allowing for bidirectional exchange of information. Coupling [corrected] two semiconductor lasers through a partially transparent optical mirror, placed in the pathway connecting the lasers [corrected] delay dynamics is induced in both lasers. We numerically demonstrate that this dynamics can be identically synchronized, and moreover, information introduced on both ends of the link can be simultaneously transmitted. This scheme allows one to negotiate a key through a public channel.     

The displacement discontinuity method in the analysis of open cracks

The application of the displacement discontinuity numerical technique to the solution of some problems of fracture mechanics is demonstrated in the hypothesis of homogeneous and elastic material. The fracture is supposed to be free from traction and is represented by a set of constant displacement discontinuity elements, except for two parabolic elements, located at each crack tip, in order to simulate the singularity of the solution near the crack tips. On the basis of the stress and displacement field determined by the displacement discontinuity method, the stress intensity factors for mode I and II are computed according to the method of the displacements. Three examples are provided to verify the validity of the formulation.

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Sommario Lo scopo del presente lavore è di illustrare l'applicazione del metodo numerico della Displacement Discontinuity alla soluzione di alcuni problemi di meccanica della frattura, nell'ipotesi di materiale omogeneo ed elastico. La frattura è supposta aperta ed è rappresentata da una linea di elementi a discontinuità di spostamento costante, con l'eccezione di due speciali elementi parabolici, ubicati agli apici, al fine di simulare la singolarita' del campo tensionale. Sulla base del campo degli sforzi e degli spostamenti cosi determinati, vengono ricavati i fattori di concentrazione degli sforzi in modo I e II mediante il metodo degli spostamenti. Vengono inoltre riportati tre esempi di calcolo, effettuati al fine di verificare la validità del procedimento proposto.

     

Modeling and Analysis of Seawater Intrusion in the Coastal Aquifer of Eastern Cap-Bon, Tunisia

A numerical model that treats density-dependent variably saturated flow and miscible salt transport is used to investigate the occurrence of seawater intrusion in the Korba aquifer of the eastern coast of Cap-Bon in northern Tunisia. We examine the interplay between pumping regimes and recharge scenarios and its effect on the saline water distribution. More localized simulations are used to examine, in vertical cross sections, the effects of well location and soil type and the role of the vadose zone in possible remediation actions. The exploratory simulations suggest interesting interactions between the unsaturated zone and the saltwater–freshwater interface with possible implications for groundwater exploitation from shallow unconfined coastal aquifers, involving in one case feedback between seawater intrusion and the high pressure head gradients around the pumping-induced drawdown cone and in another case threshold-like interface displacement for tight soils such as clays. The data processing steps undertaken in this GIS and modeling study are described in some detail, and a critical assessment is given of the data availability and of the requirements for successful monitoring and modeling of seawater intrusion risks in heavily exploited coastal aquifers such as those found in the semi-arid regions of the Mediterranean basin. It is shown how, with the aid of GIS, reasonably reliable information can be assembled from maps, surveys, and other sources of geospatial and hydrogeological data, an approach that is necessary in the many regions of the world with acute water resource problems but with limited means for undertaking systematic data acquisition and environmental monitoring actions. Nonetheless the need for more concerted monitoring of relevant parameters and processes and of closer coordination between monitoring and modeling is stressed. An idea of the extent of over-exploitation of the Korba aquifer is obtained by examining the pumping and rainfall/infiltration data, and the simulation results support groundwater pumping as the mechanism for and seawater intrusion as the origin of the salt contamination observed in the soils and subsurface waters of the Korba plain.     

Catalytic Enantioselective Synthesis of N,Cα,Cα‐Trisubstituted α‐Amino Acid Derivatives Using 1H‐Imidazol‐4(5H)‐ones as Key Templates

1H‐Imidazol‐4(5H)‐ones are introduced as novel nucleophilic α‐amino acid equivalents in asymmetric synthesis. These compounds not only allow highly efficient construction of tetrasubstituted stereogenic centers, but unlike hitherto known templates, provide direct access to N‐substituted (alkyl, allyl, aryl) α‐amino acid derivatives.     

Stability of Fe‐N‐C Catalysts in Acidic Medium Studied by Operando Spectroscopy

Fundamental understanding of non‐precious metal catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is the nub for the successful replacement of noble Pt in fuel cells and, therefore, of central importance for a technological breakthrough. Herein, the degradation mechanisms of a model high‐performance Fe‐N‐C catalyst have been studied with online inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS) and differential electrochemical mass spectroscopy (DEMS) coupled to a modified scanning flow cell (SFC) system. We demonstrate that Fe leaching from iron particles occurs at low potential (<0.7 V) without a direct adverse effect on the ORR activity, while carbon oxidation occurs at high potential (>0.9 V) with a destruction of active sites such as FeN_xC_y species. Operando techniques combined with identical location‐scanning transmission electron spectroscopy (IL‐STEM) identify that the latter mechanism leads to a major ORR activity decay, depending on the upper potential limit and electrolyte temperature. Stable operando potential windows and operational strategies are suggested for avoiding degradation of Fe‐N‐C catalysts in acidic medium.     

Unraveling the Degradation Mechanism of Purine Nucleotides Photosensitized by Pterins: The Role of Charge‐Transfer Steps

Photosensitized reactions contribute to the development of skin cancer and are used in many applications. Photosensitizers can act through different mechanisms. It is currently accepted that if the photosensitizer generates singlet molecular oxygen (¹O₂) upon irradiation, the target molecule can undergo oxidation by this reactive oxygen species and the reaction needs dissolved O₂ to proceed, therefore the reaction is classified as ¹O₂‐mediated oxidation (type II mechanism). However, this assumption is not always correct, and as an example, a study on the degradation of 2′‐deoxyguanosine 5′‐monophosphate photosensitized by pterin is presented. A general mechanism is proposed to explain how the degradation of biological targets, such as nucleotides, photosensitized by pterins, naturally occurring ¹O₂ photosensitizers, takes place through an electron‐transfer‐initiated process (type I mechanism), whereas the contribution of the ¹O₂‐mediated oxidation is almost negligible.