Vibrations of inclined cables under skew wind

A non-linear finite element model of inclined cables, i.e. cables with non-leveled supports, in the large displacement and deformation fields is proposed for computing the dynamic response to wind loads which blow in arbitrary direction. The initial equilibrium, assumed as the static configuration under self-weight and mean wind component, is defined by a continuous approach, following an iterative procedure which starts from the configuration under self-weight only. The proposed formulation, which accounts for longitudinal inertia forces, allows to spot the circumstances when the simplified small-sag approach, adopting longitudinal mode condensation, becomes too crude. Numerical simulations have been performed employing the Proper Orthogonal Decomposition to lower the computational effort.     

Thermodynamic Evaluation of the Interactions between Anticancer Pt(II) Complexes and Model Proteins

In this work, we have analysed the binding of the Pt(II) complexes ([PtCl(4′-phenyl-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine)](CF₃SO₃) (1), [PtI(4′-phenyl-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine)](CF₃SO₃) (2) and [PtCl(1,3-di(2-pyridyl)benzene) (3)] with selected model proteins (hen egg-white lysozyme, HEWL, and ribonuclease A, RNase A). Platinum coordination compounds are intensively studied to develop improved anticancer agents. In this regard, a critical issue is the possible role of Pt-protein interactions in their mechanisms of action. Multiple techniques such as differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and UV-Vis absorbance titrations were used to enlighten the details of the binding to the different biosubstrates. On the one hand, it may be concluded that the affinity of 3 for the proteins is low. On the other hand, 1 and 2 strongly bind them, but with major binding mode differences when switching from HEWL to RNase A. Both 1 and 2 bind to HEWL with a non-specific (DSC) and non-covalent (ESI-MS) binding mode, dominated by a 1:1 binding stoichiometry (UV-Vis). ESI-MS data indicate a protein-driven chloride loss that does not convert into a covalent bond, likely due to the unfavourable complexes’ geometries and steric hindrance. This result, together with the significant changes of the absorbance profiles of the complex upon interaction, suggest an electrostatic binding mode supported by some stacking interaction of the aromatic ligand. Very differently, in the case of RNase A, slow formation of covalent adducts occurs (DSC, ESI-MS). The reactivity is higher for the iodo-compound 2, in agreement with iodine lability higher than chlorine.     

Energy spectra of single neutrons and charged particles emitted following the absorption of stopped negative pions in 4He

Energy spectra have been measured of single neutrons, protons and deuterons emitted following the capture at rest of negative pions in ⁴He. The neutron energy spectrum has been measured with an energy resolution of 4% at 90 MeV. The absolute number of stopped pions has been measured.     

Observation of a doubly charged charmed baryon in the reaction υp→μ−Σ++c

Evidence for the quasi-elastic production of the doubly charged charmed barron Σ⁺⁺_c has been observed in a vp interaction in BEBC. The mass of the Σ⁺⁺_c and of its decay product, the Λ⁺_c, are 2454±5 MeV and 2288±5 MeV, respectively. The mass difference M(Σ⁺⁺_c)? M(Λ⁺_c) is 166±1 MeV. Combining the Λ⁺_c mass value obtained here with the values obtained in the two Λ⁺_c events previously observed in this experiment, thevalue M(Λ⁺_c)=2283±3 MeV is deduced.     

Charge properties of the hadronic system in vp and νp interactions

Charge properties of the hadronic systems from νp and $\text{ν}\text{p}$ scattering in BEBC are studied in the framework of the quark-parto model (QPM). The average charges $\text{〈Q}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>jet</mtext>}}\text{〈}{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>\nu </mtext>}}$ and $\text{〈Q}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>jet</mtext>}}\text{〈}{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>\nu </mtext>}}$ of a quark jet and a d-qua jet, respectively, are determined according to two different methods. The difference $\text{〈Q}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>jet</mtext>}}\text{〈}{}^{\mathrm{\nu }}\text{? 〈Q}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>jet</mtext>}}\text{〈}{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>\nu </mtext>}}$ is in agreement with e QPM value of 1. Scaling of charge and energy flow in the angular variable λ is demonstrated. The ratios $\text{ΔQ}{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>\nu </mtext>}}\text{/ΔQ}{}^{\mathrm{\nu }}$ of charge flows in νp a $\text{ν}\text{p}$ scattering are in accord with the QPM in both hemispheres.     

Optical properties,structure and electronic energy levels of the organicN-methyl, 2,3 diphenyl, 5-methyl indole compound

Summary The absorption properties of the new synthetized organicN-methyl, 2,3 diphenyl, 5-methyl indole compound have been studied. An X-ray diffraction analysis has been carried out in order to obtain the structural properties and the density of the material. Optical absorption spectra have been interpreted on the basis of a CNDO calculation of the energy levels. The results show a good agreement between theory and experiment. Work partially supported by Ministero della Pubblica Istruzione through CNR-CISM.     

Observation of scaling deviations in the energy distribution of secondary hadrons in inelastic neutrino-proton interactions

An analysis is presented of the z distributions of secondary hadrons produced in 5600 charged current events from a BEBC neutrino-hydrogen experiment. Evidence is presented for scaling deviations in the z distributions and a breakdown of factorization in the single particle inclusive cross sections. The results are consistent with the leading order QCD predictions on the q² dependence of nonsinglet moments of quark fragmentation functions, yielding a value of Λ ≈ 0.6 GeV.     

Optical properties of the layered semiconductor ZnIn2S4

The wavelength modulated reflectivity spectrum of ZnIn₂S₄ in the range 1.5–8.0 eV is presented. The first absorption onset near 3.0 eV has been related to transitions from sulphur p-like and cation s-like valence bands to a sulphur first group p-like conduction band. Evidence was also found for the existence of two M₁-type singularities above 5.0 eV.     

a-Si:H films: Influence of P- and B-doping on infra-red absorption bands

Summary The infra-red spectra of P- and B-doped hydrogenated amorphous silicon films grown by means of an evaporation method have been measured. The SiH _n stretching and wagging (or rocking) absorption bands have been examined by varying the dopant content measured by Auger analysis. On increasing the doping, a reduction of hydrogen content has been noticed with an enhancing of zeroth-order moment of Si-H stretching at the expense of the Si-H₂ one. Analogous results for B-doped films have been observed. Since no frequency shift towards higher frequencies of the stretching bands has been measured, the observed changes of the intensity of the bands have been attributed to structure modifications rather than to variations in the electronegativity in the neighbours of the silicon atom. In particular, the monohidride configuration with an overall decrease in the number of defects seems to be favoured by the deposition technique adopted. This work was supported in part by GNSM-CNR, M.P.I. and CNR ?Progetto Finalizzato Energetica?.     

Pressure-induced polyamorphism in salty water

We investigated the metastable phase diagram of an ionic salt aqueous solution, LiCl:6D?O, at high pressure and low temperature by neutron diffraction measurements and computer simulations. We show that the presence of salt triggers a stepwise transformation, under annealing at high pressure, to a new very high-density amorphous form. The transition occurs abruptly at 120 K and 2 GPa, is reversible, and is characterized by a sizeable enthalpy release. Simulations suggest that the polyamorphic transition is linked to a local structural reorganization of water molecules around the Li ions.