Parallel-vector algorithms for particle simulations on shared-memory multiprocessors

Over the last few decades, the computational demands of massive particle-based simulations for both scientific and industrial purposes have been continuously increasing. Hence, considerable efforts are being made to develop parallel computing techniques on various platforms. In such simulations, particles freely move within a given space, and so on a distributed-memory system, load balancing, i.e., assigning an equal number of particles to each processor, is not guaranteed. However, shared-memory systems achieve better load balancing for particle models, but suffer from the intrinsic drawback of memory access competition, particularly during (1) paring of contact candidates from among neighboring particles and (2) force summation for each particle. Here, novel algorithms are proposed to overcome these two problems. For the first problem, the key is a pre-conditioning process during which particle labels are sorted by a cell label in the domain to which the particles belong. Then, a list of contact candidates is constructed by pairing the sorted particle labels. For the latter problem, a table comprising the list indexes of the contact candidate pairs is created and used to sum the contact forces acting on each particle for all contacts according to Newton’s third law. With just these methods, memory access competition is avoided without additional redundant procedures. The parallel efficiency and compatibility of these two algorithms were evaluated in discrete element method (DEM) simulations on four types of shared-memory parallel computers: a multicore multiprocessor computer, scalar supercomputer, vector supercomputer, and graphics processing unit. The computational efficiency of a DEM code was found to be drastically improved with our algorithms on all but the scalar supercomputer. Thus, the developed parallel algorithms are useful on shared-memory parallel computers with sufficient memory bandwidth.     

Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic substitution reactions using P-chirogenic diaminophosphine oxides: DIAPHOXs

This paper describes the development of a new class of chiral phosphorus ligand: aspartic acid-derived P-chirogenic diaminophosphine oxides, DIAPHOXs, and their application to several Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic substitution reactions. Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation was initially examined in detail using diaminophosphine oxides 1a, resulting in the highly enantioselective construction of quaternary stereocenters. Mechanistic investigations revealed that 1a is activated by N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)acetamide-induced tautomerization to afford a trivalent diamidophosphite species 12, which functions as the actual ligand. Furthermore, asymmetric allylic amination was examined using Pd-DIAPHOX catalyst systems, providing a variety of chiral allylic amines.     

Syntheses, structures, and reactivities of homometallic rare-earth-metal multimethyl methylidene and oxo complexes

Unsolvated, trinuclear, homometallic, rare-earth-metal multimethyl methylidene complexes [{(NCN)Ln(μ(2)-CH(3))}(3)(μ(3)-CH(3))(μ(3)-CH(2))] (NCN = L = [PhC{NC(6)H(4)(iPr-2,6)(2)}(2)](-); Ln = Sc (2a), Lu (2b)) have been synthesized by treatment of [(L)Ln{CH(2)C(6)H(4)N(CH(3))(2)-o}(2)] (Ln = Sc (1a), Lu (1b)) with two equivalents of AlMe(3) in toluene at ambient temperature in good yields. Treatment of 1 with three equivalents of AlMe(3) gives the heterometallic trinuclear complexes [(L)Ln(AlMe(4))(2)] (Ln = Sc (3a), Lu (3b)) in good yields. Interestingly, 2 can also be generated by recrystallization of 3 in THF/toluene, thereby indicating that the THF molecule can also induce C-H bond activation of 2. Reaction of 2 with one equivalent of ketones affords the trinuclear homometallic oxo-trimethyl complexes [{(L)Ln(μ(2) -CH(3))}(3) (μ(3)-CH(3))(μ(3)-O)] (Ln = Sc(4a), Lu(4b)) in high yields. Complex 4b reacts with one equivalent of cyclohexanone to give the methyl abstraction product [{(L)Lu(μ(2) -CH(3) )}(3) (μ(3) -OC(6)H(9))(μ(3)-O)] (5b), whereas reaction of 4b with acetophenone forms the insertion product [{(L)Lu(μ(2)-CH(3))}(3){μ(3)-OCPh(CH(3))(2)}(μ(3)-O)] (6b). Complex 4a is inert to ketone under the same conditions. All these new complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, NMR spectroscopy, and confirmed by X-ray diffraction determination.     

Optimization of mark edge recording waveform for a phase change rewritable optical disk using a 680 nm laser diode

A high density mark edge recording method on a phase change rewritable disk is reported. A carrier-to-noise ratio of 55 dB for a mark length of 0.55,μm is obtained by using a 680 nm, NA 0.6 head and a phase change rewritable disk. In mark edge recording, it is necessary to record each mark in correct length. A new laser power modulation pattern is proposed. This pattern consists of a first-pulse, a multi-pulse chain and a last-pulse. Both positions of the first-ptilse and the last-pulse are movable. By adjusting these positions, a jitter, σ/T_w (T_w is window margin), is improved to 6.5% in high density EFM (Eight to Fourteen Modulation) recording of 0.4 μm/bit.     

Novel Z-selective head-to-head dimerization of terminal alkynes catalyzed by lanthanide half-metallocene complexes

Various terminal alkynes have been cleanly dimerized into the corresponding head-to-head (Z)-enynes by use of the half-metallocene lutetium alkyl complexes Me2Si(C5Me4)(NAr)Lu(CH2SiMe3)(THF) (Ar = Ph, C6H3Me2-2,6, C6H2Me3-2,4,6) as catalysts. Aromatic C-Cl, C-Br, and C-I bonds, which are known to be extremely susceptible to reductive cleavage by transition metals, survived in the present reactions. The corresponding dimeric alkynide species [Me2Si(C5Me4)(NAr)Lu(mu-CCR)]2 are thought to be the true catalysts, some of which have been isolated and structurally characterized. These alkynide species were thermally stable and soluble at the reaction temperatures (80-110 degrees C), but they precipitated upon cooling to room temperature after completion of the reaction. Therefore, this catalyst system works homogeneously but can be separated and reused, thus constituting the first example of a recyclable catalyst system for the dimerization of terminal alkynes and also the first example of (Z)-selective head-to-head dimerization of aromatic terminal alkynes.     

InGaAsP multiple quantum well edge-emitting light-emitting diode showing low coherence characteristics using selective-area metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy

Low coherence multiple-quantum well edge-emitting light-emitting diodes were obtained using selective-area metalorganic vapor-phase epitaxial growth, which utilized growth rate enhancement on an open stripe region between mask stripes. An optical absorption region, which was controlled by selective-area growth, was introduced to suppress optical feedback. At a driving current of 100 mA and an ambient temperature of 25°C, a power of 55 μW was coupled into a single-mode fiber, and a broad spectrum without spectral ripple was observed. Low coherence characteristics and very small temperature dependence were obtained in the temperature range from -40°C to 85°C. The modulation bandwidth was 210 MHz at a bias current of 100 mA.     

Abnormal phospholipids distribution in the prefrontal cortex from a patient with schizophrenia revealed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization imaging mass spectrometry

Schizophrenia is one of the major psychiatric disorders, and lipids have focused on the important roles in this disorder. In fact, lipids related to various functions in the brain. Previous studies have indicated that phospholipids, particularly ones containing polyunsaturated fatty acyl residues, are deficient in postmortem brains from patients with schizophrenia. However, due to the difficulties in handling human postmortem brains, particularly the large size and complex structures of the human brain, there is little agreement regarding the qualitative and quantitative abnormalities of phospholipids in brains from patients with schizophrenia, particularly if corresponding brain regions are not used. In this study, to overcome these problems, we employed matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization imaging mass spectrometry (IMS), enabling direct microregion analysis of phospholipids in the postmortem brain of a patient with schizophrenia via brain sections prepared on glass slides. With integration of traditional histochemical examination, we could analyze regions of interest in the brain at the micrometric level. We found abnormal phospholipid distributions within internal brain structures, namely, the frontal cortex and occipital cortex. IMS revealed abnormal distributions of phosphatidylcholine molecular species particularly in the cortical layer of frontal cortex region. In addition, the combined use of liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry strengthened the capability for identification of numerous lipid molecular species. Our results are expected to further elucidate various metabolic processes in the neural system.     

Carboxylation of alkylboranes by N-heterocyclic carbene copper catalysts: synthesis of carboxylic acids from terminal alkenes and carbon dioxide

Caught in the act: N-Heterocyclic carbene copper(I) complexes (1; IPr=1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene) serve as an excellent catalyst for the carboxylation of alkylboranes (2; R=alkyl) with CO(2) to afford a variety of functionalized carboxylic acids (3) in high yields. A novel copper methoxide/alkylborane adduct (A) and its subsequent CO(2) insertion product (B) have been isolated and shown to be true active catalyst species.