A dynamic Parrondo’s paradox for continuous seasonal systems

Nonlinear Dynamics - We show that planar continuous alternating systems, which can be used to model systems with seasonality, can exhibit a type of Parrondo’s dynamic paradox, in which the...     

Broadening the frequency bandwidth of a finite extensibility nonlinear vibration absorber by exploiting its internal resonances

Nonlinear Dynamics - In this paper, the dynamics response of a finite extensibility nonlinear elastic (FENE) absorber attached to a nonlinear primary system is investigated by writing the modal...     

Two-Photon Absorption Enhancement by the Inclusion of a Tropone Ring in Distorted Nanographene Ribbons

A new family of distorted ribbon-shaped nanographenes was designed, synthesized, and their optical and electrochemical properties were evaluated, pointing out an unprecedented correlation between their structural characteristics and the two-photon absorption (TPA) responses and electrochemical band gaps. Three nanographene ribbons have been prepared: a seven-membered-ring-containing nanographene presenting a tropone moiety at the edge, its full-carbon analogue, and a purely hexagonal one. We have found that the TPA cross-sections and the electrochemical band gaps of the seven-membered-ring-containing compounds are higher and lower, respectively, than those of the fully hexagonal polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH). Interestingly, the inclusion of additional curvature has a positive effect in terms of non-linear optical properties of those ribbons.     

Sulfinyl-Mediated Stereoselective Functionalization of Acyclic Conjugated Dienes

The chemo- and stereocontrolled functionalization of conjugated sulfinyl dienes in a cascade process that involves a conjugate addition, diastereoselective protonation and a [2,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement is reported. Enantioenriched 1,4-diol and 1,4-aminoalcohol derivatives are obtained in a very straightforward manner. Further functionalization of these structures, including highly stereoselective epoxidation, dihydroxylation and the stereodivergent synthesis of several polyols in a controlled fashion is described.     

Explaining Cu@Pt Bimetallic Nanoparticles Activity Based on NO Adsorption

Cu@Pt nanoparticles (NPs) are experimentally regarded as improved catalysts for NO_x storage/reduction, with higher activities and selectivities compared with pure Pt or Cu NPs, and with inverse Pt@Cu NPs. Here, a density functional theory-based study on such NP models with different sizes and shapes reveals that the observed enhanced stability of Cu@Pt compared with Pt@Cu NPs is due to energetic reasons. On both types of core@shell NPs, charge is transferred from Cu to Pt, strengthening the NP cohesion energy in Pt@Cu NPs, and spreading charge along the surface in Cu@Pt NPs. The negative surface Pt atoms in the latter diminish the NO bonding owing to an energetic rise of the Pt bands, as detected by the appliance of the d-band model, although other factors, such as atomic low coordination or the presence of an immediate subsurface Pt atom do as well. A charge density difference analysis discloses a donation/back-donation mechanism in the NO adsorption.     

Modelling,performance improvement and emission reduction of large two-stroke diesel engine using multi-zone combustion model

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - The main energy source in marine industry is fossil fuel. Diesel engines are main power supply in sea transport at present times and will also be in...     

Combined Spectroscopic and TD-DFT Analysis to Elucidate Substituent and Acidochromic Effects in Organic Dyes: A Case Study on Amino- versus Nitro-Substituted 2,4-Diphenylquinolines

A combined spectroscopic and TD-DFT case study was performed, to identify a robust method to calculate the complex near UV/Vis absorption spectra of various amino- vs. nitro-substituted 2,4-diphenylquinolines, which vary strongly under neutral and successively acidic conditions. For this, different DFT functionals were tested for geometry optimization and the TD part to calculate the neutral and different protonated species in a fast screening approach, i. e. using single point calculations in an implicit solvent. Offset-corrected M06HF, hitherto only applied to polymers, was identified as a suitable method to reproduce the absorption spectra in a reasonable fashion for all different substitution pattern and all different protonated species at different pH values; moreover, the method properly predicts the energetic ordering of low-lying n-π* and ππ* transitions, which is decisive for the non-/emissive nature of the different compounds. In all, this might provide a valuable tool for computer-aided design of related classes of compounds.     

Everything you always wanted to know about SDPD<Superscript>⋆</Superscript> (<Superscript>⋆</Superscript>but were afraid to ask)

An overview of the smoothed dissipative particle dynamics (SDPD) method is presented in a format that tries to quickly answer questions that often arise among users and newcomers. It is hoped that the status of SDPD is clarified as a mesoscopic particle model and its potentials and limitations are highlighted, as compared with other methods.     

Reactions of aldehyde with collagen: a DFT study

Structural Chemistry - The reaction mechanisms of several amino acids (Asn, Gln, Arg, His, and Lys) in the collagen with aldehyde were studied using density functional theory method. Based on the...