RATE OF INTRA-MOLECULAR CONTACT FORMATION IN SHORT TWO-DIMENSIONAL COMPACT POLYMERS CHAINS

It is important to know the rate of intra-molecular contact formation in proteins in order to understand how proteins fold clearly. Here we investigate the rate of intra-molecular contact formation in short two-dimensional compact polymer chains by calculating the probability distribution p(r) of end-to-end distance r using the enumeration calculation method and HP model on two-dimensional square lattice. The probability distribution of end-to-end distance p(r) of short two-dimensional compact polymers chains may consist of two parts, i.e. p(r) = p1(r) p2(r), where p1(r) and p2(r) are different for small r. The rate of contact formation decreases monotonically with the number of bonds N, and the rate approximately conforms to the scaling relation of k(N) ∝ N-α. Here the value of α increases with the contact radius a and it also depends on the percentage of H (hydrophobic) residues in the sequences of compact chains and the energy parameters of εHH, εHP and εPP . Some comparisons of theoretical predictions with experimental results are also made. This investigation may help us to understand the protein folding.     

YIHn: A New Family of Metal‐rich Hydride Halides

The graphite‐like yttrium hydride halides, YIH_n (0.8 ? n ? 1.0), have been prepared in quantitative yields by heating either YI₃, YH₂ (1:2) or stoichiometric YI₃, YH₂, Y mixtures in sealed Ta ampoules at 900°C. A lower limit of the homogeneity range, n ≈ 2/3, has been determined from dehydrogenation experiments. All YIH_n phases adopt the ZrBr‐type heavy‐atom structure. The hydrogen variation is accompanied by a change in the c lattice constant from 31.162(3) to 31.033(1) Å for n = 0.61(3) to 1.02(3). The YIH_n phases reversibly react with hydrogen at 400‐600°C to form the light green transparent compound YIH₂. However, increasing the reaction temperature above 700°C causes decomposition to an unidentified phase being in equilibrium with YH₂ and YI₃. The arrangement of the heavy atoms in YIH₂ (P m1; a = 3.8579(3) Å, c = 10.997(1) Å) corresponds to a four‐layer I‐Y‐Y‐I slab with the stacking sequence (AbaB) as was found by x‐ray powder diffraction data refinement with the Rietveld method. A miscibility gap exists between YIH and YIH₂. Samples YIH_n (n ? 1.0) show metallic conductivity at room temperature, which changes into semiconducting behavior with decreasing temperature as n approaches its lower value ≈ 2/3.     

Kristallstruktur und Pseudosymmetrie einer neuen Modifikation von Kaliumhexachloroniobat(V), KNbCl6. Anmerkungen zur kubischen Phase

Crystal Structure and Pseudosymmetry of a New Modification of Potassium Hexachloroniobate(V), KNbCl₆. Comments on the Cubic Phase Long needles of KNbCl₆ – invariably twinned around [100] – are obtained if the material is crystallized from SOCl₂ solution. The structure has been determined from X-ray data collected with a single-crystal diffractometer at room temperature [space group P2₁/n, Z = 16, a = 6.894(1), b = 22.073(4), c = 23.337(3) Å, β = 91.00(1)°, R = 0.032 for 2 909 unique reflexions, 290 structural parameters]. Distorted NbCl₆^? octahedra and ?interstitial’? K⁺ ions are found to form similar arrangements, each of them corresponding to a closest packing of spheres with the layer sequence ACAB (stacking symbol hc). The resulting asymmetry in coordination by potassium is coupled with a strong off-centre displacement of the Nb atoms in any of the four independent chlorine polyhedra (0.14 Å on average). A pronounced pseudosymmetry accounts for the twinning. Since P2₁/m2₁/n2₁/b (no. 62) is already a good approximation of the real structure, only one formal step of symmetry reduction (index t2) is needed to create both, the observed twin law and the actual space group P1 2₁/n1. Above 180°C a reconstructive phase transition leads to the ‘face-centred cubic’ modification with ～ 10% lower density.     

单向应力条件下松弛时间率相关的非线性粘弹性本构模型

基于单向拉伸实验研究和内变量理论 ,提出了一种新的简单的一维非线性粘弹性本构关系 .对两种粘弹性材料 ,即高密度聚乙烯和聚丙烯进行了不同加载速率作用下的拉伸实验研究 ,实验结果表明 ,两种材料的应力应变关系与加载速率相关 ;对材料的应力应变实验数据进行拟合发现 ,材料的松弛时间具有很强的应变率相关性 ,当应变率发生数量级变化时 ,材料的松弛时间也发生数量级的变化 .采用内变量理论 ,导出了在单轴应力条件下松弛时间率相关的非线性粘弹性本构关系的迭代形式 ,并给出其收敛条件 .当采取一次迭代形式时 ,本构关系退化为松弛时间率相关的Maxwell模型 .数值拟合的结果表明 ,一次迭代形式的本构关系就可以很好地拟合和预测实验结果 .     

Net information measures for modified Yukawa and Hulthén potentials

The dimensional analyses of the position and momentum variances‐based quantum mechanical Heisenberg uncertainty measure, as well as the entropic information measures given by the Shannon information entropy sum and the product of Fisher information measures are carried out for two widely used nonrelativistic isotropic exponential‐cosine screened Coulomb potentials generated by multiplying the superpositions of (i) Yukawa‐like, ?Z(e^?μr/r), and (ii) Hulthén‐like, ?Zμ(1/(e^μr ? 1)), potentials by cos(bμr) followed by addition of the term a/r², where a and b ≥ 0, μ are the screening parameters and Z, in case of atoms, denotes the nuclear charge. Under the spherical symmetry, all the information measures considered are shown to be independent of the scaling of the set [μ, Z] at a fixed value of μ/Z, a, and b and the other parameters defining the superpositions of the potentials. Numerical results are presented, which support the validity of the scaling properties. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007     

Nonlocality as a feature of the physical world

Aprediction puzzle leads to a form ofnecessary realism which forces the rejection of a central tenet of the Copenhagen interpretation. This leads to reconsidering conceptual difficulties related to Bell's locality premise. It is shown that aparadox of elementary probability theory puts new light on Bell's assumption that causality and statistical independence are mutually incompatible. Nemo dat quod non habet : No one can offer more than he has ability to give; in that spirit, this paper is dedicated to the memory of J.S. Bell.     

Graph theoretical procedure for obtaining analytical expressions of eigenspectra of linear chains and cycles with alternant vertex weights and same edge weight: Application to some complicated graphs

A graph theoretical procedure for obtaining eigenvalues of linear chains and cycles having alternant vertex weights (h₁, h₂, h₁, h₂, h₁, h₂, …) and the same edge weight (k) have been developed. The eigenvalues of some complicated graphs, such as graphs of linear polyacenes, methylene‐substituted linear polyacenes and cylindrical polyacene strips, stack graphs, and reciprocal graphs have been shown to be generated in closed analytical forms by this procedure. Many such graphs represent chemically important molecules or radicals. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2005     

Multiaxial mechanical behavior of aramid fibers and identification of skin/core structure from single fiber transverse compression testing

The transverse and longitudinal mechanical properties of aramid fibers like Kevlar? 29 (K29) fibers are strongly linked to their highly oriented structure. Mechanical characterization at the single fiber scale is challenging especially when the diameter is as small as 15 µm. Longitudinal tensile tests on single K29 fibers and single fiber transverse compression test (SFTCT) have been developed. Our approach consists of coupling morphological observations and mechanical experiments with SFTCT analysis by comparing analytical solutions and finite element modeling. New insights on the analysis of the transverse direction response are highlighted. Systematic loading/unloading compression tests enable to experimentally determine a transverse elastic limit. Taking account of the strong anisotropy of the fiber, the transverse mechanical response sheds light on a skin/core architecture. More importantly, results suggest that the skin of the fiber, typically representing a shell of one micrometer in thickness, has a transverse apparent modulus of 0.2 GPa. That is around more than fifteen times lower than the transverse modulus of 3.0 GPa in the core. By comparison, the measured longitudinal modulus is about 84 GPa. The stress distribution in the fiber is explored and the critical areas for damage initiation are discussed. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2016 , 54, 374–384     

Effect of scale and surface chemistry on the mechanical properties of carbon nanotubes‐based composites

In this article, Multi‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs) of varying diameters, both untreated and polycarboxylated, were dispersed at constant weight percentage in an epoxy matrix, and resulting fracture toughnesses (K_Ic) were measured in each case. We show that changing the MWCNT diameter has two effects on the composite fracture toughness: (i) a small MWCNT diameter enables larger interfacial surface for adhesion maximization, which increases toughness; (ii) at the same time, it limits the available pull‐out energy and reduces the MWCNT ability to homogeneously disperse in the matrix due to this same large active surface: this decreases toughness. Most commercially available MWCNTs have a length range of several μm, thus an optimal diameter exists which depends on MWCNT wall thickness and surface treatment. Such optimal diameter maximizes pull‐out energy and thus composite fracture toughness. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2012     

Synthesis and structure–property relationship of carbazole‐alt‐benzothiadiazole copolymers

A series of four π‐conjugated carbazole‐alt‐benzothiadiazole copolymers (PCBT) were prepared by Suzuki cross‐coupling reaction between synthesized dibromocarbazoles as electron‐rich subunits and 4,7‐bis(4,4,5,5‐tetramethyl‐1,3,2‐dioxaborolan‐2‐yl)?2,1,3‐benzothiadiazole as electron‐deficient subunits. The subunits were directly linked through 2,7‐ or 3,6‐ positions of the carbazole. In addition, the carbazole monomers have been N‐substituted by a branched or a linear side‐chain. The chemical structure of the copolymers and their precursors was confirmed by NMR and IR spectroscopies, and their molar masses were estimated by SEC. Thermal analysis under N₂ atmosphere showed no weight loss below 329°C, and no glass transition was observed in between 0 and 250°C. The band gaps of all PCBTs evaluated by optical spectroscopies and by cyclic voltammetry analysis were consistent with expectations and ranged between 2.2 and 2.3 eV. Finally, 2,7 and 3,6 linkages were shown to influence optical properties of PCBTs. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 2059–2068