Adaptive approach for nonlinear sensitivity analysis of reaction kinetics

We present a unified approach for linear and nonlinear sensitivity analysis for models of reaction kinetics that are stated in terms of systems of ordinary differential equations (ODEs). The approach is based on the reformulation of the ODE problem as a density transport problem described by a Fokker-Planck equation. The resulting multidimensional partial differential equation is herein solved by extending the TRAIL algorithm originally introduced by Horenko and Weiser in the context of molecular dynamics (J. Comp. Chem. 2003, 24, 1921) and discussed it in comparison with Monte Carlo techniques. The extended TRAIL approach is fully adaptive and easily allows to study the influence of nonlinear dynamical effects. We illustrate the scheme in application to an enzyme-substrate model problem for sensitivity analysis w.r.t. to initial concentrations and parameter values.     

四苯基卟啉铜分子的扫描隧道显微镜成像

本文首次以ＬＢ技术将四苯基卟啉铜（ＣｕＴＰＰ）分子沉积到高定向热解石墨上，并用ＳＴＭ研究其表面形貌，得到了原子级分辨的ＣｕＴＰＰ分子的表面形貌图，结果表明，ＣｕＴＰＰ分子具有近似圆状平面结构，分子直径为１．０ｎｍ，与理论结果十分吻合，结合ＳＴＭ原理，讨论了有机大分子ＳＴＭ成像的条件。     

Preparation and Characterization of N-4-Nitrophenyl-L-prolinol Nanocrystals in Sol-Gel Matrices

Organic nanocrystals of N-4-nitrophenyl-l-prolinol (NPP) have been grown in sol-gel matrices prepared from silicon alkoxide precursors. Our process is based on the control of the nucleation and growth kinetics of the dye in the pores of dense gels. Nanocomposites gel-glasses are obtained with a high optical quality due to the small size of the nanocrystals (10-20 nm). Differential scanning calorimetry experiments evidenced clearly the melting point of NPP nanocrystals, which is registered 51°C above that of NPP powder. Micro-Raman and solid state NMR spectroscopies allowed us to demonstrate that our nanocrystallization process does not chemically modify NPP molecules. We specified also the nature of interactions existing between the NPP nanocrystals and the xerogels. These strong interactions, which explain the important increase of the melting point of the nanocrystals in comparison to the NPP powder, are hydrogen bonds between nitro groups of NPP and uncondensed silanol functions of the silicate network.     

Second‐harmonic response of a series of chiral polyesters: A joint experimental and theoretical study

A series of polyesters with π‐conjugated donor–acceptor segments was synthesized by the condensation of azobenzene‐4,4′‐dicarbonylchloride with 1,4:3,6‐dianhydro‐D‐sorbitol ([α] = + 42.5°) and biphenolic chromophores, bis(4‐hydroxyphenylazo)‐2,2′‐dinitrodiphenylmethane and bis(4‐hydroxyphenylazo)‐2,2′‐dinitrodiphenylsulfone. The polymers were characterized by spectral methods (IR, ultraviolet–visible, and NMR), thermal methods (thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry), wide‐angle X‐ray scattering, and polarimetry. The polymers containing isosorbide units were optically active and crystalline. They exhibited glass‐transition temperature values between 100 and 160 °C and were stable up to 400 °C. The second‐harmonic generation (SHG) efficiency of the polymers was experimentally verified by a powder‐reflection technique with 2‐methyl‐4‐nitroaniline as a reference. The SHG efficiencies of the polymers were compared to those of the chromophores and explained as a function of the percentage of chiral composition. The hyperpolarizability β values were also determined by a two‐level model solvatochromic method and computational methods. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 2868–2877, 2002     

Ligand-protein docking using a quantum stochastic tunneling optimization method

A novel hybrid optimization method called quantum stochastic tunneling has been recently introduced. Here, we report its implementation within a new docking program called EasyDock and a validation with the CCDC/Astex data set of ligand-protein complexes using the PLP score to represent the ligand-protein potential energy surface and ScreenScore to score the ligand-protein binding energies. When taking the top energy-ranked ligand binding mode pose, we were able to predict the correct crystallographic ligand binding mode in up to 75% of the cases. By using this novel optimization method run times for typical docking simulations are significantly shortened.     

Progress on phthalocyanine-conjugated Ag and Au nanoparticles: Synthesis,characterization, and photo-physicochemical properties

Phthalocyanine (Pc) complexes are an important class of dyes with numerous (e.g., biological, photophysical, and analytical) applications. Among the methods used to improve the properties of these complexes, one should mention the introduction of different substituents, variation of the central metal ion, ligand exchange, and conjugation to nanomaterials (e.g., carbon-based nanomaterials and metal nanoparticles (NPs)). This work briefly reviews Pc complex conjugation to Ag and Au NPs, highlights the different NP shapes, and discusses the diversity of conjugation approaches. Moreover, the use of UV–Vis spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, dynamic light scattering and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to characterize Pc-NP hybrids is summarized. The effect of conjugation on Pc photo-physicochemical properties (fluorescence, singlet oxygen generation, triplet state formation, and optical limiting behavior) is discussed, and future perspectives for the synthesis and applications of new hybrids are provided.     

Second-order nonlinear optical properties of side-chain liquid crystalline polymers studied by second harmonic generation from thin films

The two independent elements of the second-order nonlinear optical susceptibility tensor of a range of contact poled, donor–acceptor substitued side-chain polymers are reported. The susceptibilities were measured by second harmonic generation from thin films, typically less than 0.5 μm thick, at a fundamental wavelength of 1064 nm. The largest value was χ = 2.64 pm/V which is three times greater than the χ value of KDP and was measured in a nitrobenzylidene side chain, polyhydroxystyrene polymer with an eleven unit alkyl chain spacer attaching the side group to the backbone. Typical susceptibility values obtained were χ～0.3 pm/V and X⁽²⁾₃₃～1 pm/V. The coherence lengths of the materials, which lay in the range 4–12 μm, were measured at 1064 nm by the maker fringe technique using thick, wedge-shaped samples.     

N-取代螺旋共轭化合物非线性光学性质的理论研究

以量子化学半经验AM1方法优化几何构型为基础，采用FF／AMl和INDO-SOS方法计算了N-取代螺旋共轭化合物的非线性光学系数，讨论了N原子不同取代位置对螺旋共轭体系结构、电子光谱、非线性光学系数的影响．计算结果表明，N杂原子的引入可改善体系的非线性光学性质，所设计的分子具有较大的二阶非线性光学系数和较好的透明性．     

Nonlinear Optical Properties of Tri—nuclear Transition Metal Clusters M—（μ—S）s—M′（M=Mo,W;M′=Cu,Ag,Au）

The static polarizabilities and the second-order hyperpolarizabilities of a series of tri-nuclear metal cluster models MS4(M′PPh3)2(M′PPh3)(M=Mo,W;M′=Cu,Ag,Au)have been calculated within the first-principle theoretical framework. The model clusters have two fragments of rhombic units and it is the charge ransfer from one of these moieties to the other that is responsible for nonlinear optical property. This kind of electronic delocaization, differentiated from that of planar π-system, is very interesting and is worthy for further investigation.     

苯并噻二嗪衍生物电子结构和非线性光学性质的研究

运用量子化学PM3方法，对苯并噻二嗪几种衍生物的几何构型、电子结构和前线分子轨道成分进行了分析，研究了电荷分布规律。同时，基于体系中电子转移的特点，利用有限场FF方法探讨了其非线性光学性质的变化。结果表明，苯并噻二嗪分子具有较好的二阶非线性光学性质，并可能成为一类良好的光学材料。