Zugzwangs in chess studies

Van der Heijden’s ENDGAME STUDY DATABASE IV, HHDBIV, is the definitive collection of 76,132 chess studies. The zugzwang position or zug, one in which the side to move would prefer not to, is a frequent theme in the literature of chess studies. In this third data-mining of HHDBIV, we report on the occurrence of sub-7-man zugs there as discovered by the use of CQL and Nalimov endgame tables (EGTs). We also mine those Zugzwang Studies in which a zug more significantly appears in both its White-to-move (wtm) and Black-to-move (btm) forms. We provide some illustrative and extreme examples of zugzwangs in studies

Reactivity of tri(2-furyl)phosphine (Pfu\u3csub\u3e3\u3c/sub\u3e) with [Mn\u3csub\u3e2\u3c/sub\u3e(CO)\u3csub\u3e10–\u3cem\u3en\u3c/em\u3e\u3c/sub\u3e(NCMe)\u3csub\u3e\u3cem\u3en\u3c/em\u3e\u3c/sub\u3e] (\u3cem\u3en\u3c/em\u3e = 0–2): X-ray Structure of \u3cem\u3emer\u3c/em\u3e-[Mn(CO)\u3csub\u3e3\u3c/sub\u3e(η\u3csup\u3e1\u3c/sup\u3e-C\u3csub\u3e4\u3c/sub\u3eH\u3csub\u3e3\u3c/sub\u3eO)(Pfu\u3csub\u3e3\u3c/sub\u3e)\u3csub\u3e2\u3c/sub\u3e]

In the search for new examples of systems that self-assemble into cyclic metal–organic architectures, the six isomers of X,Y′-bis(di(1H-pyrazolyl)methane)-1,1′-biphenyl, LXY, and their silver(I) trifluoromethanesulfonate complexes were prepared. Five of the six silver complexes gave crystals suitable for single crystal X-ray diffraction, with only the microcrystalline derivative of 2,3′-bis(di(1H-pyrazolyl)methane)-1,1′-biphenyl, L23, proving to be unsuitable for this analysis. Of the structurally characterized silver(I) complexes, that with L22 showed an unusual trans-spanning chelating coordination mode to silver. At the same time the ligand was also bound to a second silver center giving rise to a cyclic supramolecular isomer with a 22-membered metallacycle. The complex of L34 also gave a cyclic dication but with a remarkable 28-membered metallacycle ring. The remaining three derivatives were polymeric. The results of this study underscore that a 120° angle between dipyrazolylmethyl moieties across aromatic spacers will give rise to a cyclic dication but this is not an exclusive requirement for the formation of cyclic architectures. Also, the supramolecular structures of complexes are assembled via a variety of noncovalent interactions involving the di(pyrazolyl)methyl cation most notably by weak hydrogen bonding interactions involving the methine hydrogen and an oxygen atom of the triflate anion

P–C and C–H Bond Cleavages of dppm in the Thermal Reaction of [Ru\u3csub\u3e3\u3c/sub\u3e(CO)\u3csub\u3e10\u3c/sub\u3e(μ-dppm)] with Benzothiophene: X-ray structures of [Ru\u3csub\u3e6\u3c/sub\u3e(μ-CO)(CO)\u3csub\u3e13\u3c/sub\u3e{μ\u3csub\u3e4\u3c/sub\u3e-PhP(C\u3csub\u3e6\u3c/sub\u3eH\u3csub\u3e4\u3c/sub\u3e)PPh}(μ\u3csub\u3e6\u3c/sub\u3e-C)] and [Ru\u3csub\u3e4\u3c/sub\u3e(CO)\u3csub\u3e9\u3c/sub\u3e(μ\u3csub\u3e3\u3c/sub\u3e-η\u3csup\u3e2\u3c/sup\u3e-PhPCH\u3csub\u3e2\u3c/sub\u3ePPh\u3csub\u3e2\u3c/sub\u3e)(μ\u3csub\u3e4\u3c/sub\u3e-η\u3csup\u3e6\u3c/sup\u3e:η\u3csup\u3e1\u3c/sup\u3e:η\u3csup\u3e1\u3c/sup\u3e-C\u3csub\u3e6\u3c/sub\u3eH\u3csub\u3e4\u3c/sub\u3e)(μ-H)]

The thermal reaction of [Ru3(CO)10(μ-dppm)] (1) with benzothiophene in refluxing toluene gives a complex mixture of products. These include the known compounds [Ru2(CO)6{μ-CH2PPh(C6H4)PPh}] (2), [Ru2(CO)6{μ-C6H4PPh(CH2)PPh}] (3), [Ru3(CO)9{μ3-η3-(Ph)PCH2P(Ph)C6H4}] (4) and [Ru3(CO)10{μ-η2-PPh(CH2)(C6H4)PPh}] (6), as well as the new clusters [Ru6(μ-CO)(CO)13{μ3-η2-PhP(C6H4)PPh}(μ6-C)] (5) and [Ru4(CO)9(μ3-η2-PhPCH2PPh2)(μ4-η6:η1:η1-C6H4)(μ-H)] (7). The solid-state molecular structures of 5 and 7 were confirmed by single crystal X-ray analyses. Compound 5 consists of interesting example of a hexaruthenium interstitial carbido cluster having a tetradentate diphosphine ligand derived from the activation of P–C and C–H bonds of the dppm ligand in 1. The tetranuclear compound 7 consists of a unique example of a non-planar spiked triangular metal fragment of ruthenium [Ru(1), Ru(2) and Ru(3)] unit with Ru(4) being bonded to Ru(1). The μ4-η1:η6:η1-benzyne ligand in this compound represents a previously uncharacterized bonding mode for benzyne. Compounds 5 and 7 do not contain any benzothiophene-derived ligand. The reaction of 4 with benzothiophene gives 2, 3, 5 and 6. Thermolysis of 1 in refluxing toluene gives 2, 3 and 4; none of 5 and 7 is detected in reaction mixture

Decarbonylation Reaction of [Os\u3csub\u3e3\u3c/sub\u3e(CO)\u3csub\u3e10\u3c/sub\u3e(\u3cem\u3eμ\u3c/em\u3e-H)(\u3cem\u3eμ\u3c/em\u3e-SN\u3csub\u3e2\u3c/sub\u3eC\u3csub\u3e4\u3c/sub\u3eH\u3csub\u3e5\u3c/sub\u3e)]: X-ray Structures of the Two Isomers of [Os\u3csub\u3e3\u3c/sub\u3e(CO)\u3csub\u3e9\u3c/sub\u3e(\u3cem\u3eμ\u3c/em\u3e-H)(\u3cem\u3eμ\u3c/em\u3e\u3csub\u3e3\u3c/sub\u3e-\u3cem\u3eη\u3c/em\u3e\u3csup\u3e2\u3c/sup\u3e-SN\u3csub\u3e2\u3c/sub\u3eC\u3csub\u3e4\u3c/sub\u3eH\u3csub\u3e5\u3c/sub\u3e)]

The thermal reaction of [Os3(CO)10(μ-H)(μ-SN2C4H5)] (1) at 110 °C afforded the new compound [Os3(CO)9(μ-H)(μ 3-η 2-SN2C4H5)] (2) in 84% yield. Compound 2 exists as two isomers, which differ in the disposition of the bridging hydride ligand. Both of the isomers of 2 have been characterized by a combination of elemental analysis, infrared and 1H NMR spectroscopic data together with single crystal X-ray crystallography. The isomers crystallize together in the triclinic space group P-1 with a = 10.4775(2), b = 13.3056(3), c = 15.0325(3) Å, α = 110.8890(10), β = 99.3880(10), γ = 96.1620(10)°, Z = 2 and V = 1900.31(7) Å3

Motorcycle Safety Research Project: Interim Summary Report Research Deliverable 1: Investigate and Develop a Pre-Learner Motorcycle Licensing Package

Motorcycle trauma is a serious road safety issue in Queensland and throughout Australia. In 2009, Queensland Transport (later Transport and Main Roads or TMR) appointed CARRS-Q to provide a three-year program of Road Safety Research Services for Motorcycle Rider Safety. Funding for this research originated from the Motor Accident Insurance Commission. This program of research was undertaken to produce knowledge to assist TMR to improve motorcycle safety by further strengthening the licensing and training system to make learner riders safer by developing a pre-learner package (Deliverable 1 which is the focus of this report), and by evaluating the Q-Ride CAP program to ensure that it is maximally effective and contributes to the best possible training for new riders (Deliverable 2), which is the focus of this report. Deliverable 3 of the program identified potential new licensing components that will reduce the incidence of risky riding and improve higher-order cognitive skills in new riders. While fatality and injury rates for learner car drivers are typically lower than for those with intermediate licences, this pattern is not found for learner motorcycle riders. Learner riders cannot be supervised as effectively as learner car drivers and errors are more likely to result in injury for learner riders than learner drivers. It is therefore imperative to improve safety for learner riders. Deliverable 1 examines the potential for improving the motorcycle learner and licence scheme by introducing a pre-learner motorcycle licensing and training scheme within Queensland. The tasks undertaken for Deliverable 1 were a literature review, analysis of learner motorcyclist crash and licensing data, and the development of a potential pre-learner motorcycle rider program

Can atmospheric composition influence plant fossil preservation potential via changes in leaf mass per area? A new hypothesis based on simulated palaeoatmosphere experiments

Atmospheric composition, particularly levels of CO2 and O2, impacts all aspects of life but its role in relation to plant preservation in the fossil record is largely unconsidered. Plants, angiosperms in particular, have been widely shown to increase leaf mass per area (LMA) under high CO2 conditions and decrease LMA in low CO2 conditions. Leaf thickness has long been known to be a contributory factor in preservation potential in the plant fossil record, with thicker leaves considered to have a greater recalcitrance than thinner ones. Therefore, any change in leaf density/thickness, through changes to LMA, could lead to an increased or decreased preservation potential of fossil leaves at times of elevated or decreased CO2, respectively. . Additionally, the impact of changes to atmospheric O2 and to the atmospheric CO2:O2 ratio on LMA has not been previously considered in detail. This investigation examines the effect of simulated Mesozoic atmospheres, times of high CO2 and low O2, on LMA in a suite of gymnosperms that act as nearest living equivalents for common elements of Mesozoic floras. Exposure to high CO2 (~ 1,500 ppm) led to a statistically significant (p < 0.001) increase in LMA in four out of 6 species, and exposure to combined high CO2 and low O2 (~ 13%) induced a statistically significant (p < 0.001) increase in LMA in all six species. The investigation also examined the effects of atmospheric composition on %N, a key plant trait known to co-vary with LMA under modern atmospheric compositions that provides information on plant function and relates to photosynthetic efficiency. Most species showed decreased %N in treatments with increased LMA in agreement with modern ecological studies and supporting the co-varying nature of LMA and %N regardless of CO2:O2 ratio. These findings suggest that atmospheric composition has a pronounced impact on LMA. Based on these results, we propose the hypothesis that atmospheric composition is an important taphonomic filter of the fossil leaf record. Further research is now required to test the significance of atmospheric composition versus other well-known taphonomic filters

Rapid radiative clearing of protoplanetary discs

The lack of observed transition discs with inner gas holes of radii greater than ~50AU implies that protoplanetary discs dispersed from the inside out must remove gas from the outer regions rapidly. We investigate the role of photoevaporation in the final clearing of gas from low mass discs with inner holes. In particular, we study the so-called "thermal sweeping" mechanism which results in rapid clearing of the disc. Thermal sweeping was originally thought to arise when the radial and vertical pressure scale lengths at the X-ray heated inner edge of the disc match. We demonstrate that this criterion is not fundamental. Rather, thermal sweeping occurs when the pressure maximum at the inner edge of the dust heated disc falls below the maximum possible pressure of X-ray heated gas (which depends on the local X-ray flux). We derive new critical peak volume and surface density estimates for rapid radiative clearing which, in general, result in rapid dispersal happening less readily than in previous estimates. This less efficient clearing of discs by X-ray driven thermal sweeping leaves open the issue of what mechanism can clear gas from the outer disc sufficiently quickly to explain the non-detection of cold gas around weak line T Tauri stars.Comment: 13 pages, Accepted for publication in MNRA

Investigations of 2-Thiazoline-2-thiol as a Ligand: Synthesis and X-ray Structures of [Mn\u3csub\u3e2\u3c/sub\u3e(CO)\u3csub\u3e7\u3c/sub\u3e(\u3cem\u3eμ\u3c/em\u3e-NS\u3csub\u3e2\u3c/sub\u3eC\u3csub\u3e3\u3c/sub\u3eH\u3csub\u3e4\u3c/sub\u3e)\u3csub\u3e2\u3c/sub\u3e] and [Mn(CO)\u3csub\u3e3\u3c/sub\u3e(PPh\u3csub\u3e3\u3c/sub\u3e)(\u3cem\u3eκ\u3c/em\u3e\u3csup\u3e2\u3c/sup\u3e-NS\u3csub\u3e2\u3c/sub\u3eC\u3csub\u3e3\u3c/sub\u3eH\u3csub\u3e4\u3c/sub\u3e)]

Treatment of Mn2(CO)10 with 2-thiazoline-2-thiol in the presence of Me3NO at room temperature afforded the dimanganese complexes [Mn2(CO)7(μ-NS2C3H4)2] (1) and [Mn2(CO)6(μ-NS2C3H4)2] (2) in 51 and 34% yields, respectively. Compound 1 was quantitatively converted into 2 when reacted with one equiv of Me3NO. Reaction of 1 with triphenylphosphine at room temperature furnished the mononuclear complex [Mn(CO)3(PPh3)(κ 2-NS2C3H4)] (3) in 66% yield. All three new complexes have been characterized by elemental analyzes and spectroscopic data together with single crystal X-ray diffraction studies for 1 and 3. Compound 1 crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pbca with a = 12.4147(2), b = 16.2416(3), c = 19.0841(4) Å, β = 90°, Z = 8 and V = 3848.01(12) Å3 and 3 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P 21/n with a = 10.41730(10), b = 14.7710(2), c = 14.9209(2) Å, β = 91.1760(10)°, Z = 4 and V = 2295.45(5) Å3

Dirhenium Carbonyl Complexes Bearing 2-Vinylpyridine, Morpholine and 1-Methylimidazole Ligands

Treatment of the labile compound [Re2(CO)8(MeCN)2] with 2-vinylpyridine in refluxing benzene affords exclusively the new compound [Re2(CO)8(μ-η1:η2-NC5H4CHCH2)] (1) in 39% yield in which the μ-η1:η2-vinylpyridine ligand is coordinated to one Re atom through the nitrogen and to the other Re atom via the olefinic double bond. Reaction of [Re2(CO)8(MeCN)2] with morpholine in refluxing benzene furnishes two compounds, [Re2(CO)9(η1-NC4H9O)] (2) and [Re2(CO)8(η1-NC4H9O)2] (3) in 5% and 29% yields, respectively. Reaction of [Re2(CO)8(MeCN)2] with 1-methylimidazole gives [Re2(CO)8{η1-NC3H3N(CH3)}2] (4) and the mononuclear compound fac-[ReCl(CO)3{η1-NC3H3N(CH3)}2] (5) in 18% and 26% yields, respectively. In the disubstituted compounds 2 and 4, the heterocyclic ligands occupy equatorial coordination sites. The mononuclear compound 5 consists of three CO groups, two N coordinated η1-1-methylimidazole ligands and a terminal Cl ligand. The XRD structures of complexes 1, 3 and 5 are reported