Na<Superscript>+</Superscript>/K<Superscript>+</Superscript> selectivity in the formation of ion pairs in aqueous solutions

The integral equations of liquids (RISM) and molecular dynamics method were used to calculate the mean force potential for the SO₃ and COO hydrophilic groups and the CH₃ hydrophobic group in the acetate, methyl sulfonate, and hydrosulfate anions, which form ion pairs with sodium and potassium cations in water. The carboxyl group selectively binds sodium ions from solutions containing Na⁺ and K⁺ ions, in spite of their equal charges, because the potassium ion experiences stronger steric hindrances near this group compared with sodium. The biophysical consequences of the revealed selectivity are discussed.     

Analysis of (π K<Superscript>+</Superscript>) and (K<Superscript>-</Superscript>, K<Superscript>+</Superscript>) hypernuclear production spectra in distorted-wave impulse approximation

We study the hyperon-nucleus potential with distorted-wave impulse wave approximation (DWIA) using the Green's function method. In order to include the nucleon and hyperon potential effects in Fermi averaging, we introduce the local optimal momentum approximation of target nucleons. We can describe the quasi-free Λ , Σ and Ξ production spectra in a better way than in the standard Fermi-averaged t -matrix treatments.     

Isotopomer selective optimization of <Superscript>39</Superscript>K<Superscript>85</Superscript>Rb<Superscript>+</Superscript> and <Superscript>41</Superscript>K<Superscript>87</Superscript>Rb<Superscript>+</Superscript> using optimal control

We report on isotope selective three-photon ionization of two isotopomers of KRb by applying evolution strategies. The particularity of this experiment is based on the high resolution phase and amplitude modulation of the fs-laser pulses provided by a 2 × 640 pixel pulse shaper. The optimization in a closed feedback loop performed with spectrally broad pulses centered at 840 nm shows high enhancements of one isotopomer at the expense of the other isotopomer and vice versa. From the optimal laser field we aim to gain details about the selective ionization sequence and the wavepacket evolution on the involved vibrational states.     

Low-spin states in <Superscript>182</Superscript>Os and K<Superscript>π</Superscript> = 0<Superscript>+</Superscript>, 2<Superscript>+</Superscript> excited bands

Excited states in ¹⁸²Os were populated by the β⁺/EC decay of ¹⁸²Ir following mass separation. Gamma-ray and conversion electron spectroscopy techniques were employed. Monopole (E0) contributions were determined in transitions populating the ground-state band. A systematic study of the low-spin structures in the Os isotopes is presented and a detailed analysis in the framework of a microscopic configuration mixing approach is performed.     

The K<Superscript>-</Superscript>α scattering length and the reaction dd↦αK<Superscript>+</Superscript>K<Superscript>-</Superscript>

We present predictions for the K^-α scattering length obtained within the framework of the multiple-scattering approach. Evaluating the pole position of the K^-α scattering amplitude within the zero-range approximation, we find a loosely bound K^-α state with a binding energy of E_R = - 2,..., - 7 MeV and a width Γ_R = 11,..., 18 MeV. We propose to measure the K^-α scattering length through the final-state interaction between the α and K^--meson produced in the reaction dd↦αK⁺K^-. It is found that the K^-α invariant-mass distribution from this reaction at energies near the threshold provides a new tool to determine the s-wave K^-α scattering length.     

Evidence for a K<Superscript>π</Superscript> = 1/2<Superscript>+</Superscript> isomer in neutron-rich <Superscript>185</Superscript>Ta

In this paper we present for the first time the measured delayed neutron (DN) yields and time spectra from high-energy protons interacting with thick ^natPb targets. The 1GeV protons from the accelerator impinged on targets of different thicknesses producing a huge number of spallation-fission products, some of which can be DN precursors. After the beam is switched off, the DNs were detected with optimized ³He counter. The production yields of light DN precursors as ¹⁷N and “usual” fission products as ⁸⁷Br and ⁸⁸Br, which dominate the total DN activity, are obtained both for thin and thick targets. These new data are of great interest for the new generation high-power spallation targets based on liquid-metal technologies. Our findings also should help to constrain the physics models within the simulations codes.     

Spatial distribution of Na<Superscript>+</Superscript>-K<Superscript>+</Superscript>-ATPase in dendritic spines dissected by nanoscale superresolution STED microscopy

Background  

The Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase plays an important role for ion homeostasis in virtually all mammalian cells, including neurons. Despite this, there is as yet little known about the isoform specific distribution in neurons.     

Aspects of radiative K<Superscript>+</Superscript><Subscript>e3</Subscript> decays

We re-investigate the radiative charged kaon decay K^±→π⁰e^±ν_eγ [K_e3γ ^±] in chiral perturbation theory, merging the chiral expansion with Low’s theorem. We thoroughly analyze the precision of the predicted branching ratio relative to the non-radiative decay channel. Structure dependent terms and their impact on differential decay distributions are investigated in detail, and the possibility to see effects of the chiral anomaly in this decay channel is emphasized. PACS 13.20.Eb; 11.30.Rd; 12.39.Fe     

Revisiting B<Superscript>+</Superscript>→X(3872)+K<Superscript>+</Superscript> in pQCD assigning to X(3872) 2<Superscript>3</Superscript>P<Subscript>1</Subscript> charmonium

We revisit the B⁺→X(3872)+K⁺ in the pQCD approach assigning to X(3872) a 2³P₁ charmonium state. In this theoretical framework all the phenomenological parameters in the wavefunctions and Sudakov factor are a priori fixed by fitting other experimental data; therefore, there hardly are any free parameters in the whole numerical computations. Our results are larger than the upper bound set by the BABAR measurements. PACS 13.20.He; 12.38.Bx; 13.60.Le     

1<Superscript>+</Superscript>(0<Superscript>+</Superscript>) state at 12.4 MeV in <Superscript>20</Superscript>Ne

Careful review of all the evidence makes it clear that at least three states are important at 12.4-MeV excitation in ²⁰Ne (four, if the broad (2⁺) at 12.5 MeV is included). The three states are 3 ^- , 0 ⁺ , and 1 ⁺ (0⁺). The latter, which is quite strong in ¹⁹F (³He, d) singles, is probably the state observed in coincidence with 6.13-MeV γ-rays in ¹⁹F(³He, dγ). Received: 19 August 2002 / Accepted: 28 October 2002 / Published online: 17 January 2003 RID="a" ID="a"e-mail: fortune@physics.upenn.edu Communicated by D. Guerreau     

Thermally stimulated desorption of Na<Superscript>+</Superscript> and Cs<Superscript>+</Superscript> ions from a NaAu alloy film grown on Au

The formation of Na⁺ and Cs⁺ ions on and their thermal desorption from the surface of a NaAu alloy film grown on metallic gold are studied. It is shown that thermionic emission from insulator-coated metallic substrates is governed by a sequence of processes, such as diffusion of Na and Cs adatoms into the film, ionization of these atoms at the insulator-metal interface, diffusion of the resulting ions toward the surface, and desorption of the ions. The effect of weak electric fields on ion diffusion and desorption is investigated.     

Exclusive B→K<Subscript>1</Subscript>ℓ<Superscript>+</Superscript>ℓ<Superscript>-</Superscript> decay in model with single universal extra dimension

Decay rate and forward–backward asymmetries in B→K₁ℓ⁺ℓ^-, where K₁ is the axial vector meson, are calculated in the universal extra dimension (UED) model. The dependence of these physical quantities on the compactification radius R, the only unknown parameter in UED model, is studied, and it is shown that the zero of the forward–backward asymmetry is sensitive to the UED model; therefore they can be a very useful tool to establish new physics predicted by the UED model. This work is briefly extended to B→K^*l⁺l^-.     

The pp→K<Superscript>+</Superscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">Σ</Emphasis><Superscript>+</Superscript>n cross-section from missing-mass spectra

We utilize existing inclusive data on K⁺-meson momentum spectra of the reaction pp→K ⁺ X at T _p = 2.3-2.85GeV to deduce total cross-sections for pp→K ⁺ Σ ⁺ n. The method used to extract those cross-sections is explained and discussed in detail. Our result for T _p = 2.85GeV is consistent with the data point from a direct measurement at the same beam energy. The cross-section obtained for T _p = 2.3GeV is with 13.7±2.3μb considerably smaller than the value found in a recent experiment by the COSY-11 Collaboration at a somewhat lower beam energy, indicating that the pp→K ⁺ Σ ⁺ n reaction cross-section could exhibit a rather unusual energy dependence.     

ToF-SIMS cluster ion imaging of hippocampal CA1 pyramidal rat neurons

Recent studies have demonstrated the power of time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) cluster ion imaging to characterize biological structures, such as that of the rat central nervous system. A large number of the studies to date have been carried out on the “structural scale” imaging several mm² using mounted thin sections. In this work, we present our ToF-SIMS cluster ion imaging results on hippocampal rat brain neurons, at the cellular and sub-cellular levels. As a part of an ongoing investigation to examine gut linked metabolic factors in autism spectrum disorders using a novel rat model, we have observed a possible variation in hippocampal Cornu ammonis 1 (CA1) pyramidal neuron geometry in thin, paraformaldehyde fixed brain sections. However, the fixation process alters the tissue matrix such that much biochemical information appears to be lost. In an effort to preserve as much as possible this original information, we have established a protocol using unfixed thin brain sections, along with low dose, 500 eV Cs⁺ pre-sputtering that allows imaging down to the sub-cellular scale with minimal sample preparation.     

Frequency measurements in the b <Superscript>3</Superscript>Π(0<Subscript>u</Subscript><Superscript>+</Superscript>) - X <Superscript>1</Superscript>Σ<Subscript>g</Subscript><Superscript>+</Superscript> system of K<Subscript>2</Subscript>

Absolute transition frequencies of the b ³Π(0_u ⁺) - X ¹Σ_g ⁺ system of K₂ were measured in a molecular beam with Lamb dip absorption spectroscopy applying a frequency comb from a femtosecond pulsed laser. Both, K atoms and K₂ molecules are present in the beam and are expected to interact by collisions. The atoms can be deflected optically out of the beam, and thus the collision rate between K atoms and K₂ molecules is changed by about an order of magnitude. The molecular transition frequencies for low collisional rate are compared with those for high one. Limits for the collisional frequency shift within the beam are determined.     

Effect of high doses of N<Superscript>+</Superscript>, N<Superscript>+</Superscript> + Ni<Superscript>+</Superscript>, and Mo<Superscript>+</Superscript> + W<Superscript>+</Superscript> ions on the physicomechanical properties of TiNi

The surface layer of an equiatomic TiNi alloy, which exhibits the shape memory effect in the martensitic state, is modified with high-dose implantation of 65-keV N⁺ ions (the implantation dose is varied from 10¹⁷ to 10¹⁸ ions/cm²). TiNi samples are implanted by N⁺, Ni⁺-N⁺, and Mo⁺-W⁺ ions at a dose of 10¹⁷–10¹⁸ cm⁻² and studied by Rutherford backscattering, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (glancing geometry), and by measuring the nanohardness and the elastic modulus. A Ni⁺ concentration peak is detected between two maxima in the depth profile of the N⁺ ion concentration. X-ray diffraction (glancing geometry) of TiNi samples implanted by Ni⁺ and N⁺ ions shows the formation of the TiNi (B2), TiN, and Ni₃N phases. In the initial state, the elastic modulus of the samples is E = 56 GPa at a hardness of H = 2.13 ± 0.30 GPa (at a depth of 150 nm). After double implantation by Ni⁺-N⁺ and W⁺-Mo⁺ ions, the hardness of the TiNi samples is ∼2.78 ± 0.95 GPa at a depth of 150 nm and 4.95 ± 2.25 GPa at a depth of 50 nm; the elastic modulus is 59 GPa. Annealing of the samples at 550°C leads to an increase in the hardness to 4.44 ± 1.45 GPa and a sharp increase in the elastic modulus to 236 ± 39 GPa. A correlation between the elemental composition, microstructure, shape memory effect, and mechanical properties of the near-surface layer in TiNi is found.     

K<Superscript>+</Superscript> production in proton-nucleus reactions and the role of momentum-dependent potentials

The production of K⁺-mesons in proton-nucleus collisions from 1.0 to 2.5GeV is analyzed with respect to one-step nucleon-nucleon ( NN → NYK ⁺) and two-step Δ-nucleon ( ΔN → K ⁺ YN) or pion-nucleon ( πN → K ⁺ Y) production channels on the basis of a coupled-channel transport approach (CBUU) including the kaon final-state interactions. The influence of momentum-dependent potentials for the nucleon, hyperon and kaon in the final state are studied as well as the importance of K⁺ elastic rescattering in the target nucleus. The transport calculations are compared to the experimental K⁺ spectra taken at LBL Berkeley, SATURNE, CELSIUS, GSI and COSY-Jülich. It is found that the momentum-dependent baryon potentials affect the excitation function of the K⁺ cross-section; at low bombarding energies of ∼ 1.0GeV the attractive baryon potentials in the final state lead to a relative enhancement of the kaon yield, whereas the net repulsive potential at bombarding energies ∼ 2GeV causes a decrease of the K⁺ cross-section. Furthermore, it is pointed out that especially the K⁺ spectra at low momenta (or kinetic energy T _K) allow to determine the in-medium K⁺ potential almost model independently due to a relative shift of the K⁺ spectra in kinetic energy that arises from the acceleration of the kaons when propagating out of the nuclear medium to free space, i.e. converting the potential energy to the kinetic energy of the free kaon. Received: 28 January 2002 / Accepted: 3 June 2002 / Published online: 19 November 2002 RID="a" ID="a"e-mail: Wolfgang.Cassing@theo.physik.uni-giessen.de Communicated by P. Schuck     

Coupled-channels analysis of K<Superscript>+</Superscript> scattering from <Superscript>6</Superscript>Li and <Superscript>12</Superscript>C using the Watanabe superposition model

Coupled-channels calculations for the elastic and inelastic scattering of K⁺ at 715 MeV/c by ⁶Li and ¹²C at 635, 715 and 800 kaon Lab momenta have been analysed. The optical potentials of ¹²C and ⁶Li are calculated in terms of the alpha-particle and deuteron optical potentials. Good fits to the experimental data and phenomenological calculations are obtained for ⁶Li and ¹²C nuclei.