Observation and properties of the orbitally excited B_(s2)(*) meson

We report the direct observation of the excited L=1 state B_(s2)(*) in fully reconstructed decays to B+K-. The mass of the B_(s2)(*) meson is measured to be 5839.6+/-1.1(stat)+/-0.7(syst) MeV/c(2), and its production rate relative to the B+ meson is measured to be [1.15+/-0.23(stat)+/-0.13(syst)]%.     

Identification of a set of genes showing regionally enriched expression in the mouse brain

Background

We have recorded responses from single neurons in murine visual cortex to determine the effectiveness of the input from the two murine cone photoreceptor mechanisms and whether there is any unique selectivity for cone inputs at this higher region of the visual system that would support the possibility of colour vision in mice. Each eye was stimulated by diffuse light, either 370 (strong stimulus for the ultra-violet (UV) cone opsin) or 505 nm (exclusively stimulating the middle wavelength sensitive (M) cone opsin), obtained from light emitting diodes (LEDs) in the presence of a strong adapting light that suppressed the responses of rods.

Results

Single cells responded to these diffuse stimuli in all areas of striate cortex. Two types of responsive cells were encountered. One type (135/323 – 42%) had little to no spontaneous activity and responded at either the on and/or the off phase of the light stimulus with a few impulses often of relatively large amplitude. A second type (166/323 – 51%) had spontaneous activity and responded tonically to light stimuli with impulses often of small amplitude. Most of the cells responded similarly to both spectral stimuli. A few (18/323 – 6%) responded strongly or exclusively to one or the other spectral stimulus and rarely in a spectrally opponent manner.

Conclusion

Most cells in murine striate cortex receive excitatory inputs from both UV- and M-cones. A small fraction shows either strong selectivity for one or the other cone mechanism and occasionally cone opponent responses. Cells that could underlie chromatic contrast detection are present but extremely rare in murine striate cortex.     

A comparison of algainas and InGaAsP-based 1.3 μm semiconductor lasers using high pressure

Abstract

We have compared the effect of hydrostatic pressure on the threshold current, I_th, and lasing energy, E_lase, of 1.3 pm quantum-well devices based upon AlGaInAs and InGaAsP. Whilst we observe a very similar dependence of E_lase on pressure for the two materials, we measure strikingly different variations of I_th. By applying pressure to 1.3 μm InGaAsP lasers, I_th typically decreases by ～ 10% over 1 GPa consistent with the reduction of Auger recombination, which forms ～ 50% of I_th at room temperature. However, for the 1.3 μm AlGaInAs-based lasers, we observe an increase in I_th by ～ 8% over the same pressure range. From these results we conclude that non-radiative recombination accounts for only ～ 20% of I_th in AlGaInAs-based devices. This is in good agreement with previous temperature dependence measurements and shows why AlGaInAs-based devices exhibit a reduced temperature sensitivity of I_th which is very important for telecommunications applications.     

Light hole transport in a strained GaAs/In0.18Ga0.82As quantum well at high pressures

Abstract

Here we report what we believe to be the first observation of the pressure dependence of the light hole behavior in a modulation doped In_0.18Ga_0.82As/GaAs single strained quantum well grown by MBE. Transport measurements have been undertaken as a function of temperature (4–300K) and hydrostatic pressure (4–8kbar). Hole mobilities of ～17000 cm²/Vs have been obtained for sheet carrier densities of ～3.3×10¹¹ cm^?2. At low temperatures (<100K) persistent photogenerated holes have been observed. The hole mobility is found to decrease with increasing pressure at a rate intermediate between that typically observed for holes and electrons in bulk III-V semiconductors.     

Phase transitions in the litharge and antilitharge structures

Abstract

The compounds PbO and LiOD possess the layered, tetragonal B10 structure and the corresponding antistructure respectively at 1 bar. They undergo very different phase transitions at moderate pressure. At 5 kbar, PbO undergoes a slight, reversible distortion to an orthorhombic phase. The structure is probably an expanded NaCl derivative.

The high-P LiOD phase begins to grow slowly above 17 kbar. Infrared and Raman data indicate that hydrogen bonding is present in the new phase. Neutron powder data indexed on a monoclinic cell. The structure is likely to be similar to that of T1I and NaOH, distorted by the H-bonding.     

Molecular Composites Comprising Rodlike Polyamides and Vinyl Polymers

Abstract

At present we have strong evidence that several members of a series of wholly-aromatic, para-linked, rodlike polyamides, polyesters, and polyesteramides form molecular composites with certain flexible-chain, thermoplastic polymers over a wide range of compositions. This paper reports on the initial results of an investigation of intermolecular interactions using spectroscopy and various scattering techniques as well as characterization of some of the mechanical and optical properties of these materials. The composites are made by two techniques: 1) photo-polymerization of a homogeneous solution of a rodlike polymer in a monomer containing a photoinitiation; 2) solvent evaporation from homogeneous solutions of very limited combinations of solvent, rodlike polymers and flexible polymers. While both of these techniques produce optically clear, nonscattering films of various thicknesses over the entire compositional range, e.g., 1–99 wt% of rodlike polymer, the latter is generally more convenient and has been used extensively in this study. Optical and electron microscopy, wide angle light scattering, and spectroscopic and thermal analysis support the view that these polymer combinations are truly molecularly dispersed.     

Dinuclear Nickel(II) and Zinc(II) Complexes of 2,6-[N,N′-bis(2-hydroxyphenylmethyl)-N,N′-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)aminomethyl]-4-methylphenol

Abstract

The symmetric 'end-off' compartmental proligand 2,6-[N,N′-bis(2-hydroxy-phenylmethyl)-N,N′-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)aminomethyl]-4-methylphenol (H₃L) has been used to generate homodinuclear nickel(II) and zinc(II) complexes. The crystal structures of the complexes reveal that the di-nickel(II) complex is donor asymmetric and the di-zinc(II) complex is coordination number asymmetric. In both complexes non-coordinated acetic acid molecules are tightly hydrogen-bonded to the pendant phenols of the ligand generating a double acid salt of the type[CH₃COO…H…L…H…OOCCH₃]^3? in the dinickel complex and a single acid salt of the type [CH₃COO…H…L]^3? in the dizinc complex. In both cases the ligand periphery has been extended to provide a supraligand in which the donor potential of the original ligand has been enhanced.     

The synthesis and crystal structure of a new diprotonated Schiff base cryptand

Abstract

The synthesis and crystal structure of the diprotonated cryptand derived from the reaction of tren and 2,6-diacetyl pyridine is reported. The imino nitrogens of the Schiff base linkages are directed so that the dicarbimine functions are in trans, trans geometry relative to the pyridine C-N bond. This configuration has not previously been reported in related pyridine-derived Schiff base macrocycles.