Pion propagation near the QCD chiral phase transition

We point out that, in analogy with spin waves in antiferromagnets, all parameters describing the real-time propagation of soft pions at temperatures below the QCD chiral phase transition can be expressed in terms of static correlators. This allows, in principle, the determination of the soft pion dispersion relation on the lattice. Using scaling and universality arguments, we determine the critical behavior of the parameters of pion propagation. We predict that, when the critical temperature is approached from below, the pole mass of the pion drops despite the growth of the pion screening mass. This fact is attributed to the decrease of the pion velocity near the phase transition.     

Test by NMR of the phase coherence of electromagnetically induced transparency

Electromagnetically induced transparency is an effect observed in atomic systems, originating from quantum interference, in which electromagnetic transitions to and from a certain quantum state become suppressed. This dark state is also characterized by a quantum phase, relative to other states, which theoretically should stop evolving, but remain phase coherent, during transparency. We test this theoretical prediction using techniques developed for liquid-state nuclear magnetic resonance quantum computation, applied to a spin-7/2 nuclear spin system. A sequence of quantum operations is applied to create the dark state, and during transparency its phase evolution is measured relative to a reference state using Ramsey interferometry. Experimental measurements of the fringe visibility are in excellent agreement with theoretical expectations, taking into account measured decoherence rates.     

Universal properties of two-dimensional boson droplets

We consider a system of N nonrelativistic bosons in two dimensions, interacting weakly via a short-range attractive potential. We show that for N large, but below some critical value, the properties of the N-boson bound state are universal. In particular, the ratio of the binding energies of (N+1)- and N-boson systems, B(N+1)/B(N), approaches a finite limit, approximately 8.567, at large N. We also confirm previous results that the three-body system has exactly two bound states. We find for the ground state B(0)(3)=16.522 688(1)B2 and for the excited state B(1)(3)=1.270 409 1(1)B2.     

Feasibility of proton chemical shift imaging with a stereotactic headframe

To prove feasibility of proton chemical shift imaging ((1)H CSI) during stereotactic procedure, authors performed (1)H CSI in combination with a stereotactic headframe and selected targets according to local metabolic information, evaluated the pathologic results. The (1)H CSI directed stereotactic biopsy was performed in four patients. (1)H CSI and conventional Gd-enhancement stereotactic MRI were performed simultaneously after the fitting of a stereotactic headframe. Focal areas of increased phosphocholine(Cho)/phosphocreatine(Cr) and Lactate/Cr ratios were selected as target sites in the stereotactic MR images. (1)H CSI is possible with the stereotactic headframe in place. Pathologic samples taken from areas of increased Cho/Cr ratios and decreased NAA/Cr ratios provided information upon increased cellularity, mitoses and cellular atypism, and facilitated diagnosis. Pathologic samples taken from areas of increased Lac/Cr ratio showed predominant feature of necrosis. (1)H CSI was feasible with the stereotactic headframe in place. The final pathologic results obtained were concordant with the local metabolic information from (1)H CSI. We believe that (1)H CSI-directed stereotactic biopsy has the potential to significantly improve the accuracy of stereotactic biopsy targeting.     

Immobilized heterobimetallic Ru/Co nanoparticle-catalyzed Pauson-Khand-type reactions in the presence of pyridylmethyl formate

Heterobimetallic Ru/Co nanoparticles, immobilized on charcoal, were synthesized and used as catalysts in the Pauson-Khand-type reaction in the presence of pyridylmethyl formate instead of carbon monoxide; the catalysts were effective for intra- and intermolecular reactions and easily reused without loss of catalytic activity.     

Transmetalation as a route to novel styryllithium reagents

[structure: see text] Transmetalation of beta-tributyl(styryl)stannanes with n-BuLi gives the functional equivalents of the corresponding styryllithium intermediates. Reaction of the intermediates with chlorotrimethylsilane, iodomethane, or dimethyl sulfate gives the substituted styryl products in moderate to good yields. In all cases, the configuration about the double bond was retained in the products.     

Detection of chlorinated methanes by tin oxide gas sensors

Tin oxide thin films prepared by thermal oxidation of Sn films were used for the detection of chlorinated methanes (CH2Cl2, CHCl3 and CCl4). This resulted in better chemical selectivity, sensitivity, response speed and detection limit than seen with previous detectors. The temperature dependence of the sensing of 1% CCl4 gas was studied and the best sensing behavior was observed at 300 degrees C. The films showed different chemical selectivity in both speed and direction of sensing response to each gas and were stable for more than 3 weeks under operating conditions. The films showed rapid gas sensing (<40 s to reach 90% of full response) and low detection limits (< 4 ppm CCl4). The role of oxygen in the detection of chlorinated methanes and in resistance changes without chlorinated methanes was also studied. The changes at the surface of the film after gas sensing were examined using scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry.     

Dicobalt octacarbonyl catalyzed carbonylated cycloaddition of triynes to functionalized tetracycles

[reaction: see text]. We have demonstrated that a dicobalt octacarbonyl catalyzed double [2 + 2 + 1] carbonylative cycloaddition reaction of triyne can be carried out to yield a novel 5.5.5.6 tetracyclic di-enone system.     

Role of stress on charge transfer through self-assembled alkanethiol monolayers on Au

We have studied charge transfer through alkanethiol molecules self-assembled on Au(111) substrates using interfacial force microscopy. Simultaneous measurement of the tip-substrate current and the normal interfacial force reveals the critical role of tip-film contact. Measurable currents are seen only for tip-applied stresses above about 20 MPa, after which the current rises exponential with stress. We suggest that charge transfer results from stress-induced band-gap states near the Fermi level in these normally highly insulating molecular films.