On the physical interpretation and the mathematical structure of the combinatorial hierarchy

The combinatorial hierarchy model for basic particle processes is based on elementary entities; any representation they may have is discrete and two-valued. We call themSchnurs to suggest their most fundamental aspect as concatenating strings. Consider a definite small number of them. Consider an elementary creation act as a result of which two different Schnurs generate a new Schnur which is again different. We speak of this process as a discrimination. By this process and by this process alone can the complexity of the universe be explored. By concatenations of this process we create more complex entities which are themselves Schnurs at a new level of complexity. Everything plays a dual role in which something comes in from the outside to interact, and also serves as a synopsis or concatenation of such a process. We thus incorporate the observation metaphysic at the start, rejecting Bohr's reduction to the haptic language of common sense and classical physics. Since discriminations occur sequentially, our model is consistent with a fixed past-uncertain future philosophy of physics. We demonstrate that this model generates four hierarchical levels of rapidly increasing complexity. Concrete interpretation of the four levels of the hierarchy (with cardinals 3,7,127,2¹²⁷-110³⁸) associates the three levels which map up and down with the three absolute conservation laws (charge, baryon number, lepton number) and the spin dichotomy. The first level represents +, –, and ± unit charge. The second has the quantum numbers of a baryon-antibaryon pair and associated charged meson (e.g.,n¯n,p¯n,p¯p,n¯p, ⁺ , ⁰, ^– ). The third level associates this pair, now including four spin states as well as four charge states, with a neutral lepton-antilepton pair (e¯e orv¯v), each pair in four spin states (total, 64 states)—three charged spinless, three charged spin-1, and a neutral spin-1 mesons (15 states), and a neutral vector boson associated with the leptons; this gives 3+15+3×15=63 possible boson states, so a total correct count of 63+64=127 states. Something likeSU ₂×SU ₃ and other indications of quark quantum numbers can occur as substructures at the fourth (unstable) level. Breaking into the (Bose) hierarchy by structures with the quantum numbers of a fermion, if this is an electron, allows us to understand Parker-Rhodes' calculation ofm _p /m _e =1836.1515 in terms of our interpretation of the hierarchy. A slight extension gives us the usual static approximation to the binding energy of the hydrogen atom, ² m _e c ² . We also show that the cosmological implications of the theory are in accord with current experience. We conclude that we have made a promising beginning in the physical interpretation of a theory which could eventually encompass all branches of physics.Work supported by the Department of Energy under contract number EY-76-C-03-051.     

Synthesis of the bicyclic dienone core of the antitumor agent ottelione B

The intramolecular Diels-Alder adduct 12 was converted via dimesylate 20 into dienone 7, which represents the unusual, and apparently quite stable, core of the antitumor agent ottelione B (1).     

PtRu/carbon nanotube nanocomposite synthesized in supercritical fluid: a novel electrocatalyst for direct methanol fuel cells

Platinum/ruthenium nanoparticles were decorated on carbon nanotubes (CNT) in supercritical carbon dioxide, and the nanocomposites were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). TEM images show that the particles size is in the range of 5-10 nm, and XRD patterns show a face-centered cubic crystal structure. Methanol electrooxidation in 1 M sulfuric acid electrolyte containing 2 M methanol were studied onPtRu/CNT (Pt, 4.1 wt%; Ru, 2.3 wt%; molar ratio approximately Pt/Ru = 45:55) catalysts using cyclic voltammetry, linear sweep voltammetry, chronoamperometry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. All the electrochemical results show that PtRu/CNT catalysts exhibit high activity for methanol oxidation which resulted from the high surface area of carbon nanotubes and the nanostructure of platinum/ruthenium particles. Compared with Pt/CNT, the onset potential is much lower and the ratio of forward anodic peak current to reverse anodic peak current is much higher for methanol oxidation, which indicates the higher catalytic activity of PtRu/CNT. The presence of Ru with Pt accelerates the rate of methanol oxidation. The results demonstrated the feasibility of processing bimetallic catalysts in supercritical carbon dioxide for fuel cell applications.     

A facile route to bimetallic ruthenium dipyridophenazine complexes

Using achiral coordinatively unsaturated metal complex building-blocks, the two step synthesis of a bimetallic complex containing independent [Ru(II)dppz] units tethered together by a linking 4,4'dipyridyl-1,5-pentane ligand is reported. Photophysical studies on this prototype system indicate that the characteristic luminescence of the [Ru(II)dppz] moieties is perturbed by self-quenching processes. Preliminary binding studies on the complex with natural and synthetic duplex DNA is reported. Luminescence and calorimetric titrations reveal that the complex does not show enhanced binding affinity with respect to analogous monometallic complexes. This result is interpreted by a consideration of the length and rigidity of the linker employed in the complex.     

Structural studies of Rh4(CO)12 derivatives in solution and in the solid state

The crystal structures of Rh₄(CO)₁₀(PPh₃)₂ and Rh₄(CO)₉P(OPh)₃₃ are reported. ³¹P-¹H NMR studies on Rh₄(CO)₁₂-_x {P(OPh)₃}_x(X  1, 2 and 3) show that each derivative exists as only one isomer in solution whereas the analogous triphenylphosphine derivatives can exist as different isomers. A quantitative redistribution of triphenylphosphites occurs on mixing Rh_4-(CO)₁₂-_xL_x with Rh₄(CO)₁₂-_yL_y (L  P(OPh)₃; x  0, 1, 2, y  x + 2; x  0, y  x + 4) to give Rh₄(CO)₁₂-_zL_z[z $\text{1}\text{2}$(x + y)]; a related rapid intermolecular randomisation of carbonyls occurs on mixing Rh₄(¹²CO)₁₂ with Rh₄(¹³CO)₁₂.     

Synthesis and characterization of amphiphilic diblock copolymers of methyl tri(ethylene glycol) vinyl ether and isobutyl vinyl ether

Water-soluble diblock copolymers of methyl tri(ethylene glycol) vinyl ether (hydrophilic block) and isobutyl vinyl ether (hydrophobic block) of different molecular weights and composition were synthesized by living cationic polymerization. The molecular weight and comonomer composition of these copolymers were determined by GPC and ¹H NMR spectroscopy, respectively. Aqueous solutions of the copolymers were characterized in terms of their micellar behavior using dynamic light scattering, aqueous GPC, and dye solubilization. All the copolymers formed aggregates with the exception of a diblock copolymer with only two hydrophobic monomer units. The micellar hydrodynamic size scaled with the 0.61 power of the number of hydrophobic units, in good agreement with a theoretical exponent of 0.73. An increase in the length of the hydrophobic block at constant hydrophilic block length or an increase in the overall polymer size at constant block length ratio both resulted in lower critical micelle concentrations (cmcs). The cloud points of 1% w/w aqueous solutions of the polymers were determined by turbidimetry. An increase in the length of the hydrophobic block at constant hydrophilic block length caused a decrease in the cloud points of the copolymers. However, an increase in the overall polymer size at constant block length ratio led to an increase in the cloud point. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Near-monodisperse,n-alkyl,end-functionalized poly(methyl vinyl ether)s: Synthesis by living cationic polymerization and solution characterization

Water-soluble amphiphilic diblock copolymers were synthesized by the living cationic polymerization of methyl vinyl ether (hydrophilic block) and its subsequent termination with n-alcohols of chain lengths varying from one to eight, and three n-alkyl carboxylic acids with 10, 12, and 18 carbon atoms. Additionally, water and ethylene glycol were tested as terminating agents. The extent of the functionalization was determined using ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The cloud points of 1% w/w aqueous solutions of the polymers as determined by turbidimetry decreased from 32 to 21°C as the number of carbon atoms of the terminating agent increased. Aqueous GPC revealed micellization of the stearic acid-terminated block copolymer, while the other block copolymers existed mainly as unimers. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J. Polym. Sci. A Polym. Chem. 36: 2547–2554, 1998     

Trench formation and lateral damage induced by gallium milling of silicon

Molecular dynamics simulations are performed to model the nanomachining of materials via focused ion beams (FIBs). The goal of this research is to investigate the fundamental dynamics which govern the interaction of FIB with materials which are vital to the semiconductor industry, namely silicon. Specifically, we focus on the formation of trenches/holes within the sample and the dynamics responsible for their characteristic v-shape, as well as the extent of lateral damage due to a gallium beam. These phenomena have been successfully modelled, with evidence that the lateral and subsurface damage created is much larger than the beam itself. The results presented here begin to elucidate the dynamics governing the spatial resolution of these experiments, and provide an idea of some of the technical issues associated with these beams.