Kink mass quantum shifts from SUSY quantum mechanics

In this paper a new version of the DHN (Dashen–Hasslacher–Neveu) formula, which is used to compute the one-loop order kink mass correction in (1+1)-dimensional scalar field theory models, is constructed. The new expression is written in terms of the spectral data coming from the supersymmetric partner operator of the second-order small kink fluctuation operator and allows us to compute the kink mass quantum shift in new models for which this calculation was out of reach by means of the old formula.     

SUMS: synchronous undulator–monochromator scans at Synchrotron Soleil

A strategy for performing synchronous undulator–monochromator scans (SUMS) compatible with the control system of Synchrotron Soleil has been developed. The implementation of the acquisition scheme has required the development of an electronic interface between the undulator and the beamline. The characterization of delays and jitters in the synchronous movement of various motor axes has motivated the development of a new electronic synchronization scheme among various axes, including the case when one of the axes is electronically accessible in `read‐only' mode. A software prototype has been developed to allow the existing hard continuous software to work in user units. The complete strategy has been implemented and successfully tested at the TEMPO beamline.     

Sand/cement ratio evaluation on mortar using neural networks and ultrasonic transmission inspection

The quality and degradation state of building materials can be determined by nondestructive testing (NDT). These materials are composed of a cementitious matrix and particles or fragments of aggregates. Sand/cement ratio (s/c) provides the final material quality; however, the sand content can mask the matrix properties in a nondestructive measurement. Therefore, s/c ratio estimation is needed in nondestructive characterization of cementitious materials. In this study, a methodology to classify the sand content in mortar is presented. The methodology is based on ultrasonic transmission inspection, data reduction, and features extraction by principal components analysis (PCA), and neural network classification. This evaluation is carried out with several mortar samples, which were made while taking into account different cement types and s/c ratios. The estimated s/c ratio is determined by ultrasonic spectral attenuation with three different broadband transducers (0.5, 1, and 2 MHz). Statistical PCA to reduce the dimension of the captured traces has been applied. Feed-forward neural networks (NNs) are trained using principal components (PCs) and their outputs are used to display the estimated s/c ratios in false color images, showing the s/c ratio distribution of the mortar samples.     

Application of micromechanics to the characterization of mortar by ultrasound

Mechanical properties of concrete and mortar structures can be estimated by ultrasonic non-destructive testing. When the ultrasonic velocity is known, there are standardized methods based on considering the concrete a homogeneous material. Cement composites, however, are heterogeneous and porous, and have a negative effect on the mechanical properties of structures. This work studies the impact of porosity on mechanical properties by considering concrete a multiphase material. A micromechanical model is applied in which the material is considered to consist of two phases: a solid matrix and pores. From this method, a set of expressions is obtained that relates the acoustic velocity and Young's modulus of mortar. Experimental work is based on non-destructive and destructive procedures over mortar samples whose porosity is varied. A comparison is drawn between micromechanical and standard methods, showing positive results for the method here proposed.     

Final-state interactions in radiative production of pions in colliding-beam experiments

The contribution of final state interactions of the pions in the process e⁺e^?→ππγ are calculated. It is noted that this may be used A) to obtain the zero isospin ππ s-wave in the ?-region, or B) if knowledge of this wave is assumed, to obtain a good estimate of the background for e⁺e^? → ππ     

Highly stereoselective epoxidation of alpha-methyl-gamma-hydroxy-alpha,beta-unsaturated esters: rationalization and synthetic applications

The diastereoselectivity of the nucleophilic epoxidation of gamma-hydroxy-alpha,beta-unsaturated esters having a methyl substituent at the alpha- or beta-position was investigated. Epoxidation of the alpha-methyl-substituted enoate was highly stereoselective, giving rise to the syn isomer. This finding was used to perform an enantioselective synthesis of a natural product having a beta-hydroxy-alpha-methylene-gamma-butyrolactone motif. The nucleophilic epoxidation of enoates was found to be irreversible. Models to explain the observed stereoselectivities are proposed.     

Characterization of isomeric cationic porphyrins with β-pyrrolic substituents by electrospray mass spectrometry: The singular behavior of a potential virus photoinactivator

Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS) have been used to differentiate the 2- and 4-methylpyridyl isomers of free-base and metallated cationic beta-vinylpyridylporphyrins. The analysis by ESI-MS/MS of the deuterated analogs and semiempirical calculations of structural and electronic parameters were also undertaken. The two free-base isomers are easily differentiated by ESI-MS/MS but the presence of a metallic center renders differentiation of the metallated isomers less effective. The data acquired show that of all the studied compounds, the free-base 2-methylpyridyl isomer, which was operative in the in vitro photoinactivation of Herpes simples virus, has a different gas-phase behavior. Local distortion of the macrocycle due to the presence of the beta-vinylpyridyl substituent occurs for all the compounds, but a different electron density distribution can account for the observed gas-phase behavior of this potential virus photoinactivator.