A note concerning the chromatic index of multigraphs

We improve an upper bound for the chromatic index of a multigraph due to Andersen and Gol'dberg. As a corollary we deduce that if no two edges of multiplicity at least two in G are adjacent, then χ′(G) ? Δ(G) + 1. In addition we generalize results concerning the structure of critical graphs due to Vizing and to Chetwynd and Hilton.     

The adsorption of [35S] sulphur on palladium/alumina catalysts

The adsorption of sulphur on two palladium/alumina catalysts, prepared from different precursors, has been investigated using [³⁵S] H₂S.     

Experimental investigation of double ionization to ground and electronically excited states of chlorobenzene, 1,2-, 1,3- and 1,4-dichlorobenzene, 1,2,3-, 1,2,4- and 1,3,5-trichlorobenzene, 1,2,3,4-and 1,2,4,5-tetrachlorobenzene and pentachlorobenzene dications

Double-charge-transfer spectrometry was used to measure double-ionization energies to ground and electronically excited states of various chlorobenzenes. Since OH⁺ was the projectile ion used in these experiments, it is probable that triplet states of the dications were populated because of spin conservation in the double-electron-capture reactions which are the basis of this type of spectrometry. The lowest double-ionization energies for all the molecules studied are within ±0.3 eV of 25.9 eV, except that for 1,3-dichlorobenzene, which is at 26.6 eV. In general, double-ionization energies to three higher lying states (or groups of states) were measured for each molecule. The energies of these states are the same, within experimental uncertainties, for the three trichlorobenzenes, two tetrachlorobenzenes and pentachlorobenzene dications, suggesting that they have the same or very similar distributions of triplet-state energies.     

A Logarithmic Connection for Circular Permutation Enumeration

A general theorem is obtained for the enumeration of permutations equivalent under cyclic rotation. This result gives the generating function as the logarithm of a determinant which arises in the enumeration of a related linear permutation enumeration. Applications of this theorem are given to a number of classical enumerative problems.     

The Jπ = 3− doublet at Ex = 6241 keV in 18F: Isospin mixing

The resonance previously observed at E_x = 6241 keV in the reactions ¹⁷O(p, γ)¹⁸F and ¹⁴N(α, γ)¹⁸F has been found to be a closely separated doublet (ΔE_x = 2.09±0.04 keV). Resonance strengths in ¹⁷O(p, γ)¹⁸F, ¹⁷O(p, α)¹⁴N and ¹⁴N(α, γ)¹⁸ have been measured and partial widths for the resonance states have been obtained. The doublet was further investigated by means of the ⁴He(¹⁴N, α)¹⁴N reaction using the differentially pumped gas target at CRNL. Analysis of these data using R-matrix theory yielded J^π = 3^? for both states and more precise values of the α-particle widths (Γ_α(lower) = 133 ±4 eV; Γ_α(upper) = 137 ±4 eV). The reduced α-particle widths and the E1 and M1 transition strengths indicate that the doublet arises from the nearly complete mixing of T = 0 and T = 1 eigenstates which in the absence of an isospin breaking interaction would have been separated by less than 40 eV. The α-particle scattering experiments included the J^π = 1⁺ resonance at E_x = 6257 keV and yielded the new values of Γ_α = 580±12 eV and Γ_p = 25⁺³⁵_?25 eV.     

Charge density wave transition and nonlinear conductivity in NbS3

We report dc conductivity (σ) measurements on the linear chain compound NbS₃. The temperature dependence of σ indicates a phase trànsition at T_MI = 155 K with strong one-dimensional fluctuations above T_MI. Below T_MI the conductivity is strongly increasing with increasing electric field above a threshold field E_T, and is also strongly frequency dependent. We argue that the nonlinear conductivity is due to sliding charge density waves.     

Optical fibre packaging in loose fitting tubes of orientated polymer

A technique is described by which an optical fibre may be packaged in a loose fitting tube of oriented polypropylene. This structure offers substantial improvements in resistance to microbending. The linear expansion coefficient of the material is very small and can be varied about zero, allowing matching to the fibre so that temperature variations do not cause fibre buckling.