Measurement of the B(0)-B(0) mixing parameter Deltam(d) using semileptonic B0 decays

We present a measurement of the B0-Bmacr;(0) mixing parameter Deltam(d) using neutral B meson pairs in a 29.1 fb(-1) data sample collected at the Upsilon(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e(+)e(-) collider. We exclusively reconstruct one neutral B meson in the semileptonic B0-->D(*-)l(+)nu decay mode and identify the flavor of the accompanying B meson from its decay products. From the distribution of the time intervals between the two flavor-tagged B meson decay points, we obtain Deltam(d)=(0.494+/-0.012+/-0.015) ps(-1), where the first error is statistical and the second error is systematic.     

Observation of the color-suppressed decay B( 0)-->D(0)pi(0)

We report the first observation of color-suppressed B( 0)-->D(0)pi(0), D(*0)pi(0), D0eta, and D0omega decays, and evidence for B( 0)-->D(*0)eta and D(*0)omega. The branching fractions are B(B( 0)-->D0pi(0)) = (3.1 +/- 0.4 +/- 0.5)x10(-4), B(B( 0) -->D(*0)pi(0)) = (2.7(+0.8+0.5)(-0.7-0.6))x10(-4), B(B( 0) --> D0eta) = (1.4(+0.5)(-0.4) +/- 0.3)x10(-4), B(B( 0) --> D0omega) = (1.8 +/- 0.5(+0.4)(-0.3))x10(-4), and we set 90% confidence level upper limits of B(B( 0) --> D(*0)eta)<4.6 x 10(-4) and B(B( 0)-->D(*0)omega)<7.9 x 10(-4). The analysis is based on a data sample of 21.3 fb(-1) collected at the Upsilon(4S) resonance by the Belle detector at the KEKB e(+)e(-) collider.     

Observation of B+/- -->omegaK+/- decay

We report the first observation of the charmless two-body mode B+/--->omegaK+/- decay, and a new measurement of the branching fraction for the B+/--->omegapi(+/-) decay. The measured branching fractions are B(B+/--->omegaK+/-)=(9.2(+2.6)(-2.3)+/-1.0)x10(-6) and B(B+/--->omegapi(+/-))=(4.2(+2.0)(-1.8)+/-0.5)x10(-6). We also measure the partial rate asymmetry of B+/--->omegaK+/- decays and obtain A(CP)=-0.21+/-0.28+/-0.03. The results are based on a data sample of 29.4 fb(-1) collected on the Upsilon(4S) resonance by the Belle detector at the KEKB e(+)e(-) collider.     

A new criterion for the mixed crystal behaviour in the diatomic linear chain model

Lucovsky, Brodsky, Burstein (LBB) have studied the behaviour of mixed crystals by setting up a criterion for the existence of local mode frequencies in real crystals starting from a diatomic linear chain model. This, while successfully predicting the one and two mode behaviour for some systems fails to predict the mixed mode behaviour. We propose a similar criterion for the existence of gap modes, by demanding that the gap mode predicted by the diatomic linear chain model should lie within the gap of the real three dimensional solid for its existence. It is shown that the gap modes for various systems calculated using this criterion are in reasonable agreement with the experimental values. The infrared behaviour of mixed crystals has to be determined by examining the existence of local as well as gap modes for the two end members of the system. This generalized new criterion successfully predicts the mixed mode behaviour of III–V mixed crystals besides predicting the one and two mode behaviour, observed in infrared absorption of mixed alkali halioes and III-V compounds.     

Large classes of minimally supported frequency wavelets of<Emphasis Type="Italic">L</Emphasis><Superscript>2</Superscript>(ℝ) and<Emphasis Type="Italic">H</Emphasis><Superscript>2</Superscript>(ℝ)

We introduce a new method to construct large classes of minimally supported frequency (MSF) wavelets of the Hardy space H ² (ℝ)and symmetric MSF wavelets of L ² (ℝ),and discuss the classification of such wavelets. As an application, we show that there are uncountably many such wavelet sets of L ² (ℝ)and H ² (ℝ).We also enumerate some of the symmetric wavelet sets of L ² (ℝ)and all wavelet sets of H ² (ℝ)consisting of three intervals. Finally, we construct families of MSF wavelets of L ₂ (ℝ)with Fourier transform even and not vanishing in any neighborhood of the origin.     

Cation‐Transporting Peptides: Scaffolds for Functionalized Pores?

Protein pores that selectively transport ions across membranes are among nature’s most efficient machines. The selectivity of these pores can be exploited for ion sensing and water purification. Since it is difficult to reconstitute membrane proteins in their active form for practical applications it is desirable to develop robust synthetic compounds that selectively transport ions across cell membranes. One can envision tuning the selectivity of pores by incorporating functional groups inside the pore. Readily accessible octapeptides containing (aminomethyl)benzoic acid and alanine are reported here that preferentially transport cations over halides across the lipid bilayer. Ion transport is hypothesized through pores formed by stable assemblies of the peptides. The aromatic ring(s) appear to be proximal to the pore and could be potentially utilized for functionalizing the pore interior.     

Enhanced dielectric properties of polyethylene glycol (PEG) modified BaTiO<Subscript>3</Subscript> (BT)-poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) composites

To improve the compatibility between the ceramic particle and polymer matrix, the surface modifier polyethylene glycol (PEG) was used for the modification of BaTiO₃ (BT) particles as fillers in the poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) matrix via solution casting techniques. The structural analysis of the composite characterized by X-ray diffraction confirms the tetragonal structure. The results showed that the PEG modified BT-PVDF composites had a higher dielectric constant (≈192) and relatively lower dielectric loss value at 1000 Hz. The Nyquist plot suggests the contribution of only bulk effect present in the composites. The AC electrical conductivity studies obey Jonscher’s universal power law by fitting AC conductivity data which reveals the potential utility of the composites for ideal capacitor and microscopic reasons for this improvement were presented. Furthermore, the remnant polarization was significantly improved and maximum polarization was observed for PEG modified BT-PVDF composites.     

Pharmacophore modelling,virtual screening and molecular docking studies on PLD1 inhibitors

Lipid metabolism plays a significant role in influenza virus replication and subsequent infection. The regulatory mechanism governing lipid metabolism and viral replication is not properly understood to date, but both Phospholipase D (PLD1 and PLD2) activities are stimulated in viral infection. In vitro studies indicate that chemical inhibition of PLD1 delays viral entry and reduction of viral loads. The current study reports a three-dimensional pharmacophore model based on 35 known PLD1 inhibitors. A sub-set of 25 compounds was selected as the training set and the remaining 10 compounds were kept in the test set. One hundred and twelve pharmacophore models were generated; a six-featured pharmacophore model (AADDHR.57) with survival score (2.69) produced a statistically significant three-dimensional quantitative structure–activity relationship model with r² = 0.97 (internal training set), r² = 0.71 (internal test set) and Q² = 0.64. The predictive power of the pharmacophore model was validated with an external test set (r² = 0.73) and a systematic virtual screening work-flow was employed showing an enrichment factor of 23.68 at the top 2% of the dataset (active and decoys). Finally, the model was used for screening of the filtered PubChem database to fetch molecules which can be proposed as potential PLD1 inhibitors for blocking influenza infection.     

Sputter‐deposited Ni/Ti double‐bilayer thin film and the effect of intermetallics during annealing

In the present study, a double bilayer of a Ni/Ti thin film was investigated. A nanoscale NiTi thin film is deposited in a Ni–Ti–Ni–Ti manner to form a double‐bilayer structure on a Si(100) substrate. Ni and Ti depositions were carried out by using d.c. and r.f. power, respectively, in a magnetron sputtering chamber. Four types of bilayers are formed by varying the deposition time of each layer (i.e. 15, 20, 25, and 30 min). The as‐deposited amorphous thin films were annealed at 300, 400, 500, and 600 °C for 1 h to achieve the diffusion in between the layers. Microstructures were analyzed using field‐emission scanning electron microscope and high‐resolution transmission electron microscope. It was found that, with the increase in annealing temperature from 300 to 600 °C, the diffusion at the interface and atomic migration on the surface increase. Cross‐sectional micrographs exhibited the interdiffusion between the two‐layer constituents, especially at higher temperatures, which resulted in diffusion patches along the interface. Phase analyses, performed by grazing incidence X‐ray diffraction, showed the formation of intermetallic compounds with some silicide phases that enhance the mechanical properties. Nanoindentation and atomic force microscopy were carried out to know the mechanical properties and surface profiles of the films. The surface finish is better at higher annealing temperatures. It was found that for annealing temperatures varying from 300 to 600 °C, the increase in annealing temperature resulted in a gradual increase in atomic‐cluster coarsening with improved adatom mobility. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Solving Linear Systems of Equations by Using the Concept of Grover’s Search Algorithm: an IBM Quantum Experience

International Journal of Theoretical Physics - Quantum algorithm, as compared to classical algorithm, plays a notable role in solving linear systems of equations with an exponential speedup. Here,...