Measurement of the ZZ production cross section and limits on anomalous neutral triple gauge couplings in proton-proton collisions at sqrt[s] = 7 TeV with the ATLAS detector

A measurement of the ZZ production cross section in proton-proton collisions at sqrt[s] = 7 TeV using data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 1.02 fb(-1) recorded by the ATLAS experiment at the LHC is presented. Twelve events containing two Z boson candidates decaying to electrons and/or muons are observed, with an expected background of 0.3 ± 0.3(stat)(-0.3)(+0.4)(syst) events. The cross section measured in a phase-space region with good detector acceptance and for dilepton masses within the range 66 to 116 GeV is σ(ZZ → ?+ ?- ?+ ?-)(fid) = 19.4(-5.2)(+6.3)(stat)(-0.7)(+0.9)(syst) ± 0.7(lumi) fb. The resulting total cross section for on-shell ZZ production, σ(ZZ)(tot) = 8.5(-2.3)(+2.7)(stat)(-0.3)(+0.4)(syst) ± 0.3(lumi) pb, is consistent with the standard model expectation of 6.5(-0.2)(+0.3) pb calculated at the next-to-leading order in QCD. Limits on anomalous neutral triple gauge boson couplings are derived.     

Nonlocal transformation optics

We show that the powerful framework of transformation optics may be exploited for engineering the nonlocal response of artificial electromagnetic materials. Relying on the form-invariant properties of coordinate-transformed Maxwell's equations in the spectral domain, we derive the general constitutive "blueprints" of transformation media yielding prescribed nonlocal field-manipulation effects and provide a physically incisive and powerful geometrical interpretation in terms of deformation of the equifrequency contours. In order to illustrate the potentials of our approach, we present an example of application to a wave-splitting refraction scenario, which may be implemented via a simple class of artificial materials. Our results provide a systematic and versatile framework which may open intriguing venues in dispersion engineering of artificial materials.     

Nonlinear response of vibrational conveyers with non-ideal vibration exciter: primary resonance

Vibrational conveyers with a centrifugal vibration exciter transmit their load based on the jumping method. The trough is oscillated by a common unbalanced-mass driver. This vibration causes the load to move forward and upward. The motion is substantially related to the vibrational parameters. The transition of the vibratory system for over resonance excited by rotating unbalances is important in terms of the maximum vibrational amplitude and the power requirement from the drive for the cross-over. The mechanical system depends on the motion of the DC motor. In this study, the working ranges of oscillating shaking conveyers with a non-ideal vibration exciter have been analyzed analytically for primary resonance by the method of multiple scales with reconstitution, and numerically. The analytical results obtained in this study have been compared with the numerical results, and have been found to be well matched.     

Combined resistance bubbling bed model for drying of solids in fluidized beds

Fluidized bed drying kinetics of highly porous material which offers free flow of moisture to surface of the material is modeled utilizing the simplified bubbling bed model. The simplification step utilizes estimation of the overall transfer resistance, by summing all the resistances from the bubble phase to the emulsion phase. The model predictions are compared with the published experimental data covering the operating variables such as the inlet air temperature, the air flow rate, material characteristics and are found to match satisfactorily. The model highlights the importance of bubble size estimation, as it largely dictates the drying kinetics.     

Dewetting as an investigative tool for studying properties of thin polymer films

Employing mass conservation, time-resolved dewetting experiments of thin polymer films allow to determine in real time the dynamic contact angle and the slippage length. Moreover, based on a systematic variation of interfacial properties of a polymer brush, dewetting makes it possible to calculate the force it needs to extract a single polymer chain from its own melt. In the visco-elastic regime close to the glass transition, the temperature and molecular weight dependence of the relaxation time of residual stresses resulting from film preparation by spin-coating can be obtained from the evolution of the shape of the dewetting rim. The presented examples demonstrate that dewetting represents a powerful approach for a sensitive characterization of rheological, frictional and interfacial properties of thin polymer films.     

Dynamic Monte Carlo Simulation of ATRP in a Batch Reactor

A dynamic MC model was developed to simulate the polymerization kinetics and the detailed microstructure of copolymers made with ATRP in a batch reactor. The model was used to predict monomer conversion, average molecular weight, polydispersity index, and copolymer composition as a function of polymerization time. The model can also predict the distribution of molecular weight, chemical composition, and comonomer sequence length at any polymerization time or comonomer conversion. The simulation was used to explore the effects of rate constants and reactant stoichiometry on the microstructure of chains. Two copolymerization systems were chosen to demonstrate the effect of reactivity ratios and comonomer feed compositions on the final chemical composition distribution.

     

DBU-Catalyzed, facile and efficient method for synthesis of spirocyclic 2-oxindole derivatives with incorporated 6-amino-4H-pyridazines and fused derivatives via [3+3] atom combination

3-Cyanomethylidene oxindole derivatives were prepared in excellent yields utilizing DBU-promoted Knoevenagel condensation of isatin derivatives with active methylene reagents. The isolated products were then reacted with azaenamines via a DBU-promoted Michael addition to yield spirocyclic 2-oxindole derivatives with incorporated 6-amino-4H-pyridazines and their fused derivatives.     

Direct formation of cyclobutenylphosphonates from 1-alkynylphosphonates and Cp2ZrCl2/2EtMgCl/2CuCl

Zirconacycles 2 prepared from 1-alkynylphosphonates 1, zirconocene dichloride, and 2 equiv of EtMgCl are smoothly converted into cyclobutenylphosphonates 3 when treated with two equiv of CuCl in 65-81% isolated yield. The reaction is specific and general only for zirconacyclopentenyl phosphonates.     

Gradient Copolymers by ATRP in Semibatch Reactors: Dynamic Monte Carlo Simulation

We developed a dynamic Monte Carlo model for ATRP in semibatch reactors. Semibatch reactors can be used to produce gradient copolymers even if the difference between the reactivity ratios of the comonomers is not significant by using different comonomer feed policies. The model was used to predict average molecular weights, polydispersity index, copolymer composition and complete distributions of molecular weight, chemical composition, and comonomer sequence length at any polymerization time. Two case studies, poly[styrene‐co‐(methyl methacrylate)] and poly[acrylonitrile‐co‐(methyl methacrylate)], were chosen to demonstrate the effect of comonomer feed compositions on the final chemical composition distribution of the copolymer.

     

To the theory of homogeneous nucleation: The nonisothermality of the Szilard model

The kinetics of clusters in a nucleating system was considered. The inapplicability in principle of the Gauss (symmetrical) approximation to the distribution of clusters in a system with temperature fluctuations was shown. The appearance of “nonisothermality” was demonstrated by consistently using the exact (nonsymmetrical) representation of fluctuations. The nonisothermality under consideration was shown to arise even at saturation S = 1. The results that describe the degree of nonisothermality of the distribution of water clusters were obtained. These results showed that the nonisothermality effect weakly depended on the rate of heat transfer between clusters and the environment, which was in agreement with the experimental data on nucleation in various gases at various pressures.