Possible evidence for a narrow isovectorB=2 resonance below pion production threshold

Some evidence is presented for a narrow peak at 1969±2 MeV (FWHM=9±2 MeV) in the missing mass spectrum of the³He(p, d) reaction, with 3 standard deviations. The nature of this state, the mass of which is below the NN threshold, is discussed in connection with structures found in other experiments.     

Recent developments in algebraic combinatorics

We survey three recent developments in algebraic combinatorics. The first is the theory of cluster algebras and the Laurent phenomenon of Sergey Fomin and Andrei Zelevinsky. The second is the construction of toric Schur functions and their application to computing three-point Gromov-Witten invariants, by Alexander Postnikov. The third development is the construction of intersection cohomology for nonrational fans by Paul Bressler and Valery Lunts and its application by Kalle Karu to the torich-vector of a nonrational polytope. We also briefly discuss the “half hard Lefschetz theorem” of Ed Swartz and its application to matroid complexes. Partially supported by NSF grant #DMS-9988459.     

Measurements: developments in the USA

Summary Sales and use of analytical instruments have expanded in the United States over the past two years, despite the recessionary nature of the economy. Interest in increasing the quality of analytical measurements seems to be undiminished, if not growing. Trends in several measurement areas, including health, environment, manufacturing, and commerce, are described as they bear on this growth of interest in reliably accurate measurements. The paper also considers trends in the development of reference materials and accreditation of laboratories in the USA. United States of America participation in efforts of the International Organization for Standardization, and a study by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures of how to provide for international traceability for analytical chemical measurements are mentioned.