Search for lepton-flavor-violating decays of the neutral kaon

The Fermilab KTeV experiment has searched for lepton-flavor-violating decays of the K(L) meson in three decay modes. We observe no events in the signal region for any of the modes studied, and we set the following upper limits for their branching ratios at the 90% C.L.: BR(K(L) --> pi(0) micro(+/-) e(-/+)) <7.6 x 10(-11); BR(K(L) --> pi(0)pi(0) micro(+/-) e(-/+)) <1.7 x 10(-10); BR(pi(0) --> micro(+/-) e(-/+)) <3.6 x 10(-10). This result represents a factor of 82 improvement in the branching ratio limit for K(L) --> pi(0) micro(+/-) e(-/+) and is the first reported limit for K(L) --> pi(0)pi(0) micro(+/-) e(-/+).     

Improved precision in measurements of acoustic impedance spectra using resonance-free calibration loads and controlled error distribution

Resonances and/or singularities during measurement and calibration often limit the precision of acoustic impedance spectra. This paper reviews and compares several established techniques, and describes a technique that incorporates three features that considerably improve precision. The first feature is to minimize problems due to resonances by calibrating the instrument using up to three different acoustic reference impedances that do not themselves exhibit resonances. The second involves using multiple pressure transducers to reduce the effects of measurement singularities. The third involves iteratively tailoring the spectrum of the stimulus signal to control the distribution of errors across the particular measured impedance spectrum. Examples are given of the performance of the technique on simple cylindrical waveguides.     

Vibrational behavior of a soundbox in an atmosphere with a variable speed of sound

This paper describes a semi-quantitative method, suitable for a student laboratory exercise that shows that the acoustic properties of the soundbox of a musical instrument depend on the sound speed of the atmosphere surrounding and filling the instrument. A gas tent was constructed and used to enclose instruments in helium, carbon dioxide and mixtures thereof, allowing the sound speed to be varied from 250 to 1000 m/s. Soundboard admittance data were taken using a guitar and a violin as examples. The data, expressed as contour plots, show clearly the qualitative relationship between air and wood modes, and the guitar data are compared with a simple mechanical model. Experimental details of the construction and operation of gas tent are given, with attention paid to safety issues.     

Syntheses of 3-Chloro-7-[(Chlorocarbonyl)Methoxy]-4-Methylcoumarin

Two efficient syntheses of 3-chloro-7-[(chlorocarbonyl)methoxy]-4-methylcoumarin are described, one utilizing traditional chemistry starting from 3-chloro-7-hydroxy-4-methylcoumarin, while the other uses a novel reagent, sulfuryl chloride/thionyl chloride, in a one-pot reaction starting from 7-(carboxymethoxy)-4-methylcoumarin.     

Narrow band quantitative and multivariate electroencephalogram analysis of peri-adolescent period

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The peri-adolescent period is a crucial developmental moment of transition from childhood to emergent adulthood. The present report analyses the differences in Power Spectrum (PS) of the Electroencephalogram (EEG) between late childhood (24 children between 8 and 13 years old) and young adulthood (24 young adults between 18 and 23 years old). RESULTS: The narrow band analysis of the Electroencephalogram was computed in the frequency range of 0--20 Hz. The analysis of mean and variance suggested that six frequency ranges presented a different rate of maturation at these ages, namely: low delta, delta-theta, low alpha, high alpha, low beta and high beta. For most of these bands the maturation seems to occur later in anterior sites than posterior sites. Correlational analysis showed a lower pattern of correlation between different frequencies in children than in young adults, suggesting a certain asynchrony in the maturation of different rhythms. The topographical analysis revealed similar topographies of the different rhythms in children and young adults. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) demonstrated the same internal structure for the Electroencephalogram of both age groups. Principal Component Analysis allowed to separate four subcomponents in the alpha range. All these subcomponents peaked at a lower frequency in children than in young adults. CONCLUSIONS: The present approaches complement and solve some of the incertitudes when the classical brain broad rhythm analysis is applied. Children have a higher absolute power than young adults for frequency ranges between 0-20 Hz, the correlation of Power Spectrum (PS) with age and the variance age comparison showed that there are six ranges of frequencies that can distinguish the level of EEG maturation in children and adults. The establishment of maturational order of different frequencies and its possible maturational interdependence would require a complete series including all the different ages.     

Probing the anomeric effect. The diaminomethylene group: Calculations of N?C?N-containing molecular systems1

A study of systems containing the title moiety is described, with special reference to the anomeric effect. We have calculated ab initio, using Gaussian-80 with the 3-21G basis set, all basic conformations of methylene-diamine (H₂N? CH₂? NH₂) and its N-methyl derivative with full geometry optimization of energy minima and barriers. The structural data thus obtained, were then employed to parameterize Allinger's MM2-80 force field in a procedure similar to that described for oxygen derivatives, including hydrogen-bonding effects and C? N bond shortening in tertiary amines. This modification, termed MM2-AE was then used to calculate larger molecules, including N,N′-di- and N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-methylenediamine, various 1,3-diazane systems, and 1,4,5,8-tetraazadecalin derivatives of established (x-ray) structures. The results are discussed in light of their verificative and predictive power and appear to validate MM2-AE as a useful computational procedure.     

Dynamics of pollutant photoreactions in the hydrosphere

Summary Light-induced transformations of organic chemicals have been studied to provide kinetic results concerning the influence of sunlight on pollutant behavior in lakes and rivers. A review of these studies shows that the humus component of the dissolved organic matter in natural water affects aquatic photoreactions in two important ways: by attenuating sunlight and by sensitizing photoreactions. Studies of humus-sensitized photoreactions of furans, sulfides, dienes, nitroaromatic compounds, and other chemicals are discussed. Research concerning effects of aquatic particulates on pollutant photoreaction rates are reviewed. Suspended sediments mainly affect photolysis rates through light attenuation and scattering. Algae, diatoms, and bacteria accelerate light-induced transformations of anilines and phosphorothioate insecticides, suggesting that photobiological processes may play a significant role in the breakdown of certain pollutants in aquatic environments. Evidence is presented that nitrate, iron species, and peroxides may be responsible for sunlight-initiated free radical oxidations of pollutants in some natural waters.

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Dynamik der Photoreaktionen von Verunreinigungen in der Hydrosphäre

Zusammenfassung Um kinetische Daten über den Einfluß von Sonnenlicht auf das Verhalten von Verunreinigungen in Seen und Flüssen zu erhalten, wurden licht-induzierte Umwandlungsreaktionen von organischen Chemikalien untersucht. Es ergab sich, daß die Humuskomponente der in natürlichen Wässern gelösten organischen Substanzen auf zwei Arten die aquatischen Photoreaktionen beeinflußt. durch Schwächung des Sonnenlichtes und durch Sensibilisierung der Photoreaktionen. Humus-sensibilisierte Photoreaktionen von Furanen, Sulfiden, Dienen, nitroaromatischen Verbindungen u.a. werden diskutiert. Ein Überblick wird gegeben über die Wirkung aquatischer Partikel auf die Geschwindigkeit der Photoreaktion von Verunreinigungen. Suspendierte Sedimente wirken hauptsächlich durch Lichtabschwächung und Streuung auf die Photolysegeschwindigkeit. Algen, Diatomeen und Bakterien beschleunigen lichtinduzierte Umwandlungen von Anilinen und Phosphorthioat-Insecticiden, was darauf hindeutet, daß photobiologische Prozesse eine bedeutende Rolle beim Abbau gewisser Verunreinigungen in aquatischer Umgebung spielen könnten. Es wird gezeigt, daß Nitrat, Eisenverbindungen und Peroxide für die Sonnenlicht-induzierte Oxidation freier Radikale von Verunreinigungen in natürlichen Wässern verantwortlich sein können.