Thee + e −→¯nn cross section predicted remarkably larger than thee + e −→¯pp one

It is shown that all global analyses of nucleon electromagnetic form factor data predict the electron-positron annihilation into neutron-antineutron cross section (for which there are no data till now) to be in a finite energy region substantially larger than the electron-positron annihilation into the proton-antiproton one.Dedicated to the memory of M. Gmitro.     

On the Behavior of Some Second Order Nonlinear Differential Equations

Qualitative behavior of second order nonlinear differential equations of type y″+p(t)y+q(t)f(y)=0, is studied. It includes properties such as positivity, number of zeros, oscillating nature, boundedness and monotonicity of the solutions.     

Fejér means of functions on noncommutative Vilenkin groups with respect to the character system

Summary It is known that the Fejér means - with respect to the character system of the Walsh, and bounded Vilenkin groups - of an integrable function converge to the function a.e. In this work we discuss analogous problems on the complete product of finite, not necessarily Abelian groups with respect to the character system for functions that are constant on the conjugacy classes. We find that the nonabelian case differs from the commutative case. We prove the a.e. convergence of the (C,1) means of the Fourier series of square integrable functions. We also prove the existence of a function f∊L^q for some q >1 such that sup |σ_n f | = + ∞ a.e. This is a sharp contrast between the Abelian and the nonabelian cases.     

Time Delay and Short-Range Scattering in Quantum Waveguides

Although many physical arguments account for using a modified definition of time delay in multichannel-type scattering processes, one can hardly find rigorous results on that issue in the literature. We try to fill in this gap by showing, both in an abstract setting and in a short-range case, the identity of the modified time delay and the Eisenbud-Wigner time delay in waveguides. In the short-range case we also obtain limiting absorption principles, state spectral properties of the total Hamiltonian, prove the existence of the wave operators and show an explicit formula for the S-matrix. The proofs rely on stationary and commutator methods. Communicated by Yosi Avron submitted 12/04/05, accepted 13/05/05     

Neutron interferometry in gravitational field with torsion

We consider the possibility of finding experimental evidence of the fifth force with the measurement of a phase shift of neutron beams via an interferometric apparatus and also a possible rotation of the polarization plane of polarized neutron beams when torsion is introduced in a gravitational field.     

High-throughput concept for tailoring switchable mirrors

The optical properties, the switching kinetics and the lifetime of hydrogen switchable mirrors based on Mg-Ni alloys are determined with particular regard to the composition of the optically active metal-hydride layer in combination with the thickness of the catalytic capping layer. For this, a high-throughput experiment is introduced. The switching kinetics and the reversibility of switchable mirrors are strongly thickness dependent, though the details hinge on the fine structure of the clustered capping layer. Therefore, the kinetics is correlated with the surface structures of Pd on Mg_yNi_1−y as investigated by scanning tunneling microscopy. The results are explained by the so-called strong metal-support interaction (SMSI) state, characterized by a complete encapsulation of the capping layer clusters by oxidized species originating from the support. The SMSI-effect is less important with increasing Pd-layer thickness, and is suppressed by a good wetting of the Pd-clusters on the optically active film. This explains the critical thickness for the catalyzed hydrogen uptake observed in many switchable mirror systems. Moreover, the degradation of the kinetics during cycling is found to depend on the Pd-layer thickness and on the gas environment. Only films, covered with at least 15 nm Pd, show small degradation caused by the SMSI-effect. The SMSI-effect is partly reversible: after changing the gas environment from hydrogen to oxygen, the oxide on the Pd-clusters can be partly removed.     

Preparation of activated carbons from cherry stones by activation with potassium hydroxide

Using cherry stones, the preparation of activated carbon has been undertaken in the present study by chemical activation with potassium hydroxide. A series of KOH-activated products was prepared by varying the carbonisation temperature in the 400-900 °C range. Such products were characterised texturally by gas adsorption (N₂, −196 °C), mercury porosimetry, and helium and mercury density measurements. FT-IR spectroscopy was also applied. The carbons prepared as a rule are microporous and macroporous solids. The degree of development of surface area and porosity increases with increasing carbonisation temperature. For the carbon heated at 900 °C the specific surface area (BET) is 1624 m² g⁻¹, the micropore volume is 0.67 cm³ g⁻¹, the mesopore volume is 0.28 cm³ g⁻¹, and the macropore volume is 1.84 cm³ g⁻¹.     

RNA self-splicing and energy localization

We establish a mechanism for energy localization in regions of the sugar-phosphate RNA backbone which leads to the formation of transesterification or hydrolysis hot spots. In particular, our results account for the site specificity of the covalent cyclization and cycle reopening in the catalytic intervening sequence (IVS) of a ribosomal RNA.     

Spectral hole burning of photosynthetic antenna of blue-green algae

Photosystem II core antenna of blue-green algae Synechococcus isolated in gel was studied by optical hole burning spectroscopy at 4·2 K. Persistent holes were burned into fluorescence spectra throughout the region 680–696 nm. The hole width extrapolated to zero burning fluence yielded a value 1·0±0·2 cm^–1. A theoretical interpretation of the hole profile in fluorescence is presented. The dependence of saturated hole depth on burning wavelength is related to inhomogeneous site distribution function.Authors would like to thank F. Vácha from the Dept. of Biochemistry, Faculty of Nature Sciences, Charles University, for the preparation of the samples.