Observation of B-->eta'K* and evidence for B+-->eta'rho+

We present an observation of B-->eta'K*. The data sample corresponds to 232x10(6) BB[over ] pairs collected with the BABAR detector at the PEP-II asymmetric-energy B factory at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center. We measure the branching fractions (in units of 10(-6)) B(B(0)-->eta'K*0)=3.8+/-1.1+/-0.5 and B(B+-->eta'K*+)=4.9(1.7)(+1.9)+/-0.8, where the first error is statistical and the second systematic. A simultaneous fit results in the observation of B-->eta'K* with B(B-->eta'K*)=4.1(-0.9)(+1.0)+/-0.5. We also search for B-->eta'rho and eta'f(0)(980)(f(0)-->pi+pi-) with results and 90% confidence level upper limits B(B+-->eta'rho+)=8.7(-2.8-1.3)(+3.1+2.3) (<14), B(B(0)-->eta'rho0)<3.7, and B(B(0)-->eta'f(0)(980)(f(0)-->pi+pi-))<1.5. Charge asymmetries in the channels with significant yields are consistent with zero.     

Explicit solutions and Darboux transformations of a generalized D-Kaup–Newell hierarchy

Nonlinear Dynamics - Darboux and Bäcklund transformations on integrable couplings are formulated and generalized. The generalization of the theory pertains to spectral problems where the...     

Friction force microscopy of alkylphosphonic acid and carboxylic acids adsorbed on the native oxide of aluminum

Monolayers of alkylphosphonic acids (APA) and alkylcarboxylic acids (ACA) on magnetron-sputtered aluminum films have been investigated by friction force microscopy (FFM), contact angle measurement, and polarization-modulation infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy (PM-IRRAS). Clear evidence has been provided from PM-IRRAS that friction coefficients, determined from FFM data, may be correlated directly with variations in adsorbate molecular structure. The friction coefficient increased with the length of the adsorbate molecule, but reached a limiting value when the alkyl chain of the adsorbate contained eight carbons in the case of APA or 12 carbons in the case of ACA. For a given alkyl chain length, APA monolayers yielded coefficients of friction that were similar to those of monolayers of alkylthiols of the same length, but smaller than those of ACA. These data indicate that APA monolayers are better ordered than ACA monolayers. These inferences were supported by PM-IRRAS data, which enabled the density of gauche defects to be estimated and correlated with variations in the coefficient of friction.     

Ruthenium (II) complexes bearing thioether-appended α-iminopyridine ligands: Arene precursors permit access to κ2-N,N and κ3-N,N,S complexes

Herein we report the preparation of a series of Ru(II) complexes featuring α-iminopyridine ligands bearing thioether functionality (NNS^R, where R = Me, CH₂Ph, Ph). Metallation using [(p-cymene)RuCl]₂ permits access to Ru complexes with a κ²-N,N donor set in which the thioether moiety remains uncoordinated. In the presence of a strong field ligand such as acetonitrile or triphenylphosphine, the p-cymene moiety is displaced, and the ligand adopts a κ³-N,N,S binding mode. These complexes are characterized using a combination of solution and solid state methods, including the crystal structure of [(NNS^Me)Ru (NCMe)₂Cl]Cl. The κ²-N,N-Ru(II) complexes are shown to serve as efficient precatalysts for the oxidation of sec-phenethyl alcohol at modest loadings (alcohol: Ru = 20:1), using a variety of external oxidants and solvents. The complex bearing an S-Ph donor was found to be the most active oxidation catalyst of those surveyed, suggesting that the thioether donor plays an active role in the catalytic cycle.     

Turbulent flow computations on 3D unstructured grids

An edge-based finite element method is presented for the simulation of compressible turbulent flows on unstructured tetrahedral grids. A two equation k–ω turbulence model is employed and the standard Galerkin approach is used for spatial discretisation. Stabilisation of the resulting procedure is achieved by the addition of an appropriate diffusion. An explicit multistage time-stepping scheme is used to advance the solution in time to steady state. The performance of the algorithm is demonstrated for the simulation of a high Reynolds number transonic separated flow over a wing.     

Recollections of Fred Almgren

While visiting Princeton for the 1997–98 year I have had the privilege of using Fred’s office and helping Jean to go through his papers. It has been moving to see the magnitude of Fred’s helpful correspondence with students and colleagues, some of which Jean and I returned to them with an invitation to contribute short recollections. This article gives some selections from their responses. For more recollections see Mackenzie’s article on “Fred Almgren: Lover of Mathematics, Family, and Life’s Adventures” (Notices AMS 44, 1997, 1102–1106) and the memorial issue ofExperimental Mathematics (Vol. 6, 1997, 1–12).     

Photosensitizers derived from 132-oxo-methyl pyropheophorbide-a: enhanced effect of indium(III) as a central metal in in vitro and in vivo photosensitizing efficacy

The effects of an additional keto group on absorption wavelength and the corresponding metal complexes Zn(II), Cu(II) In(III) on singlet oxygen production and photodynamic efficacy were examined among the alkyl ether analogs of pyropheophorbide-a. For the preparation of the desired photosensitizers, the methyl 13(2)-oxo-pyropheophorbide-a obtained by reacting methyl pyropheophorbide-a with aqueous LiOH-THF was converted into a series of alkyl ether analogs. These compounds were evaluated for photophysical properties and in vitro (by means of the MTT assay and intracellular localization in RIF cells) and in vivo (in C3H mice implanted with RIF tumors) photosensitizing efficacy. Among the alkyl ether derivatives, the methyl 3-decyloxyethyl-3-devinyl-13(2)-oxo-pyropheophorbide-a was found to be most effective and the insertion of In(III) into this analog further enhanced its in vitro and in vivo photosensitizing efficacy. Fluorescence microscopy showed that, in contrast to the hexyl and dodecyl ether derivatives of HPPH (which localize in mitochondria and lysosomes, respectively), the diketo-analogs and their In(III) complexes localized in Golgi bodies. The preliminary in vitro and in vivo results suggest that, in both free-base and metalated analogs, the introduction of an additional keto group at the five-member exocyclic ring in pyropheophorbide-a diminishes its photosensitizing efficacy. This may be due to a shift in subcellular localization from mitochondria to the Golgi bodies. The further introduction of In(III) enhances photoactivity, but not by shifting the localization of the photosensitizer.     

Elusive Double Perovskite Iodides: Structural,Optical, and Magnetic Properties

Halide double perovskites [A₂M^IM^IIIX₆] are an important class of materials that have garnered substantial interest as non-toxic alternatives to conventional lead iodide perovskites for optoelectronic applications. While numerous studies have examined chloride and bromide double perovskites, reports of iodide double perovskites are rare, and their definitive structural characterization has not been reported. Predictive models have aided us here in the synthesis and characterization of five iodide double perovskites of general formula Cs₂NaLnI₆ (Ln=Ce, Nd, Gd, Tb, Dy). The complete crystal structures, structural phase transitions, optical, photoluminescent, and magnetic properties of these compounds are reported.     

Lanthanum(III) and uranyl(VI) diglycolamide complexes: synthetic precursors and structural studies involving nitrate complexation

The synthesis and structural characterization of lanthanum(III) and uranyl(VI) complexes coordinated by tridentate diglycolamide (DGA) ligands O(CH2C(O)NR2)2[R=i-Pr (L1), i-Bu (L2)] are described. Reaction of L with UO2Cl2(H2O) n forms the uranyl(VI) cis-dichloride adducts UO2Cl2L [L=L1 (1a), L2 (1b)], while reaction of excess L with the corresponding metal nitrate hydrate produces [LaL3][La(NO3)6] [L=L1 (2a), L2 (2b)] for lanthanum and UO2(NO3)2L [L=L1 (3a), L2 (3b)] for uranium. Compounds 2b and 3a have been structurally characterized. The solid-state structure of the cation of 2b shows a triple-stranded helical arrangement of three tridentate DGA ligands with approximate D3 point-group symmetry, while the counteranion consists of six bidentate nitrate ligands coordinated around a second La center. The solid-state structure of 3a shows a tridentate DGA ligand coordinated along the equatorial plane perpendicular to the OUO unit as well as two nitrate ligands, one bidentate and oriented in the equatorial plane and the other monodentate and oriented parallel to the uranyl unit with the oxygen donor atom situated above the mean equatorial plane. Ambient-temperature NMR spectra for 3a and 3b indicated an averaged chemical environment of high symmetry consistent with fluxional nitrate hapticity, while spectroscopic data obtained at -30 degrees C revealed lower symmetry consistent with the slow-exchange limit for this process.