Confinement of electrons and ions in a combined trap with the potential for antihydrogen production

Experiments with electrons and ions in a combined trap are reported. The unique capability to confine particles with opposite charge and very different mass simultaneously in the same spatial region makes the combined trap a promising device for future synthesis of antihydrogen.     

The Spirit Is Willing: Nonlinearity, Bifurcations, and Mental Control

In recent years there has been considerable interest in the construction of nonlinear models of the dynamics of human behavior. In this exploratory article we argue that attempts at controlling problematic thoughts, emotions, or behaviors can lead to nonlinearity in mental/behavioral dynamics. We illustrate our model by fitting threshold autoregression models to self-recorded time series of the daily highs in intensity of anxiety and obsessive ruminations, kept by an individual in therapy for this problem. In our discussion, we raise the possibility that bifurcations that occur in this nonlinear model may offer insight into mental control paradoxes.     

Filament sets and homogeneous continua

New tools are introduced for the study of homogeneous continua. The subcontinua of a given continuum are classified into three types: filament, non-filament, and ample, with ample being a subcategory of non-filament. The richness of the collection of ample subcontinua of a homogeneous continuum reflects where the space lies in the gradation from being locally connected at one extreme to indecomposable at another. Applications are given to the general theory of homogeneous continua and their hyperspaces.     

Efficient solid-phase-based total synthesis of the bisintercalator TANDEM

[reaction: see text] In this article, the first solid-phase-based total synthesis of TANDEM, a synthetic analogue of triostin A, is described. In initial studies, the synthesis incorporated depsipeptide formation, introduction of chromophores, and disulfide bond formation on the solid phase, prior to a final solution-phase macrolactamization, to give the target molecule. Although pure TANDEM was obtained in an overall yield comparable to those for all syntheses to date, the yield of the final cyclization was low (11%). A more efficient approach involved removal from the solid phase prior to disulfide bond formation. The resulting linear peptide underwent macrolactamization under mild conditions and high dilution. Final disulfide bond formation was essentially quantitative and gave the target molecule, TANDEM, in an overall yield of 18%. The final compound was assessed for its ability to bind to 5'-TpA sequences on DNA by DNase I footprinting. This efficient synthesis sets the stage for a study of the structure-activity relationship of TANDEM and the natural product triostin A, with analogues containing "point mutations" at every site within the cyclic compounds.     

Alumina-catalyzed condensation of 2-methylquinoline with methanol

The alumina-catalyzed reaction of 2-methylquinoline with excess methanol at 500° produced a mixture of 2-ethyl-, 2-isopropyl-, and 2-isopropenylquinolines in yields of 10%, 7%, and 2%, respectively. A mechanistic interpretation of this reaction is presented.     

Conformation dependence of electronic structures of poly(ethylene oxide)

The electronic structure of pure poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) for four different polymeric chain conformations has been studied by Hartree-Fock (HF) and density functional theory (DFT) through the analysis of their valence band photoelectron spectroscopy (VB-PES), X-ray emission spectroscopy (XES), and resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (RIXS). It is shown that the valence band of PEO presents specific conformation dependence, which can be used as a fingerprint of the polymeric structures. The calculated spectra have been compared with experimental results for PEO powder.     

Scale invariance,killing vectors,and the size of the fifth dimension

An analysis is made of the classical five-dimensional sourceless Kaluza-Klein equations with the existence of the usual/ Killing vector not assumed, where is the coordinate of the fifth dimension. The physical distance around the fifth dimensionD ₅, needed for the calculation of the fine structure constant, is not calculable in the usual theory because the equations have a global scale invariance. In the present case, the Killing vector and the global scale invariance are not present, but it is found rather generally thatD ₅=0. This indicates that quantum gravity is a necessary ingredient if is to be calculated. It also provides an alternate explanation of why the universe appears four-dimensional.