Evidence for the two-pole structure of the lambda(1405) resonance

The K- p --> pi0pi0sigma0 reaction is studied within a chiral unitary model. The distribution of pi0sigma0 states forming the lambda(1405) shows, in agreement with a recent experiment, a peak at 1420 MeV and a relatively narrow width of gamma = 38 MeV. The mechanism for the reaction is largely dominated by the emission of a pi0 prior to the K- p interaction leading to the lambda(1405). This ensures the coupling of the lambda(1405) to the K- p channel, thus maximizing the contribution of the second state found in chiral unitary theories, which is narrow and of higher energy than the nominal lambda(1405). This is unlike the pi- p --> K0pisigma reaction, which gives more weight to the pole at lower energy and with a larger width. The data of these two experiments, together with the present theoretical analysis, provide firm evidence of the two-pole structure of the lambda(1405).     

Intrinsic aging and effective viscosity in the slow dynamics of a soft glass with tunable elasticity

We investigate by rheology and light scattering the influence of the elastic modulus, G0, on the slow dynamics and the aging of a soft glass. We show that the slow dynamics and the aging can be entirely described by the evolution of an effective viscosity, eta(eff), defined as the characteristic time measured in a stress relaxation experiment times G0. At all times, eta(eff) is found to be independent of G0, of elastic perturbations, and of the rate at which the sample is quenched in the glassy phase. We propose a simple model that links eta(eff) to the internal stress built up at the fluid-to-solid transition.     

Byte structure variable length coding (BS-VLC): a new specific algorithm applied in the compression of trajectories generated by molecular dynamics

Molecular dynamics is a well-known technique very much used in the study of biomolecular systems. The trajectory files produced by molecular dynamics simulations are extensive, and the classical lossless algorithms give poor efficiencies in their compression. In this work, a new specific algorithm, named byte structure variable length coding (BS-VLC), is introduced. Trajectory files, obtained by molecular dynamics applied to trypsin and a trypsin:pancreatic trypsin inhibitor complex, were compressed using four classical lossless algorithms (Huffman, adaptive Huffman, LZW, and LZ77) as well as the BS-VLC algorithm. The results obtained show that BS-VLC nearly triplicates the compression efficiency of the best classical lossless algorithm, preserving a near lossless behavior. Compression efficiencies close to 50% can be obtained with a high degree of precision, and the maximum efficiency possible (75%), within this algorithm, can be performed with good precision.     

Second Order Perturbations of a Schwarzschild Black Hole: Inclusion of Odd Parity Perturbations

We consider perturbations of a Schwarzschild black hole that can be of both even and odd parity, keeping terms up to second order in perturbation theory, for the l = 2 axisymmetric case. We develop explicit formulae for the evolution equations and radiated energies and waveforms using the Regge–Wheeler–Zerilli approach. This formulation is useful, for instance, for the treatment in the "close limit approximation" of the collision of counterrotating black holes.     

Chlorodifluoroacetyl Azide, ClF(2)CC(O)N(3): Preparation, Properties, and Decomposition

Chlorodifluoroacetyl azide, ClF(2)CC(O)N(3), was prepared and characterized by IR (gas, Ar matrix), Raman (liquid), UV-vis (gas), and (19)F, (13)C NMR spectroscopy. The vibrational spectra were analyzed in terms of a single conformer, gauche-syn, where the Cl-C and the N(α)═N(β) bonds are gauche and syn to the C═O bond, respectively. The photo and thermal decomposition reactions of the azide were studied with the aid of matrix isolation. In both cases, a new isocyanate species ClF(2)CNCO was produced and characterized by matrix IR spectroscopy. The conformational properties and the Curtius rearrangement pathways of this new carbonyl azide were theoretically explored, which suggest the preference of a concerted over stepwise decomposition for the global minimum gauche-syn conformer.     

The mechanism of solvolysis of methyl perchlorate in hydroxylic solvents: calculation of the cavity terms

From standard Gibbs energies of transfer, corrected for cavity or nonelectrostatic effects, it is concluded that the solvolysis of methyl perchlorate takes place through a looser-than-usual S_N2 transition state with a charge separation of about 0.52 units.     

Flow-injection spectrophotometric determination of arylamines and sulphonamides by diazotization and coupling in a micellar medium

In a sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) micellar solution, the rate of coupling of a diazonium ion with N-(1- naphthyl)ethylenediamine (NED) increases greatly, the protonation of the resulting azo dyes takes place at higher pH values and the dyes are more soluble. These favourable features were applied to the development of a simple flow-injection spectrophotometric procedure for the determination of diazotizable substances of pharmaceutical interest. Limits of detection in the range 0.2–0.5 μg ml^?1 (signal-to-noise ratio=3), with relative standard deviation of 0.7–3% (n=3) for 5 μg ml^?1 standards, were obtained.     

Strategies for bass enhancement in Multiactuator Panels for Wave Field Synthesis

In this paper, an extension of the useful bandwidth in the low frequency band is applied to compensate the inherent poor bass response of Multiactuator Panels. These are a special type of flat panel loudspeakers that are commonly used to reproduce spatial audio under the Wave Field Synthesis system. The proposed algorithm combines two strategies: first, a dynamic electrical equalization, applied to additional exciters, which are carefully positioned to excite the lower frequency modes of the panel; second, a psycho-acoustical approach, taking profit of the behavior of human hearing based on the missing fundamental principle. For comparison purposes, the shelving and peak equalizations are also applied to the MAP prototypes developed in this paper. Objective and subjective results show that the combined approach results in an effective extension in the low frequency end of MAP with very low levels of distortion, outperforming conventional equalization methods, with better low frequency behavior, and hence better audio quality perception.     

Green synthesis of colloidal silver nanoparticles using natural rubber latex extracted from Hevea brasiliensis

Colloidal silver nanoparticles were synthesized by an easy green method using thermal treatment of aqueous solutions of silver nitrate and natural rubber latex (NRL) extracted from Hevea brasiliensis. The UV–Vis spectra detected the characteristic surface plasmonic absorption band around 435 nm. Both NRL and AgNO₃ contents in the reaction medium have influence in the Ag nanoparticles formation. Lower AgNO₃ concentration led to decreased particle size. The silver nanoparticles presented diameters ranging from 2 nm to 100 nm and had spherical shape. The selected area electron diffraction (SAED) patterns indicated that the silver nanoparticles have face centered cubic (fcc) crystalline structure. FTIR spectra suggest that reduction of the silver ions are facilitated by their interaction with the amine groups from ammonia, which is used for conservation of the NRL, whereas the stability of the particles results from cis-isoprene binding onto the surface of nanoparticles. Therefore natural rubber latex extracted from H. brasiliensis can be employed in the preparation of stable aqueous dispersions of silver nanoparticles acting as a dispersing and/or capping agent. Moreover, this work provides a new method for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles that is simple, easy to perform, pollutant free and inexpensive.