Dynamical calculation of the decay ψ′ → ψ + 2π

We calculate the ψ′ → ψ + 2π decay width on the basis of partial wave dispersion relations in the ππ channel. This is basically a coupled channel problem involving ππ, D$\text{D}$, etc. intermediate states. The calculation acquires anomalous thresholds due to the fact that the vertex ψ′ ψ (2π) is internally unstable. It is found that anomalous singularity contributions provide by far the most dominant contribution, which explains the rather large ψ′ → ψ + 2π decay mode. Very good agreement with the experimental width and mass distribution is achieved.     

Thermomicroscopic and ultraviolet spectrophotometric identification of steroid hormones

Thermomicroscopic data (melting points or intervals, eutectic temperatures, refractive indices of the melts) have been determined for 70 steroid hormones and are tabulated in order of increasing melting temperature. Ultraviolet absorption data, specially determined or taken from the literature, are given in place of refractive index data when the latter could not be determined accurately because of decomposition.     

Mechanical properties of methanol crazes in poly(methyl methacrylate)

Methanol crazes are grown from sharp cracks in poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). The craze thickness profile is measured using a replica technique after the craze opening displacement profile of the growing craze has been measured with holographic interferometry. The craze strain profile is then computed from these data. The craze surface stress profile is determined by two methods: (1) from the uniaxial strain profile of regions adjacent to the craze as measured from the fringe spacing on the reconstructed hologram and (2) from the craze opening displacement profile using the Fourier transform method of Sneddon. From the surface stress and craze-strain profiles a true stress-strain curve for the craze fibrils has been constructed. The extrapolated fibril yield stress is in good agreement with the yield stress of bulk PMMA plasticized with methanol indicating that surface tension effects do not contribute importantly to craze fibril mechanical properties at room temperature. The craze strain increases from 0.4 near the craze tip to 1.4 near the craze base implying that methanol crazes in PMMA thicken by further straining of the existing craze fibrils and not by drawing new material into the craze from the craze surfaces. The primordial craze thickness, i.e., the original thickness of polymer which fibrillates to form the craze fibrils, is approximately 1 μm and is constant over most of the craze length. This thickness may be determined by diffusion of methanol normal to the craze surfaces in a process zone just behind the craze tip.     

Generalizing the Dokshitzer-Gribov-Lipatov-Altarelli-Parisi evolution of fragmentation functions to the smallest values

An approach valid to any order which unifies the fixed order Dokshitzer-Gribov-Lipatov-Altarelli-Parisi evolution of fragmentation functions at large x with soft gluon logarithmic resummation at small x is proposed. At lowest order, this approach, implemented with the double logarithmic approximation, reproduces exactly the modified leading logarithm approximation but is more complete due to the degrees of freedom given to the quark sector and the inclusion of the fixed order terms. We find that data from the largest x values to the peak region can be better fitted than with other approaches.     

Hysteresis in the de Haas-van Alphen effect

A hysteresis loop is observed for the first time in the de Haas-van Alphen (dHvA) effect of beryllium at low temperatures and quantizing magnetic field applied parallel to the hexagonal axis of the single crystal. The irreversible behavior of the magnetization occurs at the paramagnetic part of the dHvA period in conditions of Condon domain formation arising by strong enough dHvA amplitude. The resulting extremely nonlinear response to a very small modulation field offers the possibility to find in a simple way the Condon domain phase diagram. From a harmonic analysis, the shape and size of the hysteresis loop is constructed.     

Parity-violating electron deuteron scattering and the proton's neutral weak axial vector form factor

We report on a new measurement of the parity-violating asymmetry in quasielastic electron scattering from the deuteron at backward angles at Q2=0.038 (GeV/c)2. This quantity provides a determination of the neutral weak axial vector form factor of the nucleon, which can potentially receive large electroweak corrections. The measured asymmetry A=-3.51+/-0.57 (stat)+/-0.58 (syst) ppm is consistent with theoretical predictions. We also report on updated results of the previous experiment at Q2=0.091 (GeV/c)2, which are also consistent with theoretical predictions.     

Retracting fronts induce spatiotemporal intermittency

The intermittent route to spatiotemporal complexity is analyzed in simple models which display a subcritical bifurcation without hysteresis. A new type of spatiotemporal complex behavior is found, induced by fronts which "clean" the perturbations around an unstable state. The mechanism which generates these "retracting fronts" through nonlinear dispersion is analyzed in the frame of the complex Ginzburg-Landau equation. For sufficiently strong nonlinear dispersion the effects also occur for a supercritical bifurcation.     

Direct transition to electroconvection in a homeotropic nematic liquid crystal

We present an experimental and theoretical investigation of a variant of electroconvection using an unusual nematic liquid crystal in an isotropic configuration (homeotropic alignment). The significance of the system is a direct transition to the convecting state due to the negative conductivity anisotropy and positive dielectric anisotropy. We observe at onset rolls or squares depending on the frequency and amplitude of the applied ac voltage with a strong signature of the zigzag instability. Good agreement with calculations based on the underlying hydrodynamic theory is found. We also construct an extended Swift-Hohenberg model which allows us to capture complex patterns like squares with a quasiperiodic modulation.     

Inclusive photoproduction of <Emphasis Type="Italic">D</Emphasis><Superscript>*</Superscript> mesons with massive charm quarks

We have calculated the next-to-leading order cross sections for the inclusive production of D ^* mesons in collisions at HERA in two approaches using massive or massless charm quarks. The usual massive theory for the direct cross section with charm quarks only in the final state was transformed into a massive theory with subtraction by subtracting the mass divergent and additional finite terms calculated earlier in connection with the process . This theory approaches the massless theory with increasing transverse momentum. The difference between the massive and the massless approach with subtraction is studied in detail in those kinematic regions relevant for comparison with experimental data. With these results and including the resolved cross section which is dominated by the part originating from the charm in the photon, we compute the fully inclusive cross section and compare it with preliminary data from the ZEUS collaboration at HERA. We find on average good agreement.Received: 5 October 2004, Published online: 26 November 2004     

Effects of gemini surfactants on egg phosphatidylcholine bilayers in the fluid lamellar phase

The influence of 1,4-butanediamonium-N,N'-dialkyl-N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl dibromides (CmA, m = 7-16 is the number of alkyl carbons) on the egg yolk phosphatidylcholine (EYPC) bilayer thickness and lipid surface area at the bilayer-aqueous phase interface is studied using X-ray diffraction on fluid lamellar CmA + EYPC + H2O phases as a function of CmA:EYPC and H2O:EYPC molar ratios and the alkyl chain length m. At the constant CmA:EYPC = 0.4 and H2O:EYPC = 18 molar ratios, the CmA induced bilayer thickness decrease shows a minimum and the lipid surface area increase a maximum at the alkyl chain length m = 9. The obtained results are discussed in the context of a structural perturbation model of the cut-off effect in biological potencies of surfactants which occurs when increasing the alkyl substituent chain length above the critical value.