Depth and angular profiles of inelastic low-energy electron scattering in condensed molecular samples

Angular distributions of electrons scattered elastically and inelastically from cold solid molecular films of ethylene and nitrogen in various proportions, grown from the gas phase at different temperatures, have been studied by high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy. The probing depth of dipole and impact scattering has been investigated by covering the sample by overlayers of argon of increasing thickness. The angular distribution measured for elastically and inelastically dipole-scattered electrons was found to be peaked about the specular direction for all surface conditions studied, while a diffuse angular distribution was possible for electrons that underwent dipole-forbidden scattering. These results allow us to identify favorable conditions for monitoring the composition of a solid sample during the course of reactions occurring under exposure to low-energy electrons.     

Improved synthesis of oligonucleotides with an allylic backbone. Oligonucleotides containing acyclic, achiral nucleoside analogues: N-1 or N-9-[3-hydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)prop-1-enyl]nucleobases

An improved phosphoramidite method is described to prepare oligonucleotides modified with the acyclic, achiral monomers 1. Examination of dimers, prepared on solid support or in solution, showed that phosphortriester dimers containing the allylic unit 1 were unstable towards bases, whereas phosphordiester dimers were stable. Phosphordiester dimers were obtained by replacing cyanoethyl phosphoramidites 2 with phosphoramidites 3, which gave phosphordiesters directly upon oxidation. The phosphordiester dimers were found to be stable towards capping and oxidation, but were somewhat labile towards acids. By reducing the contact time to acids during detritylation it was possible to prepare oligonucleotides containing 4 or 8 modified A, G or T units. The modified oligonucleotides hybridized to complementary DNA and RNA, although with reduced affinity (DeltaT(m) per modification -1 to -5 degrees C).     

Extensions to the continuous ordered median problem

Classical location models fix an objective function and then attempt to find optimal points to this objective. In the last years a flexible approach, the ordered median problem, has been introduced. It handles a wide class of objectives, such as the median, the center and the centdian function. In this paper we present new properties of the ordered median problem such as solvability for the situation of attractive and repulsive locations. We also develop a new solution method that even yields local optimal points for non-convex objective functions. Furthermore, we discuss separability of ordered median problems without repulsion and derive a sufficient criterion. Finally, we introduce a useful model extension, the facility class model, which allows to deal with a wider range of real world problems in the ordered median setting.     

Equivariance and extendibility in finite reductive groups with connected center

We show that several character correspondences for finite reductive groups $G$ are equivariant with respect to group automorphisms under the additional assumption that the linear algebraic group associated to $G$ has connected center. The correspondences we consider are the so-called Jordan decomposition of characters introduced by Lusztig and the generalized Harish-Chandra theory of unipotent characters due to Broué–Malle–Michel. In addition we consider a correspondence giving character extensions, due to the second author, in order to verify the inductive McKay condition from Isaacs–Malle–Navarro for the non-abelian finite simple groups of Lie types $^3\mathsf{D }_4,\mathsf{E }_8,\mathsf{F }_4,^2\mathsf{F }_4$ , and $\mathsf{G }_2$ .     

Calculations of Three-Nucleon Reactions

Faddeev calculations using the chiral three-nucleon force in next-to-next-to-next-to-leading-order show that this force is too weak to provide an explanation for the low-energy A _y puzzle. The large discrepancy between data and theory for the neutron–neutron quasi-free-scattering cross section in low energy neutron–deuteron breakup requires a modification of the ${^{1}S_0}$ neutron–neutron force. We discuss the consequences that a bound ${^{1}S_0}$ state of two neutrons has on neutron–deuteron scattering observables. At higher energies we compare the solutions of the non-relativistic three-nucleon Faddeev equations with three-nucleon force included to the solutions of its Poincaré invariant version.     

Delta(18)O characteristics of lichens and their effects on evaporative processes of the subjacent soil

The study presents first data on the delta(18)O performance of poikilohydrous lichen ground cover, and its potential impact on the isotopic composition of water fluxes arising from subjacent soil layers. As a model organism, the globally distributed lichen Cladina arbuscula was studied under laboratory conditions as well as in the field. During a desiccation experiment, delta(18)O of the lichen's thallus water and of its respired CO(2) became enriched by approximately 7 per thousand and followed a similar enrichment pattern to that expected from homoiohydrous, vascular plants. However, the observed degree of enrichment was lower in comparison to vascular plants due to (i) the lichen's inherent lower evaporative resistances; and (ii) a stronger effect of the more depleted surrounding water vapour. In lichens growing in their natural habitat, this specific pattern may show substantial variations depending on prevailing microclimatic conditions. Within a field study, thallus water delta(18)O of lichens principally proved to become more depleted when close to equilibration with the surroundings. It thereby strongly depended on the absorption of surrounding water vapour. Moreover, the results indicate that lichen mats substantially reduce evaporation rates arising from subjacent soil layers, and may alter the isotopic signal of vapour diffusing away from these layers into more depleted values.     

A standardised test environment to compare aircraft noise calculation programs

A new standardised test environment for aircraft noise calculation programs is presented. By means of this test environment different programs for aircraft noise calculation can be compared systematically. For this purpose a complete data set was developed, containing all relevant information needed to perform unambiguous aircraft noise calculations in the vicinity of an artificial airport. The input data is provided in a generic, non-program-specific form in order to be applicable to programs based on different calculation methods and data structures. In addition to the input data, guidelines on the file format of the results of calculations performed with different programs are specified to facilitate direct comparisons. The test environment and its data structure are outlined and examples of calculations according to this scheme are presented.