Precision measurements of the lambda(+)(c) and D0 lifetimes

We report new precision measurements of the lifetimes of the Lambda(+)(c) and D0 from SELEX, the charm hadroproduction experiment at Fermilab. Based upon 1630 Lambda(+)(c) and 10 210 D0 decays we observe lifetimes of tau[Lambda(+)(c)] = 198.1+/-7.0+/-5.6 fs and tau[D0] = 407.9+/-6.0+/-4.3 fs.     

Electron-donating properties of p-phenylene phosphine imides: an electrochemical and spectroscopic investigation

[reaction: see text] Electronic properties of phosphine imide based organic electron donors have been investigated. N,N'-p-Phenylenebis(triphenyl)phosphine imide (Ph(3)P=NC(6)H(4)N=PPh(3), 1) has two reversible single-electron oxidations (0.04 and 0.53 V vs SCE). Spectroscopic investigations of poly(p-phenylene phosphine imide)s (2) are similar to those of polymer model compounds, suggesting formation of localized radical cations on the polymer chains and electronically insulating phosphorus atoms.     

Kristallographische Daten,IR-Spektrum und thermisches Verhalten von Aluminium-Dekavanadat

Crystal Data, I.R. Spectrum, and Thermal Behaviour of Aluminum Decavanadate Al₂V₁₀O₂₈ · 22 H₂O crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Acmm with Z = 4. The crystallographic data have been obtained from single crystal measurements and the unit cell parameters refined from powder diagrams. The infrared spectrum of the compound was recorded and interpreted and its thermal behaviour investigated by means of TG/DTA measurements. The thermal decomposition yields a 2:1 mixture of V₂O₅ and AlVO₄.     

Search for the rare decay K(L)-->pi(0)e(+)e(-)

The KTeV/E799 experiment at Fermilab has searched for the rare kaon decay K(L)-->pi(0)e(+)e(-). This mode is expected to have a significant CP violating component. The measurement of its branching ratio could support the standard model or could indicate the existence of new physics. This Letter reports new results from the 1999-2000 data set. One event is observed with an expected background at 0.99+/-0.35 events. We set a limit on the branching ratio of 3.5x10(-10) at the 90% confidence level. Combining with the previous result based on the data set taken in 1997 yields the final KTeV result: BR(K(L)-->pi(0)e(+)e(-))<2.8x10(-10) at 90% C.L.     

Mixed data rate and format transmission (40-Gbit/s non-return-to-zero, 40-Gbit/s duobinary, and 10-Gbit/s non-return-to-zero) by mid-link spectral inversion

A polarization-diverse subsystem based on periodically poled lithium niobate waveguides is used as an optical phase conjugator for compensation for linear and nonlinear distortion. We show successful transmission formats of 13 x 40 Gbit/s non-return-to-zero mixed with 6 x 10 Gbit/s non-return-to-zero and 40-Gbit/s duobinary over 8 x 100 km of standard single-mode fiber. A single phase conjugator is used to conjugate all data formats, including the alternative duobinary format, simultaneously.     

Two asset-barrier option under stochastic volatility

Financial products which depend on hitting times for two underlying assets have become very popular in the last decade. Three common examples are double-digital barrier options, two-asset barrier spread options and double lookback options. Analytical expressions for the joint distribution of the endpoints and the maximum and/or minimum values of two assets are essential in order to obtain quasi-closed form solutions for the price of these derivatives. Earlier authors derived quasi-closed form pricing expressions in the context of constant volatility and correlation. More recently solutions were provided in the presence of a common stochastic volatility factor but with restricted correlations due to the use of a method of images. In this article, we generalize this finding by allowing any value for the correlation. In this context, we derive closed-form expressions for some two-asset barrier options.     

Characterization of lemon (Citrus limon) polar extract by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry in high resolution mode

Eighty four metabolites (32 flavonoids, 15 amino acids, nine carboxylic acids, six coumarins, six sugars, five phenolic acids and 11 unclassified compounds) have been tentatively identified in a polar extract from lemon, without reference standards, based on their liquid chromatography–quadrupole‐time‐of‐flight MS/MS spectra and the comparison with databases. Despite information in databases for some families of plant compounds is poor, tentative identification based on MS/MS information (mass of the precursor ion and their fragments, together with neutral mass loss) was possible with the help of known fragmentation patterns for the given families of compounds. Both positive and negative ionization modes and at least two collision energies were always applied to obtain as much information as possible from each molecular entity, thus helping for identification. As the tentatively identified metabolites are the same regardless of the organism they belong, their fragmentation patterns are useful for identification with independence of the sample nature. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Influence of nitrogen partial pressure on the microstructure and morphological properties of sputtered RuN coatings

In this work, the production of RuN thin films using the reactive direct current magnetron sputtering technique is presented. Samples were grown with varying Ar/N₂ ratio with values of 60/40, 80/20, 85/15, 90/10, 95/5, and 100/0. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy was employed to determine the presence of RuN before and after a sputtering etching process. According to the high‐resolution of N1s spectra, 3 peaks were identified at 397.4 ± 0.3 eV, 398.3 ± 0.3 eV, and 398.8 ± 0.3 eV binding energies, corresponding to hybridizations of nitrogen with transition metals, oxynitrides, and oxycarbides. X‐ray diffraction analyses were performed, showing the coexistence of the RuN face‐centered cubic and Ru hexagonal compact packed phases. After the etching process, the samples grown at nitrogen flow rates greater than 15% continued to show the RuN face‐centered cubic phase. Atomic force microscope analyses showed that as the nitrogen concentration increased, the grain size and roughness also tended to increase.