K→(ππ)(I=2) decay amplitude from lattice QCD

We report on the first realistic ab initio calculation of a hadronic weak decay, that of the amplitude A(2) for a kaon to decay into two π mesons with isospin 2. We find ReA(2)=(1.436±0.063(stat)±0.258(syst))10(-8) GeV in good agreement with the experimental result and for the hitherto unknown imaginary part we find ImA(2)=-(6.83±0.51(stat)±1.30(syst))10(-13) GeV. Moreover combining our result for ImA(2) with experimental values of ReA(2), ReA(0), and ε'/ε, we obtain the following value for the unknown ratio ImA(0)/ReA(0) within the standard model: ImA(0)/ReA(0)=-1.63(19)(stat)(20(syst)×10(-4). One consequence of these results is that the contribution from ImA(2) to the direct CP violation parameter ε' (the so-called Electroweak Penguin contribution) is Re(ε'/ε)(EWP)=-(6.52±0.49(stat)±1.24(syst))×10(-4). We explain why this calculation of A(2) represents a major milestone for lattice QCD and discuss the exciting prospects for a full quantitative understanding of CP violation in kaon decays.     

Quenching of giant hysteresis effects in La(1-z)Y(z)Hx switchable mirrors

Hydrogen atoms adsorbed on TiO2(110)-(1x1) surfaces have been characterized by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) combined with electron stimulated desorption (ESD) technique. Certain amounts of H atoms are unexpectedly found on the TiO2 surfaces annealed at 900 K. Two forms of adsorption were discriminated in STM images from the different sensitivity to ESD and tentatively assigned to hydroxyl-type (O-H) and hydride-type (Ti-H) species.     

Optimizing quasi-phase matching of high harmonic generation using counterpropagating pulse trains

We formulate a theory of quasi-phase matching of high harmonic generation using weak counterpropagating pulse trains. We predict the optimal laser intensities and pulse shapes for the counterpropagating field and find that the conversion efficiency is better than the efficiency obtained by simply suppressing harmonic emission from out-of-phase regions.     

The origin of deficiency of the supermolecule second-order Moller-Plesset approach for evaluating interaction energies

Calculations for the complex of thymine and adenine are used to show that the supermolecule second-order Moller-Plesset perturbation theory (MP2) approach for evaluating interaction energies fails in certain cases because of the behavior of one of its components: the uncoupled Hartree-Fock dispersion energy. A simple approach for correcting the MP2 supermolecule interaction energies is proposed. It focuses on correcting a relatively small difference between the MP2 and coupled cluster interaction energies, which is a very appealing feature of the new approach considering a benchmark role played by coupled cluster results.     

HOST CELL REACTIVATION IN MAMMALIAN CELLS-V. PHOTOREACTIVATION STUDIES WITH HERPES VIRUS IN MARSUPIAL AND HUMAN CELLS

Abstract— The survival of UV-irradiated herpes simplex virus was determined in cultured Potoroo (a marsupial) and human cells under lighting conditions which promote photoreactivation. Photoreactivation was readily demonstrated for herpes virus in two lines of Potoroo cells with dose reduction factors of 0.7-0.8 for ovan cells and 0.5-0.7 for kidney cells. Light from Blacklite (near UV) lamps was more effective than from Daylight (mostly visible) lamps, suggesting that near UV radiation was more efficient for photoreactivation in Potoroo cells. The quantitative and qualitative aspects of this photoreactivation were similar to those reported for a similar virus infecting chick embryo cells. UV-survhal curves for herpes virus in Potoroo cells indicated a high level of "dark" host cell reactivation. No photoreactivation was found for UV-irradiated vaccinia virus in Potoroo cells. A similar photoreactivation study was done using special control lighting (Λ > 600 nm) and human cells with normal repair and with ceils deficient in excision repair (XP). No photoreactivation was found for UV-irradiated herpes virus in either human cell with either Blacklite or Daylight lamps as the sources of photoreacti-vating light. This result contrasts with a report of photoreactivation for a herpes virus in the same XP cells using incandescent lamps.     

DIFFERENTIAL INACTIVATION OF SURROGATE VIRUSES WITH MEROCYANINE 540

Bacteriophages may be useful as surrogates for animal viruses when the virucidal properties of different photosensitizing compounds are initially investigated. We studied photoinactivation of four bacteriophages, phi X174, T7, PRD1, and phi 6, by the dye merocyanine 540 (MC540) (15 micrograms/mL). Merocyanine 540 (MC540) should be most effective with lipid-containing viruses, since it is primarily lipophilic (but also binds to proteins). Two of the phages, PRD1 and phi 6 contain lipid, with only phi 6 having an external lipoprotein envelope. Filtered radiation (450-600 nm) from a 750 W projector was used at 16-100 W/m2. The survival curves of the different viruses clearly demonstrated different levels of sensitivity to photoinactivation by MC540, with phi 6 (Do = 1.5 kJ/m2) being the most sensitive, followed by T7 (21-fold less sensitive). While both PRD1 and phi 6 have lipid components, only phi 6 was photoinactivated by MC540. Thus the internal lipid components of PRD1 were not sufficient to allow photoinactivation by this dye, at fluences up to 300 kJ/m2. For comparison, we also photoinactivated Herpes simplex virus (Do = 0.053 kJ/m2) and found it to be 28-fold more sensitive than phi 6 to photoinactivation by the same concentration of MC540. Thus phi 6 may be used as a surrogate for enveloped human viruses for photoinactivation by lipophilic dyes, but the results may only be useful qualitatively.     

UV-ENHANCED VIRUS REACTIVATION IN MAMMALIAN CELLS: EFFECTS OF METABOLIC INHIBITORS*

Abstract—The induction process of UV-enhanced reactivation of UV-irradiated herpes simplex virus was investigated in CV-1 monkey kidney cells. A protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide (0.5–5 μg/m/), present in the culture medium For 24 h between cell irradiation and virus infection decreased the enhanced virus survival normally found in UV-irradiated cultures. The enhanced virus reactivation became essentially resistant to the addition of cycloheximide by 6–8 h after cell irradiation, indicating that the cycloheximide-sensitive process necessary for enhanced reactivation was complete by that time. Since cycloheximide not only inhibits protein synthesis, but DNA synthesis as well, we investigated the effect of a DNA synthesis inhibitor, hydroxyurea. Hydroxyurea did not decrease UV-enhanced virus survival, but resulted in enhanced virus survival even in unirradiated cells. Therefore, the cycloheximide-caused inhibition of UV-enhanced reactivation did not arise from inhibition of DNA synthesis. The combined results indicate that (1) UV-enhanced virus reactivation in monkey kidney cells requires de novo protein synthesis during the first 6–8 h after cell irradiation and that (2) DNA synthesis inhibition may be the initiating event.     

Moiré techniques for measuring strains during welding

The present work measures dynamic strains near welds using a projected-grating moiré technique. Experimental procedures are described for producing the orthogonal submaster gratings and etched heat-resistant specimen gratings necessary for this work. A modification of the gridanalyzer method allows all strain information to be obtained from a single photograph. A mathematical procedure combines fringe patterns from small adjacent sections of a surface into a larger continuous pattern. Computerized regression techniques enable more rapid and accurate analysis of the data. Results from welds in an Al?Mg alloy show the feasibility of dynamic welding-strain analysis using this approach. Welding deformation is found to be almost entirely shear straining, which explains the nature and orientation of high-temperature cracks sometimes found near welds.     

On-chip absorption measurements using an integrated waveguide

Square hollow waveguides are used to integrate measurement of absorption with chip-based electrophoresis. The 50x50 microm liquid channel and 50x50 microm waveguide are etched as a negative pattern into a silicon master and replicated as a positive in poly-dimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The uniform refractive index of the chip prevents guiding by total internal reflection. Instead, light at 488 nm is guided by reflection at the air-PDMS interface. The waveguide has a 60% efficiency over a distance of 3.2 cm. Separation of fluorescein and the dye BODIPY is demonstrated. A detection limit (S/N=3) of 200 microM fluorescein is obtained using a 50 microm pathlength and a simple photocell detector.