Deeply virtual compton scattering off the neutron

The present experiment exploits the interference between the deeply virtual Compton scattering (DVCS) and the Bethe-Heitler processes to extract the imaginary part of DVCS amplitudes on the neutron and on the deuteron from the helicity-dependent D(e,e'gamma)X cross section measured at Q2=1.9 GeV2 and xB=0.36. We extract a linear combination of generalized parton distributions (GPDs) particularly sensitive to E_{q}, the least constrained GPD. A model dependent constraint on the contribution of the up and down quarks to the nucleon spin is deduced.     

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Ohne Zusammenfassung     

General relativity in two dimensions: A Hamilton-Jacobi analysis

We analyzed the constraint structure of the Einstein-Hilbert first-order action in two dimensions using the Hamilton-Jacobi approach. We were able to find a set of involutive, as well as a set of non-involutive constraints. Using generalized brackets we showed how to assure integrability of the theory, to eliminate the set of non-involutive constraints and how to build the field equations.     

Dynamic interactive membranes with pressure-driven tunable porosity and self-healing ability

When pressure is applied to dynamic interactive membranes consisting of micelles composed of a triblock copolymer, their morphologies can be fine-tuned. Membranes with a range of porosities are accessible which can regulate and thereby control filtration performance and also display effective autonomous healing.     

UV photodesorption of interstellar CO ice analogues: from subsurface excitation to surface desorption

Carbon monoxide is after H(2) the most abundant molecule identified in the interstellar medium (ISM), and is used as a major tracer for the gas phase physical conditions. Accreted at the surface of water-rich icy grains, CO is considered to be the starting point of a complex organic--presumably prebiotic--chemistry. Non-thermal desorption processes, and especially photodesorption by UV photons, are seen as the main cause that drives the gas-to-ice CO balance in the colder parts of the ISM. The process is known to be efficient and wavelength-dependent, but, the underlying mechanism and the physical-chemical parameters governing the photodesorption are still largely unknown. Using monochromatized photons from a synchrotron beamline, we reveal that the molecular mechanism responsible for CO photoejection is an indirect, (sub)surface-located process. The local environment of the molecules plays a key role in the photodesorption efficiency, and is quenched by at least an order of magnitude for CO interacting with a water ice surface.     

Comparative theoretical study of small Rhn nanoparticles (2 ≤ n ≤ 8) using DFT methods

This work is aimed at identifying some key characteristics (energy, geometry, and spin) concerning Rh_n particles (2 = n ≤ 8) to perform further studies on adsorption and coadsorption sites of pollutants (CO and NO). The DFT methods of the Gaussian 03 program with the LANL2DZ basis set and the LANL2 potential are used. With the purpose to obtain a better nanoparticles definition, five different functionals were tested: B3LYP, O3LYP, BPW91, BP86, and HCTH; and the corresponding results are used to determine which of them best describes distances, spin, and gives acceptable highest vibration frequency and binding energy values, by comparing these results with values measured or calculated by many other authors. For the structure optimization process of the particles, the initial geometric shape was taken mainly from the literature, using the Rh–Rh distance: 2.67 Å, known for the bulk; and doing a complete optimization. We also considered flat nanoparticles structures, which most of them display three‐dimensional structures after the optimization process. The few flat shapes are mainly higher in energy than those of three‐dimensional structure. For some Rh_n particles for different n values, the spin of the ground state present degeneration. In some cases, the optimization process changes the initial geometry, but in most cases, there are only minor changes in bonds and geometry. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2010     

Recycling of distillery effluents in alcoholic fermentation: role in inhibition of 10 organic molecules

In beet distilleries, condensates arising from stillage concentration could be recycled as dilution water for the fermentation step, thus preserving groundwater resources and ensuring a quality-controlled water supply. However, the recycling of condensates has been found to cause a significant reduction in fermentation activity. This study aimed to verify that condensates are toxic to alcoholic fermentation. Ten compounds found in condensates (formic, acetic, propionic, butyric, valeric, and hexanoic acids; 2,3-butanediol, furfuryl alcohol, furfural, and 2-phenyl-ethyl-alcohol) were tested. With the exception of 2,3-butanediol, they all proved to be inhibitors. At the same molar concentration, the longer the carbonaceous chain, the stronger the inhibition by fatty acids. An experimental design was used to study the inhibitory characteristics of the 10 compounds at the concentrations found in condensates. Synergistic effects were also confirmed. In real effluents, acetic acid was so highly concentrated that it became the strongest inhibitor. It is therefore necessary to eliminate it before recycling, as well as less concentrated compounds that may accumulate, as illustrated by the simulation.     

Scaling tests of the cross section for deeply virtual Compton scattering

We present the first measurements of the e[over -->]p-->epgamma cross section in the deeply virtual Compton scattering (DVCS) regime and the valence quark region. The Q(2) dependence (from 1.5 to 2.3 GeV(2)) of the helicity-dependent cross section indicates the twist-2 dominance of DVCS, proving that generalized parton distributions (GPDs) are accessible to experiment at moderate Q(2). The helicity-independent cross section is also measured at Q(2)=2.3 GeV(2). We present the first model-independent measurement of linear combinations of GPDs and GPD integrals up to the twist-3 approximation.     

Ab initio multireference configuration-interaction study of hydrogen molecule activation by Cs-promoted Pt clusters

The adsorption of the H2 molecule on CsnPt(5-n) bcc (111) clusters for Cs/Pt rates of 20%, 40%, and 80% is studied using ab initio multiconfigurational self-consistent field plus multireference configuration-interaction variational and perturbative calculations. The H2 interaction with the clusters is studied in ground and excited states with geometry optimization, where the hydrogen adsorption takes place by a Pt atom. These calculations are compared with those of H2 adsorption on Pt4. The most stable configurations of Cs/Pt4 and Cs2Pt3 clusters (Cs/Pt rates of 20% and 40%) are a doublet and a closed-shell singlet, respectively. Both clusters capture and activate the hydrogen molecule and their behaviors resemble Pt4. The H2 capture distances are, respectively, similar and smaller than Pt4 capture distances, while the H-H bond dissociation distances are similar and bigger than those of Pt4; however, none of them presents activation barriers. The most stable Cs4Pt cluster (Cs/Pt rate of 80%) is also a closed-shell singlet; it also captures and activates the hydrogen molecule and shows a different behavior as compared with Cs/Pt4, Cs2Pt3, and Pt4 clusters. The capture distance is quite smaller and is obtained after surmounting an activation barrier. For all clusters studied here, no hydrogen absorption was observed, only the adsorption of H2.     

Some characterizations of discrete unimodality

Let F be a discrete distribution function on $\text{|Z}$. This paper gives a characterization of discrete unimodal distribution functions (Theorem 5.1) and a representation theorem for those distribution functions (Theorem 6.3), both in terms of their Lévy concentration functions.