Observation of the f 2(1525) resonance in the ηη system produced in K − p interactions at a momentum of 32.5 GeV/c

The reaction K ^? p → ηη(Λ/Σ⁰) at a momentum of 32.5 GeV/c was studied for the first time. The experiment was performed by using the GAMS-4π spectrometer at the 70-GeV accelerator of the Institute for High Energy Physics (IHEP, Protvino). The f ₂(1525) resonance was observed in the effective-mass spectrum of the ηη system at a low background level. The cross section for f ₂(1525) production was measured. The branching ratio for f ₂(1525)-meson decay to ηη and K $\bar K$ was found to be R = 0.119 ± 0.015(stat.) ± 0.036(syst.), which is in agreement with the world-average value.     

Specific uptake of aromatic compounds from aqueous solution by montmorillonite modified with tetraphenylphosphonium

Montmorillonite (MT) modified with tetraphenylphosphonium (TPP·MT) had specific uptake behavior for aromatics in aqueous solution. This is attributed to the extent of π–π stacking interactions between the benzene rings of intercalated TPP⁺ and the benzene rings of aromatics with different electronic states. The uptake order of aromatics by TPP·MT was in contrast to that by layered double hydroxide (LDH) intercalated with 2,7-naphthalene disulfonate. The selective uptake of target aromatic compounds from aqueous solution can be achieved by combining appropriate inorganic layered compounds and modified aromatic ions.     

Mechanism of oil-in-water emulsification using a water-soluble amphiphilic polymer and lipophilic surfactant

A new O/W (oil-in-water) emulsification system was developed using the amphiphilic polymer HHM-HEC (hydrophobically-hydrophilically modified hydroxyethylcellulose) and a lipophilic surfactant. HHM-HEC was used as a thickener and polymeric surfactant, and the addition of small quantities of various types of nonionic lipophilic surfactant (hydrophilic-lipophilic balance <5) decreased the droplet size of several types of oil due to a lowering of the tension at the water/oil interface. The oil droplets were held by the strong network structure of the aqueous HHM-HEC solution, preserving the O/W phase without inversion. These stable O/W emulsions were prepared without the addition of hydrophilic surfactants and thus show improved water repellency.     

Powerful Ti-crossed Claisen condensation between ketene silyl acetals or thioacetals and acid chlorides or acids

[Structure: see text] A powerful Ti-crossed Claisen condensation between ketene silyl acetals (KSAs) and acid chlorides was successfully performed to give alpha-monoalkylated esters and thermodynamically unfavorable (less accessible) alpha,alpha-dialkylated beta-keto esters in good yield (46 examples; 41-98% yield). A closely related reaction between ketene silyl thioacetals (KSTAs) and acid chlorides also proceeded smoothly to give alpha-monoalkylated and alpha,alpha-dialkylated beta-keto thioesters (21 examples; 61-97% yield). The present protocol was extended to the direct condensation of KSAs with carboxylic acids (14 examples; 71-97% yield).     

A Structurally Robust Chiral Borate Ion: Molecular Design,Synthesis, and Asymmetric Catalysis

Catalysis by chiral weakly-coordinating anions (WCAs) remains underdeveloped due to the lack of a molecular design strategy for exploiting their characteristics, such as the non-nucleophilic nature. Here, we report the development of a chiral borate ion comprising an O,N,N,O-tetradentate backbone, which ensures hitherto unattainable structural robustness. Upon pairing with a proton, the hydrogen borate acts as an effective catalyst for the asymmetric Prins-type cyclization of vinyl ethers, providing access to structurally and stereochemically defined dihydropyrans. The key to selectivity control is the distinct ability of the borate ion to discriminate the prochiral faces of the acyclic oxonium ion intermediate and dictate the regiochemical outcome. We anticipate that this study paves the way for exploring the untapped potential of WCA catalysis for selective chemical synthesis.     

Relation between annoyance and single-number quantities for rating heavy-weight floor impact sound insulation in wooden houses

This study investigated the relation between annoyance and single-number quantities to rate heavy-weight floor impact sound insulation. Laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate the subjective response of annoyance resulting from heavy-weight floor impact sounds recorded in wooden houses. Stimuli had two typical spectra and their modified versions, which simulate the precise change in frequency response resulting from insulation treatments. Results of the first experiment showed that the Zwicker's percentile loudness (N(5)) was the quantity to rate most well annoyance of heavy-weight impact sound over a wide sound level range. The second experiment revealed that arithmetic average (L(iFavg,Fmax)) of octave-band sound pressure levels measured using the time constant "fast" and Zwicker's percentile loudness (N(5)) much better described annoyance by the precise change in the sound spectrum attributable to insulation treatments than Japanese standardized single-number quantities (L(i,Fmax,r), L(iA,Fmax), and L(i,Fmax,Aw)) do. Japanese standardized single-number quantities using the A-weighting curve as a rating curve were found to be excessively influenced by the 63 Hz octave-band sound level and have the great sound level-dependences in the relation with subjective ratings.     

Thickening properties and emulsification mechanisms of new derivatives of polysaccharide in aqueous solution 2. The effect of the substitution ratio of hydrophobic/hydrophilic moieties

The thickening properties and association behavior of aqueous solutions of HHM-HEC (hydrophobically-hydrophilically modified hydroxyethyl cellulose) with various hydrophobic and hydrophilic substitution degrees were investigated. The HHM-HEC was used as an oil-in-water emulsifier and stable compositional regions were investigated as a function of polymer concentration and substitution degree. The viscosity of aqueous solutions of HHM-HEC increased drastically at lower concentration for HHM-HEC with a higher hydrophobic/hydrophilic substitution ratio. The intensity ratio of the first and third vibrational bands of pyrene (I(1)/I(3)) decreased with the increase of HHM-HEC concentration and the I(1)/I(3) reached a lower plateau at a lower concentration for HHM-HEC with a higher hydrophobic/hydrophilic substitution ratio. The concentration ranges of HHM-HEC solutions which stabilize O/W emulsions differ by the hydrophobic/hydrophilic substitution ratio. However the viscosity ranges of these HHM-HEC solutions were almost the same regardless of the hydrophobic/hydrophilic substitution ratio. At the suitable concentration range for emulsification, HHM-HEC networks have two properties: (1) oil particle retention capacity and (2) laxation which can trap emulsified particles.