Guises and disguises of quadratic divergences

In this contribution, we present a new perspective on the control of quadratic divergences in quantum field theory, in general, and in the Higgs naturalness problem, in particular. Our discussion is essentially based on an approach where UV divergences are parameterized, after being reduced to basic divergent integrals (BDI) in one internal momentum, as functions of a cutoff and a renormalization group scale λ$\lambda$. We illustrate our proposal with well-known examples, such as the gluon vacuum self energy of QCD and the Higgs decay in two photons within this approach. We also discuss frameworks in effective low-energy QCD models, where quadratic divergences are indeed fundamental.     

Solvation of propanediol ions by water molecules in the gas phase

The thermochemical properties of protonated hydrates of 1,2- and 1,3-propanediols have been investigated using electrospray ionization-high pressure mass spectrometry. The binding enthalpies, entropies, and free energies of the stepwise hydration of protonated propanediols with one to three waters are reported. The observed negative entropy change [ΔΔS_1,3^o for the addition of the third water to 1,3-propanediol·H⁺(H₂O)₂ suggests a stable structure due to an increased number of hydrogen bonds and the loss of the intramolecular hydrogen bond in the water cluster ion. The thermochemical properties of two isomers of butanediol were also investigated in order to further elucidate the structures of the protonated propanediols.     

Halloysite clay nanotubes and platinum nanoparticles dispersed in ionic liquid applied in the development of a catecholamine biosensor

Halloysite clay nanotubes were used as a support for the immobilization of the enzyme peroxidase from clover sprouts (Trifolium), and employed together with platinum nanoparticles in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ionic liquid (Pt-BMI·PF(6)) in the development of a new biosensor for the determination of catecholamines by square-wave voltammetry. Under optimized conditions, the analytical curves showed detection limits of 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.12 μM for dopamine, isoproterenol, dobutamine and epinephrine, respectively. The biosensor demonstrated high sensitivity, good repeatability and reproducibility, and long-term stability (18% decrease in response over 150 days). A recovery study of dopamine in pharmaceutical samples gave values from 97.5 to 101.4%. The proposed biosensor was successfully applied to the determination of dopamine in pharmaceutical samples, with a maximum relative error of ±1.0% in relation to the standard (spectrophotometric) method. The good analytical performance of the proposed method can be attributed to the efficient immobilization of the peroxidase in the nanoclay, and the facilitation of electron transfer between the protein and the electrode surface due to the presence of the Pt nanoparticles and ionic liquid.     

Reducing factorization of a semiprime number to the integration of highly oscillatory functions

We reduce the problem of factoring a semiprime integer to the problem of (numerically) integrating a certain highly oscillatory function. We provide two algorithms for addressing this problem, one based on the residue theorem and the other on the (extended) Cauchy argument principle. We show that in the former algorithm, computing the residue of the function at a certain pole leads to us obtaining the factors of the semiprime integer. In the latter, we consider a contour integral for which we are able to obtain an analytical solution with several branches. The computational difficulty reduces to that of discovering the branch of the solution which gives the precise integral. We address this problem by numerically computing an upper and a lower bound of the integral and then considering the branch that fits these bounds. The time complexity of the algorithms is left as an open problem.     

Syntheses, structural and spectroscopic characterization of novel zinc(II)-bis(trithiocarbimato) complexes and bis(N-methylsulfonyldithiocarbimate)-sulfide

Four zinc(II)-bis(trithiocarbimato) complexes with the general formula A₂[Zn(RSO₂NCS₃)₂] [A = Ph₄P⁺: R = CH₃ (1), 4-CH₃C₆H₄ (2); A = Bu₄N⁺: R = CH₃ (3), 4-CH₃C₆H₄ (4)] were obtained by the reaction of sulfur with the correspondent zinc(II)-bis(dithiocarbimato) complexes. Additionally, the compound (Ph₄P)₂[(CH₃SO₂NCS₂)₂S)] (5) was prepared from the potassium methylsulfonildithiocarbimate by oxidation with iodine. The compounds were characterized by elemental analyses and IR, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectroscopies. The compounds 4 and 5 were also characterized by X-ray diffraction techniques. The compound 4 crystallizes in the centrosymmetric space group C2/c of the monoclinic system. The Zn(II) is in a distorted tetrahedral environment (ZnS₄) in compound 4, and differ from the coordination mode observed in compound 1, which involves one sulfur and one nitrogen atom of each trithiocarbimate ligand. Compound 5 is the first example of a compound containing a bis(N-alkylsulfonyldithiocarbimate)-sulfide dianion and crystallises in the non-centrosymmetric space group P4₁2₁2 of the tetragonal system.     

Optimal scheduling of batch industrial facilities

An increasing interest in batch processing has been evident in recent years. This renewed interest is explained by the inherent flexibility of such plants that permits a high level of response to uncertain market conditions and requirements. This level of response does require the use of efficient tools to help the decision-making process at the design and operational level. This paper presents a Mixed Integer Linear Program (MILP) model to optimise the scheduling of batch facilities subject to changeovers and distribution constraints so as to guarantee a pre-defined objective. Such an objective can be defined as the minimum orders' total lateness or the maximum distribution units loading capacity, among others. A continuous-time representation is used as well as the concept of job predecessor and successor to effectively handle changeovers. Facilities having non-identical parallel units/lines, sequence-dependent orders, finite release times for units and orders, restrictions on the suitability of jobs to lines/units and different possible destinations to available distribution units are also considered. Based on these characteristics the proposed model is able to determine the optimal allocation of jobs to production lines/units, the sequence of jobs on every line/unit and the starting and completion production times of each order. Also, the usage and allocation of the distribution resources (eg trucks) to orders and destinations are obtained based on their availability and suitability to the orders. The model led to the development of a prototype information system that can be used as a tool to help the decision-making process at the operational plant level.Finally, the applicability of the proposed system/formulation is shown through the resolution of an industrial real case where the production of polymers is performed.     

Direct mass measurements of the neutron-rich light isotopes of lithium through fluorine

The direct mass measurements of the neutron-rich nuclei¹¹Li,¹⁴Be,¹⁷B,^19–20C,^20–22N,^23–24O, and^25–27F have been performed using the Time-of-Flight Isochronous (TOFI) spectrometer. We observe a notable drop in the two-neutron separation energies for the oxygen and fluorine isotopes afterN=15. This behavior is interpreted using the shell model.