On the model companion of partial differential fields with an automorphism

We prove that the class of partial differential fields of characteristic zero with an automorphism has a model companion. We then establish the basic model theoretic properties of this theory and prove that it satisfies the canonical base property, and consequently the Zilber dichotomy, for finite-dimensional types.     

Cross sections for low-energy electron scattering from adenine in the condensed phase

Measurements of the vibrational and electronic excitation of a sub-monolayer up to a monolayer film of adenine were performed with a high resolution electron energy-loss (HREEL) spectrometer. The integral cross sections (over the half-space angle) for excitation of the normal vibrational modes of the ground electronic state and electronically excited states are calculated from the measured reflectivity EEL spectra. Most cross sections for vibrational excitation are of the order of 10(-17) cm(2), the largest being the out-of-plane wagging of the amino-group and the six-member ring deformations. A wide resonance feature appears in the incident energy dependence of the vibrational cross sections at 3-5 eV, while a weak shoulder is present in this dependence for combined ring deformations and bending of hydrogen atoms. For the five excited electronic states, at 4.7, 5.0, 5.5, 6.1 and 6.6 eV, the cross sections are of the order of 10(-18) cm(2), except in the case of the state at the energy of 6.1 eV, for which it is two to three times higher.     

A Convergent Strategy for the Asymmetric Synthesis of Enantiomerically Pure Bicyclic Compounds by Using a Silicon-Directed Cycloaddition Reaction: The Synthesis of Enantiomerically Pure Bicyclo[3.2.0]hept-2-en-6-one

An asymmetric allylmetalation followed by a silicon-stereodirected cycloaddition gives enantiomerically pure bicyclic compounds. The synthesis of enantiopure 1 (see scheme) in a yield of 65–74 %, 93 % ee, and >98 % de provides an illustration of the efficacy of the method. The preferential formation of 1 rather than its diastereoisomer (32:1), during the cycloaddition step, matches the result predicted by RHF and density functional theory studies.     

Mixing state of individual carbonaceous particles during a severe haze episode in January 2013,Nanjing,China

Chemical composition,hourly counts,and sizes of atmospheric carbonaceous particles were measured to investigate their mixing state on clear and hazy days.623,122 carbonaceous particles with sizes0.2-2.0 μm was analyzed using a single-particle aerosol mass spectrometer from 1st to 17 th January2013.Particle types included biomass/biofuel burning particles(biomass),element carbon(EC-dominant)particles that were also mixed with biomass/biofuel burning species(EC-biomass) or secondary species(EC-secondary),organic carbon(OC),internally mixed OC and EC(OCEC),ammonium-containing(ammonium) and sodium-containing(sodium) particles.On clear days the top ranked carbonaceous particle types were biomass(48.2%),EC-biomass(15.7%),OCEC(11.1%),and sodium(9.6%),while on hazy days they were biomass(37.3%),EC-biomass(17.6%),EC-secondary(16.6%),and sodium(12.7%).The fractions of EC-secondary,ammonium(10%),and sodium particle types were elevated on hazy days.Numbers of EC-secondary particles were more than four times those on clear days(4.1%).Thus,carbonaceous particles mixed with ammonium,nitrate and sulfate during aging and transport,enhancing their light extinction effects and hygroscopic growth under high relative humidity on hazy days,further reducing visibility.Our real-time single-particle data showed that changes to mixing state had a significant impact on light extinction during haze events in Nanjing.     

The 1,3-benzotellurazole : A new heterocyclic system

We describe the synthesis of a new heterocyclic system : the 1,3-benzotellurazole, and some of its substituted derivatives.     

High Sensitive Long Period Fiber Grating Sensor for Detection of Nitrite

A high sensitive long period fiber grating(LPFG) sensor for the detection of nitrite is proposed, which is realized by coating multiple poly(sodium 4-styrensulfonate)(PSS) and poly(diallyldimethylammonium) chloride (PDDA) layers on the fiber grating surface. The sensitivity of this LPFG sensor is maximum when the number of assembled layers is 70. Under this condition, a nitrite concentration of 3×10-3 mol/L, which is lower than the National Food Additive Standard, 4.2×10-3 mol/L, can be distinguished. The s...     

On the mechanism of anion desorption from DNA induced by low energy electrons

Our knowledge of the mechanisms of radiation damage to DNA induced by secondary electrons is still very limited, mainly due to the large sizes of the system involved and the complexity of the interactions. To reduce the problem to its simplest form, we investigated specific electron interactions with one of the most simple model system of DNA, an oligonucleotide tetrameter compound of the four bases. We report anion desorption yields from a thin solid film of the oligonucleotide GCAT induced by the impact of 3-15 eV electrons. All observed anions (H-, O-, OH-, CN-, and OCN-) are produced by dissociative electron attachment to the molecule, which results in desorption peaks between 6 and 12 eV. Above 14 eV nonresonant dipolar dissociation dominates the desorption yields. By comparing the shapes and relative intensities of the anion yield functions from GCAT physisorbed on a tantalum substrate with those obtained from isolated DNA basic subunits (i.e., bases, deoxyribose, and phosphate groups) from either the gas phase or condensed phase experiments, it is possible to obtain more details on the mechanisms involved in low energy electron damage to DNA, particularly on those producing single strand breaks.     

The domino chemistry approach to molecular complexity: competing domino processes modulated by the substitution pattern

Oxidative cleavage with lead tetraacetate results in the synthesis of different oxygen heterocycles starting from the same unsaturated 1,2-diol of type I by tuning of the substitution pattern at the angular position. When this compound bears a functional substituent, such as an alkoxy, ester, alkenyl, or simply a hydrogen, more than one reaction pathway are in competition. The process allows for the selective formation of three different complex ring systems, by the appropriate choice of the angular substituent, leading to either a ring-expanded type 1, ring-retained type 2, or domino products 3.     

Pesticides and other chemical contaminants

A new topic needs to be added to this refereeship this year. This topic is Ultra-trace method for pesticides in bottled soft drinks. The Study Director is Paul Milne. The topic Dioxins by GC/MS remains vacant.     

Spontaneous Raman scattering: a useful tool for investigating the afterglow of nanosecond scale discharges in air

Nanosecond scale discharges are considered an interesting way for assisting combustion by enhancing either flame stabilization or ignition. Better understanding of energy deposit and radical species production processes is still required under pressure conditions normally encountered in combustion. The purpose of the present paper is to show that spontaneous Raman scattering, seldom used to investigate nanosecond pulsed discharges, is a useful measurement method for investigating the energy deposit of these discharges. The advantage of spontaneous Raman scattering is described by analyzing N₂ and O₂ spectra during the post-discharge of a filamentary nanosecond air discharge under atmospheric pressure, using phase-locked average spectra. The main advantages of spontaneous Raman scattering measurements are that they allow line-wise probing of different species with the same experimental setup and the determination of vibrational distribution by comparison with theoretical modeling over a wide range of vibrational levels (from v=0 to v=20 for N₂). The model proposed takes into account the high level of vibrational excitation and the strong non-equilibrium observed, allowing the characterization of the vibrational relaxation over the complete post-discharge duration. Although the rotational structure is not resolved, the rotational temperature and thus translational temperature are determined with a moderate uncertainty for T above 500 K.