Inclusive\bar K^{0*} (892) andK 0*(892) production on silicon by 200 GeVK − andπ −

The production of the neutralK ^? (892) resonances by 200 GeVK ^? andπ ^? has been studied over the kinematic range 0.0<x _f<1.0 andp _t ² <5.0 GeV². Longitudinal and transverse momentum distributions are presented. In addition the decay angular distributions inK ^? fragmentation to \(\bar K^{0*} \) have been investigated.     

Lifetimes of charged and neutralD mesons

We have measured the lifetimes of hadronically produced charged and neutralD mesons using silicon microstrip detectors and an active silicon target in the NA32 spectrometer at the CERN SPS. We obtainτ _D± = (10.9± _1.5 ^1.9 )·10^?13s andτ _D ^(?)10 = (4.2±0.5)·10^?13s based on 59 and 90 fully reconstructed decays respectively, giving a ratioτ _D±/τ _D ^(?)10 of 2.6 ±0.5.     

Effect of varying counterions on the sensitivity of electrohydrodynamic and fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry

The abundance of ion pairs (CA⁺) relative to that of doubly charged ions (C²⁺) in electrohydrodynamic (EH) mass spectra of a series of anions with a common dication in glycerol was found to increase in the order acetate < nitrite < chloride < bromide ≈ nitrate < iodide < perchlorate. Correlation with enthalpies of hydration for the anions suggests that this trend reflects the solution chemistry of ion association. These spectra also reveal that solvation rather than interactions with the extracting field is more important in determining the overall EH mass spectrometric sensitivity to doubly charged ions. Therefore, the use of anions that promote more extensive ion pairing enhances the overall sensitivity to multiply charged ions that otherwise interact strongly with the solvent, but reduces sensitivity to singly charged ions. These observations hold in fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry, surviving the invasive effects of the primary beam.     

Determination of flux from a saddle field fast-atom bombardment gun

The flux or beam density (equivalent current/area) of xenon atoms striking the sample target from a saddle field fast-atom bombardment (FAB) gun has been compared with that from a cesium ion gun mounted on the same instrument. A shielded Faraday cup mounted on the end of a solids probe was used to measure directly the flux of the Cs⁺ beam. Samples of methylene blue in glycerol solution were then exposed to the ion beam at different fluxes and the extents of reduction were measured. The extent of reduction varied linearly with flux up to a value of about 1.16 × 10¹³ particles s^?1 cm^?2 (1.85 μ cm^?2); above this level, the reduction effect appeared to saturate. FAB spectra were obtained from the same dye solution by using varying settings of the FAB gun. By comparing the extents of reduction of the dye from the two guns, the flux from the atom gun could be estimated. Observation of luminescence from a CsI-coated target allowed estimation of the area of the atom beam. The atom beam “equivalent current” could then be calculated by multiplying the flux times the area. It was noted that for given settings, the flux from the atom gun depended on the physical condition of the gun electrodes. With new electrodes, a flux ≥ 1.16 × 10¹³ particles s^?1 cm^?2 was obtained with nominal gun emission currents of 0.60–1.0 mA. Electrodes used extensively, but freshly cleaned, provided a flux of ～ 8 × 10¹² particles s^?1 cm^?2 at nominal emission currents of 0.40–1.0 mA. With dirty electrodes this flux could only be achieved at the highest (1.0 mA) emission current. This decline in performance occurs over a matter of months as a result of contamination and erosion of the electrodes during use. Such behavior can adversely affect spectral reproducibility even when nominal FAB gun voltage and emission current are carefully reproduced.     

A comparative study of injection techniques in high-performance liquid chromatography

Summary The performance of injection valves with both curtain- and single-flow column couplings has been evaluated using reverse-phase octadecylsilane columns and a standard test mixture. The results are compared with those obtained from septum and stopped-flow syringe injections.Stopped-flow valve injection has been examined similarly. Configurations and couplings which give optimum efficiency and reproducibility are recommended.     

A matrix isolation study of the C(s) symmetric OCNO(X 2A') radical

Here we report the first experimental detection of the C(s) symmetric nitroformyl radical, OCNO(X 2A') in a nitrogen-carbon dioxide matrix at 10 K using a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR). The nu1 vibrational frequency was observed at 2113 cm(-1). This assignment was confirmed by follow-up experiments using isotopically labeled reactant molecules (15N, 18O, 13C). To synthesize this radical, we irradiated solid nitrogen-carbon dioxide ice mixtures with energetic electrons at 10 K. Suprathermal nitrogen atoms in their electronic ground and/or first electronically excited state were generated via the radiation induced degradation of molecular nitrogen; these atoms could then react with carbon dioxide to eventually yield the nitroformyl radical. We also investigated the kinetics of the formation of the nitroformyl radical and support the arguments with computations on the doublet and quartet OCNO potential energy surfaces (PESs).     

Integration of spectral and temporal cues separated in time and frequency

Subjects discriminated a "standard" pair of tone bursts (T1, T2) from a "comparison" pair (T1 + delta t, T2 + delta f), containing increments in the duration delta t of the first burst and/or the frequency delta f of the second burst. The threshold (d' = 2.0) for delta t was measured as a function of delta f, and the threshold for delta f as a function of delta t. The integration of increments in duration and frequency was studied as a function of the spectral and temporal separation between T1 and T2. A trade-off between the values of delta t and delta f required for d' = 2.0 performance was observed. This integration takes place when delta t, delta f occur simultaneously in the same spectral region, and when they occur separated by up to 120 ms, or by up to a full octave. The efficiency of integration was similar for all conditions of temporal and spectral separation studied, because the discriminability of delta t and of delta f is also nearly uniform across experimental conditions. The results from all experimental conditions are adequately described by a vector summation model derived from TSD. In a subsidiary experiment, subjects categorized pure tones varying in duration and frequency as "high" or "low" in pitch and "long" or "short" in duration. It was found that combined variations in duration and frequency result in essentially independent perceptual processes, although pitch has a small effect upon the perceived duration. It is concluded that spectral-temporal integration is a general ability operating in a variety of stimulus conditions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The thermal degradation of copolymers of vinyl acetate with methyl methacrylate and other monomers

The thermal degradation of copolymers of vinyl acetate with methyl methacrylate, styrene and ethylene has been investigated using thermal volatilization analysis and thermogravimetry, together with analysis of volatile and involatile degradation products. All three copolymer systems show some of the features characteristic of the homopolymers of the monomers concerned. There is evidence, however, for an intramolecular lactonization process in VA—MMA copolymers, involving reaction of adjacent VA and MMA units with elimination of methyl acetate. This reaction occurs less readily than the analogous process in vinyl chloride—MMA copolymers. Mechanisms of the various degradation reactions are discussed.     

A reanalysis of branching fractions of charmed mesonsD 0,D + andD s +

We combine highly complementary information on branching fractions of charmed mesonsD ⁰,D ⁺ andD _s ⁺ coming from two experiments both yielding doublecharm samples. The NA 32 experiment provided exclusive branching fractions for channels with at least two charged decay products while a recent Mark III paper provides results on inclusive charm decay properties. The knowledge of channels withK ⁰'s in the former is used to recalculate the charged multiplicity distribution in the latter. We obtain 〈n _ch〉=2.25±0.08 forD ⁰, 〈n _ch〉=1.96±0.08 forD ⁺ and 〈n _ch〉=2.41±0.38 forD _s ⁺ . In turn the knowledge of the charged multiplicity improves the overall normalization of exclusive branching fractions. This reanalysis yields model-independent results for charmed mesons. In particular we obtain branching fractions for 16D _s ⁺ decay channels including $$BF(D_s^ + \to \phi \pi ^ + ) = \left( {4.4\begin{array}{*{20}c} { + 2.3} \\ { - 1.8} \\ \end{array} } \right)\% .$$ .