Duality and the cosmological constant

A dynamical theory is studied in which a scalar field ϕ in Einstein-Minkowski space is coupled to the four-velocityN _μ of a preferred inertial observer in that space. As a consistent requirement on this coupling we study a principle of duality invariance of the dynamical mass term of ϕ at some universal length in the small-distance regime. In the large-distance regime duality breaking can be introduced by giving a background value to ϕ and a background direction toN _μ. It is shown that, in an appropriate approximation, duality breaking can be related to the emergence of a characteristic phase in which the condensation of the ground state allows massive excitations with a characteristic scale of squared mass which agrees with the present observational bound for the cosmological constant.     

A new approach based on the surrogating method in the project time compression problems

This paper develops a mathematical model for project time compression problems in CPM/PERT type networks. It is noted this formulation of the problem will be an adequate approximation for solving the time compression problem with any continuous and non-increasing time-cost curve. The kind of this model is Mixed Integer Linear Program (MILP) with zero-one variables, and the Benders' decomposition procedure for analyzing this model has been developed. Then this paper proposes a new approach based on the surrogating method for solving these problems. In addition, the required computer programs have been prepared by the author to execute the algorithm. An illustrative example solved by the new algorithm, and two methods are compared by several numerical examples. Computational experience with these data shows the superiority of the new approach.     

Microwave Assisted Conversion of Oximes and Semicarbazones to Carbonyl Compounds Using Benzyltriphenylphosphonium Peroxymonosulfate

Summary.  Benzyltriphenylphosphonium peroxymonosulfate in the presence of catalytic amounts of bismuth chloride was found to be an efficient and mild reagent for the oxidative cleavage of oximes and semicarbazones to the corresponding carbonyl compounds under microwave irradiation. Corresponding author. E-mail: haji@cc.iut.ac.ir Received March 4, 2002; accepted (revised) April 8, 2002     

A convenient and regioselective oxidative bromination of electron-rich aromatic rings using potassium bromide and benzyltriphenylphosphonium peroxymonosulfate under nearly neutral reaction conditions

Regioselective oxidative bromination of electron-rich aromatic rings has been studied using potassium bromide as a bromine source in the presence of benzyltriphenylphosphonium peroxymonosulfate as oxidant under nearly neutral reaction conditions. In most cases we obtained monobrominated derivatives regioselectively and in good to high yields without the aid of strong acids.     

Field alpha-spectroscopy of radon (<Superscript>222</Superscript>Rn) and actinon (<Superscript>219</Superscript>Rn) progeny in soil gas: Locating a radon source

Summary The activities of²¹⁸Po,²¹⁴Po and²¹¹Bi were determined in samples obtained of soil/gas. Sampling work was taken in Jáchymov (Czech Republic) at the outcrop of the Geister-vein,by electrostatic precipitation from filtered soil gas on stainless steel disks.The samples were measured in a field laboratory using a semi-conductor alpha-spectrometer.The activities of²¹⁸Po,²¹⁴Po and²¹¹Bi were calculated.Samples taken from active dump material (near-by radon source) exhibited a high²¹¹Bi/²¹⁴Po ratio, while those of the vein outcrop (a relatively deeper source) had a low ratio.A mathematical model was employed to determine the radon age calculated from the actinon/radon input ratio.This varied in a range of 5.6 to -7.7 seconds.Negative age values are probably caused by the preference for actinon, which rapidly comes into equilibrium with the source of this gas.     

Die Reduktion von Ammoniumpolyuranat zu Urandioxid

Zusammenfassung Es werden die Resultate des isothermen Zerfalles und der Reduktion vonstandardisiertem Ammoniumpolyuranat im Bereich von 285 bis 463° C (in Wasserstoff) wiedergegeben. Der Zerfall zu UO₃ wurde schon bei einer Temp. unter 290° C festgestellt, diese Phase blieb jedoch darauf stabil bis 320° C. Zwischen 320° C und 380° C verläuft die Reduktion zu U₃O₈, über 380° C aber zu UO₂. Die Aktivierungsenergien bei der Reduktion von UO₃ zu U₃O₈ und von U₃O₈ zu UO₂ wurden berechnet, und zwar 32,2 kcal/g-mol und 41,7 kcal/g-mol. Die Ergebnisse können mit den Literaturangaben für die Reduktion der einzelnen Phasen UO₃ und U₃O₈ verglichen werden. Die beobachteten Unterschiede weisen auf den Einfluß der Aktivität der Präparate hin.

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The isothermal decomposition and reduction of ammonium polyuranate (ADU) was investigated in the temperature interval 285–463° C in hydrogen. The formation of UO₃ was noticed below 290° C and this product was stable up to 320° C. U₃O₈ was stable from this temperature on up to 380° C, where the reduction to UO₂ was observed. The activation energies 32,2 Kcal/mole and 41.7 Kcal/mole were calculated for the reduction of UO₃ to U₃O₈ and for the reduction of U₃O₈ to UO₂, respectively. The results are comparable with the published data on reduction of separate phases UO₃ and U₃O₈. Some differences noticed show the influence of the activities of the products.

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Mit 4 Abbildungen     

Deoxygenative α-alkylation and α-arylation of 1,2-dicarbonyls

Construction of C–C bonds at the α-carbon is a challenging but synthetically indispensable approach to α-branched carbonyl motifs that are widely represented among drugs, natural products, and synthetic intermediates. Here, we describe a simple approach to generation of boron enolates in the absence of strong bases that allows for introduction of both α-alkyl and α-aryl groups in a reaction of readily accessible 1,2-dicarbonyls and organoboranes. Obviation of unselective, strongly basic and nucleophilic reagents permits carrying out the reaction in the presence of electrophiles that intercept the intermediate boron enolates, resulting in two new α-C–C bonds in a tricomponent process.

α-Branched carboxylic acids and other carbonyls are readily accessed by a metal- and base-free deoxygenative α-alkylation and α-arylation of 1,2-dicarbonyls via boron enolates, resulting in a tricomponent coupling with unconventional electrophiles.     

Facile protection of carbonyl compounds as oxathiolanes and transoxathioacetalization of oxyacetals promoted by iron(III) trifluoroacetate or trifluoromethanesulfonate as chemoselective and recyclable catalysts

Oxathioacetalization of carbonyl compounds and transoxathioacetalization of O,O-acetals/ketals are reported under nearly neutral conditions promoted by iron(III) trifluoroacetate [Fe(CF₃CO₂)₃] or trifluoromethanesulfonate [Fe(CF₃SO₃)₃] as recyclable and highly efficient Lewis acid catalysts.