Proposed test of quantum nonlocality for continuous variables

We propose a test of nonlocality for continuous variables using a two-mode squeezed state as the source of nonlocal correlations and a measurement scheme based on conditional homodyne detection. Both the Clauser-Horne-Shimony-Holt and the Clauser-Horne inequality are constructed from the conditional homodyne data and found to be violated for a squeezing parameter larger than r approximately 0.48.     

Diagnostic di‐ and triphosphate cyclisation in the negative ion electrospray mass spectra of phosphoSer peptides

It has been shown previously that [M–H]^– anions of small peptides containing two phosphate residues undergo cyclisation of the phosphate groups, following collision‐induced dissociation (CID), to form a characteristic singly charged anion A (H₃P₂O₇^–, m/z 177). In the present study it is shown that the precursor anions derived from the diphosphopeptides of caerin 1.1 [GLLSVLGSVAKHVLPHVVPVIAEHL(NH₂)] and frenatin 3 [GLMSVLGHAVGNVLGGLFKPKS(OH)] also form the characteristic product anion A (m/z 177). Both of the precursor peptides show random structures in water, but partial helices in membrane‐mimicking solvents [e.g. in d₃‐trifluoroethanol/water (1:1)]. In both cases the diphosphopeptide precursor anions must have flexible conformations in order to allow approach of the phosphate groups with consequent formation of A: for example, the two pSer groups of 4,22‐diphosphofrenatin 3 are seventeen residues apart. Finally, CID tandem mass spectrometric (MS/MS) data from the [M–H]^– anion of the model triphosphoSer‐containing peptide GpSGLGpSGLGpSGL(OH) show the presence of both product anions A (m/z 177) and D (m/z 257, H₄P₃O₁₀^–). Ab initio calculations at the HF/6‐31+G(d)//AM1 level of theory suggest that cyclisation of the three phosphate groups occurs by a stepwise cascade mechanism in an energetically favourable reaction (ΔG = ?245 kJ mol^–1) with a maximum barrier of +123 kJ mol^–1. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Loophole-free bell test for continuous variables via wave and particle correlations

We derive two classes of multimode Bell inequalities under local realistic assumptions, which are violated only by the entangled states negative under partial transposition in accordance with the Peres conjecture. Remarkably, the failure of local realism can be manifested by exploiting wave and particle correlations of readily accessible continuous-variable states, with very large violation of inequalities insensitive to detector efficiency, which makes a strong case for a loophole-free test.     

Higher Order Terms of the Spectral Heat Content for Killed Subordinate and Subordinate Killed Brownian Motions Related to Symmetric α-Stable Processes in ℝ ${\mathbb {R}}$

Potential Analysis - We investigate the 3rd term of the spectral heat content for killed subordinate and subordinate killed Brownian motions on a bounded open interval D = (a,b) in a real line when...     

Imaging features of small (≤ 3 cm) pancreatic solid tumors on gadoxetic-acid-enhanced MR imaging and diffusion-weighted imaging: an initial experience

Objective

The objective was to determine imaging features that distinguish small (≤3cm) solid pancreatic adenocarcinoma, neuroendocrine tumor (NET) and solid pseudopapillary tumor (SPT) on gadoxetic-acid-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diffusion-weighed imaging (DWI).

Materials and methods

Twenty-four adenocarcinomas, 10 NETs and 8 SPTs were retrospectively included. Two radiologists analyzed morphologic features, signal intensity of the tumors on MR images including DWI (b=800) and dynamic enhancement pattern with consensus. Tumor-to-parenchyma ratio and tumor apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) were quantitatively assessed.

Results

All adenocarcinomas had an ill-defined margin and irregular shape, and more frequently had pancreatic duct dilatation compared with other tumors (P<.05). All SPTs and all but one of the adenocarcinomas (95.8%) had no arterial enhancement with progressively increased enhancement, whereas seven NETs (70%) had arterial enhancement with progressively decreased enhancement (P<.01). The mean value of tumor-to-parenchyma ratio on arterial and portal phases was significantly higher for NETs, and the mean value of tumor ADCs was significantly lower for SPTs than for other tumors (P<.05).

Conclusions

Gadoxetic-acid-enhanced MRI may aid in differentiation between small adenocarcinomas, NETs and SPTs based on morphologic features with dynamic enhancement pattern in adenocarcinomas, dynamic enhancement pattern with tumor-to-parenchyma ration on arterial and portal phases in NETs, and dynamic enhancement pattern with lower ADC value in SPTs.     

Physical and electrical properties of band-engineered SiO2/(TiO2) x (SiO2)1−x stacks for nonvolatile memory applications

In our study, the physical properties of (TiO₂) _x (SiO₂)_1?x , including band-gap, band-offset, and thermal stability and the electrical properties of band-engineered SiO₂/(TiO₂) _x (SiO₂)_1?x tunnel barrier stacks, including the tunneling current and charge-trapping characteristics for applications to nonvolatile memory devices were investigated. It was observed that the band-gap and band-offset of (TiO₂) _x (SiO₂)_1?x can be controlled by adjustment in the composition of the (TiO₂) _x (SiO₂)_1?x films. Ti-silicate film with TiO₂:SiO₂ cycle ratio of 1:5 was maintained in an amorphous phase, even after annealing at 950 °C. The tunneling current of the band-engineered SiO₂/(TiO₂) _x (SiO₂)_1?x stacked tunnel barrier was larger than that of a single SiO₂ barrier under a higher external bias, while the tunneling current of a SiO₂/(TiO₂) _x (SiO₂)_1?x stacked tunnel barrier under a lower external bias was smaller. Charge-trapping tests showed that the voltage shift for SiO₂/(TiO₂) _x (SiO₂)_1?x is slightly larger than that for single SiO₂.     

Synthesis of new 14-membered macrolide antibiotics via a novel ring contraction metathesis

[reaction: see text] A novel ring opening ring closing metathesis (ROM-RCM) was demonstrated for cyclic conjugated dienes, effecting the excision of a C(2)H(2) unit and a net ring contraction. Applying the ring contraction metathesis, new 14-membered ring macrolide antibiotics were synthesized in a single step from existing 16-membered ring macrolides. This new class of macrolide antibiotics will provide access to new therapeutics for the treatment of macrolide-resistant bacterial infections.     

Synthesis of zinc glutarates with various morphologies using an amphiphilic template and their catalytic activities in the copolymerization of carbon dioxide and propylene oxide

Various heterogeneous zinc glutarate (ZnGA) catalysts were synthesized in solvent systems of various polarities from zinc acetate dihydrate and glutaric acid with and without the aid of an amphiphilic block copolymer, poly(ethylene glycol‐b‐propylene glycol‐b‐ethylene glycol) (PE6400), as a template. The presence of the PE6400 template and the polarity of the solvent significantly affected the morphology, particle size, surface area, and crystallinity of the resulting catalyst. However, all the catalysts had the same crystal lattice unit cell structure and similar surface compositions. The surface compositions of the catalysts were quite different from those of conventionally prepared ZnGA catalysts, that is, those prepared from zinc oxide and glutaric acid in toluene. All these characteristics of the catalysts influenced the ZnGA‐catalyzed copolymerization of carbon dioxide and propylene oxide. The catalytic activities of the catalysts in this copolymerization depended primarily on their surface area and secondarily on their crystallinity; a larger surface area and a higher crystallinity resulted in higher catalytic activity. Of the catalysts that we prepared, the ZnGA catalyst that was prepared in ethanol containing 5.5 wt % water with the PE6400 template, ZnGA‐PE3, exhibited the highest catalytic activity in the copolymerization. The catalytic activity of ZnGA‐PE3 was attributed to its wrinkled petal bundle morphology, which provided a large surface area and high crystallinity. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 4079–4088, 2005