Stability and hyperfine structure of the four- and five-body muon-atomic clusters a+b+μ−e−a^{+} b^{+} \mu^{-} e^{-} and a+b+μ−e−e−a^{+} b^{+} \mu^{-} e^{-} e^{-}

Based on the results of accurate variational calculations we demonstrate stability of the five-body negatively charged ions $a^{+} b^{+} \mu^{-} e^{-} e^{-}$. Each of these five-body ions contains two electrons $e^{-}$, one negatively charged muon $\mu^{-}$ and two nuclei of the hydrogen isotopes $a, b = (p, d, t)$. The bound state properties of these five-body ions, including their hyperfine structure, are briefly discussed. We also investigate the hyperfine structure of the ground states of the four-body muonic quasi-atoms $a^{+} b^{+} \mu^{-} e^{-}$. In particular, we determine the hyperfine structure splittings for the ground state of the four-body muonic quasi-atoms: $p^{+} d^{+} \mu^{-} e^{-}$ and $p^{+} t^{+} \mu^{-} e^{-}$

Historical perspective on: RRKM reaction rate theory for transition states of any looseness [Volume 110, Issue 3, 28 September 1984, Pages 230–234]

The field of unimolecular reactions and bimolecular recombination processes [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7] and [8] has undergone a number of changes during the past 90 or so years. In the middle 1920s, the theories of Hinshelwood, Rice/Ramsperger, and Kassel were developed at a time when little was known about potential energy surfaces. So the theory was phrased in terms of the sharing of energy in a dissociating or isomerizing molecule among ‘squared terms’, meaning the kinetic energies and potential energies of harmonic molecular vibrations. In fact, in those early days, before the development of gas phase free radical mechanisms for unimolecular reactions, the latter were assumed to be non-free radical dissociations. They were realized, in the 1930s, to be, largely, dissociations, followed by subsequent free radical reactions. (Hinshelwood received the Nobel Prize for this free radical work.) On the theoretical side, transition state theory emerged in the mid 1930s, and in 1951–1952 I was involved in blending it and RRK theory together [9] and [10], resulting in what later became known as RRKM theory

Unimolecular reaction rate theory for transition states of partial looseness. II. Implementation and analysis with applications to NO2 and C2H6 dissociations

Implementation of RRKM theory for unimolecular dissociations having transition states of any degree of looseness is described for reactions involving dissociation into two fragments. The fragments may be atomic, diatomic, or polyatomic species. Action-angle and internal coordinates for the transitional modes of the reaction, transformations to Cartesian coordinates, and other calculational aspects are described. Results for the NO2-->NO+O reaction are presented, including the dependence of the microcanonical rate constant on the bond fission and bending potentials for model potential energy surfaces. Illustrative calculations for the C2H6-->2CH3 reaction are also given

Highly accurate calculations of the rotationally excited bound states in three-body systems

An effective optimization strategy has been developed to construct highly accurate bound state wave functions in various three-body systems. Our procedure appears to be very effective for computations of weakly bound states and various excited states, including rotationally excited states, i.e. states with $L \ge 1$. The efficiency of our procedure is illustrated by computations of the excited $P^{*}(L = 1)-$states in the $dd\mu, dt\mu$ and $tt\mu$ muonic molecular ions, $P(L = 1)-$states in the non-symmetric $pd\mu, pt\mu$ and $dt\mu$ ions and $2^{1}P(L = 1)-$ and $2^{3}P(L = 1)-$states in He atom(s)

Multifrequency Radio Observations of a SNR in the LMC. The Case of SNR J0527-6549 (DEM l204)

We present a detailed study and results of new Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) observations of supernova remnant, SNR J0527-6549. This Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) ob ject follows a typical supernova remnant (SNR) horseshoe morphology with a diameter of D=(66x58)+-1 pc which is among the largest SNRs in the LMC. Its relatively large size indicates older age while a steeper than expected radio spectral index of aplha=-0.92+-0.11 is more typical for younger and energetic SNRs. Also, we report detections of regions with a high order of polarization at a peak value of ~54+-17% at 6 cm.Comment: 9 Pages, 6 figures, accepted for publication in SA

Slide Stabilization With Gravel Trenches

A different method of slide stabilization using gravel trenches is described. The design, construction, and performance monitoring of the gravel trenches are discussed together with a history of the slide, description of the soils, and mechanism of failure. The applications and limitations of this method of slide stabilization are also evaluated

Viewpoint: Evaluating the impact of malaria control efforts on mortality in sub-Saharan Africa

OBJECTIVE To describe an approach for evaluating the impact of malaria control efforts on malaria-associated mortality in sub-Saharan Africa, where disease-specific mortality trends usually cannot be measured directly and most malaria deaths occur among young children. METHODS Methods for evaluating changes in malaria-associated mortality are examined; advantages and disadvantages are presented. RESULTS All methods require a plausibility argument - i.e., an assumption that mortality reductions can be attributed to programmatic efforts if improvements are found in steps of the causal pathway between intervention scale-up and mortality trends. As different methods provide complementary information, they can be used together. We recommend following trends in the coverage of malaria control interventions, other factors influencing childhood mortality, malaria-associated morbidity (especially anaemia), and all-cause childhood mortality. This approach reflects decreases in malaria's direct and indirect mortality burden and can be examined in nearly all countries. Adding other information can strengthen the plausibility argument: trends in indicators of malaria transmission, information from demographic surveillance systems and sentinel sites where malaria diagnostics are systematically used, and verbal autopsies linked to representative household surveys. Health facility data on malaria deaths have well-recognized limitations; however, in specific circumstances, they could produce reliable trends. Model-based predictions can help describe changes in malaria-specific burden and assist with program management and advocacy. CONCLUSIONS Despite challenges, efforts to reduce malaria-associated mortality in Africa can be evaluated with trends in malaria intervention coverage and all-cause childhood mortality. Where there are resources and interest, complementary data on malaria morbidity and malaria-specific mortality could be added

A comparison of location of acute symptomatic vs. 'silent' small vessel lesions

Background: Acute lacunar ischaemic stroke, white matter hyperintensities, and lacunes are all features of cerebral small vessel disease. It is unclear why some small vessel disease lesions present with acute stroke symptoms, whereas others typically do not. Aim: To test if lesion location could be one reason why some small vessel disease lesions present with acute stroke, whereas others accumulate covertly. Methods: We identified prospectively patients who presented with acute lacunar stroke symptoms with a recent small subcortical infarct confirmed on magnetic resonance diffusion imaging. We compared the distribution of the acute infarcts with that of white matter hyperintensity and lacunes using computational image mapping methods. Results: In 188 patients, mean age 67 ± standard deviation 12 years, the lesions that presented with acute lacunar ischaemic stroke were located in or near the main motor and sensory tracts in (descending order): posterior limb of the internal capsule (probability density 0·2/mm3), centrum semiovale (probability density = 0·15/mm3), medial lentiform nucleus/lateral thalamus (probability density = 0·09/mm3), and pons (probability density = 0·02/mm3). Most lacunes were in the lentiform nucleus (probability density = 0·01–0·04/mm3) or external capsule (probability density = 0·05/mm3). Most white matter hyperintensities were in centrum semiovale (except for the area affected by the acute symptomatic infarcts), external capsules, basal ganglia, and brainstem, with little overlap with the acute symptomatic infarcts (analysis of variance, P < 0·01). Conclusions: Lesions that present with acute lacunar ischaemic stroke symptoms may be more likely noticed by the patient through affecting the main motor and sensory tracts, whereas white matter hyperintensity and asymptomatic lacunes mainly affect other areas. Brain location could at least partly explain the symptomatic vs. covert development of small vessel disease