Final state interactions in B+- to K+ K- K+- decays

Charged B decays to three charged kaons are analysed in the framework of the QCD factorization approach. The strong final state K+K-interactions are described using the kaon scalar and vector form factors. The scalar non-strange and strange form factors at low K+K- effective masses are constrained by chiral perturbation theory and satisfy the two-body unitarity conditions. The latter stem from the properties of the meson-meson amplitudes which describe all possible S-wave transitions between three coupled channels consisting of two kaons, two pions and four pions. The vector form factors are fitted to the data on the electromagnetic kaon interactions. The model results are compared with the Belle and BaBar data. Away from phi(1020) resonance, in the S-wave dominated K+K- mass spectra, a possibility for a large CP asymmetry is identified.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures, modified version published in Physics Letters

Long-distance effects and final state interactions in B to pion pion K and B to K anti-K K decays

B decays into pion pion K and K anti-K K, where the pion-pion and anti-K K pairs interact in isospin zero S-wave, are studied in the pion-pion effective mass range from threshold to 1.2 GeV. The interplay of strong and weak decay amplitudes is analyzed using an unitary pion-pion and K anti-K coupled channel model. Final state interactions are described in terms of four scalar form factors constrained by unitarity and chiral perturbation theory. Branching ratios for the B decay into f0(980)K, calculated in the factorization approximation with some QCD corrections, are too low as compared to recent data. In order to improve agreement with experiment, we introduce long-distance contributions called charming penguins. Effective mass distributions, branching ratios and asymmetries are compared with the existing data from BaBar and Belle collaborations. A particularly large negative asymmetry in charged B decays is predicted for one set of the charming penguin amplitudes.Comment: Comments: 13 pages, 4 eps figures, 1 table, needs axodraw.sty, espcrc2.sty, minor changes in the text, a few references added, results unchanged; to be published in Phys. Lett.

Prosp ects of Trade and Economic Cooperation Between Russ ia and China to Explore the Potential of the Northern Sea Route

The article explores the problem of developing the transport route of the Northern Sea Route from the perspective of world leaders - Russia and China. The purpose of the article is to develop recommendations on the use of the Arctic sea route to ensure mutually beneficial cooperation between Russia and China to expand the geography of cargo deliveries to consumers from Europe and North America through Chinese investment in Russian projects that provide ice-class vessels in winter-spring navigation to the east part of the Northern Sea Route. The difficulties of exploitation of the Northern Sea Route faced by Russian and foreign maritime partners are revealed. The features of the use of ice class vessels in the Arctic and non-Arctic seas depending on the navigation period are indicated. The analysis of the results of the operation of the transport route of the Northern Sea Route as a whole and as a commercial cargo route from / to China for 2012-2018 is carried out. The operation schemes of international ports are presented that provide the transit of goods from China to Europe via the Northern Sea Route for 2011-2018. The volumes of Chinese exports for the period from 2012 to 2017 were examined; commodities were identified for which there was an increase or decrease in the volume of export deliveries. A list of popular Chinese products for international buyers has been compiled. It is concluded that China will be used as a potential investor to finance projects for the construction and operation of icebreakers that provide icebreaking assistance for vessels in the winter-spring period of navigation in the Eastern Arctic. It is necessary to develop the Northern Sea Route together with rail and / or road connections in the eastern part of the Arctic as that would make it possible to increase cargo turnover, expand the geography of sales of goods, and ensure continuous delivery of goods to hard-to-reach places and territories. The results obtained are of interest to Russian and Chinese investors who participate in in the project of the New Silk Road economic belt.В статье исследуется проблема освоения транспортного маршрута Северного морского пути с позиции мировых лидеров – России и Китая. Целью статьи является разработка рекомендаций по использованию арктического морского маршрута для обеспечения взаимовыгодного сотрудничества между Россией и Китаем для расширения географии поставок грузов потребителям из Европы и Северной Америки за счет китайских инвестиций в российские проекты, обеспечивающие проводку судов ледового класса в зимне-весенний период навигации в восточную часть Северного морского пути. Выявлены сложности эксплуатации Северного морского пути, с которыми сталкиваются российские и иностранные морские партнеры. Указывается на особенности использования судов ледового класса для арктических и неарктических морей в зависимости от периода навигации. Проведен анализ результатов работы транспортного маршрута Северного морского пути в целом и для транзита грузов из/в Китай за 2012–2018 годы. Представлены схемы работы международных портов, обеспечивающих транзит грузов из Китая в Европу через Северный морской путь за 2011–2018 годы. Рассмотрены объемы китайского экспорта за период с 2012 по 2017 год, выявлены товарные позиции, по которым произошло увеличение либо уменьшение объема экспортных поставок. Сформирован перечень популярных китайских товаров для международных покупателей. Сделан вывод об использовании в качестве потенциального инвестора Китай для финансирования проектов по строительству и эксплуатации ледоколов, обеспечивающих ледокольную проводку судов в зимне-весенний период навигации в Восточной части Арктики. Необходимо осуществлять совместное развитие Северного морского пути с железнодорожным и/или автомобильным сообщением в восточной части Арктики, что даст возможность увеличить объемы грузооборота, расширить географию продаж товаров, обеспечить непрерывный завоз товаров в труднодоступные места и территории. Полученные результаты представляют интерес для российских и китайских инвесторов – участников проекта экономического пояса «Нового Шелкового пути»

Четверта міжнародна наукова-практична конференція «Комп’ютерне моделювання в хімії і технологіях та системах сталого розвитку»

У роботі наводяться дані з математичного моделювання одночасної абсорбції хлору і хлористого водню розчинами лугу. В основу математичного опису процесу покладена зонна модель. Розглянуто різні області протікання двокомпонентної абсорбції з хімічною реакцією по висоті колониThe data on the mathematical simulation of simultaneous absorption of chlorine and chlorine hydride by alkali solutions are given in the paper. The mathematical description of the process is based on a band model. Different areas of bicomponent absorption passing with a chemical reaction by a column height are considered.В работе приводятся данные по математическому моделированию одновременной абсорбции хлора и хлористого водорода растворами щелочи. В основу математического описания процесса положена зонная модель. Рассмотрены различные области протекания двухкомпонентной абсорбции с химической реакцией по высоте колонны

Evidence for two-quark content of f0(980)f_{0}(980) in exclusive b→cb\to c decays

Inspired by a large decay branching ratio (BR) of $B^{+}\to f_{0}(980)K^{+}$ measured by Belle recently, we propose that a significant evidence of the component of $n\bar{n}=(u\bar{u}+d\bar{d})/\sqrt{2}$ in $f_{0}(980)$ could be demonstrated in exclusive $b\to c$ decays by the observation of $f_{0}(980)$ in the final states $\bar{B}\to D^{0(*)} \pi^{+} \pi^{-}(KK)$ and $\bar{B}\to J/\Psi \pi^{+} \pi^{-}(KK)$. We predict the BRs of $\bar{B}\to D^{0(*)} (J/\Psi) f_{0}(980)$ to be ${\cal {O}}(10^{-4})$ (${\cal {O}}(10^{-5})$) while the unknown wave functions of $D^{(*)0}$ ($J/\Psi$) are chosen to fit the observed decays of $\bar{B}\to D^{(*)0} \pi^{0} (J/\Psi K^{0(*)})$.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, Revtex4, version to appear in PR

The role of highly oxygenated molecules (HOMs) in determining the composition of ambient ions in the boreal forest

In order to investigate the negative ions in the boreal forest we have performed measurements to chemically characterise the composition of negatively charged clusters containing highly oxygenated molecules (HOMs). Additionally, we compared this information with the chemical composition of the neutral gas-phase molecules detected in the ambient atmosphere during the same period. The chemical composition of the ions was retrieved using an atmospheric pressure interface time-of-flight mass spectrometer (APiTOF-MS) while the gas-phase neutral molecules (mainly sulfuric acid and HOMs) were characterised using the same mass spectrometer coupled to a nitrate-based chemical ionisation unit (CI-APi-TOF). Overall, we divided the identified HOMs in two classes: HOMs containing only carbon, hydrogen and oxygen and nitrogen-containing HOMs or organonitrates (ONs). During the day, among the ions, in addition to the well-known pure sulfuric acid clusters, we found a large number of HOMs clustered with nitrate (NO3-) or bisulfate (HSO4-), with the first one being more abundant. During the night, the distribution of ions, mainly composed of HOM clustered with NO3-, was very similar to the neutral compounds that are detected in the CI-APi-TOF as adducts with the artificially introduced primary ion (NO3-). For the first time, we identified several clusters containing up to 40 carbon atoms. These ions are formed by up to four oxidised alpha-pinene units clustered with NO3-. While we know that dimers (16-20 carbon atoms) are probably formed by a covalent bond between two alpha-pinene oxidised units, it is still unclear what bonding formed larger clusters. Finally, diurnal profiles of the negative ions were consistent with the neutral compounds revealing that ONs peak during the day while HOMs are more abundant at night-time. However, during the day, a large fraction of the negative charge is taken up by the pure sulfuric acid clusters causing differences between ambient ions and neutral compounds (i.e. less available charge for HOM and ON).Peer reviewe

Testing QCD factorisation and charming penguins in charmless B→PV{\boldsymbol{B\to PV}}

We try a global fit of the experimental branching ratios and CP-asymmetries of the charmless $B\to PV$ decays according to QCD factorisation. We find it impossible to reach a satisfactory agreement, the confidence level (CL) of the best fit is smaller than .1 %. The main reason for this failure is the difficulty to accomodate several large experimental branching ratios of the strange channels. Furthermore, experiment was not able to exclude a large direct CP asymmetry in $\bar {B^0}\to\rho^+ \pi^-$, which is predicted very small by QCD factorisation. Trying a fit with QCD factorisation complemented by a charming-penguin inspired model we reach a best fit which is not excluded by experiment (CL of about 8 %) but is not fully convincing. These negative results must be tempered by the remark that some of the experimental data used are recent and might still evolve significantly.Comment: 21 pages, 4 figures; several typos corrected, added one footnote and two references, comments added about PQCD. To appear in Phys.Rev.

Detecting and Characterizing Particulate Organic Nitrates with an Aerodyne Long-ToF Aerosol Mass Spectrometer

Particulate organic nitrate (pON) can be a major part of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) and is commonly quantified by indirect means from aerosol mass spectrometer (AMS) data. However, pON quantification remains challenging. Here, we set out to quantify and characterize pON in the boreal forest, through direct field observations at Station for Measuring Ecosystem Atmosphere Relationships (SMEAR) II in Hyytia''la'', Finland, and targeted single precursor laboratory studies. We utilized a long time-of-flight AMS (LToF-AMS) for aerosol chemical characterization, with a particular focus to identify CxHyOzN+ ("CHON+") fragments. We estimate that during springtime at SMEAR II, pON (including both the organic and nitrate part) accounts for similar to 10% of the particle mass concentration (calculated by the NO+/NO2+ method) and originates mainly from the NO3 radical oxidation of biogenic volatile organic compounds. The majority of the background nitrate aerosol measured is organic. The CHON+ fragment analysis was largely unsuccessful at SMEAR II, mainly due to low concentrations of the few detected fragments. However, our findings may be useful at other sites as we identified 80 unique CHON+ fragments from the laboratory measurements of SOA formed from NO3 radical oxidation of three pON precursors (beta-pinene, limonene, and guaiacol). Finally, we noted a significant effect on ion identification during the LToF-AMS high-resolution data processing, resulting in too many ions being fit, depending on whether tungsten ions (W+) were used in the peak width determination. Although this phenomenon may be instrument-specific, we encourage all (LTOF-) AMS users to investigate this effect on their instrument to reduce the possibility of incorrect identifications.Peer reviewe

Eight years of sub-micrometre organic aerosol composition data from the boreal forest characterized using a machine-learning approach

The Station for Measuring Ecosystem-Atmosphere Relations (SMEAR) II, located within the boreal forest of Finland, is a unique station in the world due to the wide range of long-term measurements tracking the Earth-atmosphere interface. In this study, we characterize the composition of organic aerosol (OA) at SMEAR II by quantifying its driving constituents. We utilize a multi-year data set of OA mass spectra measured in situ with an Aerosol Chemical Speciation Monitor (ACSM) at the station. To our knowledge, this mass spectral time series is the longest of its kind published to date. Similarly to other previously reported efforts in OA source apportionment from multi-seasonal or multi-annual data sets, we approached the OA characterization challenge through positive matrix factorization (PMF) using a rolling window approach. However, the existing methods for extracting minor OA components were found to be insufficient for our rather remote site. To overcome this issue, we tested a new statistical analysis framework. This included unsupervised feature extraction and classification stages to explore a large number of unconstrained PMF runs conducted on the measured OA mass spectra. Anchored by these results, we finally constructed a relaxed chemical mass balance (CMB) run that resolved different OA components from our observations. The presented combination of statistical tools provided a data-driven analysis methodology, which in our case achieved robust solutions with minimal subjectivity. Following the extensive statistical analyses, we were able to divide the 2012-2019 SMEAR II OA data (mass concentration interquartile range (IQR): 0.7, 1.3, and 2.6 mu gm(-3)) into three sub-categories - low-volatility oxygenated OA (LV-OOA), semi-volatile oxygenated OA (SV-OOA), and primary OA (POA) - proving that the tested methodology was able to provide results consistent with literature. LV-OOA was the most dominant OA type (organic mass fraction IQR: 49 %, 62 %, and 73 %). The seasonal cycle of LV-OOA was bimodal, with peaks both in summer and in February. We associated the wintertime LV-OOA with anthropogenic sources and assumed biogenic influence in LV-OOA formation in summer. Through a brief trajectory analysis, we estimated summertime natural LV-OOA formation of tens of ngm 3 h 1 over the boreal forest. SV-OOA was the second highest contributor to OA mass (organic mass fraction IQR: 19 %, 31 %, and 43 %). Due to SV-OOA's clear peak in summer, we estimate biogenic processes as the main drivers in its formation. Unlike for LV-OOA, the highest SV-OOA concentrations were detected in stable summertime nocturnal surface layers. Two nearby sawmills also played a significant role in SV-OOA production as also exemplified by previous studies at SMEAR II. POA, taken as a mix of two different OA types reported previously, hydrocarbon-like OA (HOA) and biomass burning OA (BBOA), made up a minimal OA mass fraction (IQR: 2 %, 6 %, and 13 %). Notably, the quantification of POA at SMEAR II using ACSM data was not possible following existing rolling PMF methodologies. Both POA organic mass fraction and mass concentration peaked in winter. Its appearance at SMEAR II was linked to strong southerly winds. Similar wind direction and speed dependence was not observed among other OA types. The high wind speeds probably enabled the POA transport to SMEAR II from faraway sources in a relatively fresh state. In the event of slower wind speeds, POA likely evaporated and/or aged into oxidized organic aerosol before detection. The POA organic mass fraction was significantly lower than reported by aerosol mass spectrometer (AMS) measurements 2 to 4 years prior to the ACSM measurements. While the co-located long-term measurements of black carbon supported the hypothesis of higher POA loadings prior to year 2012, it is also possible that short-term (POA) pollution plumes were averaged out due to the slow time resolution of the ACSM combined with the further 3 h data averaging needed to ensure good signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs). Despite the length of the ACSM data set, we did not focus on quantifying long-term trends of POA (nor other components) due to the high sensitivity of OA composition to meteorological anomalies, the occurrence of which is likely not normally distributed over the 8-year measurement period. Due to the unique and realistic seasonal cycles and meteorology dependences of the independent OA subtypes complemented by the reasonably low degree of unexplained OA variability, we believe that the presented data analysis approach performs well. Therefore, we hope that these results encourage also other researchers possessing several-yearlong time series of similar data to tackle the data analysis via similar semi- or unsupervised machine-learning approaches. This way the presented method could be further optimized and its usability explored and evaluated also in other environments.Peer reviewe