Bi-Lipschitz geometry of weighted homogeneous surface singularities

We show that a weighted homogeneous complex surface singularity is metrically conical (i.e., bi-Lipschitz equivalent to a metric cone) only if its two lowest weights are equal. We also give an example of a pair of weighted homogeneous complex surface singularities that are topologically equivalent but not bi-Lipschitz equivalent.Comment: 5 pages. Added result that nonhomogeneous cyclic quotients are not conica

The 2-generalized knot group determines the knot

Generalized knot groups $G_n(K)$ were introduced independently by Kelly (1991) and Wada (1992). We prove that $G_2(K)$ determines the unoriented knot type and sketch a proof of the same for $G_n(K)$ for $n>2$.Comment: 4 page

Comment on "138La-138Ce-136Ce nuclear cosmochronometer of the supernova neutrino process"

The nuclear chosmochronometer suggested by Hayakawa et al. [Phys. Rev.C 77, 065802 (2008)] based on the 138La-138Ce-136Ce abundance ratio in presolar grains would be affected by the existence of a hitherto unknown low-energy 1+ state in 138La. Results of a recent high-resolution study of the 138Ba(3He,t) reaction under kinematics selectively populating 1+ states in 138La through Gamow-Teller transitions provides strong evidence against the existence of such a hypothetical state.Comment: Comment on Phys. Rev. C 77, 065802 (2008), submittted to Phys. Rev.

On the Sharpness and Bias of Quantum Effects

The question of quantifying the sharpness (or unsharpness) of a quantum mechanical effect is investigated. Apart from sharpness, another property, bias, is found to be relevant for the joint measurability or coexistence of two effects. Measures of bias will be defined and examples given.Comment: Substantially expanded version, with new results and some proofs correcte

Properties of the first excited state of 9Be derived from (gamma,n) and (e,e') reactions

Properties of the first excited state of the nucleus 9Be are discussed based on recent (e,e') and (gamma,n) experiments. The parameters of an R-matrix analysis of different data sets are consistent with a resonance rather than a virtual state predicted by some model calculations. The energy and the width of the resonance are deduced. Their values are rather similar for all data sets, and the energy proves to be negative. It is argued that the disagreement between the extracted B(E1) values may stem from different ways of integration of the resonance. If corrected, fair agreement between the (e,e') and one of the (gamma,n) data sets is found. A recent (gamma,n) experiment at the HIgS facility exhibits larger cross sections close to the neutron threshold which remain to be explained.Comment: 5 pages, accepted fro publication in Phys. Rev.

Either or neither, but not both : locating the effects of masked primes

Execution of a response that has been primed by a backward-masked stimulus is inhibited (negative compatibility effect; NCE). Three experiments investigated the locus of this inhibition. Masked primes (left- or right-pointing arrows) were followed either by an arrow or a circle target. Arrow targets always required a left- or right-hand response, but the experiments differed in the response required to circles: press neither, either or both response keys (i.e. nogo, free choice and bimanual, respectively). Arrow targets showed the usual NCEs. Circle targets showed NCEs in the form of a response bias away from the primed response in the nogo and free-choice tasks; primes and targets differed on these trials, ruling out a perceptual explanation of the NCE. The bimanual task showed no such bias, suggesting that the NCE is located at a level of abstract response codes rather than specific muscle commands

Translation termination depends on the sequential ribosomal entry of eRF1 and eRF3.

Translation termination requires eRF1 and eRF3 for polypeptide-and tRNA-release on stop codons. Additionally, Dbp5/DDX19 and Rli1/ABCE1 are required; however, their function in this process is currently unknown. Using a combination of in vivo and in vitro experiments, we show that they regulate a stepwise assembly of the termination complex. Rli1 and eRF3-GDP associate with the ribosome first. Subsequently, Dbp5-ATP delivers eRF1 to the stop codon and in this way prevents a premature access of eRF3. Dbp5 dissociates upon placing eRF1 through ATP-hydrolysis. This in turn enables eRF1 to contact eRF3, as the binding of Dbp5 and eRF3 to eRF1 is mutually exclusive. Defects in the Dbp5-guided eRF1 delivery lead to premature contact and premature dissociation of eRF1 and eRF3 from the ribosome and to subsequent stop codon readthrough. Thus, the stepwise Dbp5-controlled termination complex assembly is essential for regular translation termination events. Our data furthermore suggest a possible role of Dbp5/DDX19 in alternative translation termination events, such as during stress response or in developmental processes, which classifies the helicase as a potential drug target for nonsense suppression therapy to treat cancer and neurodegenerative diseases

First-principles phase diagram calculations for the HfC–TiC, ZrC–TiC, and HfC–ZrC solid solutions

We report first-principles phase diagram calculations for the binary systems HfC–TiC, TiC–ZrC, and HfC–ZrC. Formation energies for superstructures of various bulk compositions were computed with a plane-wave pseudopotential method. They in turn were used as a basis for fitting cluster expansion Hamiltonians, both with and without approximations for excess vibrational free energies. Significant miscibility gaps are predicted for the systems TiC–ZrC and HfC–TiC, with consolute temperatures in excess of 2000 K. The HfC–ZrC system is predicted to be completely miscibile down to 185 K. Reductions in consolute temperature due to excess vibrational free energy are estimated to be ~7%, ~20%, and ~0%, for HfC–TiC, TiC–ZrC, and HfC–ZrC, respectively. Predicted miscibility gaps are symmetric for HfC–ZrC, almost symmetric for HfC–TiC and asymmetric for TiC–ZrC

Resonance parameters of the first 1/2+ state in 9Be and astrophysical implications

Spectra of the 9Be(e,e') reaction have been measured at the S-DALINAC at an electron energy E_0 = 73 MeV and scattering angles of 93{\deg} and 141{\deg} with high energy resolution up to excitation energies E_x = 8 MeV. The astrophysically relevant resonance parameters of the first excited 1/2+ state of 9Be have been extracted in a one-level approximation of R-matrix theory resulting in a resonance energy E_R = 1.748(6) MeV and width Gamma_R = 274(8) keV in good agreement with the latest 9Be(gamma,n) experiment but with considerably improved uncertainties. However, the reduced B(E1) transition strength deduced from an extrapolation of the (e,e') data to the photon point is a factor of two smaller. Implications of the new results for a possible production of 12C in neutron-rich astrophysical scenarios are discussed.Comment: 8 pages, 7 figures, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.