Pathways to Rare Baryonic B Decays

We point out new ways to search for charmless baryonic B decays: baryon pair production in association with $\eta^\prime$ is very likely as large as or even a bit larger than two body $K\pi/\pi\pi$ modes. We extend our argument, in weaker form, to $B\to \gamma + X_s$ and $\ell\nu +X$. Although calculations are not reliable, estimates give branching ratios of order $10^{-5}$--$10^{-6}$, where confidence is gained from recent experimental finding that $B \to D^{*} p \bar n$, $D^{*} p \bar p \pi$ are not far below $D^*\pi$ and $D^*\rho$ rates. Observation of charmless baryon modes would help clarify the dynamics of weak decays to baryonic final states, while the self-analyzing prowess of the $\Lambda$-baryon can be helpful in CP- and T-violation studies.Comment: 12 pages, REVTEX, 3 eps figures include

Morphing of Triangular Meshes in Shape Space

We present a novel approach to morph between two isometric poses of the same non-rigid object given as triangular meshes. We model the morphs as linear interpolations in a suitable shape space $\mathcal{S}$. For triangulated 3D polygons, we prove that interpolating linearly in this shape space corresponds to the most isometric morph in $\mathbb{R}^3$. We then extend this shape space to arbitrary triangulations in 3D using a heuristic approach and show the practical use of the approach using experiments. Furthermore, we discuss a modified shape space that is useful for isometric skeleton morphing. All of the newly presented approaches solve the morphing problem without the need to solve a minimization problem.Comment: Improved experimental result

Extraordinary focusing of sound above a soda can array without time reversal

Recently, Lemoult et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 107, 064301 (2011)] used time reversal to focus sound above an array of soda cans into a spot much smaller than the acoustic wavelength in air. In this study, we show that equally sharp focusing can be achieved without time reversal, by arranging transducers around a nearly circular array of soda cans. The size of the focal spot at the center of the array is made progressively smaller as the frequency approaches the Helmholtz resonance frequency of a can from below, and, near the resonance, becomes smaller than the size of a single can. We show that the locally resonant metamaterial formed by soda cans supports a guided wave at frequencies below the Helmholtz resonance frequency. The small focal spot results from a small wavelength of this guided wave near the resonance in combination with a near field effect making the acoustic field concentrate at the opening of a can. The focusing is achieved with propagating rather than evanescent waves. No sub-diffraction-limited focusing is observed if the diffraction limit is defined with respect to the wavelength of the guided mode in the metamaterial medium rather than the wavelength of the bulk wave in air

Renormalization of the EWCL and its Application to LEP2

We perform a systematic one-loop renormalization on the electroweak chiral Lagrangian (EWCL) up to $O(p^4)$ operators and construct the renormalization group equations (RGE) for the anomalous couplings. We examine the impact of the triple gauge coupling (TGC) measurement from LEP2 to the uncertainty of the $S-T$ parameter at the $\Lambda=1 TeV$, and find that the uncertainty in the TGC measurements can shift $S(\Lambda)$ at least $3.3 \sigma$.Comment: 4 pages, 1 eps figure, uses ws-ijmpa.cls. Paralell talk given at "International Conference on QCD and hadronic Physics", Beijing, China, 16-20 June, 200

On User Costs of Risky Monetary Assets

We extend the monetary-asset user-cost risk adjustment of Barnett, Liu, and Jensen (1997) and their risk-adjusted Divisia monetary aggregates to the case of multiple non-monetary assets and intertemporal non- separability. Our model can generate potentially larger and more accurate CCAPM user-cost risk adjustments than those found in Barnett, Liu, and Jensen (1997). We show that the risk adjustment to a monetary asset’s user cost can be measured easily by its beta. We show that any risky non-monetary asset can be used as the benchmark asset, if its rate of return is adjusted in accordance with our formula. These extensions could be especially useful, when own rates of return are subject to exchange rate risk, as in Barnett (2003).User costs, monetary aggregation, risk, intertemporal nonseparability, CCAPM, equity premium puzzle, Divisia monetary aggregates

Intertemporally non-separable monetary-asset risk adjustment and aggregation

Modern aggregation theory and index number theory were introduced into monetary economics by Barnett (1980). The widely used Divisia monetary aggregates were based upon that paper. A key result upon which the rest of the theory depended was Barnett’s derivation of the user-cost price of monetary assets. To make that critical part of Barnett’s results available prior to publication of that paper in the Journal of Econometrics, Barnett repeated that proof two years earlier in Economics Letters. Both papers have become seminal to the subsequent literature on monetary asset quantity and user cost aggregation. The extension of that literature to risk with intertemporally non-separable preferences now has become available in a working paper by Barnett and Wu (2004), and that paper will appear in volume 1, number 1 of the new journal, Annals of Finance. We are making available the key results from that paper below, without the proofs, which will be available in the longer paper.User costs, Monetary Aggregation, Risk, Pricing kernel, CAPM, Divisia

Variation of benzyl anions in MgAl-layered double hydroxides: Fire and thermal properties in PMMA

Magnesium aluminum layered double hydroxides (MgAl-LDHs) intercalated with a range of benzyl anions were prepared using the coprecipitation method. The benzyl anions differ in functionality (i.e. carboxylate, sulfonate, and phosphonate) and presence or absence of an amino substituent. Various methods for preparing LDHs (i.e. ion exchange, coprecipitation and rehydration of the calcined LDH methods) have been compared with the MgAl-benzene phosphonate and their effect on fire and thermal properties was studied. After characterization, the MgAl-LDHs were melt-blended with poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) at loadings of 3 and 10% by weight to prepare composites. Characterization of the LDHs and the PMMA composites was performed using FTIR, XRD, TGA, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and cone calorimetry. FTIR and XRD analyses confirmed the presence of the charge balancing benzyl anions in the galleries of the MgAl-LDHs. Improvements in fire and thermal properties of the PMMA composites were observed. The cone calorimeter revealed that the addition of 10% MgAl-LDHs reduces the peak heat release rate by more than 30%

Does organic modification of layered double hydroxides improve the fire performance of PMMA?

The effect of modified layered double hydroxides (LDHs) on fire properties of poly(methyl methacrylate) is investigated. Organically-modified LDHs were prepared via rehydration of calcined hydrotalcite in a palmitate solution. Composites consisting of the organo-LDHs, unmodified hydrotalcite and calcined oxides were prepared with poly(methyl methacrylate) using melt blending. Thermal and fire properties of the (nano)composites were studied. The thermogravimetric analyses of the composites show an increase in thermal stability. Fire performance, evaluated using cone calorimetry, show that organically-modified LDHs composites give the best reductions in peak heat release rate, PHRR, i.e., 51% at 10% weight loading. Dispersion of the LDHs was characterized using transmission electron microscopy and X–ray diffraction. Nanocomposite formation was observed with organically-modified LDHs, while the unmodified LDH composites gave only microcomposites