First Observation of B̅ s0→Ds±K∓ and Measurement of the Ratio of Branching Fractions B(B̅ s0→Ds±K∓)/B(B̅ s0→Ds+π-)

A combined mass and particle identification fit is used to make the first observation of the decay B̅ s0→Ds±K∓ and measure the branching fraction of B̅ s0→Ds±K∓ relative to B̅ s0→Ds+π-. This analysis uses 1.2  fb-1 integrated luminosity of pp̅ collisions at √s=1.96  TeV collected with the CDF II detector at the Fermilab Tevatron collider. We observe a B̅ s0→Ds±K∓ signal with a statistical significance of 8.1σ and measure B(B̅ s0→Ds±K∓)/B(B̅ s0→Ds+π-)=0.097±0.018(stat)±0.009(syst).

First Measurement of the tt̅ Differential Cross Section dσ/dMtt̅ in pp̅ Collisions at √s=1.96 TeV

We present a measurement of the $\ttbar$ differential cross section with respect to the $\ttbar$ invariant mass, dSigma/dMttbar, in $\ppbar$ collisions at $\sqrt{s}=1.96$ TeV using an integrated luminosity of $2.7\invfb$ collected by the CDF II experiment. The $\ttbar$ invariant mass spectrum is sensitive to a variety of exotic particles decaying into $\ttbar$ pairs. The result is consistent with the standard model expectation, as modeled by \texttt{PYTHIA} with \texttt{CTEQ5L} parton distribution functions.

First Observation of B̅ s0→Ds±K∓ and Measurement of the Ratio of Branching Fractions B(B̅ s0→Ds±K∓)/B(B̅ s0→Ds+π-)

A combined mass and particle identification fit is used to make the first observation of the decay Bs --> Ds K and measure the branching fraction of Bs --> Ds K relative to Bs --> Ds pi. This analysis uses 1.2 fb^-1 integrated luminosity of pbar-p collisions at sqrt(s) = 1.96 TeV collected with the CDF II detector at the Fermilab Tevatron collider. We observe a Bs --> Ds K signal with a statistical significance of 8.1 sigma and measure Br(Bs --> Ds K)/Br(Bs --> Ds pi) = 0.097 +- 0.018(stat) +- 0.009(sys).

Anisotropy of the Stone-Wales defect and warping of graphene nanoribbons: A first-principles analysis

Stone-Wales (SW) defects, analogous to dislocations in crystals, play an important role in mechanical behavior of sp(2)-bonded carbon based materials. Here, we show using first-principles calculations that a marked anisotropy in the interaction among the SW defects has interesting consequences when such defects are present near the edges of a graphene nanoribbon: depending on their orientation with respect to edge, they result in compressive or tensile stress, and the former is responsible to depression or warping of the graphene nanoribbon. Such warping results in delocalization of electrons in the defect states.

The first total synthesis of (+/-)-lagopodin A

The first total synthesis of (±)-lagopodin A and a formal total synthesis of enokipodins A and B is described. The requisite precursors containing two vicinal quaternary carbon atoms were assembled employing Claisen rearrangement and an RCM reaction as key steps starting from 2,5-dimethoxy-4-methylacetophenone.

First-principles analysis of electron correlation, spin ordering and phonons in the normal state of FeSe1-x

We present first-principles density-functional-theory-based calculations to determine the effects of the strength of on-site electron correlation, magnetic ordering, pressure and Se vacancies on phonon frequencies and electronic structure of FeSe1-x. The theoretical equilibrium structure (lattice parameters) of FeSe depends sensitively on the value of the Hubbard parameter U of on-site correlation and magnetic ordering. Our results suggest that there is a competition between different antiferromagnetic states due to comparable magnetic exchange couplings between first- and second-neighbor Fe sites. As a result, a short range order of stripe antiferromagnetic type is shown to be relevant to the normal state of FeSe at low temperature. We show that there is a strong spin-phonon coupling in FeSe (comparable to its superconducting transition temperature) as reflected in large changes in the frequencies of certain phonons with different magnetic ordering, which is used to explain the observed hardening of a Raman-active phonon at temperatures (similar to 100 K) where magnetic ordering sets in. The symmetry of the stripe antiferromagnetic phase permits an induced stress with orthorhombic symmetry, leading to orthorhombic strain as a secondary order parameter at the temperature of magnetic ordering. The presence of Se vacancies in FeSe gives rise to a large peak in the density of states near the Fermi energy, which could enhance the superconducting transition temperature within the BCS-like picture.

Basic Income Grant in Namibia, a Viewpoint on the Proposal and on the Work of the BIG Coalition

This thesis studies the basic income grant proposal in Namibia. The proposal suggests a monthly grant of N$100 (approximately 10€) to all those Namibian citizens who do not receive the state pension. This thesis concentrates on the Basic Income Grant (BIG) Coalition and on its work. The formation and transformation of the coalition during the time period between 2003 and 2009 is analyzed with the help of data collected during two field work periods in 2008 and 2009. The data includes interviews, newspaper articles, observations and other background material. The analysis of this material is mainly conducted from organizational viewpoint. The final part of the thesis applies the results to the theory of Mosse, whose propositions about policy and practice will be discussed in relation to the basic income grant pilot project. The thesis argues that social legitimacy has been a vital resource for the work of the BIG Coalition and it has sought for it in various ways. The concept of social legitimacy originates from the resource dependence perspective of Pfeffer and Salancik, who propose that organizations are dependent on their environments, and on the resources provided by the surrounding environment. This thesis studies the concept of social legitimacy in the context of resource dependence theory. Social legitimacy is analyzed in the relations between the coalition and its environment, in the formation of the coalition, in the responses towards criticism, and finally in relation to the propositions concerning policy and practice. The work of the coalition in the pilot project will be analyzed through the propositions of Mosse concerning policy and practice. The results will describe and analyze key events in the formation of the BIG Coalition from the South African proposal until the end of the basic income pilot project. This BIG pilot project conducted in 2008-2009 is one of the most well-known activities of the coalition. The clashes between the coalition and its environment will be analyzed through four case studies. It will be shown that the project has been conducted in order to gain more legitimacy to the basic income grant proposal. The conclusion questions the legitimacy of the BIG Coalition as a research and development organization, and requests for more transparent research on the basic income proposal in Namibia.

Enantiospecific first total synthesis and confirmation of the relative and absolute stereostructure of isocalamusenone

The enantiospecific total synthesis of two epimers of the sesquiterpene isocalamusenone has been accomplished starting from the readily available monoterpene (R)-limonene which of the natural product established the stereostructure and the absolute configuration (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved

Victims of the White War or Rebellions of the Green Revolution? Bolivian Indigenous Women Prisoners' Position in the "War on Drugs" Explored through a Criminological Gaze

Tässä tutkielmassa tarkastellaan Bolivialaisten naisvankien (alkuperäisväestön) ja globaalin huumesodan ("War on Drugs") välistä yhteyttä. Keskustelu sijoitetaan laajemmin kokan viljelyn politiikkaan ja alkuperäisväestön kulttuuriin. Kokaa viljeleviä köyhiä maalaisia, joista huomattava osa on naisia, on vangittu Boliviassa kiihtyvää tahtia viime vuosikymmeninä. Moni naisista on kokan tuotannossa ja kaupassa mukana, sillä se on monesti ainoa keino taloudelliseen selviämiseen. Yleisesti ottaen naisvangit ja naisrikolliset ovat marginaalinen ilmiö. Kansainvälisesti tarkasteltuna naisvankien suhteellinen osuus koko vankilaväestöstä on noin 5,2 % (keskiarvo). Boliviassa osuus on vaihdellut 6,1 %:n ja 17,1 %:n välillä vuosina 2000-2008. Naisvankien määrä yleisesti ottaen on ollut rajussa kasvussa, suurin syy naisten vangitsemiseen on huumausaineisiin liittyvät rikokset. Näyttää myös siltä että vähemmistöt ja etnisen taustan omaavat henkilöt ovat yliedustettuina vankilaväestössä. Bolivia seuraa tätä kansainvälistä trendiä. Tämä tutkielma on rajattu kysymyksiin Bolivian intiaaniperäisten naisten osuudesta maan huumerikollisuudessa, sekä heidän suhteellisen korkeaa vangitsemisastetta selittäviin yhteiskunnallisiin tekijöihin. Kysymykset sukupuolesta, etnisyydestä ja kokan viljelyn politiikasta ovat keskiössä. Yleisiä kriminologisia teorioita peilataan kriittisesti suhteessa aineistoon ja Bolivian kontekstiin. Huumesodan ja Bolivian ankaran huumelainsäädännön seurauksista keskustellaan kriittisesti, sekä pohditaan köyhän alkuperäisväestön massavangitsemisen tarpeellisuutta. Tutkimuskysymykseni ovat: mitkä tekijät selittävät kohtuullisen korkean intiaaniperäisten naisvankien määrän Boliviassa, ja mikä on heidän asemansa globaalissa huumesodassa? Tutkielmassa on analysoitu kvantitatiivista ja kvalitatiivista aineistoa. Päälähteenä on ollut Bolivian tilastokeskuksen tuottamat rikostilastot. Tutkielman tärkeimpänä löydöksenä voidaan pitää havaintoa, että vastoin tiettyjä olettamuksia, intiaaniperäiset naiset ovat hyvinkin aktiivisia perinteisesti miehisiksi käsitetyillä aloilla kuten rikollisuudessa ja politiikassa. Tutkielmassa osoitetaan myös, että pidätysten määrät ovat moninkertaistuneet muutamassa vuosikymmenessä. Koska kokan viljelyssä on kyse pääasiallisesti taloudellisesta toimeentulosta, tämä tutkielma kysyy, onko hengissä pysyminen rikos?

Nucleotide sequence of the first cosmid from the Mycobacterium leprae genome project: structure and function of the Rif-Str regions

The nucleotide sequence of cosmid B1790, carrying the Rif-Str regions of the Mycobacterium leprae chromosome, has been determined. Twelve open reading frames were identified in the 36716bp sequence, representing 40% of the coding capacity. Five ribosomal proteins, two elongation factors and the β and β'subunits of RNA polymerase have been characterized and two novel genes were found. One of these encodes a member of the so-called ABC family of ATP-binding proteins while the other appears to encode an enzyme involved in repairing genomic lesions caused by free radicals. This finding may well be significant as M. leprae, an intracellular pathogen, lives within macrophages.

Trade Blocs and the Cold War : The CMEA and the EC challenge, 1969-1976

The coherence of the Soviet bloc was seriously tested at the turn of the 1970s, as the Soviet Union and its allies engaged in intensive negotiations over their relations with the European Communities (EC). In an effort to secure their own national economic interests many East European countries began independent manoeuvres against the wishes of their bloc leader. However, much of the intra-bloc controversy was kept out of the public eye, as the battle largely took place behind the scenes, within the organisation for economic cooperation, the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (CMEA). The CMEA policy-making process vis-à-vis the EC is described in this study with reference to primary archival materials. This study investigates the negotiating positions and powers of the CMEA member states in their efforts to deal with the economic challenge created by the progress of the EC, as it advanced towards the customs union. This entails an analysis of the functioning principles and performance of the CMEA machinery. The study traces the CMEA negotiations that began in 1970 over its policy toward the EC. The policy was finally adopted in 1974, and was followed by the first official meeting between the two organisations in early 1975. The story ends in 1976, when the CMEA s efforts to enter into working relations with the EC were seemingly frustrated by the latter. The first major finding of the study is that, contrary to much of the prior research, the Soviet Union was not in a hegemonic position vis-à-vis its allies. It had to use a lot of its resources to tame the independent manoeuvring of its smaller allies. Thus, the USSR was not the kind of bloc leader that the totalitarian literature has described. Because the Soviet Union had to spend so much attention on its own bloc-politics, it was not able to concentrate on formulating a policy vis-à-vis the EC. Thus, the Soviet leadership was dependent on its allies in those instances when the socialist countries needed to act as a bloc. This consequently opened up the possibility for the USSR s allies to manoeuvre. This study also argues that when the CMEA did manage to find a united position, it was a force that the EC had to reckon with in its policy-making. This was particularly the case in the implementation of the EC Common Commercial Policy. The other main finding of the study is that, although it has been largely neglected in the previous literature on the history of West European integration, the CMEA did in fact have an effect on EC decision-making. This study shows how for political and ideological reasons the CMEA members did not acknowledge the EC s supranational authority. Therefore the EC had no choice but to refrain from implementing its Common Commercial Policy in full.

Size dependence of the bulk modulus of semiconductor nanocrystals from first-principles calculations

The variation in the bulk modulus of semiconductor nanoparticles has been studied within first-principles electronic-structure calculations using the local density approximation (LDA) for the exchange correlation. Quantum Monte Carlo calculations carried out for a silicon nanocrystal Si87H76 provided reasonable agreement with the LDA results. An enhancement was observed in the bulk modulus as the size of the nanoparticle was decreased, with modest enhancements being predicted for the largest nanoparticles studied here, a size just accessible in experiments. To access larger sizes, we fit our calculated bulk moduli to the same empirical law for all materials, the asymptote of which is the bulk value of the modulus. This was found to be within 2-10% of the independently calculated value. The origin of the enhancement has been discussed in terms of Cohen's empirical law M.L. Cohen, Phys. Rev. B 32, 7988 (1985)] as well as other possible scenarios.

An investigation of the first-order spin-state transition in Fe(Phen)(2)(NCS)(2) EXAFS and infrared spectroscopy

The structure of Fe(Phen)(2)(NCS)(2) has been examined across the first-order spin-state transition by EXAFS with full multiple scattering analysis. The EXAFS data at 298 K can be satisfactorily assigned to the high-spin state, but the analysis of the low-temperature data at 90 K is not entirely unequivocal, although consistent with the predominant presence of the low-spin state. That some proportion of the high-spin state remains at low temperatures, well below the first-order transition, is clearly evidenced in the infrared spectra, suggesting possible sublattice ordering.

Synchrotron Study of the Dynamical Effects in the LVV Auger Transitions in the First-Row Transition Elements

The intensity ratio between L2-M45M45 and L3-M45M45 spectral features for both Fe and Co indicates significant tranfer of intensity from L2- to L3-M45M45 region due to Coster-Kronig L2-M45M45 transition. The L2-L3M45 transition can be suppressed by turning the photon energy between the L2 and L3 thresholds; however, the L3-M45M45 spectral shapes for Fe and Co do not change very significantly even at these photom energies unlike the cases of Ni, Cu and Zn, thus establishing that the M45-hole decays predominantly before the L3-hole Auger decay in the early transition elements in contrast to the late ones.

First-principles electronic structure of the delafossites ABO(2) (A=Cu, Ag, Au; B=Al, Ga, Sc, In, Y): evolution of d(10)-d(10) interactions

While bonding between d(10) atoms and ions in molecular systems has been well studied, less attention has been paid to interactions between such seemingly closed shell species in extended inorganic solids. In this contribution, we present visualizations of the electronic structures of the delafossites ABO(2) (A = Cu, Ag, Au) with particular emphasis on the nature of d(10)-d(10) interactions in the close packed plane of the coinage metal ion. We find that on going from Cu to Ag to Au, the extent of bonding between A and A increases. However, the structures (in terms of distances) of these compounds are largely determined by the strongly ionic 13,11 0 interaction and for the larger B ions Sc, In and Y, the A atoms are sufficiently well-separated that A-A bonding is almost negligible. We also analyze some interesting differences between Ag and Au, including the larger A-O covalency of the Au. The trends in electronic structure suggest that the Ag and Au compounds are not good candidate transparent conducting oxides. (C) 2002 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.