ALBERT

Notes: This paper reports three independent studies. In the first study, the infrared band shapes and relative intensities of gaseous thiirane-d4 (ethylene sulfide-d4, C2D4S), the Raman spectrum of liquid thiirane-d4, and infrared spectra of gaseous cis- and trans-1, 2-dideuteriothiirane, (CHD)2S, are reported for the first time. The vibrational spectra of C2H4S, C2D4S, and some bands of cis-(CHD)2S are assigned from the symmetry analysis, group frequencies, infrared band shapes, and Raman polarization data. The frequencies so assigned are used to derive a modified valence force field, (MVFF), which reproduces them well, allows the remaining fundamental frequencies of cis-(CHD)2S to be found, and allows the spectrum of trans-(CHD)2S to be assigned. The MVFF is then further refined to optimize the fit to the 46 assigned frequencies of the four molecules. Twenty four nonzero force constants fit the 46 frequencies with an average error of 0.4%. The assignment is thus well based and self-consistent. Inthe second study, ab initio SCF calculations of optimum geometry, vibrational frequencies, and IR intensities of thiirane, thiirene, and a number of isotopically substituted derivatives are reported for the 6-31G*, 3-21G, and STO 3G bases. The force constants of thiirane from the 6-31G* basis are in good agreement with those of the MVFF when allowance is made for the fact that some were constrained to zero in the MVFF. The potential energy distributions from the ab initio and normal coordinate calculations agree well, with the former confirming some defects in the latter. The 6-31G* force constants multiplied by 0.80 reproduced the 46 observed frequencies with an average error of 1.4%. For thiirene and isotopic derivatives, the 6-31G* IR spectra are in much better agreement with experiment than previous results with smaller bases. In particular, significantly higher frequency C–S stretches are predicted with the 6-31G* basis. Nevertheless, a few discrepancies remain between experiment and the 6-31G* SCF results. In the third study, vibrational frequencies and IR intensities of thiirene and isotopic derivatives were evaluated at the CISD level of theory using a standard DZP basis set. In the DZP-CISD thiirene spectrum, the B1 C–H out-of-plane bend and its position relative to the A1 C–S stretch differ significantly from the 6-31G* SCF results, giving confirmation of the experimental assignments. However, the same DZP-CISD force constants predict that two low-frequency bands of thiirene-d1 are assigned incorrectly. No other significant discrepancies between theory and experiment remain for the thiirene species.

Notes: The key features of the H+O3 potential energy surface have been determined using ab initio quantum mechanical methods. The electronic wave function used is a multiconfiguration Hartree–Fock wave function which provides a qualitatively correct description of various reactive channels. It is found that the H+O3→HO+O2 reaction proceeds along a nonplanar pathway in which the H atom descends vertically to the plane containing the ozone molecule to form an HO3 intermediate which then undergoes fragmentation. No planar transition state for a direct O-atom abstraction could be located. The radical–radical O+HO2 reaction was found to have no energy barrier to formation of HO3 which was determined to subsequently decompose to HO+O2. The H-atom abstraction reaction O+HO2→OH+O2 was found to have a small activation energy. The dynamical implications of these findings are discussed. The results are consistent with the observed vibrational excitation of the OH product in the H+O3 reaction. The key features of the H+O3 potential energy surface are expected to be transferable to the X+O3 systems where X=Cl, OH, NO, and NH2.

Notes: Summary In laboratory mice (strain NMRI) the ontogenetic development of single unit activity in the olfactory bulb was investigated. From postnatal day 10 on, spontaneously active neurons were recorded with glass-microelectrodes, and their responses to olfactory stimuli were tested (butyric acid, geraniol, grass- and nest-odour). From day 10 to 13 only very few neurons were recordable (and most of these elements were too weak and were lost before being stimulated). At day 14 the number of recordable neurons increased rapidly, and by day 15 spontaneously active neurons reached adult level in terms of incidence and electric properties. There were 3 types of neurons: 1. respiration synchronous elements; 2. bursting neurons not correlated with respiration; 3. continuously, but randomly, firing elements (about 60% of all neurons). Reactions to odour stimuli (excitation, ca. 50%; inhibition, ca. 34%; complex reactions, ca. 12%; change in activity pattern, ca. 4%) occurred as soon as the cells were stable enough for testing. The reaction patterns showed no age specific differences; the duration of the responses varied from 100 ms to 100 s. In younger animals (P11–P14) the percentage of responses was slightly smaller (47%) than in the older ones (P30–P50; 64% response to olfactory stimulation). For some of the odours tested the proportion of responding cells differed depending on age (for instance grass odour evoked a response in 40% of the cells in young ones, but in 65% in adults).

Notes: Abstract In the original paper by Schaefer et al. the assignment of positron lifetimes to monovacancies and vacancy agglomerates in Si has been discussed in order to interpret the lifetime of 402 ps observed in amorphous hydrogenated Si. In the present reply to the comment of Dannefaer, Mascher and Kerr we will demonstrate that a precise and critical discussion of the available data is indispensible.