A new quantum chemical definition is proposed of the full atomic valence, VA, taking into account both the covalent and ionic parts of the chemical bonds formed by atoms in molecules and crystals. The full atomic valencies, covalencies, and charges on atoms are calculated for nickel–oxygen crystalline compounds in the CNDO band theory approximation. A comparison of the chemical bonding in nickel a

The interactions between dissolved organic matter (DOM) and mineral particles are critical for the stabilization of soil organic matter (SOM) in terrestrial ecosystems. The processing of DOM by ectomycorrhizal fungi contributes to the formation of mineral-stabilized SOM by two contrasting pathways: the extracellular transformation of DOM (ex vivo pathway) and the secretion of mineral-surface-react

A quantum‐chemical definition is proposed of the full atomic valence taking into account both, covalent and ionic components of chemical bonds formed by an atom in molecules or crystals. Atomic charges, covalent bond orders, and full atomic valencies of lead and oxygen atoms in the crystalline lead oxides are calculated in the framework of the LUC‐CNDO approach.

Flavor symmetries à la Froggatt-Nielsen provide a compelling way to explain the hierarchies of fermionic masses and mixing angles in the Yukawa sector. In supersymmetric (SUSY) extensions of the Standard Model where the mediation of SUSY breaking occurs at scales larger than the breaking of flavor, this symmetry must be respected not only by the Yukawas of the superpotential but also by the soft-b

In two-Higgs-doublet models with exact Z2 symmetry, putting mh ≃ 125 GeV at the alignment limit, the following limits on the heavy scalar masses are obtained from the conditions of unitarity and stability of the scalar potential: mH, mA, mH+ < 1 TeV and 1/8 < tan β < 8. The constraints from b → sγ and neutral meson mass differences, when superimposed on the unitarity constraints, put a tighter low

We show that the 2.4σ signal of the leptonic flavor violating (LFV) Higgs boson decay h→μτ, as observed by the CMS Collaboration recently, can be explained by a certain class of two-Higgs doublet models that allow controllable flavor-changing neutral current with a minimal number of free parameters. We postulate that (i) the alignment limit is maintained, which means the lightest neutral scalar (h

We present experimental measurements of harmonic generation in xenon using a 1064-nm 40-psec Nd-doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser. The harmonic yield is studied as a function of the position of the laser focus in the atomic beam. It shows regular oscillations whose period decreases with increasing harmonic order and which can be interpreted as phase-matching effects due to the tight focusing geo

We present a completely ab initio calculation of harmonic generation in xenon exposed to a strong laser field. The time-dependent Schrödinger equation for the atomic response and the propagation equation are numerically integrated yielding excellent agreement with experiment. The weaker variation with pump intensity of the induced dipole in the high-field regime leads to an enormous enhancement in

We present an approach to describe the phase matching of high harmonics emitted by laser driven atoms in a nonperturbative regime, for which the atomic response displays an intrinsic intensity-dependent phase. We show that the traditional phase-matching conditions involving conservation of wave vectors should be modified by taking into account the gradient of this atomic phase. We investigate vari

Multiply charged ions are easily formed in rare gases by multiphoton absorption processes. For Kr and Xe up to quadruply charged ions are formed. They are induced by a bandwidth-limited 50 ps laser pulse at 1.064 W cm -2 intensity range. Doubly charged ions are formed through the absorption of a very large number of photons (29 for Xe) in a direct transition from the ground state of the atom to th

Xe**2** plus ions can easily be formed by multiphoton absorption in Xe atoms at 0. 53 mu m. A kinetic model is developed which is based on the rate equations describing the evolution of populations of Xe atoms, Xe** plus and Xe**2** plus ions. The result is that the ratio of the number of Xe**2** plus to Xe** plus ions varies with the pulse duration tau as tau ** minus **3**/**2.

The barley genome is comprised of more than 39,000 high-confidence genes, which represent many valuable targets for breeders as well as plant researchers trying to understand the genetic network controlling the various grass species, especially members of the Triticeae tribe including barley, wheat, and rye. The present chapter provides an overview of how past activities with barley mutants, marke

Organic agriculture is a production system that aims at sustaining healthy soils, ecosystems and people by prohibiting the application of synthetic pesticides and fertilisers in crop production and by emphasising animal welfare in livestock breeding. This article shows that organic agriculture is characterised by higher soil quality and reduced nutrient or pesticide leaching compared to nonorganic

Normative reasons are of constant importance to us as agents trying to navigate through life. For this reason it is natural and vital to ask philosophical questions about reasons and the normative realm. This thesis explores various issues concerning reasons and normativity. The thesis consists of five free-standingpapers and an extended introduction. The aim of the extended introduction is not me