cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The stopping of low energy ions in reactions of astrophysical interest

The velocity dependence of the stopping power of swift protons and deuterons in low energy collisions with hydrogen and helium gas targets is investigated with the numerical so- lution of the time-dependent Schrodinger coupled-channels equations using molecular orbital wavefunctions. At low projectile energies the stopping is mainly due to nuclear stopping, charge exchange of the electron, and excitation of the lowest levels in the target. The second and third mechanisms dominate at E< 200 eV. At lower energies it is also shown that a threshold effect is responsible for a quick drop of the energy loss. This investigation sheds more light on the long standing electron screening problem in fusion reactions of astrophysical interest. Nuclear fusion reactions proceed in stars at extremely low energies, e.g., of the order of 10 keV in our sun. 1),2) At such low energies it is extremely difficult to measure the cross sections for charged particles at laboratory conditions due to the large Coulomb barrier. One often uses a theoretical model to extrapolate the experimental data to the low-energy region. Such extrapolations are sometimes far from reliable, due to unknown features of the low-energy region. For example, there might exist unknown resonances along the extrapolation, or even some simple effect which one was not aware of before. One of these effects is the laboratory atomic screening of fusion reactions. 3),4) It is well known that the laboratory measurements of low energy fusion reactions are strongly influenced by the presence of the atomic electrons. This effect has to be corrected for in order to relate the fusion cross sections measured in the laboratory with those at the stellar environment. One has observed experimentally a large discrepancy between the experimental data and the best models available to treat the screening effect by the electrons in the target nuclei. 5) The screening effect arises because as the projectile nucleus penetrates the electronic cloud of the target the electrons become more bound and the projectile energy increases by energy conservation. Since fusion cross sections increase strongly with the projectile's energy, this tiny amount of energy gain (of order of 10-100 eV) leads to a large effect on the measured cross sections. However, in order to explain the experimental data, it is necessary to have an extra amount of energy about twice the expected theoretical value. 5) In order to extract the fusion cross sections from experiment one needs to correct for the energy loss in the target to assign the correct projectile energy value for the reaction. The authors in Refs. 6) and 7) have shown that a possible solution to the long standing discrepancy between theory and experiment for the reaction 3 He(d, p) 4 He could be obtained if the projectile energy loss by electronic excitations and charge exchange with the target atoms would be smaller than previously assumed in the experimental data analysis. There have been indeed a few experiments in
Null physical states in string models

This note is a brief addendum to my article Nucl. Phys. B 864 (2012) 285, [ arXiv:1110.5510 ], which discusses the noghost theorem in Ramond sectors of string models. In this addendum we derive additional information about the structure of null physical states in the Ramond-Neveu-Schwarz model.
A Precise Determination of \(\alpha_s\) From LEP Thrust Data Using Effective Field Theory

Starting from a factorization theorem in Soft-Collinear Effective Theory, the thrust distribution in e+e− collisions is calculated including resummation of the next-to-next-to-next-to leading logarithms. This is a significant improvement over previous calculations which were only valid to next-to-leading logarithmic order. The fixed-order expansion of the resummed result approaches the exact fixed-order distribution towards the kinematic endpoint. This close agreement provides a verification of both the effective field theory expression and recently completed next-to-next-to-leading fixed-order event shapes. The resummed distribution is then matched to fixed order, resulting in a distribution valid over a large range of thrust. A fit to ALEPH and OPAL data from LEP 1 and LEP 2 produces αs(mZ) = 0.1172±0.0010±0.0008±0.0012±0.0012, where the uncertainties are respectively statistical, systematic, hadronic, and perturbative. This is one of the world's most precise extractions of αs to date.
Stability of Goertler vortices in boundary layers

A formal analysis of Goertler-type instability is presented. The boundary-layer and disturbance equations are formulated in a general, orthogonal, curvilinear system of coordinates constructed from the inviscid flow over a curved surface. Effects of curvature on the boundary-layer flow are analyzed. The basic approximation for the disturbance equations is presented and solved numerically. Previous analyses are discussed and compared with our analysis. It is shown that the general system of coordinates developed in this analysis and the correct order-of-magnitude analysis of the disturbance velocities with two velocity scales leads to a rational foundation for future work in Goertler vortices.
Aerobic Intramolecular Oxidative Amination of Alkenes Catalyzed by NHC-Coordinated Palladium Complexes

Palladium(II) complexes bearing a single N-heterocyclic carbene ligand serve as effective catalysts for the aerobic oxidative cyclization of alkenes with pendant sulfonamides. The use of carboxylic acid cocatalysts (AcOH and PhCO2H) often leads to significant improvements in catalyst stability and product yield and enables catalytic turnover to be achieved with air, rather than pure oxygen gas, as the source of O2.
A strategic alternative to solid phase synthesis: Preparation of a small isoxazoline library by “fluorous synthesis”

Abstract The preparation of a highly fluorinated silyl group and its use as a “fluorous label” are described. Allyl and propargyl alcohols are rendered fluorous upon attachment to the fluorous label. Cycloaddition of the fluorous dipolarophiles to nitrile oxides provides the corresponding isoxazol(in)es which are purified by simple liquid-liquid extractions. After detachment of the label and renewed extraction, the organic isoxazol(in)es are obtained. This new fluorous methodology allows the preparation of isoxazol(in)es in high purities without using chromatography.
NOx Formation in High-Pressure Jet-Stirred Reactors With Significance to Lean-Premixed Combustion Turbines

Measurements of NO x and CO in methane-fired, lean-premixed, high-pressure jet-stirred reactors (HP-JSRs), independently obtained by two researchers, are well predicted assuming simple chemical reactor models and the GRI 3.0 chemical kinetic mechanism. The single-jet HP-JSR is well modeled for NO x and CO assuming a single PSR for Damkohler number below 0.15. Under these conditions, the estimates of flame thickness indicate the flame zone, that is, the region of rapid oxidation and large concentrations of free radicals, fully fills the HP-JSR. For Damkohler number above 0.15, that is, for longer residence times, the NO x and CO are well modeled assuming two perfectly stirred reactors (PSRs) in series, representing a small flame zone followed by a large post-flame zone. The multijet HP-JSR is well modeled assuming a large PSR (over 88% of the reactor volume) followed by a short PFR, which accounts for the exit region of the HP-JSR and the short section of exhaust prior to the sampling point. The Damkohler number is estimated between 0.01 and 0.03. Our modeling shows the NO x formation pathway contributions. Although all pathways, including Zeldovich (under the influence of super-equilibrium O-atom), nitrous oxide, Fenimore prompt, and NNH, contribute to the total NO x predicted, of special note are the following findings: (1) NO x formed by the nitrous oxide pathway is significant throughout the conditions studied; and (2) NO x formed by the Fenimore prompt pathway is significant when the fuel-air equivalence ratio is greater than about 0.7 (as might occur in a piloted lean-premixed combustor) or when the residence time of the flame zone is very short. The latter effect is a consequence of the short lifetime of the CH radical in flames.
Interactions between calcipotriene and ultraviolet light

Abstract Background: Calcipotriene is often used with UVB or PUVA, but interactions between UV radiation and calcipotriene have not been examined extensively. Objective: Our purpose was to examine interactions between calcipotriene and UV light. Methods: Minimal erythema doses (MEDs) were determined with UVB and immediate pigment darkening was measured for UVA. The effect of calcipotriene ointment applied before phototesting was examined. Thick and thin applications of calcipotriene were compared. Calcipotriene ointment was applied to a small area on the skin before phototherapy. Patients received either UVB, PUVA, UVA, or no phototherapy. After phototherapy, the ointment was collected and assayed by reverse-phase, high-performance liquid chromatography. Results: MEDs for UVB and immediate pigment darkening for UVA were unaffected by calcipotriene. Thick application of calcipotriene, however, increased the MED. UVA caused substantial reductions in the concentration of detectable calcipotriene. Conclusion: When used in conjunction with PUVA, calcipotriene should be applied after exposure to UVA. (J Am Acad Dermatol 1997; 37:93–5.)
Phylogeny of colletid bees (Hymenoptera: Colletidae) inferred from four nuclear genes.

Colletidae comprise approximately 2500 species of bees primarily distributed in the southern continents (only two colletid genera are widely distributed: Colletes and Hylaeus). Previously published studies have failed to resolve phylogenetic relationships on a worldwide basis and this has been a major barrier to the progress of research regarding systematics and evolution of colletid bees. For this study, data from four nuclear gene loci: elongation factor-1α (F2 copy), opsin, wingless, and 28S rRNA were analyzed for 122 species of colletid bees, representing all subfamilies and tribes currently recognized; 22 species belonging to three other bee families were used as outgroups. Bayesian, maximum likelihood, and parsimony methods were employed to investigate the phylogenetic relationships within Colletidae and resulted in highly congruent and well-resolved trees. The phylogenetic results show that Colletidae are monophyletic and that all traditionally recognized subfamilies (except Paracolletinae) are also strongly supported as monophyletic. Our phylogenetic hypothesis provides a framework within which broad questions related to the taxonomy, biogeography, morphology, evolution, and ecology of colletid bees can be addressed.
SPECTRAL ANOMALY AND HIGH TEMPERATURE SUPERCONDUCTORS

Spectral anomaly for interacting fermions is characterized by the spectral function A ([k − kF], ω) satisfying the scaling relation A (Λy1 [k − kF], Λy2 ω) =ΛyA A ([k − kF], ω), where y1, y2, and yA are the exponents defining the universality class. For a Fermi liquid y1 = 1, y2 = 1, yA = −1; all other values of the exponents are termed anomalous. In this paper, an example for which y1 = 1, y2 = 1, but yA = α − 1 is considered in detail. Attractive interaction added to such a critical system leads to a novel superconducting state, which is explored and its relevance to high temperature cuprate superconductors is discussed.
Quark-hadron duality in structure functions

While quark-hadron duality is well-established experimentally, the current theoretical understanding of this important phenomenon is quite limited. To expose the essential features of the dynamics behind duality, we use a simple model in which the hadronic spectrum is dominated by narrow resonances made of valence quarks. We qualitatively reproduce the features of duality as seen in electron scattering data within our model. We show that in order to observe duality, it is essential to use the appropriate scaling variable and scaling function. In addition to its great intrinsic interest in connecting the quark-gluon and hadronic pictures, an understanding of quark-hadron duality could lead to important benefits in extending the applicability of scaling into previously inaccessible regions.
Synthesis and Reactions of 1,1-Dimethyl-3-oxobutyl-isothiocyanate (DMO-ITC)

In this review an attempt has been made to compile all the existing comprehensive literature for the synthesis of 1,1-Dimethyl-3-oxobutyl-isothiocyanate (DMO-ITC) and its reactions with the compounds having different functional groups, such as amines, diamines, amino alcohols, amino phenols, amino thiophenols, amino nitriles, amino acids, and hydrazines. The peculiar behavior of the DMO-ITC is due to its sensitivity toward acids and gives different products when the reaction occurs in the absence and presence of an acid. The pH of the reaction condition also plays an important role. Normally, DMO-ITC gives pyrimidinethione derivatives when treated with amines, but reactions become interesting when the compounds have an amino group as well as the other functional group (NH 2 , OH, SH, CN, COOH) at ortho position, providing condensed bicyclic, tricyclic, or poly heterocycles with ring nitrogen and/or sulfur is of biological importance. The reaction of DMO-ITC with ethylene diamine, o -phenylenediamines, 1,2...
Theory of resistor networks: the two-point resistance

The resistance between two arbitrary nodes in a resistor network is obtained in terms of the eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of the Laplacian matrix associated with the network. Explicit formulae for two-point resistances are deduced for regular lattices in one, two and three dimensions under various boundary conditions including that of a Mobius strip and a Klein bottle. The emphasis is on lattices of finite sizes. We also deduce summation and product identities which can be used to analyse large-size expansions in two and higher dimensions.
Languages to diagonalize against advice classes

Variants of Kannan’s Theorem are given where the circuits of the original theorem are replaced by arbitrary recursively presentable classes of languages that use advice strings and satisfy certain mild conditions. Let poly k denote those functions in O(n k ). These variants imply that $$\mathsf{DTIME}(n^{k})^{\mathsf{NE}}/\mathsf{poly} _{k}$$ does not contain $$\mathsf{P}^{\mathsf{NE}},\;\mathsf{DTIME}\left(2^{n^{k'}}\right)/\mathsf{poly}_{k}$$ does not contain $$\mathsf{EXP},\;\mathsf{SPACE}\left(n^{k'}\right)/\mathsf{poly}_{k}$$ does not contain PSPACE, uniform TC 0/poly k does not contain CH, and uniform ACC/poly k does not contain ModPH. Consequences for selective sets are also obtained. In particular, it is shown that $$\mathsf{R}_{T}^{\mathsf{DTIME}(n^{k})}(\mathsf{NP}\hbox{-}\mathsf{sel})$$ does not contain $$\mathsf{P}^{\mathsf{NE}},\;\mathsf{R}_{T}^{\mathsf{DTIME}(n^{k})}(\mathsf{P}\hbox{-}\mathsf{sel})$$ does not contain EXP, and $$\mathsf{R}_{T}^{\mathsf{DTIME}(n^{k})}(\mathsf{L}\hbox{-}\mathsf{sel})$$ does not contain PSPACE. Finally, a circuit size hierarchy theorem is established.
Generalized domino-shuffling

The problem of counting tilings of a plane region using specified tiles can often be recast as the problem of counting (perfect) matchings of some subgraph of an Aztec diamond graph An, or more generally calculating the sum of the weights of all the matchings, where the weight of a matching is equal to the product of the (pre-assigned) weights of the constituent edges (assumed to be non-negative). This article presents efficient algorithms that work in this context to solve three problems: finding the sum of the weights of the matchings of a weighted Aztec diamond graph An; computing the probability that a randomly-chosen matching of An, will include a particular edge (where the probability of a matching is proportional to its weight); and generating a matching of An at random. The first of these algorithms is equivalent to a special case of Mihai Ciucu's cellular complementation algorithm (J. Combin. Theory Ser. A 81 (1998) 34) and can be used to solve many of the same problems. The second of the three algorithms is a generalization of not-yet-published work of Alexandru Ionescu, and can be employed to prove an identity governing a three-variable generating function whose coefficients are all the edge-inclusion probabilities; this formula has been used (Duke Math. J. 85 (1996) 117) as the basis for asymptotic formulas for these probabilities, but a proof of the generating function identity has not hitherto been published. The third of the three algorithms is a generalization of the domino-shuffling algorithm presented in (J. Algebraic Combin. 1 (1992) 111); it enables one to generate random "diabolo-tilings of fortresses" and thereby to make intriguing inferences about their asymptotic behavior.
Almost global convergence to p -dominant equilibrium

A population of players repeatedly plays an n strategy symmetric game. Players update their strategies by sampling the behavior of k opponents and playing a best response to the distribution of strategies in the sample. Suppose the game possesses a -dominant strategy which is initially played by a positive fraction of the population. Then if the population size is large enough, play converges to the -dominant equilibrium with arbitrarily high probability.
Temperature dependence of anomalous muonium hyperfine interactions in silicon

The temperature dependence of the anomalous muonium hyperfine interaction has been measured in silicon. Between 5 and 150 K, an approximately 1% decrease is observed and attributed to interaction with the silicon host phonons.
Logarithmic connections with vanishing p-curvature

Abstract We examine logarithmic connections with vanishing p -curvature on smooth curves by studying their kernels, describing them in terms of formal local decomposition. With the goal of providing tools to work explicitly with such connections, we apply our results in the case of connections on bundles of rank 2 on the projective line, classifying such connections in terms of rational functions on the projective line with prescribed ramification.
Synthesis of 2‐nitro‐L‐tryptophan

Nitration of N-(trifluoroacetyl)-L-tryptophan methyl ester provides 40% of the anticipated 6-nitro product and 6–7% of the novel 2-nitro derivative. The latter compound is deprotected with aqueous acid to form 2-nitro-L-tryptophan. Analogous nitration of L-tryptophan gives only the 6-nitro product.
Modulation of rabbit testicular contractions by prostaglandins, steroids and some pharmacological compounds

Progesterone, testosterone, and pregnenolone inhibited spontaneous testicular capsular contractions in vitro with equal effectiveness and in a dose-dependent fashion. The three steroids assayed also inhibited contractions induced by prostaglandin4. Progesterone, testosterone, and pregnenolone were ineffective at a concentration of 10−5 M in inhibiting the tonus increase of the testicular capsule induced by epinephrine. However, the three steroids did inhibit the increased contractility of the testicular capsule induced by either acetylcholine or serotonin. Both acetylcholine and serotonin had little effect on testicular contractility unless the testes were spontaneously contracting or the testes were stimulated with the prostaglandins. We concluded that steroids and prostaglandins may have a role in modulating testicular capsular motility in vivo.
Performance of a finite volume CEM code on multicomputers

Abstract A cell center, upwind biased, spatially third-order and temporally second-order finite volume procedure for solving the Maxwell equations in time domain has been ported to a Intel Touchstone Delta and a Paragon multicomputer. Using a one-dimensional domain partition scheme, the computer code has attained a data processing rate of 7.56 Gigaops on the 512 nodes of the Delta and 3.56 Gigaops on the 179 nodes of the Paragon XP/S systems. The high parallel efficiency of the present computer program however, is sustainable only up to a limited size of addressable memory (nodes × 48 × 96). The scalable performance range of the present code is significantly extended by operating on the Paragon system at the present time.
A MEMS electrostatic particle transportation system

Abstract We demonstrate here an electrostatic MEMS system capable of transporting particles 5–10 μm in diameter in air. This system consists of three-phase electrode arrays covered by insulators. Extensive testing of this system has been done using a variety of insulation materials (silicon nitride, photoresist and Teflon), thickness (0–12 μm), particle sizes (1–10 μm), particle materials (metal, glass, polystyrene, spores, etc.), waveforms, frequencies and voltages. Although previous literatures [D.W. Cooper, H.L. Wolfe, J.T.C. Yeh, R.J. Miller, Surface cleaning by electrostatic removal of particles, Aerosol Science and Technology 13 (1990) 116–123; V.J. Novick, C.R. Hummer, P.F. Dunn, Minimum electric field requirements for removing powder layers from a conductive surface, Journal of Applied Physics 65 (1989) 3242–3247] claimed it is impractical to electrostatically transport particles with sizes 5–10 μm due to complex surface forces, this effort actually shows it is feasible (as high as 90% efficiency) using the optimal combination of insulation thickness, electrode geometry and insulation material. Moreover, we suggest a qualitative theory for our particle transportation system which is consistent with our data and finite-element electrostatic simulations.
Large Eddy Simulation of a Premixed Bunsen Flame Using a Modified Thickened-Flame Model at Two Reynolds Number

A modified thickened flame (TF) model based on large eddy simulation (LES) methodology is used to investigate premixed combustion, and the model predictions are evaluated by comparing with the piloted premixed stoichiometric methane-air flame data for Reynolds numbers Re = 24,000 (flame F3) and Re = 52,000 (flame F1). The basic idea of the TF approach is that the flame front is artificially thickened to resolve on the computational LES grid while keeping the laminar flame speed ( ) constant. The artificially thickening of the flame front is obtained by enhancing the molecular diffusion and decreasing the pre-exponential factor of the Arrhenius law. Because the flame front is artificially thickened, the response of the thickened flame to turbulence is affected and taken care of by incorporating an efficiency function (E) in the governing equations. The efficiency function (E) in the modified TF model is proposed based on the direct numerical simulations (DNS) data set of flame-vortex interactions. The pred...
Why Global Goals and Indicators Matter: The Experience of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in the Millennium Development Goals

AbstractThis article begins by providing some context for the selection of targets and indicators chosen to measure Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 5, “improvement in maternal health,” considering why the broad vision of sexual and reproductive health and (reproductive) rights set out at international conferences in the 1990s was reduced to maternal health in the MDGs in 2001. We consider the intended and unintended consequences to the sexual and reproductive health and rights agenda based on the choices made with respect to the selection of the targets and indicators under MDG 5, and their conversion into national planning tools. Finally, we set out criteria for the selection of goals, targets, and indicators, which we believe should be applied to the post-2015 global development agenda-setting process.
The effects of modal coupling on the acoustic power radiation from panels

Effets du couplage de modes dans le rayonnement acoustique force d'une structure avec ecran acoustique
Elevated Pulse Pressure is Associated with Hemolysis, Proteinuria and Chronic Kidney Disease in Sickle Cell Disease

A seeming paradox of sickle cell disease is that patients do not suffer from a high prevalence of systemic hypertension in spite of endothelial dysfunction, chronic inflammation and vasculopathy. However, some patients do develop systolic hypertension and increased pulse pressure, an increasingly recognized major cardiovascular risk factor in other populations. Hence, we hypothesized that pulse pressure, unlike other blood pressure parameters, is independently associated with markers of hemolytic anemia and cardiovascular risk in sickle cell disease. We analyzed the correlates of pulse pressure in patients (n = 661) enrolled in a multicenter international sickle cell trial. Markers of hemolysis were analyzed as independent variables and as a previously validated hemolytic index that includes multiple variables. We found that pulse pressure, not systolic, diastolic or mean arterial pressure, independently correlated with high reticulocyte count (beta = 2.37, p = 0.02) and high hemolytic index (beta = 1.53, p = 0.002) in patients with homozygous sickle cell disease in two multiple linear regression models which include the markers of hemolysis as independent variables or the hemolytic index, respectively. Pulse pressure was also independently associated with elevated serum creatinine (beta = 3.21, p = 0.02), and with proteinuria (beta = 2.52, p = 0.04). These results from the largest sickle cell disease cohort to date since the Cooperative Study of Sickle Cell Disease show that pulse pressure is independently associated with hemolysis, proteinuria and chronic kidney disease. We propose that high pulse pressure may be a risk factor for clinical complications of vascular dysfunction in sickle cell disease. Longitudinal and mechanistic studies should be conducted to confirm these hypotheses.
Photoconductive HgCdTe detector performance with background variations

Abstract The variations of responsivity and ɡ- r noise with background photon flux above 10 16 photons cm −2 sec −1 show strong majority carrier effects for 0.1 eV HgCdTe detectors. The background dependence of Auger lifetime and excess majority and minority carriers densities are sufficient to describe observed phenomena. Excess l/f noise seems related to the minority carrier density resulting in an observed decrease in l/f noise corner with reduced background photon flux.
Mivacurium-induced neuromuscular blockade during sevoflurane and halothane anaesthesia in children.

The neuromuscular blocking effects of mivacurium during sevoflurane or halothane anaesthesia was studied in 38 paediatric patients aged 1–12 yr. All received premedication with midazolam, 0.5 mg · kg−1 po and an inhalational induction with up to 3 MAC of either agent in 70% N2O and O2. The ulnar nerve was stimulated at the wrist by a train-of-four stimulus every ten seconds and the force of adduction of the thumb recorded with a Myotrace force transducer. Anaesthesia was maintained with a one MAC end-tidal equivalent of either volatile agent for five minutes before patients received mivacurium (0.2 mg · kg−1) iv. The onset of maximal blockade occurred in 2.4 ± 1.26 (mean ± SD) min with halothane and 1.8 ± 0.54 min with sevoflurane (NS). Four patients failed to achieve 100% block (3 halothane, 1 sevoflurane). The times from injection to 5, 75, and 95% recovery during sevoflurane (9.8 ± 2.6, 19.5 ± 4.4, and 24.2 ± 4.8 min) were greater than during halothane anaesthesia (7.2 ± 2.2, 15.0 ± 4.0, 19.2 ± 4.9 min, respectively (P 95%, T4/T1 > 75%) during the surgery which lasted 24–63 min. All patients showed clinical signs of full recovery of neuromuscular blockade (i.e., headlift, gag, or cough). Pharmacological reversal was not required. It is concluded that following a single intubating dose of mivacurium, the time to maximum relaxation was not different during halothane and sevoflurane anaesthesia; recovery times to 5, 75 and 95% twitch height were longer during sevoflurane anaesthesia and neuromuscular reversal was not necessary.
Magnetic Correlations in High Tc Oxides in the Superconducting State

A review is given of recent neutron scattering measurements on La 2−x Sr x CuO 4 and Y Ba 2 Cu 3 O 6+x single crystals. Well defined, modulated magnetic excitations are observed in a high quality single crystal of La 1.85 Sr 0.15 CuO 4. This crystal exhibits a sharp superconducting transition at 33K with a high Meissner effect. For magnetic excitation energies of 9meV and lower, the intensity drops substantially below 150K. Similar magnetic scattering of Y Ba 2 Cu 3 O 6+x in the superconducting region is now being sought.
Second-generation auxiliary for the asymmetric addition of metalated tetrahydroisoquinolines to aldehydes

Abstract The selectivity of asymmetric addition of tetrahydroisoquinolyloxazoline Grignard reagents to aldehydes has now been improved to 78–82% ds through the use of a camphor-derived auxiliary. The new auxiliary has broad applicability, with overall yields of chemically and diastereomerically pure addition products now in the 50–58% range.
Steroids Containing Aromatic Hydrocarbon Moieties

Abstract Aromatic rings within the steroid skeleton have a profound effect on life. New areas of research are emerging by combining the unique features of aromaticity and steroid chirality and rigidity.
Pulsed diffusing-wave spectroscopy: High resolution through nonlinear optical gating.

We introduce a diffusing-wave spectroscopic probe which utilizes light pulses and exploits the phase fluctuations of optically gated photons to eliminate the usual average over photon pathways. The principles are discussed and experimentally demonstrated. In addition to testing several critical elements of the original multiple-light-scattering theories, we have studied diffusion of polystyrene spheres in the high-volume-fraction limit where hydrodynamic interactions are important.
No risk, no gain: invest in women and girls by funding advocacy, organizing, litigation and work to shift culture

Abstract The new development framework aspires to merge long-term hopes for environmental, political and financial sustainability with international poverty eradication goals. Central to this agenda is the promotion and protection of the human rights of women and girls. Yet national mechanisms, donors and international development agencies often do not fully tackle these issues or confront the accompanying politically sensitive, complex issues intermingling religion, socioeconomic status, social, cultural and family life. The increasing reliance on private investment may further weaken a women’s rights approach. The proposed framework described in the High-Level Panel of Eminent Persons Report could further systematize this problem, even though it improves on the MDGs by expanding targets related to women. Success will require support for a potent mix of advocacy, movement building and a complex set of ground-based strategies that shift cultural practices, laws and policies that harm women and girls. Funding for advocacy and interventions that hold firm on human rights is imperative, but given the conflicting loyalties of governments and public–private partnerships, reliance on either sector may be risky. An analysis of the status of women’s rights work, infrastructure and donor support in Bangladesh and South Africa shows the need for vigilance and long-term investment in effective work.
Orbital Characteristics of Binary Systems after Asymmetric Supernova Explosions

We present an analytical method for studying the changes of the orbital characteristics of binary systems with circular orbits due to a kick velocity imparted to the newborn neutron star during a supernova (SN) explosion. Assuming a Maxwellian distribution of kick velocities we derive analytical expressions for the distribution functions of orbital separations and eccentricities immediately after the explosion, of orbital separations after circularization of the post-SN orbits, and of systemic velocities of binaries that remain bound after the explosion. These distributions of binary characteristics can be used to perform analytical population synthesis calculations of various types of binaries, the formation of which involves a supernova explosion. We study in detail the dependence of the derived distributions on the kick velocity and the pre-SN characteristics, we identify all the limits imposed on the post-SN orbital characteristics, and we discuss their implications for the population of X-ray binaries and double neutron star systems. We show that large kick velocities do not necessarily result in large systemic velocities; for typical X-ray binary progenitors the maximum post-SN systemic velocity is comparable to the relative orbital velocity prior to the explosion. We also find that, unless accretion-induced collapse is a viable formation channel, X-ray binaries in globular clusters have most probably been formed by stellar dynamical interactions only and not directly from primordial binaries.
Treatment of ocular mucous membrane pemphigoid with immunosuppressive drug therapy.

Purpose To evaluate the effectiveness of immunosuppressive drug therapy in the treatment of ocular mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP). Design Retrospective cohort study. Participants Ninety-four patients with biopsy-proven ocular MMP seen at the Pemphigoid Clinic at Wilmer Eye Institute from July 1984 through November 2006. Methods Data recorded included demographics, use and doses of immunosuppressive drugs, response to therapy, and side effects associated with drug use. Main Outcome Measures Outcome measures included: (1) ocular control, defined as resolution of inflammation and cessation of cicatrization of the conjunctiva; (2) ocular remission, defined as ocular control for 3 months or more after the cessation of immunosuppressive drug therapy; and (3) ocular relapse, defined as the recurrence of ocular disease in either eye after a remission. Results By 1 year of treatment, 82.9% of patients had complete control of the inflammation, and of these, 86.3% achieved a remission at some point during follow-up. The incidences of ocular control, remission, and relapse were 1.03 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.78–1.33), 0.50 (95% CI, 0.37–0.67), and 0.04 (95% CI, 0.02–0.09) events per person-years (PY), respectively. Among patients initially treated with prednisone and cyclophosphamide (n = 44), 91% of patients achieved a remission within 2 years after the initiation of immunosuppressive drug therapy. Characteristics at presentation associated with failing to achieve remission in the univariate analysis were trichiasis (relative risk [RR], 0.28; 95% CI, 0.08–097), prior eyelid surgery (RR, 0.11; 95% CI, 0.02–0.78), and esophageal involvement (RR, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.10–0.83). After adjusting for confounding, an initial treatment regimen containing cyclophosphamide and prednisone was associated with a greater likelihood of achieving ocular remission (RR, 8.53; 95% CI, 2.53–28.86; P = 0.001) when compared with other initial treatment regimens. Infections, hematuria, and anemia were the most common side effects observed in patients receiving cyclophosphamide therapy. The rate of discontinuing cyclophosphamide resulting from side effects was 0.20/PY; however, 74% of these patients still achieved remission despite early discontinuation of cyclophosphamide. Conclusions In patients with ocular MMP, most achieved ocular disease control with immunosuppressive drug therapy. Treatment with cyclophosphamide and prednisone was strongly associated with the development of ocular remission. Financial Disclosure(s) The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.
Renewal-type limit theorem for continued fractions with even partial quotients

We prove the existence of the limiting distribution for the sequence of denominators generated by continued fraction expansions with even partial quotients, which were introduced by F. Schweiger [14] [15] and studied also by C. Kraaikamp and A. Lopes [11]. Our main result is proven following the strategy used by Ya. Sinai and C. Ulcigrai [18] in their proof of a similar renewal-type theorem for Euclidean continued fraction expansions and the Gauss map. The main steps in our proof are the construction of a natural extension of a Gauss-like map and the proof of mixing of a related special flow.
Simulations of diffusive lithium evaporation onto the NSTX vessel walls

A model for simulating the diffusive evaporation of lithium into a helium filled NSTX vacuum vessel is described and validated against an initial set of deposition experiments. The DEGAS 2 based model consists of a three-dimensional representation of the vacuum vessel, the elastic scattering process, and a kinetic description of the evaporated atoms. Additional assumptions are required to account for deuterium out-gassing during the validation experiments. The model agrees with the data over a range of pressures to within the estimated uncertainties. Suggestions are made for more discriminating experiments that will lead to an improved model.
Particle Identification in the Dynamical String-Parton Model of Relativistic Heavy-Ion Collisions

The dynamical string-parton model for relativistic heavy-ion collisions is generalized to include particle identification of the final-state hadrons by phenomenologically quantizing the masses of the classical strings which result from string breaking. General features of the Nambu-Gotō strings are used to motivate a model that identifies a mass window near the physical mass of a meson, and does not allow the string to decay further if its mass falls within the window. Data from e+e- collisions in the region to 30 GeV are well reproduced by this model.
NEARBY STARS FROM THE LSPM-NORTH PROPER-MOTION CATALOG. I. MAIN-SEQUENCE DWARFS AND GIANTS WITHIN 33 PARSECS OF THE SUN

A list of 4131 dwarfs, subgiants, and giants located or suspected to be located within 33 pc of the Sun is presented. All the stars are drawn from the new Lepine Shara Proper Motion (LSPM)–North catalog of 61,976 stars with annual proper motions larger than 015 yr-1. Trigonometric parallax measurements are found in the literature for 1676 of the stars in the sample; photometric and spectroscopic distance moduli are found for another 783 objects. The remaining 1672 objects are reported here as nearby star candidates for the first time. Photometric distance moduli are calculated for the new stars based on the (MV, V - J) relationship, calibrated with the subsample of stars that have trigonometric parallaxes. The list of new candidates includes 539 stars that are suspected to be within 25 pc of the Sun, including 63 stars estimated to be within only 15 pc. The current completeness of the census of nearby stars in the northern sky is discussed in light of the new candidates presented here. It is estimated that ≈32% (≈18%) of nuclear-burning stars within 33 pc (25 pc) of the Sun remain to be located. The missing systems are expected to have proper motions below the 015 yr-1 limit of the LSPM-North catalog.
Multi-Constrained Routing in Networks with Shared Risk Link Groups

In this work, we study a multi-constrained routing problem in networks with SRLGs where a path between a source and a destination is determined such that both the path cost and the weight of SRLGs to which the links of the path belong are bounded. The path cost is measured as the sum of cost of links on the path while the weight of SRLGs is calculated as the sum of the weight of individual SRLGs along the path. The solution to this problem can be used to find risk bounded and cost bounded path for a connection, or to design algorithms that find a pair of low cost SRLG-diverse paths between a source and a destination for survivable service provisioning. The multi-constrained routing problem is solved in two steps. First, an algorithm is devised that tries to find a least cost path in the network where the path cost is defined to be the combined cost of links and SRLG weights along the path. Second, an intelligent search algorithm that integrates the algorithm of the first step is designed to solve the multi-constrained routing problem to effectively find a path with the least total link cost while the total weight of the SRLGs along the path is bounded. The performances of the proposed algorithms are evaluated via extensive simulation and are compared with the solutions obtained by integer linear programming. Our simulation studies show that the proposed algorithms produce excellent results.
Grignard reactions to chiral oxazolidine aldehydes

Abstract Modest to high levels of asymmetric induction are observed with Grignard additions to Garner type aldehydes. The resultant secondary alcohols are important precursors of chiral building blocks for asymmetric synthesis and we have demonstrated that they can be readily converted into their respective γ-hydroxy-β-amino alcohols and β-hydroxyamino acids. Additionally, aryloxy ethers, important components of many natural products, can be obtained from these precursors.
The role of interactional competence in mediation

In this article, I analyze the interactional techniques disputants use to construct effective opening statements in mediation sessions. Using a single case analysis, I show how the use of specific interactional techniques by the first disputant created a frame for the second disputant's opening statement, which constricted the paths available to him to present his side of the dispute favorably. I conclude with a discussion of the relevance of disputants' interactional competence for a mediator's efforts to effectively balance power between disputants.
Has a consensus NL generation architecture appeared, and is it psycholinguistically plausible?

I survey some recent applications-oriented NL generation systems, and claim that despite very different theoretical backgrounds, these systems have a remarkably similar architecture in terms of the modules they divide the generation process into, the computations these modules perform, and the way the modules interact with each other. I also compare this 'consensus architecture' among applied NLG systems with psycholinguistic knowledge about how humans speak, and argue that at least some aspects of the consensus architecture seem to be in agreement with what is known about human language production, despite the fact that psycholinguistic plausibility was not in general a goal of the developers of the surveyed systems.
Evaluation of Shear-Thickening-Fluid Kevlar for Large-Fragment-Containment Applications

Application of a shear thickening fluid (STF) treatment to neat Kevlar has been reported to improve fabric ballistic performance, for impacts of 0.22 caliber fragment simulating projectiles at velocities near 800 feet per second. In recent research, the authors have evaluated the ballistic performance of STF Kevlar in a series of impact experiments performed using larger projectiles and thicker targets, at impact velocities near 1,000 feet per second, including two different fabric boundary conditions. The experimental results indicate that under these test conditions, the impact protection afforded by STF Kevlar is at best equivalent to that provided by neat Kevlar at the same areal density. In addition, the ballistic performance of STF Kevlar was found to be strongly dependent on fabric target boundary conditions, with the best performance obtained in a friction sensitive target configuration that is not representative of current body armor, orbital debris shielding, or turbine blade containment systems.
The OpenMC Monte Carlo particle transport code

Abstract A new Monte Carlo code called OpenMC is currently under development at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology as a tool for simulation on high-performance computing platforms. Given that many legacy codes do not scale well on existing and future parallel computer architectures, OpenMC has been developed from scratch with a focus on high performance scalable algorithms as well as modern software design practices. The present work describes the methods used in the OpenMC code and demonstrates the performance and accuracy of the code on a variety of problems.
Effects of anesthesia on lipopolysaccharide-induced changes in serum cytokines.

Background:The pathophysiology of sepsis is incompletely understood, however alterations in systemic inflammation and serum cytokines are thought to play a central role. In the rat, ketamine, but not isoflurane, prevents hepatic injury from lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The effect of these anesthetics o
Platinum-catalyzed hydrofunctionalization of unactivated alkenes with carbon, nitrogen and oxygen nucleophiles

The transition metal-catalyzed addition of the X–H bond of a carbon, nitrogen or oxygen nucleophile across the CC bond of an unactivated alkene (hydrofunctionalization) represents an attractive, atom-economical approach to the synthesis of carbocyclic and heterocyclic molecules and for the elaboration of ethylene and 1-alkenes. We have developed a family of Pt(II)-catalyzed protocols for the inter- and intramolecular hydrofunctionalization of unactivated alkenes with a range of H–X nucleophiles including β-diketones, indoles, amines, carboxamides and alcohols. These transformations display good functional group compatibility, low moisture sensitivity, and often good generality.
Global duricrust on Mars: Analysis of remote-sensing data

A study is conducted of the infrared thermal emission, radio thermal emission, and radar reflection data sets with the objective to obtain a simple and self-consistent model for the Mars surface. The results are compared with in situ observations at the Viking Lander sites. Attention is given to thermal inertia values, the abundance of surface rocks, radar/thermal correlations, diurnal temperature deviations, and radio emission data. It is suggested that all of the global remote-sensing data sets considered can be reconciled on the basis of variations in the degree of formation of a case-hardened crust or duricrust. On the other hand, no other model which has been proposed in conjunction with any individual data set can satisfy all of the constraints discussed.
Heavy fermion scaling: uranium versus cerium and ytterbium compounds

In an effort to explore the differences between rare-earth-based and uranium-based heavy fermion (HF) compounds that reflect the underlying difference between local 4f moments and itinerant 5f moments we analyze scaling laws that relate the low temperature neutron spectra of the primary ('Kondo-esque') spin fluctuation to the specific heat and susceptibility. While the scaling appears to work very well for the rare earth intermediate valence (IV) compounds, for a number of key uranium compounds the scaling laws fail badly. There are two main reasons for this failure. First, the presence of antiferromagnetic (AF) fluctuations, which contribute significantly to the specific heat, alters the scaling ratios. Second, the scaling laws require knowledge of the high temperature moment degeneracy, which is often undetermined for itinerant 5f electrons. By making plausible corrections for both effects, better scaling ratios are obtained for some uranium compounds. We point out that, while both the uranium HF compounds and the rare earth IV compounds have spin fluctuation characteristic energies of order 5-25 meV, they differ in that the AF fluctuations that are usually seen in the uranium compounds are never seen in the rare earth IV compounds. This suggests that the 5f itineracy increases the f-f exchange relative to the rare earth case.