463 research outputs found
Synthesis of a Molecular Charm Bracelet via Click Cyclization and Olefin Metathesis Clipping
We describe the synthesis of a polycatenated cyclic polymer, a structure that resembles a
molecular charm bracelet. Ruthenium-catalyzed ring-opening metathesis polymerization of an aminocontaining
cyclic olefin monomer in the presence of a chain transfer agent generated an α,ω-diazide
functionalized polyamine. Cyclization of the resulting linear polyamine using pseudo-high-dilution coppercatalyzed
click cyclization produced a cyclic polymer in 19% yield. The click reaction was then further
employed to remove linear contaminants from the cyclic polymer using azide- and alkyne-functionalized
scavenging resins, and the purified cyclic polymer product was characterized by gel permeation
chromatography, ^1H NMR spectroscopy, and IR spectroscopy. Polymer hydrogenation and conversion to
the corresponding polyammonium species enabled coordination and interlocking of diolefin polyether
fragments around the cyclic polymer backbone using ruthenium-catalyzed ring-closing olefin metathesis to
afford a molecular charm bracelet structure. This charm bracelet complex was characterized by ^1H NMR
spectroscopy, and the catenated nature of the small rings was confirmed using two-dimensional diffusion-ordered
NMR spectroscopy
Solution of the Nuclear Shell Model by Symmetry-Dictated Truncation
The dynamical symmetries of the Fermion Dynamical Symmetry Model are used as
a principle of truncation for the spherical shell model. Utilizing the usual
principle of energy-dictated truncation to select a valence space, and
symmetry-dictated truncation to select a collective subspace of that valence
space, we are able to reduce the full shell model space to one of manageable
dimensions with modern supercomputers, even for the heaviest nuclei. The
resulting shell model then consists of diagonalizing an effective Hamiltonian
within the restricted subspace. This theory is not confined to any symmetry
limits, and represents a full solution of the original shell model if the
appropriate effective interaction of the truncated space can be determined. As
a first step in constructing that interaction, we present an empirical
determination of its matrix elements for the collective subspace with no broken
pairs in a representative set of nuclei with . We demonstrate
that this effective interaction can be parameterized in terms of a few
quantities varying slowly with particle number, and is capable of describing a
broad range of low-energy observables for these nuclei. Finally we give a brief
discussion of extending these methods to include a single broken collective
pair.Comment: invited paper for J. Phys. G, 57 pages, Latex, 18 figures a macro are
available under request at [email protected]
Boundary Conditions in Stepwise Sine-Gordon Equation and Multi-Soliton Solutions
We study the stepwise sine-Gordon equation, in which the system parameter is
different for positive and negative values of the scalar field. By applying
appropriate boundary conditions, we derive relations between the soliton
velocities before and after collisions. We investigate the possibility of
formation of heavy soliton pairs from light ones and vise versa. The concept of
soliton gun is introduced for the first time; a light pair is produced moving
with high velocity, after the annihilation of a bound, heavy pair. We also
apply boundary conditions to static, periodic and quasi-periodic solutions.Comment: 14 pages, 8 figure
SU(3) Richardson-Gaudin models: three level systems
We present the exact solution of the Richardson-Gaudin models associated with
the SU(3) Lie algebra. The derivation is based on a Gaudin algebra valid for
any simple Lie algebra in the rational, trigonometric and hyperbolic cases. For
the rational case additional cubic integrals of motion are obtained, whose
number is added to that of the quadratic ones to match, as required from the
integrability condition, the number of quantum degrees of freedom of the model.
We discuss different SU(3) physical representations and elucidate the meaning
of the parameters entering in the formalism. By considering a bosonic mapping
limit of one of the SU(3) copies, we derive new integrable models for three
level systems interacting with two bosons. These models include a generalized
Tavis-Cummings model for three level atoms interacting with two modes of the
quantized electric field.Comment: Revised version. To appear in Jour. Phys. A: Math. and Theo
A Unified Description of Cuprate and Iron Arsenide Superconductors
We propose a unified description of cuprate and iron-based superconductivity.
Consistency with magnetic structure inferred from neutron scattering implies
significant constraints on the symmetry of the pairing gap for the iron-based
superconductors. We find that this unification requires the orbital pairing
formfactors for the iron arsenides to differ fundamentally from those for
cuprates at the microscopic level.Comment: 12 pages, 10 figures, 2 table
Prevalence of Mental Health Disorder Symptoms and Rates of Help-seeking Among University-Enrolled, Black Men
Background. Black men in college represent a subgroup of emerging adults who are at increased risk of developing mental health disorders (MHDs), such as anxiety and depression. Such risk has been attributed to disproportionate experiences with everyday racial discrimination and high levels of psychological distress. Despite being at higher risk, university-enrolled, Black men are not utilizing mental health or health resources at optimal rates. The current evidence base describing prevalence of MHDs and health services utilization among Black men in college is limited. The present study addresses this by examining mental health prevalence among university-enrolled, Black men and their rates of health services utilization.
Methods. We analyzed data (N ~ 2500) from a student survey, Spit for Science, a longitudinal, ongoing, research study at a mid-Atlantic, public university. Participants are given surveys in their freshman year and follow-up surveys every spring thereafter. Measures included: mental health disorders (depression and anxiety, as measured by the Symptom Checklist 90) and campus health service utilization (counseling center, health services, wellness center, and recreational sports). We conducted descriptive analyses to determine MHD symptom prevalence and utilization rates; Mann Whitney U tests to compare prevalence rates to White men and Black women; and, Chi-squared tests to compare rates of utilization among groups.
Results. During their Freshman year, greater than 60% of students from each ethnic group reported at least one anxiety symptom and greater than 80% reported at least one depressive symptom. By senior year, reporting rates decreased significantly for Black men (49.6%) but remained high for White men (69.1%) and Black women (63%); p \u3c0.000. For depression, results were similar; however, only significant differences between Black men (72.7%) and Black women (87.1%); p\u3c0.000. Black men (20.4%), though reporting high levels of symptoms, still utilized counseling services at lower rates compared to White men (37.76%); p = 0.024.
Conclusion. Findings suggest that Black men underutilize available campus health resources despite reporting one or more symptoms associated with anxiety and depression. Further research and prevention efforts are needed to improve help-seeking among this vulnerable population.https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/gradposters/1077/thumbnail.jp
Framing and visual type: Effect on future Zika vaccine uptake intent
Introduction: The Zika virus is associated with the birth defect microcephaly, and while a vaccine was not available in early- 2017, several were under development. This study’s purpose was to identify effective communication strategies to promote uptake of a new vaccine, particularly among women of reproductive age.Design and methods: In order to study the effects of Zika message framing (gain vs. loss) and visual type (photo vs. infographic) on future Zika vaccine uptake intent, a 2×2 between-subjects experiment was performed via an online survey in 2017 among 339 U.S. women of reproductive age (18-49 years). Participants were exposed to one of four messages, all resembling Instagram posts: gain-framed vs. loss-framed infographic, and gain-framed vs. loss-framed photo. These messages were followed by questions about Zika vaccine uptake intent as well as intermediate psychosocial variables that could lead to intent. Results: There was no interaction between framing and visual type (P=0.116), and there was no effect for framing (P=0.185) or visual type (P=0.724) on future Zika vaccine uptake intent, which is likely indicative of insufficient dosage of the intervention. However, when focusing on intermediate psychosocial constructs that are known to influence behavior and intent, gain-framed messages were more effective in increasing subjective norms (P=0.005) as related to a future Zika vaccine, as well as perceived benefits (P=0.016) and self-efficacy (P=0.032). Conclusions: Gain-framed messages seem to be more effective than loss-framed messages to increase several constructs that could, in turn, affect future Zika vaccine uptake intent. This is a novel finding since, traditionally, loss-framed messages are considered more beneficial in promoting vaccine-related health behaviors
Ways to Reduce Peak Electrical Demand in South Louisiana
This study analyses alternatives for coping with the peak electrical demand of hot summer afternoons. Economic and Political aspects, as well as technical feasibility, are included. It is concluded that South Louisiana may indeed be able to trim peak demand to 5% below what is anticipated by 1980 , thus making one of the coal fired stations scheduled then unnecessary. However, the contingencies (Natural Gas Shortage, Another Oil Embargo) would make a coal-fired station very desirable
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