What is the Natural Size of Supersymmetric CPCP Violation?

It is well known that if phases and masses in the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM) are allowed to have general values, the resulting neutron EDM ($d_n$) exceeds the experimental upper limit by about $10^3$. We assume that the needed suppression is not due to a fine-tuning of phases or masses, and ask what natural size of $CP$ violation (CPV) results. We show that (1) the phase of one of the superpotential parameters, $\mu$, does not contribute to any CPV in the MSSM and so is not constrained by \dn; (2) the MSSM contribution to $d_n$ is tiny, just coming from the CKM phase; (3) the phases in the MSSM cannot be used to generate a baryon asymmetry at the weak scale, given our assumptions; and (4) in non-minimal SUSY models, an effective phase can enter at one loop giving $d_n \sim 10^{-26}$\ecm, $d_e \sim 10^{-27}$\ecm, and allowing a baryon asymmetry to be generated at the weak scale, without fine-tunings. Our results could be evaded by a SUSY breaking mechanism which produced phases for the SUSY breaking parameters that somehow were naturally of order $10^{-3}$.Comment: 13pp (no figs), REVTEX (LATEX), TRI-PP-93-

General variational approach to nuclear-quadrupole coupling in rovibrational spectra of polyatomic molecules

A general algorithm for computing the quadrupole-hyperfine effects in the rovibrational spectra of polyatomic molecules is presented for the case of ammonia (NH$_3$). The method extends the general variational approach TROVE by adding the extra term in the Hamiltonian that describes the nuclear quadrupole coupling, with no inherent limitation on the number of quadrupolar nuclei in a molecule. We applied the new approach to compute the nitrogen-nuclear-quadrupole hyperfine structure in the rovibrational spectrum of NH$_3$. These results agree very well with recent experimental spectroscopic data for the pure rotational transitions in the ground vibrational and $\nu_2$ states, and the rovibrational transitions in the $\nu_1$, $\nu_3$, $2\nu_4$, and $\nu_1+\nu_3$ bands. The computed hyperfine-resolved rovibrational spectrum of ammonia will be beneficial for the assignment of experimental rovibrational spectra, further detection of ammonia in interstellar space, and studies of the proton-to-electron mass variation

Improved plaque materials for aerospace nickel-cadmium cells

Improved cadmium electrode substrates with precisely controlled microstructures for possible use in aerospace nickel-cadmium cells were prepared. The preparative technique was a powder metallurgical process in which a fugitive pore-former and a nickel powder were blended, then isostatically compacted, and subsequently sintered. Cadmium electrodes prepared from such substrates were cycle tested using an accelerated tortuous test regime. It was discovered that plaques of 60% or 80% porosity prepared with a 25 micron pore-former were better than state-of-the-art electrodes in terms of efficienty and/or mechanical strength. The 60% structures were particularly outstanding in this respect in that they had efficiencies only 5-10 percentage points lower than state-of-the-art electrodes and vastly superior mechanical properties. This added strength was observed to eliminate cracking and physical degradation of the electrodes during processing and cycling. The cadmium electrodes prepared from the 80% porous substrates proved to be the best electrodes made during the course of the work from the point of view of highest efficiency. Three-point bend tests were used to measure mechanical properties of the plaques produced and also as a general characterization tool. In addition, the BET surface areas of selected specimens was determined. The SEM was used for judging microscopic uniformity and quantitatively determining the induced pore size and various other fine structures in the substrates. The technique of X-ray radiography was used to follow the bulk uniformity of the substrates at various stages of their processing

University For Missouri

Chancellor Alexander N. Cartwright's bold vision for Mizzou prioritizes innovative, hands-on student learning; embraces strategic investments in collaborative research and creative initiatives; and grows the university's community engagement to maximize societal impact

A survey of chemical elicitors and their effectiveness as promoters of plant defense against herbivory by Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Insect herbivores can induce a range of plant defenses. Signal pathways can be activated that result in the production of secondary metabolites. Many of these compounds can reduce insect fitness, deter feeding, and attract beneficial insects. Additionally, organic and inorganic chemicals applied as a foliar spray or soil drench can activate these plant responses. Azelaic acid, benzothiadiazole (BTH), gibberellic acid (GA3), harpin, and jasmonic acid (JA) are thought to mediate plant response to pathogens and herbivores. The effects of these elicitors on the induction of plant defenses were determined by measuring the weight gain of fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on four important crops, cotton, corn, rice, and soybean, treated with elicitors, under greenhouse conditions. JA consistently induced cotton and soybean resistance to FAW. In contrast, azelaic acid, BTH, and harpin treated plant material increased weight gain of FAW, suggesting negative crosstalk between the salicylic acid and JA signaling pathways. No induction of defense was observed in corn and rice, and the lack of spray mixture adhesion to those crops inspired a second experiment in which four adjuvants were co-applied with a reduced rate of JA (0.25X) to corn and cotton. Corn was more responsive to the use of an adjuvant than was cotton. The differential effectiveness of two elicitors, JA and BTH, was investigated on FAW and another noctuid species, the soybean looper (SBL), Chrysodeixis includens (Walker). Weight gain of FAW offered JA-treated soybean was significantly lower than FAW offered non-treated soybean in all trials, whereas growth of SBL was significantly reduced in only one trial. BTH was not effective in reducing weight gain of SBL offered plant material treated at the 1X or 5X rates. BTH reduced weight gain of FAW only in trial 2, at the 5X rate. The findings presented herein provide further support that foliar applications of JA increase resistance to arthropod herbivores, and that this relationship between plant and herbivore could be transitioned to the field, with the ultimate goal of using elicitor-induced defense as a part of an integrated pest management program

Measuring Christian Education Against National and State Standards: A Review of the Literature

Almost all states within the United States have adopted state education standards as a tool to measure the knowledge and skills needed and the expected outcomes students should be achieving within a given school year (Juarez, 1999). There are two kinds of standards, content standards and performance standards. Content standards indicate what a student should know and be able to do. Performance standards incorporate content standards, but are expanded to include suggested tasks, sample student work, and teacher commentary on that work (Georgia Department of Education, 2004). According to Robert J. Marzano, a Senior Fellow at the Mid-Continent Research for Education and Learning Institute in Aurora, Colorado, “Standards hold the greatest hope for significantly improving student achievement” (Scherer, 2001, p.l). A recent RAND report and a study conducted by the University of Texas concluded that significant increases in student achievement have been linked to standards-based efforts (Biemesderfer, 2004)

Switching costs and adverse selection in the market for credit cards: new evidence

To explain persistence of credit card interest rates at relatively high levels, Calem and Mester (AER, 1995) argued that informational barriers create switching costs for high-balance customers. As evidence, using data from the 1989 Survey of Consumer Finances, they showed that these households were more likely to be rejected when applying for new credit. In this paper, they revisit the question using the 1998 and 2001 SCF. Further, they use new information on card interest rates to test for pricing effects consistent with information-based switching costs. The authors find that informational barriers to competition persist, although their role may have declined. ; Also issued as Payment Cards Center Discussion Paper No. 05-09Credit cards

Relationships and Learning in Early Childhood Education: A Structural Equation Model

A study of the relationship between mediated learning experiences (MLE), social and emotional development, student-teacher relationships, and overall development using structural equation modeling was conducted. With attachment theory as the theoretical base, the current study proposed that the educational constructs have a direct effect on the overall development of young students and the relationships between the constructs have an indirect effect on overall development. This research suggests that through positive student-teacher relationships, teachers engage students in mediated learning experiences which promotes social and emotional development and effects the students’ overall development. Data collected from 118 pre-primary teachers and students were analyzed to confirm the relationship among the educational constructs. Four self-administered questionnaires were used to assess pre-primary teachers’ attitude toward MLE, students’ social and emotional development, and pre-primary teachers’ perceptions of student-teacher relationships. The current study resulted in a significant model that explains the relationship between social and emotional development and student-teacher relationships on the overall development of young students

PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE-JOINT TORTFEASORS-CROSS CLAIM AGAINST CO-PARTY

Plaintiff was driving his team on the highway, closely followed by the auto of defendant Wood, which was in turn followed by that of defendant Perry. Perry, driving at a high rate of speed, collided with the rear of Wood\u27s auto, causing it to collide with plaintiff\u27s wagon. Plaintiff sued both defendants to recover for damage to himself and his wagon, alleging negligence in the conduct of each. Defendants answered, each denying his own negligence. Wood interposed a cross claim against Perry, alleging Perry\u27s negligence to be the sole cause of the collision, and demanded judgment for damage to his auto. Perry\u27s motion to strike the cross claim was overruled. On appeal, held, reversed. A defendant may file a cross claim against a co-defendant only if such cross claim is founded upon, or is necessarily connected with, the subject matter of the plaintiff\u27s action. Horton v. Perry, (N.C. 1948) 49 S.E. (2d) 734