A Study of the Audio-Visual Program in the Greece Central School District Number 1

School programs must be evaluated to gauge their effectiveness and provide insight for future direction. This study seeks to evaluate the Audio-Visual program in a public school in Western New York and includes a brief history of the community. The researcher uses a modified Schwartz questionnaire to survey teachers, grade K-11, where employed by the school district during the 1960-61 school year. Results showed that the schools either met or exceeded standards for sufficient equipment, and that over 70% of teachers believed that schools’ audio-visual program was adequate. The researcher suggests further analysis of the schools’ audio-visual philosophy and the development of in-service training programs to improve teacher participation in/perception of the program

The genus Mauritanica O. Boettger, 1879 (Gastropoda Sty-lommatophora Clausiliidae) in Tunisia

Currently, the genus Mauritanica O. Boettger, 1879 (Gastropoda Stylommatophora Clausiliidae) is widespread in north-eastern Algeria and central-northern Tunisia with six taxa. The taxonomic position of this genus has often been interpreted differently and the relationship with other similar genera, in particular with Siciliaria Vest, 1867, still remains to be clarified. In this paper, we provide a further contribution to the knowledge of Mauritanica by analyzing morphologically (shell, genitalia, and the type museum material) all the known Tunisian populations. In particular, the geographical spread and taxonomy of M. tristrami s.l. (L. Pfeiffer, 1861), M. philora s.l. (Letourneux, 1887), M. perinni polygyra (O. Boettger, 1879), and M. cossoni (Letourneux, 1887) are redefined. Mauritanica perinni zaghouanica (Letourneux, 1887) could be a valid taxon. M. tristrami zribensis n. ssp., M. tristrami nouirasaidi n. ssp. and M. philora bognanii n. ssp. are described

Divide-and-Conquer Semiclassical Dynamics: A Viable Method for Vibrational Spectra Calculations of High Dimensional and Anharmonic Molecular Systems

The prediction of accurate vibrational frequencies is often necessary for the interpretation of experimental outcomes, especially when sources of strong anharmonic effects such as hydrogen bonding are present. Unfortunately, the most relevant stumbling block to fill in the gap between theory and experiment is usually represented by dimensionality problems, when quantum mechanical effects like Zero Point Energy, quantum anharmonicities, and overtones cannot be neglected. In this circumstance quantum applications are generally limited to small and medium sized molecules. One possible alternative is represented by Semiclassical theory, which allows to recover accurate spectral densities by taking advantage of quantities arising from classical mechanics simulations. [1-5] In particular, here we present a method, called Semiclassical \u201cDivide-and-Conquer\u201d, able to reproduce spectra of high-dimensional molecular systems accurately. [6,7] The method is first validated by performing spectra of small and medium sized molecules, and then it is used to calculate the spectra of benzene and a C 60 model, which is made of 174 degrees of freedom. Then, we show results of variously sized-water clusters characterized by strong hydrogen-bonding that red shifts the involved OH stretches. [8] Finally, the method is combined with ab-initio molecular dynamics to abandon the necessity to employ pre-fitted Potential Energy Surfaces, and applied to study supramolecular systems like the protonated glycine dimer and hydrogen-tagged protonated glycine. [9] [1] W. H. Miller, J. Chem. Phys. 1970, 53, 3578; [2] E. J. Heller, J. Chem. Phys. 1981, 75, 2923; M. F. Herman and E. Kluk, Chem. Phys. 1984, 91, 27. [3] K. G. Kay, J. Chem. Phys. 1994, 101, 2250; W. H. Miller, J. Phys. Chem. A 2001, 105, 2942. [4] A. L. Kaledin and W. H. Miller, J. Chem. Phys. 2003, 118, 7174. [5] R. Conte, A. Aspuru-Guzik, and M. Ceotto, J. Phys. Chem. Lett. 2013, 4, 3407. [6] M. Ceotto, G. Di Liberto, and R. Conte, Phys. Rev. Lett. 2017, 119, 010401. [7] G. Di Liberto, R. Conte, and M. Ceotto, J. Chem. Phys. 2018, 148, 014307. [8] G. Di Liberto, R. Conte, and M. Ceotto, J. Chem. Phys. 2018, 148, 104302. [9] F. Gabas, G. Di Liberto, R. Conte, and M. Ceotto In preparation

Experimental investigation of two-side heat transfer in spacer-filled channels

In Membrane Distillation (MD), spacers support the membranes and promote mixing, thus reducing temperature polarization. Their efficient design requires a knowledge of the distribution of the local heat transfer coefficient h and of its dependence on Reynolds number, spacer geometry and flow-spacer relative orientation. In previous work, we applied Thermochromic Liquid Crystals (TLC) and digital image processing to the measurement of h distributions for different spacer configurations; data were used to validate CFD simulations and select turbulence models. For constructive reasons, the test section allowed only one-side heat transfer, while in most MD configurations (e.g. spiral-wound modules) heat transfer occurs from both sides of the feed water channels. Analytical and numerical solutions show that changing from one-side to two-side heat transfer deeply affects h values. This motivated the design and construction of an improved test section in which a hot channel is sandwiched between two cold channels, and twin cameras and lighting equipment allow the simultaneous acquisition of TLC images on both walls. This paper describes this new test section and the experimental technique, discusses measurement uncertainty, and presents preliminary results

Divide-and-Conquer Semiclassical Dynamics: A Viable Route for Spectroscopic Calculations of High Dimensional Molecular Systems

The accurate prediction of vibrational spectra has become a very challenging task for theoretical methods. The most relevant stumbling block is represented by the necessity to employ quantum methods, since very often quantum effects, like zero point energy, quantum anharmonicities, and overtones, are not negligible to gain insights into the physics of a molecular system. Unfortunately, quantum mechanical methods are usually affected by the so-called curse of dimensionality problem, which limits their applicability to small and medium sized molecules. A viable alternative is represented by the Semiclassical theory, which is obtained by stationary-phase approximating to the second order of the Feynman Path-Integral representation of the Quantum time evolution operator, and allows to calculate spectral densities. In particular, the Coherent State Representation was shown to be very valid in molecular applications. However, even in this case the curse of dimensionality occurs and the method runs out of steam when the system dimensionality increases to 25-30 degrees of freedom or more. Here, we present a method, called Divide-and-Conquer, able to overcome this issue, and to reproduce spectra of high-dimensional molecular systems, while retaining the typical semiclassical accuracy (20-30 cm-1). The method is tested on simple molecules. Then, it is used to calculate spectra of a C60 model, which is made by 174 degrees of freedom, and of variously sized-water clusters characterized by strong hydrogen-bonding that red shifts the involved OH stretches. Finally, the method is also combined with ab-initio molecular dynamics to abandon the necessity to employ pre-fitted Potential Energy Surfaces, and applied to study supramolecular systems as the protonated glycine dimer and hydrogen-tagged protonated glycine

Semiclassical vibrational spectroscopy : the importance of quantum anharmonicity in supra-molecular systems

Semiclassical (SC) vibrational spectroscopy has been applied successfully to several molecular systems thanks to the possibility to regain quantum effects accurately starting from short-time classical trajectories.[1-5] Larger molecular and supra-molecular systems represent instead an open challenge in the field of semiclassical spectroscopy mainly due to the necessity to work in very high dimensionality. To start off the talk I will present some recent theoretical advances able to extend the range of applicability of SC vibrational spectroscopy to very high-dimensional systems.[6-7] Then, I will move to applications of semiclassical spectroscopy concerning the vibrational features of water clusters and two supra-molecular systems involving glycine.[8-9] These applications will point out the importance of a multi-reference, dynamical approach able to reproduce quantum anharmonicities without employing any ad-hoc scaling factor. [1] M. F. Herman, E. Kluk, Chem. Phys. 1984, 91, 27. [2] A. L. Kaledin, W. H. Miller, J. Chem. Phys. 2003, 118, 7174. [3] M. Ceotto, S. Atahan, G. F. Tantardini, A. Aspuru-Guzik, J. Chem. Phys. 2009, 130, 234113. [4] R. Conte, A. Aspuru-Guzik, M. Ceotto, J. Phys. Chem. Lett. 2013, 4, 3407. [5] F. Gabas, R. Conte, M. Ceotto, J. Chem. Theory Comput. 2017, 13, 2378. [6] M. Ceotto, G. Di Liberto, R. Conte, Phys. Rev. Lett. 2017, 119, 010401. [7] G. Di Liberto, R. Conte, M. Ceotto, J. Chem. Phys. 2018, 148, 014307. [8] G. Di Liberto, R. Conte, M. Ceotto, J. Chem. Phys. 2018, 148, 104302. [9] F. Gabas, G. Di Liberto, R. Conte, M. Ceotto, to be submitted

The RAMNI airborne lidar for cloud and aerosol research

We describe an airborne lidar for the characterization of atmospheric aerosol. The system has been set up in response to the need to monitor extended regions where the air traffic may be posed at risk by the presence of potentially harmful volcanic ash, and to study the characteristics of volcanic emissions both near the source region and when transported over large distances. The lidar provides backscatter and linear depolarization profiles at 532 nm, from which aerosol and cloud properties can be derived. The paper presents the characteristics and capabilities of the lidar system and gives examples of its airborne deployment. Observations from three flights, aimed at assessing the system capabilities in unperturbed atmospheric conditions, and at characterizing the emissions near a volcanic ash source (Mt. Etna) and transported far away from the source, are presented and discussed

The impact of temporal synchronisation imprecision on TRF analyses

Human sensory perception requires our brains to extract, encode, and process multiple properties of the sensory input. In the context of continuous sensory signals, such as speech and music, the measured electrical neural activity synchronises to properties such as the acoustic envelope, a phenomenon referred to as neural tracking. The ability of measuring neural tracking with non-invasive neurophysiology constitutes an exciting new opportunity for applied research. For example, it enables the objective assessment of cognitive functions in challenging cohorts and environments by using pleasant, everyday tasks, such as watching videos. However, neural tracking has been mostly studied in controlled, laboratory environments guaranteeing precise synchronisation between the neural signal and the corresponding labels (e.g., speech envelope). There exist various challenges that could impact such a temporal precision in, for instance, out-of-lab scenarios, such as technology (e.g., wireless data acquisition), mobility requirements (e.g., clinical scenarios), and the task (e.g., imagery). Aiming to address this type of challenge, we focus on the predominant scenario of continuous sensory experiments involving listening to speech and music. First a temporal response function analysis is presented on two different datasets to assess the impact of trigger imprecision. Second, a proof-of-concept re-alignment methodology is proposed to determine potential issues with the temporal synchronisation. Finally, a use-case study is presented that demonstrates neural tracking measurements in a challenging scenario involving older individuals with neurocognitive decline in care homes. Significance Statement Human cognitive functions can be studied by measuring neural tracking with non-invasive neurophysiology as participants perform pleasant, everyday tasks, such as listening to music. However, while recent work has encouraged the use of this approach in applied research, it remains unclear how robust neural tracking measurements can be when considering the methodological constraints of applied scenarios. This study determines the impact of a key factor for the measurement of neural tracking: the temporal precision of the neural recording. The results provide clear guidelines for future research, indicating what level of imprecision can be tolerated for measuring neural tracking with speech and music listening tasks in both laboratory and applied settings. Furthermore, the study provides a strategy to assess the impact of imprecision in the synchronisation of the neural recording, thus developing new tools for applied neuroscience

IL-17 polarization of MAIT cells is derived from the activation of two different pathways

MAIT cells are expanded in salivary glands of patients with Sjogren's syndrome and are IL-17 polarized. IL-7 and IL-23 induce IL-17 production activating two different pathways: IL-7 stimulation induces in fact a significant STAT3 and HIF1alpha upregulation, conversely, IL-23 stimulation significantly induces RORc overexpression in MAIT cells of patients with Sjogren's syndrome