Static dust sphere in Einstein-Cartan theory

Physically meaningful solutions of the field equations for static spherical dust distributions in the Einstein-Cartan theory have been obtained. There is one in which the spin is zero at the center and another with zero spin at the boundary of the sphere.     

Single-column ion-chromatographic determination of chromium(VI) in aqueous soil and sludge extracts

Single-column ion-chromatography (SCIC) was investigated as a routine, rapid, precise and selective analytical method for the determination of chromium(VI) in aqueous extracts of soil and sewage sludge. Chromatographic parameters were optimized for determination of Cr(VI), NO(-)(3) and SO(2-)(4). A low-capacity resin-based column was used for the separation and the anions were determined by conductometric detection. p-Hydroxybenzoic acid (5mM) at pH 8.5 was used as the eluent. The limit of detection, defined as S/N = 3, was 92 mug/l. The resolution between Cr(VI) and SO(2-)(4) was 2.8, the precision ranged from 0.9% for NO(-)(3) to 2.0% for Cr(VI) with a 500-mul injection. The SCIC results for Cr(VI) agreed closely with those obtained by inductively coupled argon-plasma emission and spectrophotometry.     

Reduction studies on benzaza[3.3.3]propellanc derivatives

Sodium borohydride reduction of 3-methyl-2,3-dioxo-7,8-benzo-3-aza[3.3.3]propellan-6-one (1b) gave 2,4-dioxo-3-methyl-7,8-benzo-3-aza[3.3.3]propellan-6-ol, while lithium aluminum hydride reduction gave 3-methyl-7,8-benzo-3-aza[3.3.3]propellan-6-ol, which on oxidation, gave the corresponding ketone. This ketone formed the corresponding thioketal upon reaction with 1,2-ethanedithiol. Raney nickel desulfurization of the thioketal provided 3-methyl-6,7-benzo-3-aza[3.3.3]propellane. The same compound was also obtained in poor yield by forming the thioketal of Ib followed by lithium aluminum hydride reduction and Raney nickel desulfurization of the product. Desulfurization of the thioketal of Ib gave 2,4-dioxo-6,7-Benzo-3-aza[3.3.3]propellane.     

Cyclization of ylidenemalononitriles. X. Synthesis of benzazapropellane derivatives from α-Cyano-β-chloroalkylcinnamonitriles

The reaction of nucleophilic and non-nucleophilic bases wtih 2-carbamoyl-3-(γ-chloropropyl)-1-indenone ( 5 ) have been investigated. Condensation of γ-chlorobutyrophenone with malono-nitrile afforded α-cyano-β-(3-ehloropropyl)cinnamonitrile which was cyclized in concentrated sulfurie acid to produce 5 . Two other products obtained from the cyclization reaction were 2-carbamoyl-3-(γ-ehloropropylidene)-1-indanone ( 4 ) and α-carbamoyl-β-(3-chloropropyl)cinnam-amide. Treatment of a solution of 4 in ethyl acetate with piperidine resulted in cyclization of the γ-chloropropyl side chain to give 2-carbamoyl-3-cycIopropyl-1-indanone. The same compound was obtained in improved yield by the treatment of 4 or 5 with sodium hydroxide solution. The reaction of dirnethylamine with 5 in benzene gave initial Michael addition of the amine followed by internal alkylation of the carbanion so formed to yield 3a-dimethylamino-2,3,3a,8-tetrahydro-8-oxoeyclopent[a]indene-8a(lH)earboxamide ( 7a ). Similarly addition of ammonia, pyrrolidine, piperidine, benzenethiol, p-toluenethiol, 2-naphthalenethiol and nitromethane to the indenone I gave respective analogs of type 7 . Treatment of 5 with sodium cyanide in aqueous t-butyl alcohol resulted in a similar Michael addition followed by internal alkylation. In addition, cyclization between the nitrile and the carbamoyl functions occurred in the same step to give 2-oxo-4-imino-7,8-benzo-3-aza[3.3.3]-propellan-6-one ( 13a ). Hydrolysis of the iminopyrrolido ring in 13a to the corresponding suecin-irnide gave 2,4-dioxo-7,8-benzo-3-aza[3.3.3]propellan-6-one ( 13b ). Reactión of 13b with methyl iodide, allyl bromide, benzyl bromide, and diethyluminoethyl chloride afforded the corresponding N-alkylated products. A similar sequence starling with δ-ehlorovalerophenone led to 5,6-fused ring systems, including a [4.3.3]propellane. 2,9-Dioxo-4-methyl-7,8-benzo-3-aza[4.3.3]propell-4-ene was obtained by the reaction of 5 with acetone in dilute alkali.     

Optimal convergence properties of kernel density estimators without differentiability conditions

Let X ₁, X ₂, ..., X _n be independent observations from an (unknown) absolutely continuous univariate distribution with density f and let % MathType!MTEF!2!1!+-% feaafeart1ev1aaatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn% hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXafv3ySLgzGmvETj2BSbqefm0B1jxALjhiov2D% aebbfv3ySLgzGueE0jxyaibaiiYdd9qrFfea0dXdf9vqai-hEir8Ve% ea0de9qq-hbrpepeea0db9q8as0-LqLs-Jirpepeea0-as0Fb9pgea% 0lrP0xe9Fve9Fve9qapdbaqaaeGacaGaaiaabeqaamaabaabcaGcba% GabmOzayaajaGaaiikaiaadIhacaGGPaGaeyypa0Jaaiikaiaad6ga% caWGObGaaiykamaaCaaaleqabaGaeyOeI0IaaGymaaaakmaaqadaba% Gaam4saiaacUfadaWcgaqaaiaacIcacaWG4bGaeyOeI0Iaamiwamaa% BaaaleaacaWGPbaabeaakiaacMcaaeaacaWGObGaaiyxaaaaaSqaai% aadMgacqGH9aqpcaaIXaaabaGaamOBaaqdcqGHris5aaaa!5356!\[\hat f(x) = (nh)^{ - 1} \sum\nolimits_{i = 1}^n {K[{{(x - X_i )} \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{(x - X_i )} {h]}}} \right. \kern-\nulldelimiterspace} {h]}}} \] be a kernel estimator of f(x) at the point x, \s-<x<, with h=h _n (h _n O and nh _n , as n) the bandwidth and K a kernel function of order r. Optimal rates of convergence to zero for the bias and mean square error of such estimators have been studied and established by several authors under varying conditions on K and f. These conditions, however, have invariably included the assumption of existence of the r-th order derivative for f at the point x. It is shown in this paper that these rates of convergence remain valid without any differentiability assumptions on f at x. Instead some simple regularity conditions are imposed on the density f at the point of interest. Our methods are based on certain results in the theory of semi-groups of linear operators and the notions and relations of calculus of finite differences.This research was supported in part by grants from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and the University of Alberta Central Research Fund.     

Single‐step oxidative homocoupling of aryl Grignard reagents via Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) Complexes under air

A simple catalytic system of direct synthesis for the symmetrical biaryls using catalytic amounts of Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes has been developed. The reaction system involves in situ synthesis of Grignard reagents. The complexes, containing bidentate Schiff base and dmit (2‐thioxo‐1,3‐dithiole‐4,5‐dithiolate) ligands, were compatible with diverse functionalities and afford a high yield of biaryls in a single step, proving to be promising catalysts in homocoupling reactions. Atmospheric oxygen is used as an oxidant which renders a green, simple and economical catalytic route. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Nonspecific Effect of Double-Stranded (ds) RNA on Prophenoloxidase (proPO) Expression in Penaeus monodo n

RNA interference-mediated silencing is an effective way of controlling white spot syndrome virus (WSSV). However, the effect of RNAi on the innate immune mechanism is not well understood. Prophenoloxidase (proPO) is an important component of the shrimp innate immunity. In the present study, nonspecific effect of two double-stranded (ds)RNA-expressing constructs, one targeting vp28 gene of WSSV (pCMV-VP28-LH) and another targeting green fluorescent protein (GFP) (pCMV-GFP-LH) on proPO2 gene expression, is investigated. mRNA expression levels of proPO2 in hemocytes of DNA construct-injected shrimp were estimated using real-time PCR with elongation factor 1-α as internal control. Empty vector (pcDNA)-injected shrimp were used as experimental control. In pCMV-VP28-LH-injected shrimp, proPO2 showed significant upregulation until 48 h post-injection (p.i.). Similarly, pCMV-GFP-LH-injected animals showed high levels of expression until 72 h p.i. WSSV-challenged animals, compared to pcDNA-injected control group, showed no significant change in expression of the gene until 24 h. However, an increased expression was noticed at 48 h p.i. Our results suggest that neither the plasmids nor the long hairpin RNA expressed by the constructs has any nonspecific silencing effect on the proPO2 expression. On the contrary, the consistent upregulation of proPO2 observed in shrimp injected with dsRNA at early time-points indicates the possibility of nonspecific protection against WSSV infection.     

Scanning probe microscopy of graphene

A material with novel fundamental properties that challenge our current understanding is always exciting for research. If the novel properties extend to the realm of device engineering and promise a revolution in applications, then the scope of its research knows no bounds. The story of graphene, the two dimensional form of carbon, has followed this path. Graphene has been the subject of numerous experimental and theoretical investigations since 2004 when an elegant and a simple technique to make monolayer graphene set the stage for extensive research. Many other techniques to make graphene were developed in parallel to this technique. As graphene is replete with unique structural and electronic properties scanning probe microscopy has proved to be an exciting and a rewarding venture. In this review we discuss the findings of scanning probe microscopy and how it has served as an indispensable tool to understand the properties of graphene and further graphene research.     

Rhodium(III) catalyzed synthesis of isoquinolone fused azabicycles through C–H activation of N-pivaloyloxy benzamides

Herein we describe an efficient one pot strategy toward highly functionalized isoquinolone fused azabicycles having great synthetic potential via C–H activation of N-pivaloyloxy benzamides under very mild conditions. The reaction is accomplished at room temperature within one hour in good to excellent yields and is found to be compatible with a range of diazabicyclic olefins and benzamides. The present strategy offers an easy route for the synthesis of biologically relevant compounds which possess multiple points for divergent synthesis. N–N bond cleavage of synthesized compounds may enable their significant role as effective precursors for the preparation of diaminocyclopentane fused isoquinolones.     

Calibration of a stochastic health evolution model using NHIS data

This paper presents and calibrates an individual’s stochastic health evolution model. In this health evolution model, the uncertainty of health incidents is described by a stochastic process with a finite number of possible outcomes. We construct a comprehensive health status index (HSI) to describe an individual’s health status, as well as a health risk factor system (RFS) to classify individuals into different risk groups. Based on the maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) method and the method of nonlinear least squares fitting, model calibration is formulated in terms of two mixed-integer nonlinear optimization problems. Using the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data, the model is calibrated for specific risk groups. Longitudinal data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) is used to validate the calibrated model, which displays good validation properties. The end goal of this paper is to provide a model and methodology, whose output can serve as a crucial component of decision support for strategic planning of health related financing and risk management.