cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Solar modulation of cosmic ray electrons 1978--1983

The ISEE 3 spacecraft has provided over 4 years of continuous data from nearby interplanetary space. By using these data together with prelaunch calibration data and precise electron spectra from balloon flights in 1979 and 1982 at Thompson, Manitoba, Canada, the flux level of approximately 1 GeV cosmic ray electrons with 1 month time resolution is monitored. The step-like onset of modulation observed for positive particles in 1979 is also seen in electrons, confirming that the dominant modulation mechanism is not sensitive to the charge of the particle. Hysteresis effects observed in the previous solar maximum by Burger and Swanenburg (1973) are not reproduced at the present solar maximum. A return to the relatively higher electron/proton ratios of the 1960s is a strong possibility. Conclusions must be drawn with caution, however, since the overall time structure of the present solar maximum is significantly different from that of the previous one.
High Dose Dexmedetomidine: Effective as a Sole Agent Sedation for Children Undergoing MRI

Objective. To determine the efficacy and safety of high dose dexmedetomidine as a sole sedative agent for MRI. We report our institution’s experience. Design. A retrospective institutional review of dexmedetomidine usage for pediatric MRI over 5.5 years. Protocol included a dexmedetomidine bolus of 2 μg/kg intravenously over ten minutes followed by 1 μg/kg/hr infusion. 544 patients received high dose dexmedetomidine for MRI. A second bolus was used in 103 (18.9%) patients. 117 (21.5%) required additional medications. Efficacy, side effects, and use of additional medicines to complete the MRI were reviewed. Data was analyzed using Student’s t-test, Fisher’s exact test, and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Main Results. Dexmedetomidine infusion was associated with bradycardia (3.9%) and hypotension (18.4%). None of the patients required any intervention. Vital signs were not significantly different among the subgroup of patients receiving one or two boluses of dexmedetomidine or additional medications. Procedure time was significantly shorter in the group receiving only one dexmedetomidine bolus and increased with second bolus or additional medications (). Discharge time was longer for children experiencing bradycardia (). Conclusion. High dose Dexmedetomidine was effective in 78.5% of cases; 21.5% of patients required additional medications. Side effects occurred in approximately 25% of cases, resolving spontaneously.
Fluoride ion mediated conjugate addition reactions of 1-acyloxy-2-propenyltrimethylsilane. Synthesis of 3-(1-acyloxy-2-propenyl)alkanones.

Abstract The reaction of 1-acyloxy-2-propenyltrimethylsilane ( 1 ) with α, β-unsaturated ketones in the presence of tetra-n-butylammonium fluoride has been investigated. In all cases the reaction was regiospecific resulting in the conjugate addition of a 1-acyloxy-2-propenyl function.
Natural pulsations in electrical spraying of liquids

The production of charged heavy particles by the electrical spraying of glycerine and Octoil from the tip of a metal capillary has been examined experimentally at voltages below about 4 kv. The current produced by the low-voltage spraying generally appears in the form of one or more sets of naturally occurring periodic pulses. The width, amplitude, period, and shape of the current pulses are discussed in terms of the applied voltage, liquid pressure, spacing between capillary tip and accelerating electrode, and temperature effects. Techniques for relating a certain set of current pulses to its corresponding spray jet along the axis or around the periphery of the capillary tip and for still photomicrography of the liquid surface at any instant before, during, and after the natural spraying pulse are described. Mention is made of the variation of specific charges produced at different intervals during the natural pulsations as measured by a time-of-flight mass spectrometer, and a method is indicated whereby the spraying pulses can be synchronized externally.
Fungibility and the impact of development assistance: Evidence from Vietnam's health sector

How can the impact of aid be estimated in the presence of fungibility? And how far does fungibility reduce its benefits? These questions are analyzed in a context where a donor wants to target its efforts on a specific sector and specific geographic areas. A traditional differences-in-differences method comparing the change in outcomes between the target and nontarget areas before and after the project risks misestimating the project's benefits. The paper develops an alternative estimation method in which intersectoral fungibility reduces project benefits insofar as government spending has a smaller impact in the sector to which the funds leak than in the target sector, while intrasectoral fungibility reduces benefits insofar as the donor is able to leverage productivity increases in government spending in the target areas. The methods are applied to two contemporaneous World Bank health projects that set out to target assistance on approximately one-half of Vietnam's provinces. Aid is not apparently fungible between Vietnam's health sector and other sectors, but is fungible across provinces within the health sector. Differences-in-differences yield an insignificant impact on infant mortality, while the use of the new method yields a statistically significant impact of around 4 per 1000 live births. The results, however, are ambiguous on the costs associated with intrasectoral fungibility.
Owning genetic information and gene enhancement techniques: why privacy and property rights may undermine social control of the human genome.

In this article I argue that the proper subjects of intangible property claims include medical records, genetic profiles, and gene enhancement techniques. Coupled with a right to privacy these intangible property rights allow individuals a zone of control that will, in most cases, justifiably exclude governmental or societal invasions into private domains. I argue that the threshold for overriding privacy rights and intangible property rights is higher, in relation to genetic enhancement techniques and sensitive personal information, than is commonly suggested. Once the bar is raised, so-to-speak, the burden of overriding it is formidable. Thus many policy decisions that have been recently proposed or enacted – citywide audio and video surveillance, law enforcement DNA sweeps, genetic profiling, national bans on genetic testing and enhancement of humans, to name a few – will have to be backed by very strong arguments.
Nested annealing: a provable improvement to simulated annealing

Simulated Annealing is a family of randomized algorithms for solving multivariate global optimization problems. Empirical results from the application of Simulated Annealing algorithms to certain {\em hard} problems including certain types of NP-complete problems demonstrate that these algorithms yield better results than known heuristic algorithms. But for the worst case input, the time bound can be exponential. In this paper, for the first time, we show how to improve the performance of Simulated Annealing algorithms by exploiting some special properties of the cost function to be optimized. In particular, the cost functions we consider are {\em small-separable}, with parameter $s(n)$. Simulated Annealing can be shown to have expected run time $2 ^ {\Omega (n)}$ whereas our improved algorithm has expected performance $2 ^ {0(s(n))}$. Thus for example, in many vision and VLSI layout problems, for which $s(n) ~=~ 0( \sqrt n )$, our time bound is $2 ^ 0 ( \sqrt n )$ rather than $2 ^ 0(n)$.
Hours per capita and productivity: evidence from correlated unobserved components models

Recent studies debate the effect of a permanent productivity shock on hours per capita within a structural VAR context. This paper examines the issue using a correlated unobserved components (UC) framework. The estimates show that permanent shocks to productivity are negatively correlated with transitory shocks to hours. This result is robust for non-stationary or levels stationary specifications of hours. Model comparisons indicate that the data do not favor imposing VAR-type restrictions on the UC models. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A grammar driven data translation system for computer integrated manufacturing

The ability to share data among the numerous software applications used to design and analyze products is an important aspect of computer integrated manufacturing, In the past, data sharing has been implemented by direct translation of data files, through neutral data formats, and through central shared databases. This paper describes a data sharing architecture that addresses some of the limitations of these systems. It employs a database management system as a central repository for part data in an application independent format. A configurable translator, called Datatrans, is used to transfer data between the database management system and native application data files. In this way software from multiple independent vendors or legacy software can be supported, because applications need not incorporate code specific to any database management system nor have knowledge of the centralized database schema. The translator uses grammars to define and recognize the data to be translated. The grammar is augmented with commands that are passed to the front-end of the database management system or to application programs to store and retrieve data. Thus the query language and the application commands serve as a high level interface to the underlying database and application data files. Entity transformations that are beyond the scope of a grammatical description are performed by database methods, which are available to all applications. An implementation of the system demonstrates the feasibility of this approach.
A Cepheid is No More: Hubble’s Variable 19 in M33

We report on the remarkable evolution in the light curve of a variable star discovered by Hubble in M33 and classified by him as a Cepheid. Early in the 20th century, the variable, designated as V19, exhibited a 54.7 day period, an intensity-weighted mean B magnitude of 19.59 ± 0.23 mag, and a B amplitude of 1.1 mag. Its position in the period-luminosity plane was consistent with the relation derived by Hubble from a total of 35 variables. Modern observations by the DIRECT project show a dramatic change in the properties of V19: its mean B magnitude has risen to 19.08 ± 0.05 mag, and its B amplitude has decreased to less than 0.1 mag. V19 does not appear to be a classical (Population I) Cepheid variable at present, and its nature remains a mystery. It is not clear how frequent such objects are or how often they could be mistaken for classical Cepheids.
Solar neutrino data, solar model uncertainties and neutrino oscillations

We incorporate all existing solar neutrino flux measurements and take solar model flux uncertainties into account in deriving global fits to parameter space for the MSW and vacuum solutions of the solar neutrino problem.
The Health Law Partnership: A Medical-Legal Partnership Strategically Designed to Provide a Coordinated Approach to Public Health Legal Services, Education, Advocacy, Evaluation, Research, and Scholarship

He who sees a need and waits to be asked for help is as unkind as if he had refused it. 1 Antonio Santi, The Book of Italian Wisdom 12 (2003). Dante Alighieri Low-income children, especially those ...
Unintended consequences of enforcement in illicit markets

Legal enforcement of bans on goods can reduce the size of the black market but lead to greater violence by increasing revenue in the illicit market. However, the link between enforcement and violence is not as simple as is suggested by the textbook model, even for a competitive market. Nevertheless, under plausible assumptions more enforcement on trafficking in the illicit good leads to more violence.
Understanding the consequences of consequentiality: Testing the validity of stated preferences in the field

This study pursues the external validation of stated preference methods by comparing survey responses from verified voters with the outcome of a parallel public referendum on a conservation and preservation program to be funded by a local property tax surcharge. The majority of respondents were unaware of the upcoming referendum, and the experimental design allows us to control for referenda-related information effects as well as respondents’ perceptions regarding the consequentiality (i.e. the potential policy impact) of their survey votes. We find the survey under-predicts “yes” referendum votes at the precinct-level. These differences go away, however, if we focus only on respondents who perceived their survey vote to be consequential. Negative hypothetical bias among inconsequential survey respondents is also evident in the estimation of willingness to pay, and controlling for consequentiality increases construct validity.
SHARP TRACE THEOREMS FOR NULL HYPERSURFACES ON EINSTEIN METRICS WITH FINITE CURVATURE FLUX

The main objective of the paper is to prove a geometric version of sharp trace and product estimates on null hypersurfaces with finite curvature flux. These estimates play a crucial role to control the geometry of such null hypersurfaces. The paper is based on an invariant version of the classical Littlewood–Paley theory, in a noncommutative setting, defined via heat flow on surfaces.
The Difficulty in Using Orphan Afterglows to Measure Gamma-Ray Burst Beaming

If gamma-ray burst (GRB) emission is strongly collimated, then GRBs occur throughout the universe at a rate much higher than is detected. Since the emission from the optical afterglow is thought to be more isotropic than the gamma-ray emission, it has been hypothesized that a search for orphan afterglows (those without the triggering GRB) would allow strong constraints to be placed on the degree of GRB collimation. In this paper we establish that, within the context of leading models of GRB jet evolution, measurement of the GRB beaming angle θjet using optical orphan searches is extremely difficult, perhaps impossible in practice. We show that this is because, in the leading model of GRB jets, the effective afterglow beaming angle scales with the jet angle, Ωopt ∝ Ωjet for small angles, and so the ratio of detected orphan afterglows to GRBs is independent of the jet opening angle. Thus, the number of expected afterglow detections is the same for moderate jet angles (~20°) as for arbitrarily small jet angles (01). For nearly isotropic GRB geometry, or for radio afterglow searches in which the jet has become nonrelativistic, the ratio of afterglows to GRBs may give information on collimation. However, using a simple model we estimate the expected number of orphan detections in current supernova surveys and find this number to be less than 1 for all jet opening angles. Even for future supernova surveys, the small detection rate and lack of dependence on collimation angle appear to ruin the prospects of determining GRB beaming by this method. Radio searches may provide the best hope to find the missing orphans.
Hybrid ROV for 11,000 Meter Operations

The goal of this ambitious project is to provide the oceanographic research community with the first capable and cost-effective technology for regular and systematic access to the world's oceans to 11,000 meters. The vehicle, named after the Greek mythical God Nereus, will be able to operate untethered as a fully autonomous vehicle, and also as a self-powered vehicle employing a 3 mm diameter optical fiber tether for real-time telemetry of data and video to its human operators on a surface ship.
Computations of turbulent evaporating sprays

A computational study of turbulent evaporating sprays is reported. The major focus is to examine the sensitivity of the vaporization behavior of turbulent sprays to the transient liquid-phase processes. Three models considered to represent these processes are the thin skin, infinite diffusion, and diffusion limit models. Favre-averaged equations with k-epsilon-g turbulence model are employed for the gas phase. The Lagrangian approach with a stochastic separated flow method is used for the liquid phase where the effects of gas turbulence on droplet trajectories and interphase transport rates are considered using random-walk computations. Also the variable-property effects are considered in detail. Results indicate that, depending upon the boiling temperature and heat of vaporization of the fuel considered, the vaporization behavior of turbulent sprays may be quite sensitive to the modeling of transient liquid-phase processes. Thus, it is important that for most hydrocarbon fuels these processes be adequately represented in any comprehensive spray computations. The present results also provide further support to the conclusions of earlier studies which have been based on simplified spray configurations.
Wave invariants at elliptic closed geodesics

This paper concerns spectral invariants of the Laplacian on a compact Riemannian manifold (M,g) known as wave invariants. If U(t) denotes the wave group of (M,g), then the trace Tr U(t) is singular when t = 0 or when ti is the length of a closed geodesic. It has a special type of singularity expansion at each length and the coefficients are known as the wave invariants. Our main purpose is to calculate the wave invariants explicitly in terms of curvature, Jacobi fields etc. when the closed geodesic is non-degenerate elliptic. We do this by putting the Laplacian into quantum Birkhoff normal form at the closed geodesic. Such a normal form was previously introduced by V. Guillemin. We give a new algorithm for calculating it, and for expressing wave invariants in terms of normal form invariants.
Synthesis of (+)-biotin: efficient resolution of key intermediates

Abstract Enantiomerically pure 4-chlorothieno[3,4- d ]imidazol-2-one (+)-2 and thieno[3,4- d ]imidazol-2,4-dione (+)-5, key intermediates in independent routes to (+)-biotin (6), have been prepared by resolution via the corresponding diastereomeric ethers (3d-g and 3'd-g). Efficient procedures to recycle the undesired diastereomers and recover the chiral auxiliary have been developed.
Emergence of rotational bands in ab initio no-core configuration interaction calculations of light nuclei

Abstract The emergence of rotational bands is observed in no-core configuration interaction (NCCI) calculations for the odd-mass Be isotopes ( 7 ⩽ A ⩽ 13 ) with the JISP16 nucleon–nucleon interaction, as evidenced by rotational patterns for excitation energies, quadrupole moments, and E2 transitions. Yrast and low-lying excited bands are found. The results demonstrate the possibility of well-developed rotational structure in NCCI calculations using a realistic nucleon–nucleon interaction.
Instanton-induced charm contribution to polarized deep-inelastic scattering

Abstract Recent data on B decays involving η ′ may be explained if the singlet axial current of charmed quarks has a large matrix element to η ′, and instantons were shown to be able to generate this effect. We study the magnitude of charm contributions to nucleon polarized structure functions generated in a similar way. Comparing the charm contribution, which is related to a dim(6) gluonic operator, to that of light quarks, which are related by the anomaly equation to G G , we found that Δ c /Δ Σ ≃−0.03. Future experiments like COMPASS at CERN identifying charm production in DIS can measure this “intrinsic polarized charm” component of the nucleon.
Flow regime identification in gas/liquid/pulp fiber slurry flows based on pressure fluctuations using artificial neural networks

The objective of this work is to experimentally examine the feasibility of using artificial neural networks (ANNs) for the identification of the flow regimes in three phase gas/liquid/pulp fiber systems, using the statistical characteristics of pressure fluctuations measured by a single pressure sensor. Experiments were carried out in a transparent, vertical circular column with 1.8 m height and 5.08 cm inner diameter, using mixtures of air, water, and Kraft softwood paper pulp. The pulp consistency (weight fraction of pulp in the pulp/water mixture) was varied in the low consistency range of ∼0.0-1.5%. Flow structures and other hydrodynamic characteristics were experimentally investigated, using visual observation, γ-ray densitometry, and flash X-ray photography. Local pressure fluctuations at a station 1.2 m above the test section inlet were recorded using a high-sensitivity pressure transducer that was installed in a manner not to cause flow disturbance. Various statistical characteristics of the pressure fluctuations, as well as the characteristics of their autocorrelations, were examined as potential input parameters for ANNs trained to recognize the flow regimes solely on the basis of these statistical pressure fluctuation characteristics. Three-layer, feed-forward ANNs could learn to identify four major flow patterns (bubbly, plug, churn, and slug) well, using the standard deviation, coefficients of skewness and kurtosis, and several time shift autocorrelations of normalized pressure signals as input. The results indicate the feasibility of using ANNs for flow regime identification in three-phase gas/liquid/pulp flow systems.
Tsunami Probability in the Caribbean Region

We calculated tsunami runup probability (in excess of 0.5 m) at coastal sites throughout the Caribbean region. We applied a Poissonian probability model because of the variety of uncorrelated tsunami sources in the region. Coastlines were discretized into 20 km by 20 km cells, and the mean tsunami runup rate was determined for each cell. The remarkable ~500-year empirical record compiled by O’Loughlin and Lander (2003) was used to calculate an empirical tsunami probability map, the first of three constructed for this study. However, it is unclear whether the 500-year record is complete, so we conducted a seismic moment-balance exercise using a finite-element model of the Caribbean-North American plate boundaries and the earthquake catalog, and found that moment could be balanced if the seismic coupling coefficient is c = 0.32. Modeled moment release was therefore used to generate synthetic earthquake sequences to calculate 50 tsunami runup scenarios for 500-year periods. We made a second probability map from numerically-calculated runup rates in each cell. Differences between the first two probability maps based on empirical and numerical-modeled rates suggest that each captured different aspects of tsunami generation; the empirical model may be deficient in primary plate-boundary events, whereas numerical model rates lack backarc fault and landslide sources. We thus prepared a third probability map using Bayesian likelihood functions derived from the empirical and numerical rate models and their attendant uncertainty to weight a range of rates at each 20 km by 20 km coastal cell. Our best-estimate map gives a range of 30-year runup probability from 0–30% regionally.
EuKNaTaO5: crystal growth, structure and photoluminescence property.

The synthesis, structure determination, and intrinsic luminescent properties of a new tantalate, EuKNaTaO5, are reported. Single crystals of the title compound were grown out of a reactive KOH/NaOH eutectic melt. Luminescence in many materials is activated by doping a rare earth cation into the solid matrix; we report undoped, all-rare earth EuKNaTaO5, which exhibits bright orange room temperature photoluminescence.
GENERALIZED CONFORMAL AND SUPERCONFORMAL GROUP ACTIONS AND JORDAN ALGEBRAS

We study the "conformal groups" of Jordan algebras along the lines suggested by Kantor. They provide a natural generalization of the concept of conformal transformations that leave two-angle invariant to spaces where "p-angle" (p ≥ 2) can be defined. We give an oscillator realization of the generalized conformal groups of Jordan algebras and Jordan triple systems. A complete list of the generalized conformal algebras of simple Jordan algebras and Hermitian Jordan triple systems is given. These results are then extended to Jordan superalgebras and super Jordan triple systems. By going to a coordinate representation of the (super)oscillators one then obtains the differential operators representing the action of these generalized (super) conformal groups on the corresponding (super) spaces. The superconformal algebras of the Jordan superalgebras in Kac's classification is also presented.
Decision-Making about Workplace Disputes: A Policy-Capturing Study of Employment Arbitrators, Labor Arbitrators, and Jurors

Firms are increasingly turning to the controversial practice of employment arbitration to resolve workplace disputes. Yet little is know about how decisions are made by employment arbitrators or how their decisions compare to those made in traditional dispute-resolution forums. This study uses a policy-capturing design and hierarchical linear modeling to compare how decisions about termination cases are made by employment arbitrators, labor arbitrators, and jurors. The results indicate significant differences in the overall willingness to uphold termination, with labor arbitrators being the most likely to rule in favor of the employee, followed by jurors, employment arbitrators judging statutory and for-cause claims, and employment arbitrators judging statutory-only claims. Significant differences were also observed between categories of decision makers in the weight given to procedural compliance, evidence of discrimination, employee work history, and stress-inducing personal circumstances.
Computational Geometry for Optimal Workpiece Orientation

Workpiece orientation is formulated as an optimal design problem based on a discrete approximation of design surface geometry, the kinematic capabilities of the process machine tool, and processing cost. The primary process application addressed is three-and four-axis numerically controlled (NC) milling, although the techniques presented may be applied to machines with more general articulation. Recent developments in applied spherical geometry are employed to formulate a constrained problem, and furthermore, a nonlinear optimization problem. For three-axis milling applications, a weight is assigned to each surface normal of the discrete model corresponding to the actual area it represents. Workpiece/machine orientation is optimized such that the angle between the weighted normals and the milling tool axis is minimized. This formulation is augmented, for four-axis milling, to incorporate limitations of the rotational degree of freedom, into the optimization formulation. The influence of tool geometry is also discussed and incorporated within constrained orientation algorithm.
Quantum States as Ordinary Information

Despite various parallels between quantum states and ordinary information, quantum no-go-theorems have convinced many that there is no realistic framework that might underly quantum theory, no reality that quantum states can represent knowledge about. This paper develops the case that there is a plausible underlying reality: one actual spacetime-based history, although with behavior that appears strange when analyzed dynamically (one time-slice at a time). By using a simple model with no dynamical laws, it becomes evident that this behavior is actually quite natural when analyzed "all-at-once" (as in classical action principles). From this perspective, traditional quantum states would represent incomplete information about possible spacetime histories, conditional on the future measurement geometry. Without dynamical laws imposing additional restrictions, those histories can have a classical probability distribution, where exactly one history can be said to represent an underlying reality.
Chiral gauge theories and fermion-Higgs systems

Abstract The status of several proposals for defining a theory of chiral fermions on the lattice is reviewed and some new estimates for the upper bound on the Higgs mass are presented.
Capacity allocation games for network-coded multicast streaming

In this paper, we formulate and study a capacity allocation game between a set of receivers (players) that are interested in receiving multicast data (video/multimedia) being streamed from a server through a multihop network. We consider fractional multicast streaming, where the multicast stream from the source (origin-server) to any particular receiver (end-user) can be split over multiple paths. The receivers are selfish and noncooperative, but must collaboratively purchase capacities of links in the network, as necessary for delivery of the multicast stream from the source to the individual receivers, assuming that the multicast stream is network-coded. For this multicast capacity allocation (network formation) game, we show that the Nash equilibrium is guaranteed to exist in general. For a 2-tier network model where the receivers must obtain the multicast data from the source through a set of relay nodes, we show that the price of stability is at most 2, and provide a polynomial-time algorithm that computes a Nash equilibrium whose social cost is within a factor of 2 of the socially optimum solution. For more general network models, we show that there exists a 2-approximate Nash equilibrium, whose cost is at most two times the social optimum. We also give a polynomial-time algorithm that computes a (2 + e)-approximate Nash equilibrium for any e > 0, whose cost is at most two times the social optimum. Simulation studies show that our algorithms generate efficient Nash equilibrium allocation solutions for a vast majority of randomly generated network topologies.
Efficient analysis of Q-level nested hierarchical general linear models given ignorable missing data.

This article extends single-level missing data methods to efficient estimation of a Q-level nested hierarchical general linear model given ignorable missing data with a general missing pattern at any of the Q levels. The key idea is to reexpress a desired hierarchical model as the joint distribution of all variables including the outcome that are subject to missingness, conditional on all of the covariates that are completely observed and to estimate the joint model under normal theory. The unconstrained joint model, however, identifies extraneous parameters that are not of interest in subsequent analysis of the hierarchical model and that rapidly multiply as the number of levels, the number of variables subject to missingness, and the number of random coefficients grow. Therefore, the joint model may be extremely high dimensional and difficult to estimate well unless constraints are imposed to avoid the proliferation of extraneous covariance components at each level. Furthermore, the over-identified hierarchical model may produce considerably biased inferences. The challenge is to represent the constraints within the framework of the Q- level model in a way that is uniform without regard to Q; in a way that facilitates efficient computation for any number of Q levels; and also in a way that produces unbiased and efficient analysis of the hierarchical model. Our approach yields Q-step recursive estimation and imputation procedures whose qth-step compu- tation involves only level-q data given higher-level computation components. We illustrate the approach with a study of the growth in body mass index analyzing a national sample of elementary school children.
The Impact of Warrants and Convertible Securities on the Systematic Risk of Common Equity

This paper addresses the relationship between the capital structure and the systematic risk of common equity for a firm whose capital structure includes convertible securities. Adding warrants to the capital structure reduces the systematic risk of equity, which is consistent with the fact that warrants dampen the volatility of equity by reducing the upside potential gains of existing stockholders. Expressions showing the impact of conversion features in debt and preferred stock on the systematic risk of equity are derived, and contrasted with the systematic risk effects of non-convertible debt or non-convertible preferred stock financing. Failure to incorporate conversion features may lead to serious errors in assessing the impact of financing alternatives on the risk of equity.
Generation of Post-Newtonian Gravitational Radiation via Direct Integration of the Relaxed Einstein Equations

The completion of a network of advanced laser-interferometric gravitational-wave observatories around 2001 will make possible the study of the inspiral and coalescence of binary systems of compact objects (neutron stars and black holes), using gravitational radiation. To extract useful information from the waves, such as the masses and spins of the bodies, theoretical general relativistic gravitational waveform templates of extremely high accuracy will be needed for filtering the data, probably as accurate as $O[(v/c)^6]$ beyond the predictions of the quadrupole formula. We summarize a method, called DIRE, for Direct Integration of the Relaxed Einstein Equations, which extends and improves an earlier framework due to Epstein and Wagoner, in which Einstein's equations are recast as a flat spacetime wave equation with source composed of matter confined to compact regions and gravitational non-linearities extending to infinity. The new method is free of divergences or undefined integrals, correctly predicts all gravitational wave ``tail'' effects caused by backscatter of the outgoing radiation off the background curved spacetime, and yields radiation that propagates asymptotically along true null cones of the curved spacetime. The method also yields equations of motion through $O[(v/c)^4]$, radiation-reaction terms at $O[(v/c)^5]$ and $O[(v/c)^7]$, and gravitational waveforms and energy flux through $O[(v/c)^4]$, in agreement with other approaches. We report on progress in evaluating the $O[(v/c)^6]$ contributions.
The Space of Volume Forms

S. Donaldson introduced a metric on the space of volume forms, with fixed total volume on any compact Riemmanian manifold. With this metric, the space of volume forms formally has non-positive curvature. The geodesic equation is a fully nonlinear degenerate elliptic equation. We solve the geodesic equation and its perturbed equation and prove that the space of volume forms is an infinite dimensional non-positively curved metric space in the sense of Alexandrov.
Universality classes for horizon instabilities

We introduce a notion of universality classes for the Gregory-Laflamme instability and determine, in the supergravity approximation, the stability of a variety of solutions, including the non-extremal D3-brane, M2-brane, and M5-brane. These three non-dilatonic branes cross over from instability to stability at a certain non-extremal mass. Numerical analysis suggests that the wavelength of the shortest unstable mode diverges as one approaches the cross-over point from above, with a simple critical exponent which is the same in all three cases.
Successful unrelated umbilical cord blood transplantation for Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome

Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome (SDS) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by pancreatic insufficiency and variable degrees of neutropenia. Additional clinical features include short stature, skeletal abnormalities and bone marrow dysfunction. SDS patients are at increased risk of developing myelodysplasia, aplastic anemia and leukemic transformation. The role and timing of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in SDS remains controversial due to a poorly defined predisposition toward peri-transplant complications and overall poor survival. Here we report three SDS patients (age 13 mo, 16 mo and 8 yr) with severe aplasia successfully transplanted using 5/6 HLA matched unrelated umbilical cord blood. All patients received a previously described “cardiac sparing” conditioning regimen consisting of Melphalan (180 mg/m2), Etoposide (1200 mg/m2), anti-thymocyte globulin (90 mg/kg), and low dose total lymphoid irradiation (500 cGy) with graft versus host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis consisting of cyclosporine and prednisone. Patients received grafts containing 6.7 – 9.1 x 105 CD34+ cells/kg. Myeloid engraftment occurred promptly with the ANC > 500 cells/mm3 on day 15 ± 5. Platelet recovery (>20k without transfusion) occurred on day 20, 30 and 140 days post transplant. All patients displayed 100% donor chimerism by 2 months post transplant. Patients were discharged between 25 – 60 days post transplant without severe complications, though all patients displayed grade II or III acute GVHD, and one developed chronic GVHD. The patients are alive 85, 390 and 850 days post transplant. Factors that may be important in HSCT outcome for SDS include transplantation at a relatively young age prior to malignant transformation, avoidance of cyclophosphamide in the preparative regimen, and adequate GVHD prophylaxis. Importantly, these cases also suggest that unrelated umbilical cord blood, in the absence of a matched family member, should be considered as the preferred source of donor stem cells in SDS patients undergoing HSCT.
Bank Mergers and Insider Nontrading

Insiders with nonpublic information that their firms are acquisition targets can profit by purchasing their firms' stock or by delaying planned sales of their firms' stock. Under current securities laws, insiders who execute the former strategy expose themselves to civil and criminal liability, whereas insiders who execute the latter strategy do not. Using a sample of bank mergers, we find that target bank insiders significantly decrease both share purchases and share sales before merger announcements. These findings suggest that securities laws effectively deter some forms of illegal insider trading and that insiders exploit opportunities to profit legally from nonpublic information.
Physical states in matter-coupled dilaton gravity

We revisit the quantization of matter-coupled, two-dimensional dilaton gravity. At the classical level and with a cosmological term, a series of field transformations leads to a set of free fields of indefinite signature. Without matter the system is represented by two scalar fields of opposite signature. With a particular quantization for the scalar with negative kinetic energy, the system has zero central charge and we find some physical states satisfying {ital all} the Virasoro conditions. With matter, the constraints cannot be solved because of the Virasoro anomaly. We discuss two avenues for consistent quantization: modification of the constraints, and BRST quantization. The first avenue appears to lead to very few physical states. The second, which roughly corresponds to satisfying half of the Virasoro conditions, results in a rich spectrum of physical states. This spectrum, however, differs significantly from that of free matter fields propagating on flat two-dimensional space-time. Copyright {copyright} 1996 Academic Press, Inc.
Rule-based computations on English

A linear notation for expressing semantic networks as sets of semantic predicates is outlined. Rule forms are presented for translating from English discourse to semantic predicates. Rules for generating English sentences and for computing causal chains from semantic predicates are described. Each of these rule forms has been tested in an existing question answering system. A brief analysis of rule-based systems is given and a method for designing them is suggested.
On the concentration and the convergence rate with a moment condition in first passage percolation

Abstract We consider the first passage percolation model on the Z d lattice. In this model, we assign independently to each edge e a non-negative passage time t ( e ) with a common distribution F . Let a 0 , n be the passage time from the origin to ( n , 0 , … , 0 ) . Under the exponential tail assumption, Kesten (1993) [9] and Talagrand (1995) [12] investigated the concentration of a 0 , n from its mean using different methods. With this concentration and the exponential tail assumption, Alexander (1993) [1] gave an estimate for the convergence rate for E a 0 , n . In this paper, focusing on a moment condition, we reinvestigate the concentration and the convergence rate for a 0 , n using a special martingale structure.
A shock surface geometry: The February 15-16, 1967, event

An estimated shape is presented for the surface of the flare-associated interplanetary shock of February 15-16, 1967, as seen in the ecliptic-plane cross section. The estimate is based on observations by Explorer 33 and Pioneers 6 and 7. The estimated shock normal at the Explorer 33 position is obtained by a least-squares shock parameter-fitting procedure for that satellite's data; the shock normal at the Pioneer 7 position is found by using the magnetic coplanarity theorem and magnetic-field data. The average shock speed from the sun to each spacecraft is determined along with the local speed at Explorer 33 and the relations between these speeds and the position of the initiating solar flare. The Explorer 33 shock normal is found to be severely inclined and not typical of interplanetary shocks. It is shown that the curvature of the shock surface in the ecliptic plane near the earth-Pioneer 7 region is consistent with a radius of not more than 0.4 AU.
NEPTUNE'S WILD DAYS: CONSTRAINTS FROM THE ECCENTRICITY DISTRIBUTION OF THE CLASSICAL KUIPER BELT

Neptune's dynamical history shaped the current orbits of Kuiper Belt objects (KBOs), leaving clues to the planet's orbital evolution. In the 'classical' region, a population of dynamically 'hot' high-inclination KBOs overlies a flat 'cold' population with distinct physical properties. Simulations of qualitatively different histories for Neptune, including smooth migration on a circular orbit or scattering by other planets to a high eccentricity, have not simultaneously produced both populations. We explore a general Kuiper Belt assembly model that forms hot classical KBOs interior to Neptune and delivers them to the classical region, where the cold population forms in situ. First, we present evidence that the cold population is confined to eccentricities well below the limit dictated by long-term survival. Therefore, Neptune must deliver hot KBOs into the long-term survival region without excessively exciting the eccentricities of the cold population. Imposing this constraint, we explore the parameter space of Neptune's eccentricity and eccentricity damping, migration, and apsidal precession. We rule out much of parameter space, except where Neptune is scattered to a moderately eccentric orbit (e > 0.15) and subsequently migrates a distance {Delta}a{sub N} = 1-6 AU. Neptune's moderate eccentricity must either damp quickly or be accompanied by fast apsidal precession.more » We find that Neptune's high eccentricity alone does not generate a chaotic sea in the classical region. Chaos can result from Neptune's interactions with Uranus, exciting the cold KBOs and placing additional constraints. Finally, we discuss how to interpret our constraints in the context of the full, complex dynamical history of the solar system.« less
Sequential chirality transfer in intramolecular amidomercuration reactions

Control of absolute stereochemistry in the amination of allyl alcohol is effected by transfer of chirality from a chiral auxiliary to the amidal carbon of an N-acylaminomethyl ether derivative, which upon intramolecular amidomercuration results in a second transfer of chirality to the new CN stereocenter.
Scintillation Properties of Eu $^{2+}$ -Activated Barium Fluoroiodide

The scintillation properties of powders and single-crystals of BaFI doped with Eu2+ are presented. Single crystals were grown by the vertical Bridgman technique. Under optical and X-ray excitation, the samples exhibit a narrow Eu2+ 5d-4f transition emission centered at 405 nm. The scintillation light output is estimated to be 55 0005 000 photons/MeV at 662 keV with 85% of the light decaying within 600 ns. An energy resolution of 8.5% full width at half maximum (FWHM) has been achieved using this scintillator for 662 keV excitation (137Cs source) at room temperature.
How Many More Infants Are Likely to Die in Africa as a Result of the Global Financial Crisis

The human consequences of the current global financial crisis for the developing world are presumed to be severe yet few studies have quantified such impact. The authors estimate the additional number of infant deaths in sub-Saharan Africa likely due to the crisis and discuss possible mitigation strategies. They pool birth-level data as reported in female adult retrospective birth histories from all Demographic and Health Surveys collected in sub-Saharan Africa nations. This results in a data set of 639,000 births to 264,000 women in 30 countries. The authors use regression models with flexible controls for temporal trends to assess an infants likelihood of death as a function of fluctuations in national income. They then apply this estimated likelihood to expected growth shortfalls as a result of the crisis. At current growth projections, their estimates suggest there will be 30,000 - 50,000 excess infant deaths in sub-Saharan Africa. Most of these additional deaths are likely to be poorer children (born to women in rural areas and lower education levels) and are overwhelmingly female. If the crisis continues to worsen the number of deaths may grow much larger, especially those to girls. Policies that protect the income of poor households and that maintain critical health services during times of economic contraction should be considered. Interventions targeted at female infants and young girls may be particularly beneficial.
Exploring ethnic consumer response to crossover brand extensions

Abstract This research uses a social identity theory approach to investigate the impact of cultural identity on ethnic consumer response to ethnic crossover brand extensions —brands associated with one ethnic group that crossover into a product category associated with another ethnic group (e.g., McDonald's Cafe con leche ). Study 1 demonstrates that the manner in which crossover brand extensions blend ethnic consumers' in-group and out-group cultural representations impact brand extension cultural fit and parent brand attitudes, and perceived ethnic target market impacts brand extension attitudes. Study 2 demonstrates that high ethnic embeddedness extensions strengthen ethnic consumers' self-brand connections. These findings provide managerial implications for practitioners considering a crossover brand extension strategy.
Macroeconomic Policy Coordination in a Competitive Real Exchange Rate Strategy for Development

Fil: Rapetti, Martin. CEDES. Centro de Estudio de Estado y Sociedad, Area de Economia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas (CONICET); Argentina
Three-dimensional simulation of helix traveling-wave tube cold-test characteristics using MAFIA

The cold-test parameters including dispersion, impedance, and attenuation have been calculated for a helix traveling-wave tube (TWT) slow-wave circuit using MAFIA, the three-dimensional (3-D) electromagnetic finite-integration computer code. The helix model includes tape thickness, rectangular dielectric supports, and material properties consistent with the actual circuit. Measured cold-test data and computer-derived results for the helix circuit are presented with excellent agreement.
Statistical error in particle simulations of hydrodynamic phenomena

We present predictions for the statistical error due to finite sampling in the presence of thermal fluctuations in molecular simulation algorithms. Specifically, we establish how these errors depend on Mach number, Knudsen number, number of particles, etc. Expressions for the common hydrodynamic variables of interest such as flow velocity, temperature, density, pressure, shear stress, and heat flux are derived using equilibrium statistical mechanics. Both volume-averaged and surface-averaged quantities are considered. Comparisons between theory and computations using direct simulation Monte Carlo for dilute gases, and molecular dynamics for dense fluids, show that the use of equilibrium theory provides accurate results.