cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sleep disorders in children

Although sleep disorders such as insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea are common in both children and adults, the clinical features and treatments for these conditions differ considerably between these two populations. Whereas an adult with obstructive sleep apnea typically presents with a history of obesity, snoring, and prominent daytime somnolence, a child with the condition is more likely to present with normal body weight, tonsillar hypertrophy, and inattentiveness during school classes. The adult with suspected sleep apnea almost always undergoes a baseline polysomnogram and proceeds to treatment only if this test confirms the diagnosis, while many children with suspected sleep apnea are treated empirically with adenotonsillectomy without ever receiving a sleep study to verify the diagnosis. This article reviews sleep disorders in children, with a particular focus on age-related changes in sleep, conditions that primarily affect children, and disorders for which clinical manifestations and treatment differ substantially from the adult population.
A generalization of euler's hypergeometric transformation

Euler's transformation formula for the Gauss hypergeometric function 2 F 1 is extended to hypergeometric functions of higher order. Unusually, the generalized transformation constrains the hypergeometric function parameters algebraically but not linearly. Its consequences for hypergeometric summation are explored. It has as a corollary a summation formula of Slater. From this formula new one-term evaluations of 2 F 1 (-1) and 3 F 2 (1) are derived by applying transformations in the Thomae group. Their parameters are also constrained nonlinearly. Several new one-term evaluations of 2 F 1 (-1) with linearly constrained parameters are derived as well.
Pro-cyclical fiscal policy in brazil: evidence from the states

The empirical literature on budget cyclicality has generally focused more on assessing the degree of pro-cyclicality in federal (central government) revenues and expenditures and less on budget cyclicality at the sub-national level in multi-tiered systems. This paper attempts to contribute to the literature on budget cyclicality by examining how sub-national fiscal revenues and expenditures are linked to the business cycle in Brazil, particularly after the introduction of the Fiscal Responsibility Law. It explains the degree of pro-cyclicality across Brazilian states, and assesses whether intergovernmental transfers help to stabilize states finances. These issues are addressed using both a time-series and a cross-section dimension at the Brazilian state level for the period 1991-2006. The empirical evidence suggests the existence of a pro-cyclical fiscal policy in Brazil at the state level. However, the introduction of the Fiscal Responsibility Law helped to reduce Brazilian states spending-side pro-cyclicality. For the Brazilian states, the main source of the observed pro-cyclicality is found in the behavior of tax revenues directly collected by the state governments. Intergovernmental transfers (federal transfers to the states) are not associated with changes in gross state product, but they are pro-cyclically aligned with national gross domestic product, which could amplify the pro-cyclical behavior of sub-national expenditures.
Distributed Online Modified Greedy Algorithm for Networked Storage Operation Under Uncertainty

The integration of intermittent and stochastic renewable energy resources requires increased flexibility in the operation of the electric grid. Storage, broadly speaking, provides the flexibility of shifting energy over time; network, on the other hand, provides the flexibility of shifting energy over geographical locations. The optimal control of storage networks in stochastic environments is an important open problem. The key challenge is that, even in small networks, the corresponding constrained stochastic control problems on continuous spaces suffer from curses of dimensionality and are intractable in general settings. For large networks, no efficient algorithm is known to give optimal or provably near-optimal performance for this problem. This paper provides an efficient algorithm to solve this problem with performance guarantees. We study the operation of storage networks, i.e., a storage system interconnected via a power network. An online algorithm, termed online modified greedy algorithm, is developed for the corresponding constrained stochastic control problem. A sub-optimality bound for the algorithm is derived and a semidefinite program is constructed to minimize the bound. In many cases, the bound approaches zero so that the algorithm is near-optimal. A task-based distributed implementation of the online algorithm relying only on local information and neighborhood communication is then developed based on the alternating direction method of multipliers. Numerical examples verify the established theoretical performance bounds and demonstrate the scalability of the algorithm.
Electricity Cost and Firm Performance: Evidence from India

Using data on Indian firms, I provide evidence on how electricity prices affect a firm’s industry choice and productivity growth. I construct an instrument for electricity price as the interaction between coal price and the share of thermal generation in a state’s total electricity generation capacity. I find that in response to an exogenous increase in electricity price, firms switch to less electricity-intensive production processes within narrowly defined industries, reduce their machine intensity, and have lower output and productivity growth rates. Thus, electricity constraints may limit a country’s growth by leading firms to operate in industries with fewer productivity-enhancing opportunities.
Refusal to Deal, Intellectual Property Rights, and Antitrust

A vertically integrated firm, having acquired the intellectual property (IP) through innovation to become an input monopolist, can extract surplus by supplying efficient downstream competitors. That the monopolist would refuse to do so is puzzling and has led to numerous debates in antitrust. In this paper, I clarify the economic logic of refusal to deal, and identify conditions under which prohibiting such conduct would raise or lower consumer and social welfare. I further show how IP protection (as determined by IP laws) and restrictions on IP holders' conduct (as determined by antitrust laws) may interact to affect innovation incentive and post-innovation market performance.
Graphulo: Linear Algebra Graph Kernels for NoSQL Databases

Big data and the Internet of Things era continue to challenge computational systems. Several technology solutions such as NoSQL databases have been developed to deal with this challenge. In order to generate meaningful results from large datasets, analysts often use a graph representation which provides an intuitive way to work with the data. Graph vertices can represent users and events, and edges can represent the relationship between vertices. Graph algorithms are used to extract meaningful information from these very large graphs. At MIT, the Graphulo initiative is an effort to perform graph algorithms directly in NoSQL databases such as Apache Accumulo or SciDB, which have an inherently sparse data storage scheme. Sparse matrix operations have a history of efficient implementations and the Graph Basic Linear Algebra Subprogram (Graph BLAS) community has developed a set of key kernels that can be used to develop efficient linear algebra operations. However, in order to use the Graph BLAS kernels, it is important that common graph algorithms be recast using the linear algebra building blocks. In this article, we look at common classes of graph algorithms and recast them into linear algebra operations using the Graph BLAS building blocks.
Valuing financial literacy : evidence from Indonesia

The fifth in a new impact series presents results on a careful evaluation of a financial literacy program in Indonesia. Despite the recent hype of the benefits of financial literacy programs in both the media and policy-making circles, this research is the first systematic and scientific evaluation of one such program.
On the optimality of tree-reweighted max-product message-passing

Tree-reweighted max-product (TRW) message passing [9] is a modified form of the ordinary max-product algorithm for attempting to find minimal energy configurations in Markov random field with cycles. For a TRW fixed point satisfying the strong tree agreement condition, the algorithm outputs a configuration that is provably optimal. In this paper, we focus on the case of binary variables with pairwise couplings, and establish stronger properties of TRW fixed points that satisfy only the milder condition of weak tree agreement (WTA). First, we demonstrate how it is possible to identify part of the optimal solution—i.e., a provably optimal solution for a subset of nodes— without knowing a complete solution. Second, we show that for submodular functions, a WTA fixed point always yields a globally optimal solution. We establish that for binary variables, any WTA fixed point always achieves the global maximum of the linear programming relaxation underlying the TRW method.
BEEtag: A Low-Cost, Image-Based Tracking System for the Study of Animal Behavior and Locomotion

A fundamental challenge common to studies of animal movement, behavior, and ecology is the collection of high-quality datasets on spatial positions of animals as they change through space and time. Recent innovations in tracking technology have allowed researchers to collect large and highly accurate datasets on animal spatiotemporal position while vastly decreasing the time and cost of collecting such data. One technique that is of particular relevance to the study of behavioral ecology involves tracking visual tags that can be uniquely identified in separate images or movie frames. These tags can be located within images that are visually complex, making them particularly well suited for longitudinal studies of animal behavior and movement in naturalistic environments. While several software packages have been developed that use computer vision to identify visual tags, these software packages are either (a) not optimized for identification of single tags, which is generally of the most interest for biologists, or (b) suffer from licensing issues, and therefore their use in the study of animal behavior has been limited. Here, we present BEEtag, an open-source, image-based tracking system in Matlab that allows for unique identification of individual animals or anatomical markers. The primary advantages of this system are that it (a) independently identifies animals or marked points in each frame of a video, limiting error propagation, (b) performs well in images with complex backgrounds, and (c) is low-cost. To validate the use of this tracking system in animal behavior, we mark and track individual bumblebees (Bombus impatiens) and recover individual patterns of space use and activity within the nest. Finally, we discuss the advantages and limitations of this software package and its application to the study of animal movement, behavior, and ecology.
Effect of a single intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF agents on retinal arteriolar caliber in mini pig eyes

Purpose The aim is to investigate the short-term effect of a single intravitreal bevacizumab, ranibizumab or pegaptanib sodium injection on the retinal arteriolar caliber in minipigs. Methods 15 eyes received an intravitreal injection: bevacizumab 1,25mg (n=5), ranibizumab 0,5mg (n=5) and pegaptanib sodium 0,3mg (n=5). The diameter of the retinal arterioles was measured in vivo with a Retinal Vessel Analyzer (RVA) every 15 minutes for 2 hours. Results After the injection of bevacizumab statistical significant vasoconstriction was reached 1h after injection (p 0.05) Conclusion The results suggest that intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF that blocks all isoforms of VEGF, induces retinal vasoconstriction. Further studies with a larger number of subjects would be helpful in establishing more clearly the effect of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor treatment on retinal vessel diameters.
Optically induced electrokinetic patterning and manipulation of particles

This fluid dynamics video showcases how optically induced electrokinetic forces can be used to drive three-dimensional micro-vortices. The strong microfluidic vortices are used constructively in conjunction with other electrokinetic forces to dynamically and rapidly aggregate particle groups. Particle manipulation is achieved on the surface of a parallel-plate gold/indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode that is illuminated with near-infrared (1064 nm) optical patterns and biased with a low frequency ($<$ 100 kHz) alternating current (AC) signal. The fluid dynamics video shows how electrokinetically driven flows in the microdomain can be used for non-invasive particle manipulation.
Subdiffusivity of random walk on the 2D invasion percolation cluster

Abstract We derive quenched subdiffusive lower bounds for the exit time τ ( n ) from a box of size n for the simple random walk on the planar invasion percolation cluster. The first part of the paper is devoted to proving an almost sure analogue of H. Kesten’s subdiffusivity theorem for the random walk on the incipient infinite cluster and the invasion percolation cluster using ideas of M. Aizenman, A. Burchard and A. Pisztora. The proof combines lower bounds on the intrinsic distance in these graphs and general inequalities for reversible Markov chains. In the second part of the paper, we present a sharpening of Kesten’s original argument, leading to an explicit almost sure lower bound for τ ( n ) in terms of percolation arm exponents. The methods give τ ( n ) ≥ n 2 + ϵ 0 + κ , where ϵ 0 > 0 depends on the intrinsic distance and κ can be taken to be 5 384 on the hexagonal lattice.
The Central Engines of 19 LINERs as Viewed by Chandra

Using archival Chandra observations of 19 LINERs, we explore the X-ray properties of their inner kiloparsec to determine the origin of their nuclear X-ray emission, to investigate the presence of an AGN, and to identify the power source of the optical emission lines. The relative numbers of LINER types in our sample are similar to those in optical spectroscopic surveys. We find that diffuse, thermal emission is very common and is concentrated within the central few hundred parsecs. The average spectra of the hot gas in spiral and elliptical galaxies are very similar to those of normal galaxies. They can be fitted with a thermal plasma (kT ~ 0.5 keV) plus a power-law (photon index of 1.3-1.5) model. There are on average three detected point sources in their inner kiloparsec with 1037 ergs s-1 < L0.5-10 keV < 1040 ergs s-1. The average cumulative luminosity functions for sources in spiral and elliptical galaxies are identical to those of normal galaxies. In the innermost circle of 25 radius in each galaxy we find an AGN in 12 of the 19 galaxies. The AGNs contribute a median of 60% of the 0.5-10 keV luminosity of the central 25 region, and they have luminosities of 1037-1039 ergs s-1 (Eddington ratios of 10-8 to 10-5). The ionizing luminosity of the AGNs is not enough to power the observed optical emission lines in this particular sample. Thus, we suggest that the lines are powered either by the mechanical interaction of an AGN jet (or wind) with the circumnuclear gas or by stellar processes, such as photoionization by post-AGB stars from an old or intermediate-age population (in most cases) or by young stars (in a few cases).
Effect of canopy leaf distribution on sand transport and abrasion energy

Abstract During times when crop canopies are short or sparse, wind erosion can uncover plant roots, deplete the soil resource, and damage plants by abrasion and desiccation. Few studies have considered the effects of position and number of leaves on sand transport and the distribution of the sand abrasion energy. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of number and distribution of leaves on threshold velocities, sand transport rates, and relative abrasion energy among simulated dicotyledonous plant canopies. Six canopies were tested in a wind tunnel with two levels of leaf area index (LAI), two different maximum leaf heights, and either two or four leaves per plant with maximum freestream wind speeds from 12 to 17 m s −1 . The leaf heights were selected to position the lowest leaves to be either intercepting saltating sand or largely above the saltation layer. The wind tunnel was a 1.52 W × 1.82 H × 15.3 L m push-type recirculating tunnel with the floor covered with a layer of sieved sand. Sand discharge and relative abrasion energy were measured during 3-min duration test runs. For canopies with two leaves, the experimental sand transport capacity was reduced most when the leaves were highest above the surface even though they were intercepting saltation when in their lowest positions. As expected, canopy LAI was directly related to threshold velocity and inversely related to sand transport capacity. Total abrasion energy impacting the target soil channel containers located vertically in the canopy increased with wind speeds above the threshold. Within canopies, high wind speeds increased height of maximum abrasion but often still caused less total abrasion per unit sand discharge than over a bare, sandy surface. When leaves were located nearest the surface, they modified the vertical abrasion profiles by deflecting a portion of the sand impact energy upward in the wind stream. Overall, the canopies modified both the profiles and normalized abrasion energy of the sand discharge when compared with a bare, sandy surface. Hence, it may be important to place test plants within a canopy of similar plants—to allow development of a fully developed velocity profile in the canopy by using a minimum upwind fetch of about 70 canopy heights in a wind tunnel—when conducting plant abrasion tests using sand to achieve results representative of plants in the interior of a field. In contrast, abrasion on inter-row flat soil containers was independent of wind speeds, but was higher without a canopy compared with measurements in the canopy for a given sand discharge.
HRNCE grammars - a hypergraph generating system with an eNCE way of rewriting

We introduce a hypergraph-generating system, called HRNCE grammars, which is structurally simple and descriptively powerful, and present their basic properties, in particular their description power and normal forms.
Telepresence and Exemplification in Health Messages: The Relationships among Spatial and Social Presence and Exemplars and Exemplification Effects

This research examined the role of telepresence in exemplification processes. Participants viewed one of eight news stories that represented various exemplar conditions and responded about their levels of spatial and social presence while reading and the severity of, likelihood of, and behavioral intentions associated with the topic of the story. Spatial and social presence were both positively related to each of the outcome measures. The inclusion of a quote in the story increased spatial, but not social, presence. A picture did not increase either type of telepresence. These findings are discussed, as are limitations and directions for future research.
Adaptive learning in an asymmetric auction: genetic algorithm approach

Agent-based simulations are performed to study adaptive learning in the context of asymmetric first-price auctions. Non-linearity of the Nash equilibrium strategies is used to investigate the effect of task complexity on adaptive learning by varying the degree of approximation the agents can handle. In addition, learning in different information environments is explored. Social learning allows agents to imitate each other’s bidding strategies based on their relative success. Under individual learning agents are limited to their own experience. We observe convergence to steady states near the predicted equilibrium in all cases. The ability to learn non-linear functions helps the agents with a non-linear equilibrium strategy but hurts the agents with an almost linear one. Better information about the opponent population has a relatively modest impact. A larger number of strategies to experiment with and an ability to systematically compare strategies by holding a number of factors constant have a comparatively stronger beneficial effect.
Conservation Outcomes and Social Relations: A Comparative Study of Private Ranchland Conservation Easements

Conservation easements have increased dramatically but their social and ecological outcomes are largely unknown. To examine the influence of social relations and institutional structure on easement design and conservation outcomes, we compared two regions where land trusts hold conservation easements protecting large areas of private rangeland: Lassen Foothills, California, and Malpai Borderlands, Arizona and New Mexico. We conducted interviews with landowners, land trust staff, and public agency employees, and analyzed easement documents and monitoring reports. Social relations and organization goals influenced easement terms and their direct effects on land use. Furthermore, easements had important indirect conservation-relevant outcomes resulting from increased land management resources, financial incentives, and altered relations among landowners, government agencies, and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). Easements entail a combination of collaborative and regulatory approaches, and their embedded...
The Altitude of an Infrared-bright Cloud Feature on Neptune from Near-Infrared Spectroscopy*

We present 2.03–2.30 μm near-infrared spectroscopy of Neptune taken 1999 June 2 (UT) with the W. M. Keck Observatory's near-infrared spectrometer (NIRSPEC) during the commissioning of the instrument. The spectrum is dominated by a bright cloud feature, possibly a storm or upwelling, in the southern hemisphere at approximately 50° south latitude. The spectrum also includes light from a dimmer northern feature at approximately 30° north latitude. We compare our spectra (λ/Δλ ~ 2000) of these two features with a simple model of Neptune's atmosphere. Given our model assumption that the clouds are flat reflecting layers, we find that the top of the bright southern cloud feature sat at a pressure level of 0.14 bars, and thus this cloud did not extend into the stratosphere (P 0.1 bars). A similar analysis of the dimmer northern feature yields a cloud-top pressure of 0.084 ± 0.026 bars. This suggests that the features we observed efficiently transport methane to the base of the stratosphere but do not directly transport methane to the upper stratosphere (P < 10-2 to 10-3 bars), where photolysis occurs. Our observations do not constrain how far these clouds penetrate down into the troposphere. We find that our model fits to the data restrict the fraction of H2 in ortho-para thermodynamic equilibrium to greater than 0.8.
Authenticating users by word association

Testing word associations, as an extension of simple password entry, may be a practical means of verifying the identity of individual computer users. If each user specifies his/her own cue-response associations, then responses will be easy to remember. It should be easy for legitimate users to respond correctly to word association testing, but virtually impossible for potential intruders. Such testing should also prove easy for a computer to process.
Computational Study of Blowing on Delta Wings at High Alpha

In this study, the flowfield produced by tangential leading-edge blowing on a rounded leading-edge 60-deg delta wing at high angle of attack is investigated computationally by solving the thin-layer Navier-Stokes equations. Steady-state flowHelds are calculated for various angles of attack, with and without the presence of tangential leading-edge blowing. The numerical grid is generated using algebraic grid generation and various interpolation and blending techniques. The jet emanates from a slot with linearly varying thickness, and is introduced into the flowfield using the concept of an actuator plane, thereby not requiring resolution of the jet slot geometry. The Baldwin-Lomax algebraic turbulence model is used to provide turbulent closure. The computational results are compared with those of experiments. The effectiveness of blowing as a rolling moment control mechanism to extend the envelope of controllabili ty is illustrated at different angles of attack. The saturation effect of increased blowing is captured well in the computations. Control reversal noted in similar experimental studies is also observed in the computations.
Aspects of Neutrino Mass Matrices

After an Introduction briefly describing the rise and fall of the three-zero texture of the Zee model, we discuss still-allowed two-zero textures for the Majorana three-neutrino mass matrix. Finally, a model with two right-handed neutrinos and two Dirac texture zeros is described (FGY model) which can relate CP violation in leptogenesis to CP violation in long-baseline neutrino oscillations.
Attribute focusing: machine-assisted knowledge discovery applied to software production process control

Abstract How can people who are not trained in data analysis discover knowledge from a database of attribute-valued data? I address this question by presenting a man-machine approach to knowledge discovery called Attribute Focusing and its application to software production process control. Attribute Focusing utilizes an automatic filter to focus attention on that small part of a large amount of data which is interesting. A person studies that part in a manner which leads him to discover knowledge about the physical situation to which the data pertain. Specifically, the paper describes: 1. A model of interestingness of data based on the magnitude of data values, the association of data values and basic knowledge of the limits of human processing. 2. The use of that model of interestingness by people to discover knowledge. 3. The application of the Attribute Focusing approach to diagnose and correct the software production process. Based on the results that have been observed, the paper concludes that man-machine approaches to knowledge discovery should be emphasized much more than has been in the past, and that Attribute Focusing is a powerful, practical approach to such discovery.
Wnt-dependent assembly of supermolecular Dishevelled-3-based complexes

Dishevelled-3 (Dvl3) is a multivalent scaffold protein that is essential to Wnt signaling during development. Although Dvl-based punctae have been visualized by fluorescence microscopy; the physical nature and dynamic character of the such complexes are enigmatic. We use steric-exclusion chromatography, affinity pull-downs, proteomics and fluorescence correlation microscopy to characterize supermolecular Dvl3-based complexes of totipotent mouse F9 cells. The molecular mass of the complexes ranges from that of homodimeric Dvl3 to well-defined peaks harboring supermolecular complexes of 0.4 to 2.0 MDa. Addition of Wnt3a stimulates the formation of Dvl3-based complexes of greater molecular mass within 30 minutes. The presence of DKK1 and knockdown of Dishevelled proteins block formation of the 2 MDa Dvl3-based complexes and also block Wnt3a stimulation of the canonical pathway. Fluorescent correlation microscopy identified supermolecular Dvl3-based complexes with a molecular mass >30 MDa in live cells; these complexes were provoked to form structures with even greater molecular mass by Wnt3a. We establish for the first time the physical and functional nature of very large, supermolecular Dvl3-based complexes.
Fair timestamp allocation in distributed systems

Many researchers have addressed the problem of uniquely identifying updates in a distributed database system in the literature. Primitive identification schemes that generate globally unique update IDs have also been suggested. These IDs are usually used as priority among updates as well. When used as such, these schemes do not distribute priority evenly across the nodes. This paper presents a numbering scheme that generates unique update IDs and, if used as a priority scheme, is fair.
PRODUCER PARTICIPATION IN BIOMASS MARKETS: FARM FACTORS, MARKET FACTORS, AND CORRELATED CHOICES

This study evaluates attitudes toward production of three major types of biomass—corncobs, corn stover, and dedicated energy grass—using responses to a mail survey of 2,250 Iowa farmers. We examine how factors influencing willingness to supply biomass vary across biomass types and analyze the presence of potential correlations across interest in growing various types of biomass. We find that correlation in choices across biomass types is strong and statistically significant. Farmers consider corn stover and corncobs as complementary, but dedicated energy grasses and corncobs or stover as substitutes. Factors affecting farmer choices also vary significantly by type of biomass.
Generalized Wilkins effect and selected orbits in a Kerr-Newman geometry

Wilkins has pointed out that, in addition to the periodicities associated with circular orbits in the equatorial plane of a Kerr geometry, there exist periodicities connected with the longitudinal motion of particles. We extend this result to spherical orbits of charged particles in a Kerr-Newman geometry. We give explicit examples of nonspherical orbits, illustrating dragging of inertial frames and these longitudinal periodicities. The relevance of these results for the physics of collapsed objects is discussed.
Rapid stereocontrolled assembly of the fully substituted C-aryl glycoside of kendomycin with a Prins cyclization: a formal synthesis

Prins cyclization using an electron-rich benzaldehyde and a homoallylic alcohol efficiently delivered the fully substituted C-aryl tetrahydropyranoside of kendomycin.
Multicarrier demodulator architecture for onboard processing satellites

A parallel pipelined architecture is presented for demultiplexing and demodulating single channel per carrier/frequency division multiple access (SCPC/FDMA) channels in real time. Specific algorithms are selected for each of the operations necessary for multicarrier demodulation. The selection is made based on their suitability for implementation into parallel-pipelined and sharing schemes. The algorithms are analyzed for data dependencies and divided into data dependent and independent sections. The segregated sections are mapped by implementing the independent sections in a parallel scheme and the dependent sections in a pipelined scheme. The demultiplexing is performed by the polyphase fast Fourier transform (FFT) method, which requires a bank of filters followed by an FFT operation. A shared filter bank module and a pipelined FFT module are designed to implement the bank of filters and the FFT operation, respectively. The demodulator uses a single hardware module that is shared amongst all of the channels for the recovery of timing, carrier, and data. This sharing of hardware to perform the demultiplexing and demodulating of all of the channels results in savings of power and hardware. The system is suitable for onboard processing of signals in satellites where power and area requirements are critical. The architecture is also highly modular and therefore lends itself well to very large scale integration (VLSI) implementation. This design is illustrated for the specific case of processing 800 FDMA channels at 64 kbps each.
Solving The Sustainable Growth Rate Formula Conundrum Continues Steps Toward Cost Savings And Care Improvements

Congress is again attempting to repeal the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) formula. The formula is a failed mechanism intended to constrain Medicare Part B physician spending by adjusting annual physician fee updates. Congress has averted formula-driven physician fee cuts each year beginning in 2003 by overriding the SGR, usually accompanied with last-minute disputes about how these overrides should be paid for. Last year Congress achieved bipartisan and bicameral agreement on legislation to replace the SGR—the SGR Repeal and Medicare Provider Payment Modernization Act of 2014, which we refer to as the “2014 SGR fix”—but was unable to find a way to pay for the legislation under current budget rules. Current congressional deliberations appear focused on how to pay for the fix, with wide consensus that the 2014 legislation should remain the basic model for reform. We describe key features of the 2014 SGR fix, place it in the context of both past and ongoing Medicare health policy, assess its strengths and wea...
Ambient Intelligence at the Beach

We describe an experimental public resource monitoring system that combines sensor data and human input to create a new descriptor of ambient water conditions. We call this new metric the swimming pleasure measure. We give an overview of how it is composed, how it relates to existing public water health monitoring efforts and how it is shared with the public.
US corporate default swap valuation: the market liquidity hypothesis and autonomous credit risk

This paper develops a reduced form three-factor model which includes a liquidity proxy of market conditions which is then used to provide implicit prices. The model prices are then compared with observed market prices of credit default swaps to determine if swap rates adequately reflect market risks. The findings of the analysis illustrate the importance of liquidity in the valuation process. Moreover, market liquidity, a measure of investors' willingness to commit resources in the credit default swap (CDS) market, was also found to improve the valuation of investors' autonomous credit risk. Thus a failure to include a liquidity proxy could underestimate the implied autonomous credit risk. Autonomous credit risk is defined as the fractional credit risk which does not vary with changes in market risk and liquidity conditions.
Nondestructive Characterization of RBSOA of High-Power Bipolar Transistors

Reverse-bias safe operating area (RBSOA) of high-power Darlington transistors is characterized using a 120 A/1000 V nondestructive reverse-bias second breakdown tester designed and fabricated at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Elaborate RBSOA characteristics are generated with different forward/reverse base drives and collector current levels. The effects of elevated case temperature and second-base drive on RBSOA of four-terminal Darlington devices are also discussed.
Regioselective and stereoselective cyclizations of cyclohexadienones tethered to active methylene groups

The cyclization of 2,5-cyclohexadienones tethered to activated methylene groups was studied. The substitution around the cyclohexadienone ring serves to regioselectively direct these cyclizations based primarily on electronic effects. In the case of brominated substrates, these reactions proceed to give highly unusual electron-deficient tricyclic cyclopropanes. By using a Cinchona alkaloid-based phase-transfer catalyst, prochiral cyclohexadienones can be desymmetrized with moderate stereoselectivity.
Corporate Finance, Incentives, and Strategy

This study reviews papers from the Eastern Finance Association's Symposium on Corporate Finance, Incentives, and Strategy. I identify the common themes underlying these papers and place the studies in the broader context of contemporary academic finance research. Further, I discuss new directions for future research in corporate finance that are suggested in these studies.
Stellar Velocity Dispersion of the Leo A Dwarf Galaxy

We measure the first stellar velocity dispersion of the Leo A dwarf galaxy, σ = 9.3 ± 1.3 km s-1. We derive the velocity dispersion from the radial velocities of 10 young B supergiants and two H II regions in the central region of Leo A. We estimate a projected mass of (8 ± 2.7) × 107 M☉ within a radius of 2' and a mass-to-light ratio of at least 20 ± 6 M☉/L☉. These results imply Leo A is at least ~80% dark matter by mass.
Greenberg's conjecture and cyclotomic towers

1. Greenberg’s conjecture. In the late 1950’s Iwasawa introduced a powerful technique for studying class groups and unit groups of number elds. Motivated by the theory of curves over nite elds, Iwasawa’s theory of Zp-extensions has since become a widely used tool in algebraic number theory, Galois theory, and arithmetic geometry. We describe in this section a conjecture of Greenberg concerning the structure of a classical Iwasawa module, and we mention a Galois-theoretic consequence concerning free prop-extensions of number elds. Let K be an algebraic number eld and p an odd prime. By a multiple Zp-extension K1=K we mean a Galois extension with Galois group ’Z d for some positive integer d. In what follows we will be particularly interested in two such extensions of K for which we reserve the following notation: K cyc =K denotes the cyclotomic Zp-extension of K. e K=K denotes the compositum of all Zp-extensions of K. Let F be a nite extension of K contained in K1, and denote by A(F ) the Sylow p-subgroup of the ideal class group of F . The Galois group of F=K acts onA(F ) in the natural way, makingA(F ) into aZp[Gal(F=K)]-module. As F varies over all nite subextensions the A(F ) form an inverse system (under norm maps) and we denote by A the inverse limit. The group A then carries a natural structure as a module over the Iwasawa algebra
Anomalous condensates and the equivalence theorem

Abstract A recently published report has called into question the validity of the equivalence theorem in dynamically broken gauge theories in which the fermions making up the symmetry breaking condensate lie in an anomalous representation of the broken gauge group. Such a situation can occur if the gauge anomaly is cancelled by another sector of the theory. Using the example of the one family Standard Model without scalar Higgs structure, we analyze a low energy effective theory which preserves the symmetries of the fundamental theory and demonstrate the validity of the equivalence theorem in this class of models.
What have we learned from antiproton proton scattering

From recent charge exchange measurements in the extreme forward direction, an independent and precise determination of the pion nucleon coupling constant is possible. This determination has reopened the debate on the value of this fundamental coupling constant of nuclear physics. Precise measurements of charge exchange observables at forward angles below 900 MeV/c would also give a better understanding of the long range part of the two-pion exchange potential. For example, the confirmation of the coherence of the tensor forces from the pion exchange and the isovector two-pion exchange would be very valuable. With the present data first attempts at an NN partial wave analysis have been made where, as in nucleon nucleon scattering, the antinucleon nucleon high J partial waves are mainly given by one-pion exchange. Finally a recent pp atomic cascade calculation and the fraction of P-state annihilation in gas targets is commented on.
The Relative Ages of the Globular Cluster Subpopulations in M87

Relative ages for the globular cluster (GC) subpopulations in the Virgo giant elliptical galaxy M87 (NGC 4486) have been determined from Stromgren photometry obtained with the Wide Field Planetary Camera 2 on board the Hubble Space Telescope. Using a variety of population synthesis models, and assuming the GC mass at the turnover of the luminosity function is the same for both subpopulations, differential ages have been determined from the observed magnitudes at the turnover of the globular cluster luminosity function and from the mean color of each subpopulation. We measure an age difference between the two subpopulations of 0.2 ± 1.5 (systematic) ± 2 (random) Gyr, in the sense that the blue GCs are formally older. Thus, to within our measurement errors, the two subpopulations are found to be coeval. Combined with previous spectroscopic age determinations for M87 GCs, our results favor a picture in which the GCs associated with this galaxy are formed at high redshift and within a period of a few gigayears.
Promoting emerging energy-efficiency technologies and practices by utilities in a restructured energy industry: a report from California

Abstract The potential energy savings from emerging technologies (i.e. those technologies emerging from research and development) represent a significant resource to California and the US. This paper describes how California's investor-owned utilities (IOUs) have been promoting emerging technologies over the past three years to increase energy efficiency in the buildings sector. During these years, the IOUs have experienced significant changes in their regulatory environment as part of the restructuring of the energy industry in California. These regulatory changes have impacted the way emerging technologies are treated by the regulatory community and the IOUs. After reviewing these changes, the paper concludes by discussing potential opportunities to improve the market penetration of emerging technologies.
Mild and efficient copper-catalyzed amination of aryl bromides with primary alkylamines.

An efficient copper-catalyzed amination of aryl bromides with primary alkylamines was developed that uses commercially available diethylsalicylamide as the ligand. This amination reaction can be performed at 90 °C in good yield. A variety of functional groups are compatible with these reaction conditions. Preliminary results show that this reaction can be carried out under solvent-free conditions with comparable yields.
Analytic methods for obstruction to integrability in discrete dynamical systems

A unique analytic continuation result is proven for solutions of a relatively general class of difference equations by using techniques of generalized Borel summability. This continuation allows for Painleve property methods to be extended to difference equations. It is shown that the Painleve property (PP) induces, under relatively general assumptions, a dichotomy within first-order difference equations: all equations with PP can be solved in closed form; on the contrary, absence of PP implies, under some further assumptions, that the local conserved quantities are strictly local in the sense that they develop singularity barriers on the boundary of some compact set. The technique produces analytic formulas to describe fractal sets originating in polynomial iterations. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Ergodic Capacity of Phase-Fading Interference Networks

We identify the role of equal strength interference links as bottlenecks on the ergodic sum capacity of a K user phase-fading interference network, i.e., an interference network where the fading process is restricted primarily to independent and uniform phase variations while the channel magnitudes are held fixed across time. It is shown that even though there are K(K-1) cross-links, only about K/2 disjoint and equal strength interference links suffice to determine the capacity of the network regardless of the strengths of the rest of the cross channels. This scenario is called a minimal bottleneck state. It is shown that ergodic interference alignment is capacity optimal for a network in a minimal bottleneck state. The results are applied to large networks. It is shown that large networks are close to bottleneck states with a high probability, so that ergodic interference alignment is close to optimal for large networks. Limitations of the notion of bottleneck states are also highlighted for channels where both the phase and the magnitudes vary with time. It is shown through an example that for these channels, joint coding across different bottleneck states makes it possible to circumvent the capacity bottlenecks.
A Numerical Simulation of a Brush Seal Section and Some Experimental Results

The brush seal technology represents quite a promising advance in the effort of construction of more efficient, and possibly smaller size engines. Conclusions of recent workshops determined that while the brush seal works well, there is a need to improve its performance characteristics. The considerable amount of experimental work performed to date has indicated the importance of the local flow phenomena in the global sealing process performance of the brush (Braun et al., 1990a, 1991b, 1992; Hendricks et al., 1991a). The distributed flow and pressure fields are thus of vital importance for the prediction of the possible sudden failure of the brush seal under unexpected local «pressure hikes.» It is in this context that the authors developed a numerical, two-dimensional time accurate dependent formulation of the Navier-Stokes equations with constant properties, and included the effects of inertia, viscous, and pressure terms. The algorithm is applied to a set of noncompliant multirow, multicolumn pin configurations that are similar to the ones found in an idealized brush seal configuration. While the numerical parametric investigation aims at establishing the occurrence of major flow patterns and associated pressure maps, the experimental portion of the paper is aimed at gaining further insight into the relevant flow structures, and thus guiding the development of the mathematical and numerical models
The enforcement of security policies for computation

Abstract Security policies define who may use what information in a computer system. Protection mechanisms are built into a system to enforce security policies. In most systems, however, it is quite unclear what policies a mechanism can or does enforce. This paper defines security policies and protection mechanisms precisely and bridges the gap between them with the concept of soundness: whether a protection mechanism enforces a policy. Different sound protection mechanisms for the same policy can then be compared. We also show that the “union” of mechanisms for the same program produces a more “complete” mechanism. Although a “maximal” mechanism exists, it cannot necessarily be constructed.
Evidence of vortex jamming in Abrikosov vortex flux flow regime

We report on dynamics of nonlocal Abrikosov vortex flow in mesoscopic superconducting Nb channels. Magnetic field dependence of the nonlocal voltage induced by the flux flow shows that vortices form ordered vortex chains. Voltage asymmetry (rectification) with respect to the direction of vortex flow is evidence that vortex jamming strongly moderates vortex dynamics in mesoscopic geometries. The findings can be applied to superconducting devices exploiting vortex dynamics and vortex manipulation, including superconducting wires with engineered pinning centers.
Baler: deterministic, lossless log message clustering tool

The rate of failures in HPC systems continues to increase as the number of components comprising the systems increases. System logs are one of the valuable information sources that can be used to analyze system failures and their root causes. However, system log files are usually too large and complex to analyze manually. There are some existing log clustering tools that seek to help analysts in exploring these logs, however they fail to satisfy our needs with respect to scalability, usability and quality of results. Thus, we have developed a log clustering tool to better address these needs. In this paper we present our novel approach and initial experimental results.
Parameter selection for a centralized thermostatically controlled appliances load controller used for intra-hour load balancing

This paper presents a novel dynamic parameter selection process to optimize the performance of a centralized load controller designed to provide intra-hour load balancing services using thermostatically controlled appliances (TCAs). An optimal set of control parameters for the controller are selected by exhaustive simulations of control variables such as the sampling time of the forecaster, the magnitude of the load balancing signal, and the temperature deadband. The effects of TCA lock-off times, ambient temperatures, heat gains, and two-way communication delays on the controller design are also modeled. Customer comfort, device life cycles, and control errors are used as metrics to evaluate the performance. The results demonstrate that the optimized controller offers satisfactory performance considering all the operational uncertainties.