cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Iterative 3-d pose correction and content-based image retrieval for dorsal fin recognition

Contour or boundary descriptors may be used in content-based image retrieval to effectively identify appropriate images when image content consists primarily of a single object of interest. The registration of object contours for the purposes of comparison is complicated when the objects of interest are characterized by open contours and when reliable feature points for contour alignment are absent. We present an application that employs an iterative approach to the alignment of open contours for the purposes of image retrieval and demonstrate its success in identifying individual bottlenose dolphins from the profiles of their dorsal fins.
Failure characteristics in thermoplastic composite laminates due to an eccentric circular discontinuity

Abstract : The purpose of this thesis was to determine (both experimentally and analytically) the initiation and progression of failure, stress-strain response, and the failure loads of Graphite/Polyetheretherketone (Gr/PEEK) laminates, incorporating an eccentric 0.4 inch circular discontinuity, loaded in axial tension at room temperature. For each ply lay-up, three values of eccentricity were considered (the three values of eccentricity were determined by the hole location within each specimen). In addition, experimentation was conducted to study the effects of boundary conditions on the failure characteristics of the Gr/PEEK laminates; this was accomplished through the use of a special mounting fixture which allowed in-plane rotation of the specimens. Finally, experimentation was conducted, using photoelasticity, to verify the gross stress states of the Gr/PEEK laminates predicted by the analytical study. Analytically, a nonlinear material finite element program was used to predict the initiation and progression of failure, stress-strain response, and the failure loads of the Gr/Peek laminates. In addition, the effects of boundary conditions on the failure modes of the Gr/Peek laminates was studied analytically. And finally, the gross stress states of the Gr/PEEK laminates were considered in the analytical portion of this thesis.
Magnetoresistance of single-domain ferromagnetic particles

We have performed magnetoresistance measurements on single-domain, submicron elliptical Ni particles using nonmagnetic probes in a four-probe geometry at liquid-helium temperatures. In the smallest particles, the magnetoresistance shows sharp jumps which are associated with the switching of individual domains. Using an anisotropic magnetoresistance model, we can reconstruct hysteresis loops of the normalized magnetization. The remanent magnetization in zero applied magnetic field is typically 15% less than the saturation magnetization. This relaxation of the magnetization may be due to surface effects or crystal grain structure in the particles.
On real analytic orbifolds and Riemannian metrics

We begin by showing that every real analytic orbifold has a real analytic Riemannian metric. It follows that every reduced real analytic orbifold can be expressed as a quotient of a real analytic manifold by a real analytic almost free action of a compact Lie group. We then extend a well-known result of Nomizu and Ozeki concerning Riemannian metrics on manifolds to the orbifold setting: Let X be a smooth (real analytic) orbifold and let be a smooth (real analytic) Riemannian metric on X . Then X has a complete smooth (real analytic) Riemannian metric conformal to .
Optimal Design of Social Comparison Effects: Setting Reference Groups and Reference Points

In this paper, we study how social planners should exploit social comparisons to pursue their objectives. We consider two modes of social comparison, referred to as behind-averse and ahead-seeking behaviors, depending on whether individuals experience a utility loss from underperforming or a utility gain from overperforming relative to their peers. Modeling social comparison as a game between players, we find that ahead-seeking behavior leads to output polarization, whereas behind-averse behavior leads to output clustering. A social planner can mitigate these effects in two ways: i by providing the full reference distribution of outputs instead of an aggregate reference point based on the average output and ii by assigning players into uniform rather than diverse reference groups. Social planners may thus need to tailor the reference structure to the predominant mode of social comparison and their objective. A performance-focused social planner may set the reference structure so as to maximize the output of either the top or the bottom player depending on whether she puts greater marginal weight to larger or smaller outputs. When the social planner also cares about utility, she faces a dilemma because performance optimization may not be aligned with utility maximization. Inevitably, the social planner will have to confront equity issues because better performance may not reflect greater effort or greater ability. This paper was accepted by Serguei Netessine, operations management.
Criminal solicitation, entrapment, and the enforcement of law

This paper examines the optimal use of criminal solicitation as a law enforcement strategy. The benefits are greater deterrence of crime (due to the greater likelihood of apprehension), and the savings in social harm as some offenders are diverted away from committing actual crimes through solicitation. The costs are the expense of hiring undercover cops and the greater likelihood of punishment. The optimal use of solicitation balances these factors. The paper also examines the justification for the entrapment defense, which exonerates those caught in a criminal solicitation but who otherwise had no predisposition to commit a crime.
Aerodynamic Losses of a Cambered Turbine Vane: Influences of Surface Roughness and Freestream Turbulence Intensity

The effects of surface roughness and freestream turbulence level on the aerodynamic performance of a turbine vane are experimentally investigated. Wake profiles are measured with three different free-Stream turbulence intensity levels (1.1%, 5.4%, and 7.7%) at two different locations downstream of the test vane trailing edge (1 and 0.25 axial chord lengths). Chord Reynolds number based on exit flow conditions is 0.9 X 10 6 . The Mach number distribution and the test vane configuration both match arrangements employed in an industrial application. Four cambered vanes with different surface roughness levels are employed in this study. Effects of surface roughness on the vane pressure side on the profile losses are relatively small compared to suction side roughness. Overall effects of turbulence on local wake deficits of total pressure, Mach number, and kinetic energy are almost negligible in most parts of the wake produced by the smooth test vane, except that higher freestream losses are present at higher turbulence intensity levels. Profiles produced by test vanes with rough surfaces show apparent lower peak values in the center of the wake. Integrated aerodynamic losses and area-averaged loss coefficient Y A are also presented and compared to results from other research groups.
Chiral symmetry breaking and external fields in the Kuperstein-Sonnenschein model

A novel holographic model of chiral symmetry breaking has been proposed by Kuperstein and Sonnenschein by embedding non-supersymmetric probe D7 and anti-D7 branes in the Klebanov-Witten background. We study the dynamics of the probe flavours in this model in the presence of finite temperature and a constant electromagnetic field. In keeping with the weakly coupled field theory intuition, we find the magnetic field promotes spontaneous breaking of chiral symmetry whereas the electric field restores it. The former effect is universally known as the “magnetic catalysis” in chiral symmetry breaking. In the presence of an electric field such a condensation is inhibited and a current flows. Thus we are faced with a steady-state situation rather than a system in equilibrium. We conjecture a definition of thermodynamic free energy for this steady-state phase and using this proposal we study the detailed phase structure when both electric and magnetic fields are present in two representative configurations: mutually perpendicular and parallel.
Empirical evaluation of approximation algorithms for probabilistic decoding

It was recently shown that the problem of decoding messages transmitted through a noisy channel can be formulated as a belief updating task over a probabilistic network [14]. Moreover, it was observed that iterative application of the (linear time) belief propagation algorithm designed for polytrees [15] outperformed state of the art decoding algorithms, even though the corresponding networks may have many cycles. This paper demonstrates empirically that an approximation algorithm approx-mpe for solving the most probable explanation (MPE) problem, developed within the recently proposed mini-bucket elimination framework [4], outperforms iterative belief propagation on classes of coding networks that have bounded induced width. Our experiments suggest that approximate MPE decoders can be good competitors to the approximate belief updating decoders.
The iRAM: an innovative approach to microprocessor memory solutions

When designing the local read/write memory for a microprocessor system, several specific needs should be addressed. These needs include flexibility, ease of use, and low cost. The iRAM, a new product, effectively addresses all of these needs. The iRAM is a complete memory system that combines a high-density 8K X 8 DRAM array with complete memory and refresh control on a single chip. The iRAM combines the advantages of both the DRAM and SRAM, making it the ideal choice for microprocessor memory. The iRAM's concept and features will be discussed as well as its use in local memory systems for both 8-bit and 16-bit microprocessors.
Large-scale bias and the inaccuracy of the peak-background split

The peak-background split argument is commonly used to relate the abundance of dark matter haloes to their spatial clustering. Testing this argument requires an accurate determination of the halo mass function. We present a maximum-likelihood method for fitting parametric functional forms to halo abundances which differs from previous work because it does not require binned counts. Our conclusions do not depend on whether we use our method or more conventional ones. In addition, halo abundances depend on how haloes are defined. Our conclusions do not depend on the choice of link length associated with the friends-of-friends halo finder, nor do they change if we identify haloes using a spherical overdensity algorithm instead. The large-scale halo bias measured from the matter-halo cross spectrum b × and the halo autocorrelation function b ξ (on scales k ~ 0.03 h Mpc -1 and r ~ 50 h -1 Mpc) can differ by as much as 5 per cent for haloes that are significantly more massive than the characteristic mass M * . At these large masses, the peak-background split estimate of the linear bias factor b 1 is 3-5 per cent smaller than b ξ , which is 5 per cent smaller than b × . We discuss the origin of these discrepancies: deterministic non-linear local bias, with parameters determined by the peak-background split argument, is unable to account for the discrepancies we see. A simple linear but non-local bias model, motivated by peaks theory, may also be difficult to reconcile with our measurements. More work on such non-local bias models may be needed to understand the nature of halo bias at this level of precision.
Effect of oral contraceptives on peripheral blood flow in untrained women at rest and during exercise.

BACKGROUND Endothelium-derived nitric oxide is an important mediator of exercise-induced changes in skeletal muscle blood flow. Given the recently documented effects of estrogens on nitric oxide synthase, it is hypothesized that oral contraceptives (OC) containing estrogen would increase nitric oxide production at rest and after endurance exercise. Further, we postulated that OC use would augment skeletal muscle blood flow at rest and during exercise. METHODS Fourteen women (non-smokers) were divided into two groups: control (CON; sedentary, normal menstrual-cycling women who have not used oral contraceptives for > or = 12 mons; 18-38 yrs old; n = 7), and oral contraceptive users (OC; sedentary women who have been using low-dose estrogen/progestin oral contraceptives for > or = 12 mons; 19-38 yrs old; n = 7). Measurements of forearm blood flow were obtained from each group, using strain gauge plethysmography, at rest and during an exercise protocol in which intermittent handgrip exercise was performed at 15%, 30%, and 45% of maximum voluntary contraction (MVC). Additionally, venous blood samples were taken before and after a 90 min treadmill walk for measurement of serum nitrate/nitrite, an indirect assessment of steady-state nitric oxide production. RESULTS There was no difference in forearm blood flow (ml/min/ 100 cc tissue) at rest (CON = 2.7; OC = 2.8); however, the hyperemic response to handgrip exercise was significantly (p 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Contrary to our hypotheses, these data indicate a compromised hyperemic response in the forearm of OC users. Further, chronic OC use may not affect nitric oxide production during low intensity treadmill exercise.
An optimal lower bound on the number of variables for graph identification

In this paper we show that Ω(n) variables are needed for first-order logic with counting to identify graphs onn vertices. Thek-variable language with counting is equivalent to the (k−1)-dimensional Weisfeiler-Lehman method. We thus settle a long-standing open problem. Previously it was an open question whether or not 4 variables suffice. Our lower bound remains true over a set of graphs of color class size 4. This contrasts sharply with the fact that 3 variables suffice to identify all graphs of color class size 3, and 2 variables suffice to identify almost all graphs. Our lower bound is optimal up to multiplication by a constant becausen variables obviously suffice to identify graphs onn vertices.
Privee: an architecture for automatically analyzing web privacy policies

Privacy policies on websites are based on the notice-and-choice principle. They notify Web users of their privacy choices. However, many users do not read privacy policies or have difficulties understanding them. In order to increase privacy transparency we propose Privee--a software architecture for analyzing essential policy terms based on crowdsourcing and automatic classification techniques. We implement Privee in a proof of concept browser extension that retrieves policy analysis results from an online privacy policy repository or, if no such results are available, performs automatic classifications. While our classifiers achieve an overall F-1 score of 90%, our experimental results suggest that classifier performance is inherently limited as it correlates to the same variable to which human interpretations correlate--the ambiguity of natural language. This finding might be interpreted to call the notice-and-choice principle into question altogether. However, as our results further suggest that policy ambiguity decreases over time, we believe that the principle is workable. Consequently, we see Privee as a promising avenue for facilitating the notice-and-choice principle by accurately notifying-Web users of privacy practices and increasing privacy transparency on the Web.
MR Imaging Artifacts of the Axial Internal Anatomy of the Cervical Spinal Cord

Transverse scans of the spinal cord routinely demonstrate signal variations related to the internal anatomy of the cord that do not accurately conform to histologic cross sections. This study evaluates the MR appearance of the axial anatomy of the spinal cord and provides correlation to histologic sections as a means to understand this discordance so that disease can be recognized more readily. Short TR/TE spin-echo studies, cardiac-gated multiecho spin-echo studies, and gradient-refocused-echo studies of normal excised human spinal cords, a normal volunteer, and gelatin phantoms were obtained by using the same imaging parameters at 1.5 T. Imaging artifacts were further investigated by using both a 128 × 256 and 256 × 256 matrix with a varying phase-encoded axis. Histologic sections of the excised cords, which were stained for myelin, iron, and cell bodies (Nissl), were used for correlation to the images. We found that significant Fourier truncation and partial-volume imaging artifacts modulated the MR display of the cord. On short TR/TE images a ring of high signal at the periphery of the cord was due to a truncation artifact. The appearance of the central portions of the gray and white matter was affected variably by partial-volume averaging depending on the matrix size. White-matter tracts of the cord were always lower in signal than was the gray matter on all pulse sequences. This finding was not due to iron deposition or CSF motion artifacts. We suspect that this probably was related to dense, longitudinal organization of spinal tracts and resultant anisotropy of water molecule motion similar to that seen in the pyramidal tracts, tendons, and ligaments. We recommend the use of a 128 × 256 matrix with two averages (four excitations) when obtaining axial scans of the spinal cord in living subjects. Although truncation artifacts diminish image quality, the quality is superior to that of images obtained with a 256 × 256 matrix, in which longer scanning times result in motion artifacts and reduced signal to noise.
Localization in an idealized heterogeneous elastic sheet

Localized deformation is ubiquitous in many natural and engineering materials as they approach failure, and a significant effort has been made to understand localization processes with simple continuum models. Real materials are much more commonly heterogeneous but it is unclear exactly how heterogeneity affects outcomes. In this work we study the response of an idealized heterogenous elastic sheet on a soft foundation as it is uniaxially compressed. The patterned surface layers are created by selective ultraviolet/ozone treatment of the top surface of a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) sample using a TEM grid as a mask. By controlling the exposure time of UV/O3, samples ranging from continuous thin films to sets of isolated small plates were created. We find that patterned regions noticeably localize while bulk regions appear as uniform wrinkles, and that local and global strains depend on the pattern pitch, exposure levels and the treatment protocol. Remarkably, various responses can be modeled using well-understood theory that ignores pattern details aside from the small distance between the adjacent boundaries and the local value of strain.
Gravitation and quantum mechanics of macroscopic objects

The problem of the reduction of the wave function in quantum theory is treated from a new standpoint. First, by combining Heisenberg's uncertainty relations with gravitation, quantitative limi tations on the sharpness of the structure of space-time are derived. Second, the resulting uncertainty in space-time structure is incorporated into the equations for the propagation of the quantum-mechanical wave amplitudes. In the resulting theory an initially pure wave function generally develops in time into a mixture. A single pure wave function survives only as long as it corresponds to a sufficiently small spread in the position of any massive part of the system under investigation. Quantitative relations between the mass and the maximum coherent spread in the center-of-mass wave function of a single body are obtained.
Valuing Ecosystem Services in Coastal Management Policy: Looking Beyond the Here and Now

This article explores how the identification and accounting of ecosystem services can aid coastal management policies, particularly as management looks to a future that includes the impacts of climate change. At the core of making better decisions is an understanding of the value of ecosystem services. The economic context of ecosystem services is explored in order to outline what may be considered a complete accounting of costs. Once contextualized, ecosystem services will then be applied to current coastal management issues associated with sea level rise. In particular, policy-relevant questions about mitigating and adapting to sea level rise at the coast will be discussed. For example, does it make sense to armor against the tide when considering both market-based and ecosystem services values in a decision-making framework? Also, what is the impact of current policies, such as nationally subsidized public flood insurance, on how risk is perceived by the public? And how does this perception potentially impact ecosystem service consideration in coastal management decisions?
Alexander and writhe polynomials for virtual knots

We give a new interpretation of the Alexander polynomial Δ0 for virtual knots due to Sawollek [On Alexander–Conway polynomials for virtual knots and Links, preprint (2001), arXiv:math/9912173] and Silver and Williams [Polynomial invariants of virtual links, J. Knot Theory Ramifications 12 (2003) 987–1000], and use it to show that, for any virtual knot, Δ0 determines the writhe polynomial of Cheng and Gao [A polynomial invariant of virtual links, J. Knot Theory Ramifications 22(12) (2013), Article ID: 1341002, 33pp.] (equivalently, Kauffman’s affine index polynomial [An affine index polynomial invariant of virtual knots, J. Knot Theory Ramifications 22(4) (2013), Article ID: 1340007, 30pp.]). We also use it to define a second-order writhe polynomial, and give some applications.
Forecasting American Health Care: How We Got Here and Where We Might Be Going

This article is a form of thinking about the future properly regarded as conditional forecasting. It begins by reminding readers of the enormous changes in American medicine since World War II. The second part revisits critically an earlier effort at conditional forecasting for 1995 that Paul Starr and I published in the early 1980s. Besides reviewing the prescience of our forecasts, the second part outlines the earlier trends in progress we identified and the four combinations of political and economic settings we explored. On that basis, the final part takes up the challenge of anticipating sensibly some possible medical futures in the America of the early twenty-first century, a task which excludes simple extrapolation.
Ground Motions at the Outermost Limits of Seismically Triggered Landslides

Abstract Over the last few decades, we and our colleagues have conducted field investigations in which we mapped the outermost limits of triggered landslides in four earthquakes: 1987 Whittier Narrows, California ( M 5.9), 1987 Superstition Hills, California ( M 6.5), 1994 Northridge, California ( M 6.7), and 2011 Mineral, Virginia ( M 5.8). In an additional two earthquakes, 1976 Guatemala ( M 7.5) and 1983 Coalinga, California ( M 6.5), we determined limits using high‐resolution aerial‐photographic interpretation in conjunction with more limited ground investigation. Limits in these earthquakes were defined by the locations of the very smallest failures ( 3 ) from the most susceptible slopes that can be identified positively as having been triggered by earthquake shaking. Because we and our colleagues conducted all of these investigations, consistent methodology and criteria were used in determining limits. In the six earthquakes examined, we correlated the outermost landslide limits with peak ground accelerations (PGAs) from ShakeMap models of each earthquake. For the four earthquakes studied by field investigation, the minimum PGA values associated with farthest landslide limits ranged from 0.02 g to 0.08 g . The range for the two earthquakes investigated using aerial‐photographic interpretations was 0.05–0.11 g . Although PGA values at landslide limits depend on several factors, including material strength, topographic amplification, and hydrologic conditions, these values provide an empirically useful lower limiting range of PGA needed to trigger the smallest failures on very susceptible slopes. In a well‐recorded earthquake, this PGA range can be used to identify an outer boundary within which we might expect to find landsliding; in earthquakes that are not well recorded, mapping the outermost landslide limits provides a useful clue about ground‐motion levels at the mapped limits.
A Latent Pro-Survival Function for the Mir-290-295 Cluster in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) post-transcriptionally regulate the expression of thousands of distinct mRNAs. While some regulatory interactions help to maintain basal cellular functions, others are likely relevant in more specific settings, such as response to stress. Here we describe such a role for the mir-290-295 cluster, the dominant miRNA cluster in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). Examination of a target list generated from bioinformatic prediction, as well as expression data following miRNA loss, revealed strong enrichment for apoptotic regulators, two of which we validated directly: Caspase 2, the most highly conserved mammalian caspase, and Ei24, a p53 transcriptional target. Consistent with these predictions, mESCs lacking miRNAs were more likely to initiate apoptosis following genotoxic exposure to gamma irradiation or doxorubicin. Knockdown of either candidate partially rescued this pro-apoptotic phenotype, as did transfection of members of the mir290-295 cluster. These findings were recapitulated in a specific mir-290-295 deletion line, confirming that they reflect miRNA functions at physiological levels. In contrast to the basal regulatory roles previously identified, the pro-survival phenotype shown here may be most relevant to stressful gestations, where pro-oxidant metabolic states induce DNA damage. Similarly, this cluster may mediate chemotherapeutic resistance in a neoplastic context, making it a useful clinical target.
The informational content of inventory announcements: Intraday evidence from crude oil futures market

Abstract This paper examines the behavior of intraday crude oil futures return and volatility and how they respond to weekly inventory announcements by the American Petroleum Institute (API) and Energy Information Administration (EIA). The informational content of API reports is measured relative to market analysts' expectations collected by Reuters, whereas that of EIA reports is measured relative to API reports. Results suggest that unexpected inventory changes in both API and EIA reports exert an immediate inverse impact on returns and a positive impact on volatility; but the duration and magnitude of EIA inventory shocks are longer and larger, with the largest impact observed when Reuters and API both err on the same side. While there are no instant asymmetric return responses to positive and negative API shocks, the return and volatility responses to cross-commodity inventory shocks in EIA reports exhibit asymmetry.
Importance Function Biasing of the Deep Penetration Monte Carlo Calculation

The formal basis of the use of calculated importance information for biasing forward and adjoint Monte Carlo deep penetration sheilding problems is presented. The distinction between the ''point value'' and ''event value'' functions for adjoint problems is discussed. The analysis reveals that the emergent particle density, and not the particle flux density, is the proper choice of biasing function for the selection of the adjunctor's next collision site. This is analogous to the choice of the event value as the value function for the biased selection of the next collision site in the forward analysis. A numerical illustrative problem consisting of a concrete cylinder with an axial duct, a plane source on the bottom surface, and four joint detectors outside the emergent top surface is used to demonstrate this theory.
Theory of the electron sheath and presheath

Electron sheaths are commonly found near Langmuir probes collecting the electron saturation current. The common assumption is that the probe collects the random flux of electrons incident on the sheath, which tacitly implies that there is no electron presheath and that the flux collected is due to a velocity space truncation of the electron velocity distribution function (EVDF). This work provides a dedicated theory of electron sheaths, which suggests that they are not so simple. Motivated by EVDFs observed in particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations, a 1D model for the electron sheath and presheath is developed. In the model, under low temperature plasma conditions ( Te≫Ti), an electron pressure gradient accelerates electrons in the presheath to a flow velocity that exceeds the electron thermal speed at the sheath edge. This pressure gradient generates large flow velocities compared to what would be generated by ballistic motion in response to the electric field. It is found that in many situations, under comm...
Opioid dose and risk of suicide

Chronic pain is associated with increased risk of suicide, and opioids are commonly used to treat moderate to severe pain. However, the association between opioid dose and suicide mortality has not been examined closely. This retrospective data analysis described the risk of suicide associated with differing prescribed opioid doses. Data were from Veterans Affairs health care system treatment records and the National Death Index. Records analyzed were those of Veterans Affairs patients with chronic pain receiving opioids in fiscal years 2004 to 2005 (N = 123,946). Primary predictors were maximum prescribed morphine-equivalent daily opioid dose and opioid fill type. The main outcome measured was suicide death, by any mechanism, and intentional overdose death during 2004 to 2009. Controlling for demographic and clinical characteristics, higher prescribed opioid doses were associated with elevated suicide risk. Compared with those receiving ≤20 milligrams/day (mg/d), hazard ratios were 1.48 (95% confidence intervals [CI], 1.25-1.75) for 20 to <50 mg/d, 1.69 (95% CI, 1.33-2.14) for 50 to <100 mg/d, and 2.15 (95% CI, 1.64-2.81) for 100+ mg/d. The magnitude of association between opioid dose and suicide by intentional overdose was not substantially different from that observed for the overall measure of suicide mortality. Risk of suicide mortality was greater among individuals receiving higher doses of opioids, and treatment providers may want to view high opioid dose as a marker of elevated risk for suicide. Additional research is needed on opioid use, pain treatment, and suicide.
Benchmark characterization

The design of experimental systems usually employ some form of simulation. The inputs to the simulation are typically standard benchmarks. This paper presents a method for finding a cost-effective design for each benchmark. This method is called benchmark characterization. Benchmark characterization is possible in part due to the advent of high-performance architecture-independent compiler technology. To demonstrate the method, seven benchmarks are characterized. Five of the benchmarks are from the SPEC benchmark set (gcc, espresso, spice, li and matrix300) and two are popular synthetic benchmarks (dhrystone and whetstone). Benchmark characteristics are reported for the processor, memory system, and operating system. >
Join In or Opt Out? A Normative–Ethical Analysis of Affective Ties and Networks in South Korea

So far overlooked by the international business ethics literature, we introduce, characterize, and normatively analyze the use of affective ties and networks in South Korea from an ethical point of view. Whereas the ethics of using Guanxi in China has been comprehensively discussed, Korean informal networks remain difficult to manage for firms in South Korea due to the absence of existing academic debate and research in this field. In this study, we concentrate mainly on the question of whether foreign firms will and can use affective ties in Korea. The informal social network forms are classified and contrasted with the conventional ethical approaches used in international business ethics (relativism, universalism, and social contract theory) to assess which categories can be regarded as ethical or unethical. Finally, foreign firms are advised how to cope with and use different affective network types. Although the nature of affective ties and networks in Korea differs from that found for instance in China (Guanxi), consistent with the conclusion of prior research, we recommend particularistic analysis and decision making regarding the circumstances in which to conclude affective ties and networks and when to opt out. We conclude that foreign firms in Korea should invest in establishing Inmaek, refrain from engaging in Yonjul, and support host country nationals’ Yongo ties. Moreover, it is suggested that foreign firms should find ways to monitor and manage informal ties effectively.
Reactions of HDDA-Derived Benzynes with Sulfides: Mechanism, Modes, and Three-Component Reactions

We report here reactions of alkyl sulfides with benzynes thermally generated by the hexadehydro-Diels–Alder (HDDA) cycloisomerization. The initially produced 1,3-betaine (o-sulfonium/aryl carbanion) undergoes intramolecular proton transfer to generate a more stable S-aryl sulfur ylide. This can react in various manners, including engaging weak acids (HA) in the reaction medium. This can produce transient ion pairs ArSR2+A– that proceed to the products ArSR + RA. When cyclic sulfides are used, A– opens the ring and is incorporated into the product, an outcome that constitutes a versatile, three-component coupling process.
The Malagasy Goblin Spiders of the New Genus Molotra (Araneae: Oonopidae)

A new oonopid genus endemic to Madagascar, Molotra, is proposed and its six included species are newly described and illustrated: M. molotra, the type species, M. ninae, M. katarinae, M. suzannae, M. tsingy, and M. milloti. Molotra is defined on the basis of its unusual genitalia. The male has the palpal bulb terminating in broad, liplike lobes, unlike any previously described in Oonopidae. The female is equally unusual in lacking an apparent receptaculum, although the genitalia otherwise resemble those of silhouettelloid genera. The species of Molotra form three distinct groups based on somatic and genitalic characters. The M. molotra group includes four large, strongly spined species. The remaining two are morphologically distinct and known only from males. M. tsingy is a small species with unusual palpi that are complex, contorted, and with a resting position along the sternocoxal boundary, instead of an anterior sternal cavity. M. milloti is a very bristly species that differs somatically from other Molotra but has genitalia similar to the M. molotra group. Molotra is known only from Madagascar where the three species groups are strongly disjunct. The M. molotra group occurs in higher elevation forests (1000–1300 m) in northeastern Madagascar, M. tsingy is from low elevation karst (150 m) of the southwest, whereas M. milloti is from a coastal locality in the northwest.
Dynamics of the Area Law of Entanglement Entropy

We study the evolution of the universal area law of entanglement entropy when the Hamiltonian of the system undergoes a time dependent perturbation. In particular, we derive a general formula for the time dependent first order correction to the area law under the assumption that the field theory resides in a vacuum state when a small time-dependent perturbation of a relevant coupling constant is turned on. Using this formula, we carry out explicit calculations in free field theories deformed by a time dependent mass, whereas for a generic QFT we show that the time dependent first order correction is governed by the spectral function defining the two-point correlation function of the trace of the energy-momentum tensor. We also carry out holographic calculations based on the HRT proposal and find qualitative and, in certain cases, quantitative agreement with the field theory calculations.
Reduced Right And Left Ventricular Myocardial Perfusion Reserve In Patients With Scleroderma-associated And Idiopathic (IPAH) Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Due To Impaired Microvascular Vasoreactivity

Address: 1Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, , USA, 2Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA, 3Department of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA, 4Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, USA and 5Department of Pulmonology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA * Corresponding author
Kinetic roughening during rare-gas homoepitaxy

Using an optical reflectivity difference technique, we monitored the growth of multilayer Xe films on a commensurate monolayer of Xe on Ni(111), from 35 to 60K. A transition occurs near 40K, from rough growth at low temperature to quasi-layer-by-layer growth characterized by persistent oscillations in the reflectivity difference. We discuss this transition in terms of changes in the island formation process and the onset of second layer nucleation. The Xe sticking co at 40K is obtained from the period of the oscillations in the reflectivity difference. We find that the sticking co decreases with increasing fihn thickness at fixed Xe pressure.
Chirality transfer in Au-catalyzed cyclization reactions of monoallylic diols: selective access to specific enantiomers based on olefin geometry.

The gold(I)-catalyzed cyclization of monoallylic diols to form tetrahydropyrans is shown to be highly stereoselective when chiral allylic alcohols are employed. Substrates that differ only in olefin geometry provide enantiomeric products from formal SN2′ reactions in high yields with excellent chirality transfer. The allylic alcohol stereochemistry also efficiently controls the facial selectivity when the substrates include additional stereocenters.
Impact of Demand Uncertainty on Stability of Supplier Alliances in Assembly Models

In their recent paper, Nagarajan and Sosic study an assembly supply chain in which n suppliers sell complementary components to a downstream assembler, who faces a price-sensitive deterministic demand. Suppliers may form alliances, and each alliance then sells a kit of components to the assembler and determines the price for that kit. The assembler buys the components (kits) from the alliances and sets the selling price of the product. Nagarajan and Sosic consider three modes of competition—supplier Stackelberg, vertical Nash (VN), and assembler Stackelberg models—which correspond to different power structures in the market, and study stable supplier alliances when the assembler faces linear and isoelastic demand. In this paper, we study the impact that demand uncertainty has on stability results obtained in Nagarajan and Sosic. We first analyze models in which all decisions are made before the uncertainty is resolved, and show that the alliance of all suppliers remains stable when demand is isoelastic, or under Stackelberg models when demand is linear. However, demand uncertainty may change stability results when both parties make decisions simultaneously (VN model) and demand is linear. We then extend our results by considering scenarios in which some decisions may be postponed and made after the actual demand is known. When the ordering quantity can be determined after observing the true demand, we show that stable outcomes correspond to those obtained in the deterministic case and uncertainty has no impact on coalition stability; if only the assembler's pricing decision is postponed, we need additional conditions for stability results to carry over in the additive demand model.
Prey and Periodicity of Pardosa ramulosa (McCook) in Alfalfa

Visual observations of predation by Pardosa ramulosa (McCook) in alfalfa fields indicate that Hemiptera, Diptera, and Araneae are important prey of this wolf spider. Time-sort pitfall trapping showed that P. ramulosa and some of its more frequently taken prey species are primarily active during the day. Population samples of the predator and prey species were taken to ascertain seasonal relationships.
Coming Full Circle: The Application of Microtechnology Techniques to Evaluate Bulk Materials *

A tensile test procedure that accommodates specimens with gage section 25 μm thick, 70 μm wide and 360 μm long was developed and demonstrated. The instrumentation and technique were adapted from those previously developed and used to test thin films, by increasing both the force capacity of the load cell and the stiffness of the pull rod. Specimens with bow-tie geometry were fabricated by photolithography from nominally 25 μm thick full hard stainless steel 302 foil. A silicon test frame fabricated by bulk micromachining techniques included tapered grips in the form of recesses in its top surface that accepted and retained the specimen grip sections. One grip was on the fixed outer portion of the frame. The other grip was on a plate suspended in the center of the frame by long slender silicon beams. Force was imposed on this plate by pin loading. The force was measured by use of a custom load cell. The displacement was measured by sub-pixel digital image correlation to surface features on the two ends of the gage section, applied to images with a resolution of approximately 0.8 μm per pixel. Yield and ultimate strengths and elongation values consistent with vendor-provided information were obtained. The values of Young’s modulus were scattered but within the range of expected behavior for the specimen material.
Probing the Links between Structure and Magnetism in Sr2–xCaxFeOsO6 Double Perovskites

The synthesis, structure, and properties of the ordered double perovskites Sr2FeOsO6, Ca2FeOsO6, and SrCaFeOsO6 are reported. The latter two compounds have monoclinic P21/n symmetry and a–a–b+ tilting of the octahedra, while Sr2FeOsO6 is tetragonal with I4/m symmetry and a0a0c– tilting. Magnetic measurements indicate and neutron powder diffraction studies confirm that Ca2FeOsO6 is a ferrimagnet with a Curie temperature of 350 K. The ferrimagnetism is retained if half of the Ca2+ ions are replaced with larger Sr2+ ions to form SrCaFeOsO6 (TC = 210 K). This substitution reduces the degree of octahedral tilting, but unlike most perovskites, the magnetic ordering temperature decreases as the Fe–O–Os bond angles approach a linear geometry. In contrast, Sr2FeOsO6 orders antiferromagnetically, as previously reported. X-ray absorption spectroscopy confirms the assignment of Fe(III) and Os(V) oxidation states for all three compounds. In these insulating double perovskites, the magnetic ground state is governed by ...
Synchrotron Radiation Studies of Magnetic Materials

New opportunities for research on magnetic materials are emerging as a result of quiet revolutions in several areas including: materials synthesis techniques, surface characterization capabilities, new magnetic sensitive detectors and spectroscopic techniques, improved synchrotron radiation instrumentation, and predictive modeling based on first principals calculations. This paper describes some of the more recent advances and assesses some of the new opportunities that are emerging in the field of magnetic materials research.
Load-Compression Behavior of Flexible Foams

Abstract The load-compression behavior of a foam reflects its geometric structure and the physical properties of the matrix polymer. Quantitative relations between these parameters have been established in the present study. Based on both theoretical analyses and experimental data obtained on a flexible polyurethane foam, it is shown that the compressive stress can be factored into the product of two terms: (1) a dimensionless function of the compressive strain, ψ(e), calculated from experimental load-compression data and reflecting the buckling of the foam matrix; and (2) a factor, eEƒ, where Eƒ is the apparent Young's modulus of the foam (which is a function primarily of the modulus of the base polymer E0 and of the volume fraction of polymer, φ). Thus the compressive stress behavior of a foamed polymer is determined by E0, φ, and the matrix geometry, the latter described by the function ψ(e). Using these established relations, it now is possible to delineate precisely the structural features a foam mus...
The Role of Chemical Bonding in the Adhesion of Elastomers

Abstract A review is given of several studies of the effect of interfacial bonding upon the mechanical strength of an adhesive joint. In the first, polybutadiene layers were crosslinked by a free radical process whilst in contact with silane-treated glass. A direct proportionality was found between the minimum peel strength of the joint, at high temperatures and low rates of peeling, and the vinyl content of the silane treatment liquid. Covalent bonding between the diene polymer and vinyl groups on the treated glass was inferred. When radioactively tagged silanes were employed, extensive combination with the glass substrates was demonstrated. Again, the greater the amount of vinyl silane found on the treated glass surface, the greater the mechanical strength of adhesion between the treated glass and a polybutadiene overlayer. In another series of experiments two partially-crosslinked sheets of polybutadiene were pressed together before the crosslinking was taken to completion. The additional crosslinking was determined from measurements of the elastic properties and of the degree of equilibrium swelling by a compatible liquid. Again, the mechanical strength of adhesion between the two sheets under threshold conditions was found to be directly proportional to the inferred degree of interfacial interlinking. Thus, at least at high temperatures and low rates of peel, there is substantial evidence for a direct correlation between the mechanical strength of a joint and the degree of interfacial chemical bonding. Moreover, the relationships established in these studies allow other bonding systems to be diagnosed as chemical or physical in nature. For example, a dramatic increase in the strength of adhesion between two crosslinked polybutadiene layers was observed if they were exposed to air or oxygen for periods of an hour or two before being pressed into contact. It is inferred that interfacial chemical bonds are formed as a consequence of rapid surface oxidation reactions.
Network of Experts for Large-Scale Image Categorization

We present a tree-structured network architecture for large-scale image classification. The trunk of the network contains convolutional layers optimized over all classes. At a given depth, the trunk splits into separate branches, each dedicated to discriminate a different subset of classes. Each branch acts as an expert classifying a set of categories that are difficult to tell apart, while the trunk provides common knowledge to all experts in the form of shared features. The training of our “network of experts” is completely end-to-end: the partition of categories into disjoint subsets is learned simultaneously with the parameters of the network trunk and the experts are trained jointly by minimizing a single learning objective over all classes. The proposed structure can be built from any existing convolutional neural network (CNN). We demonstrate its generality by adapting 4 popular CNNs for image categorization into the form of networks of experts. Our experiments on CIFAR100 and ImageNet show that in every case our method yields a substantial improvement in accuracy over the base CNN, and gives the best result achieved so far on CIFAR100. Finally, the improvement in accuracy comes at little additional cost: compared to the base network, the training time is only moderately increased and the number of parameters is comparable or in some cases even lower.