cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Negotiating the probabilistic satisfaction of temporal logic motion specifications

We propose a human-supervised control synthesis method for a stochastic Dubins vehicle such that the probability of satisfying a specification given as a formula in a fragment of Probabilistic Computational Tree Logic (PCTL) over a set of environmental properties is maximized. Under some mild assumptions, we construct a finite approximation for the motion of the vehicle in the form of a tree-structured Markov Decision Process (MDP). We introduce an efficient algorithm, which exploits the tree structure of the MDP, for synthesizing a control policy that maximizes the probability of satisfaction. For the proposed PCTL fragment, we define the specification update rules that guarantee the increase (or decrease) of the satisfaction probability. We introduce an incremental algorithm for synthesizing an updated MDP control policy that reuses the initial solution. The initial specification can be updated, using the rules, until the supervisor is satisfied with both the updated specification and the corresponding satisfaction probability. We propose an offline and an online application of this method.
Treatment of endometrial stromal tumors

We reviewed 31 cases of endometrial stromal tumors treated on the Gynecology Service at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center from 1970 to 1984. Twenty-two patients had endolymphatic stromal myosis and 9 patients had endometrial stromal sarcoma. Twenty-six patients initially had disease confined to the uterus. Following hysterectomy, 7 patients received various adjuvant therapies, but no active adjuvant regimen was identified. All 3 patients who presented with advanced endometrial stromal sarcoma died of rapidly progressive disease; only 2 of 6 patients with stage I endometrial stromal sarcoma developed recurrence. Among patients with endolymphatic stromal myosis, a higher recurrence rate was noted in patients with residual ovarian tissue (100%) than in those without residual ovarian tissue (43%). Fifteen patients were treated for recurrent disease (13 with endolymphatic stromal myosis, 2 with endometrial stromal sarcoma). Following attempts to resect disease surgically, objective responses were attained with both chemotherapy (57%) and radiation (40%). The median survival following treatment of recurrent disease was 46 months. Actuarial survival for all patients in this study was 76% at 5 years and 69% at 10 years.
Can Money Flows Predict Stock Returns

“Money flow” is defined as the difference between uptick and downtick dollar trading volume. Despite little published research regarding its usefulness, the measure has become an increasingly popular technical indicator. Our analysis demonstrates that money flows are highly correlated with same-period returns. We also found strong evidence of “money flow momentum,” in that lagged money flows can be used to predict future money flows. Most important is our finding that money flows appear to predict cross-sectional variation in future returns. Their predictive ability is sensitive, however, to the method of money flow measurement (e.g., the exclusion or inclusion of block trades) and the forecast horizon.
The metric geometry of the manifold of Riemannian metrics over a closed manifold

We prove that the L2 Riemannian metric on the manifold of all smooth Riemannian metrics on a fixed closed, finite-dimensional manifold induces a metric space structure. As the L2 metric is a weak Riemannian metric, this fact does not follow from general results. In addition, we prove several results on the exponential mapping and distance function of a weak Riemannian metric on a Hilbert/Frechet manifold. The statements are analogous to, but weaker than, what is known in the case of a Riemannian metric on a finite-dimensional manifold or a strong Riemannian metric on a Hilbert manifold.
Effects of Cosmic Rays on Meteorites

Cosmic rays and meteorites are two classes of material bodies that reach the earth from outer space. The study of their interactions has helped to increase our understanding of both.
Direct heptafluoropropylation of purines with bis(heptafluorobutyryl) peroxide

Abstract Some silylated purines react with bis(perttuorobutyryl) peroxide to provide ring-C3F7 derivatives. The introduction of the C3F7 group occurs predominantly at C-8: 6-methoxypurine also gave the C-2 isomer in isolable yield. Replacement of the 6-amino group of adenine with dimethylamino or methoxy improved the yields of the C3F7 derivatives.
Models of Technical Progress and the Golden Rule of Research

The primary purpose of this paper is to present a model of technical progress and economic growth from which one can derive a Golden Rule of Research quite analogous to the Golden Rule of Accumulation. The secondary purpose is to discuss various models of technical progress. That there might exist a Golden Rule for research is not surprising since research is a kind of investment -n investment in technology -- just as "accumulation" denotes investment in tangible capital. Nevertheless "capital" and "technology" differ in important aspects. If, given the technology, the production of commodities is homogeneous of degree one in labor and capital goods, as is frequently postulated, then production cannot be homogeneous of degree one in labor, capital and "technology" (or the appropriate index of past research effort). Further, the production of technical progress, unlike the production of investment goods, seems unlikely to exhibit constant returns to scale in capital and labor, given the technology. Hence technology cannot be treated as an ordinary capital good. Because of this novelty that our subject presents, this paper must be highly tentative and conjectural.(This abstract was borrowed from another version of this item.)
Multiple Unicast Capacity of 2-Source 2-Sink Networks

We study the sum capacity of multiple unicasts in wireless multihop networks. With 2 source nodes and 2 sink nodes, there are a total of 4 independent unicast sessions (messages), one from each source to each sink node (this setting is also known as an X network). We explore the degrees of freedom (DoF) of wireless multihop X networks with a layered structure, allowing arbitrary number of hops and arbitrary connectivity within each hop. For the case when there are no more than two relay nodes in each layer, the DoF can only take values 1, 4/3, 3/2 or 2, based on the connectivity of the network, for almost all values of channel coefficients. When there are arbitrary number of relays in each layer, the DoF can also take the value 5/3. Achievability schemes incorporate linear forwarding, interference alignment and aligned interference neutralization principles. Information theoretic converse arguments specialized for the connectivity of the network are constructed based on the intuition from linear dimension counting arguments.
Hipparcos Parallaxes and the Cepheid Distance Scale

Hipparcos parallaxes have recently become available for a sample of Galactic Cepheids. We have used these new distances to calibrate the Cepheid period-luminosity (PL) relation at six wavelengths (BVIJHK).
On asymptotic Assouad–Nagata dimension

Abstract For a large class of metric spaces X including discrete groups we prove that the asymptotic Assouad–Nagata dimension AN-asdim X of X coincides with the covering dimension dim ( ν L X ) of the Higson corona of X with respect to the sublinear coarse structure on X. Then we apply this fact to prove the equality AN-asdim ( X × R ) = AN-asdim X + 1 . We note that the similar equality for Gromov's asymptotic dimension asdim generally fails to hold [A. Dranishnikov, Cohomological approach to asymptotic dimension, Preprint, 2006]. Additionally we construct an injective map ξ : cone ω ( X ) ∖ [ x 0 ] → ν L X from the asymptotic cone without the basepoint to the sublinear Higson corona.
Optimal Control, Repair, and Inventory Strategies for a Linear Stochastic System

A class of linear systems is studied which is subject to random failures. In such systems the designer must specify strategies for both control and repair. The dynamic interaction of these two facets of the problem is explored, and it is shown that quick repair permits a reduction in gains in the feedback loop. An algorithm is presented for finding the optimal controller and the best policy of repair.
The hypertriton in effective field theory

Abstract Doublet Λ d scattering and the hypertriton are studied in the framework of an effective field theory for large scattering lengths. As in the triton case, consistent renormalization requires a one-parameter three-body force at leading order whose renormalization group evolution is governed by a limit cycle. Constraining unknown parameters from symmetry considerations and the measured binding energy of the hypertriton, we calculate the low-energy phase shifts for doublet Λ d scattering. For the low-energy parameters, we find a Λ d =(16.8 +4.4 −2.4 ) fm and r Λ d =(2.3±0.3) fm, where the errors are due to the uncertainty in the hypertriton binding energy. Since the hypertriton is extremely shallow, low-energy three-body observables in this channel are very insensitive to the exact values of the Λ N low-energy parameters.
A three-component model for the bulk composition of the Moon

A three-component model for the moon's bulk composition was developed on the basis of the results of Delano (1986) on lunar pristine glasses. This suite of models is based on the following two assumptions: (1) that the early moon differentiated into two primary reservoirs, a FeO-rich magma ocean and an olivine-rich residuum of about Fo(90); and (2) that this magma ocean then differentiated into an olivine-dominated cumulate, about equal to or greater than Fo(80), and a primitive liquid composition. Because serious uncertainties remain concerning the moon's complex differentiation history, this three-component model does not yield a single unique composition for the bulk silicate moon; instead, it yields a range of restricted compositions that are permitted within the conceptual framework of the model.
Neutrino Recoils Following the Capture of Orbital Electrons in A 37

The energy spectrum of the recoil nuclei resulting from orbital electron capture in ${\mathrm{A}}^{37}$ has been determined by a time-of-flight measurement of the recoil ions. ${\mathrm{A}}^{37}$ disintegrations occurred within a gas-filled source volume, where the total pressure was approximately ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}5}$ mm of Hg. The time-of-flight distribution, as measured by a multichannel delayed-coincidence technique, has a definite maximum time limit. Furthermore, the shape and extent of the distribution correspond to that expected from monoenergetic recoils, originating in an extended source and having an energy of 9.7 ev as predicted by the single neutrino hypothesis. Zero and short time coincidences were observed in addition to the above distribution. Further measurements indicate these to be the result of electron scattering associated with ${\mathrm{A}}^{37}$ decays not originating in the source volume.
Ignoring ignorance and agreeing to disagree

Abstract A model of information structure and common knowledge is presented which does not take states of the world as primitive. Rather, these states are constructed as sets of propositions, including propositions which describe knowledge. In this model information structure and measurability structure are endogenously defined in terms of the relation between the propositions. In particular, when agents are ignorant of their own ignorance, the information structure is not a partition of the state space. We show that Aumann's (Ann. Statist. 4 (1976), 1236–1239) famous result on the impossibility of agreeing to disagree, which was proved for partitions, can be extended to such information structures.
DEVELOPMENT THROUGH SYNERGISTIC REFORM

Abstract For many less developed countries production of high quality output is a precondition for firms to become exporters. Institutional deficiencies that raise costs of high quality production therefore limit the positive impact that trade facilitation can have on income. Consequently, institutional reforms that reduce costs of high quality production and trade reform have synergistic effects. In contrast, institutional reforms that reduce costs of low quality production (e.g., reforms that disproportionately benefit small businesses) interfere with the impact of trade reform. We obtain these results in a heterogeneous firm model that displays standard “industry rationalization” responses to reduced trade costs.
Accuracy of quantum Monte Carlo methods for point defects in solids

Quantum Monte Carlo (QMC) approaches such as the diffusion Monte Carlo (DMC) method are among the most accurate many-body methods for extended systems. Their scaling makes them well suited for defect calculations in solids. We review the various approximations needed for DMC calculations of solids and the results of previous DMC calculations for point defects in solids. Finally, we present estimates of how approximations affect the accuracy of calculations for self-interstitial formation energies in silicon and predict DMC values of 4.4(1), 5.1(1), and 4.7(1) eV for the X, T, and H interstitial defects, respectively, in a 16(+1)-atom supercell.
IS “maintainability”: should it reduce the maintenance effort?

This paper reexamines information system (IS) maintainability and takes a new and inclusive view of it and its effects. It proposes that an IS is maintainable to the extent that its maintenance, operation, and use is economical in its use of resources. A model is offered which puts IS maintainability in the larger developmental context and suggests a number of related propositions. To the question of whether increased maintainability should reduce an organization's maintenance effort, a straightforward analysis leads to what, for some, may be a surprising answer. Where IS maintainability is enhanced, organizations can sometimes be better off by sustaining, not decreasing, their overall maintenance efforts.
Changes in the cholinergic system of rat sciatic nerve and skeletal muscle following suspension-induced disuse.

Abstract Muscle disuse-induced changes in the cholinergic system of sciatic nerve, slow-twitch soleus (SOL), and fast-twitch extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles were studied in rats. Rats with hind limbs suspended for 2 to 3 weeks showed marked elevation in the activity of choline acetyltransferase in sciatic nerve (38%), in the SOL (108%), and in the EDL (67%). Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in the SOL increased 163% without changing the molecular forms pattern of 4S, 10S, 12S, and 16S. No significant (P > 0.05) changes in the activity and molecular forms pattern of AChE were seen in the EDL or in AChE activity of sciatic nerve. Nicotinic receptor binding of [3H]acetylcholine was increased in both muscles. When measured after 3 weeks of hind limb suspension the normal distribution of type I fibers in the SOL (87%) was reduced (to 58%) and a corresponding increase in types IIa and IIb fibers occurred. In the EDL no significant change in fiber proportion was observed. Muscle activity, such as loadbearing, appeared to have a greater controlling influence on the characteristics of the slow-twitch SOL muscle than on the fast-twitch EDL muscle.
An AM1 and DFT‐AM1 computational study of methyl phenylpropiolate addition to 1‐phenyl‐3,4‐dimethylphosphole

The transition state structures for the addition of maleic acid anhydride and methyl phenylpropiolate to 1-phenyl-3,4-dimethylphosphole were generated with the AM1 semiempirical method. The competitive transition state structures for 1,5-phenyl rearrangement in 1-phenyl-3,4-dimethylphosphole was also optimized with AM1. The energies were evaluated with the SVWN and Becke3LYP DFT methods using a 6-31G(d) basis set. The reaction outcome based on the evaluated energies were discussed and compared with experimental observations.
Adult diffuse hepatic hemangiomatosis: a rare cause of dilated cardiomyopathy and sudden cardiac arrest.

A 53-year-old man presented with two months of fatigue and dyspnea on exertion, and was found to have hepatomegaly and hypotension (71/30 mmHg). Initial tests showed lactic acidosis with normal cardiac enzymes. Computed tomography of the abdomen revealed diffuse, hypodense, hepatic lesions without ischemic bowels. Shortly after admission, he developed cardiopulmonary arrest with ventricular fibrillation and expired despite aggressive medical support. Postmortem examination demonstrated dilated cardiomyopathy without coronary artherosclerosis (heart weight 785 g, normal 365 ± 71 g) and hepatomegaly with diffuse hemangiomatosis (liver weight 4,455 g, normal 1,677 ± 396 g, Fig. 1).1 Figure 1. Multiple irregular, well-circumscribed, dark brown lesions (arrow) were seen in the liver parenchyma. The lesions ranged from 0.5-10 cm in greatest dimension. Diffuse hepatic hemangiomatosis is extremely rare.2 The histologic characteristics include dilated vascular channels lined with flat endothelial cells (Fig. 2). The etiologies are poorly understood, though its association with the use of estrogen and metoclopramide has been described.3,4 The two most common causes of death are cardiomyopathy (from massive hepatic arteriovenous shunting) and cirrhosis.5 Surgical resection is an option in selected cases with small lesions without cirrhosis.5,6 Most cases are inoperable because of poor delineation of the tumor border and bleeding risk. Other anecdotal therapies include hepatic artery ligation and radiation.6 Prognosis depends on the area of hepatic involvement and cardiac function. Figure 2. Microscopic examination revealed cavernous vascular spaces (asterisk) separated by thin fibrous septae lined by endothelial cells (arrow). These findings confirmed the diagnosis of hepatic hemangiomatosis.
The auditors are coming: A practical guide for engineering projects

When management informs you that internal or external auditors are on their way to conduct an audit of your project, you may have many questions and, at times, few answers: Why are the auditors coming? Why now? What are they looking for? How long will the audit take? What can we do to prepare? What help will the project receive in responding to the auditors? This presents a description of the typical audit process, a list of do's and don'ts for projects undergoing an audit, how to design basic audit preparations into the project's design, and resources for further information on auditing issues.
Tilted and Crossing Vortex Chains in Layered Superconductors

In presence of the Josephson vortex lattice in layered superconductors, small c-axis magnetic field penetrates in the form of vortex chains. In general, structure of a single chain is determined by the ratio of the London [λ] and Josephson [λJ] lengths, α = λ/λJ. The chain is composed of tilted vortices at large α’s (tilted chain) and at small α’s it consists of crossing array of Josephson vortices and pancake-vortex stacks (crossing chain). We study chain structures at the intermediate α’s and found two types of phase transitions. For α ≲ 0.6 the ground state is given by the crossing chain in a wide range of pancake separations a ≳ [2–3]λJ. However, due to attractive coupling between deformed pancake stacks, the equilibrium separation can not exceed some maximum value depending on the in-plane field and α. The first phase transition takes place with decreasing pancake-stack separation a at a = [1 – 2]λJ, and rather wide range of the ratio α, 0.4 ≲ α ≲ 0.65. With decreasing a, the crossing chain goes through intermediate strongly-deformed configurations and smoothly transforms into the tilted chain via the second-order phase transition. Another phase transition occurs at very small densities of pancake vortices, a ∼ [20 – 30]λJ, and only when α exceeds a certain critical value ∼ 0.5. In this case small c-axis field penetrates in the form of kinks. However, at very small concentration of kinks, the kinked chains are replaced with strongly deformed crossing chains via the first-order phase transition. This transition is accompanied by a very large jump in the pancake density.
Exit Discrimination in the NFL: A Duration Analysis of Career Length

Exit discrimination is defined as the involuntary termination of employment due to racial characteristics holding productivity constant. We test for exit discrimination in the National Football League (NFL) using a panel study on career length. Our analysis focuses on six positional groups: defensive backs, defensive linemen, linebackers, running backs, tight ends and wide receivers. In our analysis, in addition to race, we include performance variables to determine their importance in determining career length. Using both parametric and semi-parametric hazard models, we find no evidence of exit discrimination in the NFL.
Resonance-Narrowed-Lamb-Shift Measurement in Hydrogen, n = 3

A new measurement of the Lamb shift in the $n=3$ state of atomic hydrogen is reported. The experiment was performed in zero magnetic field with a fast hydrogen beam. The radio-frequency spectroscopy measurements were made with both a single oscillating field and two separated oscillating fields. The final result for the Lamb shift was $\mathcal{S}(\mathrm{H}, n=3)=(314.819\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.048)$ MHz. In a further experiment, the separated-oscillating-field technique was used to narrow the resonance so that the linewidth was less than the natural linewidth.
FINE STRUCTURE OF THE ZEROS OF ORTHOGONAL POLYNOMIALS, III. PERIODIC RECURSION COEFFICIENTS

We discuss asymptotics of the zeros of orthogonal polynomials on the real line and on the unit circle when the recursion coefficients are periodic. The zeros on or near the absolutely continuous spectrum have a clock structure with spacings inverse to the density of zeros. Zeros away from the a.c. spectrum have limit points mod p and only finitely many of them.
Divalent beta″-aluminas: High conductivity solid electrolytes for divalent cations

Abstract The Na + content of beta″-alumina can be replaced by a variety of divalent cations in simple ion exchange reactions. The resulting divalent beta″-aluminas are the first family of high conductivity solid electrolytes for divalent cations. Divalent beta″-aluminas which have been prepared so far include conductors of Ca 2+ , Sr 2+ , Ba 2+ , Zn 2+ , Cd 2+ , Pb 2+ , Hg 2+ , and Mn 2+ . Most have conductivities of about 10 -6 (Ω cm) -1 at 40°C and 10 -1 (Ω cm) -1 at 300–400°C. However, the conductivity of Pb 2+ beta″ alumina is 4.6x10 -3 (Ω cm) -1 at 40°C, nearly equal to that of Na + beta″-alumina. Preliminary structures studies indicate that order-disorder reactions among the divalent cations and vacancies in the conduction region of beta″-alumina critically influence conductivity in the structure.
The Frobenius functor and injective modules

We investigate commutative Noetherian rings of prime characteristic such that the Frobenius functor applied to any injective module is again injective. We characterize the class of one-dimensional local rings with this property and show that it includes all one-dimensional F-pure rings.
Use of generalized extreme value covariates to improve estimation of trends and return frequencies for lake levels

One of the most important tools in water management is the accurate forecast of long-term and short-term extreme values for flood and drought conditions. Traditional methods of trend detection are not suited for hydrologic systems while traditional methods of predicting extreme frequencies may be highly inaccurate in lakes. Traditional frequency estimates assume independence from trend or initial stage. However, due to autocorrelation of lake levels, initial stage can greatly influence the severity of an event. This research utilizes the generalized extreme value (GEV) distribution with time and starting stage covariates to more accurately identify trend direction and magnitude and provide improved predictions of flood and drought stages. Traditional methods of predicting flood or drought stages significantly overpredict or underpredict stages depending on the initial stage. Prediction differences can exceed one meter, a substantial amount in regions with flat topography; these differences could result in significant alterations in evacuation plans or other management decisions such as how much lake water to release in preparation for an approaching hurricane, appropriate lake levels to maintain, minimum structure floor elevations and more accurate forecasting of future water supply or impacts to tourism. The methods utilized in this research can be applied globally.
Assay methodology for the quantitation of unbound ertapenem, a new carbapenem antibiotic, in human plasma.

Abstract Ertapenem is a new once-a-day antibiotic with excellent coverage of common community gram negative and gram positive aerobes and anaerobes. It demonstrates nonlinear protein binding in human plasma (about 94% bound). An assay for unbound drug was developed to study the pharmacokinetics of unbound ertapenem in plasma. Unbound drug is separated from plasma samples (1.0 ml) by ultrafiltration using a Centrifree ® centrifugal filter device. Ertapenem (vulnerable to hydrolysis of the beta-lactam moiety) is stabilized in the filtrate by adding an equal volume of 0.1 M MES buffer, pH 6.5 and then is analyzed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with ultraviolet (UV) absorbance detection (300 nm). Non-specific binding to the Centrifree ® device is n =40), respectively. The assay has been used to analyze plasma samples from subjects receiving 500 and 2000 mg i.v. doses of ertapenem (30 min infusion).
The New Quantum Logic

It is shown how all the major conceptual difficulties of standard (textbook) quantum mechanics, including the two measurement problems and the (supposed) nonlocality that conflicts with special relativity, are resolved in the consistent or decoherent histories interpretation of quantum mechanics by using a modified form of quantum logic to discuss quantum properties (subspaces of the quantum Hilbert space), and treating quantum time development as a stochastic process. The histories approach in turn gives rise to some conceptual difficulties, in particular the correct choice of a framework (probabilistic sample space) or family of histories, and these are discussed. The central issue is that the principle of unicity, the idea that there is a unique single true description of the world, is incompatible with our current understanding of quantum mechanics.
Observing the Spin Hall Effect of Light via Quantum Weak Measurements

Using the techniques of “quantum weak-measurements” as a coherent amplification mechanism for small signals, for the first time we have measured the recently proposed “spin Hall effect” of light.
Clinching auctions beyond hard budget constraints

Constraints on agent's ability to pay play a major role in auction design for any setting where the magnitude of financial transactions is sufficiently large. Those constraints have been traditionally modeled in mechanism design as hard budget, i.e., mechanism is not allowed to charge agents more than a certain amount. Yet, real auction systems (such as Google AdWords) allow more sophisticated constraints on agents' ability to pay, such as average budgets. In this work, we investigate the design of Pareto optimal and incentive compatible auctions for agents with constrained quasi-linear utilities, which captures more realistic models of liquidity constraints that the agents may have. Our result applies to a very general class of allocation constraints known as polymatroidal environments, encompassing many settings of interest such as multi-unit auctions, matching markets, video-on demand and advertisement systems. Our design is based Ausubel's clinching framework. Incentive compatibility and feasibility with respect to ability-to-pay constraints are direct consequences of the clinching framework. Pareto-optimality, on the other hand, is considerably more challenging, since the no-trade condition that characterizes it depends not only on whether agents have their budgets exhausted or not, but also on prices {at} which the goods are allocated. In order to get a handle on those prices, we introduce novel concepts of dropping prices and saturation. These concepts lead to our main structural result which is a characterization of the tight sets in the clinching auction outcome and its relation to dropping prices.
Isotope Separation by Laser Deflection of an Atomic Beam

Separation of isotopes of barium has been accomplished by laser deflection of a single isotopic component of an atomic beam. With a tunable narrow linewidth dye laser, small differences in absorption frequency of different barium isotopes on the 6s2 1S0− 6s6p1P1 5536 A resonance were exploited to deflect atoms of a single isotopic component of an atomic beam through an angle large enough to physically separate them from the atomic beam. It is shown that the principal limitation on separation efficiency, the fraction of the desired isotopic component which can be separated, is determined by the branching ratio from the excited state into metastable states. In barium, repeated absorptions and emissions on the 5536 A transition eventually result in decay from the 6s6p1P1 state to the metastable 6s5d1D2 state. This was observed to occur for all but 3% of the138Ba atoms. As a result, the efficiency of separation was about 0.7 for the 8 mrad atomic beam divergence employed. (Throughput was nearly 1 mg/day. No attempt was made to maximize this value.) The isotopic purity of the separated atoms was measured to be in excess of 0.9, limited only by instrumental uncertainty. The effects of near resonant atomic scattering and excitation exchange on isotopic purity are considered.
Insulin Resistance is Associated with Increased Concentrations of NT-proBNP in Rheumatoid Arthritis: IL-6 as a Potential Mediator

We examined the hypothesis that insulin resistance (IR) decreases circulating concentrations of N-terminal (NT)-probrain natriuretic peptide (BNP). Obesity, despite being a risk factor for heart failure (HF), is paradoxically associated with lower concentrations of BNP, a marker of myocardial stress. Low BNP in obesity is postulated to be due to IR; however, it has been difficult to define the role of IR independent of obesity. IR in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is increased, independent of obesity, thus allowing potential mechanistic insights into the relationship between IR and BNP. We measured demographic factors, traditional cardiovascular risk factors, body mass index (BMI), markers of inflammation (interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα)), NT-proBNP, and IR by the homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) in 140 patients with RA and 82 control subjects. Patients with heart failure and coronary artery disease were excluded. We used multiple linear regression models to examine the relationship between HOMA and NT-proBNP in RA and controls and in RA alone, the additional effect of inflammation. As previously reported, NT-proBNP concentrations were higher in RA (median 80.49 pg/mL, IQR (23.67–167.08 pg/mL)) than controls (17.84 pg/mL (3.28–36.28 pg/mL)) (P 2.114, was higher among RA than controls (53 % vs. 15 %, P > 0.001). HOMA was positively correlated with NT-proBNP (rho = 0.226, P = 0.007) in RA, but not in controls (rho = −0.154, P = 0.168). In a multivariable model adjusted for age, race, and sex, we found that increasing HOMA was statistically associated with increasing NT-proBNP concentrations in RA (P = 0.001), but not controls (P = 0.543) (P for interaction = 0.036). In RA subjects, when IL-6 was further included in the model, IL-6 (P = 0.0014), but not HOMA (P = 0.43), remained significantly associated with NT-proBNP, suggesting that IL-6 may be mechanistically involved in the relationship between IR and NT-proBNP in RA. We conclude that in patients with RA, insulin resistance is associated with higher, rather than the expected lower, concentrations of NT-proBNP and that this may be related to increased IL-6.
Evolutionary Theory and Economic Policy with Reference to Sustainability

The policy recommendations of most economists are driven by a view of economic reality embodied in Walrasian general equilibrium theory. Ironically, the Walrasian system has been all but abandoned by leading economic theorists. It has been demonstrated to be theoretically untenable, its basic assumptions about human decision making have been empirically falsified, and it consistently makes poor predictions of economic behavior. The current revolution in welfare economics offers opportunities on two related fronts for an evolutionary perspective on human behavior to reshape economic theory and policy. The first opportunity is to incorporate empirically-based information about human behavior to the study of human wants and their formation. This includes information about the evolution of the genetic component of decision making as well as the cultural dimensions of behavior. Expanding the role of economic analysis beyond stylized market behavior to focus on well-being (real utility) has far-reaching consequences for microeconomic policy. Secondly, abandoning the Walrasian model also means rethinking the microfoundations approach to the economic analysis of sustainability. This opens the door for economists to engage with the growing body of research on the evolution of whole societies. One link between the evolution of human behavior and the evolution of human societies is the psychological phenomenon of considering sunk costs. Understanding and overcoming the sunk cost fallacy may be the key to creating a sustainable society.
Structural constraints in the perception of English stop-sonorant clusters

Native-language phonemes combined in a non-native way can be misperceived so as to conform to native phonotactics, e.g. English listeners are biased to hear syllable-initial [tr] rather than the illegal [tl] (Perception and Psychophysics 34 (1983) 338; Perception and Psychophysics 60 (1998) 941). What sort of linguistic knowledge causes phonotactic perceptual bias? Two classes of models were compared: unit models, which attribute bias to the listener’s differing experience of each cluster (such as their different frequencies), and structure models, which use abstract phonological generalizations (such as a ban on [coronal][coronal] sequences). Listeners (N ¼ 16 in each experiment) judged synthetic 6 £ 6 arrays of stop-sonorant clusters in which both consonants were ambiguous. The effect of the stop judgment on the log odds ratio of the sonorant judgment was assessed separately for each stimulus token to provide a stimulus-independent measure of bias. Experiment 1 compared perceptual bias against the onsets [bw] and [dl], which violate different structural constraints but are both of zero frequency. Experiment 2 compared bias against [dl] in CCV and VCCV contexts, to investigate the interaction of syllabification with segmentism and to rule out a compensation-for-coarticulation account of Experiment 1. Results of both experiments favor the structure models (supported by NSF). q 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Real time edge extraction by active defocusing

A novel edge extraction method that employs an active defocusing technique is presented. The method is based on the principle that a Laplacian of Gaussian(LOG) operator can be well approximated by a Difference of Gaussian(DOG) operation.. While such operation can be done by digital processing, it is more effective to be conducted in a combination of optical and digital processing techniques. In this edge extraction process, a focused image of object in scene is first acquired. Image of the scene is then slightly defocused by changing the focal length of camera lens. Real time subtraction is applied to the defocused and the previously acquired images. It produces a residual image that emphasizes abrupt intensity variations, which are typical of edges in the image. An objective evaluation called edge index is performed on the resulting image. Amount of defocusing is carefully adjusted according to this measurement so that a desired edge image is generated. Boundaries of objects can then be obtained by further enhancement of the edge image. Since this edge detection method is an optical-based process aided by digital processing, it is rather fast and less expansive.
Effects of surface passivation on gliding motility assays.

In this study, we report differences in the observed gliding speed of microtubules dependent on the choice of bovine casein used as a surface passivator. We observed differences in both speed and support of microtubules in each of the assays. Whole casein, comprised of αs1, αs2, β, and κ casein, supported motility and averaged speeds of 966±7 nm/s. Alpha casein can be purchased as a combination of αs1 and αs2 and supported gliding motility and average speeds of 949±4 nm/s. Beta casein did not support motility very well and averaged speeds of 870±30 nm/s. Kappa casein supported motility very poorly and we were unable to obtain an average speed. Finally, we observed that mixing alpha, beta, and kappa casein with the proportions found in bovine whole casein supported motility and averaged speeds of 966±6 nm/s.
Interacting Dark Matter and Dark Energy

We discuss models for the cosmological dark sector in which the energy density of a scalar field approximates Einstein's cosmological constant and the scalar field value determines the dark matter particle mass by a Yukawa coupling. A model with one dark matter family can be adjusted so the observational constraints on the cosmological parameters are close to but different from what is predicted by the ΛCDM model. This may be a useful aid to judging how tightly the cosmological parameters are constrained by the new generation of cosmological tests that depend on the theory of structure formation. In a model with two families of dark matter particles the scalar field may be locked to near zero mass for one family. This can suppress the long-range scalar force in the dark sector and eliminate evolution of the effective cosmological constant and the mass of the nonrelativistic dark matter particles, making the model close to ΛCDM, until the particle number density becomes low enough to allow the scalar field to evolve. This is a useful example of the possibility for complexity in the dark sector.
A note on the assignment problem with uniform preferences

Motivated by a problem of scheduling unit-length jobs with weak preferences over time-slots, the random assignment problem is considered on a uniform preference domain. It is shown that the natural extension of the probabilistic serial mechanism to the domain of weak, but uniform, preferences fails strategy-proofness, but so does every other mechanism that is ordinally efficient and treats equals equally. If envy-free assignments are required, any ex-post efficient (probabilistic or deterministic) mechanism must fail even a weak form of strategy-proofness.
Room-Temperature C–H Arylation: Merger of Pd-Catalyzed C–H Functionalization and Visible-Light Photocatalysis

This communication describes the development of a room-temperature ligand-directed C–H arylation reaction using aryldiazonium salts. This was achieved by the successful merger of palladium-catalyzed C–H functionalization and visible-light photoredox catalysis. The new method is general for a variety of directing groups and tolerates many common functional groups.
Higher-order failure probability calculation using nonlinear approximations

Use of approximations for calculating the structural failure probability under uncertainties is a necessary aspect. But efficient use of suitable approximations at different stages of reliability prediction and design makes this valuable tool practical for many large scale structures. The objective of this paper is to address the modern approximation concepts and their utility in structural reliability estimation. Emphasis is placed on building the higher order approximations using intervening variables to closely represent the nonlinear limit state functions. The most probable failure point (MPP) search can be carried either in X-space or U-space for a wide variety of random variable distributions. Several test problems with highly nonlinear performance functions are used to demonstrate the accuracy of the proposed method.
Higher-order nonlinearity of refractive index: The case of argon

The nonlinear coefficients, n4, of the time-dependent refractive index for argon are calculated in the non-resonant optical regime. Second-order polynomial fitting of DC-Kerr, γ((2))(-ω; ω, 0, 0), electric field induced second harmonic generation (ESHG), γ((2))(-2ω; ω, ω, 0), and static second-order hyperpolarizability, γ((2))(0; 0, 0, 0), is performed using an auxiliary electric field approach to obtain the corresponding fourth-order optical properties. A number of basis sets are investigated for the fourth-order hyperpolarizability processes at 800 nm at coupled cluster singles and doubles level of theory, starting with the t-aug-cc-pV5Z basis set and expanding that basis set by adding diffuse functions and polarization functions. Comparison shows that the results obtained with the t-aug-cc-pV5Z basis are in very good agreement with the results obtained using the q-aug-cc-pV5Z, t-aug-cc-pV6Z, and q-aug-cc-pV6Z basis sets. To calculate the nonlinear refractive index n4, an approximate formula is suggested which expresses the related degenerate six-wave mixing coefficient, γ((4))(-ω; ω, -ω, ω, -ω, ω), in terms of the DC-Kerr, γ((4))(-ω; ω, 0, 0, 0, 0), ESHG, γ((4))(-2ω; ω, ω, 0, 0, 0), and the static fourth-order hyperpolarizability coefficients. The higher-order nonlinear refractive index n4 is found to be positive over the wavelengths 300 nm-2000 nm. In the infrared spectral range, the obtained values of n4 are in qualitative agreement with the results of Kramers-Kronig-based calculations.
Influence of protons on Fe-Mg interdiffusion in olivine

[1] We report the experimental measurement of Fe-Mg interdiffusivity in olivine along the [001] crystallographic direction in a water-saturated environment at pressures of 0.1 to 6 GPa and temperatures between 1373 and 1450 K. The concentration of water-derived protons in olivine was controlled by varying the water fugacity. The oxygen fugacity was set by the Ni-NiO solid state reaction, while the activity of silica was controlled by the presence of orthopyroxene. In this work, we report diffusivity as a function of temperature, pressure, and water fugacity following the relation Fe–Mg = exp [−(Q + PV*)/RT] m2s−1, where log(Do) = (−14.8 ± 2.7), r = 0.9 ± 0.3, Q = 220 ± 60 kJ/mol, and V* = (16 ± 6) × 10−6m3/mol. The approximately linear increase in diffusivity with increasing water fugacity is consistent with incorporation of protons associated with octahedral cation vacancies to form defect complexes. Our results indicate that cation diffusion in water-saturated olivine is ∼50 times faster than under water-absent conditions at a pressure of 5 GPa and a temperature of 1373 K.
Soil‐freezing and forest‐cover

An important though little-investigated problem is the relationship of soil-freezing to forest-cover. With the idea of determining some of the phases of soil-freezing under different cover-conditions, measurements of depth of frost in the ground were undertaken at the Gale River Experimental Forest in northern New Hampshire. In agreement with the exploratory character of this study, no attempt was made to analyze statistically the correlation between the depth of frost in the ground and the individual factors affecting soil-freezing. Any definite trends, however, were noted and additional measurements taken in order to throw some light on the influence of some of the important factors. The study was initiated in the fall of 1937. On three 0.1-acre plots established in the spruce flat and spruce swamp types and in an open field, measurements of frost-depth were continued for three successive winters. In 1939 two additional plots, one in a fir flat, the other in a northern hardwoods type, were established and measurements continued through the winter of 1939–40. In addition to measurements on these plots, numerous borings were made in surrounding areas differing from the sample areas in drainage and soil-texture. Most of the measurements were taken with a frozen-soil boring tool developed especially for this purpose by B. C. Goodell.
Oxidation reactions of a 1-phosphadiene: Synthesis of phosphacyclobutenes

Oxidation of the 1-phosphadiene, R2N-PCR-CHCHR (1:R=SiMe3), with Me3SiN3 is accompanied by ring-closure to yield the novel phosphacyclobutene, R2N-P(NR)-CRCH-CHR (2). A structuralisomer of 2 [i.e., R2N-P(NR)-CHCR-CHR(6)] is obtained via the cycloaddition of Me3SiCCH with the (methylene) phosphorane, R2N-P(=NR)=CHR(5). Treatment of 1 with an excess of elemental sulfur affords the disulfide,R2N-P(=S)-S-CR-CHCHR (3), from which removal of one sulfur atom (with Ph3P) results in a rearrangement to another 4-membered ring, R2N-P(=S)-CR=CH-CHR (4).
Rapidity asymmetry in high-energy d+A collisions

Abstract In contrast to the recent prediction of high p T hadron suppression within the parton saturation model, it is shown that multiple parton scattering suffered by the projectile will enhance high p T hadron spectra in d + A collisions relative to a superposition of binary p + p collisions at RHIC. A stronger enhancement in the forward rapidity region of the projectile is also predicted, resulting in a unique rapidity asymmetry of the hadron spectra at high p T . The shape of the rapidity asymmetry should be reversed for low p T hadrons that are dominated by soft and coherent interactions which suppress hadron spectra in the projectile rapidity region. The phenomenon at the LHC energies is shown to be qualitatively different because of parton shadowing.
Spectrophotometry of Michigan-Tololo quasars.

Emission-line quasar characteristics are confirmed for 80% of the objects observed, including at least four new quasars with spectral features indicative of supernova-like outflow. Approximately 73% of the redshifts predicted from the discovery plates are found accurate with a mean error in z of 0.03, and a large range of z (from about 0.1 to 3.16) is represented in the sample. The observed redshift distribution for quasars is marginally consistent with a constant co-moving quasar density above z approximately 2.0. The shape of the redshift distribution may be used as an isotropy probe with a cosmic time resolution of a few times one-hundred million years in the early universe; therefore, continued surveys of this sort are important even if accurate magnitudes are not determined.
Electromagnetic time-domain calculations in two and three dimensions☆

Abstract For some time, computer codes have been available for time-domain calculations of the beam-induced electromagnetic fields in axially symmetric structures (two dimensions). Recently, these codes have been extended to three-dimensional geometries. Time-domain calculations are complementary to frequency-domain calculations in accelerator designs and represent a better approach in some areas. Some of these areas will be reviewed in this paper and an introduction to the computer codes will be given.
Performance of bandit methods in acoustic relay positioning

We consider the problem of maximizing underwater acoustic data transmission, by adaptively positioning a mobile relay. This is a classic exploration vs. exploitation scenario well-described by a multi-armed bandit formulation, which in its canonical form is optimally solved by the Gittins index rule. For an ocean vehicle traveling between distant waypoints, however, switching costs are significant, and the MAB with switching costs has no optimal index policy. To address this we have developed a strong adaptation of the Gittins index rule that employs limited-horizon enumeration. We describe autonomous shallow-water field experiments conducted in the Charles River (Boston, MA) with unmanned vehicles and acoustic modems, and compare the performance of different algorithms. Our switching-costs-aware MAB heuristic offers both superior real-time performance in decision-making and efficient learning of the unknown field.