cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Financial Characteristics of North Dakota Farms 2006-2007

The performance of over 500 North Dakota farms, 2006-2007, is summarized using 16 financial measures. Farms are categorized by geographic region, farm type, farm size, gross cash sales, farm tenure, net farm income, debt-to-asset, and age of farmer to analyze relationships between financial performance and farm characteristics. Five-year averages, 2002-2006, and farm financial trends for the 1998-2007 period are also presented. In 2007, median and average acreage per farm was 2,000 and 2,478, respectively. Median and average cash farm revenue was $353,252 and $458,843, respectively. Over 70% of farms were crop farms and nearly one-third of farms had gross sales exceeding $500,000. Median age of farm operators was 47. Every financial measure for 2007 was much superior to in any other year for the 1998-2007 period. The highest median net farm income was $127,791 in 2007, followed by $49,181 in 2003. The lowest was $19,491 in 1998. The Red River Valley and crop farms typically had stronger profitability, solvency, and repayment capacity from 1998 to 2007 than other regions and farm types, respectively. Exceptions were 2007 when the central regions had the best regional performance and 2005 when the south central region and livestock farms had better performance. The 2007 and 2006 median net farm income for crop farms was $171,838 and $53,642, respectively, compared to only $25,531and $6,150 for livestock farms. Farms with sales less than $100,000 were over twice as likely to have debt-to-asset higher than 70 percent than were farms with sales greater than $500,000. Farms that own some crop land, but less than 40 percent were more likely to be crop farms, farm more acreage, have larger sales, and be more profitable. As expected, solvency and percent of crop land owned increased with farmer age. In 1999, 2000, 2003, 2004 and 2007 the rate of return on equity exceeded the rate of return on assets, which indicates that debt capital was employed profitably. Interest expense as a percent of gross revenue declined in 2007 because of a sharp increase in gross revenue, after increasing in 2005 and 2006 because of higher debt and interest rates.
The F-theory geometry with most flux vacua

Applying the Ashok-Denef-Douglas estimation method to elliptic Calabi-Yau fourfolds suggests that a single elliptic fourfold $$ {\mathrm{\mathcal{M}}}_{\max } $$ gives rise to $$ \mathcal{O}\left({10}^{272,000}\right) $$ F-theory flux vacua, and that the sum total of the numbers of flux vacua from all other F-theory geometries is suppressed by a relative factor of $$ \mathcal{O}\left({10}^{-3000}\right) $$ . The fourfold $$ {\mathrm{\mathcal{M}}}_{\max } $$ arises from a generic elliptic fibration over a specific toric threefold base B max, and gives a geometrically non-Higgsable gauge group of E 8 9 × F 4 8 × (G 2 × SU(2))16, of which we expect some factors to be broken by G-flux to smaller groups. It is not possible to tune an SU(5) GUT group on any further divisors in $$ {\mathrm{\mathcal{M}}}_{\max } $$ , or even an SU(2) or SU(3), so the standard model gauge group appears to arise in this context only from a broken E 8 factor. The results of this paper can either be interpreted as providing a framework for predicting how the standard model arises most naturally in F-theory and the types of dark matter to be found in a typical F-theory compactification, or as a challenge to string theorists to explain why other choices of vacua are not exponentially unlikely compared to F-theory compactifications on $$ {\mathrm{\mathcal{M}}}_{\max } $$ .
Minimum variance control structure for adaptive optics systems

The adaptive optics minimum variance control problem is formulated as a linear-quadratic-Gaussian optimization. The formulation incorporates the wavefront sensor frame integration in discrete-time models of the deformable mirror and incident wavefront. It shows that, under nearly ideal conditions, the resulting minimum variance controller approaches the integral controller commonly used in adaptive optics systems. The inputs to the controller dynamics are obtained from a reconstructor with the maximum a posteriori structure that uses the estimation error covariance of the wavefront error. The ideal conditions assumed to obtain the integral controller are as follows; isotropic first-order (but nonstationary) temporal atmospheric aberrations, no computational loop delay, and no deformable mirror dynamics. The effects of variations in these conditions are examined.
Tensor ideals and varieties for modules of quantum elementary abelian groups

In a previous paper we constructed rank and support variety theories for "quantum elementary abelian groups," that is, tensor products of copies of Taft algebras. In this paper we use both variety theories to classify the thick tensor ideals in the stable module category, and to prove a tensor product property for the support varieties.
NONLINEAR FLAME TRANSFER FUNCTION CHARACTERISTICS IN A SWIRL- STABILIZED COMBUSTOR

An understanding of the amplitude dependence of the flame response to acoustic excitation is required in order to predict and/or correlate combustion instability amplitudes. This paper describes an experimental investigation of the nonlinear response of a lean, premixed flame to imposed acoustic oscillations. Detailed measurements of the amplitude dependence of the flame response were obtained at approximately 100 test points, corresponding to different flow rates and forcing frequencies. It is observed that the nonlinear flame response can exhibit a variety of behaviors, both in the shape of the response curve and the forcing amplitude at which nonlinearity is first observed. The phase between the flow oscillation and heat release is also seen to have substantial amplitude dependence. The nonlinear flame dynamics appear to be governed by different mechanisms in different frequency and flowrate regimes. These mechanisms were investigated using phase-locked, two- dimensional OH Planar laser-induced fluorescence imaging. From these images, two mechanisms, vortex rollup and unsteady flame liftoff, are identified as important in the saturation of the flame’s response to large velocity oscillations. Both mechanisms appear to reduce the flame’s area and thus its response at these high levels of driving. DOI: 10.1115/1.2720545
A Market-Specific Methodology for a Commercial Building Energy Performance Index

The scaling of energy efficiency initiatives in the commercial building sector has been hampered by data limitations, information asymmetries, and benchmarking methodologies that do not adequately model patterns of energy consumption, nor provide accurate measures of relative energy performance. The reliance on simple metrics, such as Energy Use Intensity (EUI), fails to account for significant variation across occupancy, construction characteristics and other elements of a building – both its design and its users – that influence building energy consumption. Using a unique dataset of actual building energy use, physical, spatial, and occupancy characteristics – collected from New York City’s Local Law 84 energy disclosure database, the Primary Land Use Tax Lot Output (PLUTO) database, and the CoStar Group – this paper analyzes energy consumption across commercial office buildings and presents a new methodology for a market-specific benchmarking model to measure relative energy performance across peer buildings. A robust predictive model is developed to normalize across multiple building characteristics and to provide the basis for a multivariate energy performance index. The paper concludes with recommendations for data collection standards, computational approaches for building energy disclosure data, and targeted policies using k-means clustering and market segmentation.
Agent-based simulation of distribution systems with high penetration of photovoltaic generation

This paper discusses the development of an agent-based test bed permitting the integrated study of retail and wholesale power markets operating over realistically rendered transmission and distribution systems. A key issue to be addressed using this test bed is the dynamic effect of increased penetration of consumer-owned distributed energy resources, such as PV generation, particularly when coupled with increased price-sensitivity of demand as realized through demand response, demand dispatch, and/or price-sensitive demand bidding.
Synthesis of new indeno[1,2-c]isoquinolines: cytotoxic non-camptothecin topoisomerase I inhibitors.

In an attempt to design and synthesize potential anticancer agents acting by inhibition of topoisomerase I (top1), a new series of indenoisoquinolines was prepared and tested for cytotoxicity in human cancer cell cultures and for activity against top1. The synthesis relied on the condensation of substituted Schiff bases with homophthalic anhydrides to produce cis-3-aryl-4-carboxyisoquinolones that were cyclized to indenoisoquinolines in the presence of thionyl chloride. Both top1 inhibitory activity and cytotoxicity maximized in a single compound, 6-[3-(2-hydroxyethyl)aminopropyl]-5,6-dihydro-2,3-dimethoxy-8,9-methylenedioxy-5,11-dioxo-11H-indeno[1,2-c]isoquinoline hydrochloride (19a), which proved to be a very potent top1 inhibitor having a 110 nM mean graph midpoint (MGM) when tested for cytotoxicity in 55 human cancer cell cultures. A number of structurally related indenoisoquinolines were also obtained that had both potent cytotoxicity as well as top1 inhibitory activity. The key feature of the more p...
Paternalistic Leadership: A Review and Agenda for Future Research

The growing interest in paternalistic leadership research has led to a recent proliferation of diverse definitions and perspectives, as well as a limited number of empirical studies. Consequently, the diversity of perspectives has resulted in conceptual ambiguities, as well as contradictory empirical findings. In this article, the authors review research on paternalistic leadership in an effort to assess the current state of the literature. They investigate the construct of paternalistic leadership and review the findings related to its outcomes and antecedents as well as the various measurement scales used in paternalistic leadership research. On the basis of this review, the article concludes with an agenda for future theoretical and empirical research on this emerging and intriguing new area for leadership research.
Coevolution (Or Not) of Supermassive Black Holes and Host Galaxies

Supermassive black holes (BHs) have been found in 85 galaxies by dynamical modeling of spatially resolved kinematics. The Hubble Space Telescope revolutionized BH research by advancing the subject from its proof-of-concept phase into quantitative studies of BH demographics. Most influential was the discovery of a tight correlation between BH mass and the velocity dispersion σ of the bulge component of the host galaxy. Together with similar correlations with bulge luminosity and mass, this led to the widespread belief that BHs and bulges coevolve by regulating each other's growth. Conclusions based on one set of correlations from in brightest cluster ellipticals to in the smallest galaxies dominated BH work for more than a decade. New results are now replacing this simple story with a richer and more plausible picture in which BHs correlate differently with different galaxy components. A reasonable aim is to use this progress to refine our understanding of BH-galaxy coevolution. BHs with masses of 105−106M...
Texture analysis of speckle in optical coherence tomography images of tissue phantoms

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an imaging modality capable of acquiring cross-sectional images of tissue using back-reflected light. Conventional OCT images have a resolution of 10–15 µm, and are thus best suited for visualizing tissue layers and structures. OCT images of collagen (with and without endothelial cells) have no resolvable features and may appear to simply show an exponential decrease in intensity with depth. However, examination of these images reveals that they display a characteristic repetitive structure due to speckle.The purpose of this study is to evaluate the application of statistical and spectral texture analysis techniques for differentiating living and non-living tissue phantoms containing various sizes and distributions of scatterers based on speckle content in OCT images. Statistically significant differences between texture parameters and excellent classification rates were obtained when comparing various endothelial cell concentrations ranging from 0 cells/ml to 25 million cells/ml. Statistically significant results and excellent classification rates were also obtained using various sizes of microspheres with concentrations ranging from 0 microspheres/ml to 500 million microspheres/ml. This study has shown that texture analysis of OCT images may be capable of differentiating tissue phantoms containing various sizes and distributions of scatterers.
How to Lose a Bond in Two Ways The Diradical/Zwitterion Dichotomy in Cycloaromatization Reactions

Cycloaromatization reactions decouple two electrons by breaking two π bonds to form only one σ bond and illustrate one of the most common mechanistic dichotomies in chemistry, namely the two ways of breaking a chemical bond: Zwitterionic or diradical. With a suitable choice of reaction conditions, substitution patterns, and catalysts, cycloaromatization processes can be redirected from the usual formation of a diradical towards a variety of zwitterionic pathways. This review illustrates the practical approaches for directing zwitterionic cycloaromatization reactions and lays the mechanistic foundations for the further development of this emerging field.
Retiming and resynthesis: optimizing sequential networks with combinational techniques

Sequential networks contain combinational logic blocks separated by registers. Application of combinational logic minimization techniques to the separate logic block results in improvement that is restricted by the placement of the registers; information about logical dependencies between blocks separated by registers is not utilized. Temporarily moving all the registers to the periphery of a network provides the combinational logic minimization tools with a global view of the logic. A technique is proposed for optimizing a sequential network by moving the registers to the boundary of the network using an extension of retiming, resynthesizing the combinational logic between the registers using existing logic minimization techniques, and replacing the registers throughout the network using retiming algorithms. >
Risk transfer via energy-savings insurance

Among the key barriers to investment in energy efficiency are uncertainties about attaining projected energy savings and potential disputes over stipulated savings. The fields of energy management and risk management are thus intertwined. While many technical methods have emerged to manage performance risks (e.g. building diagnostics and commissioning), financial methods are less developed in the energy management arena than in other segments of the economy. Energy-savings insurance (ESI)—formal insurance of predicted energy savings—transfers and spreads both types of risk over a larger pool of energy efficiency projects and reduces barriers to market entry of smaller energy service firms who lack sufficiently strong balance sheets to self-insure the savings. ESI encourages those implementing energy-saving projects to go beyond standard measures and thereby achieve more significant levels of energy savings. Insurance providers are proponents of improved savings measurement and verification techniques, as well as maintenance, thereby contributing to national energy-saving objectives. If properly applied, ESI can potentially reduce the net cost of energy-saving projects by reducing the interest rates charged by lenders, and by increasing the level of savings through quality control. Governmental agencies have been pioneers in the use of ESI and could continue to play a role. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.
Radiation Detection: Resistivity Responses in Functional Poly(Olefin Sulfone)/Carbon Nanotube Composites

Detection and dosimetry of ionizing radiation are crucial in several fields such as energy, national security, biological and nuclear research, and in other advanced applications such as monitoring the attrition of materials in space travel. The most common systems for the detection and dosimetry of ionizing radiation usually have one or several of the following drawbacks: incapability to produce a real-time signal, expensive and/or complicated manufacturing, need for operation at low temperatures, low sensitivity to non-charged radiation, or voluminous size. Although organic materials present the advantages of being easily processed, synthetic versatility, and relatively low cost, deployment of organic systems as small size ionizing radiation detectors and dosimeters has been traditionally limited to the detection of charged particles, owing to the low gamma ray cross sections of elements incorporated in these molecules. We report herein a new sensing scheme that is not based on scintillation or charge generation in semiconductors. Our sensing mechanism (Figure 1) makes use of a polymer/multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) blend for the detection of gamma rays, capable of producing a real-time signal at room temperature, composed of relatively inexpensive starting materials, with nearly zero cost of operation and a small size. In our system, the conducting MWCNTs form a percolated network and are partially isolated from each other in a non-conductive polymeric matrix. The turn-on detection mechanism is as follows: upon irradiation of the composite, ionization induces depolymerization of the matrix follows, creating a lower resistance connection between the MWCNTs. The depolymerization creates amplification and large changes in the electrical properties of the composite, increasing its conductivity, which can be detected via amperometry (measurement over time of the current intensity, I, between two electrodes at a constant potential, V). For the aforementioned sensing scheme to work, the following requirements need to be met: a) the polymer must degrade rapidly upon ionization, b) the MWCNTs must be initially well dispersed in the polymeric matrix, Figure 1. Sensor design showing a) a low conductance device where the CNTs are wrapped with non-conducting POSs, which upon ionization develops b) interconnected nanocircuitry and a higher conductance.
Bayesian Model Averaging and exchange rate forecasts

Abstract Exchange rate forecasting is hard and the seminal result of Meese and Rogoff [Meese, R., Rogoff, K., 1983. Empirical exchange rate models of the seventies: Do they fit out of sample? Journal of International Economics 14, 3–24] that the exchange rate is well approximated by a driftless random walk, at least for prediction purposes, still stands despite much effort at constructing other forecasting models. However, in several other macro and financial forecasting applications, researchers in recent years have considered methods for forecasting that effectively combine the information in a large number of time series. In this paper, I apply one such method for pooling forecasts from several different models, Bayesian Model Averaging, to the problem of pseudo out-of-sample exchange rate predictions. For most currency–horizon pairs, the Bayesian Model Averaging forecasts using a sufficiently high degree of shrinkage, give slightly smaller out-of-sample mean square prediction error than the random walk benchmark. The forecasts generated by this model averaging methodology are however very close to, but not identical to, those from the random walk forecast.
Remarks on the McKay Conjecture

The McKay Conjecture (MC) asserts the existence of a bijection between the (inequivalent) complex irreducible representations of degree coprime to p (p a prime) of a finite group G and those of the subgroup N, the normalizer of Sylow p-subgroup. In this paper we observe that MC implies the existence of analogous bijections involving various pairs of algebras, including certain crossed products, and that MC is equivalent to the analogous statement for (twisted) quantum doubles. Using standard conjectures in orbifold conformal field theory, MC is equivalent to parallel statements about holomorphic orbifolds V G , V N . There is a uniform formulation of MC covering these different situations which involves quantum dimensions of objects in pairs of ribbon fusion categories.
The theory of the nucleon spin

I discuss two topics of current interest in the study of the spin structure of the nucleon. First, I discuss whether there is a sum rule for the components of the nucleon's angular moments. Second, I discuss the measurement of the nucleon's transversity distribution in light of recent results reported by the HERMES collaboration at DESY.
L-shape 2-dimensional arrival angle estimation with propagator method

It is known that computational loads of the propagator method (PM) can be significantly smaller, e.g., one or two order, than those of MUSIC and ESPRIT because the PM does not require any eigenvalue decomposition (EVD) of the cross-correlation matrix and singular value decomposition (SVD) of the received data. However, the PM of the parallel shape array has nonnegligible drawbacks such as 1) requirement of pair matching between the 2-D azimuth and elevation angle estimation which is an exhaustive search and 2) estimation failure problems when elevation angles are between 70/spl deg/ and 90/spl deg/. The purpose of this paper is to show a way to remove these problems in the PM without additional computational loads. This paper will employ one or two L-shape arrays because the parallel shape used in the PM may cause the aforesaid problems. Simulation results verify that the PM with one or two L-shape configurations can remove these problems and improve the performance of the PM significantly, e.g., almost 5 dB in signal to noise ratio for the parameters used in this paper.
Inelastic constitutive properties and shear localization in Tennessee marble

The inelastic response of Tennessee marble is modelled by an elastic plastic constitutive relation that includes pressure dependence of yield, strain-softening and inelastic volume strain (dilatancy). Data from 12 axisymmetric compression tests at confining pressures from 0 to 100 MPa are used to determine the dependence of the yield function and plastic potential, which are different, on the first and second stress invariants and the accumulated inelastic shear strain. Because the data requires that the strain at peak stress depends on the mean stress, the locus of peak stresses is neither a yield surface nor a failure envelope, as is often assumed. Based on the constitutive model and Rudnicki and Rice criterion, localization is not predicted to occur in axisymmetric compression although faulting is observed in the tests. The discrepancy is likely due to the overly stiff response of a smooth yield surface model to abrupt changes in the pattern of straining. The constitutive model determined from the axisymmetric compression data describes well the variation of the in-plane stress observed in a plane strain experiment. The out-of-plane stress is not modelled well, apparently because the inelastic normal strain in this direction is overpredicted. In plane strain, localization is predicted to occur close to peak stress, in good agreement with the experiment. Observation of localization on the rising portion of the stress–strain curve in plane strain does not, however, indicate prepeak localization. Because of the rapid increase of mean stress in plane strain, the stress–strain curve can be rising while the shear stress versus shear strain curve at constant mean stress is falling (negative hardening modulus). Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cloud-tracked winds for the first Mars Global Surveyor mapping year

We have measured winds using cloud motion in consecutive Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) wide-angle global map swaths taken during the first mapping year (L s 135°–360°–111°). We present a total of ∼11,200 wind vectors collected in the north polar region during L_s 135°–195° (late summer/early fall) and L_s 20°–55° (mid spring) and in the south polar region during L_s 337°–10° (late summer/early fall). For cases with good coverage, we also present the derived mean zonal and meridional winds and the associated eddies. The speed of the zonal winds in 60°N–70°N increases at ∼0.6 m/s/°L_s in late northern summer, and that in 60°S–70°S increases at a rate of ∼0.7 m/s/°L_s in late southern summer. The latitudinal distribution of zonal wind within 50°N–75°N from mid northern summer to early northern fall indicates that winds at higher latitudes are generally weaker than those at lower latitudes, but the rate of increase with time is faster at higher latitudes. There is a cyclonic gyre in the 90°W–0°–30°E sector in the north polar region. There are large-scale waves in the weekly mean meridional wind and in the biweekly mean eddy momentum flux and eddy kinetic energy fields in the north polar region from mid to late summer. The cloud-tracked winds in the north are generally consistent with winds calculated by general circulation model at the water condensation level derived from MGS Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES) observations but appear stronger than the gradient winds derived from TES assuming no flow at the surface.
Kinky beam paths inside photorefractive crystals

Beam paths inside photorefractive crystals under conditions of beam fanning or self-pumped conjugation that uses crystal corners are often kinky—i.e., they consist of short, straight line segments as opposed to smoothly curved paths. We show that kinky paths occur naturally when the beam-coupling equations including noise source terms are solved to all Bragg orders without phase-matching approximations. Higher-order gratings arise in high-gain two-wave mixing without noise but are apparently unobservable because fanning always dominates in real crystals. In the presence of noise and fanning the residual signature of the higher-order gratings is kinky beam paths.
Equality and hashing for (almost) free: Generating implementations from abstraction functions

In an object-oriented language such as Java, every class requires implementations of two special methods, one for determining equality and one for computing hash codes. Although the specification of these methods is usually straightforward, they can be hard to code (due to subclassing, delegation, cyclic references, and other factors) and often harbor subtle faults. A technique is presented that simplifies this task. Instead of writing code for the methods, the programmer gives, as a brief annotation, an abstraction function that defines an abstract view of an object's representation, and sometimes an additional observer in the form of an iterator method. Equality and hash codes are then computed in library code that uses reflection to read the annotations. Experiments on a variety of programs suggest that, in comparison to writing the methods by hand, our technique requires less text from the programmer and results in methods that are more often correct.
Divorce in contemporary Japan

Data from the 1985-86 Japanese census are analysed to explore the determinants of the divorce rates in Japan's forty-seven prefectures, using two theoretical models: (a) the social integration model, which is shown to have a greater utility in predicting Japanese divorce levels than (b), the human capital model. Female emigration patterns play a significant role in affecting the divorce rate. Population increase and net household income are also important predictors of the Japanese divorce rate and urbanization has a great influence in modern Japan. Demographic and aggregate variables such as migration, urbanization, and socioeconomic factors are useful when organized under a social integration model.
A theory and methodology of inductive learning

The presented theory views inductive learning as a heuristic search through a space of symbolic descriptions, generated by an application of various inference rules to the initial observational statements. The inference rules include generalization rules, which perform generalizing transformations on descriptions, and conventional truth-preserving deductive rules. The application of the inference rules to descriptions is constrained by problem background knowledge, and guided by criteria evaluating the “quality” of generated inductive assertions.
An Improved Algorithm for Adaptive Processing

The Widrow-Hoff least mean square (LMS) algorithm based on the method of steepest descent is conditionally stable. A modified algorithm is given which is unconditionally stable, capable of better performance when used in adaptive filter processing, and provides a more realistic means for simulating the Applebaum-Howells adaptive loop.
Catalyst-Controlled Stereoselective Olefin Metathesis as a Principal Strategy in Multistep Synthesis Design: A Concise Route to (+)-Neopeltolide†

Molybdenum-, tungsten-, and ruthenium-based complexes that control the stereochemical outcome of olefin metathesis reactions have been recently introduced. However, the complementary nature of these systems through their combined use in multistep complex molecule synthesis has not been illustrated. A concise diastereo- and enantioselective route that furnishes the anti-proliferative natural product neopeltolide is now disclosed. Catalytic transformations are employed to address every stereochemical issue. Among the featured processes are an enantioselective ring-opening/cross-metathesis promoted by a Mo monoaryloxide pyrrolide (MAP) complex and a macrocyclic ring-closing metathesis that affords a trisubstituted alkene and is catalyzed by a Mo bis(aryloxide) species. Furthermore, Z-selective cross-metathesis reactions, facilitated by Mo and Ru complexes, have been employed in the stereoselective synthesis of the acyclic dienyl moiety of the target molecule.
Foundations of Dominant-Strategy Mechanisms

Wilson (1987) criticizes applied game theory's reliance on common-knowledge as- sumptions. In reaction to Wilson's critique, the recent literature of mechanism design has adopted the goal of finding detail-free mechanisms in order to eliminate this re- liance. In practice this has meant restricting attention to simple mechanisms such as dominant strategy mechanisms. However there has been little theoretical foundation for this approach. In particular it is not clear the search for an optimal mechanism that does not rely on common-knowledge assumption would lead to simpler mechanisms rather than more complicated ones. This paper tries to fill the void. In the context of an expected revenue maximizing auctioneer, we investigate some foundations for using simple, dominant-strategy auctions.
Exposure to food advertising on television: associations with children's fast food and soft drink consumption and obesity.

A B S T R A C T There is insufficient research on the direct effects of food advertising on children’s diet and diet-related health, particularly in non-experimental settings. We employ a nationallyrepresentative sample from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Survey–Kindergarten Cohort (ECLS-K) and the Nielsen Company data on spot television advertising of cereals, fast food restaurants and soft drinks to children across the top 55 designated-market areas to estimate the relation between exposure to food advertising on television and children’s food consumption and body weight. Our results suggest that soft drink and fast food television advertising is associated with increased consumption of soft drinks and fast food among elementary school children (Grade 5). Exposure to 100 incremental TV ads for sugar-sweetened carbonated soft drinks during 2002–2004 was associated with a 9.4% rise in children’s consumption of soft drinks in 2004. The same increase in exposure to fast food advertising was associated with a 1.1% rise in children’s consumption of fast food. There was no detectable link between advertising exposure and average body weight, but fast food advertising was significantly associated with body mass index for overweight and obese children (85th BMI percentile), revealing detectable effects for a vulnerable group of children. Exposure to advertising for calorie-dense nutrient-poor foods may increase overall consumption of unhealthy food categories.
Pricing Options in Jump-Diffusion Models: An Extrapolation Approach

We propose a new computational method for the valuation of options in jump-diffusion models. The option value function for European and barrier options satisfies a partial integrodifferential equation (PIDE). This PIDE is commonly integrated in time by implicit-explicit (IMEX) time discretization schemes, where the differential (diffusion) term is treated implicitly, while the integral (jump) term is treated explicitly. In particular, the popular IMEX Euler scheme is first-order accurate in time. Second-order accuracy in time can be achieved by using the IMEX midpoint scheme. In contrast to the above approaches, we propose a new high-order time discretization scheme for the PIDE based on the extrapolation approach to the solution of ODEs that also treats the diffusion term implicitly and the jump term explicitly. The scheme is simple to implement, can be added to any PIDE solver based on the IMEX Euler scheme, and is remarkably fast and accurate. We demonstrate our approach on the examples of Merton's and Kou's jump-diffusion models, the diffusion-extended variance gamma model, as well as the two-dimensional Duffie-Pan-Singleton model with correlated and contemporaneous jumps in the stock price and its volatility. By way of example, pricing a one-year double-barrier option in Kou's jump-diffusion model, our scheme attains accuracy of 10-5 in 72 time steps (in 0.05 seconds). In contrast, it takes the first-order IMEX Euler scheme more than 1.3 million time steps (in 873 seconds) and the second-order IMEX midpoint scheme 768 time steps (in 0.49 seconds) to attain the same accuracy. Our scheme is also well suited for Bermudan options. Combining simplicity of implementation and remarkable gains in computational efficiency, we expect this method to be very attractive to financial engineering modelers.
A survey of techniques for energy efficient on-chip communication

Interconnects have been shown to be a dominant source of energy consumption in modern day System-on-Chip (SoC) designs. With a large (and growing) number of electronic systems being designed with battery considerations in mind, minimizing the energy consumed in on-chip interconnects becomes crucial. Further, the use of nanometer technologies is making it increasingly important to consider reliability issues during the design of SoC communication architectures. Continued supply voltage scaling has led to decreased noise margins, making interconnects more susceptible to noise sources such as crosstalk, power supply noise, radiation induced defects, etc. The resulting transient faults cause the interconnect to behave as an unreliable transport medium for data signals. Therefore, fault tolerant communication mechanism, such as Automatic Repeat Request (ARQ), Forward Error Correction (FEC), etc., which have been widely used in the networking community, are likely to percolate to the SoC domain. This paper presents a survey of techniques for energy efficient on-chip communication. Techniques operating at different levels of the communication design hierarchy are described, including circuit-level techniques, such as low voltage signaling, architecture-level techniques, such as communication architecture selection and bus isolation, system-level techniques, such as communication based power management and dynamic voltage scaling for interconnects, and network-level techniques, such as error resilient encoding for packetized on-chip communication. Emerging technologies, such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) based buses, and wireless interconnects are also surveyed.
ARITHMETIZED TRIGONOMETRICAL EXPANSIONS OF DOUBLY PERIODIC FUNCTIONS OF THE THIRD KIND.

We present a method of expanding the members of a certain class of functions, doubly periodic of the third kind, due to Appell. An extension of the details is given, and the method is used to obtain the expansions of those numbers of the class considered whose complexity, in a technical sense, is within an arbitrary chosen range. The details in the expansion of any member of the class are discussed and some information is obtained as to the general form of the result.
A note on brane tension and M-theory

Abstract We point out that some M-theory results for brane tension can be derived from Polchinski's formula for D-brane tension. We also argue that this formula determines gravitational and gauge couplings in the low energy but quantum exact effective action.
Efficient Evaluation of Numerical Preferences: Top k Queries, Skylines and Multi-objective Retrieval

Query processing in databases and information systems has developed beyond mere SQL-style exact matching of attribute values. Scoring database objects according to numerical user preferences and retrieving only the top k matches or Pareto-optimal result sets (skyline queries) are already common for a variety of applications. Recently a lot of database literature has focussed on how to efficiently evaluate queries based on numerical preferences. Specialized algorithms using either top k retrieval (assuming a single compensation function defined over all query predicates, i.e. a global utility function) or computing skylines (assuming all query predicates as pairwise incomparable) have been shown to be capable of avoiding naAƒÂ¯ve linear database scans by pruning large numbers of database objects and thus vastly improve scalability. However, both paradigms are only two extreme cases of exploring viable compromises for each userA¢â‚¬Eœs objectives, which may or may not be comparable. To find the correct result set for arbitrary cases of multi-objective query processing in databases a novel algorithm for computing sets of objects that are non-dominated with respect to a set of monotonic objective functions representing a user's notion of utility, has recently been presented. Naturally containing top k and skyline retrieval paradigms as special cases, this algorithm maintains scalability also for all cases in between. To be more precise, in both special cases the multi-objective retrieval algorithm will behave exactly like the most efficient known evaluation algorithms for top k and skyline queries respectively. This algorithm has also been proved to be correct and instance-optimal in terms of necessary object accesses. Moreover, it improves the psychological response behavior by progressively producing result objects as quickly as possible, while the algorithm is still running, so user can deal with result objects at the earliest point in time. Our tutorial will discuss all state of the art algorithms for top k retrieval, skyline queries and multi-objective retrieval and point to open problems, future extensions of the paradigm and research in numerical preferences.
Anti-selective and regioselective aldol addition of ketones with aldehydes using MgI2 as promoter

Abstract The first example of a direct aldehyde–ketone coupling using the secondary amine piperidine as base in the presence of MgI2 to generate high selectivity of anti-aldol products from unmodified ethyl ketones in high yield is reported. The coupling reactions were carried out in a one-pot reaction by mixing four reaction components at room temperature. In the case of unsymmetrical ketones, addition was made to the less hindered α-side.
The politics of school restructuring

(1989). The politics of school restructuring. Journal of Education Policy: Vol. 4, No. 5, pp. 55-74.
How to Display Data Badly

Abstract Methods for displaying data badly have been developing for many years, and a wide variety of interesting and inventive schemes have emerged. Presented here is a synthesis yielding the 12 most powerful techniques that seem to underlie many of the realizations found in practice. These 12 (the dirty dozen) are identified and illustrated.
Detecting Discrimination in Audit and Correspondence Studies.

Audit studies testing for discrimination have been criticized because applicants from different groups may not appear identical to employers. Correspondence studies address this criticism by using fictitious paper applicants whose qualifications can be made identical across groups. However, Heckman and Siegelman (1993) show that group differences in the variance of unobservable determinants of productivity can still generate spurious evidence of discrimination in either direction. This paper shows how to recover an unbiased estimate of discrimination when the correspondence study includes variation in applicant characteristics that affect hiring. The method is applied to actual data and assessed using Monte Carlo methods.
A freehand sketching interface for progressive construction of 3D objects

This paper presents an intuitive, freehand sketching application for Computer Aided Design (CAD) that can reconstruct a 3D object from a single, flat, freehand sketch. A pen is used to draw 2D sketches consisting of straight and curved strokes connected at vertices. The sketches are processed by a reconstruction algorithm that uses the angular distribution of the strokes and their connectivity to determine an orthogonal 3D axis system whose projection correlates with the observed stroke orientations. The axis system is used to determine a plausible depth for each vertex. This approach works well for drawings of objects whose edges predominantly conform to some overall orthogonal axis system. A second, independent optimization procedure is then used to reconstruct each curved stroke in the original sketch, assuming that the curve is planar. New strokes can be attached to the 3D object, or drawn directly onto the object's faces. An implementation of the reconstruction algorithm based on Levenberg--Marquardt optimization allows objects with over 50 strokes to be reconstructed in interactive time.
Block patterns in Stirling permutations

We introduce and study a new notion of patterns in Stirling and $k$-Stirling permutations, which we call block patterns. We prove a general result which allows us to compute generating functions for the occurrences of various block patterns in terms of generating functions for the occurrences of patterns in permutations. This result yields a number of applications involving, among other things, Wilf equivalence of block patterns and a new interpretation of Bessel polynomials. We also show how to interpret our results for a certain class of labeled trees, which are in bijection with Stirling permutations.
Modeling enablers for successful KM implementation

Purpose – Given that it is difficult to establish monetary benefits for KM initiatives, this paper aims to present a model that consists of a set of enablers and barriers for successful KM implementation to obtain desired results. The contributions of the research effort should also support organizations in making decisions about improving organizational performance using KM initiatives, and understanding the directional relations among KM factors.Design/methodology/approach – In the research study, using a literature review, the authors identify a set of enablers of and barriers to successful KM implementation. Using this set of factors, a questionnaire is developed by applying the interpretive structural modeling (ISM) methodology to determine the underlying relations among these factors and to develop strategies for the successful implementation of KM initiatives. As a result of the ISM methodology, the paper presents a model to show its findings.Findings – The research study findings help to identify ...
Inductive assertions and operational semantics

This paper shows how classic inductive assertions can be used in conjunction with a formal operational semantics to prove partial correctness properties of programs. The method imposes only the proof obligations that would be produced by a verification condition generator – but does not require the definition of a verification condition generator. All that is required is a theorem prover, a formal operational semantics, and the object program with appropriate assertions at user-selected cut points. The verification conditions are generated in the course of the theorem-proving process by straightforward symbolic evaluation of the formal operational semantics. The technique is demonstrated by proving the partial correctness of simple bytecode programs with respect to a preexisting operational model of the Java Virtual Machine.
Approaches to Understanding Cosmic Acceleration

Theoretical approaches to explaining the observed acceleration of the universe are reviewed. We briefly discuss the evidence for cosmic acceleration, and the implications for standard general relativity coupled to conventional sources of energy–momentum. We then address three broad methods of addressing an accelerating universe: the introduction of a cosmological constant, its problems and origins; the possibility of dark energy and the associated challenges for fundamental physics and the option that an infrared modification of general relativity may be responsible for the large-scale behavior of the universe.
Thermal conductivities of thin, sputtered optical films

The normal component of thin-film thermal conductivity has been measured for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, for several advanced sputtered optical materials. Included are data for single layers of boron nitride, silicon aluminum nitride, silicon aluminum oxynitride, silicon carbide, and for dielectric-enhanced metal reflectors of the form Al(SiO2/Si3N4)n and Al(Al2O3/AlN)n. Sputtered films of more conventional materials such as SiO2, Al2O3, Ta2O5, Ti, and Si have also been measured. The data show that thin-film thermal conductivities are typically 10 to 100 times lower than conductivities for the same materials in bulk form. Structural disorder in the amorphous or fine-grained films appears to account for most of the conductivity difference. Conclusive evidence for a film–substrate interface contribution is presented.
Minimized emittance growth with elliptical beam pipes in a FEL

Abstract Wakefield effects can cause emittance growth in free-electron-laser (FEL) systems and reduce FEL gain. This paper explains that, by using beam pipes with elliptical cross sections, discontinuities can be allowed along a beam pipe without introducing wakefields. To use a beam pipe with an elliptical cross section, wakefield-free transitions between beam pipes with circular and elliptical cross sections are also needed. A concept to achieve such a transition is discussed.
Hierarchical Non-Emitting Markov Models

We describe a simple variant of the interpolated Markov model with non-emitting state transitions and prove that it is strictly more powerful than any Markov model. Empirical results demonstrate that the non-emitting model outperforms the interpolated model on the Brown corpus and on the Wall Street Journal under a wide range of experimental conditions. The non-emitting model is also much less prone to overtraining.