cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Maximum and minimum return losses from a passive two-port network terminated with a mismatched load

An analytical expression is derived for determining load-reflection coefficient phase-angle values that will lead to maximum and minimum return losses from a terminated two-port network. The expression is derived in terms of two-port network S-parameters and a load whose reflection-coefficient magnitude is a constant but can be any value greater than zero and less than or equal to unity. The equation is useful for cases where it is desirable to know how to position a load (1) to obtain maximum return loss for network-matching purposes or (2) to obtain minimum return loss for some types of reflector antenna applications. Two examples are given: One shows that for some types of reflector antennas with a mesh-type surface that is backed by another reflecting surface, a resonance phenomenon can occur and cause unexpectedly large dissipative losses (>30 dB) to occur. The other example shows that when a particular type of reflector antenna with a dielectric layer becomes wet from rain or condensation, large (>10 dB) signal losses can occur. For both examples, equations presented in this article were used to calculate the exact load-reflection coefficient phase values that led to worst-case return loss values. In practical situations, once the phenomenon is understood and predictable, steps can be taken to avoid these resonance regions. >
Analysis of RC interconnections under ramp input

We give new methods for calculating the time-domain response for a finite-length distributed RC line that is stimulated by a ramp input. The following are our contributions. First, we obtain the solution of the diffusion equation for a seminfinite distributed RC line with ramp input. We then present a general and, in the limit, exact approach to compute the time-domain response for finite-length RC lines under ramp input by summing distinct diffusions starting at either end of the line. Next, we obtain analytical expressions for the finite time-domain voltage response for an open-ended finite RC line and for a finite RC line with capacitive load. The delay estimates using this method are very close to SPICE-computing delays. Finally, we present a general recursive equation for computing the higher-order diffusion components due to reflections at the source and load ends. Future work extends our method to response computations in general interconnection trees by modeling both reflection and transmission coefficients at discontinuities.
Diffuse Gamma Rays from Local Group Galaxies

Diffuse γ-ray radiation in galaxies is produced by cosmic-ray interactions with the interstellar medium. With the completion of EGRET observations, the only extragalactic object from which there has been a positive detection of diffuse γ-ray emission is the Large Magellanic Cloud. We systematically estimate the expected diffuse γ-ray flux from Local Group galaxies and determine their detectability by a new generation of γ-ray observatories such as the Gamma-Ray Large Area Space Telescope (GLAST). For each galaxy, the expected γ-ray flux depends only on its total gas content and its cosmic-ray flux. We present a method for calculating cosmic-ray flux in these galaxies in terms of the observed rate of supernova explosions, in which cosmic-ray acceleration is believed to take place. The difficulty in deriving accurate supernova rates from observational data is a dominant uncertainty in our calculations. We estimate the γ-ray flux for Local Group galaxies and find that our predictions are consistent with the observations for the LMC and with the observational upper limits for the SMC and M31. Both the Andromeda galaxy, with a flux of ~1.0 × 10-8 photons s-1 cm-2 above 100 MeV, and the SMC, with a flux of ~1.7 × 10-8 photons s-1 cm-2 above 100 MeV, are expected to be observable by GLAST. M33 is at the limit of detectability with a flux of ~0.11 × 10-8 s-1 cm-2. Other Local Group galaxies are at least 2 orders of magnitude below GLAST sensitivity.
Changing Mix of Medical Care Services: Stylized Facts and Implications for Price Indexes

The utilization of health care services has undergone several important shifts in recent years that have implications for the cost of medical care. We empirically document the presence of these shifts for a broad list of medical conditions and assess the implications for price indexes. Following the earlier literature, we compare the growth of two price measures: one that tracks expenditures for the services actually provided to treat conditions and another that holds the mix of those services fixed over time. Using retrospective claims data for a sample of commercially insured patients, we find that, on average, expenditures to treat diseases rose 11% from 2003Q1 to 2005Q4 and would have risen even faster, 18%, had the mix of services remained fixed at the 2003Q1 levels. This suggests that fixed-basket price indexes, as are used in the official statistics, could overstate true price growth significantly.
Spin and charge order in Mott insulators and d-wave superconductors

Abstract We argue that aspects of the anomalous, low temperature, spin and charge dynamics of the high temperature superconductors can be understood by studying the corresponding physics of undoped Mott insulators. Such insulators display a quantum transition from a magnetically ordered Neel state to a confining paramagnet with a spin gap; the latter state has bond-centered charge order, a low energy S =1 spin exciton, confinement of S =1/2 spinons, and a free S =1/2 moment near non-magnetic impurities. We discuss how these characteristics, and the quantum phase transitions, evolve upon doping the insulator into a d -wave superconductor. This theoretical framework was used to make a number of predictions for STM measurements and for the phase diagram of the doped Mott insulator in an applied magnetic field.
Correlation energy of the pairing Hamiltonian

Abstract We study the correlation energy associated with the pair fluctuations in BCS theory. We use a schematic two-level pairing model and discuss the behavior of the correlation energy across shell closures, including the even-odd differences. It is shown that the random phase approximation (RPA) to the ground state energy reproduces the exact solutions quite well both in the normal fluid and in the superfluid phases. In marked contrast, other methods to improve the BCS energies, such as Lipkin–Nogami method, only work when the strength of a pairing interaction is large. We thus conclude that the RPA approach is better for a systematic theory of nuclear binding energies.
Distance learning for enhancing senior productivity

The present paper discusses computer literacy as a tool for enhancing senior productivity or as a useful skill in managing day-to-day activities, which include e-mail, word processing, electronic banking, and surfing the Internet. In a pilot program at the Research Center for Senior Productivity at Stony Brook, a hybrid of hands-on learning followed by distance learning is proposed. Distance learning has the dual advantage of (i) obviating the need for the student to travel to a learning center, and (ii) exposing the student to newer user-friendly communication technology. The group of elderly persons to benefit the most from the distance learning program would be the physically handicapped with difficulty in moving around but who are otherwise of sound mind and interested.
Using a translation-invariant neural network to diagnose heart arrhythmia

The use of a neural network to classify ECG signals directly, without parametrization, is discussed. The input to such a network must be translation-invariant, since the distinctive features of the ECG may appear anywhere in the input window. The input must also be insensitive to the episode-to-episode and patient-to-patient variability in the rhythm pattern. A simple transformation of the ECG time-series input that meets both criteria is considered. A set of internally recorded, transcardiac ECG signals obtained from 54 patients was used to train and test the network. For each type of rhythm presented to the network, the network could output normal sinus rhythm (NSR), ventricular tachycardia (VT), and ventricular fibrillation (VF) (for networks trained to discriminate between VT and VF), or ambiguous (AMB). >
Early Childhood Development and Social Mobility.

Summary Steven Barnett and Clive Belfield examine the effects of preschool education on social mobility in the United States. They note that under current policy three- and four-year-old children from economically and educationally disadvantaged families have higher preschool attendance rates than other children. But current programs fail to enroll even half of poor three- and fouryear-olds. Hispanics and children of mothers who drop out of school also participate at relatively low rates. The programs also do little to improve learning and development. The most effective programs, they explain, are intensive interventions such as the model Abecedarian and Perry Preschool programs, which feature highly qualified teachers and small group sizes. State preschool programs with the highest standards rank next, followed by Head Start and the average state program, which produce effects ranging from one-tenth to onequarter of those of the best programs. Typical child care and family support programs rank last. Barnett and Belfield point out that preschool programs raise academic skills on average, but do not appear to have notably different effects for different groups of children, and so do not strongly enhance social mobility. In such areas as crime, welfare, and teen parenting, however, preschool seems more able to break links between parental behaviors and child outcomes. Increased investment in preschool, conclude Barnett and Belfield, could raise social mobility. Program expansions targeted to disadvantaged children would help them move up the ladder, as would a more universal set of policies from which disadvantaged children gained disproportionately. Increasing the educational effectiveness of early childhood programs would provide for greater gains in social mobility than increasing participation rates alone.
Improving Position Sensor Accuracy Through Spatial Harmonic Decoupling, and Sensor Scaling, Offset, and Orthogonality Correction Using Self-Commissioning MRAS Methods

This paper presents methods for improving the accuracy of vector-based position measurements through the decoupling of multiple nonideal sensor properties using model reference adaptive system (MRAS) techniques. The nonideal sensor properties considered are: signal scaling errors (amplitude imbalance on the vector components), signal offsets, imperfect orthogonality (quadrature error) between sensor vector components, and additional spatial harmonics superimposed on fundamental sensor outputs. Simulation and experimental results are provided to evaluate the proposed MRAS-based decoupling methods. The methods presented here can be applied to multiple forms of vector-based position measurement and estimation such as the use of magnetoresistive sensors, sine/cosine encoders, resolvers, or self-sensing (sensorless) methods. These methods can be implemented in real time and are well-suited to the self-commissioning of vector-based position sensors for enhanced sensor accuracy.
Experience, Performance, and Earnings

This study provides direct evidence concerning the relationship between experience and performance among managerial and professional employees doing similar work in two major U. S. corporations. The facts presented indicate that while, within grade levels, there is a strong positive association between experience and relative earnings, there is either no association or a negative association between experience and relative rated performance. If we are correct that the performance ratings given to managerial and professional employees in any grade level adequately reflect those employees' relative productivity in the year of assessment, the results imply that the human capital on-the-job training model cannot explain a substantial part of the observed return to labor market experience.
Has goodwill accounting gone bad

Prior to SFAS 142, goodwill was subject to periodic amortization and a recoverability-based impairment test. SFAS 142 eliminates periodic amortization and imposes a fair-value-based impairment test. We examine the impact of this standard on the accounting for and valuation of goodwill. Our results indicate that the new standard has resulted in relatively inflated goodwill balances and untimely impairments. We also find that investors do not appear to fully anticipate the untimely nature of post-SFAS 142 goodwill impairments. Overall, our results suggest that, in practice, some managers have exploited the discretion afforded by SFAS 142 to delay goodwill impairments, thus temporarily inflating earnings and stock prices.
Functional oesophagoscopy: endoscopic evaluation of the oesophageal phase of deglutition.

Background: The anatomy and function of the oropharynx and larynx during deglutition can be assessed using the flexible endoscope, but this evaluation does not provide information on the oesophagus. Guided observation of oesophageal swallowing enables extended dysphagia evaluation. Objective: To assess the diagnostic utility of guided observation of oesophageal swallowing in the evaluation of dysphagia. Study design: Retrospective case series. Methods: Procedures for guided observation of oesophageal swallowing were reviewed for oesophageal findings and compared with fluoroscopy and manometry. Results: Twenty-one patients underwent guided observation of oesophageal swallowing and concurrent videofluoroscopy and/or manometry. No complications of the former procedure occurred. The results of guided observation of oesophageal swallowing concurred with those of fluoroscopy in 15/21 cases (71 per cent) and with those of manometry in five of six (83 per cent) cases. Guided observation of oesophageal swallowing revealed anatomic pathology contributing to dysphagia in 15/21 (71 per cent) patients. The procedure identified pathology not detected by fluoroscopy and manometry in 13/21 (62 per cent) patients. Conclusion: Guided observation of oesophageal swallowing appears to be a safe diagnostic tool with which to evaluate the oesophageal phase of deglutition.
In vivo tumor growth of high-grade serous ovarian cancer cell lines

Abstract Objective Genomic studies of ovarian cancer (OC) cell lines frequently used in research revealed that these cells do not fully represent high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC), the most common OC histologic type. However, OC lines that appear to genomically resemble HGSOC have not been extensively used and their growth characteristics in murine xenografts are essentially unknown. Methods To better understand growth patterns and characteristics of HGSOC cell lines in vivo, CAOV3, COV362, KURAMOCHI, NIH–OVCAR3, OVCAR4, OVCAR5, OVCAR8, OVSAHO, OVKATE, SNU119 and UWB1.289 cells were assessed for tumor formation in nude mice. Cells were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) or subcutaneously (s.c.) in female athymic nude mice and allowed to grow (maximum of 90days) and tumor formation was analyzed. All tumors were sectioned and assessed using H&E staining and immunohistochemistry for p53, PAX8 and WT1 expression. Results Six lines (OVCAR3, OVCAR4, OVCAR5, OVCAR8, CAOV3, and OVSAHO) formed i.p xenografts with HGSOC histology. OVKATE and COV362 formed s.c. tumors only. Rapid tumor formation was observed for OVCAR3, OVCAR5 and OVCAR8, but only OVCAR8 reliably formed ascites. Tumors derived from OVCAR3, OVCAR4, and OVKATE displayed papillary features. Of the 11 lines examined, three (Kuramochi, SNU119 and UWB1.289) were non-tumorigenic. Conclusions Our findings help further define which HGSOC cell models reliably generate tumors and/or ascites, critical information for preclinical drug development, validating in vitro findings, imaging and prevention studies by the OC research community.
Transition-Metal-Catalyzed Aldehydic C−H Activation by Azodicarboxylates

Rhodium acetate-catalyzed hydroacylation between aldehydes and an activated form of N=N bond was achieved under mild conditions to provide efficient access to a variety of hydrazino imides. Good selectivity for the aldehydic C-H activation relative to the ene-type reaction was observed with aldehydes having unsaturation both at terminal and internal positions.
Depression in Late Life: Review and Commentary

Depression is perhaps the most frequent cause of emotional suffering in later life and significantly decreases quality of life in older adults. In recent years, the literature on late-life depression has exploded. Many gaps in our understanding of the outcome of late-life depression have been filled. Intriguing findings have emerged regarding the etiology of late-onset depression. The number of studies documenting the evidence base for therapy has increased dramatically. Here, I first address case definition, and then I review the current community- and clinic-based epidemiological studies. Next I address the outcome of late-life depression, including morbidity and mortality studies. Then I present the extant evidence regarding the etiology of depression in late life from a biopsychosocial perspective. Finally, I present evidence for the current therapies prescribed for depressed elders, ranging from medications to group therapy.
Two-phase bicriterion search for finding fast and efficient electric vehicle routes

The problem of finding an electric vehicle route that optimizes both driving time and energy consumption can be modeled as a bicriterion path problem. Unfortunately, the problem of finding optimal bicriterion paths is NP-complete. This paper studies such problems restricted to two-phase paths, which correspond to a common way people drive electric vehicles, where a driver uses one driving style (say, minimizing driving time) at the beginning of a route and another driving style (say, minimizing energy consumption) at the end. We provide efficient polynomial-time algorithms for finding optimal two-phase paths in bicriterion networks, and we empirically verify the effectiveness of these algorithms for finding good electric vehicle driving routes in the road networks of various U.S. states. In addition, we show how to incorporate charging stations into these algorithms.
Layer assignment for high-performance multi-chip modules

In this paper, we present a layer assignment method for high-performance multi-chip module environments. In contrast with treating global routing and layer assignment separately, our method assigns nets to layers while considering preferable global routing topologies simultaneously. We take transmission line effects into account to avoid noise in high-speed circuit packages. The problem is formulated as a quadratic Boolean programming problem and an algorithm is presented to solve the problem after linearization. Our method is applied to a set of benchmark circuits to demonstrate the effectiveness.
Dynamic Response Statistics of Linear System Under Morison-Type Wave Force

The primary objective of this study is to establish the non-normal relationship between Morison-type random wave loading and structural response via repeated Monte Carlo simulations. A standardised equation of motion will be developed, so that the numerical results can apply to various structures and sea states, instead of a particular structure or sea state. The reliability of the Monte Carlo simulation technique will also be investigated, analytically and experimentally.
A simplified pricing model for volatility futures

We develop a general model to price VIX futures contracts. The model is adapted to test both the constant elasticity of variance (CEV) and the Cox–Ingersoll–Ross formulations, with and without jumps. Empirical tests on VIX futures prices provide out-of-sample estimates within 2% of the actual futures price for almost all futures maturities. We show that although jumps are present in the data, the models with jumps do not typically outperform the others; in particular, we demonstrate the important benefits of the CEV feature in pricing futures contracts. We conclude by examining errors in the model relative to the VIX characteristics
EXTREME FLUCTUATIONS IN SMALL-WORLD-COUPLED AUTONOMOUS SYSTEMS WITH RELAXATIONAL DYNAMICS

Synchronization is a fundamental problem in natural and artificial coupled multi-component systems. We investigate to what extent small-world couplings (extending the original local relaxational dynamics through the random links) lead to the suppression of extreme fluctuations in the synchronization landscape of such systems. In the absence of the random links, the steady-state landscape is "rough" (strongly de-synchronized state) and the average and the extreme height fluctuations diverge in the same power-law fashion with the system size (number of nodes). With small-world links present, the average size of the fluctuations becomes finite (synchronized state). For exponential-like noise the extreme heights diverge only logarithmically with the number of nodes, while for power-law noise they diverge in a power-law fashion. The statistics of the extreme heights are governed by the Fisher–Tippett–Gumbel and the Frechet distribution, respectively. We illustrate our findings through an actual synchronization problem in parallel discrete-event simulations.
Adaptive filtering to reduce global interference in evoked brain activity detection: a human subject case study.

Following previous Monte Carlo simulations, we describe in detail an example of detecting evoked visual hemodynamic re- sponses in a human subject as a preliminary demonstration of the novel global interference cancellation technology. The raw time series of oxyhemoglobin O2Hb and deoxyhemoglobin HHb changes, their block averaged results before and after adaptive filtering, to- gether with the power spectral density analysis are presented. Simul- taneous respiration and EKG recordings suggested that spontaneous low-frequency oscillation and cardiac activity were the major sources of global interference in our test. When global interference dominates e.g., for O2Hb in our data, judged by power spectral density analy- sis, adaptive filtering effectively reduced this interference, doubling the contrast-to-noise ratio CNR for evoked visual response detection. When global interference is not obvious e.g., in our HHb data, adaptive filtering provided no CNR improvement. The results also showed that the hemodynamic changes in the superficial layers and the estimated total global interference in the target measurement were highly correlated r=0.96, which explains why this global interfer- ence cancellation method should work well when global interference is dominating. In addition, the results suggested that association be- tween the superficial layer hemodynamics and the total global inter- ference is time-varying. © 2007 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers. DOI: 10.1117/1.2804706
The response of particles with anisotropic shape within an optical landscape and laminar flow

We investigate and model the impact of optical force and torque on spheroidal particles in a microfluid so as to completely define particle behavior in optical interference landscapes.
Photonic Crystal Devices

In this presentation I will discuss photonic crystal lasers with particular emphasis on devices capable of room temperature CW operation, devices capable of achieving approximately 100 mW of output power under pulsed operation, and devices with quantum dot active regions. The CW lasers have 3 dB bandwidths of just under 10 GHz with approximately 30 dB of side mode suppression. The photonic crystal lasers with quantum dot active regions have absorbed powers at threshold of under 10 microwatts. I will also discuss efforts to model the electromagnetic properties of these devices in the near and far field using both finite-difference time-domain and finite element methods and compare these predictions to the experimental data. The presentation will also address device issues associated with passive photonic crystal components such as optical loss, waveguide dispersion, and the design of waveguide junctions. Demonstrations of Mach-Zehnder interferometers and directional couplers will be presented and again results from experiments will be compared to numerical predictions.
Equation of state of warm dense matter at DARHT-2 facility

Accurate equation-of-state theory on warm dense matter is a big challenge to model and good experimental data is difficult to obtain. One of the difficulties is the creation of a warm dense matter (WDM) suitable for experiments to examine its equation of state. We have examine methods of creating a warm dense matter using three different kinds of energetic particle beams such as short pulse laser, energetic proton beam, and relativistic electron beam. We found that the use of relativistic electrons such as the second axis of the Dual Axis Radiographic Hydro-Test (DARHT) facility at Los Alamos National Laboratory can create WDM ideally suitable for experiments to obtain data on the equation of state of such WDM over an extended parameter space. The electron beam has an energy of 18 MeV and a current of 2 kA. Its pulse length can be varied from 20 ns to 200 ns. We will present results from our calculations on the creation and characterization of WDM using the DARHT electron beam. We will also present our planned experiments specifically for the measurements of equations of state of such a WDM.
A high-performance JPEG2000 architecture

JPEG2000 is an upcoming compression standard for still images that has a feature set well tuned for diverse data dissemination. These features are possible due to adaptation of the discrete wavelet transform, intra-subband bit-plane coding, and binary arithmetic coding in the standard. We propose a system-level architecture capable of encoding and decoding the JPEG2000 core algorithm that has been defined in Part I of the standard. The key components include dedicated architectures for wavelet, bit plane, and arithmetic coders and memory interfacing between the coders. The system architecture has been implemented in VHDL and its performance evaluated for a set of images. The estimated area of the architecture, in 0.18-/spl mu/ technology, is 3-mm square and the estimated frequency of operation is 200 MHz.
The child advocacy team in legal actions.

This paper provides a general description of child advocacy teams, which are formed in difficult child custody or abuse and neglect cases. They are created when a judge asks that a team assist in determining the child's psychological status and developmental needs, assessing parenting capacities, developing a treatment plan, and monitoring the family's progress. The team consists of representatives from the legal, social service, mental health, and educational systems. The author describes the principles and techniques of child advocacy, characteristics of the professional systems involved, and phases of the team's operation, such as the planning conference, the therapeutic-evaluation process, team meetings, report preparation, and courtroom participation. Outcomes of 77 cases handled by a University of Wisconsin child advocacy team over the past 20 years are presented to show that a team is an effective means of integrating professional and volunteer activities for a family during a child protection or d...
Use of solid-state acoustic transducers in communications

Semiconductor and solid-state devices have been used extensively to measure and generate stresses and stress waves in solids, liquids, and gases. Semiconductor devices have been used as strain gauges to measure strains and to respond to acoustic pressures, p-type silicon has a gauge factor of over 100 times that of a metallic strain gauge. By using the amplifying regimes of Esaki diodes and transistors, a great increase in sensitivity is obtained and microphones have been constructed that are more sensitive than the carbon microphone. With the advent of monolithic transistor on single chips and films, it appears likely that the most stable and economical devices are obtained by separating the pickup and amplifying functions. p-n junctions have a region (the depletion region) where electrons are excluded and if the semiconductor is piezoelectric, very high-frequency transducers for generating mechanical waves in solids can be produced. Evaporation techniques can also be used to produce frequencies from lower ranges to very high-frequency ranges. With the advent of more highly coupled piezoelectric crystals and ceramics, this technique may be extended further. Solid-state transducers have also been constructed using the Hall effect and the magnetoresistance effect. These have been applied in measuring static and dynamic fluxes, as variable resistors without sliding contacts and as displacement meters and microphones.
A Large-Scale Jet and FR I Radio Source in a Spiral Galaxy: The Host Properties and External Environment

We have identified a large (≈200 h kpc), powerful double radio source whose host galaxy is clearly a disk and most likely a spiral. This FR I-like radio galaxy is located very near the center of the richness class 0 cluster A428. The existence of such an object violates a fundamental paradigm for radio-loud active galactic nuclei (AGNs). In our first paper, we showed that this object was most consistent with a spiral host classification with optical emission-line ratios and colors suggestive of an active nucleus. However, we were not able to confirm actual radio jet emission based on the maps available at that time. In this paper, we present new, higher resolution radio imaging, a radio/millimeter continuum spectrum for the nucleus, a detection of H I absorption against the bright radio core, an upper limit to CO emission and the gas mass, and 70 (68 new) optical redshifts measured in the direction of A428. We confirm the existence of a radio jet at 20 cm, extending 42 h into the southern lobe. At 3.6 cm, we also detect a nuclear jet similar in length to that in M87, although 10 times weaker. We believe that this is the first detection of a radio jet on these scales in a disk/spiral host galaxy. The nuclear radio spectrum is similar to many blazar- or quasar-like objects, suggesting that the galaxy harbors an imbedded and obscured AGN. We model a turnover in the spectrum at low frequencies as a result of free-free absorption. We detect very strong and narrow H I absorption, with nearly the entire 20 cm continuum flux of the core being absorbed, implying an unusually large optical depth (τ ≈ 1). The most consistent model is that we are viewing the nucleus through a disklike distribution of gas in the interstellar medium, possibly through a spiral arm or a warp to account for the above-average column density. From the radial velocity distribution, we find that A428 is in fact made up of at least two clumps of galaxies separated by ~3300 km s-1, which themselves appear to be imbedded in a nearly continuous distribution of galaxies over 13,000 km s-1 in velocity space. Thus, the environment around this unusual radio source is more like that of a poor galaxy group imbedded in a filament-like structure viewed end-on.
Experimental motivation and empirical consistency in minimal no-collapse quantum mechanics

Abstract We analyze three important experimental domains (SQUIDs, molecular interferometry, and Bose–Einstein condensation) as well as quantum-biophysical studies of the neuronal apparatus to argue that (i) the universal validity of unitary dynamics and the superposition principle has been confirmed far into the mesoscopic and macroscopic realm in all experiments conducted thus far; (ii) all observed “restrictions” can be correctly and completely accounted for by taking into account environmental decoherence effects; (iii) no positive experimental evidence exists for physical state-vector collapse; (iv) the perception of single “outcomes” is likely to be explainable through decoherence effects in the neuronal apparatus. We also discuss recent progress in the understanding of the emergence of quantum probabilities and the objectification of observables. We conclude that it is not only viable, but moreover compelling to regard a minimal no-collapse quantum theory as a leading candidate for a physically motivated and empirically consistent interpretation of quantum mechanics.
Optimizing biochemical markers as endpoints for clinical trials in primary biliary cirrhosis.

Background Biochemical tests have been recommended as endpoints for clinical trials in primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) because the use of liver transplantation and death as endpoints in ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) therapeutic trials is unfeasible. The best inclusion criteria cut-off values and cut-off for demonstrating treatment success have not been defined. Aim Our aim was to determine the optimal biochemical values for patient inclusion and to define values for treatment success in therapeutic trials. Methods We performed a retrospective review of 73 patients with PBC treated with UDCA followed over 36 months. Following one year of UDCA therapy, the likelihood of developing clinical endpoints of varices, ascites, encephalopathy, death or transplantation over the ensuing two years, based on degrees of elevation of biochemical markers, was analyzed using chi-square or Fisher's exact test. Results Patients with ALP≥2 X upper limit of normal (ULN) had a 2-fold greater likelihood of developing endpoints compared to patients with lower values (23% versus 11%), (p 1 mg/dL were 4 times more likely to develop endpoints compared to those with lower values (33% versus 8%), (p = 0.02). These values help identify the patient population for adjunctive therapy trials. Patients with ALP ≤1.67 X ULN and bilirubin ≤1mg/dL demonstrated the least likelihood of reaching adverse clinical endpoints and can be used to define treatment success. Conclusion Optimal ALP and Bilirubin levels can be used as appropriate biochemical criteria for patient selection and defining treatment success in future clinical trials in patients with PBC.
Sparse and efficient estimation for partial spline models with increasing dimension

We consider model selection and estimation for partial spline models and propose a new regularization method in the context of smoothing splines. The regularization method has a simple yet elegant form, consisting of roughness penalty on the nonparametric component and shrinkage penalty on the parametric components, which can achieve function smoothing and sparse estimation simultaneously. We establish the convergence rate and oracle properties of the estimator under weak regularity conditions. Remarkably, the estimated parametric components are sparse and efficient, and the nonparametric component can be estimated with the optimal rate. The procedure also has attractive computational properties. Using the representer theory of smoothing splines, we reformulate the objective function as a LASSO-type problem, enabling us to use the LARS algorithm to compute the solution path. We then extend the procedure to situations when the number of predictors increases with the sample size and investigate its asymptotic properties in that context. Finite-sample performance is illustrated by simulations.
Approach to steady-state transport in nanoscale conductors.

We show, using a tight-binding model and time-dependent density-functional theory, that a quasi-steady-state current can be established dynamically in a finite nanoscale junction without any inelastic effects. This is simply due to the geometrical constriction experienced by the electron wave packets as they propagate through the junction. We also show that in this closed nonequilibrium system two local electron occupation functions can be defined on each side of the nanojunction which approach Fermi distributions with increasing number of atoms in the electrodes. The resultant conductance and current−voltage characteristics at quasi-steady state are in agreement with those calculated within the static scattering approach.
Measuring the Value of a Statistical Life: Problems and Prospects*

Tradeoffs between monetary wealth and fatal safety risks are summarized in the value of a statistical life (VSL), a measure that is widely used for the evaluation of public policies in medicine, the environment, and transportation safety. This paper demonstrates the widespread use of this concept and summarizes the major issues, both theoretical and empirical, that must be confronted in order to provide a credible estimate of a VSL. The paper concludes with an application of these issues to a particular study of speed limits and highway safety.
Organocatalysis Lost: Modern Chemistry, Ancient Chemistry, and an Unseen Biosynthetic Apparatus

Since the year 2000 there has been explosive growth in an area of catalytic asymmetric synthesis now known as organocatalysis, catalysis mediated solely by small organic molecules. A large number of powerful asymmetric bondforming reactions and stunning cascade reactions have been reported that allow for the enantioselective synthesis of molecules with unprecedented ease. A substantial portion of this new work is founded on enamine and iminium ion based catalysis. Given the historically deep roots of this type of catalysis, why did decades pass before the basic concepts, hidden in the landmark work of Hajos and Parrish, were unveiled and exploited? I believe the answer is complex and unknowable with complete certainty, but likely involves both culture and the actual chemical mechanisms. I believe that this chemistry not only provides for fascinating and efficient syntheses of chiral molecules but may serve to explain the emergence of homochirality in the prebiotic world and may constitute an unseen biosynthetic mechanism functioning in today!s cells in support of metabolism. Let us consider the reports from the year 2000 that marked the ascendance of enamine/iminium ion based organocatalysis and their literature antecedents. For our studies concerning the aldol and Robinson annulation, the Hajos–Wiechert reaction (1971) provides the proper foreshadowing. The MacMillan iminium ion based Diels– Alder reaction is foreshadowed by the iminium ion Diels–Alder reaction of Baume and Viehe (1976) and the chiral alkoxy iminium salt asymmetric Diels– Alder reaction of Jung et al. (1989). The breakthrough in the MacMillan approach is the conversion of the stable alkoxy iminium salt of Jung into a labile iminium compound suitable for catalysis. Significantly, the Jung and MacMillan reports are in agreement with respect to the presumed transition state of the reaction, probably owing to the already substantial body of work on the Diels–Alder reaction (Scheme 1).
STRUCTURE OF HIGH-ANGLE GRAIN-BOUNDARIES IN METALS AND CERAMIC OXIDES

The current knowledge of the structure of high-angle grain boundaries in metals and ceramic oxides is critically reviewed. Particular attention is given to effects due to differences in the bonding and crystal structure in these solid types. The results of recent experimental work and efforts to model grain-boundary structure using computer simulation methods are described. Important characteristic features of boundaries in these materials are discussed. Difficulties which are presently being encountered in efforts to determine their structure are pointed out.
Distribution Theory for the Studentized Mean for Long, Short, and Negative Memory Time Series

Abstract We consider the problem of estimating the variance of the partial sums of a stationary time series that has either long memory, short memory, negative/intermediate memory, or is the first-difference of such a process. The rate of growth of this variance depends crucially on the type of memory, and we present results on the behavior of tapered sums of sample autocovariances in this context when the bandwidth vanishes asymptotically. We also present asymptotic results for the case that the bandwidth is a fixed proportion of sample size, extending known results to the case of flat-top tapers. We adopt the fixed proportion bandwidth perspective in our empirical section, presenting two methods for estimating the limiting critical values—both the subsampling method and a plug-in approach. Simulation studies compare the size and power of both approaches as applied to hypothesis testing for the mean. Both methods perform well–although the subsampling method appears to be better sized–and provide a viable framework for conducting inference for the mean. In summary, we supply a unified asymptotic theory that covers all different types of memory under a single umbrella.
An InAlAs/InAs MODFET

The fabrication and testing of an InAs modulation-doped field-effect transistor (MODFET) using an epitaxial heterostructure based entirely on arsenides are discussed. The heterostructure was grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) on InP and contains a 30 A InAs channel. An L/sub G/=2 mu m device displays well behaved characteristics, showing sharp pinch-off (V/sub th/=-0.8 V) and small output conductance (5 mS/mm) at 300 K. The maximum transconductance is 170 mS/mm with a maximum drain current of 312 mA/mm. Strong channel quantization results in breakdown voltage of -9.6 V, a severalfold improvement over previous InAs MODFETs based on antimonides. Low-temperature magnetic field measurements show strong Shubnikov-de Haas oscillations from which the electron channel is confirmed to be the InAs layer. >
Foreign direct investment in the enlarged EU: do taxes matter and to what extent?

Foreign direct investment is of increasing importance in the European Union. This paper estimates the effect of taxes on foreign direct investment (FDI) flows and on three sub-components of these flows for the countries of the enlarged European Union. The model in the spirit of gravity equations robustly explains FDI flows between the 25 member states. Sample selection needs to be addressed in the estimation. We show that the different subcomponents of FDI should and indeed do react differently to taxes. After controlling for unobserved country characteristics and common time effects, the top statutory corporate tax rate of both, source and host country, turn insignificant for total FDI and investment into equity. However, high source country taxes clearly increase the probability of firms to re-invest profits abroad and lower the percentage of debt financed FDI. This might reflect profit re-allocation to avoid taxes. Market size factors have the expected signs.
Catalytic reaction energetics by single crystal adsorption calorimetry: hydrocarbons on Pt(111)

Single crystal adsorption calorimetry provides essential information about the energetics of surface reactions on well-defined surfaces where the adsorbed reaction products can be clearly identified. In this tutorial review, we cover the essentials of that technique, with emphasis on our lab’s recent advances in sensitivity and temperature range, and demonstrate what can be achieved through a review of selected example studies concerning adsorption and dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons on Pt(111). A fairly complete reaction enthalpy diagram is presented for the dehydrogenation of cyclohexane to benzene on Pt(111).
Farm Work, Home Work and International Productivity Differences

Abstract Agriculture's share of economic activity is known to vary inversely with a country's level of development. This paper examines whether extensions of the neoclassical growth model can account for some important sectoral patterns observed in a current cross section of countries and in the time series data for currently rich countries. We find that a straightforward agricultural extension of the neoclassical growth model fails to account for important aspects of the cross-country data. We then introduce a version of the growth model with home production, and we show that this model performs much better.
Layered GaTe Crystals for Radiation Detectors

In this work we investigated a new method of growing detector grade large GaTe layered chalcogenide single crystals. GaTe ingots (2" diameter) were grown by a novel method using graphite crucible by slow crystallization from a melt of high purity (7 N) Ga and zone refined (ZR) Te precursors in an argon atmosphere. GaTe samples from the monocrystalline area of the ingot have been cleaved mechanically and characterized using x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive analysis by x-rays (EDX), atomic force microscopy (AFM), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transfer length method (TLM), resistivity measurements using van der Pauw technique, Hall effect, and capacitance-voltage (C-V) measurements. Our investigations reveal a novel method of growing superior quality GaTe crystals for large volume inexpensive nuclear radiation detectors.
A new prefilter design for discrete multiwavelet transforms

In conventional wavelet transforms, prefiltering is not necessary due to the lowpass property of a scaling function. This is no longer true for multiwavelet transforms. A few research papers on the design of prefilters have appeared, but the existing prefilters are usually not orthogonal, which often causes problems in coding. Moreover, the condition on the prefilters was imposed based on the first-step discrete multiwavelet decomposition. We propose a new prefilter design that combines the ideas of the conventional wavelet transforms and multiwavelet transforms. The prefilters are orthogonal but nonmaximally decimated. They are derived from a very natural calculation of multiwavelet transform coefficients. In this new prefilter design, multiple step discrete multiwavelet decomposition is taken into account. Our numerical examples (by taking care of the redundant prefiltering) indicate that the energy compaction ratio with the Geronimo-Hardin-Massopust (1994) 2 wavelet transform and our new prefiltering is better than the one with Daubechies D/sub 4/ wavelet transform.
Surreal analysis: an analogue of real analysis for surreal numbers

Surreal numbers, which were discovered as part of analyzing combinatorial games, possess a rich numerical structure of their own and share many arithmetic and algebraic properties with real numbers. In order to develop the theory of surreal numbers beyond simple arithmetic and algebra, mathematicians have initiated the formulation of surreal analysis, the study of surreal functions and calculus operations. In this paper, we extend their work with a rigorous treatment of transcendental functions, limits, derivatives, power series, and integrals. In particular, we propose surreal definitions of three new analytic functions using truncations of Maclaurin series. Using a new representation of surreals, we present formulae for limits of sequences and functions (hence derivatives). Although the class of surreals is not Cauchy complete, we can still characterize the kinds of surreal sequences that do converge, prove the Intermediate Value Theorem, and establish the validity of limit laws for surreals. Finally, we show that some elementary power series and infinite Riemann sums can be evaluated using extrapolation, and we prove the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus for surreals so that surreal functions can be integrated using antidifferentiation. Extending our study to defining other analytic functions, evaluating power series in generality, finding a consistent method of Riemann integration, proving Stokes’ Theorem to further generalize surreal integration, and solving differential equations remains open.