cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Internet privacy law: a comparison between the United States and the European Union

The increasing use of personal information in Internet-based applications has created privacy concerns worldwide. This has led to awareness among policy makers in several countries of the desirability of harmonizing privacy laws. The greatest challenge to privacy legislation from an international perspective arises because, while the Internet is virtually borderless, legislative approaches differ from country to country. This paper presents a functional comparison between current privacy law in the European Union (EU) and in the United States (U.S.), as such laws relate to regulation of websites and online service providers. In addition, similarities and differences between the 2002 EU Directive 2002/58/EC, Directive on Privacy and Electronic Communications, which has been adopted by the EU but not yet implemented, and the proposed U.S. Online Privacy Protection Act, are illuminated. Employing a qualitative approach, we use the Fair Information Practices to organize discussion of comparisons and contrasts between U.S. and EU privacy laws. Our investigation of this topic leads us to conclude that the right to privacy is more strictly protected in the EU than in the U.S. The Online Privacy Protection Act, recently introduced as a bill in Congress, has the potential to significantly affect commercial practices in the U.S. and move the U.S. towards current EU privacy protection laws. This analysis benefits managers as well as security professionals since the results can be used as guidelines in ensuring that an organization's website practices are consistent with requirements imposed by countries with which they exchange information. It also provides information that can guide organizations as they prepare for potential privacy legislation.
Genomic Analyses and the Origin of the Eukaryotes

The availability of whole-genome data has created the extraordinary opportunity to reconstruct in fine details the ‘tree of life’. The application of such comprehensive effort promises to unravel the enigmatic evolutionary relationships between prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Traditionally, biologists have represented the evolutionary relationships of all organisms by a bifurcating phylogenetic tree. But recent analyses of completely sequenced genomes using conditioned reconstruction (CR), a newly developed gene-content algorithm, suggest that a cycle graph or ‘ring’ rather than a ‘tree’ is a better representation of the evolutionary relationships between prokaryotes and eukaryotes. CR is the first phylogenetic-reconstruction method to provide precise evidence about the origin of the eukaryotes. This review summarizes how the CR analyses of complete genomes provide evidence for a fusion origin of the eukaryotes.
Viability of bacterial spores exposed to hydrazine

Abstract For the purposes of planetary protection, a series of experiments were performed to answer a long-standing question about the potential of bacterial contamination of interplanetary spacecraft from liquid hydrazine. Spores of Bacillus atrophaeus (ATCC No. 9372, also known as Bacillus subtilis var. niger, and BSN) were exposed to hydrazine and survivors were enumerated using the NASA standard planetary protection pour plate assay. Results indicate that bulk hydrazine rocket propellant may be considered free of living bacterial cells for planetary protection compliance.
Extended naming conventions for communicating processes

Abstract We present two extensions of the naming conventions of Communicating Sequential Proceses [11]: computed communication targets and unspecified communication targets, as well as corresponding extensions to the system of cooperating proofs [3] for verifying distributed programs. These language extensions are important for the natural expressibility of many distributed programs. Examples of the use of these extensions are discussed and verified.
Analytical statistics of forced response of a mistuned bladed disk assembly in subsonic flow

The statistics of the forced response of a structurally and aerodynamically coupled bladed disk assembly have been computed efficiently by the analytical technique. The validity of the analytical technique has been corroborated by comparison with the results from numerical simulations. Lastly, the effects of the following parameters on the statistics of the maximum amplitude have been studied: aerodynamic coupling, fluid density, and stagger angle.Copyright © 1990 by ASME
Financial reporting quality and idiosyncratic return volatility

Abstract Campbell et al. (2001) document that firms’ stock returns have become more volatile in the U.S. since 1960. We hypothesize and find that deteriorating earnings quality is associated with higher idiosyncratic return volatility over 1962–2001. These results are robust to controlling for (i) inter-temporal changes in the disclosure of value-relevant information, sophistication of investors and the possibility that earnings quality can be informative about future cash flows; (ii) stock return performance, cash flow operating performance, cash flow variability, growth, leverage and firm size; and (iii) new listings, high-technology firms, firm-years with losses, mergers and acquisitions and financial distress.
A convenient synthesis of (Z)-4-hydroxy-N-desmethyltamoxifen (endoxifen).

A mixture of the (Z)- and (E)-isomers of 4-hydroxy-N-desmethyltamoxifen was conveniently prepared in four steps. These geometrical isomers were then neatly separated by semi-preparative Reverse Phase High Performance Liquid Chromatography (RP-HPLC) using specified conditions. Additionally, the isolated E-isomer could be equilibrated in aqueous strong acid in acetonitrile or trifluoroacetic acid/dichloromethane to give a clean 1:1 mixture of Z/E isomers that was re-subjected to HPLC separation. In this way, most of the undesired (E)-isomer could be readily converted to the desired (Z)-isomer providing quick access to over 200 mg quantities of pure endoxifen (Z-isomer), a potent antiestrogenic metabolite of tamoxifen traditionally used in breast cancer treatment.
Chemistry, population, resources

The science of chemistry has greatly elevated mans general well-being by providing him amenities of a civilized society and by improving his health. Partly as a consequence of improved health and nutrition population especially of developing nations is growing at an alarming rate outstripping the earths agricultural resources and limited energy supplies. Production of oil in the United States as well as worldwide is believed to have reached its peak several years ago; available oil supplies are now being rapidly depleted by the worlds population. Although coal is abundant in supply there are constraints to its use. An alternative is solar energy represented by the process of photosynthesis which can be used to produce liquid hydrocarbons and their relatives. Alcohol can be used to fuel automobiles and more importantly as raw material for petrochemical companies. Some species of plants found in the arid and semi-arid regions of the world can yield hydrocarbons at about $20 a barrel compared with the current crude oil price of $14 a barrel. The possible uses of hydrocarbons are many and they could help solve the population problem.
Aerodynamic detuning for control of supersonic rotor forced response

A mathematical model is developed to analyze the aerodynamically forced response characteristics of a detuned rotor operating in a supersonic inlet flow field with a supersonic axial component. Alternate blade aerodynamic detuning is considered, with the aerodynamic detuning accomplished by alternating the circumferential spacing of adjacent blades. The unsteady aerodynamics are determined by developing an influence coefficient technique which is appropriate for both aerodynamically tuned and detuned rotor configurations. Rotor forced response is then analyzed by combining this unsteady aerodynamic model with a single-degree-of-freedom structural model. The effects of this detuning on the forced response characteristics of supersonic axial flow rotors is then demonstrated by applying this model to baseline twelve bladed rotors.
The community of the self

Good health, which reflects the harmonious integration of molecules, cells, tissues and organs, is dynamically stable: when displaced by disease, compensation and correction are common, even without medical care. Physiology and computational biology now suggest that healthy dynamic stability arises through the combination of specific feedback mechanisms and spontaneous properties of interconnected networks. Today's physicians are already testing to 'see if the network is right'; tomorrow's physicians may well use therapies to 'make the network right'.
Insulin signaling promotes germline proliferation in C. elegans

Cell proliferation must be coordinated with cell fate specification during development, yet interactions among pathways that control these two critical aspects of development are not well understood. The coordination of cell fate specification and proliferation is particularly crucial during early germline development, when it impacts the establishment of stem/progenitor cell populations and ultimately the production of gametes. In C. elegans, insulin/IGF-like receptor (IIR) signaling has been implicated in fertility, but the basis for the fertility defect had not been previously characterized. We found that IIR signaling is required for robust larval germline proliferation, separate from its well-characterized role in preventing dauer entry. IIR signaling stimulates the larval germline cell cycle. This activity is distinct from Notch signaling, occurs in a predominantly germline-autonomous manner, and responds to somatic activity of ins-3 and ins-33, genes that encode putative insulin-like ligands. IIR signaling in this role acts through the canonical PI3K pathway, inhibiting DAF-16/FOXO. However, signaling from these ligands does not inhibit daf-16 in neurons nor in the intestine, two tissues previously implicated in other IIR roles. Our data are consistent with a model in which: (1) under replete reproductive conditions, the larval germline responds to insulin signaling to ensure robust germline proliferation that builds up the germline stem cell population; and (2) distinct insulin-like ligands contribute to different phenotypes by acting on IIR signaling in different tissues.
Laboratory automation at General Electric Corporate Research and Development

The purpose of a laboratory automation system is to improve the quality and quantity of the work of the scientists who use it. An organization such as General Electric Corporate Research and Development presents a large number of problems which are capable of being solved by laboratory automation. We wish to discuss a system which was developed to solve many of these problems. We will first describe the computer facilities which are a part of the system. Next, we will describe some of the data communications equipment which has been developed to interface individual experiments to these computer facilities. Finally, we will describe three applications which illustrate the use of the laboratory automation system.
Information-constrained state-dependent pricing

Abstract A model is presented in which decisions about when to review a firm's existing price must be made on the basis of imprecise awareness of current market conditions. Imperfect information is endogenized using a variant of the theory of “rational inattention” proposed by Sims [1998. Stickiness. Carnegie-Rochester Conference Series on Public Policy 49, 317–356; 2003. Implications of rational inattention. Journal of Monetary Economics 50, 665–690; 2006. Rational inattention: a research agenda. Unpublished, Princeton University]. The resulting class of models includes the standard (full-information) “Ss” model as a limiting case, but statistics on individual price changes from micro data sets are better fit by a parameterization with substantial information costs. This can reconcile substantial real effects of nominal disturbances with evidence on the frequency of price changes.
The impact of percent reduction in CA-125 levels on prediction of the extent of interval cytoreduction and outcome in patients with advanced stage cancer of müllerian origin treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy

Objective To investigate the role of CA-125 percent reduction after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in predicting the extent of the interval debulking surgery (IDS) and outcomes in patients with advanced-stage mullerian carcinoma. Methods Patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy for advanced-stage mullerian carcinoma from 2000 to 2013 were identified. Percent reduction in CA-125 was categorized into 2 groups: ≥90% (CA ≥ 90%) and Results Of the 115 patients identified, 73% had CA ≥ 90% and 27% had CA Conclusions A reduction in CA-125 of at least 90% is associated with complete IDS, favorable pathologic response, and fewer bowel resections. A preoperative CA-125
Monotonicity and Error Type Differentiability in Performance Measures for Target Detection and Tracking in Video

There exists an abundance of systems and algorithms for multiple target detection and tracking in video, and many measures for evaluating the quality of their output have been proposed. The contribution of this paper lies in the following: first, it argues that such performance measures should have two fundamental properties-monotonicity and error type differentiability; second, it shows that the recently proposed measures do not have either of these properties and are, thus, less usable; third, it composes a set of simple measures, partly built on common practice, that does have these properties. The informativeness of the proposed set of performance measures is demonstrated through their application on face detection and tracking results.
Fundamental limits on third-order molecular susceptibilities

By the use of sum rules, the largest third-order molecular nonlinear-optical susceptibilities allowed by quantum mechanics are determined. The theoretical upper limit is found to depend only on the first excited-state transition energy and on the number of electrons, in agreement with experimental data.
The lunar atmosphere

In contrast to the earth's atmosphere, the atmosphere of the moon is exceedingly tenuous and appears to consist mainly of noble gases. The solar wind impinges on the lunar surface, supplying detectable amounts of helium, neon and Ar-36. Influxes of solar wind protons and carbon and nitrogen ions are significant, but atmospheric gases containing these elements have not been positively identified. Radiogenic Ar-40 and Rn-222 produced within the moon have been detected. The present rate of effusion of argon from the moon accounts for about 0.4% of the total production of Ar-40 due to decay of K-40 if the average abundance of potassium in the moon is 1000 ppm. Lack of weathering processes in the regolith suggests that most of the atmospheric Ar-40 originates deep in the lunar interior, perhaps in a partially molten core. If so, other gases may be vented along with the argon.
Chiral potentials, perturbation theory and the 1S0 channel of NN scattering

We use nucleon–nucleon phase shifts obtained from experimental data, together with the chiral expansion for the long-distance part of the NN interaction, to obtain information about the short-distance piece of the NN potential that is at work in the 1S0 channel. We find that if the scale R that defines the separation between 'long-' and 'short-' distance is chosen to be 1.8 fm then the energy dependence produced by short-distance dynamics is well approximated by a two-term polynomial for Tlab ≤ 200 MeV. We also find that a quantitative description of NN dynamics is possible, at least in this channel, if one treats the long-distance parts of the chiral NN potential in perturbation theory. However, in order to achieve this we have to choose a separation scale R that is larger than 1.0 fm.
Rarita-Schwinger field in the AdS/CFT correspondence

A free Rarita-Schwinger field in the Anti-de Sitter space is considered. We show that the usual action can be supplemented by a boundary term that can be interpreted as the generating functional of the correlation functions in a conformal field theory on the boundary of the Anti-de Sitter space.
Some speculations concerning a possible biochemical basis of minimal brain dysfunction.

Publisher Summary This chapter describes a possible biochemical basis of minimal brain dysfunction (MBD). MBD is one of a number of designations for a common behavioral syndrome of childhood. Other terms which have been employed include: the hyperactive child syndrome, hyperactivity, hyperkinesis, minimal brain damage, and minimal cerebral dysfunction. The boundaries of the syndrome are unclearly defined, however, there is general consensus regarding the signs of typical MBD children. These are behavioral and perceptual and cognitive. The characteristic features include hyperactivity, involuntary, and constant over-activity that completely surpasses the normal and may already be present during early infancy and a short attention span and poor powers of concentration, with the children generally being unable to persist for long in an activity whether at play or at school and impulsivity and inability to delay gratification. An overlapping strategy for unraveling the MBD problem would be to manipulate monoaminergic activity levels, determine the effects on the behavior and attempt to extrapolate to children. It is found that MBD is a genetically produced disorder of monoamine metabolism obviously suggests assessment of such metabolism in children.
An efficient k nearest neighbor search for multivariate time series

Multivariate time series (MTS) datasets are common in various multimedia, medical and financial applications. In order to efficiently perform k nearest neighbor searches for MTS datasets, we present a similarity measure, Eros (extended Frobenius norm), an index structure, Muse (multilevel distance-based index structure for Eros), and a feature subset selection technique, Ropes (recursive feature elimination on common principal components for Eros). Eros is based on principal component analysis, and computes the similarity between two MTS items by measuring how close the corresponding principal components are using the eigenvalues as weights. Muse constructs each level as a distance-based index structure without using the weights, up to z levels, which are combined at the query time with the weights. Ropes utilizes both the common principal components and the weights recursively in order to select a subset of features for Eros. The experimental results show the superiority of our techniques as compared to earlier approaches.
On combinatorial calculations for the James–Hopf maps

Abstract We give some formulae of the James–Hopf maps by using combinatorial methods. An application is to give a product decomposition of the spaces ΩΣ 2 (X).
Exchange rates and the fiscal theory of the price level

Abstract This paper addresses exchange rate determination under a nominal interest peg in a two-country cash-in-advance model. Under two types of cash-in-advance constraints, if both governments peg the nominal interest rate on domestic bonds, there is a continuum of equilibria, each consistent with different nominal exchange rates and real resource allocations. The well-known finding of equilibrium uniqueness under a nominal interest rate peg in a closed economy does not survive in a multi-country, multi-currency setting.
The Power of Fair Pricing Mechanisms

We explore the revenue capabilities of truthful, monotone (“fair”) allocation and pricing functions for resource-constrained auction mechanisms within a general framework that encompasses unlimited supply auctions, knapsack auctions, and auctions with general non-decreasing convex production cost functions. We study and compare the revenue obtainable in each fair pricing scheme to the profit obtained by the ideal omniscient multi-price auction. We show that for capacitated knapsack auctions, no constant pricing scheme can achieve any approximation to the optimal profit, but proportional pricing is as powerful as general monotone pricing. In addition, for auction settings with arbitrary bounded non-decreasing convex production cost functions, we present a proportional pricing mechanism which achieves a poly-logarithmic approximation. Unlike existing approaches, all of our mechanisms have fair (monotone) prices, and all of our competitive analysis is with respect to the optimal profit extraction.
Dirac families for loop groups as matrix factorizations

© 2015 Academie des sciences. We identify the category of integrable lowest-weight representations of the loop group LG of a compact Lie group G with the category of twisted, conjugation-equivariant curved Fredholm complexes on the group G: namely, the twisted, equivariant matrix factorizations of a super-potential built from the loop rotation action on LG. This lifts the isomorphism of K-groups of [3-5] to an equivalence of categories. The construction uses families of Dirac operators.
Experimental Verification of Propeller Noise Prediction

Results of experimental measurements of the sound fields of 1/4-scale general aviation propellers are presented and experimental wake surveys and pressure signatures obtained are compared with theoretical predictions. Experiments were performed primarily on a 1C160 propeller model mounted in front of a symmetric body in an anechoic wind tunnel, and measured the thrust and torque produced by propeller at different rotation speeds and tunnel velocities, wakes at three axial distances, and sound pressure at various azimuths and tip speeds with advance ratio or tunnel velocity constant. Aerodynamic calculations of blade loading were performed using airfoil section characteristics and a modified strip analysis procedure. The propeller was then modeled as an array of point sound sources with each point characterized by the force and volume of the corresponding propeller section in order to obtain the acoustic characteristics. Measurements are found to agree with predictions over a wide range of operating conditions, tip speeds and propeller nacelle combinations, without the use of adjustable constants.
Perception of gravity by plants.

Abstract Physical principles can be used to predict some features about the gravity perception system in plants. The nature of the system has made it rather elusive, so this approach represents an additional source of information to help find it. For a gravitational stimulus to be detected, two masses must move relative to each other in a manner which causes a significant amount of work to be done on a receptor. Relative to cellular dimensions, the masses must be large, be dense and move noticeable distances. The main sources of noise are thermal motion and flexing of the plant tissue. Some new models for the function of amyloplasts as statoliths are presented.
Mild and convenient oxidation of aromatic heterocyclic primary alcohols by 4-acetylamino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxoammonium perchlorate

Hydroxymethyl substituted aromatic heterocycles, including pyridines, furans, and thiophenes, are oxidized to the corresponding aldehydes in excellent yields by 4-acetylamino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxoammonium perchlorate (1) with minimal workup.
Suburbanization, Demographic Change and the Consequences for School Finance

Abstract The existing literature on the relationship between the share of elderly in a community and the support for local public education has led to mixed results to date. One potential reason behind this is that the share of elderly in a community is endogenous, and it is very difficult to disentangle the effects of individuals aging in place from that of dynamic Tiebout sorting. The point of this paper is to carefully document the degree to which aging in place has occurred in the American suburbs, and to estimate the degree to which it has influenced school finance once the initial settlers of these suburbs were no longer the parents of school-aged children. We hand-match data from the 1950 and 1960 Censuses of Population and Housing to more recent data to link postwar suburban development to later school finance. Using a novel method for identifying the causal effects of aging in place, we find that the percentage of elderly adults in a school district is negatively related to the level of support for public schooling, and that this is particularly true for school districts in metropolitan areas where the school-aged population is more heavily nonwhite relative to the elderly population.
Turbulent Vortex Breakdown at High Reynolds Numbers

This paper deals with vortex breakdown in noncavitating swirling flows in tubes at high Reynolds numbers (Re = U 0 D 0 /v as high as 3 x 10 5 or γ = Γ/v as high as 175,000). Breakdown in slender vortices of high intensity begins with a rapidly spinning spiral at a point dictated by the prevailing flow and boundary conditions. The nascent spiral bursts into turbulence shortly after its inception, i.e., the breakdowns occurring at relatively low γ or Reynolds numbers are bypassed at sufficiently high Reynolds numbers. Additional findings concern the core bifurcation, the random reversals in the sense of the spiral windings, and the absence of a reversed-flow region. The core meandering and stagnation-point darting are quantified and discussed in light of extensive velocity, turbulence, and spectrum measurements
University knowledge production and industrial innovation: the evidence

Universities can have the largest impact on regional economic growth by excelling in advanced research and by augmenting the region's stock of human capital. The combination of growth in the stocks of knowledge and human capital offer increasing returns in the region's knowledge production system and in the commercialisation of inventions. A survey of high technology company executives suggests that high-tech firms are drawn to quality university environments in order to gain better access to graduating students and to faculty research. An argument is presented to show that basic science research at universities is taking on added significance in the regional economic growth process, rather than being rendered obsolete by the shift in the loci of advanced research towards private research centres, corporate R&D, research hospitals, government laboratories and think tanks.
Reliable hardware/software architecture

This paper deals with the problem of reliability in a hardware/software system. More specifically it deals with the strategy used to achieve reliability in a particular hardware/software system built by the author and his colleagues at Carnegie-Mellon University. Rather than dealing with the myriad details of the reliability aspects of this systems, the paper focuses on the design philosophy which aims at keeping the system operational even though the underlying hardware may be malfunctioning. This philosophy is essentially an extension of the 'modular' programming methodology, advocated by Parnas and others, to include dynamic error detection and recovery.
Atomistic-Continuum Hybrid Simulation of Heat Transfer Between Argon Flow and Copper Plates

A simulation work aiming to study heat transfer coefficient between argon fluid flow and copper plate is carried out based on atomistic-continuum hybrid method. Navier-Stokes equations for continuum domain are solved through the Pressure Implicit with Splitting of Operators (PISO) algorithm, and the atom evolution in molecular domain is solved through the Verlet algorithm. The solver is validated by solving Couette flow and heat conduction problems. With both momentum and energy coupling method applied, simulations on convection of argon flows between two parallel plates are performed. The top plate is kept as a constant velocity and has higher temperature, while the lower one, which is modeled with FCC copper lattices, is also fixed but has lower temperature. It is found that, heat transfer between argon fluid flow and copper plate in this situation is much higher than that at macroscopic when the flow is fully developed.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
The Innovations, Technology and Waste Management Approaches to Safely Package and Transport the World’s First Radioactive Fusion Research Reactor for Burial

Original estimates stated that the amount of radioactive waste that will be generated during the dismantling of the Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor (Fig. 1) will approach 2 Million Kilograms with an associated volume of 2500 cubic meters. The materials were activated by 14 Mev neutrons and were highly contaminated with tritium, which present unique challenges to maintain integrity during packaging and transportation. In addition, the majority of this material is stainless steel and copper structural metal that were specifically designed and manufactured for this one-of-a-kind fusion research reactor. This provided further complexity in planning and managing the waste. We will discuss the engineering concepts, innovative practices, and technologies that were utilized to size reduce, stabilize and package the many unique and complex components of this reactor. This waste was packaged and shipped in many different configurations and methods according to the transportation regulations and disposal facility requirements. For this particular project we were able to utilize two separate disposal facilities for burial. This paper will conclude with a complete summary of the actual results of the waste management costs, volumes, and best practices that were developed from this groundbreaking and successful project.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Kinetics and reaction mechanisms for formation and decomposition of Ba2YCu3Ox

Abstract Thermal curves obtained at constant heating rates of 3, 5 and 10 °C min −1 were used to study the kinetics of the solid state reaction of BaCO 3 , Y 2 O 3 and CuO to form Ba 2 YCu 3 O x in air. It was evident that three overlapping steps occurred during the formation After complete formation on cooling, and then on further heating, three reactions occurred. The last three correspond to reactions with partial melting. From the position of the thermal peaks obtained using different heating rates, Reich's and Kissinger's techniques were used to establish the activation energies for the above reactions. Based on weight loss and using Coats and Redfern's and Satava and Skvara's techniques during heating, the activation energy for the six reactions were determined and the mechanisms fitting the results were determined.
The strong Atiyah conjecture for virtually cocompact special groups

We provide new conditions for the strong Atiyah conjecture to lift to finite group extensions. In particular, we show that fundamental groups of compact special cube complexes satisfy these conditions, so the conjecture holds for finite extensions of these groups.
Proline-Catalyzed Direct Inverse Electron Demand Diels–Alder Reactions of Ketones with 1,2,4,5-Tetrazines

An organocatalytic direct inverse electron demand Diels–Alder reaction of ketones with 1,2,4,5-tetrazines has been developed. The process is efficiently catalyzed by proline to give Diels–Alder adducts pyridazines in high yields.
A novel algorithm for fiber-optic alignment automation

An efficient and robust fiber-optic active alignment algorithm for locating the optimal fiber-optic coupling position is critical to the fiber-optic packaging automation, and thus to the cost effective manufacturing of fiber optic components and modules. A robust and speedy fiber-optic alignment algorithm must be capable of avoiding local power peak trapping and simultaneous multidegree of freedom alignment. The currently most widely employed fiber-optic alignment algorithms are based on the so-called hill-climbing method. Because the hill-climbing method is a "one-dimensional-at-a-time" gradient searching method, it can only deal with the alignment on one direction at one time, so it is usually time-consuming and often the real peak cannot be detected because of local peak trapping. Another disadvantage of the hill-climbing method is that it is especially difficult when dealing with angular alignment and arrayed device alignment. Our novel approach is based on the application of the Nelder-Mead Simplex optimization method. The performance of the algorithm is investigated for the first time for three different fiber-optic alignment conditions, i.e., 1) two-dimensional (X and Y) alignment in the presence of side-modes for a single channel fiber-optic device; 2) simultaneous six-dimensional (i.e., three linear, two angular, and one rotational) alignment for a wedged fiber to a laser diode; 3) three-dimensional (X, Y, and rotation) alignment of eight-channel fiber-arrayed devices. We have found that this method has the advantage of fast convergence and easy-implementation. Simulation results indicates that the algorithm converges five times faster than the conventional hill-climbing method; it works well in the presence of side-modes; and it converges to the maximum coupling efficiency within 15 Simplex iterations for the six-DOF alignment; for the arrayed devices, it also only requires less than 15 iterations to reach a balanced optimal coupling position for each channel.
Linked-cluster technique for finding the distance of a quantum LDPC code

We present a linked-cluster technique for calculating the distance of a quantum LDPC code. It offers an advantage over existing deterministic techniques for codes with small relative distances (which includes all known families of quantum LDPC codes), and over the probabilistic technique for codes with sufficiently high rates.
The Response of Airfoils to Periodic Disturbances —The Unsteady Kutta Condition

Two cases of unsteady flowfields over a NACA 0012 airfoil at an angle of attack are examined. The first is the classical pitching motion about the airfoil's quarter chord. The second is the flow over a fixed airfoil immersed in the wake of the pitching airfoil. Large reduced frequencies are examined. Measurements were obtained in a water tunnel by laser Doppler velocimetry. Ensemble-averaged velocity measurements were obtained in the vicinity of the trailing edges of both the pitching and the fixed airfoil. The results indicate that the classical unsteady Kutta condition is clearly not valid. An extension of this condition earlier proposed by Giesing and Maskell is examined and some evidence is provided for its support.
Stereoselective synthesis of the tetracyclic core of manzamine via the vinylogous amide photocycloaddition cascade

Abstract The stereoselective preparation of the tetracyclic core of the manzamine alkaloids via the intramolecular vinylogous amide photocycloaddition/retro-Mannich fragmentation/Mannich closure cascade is described. The striking effect of unsaturation in the eight-membered ring on the stereoselectivity of the cycloaddition and a computational analysis of these results are presented.
Time preference and international labor migration

Abstract This paper analyzes the pattern and welfare implications of international labor migration within a dynamic general equilibrium model. In a two-country overlapping generations world, labor migrates unilaterally from the high (low) to the low (high) time preference country if both countries under (over) invest relative to the Golden Rule. Bilateral migration, a theoretical novelty, occurs if the countries are on opposite sides of the Golden Rule. Steady-state welfare analysis is conducted, where, in contrast to existing results, unilateral migration immiserizes non-migrants in the immigration country while making non-migrants in the immigration country at least as well off. Bilateral migration may improve world welfare.
Reputation and the responsibility of International Organizations

The International Law Commission�s Draft Articles on the Responsibility of International Organizations have met a sceptical response from many states, international organizations (IOs), and academics. This article explains why those Articles can nevertheless have significant practical effect. In the course of doing so, this article fills a crucial gap in the IO literature, and provides a theoretical account of why IOs comply with international law. The IO Responsibility Articles may spur IOs and their member states to prevent violations and to address violations promptly if they do occur. The key mechanism for realizing these effects is transnational discourse among both state and non-state actors in a range of national and international forums. IOs have reason to be especially sensitive to the effects of this discourse on their reputations. A reputation for complying with international law is an important facet of an IO's legitimacy. The perception that an IO is legitimate is, in turn, crucial to the organ ization's ability to secure cooperation and support from its member states. This article argues that IOs and their member states will take action to prevent and address violations of international law in order to deflect threats to IOs' reputations - and to preserve their effectiveness.
Diffusion of protease into meat & bone meal for solubility improvement and potential inactivation of the BSE prion.

Background Government-imposed feed bans have created a need for new applications for meat & bone meal (MBM). Many potential new applications require MBM protein to be both soluble and free of infectious prion. Treatment with protease is generally effective in reducing insoluble, thermally-denatured proteins to soluble peptides. It has been reported in the literature that certain proteases, including Versazyme™, are able to degrade infectious prions in a system where the prions are readily accessible to proteolytic attack. Prions distributed within MBM, however, may conceivably be protected from proteases. Methodology/Principal Findings The overall rate of proteolytic MBM digestion depends greatly on whether the protease can penetrate deep within individual particles, or if the protease can only act near the surface of the particle. This research examined the barriers to the diffusion of Versazyme™ into particles of MBM. Confocal microscopy demonstrated differences in the density distributions between the bone and the soft tissue particles of MBM. By tracking the diffusion of fluorescently labeled Versazyme™ through individual particles, it was found that bone particles show full Versazyme™ penetration within 30 minutes, while penetration of soft tissue particles can take up to four hours, depending on the particle's diameter. From the variety of normal proteins comprising MBM, a specific protein was chosen to serve as a prion surrogate based on characteristics including size, solubility, distribution and abundance. This surrogate was used to measure the effect of several factors on Versazyme™ diffusion. Conclusions/Significance Results showed that surrogate distributed in bone particles was more susceptible to degradation than that in soft tissue particles. Three factors controllable by unit operations in an industrial-scale process were also tested. It was found that removing the lipid content and hydrating MBM prior to incubation both significantly increased the rate of surrogate degradation. In a test of particle size, the smallest collected diameter range demonstrated the largest degradation of the prion surrogate, suggesting milling would be beneficial.
Fishery Management Under Multiple Uncertainty

Abstract Among others who point to environmental variability and managerial uncertainty as causes of fishery collapse, Roughgarden and Smith (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 93 (1996) 5078) argue that three sources of uncertainty are important for fisheries management: variability in fish dynamics, inaccurate stock size estimates, and inaccurate implementation of harvest quotas. We develop a bioeconomic model with these three sources of uncertainty, and solve for optimal escapement based on measurements of fish stock in a discrete-time model. Among other results we find: (1) when uncertainties are high, we generally reject the constant-escapement rule advocated in much of the existing literature, (2) inaccurate stock estimation affects policy in a fundamentally different way than the other sources of uncertainty, and (3) the optimal policy leads to significantly higher commercial profits and lower extinction risk than the optimal constant-escapement policy (by 42% and 56%, respectively).
Measurement error in visually scored electrophysiological data: respiration during sleep

Electrophysiological sleep studies employ the simultaneous recording of multiple physiological parameters. These data are often scored and analyzed visually, i.e. by trained human scorers. In this study, we investigated the measurement error inherent in visual evaluation of respiratory disturbances during human sleep. Three trained scorers independently evaluated twenty-eight all-night sleep recordings. Results indicated that the scorers achieved high agreement on only selected variables. Scorers' experience did not affect the reliability and independent judgements of recording quality did not account for the discrepancies. These findings, although most relevant for the specific parameters studied here, as well as for these scoring criteria, subjects, and techniques, document the unreliability of certain visually scored sleep data. The present paradigm may be useful in evaluating other types of measurement error.
RTG: a recursive realistic graph generator using random typing

We propose a new, recursive model to generate realistic graphs, evolving over time. Our model has the following properties: it is (a) flexible, capable of generating the cross product of weighted/unweighted, directed/undirected, uni/bipartite graphs; (b) realistic, giving graphs that obey eleven static and dynamic laws that real graphs follow (we formally prove that for several of the (power) laws and we estimate their exponents as a function of the model parameters); (c) parsimonious, requiring only four parameters. (d) fast, being linear on the number of edges; (e) simple, intuitively leading to the generation of macroscopic patterns. We empirically show that our model mimics two real-world graphs very well: Blognet (unipartite, undirected, unweighted) with 27 K nodes and 125 K edges; and Committee-to-Candidate campaign donations (bipartite, directed, weighted) with 23 K nodes and 880 K edges. We also show how to handle time so that edge/weight additions are bursty and self-similar.
Lanthanide N,N-Dimethylaminodiboranates: Highly Volatile Precursors for the Deposition of Lanthanide-Containing Thin Films

New lanthanide CVD precursors of stoichiometry Ln(H(3)BNMe(2)BH(3))(3) have been prepared, where Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, and Lu. The ligand is N,N-dimethylaminodiboranate, a new kind of multidentate borohydride. The structures of the Ln(H(3)BNMe(2)BH(3))(3) complexes are highly dependent on the size of the lanthanide ions: the coordination number decreases from Pr (CN = 14) to Sm (CN = 13) to Er (CN = 12) corresponding with the decrease in ionic radii. The Ln(H(3)BNMe(2)BH(3))(3) complexes are highly volatile and sublime at temperatures as low as 65 degrees C in vacuum. These complexes are useful CVD precursors; for example, Y(H(3)BNMe(2)BH(3))(3) has been used to deposit Y(2)O(3) on silicon at 300 degrees C by CVD using water as a coreactant.
The semi-chiral quotient, hyperkähler manifolds and T-duality

We study the construction of generalized Kahler manifolds, described purely in terms of $ \mathcal{N} $ = (2,2) semichiral superfields, by a quotient using the semichiral vector multiplet. Despite the presence of a b-field in these models, we show that the quotient of a hyperkahler manifold is hyperkahler, as in the usual hyperkahler quotient. Thus, quotient manifolds with torsion cannot be constructed by this method. Nonetheless, this method does give a new description of hyperkahler manifolds in terms of two-dimensional $ \mathcal{N} $ = (2, 2) gauged non-linear sigma models involving semichiral superfields and the semichiral vector multiplet. We give two examples: Eguchi-Hanson and Taub-NUT. By T-duality, this gives new gauged linear sigma models describing the T-dual of Eguchi-Hanson and NS5-branes. We also clarify some aspects of T-duality relating these models to $ \mathcal{N} $ = (4, 4) models with chiral/twisted-chiral fields and comment briefly on more general quotients that can give rise to torsion and give an example.
Chemical tools to discover and target bacterial glycoproteins

Bacterial protein glycosylation is an important post-translational modification that can distinguish pathogenic bacteria from human cells. This review discusses recent findings in the field of bacterial glycobiology, with a particular focus on the unusual structures of bacterial glycans and their link to pathogenesis. We then describe how chemical tools can augment the study of this class of biomolecules, offering the potential to unveil novel pathogen-associated targets. Finally, this article highlights recent advances in targeting bacteria with therapeutics based on their unique glycans.
Two-stage empirical likelihood for longitudinal neuroimaging data

Longitudinal imaging studies are essential to understanding the neural development of neuropsychiatric disorders, substance use disorders, and the normal brain. The main objective of this paper is to develop a two-stage adjusted exponentially tilted empirical likelihood (TAETEL) for the spatial analysis of neuroimaging data from longitudinal studies. The TAETEL method allows us to efficiently analyze longitudinal data without correctly modeling temporal correlation and to classify different time-dependent covariate types. To account for spatial dependence, the TAETEL method developed here specifically combines all the data in the neighborhood of each voxel (or pixel) on a 3 dimensional (3D) volume (or 2D surface) with appropriate weights to calculate adaptive parameter estimates and adaptive test statistics. Simulation studies are used to examine the finite sample performance of the adjusted exponential tilted likelihood ratio statistic and TAETEL. We demonstrate the application of our statistical methods to the detection of the difference in the morphological changes of the hippocampus across time between schizophrenia patients and healthy subjects in a longitudinal schizophrenia study.
Monte Carlo computation of rarefied supersonic flow into a pitot probe

Pitot probes are commonly used to make measurements in high-speed gas flows in wind tunnels and vacuum chambers. In supersonic flow, a shock wave forms in front of the probe. In the continuum flow regime, the Rayleigh pitot probe equation is used to describe nonisentropic pressure losses across this shock. Under the rarefied flow conditions typical of supersonic plumes produced by spacecraft propulsion systems, the continuum theory is inaccurate. Hence, pressure corrections are needed to make use of pitot probe measurements in these flows. Currently, there is no general analytical theory describing this behavior. In the present study, the direct simulation Monte Carlo method is used to simulate rarefied, supersonic flow of nitrogen into a representative pitot probe geometry in order to predict these pressure corrections. Numerical results are compared with experimental data and are found to show good agreement qualitatively and quantitatively. Pressure corrections computed at very low probe Reynolds numbers are found to be consistent with free molecular limits calculated using collisionless gas theory.