cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Size-Dependent Photoluminescence from Single Indium Phosphide Nanowires

Photoluminescence (PL) imaging and spectroscopy have been used to investigate isolated, individual indium phosphide nanowires (InP NWs) at both room temperature and 7 K. PL images and spectra show that the emission maxima, line shapes, and intensities are nearly identical along the axis of a given NW. PL spectra collected on InP NWs with diameters of 10, 15, 20, and 50 nm show that emission maxima systematically shift to higher energy with decreasing wire diameter, for diameters less than 20 nm. An effective mass model (EMM) has been developed using particle-in-a-cylinder wave functions for electrons and holes to explore quantitatively the diameter-dependent PL data. The EMM provides excellent fits to the diameter-dependent data obtained at both room temperature and 7 K, and shows that the shifts in the emission spectra can be explained by radial quantum confinement.
Divergence in age patterns of mortality change drives international divergence in lifespan inequality

In the past six decades, lifespan inequality has varied greatly within and among countries even while life expectancy has continued to increase. How and why does mortality change generate this diversity? We derive a precise link between changes in age-specific mortality and lifespan inequality, measured as the variance of age at death. Key to this relationship is a young–old threshold age, below and above which mortality decline respectively decreases and increases lifespan inequality. First, we show for Sweden that shifts in the threshold’s location have modified the correlation between changes in life expectancy and lifespan inequality over the last two centuries. Second, we analyze the post–World War II (WWII) trajectories of lifespan inequality in a set of developed countries—Japan, Canada, and the United States—where thresholds centered on retirement age. Our method reveals how divergence in the age pattern of mortality change drives international divergence in lifespan inequality. Most strikingly, early in the 1980s, mortality increases in young U.S. males led to a continuation of high lifespan inequality in the United States; in Canada, however, the decline of inequality continued. In general, our wider international comparisons show that mortality change varied most at young working ages after WWII, particularly for males. We conclude that if mortality continues to stagnate at young ages yet declines steadily at old ages, increases in lifespan inequality will become a common feature of future demographic change.
Stereo- and enantiospecific reactions of 1,4-benzoquinones with styrenyl systems: Stereoselective syntheses of neolignans, pterocarpans and several naturally occurring 2-aryl-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran systems

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the Lewis acid-promoted reactions of 2-alkoxy-1,4-benzoquinones with various styrenyl systems. These reactions provide useful routes to several different structural types of cycloaddition products. Utilization of chiral Lewis acids affords the products in good enantiomeric purity. Thus, the quinone-styrene reactions are versatile processes providing direct access to a number of classes of natural products possessing structures. The Lewis acid-promoted reactions of 1,4-benzoquinones with styrenyl systems provide direct access to complex structural frameworks found in several different classes of biologically important natural products in just one or two steps. Not only can the reactions be manipulated to selectively access any one of four different products of formal cycloaddition, but each of the products is obtained stereoselectively. Additionally, chiral Lewis acids can be used to provide the products in nonracemic form. These versatile reactions significantly extend the synthetic utility of quinones as important and readily available starting materials.
Weakness in Quaternion Signatures

This note continues a sequence of attempts to define efficient digital signature schemes based on low-degree polynomials, or to break such schemes. We consider a scheme proposed by Satoh and Araki [5], which generalizes the Ong--Schnorr--Shamir scheme to the noncommutative ring of quaternions. We give two different ways to break the scheme.
Structure and Dynamics of Supported Intermembrane Junctions

Supported intermembrane junctions, formed by rupture of giant unilamellar vesicles onto conventional supported lipid membranes, have recently emerged as model systems for the study of biochemical processes at membrane interfaces. Using intermembrane fluorescence resonance energy transfer and optical standing wave fluorescence interferometry, we characterize the nanometer-scale topography of supported intermembrane junctions and find two distinct association states. In one state, the two membranes adhere in close apposition, with intermembrane separations of a few nanometers. In the second state, large intermembrane spacings of ∼50 nm are maintained by a balance between Helfrich (entropic) repulsion and occasional sites of tight adhesion that pin the two membranes together. Reversible transitions between these two states can be triggered with temperature changes. We further examine the physical properties of membranes in each state using a membrane mixture near its miscibility phase transition temperature. Thermodynamic characteristics of the phase transition and diffusive mobility of individual lipids are comparable. However, collective Brownian motion of phase-separated domains and compositional fluctuations are substantially modulated by intermembrane spacing. The scaling properties of diffusion coefficient with particle size are determined from detailed analysis of domain motion in the different junction types. The results provide experimental verification of a theoretical model for two-dimensional mobility in membranes, which includes frictional coupling across an interstitial water layer.
The time-delay signature of quark-gluon plasma formation in relativistic nuclear collisions

Abstract The hydrodynamic expansion of quark-gluon plasmas with spherical and longitudinally boost-invariant geometries is studied as a function of the initial energy density. The sensitivity of the collective flow pattern to uncertainties in the nuclear matter equation of state is explored. We concentrate on the effect of a possible finite width, ΔT ∼ 0.1 T c , of the transition region between quark-gluon plasma and hadronic phase. Although slow deflagration solutions that act to stall the expansion do not exist for ΔT > 0.08 T c , we find, nevertheless, that the equation of state remains sufficiently soft in the transition region to delay the propagation of ordinary rarefaction waves for a considerable time. We compute the dependence of the pion-interferometry correlation function on ΔT , since this is the most promising observable for time-delayed expansion. The signature of time delay, proposed by Pratt and Bertsch, is an enhancement of the ratio of the inverse width of the pion correlation function in out-direction to that in side-direction. One of our main results is that this generic signature of quark-gluon plasma formation is rather robust to the uncertainties in the width of the transition region. Furthermore, for longitudinal boost-invariant geometries, the signal is likely to be maximized around RHIC energies
Entrepreneurship as the nexus of individual and opportunity: A structuration view

Abstract We propose structuration theory as a useful lens through which to view the entrepreneurial process. Extending Shane and Venkataraman's work ( Shane, S., Venkataraman, S., 2000. The promise of entrepreneurship as a field of research. Academy of Management Review 25, 217–226 ), entrepreneurship is presented as the nexus of opportunity and agency, whereby opportunities are not singular phenomena, but are idiosyncratic to the individual. Entrepreneurial ventures are the medium and outcome of the entrepreneurs' actions. The traditional view of entrepreneurship is that entrepreneurs fill market gaps. A structuration view proposes that the entrepreneur and social systems co-evolve. The presentation of structuration theory offers a robust, and hereto underrepresented, perspective of the entrepreneurial process.
Metadata tables to enable dynamic data modeling and web interface design: the SEER example

A wealth of information addressing health status, outcomes and resource utilization is compiled and made available by various government agencies. While exploration of the data is possible using existing tools, in general, would-be users of the resources must acquire CD-ROMs or download data from the web, and upload the data into their own database. Where web interfaces exist, they are highly structured, limiting the kinds of queries that can be executed. This work develops a web-based database interface engine whose content and structure is generated through interaction with a metadata table. The result is a dynamically generated web interface that can easily accommodate changes in the underlying data model by altering the metadata table, rather than requiring changes to the interface code. This paper discusses the background and implementation of the metadata table and web-based front end and provides examples of its use with the NCI's Surveillance, Epidemiology and End-Results (SEER) database.
Palladium chloride/tetraphenylphosphonium bromide intercalated clay: new catalyst for cross-coupling of aryl halides with arylboronic acids

Abstract A facile method for the preparation of biaryl compounds is described from readily accessible aryl halides and arylboronic acids using palladium chloride/tetraphenylphosphonium bromide intercalated clay as a new catalyst.
India: Defining and Explaining Inclusive Growth and Poverty Reduction

We document the evolution of poverty and inequality across Indian states during the recent period of rapid growth (2004-09), and examine the role of growth and distribution in reducing poverty. Robust economic growth has been a major driver of poverty reduction and inclusiveness in India. We explore the role of economic policies and macrofinancial conditions in explaining inclusive growth and its components, using a new measure of inclusive growth. Social expenditures, spending on education, and educational attainment rates are important for fostering inclusive growth. Macro-financial stability, with particular attention to inflation risks, is also criticial for promoting inclusive growth.
Experiences with airborne and ground-based polarimetry ☆

Abstract Polarimetry in the far-infrared and submillimeter has been valuable in tracing magnetic fields in bright Galactic clouds. We discuss the techniques we have developed and trends we have found in polarization vs column density and wavelength. The polarization spectrum has proven to be more interesting than had been anticipated. It is potentially valuable in explaining grain alignment and in characterizing dust species. One can expect the infrared cirrus to be a much simpler environment than the molecular clouds that have heretofore been explored at multiple wavelengths. Although cirrus observations must deal with low signals and wide extent, it is becoming possible to measure accurately the spectral energy distribution from mid-infrared to microwave frequencies and it should soon become feasible to determine the polarization spectrum over the same range.
Enantiomeric conversion of racemic amino acid mixtures via an oxidase-aminotransferase coupled system

Abstract D-amino acid oxidase, branched-chain amino acid aminotransferase and excess L-glutamate are used to convert racemic mixtures to the L-form enantioner in high chemical and optical yields for a number of both common and non-biological amino acids.
Room temperature performance of mid-wavelength infrared InAsSb nBn detectors

Abstract In this work we investigate the high temperature performance of mid-wavelength infrared InAsSb–AlAsSb nBn detectors with cut-off wavelengths near 4.5 μm. The quantum efficiency of these devices is 35% without antireflection coatings and does not change with temperature in the 77–325 K temperature range, indicating potential for room temperature operation. The device dark current stays diffusion limited in the 150–325 K temperature range and becomes dominated by generation-recombination processes at lower temperatures. Detector detectivities of D*(λ) = 1 × 109 (cm Hz0.5/W) at T = 300 K and D*(λ) = 5 × 109 (cm Hz0.5/W) at T = 250 K, which is easily achievable with a one stage TE cooler.
Low temperature expansion of matrix models

Abstract We show how to expand the free energy of a matrix model coupled to arbitrary matter in powers of the matter coupling constant. Concentrating on ν uncoupled Ising models — which have central charge 1 2 ν - we work out the expansion to sixth order for ν =1,2, and 3. Analyzing the series by the ratio method, we exhibit the spin-ordering phase transition. We discuss the limit ν → ∞, which is especially clear in the low temperature expansion; we prove that in this limit the dependence of the model on ν becomes trivial.
MCSHANE'S IDENTITY, USING ELLIPTIC ELEMENTS

We introduce a new method to establish McShane’s Identity. Elliptic elements of order two in the Fuchsian group uniformizing the quotient of a fixed once-punctured hyperbolic torus act so as to exclude points as being highest points of geodesics. The highest points of simple closed geodesics are already given as the appropriate complement of the regions excluded by those elements of order two that factor hyperbolic elements whose axis projects to be simple. The widths of the intersection with an appropriate horocycle of the excluded regions sum to give McShane’s value of 1/2. The remaining points on the horocycle are highest points of simple open geodesics, we show that this set has zero Hausdorff dimension.
Synthesis of Bacterial Metabolites of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons: Benzochromenones, o‐Carboxyvinylnaphthoates, and o‐Substituted Aryl‐α‐Oxobutenoates

Abstract Bacterial metabolites of phenanthrene and anthracene include benzochromenones, o‐carboxyvinylnaphthoates, and o‐substituted aryl α‐oxobutenoates, which were synthesized with the Wittig reaction, the Heck reaction, and coupling of aromatic aldehyde with pyruvate.
Natural Resource Prices: Will They Ever Turn Up?

Abstract Natural resource theory predicts that natural resource rents should increase over time. However, technical progress in resource extraction, environmental constraints, or great natural abundance could result in stagnant or declining product prices. Thus, there is no theoretical reason to believe that product prices will rise in the near future. The prediction of product prices by time-series methods is shown to depend critically upon whether the series are modeled as difference or trend stationary. Dickey–Fuller and Lagrange–Multiplier tests are used to show that the series are difference stationary. Long- and short-sample series are tested. Trend-stationary modeling strongly predicts rising resource prices. The result from difference–stationary modeling is that there is only a weak supposition that natural resource prices will rise.
Synthesis of the central C18–C30 core of the phorboxazole natural products

Abstract A direct synthesis of the central C18C30 core of the phorboxazole natural products has been developed. This involves construction of an acyclic acrylate using Paterson's ( E )-enol borinate aldol methodology followed by an intramolecular hetero-Michael addition to form the central pyran ring of the natural products.
A classical instability of Reissner-Nordstrom solutions and the fate of magnetically charged black holes

Working in the context of spontaneously broken gauge theories, we show that the magnetically charged Reissner-Nordstrom solution develops a classical instability if the horizon is sufficiently small. This instability has significant implications for the evolution of a magnetically charged black hole. In particular, it leads to the possibility that such a hole could evaporate completely, leaving in its place a nonsingular magnetic monopole.
DNA microarray analysis of gene expression markers of endometriosis.

Abstract Objective: To use DNA microarray technology to examine differential gene expression in uterine endometrium versus endometriosis implants. Design: Pilot study. Setting: Volunteers in an academic research environment. Patient(s): Premenopausal women scheduled for surgery for suspected endometriosis. Intervention(s): Surgical excision of endometriosis tissue and uterine endometrial biopsy. Main Outcome Measure(s): Gene expression. Result(s): The expression of eight genes from a total of 4,133 genes on the DNA microarray was increased in endometriosis implants compared with uterine endometrium. The eight genes were β-actin, α-2 actin, vimentin, 40S ribosomal protein S23, Ig-λ light chain, Ig germline H chain G-E-A region γ-2 constant region gene, major histocompatibility complex class 1,C, and complement component 1 S subcomponent. Conclusion(s): The data demonstrate that the DNA microarray is an effective tool for the identification of differentially expressed genes between uterine and ectopic endometrium; further study of the genes identified herein will expand our understanding of the nature of endometriosis and assist in the eventual development of new treatments for endometriosis.
Optimal control of bacterial growth

A stabilizing feedback control is designed for Haldane-Monod model of microbial growth. The controlled process is optimal in the sense that it approaches the maximum production steady-state from any initial state, while the amount of microorganisms produced in transients is also maximized. Data from a series of experiments are given and used to adjust the model parameters. Satisfactory agreement between experimental and model transients is obtained.
Phase singularity diffusion

We follow the trajectories of phase singularities at nulls of intensity in the speckle pattern of waves transmitted through random media as the frequency of the incident radiation is scanned in microwave experiments and numerical simulations. Phase singularities are observed to diffuse with a linear increase of the square displacement 〈R2〉 with frequency shift. The product of the diffusion coefficient of phase singularities in the transmitted speckle pattern and the photon diffusion coefficient through the random medium is proportional to the square of the effective sample length. This provides the photon diffusion coefficient and a method for characterizing the motion of dynamic material systems.
Development and application of versatile bis-hydroxamic acids for catalytic asymmetric oxidation

In this article, we describe the development and preliminary results of our new designed C2-symmetric bis-hydroxamic acid (BHA) ligands and the application of the new ligands for vanadium-catalyzed asymmetric epoxidation of allylic alcohols as well as homoallylic alcohols. From this success we demonstrate the versatile nature of BHA in the molybdenum catalyzed asymmetric oxidation of unfunctionalized olefins and sulfides.
Notes on branes in matrix theory

We study the effective actions of various brane configurations in Matrix theory. Starting from the 0 + 1-dimensional quantum mechanics, we replace coordinate matrices by covariant derivatives in the large N limit, thereby obtaining effective field theories on the brane world-volumes. Even for non-compact branes, these effective theories are of Yang-Mills type, with constant background magnetic fields. In the case of a D2-brane, we show explicitly how the effective action equals the large magnetic field limit of the Born-Infeld action, and thus derive from Matrix theory the action used by Polchinski and Pouliot to compute M-momentum transfer between membranes. We also consider the effect of compactifying transverse directions. Finally, we analyze a scattering process involving a recently proposed background representing a classically stable D6 + D0 brane configuration. We compute the potential between this configuration and a D0-brane, and show that the result agrees with supergravity.
Using mixture models to detect sex bias in health outcomes in Bangladesh

Abstract Many interesting economic hypotheses entail differences in behaviors of groups within a population, but analyses of pooled samples shed only partial light on underlying segmentations. Finite mixture models are considered as an alternative to methods based on pooling. Robustness checks using t -regressions and a Bayesian analogue to the likelihood ratio test for model evaluation are developed. The methodology is used to investigate pro-son bias in child health outcomes in Bangladesh. While regression analysis on the entire sample appears to wash out evidence of bias, the mixture models reveal systematic girl-boy differences in health outcomes.
Above-threshold ionization in the long-wavelength limit

In the long-wavelength limit, above-threshold ionization (ATI) is primarily the result of the interaction of a newly freed electron with the laser field. Classical physics requires that linearly and circularly polarized light produce very different ATI spectra. Measurements performed using both linearly and circularly polarized, picosecond, 10-\ensuremath{\mu}m pulses confirm these conclusions.
The First Total Synthesis of Dragmacidin D

The first total synthesis of the biologically significant bis-indole alkaloid dragmacidin D (5) has been achieved. Thermal and electronic modulation provides the key for a series of palladium-catalyzed Suzuki cross-coupling reactions that furnished the core structure of the complex guanidine- and aminoimidazole-containing dragmacidins. Following this crucial sequence, a succession of meticulously controlled final events was developed leading to the completion of the natural product.
Spectral reflectance properties of black chrome for use as a solar selective coating

The NASA-Lewis Research Center has determined that a widely available, commercially electroplated decorative finish known as black chrome has desirable solar selective properties. Black chrome electroplated coating has high absorbence in the solar spectrum and low emissivity in the 250°F blackbody thermal spectrum. The discovery of the solar selective properties of black chrome adds another high-efficiency coating to the older, previously known coatings. Additionally, the black chrome is significant as a solar selective coating because the current extensive use of black chrome in the electroplating industry as a durable, decorative finish makes black chrome widely available and potentially lower cost as a solar selective coating. The spectral reflectance properties of a commercially prepared black chrome on steel have been measured. Values are presented for reflectance of the black chrome. These are compared with the reflectance of black paint (Nextel) and with two available samples of black nickel which had been prepared for solar selective properties. The reflectance of black chrome, the two black nickels, and black paint integrated over the solar spectrum for air mass 2 were 0·132, 0·123, 0·133 and 0·033, respectively. The reflectance of the black chrome, two black nickels, and black paint integrated over the blackbody spectrum for 250°F from 3 to 15 μm are 0·912, 0·934, 0·891 and 0·033, respectively. These reflectance measurements indicate absorptivity-to-emissivity (αϵ) values of 9·8, 13·8, 8·0 and 1·00, respectively.
Measuring the quality of computer model performance

Abstract One of the critical validation issues is determining the quality of the performance of a computer model compared to human experts. This paper addresses that basic evaluation issue using a set of statistical methodologies that fall under the umbrella of ‘computer intensive statistics’, including enumeration and randomization. In some cases, computer intensive methods can be used to mitigate some of the limitations of small sample sizes, inherent in the comparison of systems to humans, since human expertise is limited. In addition, computer intensive methods make no distribution assumption, thus, the problems of the data not meeting the underlying parameter or distributional assumptions also can be mitigated. As a result, computer intensive methods can be used to supplement or replace traditional, distribution-based-methods. The evaluation data from two different studies is analyzed in detail. The investigation in one case study finds that the quality of the decision process is independent of outcome performance. The evaluation in the other study indicates that some parts of the system apparently have more impact on user's judgements than other parts.
A remark on boundary restrictions in the global Newton method

Abstract This remark shows how Smale's method of computing fixed points can be extended to problems involving very general boundary behavior.
Liapunov Stability Analysis of Hybrid Dynamical Systems in the Neighborhood of Nontrivial Equilibrium

This paper is concerned with the stability of a hybrid dynamical system in the neighborhood of a nontrivial equilibrium, where the system consists of one rigid part and n elastic members. The body moves in a central-force field with its mass center describing a circular orbit. The nontrivial equilibrium is defined by steady rotation of the system at an angular velocity equal to the orbital velocity, with the elastic members being in deformed state. A Liapunov stability analysis is performed by assuming small perturbations about the nontrivial equilibrium, where the latter is generally defined by nonlinear differential equations. The theory is applied to a gravity-gradient stabilized satellite with flexible appendages.
A statistical mechanical problem in Schwarzschild spacetime

We use Fermi coordinates to calculate the canonical partition function for an ideal gas in a circular geodesic orbit in Schwarzschild spacetime. To test the validity of the results we prove theorems for limiting cases. We recover the Newtonian gas law subject only to tidal forces in the Newtonian limit. Additionally we recover the special relativistic gas law as the radius of the orbit increases to infinity. We also discuss how the method can be extended to the non ideal gas case.
Interfacing Collective Atomic Excitations and Single Photons

We study the performance and limitations of a coherent interface between collective atomic states and single photons. A quantized spin-wave excitation of an atomic sample inside an optical resonator is prepared probabilistically, stored, and adiabatically converted on demand into a sub-Poissonian photonic excitation of the resonator mode. The measured peak single-quantum conversion efficiency of $\ensuremath{\chi}=0.84(11)$ and its dependence on various parameters are well described by a simple model of the mode geometry and multilevel atomic structure, pointing the way towards implementing high-performance stationary single-photon sources.
Homogeneous Formulas and Symmetric Polynomials

We investigate the arithmetic formula complexity of the elementary symmetric polynomials $${S^k_n}$$. We show that every multilinear homogeneous formula computing $${S^k_n}$$ has size at least $${k^{\Omega(\log k)}n}$$, and that product-depth d multilinear homogeneous formulas for $${S^k_n}$$ have size at least $${2^{\Omega(k^{1/d})}n}$$. Since $${S^{n}_{2n}}$$ has a multilinear formula of size O(n 2), we obtain a superpolynomial separation between multilinear and multilinear homogeneous formulas. We also show that $${S^k_n}$$ can be computed by homogeneous formulas of size $${k^{O(\log k)}n}$$, answering a question of Nisan and Wigderson. Finally, we present a superpolynomial separation between monotone and non-monotone formulas in the noncommutative setting, answering a question of Nisan.
El Güegüence, post-Sandinista Nicaragua, and the Resistant Politics of Dancing

hen Irene Lopez began her career staging the folkloric dances of southwest Nicaragua in the capital of Managua, she was met with harsh criticism by the traditional dancers of the region. "She came to rip off the true folk- lore," Flavio Gamboa told T. M. Scruggs in a 1998 article in the Latin American Music Review. "(S)he created a representation in her own style and (says) 'this is a traditional performance from Monimbo'" (16). The same accusations were leveled at Lopez when she first staged the national dance-drama El Gueguence, 1 as UNESCO granted it the status of intangible heritage in 2003. Her staging of the piece added to El Gueguence, embellishing certain parts of the story and inserting extra folk dances. She titled her work El Gran picaro in an attempt to avoid the misconception that she was sta- ging the "original," but no matter, the new creation irritated the dancers in Diriamba, the birthplace of the dance tradition. By the same token, groups all over Nicaragua have taken up the drama with its unlikely cultural hero to comment on the current political situation, to explore the performance of Nicaraguan identity, and to practice a certain level of resistance to the status quo. While some see the title character Gueguence as the corrupt politician, tricking imperialist powers for his own enrichment, others see Gueguence as a representative of the oppressed. The wildly different interpretations of the national treasure spin from the politics of the dance as either a unique cultural expression or one that represents a broader idea of a people, either the indigenous who created the dance during colonial times or the nation of people who have adopted it. Through the bodily practice of El Gueguence, I wish to explore a chain of erasures, highlights, and reanimations that make up the lived culture of postrevolutionary Nicaragua.
Visible light photoredox catalysis: applications in organic synthesis

The use of visible light sensitization as a means to initiate organic reactions is attractive due to the lack of visible light absorbance by organic compounds, reducing side reactions often associated with photochemical reactions conducted with high energy UV light. This tutorial review provides a historical overview of visible light photoredox catalysis in organic synthesis along with recent examples which underscore its vast potential to initiate organic transformations.
Excitations and optical properties of phenylene based polymers

Abstract A complex picture of phenylene-based polymers is developed which unifies features of band and molecular exciton models. It incorporates major experimental finding in direct and photoinduced optical absorption, stimulated photoemission and photoconductivity. We give new assignments for the most disputed features and identify new ones as edge states. We confirm a low binding energy for the principle emitting exciton and show that it dominates also in the fundamental absorption. Contradictions in the current modeling state-of-art are displayed and discussed.
Synthesis of 3-methylindoles from N-aryl-N-(3-triisopropylsilylpropargyl)sulfonamides

Abstract Treatment of terminal triisopropylsilyl propargyl anilines with methanesulfonic acid resulted in cyclization to give a 3-methylindole derivative.
Drought-Induced Reduction in Global Terrestrial Net Primary Production from 2000 Through 2009

Terrestrial net primary production (NPP) quantifies the amount of atmospheric carbon fixed by plants and accumulated as biomass. Previous studies have shown that climate constraints were relaxing with increasing temperature and solar radiation, allowing an upward trend in NPP from 1982 through 1999. The past decade (2000 to 2009) has been the warmest since instrumental measurements began, which could imply continued increases in NPP; however, our estimates suggest a reduction in the global NPP of 0.55 petagrams of carbon. Large-scale droughts have reduced regional NPP, and a drying trend in the Southern Hemisphere has decreased NPP in that area, counteracting the increased NPP over the Northern Hemisphere. A continued decline in NPP would not only weaken the terrestrial carbon sink, but it would also intensify future competition between food demand and proposed biofuel production.
An expeditious approach toward the total synthesis of CP-263,114.

Assembly of the carbocyclic core of CP-263,114 has been accomplished efficiently and in high yield. Key steps include a phenolic oxidation/intramolecular Diels−Alder sequence, tandem radical cyclization, and the late-stage fragmentation of a densely functionalized isotwistane skeleton.
Broken symmetry, hyper-fermions and universal conductance in transport through a fractional quantum Hall edge

We have found solution to a model of tunneling between a multi-channel Fermi liquid reservoir and an edge of the principal fractional quantum Hall liquid (FQHL) in the strong-coupling limit. The solution explains how the absence of the time-reversal symmetry at high energies due to chiral edge propagation makes the universal two-terminal conductance of the FQHL fractionally quantized and different from that of a 1D Tomonaga-Luttinger liquid wire, where a similar model but preserving the time-reversal symmetry predicts unsuppressed free-electron conductance.
Classical information transmission capacity of quantum black holes

The fate of classical information incident on a quantum black hole has been the subject of an ongoing controversy in theoretical physics, because a calculation within the framework of semi-classical curved-space quantum field theory appears to show that the incident information is irretrievably lost, in contradiction to time-honored principles such as time-reversibility and unitarity. Here, we show within this framework embedded in quantum communication theory that signaling from past to future null infinity in the presence of a Schwarzschild black hole can occur with arbitrary accuracy, and thus that classical information is not lost in black hole dynamics. The calculation relies on a treatment that is manifestly unitary from the outset, where probability conservation is guaranteed because black holes stimulate the emission of radiation in response to infalling matter. This stimulated radiation is non-thermal and contains all of the information about the infalling matter, while Hawking radiation contains none of it.
Competence and certification of registered nurses and safety of patients in intensive care units

Background Adverse events that place patients at risk for harm are common in intensive care units. Clinicians' level of knowledge and judgment appear to play a role in the prevention, mitigation, and creation of adverse advents. Research suggests a possible association between nurses' specialty certification and clinical expertise. The relationship between specialty certification and clinical competence of registered nurses and safety of patients is a relatively new area of inquiry in nursing. Objective To explore the relationship between the proportion of certified staff nurses in a unit and risk of harm to patients. Methods Hierarchical linear modeling was used in a secondary data analysis of 48 intensive care units from a random sample of 29 hospitals to examine the relationships between unit certification rates, organizational nursing characteristics (magnet status, staffing, education, and experience), and rates of medication administration errors, falls, skin breakdown, and 3 types of nosocomial infections. Medicare case mix index was used to adjust for patient risk. Results Unit proportion of certified staff registered nurses was inversely related to rate of falls, and total hours of nursing care was positively related to medication administration errors. The mean number of years of experience of registered nurses in the unit was inversely related to frequency of urinary tract infections; however, the small sample size requires that caution be exercised when interpreting results. Conclusions Specialty certification and competence of registered nurses are related to patients' safety. Further research on this relationship is needed.
A Structural and Dynamical Study of Late-Type, Edge-On Galaxies: I. Sample Selection and Imaging Data

We present optical (B and R) and infrared (Ks) images and photometry for a sample of 49 extremely late-type, edge-on disk galaxies selected from the Flat Galaxy Catalog of Karenchentsev et al. Our sample was selected to include galaxies with particularly large axial ratios, increasing the likelihood that the galaxies in the sample are truly edge-on. We have also concentrated the sample on galaxies with low apparent surface brightness in order to increase the representation of intrinsically low surface brightness galaxies. Finally, the sample was chosen to have no apparent bulges or optical warps so that the galaxies represent undisturbed, "pure disk" systems. The resulting sample forms the basis for a much larger spectroscopic study designed to place constraints on the physical quantities and processes that shape disk galaxies. The imaging data presented in this paper have been painstakingly reduced and calibrated to allow accurate surface photometry of features as faint as 30 mag arcsec-2 in B and 29 mag arcsec-2 in R on scales larger than 10''. Because of limitations in sky subtraction and flat-fielding, the infrared data can reach only to 22.5 mag arcsec-2 in Ks on comparable scales. As part of this work, we have developed a new method for quantifying the reliability of surface photometry, which provides useful diagnostics for the presence of scattered light, optical emission from infrared cirrus, and other sources of nonuniform sky backgrounds.
Electromagnetic Casimir energies of semi-infinite planes

Using recently developed techniques based on scattering theory, we find the electromagnetic Casimir energy for geometries involving semi-infinite planes, a case that is of particular interest in the design of microelectromechanical devices. We obtain both approximate analytic formulae and exact results requiring only modest numerical computation. Using these results, we analyze the effects of edges and orientation on the Casimir energy. We also demonstrate the accuracy, simplicity, and utility of our approximation scheme, which is based on a multiple reflection expansion.
Message-passing multi-cell molecular dynamics on the Connection Machine 5

Abstract We present a new scalable algorithm for short-range molecular dynamics simulations on distributed memory MIMD multicomputers based on a message-passing multi-cell approach. We have implemented the algorithm on the Connection Machine 5 (CM-5) and demonstrate that meso-scale molecular dynamics with more than 108 particles is now possible on massively parallel MIMD computers. Typical runs show single particle update-times of 0.15 μs in 2 dimentions (2D) and approximately 1 μs in 3 dimensions (3D) on a 1024 node CM-5 without vector units, corresponding to more than 1.8 Gflops overall performance. We also present a scaling equation which agrees well with actually observed timings.
Real-Time Consensus-Based Scene Reconstruction Using Commodity Graphics Hardware†

We present a novel use of commodity graphics hardware that effectively combines a plane-sweeping algorithm with view synthesis for real-time, online 3D scene acquisition and view synthesis. Using real-time imagery from a few calibrated cameras, our method can generate new images from nearby viewpoints, estimate a dense depth map from the current viewpoint, or create a textured triangular mesh. We can do each of these without any prior geometric information or requiring any user interaction, in real time and online. The heart of our method is to use programmable Pixel Shader technology to square intensity differences between reference image pixels, and then to choose final colors (or depths) that correspond to the minimum difference, i.e. the most consistent color. In this paper we describe the method, place it in the context of related work in computer graphics and computer vision, and present some results. ACM CSS: I.3.3 Computer Graphics—Bitmap and framebuffer operations, I.4.8 Image Processing and Computer Vision—Depth cues, Stereo
Adrenomedullin reduces gender-dependent loss of hypotensive cerebrovasodilation after newborn brain injury through activation of ATP-dependent K channels.

Cerebrovascular dysregulation during hypotension occurs after fluid percussion brain injury (FPI) in the newborn pig owing to impaired K channel function. This study was designed to (1) determine the role of gender and K channel activation in adrenomedullin (ADM) cerebrovasodilation, (2) characterize the role of gender in the loss of hypotensive cerebrovasodilation after FPI, and (3) determine the role of gender in the ability of exogenous ADM to modulate hypotensive dysregulation after FPI. Lateral FPI (2 atm) was induced in newborn male and female newborn pigs (1 to 5 days old) equipped with a closed cranial window, n = 6 for each protocol. Adrenomedullin-induced pial artery dilation was significantly greater in female than male piglets and blocked by the KATP channel antagonist glibenclamide, but not by the Kca channel antagonist iberiotoxin. Cerebrospinal fluid ADM was increased from 3.8 ± 0.7 to 14.6 ± 3.0 fmol/mL after FPI in female but was unchanged in male piglets. Hypotensive pial artery dilation...
Matrix formalism of synchrobetatron coupling

In this paper we present a complete linear synchrobetatron coupling formalism by studying the transfer matrix which describes linear horizontal and longitudinal motions. With the technique established in the linear horizontal-vertical coupling study [D. Sagan and D. Rubin, Phys. Rev. ST Accel. Beams 2, 074001 (1999)], we found a transformation to block diagonalize the transfer matrix and decouple the betatron motion and the synchrotron motion. By separating the usual dispersion term from the horizontal coordinate first, we were able to obtain analytic expressions of the transformation under reasonable approximations. We also obtained the perturbations to the betatron tune and the Courant-Snyder functions. The closed-orbit changes due to finite energy gains at rf cavities and radiation energy losses were studied by the $5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}5$ extended transfer matrix with the fifth column describing kicks in the 4-dimension phase space.
Numerical experiments on expanding gravitational systems

An experimental study of expanding gravitational systems of N bodies is performed by means of computer experiments. A description of the numerical techniques, integration scheme, special handling of close encounters, is given. The effect of the rest of the universe on the system is simulated by adding a smooth time dependent gravitational field. The results are compared with the evolution of similar systems with more discrete particles placed outside. During the computer experiments, a reduction of the number of bodies is sometimes made by reducing small subclusters to single particles at their centers of mass. For 25 ⩽ N ⩽ 200, the results are shown to be sensitive to nearby external physical sources. Some very accurate, reversible and reproducible runs have been made in order to show that the computations represent purely gravitational interactions, without uncontrolled and unphysical perturbations.
Room-temperature alternative to the Arbuzov reaction: the reductive deoxygenation of acyl phosphonates.

The reductive deoxygenation of acyl phosphonates using a Wolff−Kishner-like sequence is described. This transformation allows direct access to alkyl phosphonates from acyl phosphonates at room temperature. The method can be combined with acyl phosphonate synthesis into a one pot, four-step procedure for the conversion of carboxylic acids into alkyl phosphonates. The methodology works well for a variety of aliphatic acids and shows a functional group tolerance similar to that of other hydrazone-forming reactions.
Bayesian estimation of a simultaneous probit model using error augmentation: An application to multi-buying and churning behavior

Researchers in marketing are often interested in analyzing how an agent’s discrete choice decision affects a subsequent or concurrent discrete choice decision by the same or different agent. This analysis may necessitate the use of a simultaneous equations model with discrete and continuous endogenous variables as explanatory variables. In this paper, we offer an error augmentation approach to Hierarchical Bayesian estimation of a simultaneous bivariate probit model containing both discrete and continuous endogenous variables. We accomplish the error augmentation in our MCMC algorithm using a Metropolis-Hastings step that generates the error components of the latent variables in our model. Using simulated data, we demonstrate that our error augmentation algorithm recovers closely the true parameters of the simultaneous bivariate probit model. We then apply our algorithm to customer churn data from a wireless service provider. We formulate a simultaneous bivariate probit model to study the impact of a customer’s multiple product relationships with a firm (multi-buying) on the likelihood of churn by that customer. The empirical results show that the act of multi-buying significantly reduces churn even though the customers who are more predisposed to multi-buy have an inherently higher predisposition to churn.
Upping the Ante for Political Economy Analysis of the International Financial Institutions

Public choice analysis has clearly demonstrated the need to consider the roles of rent seeking and bureaucratic self-interest in influencing the international economic policies of national governments and the behaviour of international organisations. We have reached a stage, however, where more attention needs to be paid to the nature of bureaucratic incentives and the degree of discretion that bureaucracies have under different circumstances. It is suggested that the incentives for budget maximisation are likely to vary substantially from one institution to another. Specifically such incentives seem likely to be much stronger for the World Bank than fot the IMF. The evidence presented by Rolanf Vaubel for budget maximisation by the IMF is critically examined and it is argued that much of this evidence is equally constant with other hypotheses. Thus there is a need for more research on the political economy of the international financial institutions.
Analysis of the 3-μm bands of benzene

Author Institution: Department of Physics, The Pennsylvania State University; Molecular Spectroscopy Division, National Bureau of Standards
Do Statistically Significant Correlations Exist between the Homestake Solar Neutrino Data and Sunspots

It has been suggested by various authors that a significant anticorrelation exists between the Homestake solar neutrino data and the sunspot cycle. Some of these claims rest on smoothing the data by taking running averages, a method that has recently undergone criticism. We demonstrate that no significant anticorrelation can be found in the Homestake data, or in standard averages of that data. However, when running averages are taken, an anticorrelation seems to emerge whose significance grows as the number of points in the average increases. Our analysis indicates that the apparently high significance of these anticorrelations is an artifact of the failure to consider the loss of independence introduced in the running average process. When this is considered, the significance is reduced to that of the unaveraged data. Furthermore, when evaluated via parametric subsampling, no statistically significant anticorrelation is found. We conclude that the Homestake data cannot be used to substantiate any claim of an anticorrelation with the sunspot cycle.